Vijay Juyal

Antilithiatic effect of flowers of Jasminum Auriculatum Vahl.

The effect of oral administration of aqueous and alcohol extracts of Jasminum auriculatum Vahl (Oleaceae) flowers on calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis has been studied in male albino rats. Ethylene glycol feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium and phosphate. Supplementation with aqueous and alcohol extract of J. auriculatum flowers significantly reduced the elevated urinary oxalate, showing a regulatory action on endogenous oxalate synthesis. The increased deposition of stone forming constituents in the kidneys of calculogenic rats was significantly lowered by curative and preventive treatment using aqueous and alcohol extracts. The results indicate that the flowers of J. auriculatum are endowed with antiurolithiatic activity. Key words: Ethylene glycol, flowers, hyperoxaluria, Jasminum auriculatum, nephrolithiasis

Phytochemical, Antidiabetic, and Cytoprotective Properties of Berberisaristata DC. Root Extracts

The present study was aimed to evaluate the phytochemical, antidiabetic, and cytoprotective properties of Ber- beris aristata DC. (Berberidaceae) root extracts. After phytochemical evaluation of various extracts of B. aristata roots, the ethanol extract was found to be rich in phytochemicals with the presence of alkaloid determined by the thin layer chromatography; hence ethanol extract was selected for further study. Administration of ethanol extract of B. aristata roots in diabetic rats showed dose dependent reduction in hyperglycemia. The levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyc- eride, AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), serum creatinine and blood urea were signifi- cantly decreased in diabetic rats when compared with diabetic control rats.

Programmed delivery of verapamil hydrochloride from tablet in a capsule device

The aim of the present work was to develop a programmed drug delivery system which would be able to release the drug after 6 h of lag time by use of hydrophilic polymers. The capsule body was made impermeable by use of formaldehyde vapor treatment, while the cap was untreated. The capsule was filled with two layered tablets (tablet-in-capsule), followed by a sodium bicarbonate:citric acid mixture (SBCM) and lactose as bulking agent. Sodium alginate, chitosan, HPMC K15 and chitosan:sodium alginate complex (CSAC) were used as the rate modulating layer. Through combined use of HPMC K15 and adjusting the ratio of CSAC, the desired lag time of 6 h was obtained. The effect of the bulking agents on the lag time were also studied and it was found that the lag time was decreased with higher amounts of lactose, and delayed dissolution and decreased lag time was observed at higher amount of effervescent mixture.