Norfloxacin (NF) is a synthetic fluoro-quinolone molecule that is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. However, due to its poor aqueous solubility, it has low oral bioavailability. The aim of the present study was to improve the aqueous solubility and dissolution profile of NF by formulating its mixed-solvency based solid dispersions (SDs). The NF-loaded SDs were prepared by a solvent evaporation technique using urea, sodium benzoate and a niacinamide hydrotropic mixture. The prepared SDs were evaluated regarding their solubility, mean particle size, in-vitro drug release and oral bioavailability. The optimized batch showed a high percentage yield of 99.04% , with a mean particle size of 132.91 m. Optimized SDs Exhibit 96.48% drug release. The oral bioavailabilities of NF from the optimized SDs, drug alone and marketed formulation were evaluated in Wistar rats at a dose of 20.0 mg/kg. In comparison to the drug alone, approximately 6.90-and 5.0-fold increases in AUC and C max , respectively, were observed for NF from mixed-solvency based SDs. The superior dissolution rate due to its reduced particle size may have contributed to the increased oral bioavailability. This study demonstrated that mixed-solvency may be an alternative approach for poorly soluble drugs to improve their solubility and oral bioavailability.
The present investigation was carried out to assess the impact of different orchard floor management practices on growth, yield, leaf and soil nutrients in nectarine cv. Snow Queen. The maximum increase in annual shoot growth (65.05 cm), trunk girth (11.17%), tree height (13.25%), tree volume (41.10%), yield (59.59% was recorded under black polythene mulch. Maximum leaf area (31.40 cm2) and total chlorophyll (2.62 mg/g fresh weight) were observed under bicolour polythene mulch. Maximum leaf macro nutrient [N (2.73 %), P (0.22%), K (2.17%), Ca (1.90%), Mg (0.59%), soil nutrient [available N (355.92 kg/ha), P (40.74 kg/ha), K (367.78 kg/ha), exchangeable Ca (2.86 cmol (P+)/kg) and Mg (2.91 cmol (P+) /kg)] and soil organic carbon (2.09%) content were recorded under grass mulch. Black polythene mulch and bicolour polythene mulches are the best orchard floor management options for rainfed areas of Himachal Pradesh.
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