Abstract: Methanol extracts from the leaves, stems and roots of Mentha piperita and Lantana camara were investigated for their anthelmintic activity against Pheritima posthuma . Each extract was studied in the bioassay at 20 mg/ml, which involved determination of time of paralysis and time of death of the worms. Both the extracts of both plants exhibited considerable anthelmintic activities, and the order of sensitivity of the extracts to the worms was stems > roots > leaves for the M. piperita and stems > leaves >roots for the L. camara . The methanol extracts of stems of both M. piperita and L. camar a were found to be the most active. Albendazole (20 mg/ml) and distilled water were included in the assay as standard reference drug and control, respectively. Key words: Mentha piperita, Lantana camara, Pheritima posthuma, In vitro anthelmintic activity. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.5(1-2) 2006 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Several attempts have been made to improve the solubility of water insoluble drugs. Over the years, inclusion complexation of drugs with ?-cyclodextrin has emerged as a viable attempt to improve the dissolution of water insoluble drugs. The aim of the present work was to improve the dissolution rate of lovastatin, a water insoluble drug, by inclusion complexation with ?-cyclodextrin. The stoichiometric ratio determined by phase solubility analysis for inclusion complexation of lovastatin with ?-cyclodextrin was 1:1. The solubility of lovastatin increased with increasing amount of ?-cyclodextrin in water. Gibbs free energy (?G tr °) values were all negative, indicating the spontaneous nature of lovastatin solubilization. Complexes of lovastatin were prepared with ?-cyclodextrin by various methods such as kneading, coevaporation and physical mixing. The complexes were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. These studies indicated the inclusion of lovastatin in the cavity of ?-cyclodextrin. The complexation resulted in a marked improvement in the solubility of lovastatin. The complex prepared by kneading method showed fastest and highest in vitro dissolution rate compared to the tablets of pure of lovastatin. Physical mixture of ?-cyclodextrin/lovastatin also showed significant improvement in the dissolution rate compared to pure lovastatin. Mean dissolution time (MDT) of lovastatin decreased significantly after preparation of complexes and physical mixture of lovastatin with ?-cyclodextrin. Similarity factor ( f 2 ) indicated significant difference between the release profiles of lovastatin from complexes and from pure lovastatin. Key words: Lovastatin, ?-cyclodextrin, inclusion complexation, in vitro dissolution studies. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 6(1): 25-36, 2007 (June) The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: The triterpinoids, betulinic acid, lupeol and betulinaldehyde, were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the stem bark of Avicennia officinalis (Avicenniaceae) by a combination of column and preparative thin-layer chromatography over silica gel. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis (UV, IR, 1 H NMR, 13 CNMR and EIMS). This is the first report of a systematic phytochemical investigation and the presence of these triterpoids from this plant. Key words: Triterpenoid, Avicenniaceae, Betulinic acid, Lupeol and Betulinaldehyde Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.5(1-2) 2006 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Twenty three endophytic fungi from leaf, stem and root of 0cimum basilicum (Tulshi) were isolated and purified. One of the fungi (2L-5) isolated from the leaves was fermented in a large scale and extracted with ethyl acetate. The fungal extract was found to be active against two bacteria, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus . From the ethyl acetate extract two steroids, ergosterol and cerevisterol were isolated. Structures of the compounds were elucidated by high-resolution 1- and 2-D NMR spectroscopy. Key words: Ocimum basilicum , Secondary Metabolites, Endophytic fungi, Ergosterol, Cerevesterol Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(2) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Polymeric films of Eudragit RS 100 were prepared by solvent casting method to explore the possibilities of using this polymer in transdermal therapeutic system (TTS). Naproxen was used as a model drug and incorporated in two different percent loading (8.3 % w/w and 20.8 % w/w of films). Effects of two plasticizers ( PEG 1500 and PEG 4000) and two release modifiers ( PVA and HPMC 15cps) on in vitro drug release from naproxen loaded eudragit RS films were assessed. Drug release was found to be a function of drug load, PEG molecular weight and physico-chemical property of the release modifiers incorporated. At low drug load, highest amount of drug was released from flims containing PEG 1500 (more than 95%). However, a burst release was evident in case of all the experimental batches except that loaded with HPMC 15 cps. With this formulation, more than 75 % of active principle was released after 8 hours while only 12 % of naproxen was liberated in the first hour of dissolution. Increasing drug load, increased the rate and extent of drug release from eudragit RS films; however this effect was minimized when PEG 4000 was used as release modifier. For PEG 1500 loaded films, drug release was decreased with increasing drug concentration in the TTS. Inclusion of PEG in eudragit RS films caused the drug to be released by diffusion (Fickian) kinetics whereas PVA and HPMC containing formulations released drug by diffusion mechanism coupled with erosion. Key words: Naproxen sodium, Eudragit RS 100, Controlled release. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.3(1-2) 2004 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: The hot water and ethanol extracts of Andrographis paniculata (local name Kalomegh) collected from Chittagong exhibited a significant hypoglycemic (blood glucose lowering) activity in both glucose-loaded and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of glucose (1.5 g/kg body weight) increased the blood sugar level while the intraperitonial (ip) administration of alloxan (40 mg/kg body weight) enhanced the blood sugar level much higher than that of the glucose-loaded rats. The hot water (0.8 g/kg b.w.) and ethanol extracts (2 g/kg b.w.) of A. paniculata reduced the elevated glucose level by 41.51 and 41.82%, respectively in glucose-loaded rats as compared to the respective diabetic control rats. On the other hand, administration of hot water and ethanol extracts of A. paniculata decreased the blood sugar level by 46.21 and 45.13%, respectively in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, when compared with that of diabetic control rats. Keywords: Andrographis paniculata , Glucose-loaded, Alloxan-induced, Rats, Antidiabetic. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 6(1): 15-20, 2007 (June) The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.5(1-2) 2006 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: The serum concentration of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in 30 schizophrenic patients and 30 normal healthy subjects were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of Cd, Pb and Ca in schizophrenic disorder patients was not increased significantly (P > 0.05) compared to that of the cohort controls. But the concentration of Fe in schizophrenic patients was significantly different from that of the cohort control (p < 0.000). The change in serum concentration of different trace elements may have some prognostic significance for the diagnosis of schizophrenic disorder. However further work is suggested to examine the exact correlation between trace elements level and the degree of disorder in schizophrenic patients. Key words: Schizophrenic patients, trace elements, clinical significance Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.5(1-2) 2006 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(1) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: 3-Acetoxy-6-benzoyloxyapangamide (1) has been isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of the stem of Achyranthes aspera . The structure of the isolated compound was established by modern spectroscopic techniques. The extract was found to show mild antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus . Key words: Achyranthes aspera , 3-acetoxy-6-benzoyloxyapangamide, Antibacterial activity. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(2) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Transdermal drug delivery systems of salbutamol sulphate using eudragit RL100 and PVP were developed by solvent casting technique employing mercury as a substrate. Propylene glycol was used as a plasticizer. The prepared films exhibited satisfactory physico-chemical characteristics. In vitro permeation profiles across the guinea-pig dorsal skin using K-C diffusion cell are reported. Incorporating PEG-400 and tween 60 into the films enhanced the permeation across guinea-pig skin; permeation rate was greater with films containing PEG-400. The permeation followed zero order kinetics and mechanism was found to be matrix diffusion. Key words: Salbutamol sulphate, Guinea pig skin, Permeation enhancer. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(2) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.5(1-2) 2006 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Scopoletin (1) was isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction of a methanol extract of the stem bark of Phyllanthus reticulates (Family: Euphorbiaceae). The petroleum ether, carbon tetrachloride and choloroform soluble fractions of this methanol extract were subjected to antimicrobial screening and brine shrimp lethality bioassay. All of the partitionates showed moderate to strong inhibitory activity to microbial growth while the chloroform soluble fraction showed strongest cytotoxicity having LC 50 1.99 ?g/ml. Key words: Phyllanthus reticulates , Euphorbiaceae, Scopoletin, Brine shrimp lethality bioassay, Antimicrobial Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.5(1-2) 2006 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: The main objective of the present study was to develop a multiple-unit, floating-pulsatile drug delivery system for obtaining no drug release during floating and in the proximal small intestine followed by pulsed, rapid drug release in distal small intestine to achieve chronotherapeutic release of indomethacin. The system developed consists of drug containing core pellets prepared by extrusion-spheronization process, which were coated with an inner pH-dependent layer of Eudragit S100 and outer effervescent layer of sodium bicarbonate and HPMC K100M. Pellets showed instantaneous floating with no drug release in acidic medium followed by pulsed drug release in basic medium. Concentration of HPMC K100M and layering level of effervescent agent significantly affected performance of pellets. The system showed excellent lag phase followed by burst release in the distal small intestine which gives site and time specific delivery of indomethacin acting as per chronotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis. Key words: Floating-pulsatile drug delivery, Chronotherapeutic release, Indomethacin, Pellets, Rheumatoid arthritis. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 6(1): 37-41, 2007 (June) The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: 3-?-hydroxy-28-acetyltaraxaren ( 1 ) and ?-sitosterol ( 2 ) were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of the stem bark of Anogeissus latifolia . The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts when subjected to antimicrobial screening showed significant inhibitory activity to microbial growth, while the ethyl acetate showed demonstrated significant cytotoxicity to brine shrimp with LC 50 of 0.50 ?g/ml. Key words: Anogeissus latifolia , Combretaceae, 3-?-hydroxy-28-acetyltaraxaren, ?-sitosterol, antimicrobial, cytotoxiciy, disc diffusion Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 6(1): 47-50, 2007 (June) The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Successive extraction of the dried rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria Rosc. provided hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts. In analgesic activity screening, the chloroform and methanol extracts showed significant activity on Swiss albino mice. Oral administration of the crude extracts at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, exhibited 29.5 and 38.0 % inhibition of acetic acid induced writhing in mice, respectively while the hexane extract showed weak analgesic activity in the experiment. Key words: Curcuma zedoaria, Zingiberaceae, Analgesic activity. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.3(1-2) 2004 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Two oleanane-type glycosides eclalbasaponin II (1) and eclalbasaponin I (2) along with the ubiquitous steroid, stigmasterol were isolated from an n-hexane extract of the stem bark of Eclipta prostrata. The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed by extensive spectroscopic studies, notably high field NMR and MS. The 13C NMR data of the parent saponins 1 and 2 are reported here for the first time. Key words: Eclipta prostrata , Compositae, Oleanane glycoside, Eclalbasaponin I, Eclalbasaponin II. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(2) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Five compounds were isolated from a hexane extract of the stem bark of Amoora cucullata. The structures of the isolated compounds were established as fridelin (1), stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, betulinic acid (2) and caffeic acid (3) by extensive spectroscopic studies, including high field NMR and MS analyses. This is the first report of occurrence of these compounds from A. cucullata. Key words: Amoora cucullata, Meliaceae, Fridelin, Betulinic acid, Caffeic acid, β-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(1) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.5(1-2) 2006 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: A benzofuranone, 3,3a,7,7a-tetrahydro-3a-hydroxy-6(2H)-benzofuranone (1), was isolated from the flower of Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn. The compound was identified by 1D and 2D NMR and MS analyses. It showed significant antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The LC50 of the compound was found to be 8.73 mg/ml in brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Key words: Nyctanthes arbortristis, Nyctantheceae; 3,3a,7,7a-tetrahydro-3a-hydroxy-6(2H)-benzofuranone, Antibacterial, Cytotoxicity Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(1) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Keeping in view the pharmacological potential of azetidinones, thiazolidinones and coumarins, the title compounds containing these nuclei were synthesized. The 4-methyl -7-hydroxy coumarin (1) on treatment with hydrazine hydrate affords 2-hydrazo- 4-methyl -7-hydroxy coumarin (2). The N- (2’-imino-4’-methyl-7’-hydroxy coummarinyl)-imino substituted benzene (3) was synthesized by reaction of compound 2 with various aromatic aldehydes. Condensation of compound 3 with chloroacetyl chloride in presence of 1,4-dioxan and triethyl amine yields the 3-chloro-4- (substituted)-1-(2’-imino-4’-methyl-7’-hydroxy coumarinyl) azetidin-2-one (4a-d). Further more condensation of 3 with thioglycollic acid in presence of 1,4-dioxan and anhydrous aluminium chloride gives 2-(substituted phenyl)-3-(2’-imino-4’-methyl-7’-hydroxy coumarinyl)-1,3-thiazolidinone (4’a-d). Elemental and spectral characterization established the identity of these compounds. All the products were screened in vitro for their anti microbial activity against different strains of urinary tract pathogens. All compounds exhibited significant antimicrobial activity compared to the standard drug nitrofurantoin. Key words: Azetidinones, thiazolidinone, coumarin, nitrofurantoin, E. coli, P. auregenosa, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis E. faecalis , and S.aureus . Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(2) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Six newly synthesized nickel peroxo coordination complexes, [Mg2(2-ap)2(O2)(OH), A], [Mn(2-ap) (ED)(O2), B], [Fe(2-ab)(ED)(O2), C], [Fe(2-ap)(ED)(O2), D], [Ni2(2-ab)2(O2)(OH), E] and [Ni2(2-ap)2(O2)(OH), F] showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of these compounds were found in the range of 8-128 µg/ml. Among these compounds, F showed maximum cytotoxicity (LC50 = 3.62 µg/ml) in brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Key words: Peroxo coordination complexes; Antimicrobial activity; antifungal activity; cytotoxic activity. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.3(1-2) 2004 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 6(1): 61-63, 2007 (June) The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to develop a simple, sensitive and rapid RP-HPLC method for the determination of desloratadine in marketed products. Chromatographic determination was performed in a reverse phase C18 column (250 mm × 3.3 mm I.D. , 5?m particle size) using a mixture of acetonitrile ? n-pentane sulphonic acid sodium salt monohydrate, adjusted to pH 3.0± 0.05 with phosphoric acid (60? 40 v/v) as mobile phase and delivered at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The UV detection was set at 254 nm. The calibration range was from 2.0 to 40 ?g/ml. The method was validated in term of linearity (r2>0.98, RSD= 1.958%), precision (RSD=3.757 %) and accuracy (deviation>2.653%, RSD> 2.203%). The limit of quantification was 2 ?g/ml and the limit of detection was 0.1 ?g/ml. The linear ranges of desloratadine were 20.23 ± 0.368 ?g/ml and 6.545 ± 0.0495 ?g/ml in tablet (potency = 99.175 ± 0.718 %) and syrup (potency = 101.15 ± 1.838 %) respectively. The potency of desloratadine in marketed products was determined by this method with acceptable precision and reproducibility. Keywords: Desloratadine, marketed products, RP-HPLC, development of a method Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.5(1-2) 2006 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: An attempt has been made to develop a simple, sensitive and rapid high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method of analysis for sparfloxacin using 35% acetonitrile in buffer solution as mobile phase. Buffer solution (40 mM of sodium dihydrogen phosphate in de-ionized water) was used as solvent to dissolve sparfloxacin and 0.05mg/ml stock solution was prepared. Sparfloxacin solution was scanned with UV-spectrophotometer and the absorption maximum (λ max ) was found at 292 rim. This method was successfully applied to four tablet dosage forms of sparfloxacin encoded as ?, ?, ?, and ?, from four different companies and the result was found to be satisfactory and reproducible. Key words: Sparfloxacin, HPLC, analysis Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 6(1): 21-23, 2007 (June) The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Diclofenac sodium loaded agarose beads were prepared and release profile of Diclofenac Sodium was investigated. Beads were prepared by dropping a hot aqueous agar solution into a beaker of chilled Paraffin oil and water. Water was made acidic to the pH of 1.65 using concentrated hydrochloric acid to reduce the prior diffusion of Diclofenac sodium into preparatory vehicle. Upon drying, the beads shrank and their dimensions were changed. In-vitro drug dissolution studies were carried out in distilled water. The release profile was found to be a function of polymer load and electrolytes incorporation into the beads. Increasing the polymer load decreased the rate and extent of drug release due to increased thickness and reduced the porosity of the system. Incorporation of mono & divalent metal salts by abating the amount of agarose in the formulations increased the release rate of the drug. Key words: Diclofenac Na, Agarose bead, Electrolyte Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(2) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Different extracts of the leaves and barks of Zizyphus rugosa and Zizyphus oenoplia were studied for their antibacterial, antifungal, and b-glucuronidase inhibitory activities. The methanol extract of Z. rugosa bark showed significant antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aerogenes whereas the methanol extract of leaves demonstrated moderate activity against Salmonella typhi . The chloroform and methanol extracts of Z. oenoplia showed good activity against a few bacteria strains. The chloroform extracts of the barks and leaves of Z. rugosa also showed antifungal activity. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the bark of Z. rugosa revealed significant b-glucuronidase inhibitory activity. Lupeol, betuline, betulinaldehyde and betulinic acid, isolated from Z. rugosa , also showed good activity against a few bacteria. Key words: Zizyphus rugosa, Zizyphus oenoplia , Antibacterial, Antifungal, b-glucuronidase inhibition Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(2) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 6(1): 51-53, 2007 (June) The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website

Abstract: The serum concentration of zinc, copper, manganese and lead in 30 manic patients and 30 human volunteers were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. It was observed that the concentration of zinc in manic patients increased significantly (P 0.05). These concentrations of different trace elements may have some prognostic significance for the diagnosis of manic patients, but more work is suggested to find out the exact correlation between trace elements level & the degree of disorder in manic patients. Key words: Mania, trace elements, serum etc. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. Vol.4(1) 2005 The full text is of this article is available at the Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. website