Enhancing Effect of β-Lactoglobulin on the Rate of Cyclosporin Absorption

tic   The aim of this study was to determine the effects of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) on the intestinal absorption of cyclosporin A (CsA) in vivo and in vitro. After intraduodenal co-administration of CsA (5 mg/kg) with 150 mg/kg β-LG, Tmax was significantly lower than that of control rats which were given the same dose of CsA without β-LG. Cmax and AUC were significantly increased as compared with the control while T1/2 were not significant. Moreover, a deconvolution method revealed that the rate of CsA absorption was enhanced by β-LG (150 mg/kg) by about 12 times. These results indicate that β-LG significantly enhanced the rate of CsA absorption and the extent of CsA bioavailability in the gut. β-LG did not change the solubility of CsA in vitro, but β-LG increased the apical-to-basolateral permeability clearance of CsA (PScell), with pronounced increase in the permeability of unbound CsA (PSu,cell), across the Caco-2 monolayers in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro.  It was thus considered that β-LG-mediated transport of CsA might be a possible mechanism to enhance the intestinal absorption of CsA in vivo

Effect of Thiotriazinone Impurity on Insoluble Microparticle Generation Associated with Ceftriaxone-calcium Salt Precipitation in Original (Rocephin®) and Japanese Generic Ceftriaxone Products

This study examined the effect of thiotriazinone impurity on the generation of insoluble microparticles (IMPs) associated with ceftriaxone-calcium salt precipitation in original (Rocephin®) and Japanese generic ceftriaxone (A; Sawai, B; Nichi-Iko) products when mixed with Ca2＋ 4.3mEq/l. We found that the generation rate of IMPs associated with ceftriaxone-calcium salt precipitation among the three ceftriaxone products tested was in the order of generic (A)＜original＜generic (B), as assessed by light obscuration particle counting. Typically, after 60 min, one of the generic ceftriaxone (B)-calcium mixtures was highly opaque with numerous aggregates of milky-white precipitates, the original ceftriaxone-calcium mixture exhibited noticeable IMPs, and the second generic ceftriaxone (A)-calcium mixture was transparent. The levels of thiotriazinone contaminants, known to be a major impurity in ceftriaxone products, were determined by HPLC and found to be in the order of generic A＞original＞generic B. Moreover, the addition of a small amount of thiotriazinone into the generic ceftriaxone (B)-calcium mixture significantly decreased the amount of IMPs, suggesting that the impurity retards ceftriaxone-calcium crystal growth. We thus concluded that the thiotriazinone impurity acts as a suppressive factor of ceftriaxone-calcium salt precipitation, and that the high level of thiotriazinone impurity in the ceftriaxone (B) product could underlie its lowest rate of IMP generation when mixed with calcium. We thus recommend caution regarding the clinical risk of ceftriaxone-calcium compatibility due to impurity contamination in ceftriaxone products

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - A phytochemical and pharmacological review

Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Hs, roselle; Malvaceae) has been used traditionally as a food, in herbal drinks, in hot and cold beverages, as a flavouring agent in the food industry and as a herbal medicine. In vitro and in vivo studies as well as some clinical trials provide some evidence mostly for phytochemically poorly characterised Hs extracts. Extracts showed antibacterial, anti-oxidant, nephro- and hepato-protective, renal/diuretic effect, effects on lipid metabolism (anti-cholesterol), anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects among others. This might be linked to strong antioxidant activities, inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase, inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE), and direct vaso-relaxant effect or calcium channel modulation. Phenolic acids (esp. protocatechuic acid), organic acid (hydroxycitric acid and hibiscus acid) and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside) are likely to contribute to the reported effects. More well designed controlled clinical trials are needed which use phytochemically characterised preparations. Hs has an excellent safety and tolerability record. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd