EXTRACTION OF A WATER SOLUBLE BIOACTIVE HYPOXOSIDE AND ITS DEVELOPMENT INTO AN ETHOSOMAL SYSTEM FOR DEEP DERMAL DELIVERY

Objective: This study was aimed to extract Hypoxoside, a water soluble phytochemical, from the corms of Hypoxis hemerocallidea, and incorporate it into a suitable transdermal carrier system to increase its penetrability and deep dermal delivery for potential antioxidant and anticancer activity.Methods: The extraction of Hypoxis hemerocallidea corms was carried out by continuous hot extraction method. This extract (20 mg/ml) was loaded into ethosomal vesicular system by cold method and optimized by varying proportions of lecithin and ethanol. The optimized system was then subjected to characterization in terms of particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), entrapment efficiency and invitro permeation and penetration studies.Results: The optimized vesicle with size of 176.2±11 nm, PDI of 0.231 and entrapment efficiency of 74.2±2.3% was obtained which showed a sustained release pattern of the hypoxoside from the vesicular system. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) demonstrated that the vesicles were able to efficiently traverse the skin to a depth of 117.29 µm whereas the mechanism of vesicle-skin interaction was confirmed by histopathological study.Conclusion: The study indicated that with the development of an efficient delivery system a water soluble phytochemical with antioxidant and anticancer properties can be efficiently delivered to the skin.Â

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES TOWARD CORONAVIRUS DISEASE-19 INFECTION AMONG RESIDENTS OF DELHI NCR, INDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY BASED STUDY

Objective: In the given study, we have carried out a survey among general population of Delhi NCR (India) for the knowledge, perceptions, and attitude toward coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and also attempted to reach to a few conclusions in the form of recommendations. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based online survey (using Google Forms) was conducted between April 2020 and May 2020 to investigative knowledge, perceptions, and attitude toward COVID-19. Chi-square test was used for the computation of p-value. Results: There were total 823 respondents, with 43.01% females and 56.98% males. Around 73.74% respondents believe that it has become a social stigma. About 75.09% were of the opinion that sneezing etiquettes can help in curbing the infection. About 93.43% of study population follows the personal hygiene, 24.78% wished to get insurance coverage. Similarly, interesting data were collected over different aspects of COVID-19. Conclusions: The current pandemic is the first exposure at such a large scale to the existing population but with the progression of time, authorities and general population are collating knowledge about the same. It is to be fought at all the fronts such as medical, social, economic, and psychological. Hence, this type of survey becomes an important tool in decision making

In vitro/in vivo performance of different complexes of itraconazole used in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis

A large majority of new chemical entities and many existing drug molecules exhibit poor aqueous solubility, which may limit their potential use in developing drug formulations, with optimum bioavailability. One of the approaches to improve the solubility of a poorly water soluble drug and eventually its bioavailability is complexation with agents like humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA), β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and caffeine (Caff). The current work emphasized at employing these agents to prepare different complexes and their in vitro/in vivo assessment. All the complexes evaluated for their complexation efficiency and authenticated by molecular modeling; conformational analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy. Furthermore, the complexes were assessed in an in vivo, rat vaginal model for their efficacy in treatment of vaginal candidiasis. Amongst the five tested complexes, fulvic acid-itraconazole complex yielded better solubility as well as in vivo efficacy and therefore may further be explored for developing a commercial formulation for treating vaginal candidiasis.A maioria das novas entidades químicas e muitas moléculas de fármacos existentes apresenta fraca solubilidade em água, o que pode limitar seu uso potencial no desenvolvimento de formulações com biodisponibilidade ideal. Uma das abordagens para melhorar a solubilidade de um fármaco pouco solúvel em água e, eventualmente, a sua biodisponibilidade é a complexação com agentes como o ácido húmico (HA), ácido fúlvico (FA), β-ciclodextrina (β-CD), 2-hidroxipropil-β-ciclodextrina (HP-β-CD) e cafeína (Caff). O presente trabalho baseia-se no uso desses agentes para preparar diferentes complexos e suas avaliações in vitro/in vivo. Todos os complexos foram avaliados quanto à eficiência de complexação por modelação molecular, análise conformacional, calorimetria de varredura diferencial (DSC), difração de raios-X (XRD), ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) e espectroscopia de massas. Além disso, os complexos foram avaliados in vivo, em ratas, no tocante à sua eficácia no tratamento de candidíase vaginal. Entre os cinco complexos testados, o complexo de ácido fúlvico-itraconazol foi o que apresentou melhor solubilidade, bem como melhor eficácia in vivo e, portanto, pode ser explorado para o desenvolvimento de uma formulação comercial para o tratamento de candidíase vaginal

Development and optimization of erythromycin-loaded lipid-based gel by Taguchi design: In vitro characterization and antimicrobial evaluation

The foremost aim of the current research was to prolong and sustain the release of erythromycin (ERY) by preparing a solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs)-based gel formulation for the safe and effective treatment of acne. ERY-loaded SLNs were developed, and various process variables were optimized with respect to particle size, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency using the Taguchi model. The average particle size, PDI, zeta potential, drug entrapment efficiency, and drug loading of optimized SLN (F4) were found to be 176.2±1.82 nm, 0.275±0.011, -34.0±0.84, 73.56%, and 69.74% respectively. The optimized SLN (F4) was successfully incorporated into the carbopol-based hydrogel. The in vitro release of ERY from the SLN gel and plain gel were compared and found to be 90.94% and 87.94% respectively. In vitro study of ERY-loaded SLN gel showed sustained delivery of drug from formulation thus enhancing the antimicrobial activity after 30 hours when compared to ERY plain gel

