Use of lipophilic and hydrophilic polymers in production of sustained release zinc sulfate tablets

Background and aims: Zinc sulfate administered to correct zinc deficiency. Its oral administration has shown serious digestive side effects and sometimes it has led to the lack of use it. The main aim of the present study was to use lipophilic and hydrophilic polymers in production of sustained release zinc sulfate tabletsover an extended period of time. Methods: Sustained release (SR) zinc sulfate tablets were prepared using either lipophilic-based matrix or hydrophilic matrix system or natural polymers by either hot-fusion (HF) granulation or direct compression (DC) method. Physical and chemical features of provided SR tablets including hardness, friability, and weight variation, disintegration time, swelling index, content uniformity and drug release behavior were evaluated. The drug concentration was assayed by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer at 213.8 nm. Results: Most of the prepared formulations showed acceptable physicochemical properties. Among 30 formulations, SR tablets with lipophilic matrix-based showed more predictable release profiles compared to tablets prepared based on hydrophilic or natural matrixes. Tablets containing carnauba wax showed slower release while tablets with hydrogenated castor oil represented faster release profile. A few lipophilic matrix tablets containing zinc sulfate (110 mg), beeswax (or carnauba wax) and Avicel (or Emcompress) were selected as the optimum formulations showing release profiles based on USP criteria for lipophilic-based SR tablets. The mean dissolution time (MDT) and dissolution efficiency (DE8%) of selected formulations were 1.69-1.95 hr and 69.3-71.8%, respectively. Tablet hardness and granule size had no effects on release rate. The drug release kinetic followed Higuchi model. Conclusion: Lipophilic based SR tablets of zinc sulfate is suggested as an alternative for capsule or syrup of the drug whichhave digestive side effects

The role of central mechanisms in the anti-inflammatory effect of amitriptyline on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to further investigate the effect of amitriptyline, a classical tricyclic antidepressant, on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. METHODS: First, amitriptyline was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg kg-1, 30 min before subplantar injection of carrageenan. Second, amitriptyline was given intracerebroventriculary or intrathecally at doses of 25, 50 and 100 &#956;g/rat, 30 min prior to carrageenan challenge. Third, the effect of adrenergic receptor antagonists such as propranolol (10 mg kg-1, i.p.), prazosin (4 mg kg-1, i.p.) and yohimbine (10 mg kg-1, i.p.) and an opioid receptor antagonist (naloxone, 4 mg kg-1, i.p.) on the anti-inflammatory effect of amitriptyline (40 mg kg-1, i.p.) was investigated. RESULTS: Our data confirm that intraperitoneally administered amitriptyline exhibits a marked anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats 4 h postcarrageenan challenge (P < 0.001). Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of amitriptyline also reduced the development of paw edema at 4 h postcarrageenan (P < 0.001), but intrathecal (i.t.) application of amitriptyline failed to alter the degree of paw swelling. Furthermore, the applied antagonists did not modify the anti-inflammatory effect of amitriptyline. CONCLUSION: These results support the view that amitriptyline has a considerable anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and suggest that at least a part of this property could be mediated through supraspinal sites. Moreover, it seems unlikely that the investigated adrenergic and opioid receptors have a significant role in this effect of amitriptyline

Survey of crude oil toxicity component removal by adsorbtion with powdered activated carbon

زمینه و هدف: نفت خام ترکیبی بسیار پیچیده بوده که حاوی هزاران هیدروکربن با اثرات مضری مثل سرطان زایی و اثرات خونی می باشد. به دلیل حجم نسبتاً زیاد ورود آن به محیط های آبی، انجام تصفیه موثر روی پساب های حاوی نفت خام بسیار مهم می باشد. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی حذف ترکیبات عامل سمیت نفت خام در آب به وسیله جذب سطحی با کربن فعال پودری انجام شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی نمونه استاندارد قسمت محلول نفت خام با اختلاط یک قسمت نفت خام با 9 قسمت آب تهیه گردید. جهت آزمون سمیت از غلظت های مختلف قسمت محلول نفت خام و لارو ماهی قزل آلا استفاده شد. قبل و بعد از اضافه کردن 10، 20، 40 و 60 میلی گرم بر میلی لیتر کربن فعال پودری، آزمون سمیت و کربن آلی کل روی نمونه ها انجام گردید. غلضت کشنده 50 (LC50) نمونه ها توسط برنامه آماری پروبیت محاسبه شده و نتایج مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته ها: غلظت کشنده 50 محلول نفت خام قبل از استفاده از کربن فعال در زمان های 24، 48 و 96 ساعت به ترتیب 5/129، 5/69 و 6 به دست آمد. این غلظت با افزودن کربن فعال افزایش داشت که این افزایش وابسته به غلظت بود. به طوری که غلظت کشنده 50 96 ساعته بعد از اضافه کردن کربن فعال با غلظت های 10، 20، 40، 50، 60 میلی گرم بر لیتر به ترتیب 8/94، 6/106، 8/117، 3/138 و 5/181 میلی گرم بر لیتر اندازه گیری شد. مقادیر کربن آلی کل در غلظت های 0، 10، 20، 40، 50 و 60 میلی گرم بر لیتر کربن فعال به ترتیب 89/54، 81/44، 88/43، 16/38، 62/36 و 14/35 میلی گرم بر لیتر بود. نتیجه‌گیری: کربن فعال باعث کاهش سمیت و کربن آلی کل نمونه ها گردید. با افزایش میزان کربن فعال مورد استفاده، سمیت کاهش بیشتری را نشان داده اما کربن آلی کل با شدت سمیت کاهش نیافت. در صورت بروز حوادث و ورود نفت خام به منابع آب آشامیدنی استفاده از روش کربن فعال پودری می تواند مورد نظر قرار گیرد

