MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY AS A WALK OF LIFE -PAST, CURRENT, AND FUTURE PROSPECTIVE: AN INSIGHT

In exploring the epitome of Physiology, we come across a multitude of disciplines. The history of human Physiology can be traced back to 435 BC. Now, Physiology has become an integral part of our life. Physiology and Medicine are like two faces of the same coin. While swimming through the ocean of Physiology we discover many natal systems. Physiology forms the ground on which the study of Medicine works like our laptop. Forming substratum in the arch of medical and surgical knowledge, Physiology is gaining vanity. The relevance of Physiological ideas is just like the cherry on the cake. This review is a general topic of interest and discusses the history of Physiology and the importance of Physiology beyond academics in the epoch of translational research

MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY AS A WALK OF LIFE -PAST, CURRENT, AND FUTURE PROSPECTIVE: AN INSIGHT

In exploring the epitome of Physiology, we come across a multitude of disciplines. The history of human Physiology can be traced back to 435 BC. Now, Physiology has become an integral part of our life. Physiology and Medicine are like two faces of the same coin. While swimming through the ocean of Physiology we discover many natal systems. Physiology forms the ground on which the study of Medicine works like our laptop. Forming substratum in the arch of medical and surgical knowledge, Physiology is gaining vanity. The relevance of Physiological ideas is just like the cherry on the cake. This review is a general topic of interest and discusses the history of Physiology and the importance of Physiology beyond academics in the epoch of translational research

NOVEL UMBELLIFERONE PHYTOSOMES: DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION USING EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN APPROACH AND EVALUATION OF PHOTO-PROTECTIVE AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a novel formulation (Phytosome) of umbelliferone with phospholipid for improved permeability, solubility and hence better pharmacological action.Methods: The phytosomal complex was prepared by using solvent evaporation method and optimised by applying the Box-Behnken design on the basis of complexation rate and partition coefficient. The formation of phytosomes was confirmed by FTIR, DSC, SEM, XRD, HPTLC and NMR by comparing the results of the complex with the drug. The photoprotective potential of complex against UV-exposure was evaluated in rats and compared with the drug by incorporating it in a gel and estimating the antioxidant enzymes in skin namely reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation and catalase.Results: The crystalline drug was completely converted to amorphous complex. The complex showed a good practical yield, drug content and particle size was in the range. The solubility of the complex was determined by partition coefficient method and was found to be better than the drug. The ex vivo and in-vitro permeation of the complex showed improved permeation for complex than the drug. The in vitro antioxidant activity of complex was evaluated by DPPH and ferrozine antioxidant assay and was better than the drug. The photoprotective action of the complex was found to be better than drug on the basis of the content of antioxidant enzymes estimated in the skin.Conclusion: The phytosomal complex was found to show better solubility in the water phase and oil phase, better permeation, better antioxidant activity and a better photo-protective activity when compared to umbelliferone

Cyberchondria: Physiology of Anxiety Due to Health-Related Information From the Internet

Cyberchondria in other sense is also known as “compuchondria” is a groundless upsurge of wordiness about common symptoms based on analysis of search results and medical literature online. It also includes the features of OCD and anxiety. The internet as an informational medium may exert unique effective pressure on those with health anxiety. Information from the web is often of unregulated accuracy, where benign symptom inquiry into a search engine may show as malignancy. People aged between 30-40 years are the most active health information seekers on the net. There are many psychological theories of seeking behaviour from the internet. Hesitant people, white coat anxiety people, physically challenged people and people who exhibit socio phobic nature or extreme introverts, show a defensive nature for reaching out to health centres. There are limitations of Google doctor’s search clinic. It may escalate one’s apprehensive feelings toward health. It may lead to delays in seeking health professional services. It may misdirect and it may speed up or worsen the existing health condition. Past history of the individual’s health will be unknown to Google Dr.15 KEYWORDS: Cyberchondria, Anxiety, Internet, Google, Docto

A Rapid Flow through Membrane Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Bacillus anthracis using Surface Array Protein as a Biomarker

Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis is an important disease of biowarfare and public health importance. It is imperative to develop a simple system which can detect and differentiate B. anthracis from other closely related species. The surface array protein (Sap), which is secreted during the early growth phase of bacteria can be an important biomarker for detection of B. anthracis. In the present study, we have developed a rapid flow through membrane ELISA for detection of B. anthracis. Polyclonal antibodies were used to develop a sandwich plate ELISA, which could detect 3.9 ng/ml of recombinant Sap. B. anthracis bacteria grown in culture broth could be detected after 5 h of growth. Finally, a rapid flow through membrane ELISA was developed which can be accomplished just within 2 minutes, instead of 3-4 h as required in sandwich plate ELISA. The results established that the developed flow through membrane ELISA may be used for detection of B. anthracis. The proposed method is rapid, safe and user friendly for detection of B. anthracis culture

Enhanced Production of Recombinant Extractable Antigen (EA1) an Extracellular Protein and its use in Detection of Spores of Bacillus anthracis the Causative Agent of Anthrax

Detection of spores of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax in human and animals in environment is cumbersome due to the presence of spores of other closely related Bacillus species. The Extractable Antigen 1 (EA1), an extracellular protein is considered as a biomarker for detection of B. anthracis spores. In the present work, we have cloned and expressed the recombinant EA1 protein in soluble form in Escherichia coli. Optimisation of culture conditions and cultivation media was carried out to achieve enhanced soluble expression of recombinant EA1 protein. Further, the batch fermentation process was also developed using optimised conditions for scale up production of recombinant EA1 protein. The final yield of protein purified employing affinity chromatography was 42.64 mg/l of culture during batch fermentation process. The polyclonal antibodies were raised against recombinant EA in rabbit and mice and used to develop an ELISA for detection of B. anthracis spores. The specificity of the developed assay was ascertained with spores of other Bacillus species. The results corroborated that the EA1 could be a suitable biomarker for detection of B. anthracis spores

Development and In vitro Evaluation of Betahistine Adhesive-Type Transdermal Delivery System

Purpose: To develop a transdermal betahistine (BTH) delivery system using different pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) including acrylics, polyisobutylene and styrenic rubber solution.Methods: Formulations were prepared by solvent casting and adhesive transfer method. PSAs - acrylate vinylacetate (AVA), hydrophilic acrylate (HA), acrylic non-curing (ANC), polyisobutylene (PIB), and tackified styrenic rubber solution (TSR) - were evaluated for their suitability in terms of miscibility, maximum drug loading, effect on tack property and in vitro permeation through excised guinea pig skin. Furthermore, one of the PSAs was tested in relation to effect of penetration enhancers on tack property, in vitro permeation, in vivo patch adhesion performance and stability.Results: Only formulations prepared with AVA and HA were stable. Increased drug loading in these PSAs significantly reduced tack. In vitro permeation data across guinea pig skin demonstrated that BTH flux from from the formulation containing HA (F1) was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that containing AVA (F2). Formulations containing 2 % enhancer showed good tack. Specifically, the formulation containing 2 % oleic acid as enhancer not only showed the highest permeation but also good tack property, non-irritancy for up to 36 h and stability under accelerated conditions.Conclusion: The formulation containing HA as the PSA and 2 % oleic acid as enhancer demonstrated a good potential for further development to an adhesive-type transdermal delivery system for BTH.Keywords: Meniere’s syndrome, Transdermal delivery, Betahistine, Pressure-sensitive adhesives, Penetration enhancersTropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research December 2010; 9 (6): 516-52