Posted by admin on Jun 30, 2018 in |
The first case of middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS) was identified in a mid-aged Saudi Arabian resident in 2012. The syndrome is analogous to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in its clinical course, with a male predominance in incidence. MERS virus is disseminated as a result of close proximity of people to camels, person to person transmission being uncommon and confined to hospital settings. The incubation period usually lasts for 2 – 14 days. MERS-CoV appears to be an enzootic virus, tracing its origin to bats, whereas camels may act as intermediate hosts. Typical flu-like symptoms are observed, which include pyrexia, myalgia, apnoea and cough. Symptoms advance over time leading to multiple organ failure, septic shock and eventually death. Diagnosis can be done with the aid of recombinant IgA and IgG ELISAs, and other specific assays such as upE and real-time Reverse Transcription (rt-RT) PCR assay. Currently, neither an authorized vaccine nor a definitive treatment is available for human use. However, adenosine deaminase, mycophenolic acid (MPA), cyclosporine A, nelfinavir,...
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Posted by admin on May 31, 2018 in |
Natural biodegradable chitosan-sodium alginate polymer combination is a promising candidate for preparing drug-loaded implants because of the availability and inexpensiveness of the polymers over the semi synthetic biodegradable ones. The main objective of this research was to prepare and evaluate a biodegradable implantable system of the drug metoprolol tartrate because it plays an important role in the treatment of high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks and angina. 70:30 and 80:20 chitosan – sodium alginate combination implants of metoprolol tartrate with 15 and 30 minutes exposure time to glutaraldehyde for hardening were prepared. It was observed that loading efficiency and drug release could be influenced by varying polymer ratios, exposure times to glutaraldehyde and excipients. The implant formulated with 25 mg drug load in 70:30 chitosan – sodium alginate ratio with 15 minutes exposure produced the maximum sustained release for 15 days. Therefore, this formulation was chosen for preparing implants containing different excipients and the implants were evaluated for loading efficiency and in-vitro drug release. Morphological characteristics of the implants...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2018 in |
Genus Urtica belongs to family Urticaceae and commonly known by name of nettles. The plant Urtica has been used as a folk medicine and as a food source from a long time. It has been used frequently for its medicinal properties since the Bronze age (3000 – 2000 B.C.) as a traditional herbal remedy in treatment of variety of diseases as rheumatism gouts, nephritis, haematuria, jaundice, menorrhagia, anemia, eczema, arthritis. It has been used for a long time as first-aid remedy in treatment of infirmities in case of bites and stings, burns, hives and breast feeding problems. Phytochemicals evaluation of the plant revealed presence of various chemical compounds like phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, proteins and amino-acids that showed beneficial potential of the plant to get commercially cultivated and get used for the natural drugs and medicine. The plant has been reported to have various pharmacological activities as antioxidants, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-viral, immuno-modulatory, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-colitis and anti-cancer...
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Posted by admin on Jul 31, 2017 in |
Objective: In the present investigation, pharmacognostical, physicochemical characteristics, thin layer chromatography and anthelmintic activity of different extracts of Swertia alata Royle were studied. Methods: Different types of preliminary and phytochemical analysis and quantitative estimation have been done along with HPTLC fingerprinting. Two concentrations (30 mg/mL and 60 mg/mL) of different extracts of S. alata were used for anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma. Results: The microscopic study revealed the presence of lignified vessels and cruciferous stomata. The chemical tests showed the presence of glycosides, saponins, tannins, proteins and steroids. HPTLC fingerprinting of different extracts showed number of spots due to presence of various phytochemical compounds. The results of anthelmentic activity were expressed in terms of time of paralysis and time for death of worms. Piperazine citrate (10mg/mL and 30 mg/mL) was used as a reference standard and normal saline as a control group. Conclusions: These observations will be useful in evaluation of pharmacognostical and phytochemical standards to ensure the purity and quality of this plant. The anthelmintic activity...
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Posted by admin on Feb 28, 2017 in |
The emergence of novel antibiotics against the upsurge of “Superbugs” is a breakthrough health intervention. Daptomycin has gained prominence as a novel antibiotic produced by Streptomyces roseosporus which has demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity in vitro against a wide range of aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. The economic viability and large scale applicability of this high-value secondary metabolite is hampered by its poor production and tedious growth of S.roseosporus. The present study aims at strategic improvement of Daptomycin yield through reusability of the producer strain by its immobilization onto various non-conventional support matrices. Sufficient void volume, permeability, and cost effectiveness prompted the use of ultra porous refractory brick and ceramic foam for the immobilization of S.roseosporus. The surface area and porosity of the materials were characterized by BET surface analysis. Morphological transformations of the microbial cells were observed microscopically over the time. The cell mass adhered to the carrier was determined using SEM. The repeated use of immobilized cells led to...
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