Sustained release of drug loaded nanofibers for wound dressing applications

479-485Global burden of chronic wounds has increased drasticallyas they are vulnerable to bacterial infections that causes inflammation, thereby leads to a delay in the healing process. Furthermore, wound care and dressing industry is subjected to a global market of $30.4 billion by 2024. Our work entails fabrication of polymeric electrospun nanofibers loaded with different concentration of the amoxicillin (AMX) antibiotic. Biodegradable and biocompatible poly (vinyl) alcohol (PVA)/poly(meth)(methacrylate)(PMMA) polymerswere blended with different AMX concentration (100, 150, 200 and 250 mg) and fabricated by electrospinning technique. Morphology, structural properties and drug release from electrospun nanofibers depend on the different concentrations of drug incorporated in PVA:PMMA blend of polymer. Furthermore, these studies revealed drug-excipient compatibility and drug encapsulation within the nanofiber. In-vitro release study showed the AMX release time from PVA: PMMA: AMX was extended up to 7 days for AMX-250 with an initial burst release of 70% and further sustained drug release. Electrospun nanofibers of PVA:PMMA:AMX showed greater zone of inhibition of S. aureus as 2.1±0.4 cm for 100-AMX, 2.3±0.5 cm for 150-AMX, 2.4±0.1 for 200-AMX and 3.4±0.3 cm for 250-AMX. These results demonstrate that AMX retains the anti-bacterial activity and hence can be used as a potential wound dressing candidate

Doe guided chitosan based nano-ophthalmic preparation against fungal keratitis

A recent upsurge in ocular infections is a pointer towards an enhanced prevalence of ophthalmic disorders, posing challenges for researchers globally. The caveats of conventional therapeutics demand a specifically designed Ocular Drug Delivery System (ODDS) and hence the primary objective of the present work is a fabrication of a Design of Expert (DoE) guided Chitosan based Antifungal loaded Nanoparticles (CANs), as a locoregionally effective eye formulation/drops for fungal keratitis therapy. The purported formulation was prepared using High-Pressure Homogenisation technique and was critically characterized on various parameters to check their suitability as an ODDS. The optimized formulation has fruitfully yielded irregularly spherical particles in up to a size of 200 nm and a Poly-dispersity Index (PDI) of less than 0.2 nm. The optimised formulation has further showcased a high mucoadhesion capacity thereby, suggesting the greater retention of CANs on the mucous membrane of an eye with low ocular irritancy as highlighted using HET-CAM (Hen's Egg Chorioallantoic Membrane) test. The in-vitro drug release study across a dialysis membrane has indicated both diffusion as swelling controlled release pattern for an optimized formulation. The ex-vivo corneal permeation study on goat corneal tissues using a Franz-Diffusion cell also has indicated a steady increase in the permeation of drug with time for an optimized formulation. Further, the optimised formulation was found to be non-irritant and ocular safe in ex-vivo transcorneal toxicity studies on goat corneal tissues. In conclusion, the designing of a proposed nanosized formulation, offers a promising step towards the management of external ocular diseases with a positive attributes of high patient compliance, controlled drug delivery, prolonged drug precorneal residence time and enhanced ocular bioavailability. The optimized CANs could be further exploited as a potential ODDS

A novel and multifunctional excipient for vaginal drug delivery

The present study explores the pharmaceutical potential of a natural organic matter (fulvic acid) for sustained release, acid buffering capacity and mucoadhesion in vaginal drug delivery. The antifungal drug, Itraconazole, was first converted into inclusion complexes with fulvic acid (1:1 & 1:2 molar ratio) and then characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT IR) and Mass Spectroscopy. Results were also authenticated by conformational analysis. Solubility analysis of complexes yielded different thermodynamic parameters and explained the driving force for solubilisation when the pH was varied in an acidic range. MTT assays were also performed to assess the potential in vitro cell toxicity of the complexes in comparison to the neat drug. The complexes were then formulated into tablets and optimized for hardness, mucoadhesion and release profiles. The optimized tablets presented with satisfactory mucoadhesion, acid buffering and spreading ability. Moreover, the antifungal activity of the formulation was also increased due to improved aqueous solubility of the drug despite the larger size of the complex. The study also indicated the potential use of fulvic acid as a functional excipient in the preparation of a vaginal drug delivery system (VDDS)

Improvement of semen quality after treatment with folic acid and zinc in subfertile men in a tertiary hospital

Background: The 50% of all male infertility is idiopathic, and there is currently no recognized treatment. The effectiveness of a nonprescription nutraceutical comprising eight nutrients on sperm quality in males with idiopathic infertility was studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate improvement of semen quality after treatment with folic acid and zinc in subfertile men. Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the infertility unit, department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib medical university (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2018 to June 2020. Approval from local ethics committee was obtained for this study.Results: One hundred and twenty-five male subfertile patients were included in this study. Most men, 99 (79.2%) belong to more than 30 years, followed by 26 (20.8%) less than 30 years, range was 25 to 50 years. Mean ± SD age was 35.3±5.1 years. Rapid linear (RL) before treatment were 16.06±14.46 (mean ± SD) and after treatment were 22.82±13.40 (mean ± SD). Slow linear (SL) before treatment were 17.56±12.06 (mean ± SD) and after treatment were 19.75±9.25 (mean ± SD). Non progressive (NP) before treatment were 10.82±8.95 (mean ± SD) and after treatment were 10.12±7.34 (mean ± SD). Morphology of the sperm before treatment were 19.43±15.48 (mean ± SD) and after treatment were 30.18±19.12 (mean ± SD).Conclusions:  Our research findings fully correspond to the above research results, so it can be said that treatment of subfertile men with micronutrients like folic acid and zinc sulfate causes increase of semen quality and thus plays a key role in treatment of male subfertility