DARU, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume:11 Issue: 1, Spring 2003

Abstract: Mixtures of food colorants, containing new coccine, ponceaue 6R and scarlet GN were simultaneously analyzed by spectrophotometry without previous chemical separation. Sixty mixtures of colorants with three-components were evaluated and the spectrograms were smoothed through the use of seven experimental points. The multivariate data consisted of normal, first- and second-derivative absorbance spectra (∆λ=5 nm) registered from 300-650 nm. The data obtained from experiments were processed by PLS method and the proposed method was applied satisfactorily for determination of these colorants in two commercial food products.

Abstract: The characteristics of ethylcellulose matrices prepared from solid dispersion systems were compared with those prepared from physical mixture of drug and polymer. Sodium diclofenac was used as a model drug and the effect of the drug:polymer ratio and the method of matrix production on tablet crushing strength, friability, drug release profile and drug release mechanism were evaluated. The results showed that increasing the polymer content in matrices increased the crushing strengths of tablets. However the friability of tablets was independent of polymer content. Drug release rate was greatly affected by the amount of polymer in the matrices and considerable decrease in release rate was observed by increasing the polymer content. It was also found that the type of mixture used for matrix production had great influence on the tablet crushing strength and drug release rate. Matrices prepared from physical mixtures of drug and polymer was harder than those prepared from solid dispersion systems, but their release rates were considerably faster. This phenomenon was attributed to the encapsulation of drug particles by polymer in matrices prepared from solid dispersion system which caused a great delay in diffusion of the drug through polymer and made diffusion as a rate retarding process in drug release mechanism.

Abstract: The pharmacokinetic parameters and bioavailability of diltiazem following a single oral administration of a generic diltiazem 60 mg tablet (Sobhan Pharmaceuticals, Iran) were compared to those of a reference product (Entrydil, Orion Pharmaceuticals, Finland). Twelve healthy male volunteers received a single oral dose of either formulation following overnight fasting in a double blind, randomized, crossover study. Blood samples were collected at selected times during 24 h and diltiazem plasma concentrations were determined with a sensitive HPLC method. Individual pharmacokinetic parameters, t1/2, t1/2(abs), K, Ka, Tmax, Cmax, Vd/F, Cl/F, AUC0-24 and AUC0-∞ were calculated. No significant differences were observed in pharmacokinetic parameters between two formulations. The 90% confidence intervals for the test/reference geometric mean ratios of Cmax, AUC0-24 AUC0-∞ and Cmax/AUC0-∞ were within the conventional bioequivalence range of 0.8 - 1.25. In-vitro parameters of mean dissolution time (MDT) and time for 70 % dissolution (T70) were also determined. There was a significant difference between the MDT for two dosage forms (p<0.0001). It was concluded that despite of a higher dissolution rate, the test product of diltiazem is bioequivalent to the reference product with respect to the rate and extent of absorption.

Abstract: Non-healing foot ulcers in patients with diabetes are the leading causes of complications such as infection and amputation. Ulceration is the most common single precursor to amputation and has been identified as a causative factor in 85% of lower extremity amputations. It seems that poor outcomes are generally associated with infection, peripheral vascular disease and wounds of increasing depth. Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker that is mainly used for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders has recently been used to treat wounds caused by peripheral vascular disorders. In present study topical Nifedipine 3% has been used to treat skin wounds in normal and diabetic rats. Effects of Nifedipine were evaluated in three different phases of wound healing process. In both experiments (normal and diabetic rats) topical Nifedipine significantly improved inflammatory phase. However, maturation phase was only significantly improved in diabetic rats. Nifedipine did not affect proliferation phase in either group significantly. Overall results of this study showed topical Nifedipine improved skin wound healing process in normal and diabetic rats.

