The Pharmaceutical and Chemical Journal

8-15

Authors: Sheikh S. Ahmad, Saman Atiq, Saman Javed, Amna Butt, Summra Erum

About half of the world’s population is at risk from the vector borne diseases including dengue and malaria. World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked Dengue fever as the most important mosquito borne viral disease in the world. The main objective of this research work is to study the spatial distribution patterns of dengue disease in Rawalpindi using spatial clustering techniques to identify the hotspots and the possible risk factor for those hotspots. Dengue disease data was collected from District Health Office, Rawalpindi. The climate data including average temperature, rainfall and relative humidity was collected from Pakistan Meteorological Department, Islamabad. ArcGIS version 10.1 was used for spatial statistical analysis. The results of this study indicated that incidence level of dengue disease varies according to geographic location and climatic conditions, showing significant spatial autocorrelation. Hotspots were identified using Getis-OrdGi* statistic. Temporal variations of disease cases show significant positive association with the meteorological variables including rainfall, relative humidity and temperature. So, this study highlights the usefulness of GIS in the epidemiological studies.

27-35

Authors: Arifa Zereen, Zaheer U.D. Khan, Andleeb A. Sardar

Healing various ailments is probably the most outstanding quality of plants that mankind is dependent upon from ages. Plants are useful for treating a variety of diseases of man and also animals. The Chichawatni Plantation Forest located in Sahiwal District is designated as Reserve Land. This involves huge biological landscape, constituting numerous valuable medicinal plants. The aim of this specific study has been to document conventional knowledge of plant usage and its significance to the local people; identifying the flora; assess the abundance and measures necessary to be taken for protection of plant species. Ethno-medicinal questionnaire had been got filled by people residing in the periphery of Chichawatni Plantation Reserved Forest. This questionnaire provided information about many plants growing at study area. Some of the plants having medicinal value included Trianthema portulacastrum, Calotropis procera, Xanthium strumarium, Cordia myxa, Chenopodium album, Citrullus colocynthis, Cuscuta reflexa, Cyperus rotundus etc. Local people use them for treating anemia, paralysis, fever, jaundice, piles, diabetes, diarrhea, motion respectively. Some of the plants such as Capparis deciduas, Prosopis cineraria, Salvadora oleoides, Suaeda fruticosa and Malvastrum coromendelianum were present in less number perhaps because of overexploitation as having greater medicinal importance, indicating requirement of their preservation. There is need for sustainable use and conservation of useful medicinal plants in the area so that their constant availability is ensured.

40-44

Authors: Ahmed MN Darweesh, Nawzad KH Omar

Molecular mechanisms of inflammsome activation remains an interesting area of research. Recently, polymer oxides provided new insight into therapeutic approach. Therefore, this work aims to investigate the chemical preparation of novel nanomaterials in aqueous solution and their biological activities were studied in vitro. Polymer oxides nanocrystals (PONK) were prepared using sol gel method. Size and morphology of the crystals were examined using Atomic force microscopy (AFM). The spectroscopic results showed absorption in a blue region. based on the experimental results, polymer oxides show highly anti-inflammatory effects evidenced by specific inhibition of interleukin one beta production and release in vitro using Elisa, western blotting, and RT PCR.

54-63

Authors: SO Okeniyi, J Ogbodobri, AO Oyedeji, PE Omale, MM Adeyemi, S Garba, JA Lori

Aqueous and organic solvents extraction process using ethanol, methanol and chloroform were carried out with four different Nigerian plants namely: Pterocarpus osun (uhe), Lawsonia inermis (lalle), Bixa orellana (annatto) and Hibiscus sabderriffa (zobo) to extract dye reagents from the plants. The ability of the dye reagents to replace Coomassie Brilliant Blue in the Bradford assay method of protein quantification were determined and compared. The solvents extracts gave good colourful results in the extraction of the dye reagents while only aqueous extract of Hisbiscus sabderiffa (zobo) gave similar results to that of solvent extracts. The solvent extracts obtained from Pterocarpus osun (uhe), Lawsonia inermis (lalle) and Bixa Orellana (annatto) plants could not be used to estimate amino acids from protein samples. However, solvent extracts of Hibiscus sabderriffa (zobo) was able to estimate amino acids from protein samples. The change in maximum wavelength (λmax) and the increased absorption with zobo dye reagent; on addition of protein samples showed that solvent extract of Hibiscus sabderiffa (zobo) dye has the potential to quantify and estimate amino acids in protein samples as much as the Coomassie Blue utilised in the Bradford assay method. The coefficient of correlation (r) values obtained for the proteins are 0.81, 0.92, 0.80 and 0.81 respectively for BSA, haemoglobin, fibrinogen and gamma globulin)

