Effects of pharmaceutical excipients on the in vitro release rate of sodium salicylate from oily vehicles

The work objective was to study the possible effects of different pharmaceutical excipients on the release of sodium salicylate from oily vehicles. Several formulations of Fractionated Coconut Oil [FCO] containing different pharmaceutical additives were prepared. The release rate behaviour of sodium salicylate from these oily formulations was investigated using a dialysis method. The time required for 30% and 50% of the salicylate to appear in solution outside the dialysis sac [t[30%] and t[50%]] respectively, were used as indices for estimating the release rate. The results of this study showed that the aluminium stearate retards the release rate of salicylate specially when its concentration is 1.5%w/v or more. Oily formulation containing 0.5% w/v aluminium stearate +0.7%w/v lecithin +0.35% w/v hydrogenated castor oil +20% w/v sucrose in FCO and oily formulation containing 0.5% w/v Cab-o-sil + 20%w/v sucrose in FCO delayed the release rate of the drug. However, the inclusion of sucrose in the formulations complicates the situation and enhances the release rate especially at the later stages. The enhancing effect of sucrose on the release rate is nullified by the inclusion of 1% w/v Cab-o-sil. Possible reasons for these effects are discussed with particular reference to the tendency forming globules of sucrose, due to the osmotic effect inside the dialysis sac. Oily formulations [0.5% w/v aluminium stearate + 0.7%w/v lecithin + 0.35% w/v hydrogenated castor oil + 20% w/v sucrose in FCO] and [0.5% w/v Cab-o-sil + 20%w/v sucrose in FCO] can be used as a depot preparations for chronic disease conditions. The enhancing effect of sucrose on the release rate of salicylate can be beneficial if acute response is required. Extrapolation of this study on tablets, capsules and i.m. injection formulations is suggested

Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy in Jordan

The study was performed in order to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy in various regions of Jordan. Materials and The sample consisted of 1030 pregnant women ranging in age from 16-40 years who were randomly selected from four geographic regions of the country. Blood samples were collected from each patient and a questionnaire was completed. Hemoglobin [Hb], total serum iron [TSI], total iron binding capacity [TIBC], and percentage of transferrin saturation were determined In addition, alkaline phosphatase activity [ALP] was measured in 100 anemic and 100 non-anemic women from the study group. The overall incidence of anemia was 56.7%. The mean concentrations of Hb, TSI, and TIBC in the samples were 9.8 +/- 1.4 g/dl, 23.3 +/- 12.5 micro g/dl, and 449.1 +/- 43.2 micro g/dl respectively. The prevalence of anemia was lower in subjects from the developed region [Amman] than in the other three regions In the Eastern region the prevalence was 68.3%; in the Western region the prevalence was 57.8%; and in the Southern regions the prevalence was 59.1%. Anemia was most prevalent in the youngest age group, in the third trimester of pregnancy, and in multiparous cases In addition, the anemic cases showed a higher activity of alkaline phosphates [168 +/- 8.8 u/L] than non-anemic cases [120.3 +/- 10.5 u/L] [P<0.01]. It appears that iron deficiency anemia is a serious problem in Jordanian women during pregnancy. An in depth investigation to clarify and remedy this problem is called for