Development, Quality by Design-Based Optimization, and Stability Assessment of Oral Liquid Formulations Containing Baclofen for Hospital Use.

The absence of oral liquid pharmaceutical forms appropriate for use in pediatric and adult patients with difficulty swallowing is a public health problem, especially in the hospital context. Baclofen is a muscle relaxant of choice for treating spasticity, generally marketed only in tablet form, highlighting the need for liquid formulations to facilitate dose adjustment, administration, and swallowing. The present study aimed to develop oral liquid formulations containing baclofen, optimize them through the quality by design approach, and evaluate their physicochemical and microbiological stability. Preformulation and preliminary stability studies were carried out for the development of formulations. Experimental screening and optimization designs resulted in eleven experiments for each step that were evaluated for 28 days. A stability-indicating method by high-performance liquid chromatography presented linearity, low limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy, and robustness. The experimental design led to two optimized formulations containing baclofen, glycerin, potassium sorbate, citric acid, ultrapure water, flavor, and sucrose syrup or sodium carboxymethylcellulose solution as a vehicle, the last one with sucralose as a sweetener. The formulations were placed in amber glass flasks and subjected to a physicochemical and microbiological stability study. Both formulations showed physicochemical and microbiological stability when stored at room temperature and refrigerated for 84 days. The results of this study may serve as a reference in the preparation of liquid oral formulations containing baclofen in the hospital routine and collaborate with the safety and adherence to the treatment of adult and pediatric patients.

In vitro toxicity assessment of rivaroxaban degradation products and kinetic evaluation to decay process.

Degradation kinetics of oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban (RIV) was assessed in acid and alkaline media and while exposed to UVC radiation. Among all stress conditions tested, kinetic degradation process was better described by a zero-order model. A stability indicating method was validated for the analysis of the anticoagulant RIV in tablets by high-performance liquid chromatography. Robustness was evaluated with a two-level Plackett-Burman experimental design. The effect of acute exposition of the human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cell line to RIV stressed samples (100 and 500 µM) was assessed through in vitro toxicity tests. MTT reduction, neutral red uptake, mitochondrial membrane potential, and low molecular weight DNA diffusion assays were employed for cytotoxicity evaluation (5×104 cells/well). The genotoxic potential was assessed by comet assay (2×104 cells/well). Acute toxicity to HepG2 cells was assessed after 24 h incubation with sample solutions, for each test. A direct relationship between the increased amount of alkaline degradation products and higher cytotoxic potential was found. Results obtained by viability assay investigations support the concerns on risks associated with acute toxicity and genotoxicity of pharmaceutical samples containing degradation products as impurities.

Quantitative Assessment of Poorly Soluble Anticoagulant Rivaroxaban by Microemulsion Electrokinetic Chromatography.

Microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) is an electrophoretic methodology based on the separation of compounds by a microemulsionated electrolyte. There are few options for the evaluation of the stability and content of the oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban (RIV) in pharmaceutical formulations. RIV has low water solubility and undergoes ionization only under restricted pH conditions (pH < 1 or pH > 13), thus, hindering the application of free zone capillary electrophoresis as an analytical method. Therefore, the work aimed at developing and validating a stability-indicating MEEKC method for the analysis of RIV in pharmaceutical formulations. Separation was performed in a fused-silica capillary applying a voltage of 30 kV. The microemulsion system consisted of 13 mM tetraborate, pH 9.75 + 1.2% SDS + 1.0% ethyl acetate + 2.4% butanol. The linearity range was 25-150 µg mL-1, with r = 0.9982. Drug degradations were performed in acid and basic media (HCl 1 M and NaOH 0.1 M, respectively), oxidation with 3%H2O2, 60°C temperature and exposure to UV-C radiation. No interferences with RIV or internal standard peaks were detected. Method robustness was accessed through Plackett-Burman experimental design, after evaluation of model validity. Trueness values between 100.49 and 100.68% were obtained with repeatability. The method developed was found appropriate for quality control of RIV tablets, as a consistent analytical technique that is considered less damaging to the environment due to its low consumption of organic reagents.

Anti-Candida activity assessment of Pelargonium graveolens oil free and nanoemulsion in biofilm formation in hospital medical supplies.

Infections due to microbial biofilm formation on the surface of catheters and other medical devices are constantly reported as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to hospitals. Furthermore, sessile cells are more resistant to phagocytosis and most antimicrobial, which complicates the treatment of such infections. Researches aimed at new antimicrobial originating mainly from plants have increased in recent years and the development of new strategies for their release is critical in combating the formation of biofilms. Geranium oil (GO) has proven antimicrobial activity. Because of this, the aim of this study was to develop nanoemulsions containing this oil (NEG) and evaluate its activity after the biofilm formation of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, and Candida krusei in hospital medical supplies. For quantification of the biofilm, crystal violet, total protein, and ATP-bioluminescence assays were used. The results revealed that GO and NEG showed lower MIC for C. albicans and C. tropicalis. The biofilms formed by different species of Candida on the surfaces of polyethylene and polyurethane were quantified. GO and NEG significantly inhibited the formation of biofilms in all species tested on the surfaces of polyethylene. However, NEG antibiofilm has had better activity than GO for C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata, according to the surface potential analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The analysis of the biofilm formation on the polyethylene surface by ATP-bioluminescence and CFU showed similar results. In both methods the formation of biofilm in the catheter occurred in greater quantity for C. albicans and C. tropicalis. GO did not significantly inhibit the formation of biofilms only in C. krusei, although NEG significantly increased this activity GO in all species tested when compared to the control training biofilm. The following study shows that the development of NEG may become an effective alternative to reduce the adhesion of microorganisms and prevent infections resulting from the use of some hospital medical materials.

Gemifloxacin mesylate (GFM): dissolution test based on in vivo data.

Gemifloxacin mesylate (GFM) is a synthetic, broad-spectrum, fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent. It is different from other class members because it achieves adequate plasma concentrations to inhibit both topoisomerase IV and gyrase. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a dissolution test for GFM in coated tablets, using a simulated absorption profile based on in vivo data obtained from the literature. The fraction and percentage of the dose absorbed were calculated using model-dependent Loo-Riegelman approach for two compartments. The best in vitro dissolution profile was obtained using 900 mL of pH 6.0 phosphate buffer as a dissolution medium at 37 °C ± 0.5 °C and paddles at 50 rpm. The in vitro dissolution samples were analyzed using a liquid chromatography method, and the validation was performed according to USP 34 (2011). The method showed specificity, precision, accuracy, robustness and linearity. Under these conditions, a level-A in vitro-in vivo correlation was suggested (r = 0.9926). The prediction errors were calculated to determine the validity and accuracy of the suggested correlation. The dissolution test can be used to evaluate the dissolution profile of GFM-coated tablets and minimize the number of bioavailability studies as part of new formulation development.

Stability-indicating RP-LC method for the determination of vildagliptin and mass spectrometry detection for a main degradation product.

A simple, precise and stability-indicating reversed-phase liquid chromatography method was developed and validated for the determination of vildagliptin (VLG) in pharmaceutical dosage form. The chromatographic separation was obtained within 6 min and was linear in the range of 20-80 µg/mL (r(2) = 0.9999). Limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 0.63 and 2.82 µg/mL, respectively. The method was validated in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization acceptance criteria for specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness and system suitability. Stress studies were carried out and no interference of the degradation products was observed. The excipients did not interfere in the determination of VLG. Furthermore, the main degradation product obtained from the stress studies (thermal, oxidative and alkaline hydrolysis) was evaluated for mass spectrometry and its molecular structure was predicted. The proposed method was successfully applied for the quantitative analysis of VLG in tablet dosage form, which will help to improve quality control and contribute to stability studies of pharmaceutical tablets containing this drug.

Development of a dissolution test for lamotrigine in tablet form using an ultraviolet method

A dissolution test for tablets containing 100 mg of lamotrigine was developed and validated. The dissolution test was applied to compare the dissolution profile of Neural® with the reference product Lamictal®. The analysis procedure was carried out using a simple ultraviolet method at 267 nm. After the determination of solubility and sink conditions, the parameters selected were paddles at 50 rpm, 900 mL of 0.01 M hydrochloric acid, and 30 minutes duration (single point). This method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness. Lamotrigine stability was also evaluated in dissolution medium.

A finalidade deste estudo foi desenvolver e validar um método de dissolução para o fármaco lamotrigina na forma farmacêutica comprimido. Este método também foi utilizado para comparar o perfil de dissolução entre o Neural® e o produto de referência Lamictal®. O procedimento analítico foi realizado utilizando-se espectrofotometria de absorção no ultravioleta (267 nm) como forma de quantificação do fármaco. Após a determinação da solubilidade e das condições sink, os parâmetros selecionados foram: pás (50 rpm), 900 mL de ácido clorídrico 0.01 M e o tempo de 30 minutos (único ponto). Este método foi validado através da especificidade, linearidade, exatidão, precisão e robustez. A estabilidade da lamotrigina também foi avaliada no meio de dissolução.

Determinação do prazo de validade do medicamento carbocisteína xarope através do método de Arrhenius / Determination of carbocysteine syrup shelf life by Arrhenius method

A carbocisteína é um agente mucolítico utilizado como adjuvante no tratamento de infecções do trato respiratório. A qualidade, segurança e eficácia do medicamento durante o seu prazo de validade são responsabilidades da indústria farmacêutica. A validade pode ser determinada através de estudos de estabilidade acelerados, nos quais fatores extrínsecos provocam a degradação do produto. De acordo com Arrhenius, existe uma relação entre temperatura e cinética química. Desta forma, amostras do produto foram expostas a condições drásticas: 40, 50, 60 e 70 ºC. O método de doseamento do xarope de carbocisteína foi validado podendo ser aplicado nas avaliações de rotina do controle de qualidade e no estudo de estabilidade deste produto. O prazo de validade proposto para o xarope de carbocisteína, calculado através da equação de Arrhenius, para a temperatura de 25 ºC foi de 240,9 dias. No entanto, foi observada diferença entre o prazo proposto e a validade usualmente praticada para este produto. Este estudo, ainda, demonstrou a presença de picos endógenos, que precisam ser melhor estudados a fim de se confirmar a presença de produtos de degradação.

Carbocysteine is a mucolytic agent in adjunctive therapy of respiratory tract infections. The pharmaceutical industry is responsible for quality, safety and efficiency of the product during its shelf life. Shelf life can be determinated through an accelerated stability study where the degradation of the drug is managed with the extrinsic factors. According to Arrhenius, there is a relationship between temperature and chemical kinetic, so, the samples were exposed to drastic conditions at 40, 50, 60 and 70 ºC. The syrup assay method has been validated and it may be applied to analysis of carbocysteine syrup in routine quality control and stability studies. Through Arrhenius equation the proposed shelf life of carbocysteine syrup was 240.9 days when the dosage form is stored in appropriated conditions, 25 ºC. However difference was found between the proposed shelf life and the usual shelf life of this drug. In addition, this study has showed the presence of endogenous peaks that must be better evaluated to confirm or not the presence of degradation products.