Formulation and in vitro evaluation of a mucoadhesive metronidazole dental gel for oral application

Periodontitis is inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth caused by microorganisms found in plaque. Metronidazole is commonly used for the treatment of periodontal diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. Treatment of periodontaldisease orally using metronidazole tablets for a prolonged period can cause gastrointestinal disturbances in patients leading to poor patient compliance. This project aimed at formulating a mucoadhesive metronidazole dental gel preparation safe for use on the gums as a form of prophylaxis against infections caused by anaerobic bacteria after dental procedures. Formulation of the gel was carried out in the laboratory using different concentrations of Carbopol® 971P NF. The gels obtained showed acceptable uniformity of content, pH, spreadability, in vitro diffusion characteristics as well as mucoadhesive and organoleptic properties.Keywords: Metronidazole, mucoadhesive gel, oral applicatio

Antimicrobial activity of extracts and phytosterols from the root bark of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx

The root bark of Lonchocarpus eriocalyx was dried, powdered and extracted using chloroform, methanol and hot water. The extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The decoction (100mg/ml) was more active than the chloroform and methanol extracts against the four microorganisms. Chromatographic fractionation of the chloroform extract using normal phase silica yielded the phytosterols lupeol and lupenone. At 100 mg/ml, the compounds were active against all the four microorganisms, with lupeol being more active than lupenone. This is the first report of the isolation of lupenone from Lonchocarpus eriocalyx.Keywords:  Lonchocarpus eriocalyx, lupeol, lupenone, antimicrobial activit

A stability indicating liquid chromatography method for the assay of rufinamide bulk material and tablets

A simple, rapid, isocratic stability indicating reverse phase liquid chromatography method was developed for the assay of rufinamide bulk drug and tablets. The method achieved adequate resolution of rufinamide, related substances A and B as well as laboratory generated degradation products. The method uses a Phenomenex® Hyperclone BDS C-18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μ) maintained at 35 °C and a mobile phase composed of methanol-0.1 M octane sulfonic acid-0.1 M KH2PO4, pH 6.5-water (30:10:5:55, % v/v/v/v) delivered at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The eluents were monitored by means of ultraviolet detection at 210 nm. During validation, the method satisfied the International Conference on Harmonization acceptance criteria for linearity sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and robustness. The developed method may be applied in the routine analysis of rufinamide bulk material and tablets as well as stability studies.Keywords: Rufinamide, stability indicating method, related compoun

Jatropha curcas poisoning in children in western Kenya – a case report

A case of Jatropha poisoning in children in Kakamega Division, Kenya is reported. A literature review showed that this plant has caused poisoning in children in other countries. The circumstances leading to poisoning, time to onset of symptoms and the clinical manifestation of poisoning in all cases reported in literature as well as in the present case report show a striking similarity. In all cases, gastrointestinal disturbance (vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea) were prominent and these were attributed to curcin a toxalbumin present in the seeds of Jatropha curcas. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance is a consequence of vomiting and diarrhoea. Supportive treatment leads to full recovery, usually within 24 hours.Keywords:  Jatropha curcas, poisoning, plant poisoning, curci

Isolation, characterization and antiplasmodial activity of phytochemical constituents from Monanthotaxis parvifolia (Oliv.) Verdc ssp. kenyensis Verdc

Fractionation of the methanol extract of the leaves of Monanthotaxis parvifolia (Oliv.) Verdc ssp. kenyensis Verdc (Annonaceae) by preparative high performance liquid chromatography yielded seven fractions from which two phytochemical constituents were isolated and identified as quercetin-3-O-β-galactopyranoside (hyperoside) and quercetin-3-O-α-arabinofuranoside (avicularin) on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with published data for the known compounds. This is the first report of the isolation of these compounds from Monanthotaxis parvifolia. Hyperoside and avicularin exhibited moderate antiplasmodial activity against chloroquine sensitive (D10) and chloroquine resistant (Dd2) Plasmodium falciparum strains (IC50 = 10.85 - 38.07 μg/ml). Hyperoside had selectivity index greater than 10 when assayed for cytotoxicity on Chinese hamster ovarian cell line.Keywords:  Monanthotaxis parvifolia (Oliv.) Verdc ssp. kenyensis Verdc, quercetin glycosides, antiplasmodial activity, cytotoxicit