Formulation of Sustained Release Hydrophilic Matrix Tablets of Tolcapone with the Application of Sedem Diagram: Influence of Tolcapone's Particle Size on Sustained Release.

Hydrophilic matrix tablets are a type of sustained release dosage form characterized by distributing a drug in a matrix that is usually polymeric. Tolcapone is a drug that inhibits the enzyme catechol-O-methyl transferase. In recent years, it has been shown that tolcapone is a potent inhibitor of the amyloid aggregation process of the transthyretin protein, and acts by stabilizing the structure of the protein, reducing the progression of familial amyloid polyneuropathy. The main objective of this study was to obtain a sustained release tablet of tolcapone for oral administration with a preferred dosage regimen of 1 administration every 12 or 24 h and manufactured, preferably, by direct compression. The SeDeM Diagram method has been used for the formulation development of hydrophilic matrix tablets. Given the characteristics of tolcapone, the excipient selected for the formation of the polymeric matrix was a high viscosity hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Methocel® K100M CR). A decrease in the particle size of tolcapone resulted in a slower dissolution release of the formulation when the concentration of the polymer Methocel® K100M CR was below 29%. These surprising and novel results have given rise to patent number WO/2018/019997.

Phytosterolaemia associated with parenteral nutrition administration in adult patients.

Vegetable lipid emulsions (LE) contain non-declared phytosterols (PS). We aimed to determine PS content depending on the brand and LE batch, and in adult hospitalised patients treated with parenteral nutrition (PN), to establish the association between plasma and administered PS. Part I was the LE study: totals and fractions of PS in three to four non-consecutive batches from six LE were analysed. Part II was the patient study: patients with at least 7 previous days of PN with 0·8 g/kg per d of an olive/soyabean (O/S) LE were randomised (day 0) 1:1 to O/S or 100 % fish oil (FO) at a dose of 0·4 g/kg per d for 7 d (day 7). Plasma PS, its fractions, total cholesterol on days 0 and 7, their clearance and their association with PS administered by LE were studied. In part I, LE study: differences were found in the total PS, their fractions and cholesterol among different LE brands and batches. Exclusive soyabean LE had the highest content of PS (422·36 (sd 130·46) µg/ml). In part II, patient study: nineteen patients were included. In the O/S group, PS levels were maintained (1·11 (sd 6·98) µg/ml) from day 0 to 7, while in the FO group, significant decreases were seen in total PS (-6·21 (sd 4·73) µg/ml) and their fractions, except for campesterol and stigmasterol. Plasma PS on day 7 were significantly associated with PS administered (R2 0·443). PS content in different LE brands had great variability. PS administered during PN resulted in accumulation and could be prevented with the exclusive administration of FO LE.

Determinación de fitoesteroles en emulsiones lipídicas para nutrición parenteral / Phytosterol determination in lipid emulsions for parenteral nutrition

Objetivo: La presencia de fitoesteroles en emulsiones lipídicas de origen vegetal se ha relacionado con la aparición de alteraciones de los parámetros de la función hepática. El objetivo es determinar la presencia de fitoesteroles en las emulsiones registradas en el mercado farmacéutico. Método: Se analizaron tres-cuatro lotes no consecutivos de seis marcas distintas de emulsiones lipídicas (Clinoleic(R), Intralipid(R), Lipofundina(R), Lipoplus(R), Omegaven(R) y Smoflipid(R)) y las diferencias en contenido de fitoesteroles totales entre marcas y entre lotes se estudiaron estadísticamente (ANOVA de un factor, aproximación no paramétrica de Kruskal-Wallis y análisis post hoc Scheffé; p < 0,05). Resultados: Se encontró ausencia de fitoesteroles en el preparado Omegaven(R) con aceite de pescado. El contenido más alto de fitoesteroles (422,4 ± 130,5 µg/mL) coincidió con el porcentaje más alto de aceite de soja (Intralipid(R)). En el resto de las emulsiones se detectaron concentraciones de fitoesteroles entre 120 y 210 µg/mL, relacionadas con el contenido de aceite de soja. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre todas las marcas de emulsiones lipídicas (F = 42,97; p = 0,000) y entre lotes no consecutivos. Clinolenic(R) (F = 23,59; p = 0,000); Intralipid(R) (F = 978,25; p = 0,000); Lipofundina(R) TCL/TCM (F = 5,43; p = 0,045); Lipoplus(R) (F = 123,53; p = 0,000),; y Smoflipid(R) (16,78; p = 0,000). Excepto en el caso de la Lipofundina(R) TCL/TCM las diferencias entre lotes fueron marcadas. Conclusiones: Las emulsiones lipídicas registradas en el mercado farmacéutico español contienen cantidades variables de fitoesteroles en función de la marca comercial y el lote. La determinación del contenido de fitoesteroles, actualmente no declarados, permitiría desarrollar estrategias para prevenir o tratar la aparición de estas alteraciones

Objective: The presence of phytosterols in vegetal lipid emulsions has been associated with alterations of liver function tests. Determination of phytosterols content, currently undeclared, would allow the development of strategies to prevent or treat these alterations. Method: 3-4 non-consecutive batches of 6 lipid emulsions from different providers (Clinoleic(TM), Intralipid(TM), Lipofundina(TM), Lipoplus(TM), Omegaven(TM) and Smoflipid(TM)) were analyzed. Differences in total phytosterol assay between providers and batches were statistically studied by a one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric approximation and post hoc Scheffé test (p < 0.05). Results: The absence of phytosterols was confirmed in Omegaven(TM), emulsion based on fish oil. The highest assay of phytosterols (422.4 ± 130.5 µg/mL) has been related with the highest percentage of soya bean oil in Intralipid. In the remaining emulsions, concentrations were from 120 to 210 µg/mL related to the percentage of soya bean oil. Statistically significant differences of phytosterol content in lipid emulsions were observed among different providers (F = 23.59; p = 0.000) as well as among non-consecutive batches. Clinolenic(TM) (F = 23.59; p = 0.000), Intralipid(TM) (F = 978.25; p = 0.000), Lipofundina(TM) TCL/TCM (F = 5.43; p = 0.045), Lipoplus(TM) (F = 123.53; p = 0.000) and Smoflipid(TM) (16.78; p = 0.000). Except for Lipofundina(TM) TCL/TCM, the differences between batches were marked. Conclusions: Lipid emulsions, registered on Spanish pharmaceutical market, contain variable quantities of phytosterols dependent on commercial brand and batch

Phytosterol determination in lipid emulsions for parenteral nutrition.

