FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE LOADED FLOATING MICROSPHERES

Objective: The main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the eudragit and HPMC coated metformin hydrochloride floating microspheres, in which HPMC helps in floating and eudragit as a coating material for a site-specific drug release in a controlled manner and the active moiety metformin used as anti-hyperglycemic agent. Methods: The floating microsphere was prepared by the solvent evaporation method incorporating metformin as a model drug. The prepared floating microsphere were characterized for particle size, %yield, drug loading and entrapment efficiency, compatibility study, %buoyancy, surface morphology and In vitro drug release and release kinetics. Results: The result metformin loaded floating microsphere was successfully prepared and the particle size range from 397±23.22 to 595±15.82 µm, the entrapment efficiency range from 83.49±1.33 to 60.02±1.65% and drug loading capacity range from 14.3±0.54 to 13.31±0.47% and %buoyancy range from 85.67±0.58 to 80.67±1.15%. The FT-IR and X-RD analysis confirmed that no any interaction between drug and excipient, and surface morphology confirmed those particles are sphere. The floating microsphere show maximum 96% drug release in pH 0.1N HCL and follow the Korsmeyer peppas model of the super case-2 transport mechanism. Conclusion: These results suggest that metformin loaded floating microspheres could be retain in stomach for long time and give site specific drug release in controlled manner

Unified methodology for characterisation of global fatigue damage evolution in adhesively bonded joints

The present work concentrates on the development of a methodology for evaluating the fatigue performance of single and double lap adhesively bonded joints subjected to constant or variable fatigue loading. Firstly, a methodology was developed to monitor the evolution of permanent deformation, stiffness degradation and hysteresis losses of single lap joints subjected to constant amplitude fatigue load. Hereto, the global deformation of the adhesive joint was monitored using the digital image correlation technique (DIC). A MATLAB code was developed to evaluate and visualize the stiffness degradation and energy dissipation (hysteresis loops) occurring during a complete fatigue test. Secondly, this methodology was optimized to evaluate the properties of double lap joints with two different bond line thicknesses. The results of both constant and variable amplitude fatigue tests show the relation between stiffness degradation and increase in hysteresis losses with increase in number of fatigue cycles or thus fatigue damag

Unified methodology for characterisation of global fatigue damage evolution in adhesively bonded joints

This paper reports on the development of a methodology for evaluating the fatigue damage evolution in single and double lap adhesively bonded joints subjected to constant and variable fatigue loading. First, a methodology is developed to monitor the evolution of permanent deformation, stiffness degradation and hysteresis losses of single lap joints subjected to constant amplitude fatigue load. During the test, the global deformation of the adhesive joint is monitored using digital image correlation (DIC). A MATLAB code is developed to analyse and visualize the evolution in stiffness degradation and energy dissipation during the course of a complete fatigue test. Hereto ellipses are fitted to the hysteresis loops in the recorded load-deformation data. The slope of the main axis of the ellipse and its enclosed area are extracted to determine stiffness and dissipated energy, respectively. Next, the methodology is optimized for implementation during fatigue testing of double lap joints with different bond line thicknesses. The results of the experimental study reveal a distinct relation between stiffness degradation and increase in hysteresis losses with increasing number of fatigue cycles or thus increasing fatigue damage

BOOSTING THE SKIN DELIVERY OF CURCUMIN THROUGH STEARIC ACID-ETHYL CELLULOSE BLEND HYBRID NANOCARRIERS-BASED APPROACH FOR MITIGATING PSORIASIS

Objective: Curcumin presents poor topical bioavailability when administered orally, which poses a major hurdle in its use as an effective therapy for the management of psoriasis. The present study reports the utilization of lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (LPHNPs) for the topical delivery of curcumin which can be a potential approach for mitigating psoriasis. Methods: Curcumin-loaded LPHNPs were prepared by the emulsification solvent evaporation method and characterized. The optimized Curcumin-loaded LPHNPs (DLN-3) were further incorporated into 2% Carbopol 940 gels and evaluated for its therapeutic efficacy in the Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis rat model. Results: The average particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, drug entrapment and loading efficiency for DLN-3 were found to be 200.9 nm, 0.342,-28.3 mV, 87.40±0.99% and 4.57±0.04%, respectively. FT-IR, DSC and XRD studies confirmed that all the components used for the formulation are compatible with each other, whereas SEM and TEM analysis affirmed the spherical shape of LPHNPs with a smooth surface. The in vitro drug release studies suggest that curcumin was released from the LPHNPs in a sustained manner over a period of 24 h via super case II transport mechanism. Results of in vitro skin permeation study revealed that 38.39±2.67% of curcumin permeated at 12 h across excised pig ear skin with a permeation flux of 18.74±3.59 µg/cm2/h. Further, in vivo evaluation and histopathological studies demonstrated that NLHG-1 hydrogels showed better therapeutic efficacy against the psoriatic skin lesions than the standard marketed gels. Conclusion: These results suggest that the developed LPHNPs have a superior ability to improve the skin penetration or accumulation of DLN-3 within psoriatic skin and offer a potential delivery system for the management of psoriasis

A GLOBAL CONCERN ON ZIKA VIRUS: TRANSMISSION, DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT

Zika virus is a mosquito-transmitted flavivirus belongs to family Flaviviridae which becomes the focus of an ongoing pandemic and public health emergency all around the world. Zika virus has two lineages African and Asian. Mosquito-borne flavivirus is thought to replicate initially in dendritic cell and then spread to lymph nodes and then to the bloodstream. Zika virus was initially recognized in Uganda in 1947 in Monkeys through a method that observed yellow fever. It was later distinguished in people in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. The explosions of the zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, The Americas, Asia, and The Pacific. Gillian-Berre syndrome and congenital malformation (microcephaly) suspected to be linked with Zika virus. The virus can only be confirmed through laboratory test on blood or other body fluids, such as urine, saliva or semen. No specific antiviral treatment for Zika virus disease exists. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with rest, fluid and medications. WHO/PAHO encourages the countries to establish and maintain Zika Virus infections, detection, clinical management and community assurances strategies to reduce transmission of the virus. The future of Zika Virus spreading to other parts of the world is still unknown. Keywords: Zika Virus, flavivirus, Mosquito, Vaccine, Treatment, Microcephaly, WHO/PAHO

Application of Handheld Tele-ECG for Health Care Delivery in Rural India

Telemonitoring is a medical practice that involves remotely monitoring patients who are not at the same location as the health care provider. The purpose of our study was to use handheld tele-electrocardiogram (ECG) developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) to identify heart conditions in the rural underserved population where the doctor-patient ratio is low and access to health care is difficult. The objective of our study was clinical validation of handheld tele-ECG as a screening tool for evaluation of cardiac diseases in the rural population. ECG was obtained in 450 individuals (mean age 31.49 ± 20.058) residing in the periphery of Chandigarh, India, from April 2011 to March 2013, using the handheld tele-ECG machine. The data were then transmitted to physicians in Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, for their expert opinion. ECG was interpreted as normal in 70% individuals. Left ventricular hypertrophy (9.3%) was the commonest abnormality followed closely by old myocardial infarction (5.3%). Patient satisfaction was reported to be ~95%. Thus, it can be safely concluded that tele-ECG is a portable, cost-effective, and convenient tool for diagnosis and monitoring of heart diseases and thus improves quality and accessibility, especially in rural areas

ETHOSOME: A NEW TECHNOLOGY USED AS TOPICAL & TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY SYSTEM

Transdermal drug delivery system was first introduced more than 20 years ago. Transdermal drug delivery system is a type of convenient drug delivery system where drug goes to the systemic circulation through the protective barrier i.e. Skin is the main target of topical and transdermal preparations. Major aim of transdermal drug delivery system is to cross the stratum corneum. Various methods have been tried to increase the permeation rate of drugs temporarily. Vesicular system is one of the most controversial methods for transdermal delivery of active substances in that ethosome are the ethanolic phospholipids vesicles which are used mainly for transdermal delivery of drugs. Ethosomes are soft, malleable vesicles tailored for enhanced delivery of active agents. Ethosomes have higher penetration rate through the skin. The increased permeation of ethosomes is probably due to its ethanolic content. Ethanol increases the cell membrane lipid fluidity which results in increased skin penetrability of the ethosomes. These ethosomes permeates inside the skin and fuse with cell membrane lipids and release the drug. Hot and cold methods are used for formulation of ethosomes. Evaluation parameters include size, shape, drug content, zeta potential etc. Ethosomes have been successfully evaluated for the delivery of many drugs for e.g. Cyclosporine A, insulin, salbutmol, trihexyphenidil, etc. Ethosomes provides a number of important benefits including improving the drug’s efficacy, enhancing patient compliance and comfort and reducing the total cost of treatment. Ethosomes can be important drug delivery tool in the future. KEYWORDS: Ethosomes, Transdermal, Vesicular carriers, Ethanol, Phospholipid

AN OVERVIEW ON PHARMACOVIGILANCE: A KEY FOR DRUG SAFETY AND MONITORING

Pharmacovigilance outlined by the globe Health Organization (WHO) because the science and series of activities about the detection, evaluation, understanding rejection of adverse impact or Associate in Nursing different drug connected problem’ and a clinical test could be an analysis study in human volunteers to answer specific health queries. Fastidiously conducted clinical trials square measure quickest and safest thanks to realizing treatment that employment in individuals and thanks to improving health.  Play a crucial role in guaranteeing that patient to be provided the safe drug. The Pharmacovigilance has been recognizing to play a crucial role in the rational use of the drug by providing data concerning the adverse impact possess by drug normally population. The information of drug Adverse Drug Reaction (ADRs) are often increased by numerous suggests that such information studies, intensive observation, spontaneous reportage and different new method at dictatorial and scientific level square measure being developed with the intention of step-up Pharmacovigilance. As a result of assessment strategies are not entirely void of individual judgments, integrator reliableness is often low. In conclusions, there's still no methodology universally accepted for casualty assessment of ADRs. Keywords: Adverse Drug Reaction, Clinical test, Pharmacovigilance, Treatment