Assessment of dissolution profile of Pantoprazole tablets available in Bangladesh

The aim of the present study was to increase the solubility of a poorly water soluble BCS class II drug, valsartan. Liquisolid technology and solid dispersion by kneading method were techniques used to improve the solubility of the drug by using non-volatile solvents and some hydrophilic carriers. Liquisolid compacts were prepared by dissolving the drug in suitable non volatile solvents. The various non volatile solvents used were PG, PEG, and glycerine. The carrier coating materials play an important role in improving the solubility of the drug. The dissolution rate of the drug was increased by using propylene glycol as non-volatile solvent at 20:1 ratio of carrier to coating material. Solid dispersion by kneading method were another attempt to improve solubility the various carrier materials used were PVP K 30, PEG 6000 and mannitol, these carriers are used in various ratios to improve its solubility. The dissolution rate of drug using solid dispersion kneading method with mannitol was increased at 1:3 ratio. The DSC and FTIR studies revealed no drug excipients interactions, whereas XRD revealed the reduced crystalinity of drug, which showed enhanced solubility. From the results it was concluded that the liquisolid compacts enhanced the solubility of valsartan in comparison to traditional solid dispersion method.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.10441 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 58-62

Dissolution study of Spironolactone by using solid dispersion technique

The main objective of the current study was to formulate poorly water soluble drug Spirinolactone by using solid dispersion technique in order to achieve a better dissolution rate which would further help in enhancing oral bioavailability. Solid dispersions were prepared using two methods; solvent method and fusion method. Solid dispersion was prepared by using polymers, such as Hydroxy propylymethyl cellulose (HPMC 6cp), Hydroxy propyl cellulose (HPC), Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC), Povidone K12, Povidone K30, Poloxamer 407. Solid dispersions containing Spironolactone with HPC (96.81%), HPMC 6cp (93.05%), Poloxamer 407 (90.84%) and Na-CMC (89.93%) provided higher release rate than the release rate of solid dispersion containing only Spironolactone (35.27%), and Spironolactone with Povidone K12 (76.17%), Povidone K30 (67.92%). So the present study revealed that the solid dispersion may be an ideal means of drug delivery system for poorly water soluble drugs. Further study in this field was required to establish these drug delivery systems so that in future it can be used effectively in commercial basis.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.7776S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 42-47

Risk factors and trends of common cancers in Bangladesh: Outcome of hospital based case control survey conducted in Dhaka city, Bangladesh

The present study aimed to provide information about the common cancer types and respective predisposing risk factors among the Bangladeshi cancer patients from different cancer hospitals located in Dhaka city. A survey is conducted to establish a relationship between common cancer types and predisposing risk factors. A nationwide representative sample of 610 Bangladeshi cancer patients were asked about their medical history, life-style, eating habit and genetic risk factors in relation to cancer prevention, as a part of omnibus survey. Interviews were conducted with 610 subjects (339 men and 271 women). Among the male, the leading cancers were lung (76 patients), followed by mouth and oropharynx (66 patients), stomach (41 patients) etc. Among the female, breast cancer (64 patients) ranked the topmost position, followed by cervix (48 patients), ovary (37 patients), mouth and oropharynx (34 patients). Among 11 risk factors among men candidates, the attributable fraction of cancer causing by tobacco smoking was considered highest (68.14%), followed by betel leaf (67.55%). For most risk factors, attributable fraction responses were higher in women than in men. 14 risk factors among women cancer patients, the attributable fraction of cancer causing by viral and bacterial diseases (39.10%) was highest, followed by obesity (37.10%) and then chronic disease (37.03%) excluding food habit. Our results suggest that awareness of the attributable fraction of cancer causes in the Bangladeshi cancer patient tends to be dominated by tobacco smoking, food habit, cancer causing infection, men and women hygiene, and reproductive history among females rather than genetic factors.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.10439 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 35-41

Preparation and comparative evaluation of liquisolid compacts and solid dispersions of Valsartan

