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  • PharmaTutor
    4 May 2012

    Dendrimers: A Novel Therapy for Cancer

    About Authors:
    Marvinkumar I. Patel*, Ravi R. Patel
    Nootan Pharmacy College,
    Visnagar,
    Gujarat, India
    *patel.marvin62@gmail.com

    Abstract:
    Dendrimer chemistry was first introduced in 1978 by Fritz Vogtle and coworkers. He synthesized the first “cascade molecules”, today known as dendritic molecules. The dendrimer architecture permits control over properties such as shape, size, density, polarity, reactivity and solubility. Dendrimer density functions and starburst limits can be easily modeled mathematically. Dendrimers have stimulated wide interest in the field of chemistry and biology, especially in applications like drug delivery, gene therapy and chemotherapy. A treatment of Cancer mainly focused on the targeting the active drug molecule at the site without affecting the neighbour cells and dendrimers have this property which is useful in diagnosis and treatment purpose which is a new hope in this area of Cancer treatment.

  • 3 May 2012
    QUALITY OF WATER FOR PHARMACEUTICAL USE: AN OVERVIEW

    About Authors:
    YASWANTH ALLAMNENI1*, NAVYA ALLAMNENI2, P DAYANANDA CHARY1, G VIJAY KUMAR3, ARUN KUMAR KALEKAR1, PAVAN KUMAR POTTURI1
    1Research and Development Department, Natco Pharma Limited, Kothur, Mahaboobnagar,Andhra Pradesh – 509228.
    2Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Narasaraopeta Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Narasaraopeta, Guntur, India.
    3Principal, A.K.R.G college of Pharmacy, Nallagerla, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.
    *yaswanthallamneni@gmail.com

    ABSTRACT
    Water is widely used as a raw material, ingredient, and solvent in the processing, formulation, and manufacture of pharmaceutical products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates, compendial articles, and analytical reagents. This review discusses, primarily from a microbiological aspect, the review and evaluation of high purity water systems that are used for the manufacture of drug products and drug substances. It also includes a review of the design of the various types of systems and some of the problems that have been associated with these systems. As with other guides, it is not all-inclusive, but provides background and guidance for the review and evaluation of high purity water systems. The main objective of this review was to provide guidance to the industry on the pharmaceutical use of different grades of water in the manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicinal products for human and veterinary use. This guidance is not intended to cover situations where, for example, medicinal products are prepared extemporaneously or where preparations are reconstituted or diluted with water prior to use by pharmacist (eg. Oral antibiotic mixtures) or in the case of veterinary products by the user (eg. Sheep dips).

  • 2 May 2012
    RESISTANCE IN ANTIBIOTICS DEVELOPED : MAINLY USED IN PREGNANCY

    About Author:
    Shambhavi Singh
    B.Pharm (IV) School of Pharmaceutical Science,
    Jaipur national university, Jaipur(RAJ.)
    *shambhavisingh3111@gmail.com

    Abstract
    Broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed in one third patients for urinary tract infection, and use of third-generation cephalosporins has doubled in the past decade.
    Bacteria in pregnancy frequently produce the risk of pyelonephritis, preterm labour, and low birth weight infants. Commonly prescribed antibiotics such as ampicillin (pivampicillin), amoxicillin, fluroqunin, trimethoprim, and sulphonamide are currently associated with development of a high degree of resistance towards most common pathogen responsible for causing urinary tract infection, Escherichia coli. During the past few decades new researches have been made against development of resistance in antibiotic and new drugs are synthesised. The presumption that if a specific drug is safe for the both pregnant woman and the foetus depends on how widely the drug has been used. A recent survey among general practitioners and obstetricians in confirmed that the beta-lactam antibiotic pivmecillinam and ciphalosporins are the most commonly used agents in the treatment of bacteriuria in pregnancy However, a surprisingly high number of physicians reported that they prescribe TMP/SMX during the first two trimesters in spite of resistance of E. coli and possible adverse effects on the foetus.

