Neha

Shakhas are important part of the body as they form a part of karmendriyas and the main angas among the sakhas. In ayurved the structure sira is of vital importance, we can see elaborate description about the siras in various classical texts .There are difference in the opinion regarding siras  in different classics. Rakta mokshana is a treatment modality which covers half of shalya treatment of basti in kaya chikitsa Being physicians it is important to know about the siras which are not to be punctured which conducting various surgical procedure to complications. So the study of Avedhya Sira is of importance .There are 700 siras.Among these  98 siras are avedhya. In sakhas  there  4 siras are avedhya 1  Jaldhara  1 urvi 2 Lohitaksha.  Urvi and lohitaksha abhyantara siras while jaladhara is a bahya sira  as the study is undertaken on upper limb the siras can be renamed as Jaldhara 1 Bahvi 1 Lohitaksha. The Classification of blood vessels are based on different criteria in Ayurveda and contemporary science so it is difficult for the exact correlation of sira for, dhamanis or other vessels with vacant space inside to any particular structure such as vein or artery .This study  a” is aimed to identify the Sirās mentioned in avedhya sira sakha of  with comparison to the blood vessels of the extremity .

Constipation is a common problem in all types of ages. Cassia angustifolia (Senna) extracts contain anthranoids that are commonly used for constipation and are well known for their laxative properties. Senna leaves or pods are highly rich with Sennosides content A, B, C & D. These Sennosides are hydroxyanthracene glycosides, which work miraculously as a laxative. In the present study, Senna extract from different vendors with variable strengths of sennosides A&B were procured and the relation between residue on ignition (ROI) with that of metals and sennosides A&B was studied.  The optimized concentration of senna extracts containing different sennosides A&B content were analyzed on HPTLC to determine the ratios of sennosides  A&B  from the total sennosides as well as its relation with residue on ignition (ROI).  Residue on ignition (ROI) was analysed gravimetrically while content of Calcium was calculated by Complexometric method. Iron content was carried out spectrophotometrically and Sennosides A&B content was carried out using HPTLC. The process control of extraction can be monitored on the basis of ROI. Specified Sennosides and ROI value together can be used in quality specification. Batch to batch variation with respect to efficacy can be avoided by determining the fixed quality norms for content of Sennosides, ratio of sennosides A&B, ROI value and content of Calcium.

The aim of the proposed work was to develop stable mucoadhesive in situ (Phenylepherine HCL) thermo-reversible nasal gel by cold technique and evaluated its efficacy against congestion due to allergic rhinitis. By means of hit and trial methodology screened formulations were prepare via numerous thermo-sensitive hydro-Gel (Pluronic F-127, Poloxamer 407) and muco-adhesives (Carbopol 934-P, Polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30, Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), Sodium alginate and methylcellulose) and characterized. Out of 15 formulations; T1, T5, T7, T12 & T14 formulation compositions were selected on the basis of drug released (in-vitro or ex-vivo release found approx. up-to 97.8%) behavior, gelation and mucoadhesive strength. Resulted, drug transformed (crystalline to amorphous) form in gel state was indicated better drug absorption due to its improved physicochemical parameters. Additionally, optimized formulation (T1) histopathology and stability studied has been demonstrated none nasal mucosa damage and stable at storage conditions according to the ICH guidelines respectively. Therefore, the developed optimized thermo-reversible in-situ nasal (T1) gel was showed tremendous local safety action which can be considered to use for allergic nasal congestion and explore, further.

A simple, precise and stability-indicating HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of anti-retroviral drugs Lopinavir and Ritonavir. The separation was achieved on AgilentC8, 150mm* 4.6 ,5µ  column with isocratic flow. The mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.5ml consisted of 0.05M Potassium Dihydrogen Orthophosphate buffer and Acetonitrile: MeOH in the ratio of (80:20).The ratio of buffer: organic is (45:55).The UV detection was carried  out at 210nm. The method was successfully validated in accordance to ICH guidelines. This method was then used to study the stability aspects of both the drugs when subjected to acidic, alkaline, thermal and photo degradation condition.

A new simple, rapid, precise, accurate and specific stability indicating method has been developed for the simultaneous estimation of Niacin (NIA) and Lovastatin (LOVA) in tablet dosage form. A chromatographic column used for separation was (250*4.6mm i.d., 5 mm) C18 (Hyperchrome ODS-BP).The mobile phase was 0.02M Disodium hydrogen Phosphate buffer:Acetonitrile (75:25, pH-5) and UV detection of effluent at 237nm.The flow rate was 1ml/min. The retention times of Niacin and Lovastatin were 3.29 min and 4.75 min, respectively. The range of Linearity for Niacin and Lovastatin were 125-325μg/ml and 5-25 μg/ml respectively. The recoveries of Niacin and Lovastatin were found to be in the range of 99.91-100.42 % and 100.03-100.41% respectively. The optimized RP-HPLC method proved to be specific, accurate and robust for the estimation of Niacin and Lovastatin in tablet dosage form. Stability testing study includes the acid hydrolysis, base hydrolysis, oxidation, thermal degradation, and photolysis.

