Design and Fabrication of a New MHD Micropump for Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion to Thalassemia Major Patients

Background: In recent decades, reducing the size of the drug delivery systems along with precise control of the amount of drug pumped, has attracted the attention of many researchers. Objectives: The slow subcutaneous infusion of the deferoxamine in thalassemia major patients during day is of vital importance either for the drug effectiveness. However, this is difficult to achieve due to the large size of the conventional infusion pumps and their high weight. Therefore, size and weight reduction of the infusion pumps are very important issues that must be well addressed. Methods: A biomedical micropump for drug solution infusion to human body based on the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) concept is and designed, and its performance experimentally is investigated in this research. The key challenge in the fabrication of the micropump is its size, weight, bubble generation, and high operating voltage. Results: The present design is well responded to these problems. The final design operates with a 1.2 v without any bubble generation, while its size and weight are 20 × 40 × 50 mm3 and 90 grams, respectively. The size of the micropump is about 1/3 size of conventional micropump, while its weight is half of them. Conclusions: Therefore, the newly designed micropump has the ability to inject the drug solution to thalassemia major patients with a sufficient infusion rate during the day without disturbing them, so it can increase their quality of life and increase their life expectancy.

Inter-group Transfer of Anti-alcoholic Effect of Nux vomica 200 CH through the Body of a Live Toad

Background: A homeopathic potency is usually given to the nursing mother for the treatment of her baby. Potencies above 12 CH cross the Avogadro number and are, therefore, too dilute to contain any original drug molecules. A potency is thought to be specifically structured water carrying the imprint of original drug molecules. It may convert the water structure in the body of the mother and through her milk reach the suckling baby. Using a toad model we have recently demonstrated that the antialcoholic effect of Nux vomica 200 CH could be transferred from one group of toads to another through capillary water which carries the information of Nux vomica. Homeopathic potencies show UV spectra distinct from its diluent medium of aquous ethanol. Does a potency remain effective even after passage through a living body? Objectives: To demonstrate that a potency effect can be transferred through the body of a live toad to other groups of toads connected through water to the live toad. Further, we want to see whether the UV spectra of drug solution and of water connected to the drug are similar in nature. Methods: A live toad was held vertically with one hind limb dipped in Nux vomica 200 CH solution in a beaker and another limb in distilled water in another beaker. The second beaker was connected by wet cotton threads encased in polythene tubes to 5 beakers, each of which contained adult toads in distilled water. A batch of toads was directly treated with Nux vomica 200 CH. An equal number of toads in distilled water served as the untreated control. After 30 min the control and the two batches of treated toads were kept separately in 209 mM ethanol solution. Toads, that stopped movement, were placed in supine position on a dry surface. Failure to assume a normal sitting posture within a cutoff time of 60 sec was regarded as loss of righting reflex (RR). The experiment was replicated using large number of toads. UV spectra of Nux vomica 200 CH solution and of water before and after connection with the drug were obtained. Results: The percentage of toads losing RR in the three groups of toads increased with time of exposure to 209 mM ethanol solution. The loss of RR was significantly delayed with the direct treatment group ( P < 0.001, chi square test) and the connected groups ( P < 0.01 , χ2 test ) as compared to the control. The two former groups did not differ from each other significantly. UV spectra of Nux vomica 200 CH solution were similar to that of water connected to the drug solution. Conclusion: The antialcoholic effect of Nux vomica 200 CH could be transferred through the body of a live toad to other groups of toads. The drug did not undergo denaturation during its passage through the living body. That water carries the information of original drug is further evidenced by the spectral properties of water connected to the drug solution through capillary water.

Utility of bilateral superficial cervical plexus block in thyroidectomy patients for post-operative analgesia

Background: Thyroidectomy is painful procedure hence multimodal analgesia is required. Superficial cervical plexus block can be used for analgesia in thyroid surgeries. USG guided cervical plexus block administration is safe and latest technique as a part of multimodal analgesia for thyroid surgery.Methods: After obtaining consent 60 ASA grade I-II adult patients undergoing elective thyroid surgery were included and randomly divided into two groups (group B)-0.25% bupivacaine and (group S)-normal saline. Induction and maintenance under general anesthesia carried out as per standard protocol. After Induction USG guided block was administered with the drug solution as per allocated group. After surgery, patients were extubated and shifted to recovery room. Vital parameters were monitored. Patients were asked about their pain based on the 11-point numerical rating scales (NRS) score. The NRS score and other variables were documented at 3rd hour, 6th hour, 12th hour, and 24th hour at wards after the end of surgery. Time since the end of surgery to the first analgesia request was documented together with total analgesia consumed in the first 24 hours. If NRS score was ≥4 inj. Tramadol iv in incremental doses of 25 mg was given until pain relieved.Results: Time to first dose of analgesia was higher in group B compared to group S. Total analgesic dose of tramadol during first 24 hours was lower in group B compared to group SConclusions: bilateral superficial cervical plexus block can be used as a part of multi-modal analgesia in patients of thyroidectoy.

