Green tea glycolic extract-loaded liquid crystal systems: development, characterization and microbiological control

ABSTRACT Liquid crystal systems (LCSs) have interesting cosmetic applications because of their ability to increase the therapeutic efficiency and solubility of active ingredients. The aim of the present research was to develop green tea glycolic extract-loaded LCSs, to characterize and to perform microbiological control. The ternary phase diagram was constructed using polysorbate 20, silicone glycol copolymer (SGC) - DC 193(r), and distilled water with 1.5% glycolic green tea extract. The systems were characterized by polarized light microscopy. Formulations selected were characterized as transparent viscous systems and transparent liquid system indicated mesophases lamellar structure. The results of the microbiological analysis of mesophilic aerobic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) revealed that the above formulation showed a biologic load <10 CFU/mL in all samples. In conclusion, liquid crystalline systems that have presented formation of a lamellar mesophases were developed. Furthermore, the formulation and products tested presented the adequate microbiological quality in accordance with official recommendations

Consumption of medicines in high-risk pregnancy: evaluation of determinants related to the use of prescription drugs and self-medication

The use of drugs during pregnancy still represents a challenge for medicine, since the majority of drugs cross the placental barrier with a potential to cause several congenital problems to the fetus, and most of them have not been clinically tested in pregnant patients. At the same time, the medicalization phenomenon, self-medication, and lack of patient information about the misuse of medicines are additional problems. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of medicine consumption in high-risk pregnancies and the determinants related to this consumption pattern. In order to do so, a cross-sectional descriptive study was performed with puerperal women who had a history of high-risk pregnancy. Statistically significant associations were found between self-medication and fewer prenatal visits, and cigarette use during pregnancy and a higher number of children. According to these data, the vulnerability of this population to the risks of drug use is evident, demonstrating a gap that requires urgent interventions in health-care education