OBJECTIVE: The presence of phytosterols in vegetal lipid emulsions has been  associated with alterations of liver function tests. Determination of phytosterols  content, currently undeclared, would allow the development of strategies to  prevent or treat these alterations. METHOD: 3-4 non-consecutive batches of 6 lipid emulsions from different providers (Clinoleic, Intralipid, Lipofundina, Lipoplus, Omegaven and Smoflipid) were analyzed. Differences in total phytosterol assay between providers and batches were statistically studied by a one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric approximation and post hoc Scheffé test (p < 0.05)Results: The absence of phytosterols was confirmed in Omegaven, emulsion  based on fish oil. The highest assay of phytosterols (422.4 ± 130.5 µg/mL) has  been related with the highest percentage of soya bean oil in Intralipid. In the  remaining emulsions, concentrations were from 120 to 210 µg/mL related to the  percentage of soya bean oil. Statistically significant differences of phytosterol  content in lipid emulsions were observed among different providers (F = 23.59;  p = 0.000) as well as among non-consecutive batches. Clinolenic (F = 23.59; p  = 0.000), Intralipid (F = 978.25; p = 0.000), Lipofundina TCL/TCM (F = 5.43; p  = 0.045), Lipoplus (F = 123.53; p = 0.000) and Smoflipid (16.78; p = 0.000).  Except for Lipofundina TCL/TCM, the differences between batches were marked. CONCLUSIONS: Lipid emulsions, registered on Spanish pharmaceutical market,  contain variable quantities of phytosterols dependent on commercial brand and  batch.

Objetivo: La presencia de fitoesteroles en emulsiones lipídicas de origen vegetal se ha relacionado con la aparición de alteraciones de los parámetros de la  función hepática. El objetivo es determinar la presencia de fitoesteroles en las  emulsiones registradas en el mercado farmacéutico.Método: Se analizaron tres-cuatro lotes no consecutivos de seis marcas  distintas de emulsiones lipídicas (Clinoleic®, Intralipid®, Lipofundina®,  Lipoplus®, Omegaven® y Smoflipid®) y las diferencias en contenido de  fitoesteroles totales entre marcas y entre lotes se estudiaron estadísticamente  (ANOVA de un factor, aproximación no paramétrica de Kruskal-Wallis y análisis  post hoc Scheffé; p < 0,05).Resultados: Se encontró ausencia de fitoesteroles en el preparado Omegaven® con aceite de pescado. El contenido más alto de fitoesteroles (422,4 ± 130,5  µg/mL) coincidió con el porcentaje más alto de aceite de soja (Intralipid®). En el resto de las emulsiones se detectaron concentraciones de fitoesteroles entre 120  y 210 µg/mL, relacionadas con el contenido de aceite de soja. Se  observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre todas las marcas de  emulsiones lipídicas (F = 42,97; p = 0,000) y entre lotes no consecutivos.  Clinolenic® (F = 23,59; p = 0,000); Intralipid® (F = 978,25; p = 0,000);  Lipofundina® TCL/TCM (F = 5,43; p = 0,045); Lipoplus ® (F = 123,53; p =  0,000),; y Smoflipid® (16,78; p = 0,000). Excepto en el caso de la  Lipofundina® TCL/TCM las diferencias entre lotes fueron marcadas.Conclusiones: Las emulsiones lipídicas registradas en el mercado farmacéutico español contienen cantidades variables de fitoesteroles en función  e la marca comercial y el lote. La determinación del contenido de fitoesteroles, actualmente no declarados, permitiría desarrollar estrategias para prevenir o tratar la aparición de estas alteraciones.

Optimization and Validation of a Fast UPLC Method for Simultaneous Determination of Hydroquinone, Kojic Acid, Octinoxate, Avobenzone, BHA, and BHT.

A previously published HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of six major components (hydroquinone, kojic acid, octinoxate, avobenzone, butylated hydroxyanisole, and butylated hydroxytoluene) in a skin-whitening cream was transferred and optimized to an ultra-performance LC system. Separation was achieved in a ZORBAX SB-Phenyl Rapid-Resolution High Throughput column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8 µm), using a mobile phase consisting of water with 0.1% acetic acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. The column was maintained at 40°C, and detection was carried out at 230 nm using a diode-array detector. These chromatographic conditions allow the separation of the six compounds in 3 min instead of 14 min. The extraction procedure was optimized, reducing the time and demonstrating its suitability. The method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines, with respect to specificity, precision, accuracy, and linearity. Selectivity was found to be satisfactory. Linear regression analysis data for all compounds showed a good linear relationship, with r2 > 0.999 in the concentration range of 50-120% of the label claim for each compound. The RSD for precision and accuracy of the method was found to be less than 2% for all compounds. Comparison of system performance with the previously published HPLC method was made with respect to analysis time, efficacy, and resolution. The proposed method is faster and consumes less solvent and was applied in the determination of six major compounds in batches of skin-whitening cream manufactured during the validation process.