Psyllium (Plantago Ovata Forsk) Husk Powder as a Natural Superdisintegrant for Orodispersible Formulations: A Study on Meloxicam Tablets.

(1) Background: In this work, we investigated the application of a natural superdisintegrant, psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk) husk powder, for the manufacture of orodispersible meloxicam tablets. Meloxicam was chosen as a model compound for the study. (2) Methods: The tablets were prepared using different concentrations of psyllium husk by direct compression. Bulk density, tapped density, hardness, friability, in vitro disintegration, and dissolution time tests were used to assess the quality of the formulations. (3) Results: Psyllium husk powder significantly increased the dissolution rate of meloxicam. The formulation containing 16 mg of psyllium husk powder showed the lowest wetting time, the highest water absorption ratio, and the lowest disintegration time compared to the control and to the other formulations. These effects may be attributed to the rapid uptake of water due to the vigorous swelling ability of psyllium husk powder. (4) Conclusions: The powder could be recommended as an effective natural superdisintegrant for orodispersible formulations.

Natural Polymer Chitosan as Super Disintegrant in Fast Orally Disintegrating Meloxicam Tablets: Formulation and Evaluation.

The aim of the present investigation was to formulate fast disintegrating tablets of meloxicam by wet granulation technique using medium molecular weight chitosan. The orally disintegrating tablets of meloxicam with chitosan showed good mechanical and disintegration properties and good dissolution rate when prepared in tablet press using 10.8 kN and 11.0 kN compression force. Chitosan is a suitable biopolymer to moderate the disintegration process in orally disintegrating tablets.

[The development and evaluation of technology of hard capsules filling with powder mixtures]. / Kietuju kapsuliu uzpildymo milteliu misiniais technologijos kurimas ir vertinimas.

Hard capsules-filling machines are useful for measuring small quantities of powder in pharmacies and drug production for clinical research. In addition, they can be used as a teaching device during students' laboratory works. However, in literature, we could not find a method how to calculate the right quantity of powder needed to fill capsules; therefore, the experimental work with acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, and lactose was performed. Based on experimental work, a methodology for filling hard capsules with powder mixtures was developed. During experimental work, the influence of powder moisture and cohesiveness, filling conditions, and powder particle size on hard capsules filling was assessed. The dependency of capsules position in the machine on capsules filling was investigated. To confirm a reliability of the method three series of acetylsalicylic acid capsules were produced. The tests for uniformity of content and mass were performed. The applied methods of analysis confirmed that the uniformity of mass and content of produced capsules complied the requirements of European pharmacopoeia.

Optimization of carvacrol, rosmarinic, oleanolic and ursolic acid extraction from oregano herbs (Origanum onites L., Origanum vulgare spp. hirtum and Origanum vulgare L.).

The aim of our study was to increase the extraction efficiency of carvacrol, rosmarinic, oleanolic and ursolic acid from the different species of oregano herbs (Origanum onites L., Origanum vulgare spp. hirtum and Origanum vulgare L.). Various extraction methods (ultrasound-assisted, heat-reflux, continuous stirring, maceration, percolation) and extraction conditions (different solvent, material:solvent ratio, extraction temperature, extraction time) were used, and the active substances were determined by HPLC. The lowest content of carvacrol, rosmarinic, oleanolic and ursolic acid was obtained by percolation. During heat-reflux extraction, the content of active substances depended on the solvent used: ethanol/non-aqueous solvent (glycerol or propylene glycol) mixture was more effective compared with ethanol alone. The results showed that for each species of oregano the most optimal extraction method should be selected to maximize the content of biologically active substances in the extracts.

In vitro permeation studies of phenolics from horse chestnut seed gels prepared with different polyacrylic acid polymer derivatives.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of polyacrylic acid polymers (Ultrez 10, Ultrez 20, Carbopol 980, and Carbopol 940) on the viscosity and the in vitro permeation of phenolic compounds from the gel prepared from natural horse chestnut seed extract. Experiments were performed in the presence and in the absence of peppermint oil (Mentha piperita). Our results showed that peppermint oil decreased the viscosity of the gels and permeation of phenolic compounds from all gel samples. Results show that the highest content of phenolic compounds (1.758 µg cm(-2)) permeated in vitro from gel based on Carbopol Ultrez 20 without peppermint oil added (p<0.05 vs. other tested polymers).

[Working conditions and workers' health impairments in drug distribution companies]. / Darbo salygos vaistu platinimo imonese ir darbuotoju sveikatos sutrikimai.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate working conditions according to hygiene norms and to determine health impairments of drug distribution companies' workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study was performed in summer of 2003 in drug distribution companies implementing good distribution practice. Study included 588 workers. Health impairments for technical personnel and pharmacists were revealed using a questionnaire. RESULTS: Microclimatic work conditions: temperature, humidity, air movement during summer season at 11% workplaces did not correspond to hygiene norms. The main health impairments for pharmacists were various ophthalmological disorders. For technical personnel main health impairments were musculoskeletal disorders, as back pain and varicosis. They are related with repetitive spinal column movements, incorrect weight lifting, long-fixed working position, etc. Based on criteria used for evaluation of workload, workers of drug distribution companies are attributable to strained work category.

[Documentation of good distribution practice of medicines and its implementation in Lithuanian drug distribution companies]. / Geros vaistu platinimo praktikos dokumentai ir ju rengimas Lietuvos vaistu platinimo imonese.

Good Distribution Practice of medicinal products for human use is a quality warranty system, which includes requirements for purchase, receiving, storage and export of drugs, intended human consumption. A drug is a specific product and its mishandling is dangerous to human health and life. Therefore it is necessary to strictly control the movement of the drug from the producer to the consumer so that poor quality drugs do not have access to the market. Good Distribution Practice rules set the general requirements for good wholesale distribution practice of drugs, intended for human consumption. In order for company to meet the specified requirements, the drug distribution company must have all suitable and necessary premises, machinery, equipment, the required number of employees and specified documentation. The preparation of the Good Distribution Practice documentation is one of the most important and complex aspects when implementing the Good Distribution Practice in the companies. The article deals with the analysis of results obtained during the research of drug distribution companies in Lithuania. The research revealed that drug distribution companies put emphasis on the equipment of storage premises. Less attention is being paid to the preparation of the documents of Good Distribution Practice. The article thus presents the analysis of Good Distribution Practice documents prepared by the drug distribution companies.

[Good drug distribution practice and its implementation in drug distribution companies]. / Gera vaistu platinimo praktika ir jos diegimas vaistu platinimo imonese.

Good Distribution Practice is based on the Directive of the Board of the European Community 92/25/EEC regarding the wholesale distribution of drugs for human consumption. It is stated in the Directive that the whole drug distribution channel is to be controlled from the point of drug production or import down to the supplies to the end user. In order to reach the goal, the drug distribution company must create the quality assurance system and facilitate its correct functioning. This aim requires development of the rules of the Good Distribution Practice. Those rules set the general requirements of the Good Distribution Practice for distribution companies that they must conduct. The article explains main requirements postulated in the rules of the Good Distribution Practice and implementation of the Good Distribution Practice requirements in drug distribution companies.