FORMULATION AND IN-VITRO-IN-VIVO EVALUATION OF ALGINATE-CHITOSAN MICROSPHERES OF GLIPIZIDE BY IONIC GELATION METHOD

Objective: The present work is aimed to formulate and evaluate alginate-chitosan microspheres of glipizide for the effective use in the treatment of diabetes.Methods: Sustained release microspheres were prepared by gentle mixing of polymers in water phase with drug by agitation. The polymers used for preparation were sodium alginate and chitosan, which was extruded into 5% calcium chloride solution to produce microspheres by ionic gelation method.Results: Single unit dosage form of Glipizide causes gastric irritation. To convert it in to the multiple unit dosage form will release the drug evenly throughout the stomach which suppresses the irritation. The aim of study towards formulation and evaluation of alginate-chitosan microspheres, which can provide sustained release of the model drug. It shows better in-vitro and in-vivo activity than conventional dosage forms. The work also aims to study various parameters affecting the behavior of microspheres in oral dosage form. Conclusion:  Drugs that are simply absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and having a short half life are eliminated rapidly from the blood flow. To avoid this trouble, the oral sustained release (SR) has been developed as these will release the drug slowly in to the GIT and maintain a stable drug concentration in the serum for a longer period of time

Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and Usage of Folk Bio-Medicines among Rongmei Tribe of Tamenglong District of Manipur, India

Background: Rongmei tribe (Kooki), are inhabitant of the Charoi Chagotlong village, Tupul, Tamenglong district of Manipur have the traditional knowledge of folk bio-medicine based on diverse plant species for the prevention and cure of certain chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to document and preserve the indigenous knowledge of the Rongmei tribe on folk medicines.Material and methods: The present work was based on methodical field survey conducted between 2010, to 2013. Local people of within 30-70 age groups of both sexes were interviewed and a group discussion (using a structured interview schedule), was held to know about the type of plant parts used in folk bio-medicines, and their mode of use. The interviewers were drawn from a wide array of disciplines (Vendors, Farmers club, NGO’s, scientific societies, etc.), to obtain maximum information in relation to folk bio-medicine.Results: A total of 60 species belonging to 36 different families (ranging from gymnosperm to angiosperm with medicinal benefits), were discussed briefly with significant emphasis on their local name, scientific name, family, parts used; they claimed to cure various ailments from these plants in this mode of folk bio-medicine. The different plant parts used were leaves, fruits, bulbs, bark, roots, seeds, tuber, trunk, flower, shoot, whole plant, rhizome, stem, wood and berries. Based on a life form of the reported plants comprise herbs, shrubs, trees, grasses, bulb, vine, climber, tuber and succulent.Conclusion: Efforts should be made to promote the use of traditional biomedicines within rural communities to preserve the traditional knowledge.Keywords: Biomedicinal plants, Manipur, Rongmei trib

Awareness, Practices and Treatment Seeking Behavior of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Delhi

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a multisystem disorder that is associated with number of complications. Patient’s awareness and practices are crucial components in reducing the burden of diseases and its complications.Aim: To assess patient’s knowledge about their disease and its complications, practices, treatment seeking behavior and average expenditure incurred by its management.Subjects and Methods: A community based cross‑sectional study was conducted in rural and urban slum areas of Delhi selecting a total of 98 diabetic patients diagnosed during the two community surveys and interviewed using pretested and predesigned questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 17 (Chicago II, USA). Chi‑square, fisher or Mann–Whitney tests were used for test of significance and considered statistically significant at P < 0.05.Results: Of 98 participants, 31.6% (31/98) were from urban slum area, and 68.4% (67/98) were from the rural area. In both urban and rural areas, majority were Hindu, married, literate and unemployed. Significantly less subjects (61.3%, 19/31) of urban slum area than of rural area (85.1%, 57/67) could name at least one complication of DM (P < 0.01, odds ratio [OR] =3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.3–9.6). Majority of participants in both urban slum and rural area have knowledge about at least one component of management but significantly lesser in urban (83.9%, 26/31) than rural area (97.0%, 65/67) were reported (P = 0.02, OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 1.1–34.2). Significantly more subjects (29.0%, 9/31) in urban slum area than rural areas (7.5%, 5/67) reported that they were not taking any treatment for DM (P < 0.01, OR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.1–0.6). In urban area, 32.2% (10/31) patients told that it is a burden on their family while in rural area 44.7% (30/67) of the patients told that they have to squeeze money from the family expenditure to afford drugs.Conclusion: Patients need to be made aware of the asymptomatic phase of DM and its long‑term complications. At the same time, efforts should be made to sensitize them about the importance of taking regular treatment and management.Keywords: Diabetic mellitus type 2, Economic impact, Knowledge, Practice