Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2011 in |
Repaglinide is widely used as a hypoglycemic drug for the treatment of chronic type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of the present study was to improve the bioavailability of repaglinide by nasal delivery using degradable starch microspheres. Degradable starch microspheres were prepared by an emulsion polymerization method and formaldehyde was used as a cross linking agent. The formulations were characterized for their encapsulation efficiency, surface morphology, particle size and ex vivo drug release pattern. The relative bioavailability in rats was studied in lead formulations. The repaglinide microspheres formulations showed significant increase in...
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Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2011 in |
The blood- brain barrier (BBB) denies many therapeutic agents access to brain tumors and other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Despite remarkable advances in our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of the brain diseases and the actions of neuroactive agents, drug delivery to the brain remains a challenge. For more than 20 years, extensive efforts have been made to enhance delivery of therapeutic molecules across vascular barriers of the CNS. BBB allows a selective entry of nutrients and minerals across it and limits the entry of foreign substances like drugs as well as neuropharmaceutical agents. This makes the CNS treatment ineffective. The conventional drug delivery systems which release drug into general circulation fail to deliver drugs effectively to brain and is therefore not very useful in treating certain diseases that affect CNS including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, mood disorder, AIDS, viral and bacterial meningitis. The current challenge is to develop drug delivery strategies that will allow the passage of drug molecules through the...
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Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2011 in |
The present study undertaken to predict the three dimensional structure of γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane dehydrochlorinase (linA) in Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26. γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane dehydrochlorinase (linA) catalyzes the initial steps in the biotransformation of the important insecticide γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) by the soil bacterium Sphingomonas paucimobilisUT26. Stereo chemical analysis of the reaction products formed during conversion of γ-HCH by linA was identified from structural database using homology modeling or comparative modeling approach. Based on the knowledge of the template, a three-dimensional model was predicted and processed in to energy minimization, Ramachandran plot analysis, quality assessment and finally deposited into Protein Model...
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Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2011 in |
Learning is the process of acquisition of information and skills, while subsequent retention of that information is called memory. Learning and memory together called as cognition. Also, memory is a process involving encoding, storing, and recalling information. Thus, memory records various facts and events, make it available for further use, and hence can be considered as most valuable health asset. To elucidate the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory could be considered as one of the challenging tasks for neuroscientists. Poor memory, lower retention, and slow recall are common problems in today’s stressful and competitive world, especially with associated ageing process. Furthermore, the drugs currently available in market for the treatment of various learning and memory disorders are associated with several side effects indicating need of substitute medication from alternative system of medicine. On the other hand, several medicinal plants, designated as ‘‘Rasayan Drugs’’ in Ayurveda, are supposed to have specific influence on brain functions, and could be effectively used to treat such disorders without the associated...
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Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2011 in |
The mainly deliberate endocrine product of the pineal gland, melatonin, has been reported to be involved in the feedback between neuroendocrine and immune functions and to exert oncostatic action, at least in certain experimental conditions. Melatonin seems to be a vital part of the immune system, by exerting direct and/or indirect stimulatory effects on both cellular and humoral immunity. Likewise, an antitumor activity of melatonin has been shown in several experimental models in vivo and in vitro. The means by which melatonin exerts its effects on immunity and neoplastic growth have not been elucidated. The different putative mechanisms of action of melatonin investigated so far are at this juncture briefly...
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