Abstract: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a prevalent and complicated disorder and its management is directed toward treatment of symptoms. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of three herbal preparations in the management of RAS. One hundred and one out of 115 patients with minor aphthae were selected and randomly divided into four groups. Groups A, B and C received topical preparations of Zataria multiflora, Anthemis nobilis and a 50 % (v/v) mixture of Zataria multiflora and Anthemis nobilis respectively. Groups D (positive control) received Myrthus communis (Myrtle, mouth rinse), which reported to be efficient in the management of RAS. The time of pain elimination and the duration of the thorough healing were recorded. Mean time of pain elimination showed significant differences (p<0.01) between groups A (3.00±1.14 day), C (3.08±1.84 days) and D (4.30±2.12 days) with group B (5.20±3.11 days). The mean duration of healing also showed significant differences (p<0.03) between groups A (6.00±2.80 days), C (6.70±2.70 days) and D (7.60±3.10 days) with B (8.70±3.90 days). No significant differences were observed between groups A and C with group D (positive control). The result obtained for treatment with Z. multiflora (group A) was similar to that of group C, but better than M. communis (group D). Findings of this study revealed that Z. multiflora extract showed better effects than M. communis which is reported to be effective in the treatment of RAS. It is concluded that the Z. Multiflora extract is an effective product for the management of minor aphthae.

Abstract: Antimicrobial and biological activity of leaves, stems and roots of Daphne mucronata Royle collected from abadeh in Fars province on June and September (2000) were studied. Antimicrobial and antifungal activity of the ethanolic extract of leave and stem of the plant were evaluated against four species of gram positive and gram negative bacteria and two fungi. They were active against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and the effect on gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) was mostly in ethanolic extract of the roots of plant. The leaves and stems extract of the plant had no effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa even at high concentration. Antifungal activity was not observed in any part of the plant. Biological activity of the ethanolic extract of different parts of the plant was studied using Artemia salina (brine shrimp). LD50 values were determined in mg/ml. The most toxic effect was due to methanolic extract of leaves collected on September (LD50=403 mg/ml).

Abstract: Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Boraginaceae) is an endemic Iranian plant, that its dry violet–blue petals has long been used in traditional medicine of Iran. The chemical composition of the volatile fraction of the dried petals of this plant which was isolated by steam distillation extraction with pentane (in yield of 0.05%) was examined by GC-MS. The constituents were identified by their mass spectra and Kovats’ indices. The major components except aliphatic alkanes which belong to sesquiterpenes were: δ-cadinene (24.25%), viridiflorol (4.9%), α-muurolene (4.52%), ledene (3.8%), α-calacorene (3.04%), and γ-cadinene (2.9%).

Abstract: The H6H gene for hyoscyamine 6b-hydroxylase, which converts hyoscyamine to scopolamine, was isolated from H. niger and H. tenuicaulis. The roots of 14 days sterile seedlings were transferred to a modified liquid B5 medium containing 1mM indolebutyric acid, and after appearance of the lateral roots, subcultured in a free hormone medium. Following a week, the total cellular RNA of the roots was extracted. cDNA of H6H gene was synthetized by RT-PCR, favored gene was amplified by the PCR.

Abstract: U-937, a monocytic cell line was induced with Phorbol Myristate Acetate (PMA) for human tumor necrosis factor alpha (hTNF-α) production. An optimized RT-PCR was employed for construction of hTNF-α complementary DNA (cDNA). The resulted fragment was verified by restriction digestion mapping with PvuII.The verified fragment was cloned in pUC18 plasmid and transformants were pelletted onto LB agar medium containing ampicillin, X-gal and IPTG. The resulting white colonies were verified by PCR and cultured in LB medium containing ampicillin and IPTG. The biological activity and the quantity of hTNF-α expression was assessed by an ELISA method using a monoclonal anti hTNF-α antibody together with a bioassay utilizing L-929 line as sensitive cells.

Abstract: The hydrodistilled oil from crushed dry fruits of Prangos asperula Boiss. subsp. haussknechtii (Boiss.) Herrnst. et Heyn which is grown wildly in Iran was analyzed by GC/MS for the first time. Fifty-two constituents were identified of which d-3-carene (16.1%), b-phellandrene (14.7%), a-pinene (10.5%), a-humulene (7.8%), germacrene-D (5.4%), d-cadinene (4.2%) and terpinolene (4.0%) were found to be the major components of the oil.