Gold Finger: Metal Jewellery as a Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Therapy!

Polyarticular psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, progressive and disabling auto-immune disease often affecting the small joints of the hands in a symmetrical fashion. The disease can progress rapidly causing joint swelling and damaging cartilage and bone around the joints resulting in severe deformities. We report a very unusual case of a 49-year-old woman who presented with polyarticular psoriatic arthritis affecting all proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of both hands except the left ring finger PIP joint. On clinical examination there was no evidence of arthritis in the left ring finger PIP joint. We confirmed the paucity of joint damage in the PIP joint of the left ring finger using more modern imaging modalities such as musculoskeletal ultrasound and MRI scan of the small joints of the hands. All other PIP joints in both hands demonstrated advanced degrees of joint damage secondary to chronic psoriatic inflammatory arthritis. We postulated that wearing a gold wedding ring has helped protecting the PIP joint of the left ring finger from the damaging effect of inflammatory arthritis. The possible mechanisms by which metal jewellery (gold ring) confer protection to adjacent joints was discussed

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF AMOXICILLIN-TRIHYDRATE, METRONIDAZOLE AND FAMOTIDINE LOADED-MUCOADHESIVE GASTRO-RETENTIVE FILMS

Objective: To developed mucoadhesive gastro-retentive films of amoxicillin trihydrate, metronidazole and famotidine by using polymers and plasticizer for eradication of H. pylori infection. Methods: The mucoadhesive gastro-retentive films of amoxicillin trihydrate, metronidazole and famotidine were prepared using solvent casting method. The optimized gastro-retentive films were characterized by using various parameters such as DSC, drug content uniformity, in vitro drug release, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM and ex-vivo drug permeation studies across the mucous membrane. The prepared mucoadhesive gastro-retentive films were evaluated with in vitro growth inhibition study and in vivo bacterial clearance study. Results: The FTIR spectra indicated that there was no any interaction between the drugs and polymer. Drugs content was found to be in the range and there was no significant change in the surface morphology of the films after under storage. The bioadhesive property of prepared films exhibited highly bioadhesive property when increased the amount of chitosan and PAA (Polyacrylic Acid) used. We found that CH-PAA IPC (Chitosan-Polyacrylic Acid Inter-polymer Complex) films exhibited greater bioadhesion. The percent of growth inhibition by using each drug such as amoxicillin, metronidazole and famotidine was found to be 51.61%, 46.59% and 34.76%, respectively whereas the combination of drugs were exhibited highest % growth inhibition. The % inhibition was found to be 81.00%. The optimized formulation CH-PAA IPC (C1P2G2) and CH film (C1G2) showed highest growth inhibition of H. pylori bacteria. The growth inhibition was found to be 96.77% and 92.26%, respectively. In vivo Bacterial Clearance Studies showed that the drugs loaded CH-PAA IPC film (C1P2G2) formulation exhibited better clearance from infection than CH film (C1G2) formulation and plain drugs solution at same doses. Drugs loaded CH-PAA IPC film formulation was found to be effective in the treatment of H. pylori infections effectively. Conclusion: The developed gastro-retentive films of amoxicillin trihydrate, metronidazole and famotidine combination could be used for batter management of mucosal ulcer disease and eradication of H. pylori bacteria

Novel vesicular approach for topical delivery of baclofen via niosomes

Niosomes have been reported as a possible approach to improve the low skin penetration and bioavailability characteristics shown by conventional topical vehicle for Baclofen (centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant). Niosomes were prepared by lipid film hydration method using non ionic surfactant (Span 20) and cholesterol in varying molar ratios such as 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1. The prepared systems were characterized for vesicle surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, Osmotic fragility and stability studies. The in vitro drug release behavior was determined by an in-house fabricated dissolution-dialysis apparatus. The skeletal muscle relaxant activity was determined by rota rod method using Swiss albino mice. The average particle size of niosomes was in the range of 3260-3810 nm. The maximum percent drug entrapment was observed with span 20 (89.67 ± 0.46 %). Furthermore, the release profile of baclofen from these niosomes was 68.15 ± 1.7 % (maximum). The formulations kept for stability studies have exhibited percent drug entrapment value of 87.93 ± 0.34 % under refrigerated milieu (4 ± 2 °C). The mice treated with formulations have shown improved muscle relaxation activity which was evident by increased number of falls in rota rod test as compared to plane drug treated mice (p value = 0.001).Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Cholesterol loaded cyclodextrin increases freezability of buffalo bull (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa by increasing cholesterol to phospholipid ratio

