Sanjar Alam

Publications (4) View all

• Article: Development and evaluation of thymoquinone-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles for nose-to-brain targeting: a pharmacoscintigraphic study.

  Sanjar Alam, Zeenat I Khan, Gulam Mustafa, Manish Kumar, Fakhrul Islam, Aseem Bhatnagar, Farhan J Ahmad
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  ABSTRACT: Chitosan (CS) nanoparticles of thymoquinone (TQ) were prepared by the ionic gelation method and are characterized on the basis of surface morphology, in vitro or ex vivo release, dynamic light scattering, and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) studies. Dynamic laser light scattering and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the particle diameter was between 150 to 200 nm. The results showed that the particle size of the formulation was significantly affected by the drug:CS ratio, whereas it was least significantly affected by the tripolyphosphate:CS ratio. The entrapment efficiency and loading capacity of TQ was found to be 63.3% ± 3.5% and 31.23% ± 3.14%, respectively. The drug-entrapment efficiency and drug-loading capacity of the nanoparticles appears to be inversely proportional to the drug:CS ratio. An XRD study proves that TQ dispersed in the nanoparticles changes its form from crystalline to amorphous. This was further confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry thermography. The flat thermogram of the nanoparticle data indicated that TQ formed a molecular dispersion within the nanoparticles. Optimized nanoparticles were evaluated further with the help of scintigraphy imaging, which ascertains the uptake of drug into the brain. Based on maximum concentration, time-to-maximum concentration, area-under-curve over 24 hours, and elimination rate constant, intranasal TQ-loaded nanoparticles (TQ-NP1) proved more effective in brain targeting compared to intravenous and intranasal TQ solution. The high drug-targeting potential and efficiency demonstrates the significant role of the mucoadhesive properties of TQ-NP1.
  International Journal of Nanomedicine 01/2012; 7:5705-18. · 3.13 Impact Factor
• Article: Quantitative analysis of safranal in saffron extract and nanoparticle formulation by a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method.

  Shadab Ahmad Pathan, Sanjar Alam, Gaurav K Jain, Syed M A Zaidi, Sohail Akhter, Divya Vohora, Roop K Khar, Farhan J Ahmad
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  ABSTRACT: Safranal is an effective anticonvulsant shown to act as an agonist at GABA(A) receptors. Nose to brain delivery via nanoparticle formulation might improve its brain delivery. A selective and sensitive analytical method is required for evaluation of safranal-based novel drug delivery systems. To develop and validate a high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the quantitative analysis of safranal as bulk, in saffron extract and in developed safranal-loaded nanoparticle formulation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on silica gel pre-coated TLC aluminium plates 60F-254, using n-hexane:ethyl acetate (9 : 1, v/v) as the mobile phase. Quantitative analysis was carried out by densitometry at a wavelength of 310 nm. The method was validated and applied to detect related impurities, to analyse safranal in saffron extract and to evaluate safranal-loaded nanoparticles. Compact spots of safranal were observed at R(f) value 0.51 +/- 0.02. The method was linear (r = 0.9991) between 0.5 and 5.0 ng/spot. The intra- and inter-day precisions were 1.08-2.17 and 1. 86-3.47%, respectively. The limit of detection was 50 ng/spot and the limit of quantification was 150 ng/spot. The method proved to be accurate (recovery 97.4-102.0%) and was selective for safranal. Evaluation of safranal-loaded nanoparticle formulation demonstrated drug loading of 23.0%, encapsulation efficiency of 42.0% and sustained drug release following biphasic pattern. The present method is useful for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of safranal and safranal-loaded nanoparticle formulation. It provides significant advantages in terms of greater specificity and rapid analysis.
  Phytochemical Analysis 10/2009; 21(3):219-23. · 2.63 Impact Factor
• Article: AIDS : Prevention and Pharmacist's role

  Akhter Sohail, Mustafa Gulam, Ali Raisuddin, Alam Sanjar
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  ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS currently affects about 31 million people worldwide. Many infected people do not receive proper care because of a lack of resources or education about current treatment options. Even where treatments are available, they are often not optimal because of poor adherence, adverse events or resistance. In developed countries, HIV/AIDS is quickly becoming a chronic disease requiring long term care. Disease management concepts are being adapted to this disease, but are not yet fully successful because of the lack of definitive guidelines and disjointed delivery of care. Also, alternative caregivers have not been actively recognized by traditional providers, resulting in even less continuity of care. A new community-based model for healthcare delivery for people with HIV/AIDS is required. A potential model uses the pharmacy, now termed a community care centre, as the focal point for care delivery. A new healthcare team, including a doctor/physician, pharmacist and nutritionist would coordinate treatment selection and delivery. The pharmacist would also act as a community resource for information on HIV/AIDS to help dispel myths and misinformation about the disease. They can be a provider of testing services and counseling, as well as preventative methods and information.
  Pharmaceutical Reviews. 01/2008;
• Article: Mucosal Immunization And The Use Of Plga As Carrier

  M Kalaivani, M. Zaffer Ahmad, Alam Sanjar, Akhter Sohail
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  ABSTRACT: Immunization is one of the most important cost effective weapons for protecting individuals and the community from infectious diseases. It provides complete protection against infectious disease.The introduction of vaccines into medical practice at the beginning of the past century has had an extraordinary impact on human health and welfare and represents an unparalleled success story in modern medicine. Vaccines are considered to be the safest and most effective medical intervention currently available. In conjunction with the introduction of antibiotics and modern hygiene practices, vaccines have contributed enormously to a steady decline in the mortality and morbidity caused by infectious diseases.29Successful immunization means complete/maximum protection against infection with minimum number of doses. But currently available vaccines needs atleast 2-3 doses for maximum immunity. Immunisation with available vaccine is difficult for massive immunization in developing countries due to inadequate compliance, need of trained professional and cost of sterility for parentral administration. The number of doses can be reduced by developing controlled release antigen delivery systems and by improving immune responses of weak antigen.The current global scenario calls for a more-efficacious, acceptable, cost-effective and reliable method of immunization.5,7
  Pharmaceutical Reviews. 01/2008;