Beneficial effects of L-arginine against diabetes-induced oxidative stress in gastrointestinal tissues in rats.

Oxidative stress occurs in diabetic patients and experimental models of diabetes. The ability of L-arginine to ameliorate oxidative stress after treatment with alloxan was investigated in rats. Adult male rats were injected intraperitoneally with multiple doses of alloxan to produce experimental oxidative stress characteristic of diabetes mellitus.

Synthesis, characterization and anticonvulsant activity evaluation of some 1,4-dihydropyridines and 3,5-(substituted)oxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-N-[2-(4-sulfamoylphenylamino)-acetyl]-4-(substituted)pyridines.

A series of 3,5-(substituted)oxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(substituted)pyridines (1a-j) were synthesized by Hantzsch method for pyridine synthesis. Treatment with chloroacetyl chloride produced N-(2-chloroacetyl)-3,5-(substituted)oxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(substituted)pyridines (2a-e), which on further treatment with sulfanilamide resulted in 3,5-(substituted)oxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-N-[2-(4-sulfamoylphenylamino)-acetyl]-4-(substituted)pyridines (3a-e). The structures has been established on the basis of spectral (IR, 1H-NMR, mass) and elemental analysis.

Neurosteroids modulate compulsive and persistent behavior in rodents: implications for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Neurosteroids are reported to modulate GABAergic and glutamatergic pathways that then influence serotonin and dopamine, the neurotransmitters implicated in pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor clinically used in OCD is reported to increase the levels of neurosteroids like allopregnanolone, whereas OCD patients exhibit higher plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone 3-sulphate (DHEAS), a neuroactive steroid having opposite effects to that of allopregnanolone. Hence, it was contemplated that neurosteroids may influence obsessive-compulsive behavior.

In situ gelling polymers in ocular drug delivery systems: a review.

The review article aims to highlight the recent developments in various in situ gel-forming polymeric systems that are used to achieve prolonged contact time of drugs with the cornea and increase their ocular bioavailability. These phase-change polymers, which trigger the drug release in response to external stimuli, are the most investigated in controlled drug delivery. The present review summarizes in detail these various polymers, which undergo sol-gel transition due to physical (temperature) or chemical (pH, ions) stimuli when instilled in the eye.

Standardization of the ayurvedic formulation Haridra Khanda using high-performance thin-layer chromatography-densitometry.

The present study aimed to standardize the Ayurvedic preparation Haridra Khanda containing Curcuma longa as a major ingredient. Various physicochemical parameters such as alcohol-soluble extractive, water-soluble extractive, total ash, and acid-insoluble ash were determined according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Microscopic evaluation of the formulation revealed the presence of various diagnostic cell structures of C.

Estimation of berberine in ayurvedic formulations containing Berberis aristata.

A sensitive, simple, rapid, and efficient high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been developed and validated for the analysis of berberine in marketed Ayurvedic formulations containing Berberis aristata DC for regulatory purposes. Chromatography of methanolic extracts of these formulations was performed on silica gel 60 F254 aluminum-backed TLC plates of 0.2 mm layer thickness.

Formulation and evaluation of gelatin micropellets of aceclofenac: effect of process variables on encapsulation efficiency, particle size and drug release.

In the present study aceclofenac-gelatin micropellets were prepared by the cross linking technique using gluteraldehyde as cross linking agent and characterized by X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of drug: polymer ratio, temperature of oil phase, amount of gluteraldehyde and stirring time was studied with respect to entrapment efficiency, micropellet size and drug release characteristics. Spherical micropellets having an entrapment efficiency of 57% to 97% were obtained.

Antibacterial Activity of Barringtonia acutangula against Selected Urinary Tract Pathogens.

Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn belonging to family Barringtoniaceae was investigated to evaluate In vitro antibacterial activity of aqueous, ethanolic, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli the major urinary tract infection causing pathogens were tested by disc diffusion assay method and the minimum inhibitory concentration was evaluated. Ethanol (95%) extract exhibited broader spectrum of inhibition followed by chloroform, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts against the urinary tract pathogens under test.

Optimization of Physical and Nutritional Parameters for Hyaluronidase Production by Streptococcus mitis.

The effect of some physical and nutritional parameters were studied for the optimum production of extracellular enzyme hyaluronidase employing Streptococcus mitis MTCC*2695 by submerged fermentation. The effects of initial pH, incubation temperature and time, inoculum level and age of inoculum were studied. The maximum enzymatic activity was obtained with an initial pH 5.

Antimycotic potential of Crataeva religiosa Hook and Forst against some selected fungal pathogens.

Crataeva religiosa Hook and Forst belonging to family Capparidaceae (Cappaceae) was selected based on its ethnopharmacological uses like diuretic, laxative, lithonotriptic, antirheumatic, antiperiodic, bitter tonic, rubifacient and counterirritant and was investigated to evaluate in vitro antimycotic potential of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanolic and aqueous extracts against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Cryptococcus marinus and Aspergillus niger by disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of C. religiosa extracts were found in the range of 0.

Formulation and evaluation of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride soluble ocular drug insert.

Purpose: An attempt has been made in the present research to formulate soluble ocular inserts of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride to increase residence time and prolong drug release.

