Dr. Ashok D.B. Vaidya, the stalwart in the fields of Experimental Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology, and Reverse Pharmacology turns 75 on Nov, 27, 2011. A former Clinical Research Head of CIBA Geigy Research Centre, his name has been synonymous with the concept of the Golden Triangle for resurgence of Ayurveda and its reinterpretation in modern scientific terms. At a time when most fields are populated by intellectual dwarfs and unethical operators, he stands like a giant–a scientist, a philosopher, and an ardent fighter for ethical values. In this free-wheeling interview with Ravindra R.Pandharinath, he discusses the milestones in his life, his inspirations, and dreams for the confluence of modern science, modern medicine, and Ayurveda as the new health care model for the 21st century
Background: Bioenhancers are agents when combined with an active drug lead to potentiate the pharmacological effect of the drug but themselves are not having any therapeutic effect. Recent development in bioavailability enhancement of drugs by herbal compounds has produced a new shift in the way of therapeutics. Bioenhancers improve permeability and influence bioavailability of the drug for therapeutic efficacy which may result into decrease in dose ensuring therapeutic availability. The major problems associated with the anti-TB drug therapy include loss of efficacy through bacterial resistance, side effects, and low patient compliance. In the cited research work, we have attempted to solve the above mentioned problems by simultaneous use of both the concepts of microsphere drug delivery (higher bioavailability) and herbal bioenhancers (improved bioavailability).Methods & Materials: Methods: Complex coacervation and modified emulsion method.Material: Isoniazid and rifampicin as a model drug used in TB therapy. Hydro-alcoholic extracts of Carum carvi and Ocimum sanctum were used as bioenhancer.Results: The in-vitro drug release of isoniazid and rifampicin from formulations where bioenhancer extract is used was found to be about 85-90% in 12 hrs. While the same was about 45-50% in case of formulations where bioenhancers were not used. Other parameters like percentage bioadhesion, permeability study using intestinal sac method etc. were also studied.Conclusion: For microspheres prepared by both complex coacervation and modified emulsion methos, the particle size was uniform and found to be less than 130 micron in size; the particle size may alter on addition of bioenhancer extract to the formulations. The drug encapsulation efficiency was found to be in the range of 43-67% (increased on addition of bioenhancer in the formulations). The percentage bioadhesion of the microsphere where bioenhancers were used found to increase by 20% as compared to basal value (upto 67% from 42%). The in-vitro release study by USP paddle apparatus and the most important results from the in-vitro release study relates to the very significant enhancement in drug release (45 to 90% for microspheres prepared by modified emul-sion method and 47 to 90% complex coacervation method), due to presence of bioenhancers alone and in combination.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.