Nanocomposite based on green synthesis of gold nanoparticles decorated with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the electrochemical determination of hydroxychloroquine.

In this study, a selective and sensitive electrochemical approach for determining hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was proposed. A novel nanocomposite based on gold nanoparticles synthesized by green synthesis in an extract of white pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) (AuNP-Ext) decorated with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) was presented. AuNP-Ext was characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and the f-MWCNTs/AuNP-Ext nanocomposite by transmission electron microscopy. The nanocomposite was used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Using the f-MWCNT-AuNP-Ext/GCE sensor, an irreversible oxidation peak at +0.74 V vs. Ag/AgCl was verified by HCQ. The calibration plot was studied in two linear ranges, from 0.03 to 3.5 µmol/L and from 3.5 to 17.0 µmol/L, with a limit of detection of 0.0093 µmol/L and a limit of quantification of 0.031 µmol/L, regarding the first linear range. The proposed sensor was successfully applied to the determination of HCQ in pharmaceutical and clinical samples without any special purification, separation or pre-treatment steps. The accuracy was verified by UV-Vis spectrometry, and this revealed that the proposed method was accurate and precise, as evidenced by F- and t-tests.

Development of novel montmorillonite-based sustained release system for oral bromopride delivery.

The drug delivery systems are an important strategy of pharmaceutical technology to modulate undesirable properties, increasing efficacy, and reducing the side effects of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). The sustained release is a type of controlled-release system that provides a suitable drug level in the blood through a slow release rate. An interesting alternative to achieve a controlled release is the application of carrier materials such as polymers, cyclodextrins, and clays. Sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) is a biocompatible natural clay that allows the insertion of organic compounds in interlamellar space, owing to its high cation exchange capacity and large internal surface area. Bromopride (BPD) is an aminated compound with antiemetic properties classified as class II (low solubility, high permeability) of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS). Herein, the aim of the study was the development and investigation of a drug delivery system formed by intercalation of BPD with Na-MMT. The results indicate the successful intercalation of this API with the lamellar silicate, meanwhile, there was no evidence of BPD intercalation in organic montmorillonite. The Na-MMT/BPD molecular complex exhibits a sustained release in performed assays. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that BPD molecules interact with the montmorillonite layer through ion-dipole interactions and also between BPD molecules, forming hydrogen bonds web into montmorillonite interlayer space. The new drug delivery system showed an alternative to achieve the BPD sustained release, which may improve its pharmacological performance in therapeutic applications.

Drug Delivery Platforms Containing Thermoresponsive Polymers and Mucoadhesive Cellulose Derivatives: A Review of Patents.

Nowadays, the development of mucoadhesive systems for drug delivery has gained keen interest, with enormous potential in applications through different routes. Mucoadhesion characterizes an attractive interaction between the pharmaceutical dosage form and the mucosal surface. Many polymers have shown the ability to interact with mucus, increasing the residence time of local and/or systemic administered preparations, such as tablets, patches, semi-solids, and micro and nanoparticles. Cellulose is the most abundant polymer on the earth. It is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as an inert pharmaceutical ingredient, mainly in its covalently modified forms: methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and carboxymethylcellulose salts. Aiming to overcome the drawbacks of oral, ocular, nasal, vaginal, and rectal routes and thereby maintaining patient compliance, innovative polymer blends have gained the interest of the pharmaceutical industry. Combining mucoadhesive and thermoresponsive polymers allows for simultaneous in situ gelation and mucoadhesion, thus enhancing the retention of the system at the site of administration and drug availability. Thermoresponsive polymers have the ability to change physicochemical properties triggered by temperature, which is particularly interesting considering the physiological temperature. The present review provides an analysis of the main characteristics and applications of cellulose derivatives as mucoadhesive polymers and their use in blends together with thermoresponsive polymers, aiming at platforms for drug delivery. Patents were reviewed, categorized, and discussed, focusing on the applications and pharmaceutical dosage forms using this innovative strategy. This review manuscript also provides a detailed introduction to the topic and a perspective on further developments.

Nanoprecipitation technology to prepare carrier systems of interest in pharmaceutics: An overview of patenting.