6-15

Authors: Kapoor D, Vyas RB, Lad C, Patel M, Sharma S

In the current exploration a novel oral drug delivery system was developed utilizing the concepts of controlled release and mucoadhesiveness. Mucoadhesion is a topic of current interest in the design of drug delivery systems. Mucoadhesive microspheres exhibited a prolonged residence time at the site of application or absorption and facilitate an intimate contact with the underlying absorption surface and thus contribute to improved and/or better therapeutic performance of drugs. Nizatidine microspheres were equipped by emulsification-ionic gelation technique using mucoadhesive polymers such as Carbopol 934P, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K15M) and Carboxy methyl cellulose with a rate controlling polymer sodium alginate. The arranged formulations were subjected to particle size and shape analysis, % drug entrapment efficiency, in vitro floatability, swelling rate, in vitro mucoadhesion test and in vitro drug release kinetics. The primed microspheres were discrete, spherical with a mean particle size in the range of 478±0.99μm to 640 ±2.67 μm. Entrapment efficiency was found to be in the range of 59.56±0.99 to 79.90± 1.78%. Formulations containing Carbopol 934P showed amplified in vitro mucoadhesion compared to formulations with Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and CMC. In vitro drug release for all the formulations in 0.1N HCl was diffusion controlled progressively over a period of 12 h and followed First order kinetics. The in vitro drug release mechanism was nonfickian type controlled by swelling and relaxation of polymer. There was no noteworthy alteration in physico-chemical characteristics of the microspheres stored at diverse storage condition after 3 months of stability study. The fabricated system has the twofold advantages of being gastroretentive, to augment oral bioavailability and releasing drug in a controlled manner, to diminish the required frequency of administration thereby promoting patient compliance.

24-32

Authors: Sheikh S. Ahmad, Saaleha Mahboob Khan, Amna Butt

Medicinal usage of plants is one of the superior characteristic on which mankind is dependent upon since ages. Plants are being used for the treatment of various diseases of humans and animals. The Changa Manga Forest is designated as National Park located in Kasur, District. It consists of vast biological panorama, constituting many plants of the medicinal values. The purpose of this study was to preserve native traditional knowledge of plant’s usage, promotion of awareness and its significance to the domestic and international entrepreneur, identifying the flora, density and conservation of species. Ethno-medicinal survey was conducted in the periphery of the Changa Manga. The survey identified many plants at study site. Some of them including their medicinal values are Ageratum conyzoid, Anaglis arvensis, Coronopus didymus, Cannabis sativa, Fumairia officianalis, Oxalis corniculata, Sonchus oleraceus, Rumex crispus, Euphorbia heliscopia, Prosopis cineraria, Mentha spicata etc .They are used by the indigenous people for the treatment of ulcers, dysentery, eye problems, burns, malaria, insomnia, hepatitis, cough, cholera, insect stings, gastric problems respectively. Plants like Capparis deciduas Cleome Viscosa, Suaeda Fruticosa, Malvastrum coromendelianum are present in few numbers, but surpassing medicinal values, highlighting the need of conservation. Responsiveness of the botanist is required to focus on the sustainable use, conservation and management strategies are required for valuable medicinal species so that sustainable production, with the balanced ecosystem and development may lead the country to sustainable income and other welfare.

42-46

Authors: Shahnaz Sultana, Mohammed Ali, Kamran J Naquvi

The fruits of Lycium chinense Miller (Solanaceae) possess emmenagogue, diuretic, antipyretic and hepatoprotective properties and are used to stimulate the immune system, to increase hormonal growth, to improve blood circulation and eye sight and to cure morning sickness. Phytochemical investigation of a chloroform extract of the fruits gave two new aliphatic esters, characterized as n-butanyl n-octadec-9,12-dienoate (n-butanyl linoleate,1) and n-tridecanyl n-octadec-9,12-dienoate (n-tridecanyl linoleate, 2) and two new fatty acids identified as cis,cis,cis –n-octacos-5,8,11-trienoic acid (4) and cis-n-octacos -11-enoic acid (5) and along with a known saturated fatty acid, arachidic acid (3). The structures of these phytoconstituents have been elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical reactions.

54-61

Authors: Kapil Tak, Gaurav Bhardwaj, Y.S. Tanwar, R.P.S. Rathore, Kuldeep Choudhary

The drug chosen for the present investigation, Metformin hydrochloride, is an orally active antidiabetic agent. It is effectively used in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) Type II. It is more appropriately referred to as antihyperglycemic agent and found to be well-tolerated and safe even on chronic use. The objective of this study was to design and evaluate oral sustained drug delivery system for metformin hydrochloride using hydrophilic polymers such as HPMC K4M and HPMC K100M. Four batches were prepared by using HPMC K4M in drug: polymer ratio of 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1 and four batches using HPMC K100M in ratios of 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1. Further formulations were modified by varying the ratios of diluents i.e. F9, F10, F11, F12 to check the effect of diluents on drug release. Matrix tablets were prepared by wet granulation method and were evaluated for weight variation, drug content, friability, hardness, thickness, and in-vitro dissolution. Among the formulations studied, formulation F6 containing HPMC K100M (6:1) showed sustained release of drug for 24 hrs with cumulative percent drug release of 98.11%, similar to that of the research listed drug. The kinetic treatment showed that the optimized formulation follow first-order kinetic with release exponent (n) 0.711 and having good stability as per ICH guidelines. The matrix formulation F6 showed sustained release of metformin hydrochloride by the diffusion mechanism.

8-16

Authors: AbdAlwadood H. Elbadawi

The study reports modeling of laminar film condensation of horizontal flat plate with hot vapor film exists above the plate with higher temperature (saturation temperature). In this study mathematical expressions for film thickness, velocity and temperature profile were obtained analytically. Models confirm that velocity and temperature depend on the distance from plate center (x), from plate surface (δ) and depend also on Ra and Ja numbers.

22-29

Authors: Jigna Zankat, Mayank Bapna, Jigisha Patel

A simple, rapid, accurate and precise RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for simultaneous estimation of Azilsartan medoxomil and Amlodipine besylate in synthetic mixture. The chromatographic separation was carried out on Hypersil ODS C18 column (250×4.6 mm; 5µ) with mixture of 0.2% ortho-phosporic acid in water :acetonitrile (35:65% v/v) as a mobile phase; at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. UV detection was performed at 232 nm. The retention time was found to be 5.496 min and 3.255 min for Azilsartan medoxomil and Amlodipine besylate, respectively. Calibration plots were linear over the concentration range of 80.3-120.5 µg/mL and 20.2-30.2 µg/mL of both Azilsartan medoxomil and Amlodipine besylate, respectively. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, repeatability, LOD and LOQ. The proposed method was successfully used for quantitative analysis of Azilsartan medoxomil and Amlodipine besylate used for hypertension. No interference from the components of pharmaceutical dosage form was observed. Good percentage recovery and low relative standard deviation confirm the suitability of the proposed method for routine estimation of Azilsartan medoxomiland Amlodipine besylatein tablet dosage form.

41-51

Authors: Sheikh S Ahmad, Amna Butt, Summra Erum, Beenish Malik, Asma Jabeen

Plants which endowed medicinal values are held at the highest rank in folk medicinal systems throughout the world. The locally suggested remedies and the ethno-botanical knowledge for this purpose, whether it’s traditional or modernized, have its roots into the belief in folk medicinal knowledge of the particular region. This study was conducted at Gatwala forest park (GFP), Faisalabad, Pakistan. The method adopted for documentation of indigenous knowledge was based on semi-structured interviews and direct observations. The present study gathered the indigenous knowledge of local inhabitants and about the use of herbaceous plants they collected from GFP. A total of 40 herbaceous plants belonging to 19 families were recorded as medicinal plants at the study site. Most of the plants we found were used for the treatment of common cold, sore throat, abdominal infections, skin disorders, hepatic diseases, eye ailments, stomach problems, fever, cough, chest congestion, asthma, joint pains. Along with their ethno-medicinal uses their occurrence was also recorded as very common, common, fairly common and scarce. This appraisal has documented the inventory of important medicinal plants of GFP by giving due weight age to the indigenous folk knowledge of the local inhabitants.

6-13

Authors: Radha Chaudhary

The photo chromic behavior of Hexacyanoferrate in phthalein system was observed spectrophotometrically. Hexacyanoferrate (II) ejects electrons, which abstracts H+ from indicator molecule and this molecule of the indicator changes into their quinonoid form which is coloured.

25-30

Authors: Akshay V Patel, Gaurav Bhavsar, Jai Singh Vaghela, Navin Kapadiya

A simple, rapid, and precise reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method is developed for determination of paracetamol, aceclofenac, and chlorzoxazone in their ternary mixtures of commercial pharmaceutical preparation. This method uses C18 (Phenomenex) (150mm×4.6mm), 5 μm analytical column. Mobile phase is Methanol: Disodiumhydrogen orthophosphate (ph-3, 0.05M) 65:35 v/v. The instrumental settings are at a flow rate of 1.5 ml/min; the column temperature is 20°C, and detector wavelength is 271 nm. The sample concentrations are measured on weight basis to avoid the internal standard. The method is validated and shown to be linear. The correlation coefficients for paracetamol, aceclofenac, and chlorzoxazone are 0.9993, 0.9994, and 0.999 respectively. The recovery values for paracetamol, aceclofenac, and chlorzoxazone found 98.86%, 99.67%, and 99.51%, respectively. The relative standard deviation for six replicates is always less than 2%. This HPLC method is successfully applied to the quantitative analysis of the title drugs in tablets.

41-50

Authors: Gajendra Singh Rathore, Yuvraj Singh Tanwar, Anshu Sharma

Skin acts as a major target as well as a principle barrier for topical drug delivery. The greatest challenge for dermal delivery is stratum corneum, and in order to improve its permeability, new formulation approaches have been investigated. The main requirement for topical anti-fungal treatment is that the drugs should penetrate into skin layers to ensure effective drug concentrations following topical administration. Types of the formulations as well as the physicochemical characteristics of drug molecules are effective parameters in topical delivery of drugs. Antifungal drugs should reach effective therapeutic levels in the viable epidermis after dermal administration. The drug of choice for topical fungal disease is Fluconazole. Fluconazole has a broad spectrum of activity that includes both dermatophytes and yeasts. The drug is particularly effective in the treatment of mucosal and cutaneous forms of candidiasis. Vesicular system (Liposomes and ethosomes) entrapped in Gel is one of the most promising approaches for topical delivery of active substances and has potential for new opportunities for topical application of Fluconazole in the fungal infections.

59-68

Authors: Kamble Ravindra K, Chetan S Chauhan, Kamble Priyadarshani R, Jitendra S Rajawat, Gajendra S Rathore

The present research was aimed to design controlled release suspension formulation of BCS class I drug Tramadol hydrochloride a centrally acting synthetic analgesic. Complexes of indion 244 ion-exchange resin and tramadol hydrochloride, a model drug, were prepared using a batch method. The prepared resinate complexes were microencapsulated by o/o solvent evaporation technique. These microcapsules were then formulated into the suspension dosage form to get the controlled release of drug for extended period. The resinate microcapsule suspensions were evaluated for the flow properties, drug content and in vitro drug release. Dry powder suspensions shown excellent flow properties and the in vitro drug release showed a significant sustained drug release up to 12 hours. The stability studies were performed as per ICH guidelines for the dry and hydrated forms of suspensions. The results obtained clearly evident that the dry powder suspensions are best suitable for the storage conditions and gives better physical and chemical stability.