Bacaba, Pracaxi and Uxi Oils for Therapeutic Purposes: A Scoping Review.

Fruits such as bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart), pracaxi (Pentaclethra macroloba Kuntze) and uxi (Endopleura uchi (Huber) Cuatrec), from the Amazon rainforest, are potentially interesting for studies of natural products. The current article aims at mapping and characterizing studies on the bacaba, pracaxi and uxi species. This review reports the main bioactive compounds identified in these species and discusses their therapeutic potential. Searches were performed in MEDLINE (Via Pubmed) and Web of Science. Thirty-one studies that described or evaluated the development of formulations aimed at the therapeutic use of the species were included. The findings suggest that species have the potential for the development of pharmaceutical formulations due to their therapeutic properties. However, further studies are required to assess safety and efficacy of these products. Therefore, it is suggested that new research studies propose strategies so that technological development is based on awareness and preservation of the biome.

University Pharmacy: from the foundation to the Pandemic times of Covid-19

Abstract The University Pharmacy Program (FU), from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), was created based on the need to offer a curricular internship to students of the Undergraduate Course at the Faculty of Pharmacy. Currently, it is responsible for the care of about 200 patients/day, offering vacancies for curricular internships for students in the Pharmacy course, it has become a reference in the manipulation of many drugs neglected by the pharmaceutical industry and provides access to medicines for low-income users playing an important social function. Research is one of the pillars of FU-UFRJ and several master and doctoral students use the FU research laboratory in the development of dissertations and theses. As of 2002, the Pharmaceutical Care extension projects started to guarantee a rational and safe pharmacotherapy for the medicine users. From its beginning in 1982 until the current quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FU-UFRJ has been adapting to the new reality and continued to provide patient care services, maintaining its teaching, research, and extension activities. The FU plays a relevant social role in guaranteeing the low-income population access to special and neglected medicines, and to pharmaceutical and education services in health promotion.

Development, physicochemical evaluation, and in vivo permeation studies of topical formulations containing 0.1% tacrolimus

Abstract The objective of this paper was to develop and evaluate two semi-solid pharmaceutical forms containing 0.1% tacrolimus: cream (CRT01) and gel (GLT01). For the evaluation of physicochemical stability, at times 0, 30, 60 and 90 days, at 23°C and at 40°C, High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with a Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) was employed. This method was developed and validated for tacrolimus quantification. The occlusivity test and skin permeation assay were also performed, using an animal model (Wistar rats), and the CRT01 and GLT01 were compared to the 0.1% tacrolimus ointment (PFU01) obtained from the University Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. CRT01 and GLT01 presented a homogeneous aspect and consistency adequate for topical products, along with sensory characteristics above PFU01. They also presented adequate physicochemical stability for 90 days and a lower occlusive effect than PFU01 (p<0.05). CRT01 showed greater affinity for the skin when compared to PFU01 and GLT01, with low systemic absorption. The CRT01 semi-solid formulation was considered the most adequate one to treat patients with atopic dermatitis or other dermatologic inflammatory diseases, promoting rational use of tacrolimus

Development and clinical application of hydrogel formulations containing papain and urea for wound healing

Abstract Hydrogels are used for wound treatment, as they may contain one or more active components and protect the wound bed. Papain is one of the active substances that have been used with this purpose, alongside urea. In this paper, carboxypolymethylene hydrogels containing papain (2% and 10% concentrations) and urea (5% concentration) were produced. Physical-chemical stability was performed at 0, 7, 15 and 30 days at 2-8ºC, 25ºC and 40ºC, as well as the rheological aspects and proteolytic activity of papain by gel electrophoresis. Clinical efficacy of the formulations in patients with lower limb ulcers was also evaluated in a prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind and comparative clinical trial. The results showed 7-day stability for the formulations under 25ºC, in addition to approximately 100% and 15% of protein activity for 10% and 2% papain hydrogel, respectively. The rheological profile was non-Newtonian for the 10% papain hydrogel tested. There were no significant differences regarding the mean time for healing of the lesions, although 10% papain presented a better approach to be used in all types of tissue present in the wound bed.

