A Study on Genotoxic Potential of Acephate in Clarias batrachus

Acephate is an insecticide made up of organophosphates. It is applied to food crops, citrus trees, on golf courses, in commercial or institutional buildings, and as a seed treatment. Products containing acephate can be purchased as tablets, liquids, granules, powders, and water-soluble packs. Acephate 75% brand name-Asataf insecticide manufactured by TATA RALLIS was used for the test. The solvent used was glass double distilled (g.d.d.) water. Fresh water catfish    Clarias batrachus were collected from local water bodies of Cuttack district. All the fishes were acclimatized for fifteen days in laboratory aquaria containing 30L dechlorinated tap water prior to the initiation of the experiment. The peripheral blood smear slides were prepared from the blood collected by caudal incision in accordance with Al-Sabti (1986) and Das and Nanda (1986) with some modifications which were prepared animals were sacrificed after 24, 48 and 72 hours of Exposure and were used for each treatment group in both types of administrations (IP and dermal). The increased concentration of acephate directly affects our biological fish sample i.e. Clarias batrachus. Acephate is causing serious problems in fish as per our genotoxicity study of acephate on Clarias batrachus. Clarias batrachus is a commonly found fish species in fresh water habitat which includes ponds, ditches, wetlands and rice fields of India specially in Odisha.The irrational use of pesticides containing acephate in agriculture cause harmful effects on Clarias batrachus, which is a most important species of fish for maintaining the aquatic diversity

IMPROVEMENT AND ESTIMATION OF ORALLY DISINTEGRATING TABLETS CONTAINING PILOCARPINE 2-HYDROXY PROPYL β-CYCLODEXTRIN INCLUSION COMPLEX BY RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Objective: The study aimed to develop and evaluate an orally disintegrating tablet that contains pilocarpine and 2-hydroxy propyl β-cyclodextrin as an inclusion complex that is prepared by lyophilization used for treatment for dry mouth. Pilocarpine is utilized to treat dry mouth disorder. The inclusion complex lowers the taste of pilocarpine through the oral mucosa by the use of 2-hydroxy propyl β-cyclodextrin. Methods: The in vitro release from the insertion complex is also been studied. The parameters like differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and morphological study have been evaluated. The design of an experiment is carried out based on the concentration of croscarmellose sodium (CCS) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Evaluation of the prepared orally disintegrating tablets have been carried out by different test methods like weight variation, thickness, drug content, disintegration, and in vitro dissolution study. Results: Orally disintegrating tablets are studied by utilizing the immediate pressure technique. Pilocarpine indicates the anhydrous crystalline medication, displaying sharp endothermic top at 120.2 °C, bend of 2-HPβCD demonstrates an exceptionally wide endothermal wonder among 55-100 °C for DSC. In pilocarpine spectra, characteristic band of aromatic C-H stretch at 3277 cm-1, C=C stretching at 1608 cm-1, C-N stretching at 1445 cm-1 and methoxy (CH3-O-) stretch at 2921 cm-1 was observed. The investigation shows that tablet hardness of 4.3N, breaking downtime of 12 sec and mean disintegration time is 1.562 min. Conclusion: The different diluents and super disintegrating have been applied for the quick elevation of dry mouth that helps us for patient compliance

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON PHARMACEUTICAL AND NUTRITIONAL APPLICATIONS OF INULIN

Inulin is a versatile, water-soluble polysaccharide that is commonly available in nature. In the pharmaceutical industry, the non-digestible function of inulin has made it attractive. Inulin is granted with GRAS status by the FDA and more than 30,000 plants in nature store inulin as a carbohydrate. The chicory is the key plant source of inulin out of all sources. It can be used as the sugar or fat replacer in the processed foods to influence the desirable characteristics. Good biocompatibility, essential chemical properties, and a wide variety of bioactivities have rendered inulin an outstanding natural nutrient. Regulating blood sugar, antioxidant, anticancer is some of the biological activities of inulin. Inulin can also be a carrier for colon/tumor targeting, as only specific enzymes in the colon zhydrolyze the inulin. It allows the growth of micro-flora, the good bacteria in the gut. Inulin is considered as a prebiotic as it is fermented by bacteria that normalize the colon. This review offers an in-depth insight into its novel Pharmaceutical applications as well as sources, processing, physicochemical properties, and nutritional and physiological activities. The chemically modified inulin is gaining a specific interest in the pharmaceutical field with its outstanding properties which are discussed in this review

