STUDIES ON CROSS-LINKED CHITOSAN HYDROGEL FOR MATRIX TABLETS OF MONTELUKAST SODIUM

Objective: The aim of the present study was to prepare hydrogel matrix tablets for controlled release of an anti-asthma drug (Montelukast sodium) by modifying the applications of chitosan by crosslinking it with the different cross linking agent.Methods: The hydrogels were prepared by crosslinking chitosan using three different crosslinking agents namely, anhydrous dextrose (DXT), sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) and glutaraldehyde (GL). Formulations were prepared by direct compression method and pre and post compression parameters were evaluated.Results: FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) studies of tablet formulation indicated that there is no drug-excipient interaction in the prepared formulations. The matrix tablets were capable of releasing the drug for 11 h depending upon the formulation variables. The tablets prepared by plain chitosan discharged the drug quickly, while those prepared by using GL crosslinked-hydrogel released the drug more slowly in a controlled manner. In general, the order of drug release from the crosslinked hydrogel matrix tablets on the basis of crosslinking agents, was found to be DXT>TPP>GL. The type of cross-linking agents affected the drug release rate and in the case of the tablets prepared with CHTPP (95 % to 83 %) it was slower than for the tablets prepared with CHDX (96 % to 88 %) at the end of 11th h. CHGL tablets showed more prolonged drug release profiles (86 % to 74 %) as compared to CHDX and CHTPP at the end of 11th h. In vitro release data was fitted into various release kinetic models to study the release mechanism and showed zero order kinetics and n†value were found to be less than 0.5 indicated the release mechanism followed fickian diffusion due to swelling of gel matrix and high solubility of montelukast sodium.Conclusion: From the experimental results it can be concluded that hydrogels of chitosan were successfully prepared by using DXT, TPP and GL with different concentration

RP-HPLC METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF ASIATIC ACID ISOLATED FROM THE PLANT CENTELLA ASIATICA.

Objective: Asiatic acid is a triterpene saponin and the main constituent of the species Centellaasiatica. The current study aimed to isolate, characterize and develop an analytical method for asiatic acid in the shorter run time with good efficiency. Methods: In this study isolation of asiatic acid was achieved by TLC and thus isolated asiatic acid was characterized by 1HNMR spectral analysis and LCMS. An isocratic RP-HPLC method was established for the assessment of asiatic acid from the methanol extract of Centellaasiatica. The chromatographic separations were achieved by RP-C18 column 250x4.6 mm (5µ Particle size) Shimadzu UFLC pump LC 20AD and mobile phase composed of 0.1% orthophosphoric acid: acetonitrile (50:50). The analysis of column effluents was achieved using a PDA detector (Photo Diode Array) at 210 nm, and the flow rate was recorded 1 ml/min. Results: Soxhlet extraction process followed by fractional extraction using different solvents was performed. Methnol extract was taken to isolate asiatic acid by TLC (RF 0.97) and base peak from mass spectra was found to be 489M+which was confirmed successful isolation. Retention time of asiatic acid was found to be 9.6±0.22 min. This method obeyed linearity over the concentration range of 10-50µg/ml and regression coefficient was obtained from the alinearity plot for asiatic acid which was found to be 0.9987 LoD and LoQ were obtained to be 0.784507µg/ml and 2.615µg/ml respectively. RSD of mean assay values was found to be 1.02%. Since there were no marked changes in the performance characteristics of the method. Conclusion: Isolation, characterization and identification of asiatic acid were achieved significantly which will be useful for the standardization of herbal formulation containing asiatic acid

Economic Feasibility of Vegetable Production under Polyhouse:A Case Study of Capsicum and Tomato

