A quantitative validated method using liquid chromatography and chemometric analysis for evaluation of raw material oF Maytenus ilicifolia (Schrad.) Planch., Celastraceae

The hydroalcoholic extracts prepared from standard leaves of Maytenus ilicifolia and commercial samples of espinheira-santa were evaluated qualitatively (fingerprinting) and quantitatively. In this paper, fingerprinting chromatogram coupled with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is described for the metabolomic analysis of standard and commercial espinheira-santa samples. The epicatechin standard was used as an external standard for the development and validation of a quantitative method for the analysis in herbal medicines using a photo diode array detector. This method has been applied for quantification of epicatechin in commercialized herbal medicines sold as espinheira-santa in Brazil and in the standard sample of M. ilicifolia

Lemongrass Essential Oil (Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf.) Seasonal Evaluation and Microencapsulation by Spray-Drying

Abstract Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is an aromatic plant of great significance in industries due to its essential oil characteristic aroma. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that evaporate when in contact with air and have low chemical stability, which can improve encapsulation techniques. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal influence in the concentration of the predominant component citral of the essential oil of C. citratus and develop microparticles by spray drying containing this vegetal matrix. The lemongrass leaves were collected in the four seasons, and the essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled with the mass spectrometry technique (GC-MS). Different proportions of arabic and guar gums were evaluated as encapsulating agents. Physicochemical analyses characterized the microparticle powder. GC-MS showed higher citral in the spring and summer (84.89% and 79.39%, respectively), and it was possible to identify a high amount of citral in the microparticles. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy showed agglomerate and collapsed microparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested the essential oil encapsulation due to a band at 1675 cm-1 used as a reference, related to the acyclic monoterpenes of citral. X-ray diffraction showed the amorphous structure of the microparticles. Thermogravimetric curves of microparticles showed higher Tonset in microparticles than those observed for pure lemongrass essential oil, inferring that microencapsulation improved the thermal stability. This result confirms the lemongrass essential oil microencapsulation and its potential application in food products, drugs, or cosmetics

Preparation, Characterization and Stability Study of Eugenol-Loaded Eudragit RS100 Nanocapsules for Dental Sensitivity Reduction

Abstract Eugenol is a phenolic compound with numerous biological activities. It is widely used in dentistry to treat toothache and pulpitis. In particular, eugenol may be used for tooth whitening procedures to minimize dental sensitivity in patients. However, eugenol has some disadvantages such as its volatility, its photosensitivity, and immediate effect, which can be avoided by using pharmaceutical nanotechnology. The aim of the present study was to obtain, characterize, quantify, and evaluate the physicochemical stability of eugenol-loaded Eudragit RS100 nanocapsules. The nanocapsules (NCs) were prepared by interfacial deposition of the preformed polymer method. The NCs were characterized through morphological and spectroscopic studies. The encapsulation efficiency was achieved by quantifying the non-encapsulated eugenol using a previously developed and validated analytical method. The physicochemical stability of NCs was assessed at predetermined time intervals for 90 days after preparation. The nanocapsules were successfully prepared by the chosen method and had a predominantly spherical shape with a smooth surface. The mean size, the polydispersion index, and the zeta potential were in agreement to literature data. Infrared spectra ensured that the nanoencapsulation process did not result in chemical reactions between the drug and the polymer. The formulations showed encapsulation efficiency higher than 90% and remained stable after 60 days of preparation. Thus, eugenol-loaded Eudragit RS100 nanocapsules may be further considered as an alternative formulation for dental sensitivity in order to provide a controlled release, a decreased toxicity, and a better dental sensitivity relief

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

<b>Determinação de ferro (III) em produtos farmacêuticos por titulação fotométrica</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v33i1.8034

Este trabalho descreve a montagem de um sistema de titulação fotométrica simples e de baixo custo para a determinação de ferro (III) em produtos farmacêuticos. O sistema de titulação fotométrica foi construído utilizando-se a bomba peristáltica de um espectrofotômetro convencional. O procedimento é baseado na titulação de ferro (III) com EDTA e ácido salicílico como indicador. A absorção do complexo ferro (III)-ácido salicílico foi monitorada espectrofotometricamente em 525 nm. O limite de quantificação foi de 5 µg de ferro (III). O procedimento de titulação fotométrica foi aplicado para a determinação de ferro (III) em amostras contendo sulfato ferroso e hidróxido férrico polimaltosado. O procedimento mostrou sensibilidade, reprodutibilidade e precisão para a utilização em análise rotineira de ferro (III) em produtos farmacêuticos

Determinação de ferro (III) em produtos farmacêuticos por titulação fotométrica = Determination of iron (III) in pharmaceutical products by photometric titration

Este trabalho descreve a montagem de um sistema de titulacao fotometrica simples e de baixo custo para a determinacao de ferro (III) em produtos farmaceuticos. O sistema de titulacao fotometrica foi construido utilizando-se a bomba peristaltica de um espectrofotometro convencional. O procedimento e baseado na titulacao de ferro (III) com EDTA e acido salicilico como indicador. A absorcao do complexo ferro (III)-acido salicilico foi monitorada espectrofotometricamente em 525 nm. O limite de quantificacao foi de 5 ƒÝg de ferro (III). O procedimento de titulacao fotometrica foi aplicado para a determinacao de ferro (III) em amostras contendo sulfato ferroso e hidroxido ferrico polimaltosado. O procedimento mostrou sensibilidade, reprodutibilidade e precisao para a utilizacao em analise rotineira de ferro (III) em produtos farmaceuticos.<br><br>This paper describes a simple, precise and low-cost photometrictitration method for iron (III) determination in pharmaceutical preparations. The photometric titration system was constructed using the peristaltic pump of a conventional spectrophotometer. The method is based on titration of iron (III) with EDTA using salicylic acid as indicator. The absorption of the iron (III)-salicylic acid complex wasmonitored spectrophotometrically at 525 nm. The limit of quantification was 5 ƒÝg of iron (III). The photometric titration procedure was applied for the determination of iron (III) in samples of ferrous sulfate and ferric hydroxide polymaltose complex. The procedure showed sensibility, reproducibility and accuracy for use as a method for the routine analysis of iron (III) in pharmaceutical formulations

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Matrizes hidrofílicas de quitosana/captopril: Desenvolvimento e Caracterização Físico-Química&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;

Neste trabalho, avaliou-se a utilização da quitosana como matriz hidrofílica no desenvolvimento de comprimidos de liberação prolongada de captopril. Os comprimidos foram obtidos por compressão direta utilizando-a em diferentes proporções (10, 15, 20 e 25%). As formulações contendo quitosana foram comparadas com uma formulação de liberação imediata contendo croscarmelose. Os resultados obtidos nos ensaios de peso médio, friabilidade, dureza, uniformidade de conteúdo e doseamento indicaram que todos os comprimidos apresentavam características de qualidade condizentes com os limites especificados na Farmacopeia Brasileira. Os ensaios de dissolução evidenciaram um aumento do tempo de liberação do captopril com o aumento da proporção de quitosana na matriz, indicando que essas formulações apresentaram perfis de liberação prolongada do fármaco, especialmente a formulação contendo 25% de quitosana. Os valores dos coeficientes de correlação indicaram que os modelos cinéticos que melhor se ajustam ao perfil de dissolução das formulações avaliadas foram o modelo proposto por Higuchi (pH 1,2) e o de primeira ordem (pH 6,8). &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Palavras-chave&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;: Captopril. Comprimidos. Quitosana. Liberação prolongada. &lt;b&gt;ABSTRACT&lt;/b&gt; &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Hydrophilic Matrices of Chitosan/Captopril: Development and physicochemical Characterization&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt; In this study, chitosan was used as a hydrophilic matrix in the development of prolonged-release tablets of captopril. The tablets were obtained by direct compression, with the chitosan in various proportions (10, 15, 20 and 25%). The formulations were compared with an immediate-release formulation containing croscarmellose. In assessments of weight variation, friability, hardness, content uniformity and drug assay, all the tablets complied with the standards of quality set by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. Dissolution tests showed that the release time of captopril increased with the content of chitosan in the matrix, indicating that these formulations showed prolonged-release profiles of the drug, especially the one containing 25% chitosan. The kinetic models that fitted the dissolution profiles of the formulations best (with the highest correlation coefficients) were the Higuchi (at pH 1.2) and first-order (at pH 6.8) models. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Keywords&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/i&gt;: Captopril. Tablets. Chitosan. Prolonged release

<b>Avaliação da qualidade das amostras comercias de <em>Baccharis trimera</em> L. (Carqueja) vendidas no Estado do Paraná</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v31i1.3050 <b>Quality Evaluation of Commercial Samples of <em>Baccharis trimera</em> L. (Carqueja) sold in Paraná State</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v31i1.3050

O presente trabalho descreve a avaliação da qualidade de 12 amostras comerciais de ‘carqueja’ (<em>Baccharis trimera</em> L.) que são empregadas na medicina tradicional como estomáquicas e diuréticas e são vendidas em estabelecimentos comerciais farmacêuticos no Estado do Paraná, visando ao preparo de chás. Foram avaliados parâmetros de qualidade preconizados na Farmacopéia Brasileira e na literatura específica: características dos rótulos e bulas, análise sensorial, autenticidade das amostras, material estranho e doseamento de marcadores químicos. Todos os produtos avaliados apresentaram algum tipo de irregularidade segundo os códigos oficiais, sendo necessária maior intensificação na vigilância de produtos à base de plantas medicinais.<br>This study aimed to evaluate the quality of 12 samples prepared with ‘carqueja’ (<em>Baccharis trimera</em> L.) used in traditional medicine as stomachic and diuretic medicines, and sold in commercial pharmacies in Paraná State. The analyses used parameters from the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia and specific literature. The methodology consisted in evaluating the product labels and instructions of the samples to verify their accordance to the specific legislation, sensorial analysis, authenticity of the samples, purity and dosage of chemical markers. All products showed some type of mistake or irregularity according to the official codes. These results showed that is necessary to intensify the inspection of medicinal plants in Brazil