Serrapeptase is an anti-inflammatory, proteolytic enzyme isolated from the microorganism, Serratia sp. HY-6. Very few methods are available for the quantification of serrapeptase. The activity of the enzyme is determined by an ELISA assay, colorimetric method using casein as substrate or by HPLC method. These methods are lengthy, time consuming and require a number of reagents and solvents. Therefore an attempt was made to develop a simple alternative method for regular estimation of drug in formulations. Serrapeptase enzyme was estimated in formulations by using microplate readers which uses the principle of vertical photometry. Further this method was validated and the robustness of this method was checked by estimating the drug in various formulations including liposomes and marketed tablet formulations. A linear relationship between drug concentration and absorbance was observed between 1-4 microg/ml at 230 nm (R(2)=0.9911). The percentage recovery values of the drug in serrapeptase liposomes were found to lie within the standard limit (97-98%) which confirms the method is accurate and free from any positive or negative interference of the excipient. The low value of standard deviation obtained confirms the precision of the method. (+/-0.020 - +/-0.044). The drug content values in marketed tablets values obtained matched the label claim. The proposed microplate UV-method for determination of serrapeptase in formulations is novel, simple, inexpensive, fast, specific and robust. Thus this method could be a better alternative for regular estimation of drug in the various marketed formulations of serrapeptase.

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Imparting right knowledge about menstruation and menstrual hygiene to adolescent girls is very important to protect them from various reproductive tract infections and reproductive health. This cross sectional study was conducted in adolescent girls studying in Government School (GS) (n=50) and Private School (PS) (n=50) school (N=100) to know about the knowledge and practice of menstrual hygiene among the adolescent girls in Barugur, Tamil Nadu before and after an education program. Among the selected girls, 14 to 15 years old were 55 per cent. Hindus were more than 90 percent. Nearly 58 per cent of PS and 40 per cent of GS belonged to Class III of Prasad's economic classification. PS had significantly more knowledge about menstrual hygiene and better practice before attending the education program and there was a significant improvement (P>0.05) in the knowledge and practice of GS and PS after the program. Periodical conduct of many such education programs is essential for practice of proper menstrual hygiene by rural adolescent girls.