Priyanka

  Bioisosteres are atoms or group of molecules that fit the broadest definition for isosteres. They have chemical and physical similarities thus producing broadly similar biological properties. Many heterocycles, when appropriately substituted exhibits bioisosterism. Bioisosterism represents an approach used by the medicinal chemist for the rational modification of lead compounds into safer and more clinically effective agents. It has significant value in drug design and lead optimization process as it may enhance the desired biological or physical properties of a compound, reduce toxicity and also alter the metabolism of the lead. Bioisosteric replacement is not simple replacement with another isostere but they are firstly analyzed by structural, solubility and electronic parameters to obtain molecules having similar biological activity. Few of the popular examples of the successful use of bioisosteres have been included. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of bioisosteric replacements which can be used for advance drug development.

  In the present research a simple, accurate, precise and cost effective UV-Vis spectrophotometric method for the estimation of Metformin, in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form was illustrated. The absorption maxima of the drug was found to be 233 nm in 0.1 N HCl: Distilled water (27:75). A linear response was observed in the range of 5-10 µg/ml with a regression coefficient of 0.999. Validation parameters were carried out as per the guidelines of International Conference for Harmonization. This method can be used in the industries for determination of Metformin to analyze the quality of formulation without interference of the excipients.

  Very limited clinical studies are available for Balofloxacin (Q-35), a new fluoroquinolone showing clinical effectiveness. Thus, a systematic review was carried out to assess the safety, efficacy and tolerability as an anti-infective agent using scientific databases (PubMed and Cochrane Library). Databases were screened using term “Balofloxacin” for available studies. The search strategy was developed according to Biondi-Zoccai with English language restriction and was set to Oct 2011. All randomized trials, comparative studies, controlled clinical trials and in-vitro/in-vivo studies showing efficacy on human clinical isolates were taken into account. Upon extensive search we found 36 and 12 studies in PubMed and Cochrane Library respectively. 7 studies including 4 free full text and 3 abstracts from PubMed database while 4 clinical trial abstracts from Cochrane Library were included for systematic review. A single randomized controlled trial (RCT) was found through Cochrane Library showing comparison between balofloxacin 100 mg with levofloxacin 200 mg twice daily for 7 to 10 days. As far as its clinical effectiveness is concerned for urinary and respiratory tract infections, it is found to be equivalent to ofloxacin but the evidence in terms of RCTs is rarely available in scientific databases. Thus, we conclude that more RCTs are required to be conducted to proof its superiority in terms of efficacy and safety. Key Words: Fluoroquinolone, Anti-infective agent, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Randomized Controlled Trial

  Water plays a vital role in human life .The total amount of water, below and on the surface of the earth has been estimated to be 1.33x1024 kg. Which is about 5% of the total mass of the earth .The consequences of urbanization and industrialization leads to spoil the water. For agriculture purposes, ground water is utilized in rural areas, especially in those areas where other sources of water like dam and river or a canal is not available. In India, most of the population is dependent on ground water supply. The ground water is believed to be comparatively much clean and free from pollution than surface water. Ground water is used for domestic and industrial water supply and irrigation all over the world .In the last few decades, it has been seen that there is a tremendous increase in the demand for fresh water due to rapid growth of population and accelerated pace of industrialization. Human health is threatened by most of the agricultural activities particularly in relation to excessive application of fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation practices and unsanitary conditions.

  In the present research a simple, accurate, precise and cost effective UV-Vis spectrophotometric method for the estimation of Clobazam, in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form was illustrated. The absorption maxima of the drug was found to be 230 nm in methanol: water (1:1). A linear response was observed in the range of 6- 16 µg/ml with a regression coefficient of 0.999. Validation parameters were carried out as per the guidelines of International Conference for Harmonization. This method can be used in the industries for determination of Clobazam to analyze the quality of formulation without interference of the excipients.   Key words: Clobazam, Anti-epileptic, λmax, ICH, UV-Vis spectroscopy.

  Controlled release of drug from micrometrics is of the particular therapeutic importance for oral medication in patients. There are various approaches in delivering a therapeutic substance to the target site in a sustained controlled release fashion. One such approach is using microparticles as carriers for drugs. The idea behind a controlled drug delivery system is to incorporate the drug within a polymeric carrier that controls the release rate of the drug. Various processes, such as diffusion, erosion, and/or swelling can be involved in the control of the overall drug release rate, resulting in a broad spectrum of possible release profiles. Solvent evaporation and extraction based processes are required for the preparation of microparticles. The microparticles show lower percentage compressibility but good flowability, hence a capsule dosage form was thought to be suitable. The microparticle formulation was optimized with respect to size distribution and increased drug loading. The microparticles was physically evaluated with respect to bulk density, angle of repose, and percent compressibility, drug content, swelling study and in-vitro release study. Polyvinyl alcohol is proposed as a polymer to be used for the present controlled release formulation development. The intent of the paper is to highlight the potential of microparticles as a vital dosage form in novel drug delivery.   Key words: Microparticles, Sustain release, Solvent evaporation, Release profile, Therapeutic range, Compressibility