Nanoprecipitation is a practical method to prepare carriers at the nanometric scale, which attracts attention in pharmaceutics because of its low cost, easy setup, the versatility of the starting materials, possibility to obtain different kinds of carriers, and minimal environmental impact. Since 1986, this technique has been extensively employed in research; therefore, this paper focuses on state of art regarding inventions wherein it is employed. To this end, 133 nanoprecipitation-based patent families are identified in the PatSnap® platform, which allows identifying general trends. Afterwards, a sample of 40 patent families reported as granted (21 families) or patent applications (19 families) during the last decade are studied in depth to establish the research tendencies. Undoubtedly, Chinese universities are positioned as leaders in this field, and cancer treatments are the more claimed use followed far behind for developments targeting neurodegenerative and diabetes diseases. New proposals on targeted and stimuli response particles are also claimed, and development of polymers, prodrugs, and improvements to the technique such as the flash-nanoprecipitation, use of microfluidics, or design of green process are relevant. Interestingly, nanoprecipitation-related patent families have significantly increased during the last decade, being the 71% of the total, which makes alluring the perspectives about its industrial harnessing.

Fractal and Polarization Properties of Light Scattering Using Microcrystalline Pharmaceutical Aggregates.

Fractal and polarization analysis of diffusively scattered light is applied to determine the complex relationship between fractal dimension of structural morphology and concentration of chemically active ingredients in two pharmaceutical mixture systems including a series of binary mixtures of acetaminophen in lactose and three multicomponent blends with a proprietary active ingredient. A robust approach is proposed to identify and filter out multiple- and single-scattering components of scattering indicatrix. The fractal dimension extracted from scattering field reveals complex structural details of the sample, showing strong dependence on low-dose drug concentration in the blend. Low-angle diffraction shows optical "halo" patterns near the angle of specular reflection caused by light refraction in microcrystalline aggregates. Angular measurements of diffuse reflection demonstrate noticeable dependence of Brewster's angle on drug concentration. It is shown that the acetaminophen microcrystals produce scattered light depolarization due to their optical birefringence. The light scattering measurement protocol developed for diffusively scattered light by microcrystalline pharmaceutical compositions provides a novel approach for the pattern recognition, analysis and classification of materials with a low concentration of active chemical ingredients.

Potentialities of the Colombian propolis in pharmaceutics and cosmetics: A standpoint from the quality control / Potencialidad de los propóleos colombianos en farmacia y cosmética: un punto de vista desde el control de calidad

SUMMARY Propolis is a hive product made by bees from vegetable exudates that are mixed with their secretions. The value of this material is established in terms of the content of biologically active molecules, that analytically is represented by parameters such as ethanol-soluble compounds (resins), oxidation index, phenolic compounds and total content of flavonoids. On the contrary, if propolis has a high percentage of waxes, mechanic impurities or heavy metals, it is classified as a sub-standard beekeeping product. On this basis, this research work illustrates the use of quality control as a strategy to identify the possible application of two samples of Colombian propolis for developing innovative pharmaceutic and cosmetic formulations. The results evidence that the investigated samples are low-quality propolis because of their high waxes content. However, far from being a disadvantage, these waxes could generate added value when they are incorporated, for example, in products requiring lipid components as nano and microparticulate systems or nanofibrous composite scaffolds and films.

RESUMEN El propóleos es un producto de las colmenas elaborado a partir de la mezcla de exudados vegetales con las secreciones de las abejas. La calidad de este material es definida en términos del contenido de moléculas bioactivas, que analíticamente es reportado como compuestos solubles en etanol (resinas), índice de oxidación, compuestos fenólicos y contenido total de flavonoides. De otro lado, el propóleos es clasificado como un material subestándar si presenta un elevado contenido de ceras, impurezas mecánicas o metales pesados. Sobre esta base, la presente investigación reporta el control de calidad para dos muestras de propóleos colombiano y a partir de los resultados obtenidos, se proponen posibles aplicaciones en el desarrollo de productos farmacéuticos y cosméticos innovadores. Los resultados evidencian que las muestras investigadas son clasificadas como de baja calidad debido a su elevado contenido de ceras. Sin embargo, esta aparente desventaja puede generar valor agregado cuando el propóleos se emplea, por ejemplo, en la preparación de sistemas nano y microparticulados y nanofibras para películas y soportes tisulares.

