Evaluation of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and chitosan hydrophilic matrices containing captopril

Neste estudo, comprimidos matriciais de captopril foram desenvolvidos utilizando-se hidroxipropilmetilcelulose (HPMC) e quitosana (QTS) em diferentes proporções (50:50, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80), por compressão direta. Os comprimidos apresentaram características físicas em conformidade com os padrões Farmacopeicos. Nos estudos de intumescimento realizados em pH 1,2 e pH 6,8, os comprimidos mostraram diferentes perfis de hidratação. Os testes de dissolução indicaram que os polímeros utilizados foram adequados para melhorar a liberação prolongada do captopril, especialmente a formulação contendo HPMC-QTS, na proporção de 40:60. O mecanismo envolvido na liberação do fármaco foi uma cinética não-Fickiana (0.43 1).In this study, captopril matrices tablets were developed with hidroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and chitosan (CTS) with different proportions (50:50, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80) by direct compression. The tablets showed physical characteristics appropriate to the Pharmacopoeia standards. In swelling studies carried out in pH 1.2 and pH 6.8, the tablets showed different profiles of hydration. The dissolution test indicated that the polymers selected were adequate to improve the delayed release of captopril, especially for the formulation containing HPMC-CTS in proportion of 40:60. The mechanism involved in drug release was non-Fickian kinetics (0.43 1).Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Antimicrobial activity of Alternanthera brasiliana Kuntze (Amaranthaceae): a biomonitored study

In an attempt to identify new antimicrobial compounds with potential to be used as a bactericidal/ fungicidal agent, a biomonitored study of extracts of Alternanthera brasiliana, which is used in Brazilian folk medicine as bactericidal, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, was developed. Different techniques of evaluation have been used in the partitioned extracts of the antimicrobial activity associated with chromatographic methodologies. The work led to the isolation of two substances in the ethyl acetate extract, identified as quercetin and sitosterol glycoside and the antibacterial evaluation of these substances demonstrated that the flavonoid presented antibacterial action against S. aureus. Further studies intend to identify new substances with antibacterial activity in extracts of A. brasiliana.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Quality evaluation of commercial samples of Maytenus ilicifolia (espinheira-santa) sold in the Parana state

Maytenus ilicifolia (espinheira-santa) é conhecida por suas propriedades antiulcerosas, sendo empregada no tratamento de quadros de dispepsias. Avaliou-se a qualidade de 18 amostras comercializadas em diferentes regiões do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. As amostras foram analisadas segundo parâmetros a preconizados na Farmacopéia Brasileira 4 edição e legislação vigente. Os métodos empregados examinaram aspectos referentes a apresentação do produto, características organolépticas, físico-químicas e microbiológicas. Nenhuma amostra cumpriu plenamente as exigências dos testes, demonstrando que estas apresentam algum tipo de desvio de qualidade, sendo necessário reforçar a fiscalização para garantir ao consumidor produtos adequado para o uso e função terapêutica indicados.Maytenus ilicifolia ("espinheira-santa") is known for its antiulcerous proprieties and is used to treat stomach problems. This work describes the quality study of eighteen samples marked in different parts of Parana State, Brazil, by using parameters of Brazilian Pharmacopoeia and specific legislation. The methods evaluated aspects concerning the presentation of the product and organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. All the samples had some sort of irregularity in relation to the official code. The results showed that is necessary to intensify the inspection to ensure the quality necessary for the use and therapeutic indication of this product.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Hypromelose / polyethylene oxide (PEO) matrix tablets for oral sustained Aacyclovir release: formulation aspects and release behavior

Hydrophilic matrix tablets were developed with acyclovir (ACV), using hypromelose and polyethylene oxide (PEO) in different concentrations. Matrix tablets obtained in each formulation were evaluated to determine the weight variation, thickness, hardness, drug content, swelling and erosion and in vitro release. The swelling and erosion studies were influenced by pH value and polymer type. The ACV release under acid conditions occurred around 12 and 6 h for PEO and hypromelose matrices, respectively. The mechanism involved in drug release was characterized by anomalous behavior for all formulations, except in 0.1 N HCl where formulations containing hypromelose demonstrated a Super Case II kinetics.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Cytotoxicity of latex and pharmacobotanical study of leaves and stem of Euphorbia umbellata (Janaúba)

AbstractIn southern Brazil, the bottled latex of Synadenium grantii Hook f., Euphorbiaceae, is popularly used as a treatment of all types of cancer. Similarly, Synadenium umbellatum Pax. is used in the central western region of Brazil for the same purpose and in the same manner of use. Both plants are popularly known as janaúba or leitosinha. The objectives of this study were to use pharmacobotanical analysis to verify whether these two species, which are considered to be distinct, are actually the same to determine anatomical markers; to assist in the identification and differentiation of other Euphorbia; and to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of the latex in relation to HeLa and HRT-18 cells. Leaves and stems of the species were collected in Goiânia and Ponta Grossa and were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy techniques. The latex was also collected and analyzed in relation to its cytotoxic effect by employing MTT and NR techniques. The pharmacobotanical study of the specimens in both localities showed that they were the same species, namely Euphorbia umbellata (Pax) Bruyns, which is the scientific nomenclature accepted and confirmed by an expert taxonomist who specializes in Euphorbia. The pharmacobotanical characteristics highlighted in this study can assist in the identification of the taxon and contribute to the control of the quality of this plant drug. The evaluation of the latex in relation to HRT-18 cells demonstrated action after 48 h of experiment. In contrast, in relation to HeLa cells its induced cytotoxicity in all times and a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values (72 h) observed were 252.58 ± 18.51 µg/ml and 263.42 ± 15.92 µg/ml to MTT experiment and 250.18 ± 19.48 µg/ml and 430.56 ± 19.71 µg/ml to NR experiment for the HeLa and HRT-18 cells, respectively