June 2012

Govt. of Himachal Pradesh took up initiative in early seventies to set up a CSIR lab to make prudential use of the natural resources of the region.

About Authors:
Garima Gupta*, Amit Singh
Department of Pharmaceutics,
R.V. Northland Institute,
Greater Noida, G. B. Nagar, U.P.
*Garima189@gmail.com

Abstract:
Technological attempts have been made in the research and development of rate-controlled oral drug delivery systems to overcome physiological adversities, such as short gastric residence times (GRT) and unpredictable gastric emptying times (GET). Conventional oral dosage forms pose low bioavailability problems due to their rapid gastric transition from stomach, especially in case of drugs which are less soluble at alkaline pH of intestine. Similarly, drugs which produce their local action in stomach get rapidly emptied and do not get enough residence time in stomach. So, frequency of dose administration in such cases is increased. To avoid this problem, various efforts have been made to prolong the retention time of drug delivery system. In this review, we will discuss about the various approaches to produce gastro retention of drug delivery system, with current & recent developments of Stomach Specific floating drug delivery system.

Department of Ayurveda, Himachal Pradesh invites application for the following posts :

Ayurvedic Pharmacist : 33 posts (UR-17, SC-8, ST-2, OBC-6),

Banaras Hindu University ranks among the first few in the country in the field of academic and research output.

Advertisement for Engagement of Retired Paramedical Staff The Medical Superintendent invites application only from retired staff (State/ Central/ESIC/Quasi Govt./Municipal Body/ Defense) for the following post:-

Post: Pharmacist

About Authors:
Raj Mukherjee^*, Koyel Sen, Dr. Ketousetuo Kuotsu^**
* Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University.
** Assistant Professor,
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology,
Jadavpur University.
* rajmukhrje@gmail.com

Abstract:
“Paclitaxel” is a potent mitotic inhibitor acting as anti-neoplastic agent, obtained as complex diterpins, termed “Taxanes” from the barks of Taxus breufolia (Pacific Yew). The oral bioavailability of the drug varies around 6-7% and has a strong protein binding capacity altering between 89% - 98%. Most of these drugs have a central role in metastatic ovarian and breast carcinoma, along with advanced head and neck cancer, small cell lung cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma, hormone refractory prostate cancer, Kaposi’s Sarcoma and also in the prevention of recurrent narrowing of Coronary Stents. Paclitaxel mainly functions by improvising enhanced stabilization of microtubule polymers during cell division and binds specifically to the beta-tubulin subunits, thus antagonizing disassembly of the key cytoskeletal protein, producing abnormal arrays of microtubules throughout the cell cycle.  Due to the poor aqueous solubility there is a need for the development of alternative formulations of paclitaxel with improved solubility and at the same time devoid of major toxic effects. Various approaches employed so far include cosolvents, emulsions, micelles, liposomes, microsphere nanoparticles, cyclodextrins, pastes, and implants. All these formulations have been prepared with specific aims to enhance bio-stability and  reduce the basic toxic effects of Paclitaxel including low blood count, hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, anthralgias , myalgias, nausea, vommiting,  mouth sores and various hypersensitivity reactions . The drug undergoes extensive CYP-mediated hepatic metabolism (majorly CYP2C8 with specific contributions from CYP3A4), and not more than 10% of a unit dose is excreted in the urine intact. We have tried to answer the probable mechanisms of Paclitaxel and how it can be made more bio-available in order to enhance its anti-cancer activities. Our review revealed the active ingredients that are co-administered with paclitaxel did not improve its functions but blocked the pathways that decreased the function of paclitaxel, since P-glycoproteins itself reduces the accumulation of paclitaxel and might use it as a substrate.

ABOUT AUTHORS:
Shujauddin Hashmi^*,P. Neelkant reddy, S. hafiz ali, B. Kalyani, K. Karna, S. S.Biradar, Abdul kareem
Department of pharmacy practice
H.K.E Society’s Matoshree Taradevi Rampure Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
MR medical College Road, Gulbarga -585105

ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and potentially disabling disease which is like a sleeping giant that is ready to awaken and literally sink our health care system. The present study “Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of anti-diabetic therapy” was carried out with an objective to assess estimated direct medical cost of diabetes and its complications. A hospital based prospective observational study was conducted using a prevalence based ‘cost of illness’ method focusing on estimated direct health care cost of diabetes and its complications. A total of 108 type 2 DM patients were enrolled into the study out of which 68 (62.96%) were males and 40 (37.04%) patients were females. The results revealed that, the average cost was the highest for the age group 45-60 years. The costs for patients with complications were substantially higher than those without complications and the costs were found to increase progressively with the increase in number of complications. The study concludes that Diabetes with complications resulted about 2.5 times higher cost, therefore the burden of diabetes and its complications was significant for individual and families, keeping in mind the burden of the disease on individuals as well as the society, the health policy makers should emphasize on initiatives to prevent the disease prevalence, care and counseling to diabetes patients should be done continuously to prevent the progression of the disease and its devastating complications.