A Brief Photocatalytic Study of ZnO Containing Cerium towards Ibuprofen Degradation

Ibuprofen (IBU) is one of the most-sold anti-inflammatory drugs in the world, and its residues can reach aquatic systems, causing serious health and environmental problems. Strategies are used to improve the photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide (ZnO), and thosethat involvethe inclusion of metalhave received special attention. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of the parameters and toxicity of a photoproduct using zinc oxide that contains cerium (ZnO-Ce) for the photodegradation of ibuprofen. The parameters include the influence of the photocatalyst concentration (0.5, 0.5, and 1.5 g L−1) as well as the effects of pH (3, 7, and 10), the effect of H2O2, and radical scavengers. The photocatalyst was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Raman, X-Ray Diffraction, surface area, and diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic activity of ibuprofen was evaluated in an aqueous solution under UV light for 120 min. The structural characterization by XRD and SEM elucidated the fact that the nanoparticle ZnO contained cerium. The band gap value was 3.31 eV. The best experimental conditions for the photodegradation of IBU were 60% obtained in an acidic condition using 0.50 g L−1 of ZnO-Ce in a solution of 20 ppm of IBU. The presence of hydrogen peroxide favored the photocatalysis process. ZnO-Ce exhibited good IBU degradation activity even after three photocatalytic cycles under UV light. The hole plays akey role in the degradation process of ibuprofen. The toxicity of photolyzed products was monitored against Artemia salina (bioindicator) and did not generate toxic metabolites. Therefore, this work provides a strategic design to improve ZnO-Ce photocatalysts for environmental remediation

Bioequivalence between two metronidazole formulations

Se realizó un estudio de bioequivalencia entre dos formulaciones de Metronidazol 400 mg en comprimidos (EMS-Sigma Pharma como ensayo versus Flagyl - Rhodia como referencia). Una dosis única de 400 mg de cada formulación fue administrada en dos períodos cruzados con un intervalo de siete días entre los dos períodos, a un total de 23 voluntarios jóvenes y sanos. Se utilizó un ensayo por HPLC-UV para determinar las concentraciones plasmáticas de Metronidazol. Los parámetros farmacocinéticos determinados fueron: área bajo la curva de concentraciones vs. tiempo de cero a t (ABC0-t), área bajo la curva de concentraciones vs. tiempo desde cero a infinito (ABC0-∞), concentración plasmá- tica máxima (Cmax), tiempo máximo (Tmax), tiempo de vida media (t1/2) y constante de velocidad de absorción (Ke). La razón de los promedios geométricos del Metronidazole EMS / Flagyl 400 mg fueron 91,04% para ABC0-t, 92,05% para ABC0-∞ y 98,09% para Cmax. Los intervalos de confianza de 90% fueran 85,12 - 97,38%, 85,90 - 98,64% y 90,19 - 106,69 respectivamente. Los IC de 90% para ABC0-t, ABC0-∞ y Cmax estaban en el rango de 80- 125% como ANVISA y la FDA recomienda. En base a nuestros resultados se concluye que las dos formulaciones son bioequivalentes, asumiéndose que tendrían igual eficacia clínicaTwo tablet formulations of 400 mg metronidazole were evaluated for their bioequivalence in twenty three healthy male volunteers (metronidazole, from EMS-Sigma Pharma, Brazil, as the test formulations versus Flagyl® from Rhodia, Brazil, as the reference formulation). A single 400 mg oral dose of each preparation was administered in a randomized two-way crossover design with a seven-day interval between doses. Metronidazole plasma concentrations were determined by the HPLC-UV detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters obtained included AUC0-t , AUC0-∞, Cmax, Tmax, t1/2 , and Ke Geometric mean of . metronidazole / Flagyl® 400 mg individual percent ratio was 91.04% for AUC0-t , 92.05% for AUC0-∞, and 98.09% for Cmax. The 90% confidence intervals were 85.12 - 97.38%, 85.90 - 98.64% and 90.19 - 106.69 respectively. Since the 90% CI for the AUC0-t , AUC0-∞, and Cmax were within the 80-125% interval proposed by ANVISA and by the Food and Drug Administration, and it was concluded that metronidazole 400 mg tablet from EMS-Sigma Pharma was bioequivalent to Flagyl® tablet 400 mg with regard to both the rate and extent of absorptionColegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Synthesis and Evaluation of Antiproliferative Activity, Topoisomerase IIα Inhibition, DNA Binding and Non-Clinical Toxicity of New Acridine–Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives

In this study, we report the synthesis of twenty new acridine–thiosemicarbazone derivatives and their antiproliferative activities. Mechanisms of action such as the inhibition of topoisomerase IIα and the interaction with DNA have been studied for some of the most active derivatives by means of both in silico and in vitro methods, and evaluations of the non-clinical toxicities (in vivo) in mice. In general, the compounds showed greater cytotoxicity against B16-F10 cells, with the highest potency for DL-08 (IC50 = 14.79 µM). Derivatives DL-01 (77%), DL-07 (74%) and DL-08 (79%) showed interesting inhibition of topoisomerase IIα when compared to amsacrine, at 100 µM. In silico studies proposed the way of bonding of these compounds and a possible stereoelectronic reason for the absence of enzymatic activity for CL-07 and DL-06. Interactions with DNA presented different spectroscopic effects and indicate that the compound CL-07 has higher affinity for DNA (Kb = 4.75 × 104 M−1; Ksv = 2.6 × 103 M−1). In addition, compounds selected for non-clinical toxicity testing did not show serious signs of toxicity at the dose of 2000 mg/kg in mice; cytotoxic tests performed on leukemic cells (K-562) and its resistant form (K-562 Lucena 1) identified moderate potency for DL-01 and DL-08, with IC50 between 11.45 and 17.32 µM

Implementation of a Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program for improvement on quality of diet and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events: A randomized, multicenter trial

Background: Appropriate dietary recommendations represent a key part of secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We evaluated the effectiveness of the implementation of a nutritional program on quality of diet, cardiovascular events, and death in patients with established CVD. Methods: In this open-label, multicenter trial conducted in 35 sites in Brazil, we randomly assigned (1:1) patients aged 45 years or older to receive either the BALANCE Program (experimental group) or conventional nutrition advice (control group). The BALANCE Program included a unique nutritional education strategy to implement recommendations from guidelines, adapted to the use of affordable and regional foods. Adherence to diet was evaluated by the modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, myocardial revascularization, amputation, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Secondary end points included biochemical and anthropometric data, and blood pressure levels. Results: From March 5, 2013, to Abril 7, 2015, a total of 2534 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either the BALANCE Program group (n = 1,266) or the control group (n = 1,268) and were followed up for a median of 3.5 years. In total, 235 (9.3%) participants had been lost to follow-up. After 3 years of follow-up, mean modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (scale 0-70) was only slightly higher in the BALANCE group versus the control group (26.2 ± 8.4 vs 24.7 ± 8.6, P <.01), mainly due to a 0.5-serving/d greater intake of fruits and of vegetables in the BALANCE group. Primary end point events occurred in 236 participants (18.8%) in the BALANCE group and in 207 participants (16.4%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 1.15; 95% CI 0.95-1.38; P =.15). Secondary end points did not differ between groups after follow-up. Conclusions: The BALANCE Program only slightly improved adherence to a healthy diet in patients with established CVD and had no significant effect on the incidence of cardiovascular events or death. © 2019 The Author