Hydrogenation of Styrene Oxide to 2-Phenylethanol over Nanocrystalline Ni Prepared by Ethylene Glycol Reduction Method

Nanocrystalline nickel prepared by glycol reduction method and characterized by XRD and magnetic measurements has been used as a catalyst for hydrogenation of styrene oxide to 2-phenylethanol. Effect of process variables such as particle size of the catalyst, temperature, and pressure have been optimized to achieve a maximum conversion of 98% of styrene oxide with 99% selectivity towards 2-phenylethanol. The structure of the transition state has been computed employing density functional theory and using Gaussian 09 suite. The enthalpy of reaction (ΔH) and activation energy (Ea) are calculated to be 85.3 kcal·mol−1 and 123.03 kcal·mol−1, respectively. A tentative mechanism for the reaction is proposed according to which atomized hydrogen and styrene oxide react together over the catalyst surface to produce 2-phenylethanol

Serratiopeptidase Niosomal Gel with Potential in Topical Delivery

The objective of present study was to develop nonionic surfactant vesicles of proteolytic enzyme serratiopeptidase (SRP) by adapting reverse phase evaporation (REV) technique and to evaluate the viability of SRP niosomal gel in treating the topical inflammation. The feasibility of SRP niosomes by REV method using Span 40 and cholesterol has been successfully demonstrated in this investigation. The entrapment efficiency was found to be influenced by the molar ratio of Span 40 : cholesterol and concentration of SRP in noisome. The developed niosomes were characterized for morphology, particle size, and in vitro release. Niosomal gel was prepared by dispersing xanthan gum into optimized batch of SRP niosomes. Ex vivo permeation and in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy of gel formulation were evaluated topically. SRP niosomes obtained were round in nanosize range. At Span 40 : cholesterol molar ratio 1 : 1 entrapment efficiency was maximum, that is, 54.82% ± 2.08, and showed consistent release pattern. Furthermore ex vivo skin permeation revealed that there was fourfold increase in a steady state flux when SRP was formulated in niosomes and a significant increase in the permeation of SRP, from SRP niosomal gel containing permeation enhancer. In vivo efficacy studies indicated that SRP niosomal gel had a comparable topical anti-inflammatory activity to that of dicolfenac gel

A radiographic analysis of alignment in 966 lower extremities with knee pain and its association with osteoarthritis in Indian population

Purpose:This study aimed to investigate the alignment based on deformity in knees affected by osteoarthritis (OA) at different stages and evaluate its association with OA. Material and methods:The following radiological parameters were measured from weight bearing long leg radiographs of 966 legs in the Indian subjects via a morphometric software (Matlab R2009a) (1)Hip-Knee-Ankle angle (HKAA), (2) Femoral bowing, (3) Tibial Bowing, (4) Condylar Plateau angle (CPA). The knees were classified according to the Kellegren and Lawrence grading and these parameters were evaluated with OA for its association using appropriate statistical tests. Results:The mean HKAA angle was 174.5° ±6.5°, 65.8% of the limbs were in found to be in varus (<177°) and 3.8% in valgus (>183°). The mean femoral and tibial bowing was -1.19 ± 4.95° and -1.54 ± 3.58° respectively. 55.8% of femorae and 41.4% of the tibia were observed to have varus bowing while 24.12% of femorae and 12.11% the tibia were observed to have valgus bowing. An increase in odds of disease severity was observed with femoral and tibial bowing >2°. With an increase in the grades of OA a significant increase in the lateral bow of both femur and tibia was observed. The mean condylar plateau angle was observed to be -2.53° ±7.9°. Positive association was seen between the varus CPA, HKA and OA (p < 0.01). Conclusion:This study describes the various radiological parameters in Indian patients at different grades of OA and might elucidate the role of these factors in OA initiation and progression

Pyranocarbazoles from <i>Murraya koenigii</i> (L.) Spreng. as antimicrobial agents

<p>The bioassay guided fractionation of methanolic extract of <i>Murraya koenigii</i> (L.) Spreng. leaves resulted in the isolation of seven pyranocarbazoles. These were evaluated against four bacterial strains and ten Candida sp. including two matched pair of fluconazole sensitive/resistant clinical isolates. Out of seven, three i.e. Koenine (mk279), Koenigine (mk309) and Mahanine (mk347) exhibited significant antibacterial activity MIC90 3.12–12.5 μg/mL against bacterial strains <i>Streptococcus aureus</i> and <i>Klebsiella pneumonia</i> compared with standard drug Kanamycin MIC90 12.5 μg/mL. However, only mk309 was found active against variety of Candida species MIC90 12.5–100 μg/mL. It was observed that hydroxylation at C-6 and C-7 positions in the studied pyranocarbazoles activate the bioactivity. Simultaneously, decrease in Log P value compares with −H and −O−CH3 substituted derivatives. The study is focused on selective antifungal and antibacterial activity of pyranocarbazoles on bacterial strains <i>S. aureus</i>, <i>K. pneumonia</i> and variety of Candida species with structure activity relationship observations.</p