Influence of Moringa oleifera on pharmacokinetic disposition of rifampicin using HPLC‐PDA method: a pre‐clinical study

The influence of active fraction isolated from pods of an indigenous plant, Moringa oleifera (MoAF) was studied on the pharmacokinetic profile of the orally administered frontline anti‐tuberculosis drug rifampicin (20 mg/kg b.w.) in Swiss albino mice. The antibiotic rifampicin alone and in combination with MoAF (0.1 mg/kg b.w.) was administered orally and heparanized blood samples were collected from the orbital plexus of mice for plasma separation at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h, post treatment. Plasma rifampicin concentration, pharmacokinetic parameters and drug metabolizing enzyme (cytochrome P‐450) activity were determined. The pharmacokinetic data revealed that MoAF‐treated animals had significantly increased rifampicin plasma concentration, C_max, K_el, t_½(a), t_½(el), K_a and AUC as well as inhibited rifampicin‐induced cytochrome P‐450 activity. In conclusion, the result of this study suggested that the bioavailability‐enhancing property of MoAF may help to lower the dosage level and shorten the treatment course of rifampicin. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three‐Component Domino Reaction in PPG: An Easy Access to 4‐Thiazolidinone Derivatives

A simple, economical, and convenient synthesis of a new series of 4‐thiazolidinone derivatives using one‐pot three‐component condensation of aromatic amines, thioglycolic acid and aromatic aldehydes or cyclohexanone in polypropylene glycol (PPG), a recyclable and inexpensive solvent medium is reported. All the reactions are carried out at 110°C without using catalyst or additives. The products are obtained in good to excellent yields (60–97%) after easy workup and purification.     

New Antiproliferative Tricyclic Sesquiterpenoid from the Leaves of Ocimum sanctum

A new tricyclic sesquiterpenoid 2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐5,5,9‐trimethyltricyclo[7.2.0.0^3,6]undecan‐2‐ol ( 1 ), was identified from the leaves of Ocimum sanctum, and its structure was elucidated by extensive NMR and ESI‐MS analyses. Compound 1 was found to have potent antiproliferative activity against the MCF‐7 cell line.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 2,4-diaryl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]thiazepines

A new series of structurally diverse 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]thiazepines (2,3-dihydro-1,5-benzothiazepines) with substituted phenyl groups at C(2) and C(4) have been synthesized by reaction of 3-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-1-arylpropen-1-ones with 2-aminobenzenethiols. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were confirmed by their analytical and spectral data (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR). All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity against a variety of bacterial and fungal strains and interesting results were obtained. Some of the compounds had antibacterial and antifungal activity comparable to that of ciprofloxacin and fluconazole.