RESUMO
Abstract The last decade provided significant advances in the understanding of microbiota and its role in human health. Probiotics are live microorganisms with proven benefits for the host and were mostly studied in the context of gut health, but they can also confer significant benefits for oral health, mainly in the treatment of gingivitis. Postbiotics are cell-free extracts and metabolites of microorganisms which can provide additional preventive and therapeutic value for human health. This opens opportunities for new preventive or therapeutic formulations for oral administration. The microorganisms that colonize the oral cavity, their role in oral health and disease, as well as the probiotics and postbiotics which could have beneficial effects in this complex environment were discussed. The aim of this study was to review, analyse and discuss novel probiotic and postbiotic formulations intended for oral administration that could be of great preventive and therapeutic importance. A special attention has been put on the formulation of the pharmaceutical dosage forms that are expected to provide new benefits for the patients and technological advantages relevant for industry. An adequate dosage form could significantly enhance the efficiency of these products.
RESUMO
As formas farmacêuticas sólidas orais (FFSO) de liberação prolongada caracterizam-se pela liberação gradual do fármaco e manutenção da sua concentração plasmática em níveis terapêuticos, durante um período de tempo prolongado. Podem ser desenvolvidas como sistemas monolíticos ou multiparticulados, empregando-se tecnologias como matrizes poliméricas, sistemas reservatório ou bombas osmóticas. Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão acerca das tecnologias utilizadas para a obtenção de FFSO de liberação prolongada, destacando os benefícios tecnológicos e biofarmacotécnicos dos sistemas multiparticulados sobre os monolíticos. Os métodos empregados para a avaliação das características de dissolução desses sistemas são também abordados, especialmente o aparato 3 da Farmacopéia Americana. Por fim, são apresentados exemplos de produtos disponíveis no mercado brasileiro, com o objetivo de ilustrar a aplicabilidade das FFSO de liberação prolongada, além de verificar o perfil de utilização desses sistemas pela indústria nacional.
Sustained release solid oral dosage forms are characterized by the gradual release of the drug and maintenance of its plasmatic concentration in therapeutic levels, during a prolonged period of time. They can be designed as single-unity or multiple-unity dosage forms, using technologies such as matrix, reservoir or osmotic systems. The present work is a review on the technologies used to obtain sustained release oral dosage forms, with a special attention to the technological and biopharmaceutical benefits of multiple-unity over single-unity systems. The methods used in the evaluation of the dissolution characteristics of such systems are also approached. Examples of products available in the Brazilian market are shown with the purpose of illustrating the applicability of sustained release solid oral dosage forms, besides verifying the profile of utilization of these systems by the national industry.