DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL EVALUATION OF MONOLITHIC MATRIX TYPE TRANSDERMAL FILMS OF AMMONIA METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER-METHOCEL AND METHACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER-METHOCEL OF A MODEL ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE DRUG

The main challenge of the present study is to effectively design a Monolithic Matrix type of transdermal films with the use of binary blends of polymers (Methacrylic Acid Copolymer: Acrylcoat S100 & Acrylcoat L100-Methocel K15M and Ammonia Methacrylate Copolymer: Eudragit RSPO & Eudragit RLPO-MK15M and use of most appropriate plasticizer: hydrophilic such as Polyethylene glycol 400 & Propylene Glycol or hydrophobic such as Dibutyl phthalate (DBT) & Dibutyl sebacate for that particular combination of polymers so that a good film can be obtained. In this research work, 2 different permeation enhancers of Terpene class such as d- limonene and 1,8 cineole in combination were used. The Physico-chemical properties of patches determined for the suitability and acceptability of the prepared patches. The thickness, weight, tensile strength, % elongation, folding endurance and flatness were determined for the prepared patches. We found good and acceptable Physicochemical parameters of the matrix films regarding properties and performance. Keywords: Transdermal, Monolithic, Matrix films, Physico-chemical propertie

Antihyperglycemic activity of Trichosanthes tricuspidata root extract

To evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of ethanolic extract of Trichosanthes tricuspidata root in alloxan induced diabetic rats and to perform the phytochemical screening. The extraction, preliminary phytochemical screening, anti-diabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats  by oral administration of  extract (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w.), the blood glucose level and biochemical parameters like cholesterol, triglyceride, serum protein, SGPT, SGOT, and ALP were estimated. Phytochemical studies shows the presence of carbohy-drates, proteins, glycosides and terpenoids and the ethanolic extract of T. tricuspidata root significantly lowered the blood sugar level. The above findings justified the traditional claim of anti-diabetic activity in this plant

ANTI-OXIDANT AND ANTI-MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF SYNTHETIC 3-FORMYL, 7-FLAVONOL INTERMEDIATES OBTAINED BY MICROWAVE ASSISTED TECHNIQUE

Objective: The synthesized compounds of 3-formyl, 7-flavonols*, after characterization, aimed to be tested for their anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities.Methods: i) anti-oxidant activities by hydrogen peroxide-nitric oxide-and by alkaline DMSO-methods and ii) anti-microbial activities against various gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens and against candida albicans by disc diffusion method.Results: Findings were found to be dose dependent and IC50 value was 30-60 µg/ml and the results revealed that the dinitro-, trinitro-and acetyl, dinitro derivatives showed better and/or equipotent activity to that of the standard, ascorbic acid. The synthesized compounds at a concentration of (1 μg/10 μl/disc) showed variable inhibitory activities against all bacteria with inhibition zone diameters ranging from 7-26 mm and a good antifungal activity against Candida albicans at the concentration of (1 μg/10 μl/disc) with inhibition of 10-24 mm. Klebsiella tribatta are more susceptible to the action of the formylated samples, giving high inhibition values comparing to the other organisms. Compounds Ie and Ih resulted to a higher activity index (AI>1); compounds Id, Ig and Ii showed an equal value (AI=1); whereas, Ia, Ib, Ic and If showed only a moderate activity (AI<1) compared to the standard, Amikacin.Conclusion: The findings confirmed that the synthetic compounds of 3-formyl, 7-flavonol derives have significant anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities.*Synthesis and characterization work of 3-formyl, 7-flavonols has already been accepted for publication by the journal Elseveir, Procedio Chemistry and is in process.Â

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF BIOANALYTICAL RP HPLC METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF METOPROLOL TARTRATE IN RABBIT PLASMA AFTER TRANSDERMAL AND ORAL ADMINISTRATION: APPLICATION IN PHARMACOKINETIC STUDIES

A simple, specific, sensitive and rapid Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method has been developed and validated for the quantification of Metoprolol Tartrate in small volumes of rabbit plasma. The method was further extended for its pharmacokinetic studies in rabbit plasma samples after transdermal and oral administration. Biological sample preparation involving simple extraction with organic solvent, followed by dilution with mobile phase was adopted to eliminate any chromatographic solvent effects. The method was proven to be linear over a plasma concentration range of 20 ng/ml to100 ng/ml with a mean correlation coefficient of 0.99. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification of the newly developed method were determined to be 5.8ng/mL and 16.1ng/mL, respectively. The method was successfully applied to assess pharmacokinetic parameters of Metoprolol Tartrate in rabbit plasma and found out the comparative bioavailability of MT following oral and transdermal dosage forms. The developed method was established as a rapid analytical tool in a pharmacokinetic study as it required short retention time, high precision, sensitivity and small volumes of plasma for analysis. Keywords: Metoprolol Tartrate, RP-HPLC, quantification, Rabbit plasma, Pharmacokinetic study, oral, transdermal. Â

Bio-inspired computation: where we stand and what's next

In recent years, the research community has witnessed an explosion of literature dealing with the adaptation of behavioral patterns and social phenomena observed in nature towards efficiently solving complex computational tasks. This trend has been especially dramatic in what relates to optimization problems, mainly due to the unprecedented complexity of problem instances, arising from a diverse spectrum of domains such as transportation, logistics, energy, climate, social networks, health and industry 4.0, among many others. Notwithstanding this upsurge of activity, research in this vibrant topic should be steered towards certain areas that, despite their eventual value and impact on the field of bio-inspired computation, still remain insufficiently explored to date. The main purpose of this paper is to outline the state of the art and to identify open challenges concerning the most relevant areas within bio-inspired optimization. An analysis and discussion are also carried out over the general trajectory followed in recent years by the community working in this field, thereby highlighting the need for reaching a consensus and joining forces towards achieving valuable insights into the understanding of this family of optimization techniques

Maize Apoplastic Fluid Bacteria Alter Feeding Characteristics of Herbivore (<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>) in Maize

Maize is an important cereal crop which is severely affected by Spodoptera frugiperda. The study aims to identify endophytic bacteria of maize root and leaf apoplastic fluid with bioprotective traits against S. frugiperda and plant growth promoting properties. Among 15 bacterial endophytic isolates, two strains—namely, RAF5 and LAF5—were selected and identified as Alcaligenes sp. MZ895490 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MZ895491, respectively. The bioprotective potential of B. amyloliquefaciens was evaluated through bioassays. In a no-choice bioassay, second instar larvae of S. frugiperda fed on B. amyloliquefaciens treated leaves (B+) recorded comparatively lesser growth (1.10 ± 0.19 mg mg−1 day−1) and consumptive (7.16 ± 3.48 mg mg−1 day−1) rates. In larval dip and choice bioassay, the same trend was observed. In detached leaf experiment, leaf feeding deterrence of S. frugiperda was found to be greater due to inoculation with B. amyloliquefaciens than Alcaligenes sp. The phenolics content of B. amyloliquefaciens inoculated plant was also found to be greater (3.06 ± 0.09 mg gallic acid g−1). However, plant biomass production was more in Alcaligenes sp inoculated treatment. The study thus demonstrates the potential utility of Alcaligenes sp. and B. amyloliquefaciens for improving growth and biotic (S. frugiperda) stress tolerance in maize