In vitro evaluation of cutaneous penetration of acyclovir from semisolid commercial formulations and relation with its effective antiviral concentration

ABSTRACT The evaluation of drug permeation/penetration of semisolid formulations into animal skin can be useful to supplement the pharmaceutical equivalence. This paper describes the in vitro assessment of acyclovir (ACV) into porcine skin from commercial formulations with etermination of drug concentration in different layers of cutaneous tissue to correlate with effective antiviral concentration in order to improve the equivalence decision. Studies were conducted using Franz cells and porcine skin. Selected pharmaceutical creams containing ACV had identical (reference and generic) and different (similar) excipients. A software program was employed for the simulation of antiviral effectiveness in the skin. Regarding ACV skin penetration, the first batch of the generic product showed a significant difference from reference and similar products, while in the second batch all products demonstrated equivalent drug penetration in the skin. Simulation studies suggest that formulations analysed exhibit a pharmacological effect even when in contact with Herpes simplex strains of high IC50 (inhibitory concentration required to reduce viral replication by 50%). According to results, it can be assumed that the in vitro cutaneous permeation/penetration study does not supply sensitivity information regarding small alterations of ACV semisolid formulations due to the variability inherent to the method, although it can be relevant to pharmaceutical equivalence studies in the development of semisolid products.

Pathogenicity Tests and Evaluation of Efficacy of Fungicides Against Rhizoctonia Bataticola, the Causal Agent of Dry Root Rot of Chickpea.

The pathogen was identified based on its mycelial and sclerotial characters and pathogenicity test was proved by soil inoculation method. Efficacy of two non systemic fungicides (copper oxychloride and captan), two systemic fungicides (hexaconazole and tebuconazole) and one antifungal antibiotic validamycin each at different concentrations were tested against Rhizoctonia bataticola, incitant of dry root rot of chickpea under in vitro conditions. The fungicides copper oxychloride, captan, hexaconazole and tebuconazole were found to be highly effective (100%) in inhibiting the mycelial growth of the highly virulent pathogen at all the concentrations tested.

Comparison of the antioxidant potential of antiparkinsonian drugs in different in vitro models

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Furthermore, oxidative stress plays a role in PD, causing or contributing to the neurodegenerative process. Currently PD has only symptomatic treatment and still nothing can be done to stop the degenerative process of the disease. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the antioxidant capacity of pramipexole, selegeline and amantadine in different in vitro studies and to offer possible explanations on the molecular antioxidant mechanisms of these drugs. In vitro, the antioxidant capacity of the drugs was assessed by the ability of antiparkinsonian drugs to decrease or scavenge ROS in the neutrophil respiratory burst, ability of antiparkinsonian drugs to donate hydrogen and stabilize the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•), to scavenge 2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS+) and evaluation of the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). This study demonstrated that both pramipexole and selegiline, but not amantadine, have antioxidant effects in vitro by scavenging superoxide anion on the respiratory burst, donating electron in the ABTS+ assay and presenting ferric reduction antioxidant power. This chemical structure-related antioxidant capacity suggests a possible neuroprotective mechanism of these drugs beyond their already recognized mechanism of action.

A doença de Parkinson (DP) é caracterizada pela degeneração progressiva dos neurônios dopaminérgicos na substância negra pars compacta. Além disso, o estresse oxidativo, presente nesta doença, causa ou contribui para o processo neurodegenerativo. Atualmente, a DP tem apenas tratamento sintomático e ainda nada pode ser feito para interromper o processo degenerativo. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar, comparativamente, a capacidade antioxidante do pramipexol, selegilina e amantadina em diferentes testes in vitro e oferecer possíveis explicações sobre os mecanismos moleculares antioxidantes destes fármacos. Avaliou-se a atividade antioxidante dos fármacos através da capacidade em diminuir ou sequestrar espécies reativas de oxigênio no burst respiratório, da capacidade em doar hidrogênio e estabilizar o radical livre 2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazil (DPPH•), de remover o radical 2,2'-azino-di-(3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-sulfônico (ABTS+) e da verificação do poder redutor/antioxidante do ferro (FRAP). Este estudo demonstrou que tanto o pramipexol como a selegilina, mas não a amantadina, possuem efeitos antioxidantes in vitro por eliminar o ânion superóxido no burst respiratório, doar elétrons no método ABTS e apresentar poder redutor sobre o ferro (FRAP). Essa capacidade antioxidante pode estar relacionada com a estrutura química desses medicamentos, sugerindo possíveis mecanismos neuroprotetores destes fármacos além de seus mecanismos de ação já conhecidos.

