Formulation and Evaluation of Glutaraldehyde-Crosslinked Chitosan Microparticles for the Delivery of Ibuprofen

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research is indexed by Science Citation Index (Purpose: Toformulate glutaraldehyde-cross-linked chitosan-based microparticles and evaluate its suitability for the delivery of ibuprofen, a BCS class II drug.Methods: Ibuprofen-loaded chitosan microparticles were prepared by emulsification-cross-linking technique using glutaraldehyde saturated toluene (GST) as the cross-linking agent. The microparticles were characterized with respect to morphology, particle size, microparticle yield and entrapment efficiency. The swelling behaviour of the particles and ibuprofen release were assessed in both simulated gastric fluid (SGF) without pepsin (pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) withoutpancreatin (pH 7.4).Results: Discrete and free-flowing microparticles of size range 100.05 ± 8.82 to 326.70 ± 10.43 ìm were obtained. The microparticles had a high yield (69.2 to 99.2 %) and exhibited greater water sorption capacity in SIF (122.2 %) than in SGF (60 %). Furthermore, the microparticles cross-linked with 10 ml of GST entrapped the highest amount of drug (23.32 ± 0.97 %) while those cross-linked with 25 ml GST had the highest yield of the microparticles (99.19 % ), and highest water sorption in SIF (122.2 %). Up to 93.6 % of the entrapped drug was released in SIF from microparticles cross-linked with 25 ml of GST. Drug release from microparticles cross-linked with 20 and 30 ml each of GST showed a biphasic pattern.Conclusions: Entrapment of ibuprofen in glutaraldehyde-cross-linked chitosan microparticles can be exploited to target and control the release of the drug and possibly reduce its gastro-erosive side effects.Keywords: Chitosan microparticles, Ibuprofen, Oral delivery, Gastrointestinal, Glutaraldehyde

STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND RISK OF COMMITTING MEDICATION ERRORS IN TWO SCHOOLS OF PHARMACY IN NIGERIA

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge of prescription errors, the certainty of such knowledge, and the risk of committing medication errors among pharmacy students in two universities in Nigeria. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional comparative survey between pharmacy students of two universities in Nigeria: University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka. Study variables were measured using four simulated prescriptions and questionnaires. Chi-square test, independent t-test, and ordinal regression analyses were used to assess study outcomes. Results: A total of 339 pharmacy students (239 in UNN and 100 in NAU), with a mean age of 24 (2.8) years and 57.2% (n=194) male students, participated in this study. Their accurate knowledge of each of the prescriptions were 294 (86.72%), 166 (48.97%), 199 (58.70%), and 248 (73.16%) for prescriptions with error of drug allergy, error of drug interaction, no error, and wrong dose of a drug, respectively. Students from UNN were more likely to commit a statistically significant high risk of error compared to NAU students in prescriptions with a drug allergy and wrong dose, while students in the 4th year class had a statistically significant higher odds of committing a drug interaction prescription error compared to final year students. Conclusion: Pharmacy students evaluated in this study had good knowledge of medication error detection. The risk of these pharmacy students committing a prescription error was evident in nearly all prescriptions tested and the students’ school was the major predictor of these risks

Bacteriological and chemical properties of soil amended with fermented poultry bird feather

Huge amount of poultry wastes are generated annually in developing nations, of which end up in our environment. Feather as a poultry waste have caused environmental concerns in many of these countries. In this research work, poultry feather was used to study its effects on bacteriological and chemical properties in agricultural soil. The feathers collected were grinded, sterilized and fermented before mixing it with soil. Total heterotrophic counts of colonies were enumerated from the soil samples. Isolates were characterized based on morphological and series of biochemical tests. Soil chemical analysis for pH, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium was also carried out. The heterotrophic bacteria count of the treated soil had the highest count in the range of 1.54 x106 to 2.02 x106 (CFU/g) as against the control soil with 1.24 x106 (CFU/g). The bacteria identified from these samples were Bacillus sp., Proteus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Actinomyces sp. Actinomyces sp. was isolated only after three weeks of treatment with the feather while all other bacteria were also present in the control soil but at elevated levels based on heterotrophic bacteria count in the treated soil. The soil chemical analysis of the treated soil had high amount of mineral (Organic carbon 1.10 %, nitrogen 0.09%, phosphorus 0.53±0.02 mg/kg, magnesium 0.45±0.01 mg/kg as against the control (Organic carbon 0.26%, nitrogen 0.05%, phosphorus 0.30±0.10 mg/kg, magnesium 0.45±0.01 mg/kg) and their pH is almost near neutrality, 7.12 and 7.08 respectively. The result suggested that soil treated with poultry feather increased the plate count of Bacillus sp, Proteus sp, Staphylococcus sp and Actinomyces sp. Poultry feather which is a waste by-product can provide essential nutrients for the survival of soil microorganisms, plant growth and therefore can be exploited as biofertilizer.Keywords: Bacillus sp., biofertilizer, fermentation, keratin, poultry wast

