Formulation and Characterization of Potential Antifungal Oleogel with Essential Oil of Thyme.

The aim of this research was to formulate oleogel with thyme essential oil with potential antimicrobial activity, design optimal formulation, and evaluate the influence of ingredients on texture parameters of preparation. Central composite design was applied to statistical optimization of colloidal silica and paraffin oil mixture for the modeling of oleogel delivery system. The influence of designed formulations on response variables (texture parameters), firmness, cohesiveness, consistency, and index of viscosity, was evaluated. Quality of essential oil of thyme was assessed by determinate concentration of thymol and carvacrol using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Microbiological tests have shown that oleogel with thyme essential oil affects Candida albicans microorganism when thyme essential oil's concentration is 0,05% in oleogel mixture.

Development of an HPLC post-column antioxidant assay for Solidago canadensis radical scavengers.

The aim of this work was to modify and validate the post-column high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ABTS and DPPH methods for evaluating the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of Solidago canadensis (Canadian goldenrod) leaves and flowers. Separation of the analytes was performed via the HPLC-PDA method on a YMC analytical column using a gradient elution program. Three compounds with antioxidant properties - chlorogenic acid, rutin and isoquercitrin - and two unidentified antioxidants were established. The research showed that the coil temperature regimes and loop length combinations influence the optimised post-column assay method for detecting the antioxidant activity of goldenrod radical scavengers. Investigations established that the temperature in the reaction coil was a substantial factor contributing to the signal strength of the analytes after reacting with the DPPH and ABTS radicals.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. extract and some of its active ingredients as potential emulsion stabilizers: a new approach to the formation of multiple (W/O/W) emulsion.

Nowadays, novel topical formulations loaded with natural functional actives are under intense investigations. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate how the rosemary extract and some of its active ingredients [rosmarinic acid (RA), ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA)] affect technological characteristics of multiple emulsion. Formulation has been prepared by adding investigated solutions (10%) in water/oil/water (W/O/W) multiple emulsion consisting of different lipophilic phases: olive oil and liquid paraffin, with 0.5% emulsifying agent (complex of sodium polyacrylate and polysorbate 20) under constant stirring with mechanical stirrer at room temperature. The emulsion parameters were evaluated using centrifugation test, freeze-thaw cycle test, microscopical and texture analyses. Rosemary's triterpenic saponins UA and OA showed the highest emulsion stabilizing properties: they decreased CI from 3.26% to 10.23% (p < 0.05). According to obtained interfacial tension data, the effect of rosemary active ingredients is not surfactant-like. Even though emulsifier itself at low concentration intends to form directly the multiple emulsion, the obtained results indicate that rosemary extract containing active ingredients does not only serve as functional cosmetic agent due to a number of biological activities, but also offer potential advantages as a stabilizer and an enhancer of W/O/W emulsions formation for dermopharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations.

Acute toxicity of ibogaine and noribogaine.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate acute toxic effect of ibogaine and noribogaine on the survival of mice and determine median lethal doses of the substances mentioned. MATERIAL AND METHODS: White laboratory mice were used for the experiments. Ibogaine and noribogaine were administered intragastrically to mice via a stomach tube. Control animals received the same volume of saline. The median lethal dose was calculated with the help of a standard formula. RESULTS: To determine the median lethal dose of ibogaine, the doses of 100, 300, 400, and 500 mg/kg were administered intragastrically to mice. The survival time of mice after the drug administration was recorded, as well as the number of survived mice in each group. Upon administration of ibogaine at a dose of 500 mg/kg, all mice in this dose group died. Three out of four mice died in the group, which received 300 mg/kg of ibogaine. No mouse deaths were observed in the group, which received 100 mg/kg of ibogaine. The determined LD(50) value of ibogaine equals to 263 mg/kg of body mass. In order to determine the median lethal dose of noribogaine, the doses of 300, 500, 700, and 900 mg/kg were administered to mice intragastrically. Noribogaine given at a dose of 500 mg/kg had no impact on the mouse survival. The increase of noribogaine dose to 700 mg/kg of mouse body mass led to the death of three out of four mice in the group. Upon administration of noribogaine at a dose of 900 mg/kg, all mice in this group died. The LD(50) value of noribogaine in mice determined on the basis of the number of dead mice and the size of the doses used equals to 630 mg/kg of mouse body mass. The behavior of mice was observed upon administration of ibogaine or noribogaine. Low doses of ibogaine and noribogaine had no impact on the mouse behavior. External effects (convulsions, nervous behaviour, limb paralysis) were observed only when substances were administrated at higher doses. CONCLUSIONS: It has been determined that the median lethal dose of ibogaine and noribogaine equals to 263 mg and 630 mg/kg of mouse body mass, respectively. The toxicity of ibogaine is 2.4 times higher than that of noribogaine.

