Alia Erum

Preparation and characterization of pH sensitive crosslinked Linseed polysaccharides-co-acrylic acid/methacrylic acid hydrogels for controlled delivery of ketoprofen

Abstract Some pH responsive polymeric matrix of Linseed (Linum usitatissimum), L. hydrogel (LSH) was prepared by free radical polymerization using potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator, N,N-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker, acrylic acid (AA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) as monomers; while ketoprofen was used as a model drug. Different formulations of LSH-co-AA and LSH-co-MAA were formulated by varying the concentration of crosslinker and monomers. Structures obtained were thoroughly characterized using Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, XRD analysis and Scanning electron microscopy. Sol-gel fractions, porosity of the materials and ketoprofen loading capacity were also measured. Swelling and in vitro drug release studies were conducted at simulated gastric fluids, i.e., pH 1.2 and 7.4. FTIR evaluation confirmed successful grafting of AA and MAA to LSH backbone. XRD studies showed retention of crystalline structure of ketoprofen in LSH-co-AA and its amorphous dispersion in LSH-co-MAA. Gel content was increased by increasing MBA and monomer content; whereas porosity of hydrogel was increased by increasing monomer concentration and decreased by increasing MBA content. Swelling of copolymer hydrogels was high at pH 7.4 and low at pH 1.2. Ketoprofen release showed an increasing trend by increasing monomer content; however it was decreased with increasing MBA content. Sustained release of ketoprofen was noted from copolymers and release followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model.

Is folklore use of Euphorbia helioscopia devoid of toxic effects

Abstract Objective: To evaluate acute toxic effects of Euphorbia helioscopia in order to assure the safety and usefulness of herbal remedy. Materials and methods: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for chemical testing guidelines No. 425 for acute oral toxicity testing were followed in this study. Mice were divided into three groups (n = 5). Group I served as control. Groups II and III were administered methanol extract of E. helioscopia leaves and latex orally at dose of 2000 mg/kg, respectively. Then, all the animals were observed for two weeks. Blood sampling was done by cardiac puncture after 14 days from each group for biochemical analysis. Histopathology was performed to find out any microscopic lesion in vital organs. Results and discussion: LD50 was found greater than 2000 mg/kg. There was decrease in cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL levels of latex and leaves with methanol extract-treated animals, with respect to control indicating plant’s hypolipidemic effect. On macroscopic examination, no lesions were found on vital organs, such as liver, heart and kidney; and normal architecture was observed on microscopic examination. Conclusion: On the basis of results, it was concluded that methanol extract of E. helioscopia leaves and latex were devoid of toxic effects in acute toxicity study.

CAN STRESS BE CONVERTED INTO DEPRESSION WITH TIME

Depression is a disorder in which a person is unfit physically and mentally. WHO stated it is the fourth major cause of passing disable life. It reduces individual’s productive life and leads to premature mortality. From last 20 years an extensive research has been done to find relationship between life stress and depression. Stress is not the sole causative factor, but genetic as well as biological changes in the depressed individual play important role in the onset of depression. Other predisposing factors for depression include childhood stress such as ignorance by family, early loss of parents, physical or sexual abuse, no social support, financial loss etc. Stressful life events can lead to depression has been explored by many researchers and concluded that stressful life-events can arouse or trigger depression episodes in susceptible individuals

ROLE OF HIGH DOSE ASPIRIN IN MODULATING HYPERLIPIDEMIA AND HYPERGLYCEMIA

This study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of high dose aspirin in rabbits. Healthy rabbits were made diabetic by injecting 150mg/kg body weight of Alloxan, in normal saline solution. intravenously in the marginal ear vein for seven days. The rabbits with serum glucose levels greater than 200mg/dl were considered as diabetic and used in this study. High dose aspirin (120mg/kg) p.o. showed maximum decrease in serum triglyceride level (42.07%), serum total cholesterol level (19.36%), and serum LDL level (6.18%). Glibenclamide showed decrease in fasting blood glucose level 56.31% as compared to high dose aspirin (23.91%). In the light of these results, it is suggested that such study should be carried out in human beings to make use of agents having S inhibitory activity of kappa Kinase Beta (IKKs) pathway, which will provide a novel approach for treatment of diabetes- associated hyperlipidaemia.

ENHANCED SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ESCHERICHIA COLI, STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES TO FLUOROQUINOLONES IN THE PRESENCE OF PROCHLORPERAZINE

Combating the problem of microbial resistance is one of the major challenges the medical sciences facing today. Inhibition of resistance mechanism in bacteria seems much better approach than developing new antibiotics only. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of different concentrations of prochlorperazine in increasing the effectiveness of fluoroquinolones against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The bacteria were isolated from indigenous sources and identified through cultural characteristics, Grams’ staining and biochemical tests. The master suspensions were subjected to viable count and inoculated at the rate of 106 CFU/ml of the media for antimicrobial sensitivity testing. The four fluoroquinolones i.e. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, pefloxacin and norfloxacin were first applied to bacterial cultures alone and then in combination with four different concentrations (16μg/ml, 32μg/ml, 64μg/ml and 128μg/ml) of prochlorperazine and inhibition of growth was recorded in terms of diameter of zones of inhibition. A linear relationship was found between the increase in concentration of prochlorperazine and diameter of zones of inhibition against all the fluoroquinolones. The diameter of zones of inhibition were significantly (p<0.05) greater with 128μg/ml of prochlorperazine in combination with all the four fluoroquinolones against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. In contrast E. coli showed significant susceptibility (p<0.05) only to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin in the presence of prochlorperazine. It was concluded that prochlorperazine is capable of increasing the susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and E coli when used in combination with different fluoroquinolones. This approach of hindering the resistance mechanism of bacteria with non-antibiotics can shift many of the resistant strains of bacteria to susceptible.