Studies On Bioavailability Enhancement Of Curcumin

Objective: The objective of the present work was to improve aqueous solubility and in vivo bioavailability of curcumin and structural analogues of curcumin such as potassium, calcium, magnesium salts and nitro derivative. Methods: Structural analogues of curcumin were prepared by reaction of curcumin with potassium chloride, magnesium chloride hexahydrate and calcium chloride dihydrate in a suitable solvent. The nitro derivative synthesized by treating curcumin with sulphuric acid and nitric acid. The prepared analogues were evaluated for melting behavior, solubility, UV spectrophotometry, partition coefficient, moisture content, cellular uptake, FTIR analysis, antimicrobial activity and in vivo bioavailability in the rat. Results: Chemical modification of curcumin increased the saturation solubility to 11.6, 16.5, 21.5, 28.0 µg/ml in calcium salt, magnesium salt, potassium salt and nitro derivative respectively, against 8.6 µg/ml of curcumin. The analogues were chemically stable as curcumin analyzed by FTIR spectrophotometry. Increased cellular uptake, as well as enhanced antimicrobial activity, was demonstrated by modified curcumin analogues. Moreover, significant improvement in plasma levels was estimated with nitro derivative. Conclusion: The present work recommends that nitration of curcumin improves aqueous solubility which may improve absorption and in vivo bioavailability.

Thermodynamic stability constants of beryllium(II) and p-substituted N-phenyl benzohydroxamic acid complexes.

The thermodynamic stability constants of beryllium(II) complexes of p-substituted N-phenylbenzohydroxamic acids have been determined in 50% v v aqueous dioxan at 35 degrees. The effect of methoxy, methyl, chloro, bromo, and nitro groups as substituents is discussed. There is a linear relationship between log K(1) and pK(a) and the Hammett equation is applicable. The beryllium complexes have been compared with those of Cu, Zn, Ni and Mn.

Thermodynamic ionization constants of para-substituted N-phenyl-benzohydroxamic acids.

Thermodynamic ionization constants of para-substituted N-phenylbenzohydroxamic acids have been determined in dioxan-water mixtures at 35 degrees . The plot of mole fraction of dioxan vs. pK(a) is linear at this temperature, whereas that of pK(a)vs. 100/D is linear over a narrow range of dielectric constants (D) but at higher mole fraction of dioxan is influenced by non-electrostatic factors.

Copper levels & reactive oxygen species in uterine flushings in copper intrauterine contraceptive device users.

Copper levels were estimated in the uterine flushings in 15 copper 'T' 200 device acceptors. There was a statistically significant difference in the preinsertion and one week post insertion values (P < 0.001). This also corresponded to a high level of generation of reactive oxygen species. The levels of reactive oxygen species were similar to preinsertion values at 4 and 12 wk. The copper values declined over the 3 months but were still higher at 12 wk as compared to preinsertion levels and this difference was statistically significant. Hence addition of copper to the intrauterine device besides enhancing the contraceptive efficacy, perhaps also plays an important role in microbicidal activity and helps in overcoming the infection introduced at the time of insertion.

The need for clinical evaluation and semen analysis of infertile men.

OBJECTIVE: Although many men in Third World countries are reluctant to participate in an infertility work-up, we collected data from a group of husbands of females attending our infertility clinic. We intend to present these results as motivation for other men to realize the importance of an evaluation when they are involved in a barren marriage. STUDY METHODS: A detailed history was taken, and physical and urogenital examination was carried out on 400 male partners of women attending the infertility clinic of PGIMER Chandigarh. Semen analysis was interpreted as normal or abnormal according to the WHO manual. RESULTS: Age of the male partners of 400 infertile couples and their duration of infertility correlated with the pregnancy rate. Fifty percent of the men with a past history of infection, medical or surgical problems had abnormal semen analysis. The presence of urogenital abnormalities had a significant correlation with low sperm count and low motility. Social problems related to alcohol and smoking produced low pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: A detailed history, examination and work-up of male partners of infertility couples is as important as in the female partner. Counseling and treatment may improve pregnancy rates.

Is hysterosalpingography an important tool in modern gynecological practice?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of hysterosalpingography (HSG) in diagnosing tubal patency and peritubal adhesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: HSG was followed whenever possible by diagnostic laparoscopy with chromopertubation to give the final prognosis in cases of infertility. RESULTS: Normal HSG findings were obtained in 669 women, and abnormal ones in 306. No significant correlation was found between age of patient, duration, type of infertility, and HSG findings. Tubal blockage was seen in 89.2% and uterine factor in 9.4% of cases. Peritubal adhesions were suggestive in 12.75% of cases. On laparoscopy, done in about half of these women, findings were in agreement with HSG in 59.87% of cases. Follow-up was carried out whether the woman conceived, had a laparotomy, or required further investigations. CONCLUSION: Although somewhat insensitive, the high specificity of hysterosalpingography makes it very helpful for ruling out tubal disease, even where endoscopic evaluation is available.