Material And Methods: Drug matrices were prepared using natural polymer. Gelatin, a biodegradable polymer, was tried for the first time in the preparation of soluble ocular drug insert matrices.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl)-4-bromo-2-pyrazolines and 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolin-4-ones.

A series of 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl)-2-pyrazolin-4-ones (4a-e) have been synthesized by the oxidation of 1-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-3-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-(4-substituted phenyl)-4-bromo-2-pyrazolines (3a-e) with dimethylsulfoxide. The structure has been established on the basis of spectral data (IR,1H NMR). The synthesized compounds have been screened in vitro for their possible antimicrobial activity.

Synthesis and Antiulcer Activity Studies of 2-(1'-Iminothioimido Substituted)-1'-Substituted Phenylbenzoic acids.

Certain 2-(1'-iminothioimido substituted)-1'-substituted phenybenzoic acids (P(1-9)) were synthesized by reaction of phthalic anhydride with benzotriazole, 2-mercapto benzothiazole and 2-p-amino phenyl benzimidazole, respectively (A(1-3)) followed by imine formation with Schiff bases of thiourea with salicylaldehyde, furfuraldehyde and 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone. Antiulcer activity was evaluated using reduction in total acidity, free acidity and ulcer index as parameters. Compounds P(3), P(6), P(7) and P(9)(100 mg/kg) showed significant (P< 0.

Optimization of some physical and nutritional parameters for the production of hyaluronidase by Streptococcus equi SED 9.

The effects of some physical and nutritional parameters were studied for the optimum production of an extracellular enzyme hyaluronidase employing Streptococcus equi SED 9 by submerged fermentation. The effects of initial pH, incubation temperature and time, inoculum level and age of inoculum were studied. The maximum enzymatic activity was obtained with an initial pH 5.

Leuprolide--a GnRH agonist--prevents restraint stress-induced immunosuppression via sex steroid-independent peripheral mechanism in mice.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and sex steroids are known to modulate the immune system. To find out whether GnRH analogue can be useful to prevent the stress-induced immunosuppression, mice were treated with leuprolide (50 microg/mouse, s.c.

Effect of processing temperature on Eudragit RS PO microsphere characteristics in the solvent evaporation process.

Eudragit RS PO microspheres containing stavudine as a model drug were prepared by the solvent evaporation method using acetone liquid paraffin system. The influence of processing temperature: 10, 30 and 40 degrees C on various parameters like particle shape, size distribution, drug loading, drug polymer interaction and release kinetic were studied. It was found that at lower temperature (10 degrees C) small particles of irregular size, rough and wrinkled surface were formed, whereas higher temperature gradually increases the particle size as well as improves the shape and smoothness of microspheres.

Synthesis, partition coefficients and antibacterial activity of 3'-phenyl (substituted)-6'-aryl-2' (1H)-cis-3',3'a-dihydrospiro [3-H-indole-3,5'-pyrazolo (3',4'-d)-thiazolo-2-(1H)-ones].

Condensation of isatin with primary aryl amines gave a series of Schiff bases (1) which on reaction with thioglycolic acid in 1,4-dioxane afforded the formation of the corresponding 4- thiazolidinones (2). Compound 2 on condensation with substituted benzaldehydes in anhydrous sodium acetate furnished 3-aryl -5'-phenyl (substituted) spiro [3H-indole-3,2'-thiazolidines]-2-(1H), 4'(5'H)-diones (3). The latter (3) on reaction with hydrazine hydrochloride in anhydrous sodium acetate gave 3'-phenyl (substituted) -6'-aryl-2'(1H)-cis-3',3'a-dihydrospiro [3H-indole-3,5'-pyrazolo (3',4'-d)-thiazolo-2-(1H)-ones] (4).

Preparation and in vitro evaluation of ethyl cellulose microspheres containing stavudine by the double emulsion method.

The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate microspheres of stavudine by water-in-oil-in-oil (w/o/o) double emulsion solvent diffusion method using ethyl cellulose and ethyl cellulose in combination with polyvinyl pyrrolidone. A mixed solvent system consisting of acetonitrile and dichloromethane in an 1: 1 ratio and light liquid paraffin was chosen as primary and secondary oil phase, respectively. Span 80 was used as surfactant for stabilizing the secondary oil phase.

Design and evaluation of soluble ocular drug insert for controlled release of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride.

Purpose: Soluble ocular inserts of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride were prepared with the aim of achieving once a day administration.

Design: Drug reservoir was prepared using natural hydrophilic polymer viz. gelatin while rate-controlling membrane was prepared using hydrophobic ethyl cellulose.

Essentiality of central GABAergic neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone for anticonvulsant action of fluoxetine against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in mice.

Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is known to increase the cortical content of allopregnanolone (ALLO) without altering the level of other neurosteroids. In contrast to the proconvulsant effect of many antidepressants, fluoxetine exhibits anticonvulsant effects. The present study was undertaken to examine the role of ALLO in the anticonvulsant action of fluoxetine against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice.

Role of neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone in antipsychotic-like action of olanzapine in rodents.

Olanzapine increases brain allopregnanolone (ALLO) levels sufficiently to modulate neuronal activity by allosterically regulating GABAA receptors. Recently, we reported the antipsychotic-like profile of ALLO in rodents. The present study examined the hypothesis that olanzapine-induced elevation of endogenous neurosteroid ALLO is vital for its neuroleptic-like action.