Antimicrobial Activity of Copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) and Pracaxi (Pentaclethra macroloba) Oils against Staphylococcus Aureus: Importance in Compounding for Wound Care.

The Amazon rainforest is the largest reserve of natural products in the world. Its rich biodiversity of medicinal plants has been utilized by local populations for hundreds of years for the prevention and treatment of various diseases and ailments. Oil extracts from plant species such as Copaifera officinalis and Pentaclethra macroloba are used in compounded formulations for their antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, emollient, moisturizing, and wound-healing activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro bacteriostatic effect of two Amazonian oils, Copaiba and Pracaxi, against Staphylococcus aureus, a clinically important microorganism responsible for wound infection, to support the use of these oils as novel natural products for compounded wound-treatment modalities. The antibacterial activity of Copaiba and Pracaxi oils against a standard strain of Staphylococcus aureus was assessed using broth microdilution to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of the oil extracts. Copaiba oil demonstrated antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of 0.3125 mg/mL and a Minimum Bactericidal Concentration of 0.3125 mg/mL. Conversely, Pracaxi oil failed to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus growth. While additional studies are required to further evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Pracaxi oil, even low concentrations of Copaiba oil effectively inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth, supporting its potential use as a promising adjuvant in compounded topical formulations for wound and scar healing.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Green Propolis Extract and Meadowsweet Extract Against Staphylococcus aureus Bacteria: Importance in Would Care Compounding Preparations.

The use of natural products in compounded wound care formulas is an exciting avenue to pursue for compounding pharmacists since these natural products may contain compounds that promote healing on their own. The use of these natural extracts as an alternative therapy for wound care may also provide several benefits, such as decreased inflammation, infection, side effects, and treatment costs. Thus far, several studies have demonstrated antimicrobial activity for various natural product extracts, including green propolis and meadowsweet. The antimicrobial properties of these extracts make them particularly interesting for wound care because the healing process is significantly delayed by bacterial infection and colonization at the site of injury. Therefore, to further investigate the antimicrobial properties of green propolis and meadowsweet extracts, we performed minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration assays against Staphylococcus aureus, a microorganism known to cause wound infections. The antimicrobial activity of green propolis and meadowsweet extracts was tested in vitro against a standard strain of Staphylococcus aureus in brain heart infusion broth and Mueller-Hinton agar plates. Green propolis extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.25 mg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration of 1.25 mg/mL. In contrast, meadowsweet extract failed to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus growth at the highest concentration tested (30 mg/mL). Green propolis was more effective than meadowsweet extract at inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, suggesting that the addition of green propolis extract in wound care formulas might be more beneficial for the treatment of wounds. Therefore, we propose that green propolis extract is a promising natural product for wound care formulations.

Stability of Prednisone in Oral Mix Suspending Vehicle.

The stability of prednisone (5 mg/mL) formulated as a suspension in Oral Mix vehicle was evaluated. Oral Mix is a novel oral, dye-free suspending vehicle developed by Medisca Pharmaceutique Inc. for preparation of extemporaneous dosage forms. This drug was chosen based on its high frequency of prescription among the pediatric population. Suspensions were prepared from both pure active and commercial tablets utilizing two different container closures: amber glass bottles and polypropylene syringes (PreciseDose Dispenser Medisca Pharmaceutique Inc.). Formulations were stored at 5°C or 25°C and organoleptic properties, pH, and concentration were evaluated at predetermined time points up to 90 days. Validated stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography methods were developed. Beyond-use date was evaluated by statistical analysis of the overall degradation trend. Prednisone was stable for at least 90 days at 25°C. No changes in organoleptic properties or pH were observed for either of the formulations, and the global stability was roughly equivalent and sometimes superior to the stability of the same drugs in other previously used vehicles. Thus, Oral Mix was found to be a suitable dye-free vehicle for extemporaneous formulations.

In vitro evaluation of extemporaneously compounded immediate-release capsules with premixed excipients, based on the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) of the drugs.

Hard-capsule compounding plays an essential role in drug delivery for pharmaceutical application. Versatile and easy to use, capsules represent a popular dosage form for patients. Nevertheless, bioavailability of the drugs compounded in hard capsules is not always optimized and choosing the appropriate excipients is a key factor to improve the dissolution kinetics of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The Biopharmaceutical Classification System, which categorizes drugs regarding their solubility and permeability, is a unique tool which can be used to select the most compatible excipients for a particular drug when compounding immediate-release capsules. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of premixed excipient blends called CapsuBlend Excipients, based on the Biopharmaceutical Classification System concept, for drug dissolution rate and absorption enhancement. Drug assay and dissolution profiles were studied for three batches of metronidazole 250-mg, theophylline 100-mg, and levocarnitine 250-mg capsules, each respectively representing a highly soluble, poorly soluble, and hygroscopic drug. Methods followed the specifications set forth in the United States Pharmacopeia. Assay results demonstrated that each batch of metronidazole 250 mg, theophylline 100 mg, and levocarnitine 250 mg contained not less than 90.0% of and not more than 110.0% of the labeled amount of drug, which is in accordance with the United States Pharmacopeia requirements. Moreover, dissolution profile results for the aforementioned capsules depicted dissolution values meeting the Pharmacopeial criteria of acceptance. These results reinforce the fact that the Biopharmaceutical Classification System concept represents a valuable guideline for formulation chemists or pharmacists to assist them for capsule compounding. To ensure a high level of efficiency of compounded capsules, premixed excipient blends, carefully developed by taking into consideration the solubility and permeability of a drug, represent a significant formulation advantage to improve the dissolution of active pharmaceutical ingredients.