Proximate, Mineral and Functional Properties of Maize Starch Complemented with Defatted Sesame Seed Flour

Background: Maize is known to be one of the major cereals used as indigenous breakfast meal and for infant weaning. It is high in carbohydrate with limited protein content and deficient in lysine. There is a need to complement its nutritional attributes with the inclusion of sesame seed flour known to be rich source of protein, fat and some essential minerals to maximize adequate nutrition and minimize mal nutrition that could result from the deficiency of these essential nutrients. Objectives: The physicochemical properties of maize starch complemented with defatted sesame seed flour were investigated.  Methods: Maize grains and sesame seed were processed into starch and flour respectively. The ratio of maize starch to sesame seed flour was 90:10, 85:15, with 100% maize starch as control and 100% maize flour as control. The samples were evaluated for proximate, mineral and functional properties using standard analytical procedure. Results: The proximate composition varies significantly (P≤0.05).The moisture content was in the range of (9.25 to 12.0%), protein (10.58 to 21.70%), crude fiber (0.50 to 3.0%), fat content(1.75 to 10.0%), ash content (1.35 to 3.45%) and carbohydrate (50.55 to 72.67%).The mineral composition shows no significant difference (P≤0.05). Copper was in the range of (0.29 to 0.33 mg/100g), potassium (2.08 to 2.13 mg/100g), sodium (3.67 to 3.72 mg/100g), magnesium (0.77 to 0.84 mg/100g) and manganese (1.47 to 1.54 mg/100g). Most of functional properties investigated show no significant difference (P≤0.05). Bulk density was in the range of (0.62 to 0.64g/ml), swelling power (4.75 to 8.56 g/ml), water absorption capacity (1.8 to 3.0 g/g), oil absorption capacity (1.35 to 1.70 g/g) and gelation capacity (8.20 to 11.90%). Conclusion: The inclusion of defatted sesame seed flour to maize starch during processing can significantly improve proximate, mineral and the functionality of the blends.    Keywords: Maize starch, physicochemical properties, sesame seed flour&nbsp

Comparative Analysis of Imipramine Hydrochloride by UV-Spectrophotometry and Charge-Transfer Complexation

A comparative evaluation of two spectrophotometric methods for the assay of imipramine is described. The first method, based on UV spectrophotometry was compared with a second method which is based on the molecular interaction between imipramine and chloranilic acid, to form charge-transfer complexes in which the drug acts as n-donor and chloranilic acid as a π acceptor. A complete, detailed investigation of the complex formed was made with respect to its thermodynamic parameters. Good quantitative recoveries were achieved at 255 nm via UV spectrophotometry with Beer’s law being obeyed over the concentration range of 0.98-7.85 mg % for imipramine. Meanwhile, chloranilic acid was found to form a charge-transfer complex in a 1:1 stoichiometry with maximum absorption band at 526 nm. Conformity with Beer’s law was also evident over the concentration range of 1.96-19.63 mg %. Results from the evaluated thermodynamic parameters showed that the complex was more stable at lower temperatures and possessed an enthalpy change (ΔHo) of -2.902 Kcal. The method based on charge-transfer complexation has been successfully applied to the analysis of commercially available imipramine tablets without interference from the excipients. Both spectrophotometric methods proved adequate in the quantitative assay of the drug but charge-transfer complex formation via chloranilic acid gave better recoveries with higher reproducibility and precision, hence proved a superior method for routine laboratory assay of the drug