Development and characterization of photoprotective nanoemulsions containing Babassu (Orbignya phalerata Mart. ) lipophilic extract

Abstract Oil-in-water photoprotective nanoemulsions (NEs) were developed using Babassu (BBS) lipophilic extract, nonionic surfactants, and low concentrations of organic sunscreens by ultrasonic processing. BBS extract was chosen due to its suitable physicochemical properties (acidity index, peroxide index, refraction index, and relative density) and predominance of saturated fatty acids, identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which promote biological activities and high oxidative stability. NEs were characterized by mean droplet size, morphology, polydispersity index (PdI), pH, and organoleptic properties, and the physical stability of the NEs was evaluated for 120 days at room temperature. The sun protection factor (SPF) was determined, and the photostability and in vitro cytotoxicity assays were performed for NEs. All NEs remained stable for 120 days, with a droplet size <150 nm and a monomodal distribution profile. The pH values were compatible with the skin's pH. NE3 showed a spherical morphology, with a mean droplet size of 125.15 ± 0.16 nm and PdI of 0.145 ± 0.032. NE3 containing BBS extract and sunscreens presented an SPF of 35.5 ± 3.0, was photostable after 6 h of radiation and was non-cytotoxic to fibroblast cells. Thus, NE3 could be considered a promising formulation for developing synergic plant-extract sunscreen photoprotective products for the market

Farmacovigilância de medicamentos manipulados - Parte 1: perfil das notificações no Brasil / Pharmacovigilance of compounded drugs - Part 1: profile of Brazilian notifications

Introdução: Medicamentos manipulados são preparações farmacêuticas extemporâneas, em sua maioria utilizadas para viabilizar a farmacoterapia de populações especiais por meio de formulações personalizadas. Desta forma, não são submetidos a testes clínicos anteriores a sua utilização, sendo as ações de farmacovigilância fundamentais para a garantia de sua segurança. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil dos medicamentos manipulados registrados nas notificações de queixas técnicas reportadas ao Sistema Nacional de Notificação em Vigilância Sanitária (Notivisa). Método: Estudo exploratório descritivo, retrospectivo ao período de 2006-2016 das notificações de medicamentos manipulados reportadas ao Notivisa. Resultados: Foram analisadas 303 notificações de queixas técnicas referentes a 26 medicamentos oficinais, 268 magistrais e nove não classificadas. Foram identificados 107 diferentes ativos. Os de ação no aparelho digestivo e metabolismo foram os mais frequentes (42,00%), seguidos daqueles com ação no sangue e órgãos hematopoiéticos (10,00%), dermatológicos (10,00%) e aparelho cardiovascular (9,70%). Os principais desvios de qualidade notificados foram relacionados às formas farmacêuticas líquidas, sendo a presença de corpo estranho, partículas ou precipitados, a mais frequente (22,40%), seguida de alterações na embalagem e rotulagem (18,60%). Conclusões: Foi possível descrever os principais medicamentos manipulados notificados ao Notivisa, suas características e substâncias ativas veiculadas nas formulações, o que pode contribuir para as ações de vigilância sanitária no âmbito magistral, tão incipiente ainda no Brasil.

Introduction: Compounded drugs are extemporaneous pharmaceutical preparations, mostly used to enable the pharmacotherapy of special populations through personalized formulations. In this way, they are not subjected to clinical tests prior to their use, and pharmacovigilance actions are fundamental to guarantee their safety. Objective: to describe the profile of compounded drugs registered in the notifications of technical complaints reported to the National Health Surveillance Notification System (NOTIVISA). Method: Descriptive exploratory study, retrospective to the period 2006-2016, of the notifications of compounded drugs reported to Notivisa. Results: 303 notifications of technical complaints regarding 26 officinal, 268 magistral and 09 unclassified medicines were analyzed. 107 different assets were identified. Those with action on the Digestive System and Metabolism were the most frequent (42.00%), followed by those with action on the Blood and Hematopoietic Organs (10.00%), Dermatological (10.00%) and Cardiovascular System (9.70%). The main quality deviations reported were related to liquid dosage forms, with the presence of foreign bodies, particles or precipitates being the most frequent (22.40%), followed by changes in packaging and labeling (18.60%). Conclusions: It was possible to describe the main compounded drugs notified to Notivisa, their characteristics and active substances conveyed in the formulations, which can contribute to the actions of Health Surveillance in the masterful scope, which is still incipient in Brazil.

