Stability indicating HPLC method development and validation for the simultaneous determination of Azithromycin & Ofloxacin in bulk and its dosage forms

A simple, precise, sensitive and reproducible stability indicating Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method for determination of Azithromycin and Ofloxacin in tablet dosage form was developed. Chromatographic separation was achieved on Hypersil-Keystone RP C 18 (250 4.6 mm, 5m) column maintained at 30 C eluted with mobile phase at flow rate of 1.2 ml/min. The mobile phase consists of Buffer (0.02 M potassium dihydrogenphosphate): methanol: acetonitrile in the ratio 65:25:10 v/v at pH maintained at 3.2 with OPA was used and the determination was carried out at 285 nm. The retention time for Azithromycin and Ofloxacin were 9.7 min and 5.01 respectively. The linearity was found in the range of 5?50 ?g/ml for Azithromycin and 4?40 ?g/ml for Ofloxacin. In stability studies the drugs were well separated from degradation products. The degradation was studied in the individual standard drugs, their mixture and formulation which gave the idea about the orgin of the degradant products. The analytical method was validated as per ICH guideline for linearity, accuracy, precision, and specificity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, stability in analytical solution etc. and method can be extended to the analysis of Azithromycin and Ofloxacin in tablet formulations

Evaluation of the Liquisolid Compacts Using Response Surface Methodology

Liquisolid Compacts technique has potential to develop sustained release formulations. It involves conversion of liquid drug (either solution or suspension) in non-volatile solvent into free-flowing, non adherent, dry looking and readily compressible powder. In the present work, an attempt was made to develop such formulation of Diltiazem HCl and evaluation using Response surface methodology. Liquisolid compacts were prepared by dissolving Diltiazem HCl in Polyethylene Glycol 400. Then a binary mixture of carrier-coating material, Avicel and Aerosil, was added to liquid medication under continuous mixing in mortar. The HPMC K4M was used as adjuvant for sustaining the drug release.  The pre-compression studies for all the formulations were also carried out. The Liquisolid compacts were evaluated in-vitro dissolution studies. The experimental data was evaluated using Design Expert Software. The % Drug Concentration, ratio of Carrier to Coating material and amount of HPMC K4M are taken as three factors. Response Surface methodology was used to study the influence of the each factor on the response. The present investigation showed that Polyethylene Glycol 400 has important role in release retardation of drug in Liquisolid compacts. The reduction in Tg can be reason for same. The Response surface methodology showed that all the factors were significantly affect the release at 16 hrs.

UROLITHIASIS (KIDNEY STONES) CURRENT PHARMACOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

Kidney stones are a common condition causing significant morbidity and economic burden. The prevalence of Urolithiasis (Kidney stones) is increasing from past 20 years, worldwide 5-15% of the population affected by Urolithiasis. The most common type of kidney stone is calcium oxalate formed in the renal surfaces. The mechanism of stone formation is a complex process which results from several physicochemical events including supersaturation, nucleation, growth, aggregation, and retention of urinary stone constituents within tubular cells. Obese people are known to have a higher risk of stone formation. Metabolic syndrome has resulted in an increasing rate of nephrolithiasis among women. The diagnosis and initial management of urolithiasis have undergone considerable evolution in recent years. This review article provides information about epidemiology, mechanism, diagnosis, and pathophysiology of kidney stone formation, and methods for the evaluation of stone risks for new and follow-up patients

Formulation Design and Optimization of Sustained Release Tablet of Ambroxol hydrochloride

A sustained release matrix formulation for Ambroxol hydrochloride was designed and developed to achieve a 12 h release profile. Using HPMC K15M and Eudragit RSPO as an inert matrix forming agent to control the release of Ambroxol hydrochloride. The matrix tablets for these formulations were prepared by direct compression and their in-vitro release tests were carried out for a period of 12 hours using USP dissolution test apparatus (type I- Basket) at       37±0.5°C and 100 rpm speed. A 32 full factorial design was used for optimization by taking the concentration of HPMC K15M (X1) and Eudragit RSPO (X2) were selected as independent variables, where as initial release at the 2 hrs (Y1, % drug release), release rate at the 8 hrs (Y2,   % drug release) and the concentration of Ambroxol hydrochloride released in 12 hrs (Y3, % drug release) were chosen as dependent variables. The optimized formulation F4 follows Hixon Croswell order release kinetics with non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. From the study, it was concluded that the release of Ambroxol hydrochloride can be effectively sustained using combination of HPMC K15M and Eudragit RSPO

Yb(OTf)3 Catalyzed Synthesis, Antimicrobial and Insecticidal activity of some Biscoumarins

Published ArticleIn the present study, we report Yb(OTf)3 catalyzed synthesis of biscoumarins by pseudo three-component reaction of aldehyde and 4-hydroxycoumarin. The synthesized biscoumarins were evaluated for antimicrobial and insecticidal activity. Results of antimicrobial activity were found to be moderate to good in terms of zones of inhibition and MIC values against E. coli, P. vulgaris and S. aureus. The compounds were inactive against the used fungal strains except B4 in case of Penicillium. Insecticidal activity of the biscoumarins B-1, B-3, B-5 and B-11 was found to be good exhibiting 70-75% mortality effect on Callosobruchus maculatus

PHARMACOGNOSTIC, PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF DIFFERENT SOLVENT EXTRACT OF EUPHORBIA HUMIFUSA

Medicinal plants have bioactive compounds which are used to curing of various diseases. The aim of the study to Pharmacognostic, Preliminary phytochemical screening of different solvent extracts of Euphorbia humifusa were carried out. The traditional medicine involves the use of different plant extracts or the bioactive constituents, qualitative phytochemical analysis of these plants confirm the presence of various phytochemical like alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, Protein, Amino acid, Carbohydrate, phytosterols. The result suggest that the phytochemical properties for curing various ailments and possess potential antioxidant and reads to the isolation of new and novel compounds

Surface measurements of atmospheric electrical conductivity at Jnanabharathi campus, Bengaluru (12.96° N, 77.56° E)

57-63Simultaneous measurements of the atmospheric electrical conductivity and meteorological parameters were carried out during January-December 2014 at Jnanabharathi campus, Bangalore University (urban station), Bengaluru, (12.96° N, 77.56°E), Karnataka for the first time. Gerdien condenser and mini boundary layer mast (micro meteorological tower) were used to study the variation of electrical conductivity and meteorological parameters. The observations show that the change in daily and weekly variations of conductivity is strong dependent of activity of Radon (222Rn) gas and meteorological parameters that defines the stability of the lower troposphere. Significant influence of atmospheric convective instability on conductivity was observed. The negative correlation of 0.56 was found between conductivity and rain for the year 2014. The average conductivity for the study period was found to be 4.02 ± 0.02 x 10-14 S/m, with higher values during the winter as compared to summer and monsoon seasons. The atmospheric air conductivity measurements may be used to study the atmospheric stability, pollution and climate change studies

