Y. K. Agrawal

Development of forced degradation and stability indicating studies of drugs—A review

Forced degradation is a degradation of new drug substance and drug product at conditions more severe than accelerated conditions. It is required to demonstrate specificity of stability indicating methods and also provides an insight into degradation pathways and degradation products of the drug substance and helps in elucidation of the structure of the degradation products. Forced degradation studies show the chemical behavior of the molecule which in turn helps in the development of formulation and package. In addition, the regulatory guidance is very general and does not explain about the performance of forced degradation studies. Thus, this review discusses the current trends in performance of forced degradation studies by providing a strategy for conducting studies on degradation mechanisms and also describes the analytical methods helpful for development of stability indicating method.

Nanosuspension: An approach to enhance solubility of drugs

One of the major problems associated with poorly soluble drugs is very low bioavailability. The problem is even more complex for drugs like itraconazole, simvastatin, and carbamazepine which are poorly soluble in both aqueous and nonaqueous media, belonging to BCS class II as classified by biopharmaceutical classification system. Formulation as nanosuspension is an attractive and promising alternative to solve these problems. Nanosuspension consists of the pure poorly water-soluble drug without any matrix material suspended in dispersion. Preparation of nanosuspension is simple and applicable to all drugs which are water insoluble. A nanosuspension not only solves the problems of poor solubility and bioavailability, but also alters the pharmacokinetics of drug and thus improves drug safety and efficacy. This review article describes the preparation methods, characterization, and applications of the nanosuspension.

Microwave assisted synthesis of new indophenazine 1,3,5-trisubstruted pyrazoline derivatives of benzofuran and their antimicrobial activity.

2-[1-(5,8-Dihydro quinoxalino[2,3-b]indoloacetyl)-3-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl] phenyl derivatives were synthesized from 2-(5,8-dihydro quinoxalino[2,3-b]indol-5-yl) acetohydrazide and (2E)-1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-4-phenylbut-2-en-1-ones derivatives using microwave-assisted route. The structures of all the compounds have been established on the basis of analytical and spectral data. Among the 14 compounds IPB-1, IPB-5, IPB-10, IPB-11 and IPB-12 were found good antibacterial activity and MICs were found bellow 10microg/mL against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus aureus, which can compared with sparfloxacin and norfloxacin.

Application of chelate forming resin Amberlite XAD-2-o-vanillinthiosemicarbazone to the separation and preconcentration of copper(II), zinc(II) and lead(II)

A very stable chelating resin matrix was synthesized by covalently linking o-vanillinthiosemicarbazone (oVTSC) with the benzene ring of the polystyrene-divinylbenzene resin Amberlite XAD-2 through a -NN- group. The resin was used successfully for the separation and preconcentration of copper(II), zinc(II) and lead(II) prior to their determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The total sorption capacity of the resin was 850, 1500 and 2000 mug g(-1) of the resin for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II), respectively. For the quantitative sorption and recovery of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II), the optimum pH and eluants were pH 2.5-4.0 and 4 M HCl or 2 M HNO(3) for Cu(II), pH 5.5-6.5 and 1.0-2.0 M HCl for Zn(II) and pH 6.0-7.5 and 3 M HCl or 1 M HNO(3) for Pb(II). Both, the uptake and stripping of these metal ions were fairly rapid, indicating a better accessibility of the chelating sites. The t (1 2 ) values for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) were also determined. Limit of tolerance of some electrolytes like NaCl, NaF, NaNO(3), Na(2)SO(4) and Na(3)PO(4) have been reported. The preconcentration factor for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) was 90, 140 and 100 respectively. The method was applied for the determination of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II) in the water samples collected from Sabarmati river, Ahmedabad, India.

Polymer supported calix[4]arene-semicarbazone derivative for separation and preconcentration of La(III), Ce(III), Th(IV) and U(VI)

Abstract The new “upper-rim” functionalized 11,23-disemicarbazono-26,28- n -dipropoxy-25,27-dihydroxy calix[4]arene has been synthesized by condensing 11,23-diformyl-26,28- n -dipropoxy-25,27-dihydroxy calix[4]arene with semicarbazide hydrochloride. This calix[4]arene-semicarbazone derivative was then covalently linked with commercially available Merrifield’s peptide resin at the “lower-rim” to obtain polymeric chelating resin and its analytical properties were investigated. The resin was then used successfully for the separation and preconcentration of lanthanum(III), cerium(III), thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) prior to their determination by spectrophotometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The resin exhibits good separating ability with maximum sorption between pH 2.5–4.5 for Th(IV) and between pH 5.5–7.0 for U(VI) whereas La(III) and Ce(III) were found to have maximum sorption between pH 6.5–8.5. The elution studies were carried out with 0.01 M HCl for La(III) and Ce(III), 2.0 M HCl for Th(IV) and 0.25 M HCl for U(VI). The preconcentration factors for La(III), Ce(III), Th(IV) and U(VI) were 125, 130, 102 and 108, respectively. The resin shows good stability along with faster rate of equilibrium for all the metal ions. The influence of several ions (cations and anions) on the resin performance is also discussed. The relative standard deviation was between 96 and 98% with good analytical reliability. The proposed method was applied for the determination of metal ions in monazite sand and some standard geological materials.

Speciation, liquid-liquid extraction, sequential separation, preconcentration, transport and ICP-AES determination of Cr(III), Mo(VI) and W(VI) with calix-crown hydroxamic acid in high purity grade materials and environmental samples.