Aim: The study was conducted to investigate the effect of cholesterol loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) on freezability of buffalo spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: Murrah buffalo bull semen samples with progressive motility of 70% and greater were used. After the evaluation of motility and livability, four equal fractions of semen samples were made. Group I was kept as control and diluted with Tris, whereas Group II, III and IV were treated with CLC solution at the rate of 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg/ml respectively to obtain 120 × 106 sperm/ml as final spermatozoa concentration. The aliquots of all the groups were incubated for action of CLC, followed by dilution and freezing. Evaluation at pre-freeze and post-thaw stage of progressive motility, viability and level of cholesterol and phospholipid was done. Results: The mean cholesterol content (μg/100 × 106 spermatozoa) of Group I, II, III and IV at pre-freeze stage was 21.55±0.63, 49.56±1.38, 55.67±0.45 and 47.79±1.01 and at post-thaw stage were 13.18±0.45, 34.27±0.71, 36.21±0.48 and 33.68±0.56, respectively. At pre-freeze stage, cholesterol content was significantly (p<0.01) higher in Group III in comparison to other groups. The mean cholesterol and phospholipids content of fresh sperm was 24.14±0.58 and 51.13±0.66 μg/100 × 106 sperm cells, respectively, and C/P ratio of spermatozoa at fresh stage was 0.47±0.067. Conclusion: CLC treatment maintains the C/P ratio and plays an important role in maintaining membrane architecture of spermatozoa. Hence, addition of CLC may be helpful in increasing freezability of buffalo spermatozoa by increasing the C/P ratio of spermatozoa

STUDY OF NIRUDDHA PRAKASH WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PHIMOSIS: A REVIEW

In Ayurvedic Samhita Niruddha Prakash (phimosis) vyadhi (disease) is described to be formed because of vitiated Vata Dosha where constricted Shishnacharma (prepuce) covers Mani (glans penis). This creates obstructed, slow urine flow and the prepuce could not be retracted. Treatment described in Ayurvedic epics is dilatation of preputial meatus by Niruddhaprakash Nadiyantra and Vatadosh Shamak medicated tail (oil) Parishek (fomentation). Surgery is advised if this measure fails. Niruddha prakash has similar features to that of phimosis described in modern medical science. Recent researches shows that glans penis and prepuce has common epithelium and its complete separation essential for complete prepitual retraction exposing whole of glans may normally occur up to the age of 17 years. This may lead to wrong diagnosis of phimosis. Circumcision is considered as treatment of choice for phimosis. In this review article efforts have made to analyze description of Niruddha prakash in Ayurved Epics, and recent researches regarding development and separation of prepuce, non surgical treatment of phimosis for bypass of surgical and anaesthetic complications, and surgical procedure with less complications compared to circumcision that will preserve prepuce as it is important structure protecting glans and urethral meatus and also for coital pleasure.

Variation in morphometric and meristic traits of Aspidoparia morar from Brahmaputra and Barak Rivers of Assam, India

The minor carp, Aspidoparia morar is a benthopelagic fish belonging to the sub-family Danioninae under the family Cyprinidae. It has emerged as the single most dominant species in the river Brahmaputra in Assam. In the present study, 240 specimens were collected from Guwahati and Tezpur in the Brahmaputra River and Silchar in the Barak River to investigate the morphometric and meristic variation among the populations. For this a total of 20 morphometric traits and 11 meristic traits were studied. The mean lengths for most of the morphometric traits were higher for the Barak River except eye diameter, inter orbital length and anal fin length which were significantly higher on the Brahmaputra River, while the post orbital length and pelvic fin length were found to be almost equal. The regressions of standard length with all the morphometric traits except pelvic fin length, pelvic fin base, pectoral fin length, dorsal fin length, anal fin length, pre orbital length, post orbital length, inter orbital length and eye diameter showed significant variation between the rivers. Two meristic traits viz. branched rays in anal fin and gill rakers on the first gill arch also showed significant variation in the samples of the rivers

Differentiation in morphometric traits of Chanos chanos stocks along the Indian coast

233-238Stocks of Chanos chanos (Milkfish) are identified based on the morphometric traits from four different locations from the Indian coast. A total of 246 fish samples were collected for the present study from the East coast (Mandapam Lagoon and Chilika Lake) and West coast (Mandovi–Zuari estuarine system and Cochin backwaters). Digital imaging techniques were employed to extract 18 morphometric characters from the specimens. Principal component analysis showed that horizontal depth measurements, dorsal fin length and pelvic fin length were helpful in differentiating the milkfish populations. First and second principal components explained the variance of 37.62% and 31.26 % respectively. Cross-validated results of the discriminant analysis showed the overall classification rate of 90.4%. The present study decoded the differentiation and occurrence of separate stocks of milkfish in Indian waters. The findings of the present study could be utilized for conservation and management of the species

Enhanced intracellular translocation and cytokine profiling of gold nanoparticles conjugated with human papilloma virus based (HPV-R9) cell-penetrating peptide in cancer cells

515-521Functionalized gold nanoparticles are emerging as a promising nanocarrier for targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules. The present study describes synthesis, characterization and intracellular delivery of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with L1 protein of human papilloma virus peptide (HPV) derived cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) conjugated with R9. HPV-R9 cell penetrating peptide conjugated with AuNPs (fAuNPs) was characterized using UV-visible and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential. The cellular uptake of fAuNPs was studied in Vero cells using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The fAuNPs displayed reversible low intracellular aggregation, ~20% cytotoxicity but high efficiency and stability in Vero cells. The cytokines study by real-time PCR was performed in 4T1 cells of the IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-ᵞ, found to be upregulated in comparison to control. The functionalized gold nanoparticles cell penetrating peptide show good intracellular transport to thecellular destinations.Results of this study demonstrate that cell penetrating peptide can be used along with gold nanoparticles for therapeutics application, particularly cancer