Recent Strategies in Resveratrol Delivery Systems.

Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic stilbenoid widely found in grapes and wines, displays beneficial properties such as cardio-protective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Trans-resveratrol (RSV) is the most bioactive and more abundant stereoisomer found in nature. Despite the positive properties of RSV, there are various factors that limit its effectiveness, including low aqueous solubility, low oral bioavailability and chemical instability. During the last years, an increasing number of strategies such as nano and micro encapsulation have been developed in order to overcome these limitations and enhance the use of RSV in nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. This Review summarizes the advances and main properties of several RSV carriers and delivery systems reported during the last 5 years.

Complexation of oxethazaine with 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin: increased drug solubility, decreased cytotoxicity and analgesia at inflamed tissues.

OBJECTIVES: Oxethazaine (OXZ) is one of the few local anaesthetics that provides analgesia at low pH, but presents poor solubility, cytotoxicity and no parenteral formulations. To address these issues, we aimed to prepare OXZ host-guest inclusion complex with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD). METHODS: The inclusion complex was formed by co-solubilization, followed by a job plot analysis to determine stoichiometry of complexation and dialysis equilibrium analysis (based on UV/VIS absorption and fluorescence profiles of OXZ). Complex formation was confirmed by phase-solubility data, X-ray, Scanning Electron Microscopy and DOSY-1 H-NMR experiments. In vitro cytotoxicity was analysed by MTT test in 3T3 fibroblasts. In vivo analgesia was tested by Von Frey test (inflammatory wounds - rats). KEY FINDINGS: Oxethazaine complexed (1 : 1 molar ratio) with HP-ß-CD, as indicated by loss of OZX crystalline structure (X-ray) and strong host: guest interaction (NMR, K = 198/M), besides increased solubility. In vitro cell survival improved with the complex (IC50 OXZ = 28.9 µm, OXZ : HP-ß-CD = 57.8 µm). In addition, the complex (0.1% OXZ) promoted in vivo analgesia for the same time that 2% lidocaine/epinephrine did. CONCLUSION: Our results show that complexation improved physicochemical and biological properties of OXZ, allowing its application to inflamed tissues by parenteral routes.

Effect of Shear Applied During a Pharmaceutical Process on Near Infrared Spectra.

This study describes changes observed in the near-infrared (NIR) diffuse reflectance (DR) spectra of pharmaceutical tablets after these tablets were subjected to different levels of strain (exposure to shear) during the mixing process. Powder shearing is important in the mixing of powders that are cohesive. Shear stress is created in a system by moving one surface over another causing displacements in the direction of the moving surface and is part of the mixing dynamics of particulates in many industries including the pharmaceutical industry. In continuous mixing, shear strain is developed within the process when powder particles are in constant movement and can affect the quality attributes of the final product such as dissolution. These changes in the NIR spectra could affect results obtained from NIR calibration models. The aim of the study was to understand changes in the NIR diffuse reflectance spectra that can be associated with different levels of strain developed during blend shearing of laboratory samples. Shear was applied using a Couette cell and tablets were produced using a tablet press emulator. Tablets with different shear levels were measured using NIR spectroscopy in the diffuse reflectance mode. The NIR spectra were baseline corrected to maintain the scattering effect associated with the physical properties of the tablet surface. Principal component analysis was used to establish the principal sources of variation within the samples. The angular dependence of elastic light scattering shows that the shear treatment reduces the size of particles and produces their uniform and highly isotropic distribution. Tablet compaction further reduces the diffuse component of scattering due to realignment of particles.

Comparative study of the effect of pharmaceutical additives on the elimination of antibiotic activity during the treatment of oxacillin in water by the photo-Fenton, TiO2-photocatalysis and electrochemical processes.

