Prevention of UVB radiation-induced oxidative stress in mice by topical administration of Azadirachta indica(neem) extract

Neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss. fam. Meliaceae) has been extensively employed to combat diverse pathologies. Moreover, it has been described that its leaf extract present anticarcinogenic action. Thus, the neem extract (NE) chemical and antioxidant properties was evaluated, and also, the capacity of two dermatological formulations incorporated with neem extract (F1 and F2) to avoid oxidative UVB-induced skin injury in hairless mice. NE constituents were investigated and free radical scavenging ability were determined by different methods in vitro. Skin from mice treated with F1 and F2 and submitted to UVB radiation were tested for different parameters of inflammation and oxidative injury. Results show that the NE polyphenol and flavonoid content were 135.30 and 37.12mg/g, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results demonstrated the existence of azarachtin, rutin, ursolic acid and tannic acid. NE presented scavenging ability by ABTS radical, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), inhibition of lipid peroxidation and iron chelation. In vivo, it was observed that mice treated with F1 and F2 showed amelioration of the inflammation by reducing UVB induced skin edema. However, only samples from animals treated with F1 had lower neutrophil recruitment (measured by myeloperoxidase activity), and returning the oxidative status to baseline levels in parameters such as reduced glutathione level, ferric reducing ability (FRAP), and scavenging of free radical (ABTS). Concluding, NE demonstrated a good antioxidant property in vitro, and the data suggest the use of NE added F1 to prevent skin damage caused by UVB irradiation.(AU)

Validation of methodology for assay, pharmaceutical equivalence, and comparative dissolution profile for tablets containing amlodipine besylate

The amlodipine besylate is indicated as a first choice in the treatment of hypertension. Many similar and generic drugproducts companies were able to bring out to the market dosage forms containing amlodipine besylate with lowerprices. In this context, the aim of this work was to validate a simple method for the determination of amlodipinecontent in tablets by ultraviolet spectrophotometry and to perform pharmaceutical equivalence and dissolution profilestudies for three similar and one generic drug products and their respective innovator tablet containing amlodipine(5 mg). The developed method for the determination of amlodipine content proved to be linear, precise, accurate,robust, and appropriate for employment in the quality control of tablets containing amlodipine besylate. The reference(R), similar (S1, S2, and S3), and generic (G) drug products all fulfilled the specifications for the tests of identification,average weight, hardness, friability, disintegration, drug content, content uniformity, and dissolution. However, incomparative dissolution profile studies, the dissolution efficiency of products G and S2 was statistically different fromproduct R, which may indirectly lead to the unsuitable bioavailability and therapeutic inefficacy. Thus, there is a needfor tighter legislation and inspection regarding the quality of pharmaceutical products already on the market.