SILVER NANOPARTICLES AND COCONUT OIL INCORPORATED BIOPOLYMER BASED ELECTROSPUN NANOFIBERS FOR WOUND DRESSING

Objective: The main aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the nanofiber loaded with coconut oil and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) for the treatment of wound healing by the electrospun method. Methods: The nanofibers have been created using the reduced form of silver nanoparticles and coconut oil along with Eudragit L-100 by the electrospun method. The presence of coconut oil and chemical interaction was determined by the FTIR method. XRD was made to evaluate the crystalline nature of AgNPs and Eudragit L-100. TEM was carried out to show the presence of AgNPs on the surface of nanofibers and SEM represents the diameter of the fiber. The antibacterial activity of nanofibers was carried out using a disk diffusion assay. Results: The diameter of the fibers was diminished by the excess of AgNPs in the fibers, while it increases by the coconut oil concentration, enhancing the nanofiber's hydrophilicity. FTIR spectroscopy was found in the range of coconut oil at 3553 cm-1for O-H stretch, 1365 cm-1, and 1240 cm-1 for the C-O stretch of ester groups. The diffraction peaks at 2θ of 38.5°, 44.6°, and 64.7°, in the XRD spectra of nanofiber, changed with silver NP affirming the total decrease of Ag salt. The bactericidal activity has been carried out between Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus showing zones of inhibition of 20.0±0.2 mm and 14.8±0.4 mm, exhibiting excellent bactericidal characteristics for wound healing. Conclusion: The formulated nanofibers were obtained to offer protection against external agents and help in the regeneration of new tissue

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF TOPICAL NANOEMULGEL OF METHOTREXATE FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate methotrexate-loaded nanoemulgel for topical delivery in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Based on nanoemulsion composition, the pseudo ternary phase diagram was fabricated by using peanut oil, Tween 20 as the surfactant, and PEG 400 being used as a co-surfactant. The methotrexate-loaded nanoemulsion was formulated by using the spontaneous emulsification method. Badam gum was used as a gel matrix in the prepared nanoemulsion to form nanoemulgel. The methotrexate loaded nanoemulgel was characterized and evaluated for pH, particle size, physical appearance, viscosity, spreadability, TEM, drug content, diffusion study, release kinetics, and stability studies. Results: The nanoemulgel constituting 8.6% peanut oil, 34.4% of Tween 20 and PEG 400 as Smix (surfactant and co-surfactant mixture), 43% water, and 12.5% w/w badam gum was concluded as optimized formulation. The prepared nanoemulgel was translucent in nature having a particle size of 195.1nm and zeta potential of -0.278mV. Drug content and drug release for the optimized formulation were found to be 98.11±0.34% and 95.11±0.02% respectively. pH, viscosity, and spreadability were found to be optimum. Stability study data showed that the prepared nanoemulgel was stable at different temperatures varying from -25 to +45ºC. Conclusion: Methotrexate loaded nanoemulgel has been formulated for topical drug delivery for the management of rheumatoid arthritis

Foliar feeding of boron influencing biochemical attributes and enzyme activity in dragon fruit (Selenicereus monacanthus)

