Estimation of Quercetin and Rutin Content in Hyouttunia cordata and Centella asiatica Plant Extracts Using UV-Spectrophotometer

Flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites normally found as pigmented compounds in plants. Quercetin and rutin are two important and commonly found flavonoids in nature and exhibit wide pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective activities as well as antimicrobial activity. In this study, quercetin and rutin content is being quantified in the plant extracts of Centella asiatica and Houttuynia cordata and considerable amounts of these two flavonoids were depicted. A single beam UV – Spectrophotometer was used to measure the absorbance of the standard as well as test solutions. Calibration curves were constructed for standard quercetin and rutin in such a way that x-axis denotes concentration and the y-axis denotes the absorbance. The calibration curves showed linearity at concentrations 5-25 ?g /ml of quercetin and rutin respectively with a good correlation coefficient (r) of 0.99 for both the curves. The absorbance of the two test extracts was obtained from the calibration curve and respective concentrations of quercetin and rutin for the two extracts were calculated. The amount of quercetin and rutin present was expressed as Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) i.e. the amount of the flavonoid in ?g present per mg of the respective plant extract. The quercetin content in both the plant extracts was found to be more (315.8 in Houttuynia cordata; 487.6 in Centella asiatica) than the content of rutin (152.2 in Houttuynia cordata; 171.0 in Centella asiatica).

Semi-bionic Extraction Process and Antibacterial Activity against Salmonella goose of Compound Chinese Medicine Dahuang Qinyu San

Various classical Chinese medicines have shown their efficiency in curing various infectious diseases. Among them, Dahuang Qinyu San (DQS) found in the Chinese Veterinary Pharmacopoeia is composed of three kinds of Chinese herbs: rhubarb, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Outtuynia cordata. Due to its urgent need in human health and its effectiveness, a semi-bionic extract of Dahuang Qinyu San (SEDQS) was studied to evaluate its optimal extraction conditions and investigate its antibacterial activity against Salmonella goose. The U5 (53) uniform design method was used to investigate the effects of three independent variables, including pH value (X1), solid-to-liquid ratio (X2), and extraction time (X3), on the composite score (Y) of the extract rate and the MIC, using the semi-bionic extraction process. The broth microdilution method was also used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Salmonella goose. After 30 minutes of extraction, the optimal conditions for SEDQS were found to be pH 8.3 and a solidto-liquid ratio of 1: 40. Under these optimal conditions, the extraction rate was 43.66 % and the MIC was 9.10 mg/ml, which indicates antibacterial efficacy against Salmonella goose.

Effect of Organogelator Concentration on Gelation Kinetics and Drug Release Behaviour of Paracetamol-Loaded Soybean Oleogels

Organogelators induce 3-D networked structures in apolar solvent molecules via cross-linking of non-covalent self-assembled aggregates below the gelation temperature. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of different Span 40 concentrations on gelation kinetics and drug release behaviour of topical soybean oleogels. An inversely proportional relationship was observed between gelation time, melt flow index and concentration of Span 40 in soybean oleogels. Gompertz model was employed on gelation kinetics data to determine organogelator and oil parameters which are assumed to be associated with thermal stability and gel flexibility respectively. Formulation OGS2 (18% W/V Span 40) formed less viscous, thermally stable and presumably more flexible oleogel compared to other formulations. Nearly ideal zero-order release of paracetamol was achieved from OGS*2 following Fickian diffusion. However, slow drug release profiles, higher t50 values were observed with oleogels having 20-24% w/v Span 40 which followed Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics with non-Fickian diffusion.

