Validation of microbiological assay for determination of cefuroxime in injectable preparations

The validation of a microbiological assay, applying agar diffusion method for determination of the active of cefuroxime in power for injection, is described. Using a strain of Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341 as the test organism, cefuroxime was measured in concentrations ranging from 30.0 to 120.0 μg/mL. The method validation showed that it is linear (r = 0.9999), precise (relative standard deviation = 0.37 %) and accurate (it measured the added quantities). Microbiological assay is satisfactory for quantitation of cefuroxime in powder for injection and the validity of the proposed bioassay, which is a simple and a useful alternative methodology for cefuroxime determination in routine quality control.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Dimorphandra mollis: An alternative as a source of flavonoids with antioxidant action

Os frutos da espécie Dimorphandra mollis são ricos nos flavonóides rutina e quercetina, que são compostos com alta atividade antioxidante, podendo assim ser utilizados na prevenção de enfermidades causados por radicais livres. O objetivo deste estudo foi obter um extrato rico em flavonóides a partir dos frutos de D. mollis. O extrato foi analisado utilizando os métodos de doseamento por espectrofotometria e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Foi identificada a presença de rutina e quercetina no extrato, que apresentou um teor de flavonóides totais de 33,71 %. O extrato, ainda, apresentou ação antioxidante favorável frete aos radicais DPPH e ABTS. Assim, foi possível concluir que os frutos de D. mollis são uma rica fonte de flavonóides de ação antioxidante.Dimorphandra mollis fruits are rich in flavonoids rutin and quercetin, which are compounds with high antioxidant activity and can be used to prevent diseases caused by free radicals. The aim of this study was to obtain an extract rich in flavonoids from fruits of D. mollis. The extract was analyzed using the methods of determination by spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography. The presence of rutin and quercetin was identified in the extract, which showed a total flavonoids content of 33.71 %. The extract also showed antioxidant activity as scanvanger of DPPH and ABTS radicals. It was possible to conclude that D. mollis fruits are a rich source of flavonoids with antioxidant action.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Operculina macrocarpa: chemical and intestinal motility effect in mice

Operculina macrocarpa (L.) Urb., Convolvulaceae, is used by the population as a laxative. In this work we described the isolation of the three phenolic acids present in the hydroethanolic extract of the O. macrocarpa roots. The quantification of the caffeic, chlorogenic acids and of the new caffeic dimer in the hydroethanolic and infusion extracts was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled photodiode array detector. These analyses showed the higher content of the chlorogenic, caffeic and the new 3,4⿲-dehydrodicaffeic acid in hydroethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts without resin in which infusion. The acid found in greater quantity is caffeic acid followed by the 3,4⿲-dehydrodicaffeic acid. The laxative activity was evaluated by different experimental models of intestinal transit with the hydroethanolic and infusion extracts, and the resin fraction, caffeic, chlorogenic and ferulic acids. The results showed all extracts and compounds tested had significant activity in the experimental model tested. These results obtained are essential for the future development of a pharmaceutical product with safety and efficacy. Keywords: Batata-de-purga, HPLC-UV-PDA, Laxative, Operculina macrocarpa, Phenolic acid

Microbiological control of packaging materials for medicines and cosmetics

As exigências dos consumidores e agências reguladoras, associadas à necessidade de embalagens mais eficientes, seguras, com boa qualidade microbiana conduziram à obtenção de embalagens que garantam a integridade do produto e a saúde do usuário. Entretanto, a embalagem pode ser fonte de contaminação quando não obedece ao critério de qualidade microbiana. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a qualidade microbiana de material de acondicionamento de medicamentos e cosméticos disponíveis no mercado brasileiro, no que diz respeito ao cumprimento da legislação, quanto ao nível de contaminação de produtos não estéreis no Brasil. Embalagens de vidro e de plástico foram submetidas à análise microbiológica para verificar a presença de microrganismos viáveis. As embalagens destinadas ao acondicionamento de medicamentos cumprem com o especificado pela RDC 481 de 23/9/1999 da ANVISA, entretanto, as destinadas aos cosméticos não cumprem com tais exigências. O controle de qualidade microbiológico de material de acondicionamento possui importância fundamental, relacionado diretamente com a saúde pública.Several consumers and official agencies, associated with the necessity of more efficient, safety and good microbiological quality packaging materials, conducted to the challenge of having packages which assure both the integrity of products and consumer's health. However, the packaging material can be an important source of microorganisms when does not fulfill the microbiological quality requirements. The objective of this work was to study the microbiological quality of different types of packaging materials for medicines and cosmetics. The microbial quality studies were conducted by analyzing representative samples by bioassay. The packing materials were analyzed for microbiological quality to verify presence of viable microorganisms. They showed the analyzed packaging materials for medicines are in agreement with RDC # 481 on 23/9/1999 of ANVISA. However, the packages to store cosmetic material are not fulfilling this RDC. The microbiological quality control of packing materials has fundamental importance for public health.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Evaluation of efficacy of preservatives associated with Achillea millefolium L. extract against Bacillus subtilis Avaliação da eficácia de conservantes associados a extrato de Achillea millefolium L. contra Bacillus subtilis

The antimicrobial efficacy of three preservatives used in cosmetic formulations was evaluated. Phenova® and imidazolidinyl urea inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis when added to leaf extract of Achillea millefolium L., whereas 0.2% Nipagin®/ Nipasol® in propylene glycol did not.<br>A eficácia antimicrobiana de conservantes empregados em formulações cosméticas foi avaliada usando Phenova® e Imidazolinidil uréia que inibiram o crescimento de Bacillus subtilis no extrato de Achillea millefolium L. e Nipagin®/ Nipasol® 0,2% em propilenoglicol não apresentaram efeito microbicida

Tomato salad: an alternative as antioxidant source for topic use

O tomate é a principal fonte de licopeno que é um carotenóide com alta atividade antioxidante, podendo assim ser utilizado topicamente na forma de um fitocosmético no combate ao envelhecimento cutâneo. O objetivo deste estudo foi obter um extrato rico em licopeno através da polpa do tomate tipo salada. O extrato foi analisado utilizando os métodos de espectroscopia no ultravioleta/visível, cromatografia de camada delgada e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. A atividade antioxidante do extrato foi avaliada utilizando o método do radical livre DPPH. Foi identificada a presença de licopeno na polpa do tomate salada e o extrato apresentou uma fração apolar rica em carotenóides referente a 96,70% de licopeno. Na avaliação da atividade antioxidante usando o radical DPPH, o extrato apresentou atividade (IC50 de 0,311 mg/mL). Nós concluímos que o tomate salada é uma fonte rica em licopeno e pode ser utilizado futuramente como antioxidante para uso tópicoTomato is the principal source of lycopene, a carotenoid with high antioxidant activity which can be used topically as a phytocosmetic to combat skin aging. The aim of this study was to get a lycopene-rich extract from salad tomato pulp. The extract was analyzed using UV/vis spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Oxidant activity was analyzed using the free radical DPPH method. The presence of lycopene in the salad tomato was confirmed. It was present in the apolar fraction rich in carotenoids, which was 96.70% lycopene. In the evaluation of the antioxidant activity, using the radical DPPH, the extract showed activity (IC50 = 0,311 mg/mL). We conclude that the salad tomato can be used as a source of antioxidants for topic use.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Antidiarrheal activity of <i>Guazuma ulmifolia</i> Lam. (Sterculiaceae)

The high incidence of diarrhea in the population demands a search for new therapeutic options and easy access, mainly from plant-based sources. Leaves and bark of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. (Sterculiaceae) are popularly employed against diarrhea. However, no information was found in the literature about this supposed property of the drug. In this study we evaluated in vivo antidiarrheal activity of stem bark extracts from G. ulmifolia in mice, and in vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella sp., Shigella flexneri, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by using the microdilution method. The n-BuOH semipurified fraction (GU#3) significantly reduced intestinal motility. The extracts did not show antimicrobial activity. G. ulmifolia Lam. had non-specific antidiarrheal, and antimotility activity in the experimental models studied, and could be used as an alternative treatment for non-infectious diarrhea.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire