Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

In the present study, an oxidative conversion of non-fluorescent dichlorofluoroscein (LDCF) to fluorescent dichlorofluoroscein (DCF) was used for detection of antioxidant properties of plant extracts. The rate of the reaction was followed by monitoring the formation of DCF as a function of time. The antioxidant assay was carried out for different concentrations of gallic acid, Salvia mirzayanii, Rech. f & Esfand Phlomis persica Boiss crude extracts and their fractions obtained by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The results showed that the fluorometric method could be used to detect lower concentrations of antioxidants. Thus, we were able to identify the antioxidant activity of five fractions obtained by TLC of Salvia mirzayanii extract and four fractions in TLC of Phlomis persica extract. This method is a good candidate to be used in high throughput screening.

The first aim of the present investigation was to prepare solid dispersions to improve the dissolution properties of oxcarbazepine and quetiapine using PEG 6000 as a carrier with the help of two methods of preparations viz. spray drying and modified solvent method, and to compare the two methods. The second objective was to apply the modified solvent method for preparation of sustained release
solid dispersions of domperidone with Eudragit RLPO as a carrier. The solid dispersions of oxcarbazepine and quetiapine were prepared using spray drying and a modified solvent evaporation method. The modified method was then used to prepare solid dispersion of domperidone. All the preparations were evaluated for solubility and dissolution. The characterization was done using FTIR, PXRD and
DSC. The solubility and dissolution rates increased significantly for oxcarbazepine and quetiapine in the solid dispersion with PEG 6000. The release of domperidone was decreased in the solid dispersion with Eudragit RLPO. The solubility and dissolution rates of oxcarbazepine and quetiapine were increased significanly in the solid dispersions prepared by both spray drying and modified solvent method.
There was no significant difference in the release profiles of solid dispersion prepared by the two methods. The modified solvent method was effectively used for preparing sustained release solid dispersion of domperidone.

The new scientific innovation of engineering nanoparticles (NPs) at the atomic scale (diameter<100nm) has led to numerous novel and useful wide applications in electronics, chemicals, environmental protection, medical imaging, disease diagnoses, drug delivery, cancer treatment, gene therapy, etc.. The manufactures and consumers of the nanoparticles-related industrial products, however, are likely to be exposed to these engineered nanomaterials which have various physical and chemical properties at levels far beyond ambient concentrations. These nanosized particles are likely to increase unnecessary infinite toxicological effects on animals and environment; although their toxicological effects associated with human exposure are still unknown. To better understand the impact of these exposures on health, and how best to formulate appropriate monitoring and control strategies, this review seeks to examine various toxicological portal routes associated with NPs exposures. In fact, these ultrafine particles are capable of entering the body through skin pores, debilitated tissues, injection, olfactory, respiratory and intestinal tracts. These uptake routes of NPs may be intentional or unintentional. Their entry may lead to
various diversified adverse biological effects. Until a clearer picture emerges, the limited data available suggest that caution must be exercised when potential exposures to NPs are encountered. Some methods have been used to determine the portal routes of nanoscale materials on experimental animals. They include pharyngeal instillation, injection, inhalation, cell culture lines and gavage exposures.
This review also provides a step by step systematic approach for the easy identification and addressing of occupational health hazards arising from NPs.

Insulin-loaded biodegradable chitosan nanoparticle was prepared by the polyelectrolyte complex formation method. The prepared nanoparticles were in the size of 110 nm and had high entrapment (91.0%) capacity. The transdermal nanoinsulin was characterized by in vivo hypoglycemic effects. Plasma glucose was decreased to the range of 80.34 to 96.74 mg/dl, and insulin levels were increased to the range of 21.62
to 45.80 μIU/ml for up to 60 h. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters like AUC, Cmax, Tmax and relative bioavailability of transdermal patch loaded insulin-chitosan nanoparticles were 3153.36 μIU/ml/h, 45.80 μIU/ml, 8 h and 20.02%, respectively.

Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite was precipitated from calcium hydroxide and phosphoric acid. Effects of precipitation temperature and different calcium to phosphate ratios (Ca/P) on the obtained powders were investigated. Characterization of the powders was performed using XRD and FTIR spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Increase in precipitation temperature increases the size and crystallinity of obtained crystals. Samples with Ca/P ratios more than stoichiometric ratio (1.67) had calcium hydroxide in their structures which is suitable for dental applications. Lower precipitation temperatures lead to lower crystallinity which is ideal for dental applications due to an increase in calcium hydroxide release.

Toxic and direct teratogenic potential of two dominant Iranian cultivars of Carthamus tinctorius (safflower), floret extracts, IL 111 and LRV 51 51, were investigated. The extracts are commonly used in foods and medicinal products. Neither death nor alteration of stereotype activities was observed with IL 111 and LRV 51 51 extracts up to 17 g/kg in 48 h in mice and rats. Haemoglobin was decreased, prothrombin time was prolonged, serum TG, LDH, CPK and cholesterol was increased in rats which received IL 111 (1 g/kg) for 9 weeks (p<0.05). Comparatively, LRV 51 51 (1 g/kg) did not induce any change in haematological
or biochemical factors. Histological examination of the liver, kidneys and spleen revealed some abnormalities with both extracts in the subchronic toxicity study. IL 111 and LRV 51 51 extracts elicited a dose dependent cytotoxicity in cultured balb/c (IC50: 394 and 429 μg/ml, respectively) and limb bud cells (IC50: 78 and 106 μg/ml, respectively). The total number of differentiated (stained) limb bud foci was
also decreased when cells were exposed to either of C. tinctorius extracts (p<0.01). When the cytotoxicity was taken into account, the ratio of Alcian stained differentiated cells to the cytotoxicity was not significantly altered with any of the extracts, suggesting no remarkable level of teratogenicity.

The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial activities of some medicinal plants extracts traditionally used in Iran. Hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from different parts of five plants including Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary), Syzygium aromaticum L. (Clove)., Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) , Coriandrum sativum, Myrtus communis with traditional medicinal use were examined for their
antibacterial activities against some gram-negative strains including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella oxytoca and Shigella dysentriae. The disc diffusion method was applied to screen the antibacterial efficacy of the extracts. Gentamicin was used as control. This study showed that the extracts obtained from Syzygium aromaticum L., Arctium lappa L. and Myrtus
communis had antibacterial activity against Proteus mirabilis. In addition, only the Myrtus communis extract had some inhibiting effect on the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The result of the current study revealed that some of the studied plants could be considered as potential source of antimicrobial agents and supports the traditional applications of a number of the tested plants as antibacterial reagents.