  • 1 May 2012
    EXTRACTION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF MIKANIA SCANDENS LINN. AND EVALUATION OF ITS METHANOLIC EXTRACT FOR ANALGESIC ACTIVITY

    About Author:
    Raja Chakraverty
    Gupta College of Technological Sciences  
    Ashram More, G.T Road Asansol-1 .West Bengal.
    *rajokiyo@hotmail.com, rchakraborty20@yahoo.com

    ABSTRACT
    Mikania scandens    is a rapidly growing herbaceous to semi-woody, perennial vine. It grows quickly over other plants such as young trees, smothering them; it can climb trees up to 25 m tall. Although not as serious a weed as M. chordate, in Southeast Asia it has become a hard to eradicate weed of tea, rubber, and other plantation crops. It also reduces the carrying capacity of pasture. The achenes are spread by wind, water and animals. The plant also reproduces by old rootstocks, runners and suckers. It is still under investigation. Although it has some analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, but these uses are not widely accepted till now. Folkloric uses include utilisation of the herb as an anticoagulant or other medicinal purpose.. The aim of the undertaken work is to identify and isolate the chemical constituents of the plant Mikania scandens and to evaluate its reported analgesic activity.

  • 1 May 2012
    Anti-inflammatory activity of Methanolic extract of Root of Achyranthes aspera on Carragenin induced rat paw edema

    About Authors:
    Gourab Saha*1, Akshaya Kumar Malana, Dr. Sambhit Parida2
    1. Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mohuda, Berhampur – 760002, Orissa, India
    2 College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mohuda, Berhampur – 760002, Orissa, India
    *gourab.pharma2012@gmail.com

    Abstract
    This study investigated the anti-inflammatory potential of the methanolic extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae) in male albino rats after intramuscular administration. This was done using the carrageenan-induced paw edema method (acute inflammatory model).Methanolic extract of Achyranthes aspera showed significant anti-inflammatory activity similar to diclofenac and indomethacin.

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  • 29 April 2012
    Formulation and Evaluation of Oral Soft Jelly Containing Metformin Hydrochloride and Glimepiride

    About Authors:
    D.K Jain*, G.N Darwhekar, Vikas Gupta
    College of Pharmacy, IPS Academy
    Indore (M.P)-452012, India
    *jaindkj57@yahoo.com

    Abstract
    Convenience of administration and patient compliance are gaining significant importance in the design of dosage forms. Metformin hydrochloride and Glimepiride are orally administered antihyperglycemic agent, used in the management of non-insulin-dependent (type-2) diabetes mellitus. Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) is common among all age groups, especially in elderly and pediatrics. Unfortunately, a high percentage of patients suffering from type-2 diabetes are elderly people showing dysphagia. Persons suffering from dysphagia may get choked when they consume liquid formulation, thus to alleviate such problem liquid formulation of high viscosity was prepared. Formulation of oral soft jellies  was carried out using combination of hydrophilic polymers guar gum and pectin. 3 different  concentrations of guar gum (0.3 to 0.5% w/v)  and 2 concentration of pectin were used (0.2 to 0.3% w/v)  respectively. The prepared batches were evaluated for appearance, viscosity, pH, drug content, syneresis, in vitro drug release, and taste masking. The batch with 0.5% w/v guar gum and 0.2% pectin not only showed 80% drug release at 60 min, but all the desired organoleptic properties. The taste masking was carried out using non nutritive sugar and flavors. The optimized batch showed substantial stability when subjected to short term stability study (0-8°C and Room temperature). The problem of dose measurement by patients was outweighed as oral medicated gels are to be packed in unit dose container.

  • 25 April 2012
    AN OVERVIEW TO THE RECENT TRENDS IN NASAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS

    ABOUT AUTHORS:
    MHG Dehgan, Satapathy Asis Amitav*
    Y.B.Chavan College of Pharmacy,
    Dr. Rafiq Zakaria Campus,
    Auranagbad-431001 (MS),
    *asish.apharma@gmail.com

    ABSTRACT
    Nasal route for the administration of drugs is used as an alternative route for the systemic availability of drugs restricted to intravenous administration. This is due to the large surface area, porous endothelial membrane, high total blood flow, the avoidance of first-pass metabolism, and ready accessibility. The nasal administration of drugs, including many biotechnological compounds like hormones, vaccines, peptide and protein drugs to give enhanced bioavailability. Many drug delivery methods for nasal availability of liquid, semisolid and solid formulation are investigated to avail the drugs to treat most CNS diseases (i.e., Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Migraine attack) because it requires rapid and/or specific targeted delivery of drugs to the brain.
    In this review we discuss some factors affecting nasal absorption, bio-availability barriers, and strategies to improve nasal absorption, new developments in nasal dosage form design and applications of nasal drug delivery system and the effects of microspheres, liposomes and other bioadhesive drug delivery systems on nasal drug absorption.

