A new transdermal drug delivery system containing hydroquinone

Hydroquinone (HQ) is a drug reported to possess manifold biological activities. HQ is highly unstable into various topical vehicles, presenting low topical bioavailability and a relevant level of toxicity. The Pluronic® Lecithin Organogel (PLOme) is a phospholipidic microemulsion designed for transdermal purposes. The aim of this work was therefore to incorporate HQ into PLOme. We evaluated the stability, the kinetic profile and the antimicrobial activity of HQ- incorporated PLOme. No relevant pH variation was observed. Long-term stability test showed an HQ degradation which led to a short shelf life. HQ permeation rate obtained was lower from PLOme than from a gel matrix. Free and PLOme-encapsulated hydroquinone showed to have a great in vitro inhibitory potential against of S. aureus strains. The encapsulation of HQ due its unstable characteristics could be an alternative to optimize its therapeutic usage, and so further investigation is required on this pharmaceutical form before commercialization.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Analytical method validation for in vitro permeation of Calendula officinalis L. gel

The objective of this study was to evaluate preliminary stability, as well as to validate an analytical method for in vitro skin permeation study of a gel containing tincture of Calendula officinalis L., aiming at the implementation and consolidation of methodologies to be used as prototype for future development of herbal medicine in the Brazilian Amazon region. The gel showed a satisfactory result during the assessment of its preliminary stability considering that the formulation remained stable throughout cycles at temperatures of 45 °C and 25 °C. Parameters obtained in the validation of the analytical method presented satisfactory results for specificity, linearity (r > 0.99), precision (intra-day and inter-day) with relative standard deviation values (R.S.D. %) below the required maximum of 5 %. Accuracy and robustness were consistent with both the objectives of the work and recommendations of the existing laws, providing the reliability of the data obtained during the skin permeation study, evidenced by the gel tendency to promote the permeation of flavonoids, expressed in rutin, through models of synthetic and biological membrane. However, it was observed that the gel had a higher permeability ratio through synthetic membrane, due to greater cumulative mass of rutin quantified after permeation.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Physicochemical and phytochemical control of Arrabidaea chica (H. & B.) Verlot leaf powder and standardized tincture

The quality control of herbal drugs and their intermediates is essential, especially when they are used as feedstock for medicine development. This study aimed at applying the methodologies established by Brazilian legislation for the development of parameters concerning the characterization and quality control of leaf powder and tincture of Arrabidaea chica (H & B) Verlot. Known as cipó-pau (vinestick), carajeru, pariri, among others, it presents antifungal activity and is used in several diseases such as mycosis and ringworm. The physico-chemical characteristics of the plant drug. The phytochemical screening of the t inc tur e indi cat ed the pr e s enc e of r educ ing sugar s , anthocyanidins , anthocyanins , anthraquinones, steroids, triterpenoids, phenols, flavanonols, flavanols, flavanones, saponins and tannins catechists. HPLC chromatograms showed peaks at 275 nm and 290 nm, with Rt of 8.91 and 13.57 min, whose corresponding spectra showed absorption maxima which is characteristic of flavones and biflavonols -283 nm and 334 nm. Some metabolites found in the phytochemical screening and detected by HPLC may justify the popular use of A. chica as antimicrobial and antifungal medicine.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Biosynthesis, characterization and leishmanicidal activity of a biocomposite containing AgNPs-PVP-glucantime

Federal University of Pará. Postgraduate Program in Biology of Infectious & Parasitic Agents. Belém, PA, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laboratório der Microscopia Eletrônica. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Escola Superior da Amazônia. Department of Biomedicine. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará,. Department of Mechanical Engineering. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Faculty of Chemical Engineering. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Physico-Chemical Drug Quality Control Laboratory. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará,. Department of Mechanical Engineering. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Physico-Chemical Drug Quality Control Laboratory. Belém, PA, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Laboratório der Microscopia Eletrônica. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Development of functionalized nanocomposites containing AgNPs-PVP-Glucantime® to evaluate their leishmanicidal activity as a novel method for improving the pharmacological properties of the drug Glucantime® against extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis in vitro to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis. Materials & methods: The silver nanoparticles and nanocomposites prepared containing silver nanoparticles, polyvinylpyrrolidone and different amounts of Glucantime were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and ζ potential analysis; in addition, the in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated. Results: The nanocomposites showed an inhibitory effect on the cellular viability of promastigote forms, with values of 47.06, 51.71 and 65.67% for nanocomposite1, nanocomposite2 and nanocomposite3, respectively, as well as a dose-dependent decrease in the infectivity index, with values of 33.33 and 23% for nanocomposite2 and nanocomposite3, respectively. Conclusion: The proposed nanocomposite reveals leishmanial activity and the absence of cytotoxicity in macrophages. Further investigations will be conducted in vivo

Avaliação do consumo alimentar de crianças pertencentes a uma creche filantrópica na Ilha de Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Food intake assessment of children attending a philanthropic daycare center in the Ilha de Paquetá, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

OBJETIVOS: comparar o consumo alimentar de pré-escolares, pertencentes a uma creche filantrópica, em dois períodos (no ato da matrícula e após seis meses), com base na proposta da Pirâmide Alimentar Infantil Norte-Americana e através do Índice de Alimentação Saudável (IAS). MÉTODOS: relativamente à avaliação dietética, foi utilizada a história alimentar da criança com o responsável, no ato da matrícula; após seis meses de frequência da criança, utilizou-se o método de pesagem de alimentos (na creche) e registro alimentar (na residência). Posteriormente, compararam-se as médias das porções consumidas nos dois períodos, de cada grupo alimentar, utilizando o teste "t" Student, a fim de se verificar a diferença estatística entre os grupos. Considerou-se o nível de significância de 5%. Igualmente, avaliou-se o IAS, nos dois períodos. RESULTADOS: observou-se uma diferença significativa (p<0,05) entre a média das porções de frutas e vegetais, com base na Pirâmide Alimentar Americana, e um escore satisfatório do Índice de Alimentação Saudável, após seis meses de frequência da criança na creche. CONCLUSÕES: a freqüência à creche parece trazer benefícios para a nutrição de crianças pertencentes à estratos socioeconômicos menos favorecidos.<br>OBJECTIVES: to compare the food intake of children in a philanthropic daycare center in two periods (at enrollment and following six months attendance) based on the North American Food Guide Pyramid through the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). METHODS: the children eating habits were informed by the parents or custodians at enrollment and following six months of children's attendance, the food weighing technique was performed (at the daycare center) and food checking (at home) as well. Following, averages of the portions eaten in the two periods were compared in each of the food intake groups through the "t" Student test to determine the statistical significance between the groups, with the significance rate established at 5%. HEI for the two periods was equally assessed. RESULTS: a significant difference (p<0,05) was determined in the average of fruit and vegetable portions consumed, based on the North American Food Pyramid, and a satisfactory scoring of the Healthy Eating Index following six months of the children's attendance of the day care center. CONCLUSIONS: child attendance of daycare centers may result in nutrition benefits for low income families' children