MUCOADHESIVE MICROSPHERES: AN EMINENT ROLE IN CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY

ABSTRACT Mucoadhesion is simply known as interfacial force interactions between polymeric materials and mucosal tissues. In the last two decades mucoadhesive microspheres have received considerable attention for design of novel drug delivery systems due to their ability to prolong the residence time of dosage forms and to enhance drug bioavailability. Mucoadhesive microspheres have advantages like efficient absorption and enhanced bioavailability of the drugs due to a high surface to volume ratio, a much more intimate contact with the mucus layer, controlled and sustained release of drug from dosage form and specific targeting of drugs to the absorption site. Microspheres are the carrier linked drug delivery system in which particle size is ranges from 1-1000 μm range in diameter having a core of drug and entirely outer layers of polymer as coating material. Keywords: mucoadhesion, microspheres, controlled release, residence time. INTRODUCTION Since many years several kinds of diseases that may be acute or chronic diseases can be treated by using pharmaceutical dosage form like solutions, tablets, capsules, syrups, suspension, emulsion, ointments, creams, gels which can be used as orally, topically, or intravascular route. To get the proper therapeutic effect of these pharmaceutical dosage forms they should be administered several times a day, this results consequently undesirable toxicity, fluctuation in drug level and poor efficiency or therapeutic effect. Controlled release dosage form plays eminent role to overcome the problems which are discussed above. The most important example of controlled drug delivery system is mucoadhesive microspheres which can improve the therapeutic effect of administered drug. Also bioavailability of drug is also better than other conventional system because mucoadhesive microspheres remain close to the mucous membrane and absorption tissue. Drug delivery systems (DDS) that can precisely control the release rates or target drugs to a specific body site have had an enormous impact on the healthcare system. The last two and developing novel delivery systems referred to as "mucoadhesive microspheres". [1] Physiology of mucin Mucus is produced in the eye, ear, nose and mouth. It also lines the respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts. Its primary functions are the protection and lubrication of the underlying epithelium. Human cervical mucus, for instance, plays an integral role in both conception and contraception. It is essential to understand the structure and physical chemistry of mucus if the latter is to be exploited as a site for bioadhesive controlled drug release. Since the gastrointestinal tract is the primary site for drug absorption, the physiology of this site will be the focus of this discussion. The gelling properties which are essential to the function of mucus are the direct result of the glycoprotein present in the mucosal secretion. This glycoprotein is generally the same for various secretion sites within the body; however, specific and subtle biochemical differences have been identified. Mucus may be either constantly or intermittently secreted. The amount of mucus secreted also varies. The glycoproteinic component of mucus is a high molecular weight, highly glycosylated macromolecular system. This polydisperse natural polymer makes up between 0.5 and 5% of the fully hydrated mucus secretion. [10] The size of the intact molecule is approximately 1.8 x 10 6 , but the molecular weight of undegraded gastric mucin is as high as 4.5 x 10 7 . These macromolecules are highly expanded random coils made up of monomeric glycoproteins which for humans range from 5.5 x 1o 5 in the stomach to 2.4 x lo 5 in the small intestine. Oligosaccharide branches are attached to 63% of the protein core while the remainder of There are 34 disulphide bridges per molecule of rat goblet cell mucin, which has a molecular weight of 2 x 10 6 , while porcine intestinal mucin has 28 bridges per molecule. Human mucin has a similar density of disulphide bonds. The protein spine of the macromolecule has about 800 amino acid residues. Sugar chains are attached at about every three residues along the glycosylated regions; this results in approximately 200 side chains per molecule. This molecule is resistant to proteolytic attack in the glycosylated regions only. Thus, charge interactions may have a significant effect on the behaviour of mucus glycoproteins. The mucous gel covering the epithelium varies in thickness. In the human stomach, the mean thickness is 192 pm, while in the duodenum the thickness ranges from 10 to 400 pm In the gastrointestinal tract, mucus facilitates the passage of food and boluses through the alimentary canal. It also helps shield the epithelium from shear forces induced by peristaltic waves, and resists auto digestion. These functions are promoted by the constant secretion of mucus to replenish losses from turbulence and degradation. In response to an irritant, the amount of acidic side chains in the glycoprotein increases from 50 to 80%, making the macromolecule more negatively charged. The submucosal gland layer increases in depth and the number of goblet cells increases. The total content of non dialysable solids and pH also increase. In the GI tract, DNA and albumin thicken mucus in the diseased state. Mucosal irritation, such as exposure to alcohol or bile salts, elicits accelerated mucin release. Disease can significantly alter the nature and thickness of the mucus. This may lead to a change in the behaviour of the delivery system. Any drug delivery system which is intended to adhere to the mucus epithelium will need to adapt to a substrate which varies in depth and consistency, and may also change biochemically. Hypersecretion, which is more common than hyposecretion during disease, increases the transit rate through the GI tract, and thus reduces the residence time of a mucoadhesive device. Thus, it is essential to consider the physiology of the system when optimizing the formulation of an adhesive controlled release device. CLASSIFICATION OF MUCOADHESIVE POLYMERS Mucoadhesion is defined as interfacial force interactions between polymeric materials and mucosal tissues. In the last two decades mucoadhesive polymers have received considerable attention for design of novel drug delivery systems due to their ability to prolong the residence time of dosage forms and to