Simultaneous estimation of etodolac and thiocolchicoside in bulk and in tablet formulation by UV-spectrophotometry

Two simple, rapid and reproducible simultaneous equation and Q-Analysis UV-Spectrophotometric methods have been developed for simultaneous estimation of Etodolac (ETO) and Thiocolchicoside (THC) in combined tablet dosage form. The methods involved solving simultaneous equations and Q-value Analysis based on measurement of absorbance at wavelengths, 223 (λmax of ETO), 259.4 nm (λmax of THC) and 236 nm (Iso-absorptive point). Linearity was found in the concentration range of 1-6 μg/mL and 4 - 24 μg/mL for ETO & THC respectively with coefficient correlation 0.9998 & 0.9992. The amount of drugs estimated by proposed methods are in excellent agreement with label claimed. Further-more, the methods were applied for the determination of ETO and THC in spiked human urine. The degradation behavior of ETO and THC was investigated under acid hydrolysis, alkali hydrolysis, photo and oxidative degradation. The samples subsequently generated were used for degradation studies using the developed method. Thiocolchicoside was found to degrade extensively under alkali hydrolysis and unaffected by other stress conditions while ETO was found to be stable in all stress conditions. The methods were validated according to ICH guidelines. The method, suitable for routine quality control, has been successfully applied to the determination of both drugs in commercial brands of tablets

Elaboration of properties of graphene oxide reinforced epoxy nanocomposites.

In this research work, properties of graphene oxide (GO) based epoxy nanocomposites, prepared via the solution blending method, are elaborated. Different loadings (0.1-0.5 wt%) of GO were added into epoxy resin, and their effects were studied on their surface reaction, morphology, mechanical and thermal properties. It was found that a chemical modification, layer expansion and dispersion of filler within the epoxy matrix resulted in an improved interface bonding between the GO and epoxy matrix. The optimum amount of graphene nanostructures can be useful to improve the properties of epoxy nanocomposites for applications in adhesives to automotive

Influence of reduced graphene oxide on epoxy/carbon fibre-reinforced hybrid composite: flexural and shear properties under varying temperature conditions.

This study investigated the effectiveness of reduced graphene oxide as nanofiller in enhancing epoxy/carbon fibre-reinforced composite at varying temperature conditions. The graphene oxide was synthesised using modified Hummer’s method and then chemically reduced to yield reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The rGO was dispersed in epoxy matrix system through combination of mechanical and sonication methods. The flexural and shear test samples were manufactured using resin infusion technique. These samples were then tested to determine their shear and flexural properties at varying temperatures (-10°C, 23°C, 40°C) and the results correlated to neat samples. It was found that the composites’ flexural strength and flexural modulus increased with rGO wt.% content up to 62% and 44% respectively. The shear testing results showed improvement on the shear strength and modulus at maximum of 6% and 40% respectively. The rGO improvements advantage was lost for flexural strength, shear strength and modulus at elevated temperatures while flexural modulus withheld at 40% improvements over virgin epoxy/carbon fibre-reinforced composite. An interesting observation is that all samples with rGO exhibite reduced damage characteristics superior to the neat samples under flexural and shear loading conditions. This study indicates that the addition of rGO significantly alter the flexural and shear properties, failure modes, damage characteristics and they are overall sensitive to elevated temperature conditions

Basic science232. Certolizumab pegol prevents pro-inflammatory alterations in endothelial cell function