Studies on losartan novel extrudates design and evaluation to treat hypertension.

Mini matrices containing Losartan potassium as a model drug were prepared by extrusion method using Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose as matrix materials with or without xanthan gum and carbopol, and combination of xanthan gum and carbopol and propylene glycol as plasticizer. The prepared mini matrices were further evaluated for surface texture, uniformity of diameter, thickness, weight, moisture content, drug content uniformity, drug-excipients interaction, relative swelling, mucoadhesive test, in vitro drug release pattern. All the HPMC mini matrices showed good swelling which is proportional to concentration of polymer. The In vitro release of drug was in the range of 64.83% to 93.66%. Formulation H1 prepared with a drug-polymer ratio of 1:0.5 (LSP:HPMC) and 5% propylene glycol by weight of polymer as plasticizer showed promising results as a controlled release dosage form and released approximately 93.66% of the drug in 12 h. This study proves that extrusion method can be used for designing controlled release drug delivery systems providing nearly zero-order drug release over a period of 12 h.

Producción y evaluación in vitro de IgY contra Streptococcus mutans / In vitro production and evaluation of anti-Streptococcus mutans IgY

La caries dental es una enfermedad infecciosa de alcance mundial, producida por Streptococcus mutans. Una estrategia para combatir la bacteria es previniendo su adherencia al esmalte dental mediante el uso de inmunoglobulinas de yema de huevo (IgY). En este trabajo se desarrollaron IgY contra S. mutans y se determinó su reactividad a fin de evaluar su potencial para prevenir la caries dental. Los anticuerpos fueron producidos inmunizando gallinas con un liófilo de la bacteria. Se recolectaron los huevos pre y post inmunes y se purificaron las IgY por precipitación con PEG 6000-cloroformo. El mayor nivel de IgY se obtuvo en el día 42 postinmunización, medido por un ensayo ELISA y la reactividad se evaluó por Western Blot, observándose el reconocimiento de bandas específicas entre 41 y 150 kDa que corresponden a proteínas implicadas en la adherencia a la superficie dental. Por la prueba MABA, se observó reactividad cruzada con S. salivarius. Observamos la aglutinación e inhibición del crecimiento (MIC) de S. mutans in vitro por acción de las IgY. Los resultados demuestran el potencial de estos anticuerpos para ser aplicados en ensayos de inmunización pasiva en nuestro país como una alternativa para prevenir la caries dental.

Dental caries is a worldwide infectious disease produce by Streptococcus mutants. A strategy to combat this bacterium consists in preventing its adherence to tooth enamel through the use egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY). In this study we developed anti-S.mutans IgY and determined its reactivity to evaluate its potential for preventing dental caries. The antibodies were produced by immunizing hens with lyophilized bacteria. Pre and post immunization eggs were collected and their IgY was purified by precipitation with PEG 6000-chloroform. The highest IgY level was obtained on the 42nd day post-immunization, as measured by an ELISA test. Reactivity was determined by Western Blot, showing the recognition of specific bands between 41 and 150 kDa, which correspond to proteins involved in the adherence to dental surfaces. A MABA test showed cross-reactivity with S. salivarum. IgY activity was shown by in vitro agglutination and growth inhibition (MIC) of S. mutans. These results show the potential of these antibodies for application in passive immunization trials as an alternative to prevent dental caries.