Hygeia journal for drugs and medicines

1-12

Authors: S. Sandhya*, E. Vidya Sravanthi, K.R Vinod

Plan: The objective of this research investigation was to formulate and evaluate herbal hydrogel incorporated with the extract of Ipomea pes-tigridis intended for anti acne activity. Methodology: The formulation was evaluated for various parameters like organoleptic characters, pH, skinirritation test by multiple compartment patch, microbial contamination, extrudeability, spread ability, drug content, diffusion studies using pig skin,accelerated stability studies, drug excipient interaction studies by FTIR, invitro anti acne and in vivo anti inflammatory activity. Outcome: The formulated hydrogel passed all the evaluation parameters. The hydrogel was olive green in colour and had an excellent fragrance. The diffusion studies revealed that the drugrelease was in controlled release form. The accelerated stability studies revealed that formulation was stable at room temperature whereas its stability reduced with increase in temperature. The FTIR studies showed that there were no drug excipient interactions. The anti acne and anti inflammatory activity showed an activity comparable to that of the standard drugs clindamycin and diclofenac,respectively. Hence it can be concluded that the formulation can be a good substitute for the existing synthetic anti acne agents.

27-33

Authors: Isaac U. Asuzu* and Chinaka O. Nwaehujor

Plan: The anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of D-3-O-methylchiroinositol were investigated in male Wistar rats. Methodology: Diabetes was induced by a single intra-peritoneal injection of 150 mg/kg of alloxanmonohydrate. Five groups of rats comprising six animals in each group were used including a positive control group (glibenclamide, 2 mg/kg), treatment groups (8,4 and 2 mg/kg of D-3-O-methylchiroinositol respectively) and control(untreated) group. Blood samples were obtained from the rat tails every morning before treatment. Outcome: Alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia was significantly (p< 0.05) reduced by 59%, 48% and 41% after four days at 8, 4 and 2 mg/kg respectively compared with the untreated group(-135%) and Glibenclamide (50%). The in vitro anti-oxidant assays (DPPH andFRAP) showed that D-3-O-methylchiroinositol increased anti-oxidant activities with increasing concentration (10 – 400 μg/ml).D-3-O-methylchiroinositol therefore has anti-diabetic hypolipidemic and anti-oxidant activities.

43-50

Authors: S.Deepa*, K.Kanimozhi and A.Panneerselvam

Plan: Isolate and characterize the antimicrobial actinomycetes from sediments of salt pan region of Vedharanyam, located in the Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, India. Methodology: The salt pan soil samples were collected The Physico - chemical parameters of soil sample were analyzed. Totally 16 actinomycete strains were isolated. The isolated strains were identified based on the morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics. All the 16 actinomycetes were selected for antimicrobial activity. Totally 16 actinomycetes strains were isolated. Antifungal activity was determined against two fungal pathogenic such as Aspergillus niger, Fusarium moniliforme. Streptomyces griseoflavus SDAP101 showed maximum level of inhibition against Aspergillus niger followed by Fusarium moniliforme. Molecular characterization of Streptomyces griseoflavus SDAP101were evaluated by PCR amplification of 16SrRNA gene. The genomic DNA and amplified products were separated in agarose gel and the16SrDNA gene of Streptomyces griseoflavusSDAP101species isolated from soil was partially sequenced using specific 16SrDNA sequence primer. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that its closest neighbor was EU827474.1. The16SrDNA secondary structure and the restriction sites of SDAP101 were predicted using Genebee online software respectively. Outcome: The isolation, characterization of the rare actinomycetes from the saltpan region will be useful for the discovery of the novel bioactive metabolites that are effective against wide range of pathogens

56-62

Authors: Dhivya R*, Manimegalai K

Plan: To assess the repellent efficacy of the flower extracts of Calotropis gigantea against Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito and to screen the bioactive compounds present in theflower extract. Methodology: The flower extracts of Calotropis gigantea were extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol and the efficacy of the extracts as repellent were assessed on three day blood starved female Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito. The repellent study was following the method of WHO(1996). Outcome: The results suggested thatflower ethanol extract of Calotropis gigantea showed a higher repellency on the adult of female Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito than the other two extracts.The repellent activity was found to be dose dependent and the percentage of protection was found to be directly proportional to the concentration ofextract. The results of phytochemical screening showed the presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, phenol, flavonoids, sterols, anthraquinone, proteins and quinones in the flower extract. It may be concludedfrom the result that ethanol extract of Calotropis gigantea flower was effective in mosquito vector control and has an excellent potential in controlling the mosquito.

