The effect of Ocimum sanctum and Ledum palustre on serum uric acid level in patients suffering from gouty arthritis and hyperuricaemia

The effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on uric acid levels in 200 humans was observed in this study. Three times oral administration of Ocimum sanctum Linn (test medicine) to the 100 patients (60 males and 40 females), and Ledum palustre Linn (reference remedy) to 100 patients was given. For analysis of uric acid in blood samples the enzymatic method was selected due to its accuracy and reproducibility. The value of reduction in serum uric acid by Ocimum sanctum Linn (OSL) in males was 2.6 ± 0.3 and reduction in serum uric acid (SUA) by Ledum palustre Linn (LPL) in males was 4.3 ± 0.3. On the other hand, the value of reduction in SUA by OSL in females was 2.5 ± 0.3 and reduction in serum uric acid by LPL in females was 4.6 ± 0.4. It can be concluded that LPL has better results in the reducing SUA levels than OSL in both males and females. KEY WORDS: Ledum palustre, Ocimum sanctum, Serum uric acid levels Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2013, 27(3), 469-473.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v27i3.1

Development of a single combined microencapsulated formulation of allopurinol and nimesulide and investigation of their release behaviours

The aim of this study was to develop a single combined once-daily sustained release microencapsulated dosage form of Allopurinol and Nimesulide using Ethyl cellulose as release controlling factor and to evaluate drug release parameters as per various release kinetic models. In order to achieve required sustained release profile, microparticles were prepared using coacervation thermal change technique. The formulated microparticles were also characterized by physical and chemical parameters and results were found in acceptable limits. Different dissolution models were applied to drug release data in order to evaluate release mechanisms and kinetics. The drug release data fit well to the Higuchi expression. Drug release mechanism was found as a complex anomalous one

Graphene Nanoplatelet Exoskeleton on Polyurethane Foam to Produce Flame‐Retardant, Piezoresistive, and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Surfaces

Abstract Polyurethane foam (PUF)’s porous structure, light weight, flexibility, and low‐cost properties make it useful in various cutting‐edge technologies. However, time‐consuming, costly, and complicated surface modification methods severely hinder its commercial applications. Herein, an ultrafast, simple, and cost‐effective surface modification method based on the evaporation of a low boiling point solvent to prepare a multifunctional graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)‐decorated PUF (GNP@PUF) is proposed. Due to the passive heat barrier of GNP sheets, the resulting sponge exhibits excellent flame retardancy by reducing the critical fire retardancy metrics, that is, peak heat release rate, total heat release, and total smoke release by 72%, 50%, and 81%, respectively. In addition, GNP@PUF can function as a piezoresistive sensor and electromagnetic interference (EMI)‐shielding material. As a piezoresistive sensor, it exhibits a wide‐compressive pressure (2.4–112 kPa)/strain (5–70%) range and ultra‐fast response/relaxation time (48/35 ms), wide‐stretching strain (5–100%) range, and it can detect minute human motions by being attached to different parts of the human body. Meanwhile, the composite foam displays good absorption‐dominant EMI shielding performance (≈38 dB), possibly due to conductive dissipation and multiple reflections/scattering of EM waves inside the 3D conductive graphene network. This study provides a simple coating technique for developing multifunctional lightweight foam materials

Effect of cream formulation of fenugreek seed extract on some mechanical parameters of human skin

Purpose: To determine the effect of an emulsion formulation of fenugreek ( Trigonella Foneum-Graecum L) seed extract on some mechanical parameters of the skin of healthy human volunteers Methods: A water-in-oil emulsion cream base without fenugreek seed extract which served as control, and a similar formulation containing 4 %w/v of the extract in the internal (aqueous) phase were prepared. Each of the formulations was applied to the cheeks of 10 human volunteers for a period of 4 weeks and some mechanical parameters (R0, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 and R9) of the skin were measured weekly using Cutometer MPA 580. Results: The results indicate that the effects of the creams on skin mechanical properties were significant (p < 0.05) with respect to time, except for R4 and R9. The extract-containing cream substantially increased skin elasticity, hydration and the ability of skin to resist photo-aging when compared to the base. Conclusion: Both the cream base and the cream containing fenugreek extract demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) improvement in all mechanical parameters related to skin elasticity, ageing, hydration and fatigue but the effect of the extract cream was more pronounced in some cases