Enhancement of anti-inflammatory activity of bromelain by its encapsulation in katira gum nanoparticles.

Bromelain-loaded katira gum nanoparticles were synthesized using 3 level optimization process and desirability approach. Nanoparticles of the optimized batch were characterized using particle size analysis, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Investigation of their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by employing carrageenan induced rat-paw oedema method showed that encapsulation of bromelain in katira gum nanoparticles substantially enhanced its anti-inflammatory potential. This may be attributed to enhanced absorption owing to reduced particle size or to protection of bromelain from acid proteases.

Enhancement of anti-inflammatory activity of glycyrrhizic acid by encapsulation in chitosan-katira gum nanoparticles.

Efforts were made to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of Glycyrrhizic acid, a triterpentine saponin obtained from Glycyrrhiza glabra, having several pharmacological properties, by its encapsulation in biocompatible biopolymeric nanoparticles. Polycationic chitosan and polyanionic gum katira were used to prepare nanoparticles by ionic complexation method. Glycyrrhizic acid was loaded into the nanoparticles and was then examined for change in its in vivo anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced rat hind paw inflammation. The effects of concentrations of glycyrrhizic acid, chitosan and katira gum, upon particle size and encapsulation efficiency of glycyrrhizic acid were studied with the help of response surface methodology employing 3-factor, 3-level central composite experimental design. Particle size and encapsulation efficiency of optimized nanoparticulate formulation were 175.8nm and 84.77%, respectively. Particles were observed in transmission electron microscopy to be spherical in shape and 80nm in size. FTIR analysis indicated electrostatic interactions between carboxyl groups of ammonium glycyrrhizinate and amino groups of chitosan. In vitro drug release studies indicated that glycyrrhizic acid was released from the nanoparticles following zero-order kinetics and that there was a sustained release of the drug with 90.71% of it being released over a 12h period, and that the mechanism of release of glycyrrhizic acid from the nanoparticles was a combination of diffusion and erosion of the polymer matrix. In-vivo anti inflammatory efficacy of glycyrrhizic acid clearly improved upon encapsulation in chitosan-katira gum nanoparticles, by overcoming the limited bioavailability of its other forms.

Progress in the development of gelling agents for improved culturability of microorganisms.

Gelling agents are required for formulating both solid and semisolid media, vital for the isolation of microorganisms. Gelatin was the first gelling agent to be discovered but it soon paved the way for agar, which has far superior material qualities. Source depletion, issues with polymerase-chain-reaction and inability to sustain extermophiles etc., necessitate the need of other gelling agents. Many new gelling agents, such as xantham gum, gellan gum, carrageenan, isubgol, and guar gum have been formulated, raising the hopes for the growth of previously unculturable microorganisms. We evaluate the progress in the development of gelling agents, with the hope that our synthesis would help accelerate research in the field.