76-86

Authors: KhaledRashed, Lucy Ono

Plan: The aim of the present research was focused on cytotoxic, antiviral and antibacterial properties and the main phytoconstituents of Terminalia laxiflora leaf methanolic extract. Methodology: The methanolic 80%extract of Terminalia laxiflora leaves was tested for cytotoxicityevaluation in Vero cells in-vitro, anti-HSV-1 activity and antibacterialactivity determinations against some bacteria strains and alsophytoconstituents were detected. Outcome: The results showed that T. laxiflora leaves methanol 80% extract showed CC50= 1851 μg/mLand also inhibited completely the development of the HSV-1 induced cytopathic effect at concentration of 238 μg/mL while the extract had no effect on bacterial strains. Phytochemical analysis of theextract revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids,triterpenes and chromatographic separation of the extract of T.laxiflora leaves resulted in the isolation and identification ofβ-sitosterol, m-gallate, gallic acid, ellagic acid and five flavonoids,quercetin, vitexin, iso vitexin, quercetin 3-O-α-rhamnoside and rutin. Thisresearch may be useful in the development of new and effective antiviral agents.

97-103

Authors: Lalit Kumar Sharma *,Narendra Nyola , Shashi Kant, and G.Jeyabalan

Plan: Stability indicating RP-HPLCmethod for the ceftaroline fosamil acetate. Preface: The developed method is simple, fast and accurate and can be used for routine analysis of Market formulations. Methodology: Stability indicating reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the analysis of ceftaroline fosamil in bulk form. Chromatographic separation was achieved on aX- Bridge shield RP (4.6×100mm, 5µ) column, maintained at 300c with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate buffer in the ratio of 10: 90. The mobile phase pumped at a rate of 1ml/ min. and the detection was carried out at 242.6nm by PDA detector. The retention time was obtained 4.312.The peak area plot was linear over theconcentration range of 50µg/ml to 250µg/ml. The different experimental parameters affecting the stability were optimized. The method was validated for accuracy, precision, specificity, robustness, LOD and LOQ in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Outcome: The proposed method was successfully applied for the analysis of ceftaroline fosamil in bulk form.

1-4

Authors: Meignanalakshmi S, Vinoth Kumar S, Deepika J and Farida Begum .

Plan: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Adhatoda vasica against mastitis pathogens. Methodology: Milk samples were collected from mastitis cows and five bacteria were isolated. Based on Grams staining and various biochemical tests, they were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Escherichia coli. Leaves of Adhatoda vasica was subjected to aqueous and methanol extraction. Antibacterial activity of the extracts was evaluated by disc diffusion method and zone of inhibition was measured. Outcome: The methanol extract was found to be having significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Klebsiella pneumonia,Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Escherichia coli with zone of inhibition 21.7±0.58 mm, 18.3±0.58 mm, 21.3±0.58, 18.3±0.58 and 28.3±0.58 mm respectively at 200 mg/ml concentration.

10-18

Authors: Bafna PA and Balaraman R*

Plan: DHC-1, a standardized poly herbal formulation, was investigated for its hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects against CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. Methodology: DHC-1at various doses (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) was studied for its effect on the levels of SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin.The drug was also evaluated for its effect on markers of tissue oxidative stress, namely extent of lipid peroxidation (MDA), levels of enzymatic antioxidants (SOD and catalase), non-enzymatic antioxidant (GSH) and membrane bound enzymes (Ca2+ATPase, Mg2+ATPase and Na+K+ATPase). Outcome: Reduction in the levels of serum markers of liver damage; and decrease in tissue MDA levels and increase in SOD, catalase, GSH and membrane bound enzymes indicated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant property of DHC-1. Thus it is evident that DHC-1, at least partly by virtue of its antioxidant activity, elicited protective effects on the liver against the oxidative damage induced by CCl4.

23-31

Authors: C.Bijumol*, Helen William, Jose Kurien and Thomas Kurian

Plan: Formulation of oral gastro retentive floating tablets of Theophylline. Prologue: The primary aim of the present study is to design a sustained release gastro retentive oral dosage form using intra gastric floating as formulation strategy. Theophylline, an antiasthmatic is used as the model drug. Methodology: Oral gastro retentive floating tablets of Theophylline was formulated using gel-forming hydrophilic polymers, HPMCK4M, HPMCK100M and HPMC 15cps. The work also focused on in vivo evaluation of buoyancy by x-ray imaging. Suitable In vitro methods for estimating the drug release from the tablet as a function of time were developed and compared with marketed product (Theo SR 200 mg) Outcome: The prepared Tablets exhibited satisfactory physico chemical characteristics. All the prepared batches showed good in vitro buoyancy. The tablets with HPMCK4M and HPMCK100M floated for longer duration and had more matrix integrity as compared to formulations containing HPMC 15cps. Formulations with HPMCK 100 M & HPMCK 4 M showed better control of drug release and the drug release was similar to that of marketed product.

