ABSTRACT
Favipiravir (6-fluoro-3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxamide) is a purine nucleic acid analog, which is an antiviral agent used in the treatment of influenza. Since the recent outbreak caused by 2019-novel coronavirus (nCoV), there has been a seek for effective antiviral agents to be used in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and favipiravir has been one of the options which provides a broad-spectrum therapy. Herein, we studied the aqueous solubility and in vitro permeability characteristics of favipiravir in order to shed light on the BCS classification of this antiviral agent used in COVID-19 therapy. The in vitro solubility was assessed using saturated solution of favipiravir in four different aqueous media and the solubility values were evaluated during 72 h at 37..C. The solubility of favipiravir was between 4.48 to 8.5 mg/ml, which is 5.85 to 10.63 times of calculated solubility limit. Caco-2 cell monolayers were utilized for the permeability assessment, and the drug solutions in three different concentrations including the highest dose required for bioequivalence exemption of the immediate release dosage form were applied. The effect of efflux transporters on the permeability of favipiravir was also determined using a P-gp inhibitor, Verapamil HCl. According to the data obtained from the in vitro studies, favipiravir can be considered as a representative of class I compound.
ABSTRACT
Different controversies arise when the world is dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak and fast solutions are produced in the field of health. However, the impact of Covid-19 on some critical sectors is perspicuous. One of the most important of those is the status of the solar industry, which is a favorite renewable and sustainable energy sector and the most sensitive part of global energy transformation. In this study, the solar energy sector has been examined in detail under the lens of Covid-19. The effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the sector has been tried to be measured and the steps that could be taken for a quick recovery have been proposed. In addition, the possible positive effects of the pandemic on the sector have been discussed within the perspective of the research. © Uludag Aricilik Dergisi. All rights reserved.