International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research

229-234

Authors: Dasharath M. Patel*, Dimpal G. Patel, Chhagan N. Patel

Lafutidine is a new histamine H2- receptor antagonist having biological half-life of 1.92 h. Due to its selective absorption from upper part of gastrointestinal tract the gastroretentive drug delivery is desired in order to enhance its bioavailability. The aim of research was to formulate chewable tablets of lafutidine along with raft forming agent, antacid and gas generating agent. Tablets were prepared by wet granulation method and evaluated for raft strength, acid neutralization capacity, weight variation, % drug content, and in vitro drug release. Various raft-forming agents were used in preliminary screening. A 32 full factorial design was used for optimization in present study. Amount of calcium carbonate and ratio of sodium alginate to pectin were used as independent variables while raft strength and acid neutralizations capacity were used as dependent variables. Batch F8 was selected as optimized formulation based on maximum raft strength and good acid neutralization capacity. Drug-excipients compatibility study showed no interaction between drug and excipients. Stability study of the optimized formulation showed that the tablets were stable at accelerated environmental conditions for 1 month. It was concluded that raft forming chewable tablets prepared using an optimum amount of sodium alginate, pectin and calcium carbonate could be an efficient dosage form in the treatment of gastro oesophageal reflux disease.

244-250

Authors: Venkatesh Gavini*, Ragini Batta, Kaumudi Kuchi, M Srinivasa Murthy

Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems interact with the mucus layer covering the mucosal epithelial surface and increase the residence time of the dosage form at the absorption site. The drugs which have local action or those which have maximum absorption in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) require increased duration of stay in GIT. Thus, mucoadhesive dosage forms are advantageous in increasing the drug plasma concentrations and also therapeutic activity. Silymarin (SLM) is an effective hepatoprotective drug used in therapeutic practice today. However, its absorption is in stomach and needs to be retained in the same for prolonged period. So SLM is suitable candidate to develop into mucoadhesive drug delivery system. The objective of the present study was to formulate mucoadhesive microspheres of Silymarin and carryout evaluation of the formulated microspheres. In the present study, five formulations of microspheres with variable concentrations of mucoadhesive polymer and film forming polymer (HPMC & EC) were prepared by Emulsification solvent evaporation method and evaluated for physico-chemical, preformulation and formulation parameters. Compatibility studies proved that there was no interaction between Silymarin and polymers used. Silymarin microspheres were smooth and spherical in nature, which was confirmed by SEM. The in vitro performance of SLM microspheres showed controlled release depending on the concentration of mucoadhesive polymer. Finally it can be concluded that mucoadhesive microspheres encapsulated with optimum concentration of mucoadhesive polymer and film forming polymer showed better results in all the evaluated parameters making it a potential candidate for controlled release drug delivery system.

259-262

Authors: C. Manigandan, L. Veerakumari*

Paramphistomosis caused by the paramphistome Cotylophoron cotylophorum constitute a major group of disease in domestic ruminants. Chemical control of helminths coupled with improved management has important worm control strategy throughout the world. However, increasing problems of development of resistance in helminths against anthelmintics have led to the proposal of screening of medicinal plants for their anthelmintic activity. In the present investigation, the anthelmintic efficacy of bark of Prosopis cineraria was assessed based on its effect on the motility and on the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of Cotylophoron cotylophorum. The flukes were exposed to five different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%) of ethanol extract of bark of Prosopis cineraria (PcEE) for 2, 4 and 8 h. The motility response of the drug-treated parasites was quantitatively measured with the aid of Electronic Micromotility Meter (EMM). The electronic measurement of the motility of the drug-treated parasites clearly indicates the direct impact of the drugs on the motility of the parasite. Maximum level of inhibition of the motility response of the parasites was observed at 5% concentration after 8 h of exposure of PcEE. AChE was assessed. PcEE significantly inhibited the activity of AChE. As, AChE plays an important role in neurotransmission, inhibition of AChE results in muscular paralysis of parasites which loose its “biochemical hold-fast” and gets eliminated from the host. PcEE possesses a remarkable anthelmintic activity against C. cotylophorum. It may serve as an alternative for anthelmintic chemotherapeutic agents and could be used in a safe and eco friendly manner. However, this study warrants further in vivo studies for practical utility.