Boron plays crucial role in metabolic processes during fruit ripening and in turn ensures better fruit quality. However limited studies have been conducted to assess the influence of boron on fruit quality of dragon fruit. In the present study, the efficacy of boron was investigated on red-fleshed dragon fruit (Selenicereus monacanthus). Four levels of boron (100 mgL-1, 200 mgL-1, 300 mgL-1 and 400 mgL-1) were applied on 7- and 14-day-old flower buds. The highest pollen germinability, seed weight, fruit weight (274.32 ± 36.72g), pulp content (70.80 ± 1.79%) and pulp firmness (2.74 ± 0.18 N) were recorded when B was applied@300 mg L-1 on 7-day old flower bud. The same treatment also manifested higher soluble solid contents (17.42 ± 0.62 °Brix), sugar content, total carbohydrate (15.92 ± 1.12%), protein (1.33±0.11%), ascorbic acid (112.66 ± 4.98 µg/g), betacyanin (32.86±2.52 µg/g), total phenol (95.26 ± 3.72 µg GAE/ 100g), total flavonoid (37.65 ±2.14 mg QE/100g) and anti-oxidative activity (27.71±2.14 mM Fe II/100g). Correlation studies elucidated significant positive influence of pollen germinability on fruit weight, pulp content and pulp firmness. The activities of α-amylase, invertase and sucrose synthase enzymes were significantly upregulated with the application of B 300 mg L-1 on 7-day old flower bud. On the other hand, the activities of cell wall degrading enzymes such as cellulase, polygalacturonase and pectin methyl esterase were reduced with increasing levels of boron. The principal component analysis (PCA) illustrated the maximal proximity of most of the quality attributes with B 300 mgL-1, applied at 7-day old flower bud stage, thus exemplifying it as the best treatment

Study on the Genotoxic Effect of Copper Sulphate in the Spotted Snakehead Fish Channa Punctatus (Bloch, 1793)

The genotoxic effects of a herbicide containing CuSO4 were assessed using the micronucleus assay in Channa punctatus. The study involved intraperitoneal administration of three different doses (1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mg/kg body weight) and exposure to varying concentrations of copper sulphate (15, 25, and 35 ppm) in laboratory aquaria. Peripheral blood smears stained with 15 to 20% Giemsa (pH=7.0) were examined. Apart from micronuclei, the herbicide induced other nuclear and cytoplasmic abnormalities. The findings suggest a direct impact of increasing CuSO4 concentration on the biological samples of Channa punctatus. This fish species is commonly found in freshwater habitats like ponds, ditches, wetlands, and rice fields, especially in Odisha, India. India is crucial for maintaining aquatic biodiversity. The study highlights the potential detrimental effects of improper use of CuSO4 containing pesticides in agriculture on Channa punctatus and emphasizes the need for careful management of such chemicals to protect aquatic ecosystems

Qualitative analysis of controlled release ciprofloxacin/carbopol 934 mucoadhesive suspension

Mucoadhesive polymeric (carbopol 934) suspension of ciprofloxacin was prepared by ultrasonication and optimized with the aim of developing an oral controlled release gastro-retentive dosage form. The qualitative analysis of the formulation was performed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. FTIR (400 cm-1 to 4000 cm-1 region) and Raman (140 to 2400 cm-1 region) Spectroscopic studies were carried out and the spectra were used for interpretation. XRD data of pure drug, polymer and the formulation were obtained using a powder diffractometer scanned from a Bragg′s angle (2q) of 10° to 70°. The dispersion of the particle was observed using SEM techniques. The particle size distribution and aspect ratio of particles in the polymeric suspension were obtained from SEM image analysis. The results from FTIR and Raman spectroscopic analyses suggested that, in formulation, the carboxylic groups of ciprofloxacin and hydroxyl groups of C934 undergo a chemical interaction leading to esterification and hydrogen bonding. The XRD data suggested that the retention of crystalline nature of ciprofloxacin in the formulation would lead to increase in stability and drug loading; decrease in solubility; and delay in release of the drug from polymeric suspension with better bioavailability and penetration capacity. The SEM image analysis indicated that, in the formulation maximum particles were having aspect ratio from 2 to 4 and standard deviation was very less which provided supporting evidences for homogeneous, uniformly dispersed, stable controlled release ciprofloxacin suspension which would be pharmaceutically acceptable