Phytochemistry and antimicrobial activities of Cassia occidentalis

Leaves of Cassia occidentalis were extracted with ethanol, methanol and water and the extracts used to carryout antimicrobial screening in vitro on staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, shigella spp. Chromatographic separation was carried out on the active extracts and the efficacy of the resulting fractions was tested against the susceptible organism. Some of the extracts indicated significant inhibitory activity against the tested organisms. General, phytochemical screening was done on the ethanol, water extracts and fractions. Ethanol extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, cardiac glycoside terpenoids and anthraquinones, while the fraction revealed the presence of tannins, terpenoid and anthraquinones. This result might explain the ethno-botanical use of the plant for the treatment of dysentery, gastro internal disorder, constipation and typhoid fever.Keywords: Cassia occidentalis, ethnobotany medicinal plant, photochemistry, antimicrobia

Phytochemistry and antimicrobial activities of Cassia occidentalis used for herbal remedies

Leaves of Cassia occidentalis were extracted with ethanol and water. The extracts were used to carry out in vitro antimicrobial screening on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Shigella spp. Chromatograhic separation was carried out on the active extracts, and the efficacy of the resulting fractions was tested against the susceptible organism. Some of the extracts indicated significant inhibitory activity against the tested organisms. General phytochemical screening was done on the ethanol, water extracts and fractions. Ethanol extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, cardiac glycoside, terpenoids and anthraquinones, while the fractions revealed the presence of tannins, terpenoids and anthraquinones. This result might explain the ethnobotanical use of the plant for the treatment of dysentery, gastro internal disorder, constipation and typhoid fever.Keywords: Cassia occidentalis, plant, herbal remedies phytochemistry, antimicrobials International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(3): 363-367, 201

The relationship between Plasmodium infection, anaemia and nutritional status in asymptomatic children aged under five years living in stable transmission zones in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

BACKGROUND: Malaria is preventable and treatable when recommended interventions are properly implemented. Thus, diagnosis and treatment focus on symptomatic individuals while asymptomatic Plasmodium infection (PI) plays a role in the sustainability of the transmission and may also have an impact on the morbidity of the disease in terms of anaemia, nutritional status and even cognitive development of children. The objective of this study was to assess PI prevalence and its relationship with known morbidity factors in a vulnerable but asymptomatic stratum of the population. METHODS: A simple random sample, household survey in asymptomatic children under the age of five was conducted from April to September 2012 in two health areas of the health zone of Mont Ngafula 1, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. RESULTS: The PI prevalence were 30.9% (95% CI: 26.5-35.9) and 14.3% (95% CI: 10.5-18.1) in Cité Pumbu and Kindele health areas, respectively, (OR: 2.7; p <0.001). All were Plasmodium falciparum infected and 4% were co-infected with Plasmodium malariae. In Cité Pumbu and Kindele, the prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin <11 g/dL) was 61.6% (95% CI: 56.6-66.5) and 39.3% (95% CI: 34.0-44.6), respectively, (OR: 2.5; p <0.001). The health area of Cité Pumbu had 32% (95% CI: 27.5-37.0) of chronic malnutrition (HAZ score ≤ −2SD) compared to 5.1% (95% CI: 2.8-7.6) in Kindele. PI was predictor factor for anaemia (aOR: 3.5, p =0.01) and within infected children, there was an inverse relationship between parasite density and haemoglobin level (β = −5*10(−5), p <0.001). Age older than 12 months (aOR: 3.8, p = 0.01), presence of anaemia (aOR: 3.4, p =0.001), chronic malnutrition (aOR: 1.8, p = 0.01), having a single parent/guardian (aOR: 1.6, p =0.04), and the non-use of insecticide-treated nets (aOR: 1.7, p = 0.04) were all predictors for PI in the overall population. CONCLUSION: PI in asymptomatic children was correlated with anaemia and chronic malnutrition and was thus a harmful condition in the study population. Malaria control initiatives should not only focus on treatment of symptomatic infections but also take into consideration asymptomatic but infected children. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-015-0595-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users