Topical delivery of diclofenac into and across equine skin from a novel liquid diclofenac epolamine formulation.

The aim was to investigate diclofenac delivery into and across equine skin in vitro using Franz diffusion cells from a novel diclofenac epolamine (DIC-EP; 1.3%) formulation and to compare the results to those of Surpass® (1% diclofenac sodium liposomal cream) and a 1% aqueous solution of diclofenac sodium. Skin was harvested from the lower legs of Freiberger geldings immediately after slaughter and sliced to a thickness of ~2 mm. Skin samples were divided into two groups [Group 1: 1 year old (n = 2) and Group 2: 6-8 years old (n = 3)]. Cumulative permeation of diclofenac in Groups 1 and 2 after 24 h using diclofenac sodium solution was 1.91 ± 0.27 and 1.76 ± 0.34 µg/cm2 , respectively. The values for Surpass® and DIC-EP were 3.2 ± 0.8/3.3 ± 0.7 µg/cm2 and 230 ± 59/89.2 ± 32.5 µg/cm2 , respectively. Thus, diclofenac permeation from DIC-EP was significantly greater and appeared to show an age-dependent effect. Mathematical modelling showed that the DIC-EP formulation significantly increased diclofenac partitioning into the skin and a linear correlation was observed between steady-state flux and the partition parameter. Greater skin deposition of diclofenac was also observed with DIC-EP. These preliminary results suggest that the DIC-EP formulation may be effective in treating inflammatory conditions in horses.

Development and certification of the new SRM 695 trace elements in multi-nutrient fertilizer.

During the past seven years, several states within the US have enacted regulations that limit the amounts of selected non-nutritive elements in fertilizers. Internationally, several countries, including Japan, China, and Australia, and the European Union also limit the amount of selected elements in fertilizers. The elements of interest include As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn. Fertilizer manufacturers and state regulatory authorities, faced with meeting and verifying these limits, need to develop analytical methods for determination of the elements of concern and to validate results obtained using these methods. Until now, there were no certified reference materials available with certified mass fraction values for all elements of interest in a blended, multi-nutrient fertilizer matrix. A new standard reference material (SRM) 695 trace elements in multi-nutrient fertilizer, has been developed to help meet these needs. SRM 695 has recently been issued with certified mass fraction values for seventeen elements, reference values for an additional five elements, and information values for two elements. The certificate of analysis includes an addendum listing percentage recovery for eight of these elements, determined using an acid-extraction inductively-coupled plasma optical-emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) method recently developed and tested by members of the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials.