Evaluation of anti-diarrhoeal action of a hot-water infusion of ocimum gratissimum, linn

Hot-water infusion of the leaf of Ocimum gratissimum was tested for anti-diarrhoeal action using animal models. Protection of the animals from castor oil-induced diarrhoea and reduction of the number and frequency of faecal output were used as criteria for anti-diarrhoeal activity. The infusion significantly decreased the number of faecal droppings as compared to a normal saline control; it also reduced the propulsive movement of the gastrointestinal contents. The infusion caused a reduction of acetylcholine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum in a dose dependent manner. There is indication that the anti-diarrhoeal action of the plant infusion may be due to a blockage of muscarinic receptors

Formulation and Release Characteristics of Zidovudine-Loaded Solidified Lipid Microparticles

Purpose: To formulate and determine the release profile of zidovudine (AZT)-loaded solidified lipid microparticles (SLMs).Methods: Different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3 and 5 %w/w) of zidovudine (AZT) were formulated into microparticles in melt dispersion of Phospholipon® 90H and goat fat in the ratio 1:1, 2:1, 2:3 and 1:3 followed by lyophilization. They were characterized for particle size, yield, entrapment efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC). In vitro release kinetics and mechanism of release were assessed sequentially in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2)and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 7.2).Results: The ratio 1: 1 formulation was the most stable in terms of physical observation.. Particle size analysis indicated that the particles were irregular in shape with size ranging from 5.10 ± 0.10 to 13.40 ± 2.20 μm. Yield decreased with increase in drug concentrations in the SLMs formulations. EE data showed that the microparticles containing 1 % w/w of AZT had the highest entrapment efficiency of 74.0 ± 0.03 %. LC also decreased with increase in concentration of AZT. AZT tablet released most of its content within 5 min with a sharp decrease in the concentration but the SLMs maintained its release for 8 to 12 h in different batchesConclusion: The results show that drug content has influence on drug release from the SLMs, but not on the mechanism of release. Furthermore, dose dumping was avoided and drug release mechanism was mostly non-Fickian while for the reference (commercial) tablet, it was Fickian.Keywords: Phospholipon® 90H, Solidified lipid microparticles, Solidified reverse micellar microparticle, Zidovudine

A method of calculating the thixotropic area of non-Newtonian dispersions

Thixotropic area is one of the parameters for evaluating the rheology of thixotropic (non-Newtonian) dispersions. A method of determining this parameter has been suggested. This method involves the resolution of a polynomial, which represents the ascending curve of the rheogram. The area under the curve is determined by integrating the resolved equation within specified limits of shear stress. The difference between this area and the area of a trapezium formed by the descending curve, the vertical lines drawn from the specified limits of shear stress and the shear stress axis, forms the thixotropic area of the dispersion. Key words: Non-Newtonian dispersions, thixotropic area, aluminium hydroxide gel, antacid formulation. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol.2(2) 2004: 237-24

GC-MS ANALYSIS OF FATTY ACIDS OF IRVINGIA GABONENSIS SEED FAT

No Abstract Key Words: Irvinga gabonensis, Irvingiaceae, fatty acids, Dika fat, GC-MS Nig. J. Nat. Prod. And Med. Vol.1 1997: 43-4

Effects of garcinia kolaseed extract on the in-vitro anti bacterial action of some penicillin analogues

No Abstract. Bio-Research Vol. 4(1) 2006: 59-6

Assesment of the quality and in vitro bioavailability of multisourced chlorpropamide tablets marketed in Nigeria

No Abstract. Bio-Research Vol. 4(1) 2006:36-3