Synthetic pharmaceutical effluents loaded with the ß-lactam antibiotic oxacillin were treated using advanced oxidation processes (the photo-Fenton system and TiO2 photocatalysis) and chloride mediated electrochemical oxidation (with Ti/IrO2 anodes). Combinations of the antibiotic with excipients (mannitol or tartaric acid), an active ingredient (calcium carbonate, i.e. bicarbonate ions due to the pH) and a cleaning agent (sodium lauryl ether sulfate) were considered. Additionally, urban wastewater that had undergone biological treatment was doped with oxacillin and treated with the tested systems. The evolution of antimicrobial activity was monitored as a parameter of processes efficiency. Although the two advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) differ only in the way they produce OH, marked differences were observed between them. There were also differences between the AOPs and the electrochemical system. Interestingly, each additive had a different effect on each treatment. For water loaded with mannitol, electrochemical treatment was the most suitable option because the additive did not significantly affect the efficiency of the system. Due to the formation of a complex with Fe(3+), tartaric acid accelerated the elimination of antibiotic activity during the photo-Fenton process. For TiO2 photocatalysis, the presence of bicarbonate ions contributed to antibiotic activity elimination through the possible formation of carbonate and bicarbonate radicals. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate negatively affected all of the processes. However, due to the higher selectivity of HOCl compared with OH, electrochemical oxidation showed the least inhibited efficiency. For the urban wastewater doped with oxacillin, TiO2 photocatalysis was the most efficient process. These results will help select the most suitable technology for the treatment of water polluted with ß-lactam antibiotics.

Formulation, characterization and in vivo evaluation of novel edible dosage form containing nebivolol HCl

ABSTRACT The objective of this investigation was to develop a novel oral edible gel dosage form for nebivolol hydrochloride, with suitable rheological characteristics that can provide a means of administering the drug to dysphagic and geriatric patients. Edible gels were prepared using low acetylated gellan gum and sodium citrate in different concentrations. The effect of concentration of the solution on gelation time, viscosity, and drug release was studied. Optimized formulation had "spoon thick" consistency that is considered suitable for dysphagic patients as suggested by National Dysphagia Diet Task Force. The optimized formulation containing gellan gum (0.4 % w/v) and sodium citrate (0.3 % w/v) showed more than 95% drug release in 20 minutes. This formulation also showed significantly better pharmacokinetic profile when compared to marketed conventional tablets in New Zealand white rabbits (n = 3). Optimized formulation was found stable for 6 months when stored at 25 °C ± 0.2 °C/60 ± 5% RH. From this study, it can be concluded that the novel edible gel dosage form containing nebivolol hydrochloride may prove to be more efficacious in the treatment of hypertension in dysphagic patients.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um gel comestível para veiculação de cloridrato de nebivolol, com características reológicas adequadas, que podem fornecer meio de administrar o fármaco em casos de disfagia orofaríngea e pacientes geriátricos. Géis comestíveis foram preparados utilizando goma gelana de baixa acetilação e citrato de sódio, em diferentes concentrações. Estudou-se o efeito da concentração da solução no tempo de gelificação, a viscosidade e a liberação do fármaco. A formulação otimizada apresentava consistência de pudim, o que é considerado adequado para pacientes disfágicos como sugerido pela National Dysphagia Diet Task Force. A formulação otimizada contendo 0,4% (m/v) de goma gelana e 0,3% (m/v) de citrato de sódio mostrou que mais de 95% de fármaco foi liberado em 20 minutos. Esta formulação também mostrou, significativamente, melhor perfil farmacocinético, quando comparado com os comprimidos convencionais comercializados administrados a coelhos brancos neozelandeses (n = 3). A formulação otimizada manteve-se estável durante 6 meses, armazenada a 25 oC ± 0,2 °C/60 ± 5% de UR. A partir deste estudo, conclui-se que a nova forma de gel comestível contendo cloridrato de nebivolol pode ser mais eficaz no tratamento de hipertensão em pacientes portadores de disfagia.

A Comparison of Pharmaceutical Product Performance of Albuterol Inhalers Available in the United States and Those Obtained in a Mexican Border Town.