Farmacovigilância de medicamentos manipulados - Parte 2: notificações de eventos adversos e queixas técnicas no Brasil / Pharmacovigilance of compounded drugs - Part 2: Adverse event notifications and technical complaints in Brazil

Introdução: Medicamento manipulado é a preparação farmacêutica obtido por procedimento farmacotécnico a partir de uma prescrição de profissional habilitado destinada a um paciente individualizado ou cuja fórmula esteja inscrita no Formulário Nacional ou Internacional. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil das notificações relacionadas aos medicamentos manipulados, reportadas ao Sistema Nacional de Notificação em Vigilância Sanitária (Notivisa). Método: Estudo exploratório descritivo, retrospectivo ao período de 2006-2016 das notificações de medicamentos manipulados reportadas ao Notivisa. Os dados foram registrados e analisados no programa Excel versão para Windows 3.5.4. Resultados: De um total de 108.400 notificações referentes a medicamentos no período estudado, 335 (0,32%) foram relacionadas a notificações de medicamentos manipulados. As queixas técnicas (QT) obtiveram 90,40% das notificações, enquanto os eventos adversos (EA) obtiveram 9,60%. A Região Sudeste foi a principal notificadora (66,00%) e o estado de São Paulo, responsável por 54,00% do total das notificações. Os hospitais foram as instituições com maior frequência de notificação (81,00%). Foi possível avaliar os motivos que geraram as notificações, das quais as alterações relacionadas ao aspecto da preparação farmacêutica foram as predominantes dentre as QT, enquanto para os EA destacaram-se as reações adversas a medicamentos. Conclusões: As ocorrências observadas na farmacovigilância de medicamentos manipulados são próprias de cada produto com suas particularidades, embora o que se busque seja um padrão. Desta forma, tal observação poderá prevenir a ocorrência de danos à população exposta a situações semelhantes, se for devidamente notificada e amplamente divulgada.

Introduction: Compounded drug is a pharmaceutical preparation obtained by a pharmacotechnical procedure from a prescription of a qualified professional intended for an individualized patient, or whose formula is registered in the National or International Form. Objective: To describe the profile of notifications related to compounded drugs, reported to the National Health Surveillance Notification System (Notivisa). Method: Descriptive exploratory study, retrospective to the period 2006-2016, of the notifications of compounded drugs reported to Notivisa. Data were recorded and analyzed using the Excel program, version for Windows 3.5.4. Results: Of a total of 108,400 notifications referring to medicines in the studied period, 335 (0.32%) were related to reports of compounded drugs. Technical complaints (QT) obtained 90.40% of the notifications, while adverse events (AE) obtained 9.60%. The Southeast region was the main notifier (66.00%), and the state of São Paulo was responsible for 54.00% of the total notifications. Hospitals were the institutions with the highest frequency of notification (81.00%). It was possible to evaluate the reasons that generated the notifications, of which the changes related to the aspect of the pharmaceutical preparation were the predominant among the QT, while for the AEs, the adverse drug reactions stood out. Conclusions: The occurrences observed in the pharmacovigilance of compounded drugs are specific to each product with its particularities, although, what is sought is a pattern. In this way, such observation can prevent the occurrence of damages to the population exposed to similar situations, if it is duly notified and widely disseminated.

Medication Errors in Compounding Pharmacy / Erros de Medicação em Farmácia de Manipulação

Abstract The traditional role of compounding pharmacies is to make drugs prescribed by physicians for patients with needs that cannot be met by commercially available drugs. Medication errors have attracted attention of health authorities since they compromise the patient's assistance, enhance morbidity rates and increase the healthcare costs. This study analyzed medication errors that occurred in a compounding pharmacy school in order to identify types and periodicity and to outline strategies in the service delivery process to mitigate such errors. This is a retrospective descriptive study carried out from March to June of 2018 and based on the analysis of occurrences recorded by the service sector of a magistral pharmacy school in Rio de Janeiro. The errors were classified according to the stage in the pharmaceutical assistance process and reached 124 records, with an average of 1.03 occurrence/day. The main causes were prescription errors (95 occurrences or 76.60%), administering (12 occurrences or 9.68%), labeling (7 occurrences or 5.65%), dispensing (7 occurrences or 5.65%) and handling (3 occurrences or 2.42%). The errors in the prescription stage, the most frequent ones, were potential but intercepted and cleared before they resulted in a harmful outcome. This study identified medication errors in a magistral pharmacy. The errors were potential but intercepted and resolved before they resulted in a harmful outcome. The results points to the need for systematic surveillance of adverse events in a more active way and for standardizing the procedures throughout the process, from assessing the medical prescription to guiding the patient for proper administration and storage. (AU)

