Alcoholic Stem Extract of Coscinium fenestratum Regulates Carbohydrate Metabolism and Improves Antioxidant Status in Streptozotocin–Nicotinamide Induced Diabetic Rats

Alcoholic extract of the stems of Coscinium fenestratum, a medicinal plant indigenous to India and Sri Lanka used in ayurveda and siddha medicine for treating diabetes, was studied for its carbohydrate metabolism effect and antioxidant status in streptozotocin–nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic rats. Oral administration of C. fenestratum stem extract in graded doses caused a significant increase in enzymatic antioxidants such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione synthetase, peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase and in the nonenzymatic antioxidants ascorbic acid, ceruloplasmin and tocopherol. Effects of alcoholic extract on glycolytic enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and hexokinase showed a significant increase in their levels, whereas a significant decrease was observed in the levels of gluconeogenic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase in treated diabetic rats. Serum creatinine and urea levels also declined significantly. This investigation demonstrates significant antidiabetic activity of C. fenestratum

Formulation and evaluation of sustained release microspheres of rosin containing aceclofenac

Aceclofenac was microencapsulated using rosin by o/w emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The effect of three formulation variables including the drug:polymer ratio, emulsifier (polyvinyl alcohol) concentration and organic solvent (dichloromethane) volume were examined. The prepared batches were characterized for microspheres particle size distribution, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release behavior. The study reveals that drug:polymer ratio had a considerable effect on the entrapment efficiency, however particle size distribution of microspheres was more dependent on the volume of dichloromethane and polyvinyl alcohol concentration rather than on the drug: polymer ratio. Drug, polymer concentrations were varied to obtain optimum release profile for sustaining the action of the drug

Design and Evaluation of Matrix Diffusion Controlled Transdermal Patches of Diltiazem Hydrochloride

Se desarrolló un sistema matricial de tipo dispersivo para la administración transdérmica de clorhidrato de Diltiazem usando diferentes proporciones de colofonia con Eudragit RL PM y polivinil pirrolidona. El parche preparado con colofonia y polivinil pirrolidona no era transparente y muestra una distribución irregular de polivinil pirrolidona, lo que puede ser debido al carácter hidrófi lo de ésta. Se investigó el efecto de los polímeros sobre las propiedades tecnológicas; es decir, la liberación del fármaco, la velocidad de transmisión del vapor de agua, la pérdida porcentual de humedad y el grosor. El parche con colofonia: Eudragit RL PM (6:4) dio como resultado una liberación de 2651 mcg en 24 horas. Con el objeto de mejorar la liberación, se incluyeron distintas proporciones de alcanfor en la formulación. El parche con colofonia: Eudragit RL PM (6:4) y un 5% p/v de alcanfor dio como resultado una liberación constante del fármaco a lo largo de un período de 24 horas. La formulación F8 resultó ser la más satisfactoria en lo que a las propiedades tecnológicas se refi ere. Se llevaron a cabo estudios posteriores de permeación e irritación de la piel en ratas y conejos respectivamente. Por lo tanto, se puede concluir que con el parche de colofonia: Eudragit RL PM en proporción 6:4 con un 5% p/v de alcanfor, se alcanzan los objetivos deseables en sistemas de administración transdérmica de fármacos tales como anular el efecto de primer paso, una amplia liberación y una frecuencia de administración reducida.A matrix dispersion type transdermal drug delivery system of Diltiazem Hydrochloride was developed using different ratios of rosin with Eudragit RL PM and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The patch prepared by the combination of rosin and polyvinyl pyrrolidone was not transparent one, and shows an uneven distribution of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, which may be due to the hydrophilic nature of polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The effect of the polymers on the technological properties, i.e., drug release, water vapor transmission rate, percentage moisture loss and thickness were investigated. The patch containing rosin: Eudragit RL PM (6:4) showed a release of 2651 mcg in 24 h. In order to improve the release various proportions of camphor was included in the formulation. The patch containing rosin: Eudragit RL PM (6:4) with 5% w/v of camphor showed a sustained release of the drug extending over a period of 24 h. Formulation F8 emerged as the most satisfactory formulation as far as the technological properties were concerned. Further skin permeation and skin irritation studies were carried out on rat skin and rabbit respectively. Therefore it can be concluded that the patch containing rosin: Eudragit RL PM in the ratio 6:4 with 5%w/v of camphor achieved the desired objectives of transdermal drug delivery systems, such as overcoming of fi rst pass effect, extended release and reduced frequency of administration

Formulation and evaluation of oral sustained release of Diltiazem Hydrochloride using rosin as matrix forming material

Rosin, a natural resin, was used as a hydrophobic matrix material for the controlled release, using diltiazem HCl as model drug. Matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method using rosin as matrix forming material in different proportions and with different diluent combinations. The tablets prepared were flat faced, retained their shape throughout. The method of preparation of matrix system and its concentration were found to have pronounced effect on the release of diltiazem HCl. The release was found to follow both the first order kinetics and fickian diffusion. The drug delivery was analyzed using the paddle method according to USP XXIII. All the studies were done in phosphate buffer pH 7.4. The matrix tablets were evaluated for its thickness, hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content and invitro release studies. The results suggest that the rosin is useful in developing sustained release matrix tablets, prolong release of water soluble drug for up to 24h. Rosin thus promises considerable utility in the development of oral sustained release drug delivery systems

An Analytical Study of Code Smells

Software development process involves developing, building and enhancing high-quality software for specific tasks and as a consequence generates considerable amount of data. This data can be managed in a systematic manner creating knowledge repositories that can be used to competitive advantage. Lesson\u27s learned as part of the development process can also be part of the knowledge bank and can be used to advantage in subsequent projects by developers and software practitioners. Code smells are a group of symptoms which reveal that code is not good enough and requires some actions to have a cleansed code. Software metrics help to detect code smells while refactoring methods are used for removing them. Furthermore, various tools are applicable for detecting of code smells. A Code smell repository organizes all the available knowledge in the literature about code smells and related concepts. An analytical study of code smells is presented in this paper which extracts useful, actionable and indicative knowledge

Etnomedicinska vrijednost ekstrakta biljke Cissampelos pareira u eksperimentalno induciranoj dijareji

The antidiarrhoeal activity of the ethanolic extract of Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) roots was assessed on experimental animals. The hydroethanolic extract (25-100 mg dry extract kg-1 body mass, p.o.) exhibited a dose dependent decrease in the total number of faecal droppings (control 65, reduced to 26-46) and 29.2-60.0% inhibition in castor oil-induced diarrhoea. Further, C. pareira produced a significant (p < 0.01) and dose dependent reduction in intestinal fluids accumulation (26.0-59.0%). The extract showed a greater inhibitory effect on the concentration of Na+ (20.0 and 34.5%) than or the concentration of K+ (6.7 and 9.4%). The extract also reduced dose dependently the gastrointestinal transit from 46.4 and 38.7%, equivalent to 53.6 and 61.3%. However, C. pareira significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation and inhibited the decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase and catalase) on prior administration to castor oil-induced fluid accumulation. The extract of C. pareira had no effect on normal defecation at 25 mg kg-1 in mice. However, 50 and 100 mg kg-1 inhibited defecation by 100% in the initial 2 h and the activity was reduced to 40.0 and 73.0%, respectively, in the third hour.U radu je ispitivano antidijaroičko djelovanje etanolnog ekstrakta korijena biljke Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) na štakorima i miševima. Perooralna primjena ekstrakta u dozi 25100 mg kg-1 izazivala je o dozi ovisno smanjenje količine fekalija ili broja defekacija ??? (26 i 46 u odnosu na 65 u kontrolnoj skupini) i 29,260,0% inhibicije dijareje uzrokovane ricinusovim uljem. Nadalje, Cissampelos pareira je urokovala značajnu (p 0,01) i o dozi ovisnu inhibiciju nakupljanja intestinalne tekućine (26,059,0%). Inhibitorni učinak ekstrakta na koncentraciju Na+ (20,0 i 34,5%) bio je veći nego na koncentraciju K+ (6,7 i 9,4%). Osim toga ekstrakt je reducirao gastrointestinalni tranzit od 46,4 i 38,7%, što je ekvivalentno s 53,6, odnosno 61,3%. Međutim, Cissampelos pareira značajno je smanjila peroksidaciju lipida i inhibirala je snanjenje koncentracije antioksidativnih enzima (superoksid dismutaze i katalaze) ako se primjeni prije ricinusovog ulja. Ekstrakt biljke Cissampelos pareira nije imao učinak na normalnu defekaciju ako je primjenjen na miševima u dozi 25 mg kg-1. Međutim doza od 50, odnosno 100 mg kg-1 inhibirala je defekaciju 100% početna dva sata, dok treći sat smanjila je defekaciju za 40,0, odnosno 73,0%

Formulación y evaluación de liberación sostenida oral de Diltiazem clorhidrato usando resina como material formador de matriz

Rosin, a natural resin, was used as a hydrophobic matrix material for the controlled release, using diltiazem HCl as model drug. Matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method using rosin as matrix forming material in different proportions and with different diluent combinations. The tablets prepared were flat faced, retained their shape throughout. The method of preparation of matrix system and its concentration were found to have pronounced effect on the release of diltiazem HCl. The release was found to follow both the first order kinetics and fickian diffusion. The drug delivery was analyzed using the paddle method according to USP XXIII. All the studies were done in phosphate buffer pH 7.4. The matrix tablets were evaluated for its thickness, hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content and invitro release studies. The results suggest that the rosin is useful in developing sustained release matrix tablets, prolong release of water soluble drug for up to 24h. Rosin thus promises considerable utility in the development of oral sustained release drug delivery systems.Colofonia, una resina natural, se utilizó como un material de matriz hidrofóbica para la liberación controlada, utilizando HCl diltiazem como fármaco modelo. Los comprimidos de matriz se prepararon por el método de compresión directa usando resina como material formador de matriz en diferentes proporciones y con diferentes combinaciones de diluyente. Las tabletas preparadas eran de cara plana, conservan su forma en todas partes. El método de preparación del sistema de matriz y su concentración se encontró que tenían efecto pronunciado sobre la liberación de diltiazem HCl. La liberación se encontró que sólo deben observarse las cinética de primer orden y de difusión de Fick. La administración de fármacos se analizó mediante el método de paletas de acuerdo con la USP XXIII. Todos los estudios se realizaron en tampón de fosfato de pH 7,4. Se evaluaron los comprimidos de matriz de su espesor, dureza, friabilidad, variación de peso, contenido de drogas y de liberación in vitro estudios. Los resultados sugieren que la colofonia es útil en el desarrollo de tabletas de matriz de liberación sostenida, prolongar la liberación del fármaco soluble en agua durante un máximo de 24 horas. así colofonia promete considerable utilidad en el desarrollo de sistemas de administración de fármacos de liberación sostenida oral