Sabahat Jabeen

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients of lower respiratory tract infections.

The present study was conducted to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from sputum samples of lower respiratory tract infection patients admitted to different hospitals of Karachi. Most of the hospitals are hampered with high frequency of nosocomial infections generally caused by multiresistant nosocomial pathogen. Among Gram-negative pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa considered as most challenging pathogen. The objective of the study was to determine frequency of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from sputum samples and to find out susceptibility pattern against four antibiotics widely used for treatment. The sputum samples from 498 patients were collected consecutively between January 2010 and March 2011 and were cultured and identified. According to CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute) guidelines antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion method. Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from 24% (120/498) of the lower respiratory tract patient. A higher resistance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate was observed with piperacillin/tazobactam and cefipime i.e. 42% and 40% respectively. Imipenem was found to be most effective antibiotic against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (76% sensitivity) but amikacin resistance was continuously increasing. In conclusion the frequency of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also higher among lower respiratory tract infection patients with alarmingly high rate of resistance among widely used antibiotics. These findings focused on careful consideration for monitoring and optimization of antimicrobial use in order to reduce occurrence and spread of antimicrobial resistant pathogen.

Use of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers for the development of controlled release tizanidine matrix tablets

The aim of the present study was to develop tizanidine controlled release matrix. Formulations were designed using central composite method with the help of design expert version 7.0 software. Avicel pH 101 in the range of 14-50% was used as a filler, while HPMC K4M and K100M in the range of 25-55%, Ethylcellulose 10 ST and 10FP in the range of 15 - 45% and Kollidon SR in the range of 25-60% were used as controlled release agents in designing different formulations. Various physical parameters including powder flow for blends and weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration time and in-vitro release were tested for tablets. Assay of tablets were also performed as specified in USP 35 NF 32. Physical parameters of both powder blend and compressed tablets such as compressibility index, angle of repose, weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration time and assay were evaluated and found to be satisfactory for formulations K4M2, K4M3, K4M9, K100M2, K100M3, K100M9, E10FP2, E10FP9, KSR2, KSR3 & KSR9. In vitro dissolution study was conducted in 900 ml of 0.1N HCl, phosphate buffer pH 4.5 and 6.8 medium using USP Apparatus II. In vitro release profiles indicated that formulations prepared with Ethocel 10 standard were unable to control the release of drug while formulations K4M2, K100M9, E10FP2 & KSR2 having polymer content ranging from 40-55% showed a controlled drug release pattern in the above mentioned medium. Zero-order drug release kinetics was observed for formulations K4M2, K100M9, E10FP2 & KSR2. Similarity test (f 2) results for K4M2, E10FP2 & KSR2 were found to be comparable with reference formulation K100M9. Response Surface plots were also prepared for evaluating the effect of independent variable on the responses. Stability study was performed as per ICH guidelines and the calculated shelf life was 24-30 months for formulation K4M2, K100M9 and E10FP2.

Formulation design and evaluation of Cefuroxime axetil 125 mg immediate release tablets using different concentration of sodium lauryl sulphate as solubility enhancer

Formularam-se comprimidos de liberacao imediata a base de cefuroxima axetil, pelo metodo de compressao direta, com diferentes percentagens de lauril sulfato de sodio (LSS), tais como 0,5, 1,0, 1,5, e tambem sem SLS. Os lotes resultantes dos comprimidos foram avaliados por ambos os metodos da farmacopeia e nao farmacopeicos para determinar as propriedades fisico-mecânicas. O teste de dissolucao foi realizado em meios diferentes, como HCl 0,07 M, agua destilada, HCl 0,1 M com pH 1,2 e os tampoes fosfato (pH 4,5 e 6,8) para observar a liberacao do farmaco contra a correspondente concentracao de LSS utilizado. Em seguida, as formulacoes de teste foram comparadas por fatores f1 (dissimilaridade) e f2 (similaridade), utilizando uma marca de referencia de cefuroxima axetil. Diferencas significativas (p<0,05) na taxa de dissolucao foram registradas com a mudanca na concentracao de LSS em diferentes meios de dissolucao. A formulacao T3 contendo LSS a 1% foi considerada a melhor formulacao otimizada com base nos ensaios de desintegracao, dissolucao e fatores de semelhanca e dissimilaridade.

Formulation Development and Evaluation of Sodium Bicarbonate Tablets by Direct Compression Method

Acidity is a worldwide problem caused by an imbalance between the acid secreting mechanisms of stomach and proximal intestine. It creates great trouble in the life of many people. An antacid neutralizes excess acidity and provide relief. Sodium bicarbonate is prescribed as an antacid to treat heartburn and acid indigestion condition. The main objective of the current work was to prepare sodium bicarbonate antacid tablets by direct compression method and to evaluate trial formulation with those available in the local market by pharmacopeial and nonpharmacopeial methods. Besides sodium bicarbonate, the excipients used were lactose, microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) and magnesium stearate. The tablet weight set for compression was 318mg (±5%). After sieving through a 20 mesh screen, the powder was blended for five minutes and evaluated for its flow properties before compression on a single punch machine. The results revealed that the blend possessed good flow property, compressed easily and the resulting tablets complied all the standards and showed a close resemblance with sodium bicarbonate tablets which are available in the local market.