Validação do método de análise capilar preconizado por hugo platz para o controle de qualidade de tinturas-mães / Validation of Hugo Platz´s method of capillary analysis for quality control of mother tinctures

Um dos insumos mais utilizados na manufatura de medicamentos homeopáticos é a tintura-mãe. Um método aparentemente útil para o controle de qualidade das tinturas-mães é a análise capilar. Este método analítico, tornado público no início do século passado por Hugo Platz, caiu em desuso após o advento de técnicas cromatográficas mais modernas. Embora empregue técnicas simples e de baixo custo, não há estudos de validação da análise capilar. O presente ensaio teve por objetivo validar o método de análise capilar utilizado no controle de qualidade de tinturas-mãe. Para tanto foram obtidos os espectros capilares das tinturas-mãe de Aconitum napellus L., Strychnos nux vomica L. e Anemone pulsatilla L. provenientes de fornecedores nacionais qualificados pela Associação Brasileira de Farmacêuticos Homeopatas. Os atributos avaliados foram precisão, reprodutibilidade e seletividade. Os resultados alcançados recomendam a utilização do método de análise capilar, conforme proposto por Platz, nas análises qualitativas de tinturas-mãe.

Mother tinctures are one of the most common starting materials used in the elaboration of homeopathic medicines. Capillary analysis seems a useful method for quality control of mother tinctures. This method was publicized in the beginning of the 20th century by Hugo Platz to fell into disuse following the development of the modern chromatographic techniques. Despite the simple techniques involved, and the low cost of the overall method, no studies of validation have yet been performed of Platz´s capillary analysis. The present study sought to validate capillary analysis for quality control of mother tinctures. The capillary spectra of mother tinctures of Aconitum napellus L., Strychos nux vomica L. e Anemone pulsatilla L. provided by Brazilian suppliers certified by the Brazilian Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists were obtained. The attributes evaluated were accuracy, reproducibility and selectivity. The results allow recommending the use of capillary analysis as formulated by Platz for qualitative analysis of mother tinctures.

Propolis extract release evaluation from topical formulations by chemiluminescence and HPLC.

Propolis is a resinous bee hive product that has many biological activities. Among these activities, the antioxidant activity deserves special interest since it suggests propolis could be successfully applied topically to prevent and treat skin damages. The skin is continuously exposed to free radicals generated in the aging process and by external stimuli such as sunlight. Thus, the development of topical formulations added with propolis extract is justified. However, it raises the necessity of being concerned about the methodologies that could be used to evaluate the propolis extract release from these formulations. So, p-coumaric acid content using HPLC and the antioxidant activity using chemiluminescence were used to assess the release of propolis extract from topical formulations. A low fat content formulation (F1) and a high fat content formulation (F2) were evaluated and they showed that after 6 h, 4.6 microg/cm2 (F1) and 2.75 microg/cm2 (F2) of the p-coumaric acid was released, while it was found that both formulations released about 0.85 microL/cm2 of the antioxidant activity as propolis extract equivalent (AAPEE). Thus, once the antioxidant activity of propolis extract may be the result of the synergic action of several compounds, the obtained results indicate that a release study would be more conclusive if the antioxidant activity was evaluated, besides the measurement of a marker compound content.

In vitro drug release mechanism and drug loading studies of cubic phase gels.

Glyceryl monooleate/water cubic phase systems were investigated as drug delivery systems, using salicylic acid as a model drug. The liquid crystalline phases formed by the glyceryl monooleate (GMO)/water systems were characterized by polarizing microscopy. In vitro drug release studies were performed and the influences of initial water content, swelling and drug loading on the drug release properties were evaluated. Water uptake followed second-order swelling kinetics. In vitro release profiles showed Fickian diffusion control and were independent on the initial water content and drug loading, suggesting GMO cubic phase gels suitability for use as drug delivery system.