Urine and milk iodine concentrations in healthy and congenitally hypothyroid neonates and their mothers

Wstęp: Częste występowanie wrodzonej niedoczynności tarczycy (CH, congenital hypothyroidism) w Iranie skłoniło autorów do oceny roli jodu w etiologii CH, opierając się na porównaniu jego stężenia w moczu zdrowych noworodków i noworodków z wrodzoną niedoczynnością tarczycy oraz w mleku i moczu ich matek. Materiał i metody: W tym przekrojowym badaniu zmierzono stężenie jodu w moczu (UIC, urinary iodine concentration) noworodków z CH oraz UIC i stężenie jodu w mleku (MIC, milk iodine concentration) ich matek, a następnie porównano je z wynikami otrzymanymi w grupie kontrolnej. Wartości UIC zmierzone u noworodków i karmiących matek podzielono na 3 kategorie: niskie UIC < 150 mg/l, średnie - 150-230 mg/l i wysokie > 230 mg/l. Analogiczne kategorie przyjęto dla MIC: niskie 180 mg/l. Wyniki: Mediana UIC u noworodków z CH (n = 68) i u zdrowych noworodków (n = 179) wynosiła odpowiednio 300,5 i 290,5 mg/dl, (P > 0,05). Mediana UIC w grupach badanej i kontrolnej wynosiła odpowiednio 150 i 130 mg/l (P > 0,05). Mediana MIC w grupie badanej była większa niż w grupie kontrolnej (210 mg/l v. 170 mg/l, P < 0,05). Stwierdzono dodatnią korelację między UIC u noworodków i MIC u ich matek. Nie wykazano wyraźnej zależności między UIC i stężeniem TSH w surowicy u noworodków oraz UIC I MIC u matek. Wnioski: Spożycie sodu w badanej populacji było prawidłowe. Nadmierna podaż sodu może być czynnikiem ryzyka CH, jednak w badaniu wykazano brak korelacji między MIC I UIC u matek i podobne wartości mediany UIC u noworodków w obu grupach, dlatego do sformułowania jednoznacznych wniosków potrzebne są dalsze badania. (Endokrynol Pol 2010; 61 (4): 371-376)Introduction: In view of the high prevalence of Congenital Hypothyroidism (CH) in Iran, in this study we evaluated the role of iodine in the aetiology of CH by comparing urine and milk iodine concentrations in healthy and congenitally hypothyroid neonates and their mothers. Material and methods: In a cross-sectional study, urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) in newborns with CH, as well as UIC and the milk iodine concentrations (MIC) of their mothers, were measured and compared with a control group. The lower, mid, and upper range of UIC for neonates and lactating mothers was considered to be 230 mg/L, and lower, mid, and upper range of MIC was considered to be 180 mg/L, respectively. Results: The median UICs in subjects with CH (n = 68) and healthy subjects (n = 179) were 300.5 and 290.5 mg/L, respectively (P > 0.05). The median UICs in the case and control groups were 150 and 130 mg/L, respectively (P > 0.05). The median MIC in the case group was higher than in the control group (210 mg/L v. 170 mg/L, P < 0.05).There was a positive correlation between newborn UIC and MIC. There was no significant correlation between newborn UIC and serum TSH, maternal UIC and maternal MIC, or newborn UIC and serum TSH. Conclusions: There is no inadequacy in iodine intake in the studied population. Iodine excess could be a possible risk factor for CH, but there were findings, such as lack of correlation between maternal MIC and UIC, and the median neonatal UIC, which was similar in the two groups, so, drawing conclusions should be done with some caution and requires further studies. (Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (4): 371-376

Evaluation of the Efficiency of a Biofilter System’s Phenol Removal From Wastewater