Background: American residents travel to Mexico to purchase medications for a fraction of US cost and frequently without prescription requirements. A previous bioequivalence study found differences in lung function measures between 2 brands of Mexican-manufactured albuterol inhalers (both 100 µg/puff). An investigation of the pharmaceutical performance of different inhalers available may illuminate why different clinical results may be observed and offer insight to consumer and provider expectations of such products. Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide some reasonable expectations for a medical tourist who shops in Mexico for albuterol metered dose inhalers (MDIs) or for their health care providers by comparing pharmaceutical product performance of the consumer-available brands. Methods: Five different albuterol MDI products were purchased in Nogales, Mexico. The albuterol content was quantified through high-performance liquid chromatography. The inhalers were analyzed to determine the amount of the albuterol dose that can be considered respirable and compared with the findings from 2 US innovator products. Results: The mean respirable mass for each brand of albuterol MDI was compared with that of the other 4 brands and the 2 US innovator products using Student's t test. All evaluations showed significant differences (P < .05) except for 3 comparisons (Sacrusyt vs Assal, P = .89; Xeneric-S vs non-US Ventolin, P = .98; Victory vs US Proventil HFA, P = .06). Conclusion: Since pharmaceutical variability was found among the albuterol MDIs evaluated in this study, consumers and clinicians should appreciate possible differences in product performance of albuterol MDIs obtained in Mexico.

In vivo mucoadhesive strength appraisal of gum Manilkara zapota

The mucilage (MMZ) extracted from the seeds of Manilkara zapota(Linn.) P. Royen syn. using maceration techniques was evaluated for mucoadhesive strength by various in vitro and in vivo methods. The result showed that mucoadhesive strength of seeds mucilage have comparable property toward natural and synthetic polymers such as Guar Gum and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC E5LV) under the experimental conditions used in this study. Briefly, it could be concluded that the seed mucilage of Manilkara zapota can be used as a pharmaceutical excipient in oral mucoadhesive drug delivery systems. Further, it may be appropriate to study the changes in these properties after chemical modifications.

Mucilagem (MMZ) extraída das sementes de Manilkara zapota(Linn.) P. Royen syn utilizando técnicas de maceração foi avaliada por sua força mucoadesiva por vários métodos in vitro e in vivo. O resultado mostrou que a força mucoadesiva das sementes mucilaginosas tem propriedade comparável aos polímeros naturais e sintéticos, tais como goma Guar e hidroxipropilmetil celulose (HPMC E5LV) nas condições experimentais utilizadas neste estudo. Brevemente, se pode concluir que a mucilagem de semente de Manilkara zapota pode ser usada como um excipiente farmacêutico em sistemas de liberação de fármacos mucoadesivos por via oral. Pode ser apropriado o estudo posterior de mudanças nessas propriedades após modificações químicas.

Evaluation of Prunus domestica gum as a novel tablet binder

To evaluate binding potential of Prunus domestica gum in tablets formulations. Six tablet batches (F-1B to F-6B) were prepared by wet granulation method, containing Avicel pH 101 as diluent, sodium diclofenac as model drug using 10, 15 and 20 mg of Prunus domestica gum as binder and PVP K30 was used as standard binder. Magnesium stearate was used as lubricant. Flow properties of granules like bulk density, tapped density, Carr index, Hausner’s ratio, angle of repose as well as physical parameters of the compressed tablets including hardness, friability, thickness and disintegration time were determined and found to be satisfactory. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis showed that the formulation containing plant gum is compatible with the drug and other excipients used in tablets formulation. Hence the plant gum has role as a potential binder in tablets formulations. The dissolution profile showed that tablets formulations containing Prunus domestica gum 15 mg/200 mg of total weight of tablet as binder showed better results as compared to PVP K30.

Para avaliar a propriedade aglutinante da goma Prunus domestica em formulações de comprimidos, seis lotes (F-1B para F-6B) foram preparados pelo método de granulação úmida, contendo Avicel pH 101 como diluente e diclofenaco de sódio como fármaco modelo, usando 10, 15 e 20 mg de goma de Prunus domestica como agente aglutinante e PVP K30 como aglutinante padrão. O estearato de magnésio foi utilizado como lubrificante. Propriedades de fluxo dos grânulos, como a densidade, índice de Carr, razão de Hausner, ângulo de repouso, bem como parâmetros físicos dos comprimidos, incluindo o tempo de dureza, friabilidade, espessura e desintegração foram determinados e se mostraram satisfatórios. A análise espectroscópica no FTIR mostrou que a formulação contendo goma vegetal é compatível com o fármaco e outros excipientes utilizados na formulação dos comprimidos. Assim, a goma vegetal tem papel potencial como aglutinante em formulações de comprimidos. O perfil de dissolução das formulações que contêm 15 mg/200 mg do peso total do comprimido em goma de Prunus domestica como aglutinante mostrou melhores resultados comparativamente ao PVP K30.