The aim of the present study was to increase the solubility of a poorly water soluble BCS class II drug, valsartan. Liquisolid technology and solid dispersion by kneading method were techniques used to improve the solubility of the drug by using non-volatile solvents and some hydrophilic carriers. Liquisolid compacts were prepared by dissolving the drug in suitable non volatile solvents. The various non volatile solvents used were PG, PEG, and glycerine. The carrier coating materials play an important role in improving the solubility of the drug. The dissolution rate of the drug was increased by using propylene glycol as non-volatile solvent at 20:1 ratio of carrier to coating material. Solid dispersion by kneading method were another attempt to improve solubility the various carrier materials used were PVP K 30, PEG 6000 and mannitol, these carriers are used in various ratios to improve its solubility. The dissolution rate of drug using solid dispersion kneading method with mannitol was increased at 1:3 ratio. The DSC and FTIR studies revealed no drug excipients interactions, whereas XRD revealed the reduced crystalinity of drug, which showed enhanced solubility. From the results it was concluded that the liquisolid compacts enhanced the solubility of valsartan in comparison to traditional solid dispersion method.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.10440 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 48-57

Toxicological studies of Darvyadi Kvatha Curna using albino rats

Darvyadi Kvatha Curna (DVY), is an Ayurvedic preparation which is used in leucorrhoea in the rural population as a traditional medicine. This Ayurvedic preparation was administered chronically to the male and female rats to explore the toxicological characteristics of this preparation. After the administration of DVY preparation for a period of 45 days, the following biochemical parameters (protein, albumin.triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, HDL, creatinine, uric acid, urea, and bilirubin) in the plasma of both the male and female rats were determined. In the study the total protein content in the plasma was increased (2.75%) in the DVY treated male rats. The result showed no significant difference between the control and the DVY treated groups; but the p value, though was not significant yet it was noticeable (p=0.073). Interestingly, the albumin content was significantly increased (17.21%) in DVY treated male rats. In the female rats group the total protein and the albumin content in the plasma were also increased in comparison to their control groups. A statistically significant (13.46%) increase was noted only in the case of albumin. In the male rats there was a significant decrease in the Triglycerides content in the plasma. After chronic administration of the traditional medicine the triglyceride level was 31.15% decreased in male rats group. Also insignificant decrease was noted in the total Cholesterol and HDL content in the plasma with 4.12% and 1.07% decrease respectively. Besides insignificant increase was noted in the VLDL content in the plasma with 18.16% increase. But only in the case of the content of the LDL in plasma a significant decrease (12.72 % decr.) was noted. In the female rats there was a significant decrease in the Triglycerides content in the plasma. Here the test medicine also decreased the triglyceride level by 9.47% in female rats group. Also an insignificant decrease in the total Cholesterol, VLDL, LDL and HDL content in the plasma was noted with 4.12 %, 6.94 %, 2.46 % and 0.78 % decrease respectively. In the male rats there was a significant decrease (51.37 %) in the Bilirubin content in the plasma. In the female rats there was a significant increase (33.38 %) in the Bilirubin content in the plasma. There was an increase in the plasma creatinine (2.28 %) in the DVY treated male rats, though this increase was not significant, yet noticeable (p=0.072). On the contrary, a significant decrease in the urea (11.90%) content in plasma was noted. In female rats, there was a significant decrease in both the Creatinine (36.60 %) and Urea (7.72%) content in the plasma. It was observed that about 11.71% decrease in plasma uric acid content of DVY treated male rats in comparison to their control male rats which is statistically significant. It was observed that the female rats showed significant increase in the concentration of uric acid (11.68%) level in comparison to their control female rats.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.10438 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 29-34

In-vitro phytochemical and anthelmintic activity of Cocculus hirsutus Linn. and Rumex dentatus Linn.

It was 1980s when the first therapeutic protein was launched in the market. It was recombinant DNAderived insulin. Since its inception, within the worldwide pharmaceutical sector, protein therapeutics has been enjoying the fastest growth, notably for the last few years. As a result it is assumed that the treatment methodology with the conventional drug therapy will be shifted towards therapeutic proteins in near future. It made revolution in the treatment of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases. The major segments in protein therapeutics are monoclonal antibody, insulin, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), coagulation factors etc. In this review paper we will discuss the general aspects of protein therapeutics with their advantages over small-molecule drugs, functional classification of therapeutic proteins and their uses. The pharmacokinetics of protein therapeutics, especially from the distribution and elimination characteristics of therapeutic proteins will be discussed in brief with relevant examples. The major challenges and future perspectives will also be presented in short.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.10442 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 63-65

