Formulation and evaluation of matrix microspheres for simultaneous delivery of salbutamol sulphate and theophylline

Purpose: The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate a matrix microsphere system for simultaneous delivery of two anti-asthmatic drugs Salbutamol sulphate and Theophylline which are often indicated for the management of asthma, their frequent dosing may reduce compliance, thus making a prolonged release formulation necessary. Ethylcellulose was used as a retardant polymer and its compatibility with the drugs and the drug-drug compatibility were established through IR, XRD and DSC studies. Method: Microspheres were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation using acetone/light liquid paraffin system. Tween 80 was used as the dispersing agent and cyclohexane was added to harden the microspheres. The prepared microspheres were characterized for their micromeritic properties and drug loading, as well as by infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The in vitro release studies were performed in pH 7.4, phosphate buffer. Result: The prepared microspheres were white, free flowing and spherical in shape. The drug-loaded microspheres showed 67-91% of entrapment and release was extended upto 6 to 8 h. The infrared spectra, differential scanning calorimetry thermographs and XRD spectra all showed the stable character of both the drugs in the drug-loaded microspheres and revealed the absence of drug-polymer interactions. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed that the microspheres were spherical and porous in nature. Conclusion: The matrix microspheres have a potential for the prolongation and simultaneous delivery of the anti asthmatic drugs (salbutamol and theophylline). Keywords: Matrix microspheres, Salbutamol sulphate, Theophylline, Ethylcellulose, Emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 7 (2) 2008: pp. 995-100

Changes in and predictors of HIV among people who inject drugs in Mizoram, Northeast India, from 2007 to 2021

This study aimed to examine the changes in and predictors of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Mizoram, Northeast India, over a period of 15 years (2007–2021). A sample of 14783 PWID was extracted from the Targeted Intervention (TI) services under the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS). A chi-square test was used to compare the differences in HIV prevalence across the three 5-year periods, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors after adjusting for sociodemographic, injecting and sexual behaviours. The results showed that compared to 2007–2011, HIV prevalence was almost three times higher in 2012–2016 (AOR 2.35; 95% CI 2.07–2.66) and almost two times higher in 2017–2021 (AOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.24–1.59). The results suggest that participants who were females (AOR 2.35; 95% CI 2.07–2.66), married (AOR 1.13; 95% CI 1.00–1.27), separated/divorced/widowed (AOR 1.74; 95% CI 1.54–1.96), of middle school level education (AOR 1.24; 95% CI 1.06–1.44), sharing needles/syringes (AOR 1.78; 95% CI 1.61–1.98) and receiving a regular monthly income were positively associated with HIV infection. Condom use with a regular partner (AOR 0.77; 95% CI 0.70–0.85) was high among PWID. Despite targeted interventions under MSACS to reduce HIV in Mizoram, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among PWID remained high between 2007 and 2021. Policymakers and stakeholders should tailor future interventions based on the factors identified in this study that are associated with HIV infection. Our findings highlight the importance of socio-cultural factors in HIV epidemiology among PWID in Mizoram

Phytochemical screening, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ethyl acetate extract of Combretum punctatum var. squamosum

The objective of this study was to carry out the phytochemical screening of the ethyl acetate extract of Combretum punctatum var. squamosum and to investigate anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. The phytochemical investigation indicated the presence of flavonoids and steroids in the extract. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied by in vitro inhibition of albumin denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization methods; in vivo cotton pellet induced granuloma and carrageenan-induced paw oedema studies. The anti-oxidant activity was studied by lipid peroxidation and DPPH radical scavenging activity assays.The ethyl acetate extract at different concentrations showed a significant percent inhibition of albumin denaturation and percent inhibition of haemolysis when compared with the standard. The extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w. significantly reduced cotton pellet granuloma (P <0.001) and carrageenan paw oedema (P <0.05) when compared with the standard in rats.The extract at different concentrations also showed a significant percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation and DPPH when compared with the standard.Thus, the result indicates that the ethyl acetate extract exhibited significantly good anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities

Formulation and evaluation of matrix microspheres for simultaneous delivery of salbutamol sulphate and theophylline

