SUSTAINED RELEASE ARTEMETHER-LOADED SOLID LIPID MICROPARTICLES, BASED ON SOLIDIFIED REVERSE MICELLAR SOLUTION (SRMS)

Objectives: To prepare and evaluate sustained release artemether-loaded SLMs based on SRMS Material and methods: SRMS, consisting of mixtures of Phospholipon® 90H (P90H) and Softisan® 154 (1:1, 2:1 and 1:2) were formulated and characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The SRMS were used to formulate artemether-loaded SLMs by melt homogenization. The SLMs were characterized based on particle size and morphology, pH stability, encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and loading capacity. In vitro release was carried out in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.5). Results: Thermograms of the SRMS (1:1, 2:1 and 1:2) showed sharp endothermic peaks at 65.5, 64.4 and 62.3 oC respectively. Maximum EE% of 70.00 ± 1.50 % was obtained for SLMs formulated with SRMS 1:1 and 1 % artemether. Loading capacity ranged from 5.67 to 17.90 g drug/100 g lipid. In vitro release showed about 80 to 84 % drug release at 7 h. Particle size of artemether-loaded SLMs ranged from 18.60 ± 0.09 to 34.80 ± 0.30 µm. The pH decreased significantly at 60 days from 6 to 4.8 for batch A2 formulated with SRMS 2:1 and 3 % artemether (p < 0.05). Conclusion: artemether-loaded SLMs based on SRMS had good sustained release properties and could be used once daily in order to enhance patient's compliance.   Key words: Malaria, artemether, SRMS, lipids, sustained release SLMs Â

Brucellosis as an Emerging Threat in Developing Economies:Lessons from Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, has a large proportion of the world's poor livestock keepers, and is a hotspot for neglected zoonoses. A review of the 127 accessible publications on brucellosis in Nigeria reveals only scant and fragmented evidence on its spatial and temporal distribution in different epidemiological contexts. The few bacteriological studies conducted demonstrate the existence of Brucella abortus in cattle and sheep, but evidence for B. melitensis in small ruminants is dated and unclear. The bulk of the evidence consists of seroprevalence studies, but test standardization and validation are not always adequately described, and misinterpretations exist with regard to sensitivity and/or specificity and ability to identify the infecting Brucella species. Despite this, early studies suggest that although brucellosis was endemic in extensive nomadic systems, seroprevalence was low, and brucellosis was not perceived as a real burden; recent studies, however, may reflect a changing trend. Concerning human brucellosis, no studies have identified the Brucella species and most reports provide only serological evidence of contact with Brucella in the classical risk groups; some suggest brucellosis misdiagnoses as malaria or other febrile conditions. The investigation of a severe outbreak that occurred in the late 1970s describes the emergence of animal and human disease caused by the settling of previously nomadic populations during the Sahelian drought. There appears to be an increasing risk of re-emergence of brucellosis in sub-Saharan Africa, as a result of the co-existence of pastoralist movements and the increase of intensive management resulting from growing urbanization and food demand. Highly contagious zoonoses like brucellosis pose a threat with far-reaching social and political consequences

Retrospective study of bovine and human tuberculosis in abattoirs and hospitals in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria

A study to generate epidemiological data on tuberculosis in cattle and humans in Enugu State, through a retrospective survey of abattoir and hospital records for a five-year period (2004 to 2008) was undertaken. A total of 748 and 2452 cases of tuberculosis were recorded in cattle and humans respectively. Statistical analysis showed that a variation in seasonal prevalence in both studied population, but the variation was not statistically significant. Sex-associated prevalence differed in both studied populations. Cows and male persons were both significantly (p<0.05) affected in cattle and humans, respectively. Patients within the age-group of 21 to 40 years had statistically significant (p<0.05) higher proportion of tuberculosis in humans. Overall mean prevalence of 1.4% and 12.9% was recorded for cattle and humans, respectively. This prompts intensification of control programmes against tuberculosis in both cattle and humans in the state

Pharmacokinetics of capsule formulation of crude cannibus resin in rats

No Abstract.Bio-Research Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 197-20

Roller compaction of crude plant material: Influence of process variables, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and co-milling

10.1081/PDT-120027425Pharmaceutical Development and Technology92135-144PDTE

Development of granules from Phyllanthus niruri spray-dried extract

The aim of this study was to develop granules from Phyllanthus niruri spray-dried extract using dry and wet granulation and to assess techniques to enable the production of granules with improved technological characteristics and yields. Granules were characterized by granulometry, reological parameters, compression and hygroscopic behavior. Independent of the granulation technique, technologically developed granules presented particle diameter, bulk and tapped densities and compressibility indexes suitable for a solid dosage form. The compression behavior showed plastic and fragmentary deformation for granules produced by the dry granulation technique and predominantly plastic deformation for wet granulation. Concerning the humidity sorption, the study showed that granules absorb less humidity than the spray-dried extract. However, granules with Eudragit® E 100 were the least hygroscopic.<br>O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver grânulos de extrato Phyllantus niruri seco por aspersão e por granulação úmida e avaliar técnicas que possibilitem a produção de grânulos com características tecnológicas e rendimentos aperfeiçoados. Os grânulos foram caracterizados por granulometria, parâmetros reológicos, compressão e comportamento higroscópico. Independentemente da técnica de granulação, os grânulos tecnologicamente desenvolvidos apresentaram diâmetro de partículas, densidades aparente e compactada e índices de compressibilidade adequados para a formulação sólida. O comportamento de compressão mostrou deformação plástica e elástica para os grânulos produzidos por técnicas de granulação seca e, predominantemente, deformação plástica para a granulação úmida. Com relação à absorção da umidade, o estudo mostrou que os grânulos absorvem menos umidade do que o extrato seco por aspersão. Entretanto, os grânulos com Eudragit E 100 foram os menos higroscópicos