Optimization and Development of Selective Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (MPT0B291)-Loaded Albumin Nanoparticles for Anticancer Therapy

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have emerged as a new class of antitumor agent for various types of tumors. MPT0B291, a novel selective inhibitor of HDAC6, demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity in various human cancer cell types. However, MPT0B291 has very low water solubility, which limits its clinical use for cancer therapy. In the current study, MPT0B291 was encapsulated in human serum albumin (HSA), and its anticancer activities were investigated. Nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using two-stage emulsification resulting in 100~200-nm NPs with a fine size distribution (polydispersity index of <0.3). The in vitro drug release profiles of MPT0B291-loaded HSA NPs presented sustained-release properties. The cytotoxic effect on MIA PaCa-2 human pancreatic carcinoma cells was found to be similar to MPT0B291-loaded HSA NPs and the free-drug group. The albumin-based formulation provided a higher maximum tolerated dose than that of a drug solution with reduced toxicity toward normal cells. Furthermore, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated an effective increase (5~8-fold) in the bioavailability of NPs containing MPT0B291 loaded in HSA compared to the free-drug solution with an extended circulation time (t1/2) leading to significantly enhanced efficacy of anticancer treatment.

Synthesis, Characterization, In-Vitro and In-Vivo Evaluation of Ketorolac Tromethamine-Loaded Hydrogels of Glutamic Acid as Controlled Release Carrier

Glutamic acid-co-poly(acrylic acid) (GAcPAAc) hydrogels were prepared by the free radical polymerization technique using glutamic acid (GA) as a polymer, acrylic acid (AAc) as a monomer, ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker, and ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator. Increase in gel fraction was observed with the increasing concentration of glutamic acid, acrylic acid, and ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate. High percent porosity was indicated by developed hydrogels with the increase in the concentration of glutamic acid and acrylic acid, while a decrease was seen with the increasing concentration of EGDMA, respectively. Maximum swelling and drug release was exhibited at high pH 7.4 compared to low pH 1.2 by the newly synthesized hydrogels. Similarly, both swelling and drug release increased with the increasing concentration of glutamic acid and acrylic acid and decreased with the increase in ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate concentration. The drug release was considered as non-Fickian transport and partially controlled by viscoelastic relaxation of hydrogel. In-vivo study revealed that the AUC0–∞ of fabricated hydrogels significantly increased compared to the drug solution and commercial product Keten. Hence, the results indicated that the developed hydrogels could be used as a suitable carrier for controlled drug delivery.

Nose to Brain Delivery of Phenytoin Sodium Loaded Nano Lipid Carriers: Formulation, Drug Release, Permeation and In Vivo Pharmacokinetic Studies

An acute epileptic seizure is a seizure emergency fatal condition that requires immediate medical attention. IV phenytoin sodium remains the second line therapeutic agent for the immediate treatment of status epilepticus. Phenytoin sodium formulated as nanolipid carriers (NLCs) seems to be promising as an intranasal delivery system for controlling acute seizures. Three different nanosized phenytoin sodium loaded NLCs (<50 nm, 50–100 nm and >100 nm) were prepared by melt emulsification and was further characterised. In vitro drug release studies showed immediate drug release from phenytoin sodium loaded NLCs of <50 nm size, which is highly essential for acute seizure control. The ex vivo permeation study indicated greater permeation from <50 nm sized NLC through the olfactory epithelium compared to thecontrol drug solution. Invivo pharmacokinetic studies revealed higher drug concentration in CSF/brain within 5 min upon intranasal administration of <50 nm sized phenytoin sodium NLCs than the control drug solution and marketed IV phenytoin sodium, indicating direct and rapid nose to brain drug transport through the olfactory epithelium. The study has shown that formulation strategies can enhance olfactory uptake, and phenytoin sodium NLCs of desired particle sizes (<50 nm) offer promising potential for nose to brain direct delivery of phenytoin sodium in treating acute epileptic seizures.

PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN POLIETILEN GLIKOL 6000 PADA TABLET IBUPROFEN DISPERSI PADAT TERHADAP ABSORBSI IBUPROFEN SECARA IN SITU

Drug absorption can be decided by various methods, namely in vitro methods, in situ methods, and in vivo methods. The in situ method is a procedure that is very close to the in vivo method. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of accumulation of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) on solid dispersion of ibuprofen tablets on the in-situ absorption of the drug. This research was conducted through an experiment to determine the effect of adding polyethylene glycol 6000 to the absorption of ibuprofen in situ by flowing the solution from solid dispersion ibuprofen tablets, solutions from generic ibuprofen tablets and standard ibuprofen solutions. The solid dispersion system was carried out by melting ibuprofen and polyethylene glycol 6000 in a ratio of 1:05. The drug solution was flowed through the lumen of the small intestine of male rats. Unabsorbed ibuprofen was measured by an ultraviolet spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 225.5 nm. Next, the absorbed level of ibuprofen was calculated. The results showed that ibuprofen from solid dispersion tablets was absorbed more than ibuprofen from generic tablets and standard ibuprofen. It can be concluded that polyethylene glycol 6000 has an effect on the absorption of ibuprofen in situ.

SYNTHESIS OF NEW LEVOFLOXACIN SELECTIVE MEMBRANE SENSOR BASED ON MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMERS.

Two molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) membranes for Levofloxacin (LEV) were prepared based on PVC matrix. The imprinted polymers were prepared by polymerization of styrene (STY) as monomer, N,N methylene di acrylamide as a cross linker ,benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as an initiator and levofloxacin as a template. Di methyl adepate (DMA) and acetophenone (AOPH) were used as plasticizers , the molecular imprinted membranes and the non molecular imprinted membranes were prepared. The slopes and detection limits of the liquid electrodes ranged from -21.96 – -19.38 mV/decade and 2×10-4M- 4×10-4M, and Its response time was around 1 minute, respectively. The liquid electrodes were packed with 0.1 M standard drug solution and its response were stable at pH ranges from 1.0 to 11.0 and with good selectivity for more than several type. The electrodes produced have been successfully applied in preparation of the pharmaceutical sample for the determination of the analyte without any time consuming pretreatment steps.

Production of Ecologically Safe Products When Processing Plants with a Preparation Based on Biohumus

Biohumus-based preparations are widespread in agricultural production due to the high content of nutrients for plants, which improve their growth and development and, as a result, productivity. GTK indicates sufficient moisture during the growing season, but, given the nature of precipitation, in certain periods, pea plants that are sensitive to moisture, experience a lack of it in the soil and atmospheric air. The research was carried out in the farm Belousov I.V. of Starozhilovsky district. The area of plots is 40 m2. Water for the preparation of the drug solution was taken from a pond located 20 m from the pea field. The object of the study is the seed pea (Pisumsativum), which belongs to the Fabaceae family, the genus Pisum, which forms nodules on metamorphosed roots. As a result, there is a different intensity of nutrient and water consumption in ontogenesis. Watering and spraying pea plants with Humistar preparation made it possible to reliably prove high agronomic and economic efficiency in option 2: activation of enzymes, an increase in the mass of nodules on roots to 69 mg/plant, an improvement in growth to 57 cm and plant development by 5–15 days, an increase in peas yield up to 27,7 dt/ha, accumulation of dry matter in seeds up to 59 g and an increase in the level of profitability up to 80,7%.

Nanoparticle characterization of HOMOEO AGROCARE (Agro Homeopathic Drug) by HRTEM and EDS analysis

Background: Use of Homeopathy as a therapeutic tool is still very nascent in plant science and agriculture. Therapies used for plant growth and diseases are not relevant for plants alone, but they also drastically influence the ecosystem of the organic world too. Use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers was a boon during the initial phase of green revolution around the world. Unfortunately, later they became the major reason of chronic illnesses like cancers and a cause for soil degradation all over. Current scenario demands the use of alternative models in agricultural practices in-order to prevent diseases and to maintain the health status of the population. This is also very important to get rid of the damages done to the soil. Aims: Present study aimed at analyzing the material content of the agro homeopathic drug, ‘Homeo agrocare’. Methdology: High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) and Energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) was used to evaluate the material content of the drug. Results: (1) the drug solution contains plenty of nanoparticles (NPs). (2) the size of NPs ranges between 4.99nm - 120nm. (3) Twenty elements were identified in the fields studied. Conclusion: Study conclusively proved the presence of NPs of the original drug materials used in the ‘Homoeo agrocare’ drug solution. The presence of NPs of the original drug substances suggest that the drug action of ‘Homoeo agrocare’ in plants is due to the epigenetic modifications initiated by the NPs in the plant genetics.