Psychological aspects of infertility due to various causes--prospective study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty infertile couples (30 each among unexplained infertility, anovulation, tubal factor, and male factor groups) and 30 fertile couples as controls were evaluated for psychological assessment by different psychological test instruments. Initial evaluation was done at recruitment, followed by reassessment at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months during the infertility work-up, and at the end when the specific diagnosis and the management and prognosis were disclosed. RESULTS: Psychological components were found to play a significant role in infertility of unknown etiology, especially in the male partner. They affected the personality and social behavior of the male partner and caused anxiety, but led to depression in the female partner. In cases of organically caused infertility, partners were worried about the other's reaction. Anxiety was significantly greater in the partner with the fertility problem than in the other partner. Life events were significant in the partner in whom the fertility problem was detected. Periodic psychological assessment was not affected by infertility work-up on the male partner in any of the groups, whereas anovulation and tubal factor infertility showed a significant psychological effect on the female partner at the end of work-up. Depression and anxiety in the female partner were evident soon after the investigation started.

Hamartoma of nasopharynx.

The extreme rarity of nasal and nasopharyngeal hamartoma, and its possible confusion in early diagnosis, prompted us to undertake a brief review of hamartomatous masses in E.N.T. practice along with this case report.

Levels of copper and zinc in depression.

The study was undertaken to estimate plasma copper and zinc in thirty-five depressed patients. Two blood samples were drawn from each patient, one before starting treatment and the second after recovery from depression. The results were compared with the thirty-five normal healthy individuals. The mean plasma copper in controls, depressed patients and in patients after recovery were 106.82, 122.14 and 104.22 micrograms/dl, respectively. The copper levels in patients when depressed were significantly higher as compared to controls and after recovery from depression. The mean plasma zinc levels in controls, depressed patients and after recovery were 115.80, 107.62 and 125.68 micrograms/dl, respectively. No significant difference could be obtained between control and depressed patients. However, the values were significantly higher in recovered patients compared to patients with depression.

New Spectrophotometric Method for Simultaneous determination of Metoprolol Tartarate and Hydrochlorthiazide in Tablets.

The present work describes a two-wavelength method for simultaneous determination of metoprolol and hydrochlorthiazide in fixed dose combination tablet. The wavelengths selected for method were 257.8 nm, 282.9 nm and 315.0 nm. The absorbance difference at first two wavelengths was used for determination of metoprolol and the latter was used for determination of hydrochlorthiazide. The recovery value for the drugs from the tablet matrix was found to be 100.55% (metoprolol) and 99.97% (comparison with standard) and 98.09% (E1%, 1cm) for hydrochlorthiazide. The method has an advantage that hydrochlorthiazide can be estimated in combination, as there is no interference of metoprolol at 315.0 nm. The method was evaluated statistically for its accuracy and precision.

Self-awareness of depression and life events in three groups of patients: Psychotic depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and chronic medical illness in North India.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common experience across cultures although not all languages have words describing depression. AIM: To identify patients' perception and awareness of depression as an illness. METHODS: Sixty psychiatric patients (each with depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder [OCD]) were compared with 30 medical patients with chronic physical illness and assessed on levels of awareness of depression in relation to life events. RESULTS: Life events were more in patients with OCD compared to other two groups. All the three groups of patients had major depression. CONCLUSION: Absence of help-seeking for depression in patients with OCD and physical illness possibly indicate low level of awareness of depression in these patients. The findings are discussed in context of clinical practice.

A new flavone glycoside from seeds of Daucus carota.

Phytochemical examination of seeds of Daucus carota L. resulted in the isolation of apigenin -4'-O-beta-D-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucoside and a new flavone glycoside which was characterised as apigenin-7-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-mannopyranoside.

Bulimic disorders and sociocentric values in north India.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown low rates of eating disorders in some developing countries. We set out to investigate the prevalence of bulimia in an all-female college population in north India and relate it to sociocentrism of the culture. METHODS: A total of 504 students in an all-girls private college in an industrial town in north India completed the Hindi translation of the Bulimia Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE). A random sample of 50 students, irrespective of their scores, were interviewed using the DSM-III-R interview for eating disorders; they were also asked about qualitative aspects of their relationship with the family and their own views of their identity. RESULTS: There was no effect of age, social class, religion or height on the distribution of BITE scores. Three key factors emerged; these were related to the constructs of compulsive activity, impulsivity/sociocentric avoidance and associated attitudinal responses and depressive thinking with features of helplessness and feelings of failure. Acculturation was not related to BITE scores. Virtually all interviewees had sociocentric views of theirselves. CONCLUSIONS: Sociocentrism and impulsivity account for a significant amount of the variance. The role of sociocentrism in influencing patterns of eating deserves to be studied further.