41-58

Authors: Vinod KR*, Gangadhar M, Sandhya S, David Banji

Plan: This review discusses overall approaches of gastro retentive drug delivery systems and limelight on floating drug delivery ,its formulation development and discusses various evaluation parameters. Preface: Oral drug delivery of nearly half of the drugs gets thwarted owing to the high lipophilic nature .Bioavailability of these drugs being function of their aqueous solubility and dissolution tends to exhibit low magnitude and high intra and inter subject variability. Many drugs have a short biological half life and thus have invents potential in ameliorating GI absorption. To overcome the poor bioavailability and patient complaints much attention has been given to Gastro retentive drug delivery system,although there are various approaches in retaining the drug within the gastric region. Outcome: Floating dosage form can be broadly divided into effervescences and non effervescences both have its own merits and demerits.To state that a given floating drug delivery system successfully float ,its lagtime should be within 5 min. Factors affecting floatation are size, shape,density, single or multiple unit, fed or unfed state, nature and frequent offood, gender, age, patient related etc. Evaluation include buoyancy study,floating and swelling behavior, drug release in additional to conventional evaluation, in vivo evaluation is important since the results may not adequately correlate with in vitro results. The usual reported in vivo floatation studies include x-ray, gamma scintigraphy, gastroscophy, magnetic marker, ultrasonography and octanoic acid breath test.

63-68

Authors: Dhanalakshmi D, Dhivya R, Manimegalai K.

Plan: Antibacterial activity of leaves and seed of Pongamia pinnata and Lawsonia innermis have been studied for their antimicrobial activities using agar well diffusion method. Methodology: The selected bacterial strains, namely Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli,Enterobacter aerogenes, Micrococcus luteus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa isolated from PSG Hospital, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu were selected for the study. Maximum zone of inhibition of the active compounds was evaluated by using NCCLS Method.The plant extracts were tested with the standard positive control chloramphenicol. Outcome: Among the three solvents analysed ethanolic leaf extract of Pongamia pinnata and Lowsonia innermis exhibited a maximum resistance against Bacillus subtilus and possessed a highest inhibitory zone against Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Micrococcus luteus respectively when compared to other bacterial strains.

79-83

Authors: Ancy P, Padmaja V*, Radha K, Jomy Jose, and Hisham A

Plan: The present study was carried out to investigate the diuretic activity of the ethanolic extract of roots of Flacourtia indica (Flacourtiaceae). Prologue: It is a popular drug used to treat many diseases in Indian traditional medicine. In order to substantiate the traditional uses of the drug the scientific study of diuretic activity was undertaken by us. Methodology: Air dried; powdered roots of Flacourtia indica were defatted with petroleum ether first and subsequently extracted with 90% alcohol.The preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, phenolic compounds and terpenoids. The diuretic activity of ethanolic extract was evaluated by determining the urine volume and electrolyte concentration in albino rats. Frusemide (10 mg/kg) was used as standard while normal saline (0.9%) was used as control. Ethanolicextract of the drug (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) were used as tests. Outcome: The ethanolic extract (500 mg/kg) showed significant increase in urine volume as well as Na+, K+and Cl- ion concentration in albino rats.

90-104

Authors: Ammar Ebrahimi*, Neda Lalvand

Plan: The review covers the uniquerole of Mesenchymal stem cells to improve, the poor solubility, prematuremetabolic inactivation, excretion and bioavailability of different classes ofdrugs which are insoluble or sparingly soluble in water. Preface: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)exhibit unique characteristics including their ability to differentiate andmigrate to sites of tissue injury/inflammation, genetic modifiability, andexpression of protein. Many of the most promising drug targets areintracellular and can only be accessed by drugs capable of traversing the cellmembrane. Gene and drug delivery using genetically modified cells offersseveral unique advantages including ease of modifying, inducible or continuousdrug production inside the body, more control on drug target and safety. Outcome: In this review article, weexamine the promising of using MSCs as a drug delivery vehicle for genetherapy, and summarize various challenges and concerns regarding thesetherapies.

