Zingiber officinale (sukku), one of the naturally occurring medicinal plants, has been consumed worldwide as a spice and flavoring agent from the ancient time. Zingiber officinale bears an enormous number of pharmacological activities including Neuro-protective activity and anticancer activity facilitating the extent of further research for finding out less toxic and more potent drugs for the better treatment of those diseases. Dendrimers are nanostructured macromolecules, immensely branched; three dimensional displays an essential role in the emerging field of Nanomedicine.Dendrimers have potential application in gene and drug delivery system. We examine the interaction of DNZ’s (zingiber officinale bound Dendrimer)   by UV – visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The anticancer activity of DNZ’s was estimated against HaCaT and HEp 2 compared with Dendrimer and zingiber officinale. The IC₅₀ values of DNZ’s were 63 µg/ml for normal cell line (HaCaT) and 32 μg/ml for cancer cell line (HEp 2).  This shows that DNZ’s has high anticancer activity compared to naked Dendrimers and zingiber officinale. The results indicate that functionalization of zingiber officinale with Dendrimer and successive solubilization could play an important role in the enhancement of anticancer activity.

Abstract Online: 17-Jun-2015

To achieve appropriate efficacy of paclitaxel (PTX) used in drug eluting stents, uniform PTX coating on the stent and increased initial release of PTX leading to immediate therapeutic level of the drug are required. The present study investigated whether either restriction of crystal growth though sonication and subsequent liquid nitrogen cooling, or formation of anhydrous PTX crystals through heating microcrystals after seeding and crystal growth could increase PTX initial release coated on a fully-bioabsorbable poly(_L-lactic acid) stent. The sonication and subsequent liquid nitrogen cooling of the growing PTX crystals could prevent stable attachment of the crystals onto the stent surface. In addition, the initial PTX release from the stent applied sonication during the crystal growth process followed by heating showed five times as high as the stent without heating, which indicated the heating improved the PTX release from the stent at early phase. These results suggested that PTX was changed into an anhydrous soluble form.

Abstract Online: 17-Jun-2015

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the nature and composition of the monomer feed, added to the reaction system indomethacin/vinyl acetate/3-dimethyl (methacryloyloxyethyl) aminopropyl sulfonate (IMC/VAc/DMAPS) and the characteristics of the obtained polymer latexes on indomethacin In-situ loading, its kinetic release properties, and drug stability. Indomethacin loaded nanoparticles were obtained by an emulsifier-free emulsion radical copolymerization of the monomers, in presence of the drug. Transmission electron microscopy, Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic analyses, Particle size distribution and zeta potential analysis were carried out to characterize the In-situ loaded nanocarriers. High-performance liquid chromatography and UV/VIS spectroscopic analyses were applied to determine the drug loading, In vitro release properties and stability studies of the drug used. High yield of 90 to 96% was obtained for the tested In-situ loaded nanocarriers. They possess a spherical shape with diameter ranging from 100 to 900 nm and zeta potential from -3.25 mV to -20.3 mV. Mono-modal and bi-modal particle size distribution was observed depending on monomer feed, added to the reaction system. It also influenced the drug loading and its release characteristics. Indomethacin was released from the investigated patterns following first order release. The nature and composition of the monomer feed, added to the reaction system IMC/VAc/DMAPS are an effective factors for the control of the indomethacin loading and also affect the rate and extent of drug-releasing but do not influence the kinetic model and drug transport mechanism. Stability studies indicated the stabilizing role of the polymer carrier on the In-situ included indomethacin.

Abstract Online: 17-Jun-2015

The objective of the present study is to develop chewable tablets containing different pharmaceutical compositions with simple manufacturing procedures using different excipients. Mannitols, L-HPC 11, Aspartame, Crospovidone, Crospovidone, Aerosil, and Magnesium Stearate are used as excipients for effective formulation of anti-asthmatic drug Montelukast. Montelukast is a selective, orally acting leukotriene receptor antagonist that is used for the treatment of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Montelukast chewable tablets were prepared by Direct Compression methods using suitable excipients. The chewable tablets were better presented using artificial sweetener Aspartame as flavouring agent. A total of forteen formulations were prepared and the granules were evaluated for pre-compression parameters. The formulated tablets were evaluated for post-compression parameters .The results showed that all the physical parameters were within the acceptable limits. The in vitro release study of all the formulations showed good release. The study concludes that aforementioned excipients can be used to design chewable montelukast sodium tablets.