Purpose: The objective of this study was to formulate and evaluate a matrix microsphere system for simultaneous delivery of two anti-asthmatic drugs Salbutamol sulphate and Theophylline which are often indicated for the management of asthma, their frequent dosing may reduce compliance, thus making a prolonged release formulation necessary. Ethylcellulose was used as a retardant polymer and its compatibility with the drugs and the drug-drug compatibility were established through IR, XRD and DSC studies. Method: Microspheres were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation using acetone/light liquid paraffin system. Tween 80 was used as the dispersing agent and cyclohexane was added to harden the microspheres. The prepared microspheres were characterized for their micromeritic properties and drug loading, as well as by infrared spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The in vitro release studies were performed in pH 7.4, phosphate buffer. Result: The prepared microspheres were white, free flowing and spherical in shape. The drug-loaded microspheres showed 67-91% of entrapment and release was extended upto 6 to 8 h. The infrared spectra, differential scanning calorimetry thermographs and XRD spectra all showed the stable character of both the drugs in the drug-loaded microspheres and revealed the absence of drug-polymer interactions. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed that the microspheres were spherical and porous in nature. Conclusion: The matrix microspheres have a potential for the prolongation and simultaneous delivery of the anti asthmatic drugs (salbutamol and theophylline)

The epidemiology of primary headache disorders in Zambia: a population-based door-to-door survey

Background Little is known of the epidemiology of primary headache disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. We performed a population-based survey in Zambia using methods previously tested in multiple other countries. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted by visiting households unannounced, using cluster-randomized sampling, in the mostly urban Lusaka Province and mostly rural Southern Province. Within clusters, households were selected randomly, as was one adult member (18-65 years old) of each selected household. A structured questionnaire, translated into the local languages, was administered face-to-face by trained interviewers. Demographic enquiry was followed by diagnostic questions based on ICHD-II criteria. A random sub-sample of participants were invited for subsequent physician-interview to validate the diagnostic part of the questionnaire. Results Of 1,134 eligible household members contacted, 1,085 (450 male, 887 urban) consented to interview (refusal rate 4.3%). Others who had been selected but remained unavailable on three visits were not counted as refusals since their reasons were unknown, but gave rise to gender biases, being mostly male in urban areas and mostly female in rural areas. Statistical correction was applied. Adjusted for gender and habitation (urban/rural), the 1-year prevalence of any headache was 61.6%, of migraine 22.9%, of tension-type headache (TTH) 22.8%, of headache on ≥15 days/month 11.5% and of probable medication-overuse headache (pMOH) 7.1%. The adjusted point-prevalence of any headache (headache yesterday) was 19.1%. There was a small proportion (5.3%) of unclassified headache, some of which may have been secondary. The overwhelmingly strong association was between urban dwelling and pMOH (OR: 8.6; P=0.0001), with an urban prevalence of 14.5% (gender-adjusted). Validation of the questionnaire was limited by participants’ reluctance to present for physician review, substantial delays in doing so and major self-selection bias among those who did. These were unavoidable problems in resource-limited Zambia. Conclusions Primary headache disorders, common in high-income countries, are at least as prevalent in Zambia, a sub-Saharan African country. The selectively urban problem of pMOH seems likely to reflect ready availability of non-prescription analgesics, without easy access to professional health care for headache or any focused public-health education regarding correct usage of analgesics or the dangers of their overuse

Neutron radiative capture cross section for sodium with covariance analysis

The neutron radiative capture cross sections measurement has been carried out for the $$^{23}$$Na nucleus in the neutron energy region from 0.6 to 3.2 MeV using the neutron activation technique followed by off-line $$\gamma$$-ray spectrometry. The measurement was made relative to the $$^{115}$$In(n,n$$\prime$$$$\gamma$$)$$^{115}\hbox {In}^{m}$$ reference monitor reaction cross section. The neutrons were produced via the $$^{7}$$Li(p,n)$$^{7}$$Be reaction. Detailed uncertainty propagation has been performed using the covariance analysis, and the measured cross sections are being reported with their uncertainties, covariance, and correlation matrix. The necessary corrections have been made for the low background neutron energy contribution, $$\gamma$$-ray true coincidence summing, and self-attenuation process. The obtained neutron spectrum averaged cross sections of $$^{23}$$Na(n,$$\gamma$$)$$^{24}$$Na are discussed and compared with the existing cross sections data retrieved from the EXFOR database. EMPIRE-3.2 and TALYS-1.9 calculations were performed in order to determine the radiative capture cross section in this energy region. The present results are also compared with the evaluated nuclear data from ENDF/B-VIII.0, TENDL-2019, IRDFF-1.05, JENDL-4.0, and JEFF-3.3. The obtained cross section results are in good agreement with existing experimental data, evaluated libraries, and reaction models for the highest energy points (2.11 and 3.13 MeV), while the lowest-energy point at 0.61 MeV underestimates them