enhance drug bioavailability. Various administration routes, such as ocular, nasal, gastrointestinal, vaginal and rectal, make mucoadhesive drug delivery systems attractive and flexible in dosage forms development. Mucoadhesive polymers can be classified as,- I. Traditional non-specific first-generation mucoadhesive polymers First-generation mucoadhesive polymers may be divided into three main subsets, namely: (1) Anionic polymers:-Anionic polymers are widely employed for its greatest mucoadhesive strength and low toxicity. These polymers are characterised by the presence of sulphate and carboxyl group that gives rise to net negative charge at PH values exceeding the pka of polymer. Example:-polyacrylic acid (PAA) & its weakly cross linked derivatives, Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NACMC) [30] (2) Cationic polymers: -The most conveniently and widely used cationic polymer is chitosan which is produced by deacetylation of chitin. Chitin is a natural polysaccharide found predominantly in the shells of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, the cuticles of insects, and the cell walls of fungi. It is one of the most abundant biopolymers next to cellulose Most of the naturally occurring polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, dextran, pectin, alginic acid, agar, agarose and carrageenans, are neutral or acidic in nature, whereas chitin and chitosan are examples of highly basic polysaccharides. The unique properties include II.Novel second-generation mucoadhesive polymers: The major disadvantage in using traditional nonspecific mucoadhesive systems (first generation) is that adhesion may occur at sites other than those intended. Unlike first-generation non-specific platforms, certain second-generation polymer platforms are less susceptible to mucus turnover rates, with some species binding directly to mucosal surfaces; more accurately termed ''cytoadhesives". Furthermore as surface carbohydrate and protein composition at potential target sites vary regionally, more accurate drug delivery may be achievable. MUCOADHESION Due its relative complexity, it is likely that the process of mucoadhesion cannot be described by just one of these theories. In considering the mechanism of mucoadhesion, a whole range 'scenarios' for in-vivo mucoadhesive bond formation are possible. These include: A). Dry or partially hydrated dosage forms contacting surfaces with substantial mucus layers (typically particulates administered into the nasal cavity). B). fully hydrated dosage forms contacting surfaces with substantial mucus layers (typically particulates of many 'First Generation'mucoadhesives that have hydrated in the luminal contents on delivery to the lower gastrointestinal tract). C). Dry or partially hydrated dosage forms contacting surfaces with thin/discontinuous mucus layers (typically tablets or patches in the oral cavity or vagina). D). fully hydrated dosage forms contacting surfaces with thin/discontinuous mucus layers (typically aqueous semisolids or liquids administered into the oesophagus or eye). It is unlikely that the mucoadhesive process will be the same in each case. In the study of adhesion generally, two steps in the adhesive process have been identified Step 2 -Consolidation stage: Various physicochemical interactions occur to consolidate and strengthen the adhesive joint, leading to prolonged adhesion. THEORIES ON MUCOADHESION [4, 5] Various kinds of theories are there which can explain the mechanism of mucoadhesion they are discussed below, TYPES OF MICROSPHERES Mucoadhesive microspheres:-Adhesion can be defined as sticking of drug to the membrane by using the sticking property of the water soluble polymers. Adhesion of drug delivery device to the mucosal membrane such as buccal, ocular, rectal, nasal etc can be termed as bio -adhesion. These kinds of microspheres exhibit a prolonged residence time at the site of application and causes intimate contact with the absorption site and produces better therapeutic action. [26] Magnetic microspheres:-This kind of delivery system is very much important which localises the drug to the disease site. In this larger amount of freely circulating drug can be replaced by smaller amount of magnetically targeted drug. Magnetic carriers receive magnetic responses to a magnetic field from incorporated materials that are used for magnetic microspheres are chitosan, dextran etc. The different type are, Therapeutic magnetic microspheres: Are used to deliver chemotherapeutic agent to liver tumour. Drugs like proteins and peptides can also be targeted through this system.6 Diagnostic microspheres: Can be used for imaging liver metastases and also can be used to distinguish bowel loops from other abdominal structures by forming nano size particles supramagnetic iron oxides. Floating microspheres:-In this type of microspheres the bulk density is less than the gastric fluid and so remains buoyant in stomach without affecting gastric emptying rate. The release rate of drug is slow at the desired rate, if the system is floating on gasteric content and increases gastric residence and increases fluctuation in plasma concentration

Cohort Profile: Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study

The Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study was established to assess the prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction, a key characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and its risk factors in adults (≥40 years) from general populations across the world. The baseline study was conducted between 2003 and 2016, in 41 sites across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Oceania, and collected high-quality pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry from 28 828 participants. The follow-up study was conducted between 2019 and 2021, in 18 sites across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. At baseline, there were in these sites 12 502 participants with high-quality spirometry. A total of 6452 were followed up, with 5936 completing the study core questionnaire. Of these, 4044 also provided high-quality pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry. On both occasions, the core questionnaire covered information on respiratory symptoms, doctor diagnoses, health care use, medication use and ealth status, as well as potential risk factors. Information on occupation, environmental exposures and diet was also collected

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed