Characterization of a novel lyophilized chitosan hydrogel complex for the controlled release of a highly water soluble drug, niacinamide

The purpose of this research was to prepare and characterize a novel lyophilized chitosan-based hydrogel complex (termed CS-M) for controlled drug delivery applications using a highly water soluble model drug, niacinamide. Characterization studies were undertaken to evaluate the physical-chemical properties, polymer swelling, in vitro controlled release kinetics, tissue bioadhesion, intestinal permeability and stability of the novel chitosan complex. Additionally, a comparative analysis was conducted with commercial polymers namely, Carbopol 974P-NF® and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M). FT–IR and 1H NMR studies confirmed that despite alteration in physical structure and morphology of the chitosan complex the chemical properties remained unchanged, when compared to the parent chitosan compound. Polymer swelling studies showed consistency in the structural integrity and water uptake of CS-M compared to other polymers which showed inconsistent swelling and disintegration behavior over a 5 h period. In vitro controlled release profiles of CS-M showed a slower, more controlled release rate of niacinamide than other polymers indicating the influence of polymer swelling capacity on water uptake and subsequent drug release. CS-M demonstrated an overall increase in bioadhesion to intestinal tissue when compared to commercial polymers at same concentrations. Similarly, drug transport through everted sac intestinal tissue showed enhanced absorption properties of CS-M when compared to other polymers. Finally, a 3 month accelerated stability study showed all polymers including CS-M to be stable when formulated with niacinamide. Overall, the modified chitosan-based hydrogel polymer, CS-M, demonstrated enhanced characteristics indicating its potential to be used as a controlled release excipient in oral drug formulations.Keywords: Chitosan hydrogel complex, controlled drug delivery, niacinamide, lyophilization, Carbopol 974P-NF, HPMC K4

Identity parameters on traditionally used Antiurolithiatic Herb - Scoparia Dulcis Linn.

Introduction: Scoparia dulcis Linn. locally known as Manithumbe Gida belongs to Scophularaceae family and used in medicine by the traditional practitioners for the treatment of urinary calculi. Materials and Methods: Matured plants are collected from Udupi district and authenticated. Macromicroscopic features, physico-chemical standards, HPTLC and secondary metabolites were recorded as per standard guidelines. Result: TS of leaf has shown the presence of mesophyll and bi-collateral vascular bundles. Outer cork tissue, a layer of cortex and conjoint collateral closed vascular bundles and central pith are inclusions of stem TS. Pitted and reticulate vessels are characteristic features of plant powder. Physico-chemical standards and presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannin and coumarins were indicative of its chemical nature. HPTLC fingerprints are a record of its different chemical constituents. Thus the quality monograph prepared on this drug beneficial in future research

A recurrent case of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency

Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency is an inherited inborn error of metabolism causing lactic acidosis and several neurological symptoms. Its incidence and prevalence are not known. Here we report about a child with global developmental delay, central hypotonia and dyskinesia. Sanger sequencing was done and found to have homozygous nonsense mutation in exon 4 of PDHX gene causing lactic acidosis. In the next pregnancy selective Sanger variant analysis was carried out and the fetus was also found to be affected with the same genetic defect. Hence medical termination of Pregnancy was carried out. We conclude that early selective genetic testing will prevent further affected births

Nanotechnology-Based Celastrol Formulations and Their Therapeutic Applications

Celastrol (also called tripterine) is a quinone methide triterpene isolated from the root extract of Tripterygium wilfordii (thunder god vine in traditional Chinese medicine). Over the past two decades, celastrol has gained wide attention as a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-autoimmune, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective agent. However, its clinical translation is very challenging due to its lower aqueous solubility, poor oral bioavailability, and high organ toxicity. To deal with these issues, various formulation strategies have been investigated to augment the overall celastrol efficacy in vivo by attempting to increase the bioavailability and/or reduce the toxicity. Among these, nanotechnology-based celastrol formulations are most widely explored by pharmaceutical scientists worldwide. Based on the survey of literature over the past 15 years, this mini-review is aimed at summarizing a multitude of celastrol nanoformulations that have been developed and tested for various therapeutic applications. In addition, the review highlights the unmet need in the clinical translation of celastrol nanoformulations and the path forward

Handlebar hernia: A rare case of post-traumatic anterior abdominal wall hernia

Abstract Handlebar hernias are abdominal wall hernias resulting from direct trauma to the anterior abdominal wall and also called as Traumatic abdominal wall hernias (TAWHs). They usually occur at weak anatomic locations of the abdominal wall .The associated intra-abdominal injuries are infrequent. . Such traumatic hernias are rare. We report this case of a handlebar hernia resulting from an injury sustained by bicycle handle with a history of fall, and discuss the management of such injuries

Traditional Chinese medicinal formula Si-Wu-Tang prevents oxidative damage by activating Nrf2-mediated detoxifying/antioxidant genes

BACKGROUND: Induction of Nrf2-mediated detoxifying/antioxidant genes has been recognized as an effective strategy for cancer chemoprevention. Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), comprising the combination of four herbs, Paeoniae, Angelicae, Chuanxiong and Rehmanniae, is one of the most popular traditional oriental medicines for women’s diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of SWT on Nrf2 pathway in vitro and in vivo and to identify the active component(s). RESULTS: Cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed in the non-cancerous breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A after H(2)O(2) treatment in the presence or absence of SWT using the Sulphorhodamine B assay, Annexin-V/Propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. SWT strongly reduced H(2)O(2) -induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in MCF-10A cells. Expression of Nrf2 and Nrf2-regulated genes HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1) and SLC7A11 (xCT) was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR, Western Blot and immunocytochemistry. SWT strongly induced Nrf2-regulated genes at mRNA and protein levels and increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in MCF-10A cells. The in vivo pharmacodynamic effect of SWT was evaluated in healthy female Sprague–Dawley rats. Short-term oral administration of SWT (1,000 mg/kg per day for six consecutive days) to rats resulted in an increased expression of Nrf2-regulated genes Hmox1 and Slc7A11 in the liver detected by quantitative RT-PCR. Among nine compounds that have been identified previously in the SWT products, z-liguistilide was discovered as the main component responsible for the effect of Nrf2 activation using the antioxidant response element-luciferase reporter gene assay. Z-liguistilide was confirmed with a high potency to induce Nrf2-regulated genes and Nrf2 nuclear translocation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that SWT and its component z-liguistilide are able to activate the Nrf2 pathway in non-cancerous cells and organs in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that SWT might be an orally effective and nontoxic agent for cancer chemoprevention

Angiomatosis in the Head and Neck—3 Case Reports

Angiomatosis is a diffuse vascular lesion which involves a large segment of the body in a contiguous fashion involving multiple tissues (e.g. subcutis, muscle, bone, adipose tissue etc.) in different planes. Such lesions usually present in the first two decades of life with female predilection and are commonly seen in lower extremities. It clinically mimics hemangioma or vascular malformation and its surgical removal is difficult because of its infiltrative nature and thus has high recurrence rate (90%). Therefore a precise histopathological diagnosis of angiomatosis is important to achieve a curative resection. Histopathologically it consists of proliferating blood vessels of varying caliber, infiltrating into the soft tissues. Proliferating capillaries are seen within or adjacent to major vessels. Few cases are reported in head and neck region. This article highlights three unusual cases of angiomatosis reported as benign lesions, in rare sites such as the malar region (predominantly infiltrating the adipose tissue), within the masseter (predominantly infiltrating the muscle) and in the mandible (infiltrating the bone). Histopathological differential diagnosis is also discussed

Thickness and width of the menisci of adult knee joint: a descriptive cross-sectional observational study in cadavers [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background The goal was to determine the thickness and width of the knee joint meniscus at their different regions. The objective was to compare the dimensions at these regions and over the right- and left-sided specimens. Methods The present study included 50 adult cadaveric knee joints, and 100 menisci (50 medial menisci and 50 lateral menisci) were studied. The meniscus was distributed into anterior, middle and posterior parts. Thickness and width at the mid-point of these three parts were determined by using the Vernier caliper. Results The breadth of the medial meniscus was 8.38 ± 1.64 mm, 7.68 ± 1.92 mm and 13.93 ± 2.69 mm at the anterior, middle and posterior one-third regions. Same measurements for the lateral menisci at these regions were 9.84 ± 1.78 mm, 8.82 ± 2.01 mm and 10.18 ± 2.23 mm, respectively. The thickness of the medial meniscus was 4.49 ± 0.78 mm, 4.07 ± 0.81 mm and 4.79 ± 0.93 mm at these regions. The lateral meniscus thickness was 3.82 ± 0.69 mm, 4.43 ± 0.98 mm and 4.36 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. Conclusion It is believed that this data is enlightening to the arthroscopic surgeon during the meniscus transplantation either by using synthetic material or allograft as the proper sizing of the meniscus is important to prevent complications due to inaccurate sizing

Sequential herbicide application coupled with mulch enhances the productivity and quality of winter onion (Allium cepa L.) while effectively controlling the mixed weed flora

Weed control poses substantial difficulties for winter season onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivation in the north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains, primarily due to the constrained efficacy of the existing herbicides. To address this issue, a 2-year field study was conducted to assess the efficacy of pre- and post-emergence herbicides (pendimethalin, ethoxysulfuron, imazethapyr, and quizalofop-p-ethyl) individually and in combination with crop residue mulch for weed control in winter onion. The results revealed that using herbicides or mulches in isolation did not provide satisfactory weed control. However, the integration of natural mulch with pendimethalin followed by quizalofop-p-ethyl application proved to be the most effective weed control strategy, resulting in the least reduction in bulb yield (10.3%) compared to other treatments. On the contrary, combinations of pendimethalin with ethoxysulfuron or imazethapyr showed adverse effects on the onion crop and inflicted the highest yield losses among all treatments (78.6 and 83.4%, respectively). However, the combination of pendimethalin with quizalofop-p-ethyl coupled with crop mulch resulted in season-long weed control and over 80% bulb yield (36.58 t/ha) gains compared to the weed-free condition. These findings emphasize the efficacy of combining herbicides and mulches as an integrated weed management strategy for onions. By adopting such integrated approaches, farmers could improve weed control while maintaining bulb yield and quality, reducing the risks associated with herbicide resistance, and promoting sustainable onion production in the north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains