The Pharmaceutical and Chemical Journal

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.