113-120

Authors: Shanmugam. R1,Gowthamarajan. K *, Priyanka D.L, Madhuri.K,Hemnath.E, Dhanabal. SP

Plan: Quercetin and rutin are the flavonoides possess good therapeutic properties.The main objective of our work wasto develop a simple, rapid and sensitive UFLC method for simultaneous estimation of quercetin and rutin. Methodology: A simple chromatographic separation was done by using a reverse phase C8 column (250 x 4.6mm) by using isocratic flow with the constituted a mixture of 25 mM potassium dihydrogen ortho phosphate (pH4) and acetonitrile mobile phase at the ratio of70:30 with the flow rate of l ml/min. Detection was carried out at 230 nm.Different validation parameters such as specificity,sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, ruggedness and robustness were performed. Outcome: Optimized Chromatographic conditions were achieved and results showed good peakresolution between quercetin and rutin. The retention time was found at 7.4 min and 2.8 min. The LOD for quercetin and rutin was found to be 10 ng and 15 ng& LOQ was found to be 90 ng and 100 ng. The calibration curve was fixed at 0-100000 ng/ml. With change in analytical method parameters, analyst,laboratory conditions did not affect the results. % CV was calculated for all the parameters and found to be within specification limits. The developed method can be used for the quantitative and qualitative estimation of quercetin and rutin for the herbal medicinal products.

129-134

Authors: Sindhu T, Mamatha A, Sahith Reddy K, Venkateshwarlu K*

Plan: Depression is a common chronic recurrent syndrome, characterised by apathy, loss of energy, retardation of thinking and activity, as well as profound feelings of gloominess, despair and suicidal ideation. The present study refers to the anti-depressant activity of pyrimidine derivatives. Methodology: Anti-depressant activity was evaluated by using forced swim test and tail suspension test in mice. The behavioural parameter observed in this test was immobility period, which is indicative of anti-depressant effect of the compounds. Outcome: Test compounds 1b and 1c (15mg & 30mg) were effective and significant reduction in immobility period was observed when compared to standard drug Fluoxetine (20mg/kg) without any accompanying changes in the ambulation in open field test. These results indicate that the pyrimidine derivatives 1b and 1c are potential compounds for use in the designing of new candidates for the treatment of depression.

141-147

Authors: Rajasree RS*, K. Radha, Shyni.Bernard, K.N.Girija, A.K.C Nair .

Plan: An analytical method for the estimation of Lomefloxacin in bulk drug and pharmaceutical dosage forms by HPTLC is described. Prologue: The method is simple, fast and accurate and can be used for routine analysis of commercial Lomefloxacin tablets. Methodology: The developed method used precoated silica gel 60F 254 as stationary phase. The mobile phase used was a mixture of 2-Propanol: water: ammonia (86:8:6 %v/v/v).The RF value was 0.14.The detection of spots was carried out at 288nm. The calibration curve was found to be linear between 10 and 70 ng/spot with a correlation coefficient of 0.9969. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were found to be 5 ng/spot and 10 ng/spot respectively. Outcome: The proposed method has been applied successfully for the determination of Lomefloxacin in pharmaceutical dosage forms. No significant interference was observed from excipients, coloring and flavoring agents commonly used in the formulation. The mean recovery of drug from tablets was in the range of 100.8% to 102.7 %.

152-163

Authors: Rajina PV and Shini Dominic *

Plan: To verify the toxic effects of the ethanolic extract of Asteracantha Longifolia seeds after single and repeated administration Prologue: Usually traditional medicines are not subjected to routine toxicological studies. As a result many adverse effects caused by the chronic use of herbal medicines may be wrongly attributed to certain acute or chronic diseases Though Asteracantha longifolia seeds are traditionally y used for the treatment of sexual debility, premature ejaculationand oligospermia, there is no evidence about its toxicity. Methodology: Acute Toxicity of the plant extract was carried out as per the OECD guideline 425. Sub acute toxicity study of 28 day duration was carried out in three different doses of 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg orally. Outcome: No significant variation in hematologic and biochemical parameters and in relative organ weight with doses of 100, 250 and500mg/kg body weight. Histopathology showed the presence of slight necrosis in seminiferous tubules at dose of 500mg/kg. It may be concluded that the alcoholic extract of Asteracantha longifolia seeds is safe for oral administration at low and moderate doses while high dose(500 mg/kg) is not absolutely free from toxic effects.

1-5

Authors: Ekbal Al-Khateeb, Ara Adkar Ohan*,Hakeem Al-Ani

Plan In the present study, the steroidal fraction was isolated from the ethanolic extract of T.communis root and berries (TCRE &TCBE, % yield: 0.035 and 0.032 respectively) and screened for their cytotoxicity against human epidermoid laryngocarcinoma (HEp-2) and Ahmed-Mohammad-Nahi-2003 mammary adenocarcinoma (AMN-3) cell lines. Methodology Tamus communis (F: Dioscoreaceae) is a plant, growing wildly in the northern part of Iraq, mainly contains the steroidal sapogenin, diosgenin, in its roots and berries. In the present study, the steroidal fraction was isolated from the ethanolic extract of T.communis root and berries (TCRE &TCBE, % yield: 0.035 and 0.032 respectively) and screened for their cytotoxicity against human epidermoid laryngocarcinoma (HEp-2) and Ahmed-Mohammad-Nahi-2003 mammary adenocarcinoma (AMN-3) cell lines. The presence of diosgenin was confirmed in the extract by HPLC methods with standard diosgenin sample. Outcome The plant extracts, TCRE and TCBE showed better cytotoxic effect (IC50 342.56 μg/ml and 386.55µg/ml) on HEp-2 cell line than pure diosgenin (IC50 409.29 μg/ml), while diosgenin was more toxic to AMN-3 cell lines (IC50 360.04μg/ml) compared to the plant extracts (TCRE: IC50 400.28 and TCBE: 465.64μg/ml respectively).

15-20

Authors: Rakesh Narang,Sunil Sharma, Balasubramanian Narasimhan*

Plan: Anti-inflammatory evaluation of acid hydrazide derivatives. Prologue: Hydrazide derivatives of organic compounds forms a significant group of derivatives which exhibit an arrayof biological activities like anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti fungal,anti-neoplastic, antiviral etc. In view of above facts, we hereby reported the anti-inflammatory evaluation of selected most active eight antimicrobial acid(nicotinic acid, naphthalene-1-acetic acid and 2-naphthoxy acetic acid)hydrazide derivatives. Methodology: The anti-inflammatory activity of reported hydrazide derivatives determined by carrageenan induced paw oedema method and diclofenac sodium as standard drug. Outcome: Anti-inflammatory activity showed that nicotinic acid hydrazide derivatives with NO2 substituents at ortho and meta position were the most active ones among the selected hydrazide derivatives, having 35.73% and 37.29%; 25.12% and 34.17%inhibition, at two different doses 20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg b.w., respectively.

27-32

Authors: Narendra Nyola* and Govinda SamyJeyabalan

Plan:An analytical method for estimation of Azithromycinand Cefixime in bulk and tablet formulation. Methodology: A rapid, sensitive and specificuv-vis method was developed and validated for the estimation of Azithromycin andCefixime in tablet dosage form. The method was validated in terms of linearity,accuracy, precision, specificity, limit of detection and limit of quantitation.Theoptimum conditions for the analysis of the drug were established. The maximumwavelength (λ max) of Azithromycin andCefixime were found to be 235 nm and 288nm respectively. The percentagerecovery of Azithromycin and Cefixime were 100.28-100.33and 99.68-100.29 respectively. Beer’s law were obeyed in the concentrationrange of 10-50μg/ml for Azithromycin and 2-10µg/ml for Cefixime. The linear equation for AzithromycinandCefixime were found to be y = 0.0187x - 0.0143, r² =0.9996 and y = 0.0917x + 0.026, r² = 0.9985 respectively.Validation was performed as ICHguidelines for linearity, accuracy, precision, LOD and LOQ. Outcome: The proposed method wassuccessfully applied for the quantitative determination of Azithromycin and Cefixime in tablet dosage form.

41-48

Authors: L. Priyanka Dwarampudi , Dhanabal SP*, Shanmugam R , Muruganantham N

Plan: Traditionally in India and China, Psoralia corylifolia seed decoction used for treating psoriasis. However, the antipsoriatic activity of Psoralia corylifolia seeds has not been scientifically evaluated using mouse tail model. Methodology: Ethanolic extract of Psoralia corylifolia seeds were analyzed by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) .The In vivo antipsoriatic activity of 95% of ethanolic extract of Psoralia corylifolia seeds was done by using mouse tail model for psoriasis and In vitro antipsoriatic activity was carried out by Sulphorhodamine B (SRB)assay using HaCaT human keratinocyte cell lines. Outcome: HPTLCfingerprinting revealed the presence of gallic acid. The ethanolic extractshown IC50 255 μg/ml, with goodantiproliferant activity when compared with Asiaticoside as positive controlwith potent IC50 value of 20.13 μg/ml.Psoralia corylifolia seed extract showed an overall antipsoriatic activityof 75.87%, when compared with standard tazarot gel activity 87.94% by using mouse tail model, confirmed itstraditional use in psoriasis treatment.

57-64

Authors: Sripriya M, Rajendran P*, Seethalakshmi I, Kannan M, Ashok G, Karthikeyan M, Selvarani P

Plan To study the distribution of Hepatitis B and C viral markers amongthe weavers population from Kanchipuram, Erode and Tiruvannamalai Districts ofTamil Nadu. Methodology Medical camps were organized in three districts (Kanchipuram, Erodeand Tiruvannamalai) based on information about the weavers population who livein these localities. Three hundred and two blood samples were collected non-randomizedand screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Anti HCV by ELISA. Outcome HBsAg positivity rate of Kanchipuram District was (3.09%), ErodeDistrict (2.04%) and Tiruvannamalai District (1.88%) HCV positivity was observedin one person only in Tiruvannamalai District (0.94%). There was no significantassociation between age, gender and the incidence of HBV and HCV positivity (p≥ 0.05 at 5% confidence).The percentage of HBV (HBsAg) and HCV in the weavercommunity is similar to the general population.