Estudio biofarmacéutico comparativo de marcas comerciales de tabletas de ciprofloxacino disponibles en el mercado colombiano / A comparative biopharmaceutical study of brands of ciprofloxacin tablets available on the Colombian market

Objetivo: Determinar la equivalencia biofarmacéutica de marcas comerciales de Ciprofloxacino 500 mg disponibles en el mercado colombiano. Métodos: Se tomaron 12 productos comerciales de Ciprofloxacino tabletas 500 mg, adquiridos en droguerías y farmacias de cuatro de las principales ciudades del país, a los cuales se les realizaron los siguientes ensayos: Identificación del principio activo por HPLC, contenido de ingrediente activo, uniformidad de dosificación, pruebas de desintegración y disolución; además se compararon los perfiles de disolución de los productos frente a uno tomado como referencia. Los resultados se analizaron a fin de establecer diferencias estadísticamente significativas y posible intercambiabilidad entre los productos evaluados. Resultados: El análisis comparativo de los productos, permitió evidenciar marcadas diferencias en cuanto a la liberaciónin vitrodel principio activo, con uno de los productos incumpliendo este importante parámetro de calidad. Todos los productos evaluados cumplen con las especificaciones oficiales de identificación y valoración del principio activo, uniformidad de dosificación y tiempo de desintegración. En cuanto a la cinética de disolución se encontraron diferencias entre las formulaciones, con productos de deficiente Eficiencia de Disolución (ED) y que a pesar de cumplir con la especificación a Q30, se disuelven muy lentamente. Conclusiones: Once productos cumplen con todas las especificaciones establecidas en la USP-33/NF28. Los resultados de este trabajo constituyen un valioso aporte para en un futuro cercano y en función de las políticas nacionales, poder establecer bioequivalencia entre estos productos.

Objective: Determining the biopharmaceutical equivalency of 500 mg ciprofloxacin tablets available on the Colombian market (i.e. comparing different trademarks). Methods: Twelve commercial 500 mg ciprofloxacin tablets were obtained from drugstores and pharmacies in Colombia’s four major cities. They were submitted to the following assays: HPLC identification of active ingredients, active ingredient content, dose uniformity, disintegration and dissolution tests and comparing the products’ dissolution profiles to that of the innovator. The results were analyzed to establish statistically significant differences and possible inter-changeability between the products being tested. Results: Comparative analysis of the products revealed marked differences regardingin vitrorelease of the active principle (one product failing this important quality parameter). All the products tested here complied with the official specifications for identifying and assaying the active principle, dosage unit uniformity and the disintegration test. Regarding dissolution kinetics, differences were found between formulations as some products had poor dissolution efficiency (DE) and dissolved very slowly despite complying with the Q30specification. Conclusions: 11 products complied with USP33-NF28specifications (guidelines on specifications for impurities in antibiotics). This work has made a valuable contribution towards establishing these products’ bioequivalence in the near future regarding national policy.

Propolis standardized extract (EPP-AF®), an innovative chemically and biologically reproducible pharmaceutical compound for treating wounds.

The aim of this study was to develop a formulation, containing the propolis standardized extract (EPP-AF(®)), which can assist in the healing of skin lesions. To achieve this objective the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the propolis extract was determined. The final product was subjected to in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical evaluation. The broth macrodilution method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of the extracts and formulations against the microorganisms most commonly found in burns, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Wistar rats with puncture wounded skin were used to evaluate the wound healing properties of propolis. The results of chemical and biological characterization demonstrated the batch-to-batch reproducibility of the standardized extract which is an unprecedented result. The antimicrobial and wound healing activity of the pharmaceutical studied showed the best results when samples contain 3.6% propolis, suggesting that this is the most promising composition.

