SYNTHESIS AND FORMULATION OF IBUPROFEN PRO-DRUGS FOR ENHANCED TRANSDERMAL ABSORPTION

Objectives: The aim is to synthesize ibuprofen prodrugs that have more suitable physicochemical properties and formulate them into a liquid formulation for topical administration. The transdermal delivery (TDD) is one of the most attractive routes for drug administration as it eliminates the GIT absorption variable, improves patient compliance and also reduces drug plasma fluctuations. However, TDD only drugs with suitable physico-chemical properties can be absorbed. The oral administration of NSAIDs for a long time can cause gastric mucosal damage, which may result in ulceration and bleeding. Thus, the development of a TDD of NSAIDs is of great interest as it decreases GIT side effectsMethods: The synthesis of ibuprofen alkyl esters was carried out by esterification reactions with methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol and hexanol. The formulated samples were then subjected to stability studies according to ICH guidelines.Results: We have successfully synthesized and characterized various esters of ibuprofen. Moreover, ibuprofen butyl ester has been prepared as topical solutions. The formulated TDD was tested for stability according to ICH guidelines and the results showed no changes in the initial appearance during three months of study at room temperature & at 40 °C.Conclusion: The assay and pH were within the pharmacopeial limits during the period of the study. In conclusion, stable topical formulation of Ibuprofen esters was obtained.Â

Early Childhood Caries among a Bedouin community residing in the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>ECC is commonly prevalent among underprivileged populations. The Jahalin Bedouin are a severely deprived, previously nomadic tribe, dwelling on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem. The aim of this study was to assess ECC prevalence and potentially associated variables.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>102 children aged 12–36 months were visually examined for caries, mothers' anterior dentition was visually subjectively appraised, demographic and health behavior data were collected by interview.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among children, 17.6% demonstrated ECC, among mothers, 37.3% revealed "fairly bad" anterior teeth. Among children drinking bottles there was about twice the level of ECC (20.3%) than those breast-fed (13.2%). ECC was found only among children aged more than one year (p < 0.001); more prevalent ECC (55.6%) was found among large (10–13 children) families than among smaller families (1–5 children: 13.5%, 6–9 children: 15.6%) (p = 0.009); ECC was more prevalent among children of less educated mothers (p = 0.037); ECC was more prevalent among mothers with "fairly poor" anterior dentition (p = 0.04). Oral hygiene practices were poor.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>ECC levels in this community were not very high but neither low. This changing population might be on the verge of a wider dental disease "epidemic". Public health efforts clearly need to be invested towards the oral health and general welfare of this community.</p

Biocompatibility, Surface Morphology, and Bacterial Load of Dental Implant Abutments following Decontamination Protocols: An In-Vitro Study

The long-term success of dental implant rehabilitation depends significantly on proper peri-implant soft tissue integration. Therefore, decontamination of abutments prior to their connection to the implant is beneficial to enhance soft tissue attachment and to aid in maintaining marginal bone around the implant. Consequently, different implant abutment decontamination protocols were evaluated regarding biocompatibility, surface morphology, and bacterial load. The protocols evaluated were autoclave sterilization, ultrasonic washing, steam cleaning, chlorhexidine chemical decontamination, and sodium hypochlorite chemical decontamination. The control groups included: (1) implant abutments prepared and polished in a dental lab without decontamination and (2) unprepared implant abutments obtained directly from the company. Surface analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biocompatibility was evaluated using XTT cell viability and proliferation assays. Biofilm biomass and viable counts (CFU/mL) (n = 5 for each test) were used for surface bacterial load evaluation. Surface analysis revealed areas of debris and accumulation of materials, such as iron, cobalt, chromium, and other metals, in all abutments prepared by the lab and with all decontamination protocols. Steam cleaning was the most efficient method for reducing contamination. Chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite left residual materials on the abutments. XTT results showed that the chlorhexidine group (M = 0.7005, SD = 0.2995) had the lowest values (p &lt; 0.001) (autoclave: M = 3.6354, SD = 0.1510; ultrasonic: M = 3.4077, SD = 0.3730; steam: M = 3.2903, SD = 0.2172; NaOCl: M = 3.5377, SD = 0.0927; prep non-decont.: M = 3.4815, SD = 0.2326; factory: M = 3.6173, SD = 0.0392). Bacterial growth (CFU/mL) was high in the abutments treated with steam cleaning and ultrasonic bath: 2.93 &times; 109, SD = 1.68 &times; 1012 and 1.83 &times; 109, SD = 3.95 &times; 1010, respectively. Abutments treated with chlorhexidine showed higher toxicity to cells, while all other samples showed similar effects to the control. In conclusion, steam cleaning seemed to be the most efficient method for reducing debris and metallic contamination. Bacterial load can be reduced using autoclaving, chlorhexidine, and NaOCl

Noncovalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes as a scaffold for tissue engineering

AbstractTissue engineering is one of the hot topics in recent research that needs special requirements. It depends on the development of scaffolds that allow tissue formation with certain characteristics, carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-collagen composite attracted the attention of the researchers with this respect. However, CNTs suffer from low water dispersibility, which hampered their utilization. Therefore, we aim to functionalize CNTs non-covalently with pyrene moiety using an appropriate hydrophilic linker derivatized from polyethylene glycol (PEG) terminated with hydroxyl or carboxyl group to disperse them in water. The functionalization of the CNTs is successfully confirmed by TEM, absorption spectroscopy, TGA, and zeta potential analysis. 3T3 cells-based engineered connective tissues (ECTs) are generated with different concentrations of the functionalized CNTs (f-CNTs). These tissues show a significant enhancement in electrical conductivity at a concentration of 0.025%, however, the cell viability is reduced by about 10 to 20%. All ECTs containing f-CNTs show a significant reduction in tissue fibrosis and matrix porosity relative to the control tissues. Taken together, the developed constructs show great potential for further in vivo studies as engineered tissue.</jats:p