70-77

Authors: Nirmala Halligudi

Plan: To review on the pharmacological potential of flax seeds Prologue: Flax oil and flax seeds are being rediscovered as truehealth foods. They definitely merit being included on any top-ten list of foodsthat are good for life. Flax is not a new food. It is actually one of the olderand, perhaps, one of the original "health foods," treasured becauseof its healing properties throughout the Roman Empire. Flax was one of theoriginal "medicines" used by Hippocrates. Flax could be dubbed the"forgotten oil." It has fallen out of favor because oil manufacturershave found nutritious oils to be less profitable. Outcome: The very nutrients that give flax its nutritional benefits- essential fatty acids - also give it a short shelf life, making it moreexpensive to produce, transport, and store. Besides being the best source ofomega 3's, flax oil is a good source of omega 6, or linoleic acid (LA).Sunflower, safflower, and sesame oil are greater sources of omega 6 fatty acidsbut they don't contain any omega-3 fatty acids. Flax oil is 45 to 60 percentthe omega-3 fatty acid alphalinolenic acid (ALA). In addition to nutritiousfats, flax seeds contain other nutrients which make eating the whole seedsuperior to consuming just the extracted oil.

87-94

Authors: S. Lakshmi Devi* and Madhu.C. Divakar

Plan: The study was aimed to evaluate the wound healing activity of 70% ethanolic extract (WAET) of the leaves of Wrightia arborea (Apocynaceae) and the phytosome (WAP) prepared out from WAET using incision and excision wound models on wistar albino rats. Methodology: Wound contraction and epithelization period were assessed in excision wound model whereas wound tensile strength was determined in the case of incision wound model. Outcome: The Wrightia arborea phytosome (WAP 4%) exhibited significant wound healing potential when compared to WAET and standard 0.2% Nitrofurazone Ointment.

1-6

Authors: Vikramjeet Judge, Balasubramanian Narasimhan*, Munish Ahuja

Plan: A review on the importance of pyrazinamide derivatives for the treatment of tuberculosis Prologue: Tuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous disease and a major health problem in developing countries. Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important front-line drug for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Pyrazinamide, along with isoniazid and rifampicin, forms the cornerstone of modern TB therapy. Drug resistance in M. tuberculosis is attributed primarily to the accumulation of mutations in the drug target genes; these mutations lead either to an altered target or to a change in titration of the drug. The problem of resistance demand to search and synthesize new classes of compounds effective against pathogenic microorganisms that have developed resistance to the drugs used in the current regimen. Outcome: In the present study, we have made an attempt to compile the reports on biological potential of pyrazinamide and its derivatives. The pyrazinamide derivatives possess unexplored potential that can be utilized for the development of new chemical entities (NCEs) to treat the mycobacterial infections.

7-28

Authors: Vinod KR*, Rohit Reddy T, Sandhya S, David Banji, Venkatram Reddy B

Plan: This review considers the basic mechanisms by which mucoadhesive can adhere to a mucous membrane in terms of the nature of the adhering surfaces and the forces that may be generated to secure them together. Mucosal adhesion is backed by several theories which include electronic, adsorption, wetting, diffusion, fracture and mechanical. Stages of mucoadhesion include contact stage and consolidation stage. Prologue: Much attention has been focused in the field of mucoadhesive formulation developments compared to other delivery systems. Mucoadhesion while considering drug delivery is having several merits, because of the ideal physiochemical characters of the mucosal membrane. Ideally a mucoadhesive dosage form interacts with the mucosal membrane by ionic bonds, covalent bonds, Van-der-Waal bonds and hydrogen bonds. Various sites for mucoadhesive drug delivery system are ocular, nasal, buccal cavity; GIT, vaginal, rectal and several specific dosage forms have been reported. Factors affecting mucoadhesion are molecular weight, flexibility of polymer chain, pH, presence of carboxylate group and density. Several synthetic and natural polymers are identified as suitable candidates for mucoadhesive formulation. Ex-vivo/in-vitro studies utilizing gut sac of rats provides in-depth knowledge about the adhesive property of the dosage form as well as polymers. AFM can be used as a part of imaging methods. Outcome: Mucoadhesive drug delivery system shows promising future in enhancing the bioavailability and specific needs by utilizing the physiochemical characters of both the dosage form and the mucosal lining. It has to be noted that only a moist surface can bring the mucoadhesive nature of the dosage form.