Formulation development and characterization of fast disintegrating tablets of Nimesulide

An attempt was made to prepare fast dissolving tablets of anti-inflammatory drug Nimesulide preparing by direct compression method. The superdisintegrants Cross-carmellose and Sodium starch glycolate were used in different concentrations. Twelve formulations using those superdisintegrants at different concentration levels were prepared to access their efficiency and critical concentration level. Different evaluation parameters for tablet were studied. Tablets containing Cross-carmellose showed superior organoleptic properties and excellent in-vitro drug release as compared to other formulations. It was observed that on increasing the concentration of Cross-carmellose, the rate of disintegration was increased whereas on increasing the concentration of Sodium starch glycolate the rate of disintegration was decreased. The percentage drug release was observed as 96.32% when the concentration of Cross-carmellose was increased, whereas the same was not observed on increasing the concentration of Sodium starch glycolate. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.10436 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 25-28

Distribution and elimination of protein therapeutics: A review

It was 1980s when the first therapeutic protein was launched in the market. It was recombinant DNAderived insulin. Since its inception, within the worldwide pharmaceutical sector, protein therapeutics has been enjoying the fastest growth, notably for the last few years. As a result it is assumed that the treatment methodology with the conventional drug therapy will be shifted towards therapeutic proteins in near future. It made revolution in the treatment of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases. The major segments in protein therapeutics are monoclonal antibody, insulin, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), coagulation factors etc. In this review paper we will discuss the general aspects of protein therapeutics with their advantages over small-molecule drugs, functional classification of therapeutic proteins and their uses. The pharmacokinetics of protein therapeutics, especially from the distribution and elimination characteristics of therapeutic proteins will be discussed in brief with relevant examples. The major challenges and future perspectives will also be presented in short. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.10433 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 01-12

Investigations on anti-diabetic medicinal plants used by Sugali tribal inhabitants of Yerramalais of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India

An Ethno-botanical survey was carried out among the Sugali tribes in Yerramalais of Eastern Ghats, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh for the exploration of antidiabetic herbal remedies. Diabetes mellitus is one of the common metabolic disorders with micro-and macrovascular complications that results in significant morbidity and mortality. It is considered as one of the five leading causes of death in the world. In Allopathy medicine no satisfactory effective therapy is still available to cure diabetes mellitus. There is increasing demand by patients to use natural products with antidiabetic activity due to side effects associated with the use of insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents. The art of herbal treatment has very deep roots in Indian culture. Even today in most of the rural areas people are depending on herbal drug systems for primary health care. The indigenous knowledge of local traditional healers and native plants used for the treatment of diabetics related health disorders were collected through questionnaire and personal interviews. A total of 10 informants with in the age group of 50 to 68 were interviewed, among them two were tribal practitioners. A total of 21 genera and 18 families were identified which are being used for the treatment of diabetes. Results depict that fresh plant materials were invariably preferred for the treatment of long term complications associated with diabetics. Anti-diabetic medicinal plants used by Sugalis have been listed along with plant parts used. The collected information's are arranged in the alphabetic order of the plant botanical name, family with the local (or) common name, and mode of use is listed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.10435 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 19-24

Practice of using gifts as promotional materials for marketing of pharmaceutical products in Bangladesh: A survey conducted on general physicians and representatives from pharmaceutical companies

The present study was undertaken to find out the promotional strategies followed by the pharmaceutical companies, attitudes and responses of physicians towards these promotional activities and influence of using gifts as promotional materials on the prescribing behavior of the physicians. In the study we found that most pharmaceutical companies believe that pharmaceuticals should be promoted by their quality and availability, not by any other promotional strategies. 84.62% pharmaceutical companies believe that gifts provided by them motivate the physicians to prescribe their products whereas 87% physicians admit that they consider the image of the company and quality of the product while prescribing. We also found that 50.5% physicians preferred information more rather than attractive gifts but only 11.77% pharmaceutical companies agreed with this statement. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i2.10434 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 4(2) 2011: 13-18