[The chemical-toxicological research of psychostimulator mixture by thin-layer chromatography]. / Psichostimuliatoriu misinio cheminis-toksikologinis tyrimas plonasluoksnes chromatografijos metodu.

With increasing number of intoxications with some preparations at the same time there is a lack of literature data about chemical-toxicological research of psychostimulator mixture. The aim of the study was to analyze the possibility of identification of four preparations in the mixture. The thin-layer chromatography method was used. The most acceptable solvent systems were determined: ethylacetate-methanol-conc. ammonia hydroxide (40:4:2:25) and dioxane-benzenum-conc. ammonia hydroxide-acetone (28:14:2:25).

[UV spectrophotometric research of drug mixture in sudden poisoning cases]. / Vaistu misinio UV-spektrofotometrinis tyrimas uminiu apsinuodijimu atvejais.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this research--to develop the methodics for analysis of amitriptyline, fluoxetine and codeine in the mixture. RESULTS: The analytical method of amitriptyline, codeine and fluoxetine in the mixture identification and quantitative determination using ultraviolet spectrophotometry was established. Preparations in the mixture can't be separated, because material ultraviolet light peaks are in insufficient distance and therefore cover one another. The maximum of ultraviolet light absorption for amitriptyline is at 217-220 and 238-240 nm; fluoxetine--at 226-228 nm; codeine--at 224-248 and 284-286 nm. Using ultraviolet spectroscopy it's possible to identify amitriptyline, fluoxetine and codeine only after separating mixture components by thin-layer chromatography, the same time executing cleaning of extracts from blood and urine. Using ultraviolet spectroscopy can be identificated at least 0.5 micro g/ml amitriptyline, 1.5 micro g/ml fluoxetine and 1.0 microg/ml codeine. The intervals of the quantitative determination: 5-25 microg/ml amitriptyline; 5-30 microg/ml fluoxetine; 100-300 microg/ml codeine; relative error of the measurement, when confidence level is 95%, is from 0.66 to 1.2% for amitriptyline; from 0.66 to 1.45% for fluoxetine; from 0.33 to 0.88% for codeine. Standard deviation is from 1.15 to 2.08% for amitriptyline; from 1.15 to 2.52% for fluoxetine; from 0.57 to 1.53% for codeine. Molar absorption coefficients for all three preparations in distillated water were determinated. CONCLUSIONS: recommended methodology suits for mixture, extracted from biological liquids, components separation, identification and quantitative determination.

[Ultraviolet spectrophotometric determination of psychotropic drug mixtures]. / Psichotropiniu vaistu misinio tyrimas ultravioletines spektrofotometrijos metodu.

The mixture of psychotropic drugs aminazine, barbamylum and nitrazepam using ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric method was researched. As the solvent, most acceptable for identification and differentiation of these preparation was found 0.1N solution of sulphuric acid. By measuring the optical density of the solutions in different concentration the calibration diagrams for all preparations were made. The standard deviation, by determining the quantity of aminazine is 2.8; 4.0; 4.3; barbamylum--1.0; 2.5; 1.15; nitrazepam--2.64; 1.0; 1.35.