Abstract Online: 17-Jun-2015

This study was done to mask the bitter taste of ondansetron HCl using complexing agent, a polacrilex resin: Tulsion 335 and subsequently forming mouth dissolving tablet using superdisintegrants: Croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycollate. A preliminary screening was done. Batch process, a most preferential method for drug loading with ion exchange resins was selected. The process was optimized for drug: resin ratio to get maximum drug loading. A ratio of drug: resin at 1:3 was selected. Taste evaluation was carried out by selecting volunteers. Drug resin complex (DRC) was evaluated for drug release. The resultant DRC was formulated by direct compression into mouth dissolving tablet using microcrystalline cellulose PH 102, as diluent and croscarmalose sodium and sodium starch glycolate as superdisintegrants and aspartame was used as sweetening agent to enhance palatability. Thirteen formulations were developed by using superdisintegrants: croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate. Concentration of superdisintegrants ranged from 0.75-9.24 %. The formulated tablet had satisfactory disintegration time and dissolution profile. Optimization was carried out using central composite design. The disintegration and dissolution times were tallied with marketed ondansetron  HCl tablets. From the results, it was deduced that the most effective concentration for desired disintegration was of croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycollate respectively at concentration above 5%. Therefore, it can be concluded that the intensely bitter taste of ondansetron HCl can be masked by using tulsion 335 and mouth dissolving ondansetron HCl can be successfully prepared by adding aforementioned superdisintegrants. This sort of mouth dissolving ondansetron HCl can be used in controlling vomiting in paediatric and geriatric patients and also for pregnancy induced vomiting

Abstract Online: 24-Jun-2015

Background: Although DC Bead has been useful in treatment of multiple and large hepatocellular carcinoma, loading time of doxorubicin into the DC Bead takes a long time of 30-120 minutes. Epirubicin is also used as an antitumor agent together with DC Bead, but its loading efficiency was not sufficiently elucidated. Methods: To shorten loading time of epirubicin into DC Bead (100-300µm, 300-500µm, 500-700µm), we examined the following three methods after mixing the drug: (a) let stand in room temperature, (b) agitated for 30 seconds with Vortex mixer, and (c) sonicated for 30 seconds with ultrasonic cleaner. After loading of epirubicin by each method, supernatant concentration for epirubicin was assayed at 5, 10, 30, 60, and 120 minutes. Results: Epirubicin loading rates for small bead (100-300µm) at 5 minutes were 82.9 % in group a, 93.8% in group b, and 79.9 % in group c. Similarly, medium bead (300-500µm), 40.1% in group a, 65.7% in group b and 45.5% in group c, respectively. In large-sized bead (500-700µm), loaded rates of epirubicin were 38.8% in group a, 59.0% in group b and 48.0% in group c. Agitation of mixture of epirubicin and DC Bead with Vortex mixer significantly shortened the loading time, but sonication did not affect the time required. Microscopic examination did not lead to any morphological change of microspheres in all the methods. Conclusions: Short time of agitation with Vortex mixer reduced the necessary time for loading of epirubicin in every standard of DC Bead

Abstract Online: 24-Jun-2015

The aim of this study was to characterize and optimize the different hydrogel formulations of the methanolic root extract of Buchanania lanzan (MEBL) with an objective towards the development of a suitable topical delivery system. The gel formulations were prepared with different concentrations of polymer (Carbopol-940) and 0.5% of the active fraction (ethyl acetate sub-fraction of MEBL). Different hydrogel formulations were analyzed for rheological properties, spreadability, homogeneity and stability. A comparative study of rheological parameters, and spreadability showed that the gel formulations displayed all the desirable properties, which are considered to be essential prerequisites for a standard stable gel formulation. Based on the rheological studies of all the formulations, sample F3 was found to be a stable formulation with comparatively superior rheological characteristics.

Abstract Online: 29-Jun-2015