Polyhouse cultivation of vegetables is emerging as a specialized production technology to overcome biotic and abiotic stresses and to break the seasonal barrier to production. It also ensures round the year production of highvalue vegetables, like capsicum, especially, during off-season. Cost is the major issue in sustaining this technology. The present study examined the economic viability of production of capsicum and tomato in a naturally ventilated polyhouse of medium cost category with drip irrigation system. Data were generated by cost accounting method for estimating the feasibility of production and was analyzed by using project evaluation methods, like Pay Back Period (PBP), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR), Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Cultivation of capsicum in a polyhouse was found to be highly feasible as reflected in higher values of NPV (Rs.3,23,145/500 m2), BCR (1.80) and IRR (53.7%) with payback period of less than two years. Breakeven price for capsicum production in a polyhouse (Rs.11.80/kg) was lesser than average wholesale price. Production of tomato in a polyhouse was found not feasible, as the breakeven price was more than the average market price and all the project appraisal parameters indicated that it was not feasible. Only at about 48% premium price over the prevailing market price or reduction of cost of polyhouse structure by 60% from Rs.400 to Rs.160 /m2, could make the tomato production viable in a poly house

Room temperature multiplexed gas sensing using chemical-sensitive 3.5-nm-thin silicon transistors

There is great interest in developing a low-power gas sensing technology that can sensitively and selectively quantify the chemical composition of a target atmosphere. Nanomaterials have emerged as extremely promising candidates for this technology due to their inherent low-dimensional nature and high surface-to-volume ratio. Among these, nanoscale silicon is of great interest because pristine silicon is largely inert on its own in the context of gas sensing, unless functionalized with an appropriate gas-sensitive material. We report a chemical-sensitive field-effect transistor (CS-FET) platform based on 3.5-nm-thin silicon channel transistors. Using industry compatible processing techniques, the conventional electrically active gate stack is replaced by an ultrathin chemical-sensitive layer that is electrically conconducting and coupled to the 3.5-nm-thin silicon channel. We demonstrate a low-power, sensitive, and selective multiplexed gas sensing technology using this platform by detecting H_2S, H_2, and NO_2 at room temperature for environment, health, and safety in the oil and gas industry, offering significant advantages over existing technology. Moreover, the system described here can be readily integrated with mobile electronics for distributed sensor networks in environmental pollution mapping and personal air-quality monitors

<b>Curcumin Film-Forming Topical Spray</b>

· Innovative herbal-based drug delivery systems for enhanced topical wound management. Our cutting-edge approach to drug delivery leverages herbal compounds, specifically designed for patient-centric focus.· Unveiling the anti-inflammatory potential of curcumin compounds through in silico analysis of Curcumin compounds, shedding light on their therapeutic potential.· Paving the way for commercial success: Non-Irritant film-forming product with exceptional prospects. Our non-irritating film-forming product has demonstrated immense promise for commercialization in the healthcare industry.</p

How do tobacco control policies work in low-income and middle-income countries?:A realist synthesis

BACKGROUND: The burden of tobacco use is disproportionately high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is scarce theorisation on what works with respect to implementation of tobacco control policies in these settings. Given the complex nature of tobacco control policy implementation, diversity in outcomes of widely implemented policies and the defining role of the context, we conducted a realist synthesis to examine tobacco control policy implementation in LMICs. METHODS: We conducted a systematic realist literature review to test an initial programme theory developed by the research team. We searched EBSCOHost and Web of Science, containing 19 databases. We included studies on implementation of government tobacco control policies in LMICs. RESULTS: We included 47 studies that described several contextual factors, mechanisms and outcomes related to implementing tobacco control policies to varying depth. Our initial programme theory identified three overarching strategies: awareness, enforcement, and review systems involved in implementation. The refined programme theory identifies the plausible mechanisms through which these strategies could work. We found 30 mechanisms that could lead to varying implementation outcomes including normalisation of smoking in public places, stigmatisation of the smoker, citizen participation in the programme, fear of public opposition, feeling of kinship among violators and the rest of the community, empowerment of authorised officials, friction among different agencies, group identity among staff, shared learning, manipulation, intimidation and feeling left out in the policy-making process. CONCLUSIONS: The synthesis provides an overview of the interplay of several contextual factors and mechanisms leading to varied implementation outcomes in LMICs. Decision-makers and other actors may benefit from examining the role of one or more of these mechanisms in their particular contexts to improve programme implementation. Further research into specific tobacco control policies and testing particular mechanisms will help deepen our understanding of tobacco control implementation in LMICs. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020191541