34-40

Authors: Elango.V, Carolin Oliver and Raghu, P.S.*

Plan: The present study was designed to investigate the antiulcer potential of ethanolic extract of Mimosa pudica leaves. Methodology: Antiulcer activity was evaluated by pylorus ligation, aspirin and ethanol induced ulcer models. The ethanolic extract of the leaves of Mimosa pudica was given by oral route at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. Outcome: Ethanolic extract of Mimosa pudica, dose dependently reduce, the total acidity, ulcer index, and an increase in pH of gastric juice in pylorus ligated ulcer model. Extract of Mimosa pudica may be useful as a natural antioxidant in the treatment of ulcer.

51-58

Authors: Manjula Devi.A.S*,Sriram.S, B.Rajalingam, Alfet Raju Anthraper, Rini Susan Varghese, and VenkataPhani.A

Plan: To assess theRationality of Fixed-dose combinations (FDC) of Cardiovascular drugs in a multidisciplinary hospital in Coimbatore, India Prologue: Rationality of fixed dose combinations (FDC) containing cardiovascular drugs is one of the controversial and debated problems in today's healthcare practice. Research in this field has not been flourished and limited data are available regarding the rationality of fixed dose combinations. A prospective and descriptive study was conducted in the cardiology and general medicine department of a 550 bedded multi-specialty tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of six months. Methodology: The rationality was assessed using seven-point criteria.Hundred prescriptions were analyzed during the study period which included 606cardiovascular drugs. Of these, 21.78% were cardiovascular fixed dose combination. The most commonly prescribed combinations were aspirin +clopidogrel (38.63%) followed by furosemide + spironolactone (15.9%) and telmisartan + hydrochlorothiazide (12.88%). There were 18 different fixed dose combinations of cardiovascular drugs. Among the combinations, 35.71% were rational with respect to all the seven criteria with a scoring of 14 (100%). Around11.11% combinations scored 13 while 55.56% scored 8 - 12 and 5.56% scored 7. Outcome: The results indicated that most of the prescribed cardiovascular FDCs in the multidisciplinary tertiary care hospital selected were rational and found to comply with the seven point criteria scale.

63-68

Authors: Jose Kurien* and Thomas Kurian

Plan: An analytical method for the estimation of Buspirone hydrochloride in bulk drug and tablet formulation is described. Methodology: The developed method is based on the formation of red colored chromogen due to the reaction of Buspirone hydrochloride with a Thiobarbituric acid reagent, which exhibits λmax at 531nm against reagent blank. The color was stable for more than 6 hrs for the method. Beer’s law is obeyed over the concentration range of 10-100μg /ml. All the variables were studied to optimize the reaction conditions. The calculated molar absorptivity value is 2.29 × 106 lit.mol-1.cm-1. Outcome: The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of Buspirone hydrochloride in formulations. Good recoveries were obtained and the results were statistically compared with the official method, showed good agreement and indicated no significant difference in precision. No interference was observed in the presence of common pharmaceutical excipients. The proposed method does not require any extraction.

73-78

Authors: Dhanabal SP*, Baskar Anand Raj , Muruganantham N , Praveen TK , Raghu PS.

Plan: The hydroalcoholic extract of Wrightia tinctoria leaves was evaluated for antipsoriatic activity by mouse tail test. Methodology: Antipsoriatic activity was performed at a dose 200 mg/kg body weight in mice (25-30 g). Isoretinoic acid (0.5 mg/kg) was used as the standard. The degree of orthokeratosis, drug activity, and the relative epidermal thicknesses were calculated and statistically analyzed. The extract was also evaluated for its antioxidant potential by DPPH, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging assays. Outcome: The extract produced significant (p<0.01) degree of orthokeratosis compared to control and the drug activity was found to be 70.18%, which is more potent than the standard (57.43%). The extract showed prominent antioxidant activity in all the assays. The present study concludes that the selected plant has antipsoriatic activity and can be used for psoriasis treatment.

91-96

Authors: M.Vijayasanthi*, V.Kannan , R.Venkataswamy2, A.Doss

Plan: Bioactive compounds of leaves of Acacia nilotica Linn. (Malvaceae) have been studied for their antimicrobial activities using disc diffusion assay. Methodology: Four Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli MTCC 2961, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 4676, Klebsiella pneumoniae MTCC 432 and Salmonella typhi MTCC 733), two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) were selected for the study. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the active compounds was evaluated by micro broth dilution method. Outcome: All the active compounds exhibited broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. Alkaloids and Flavonoids were found to be more potent. S. aureus was found to be most susceptible organism followed by E. coli and S.typhi. Our findings confirm that the traditional therapeutic claims for this plant, in near future surely be able to replace the conventional antimicrobial agents to which there is increased incidence of drug interactions and the study suggests that this plant is promising for the development of phytomedicines with antibacterial properties.