The objective of this study was to assess the drug utilization pattern and cost analysis among the inpatients of medical intensive care unit (ICU) of NIMS hospital, Jaipur. After taking Ethics permission , records of 356 patients admitted in the medical ICU of a NIMS hospital were noted. Demographic profile, commonly prescribed drugs as per Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) and WHO core indicators were assessed from the records. Out of 356 inpatients, 224(62.9% ) were males . Most of the patients were in the age group of 61-70 for males 51-60 for females. Most commonly prescribed drugs were antibiotics followed by i.v. fluids. The average number of drugs per prescription was 11.99. Out of 4271 drugs prescribed, 1152(26.97%) were prescribed by generic names. Drugs on WHO EML were only 41% while that of NLEM 2011 were 68% . Drugs used as fixed dose combination were 19.26%. Average cost per prescription was INR 1975. Median length of stay was 6 days. Inspite of the fact that respiratory complications are one of the leading cause of death in critically ill patients and rational drug use plays a pivotal role in reverting the condition , there is a lack of pioneer drug utilization studies in this field. This study gives a message to adopt a cost effective and rational use of drug.

Hyponatremia is an electrolyte disturbance in which the sodium ion concentration in the serum is lower than normal. Sodium is the dominant extracellular cation (positive ion) and cannot freely cross from the interstitial space through the cell membrane, into the cell. Its homeostasis (stability of concentration) inside the cell is vital to the normal function of any cell. Normal serum sodium levels are between 135 and 145 mEq/L. Hyponatremia is defined as a serum level of less than 135 mEq/L and is considered severe when the serum level is below 125 mEq/L. In the vast majority of cases, Hyponatremia occurs as a result of excess body water diluting the serum sodium (salt level in the blood).Hyponatremia is often a complication of other medical illnesses in which excess water accumulates in the body at a higher rate than can be excreted (for example in congestive heart failure, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, SIADH, or polydipsia). Sometimes it may be a result of over hydration (drinking too much water).Lack of sodium (salt) is very rarely the cause of Hyponatremia, although it can promote Hyponatremia indirectly. In particular, sodium loss can lead to a state of  volume depletion (loss of blood volume in the body), with volume depletion serving as a signal for the release of ADH (anti-diuretic hormone). As a result of ADH-stimulated water retention (too much water in the body), blood sodium becomes diluted and Hyponatremia results.

Solubility plays a vital role in achieving the therapeutic efficacy of a drug from a dosage form. Advances in molecular screening techniques for identification of potential drug molecules investigated an increased number of new pharmacologically active lipophilic compounds that are poorly water soluble. About 40% of new chemical entities have been discovered as poorly water soluble. Numbers of technical strategies have been investigated for improving bioavailability like solid dispersions, cyclodextrins, micronization, surfactants, nanoparticles, lipids, permeation enhancers etc. It is a great task for pharmaceutical scientist to formulate oral dosage forms of these drug candidates with sufficient bioavailability. Among the various approaches to improve oral bioavailability of these drug candidates, Self- dispersing lipid formulations (SDLF’s) is one of the approaches used to improve the bioavailability of lipophilic drugs. SDLF’s is very broad area which covers Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS), Self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) and Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) as carrier systems that have been developed. This review article covers basics of SDLF’s particularly SMEDDS and recent research updates in SDLF’s i.e. the research carried out and most recent solid SDLF’s.

The love affair of Asian’s with Ling zhi, the Chinese name for Ganoderma lucidum and related species can be traced back over two thousand years. Ganoderma lucidum has been used for a broad spectrum of health benefits from preventive measures and maintenance of health to the regulation or treatment of chronic as well as acute life threatening illness. The present study was done to compare the Aqueous and methanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum for anthelmintic activity and to compare the methanolic and chloroform-acetone extract of Ganoderma lucidum for antibacterial activity. Aqueous extract of mushroom did not show any result for anthelmintic activity, while the methanolic extract (60 mg/ml) was equally effective as standard (Albendazole 20 mg/ml). For antibacterial activity both the methanolic (350 mg/ml) and chloroform-acetone (350 mg/ml) extracts showed effective results, but the results of choloroform-acetone extract were more effective than methanolic extract and standard (Gentamycin 40 mg/ml). Key words: anthelmintic, antibacterial, methanolic extract, aqueous extract.

A Reversed-Phase High Performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cefpodoxime Proxetile in combined tablet dosage form. The analysis was carried out using Phenomenex Luna C – 18, pre-packed column. Mobile phase, containing Acetonitrile: 0.05 M Potassium Dihydrogen Ortho Phosphate Buffer (70:30) pH adjusted to 6.7 with Tri ethyl Amine was pumped at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with UV-detection at 245 nm. Retention time was 3.34 ± 0.01 min and 4.77 ± 0.01 min for Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cefpodoxime Proxetile, respectively. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, and specificity. The method showed good linearity in the range of 30 - 60 μg/ml for Ambroxol Hydrochloride and 50 - 100 μg/ml for Cefpodoxime Proxetile. The detection limit of the proposed method was 4.56 and 12.51 μg/ml and the quantification limit was 13.82 and 37.92 μg/ml for Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cefpodoxime Proxetile, respectively. The % recovery was within the range between 99.57% and 100.27% for Ambroxol Hydrochloride and % recovery was within the range between 99.89% and 100.86% for Cefpodoxime Proxetile. The % R.S.D for precision and accuracy of the method was found to be less than 2%. The method was validated as per the ICH guidelines. The method was successfully applied for routine analysis of Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cefpodoxime Proxetile in combined tablet dosage form.