Combinations of polymers can improve the functional properties of microspheres to achieve desired therapeutic goals. Hence, the present study aimed to formulate Prunus armeniaca gum (PAG) and sodium alginate microsphere for sustained drug release. Blended and coated microspheres were prepared using the ionotropic gelation technique. The effect of polymer concentration variation was studied on the structural and functional properties of formulated microspheres. FTIR, XRD, and thermal analysis were performed to characterize the microspheres. All the formulations were well-formed spherical beads having an average diameter from 579.23 ± 07.09 to 657.67 ± 08.74 μm. Microspheres entrapped drugs within the range 65.86 ± 0.26–83.74 ± 0.79%. The pH-dependent swelling index of coated formulations was higher than blended. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of characteristic peaks of entrapped Tramadol hydrochloride showing no drug-polymer interaction. In vitro drug release profile showed sustained release following the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model with an R2 value of 0.9803–0.9966. An acute toxicology study employing the oral route in Swiss albino mice showed no signs of toxicity. It can be inferred from these results that blending PAG with sodium alginate can enhance the stability of alginate microspheres and improve its drug release profile by prolonging the release time.
Seeds of a renowned medicinal plant, giant dodder (Cuscuta reflexa), were assessed to appraise the effect of solvent and extraction technique variation on antioxidants potential. Dodder seed, also called cuscuta seed, has been considered superb tonic in traditional herbal medication for eyes, liver, spleen and kidney. Results show that selected solvent and procedure plays a key role in the composition and activity of extractable material. Three extraction procedures Orbital shaker, Decoction and Ultrasonic assisted extraction and five different solvents n-hexane, ethyl acetate, 100% methanol, 80% methanol and 60% methanol were used to get optimized conditions. Total phenolic and flavonoids content were found maximum in the extracts of aqueous organic system containing 80% methanol in Ultrasonic assisted extraction method but in case of tannins ethyl acetate and Orbital shaker extraction was found more suitable partner. Antioxidant estimation assays showed a little bit variation as DPPH and ABTS exhibited maximum inhibition in 80% methanol and Ultrasonic assisted extraction but 100% methanol was found better for FRAP assay. Decoction results were mostly in between the both Orbital shaker and Ultrasonic assisted extraction. Overall results indicate that coexistence of polar solvents and Ultrasonic assisted extraction gives a better choice for extractability of potent antioxidants from seeds. HPLC analysis confirmed presence of valuable phenolic acids. Pearson’s correlation coefficient reveals a significant relationship between extracted components and antioxidant capacity P< 0.05 or 0.01.
To investigate the possible hepatoprotective potential of Parthenium hysterophorus crude extract (Ph.Cr) against carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-and paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits. Methods: Twenty rabbits were divided into five groups of four rabbits each. Group 1 served as normal control and received normal saline (5 mL/kg). Group 2 received normal saline followed by CCL4 (0.75 mL/kg p.o dose) after 1 h. Groups 3 and 4 received Ph.Cr at doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg po, respectively, for 7 days followed by one dose of CCL4, 2 h after the last extract dose (0.75 mL/kg, sc). Group 5 received silymarin as reference standard at a dose of 100 mg/kg orally for 7 days followed by one dose of CCL4 (0.75 mL/kg, sc), 2 h after the last drug dose. The effect of the extract on potassium (K +)induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejenum was also evaluated. At the end of the study, the animals were sacrificed and their liver architecture examined microscopically. Results: Pre-treatment of rabbits with Ph.Cr reduced ALT, ALP and TB levels (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001) dose dependently. Hepatoprotective data indicate that Ph.Cr markedly reduced CCL4-and paracetamol-induced toxicity by preserving the histological architecture of the liver tissue at near normal. In isolated rabbit jejunum tissue, Ph.Cr relaxed high K + (80 Mm)-induced contractions in a concentration-dependent (0.03-10 mg/mL) manner like that caused by silymarin. Conclusion: In the light of the results obtained, Parthenium hysterophorous possesses hepatoprotective activity against CCL4-and paracetamol-induced hepatic damage, possibly mediated via its antioxidant and Ca ++ antagonist mechanisms.
Objective: To find out the histopathological findings in appendectomy specimens, negative appendectomy rate (NAR) and the association of gender and age groups which underwent negative appendectomies in our set up. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: POF Hospital, Wah Cantt, from Jan to Aug 2017. Methodology: The records of 1050 patients were assessed for the relevant clinical history, age, gender and date of their presentation in hospital. The appendectomy specimens were classified as positive specimens which contained fecoliths, worms, granulomatous inflammation, foreign body reaction, mucocele, or appendiceal tumors. All the data were entered and analyzed in SPSS-21. Results: Among the 1050 patients with suspicion of acute appendicitis, 458 (43.6%) were cases of acute appendicitis followed by acute suppurative appendicitis 100 (9.5%) and fecolith 79 (7.5%) in appendiceal lumen. The negative appendectomy rate was calculated as 248 (23.6%). A significant association of normal appendices was found with female gender (p=0.002) and young age group (p=0.02). Conclusion: Acute appendicitis was the most frequent histopathological finding in our study. The negative appendectomy rate was significantly associated with the females of young age.
Objectives: To analyze patients who underwent intravesical BCG instillation for non-muscle invasive bladder tumor and to determine the frequency of complications after intravesical BCG instillation. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Departments of Urology and General Surgery, Pakistan Ordinance Factories Hospital Wah Cantt from 1st January 2019 till 31st December 2020. Methodology: Fifty patients; Results: The mean age was 57.06±7.93 years. Forty two patients (84%) were male and 8 patients (16%) were female. Four patients (8%) were Ta stage, 34 patients (68%) were Tis stage and 12 patients (24%) were T1 stage. Mean time interval between TURBT and BCG instillation was 28.68±5.07 days, mean number of BCG instillation cycles was 6.80±2.06 days. Ten (20%) patients had urinary tract infection, 19 (38%) patients had bladder TB, 9 (18%) patients had BCG sepsis, 5 (10%) patients had miliary TB, 2 (4%) patients had epidimo-orchitis, 2 (4%) patients developed ophthalmic complications, 1 (2%) patient had polyarthralgia, 1 (2%) patient had septic arthritis and 1 (2%) patient developed spinal Conclusion: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin is most commonly used drug as chemotherapeutic agent for superficial bladder tumors after TURBT. Repeated cycles of BCG i.e. 6-12 cycles have been administered to patients. Previously most of symptoms i.e. LUTS, dysuria, hematuria were being associated with presence of tumor but now many case reports and few studies have associated these symptoms with BCG administration. Keywords: Superficial bladder carcinoma, Intravesical BCG, Lower urinary tract symptoms
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