Posted by admin on May 31, 2017 in |
Pharmacological activities have been reported for the fruit, leaf and root extracts of Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni); however, the plant has not been widely studied for its antidyslipidemic effects on obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS). Objective: to evaluate the effects of aqueous M. citrifolia leaf extract on obesity and adipose tissue cell dynamics associated with triacylglycerol and adiponectin levels in Wistar rats with MS. Methodology: four groups of rats were used; control, metabolic syndrome (MS), M. citrifolia (Mc) and M. citrifolia plus sucrose (Mc-Suc). The dose of extract was 200 mg/kg of body weight for 2 weeks. Results: we observed differences in the weights of abdominal fat between the Mc and MS groups. The Mc-Suc and Mc groups showed significantly lower triacylglycerol concentrations than the MS group. Moreover, the adiponectin serum concentrations were higher in control, Mc-Suc and Mc groups than in the MS group. Finally, the MS group showed an increase in the percentage of fat cells with areas between 1001 and 1501 µm2 compared with the Mc...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2017 in |
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the main causes of death from an infectious disease till date. Recent data shows that currently 9.6 million people are infected with TB. Over 95% of TB deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries and it is among the top 5 causes of death for women aged 15 to 44. TB is a leading killer of HIV-positive people and around 1 in 3HIV deaths was due to TB. Furthermore, multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB and extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-TB is spreading and poses a major threat to progress in global TB control program. The emergence of drug resistant TB strains makes the invention of new molecular scaffold a priority. One of the possible strategies to overcome drug resistance in an economic and simple manner would involve re-engineering and repositioning of some old drugs to obtain derivatives that can work on resistant TB bacilli. These may have enhanced bioavailability, be more effective, and serve as cost-effective substitutes, as compared to new drugs identified through conventional methods of drug discovery and development....
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2017 in |
Liposomes have been established as a promising novel drug delivery vehicle in several different basic sciences. Liposomes are microscopic spheres with an aqueous core surrounded by one or more outer shells consisting of lipids arranged in a bilayer configuration. Liposomes are acceptable superior carriers having ability to encapsulate hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and protect them from degradation. It also has affinity to keratin of horny layer of skin and can penetrate deeper into skin and hence give better absorption. Liposomes may act as a solublizing matrix for poorly soluble drugs and penetration enhancer when applied on the skin as well as local depot at the same time diminishing the side effects of these drugs. Topical liposome formulations could be more effective and less toxic than conventional formulations. The liposome gel formulations could perform therapeutically better effects than the conventional formulations, as prolonged and controlled release topical dosage forms, may lead to improved efficiency and better patient...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2017 in |
The purpose of the current investigation was to ameliorate the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of an anti diabetic drug Glimepiride by cyclodextrin ternary complexes employing aminoacids. Initially, Glimepiride (GMP) binary complexes with β-Cyclodextrin (βCD) and Hydroxy propyl β-Cyclodextrin (HPβCD) were formulated by physical mixing, kneading, solvent evaporation and spray drying techniques which was followed by ternary complex preparation of selected GMP-Cyclodextrin binary complex employing various aminoacids by kneading method. The kneading method was used in preparing ternary complexes of GMP, because it was proved to be the best method comparatively in yielding promising binary complexes of glimepiride in the initial stage of this study. GMP formed 1:1 M stoichiometric binary and ternary inclusion complexes as demonstrated by the AL-type of phase solubility curve. An increment in the stability constant value (Kc) of GMP- βCD/HPβCD complex in the presence of aminoacids conceded higher complexation competency. FTIR and DSC studies evidenced the perfect inclusion complex formation. Ternary complexes ameliorated drug dissolution compared with GMP and GMP-βCD. The ternary complex containg...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2017 in |
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic effects and motor coordination activity of Huperzine-A in rats. Wistar rats were treated orally with Huperzine-A (0.5, 1, 2 & 4 mg/kg) and diazepam (2 mg/kg p.o) as a standard anxiolytic drug then exposed to Elevated plus Maze (EPM) and Light Dark Box (LDB). The effects of the Huperzine-A on motor coordination were evaluated by actophotometer test. The rats treated with Huperzine-A drug (2mg/kg and 4mg/kg) showed significant increase in the percentage of entries and time spent in open arms of EPM, which is thought to reflect anxiolytic-like effects. Furthermore, Huperzine-A extracts (1, 2 & 4 mg/kg) significantly increased the percentage of time spent and number of transitions in the Light box in LDB test, indicating the anxiolytic effects of the substance. This anxiolytic effect of the huperzine-A was comparable to that of the diazepam, taken as standard. Also the Huperzine-A (2 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg) showed significant alteration in motor coordination compared to that of normal control...
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