A new functionalized calix[6]crown hydroxamic acid is reported for the speciation, liquid-liquid extraction, sequential separation and trace determination of Cr(III), Mo(VI) and W(VI). Chromium(III), molybdenum(VI) and tungsten(VI) are extracted at pH 4.5, 1.5M HCl and 6.0M HCl, respectively with calixcrown hydroxamic acid (37,38,39,40,41,42-hexahydroxy7,25,31-calix[6]crown hydroxamic acid) in chloroform in presence of large number of cations and anions. The extraction mechanism is investigated. The various extraction parameters, appropriate pH/M HCl, choice of solvent, effect of the reagent concentration, temperature and distribution constant have been studied. The speciation, preconcentration and kinetic of transport has been investigated. The maximum transport is observed 35, 45 and 30min for chromium(III), molybdenum(VI) and tungsten(IV), respectively. For trace determination the extracts were directly inserted into the plasma for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, ICP-AES, measurements of chromium, molybdenum and tungsten which increase the sensitivity by 30-fold, with detection limits of 3ngml(-1). The method is applied for the determination of chromium, molybdenum and tungsten in high purity grade ores, biological and environmental samples. The chromium was recovered from the effluent of electroplating industries.

Design, synthesis, and antitubercular evaluation of novel series of 3-benzofuran-5-aryl-1-pyrazolyl-pyridylmethanone and 3-benzofuran-5-aryl-1-pyrazolylcarbonyl-4-oxo-naphthyridin analogs

Twenty-eight newer 3-benzofuran-5-aryl-1-pyrazolyl-pyridylmethanone and 3-benzofuran-5-aryl-1-pyrazolylcarbonyl-4-oxo-naphthyridin analogs were synthesized by microwave irradiation method and evaluated for in-vitro and in-vivo antitubercular activity against multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis stains. Structure-activity relationship study was carried out and found NO(2) (o) substituted 3-benzofuran-5-aryl-1-pyrazolylcarbonyl-4-oxo-naphthyridin was most potent antitubercular agent against M. tuberculosis, even better than standard drug isoniazid and comparable with rifampin. Other synthesized compounds 7j, 7f, 7a, 7e and 5d, 5f were found moderate to good activity in in-vitro model at lower IC(50) values 85 microM, 154 microM, 157 microM, 164 microM, 170 microM and 190 microML respectively. In in-vivo animal model compound 7j was drastically reduced the bacterial load in lung and spleen tissues at the dose of 25 mg/kg body weight.

Natural polyphenols in the management of major depression

Introduction: Natural polyphenols, the non-essential micronutrients, found in array of plant products, are known to affect various physiological and biochemical functions in the body. Studies have shown the protective effect of these polyphenols in different neurological and mental disorders. These polyphenols modulate monoaminergic neurotransmission in the brain and thus possess antidepressant-like activity at least in animal models of depression. Areas covered: The present review discusses the use of these natural polyphenols in the treatment of major depression. The review article discusses the antidepressant potential of some important polyphenols such as amentoflavone, apigenin, chlorogenic acid, curcumin, ferulic acid, hesperidin, rutin, quercetin, naringenin, resveratrol, ellagic acid, nobiletin and proanthocyanidins. The mechanism of action of these polyphenols in the treatment of major depression is also discussed in detail. Expert opinion: There is an exciting prospect in the discovery of natural polyphenols as therapeutic agents in the treatment of major depression.

Solvent extraction, separation of uranium (VI) with crown ether

A solvent extraction separation of uranium with a new crown hydroxamic acid 5, 14-N, N′-hydroxyphenyl-4, 15-dioxo-1,5,14,18-tetraaza hexacosane (NHDTAHA) in the presence of cerium, thorium and lanthanides is described. The uranium is extracted with chloroform solution of NHDTAHA and the extract is directly used for GS-AAS measurements. The detection limit is 0.01 ppm with a sensitivity of 20 ng/0.005 absorbance of uranium. The extraction constants of uranium crown hydroxamic acid complexes are determined. The selectivity factors (Kuranyl/Kn+M) for uranium crown hyrdoxamate evaluated by comparing the Kuranyl with the stability constants for competing metal cations (Kn+M) and anions (KnA−) and were found to be remarkably large. Uranium is preconcentrated and also determined spectrophotometrically. The molar absorptivity is 1.0×104 l−1 mol−1 per cm at 390 nm and system obeys Beer’s law in the range 2.0–30 ppm of uranium. Uranium has been determined in standard and environmental samples.

Chitosan as a suitable nanocarrier material for anti-Alzheimer drug delivery

Chitosan, a biocompatible natural polysaccharide is frequently reported carrier material in targeted drug delivery to treat neurodegenerative disorders. Chitosan and its biodegradable products exert its bioactivities on nerve cells and blood brain barrier at the molecular level, which are beneficial in anti-Alzheimer therapy. Flexibility of surface modification, the ability to get attached with varieties of ligand molecules and the formation of the stable nano complex in physiological condition make chitosan an adorable material for delivery of anti-Alzheimer drugs and siRNA to the brain. The success rate of nose to brain delivery of anti-Alzheimer drugs enhances when chitosan used as a carrier material. This review covers direct and indirect anti-Alzheimer effects of chitosan, surface modification strategies to augment permeation from the blood-brain barrier structure, different ligands reported for brain targeting of chitosan nanoparticles containing anti Alzheimer drugs, blood compatibility and widely utilized chitosan nanoparticle fabrication techniques. Key intellectual claims are also condensed through patents to appraise chitosan as an attractive polymer for brain targeted nanoformulation which is currently facing oversight by regulatory agencies and manufacturers.