Formulation and development of colon-targeted mucopenetrating metronidazole nanoparticles

Purpose: To formulation and develop colon-targeted mucopenetrating metronidazole nanoparticles.Methods: Metronidazole-loaded chitosan nanoparticles with a pH-sensitive polymer, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP), were prepared by ionic gelation technique and then coated with Eudragit S100 by solvent evaporation method. The nanoparticles were optimized using one variable at a time (OVAT) approach. Further, the nanoparticles were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and zeta sizer, as well as for in-vitro release. Muco-adhesion was evaluated by modified bioadhesion detachment force measurement balance and muco-penetration of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled optimized nanoparticles was determined by microscopic techniqueResults: Morphological assessment results revealed smooth, spherical particles with homogeneous distribution and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.213. The optimized formulation showed particle size of 202 ± 27 nm, zeta potential of 26.9 ± 2.4 mV as well as and entrapment efficiency of 79 ± 5.4 %. There was significant difference in drug release between coated (8.46 ± 2.49 %) and uncoated (28.96 ± 4.04%) nanoparticles at the 5th h in simulated gastric conditions. Muco-adhesion data revealed that uncoated nanoparticles (14.98 x 103 dyne/cm2) showed higher muco-adhesion detachment force compared to coated (12.34 x 103 dyne/cm2) nanoparticles. Muco-penetration results confirm the retention (for up to 12 h) of the developed formulation at the target site for enhanced therapeutic exposure of the entrapped drug.Conclusion: Eudragit S100 coating of chitosan-HPMCP nanoparticles promotes efficient drug targeting and thus provides a strategy for treating mucosal infections. .Keywords: Metronidazole, pH-sensitive nanoparticles, Hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose phthalate, Ionic gelation, Mucoadhesion, Mucopenetration, Intestinal infectio

Colposcopic and microbiological correlation in patients with vaginal infections: a prospective study

Background: Objective of the study was to evaluate the association of abnormal vaginal flora with pathological colposcopic and microbiological findings.Methods: The present study was conducted in outpatient’s department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College, Patiala. We studied 300 cases with symptoms and signs of vaginal infections in reproductive age group (15-49 years). After taking detailed history and examination, samples of vaginal discharge were collected for microbiological analysis and patients were subjected to colposcopy. Recorded data was analysed to find out any association of abnormal vaginal flora with pathological colposcopic and microbiological analysis.Results: The prevalence rate of vaginal infections was 31% among patients who reported to us with symptoms and signs of vaginal infections. The most common micro-organism detected was B. vaginosis (BV) in 14%, C. albicans (C) in 12% and T. vaginalis (T) in 3.33%. The normal colposcopic findings were observed in 81.33% and abnormal colposcopic findings were noted in 18.67% of the patients which were vaginal hyperaemia in 9%, chronic cervicitis in 5.33%, small iodine negative area in 2.33%, keratosis in 1.33% and cervical polyp in 0.67% of the patients.Conclusions: We concluded that vaginal discharge is a common gynaecological complaint and vaginal infections are an important cause of the vaginal discharge thus leading to significant proportion of female morbidity in reproductive age group. So, vaginitis and vaginal discharge highlights the importance of microbiological investigations to find out the causative organisms and the specific findings due to particular micro-organism can be correlated colposcopically and specific treatment can be provided

To study the efficacy and tolerability of fenugreek seed powder as add-on therapy with metformin in patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Fenugreek, an ancient herb has been known for its culinary and medicinal value in Indian Subcontinent. Its seeds, rich in fibers and phytochemical compounds, have been investigated for their hypoglycemic and multiple benefits. This study was thus undertaken to assess the anti-hyperglycemic effect of fenugreek seeds in patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as add-on therapy with metformin.Methods: An open-labelled comparative study of 12 weeks duration was conducted on patients (randomly divided in 2 groups of 30 each) of Type 2 DM. Group 1 was given metformin 500 mg twice a day while group 2 was given 500 mg of metformin along with fenugreek seed powder capsule,1 gm thrice a day. Weekly evaluation for fasting and post-prandial blood sugar was done. HbA1c estimation was done at the beginning and at the end of the study. Student’s t-test (paired and unpaired) was applied for statistical analysis.Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, there was significant fall in fasting, as well as postprandial blood sugar and HbA1c levels in group 1 and group 2. However this improvement was statistically more significant in group 2 when compared to group 1.Conclusions: This study shows the beneficial effects of fenugreek seeds on glycemic profile in patients of Type 2 DM and can be used as an add-on therapy with metformin in management of Type 2 DM

Evaluation of efficacy and tolerability of nitrofurantoin versus ciprofloxacin in patients of urinary tract infection: a comparative study