104-111

Authors: S. Lakshmi Devi* and Madhu C. Divakar

Plan: A preliminary Pharmacognostical study on the leaves of Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb) R.Br. Methodology: The Wrightia tinctoria (Roxb) R.Br., leaves were collected dried and studied to determine various parameters of Pharmacognosticalstandards such as ash values, extractive values, phytochemical tests and microscopical characters of leaf powder. The shade dried powder and various solvent extracts (viz., methanol, 70% ethanol, aqueous, dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether) have been analyzed for their phytoconstituents and fluorescence characters. The methanolic extract was found to contain presence of triterpenes. Outcome: The data generated for the Pharmacognostical evaluation on Wrightia tinctoria leaves may be useful for establishing the standardization protocols. The HPTLC analysis data indicated that the collectedWrightia tinctoria leaves contain 47.6mg of lupeol/ g of the total methanolic extract.

1-4

Authors: Dr.MK Unnikrishnan

There was a time we could enjoy a train ride in rural India, with its pristine countryside, mostly verdant and fresh with unpolluted air … But not anymore...!! Nothing ruins the landscape as permanently as the indestructible plastic garbage. India, despite its recent rise to a global power, has been notoriously callous towards the upkeep of the environment. Even educated people have no qualms about throwing an empty bottle of mineral water out of the train window. Plastic waste is only the most visible of pollutants; we must not forget that there is much more to environmental pollution than plastic bags and P E T bottles. The hazard is more than what meets the eye, much more than what a person of average education can even guess. Not even the most well-informed citizens are aware of the scale and magnitude of the horrors of environmental pollution. From drinking water to industrial emissions, everything we see around us has been devastated, paradoxically perhaps, by the hands of ‘industrial development’ and the ‘rising standards of living’.

19-25

Authors: Ebrahimi Ammar, Khaniani S Mahmoud, Mansoori Sima

Hemophilia A or factor VIII deficiency is a common X-linked genetic bleeding disorder in humans. FVIII contains a domain sequence organization designated A1-A2–B-A3-C1-C2 which B domain is not necessary in coagulation activity. We constructed a new B-domain deleted FVIIIcDNA and cloned into N-terminal His-tagged expression vector via Gateway technology. This vector transfected into three cell lines: NIH3T3 CHO andHepG2. rFVIII extracted purified and detected with SDS-PAGE and western blot using anti-His-tag and anti FVIII antibodies and rFVIII activity was a measuredusing ST4 kit. The results showed high expression and activity in NIH3T3 andCHO cell lines. B-domain containing glycosylation sites was removed in this construct but some elements were added to enhance expression level of this recombinant rFVIII. As a result of this Diminished glycosylation heterogeneity, B-domain-Truncated and modified variants of FVIII may also be a more suitable precursor for making well-characterized long-acting FVIII variants.

32-37

Authors: S.S.Sudha*, R.Karthic, Naveen, J.Rengaramanujam

Hyperlipidemia is the greatest risk factor of coronary heart disease. The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperlipidemic activity of Spirulina platensis in Triton X-100 inducedHyperlipidemic rats. Spirulina platensis was administered at a dose of0.5gm/day, (p.o) to Triton-induced Hyperlipidemic rats. Fenofibrate is used as reference standard. The statistical analyses were carried out using one wayANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple comparison tests. S.platensis show a significant decrease in the levels of serum cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL and a significant increase in the level of serum HDL at the dose of 0.5gm/day (p.o) against Triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats.Therefore it effectively suppressed the Triton-induced hyperlipidemia in rats, suggesting the potential protective role in Coronary heart disease.

48-56

Authors: AnnyMathew*, Mary Sheeja T.L, Arun Kumar.T, K.Radha

A series of pyrazole analogs of natural piperine were synthesized by removing the basic piperidine moiety from the pipeline nucleus. Piperine upon hydrolysis and oxidation, converted to piperonal and allowed to condense with substituted acetophenone gave chalcone derivative and cyclized finally with thiosemicarbazide to form pyrazole derivatives of piperine. Docking studies were carried out against different targets like Cyclooxygenase, farnesyl transferase receptors. The majority of the synthesized chemical compounds showed a good fit with the active site of all the docked targets.Compound 6a have shown significant anti-inflammatory activity and 6d and 6chave shown significant anticancer activity when compared with standard drugs.