Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2011 in |
A hydrotrope is an organic substance that increases the solubility of surfactants and water insoluble phyto-constituents such as esters, acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, and fats in an aqueous solution. These are amphiphilic substances composed of both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic functional groups. The hydrophobic part of the molecule is benzene substituted polar segment while hydrophilic part; polar segment is an anionic sulfonate group accompanied by a counter ion (i.e., ammonium, calcium, potassium or sodium). Hydrotropes, such as sodium alkyl benzene sulfonates and sodium butyl monoglycol sulfate, were used for the selective extraction of water insoluble phyto-constituents by cell permeabilization. Here disruption of the cellulosic cell wall and disorganization of the phospholipid bilayers by the hydrotrope molecules, then dissolution of the cellular contents, appear to be the mechanism of extraction...
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Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2011 in |
Mutual prodrug is a form of prodrug in which two pharmacologically active agents are attached to each other in such a way that each drug acts as a promoiety/carrier for each other and vice versa. The association may be “synergistic” if the carrier shows the same biological action as that of parent drug or may provide “additional” benefit if it shows new pharmacological action which is lacking in parent drug. The mutual prodrug concept has shown its marked therapeutic gain in case of well-accepted and useful drugs with minor undesirable properties and in those active compounds that suffer from severe limitations, like lack of site specificity, poor bioavailability or lack of particular activity. Now a days Anticancer, cardiovascular, antiviral, antipsychotic and anti-inflammatory drugs are best utilizing the concept of mutual prodrug designing for their better effect. In this paper, we have reviewed mechanism of activation, contribution of mutual prodrug approach in different therapeutic areas and the development in this field during the last few decades including a list of...
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Posted by admin on Mar 1, 2011 in |
Collecting blood from Lab animals is necessary for a wide variety of scientific studies, and there are a number of efficient methods available. It is important to remember that blood collection can stress the animals, and may have an impact on the outcome of research data. Potential adverse affects viz. Hypovolemic shock, anemia, stress, haemorrhage, bruising, thrombosis; infection at the site of needle entry, phlebitis, scarring, and nerve damage should be avoided. It is essential to be able to recognize the clinical signs of shock and to take appropriate action. The purpose of this article is to review the different methods of blood collection, their advantages, limitations, monitoring, restraints, possible adverse effects, their prevention and control in laboratory rodents....
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Posted by admin on Mar 1, 2011 in |
A phytotherapeutic approach to modern drug development can provide many invaluable drugs from traditional medicinal plants. Search for pure phytochemicals as drugs is time consuming and expensive. Numerous plants and polyherbal formulations are used for the treatment of liver diseases. However, in most of the severe cases, the treatments are not satisfactory. Although experimental evaluations were carried out on a good number of these plants and formulations, the studies were mostly incomplete and insufficient. The therapeutic values were tested against a few chemicals-induced subclinical levels of liver damages in rodents. Even common dietary antioxidants can provide such protection from liver damage caused by oxidative mechanisms of toxic chemicals. However, experiments have clearly shown that plants such as Picrorrhiza kurroa, Andrographis paniculata, Eclipta alba, Silibum marianum, Phyllanthus maderaspatensis and Trichopus zeylanicus are sufficiently active against, at least, certain hepatotoxins. Screening plants for antihepatitis activities remains in its infancy. P.kurroa, E. alba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, A. paniculata and P. amarus are likely to be active against Hepatitis B virus. In the case...
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Posted by admin on Mar 1, 2011 in |
The word herb, as used in herbal medicine, is also known as botanical medicine or as Phytotherapy or Phytomedicine which means a plant or plant part is used to make medicine to assist in the healing process during illness and disease. So there are many herbal remedies individually or in combination have been recommended in various medicinal treatises for the cure of different diseases. It contains various phytoconstituents belonging to alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, fixed oils, and carbohydrates. The roots of Pongamia pinnata are good for cleaning foul ulcers, cleaning teeth, strengthening gums and gonorrhoea. The root paste is used for local application in scrofulous enlargement. The fresh bark of Pongamia pinnata is sweet and mucilaginous to taste, soon become bitter and acrid. It is antihelmintic and useful in beri-beri, ophthalmology, dermatopathy, vaginopathy, and ulcers. Leaves of Pongamia pinnata are digestive, laxative, antihelmintic and are good for diarrhea, leprosy, dyspepsia and cough. Flowers are useful to quench dipsia in diabetes and for alleviating vata and kapha. The seeds are antihelmintic,...
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