Background: UTIs are one of the most common infectious diseases encountered in out-patient departments on day to day basis. Nitrofurantoin and Ciprofloxacin are most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of UTI. The present study was done to compare the efficacy and tolerability of nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin in patients of urinary tract infection.Methods: This prospective, open, randomized, parallel group, comparative study was conducted on 60 patients presenting with acute/uncomplicated or recurrent urinary tract infection in the outpatient Department of Urology, Rajindra Hospital attached to Govt. Medical College, Patiala, Punjab. They were divided into two groups, Group I and Group II of 30 cases each. Group I patients were put on Nitrofurantoin and Group II patients were put on Ciprofloxacin. Initially 100 patients were enrolled but only those who showed growth of uropathogens on baseline urine culture or those who completed the treatment were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was microbiological eradication on post treatment urine culture.Results: The age range of the patients in Group I and Group II was 19 to 68 years (43.40±14.58 years) and 20-60 years (39.77±13.49 years) respectively. The total no. of males and females who participated in this study were 32 (53.33%) and 28 (46.66%) respectively. The most common uropathogen associated with uncomplicated UTI was E. coli (80%), other organisms detected were Klebsiella species (16.67%), Staphylococcus aureus (3.33%) and Providencia (3.33%). Post treatment urine culture results showed significant difference between two groups, 5 patients (16.67 %) in case of Group I and 14 patients (46.67%) in case of Group II showed growth of micro-organisms post treatment. P-value comes out to be 0.017 which is significant.Conclusions: In this era of super bugs, nitrofurantoin is more efficacious than ciprofloxacin in the treatment of UTI. E. coli was found to be major organism causing UTI. Ciprofloxacin is less effective due to increasing antibiotic resistance among uropathogens. Both the drugs were well tolerated, no major significant adverse effects were encountered

Potential benefits of phytochemicals for treatment of hyperpigmentation

UV radiation (UV) is considered as a complete carcinogen as it is both a mutagen and a non-specific damaging agent. It is the most important risk factor for skin cancer and many other skin disorders like Hyperpigmentation. There is a need of long-term topical skin care treatments (both cosmetic and cosmeceutical) to address problems associated with hyperpigmentation. Synthetic depigmenting agents, such as hydroquinone, mequinol, although highly effective, can raise several safety concerns (for example, ochronosis, cataract, impaired wound healing, desquamation, and other local or systemic side effects) with long-term exposure. The benefits of phytochemicals and natural extracts offer opportunities to develop new formulations to treat pigmentation problems. Cosmeceuticals are topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical preparations containing active ingredients which improve the appearance of skin. Among cosmeceuticals, the phytochemicals have been known to have a multitude of cellular actions for various dermatological diseases. Plant-derived compounds and their effectiveness in the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders (Melasma) are discussed. Keywords: UV radiation, Hyperpigmentation, Phytochemicals, Cosmeceutical

Effect of different seed priming treatments on germination of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract In order to sort out the problem of uneven and poor germination during early seasons (Feb-March) in okra the effect of seed priming treatments and soaking durations on germination percentage, mean germination time, seedling length (root length + shoot length), seed vigor index was studied. Okra seeds primed with four priming treatments T 1 (hydropriming), T 2 , T 3 (osmo-priming with 5% PEG and 10% PEG), T 4 (distilled water) with soaking durations from 6 to 48 hrs at 6 hrs interval (i.e.) 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 hrs were used. Dry okra seeds were considered control treatment that was 0 h soaked. Priming treatments and soaking durations significantly affected germination percentage, number of days to germinated seeds, seedling growth, and seed vigour index of germinating okra seeds. The maximum increase was observed in T 2 followed by T 1 , T 3 and T 4 . These factors contribute to better establishment of okra crop

Associations of vitamin D status, bone health and anthropometry, with gross motor development and performance of school-aged Indian children who were born at term with low birth weight.

OBJECTIVES: There is little information regarding motor development of children born at term with low birth weight (LBW), a group that constitutes a large proportion of children in South Asia. We used data from infancy and at school age from a LBW cohort to investigate children's motor performance using causal inference. DESIGN: Cross-sectional follow-up study. SETTING: Delhi, India. PARTICIPANTS: We recruited 912 children aged 5 years who had participated in a trial of vitamin D for term LBW infants in the first 6 months of life. OUTCOME MEASURES: We focused on gross motor development, using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) gross motor scale and several measures of motor performance. We examined the effects on these of current anthropometry, vitamin D status and bone health, controlling for age, sex, season of interview, socioeconomic variables, early growth, recent morbidity, sun exposure and animal food intake. RESULTS: In adjusted analyses, stunted children (height-for-age Z (HAZ) <-2) took longer to run 20 m (0.52 s, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.70; p<0.001) and had greater odds of a failing score on the ASQ (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.41 to 6.38, p=0.004). Greater arm muscle area was associated with faster run time, and the ability to perform more stands and squats in 15 s. Poorer vitamin D status was associated with the ability to perform more stands and squats. Lower tibia ultrasound Z score was associated with greater hand grip strength. Early growth and current body mass index had no associations with motor outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Current HAZ and arm muscle area showed the strongest associations with gross motor outcomes, likely due to a combination of simple physics and factors associated with stunting. The counterintuitive inverse associations of tibia health and vitamin D status with outcomes may require further research