Quantum phases of a spin-1 ultracold Bose gas with three body interactions

We study the effects of both a repulsive and an attractive three body interaction potential on a spin-1 ultracold Bose gas using mean field approach (MFA). For an antiferromagnetic (AF) inter- action, we have found the existence of the odd-even asymmetry in the Mott insulating (MI) lobes in presence of both the repulsive two and three body interactions. In case of a purely three body repulsive interaction, the higher order MI lobes stabilize against the superfluid phase. However, the spin nematic (singlet) formation is restricted upto the first (second) MI lobes for the former one, while there is neither any asymmetry nor spin nematic (singlet) formation is observed for the later case. The results are confirmed after carefully scrutinizing the spin eigen value and spin nematic order parameter for both the cases. On the other hand, for an attractive three body interaction, the third MI lobe is predominantly affected, where it completely engulfs the second and the fourth MI lobes at large values of the interaction strength. Albeit no significant change is observed beyond the fourth MI lobe. In the ferromagnetic case, the phase diagram shows similar features as that of a scalar Bose gas. We have compared our results on the MFA phase diagrams for both types of the interaction potential via a perturbation expansion in both the cases.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

Preparation and Characterization of Nitrendipine-loaded Eudragit RL 100 Microspheres Prepared by an Emulsion-Solvent Evaporation Method

Purpose: The aim of the work was to prepare nitrendipne-loaded Eudragit RL 100 microspheres to achieve sustained release nitrendipine. Method: Nitrendipne-loaded Eudragit RL 100 microspheres were prepared by an emulsion-solvent evaporation method using ethanol/liquid paraffin system. The resultant microspheres were evaluated for average particle size, drug loading, in vitro drug release and release kinetics. FTIR spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray powder diffractometry were used to investigate the physical state of the drug in the microspheres. Result: The mean particle size of the microspheres was influenced by varying drug:polymer ratio and emulsifier concentration while drug loading was dependent on drug:polymer ratio. The results of FTIR spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffractometry indicated the stable character of nitrendipne in drug-loaded microspheres and also revealed absence of drug-polymer interaction. The drug release profiles of the microspheres at pH 1.2 showed poor drug release characteristics while at pH 6.8, drug release was extended over a period of 8 h; release was influenced by polymer concentration and particle size. Drug release followed the Higuchi model. Conclusion: The nitrendipine-loaded Eudragit RL 100 microspheres prepared under optimized conditions showed a good sustained release characteristics and were stable under the conditions studied Keywords: Nitrendipine, Eudragit RL 100, Microspheres, Physicochemical characterization, Sustained release. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 7 (3) 2008: pp. 1033-104

Alginate-Chitosan Particulate System for Sustained Release of Nimodipine

Purpose: The aim of this work was to prepare nimodipine-loaded alginate-chitosan beads for sustained drug release.Methods: Nimodipine-loaded alginate-chitosan beads were prepared by ionic gelation method using various combinations of chitosan and Ca2+ as cations and alginate as anion. The swelling ability and invitro drug release characteristics of the beads were studied at pH 1.2 and 6.8. Infra-red (IR) spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) were also applied to investigate thephysicochemical characteristics of the drug in bead formulations.Results: The surface morphology, size, and drug loading of the beads varied with increase in the concentration of chitosan and calcium chloride in the gelation medium. The swelling ability of the beadsin different pH media was dependent on the presence of a polyelectrolyte complex in the beads and the pH of the media. Both calcium alginate beads and the beads treated with chitosan failed to release thedrug at pH 1.2 over the period of study. On the other hand, at pH 6.8, calcium alginate beads released approx. 96 % of drug in 6 h, but treatment of the beads with chitosan lowered drug release to 73 %.Drug release mechanism was either “anomalous transport” or “case-II transport”. Data from characterisation studies indicate that there was no significant change in the physical state of the drug inthe bead formulation

A Protease Isolated from the Latex of Plumeria rubra Linn (Apocynaceae) 1: Purification and Characterization

Purpose: To isolate, purify and characterize protease from the latex of the plant.Methods: Protease was isolated from the latex of Plumeria rubra Linn using acetone precipitation method and purified by a sequence of DEAE cellulose column chromatography, followed by two successive column purification in Sephadex G-50 and Sephadex G-200. The molecular weight of the purified protease was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE). The protease was given a trivial name, Plumerin-R.Results: Plumerin-R showed a single protein band on SDS-PAGE and molecular weight was approximately 81.85 kDa. It remained active over a broad range of temperature but had optimum activity at 55 °C and pH 7.0 when casein was used as substrate. Activation of the protease by a thiol-activating agent indicated the presence of sulfhydryl as an essential group for its activity.Conclusion: A protease from the latex of Plumeria rubra Linn was purified to homogeneity by a simple purification procedure and then characterized.Keywords: Protease, Plumerin-R, Sulfhydryl, Purification; Characterizatio

A Protease Isolated from the Latex of Plumeria rubra Linn (Apocynaceae) 2: Anti-inflammatory and Wound- Healing Activities

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activities of the protease isolated from the latex of Plumeria rubra Linn.Methods: The protease was isolated from the latex of the plant by acetone precipitation method and given a trivial name, Plumerin-R. The anti-inflammatory activity of the protease was based on its effects on carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. Its wound healing effect was investigated using an excision wound rat model.Results: Four hours after treatment, the reduction in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema by 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight of plumerin-R was 21.6, 33.8 and 48.8 %, respectively, while oedema reduction by indomethacin (10 mg/kg) was 58.0 %. Plumerin-R showed significant (p < 0.05) wound closure and epithelialization time compared with control.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the protease, Plumerin-R, has significant anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties.Keywords: Protease, Plumerin-R, Anti-inflammatory, Excision wound, Healing