  • 23 April 2012
    NEED OF PHARMACOECONOMICS IN INDIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM: A BRIEF REVIEW

    About Authors:
    Hinchagri S S 1*, Halakatti P K2,  Devar S B2, Biradar B S2, Kankanwadi S K2, Patil S D2
    1. HKES’s College of Pharmacy, Sedam Road, Gulbarga, Karnataka, India
    2. HSK College of Pharmacy, BVVS’s Campus, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India
    *shivanand.hinchageri95@gmail.com

    Abstract:
    In India, nearly 3.1 million households below the poverty line and those are unaffordable for private health care. Cost of medicines are growing constantly as new medicines are marketed and are under patent law, preference of drug therapy over invasive therapy, and the irrational drug prescription. In a developing country like India 85% of total health expenditure is financed by house-hold, out-of–pocket expenditure. The proportion of insurance in health-care financing in India is very low. Many poor people frequently face a choice between buying medicines or buying food or other necessities due to limited resources and high pricing of drug. So medicine prices do matter. The main objective of study is to show the importance of pharmacoeconomic evaluation in Indian health care. Methods to be used for pharmacoeconomic evaluation are Cost-effectiveness analysis, Cost minimization analysis, Cost-benefit analysis and Cost-utility analysis. Review of pharmacoeconomic evaluation sample studies shows the pharmacoeconomics became more important 1. To find the optimal therapy at the lowest price. 2. Numerous drug alternatives and empowered consumers also fuel the need for economic evaluations of pharmaceutical products. 3. The use of economic evaluations of alternative healthcare outcomes. 4. Healthcare resources are not easily accessible and affordable to many patients; therefore pharmacoeconomic evaluations play an important role in the allocation of these resources. The study concludes that in India the pharmacoeconomic evaluation is essential to optimal therapy at lowest price, alternative treatment plans, which help the poor and middle class Indians to obtain well health care services.

  • 22 April 2012
    SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY (in vitro) OF NEW OXADIAZOLE INCORPORATED WITH IMIDAZOLE AND PYRAZOLE

    About Authors:
    KALPESH PATEL, JAYACHANDRAN E.*, SREENIVASA G.M.
    * P.G. Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
    S.C.S. College of Pharmacy, Harapanahalli-583131,
    Karanataka, India.
    *drjc_2006@rediffmail.com, kalpesh.m.pharm@gmail.com

    Abstract
    Various substituted 3-amino-1-(2,4-dinitro phenyl)-5-[(5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)amino]-1-H-pyrazole-4-carboxyamide and (5E)-5-[4-(dimethylamino) benzylidene]-3-(5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-2-phenyl-3,5-di hydro-4H-imidazol-4-one have been synthesised and evaluated for antiinflammatory activity. Structure of these products has been established by IR, 1H NMR data. Significant activity were observed for some members of the series.

  • 19 April 2012
    ANTI CANCER POTENTIAL OF TECOMA STANS FLOWER EXTRACT

    About Authors:
    S.Kameshwaran1*, V.Suresh1, M.Mohanraj2
    1Department of pharmacology,
    JKK munirajah medical research foundation and College of Pharmacy,
    B.Komarapalayam, Namakkal, Tamilnadu - 638183
    2Marineboitoxinology labs, CAS in marine biology, Annamalai university,
    Chidambaram, Tamilnadu-608502
    *kamesh.pharm@gmail.com

    ABSTRACT
    Tecoma stans flowers have been traditionally used for many ailments including cancer. In the present study, anti cancer activity of methanolic flower extract of T.stans (METS) was evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo methods. METS was subjected to preliminary qualitative phytochemical investigations by using standard procedures. In vitro antitumor activity of METS was evaluated by the MTT assay methodusing Vero and HEP-2 cell lines. Then the extract subjected to in vivo anti cancer activity using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor model. The activity was assessed Increase in life span, average increase in body weight, changes in food intake, tumor volume, tumor weight, viable cell count, non viable cell count, PCV, Total cell count and hematological studies. The potency of the extract was compared with standard 5-flurouracil (20 mg/kg i.p.).In in vitro anti cancer activity METS exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against both cell lines even at different concentrations. Oral administration of METS at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/Kg, significantly (p < 0.001) increased the survival time, non viable cell count and decreased the average body weight and food intake, viable cell count of the tumor bearing mice. After 14 days of inoculation, METS was able to reverse the changes in the hematological parameters, protein and PCV consequent to tumor inoculation.The results indicate that METS possess significant antitumor activity on dose dependent manner.

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