Reduction of lauric acid content in virgin coconut oil improved plasma lipid profile in high-fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemic mice.

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is claimed to have various health benefits, but favorable effects of its major component (∼50%), lauric acid, are controversial. Therefore, we aimed to reduce lauric acid content (∼30%) in VCO and evaluate its effect compared to VCO and medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), on food intake, bodyweight (BW), lipid profiles, and hepatic histology. Female C57BL/6 mice were treated with different diets for 3 months: control (normal diet), high-fat diet (HF), HF + VCO, HF + MCT, HF + low lauric acid VCO (LLA), and normal diet + LLA (C + LLA).

Mangifera indica fruit extract improves memory impairment, cholinergic dysfunction, and oxidative stress damage in animal model of mild cognitive impairment.

To date, the effective preventive paradigm against mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is required. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether Mangifera indica fruit extract, a substance possessing antioxidant and cognitive enhancing effects, could improve memory impairment, cholinergic dysfunction, and oxidative stress damage in animal model of mild cognitive impairment. Male Wistar rats, weighing 180-200 g, were orally given the extract at doses of 12.

In vivo chondrocyte and transforming growth factor-β1 delivery using the thermosensitive chitosan/starch/β-glycerol phosphate hydrogel.

In present study, the chitosan/starch/β-glycerol phosphate hydrogel was investigated as an effective carrier for chondrocytes and delivery of transforming growth factor-β1. In vitro study indicated that transforming growth factor-β1 was released sustainably for 14 days with its biological activity to stimulate chondrocyte functions, as indicated by the strong expression of type II collagen protein. Subcutaneous implantation to rats revealed the strong expressions of type II collagen and aggrecan messenger ribonucleic acids, and also type II collagen protein was observed in the hydrogel in combination with transforming growth factor-β1 within 2 weeks.

Pesticide use patterns among small-scale farmers: a case study from Phitsanulok, Thailand.

In this study, 130 small-scale farmers were surveyed regarding pesticide use patterns in rural Phitsanulok, northern Thailand using a structured questionnaire administered via personal interviews and an observational checklist of farmer pesticide storage practices. The survey was conducted during December 2007-January 2008. The results indicate pesticides are readily available and widely used in crop production.

Stability studies of saponins in Bacopa monnieri dried ethanolic extracts.

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (Brahmi) is currently used as a drug and food supplement for memory improvement.

Film coating of seeds with Bacillus cereus RS87 spores for early plant growth enhancement.

The plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Bacillus cereus RS87 was previously reported to promote plant growth in various crops in both greenhouse and field trials. To apply as a plant growth promoting agent with practical use, it is essential to ease the burden of routine preparation of a fresh suspension of strain RS87 in laboratory. The objectives of this study were to investigate the feasibility of film-coating seeds with B.

Determination of pseudojujubogenin glycosides from Brahmi based on immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody against bacopaside I.

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (Brahmi) is an Ayurvedic medicinal plant used for centuries as a memory enhancer.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay using polyclonal antibodies against bacopaside I.

Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. (Brahmi) is a medicinal plant used as a memory enhancer in Ayurvedic medicines.

Development and in vitro evaluation of Chitosan-Eudragit RS 30D composite wound dressings.

The purpose of this research was to design and evaluate chitosan-based films intended for wound dressing application. Required properties for successful wound dressing, such as liquid uptake, vapor and oxygen penetration, bioadhesiveness, and film elasticity, were examined. Water uptake and vapor penetration of the films were determined gravimetrically, while oxygen penetration was determined by Winkler's method.

Development and in vitro evaluation of chitosan-Eudragit RS 30D composite wound dressings.

The purpose of this research was to design and evaluate chitosan-based films intended for wound dressing application. Required properties for successful wound dressing, such as liquid uptake, vapor and oxygen penetration, bioadhesiveness, and film elasticity, were examined. Water uptake and vapor penetration of the films were determined gravimetrically, while oxygen penetration was determined by Winkler's method.

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of mucoadhesive properties of alginate/chitosan microparticles containing prednisolone.

This study describes the preparation of mucoadhesive alginate/chitosan microparticles containing prednisolone intended for colon-specific delivery. Two methods have been used for the preparation of the particles: the one-step method is the method in which prednisolone was dispersed within sodium alginate solution and this dispersion was then dropped in a solution containing both calcium chloride and chitosan. The two-step method consisted also of the dispersion of prednisolone in alginate solution and then dropping this dispersion into a solution containing calcium chloride, the particles were then transferred to a chitosan solution.

Development and in vitro evaluation of chitosan-polysaccharides composite wound dressings.

This study focuses on the design and evaluation of chitosan-based films intended for wound dressing application. Films of chitosan and their blends with cornstarch and dextran were developed to improve the films' physical strength. Polypropylene glycol at concentrations of 0.

Freeze-drying of tert-butanol/water cosolvent systems: a case report on formation of a friable freeze-dried powder of tobramycin sulfate.

A case study is presented in which a tert-butanol (TBA)/water cosolvent system was found to be a useful means of producing freeze-dried tobramycin sulfate that readily forms a loose powder upon agitation in a specialized application in which a critical quality attribute is the ability to pour the sterile powder from the vial. Both formulation and processing variables are important in achieving acceptable physical properties of the cake as well as minimizing residual TBA levels. Liquid/liquid phase separation was observed above critical concentrations of both drug and TBA, resulting in a two-layered lyophilized cake with unacceptable appearance, physical properties, and residual TBA levels.