Advancement in Ocular Drug Delivery System to Overcome Ocular Barrier

The Ocular drug delivery system (ODDS) is the prominently challenging system faced by pharmaceutical researchers. Ophthalmic preparations are available in buffered, sterile and isotonic solutions. For the ocular delivery of drugs, various types of dosage forms are prepared and dispensed. As the drops are easier for the administration likewise more prescribed dosage form is the eye drop solution. For obtaining prolonged therapeutic effect ointment, suspensions and gelled systems are also used. The presence of various barriers as anatomical, physiological and physiochemical barriers makes difficulties in delivery of drugs in at the intended sites. Scientists invented alternate delivery routes to direct access at intended target sites. Second invention involves development of novel drug delivery systems providing better permeability, treatability and controlled release at target site. The liposomal delivery is beneficial because they have the ability of envelopment and both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs are suitable for delivery to both the anterior and posterior segment of the eye. Therefore, the uses of this alternative approach become quite a necessary. This formulation of novel devices will definitely help to the overcome ocular barriers and side effects with conventional topical drops. Current reviews on the conventional formulations of ocular delivery and their advancements followed by current nanotechnology based on the formulation developments. The recent incident with other ocular drug delivery planning consists of in situ gels, implants, contact lens and nano wafers are discussed. Drug delivery at ophthalmic route has been proven significant advancement for the future perspectives.

Method Development and Validation of Montelukast in API and Pharmaceutical Dosage Form by UV Spectrophotometry

The present work is done to develop a new simple, rapid, specific, accurate and precise UV spectrophotometric method for Montelukast as API and in pharmaceutical dosage form. The validation of the proposed method was carried out according to the I.C.H guidelines. The wavelength maxima was found 270nm and calibration curves were obtained in the concentration range 5-45?g/ml for montelukast with good correlation coefficients (r2=0.9994.). The precisions of the new method for montelukast was less than the maximum allowable limit (%RSD <2.0) specified by the ICH. Therefore, the method was found to be an accurate, reproducible and sensitive for analysis of montelukast as standard, pharmaceutical dosage forms, and other routine analysis method.

Effect of Penicillin on Reproductive Function in Female Wistar Rats

This study was designed to investigate the effect of penicillin on reproductive function in female Wistar rats. Fifteen female rats (120 – 160 g) were used for the estrous cycle and histopathological studies. Penicillin (17.14 mg/kg) was administered orally on daily basis for 21 and 50 days respectively for the estrous cycle and histological studies. Estrous cycle was carried out using the technique of Marcondes et al., histologies of the ovaries and uteri were also carried out. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and student’s t-test at p=0.05. Treatment of rats for 21 days with penicillin (17.14 mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.05) increments in the estrous and metestrous phases as well as a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the proestrous phase of the estrous cycle relative to their respective controls. The histopathological study presented with a moderate endometrial congestion. It can therefore be concluded that penicillin probably has a pro-fertility effect with a moderate deleterious effect on the uteri at histological level in female Wistar rats.

Hydrophobic Phenoxazines Shut Down PI3K/Akt/mTOR/P70S6/S6 Kinase Signalling Pathway and Induces Massive Apoptosis in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells

Akt plays an important role in many types of cancers and has been identified as a therapeutic target. Several types of cancers have posed a major threat to human health. Conventional treatments suffer from limitations of side effects, poor responses and drugresistance. Phenoxazines have shown diverse biological activities and promising agents in anti-cancer, anti-viral and antibacterial therapy. In this study, we evaluated the effect of phenoxazine derivatives on rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Hydrophobic phenoxazines shut down Akt/mTOR/p70S6/S6 kinase pathway and induce apoptosis in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. There is activation of Akt pathway in rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines which have tumorigenic potential. These cell lines are sensitive to phenoxazines. The phenoxazine derivatives are compared for their ability to inhibit Akt phosphorylation in these cells. The lipophilicity of these compounds increased significantly by increasing the chain length to (-CH2)5 or (-CH2)6 from the corresponding (-CH2)3 or (-CH2)4 at N10 -position of the phenoxazine ring. The ability of various phenoxazine derivatives to inhibit Akt phosphorylation in rhabdomyosarcoma cells follows the order: N10-hexyl > N10-pentyl > N10-butyl > N10-propyl. Within the series, -Cl in C-2 position on the phenoxazine ring demonstrated a higher potency compared to phenoxazines with –H in C-2 position, suggesting that chlorine is playing a critical role on the growth inhibition.

