FORMULATION, DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERISATION OF NIMODIPINE LOADED SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES

Objective: The aim of the present study is to develop solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of Nimodipine using hot homogenization followed by ultrasonication technique and to improve the dissolution characteristics of the drug. Methods: The Nimodipine-loaded SLN was prepared using palmitic acid and stearic acid as a lipid matrix and Tween-80 as an emulsifier by a hot homogenization and ultra-sonication method. The physicochemical characteristics of SLN were investigated for entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, in vitro drug release, particle size analysis, Fourier transform infrared studies, scanning electron microscopy, and stability studies. Results: The mean particle size, PDI, Zeta potential and entrapment efficiency of optimized Nimodipine SLN formulation of stearic acid was found to be 119.54 nm, 0.165,-17.60mV, 85% and for palmitic acid was found to be 132.54 nm, 0.155,-17.0mV, 81% respectively. In vitro drug release studies indicated that after an initial burst release, SLN could provide prolonged release of Nimodipine. The selected SLNs have shown good stability for a period of 180 d. Conclusion: SLN formulations showed the best results in EE as well as in vitro drug release and therefore, these results indicate that SLN might be a promising delivery system to enhance the release of Nimodipine

FORMULATION AND PHARMACOKINETIC DETERMINATION OF GALLIC ACID IN EMBLICA OFFICINALIS

Objective: The present work was to formulate oral herbal tablets of Emblica officinalis extract and also with pure gallic acid, further to determine the dosage frequency through pharmacokinetic profiles obtained for the same.Methods: The Emblica officinalis fruits were suitably extracted and the concentration of gallic acid in Emblica officinalis extract was estimated by HPTLC (High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography) with a comparison to pure form. Tablets were prepared with extract and synthetic form through direct compression technique by varying the process and formulation parameters. The formulated tablets were administered to rabbit models and their pharmacokinetic profile was studied after withdrawing blood samples through HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography).Results: The concentration of gallic acid in Emblica officinalis was found to be 8.21%. The pre and post compression parameters evaluated for the formulated batches found to be within the pharmacopoeial limits. The in vivo pharmacokinetic studies conducted in rabbit models showed that there were no significant differences with p-value between the pharmacokinetic data obtained for pure and extract gallic acid tablets. The Cmax was found to be 4.59±0.95 µg/ml in the extract form which was little low when compared to the pure form of 6.38±1.08 µg/ml. The t1/2 in the extract form was 6.0±0.33 h, whereas it was 4.92±0.36 h in the pure form of gallic acid.Conclusion: The Emblica officinalis extract tablet showed average t1/2 of 6 h, so about every 6 h one tablet compared to 4 h of t1/2 for pure gallic acid tablet can be the dosing frequency for the rabbit.Â

Rapid assessment of the fish trade, arrivals and price realization in Kerala

Fisheries contribute to around 3 % of the economy of Kerala and provides employment to about 2.14 lakh people including its secondary and tertiary sectors such as marketing and processing. The marine fish landings in Kerala (2015) was 4.82 lakh tonnes forming 73.36 % of the total fish production in the state. A considerable 30% reduction in the marine fish landings during 2015 compared to the average (2010-14) landings of 6.82 lakh tonnes was noticed

Scope for light assisted fishing in Southeastern Arabian Sea

Scope for light assisted fishing in Southeastern Arabian Se

Paralarva of the sharpear enope squid Ancistrocheirus lesueurii (Oegopsida: Ancistrocheiridae) in the southeastern Arabian Sea

First morphological description of an early stage paralarva of the sharpear enope squid Ancistrocheirus lesueurii from southeastern Arabian Sea is presented. The paralarva was collected at dusk by using surface tows of zooplankton nets in February 2012. The presence of paralarva A. lesueurii indicates that this species completes its life cycle in this sea. A comparison of the arm formula of paralarva and adult stages shows a major change in the formula during metamorphosis to adult

Impulse effect of demonetisation on the fishing operations, trade and fish consumption in Ernakulam, Kerala

A rapid survey was conducted during 24-26 November 2016 in order to assess the effect of demonetisation of the ` 1000 and ` 500 currency bills on the marine fishing operations, trade and fish consumption in Ernakulam district, Kerala across different landing centres and markets. A structured schedule eliciting information on the details related to the total number of fishing operations, crew size, landings, price realised, etc. was used (Annexure 1). The traders (exporters, wholesalers and retailers) were queried on the changes in the quantum of transaction and prices (paid and demonstration realised) during the pre and past periods. The study analysed the extent of different fishing operations by mechanised, motorised and non-mechanised sector in the landing centres / harbours of Munambam, Chellanam, Fort Cochin, Cochin Fisheries harbour and Kalamukku during the pre-demonetised (prior to 8th November) and post demonetised (9-23 November 2016) period covering a fortnight The fishing operations include the number of trips, days of fishing, depth of fishing, crew size, crew share, operating cost etc. The traders from the Broadway, Thevara, Thoppumpady, Chambakkara and Kaloor fish markets were interviewed for assessing the status of the business during these days. In addition, consumers were interviewed on their pattern of fish consumption during the period

Scope for mechanized fishing of teleosts with light attraction in Southeastern Arabian Sea

The sense of vision coupled with powers of chemoreception is used by many fishes to orient and perform activities such as foraging, breeding and avoiding predators. In such cases their behaviour is affected by light stimuli, natural or artificial. These responses include changes in schooling behaviour, spatial distribution, migration, reproduction etc

Occurrence and distribution of paralarvae and juveniles of purpleback flying squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis in the Arabian Sea

Occurrence and distribution of paralarvae and juveniles of purpleback flying squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis in the Arabian Se

Assessing Demand Drivers in Augmenting Fish Consumption in Ernakulam

Objectives: Assessing the fish consumption pattern, with special focus on analysing the trends and pattern of fish consumption and to identify the factors that drives people for fish consumption. Methods/Statistical analysis: The primary statistical tool of percentage analysis, conjoint analysis, Garrette ranking etc. have been carried out to assess various parameters of the study. One of the major analyses such as conjoint analysis and preference assessment index methods are carried out to find out the consumer preferences and pattern of fish consumption among the respondents. Findings/Application: The study points out that the average monthly income of the respondents has a very good role on the fish consumption as about 38% of the income is used for purchasing fish. 54.2% of the total respondents were purchasing fish on a daily basis and about 72% of the respondents depend on the retail centres for purchasing fish. Conjoint analysis results indicates that the optimum fish quality set, which provides the consumers with optimum benefit is the variety of fish from the retail fish markets which are highly fresh and good quality. Mackerel remains the most preferred fish with a high score of 0.577 followed by Sardine 0.561 in the preference index analysis and it has been found that the highest preference index is given for the availability of the fish species. Despite of any income group there exists a high uniformity between the respondents in buying mackerel as well as sardine. From Garrette ranking technique for constraints in fish consumption found that lack of fresh fish, high price and irregular supply as the major constraints for fish consumption

Wave forecasting and monitoring during very severe cyclone Phailin in the Bay of Bengal

Wave fields, both measured and forecast during the very severe cyclone Phailin, are discussed in this communication. Waves having maximum height of 13.54 m were recorded at Gopalpur, the landfall point of the cyclone. The forecast and observed significant wave heights matched well at Gopalpur with correlation coefficient of 0.98, RMS error of 0.35 m and scatter index of 14%. Forecasts were also validated in the open ocean and found to be reliable (scatter index < 15%). The study also revealed the presence of Southern Ocean swells with a peak period of 20-22 sec hitting Gopalpur coast along with the cyclone-generated waves