Quality evaluation of the Finasteride polymorphic forms I and II in capsules.

Finasteride (FNS) is a specific competitive inhibitor of steroid type-II 5α-reductase and is widely used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and androgenetic alopecia. FNS has two polymorphic forms identified as Form I and Form II. It is known that polymorphism can cause significant differences in the physicochemical properties of a compound such as melting point, density, morphology, solubility, and color. Thus, proper qualitative and quantitative monitoring of the solid-state forms is crucial to ensure high-quality products. There are no published papers studying the influence of the FNS polymorphs on the physicochemical quality of capsules. Furthermore, the available analytical methods are time-consuming, expensive, use buffer or do not demonstrate stability-indicating capacity. The aim of this work was to validate a rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to evaluate FNS in capsules and to study the physicochemical properties of polymorphic forms, evaluating their possible influence in the dissolution profile and stability of FNS in capsules. Capsules containing Forms I and II of FNS were prepared and subjected to quality control studies, dissolution profiles and a stability study at 50°C. A significant effect of polymorphism on the FNS solubility and dissolution properties was observed. These results suggest that changes in the effects of FNS can occur if a suitable control study is not performed on the raw material used to produce the capsules.

Comparison of the potency of 10 different brands of Serenoa repens extracts.

BACKGROUND: The extract of Serenoa repens is the phytopharmaceutical product most often used for the treatment of urological symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Several extracts are commercially available but extraction processes vary between manufacturers and thus not all these products are equivalent in terms of active ingredient content and composition of preparations. AIM: As there is a paucity of comparative studies, we compared the activity of different extracts of Serenoa repens widely available on the world market. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Beltrax Uno, Permicaps, Permixon, Prostadyn, Prostagutt, Prostamen, Prostamol Uno, ProstaX, Urocaps and Urogutt were assayed for 5-alpha-reductase activity on 10 day fibroblasts and epithelial cells cocultures. Human fibroblast growth factor (hFGF)-induced-proliferation inhibition was also assayed. RESULTS: As to extract activity, differences were observed between the tested extracts, but all were able to inhibit 5-a-reductase types I and II isoenzymes (5alphaR-I and 5alphaR-II) as well as fibroblast proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Extract potency differs between products and so does proliferation inhibition potency. Quantitative and qualitative variations in the active ingredient are likely to account for these differences.