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a leading cause of death. Chronic systemic inflammation involving tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) could contribute to endothelial activation and atherogenesis. A number of anti-TNF therapies are in current use for the treatment of RA, including certolizumab pegol (CZP), (Cimzia ®; UCB, Belgium). Anti-TNF therapy has been associated with reduced clinical cardiovascular disease risk and ameliorated vascular function in RA patients. However, the specific effects of TNF inhibitors on endothelial cell function are largely unknown. Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms underpinning CZP effects on TNF-activated human endothelial cells. Methods: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were cultured in vitro and exposed to a) TNF alone, b) TNF plus CZP, or c) neither agent. Microarray analysis was used to examine the transcriptional profile of cells treated for 6 hrs and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysed gene expression at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hrs. NF-κB localization and IκB degradation were investigated using immunocytochemistry, high content analysis and western blotting. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect microparticle release from HAoECs. Results: Transcriptional profiling revealed that while TNF alone had strong effects on endothelial gene expression, TNF and CZP in combination produced a global gene expression pattern similar to untreated control. The two most highly up-regulated genes in response to TNF treatment were adhesion molecules E-selectin and VCAM-1 (q 0.2 compared to control; p > 0.05 compared to TNF alone). The NF-κB pathway was confirmed as a downstream target of TNF-induced HAoEC activation, via nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκB, effects which were abolished by treatment with CZP. In addition, flow cytometry detected an increased production of endothelial microparticles in TNF-activated HAoECs, which was prevented by treatment with CZP. Conclusions: We have found at a cellular level that a clinically available TNF inhibitor, CZP reduces the expression of adhesion molecule expression, and prevents TNF-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, CZP prevents the production of microparticles by activated endothelial cells. This could be central to the prevention of inflammatory environments underlying these conditions and measurement of microparticles has potential as a novel prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in this patient group. Disclosure statement: Y.A. received a research grant from UCB. I.B. received a research grant from UCB. S.H. received a research grant from UCB. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Synthesis, characterization and screening for antidepressant and anticonvulsant activity of 4,5-dihydropyrazole bearing indole derivatives

AbstractIn the present study, a series of new substituted 5-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-3-(phenyl)-4,5-dihydropyrazoline derivatives (2a–m) have been synthesized with good yield by microwave assisted synthesis. The compounds synthesized were screened for antidepressant and anticonvulsant potentialities in mice by a forced swim test and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) test, respectively. Neuro-toxicities were determined by rotarod test in albino mice. The structures of all new compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, mass spectral data, and microanalyses. The results revealed that compounds 2b, 2e and 2k were found to be potent antidepressant molecules of the series, at 20mg/kg dose level when compared with the reference drugs imipramine and fluoxetine. Whereas, compounds 2c and 2d were found to be potent anticonvulsant molecules of this series, when compared with the reference drug diazepam. None of the synthesized compounds showed neurotoxicity

Fabrication of N-Doped Graphene@TiO2 Nanocomposites for Its Adsorption and Absorbing Performance with Facile Recycling

The present work aims to synthesize nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide-titanium dioxide nanocomposite (N-rGO@TiO2) using a simple, eco-friendly method and its applications in spectroscopic detection of heavy metal ions such as lead (Pb2+), mercury (Hg2+), and chromium-VI [Cr(VI)] in potable water. Initially, TiO2 nanoparticles loaded N doped rGO sheets were fabricated by an ecological method using Gossypium hirsutum (cotton) seeds extract as a green reducing agent. Then, the N-rGO@TiO2 nanocomposites were subjected for characterizations such as spectroscopic techniques, particle size analysis, zeta potential analysis, and spectroscopic sensing. Notably, the results of this study confirmed that N-rGO@TiO2 exhibited countless stupendous features in terms of sensing of an analyte. Briefly, the UV-visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of N-rGO@TiO2. The SEM images showed the wrinkled, folded, and cross-linked network structures that confirmed the surface modification and nitrogen doping in the rGO sheet and synthesis of N-rGO@TiO2. The EDAX study confirmed the elemental composition of the N-rGO@TiO2 nanocomposite. Finally, due to the larger surface area, porous nature, high electron mobility, etc. the N-rGO@TiO2 probe provides the lower detection limit for Pb2+, Hg2+, and Cr (VI) as low as 50 nM, 15 μM, and 25 nM, respectively. Concisely, our study affirms the admirable sensitivity of N-rGO@TiO2 nanocomposite to the Pb2+, Hg2+, and Cr (VI) in potable water can provide better environmental remediation