Os conflitos de interesses / Conflicts of interest / Los conflictos de intereses

El artículo revisa el concepto de conflicto de intereses con la industria y el modo como este conflicto afecta el trabajo de los profesionales de la salud. Se examinan los conflictos de intereses de carácter colectivo, los conflictos en la investigación, en las publicaciones, en la redacción de guías de buenas prácticas médicas y, de modo cada vez más evidente, en las relaciones de las asociaciones de pacientes con la industria...

This article reviews the concept of conflicts of interest with industry and the way these conflicts affect health care professionals work. Conflicts of interest of collective type in research, publications, writing good medical practice guidelines and with an increasing evidence, the relations of patients associations with industry are examined...

O artigo revisa o conceito de conflito de interesses com a indústria e o modo como este conflito afeta o trabalho dos profissionais da saúde. São examinados os conflitos de interesses de caráter coletivo, os conflitos na investigação científica, nas publicações, na redação de guias de boas práticas médicas e, de modo cada vez mais evidente, nas relações das associações de pacientes com a indústria...

Sistemas farmacêuticos gastrorretentivos flutuantes / Pharmaceutical gastro-retentive systems

Freqüentemente recorre-se à produção de sistemas gastrorretentivos para modular a liberação de fármacos a partir de sistemas farmacêuticos com vistas ao aumento do tempo de permanência do fármaco no trato gastrointestinal. Umas das estratégias mais interessantes passa pela produção de sistemas flutuantes. Estes podem ser classificados em dois grupos: sistemas flutuantes efervescentes e sistemas flutuantes não-efervecentes. Neste artigo apresenta-se uma revisão bibliográfica do que tem sido produzido nesta área nos últimos anos.

Gastro-retentive systems are often produced in order to modulate drugs release from pharmaceutical forms and in this way to increase drug residence time in the gastrointestinal tract. One of the most interesting strategies consists in the preparation of floating devices. These can be classified into two groups: effervescent systems and non-effervescent systems. A review of what has been done in the last years is presented in this article.

Estudio descriptivo de los subsectores productores y comercializadores de medicamentos y fitoterapéuticos en Bogotá / Descriptive study for the subsectors which manufacture and sell pharmaceutics and phytotherapeutics in Bogotá

Por iniciativa académica y aplicando una metodología de investigación no experimental transeccional descriptiva, se buscó estudiar mediante un censo los subsectores de medicamentos y productos a base de recursos naturales, también denominados fitoterapéuticos, de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia. La Universidad ha dado un primer paso, caracterizando la industria farmacéutica en términos de su composición, localización, origen, actividad económica, agremiación, ocupación del profesional químico farmacéutico, formas farmacéuticas que se comercializan y canales de distribución, entre las más importantes. Se encontró que en la ciudad de Bogotá se concentra el 60% de los establecimientos productores de medicamentos del país y el 78% de productores de fitoterapéuticos; por tanto, conocer de las características de los subsectores de medicamentos y fitoterapéuticos permitirá un acercamiento de la Academia, consecuente con las necesidades identificadas en el sector, y establecer las prioridades de éste en términos de los procesos de transformación de materiales para identificar futuras investigaciones.

Since academic initiative and applying a non experimental transectional descriptive methodology of investigation, we looked for studying by means of a census, the subsectors pharmaceutics and products based on natural resources sector, also named phytotherapeutics, located in Bogotá city, Colombia. The University has given the first step, characterizing the pharmaceutical industry in terms of its composition, location, nationality, economic activity, guild, conquest by the pharmaceutical chemist professional, pharmaceutical dosage forms that are commercialized by them and track of distribution, among the most significant. It was found that in Bogotá city there are 60% of the manufacturer institutions of pharmaceutics in the country and about 78% of the manufacturer institutions of phytotherapeutics, therefore the knowledge of the characteristics for the subsectors on pharmaceutics and phytotherapeutics will allow an approach of the academy, consistent with the identified needs for the sector, substantiating the priorities of this in terms of the processes of transformation of materials in order to identity next researches.