Screening, Isolation and Biochemical Characterization of Laccase Producing Bacteria from Contaminated Sites

Screening and isolation of Laccase producing bacteria from Guntur District soil was carried out to assess the diversity of Lignocellulose degrading bacteria. Isolation and identification of environmental friendly bacteria for lignin degradation becomes an essential one, because all the researchers are mainly concentrating on fungal strains. However, bacteria seem to play a leading role in decomposing lignin. For isolation of Laccase producing bacteria nutrient agar medium containing guaiacol was used. Total nine bacterial strains were isolated from soil samples collected from different regions of Guntur district. Preliminary screening of bacterial strains was carried out on guaiacol containing nutrient agar medium for laccase production. Formation of green colour using ABTS (2,2'- azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) confirms the capability of laccase production by the bacterial strains. Nine bacterial strains showed positive results. High laccase producing bacterial isolates were examined for morphological and biochemical characteristics according to Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. The predominant isolates were identified as Bacillus and Enterobacter species.

Digestive Activity of Pancha Harithakadi Churna

The traditional systems of medicine are really effective but the problem with them is they lack in quality assurance. Standardization is the need of the hour in ayurvedic system of medicine. PanchaHarithakadi Churna (PHC) is a traditional polyherbal formulation which consists of five household ingredients used for indigestion. It is mainly used for Constipation and Bloating. Churna’s will play a major role in gastro intestinal problems and they have greater bioavailability because of smaller particle size. It consists of fine powder (sieve 100 size) of ginger rhizomes, fennel fruits, myrobalan fruits, senna leaflets and pink rock salt in equal proportions (1:1:1:1:1) are mixed well. PHC was formulated by standard procedures and evaluated by microscopic characterization, inorganic analysis and digestive studies. Microscopical characters indicate the presence of genuine crude drugs used in the formulation. Inorganic analysis shows the presence of calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and phosphate. The PHC showed pronounced amylolytic activity and trypsin activity whereas moderate lipolytic activity, proteolytic activity and pepsin activity, mild chymotrypsin activity in treating indigestion. In future we will carry out in vivo digestive studies.

Formulation Development and Evaluation of Sustained Release Microsphere of Levetiracetam

The aim of the present work was to develop and evaluate of oral microsphere of Levetiracetam to reduce the frequency of dosing by achieving 12 hours sustained drug release. The microsphere formed will also mask the bitter taste of the drug and thus increase the compatibility of the drug with the patients. Levetiracetam is a second-generation anti-epileptic agent useful in the treatment of partial onset and monoclinic seizures. It has a short half life of 7 hours and its recommended dose is 500 mg twice a daily. Microspheres are suitable drug delivery system for such drug candidate. For these reasons it is must to formulate a suitable dosage form by which it will be easier to administer the dose and also to get a sustained drug release hence microsphere was prepared using solvent evaporation method. Preformulation studies were carried out to rule out any drug polymer interaction by FTIR technique. In this study formulation was done solvent evaporation method using different percentage of HPMC– K 100, HPMC- K 15 and coated with Eudragit S100. Drug, polymer and physical mixture were evaluated for in compatibility study by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. All the batches of microsphere (F1 to F5) were subjected for in vitro dissolution. Microsphere was evaluated for surface morphology, micromeritics properties, entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release. The entrapment efficiency of microsphere ranged from 71.16%-73.66%. The size of the prepared microsphere ranges between 42.8 µm to 55.64 µm which was found to increase with increase in RPM at same polymer ratio. Micromeritics studies showed good flow properties. Among the microsphere batches, F5 was observed as an optimized batch as its formulation with polymer i.e. Eudragit-S 100 and HPMC-K 100 was found to be release in sustained manner. The F-5 batch shows is 79.45% drug release at the end of 7 hrs and its stability study indicate that these microspheres were stable at selected temperature and humidity