Resumo O papel tradicional das farmácias de manipulação é manipular medicamentos prescritos por médicos para pacientes com necessidades que não podem ser atendidas pelos medicamentos disponíveis no mercado. Os erros de medicação são eventos que vêm recebendo grande destaque entre autoridades sanitárias por contribuírem com o aumento das taxas de morbidade e dos custos do sistema de saúde, comprometendo a qualidade da assistência prestada ao paciente. as it involves legal and ethical aspects of impact on professional practice. Errors in the administration of medications point out the responsibility of the nursing category. An adequate performance of this role enables the prevention of real errors. The purpose of this study was to analyze nursing responsibilities in the administration of medications through a bibliographical research in the Medline and Lilacs data bases (1997/1999O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar os principais erros de medicação observados em uma Farmácia Escola magistral localizada no sudeste do Brasil. Foi desenvolvido um estudo descritivo retrospectivo no período de março a junho de 2018, baseado na análise das ocorrências de erros de medicação registradas no período. Os erros foram classificados de acordo com as etapas da assistência farmacêutica. Um total de 124 registros foram verificados no período, com média diária de 1,03 ocorrências/dia. As principais causas destes registros foram em 95 (76,60%) devido a erros de prescrição, 3 (2,42%) referentes à erros de manipulação dos medicamentos, 7 (5,65%) erros de rotulagem, 7 (5,65%) erros de dispensação, e 12 (9,68%) referentes à erros de administração do medicamento pelo paciente. Os erros de maior frequência foram relacionados à escrituração da prescrição. Os erros verificados eram potenciais e foram interceptados e resolvidos antes que resultassem em um desfecho danoso. Os resultados indicaram a necessidade de avançar para uma vigilância sistemática de eventos adversos de forma mais ativa e padronização das condutas relacionadas aos processos desde a avaliação da qualidade da prescrição até a orientação para administração e guarda adequada do medicamento pelo paciente. (AU)

Nanoemulsion containing 8-methoxypsoralen for topical treatment of dermatoses: Development, characterization and ex vivo permeation in porcine skin.

Oral therapy with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) may cause major side effects, whereas the topical treatment might not be much effective due to the low penetration induced by typical formulations. Therefore, the objectives of this work are the development and characterization of a nanoemulsion (NE) containing 8-MOP together with an ex vivo permeation study, monitored by a validated HPLC-Fluo method, to determine the amount of drug retained in viable skin (epidermis (E) and dermis (D)) and in stratum corneum (SC). The optimized conditions for NE formulation were achieved by full factorial designs (25 and 32): 60 s and 60% of ultrasound time and potency, respectively; 10 mL of final volume; 2% v/v of oil phase (clove essential oil); and 10% m/v of Poloxamer 407. The NE showed mean droplet diameter of 24.98 ±â€¯0.49 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.091 ±â€¯0.23, pH values of 6.54 ±â€¯0.06, refractive index of 1.3525 ±â€¯0.0001 and apparent viscosity of 51.15 ±â€¯3.66 mPa at 20 °C. Droplets with nanospherical diameters were also observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ex vivo permeation study showed that 8.5% of the applied 8-MOP dose permeated through the biological membranes, with flux (J) of 1.35 µg cm-2 h-1. The drug retention in E + D and in SC was 10.15 ±â€¯1.36 and 1.95 ±â€¯0.71 µg cm-2, respectively. Retention in viable skin induced by the NE was almost two-fold higher than a compounded cream (5.04 ±â€¯0.30 µg cm-2). These results suggested that the developed NE is a promising alternative for 8-MOP topical therapy when compared to commercial formulations.

Multifunctional photoprotection: corrective makeup for cutaneous dyschromias

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a corrective and photoprotective makeup for patients with dyschromias. An emulsion was prepared and pigment mixtures were incorporated in the formulation, producing five shades of corrective makeup: BEIGE (I, II, III), BRONZE and TAN. The sun protection factor (SPF) and UVA/UVB ratio of the corrective makeup were determined using spectrophotometry with a Labsphere® analyser. The spreadability, occlusivity, stability, and photostability of the photoprotective formulations were also evaluated. For all formulations there was no statistical difference among them (p > 0.05) in terms of spreadability, occlusivity and SPF. They were considered to be photostable under solar radiation, with variations in SPF value and UVA/UVB ratio lower than 20%. The corrective makeup presented average-to-high UVB photoprotection and broad spectrum photoprotection. After 90 days, pH, density and SPF values showed no significant differences among formulations (p>0.05). All corrective makeup presented separation of the pigments, however, they returned to a homogeneous aspect and to the original color shade after shaking. The corrective makeup presented a fine texture, little brightness, and a homogeneous, dry-to-the-touch aspect. This work may benefit patients with dyschromias, improving their quality of life, besides promoting photoprotection and covering the skin blemishes

Development and validation of an analytical method using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to determine ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate in topical repellent formulations

ABSTRACT Diseases caused by insects are frequent in poor countries, leading to epidemic scenarios in urban areas; e.g., Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya. For this reason, the development of a safe and efficient topical formulation is essential. Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate (EB) is a mosquito repellent developed by Merck, which is used in products for adults, children and especially babies, due to its low allergenic potential. The aim of this work was to validate an analytical methodology to quantify EB in a new poloxamer-based formulation by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The quantification methodology was performed at 40 ºC using a Kromasil reverse-phase column (C18), with the dimensions of 250 x 4.6 mm. The mobile phase was acetonitrile:water (1:1) at a 1.0 mL/min flow-rate. The detector wavelength was set at 218 nm to detect EB. The methodology was considered validated since the results indicated linearity (R2>0.99), specificity, selectivity, precision and accuracy (active recovery between 98% and 102%). It also presented limits of detection and quantification of 0.255 µg/mL and 0.849 µg/mL, respectively. The present study demonstrated the EB vehiculated in poloxamer gel is promising as a new insect repellent formulation, since it could be quantified and quality control evaluated.

Promotion of cutaneous penetration of nifedipine for nanoemulsion

ABSTRACT This article reports the development and characterization of a nanoemulsion (NE) able to improve the cutaneous penetration of nifedipine. NE with nifedipine was development and characterized, presenting droplet size of 20 nm with low polydispersity index (IP<0.1), spherical shape without aggregation, pH compatible with typical skin levels and stability evaluated by seven months. In the permeation studies, a classical formulation based in an oil/water cream containing nifedipine was used for comparison with NE. Nanoemulsion promoted and improved the retention of nifedipine in the epidermis and dermis in relation to classical formulation. This promoting effect is related to the nanometric size of the droplets of the NE (20 nm), which give him a large superficial area, favoring the contact of the nanocarrier with the skin surface. The NE was efficient in promoting accumulation of nifedipine in the dermis, which is the site of vasodilation action. NE was not irritating according to the primary dermal irritation tests. NE is a promising release system to promote cutaneous penetration of nifedipine and can be used in the future in clinical trials to promote healing of lesions caused by peripheral vascular diseases.

Avaliação biofarmacotécnica de formulações dermatológicas semi-sólidas de cetoconazol / Biopharmacotechnical evaluation of semi-solid dematological formulations

O cetoconazol (CTZ) é um antifúngico imidazólico de amplo espectro, administrado tipicamente pela via oral (200 ou 400 mg por dia) ou topicamente (creme 2 por cento aplicado duas vezes ao dia). A eficácia da terapia tópica depende das características de liberação do fármaco, do veículo e da biofarmacocinética da substância ativa no tecido cutâneo, ou seja, de como ela se difunde através da pele. No presente trabalho, duas formulações comerciais (A e B), uma manipulada (C) e três desenvolvidas (D2:0; E1:1 e F0:2) contendo CTZ na concentração de 20 mg/g, foram estudadas quanto às características físico-químicas e quanto ao comportamento biofarmacêutico/bioequivalente tópico, através de medidas adequadas do ativo na camada do estrato córneo (EC)...