Manipal University

About: Manipal University is a education organization based out in Manipal, Karnataka, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 9525 authors who have published 11207 publications receiving 110687 citations.

Transferrin-Conjugated Docetaxel–PLGA Nanoparticles for Tumor Targeting: Influence on MCF-7 Cell Cycle

Abstract: Targeted drug delivery systems are commonly used to improve the therapeutic index of anti-cancer drugs by increasing their selectivity and reducing systemic distribution and toxicity. Ligand-conjugated nanoparticles (NPs) can be effectively applied for active chemotherapeutic targeting to overexpressed receptors of tumor cells. In this study, transferrin (Tf) was successfully conjugated with poly-l-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) using ethylene diamine confirmed by NMR, for the loading of docetaxel trihydrate (DCT) into PLGA nanoparticles (NPs). The DCT-loaded Tf-conjugated PLGA NPs were produced by an emulsion-solvent evaporation technique, and a 32 full factorial design was used to optimize the nanoparticle formulations. The DCT-loaded Tf-conjugated PLGA NPs were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), TEM, particle size, and zeta potential analysis. In vitro release kinetics confirmed that release of DCT from the designed formulations followed a zero-order kinetics and a diffusion controlled non-Fickian release profile. The DCT-loaded Tf-conjugated PLGA NPs were evaluated in vitro in MCF-7 cells for bioactivity assessment. Cytotoxicity studies confirmed that the Tf-conjugated PLGA NPs were more active than the non-conjugated counterparts. Cell uptake studies re-confirmed the ligand-mediated active targeting of the formulated NPs. From the cell cycle analysis, the anti-cancer activity of DCT-loaded Tf-conjugated PLGA NPs was shown to occur by arresting the G2/M phase.

Calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for quantitative elemental analysis of materials

Abstract: The application of calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) for quantitative analysis of materials, illustrated by CF-LIBS applied to a brass sample of known composition, is presented in this paper The LIBS plasma is produced by a 355 nm pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a pulse duration of 6 ns focussed onto a brass sample in air at atmospheric pressure The time-resolved atomic and ionic emission lines of Cu and Zn from the LIBS spectra recorded by an Echelle spectrograph coupled with a gated intensified charge coupled detector are used for the plasma characterization and the quantitative analysis of the sample The time delay where the plasma is optically thin and is also in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE), necessary for the elemental analysis of samples from the LIBS spectra, is deduced An algorithm relating the experimentally measured spectral intensity values with the basic physics of the plasma is developed Using the algorithm, the Zn and Cu concentrations in the brass sample are determined The analytical results obtained from the CF-LIBS technique agree well with the certified values of the elements in the sample, with an accuracy error <1%

Physical, structural and optical properties of Sm3+ doped lithium zinc alumino borate glasses

Abstract: Sm3+ doped lithium zinc alumino borate glasses with composition 15ZnF2–12Li2CO3–10BaO–8Al2O3–(55-x) B2O3–xSm2O3 where x=0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.1 mol% were prepared by conventional melt quenching technique Their optical, physical, structural, mechanical and luminescence properties are investigated. UV–Vis-NIR absorption spectra showed all possible transitions of samarium ion in this glass matrix. Band gap values for all the glass samples were above 3 eV confirming the insulating nature for the glass. Densities, assessed using the Archimedes rule, were observed to be increasing with increasing samarium concentration. Increase in molar volume with addition of samarium content indicated that the extension of glass network is on account of the increase of number of Non-Bridging Oxygens created by network modifier samarium ions. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image showed a smooth surface for the synthezied glass. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) technique was employed to verify the amorphous nature of the glasses. A Makishima and Mackenzie theoretical model gave acceptable approximation of elasticity constants viz. Young's modulus, shear modulus, bulk modulus and Poisson's ratio. The high Vickers hardness values evaluated with mechanical loads of 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000 g force, proved the stability of the glasses. Emission spectra showed a prominent transition 4G5/2→6H7/2 at 598 nm excited with 6H5/2→4P3/2 transition at 401 nm. Luminescence quenching effect was observed beyond 0.3 mol% Sm2O3 addition. The chromaticity coordinates (x, y) clustered in the orange-red region, making these Sm3+ doped lithium zinc alumino borate glasses suitable candidate for applications in LEDs and solid-state lasers.

Enhanced ex vivo intestinal absorption of olmesartan medoxomil nanosuspension: Preparation by combinative technology.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop nanosuspension based on combinative technology to enhance the intestinal absorption of Olmesartan medoxomil (OLM), a potent antihypertensive agent with limited oral bioavailability. Two combinative approaches were employed and then characterized. In vitro intestinal absorption of OLM nanosuspension and plain OLM was studied using non-everted rat intestinal sac model. Optimal OLM nanosuspension was prepared by a combination of ball milling and probe sonication using stabilizer, Poloxamer 407. The formula exhibited particle size of 469.9 nm and zeta potential of −19.1 mV, which was subjected to ex vivo studies. The flux and apparent permeability coefficient in intestine from OLM nanosuspension was higher than the plain drug, thereby suggesting better drug delivery.

Simultaneous determination of pioglitazone and glimepiride in bulk drug and pharmaceutical dosage form by RP-HPLC method.

Abstract: A simple, fast, and precise reverse phase, isocratic HPLC method was developed for the separation and quantification of pioglitazone and glimepiride in bulk drug and pharmaceutical dosage form. The quantification was carried out using Inertsil ODS (250 +/- 4.6 mm, 5 micro) column and mobile phase comprised of acetonitrile and ammonium acetate (pH 4.5; 20mM) in proportion of 60:40 (v/v). The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and the effluent was monitored at 230 nm. The retention time of pioglitazone and glimepiride were 7.0+/-0.1 and 10.2+/-0.1 min respectively. The method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, and specificity, limit of detection and limit of quantitation. Linearity of pioglitazone and glimepiride were in the range of 2.0 to 200.0 microg/ ml and 0.5-50microg/ ml respectively. The percentage recoveries of both the drugs were 99.85% and 102.06% for pioglitazone and glimepiride respectively from the tablet formulation. The proposed method is suitable for simultaneous determination of pioglitazone and glimepiride in pharmaceutical dosage form and bulk drug.