Anti-vibrio potentials of acetone and aqueous leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum (Linn)

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-vibrio potentials of acetone and aqueous leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and determine its relevance in the treatment of vibrios infection. Methods: The agar-well diffusion method was used for screening the extracts for their anti-vibrio activity. Broth micro-dilution assay was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts. Time-kill assay was used to assess bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic activity. Results: The acetone extract showed activity against 47.5 % (19/40) of the test bacteria, while the aqueous extract had activity against 30 % (12/40). MIC and MBC values range for the acetone extract were 0.625 – 5.0 mg/mL and 2.5 – 10 mg/mL respectively. The range of MIC exhibited by the antibiotic (gentamicin) against the vibrios is 0.002 mg/mL and >0.256 mg/mL. Significant reduction in the bacterial density was at 2 × MIC after a 4 h interaction period, while bacterial density after 6 and 8 h interactions with extract was highly bactericidal. Growth inhibition and efficacy of the crude acetone extract were observed to be both concentration- and time-dependent. Conclusion: The bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities observed for Ocimum gratissimum leaf suggest that the plant is a potential source of bioactive components that may be effective in the treatment of vibrios infections.

Bioequivalence evaluation of new microparticulate capsule and marketed tablet dosage forms of lornoxicam in healthy volunteers

Purpose: To compare oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters of different lornoxicam formulations and to assess similarity in plasma level profiles by statistical techniques. Methods: An open-label, two-period crossover trial was followed in 24 healthy Pakistani volunteers (22 males, 2 females). Each participant received a single dose of lornoxicam controlled release (CR) microparticles and two doses (morning and evening) of conventional lornoxicam immediate release (IR) tablet formulation. The microparticles were prepared by spray drying method. The formulations were administered again in an alternate manner after a washout period of one week. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by Kinetica 4.0 software using plasma concentration-time data. Moreover, data were statistically analyzed at 90 % confidence interval (CI) and Schuirmann’s two one-sided t-test procedure. Results: Peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was 20.2 % lower for CR formulation compared to IR formulation (270.90 ng/ml vs 339.44 ng/ml, respectively) while time taken to attain Cmax (tmax) was 5.25 and 2.08 h, respectively. Area under the plasma drug level versus time (AUC) curve was comparable for both CR and IR formulations. The 90 % confidence interval (CI) values computed for Cmax, AUC0-24, and AUC0-∞ , after log transformation, were 87.21, 108.51 and 102.74 %, respectively, and were within predefined bioequivalence range (80 - 125 %). Conclusion: The findings suggest that CR formulation of lornoxicam did not change the overall pharmacokinetic properties of lornoxicam in terms of extent and rate of lornoxicam absorption.

Effect of supraphysiological dose of Nandrolone Decanoate on the testis and testosterone concentration in mature and immature male rats: A time course study

Background: Most studies on anabolic-androgenic steroids abuse have been done in adult rats, but few data are available to immature. Objective: This study was conducted to assay the effect of Nandrolone Decanoate (ND) on the testis and testosterone concentration in male immature rats compare with mature ones in short and long time. Materials and Methods: 40 mature rats were divided into 4 groups: group A (short term) and group B (long-term) received 10 mg/kg/day ND interaperitoneally for 35 and 70 days, respectively. Group C (control) without any treatment, and group D (vehicle) received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution in two periods 35 and 70 days. 40 immature rats were divided into 4 groups same as mature ones. After surgery body weight, testis size, histomorphometry of testis, and serum testosterone level were evaluated. Results: Our results showed that ND decreased the number of Leydig cells in group B (39.9 ±. 919), group A (43.4 ±. 120), and long term (40.6 ±. 299) immature rats, which could result in a reduction of testosterone concentration significantly in all experimental groups except short term mature group. Number of sertoli cells, testis size, and diameter of seminiferous tubules decreased in the long-term immature group. Eventually, the number of sperm was decreased in mature and immature groups, but a severe depletion of sperm was occurred in both mature and immature in long time in comparison to the control group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: This time course study showed that supraphysiological dose of ND may negatively affect the number of Leydig cells, sperm cell, and testosterone concentration of immature rats in the same matter of mature rats. However, the number of sertoli cell, testis size, and seminferous diameter were decreased only in the long immature rats.