Phenol is a toxic hydrocarbon that has been found in the wastewater of several industries, including the petroleum and petrochemical industries. The discharge of untreated wastewater from these industries causes environmental pollution, especially in water. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of phenol removal from wastewater using a biofiltration system. In this experimental study, a cylindrical plexiglass biofilter reactor with an effective volume of 12 liters was used. A total of 30 pcs of plastic grid discs were placed inside the reactor by plastic pipes to maintain the biofilm media in the reactor. The microorganisms used in this study were obtained from the biological sludge of a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The reproduction and adaptation of the microorganisms to 500 mg/L of phenol lasted three months. The effects of pH, phenol, nitrogen, phosphorus, glucose concentration, and hydraulic retention time on the biofilter system’s performance was evaluated. The results of this study showed that in optimal conditions, this system can reduce the phenol concentration from 500 mg/L to zero within about 4 hr. Maximum efficiency occurred in pH = 7, and the proper COD/N/P ratio was 100/10/2, respectively. In general, this biofilter system is capable of removing 500 mg/L of phenol concentrations and an organic load of 4 - 4.5 kg COD/m3.d within 4 - 5 hr. with high efficiency

Investigating the Efficiency of Advanced Photochemical Oxidation (APO) Technology in Degradation of Direct Azo Dye by UV/H2O2 Process

Every year more than 700,000 tons of dyestuff is produced, 50% of which is azo. Azo dyes contain one or more azo bonds (-N=N-) and are among the most important synthetic dyes because they are produced in high amounts and also have many applications in different industries especially in textile industries. This study was done to investigate dye removal of dyed effluents in textile industries as well as COD removal through advanced photochemical oxidation by the application of UV/ H2O2. A low-pressure 55-watt (UVC) mercury ultraviolet lamp as radiation source and H2O2 30 %( Merck) as oxidant were used. Dyestuff of C.I. Direct Red 80 of azo group was selected as model due to its high use and application. Some important parameters such as the effect of UV, duration of UV radiation, H2O2 concentration, dyestuff concentration and pH were studied in five separate stages based on the standard methods. The results showed that after 20 minutes, UV individually could remove 33.3 and 18.4 percent of color and COD, respectively; while, H2O2 could remove only 5.7% of color and 3.5%  of COD after 24 hr. In UV/ H2O2 system, color removal reaches 100% in optimum conditions after 5 min radiation; however, after 20 min of radiation, COD removal was 77.3 %. Optimum conditions for color removal (30 mg/L) and the COD resulting from the color in H2O2 process included 150 mg/L of pure H2O2, neutral pH and low concentrations of color. Therefore, UV/H2O2 system proved to be an effective method for removing color and the COD produced by color. However, removal efficiency of UV radiation and H2O2 individually was not appropriate because they can not individually generate enough OH˚ radicals, which are the main decomposing agents

p-Chlorophenol Oxidation in Industrial Effluent by Ultrasonic/Fenton Technology

Phenolic compounds have become a cause for of worldwide concern due to their persistence, toxicity and health risks. Hence, removal of these pollutants from aqueous effluents is an important practical problem. Ultrasonic technology may be used for water and wastewater treatment as an advanced oxidation process. Application of this technology, leads to the decomposition of many organic compounds during cavitation process. The degradation of 4-chlorophenol in aqueous solution under sonolysis at 45 kHz coupled with fFenton process was is investigated. The oxidation rate was influenced by many factors, such as the pH value, the amount of hydrogen peroxide, catalyst (FeSO4) and initial p-chlorophenol concentration. The experimental results showed that the decomposition of p-chlorophenol was affected by the various reaction conditions. The optimum conditions obtained for the best degradation rate were pH=3, H2O2 concentration of 0.05 mol/L and 0.025 mmol/L for catalyst, respectively. Also it was observed that the degradation of p-chlorophenol depended on its initial concentratio

Performance of Isfahan North Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Removal of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria and in particular Listeria monocytogenes is considered a ubiquitous foodborne pathogen which can lead listeriosis in human and animals. Listeriosis can be serious and may cause meningitis, septicemia and abortion in pregnant women. Although wastewater or sludge may contaminate foods of plant origin, there are no data on occurrence of Listeria spp. in wastewater and sludge in Iran. The purpose of current investigation was to study the occurrence of Listeria spp. in various samples of wastewater and sludge in Isfahan North wastewater treatment plant. Influent, effluent, raw sludge and dried sludge samples were collected from Isfahan North municipal wastewater treatment plant. L. monocytogenes were enumerated by a three–tube most probable number (MPN) assay using enrichment Fraser broth. A total of 65 various samples from five step in 13 visits were collected. The presence of Listeria spp. also was determined using USDA procedure. Then, phenotypically identified L. monocytogenes were further confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction amplification. L. monocytogenes isolated from 76.9%, 38.5%, 84.6%, 69.2% and 46.2% of influent, effluent, raw sludge, stabilized sludge and dried sludge respectively. The efficiency of wastewater treatment processes, digester tank and drying bed in removal L. monocytogenes were 69.6%, 64.7% and 73.4% respectively. All phenotypically identified L. monocytogenes were further confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction. The results of present study have shown that Listeriaspp. and L. monocytogenes in particular, were present in wastewater treatment plant effluents and sludge at high level. The bacteria may spread on agriculture land and contaminate foods of plant origin. This may cause a risk of spreading disease to human and animals