270-274

Authors: G. Karthikeyan*, D. Ranganayakulu

The present study was conducted in order to establish the therapeutic responses and prescription pattern of various antihypertensive agents in patients with mild, moderate and severe hypertension. Prospective and comparative study was carried out on 500 patients attending the cardiology out patients department at private hospitals in Tamilnadu, India. Patients of either sex aged between 18-60 years suffering from hypertension and to evaluate the characterization, drug therapy (mono or combination) of five major categories of antihypertensive drugs in patients with hypertension. Out of 500 patients, males (49.29 ± 6.5) and females (50.63 ± 6.5) participated in the study. This study revealed that most of the patients were on mono therapy (43%, Male and 28% Female) and in combination therapy (17% male and 12% Female). In mono therapy, five classes of drugs were used. These were diuretics (33%), beta-blockers (20%), calcium channel blockers (19%), ACE inhibitors (17%) and angiotensin II receptor blocker (11%). Among mono therapy of drugs, diuretics were prescribed most whereas angiotensin II receptor blocker were least used, In combination therapy, angiotensin II receptor blocker and thiazide diuretic was given to the majority of the patients (42%), beta blocker and thiazide diuretic were (32%), calcium channel blocker and beta blocker were (15%) and ACE Inhibitor and calcium channel blocker were (10%). The present study represents the current prescribing pattern of anti-hypertensive drugs and it highlights certain shortcomings in the existing prescribing practice. There is a considerable scope for improvement on patient’s interaction with pharmacist and doctors and needs to improve pharmaceutical care on disease and drug knowledge for the effective blood pressure control.

279-283

Authors: G. Karthikeyan*, D. Ranganayakulu

To estimate the patient’s antihypertensive medication knowledge from south Indian population. Five hundred (500) patients were participated in this study. Out of 500, 46 patients were pre hypertensive so 456 patients were interviewed using a questionnaire which captured data on patient’s medication knowledge at south Indian private hospitals in Tamilnadu, India. The present study consists 4 visits that include, screening visit, follow up visit-1 to follow up visit-3. The study measure the knowledge of drug level between usual care and pharmaceutical care. Usual care patients were not educated whereas pharmaceutical care patients were educated by principal researcher. Out of 500 patients, males (49.29 ± 6.5) and females (50.63 ± 6.5) participated in the study. Knowledge of medication and compliance are important in drug treatment regimens. In usual care, Out of 500 patients 65% of patients reported that they were aware that they were taking drugs for high blood pressure where as 35% were not. 32% of patients were able to tell the name of the drugs whereas 68% were not. 64% of the people were thinking it’s no cure for hypertension and only 36% of the people feel that it’s curable. 64% of the people said lifelong and only 36% of subjects said they are taking only for short term treatment of hypertension. 66% of the people have no clue and knowledge about the side effects of antihypertensive medicines where as 34% were aware, 33% were shared if they take any other drugs along with antihypertensive drugs where as 67% were not, 70% of the patients did not inform to the pharmacist about their high blood pressure (HBP) tablet intake while purchasing other medicines whereas 30% informed. However medication knowledge was improved after the pharmaceutical care.

290-297

Authors: Mohammad Yunoos1*, D. Gowri Sankar2

A simple and precise stability indicating RP-HPLC method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of Olmesartan Medoxomil (OLM) and Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in pure drug and Pharmaceutical marketed formulation. Chromatography was carried out on Inertsil ODS C18 (150 × 4.6 mm, 5m particle size) column in an isocratic mode with mobile phase containing 0.2 % acetate buffer and acetonitrile in the ratio of 60:40% v/v at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The analyte was monitored using PDA detector at 252 nm. The retention time was found to be 5.080 min and 10.493 min for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and Olmesartan Medoxomil (OLM) respectively. The proposed method was found to be having linearity in the concentration range of 20-120µg/ml for Olmesartan Medoxomil (OLM) and 12.5-75.0µg/ml for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) with correlation coefficient value of 0.999 respectively. The mean % recoveries obtained were found to be 99.86-100.02 % for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and 99.92-100.16 % for Olmesartan Medoxomil (OLM) respectively. Stress testing which covered acid, base, peroxide, UV light, neutral and thermal degradation was performed on under test to prove the specificity of the method and the degradation was achieved. The developed method has been statistically validated according to ICH guide lines. Thus the proposed method can be successfully applied for the stability indicating simultaneous determination of Olmesartan Medoxomil (OLM) and Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in bulk and combined tablet dosage form and in routine quality control analysis.

304-307

Authors: Q. M. Abu Shaqra1*, A. Q. Abu Shaqra2

The inhibitory effect of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) against clinically significant microorganisms including Candida species is documented. The activity and stability of this extract in topical pharmaceutical formulations has received little attention. This communication reports on the stability and anticandidal activity of AGE in gel and lotion formulations. Gel and lotions containing 50, 100 and 200 mg garlic/ml were prepared and their physical as well as biological stability was established at 40ºC. The anticandidal effect of all preparations was determined using the well diffusion method and Muller Hinton agar. Results indicated that both of the prepared formulations were physically stable but the freshly prepared lotion exhibited no anticandidal effect. Gels were effective inhibitors but this activity was lost with storage at 40ºC in less than 9 days. It is concluded that lotion was not at all a suitable delivery system for AGE as it lost its activity during preparation. Whereas, freshly prepared gels were good inhibitors but this property was diminished upon storage. Comprehensive studies are needed to stabilize the AGE gel formulation over the expected shelf life.