Development of extraction technique and GC/FID method for the analysis of cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L. spp. santicha (hemp).

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, the interest in industrial Cannabis sativa L. herb has been increasing in the world. As a result, it is becoming one of the most studied plants due to its multifunctional benefits. OBJECTIVES: To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted so far to determine the impact of extraction methods and conditions on the extraction yields of CBD and CBG from the Cannabis sativa L. ssp. Santhica. Therefore, we aimed to investigate a simple and sensitive GC-FID method to determine CBD and CBG in hemp extract. METHODS: As regards sample preparation, three extraction techniques were compared, including maceration (ME), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and reflux-heat extraction (RHE), in order to obtain a high recovery of the CBD of interest from the plant material. The GC-FID method developed in this study represents a powerful tool for the extraction and analysis of non-psychoactive cannabinoids from hemp varieties to be used for the preparations of extracts with a high content of bioactive compounds for both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. RESULTS: A simple extraction procedure for CBD and CBG from hemp was also optimized in this work, by using ultrasound assisted extraction method with 96% ethanol, material/solvent ratio 1:10 and extraction time 10 min at room temperature. CONCLUSION: The overall analytical method was fully validated in agreement with international guidelines. Therefore, proving a powerful and reliable tool for both the selection of hemp varieties with a high content of bioactive compounds and the quality control of its derivatives.

[Herbal medicinal preparations in the Lithuanian market]. / Augalines kilmes preparatai Lietuvos farmacijos rinkoje.

Today phytopreparations take important place in the modern therapy. There are 6475 medicinal preparations registered in Lithuania (2 January, 2003). Out of them, 7.38 % or 482 are preparations herbal and animal origin. Lithuanian companies produce the biggest part of these drugs. Tea is the most popular drug form produced from medicinal plants. There are 4 producers of medicinal teas in Lithuania: "Acorus Calamus", "Svencioniu vaistazoles", "Herba Humana" and "Karvelio terapijos-fitoterapijos imone". Preparations of herbal origin are generally used in treatment of digestive, respiratory tract, and nervous system problems. Twenty-six different drug forms are produced from medicinal plants.

[Analysis of possibilities of pharmaceutical care elements implementation in Lithuanian community pharmacies]. / Farmacines rupybos elementu igyvendinimo Lietuvos visuomenes vaistinese galimybiu analize.

OBJECTIVE: Objective of this survey--possibilities of implementation of pharmaceutical care elements in daily work of Lithuanian community pharmacies. All pharmacists have to ensure the best quality of pharmaceutical services which they render to their patients. Pharmacists also must improve the quality of pharmaceutical services, according to recommendations of pharmaceutical care. For a start they should implement at least separate elements of pharmaceutical care if they are going to provide pharmaceutical care services in their community pharmacies in the future. That's why this survey was designed to clarify the possibilities of implementation of separate pharmaceutical care elements in to daily work of community pharmacies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Material of this survey--pharmaceutical services rendered in Lithuanian community pharmacies. This survey has an analytical character and was accomplished with questionnaire. Chiefs of community pharmacies were asked to complete of questionnaire. We gave 150 questionnaires and received answers from 128 pharmacists. RESULTS: After gathered data analysis we found out that only 2% of pharmacies are almost prepared and well equipped for provision of pharmaceutical care services; however, they still have to rearrange their facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Lithuanian community pharmacies are not ready to work according to recommendations of pharmaceutical care today. Some elements of pharmaceutical care (such as blood pressure measurement, provision of written information for patient, etc.) are already implemented by almost all Lithuanian community pharmacies. If pharmacists want to provide pharmaceutical care services they should create a database of patient medication records in pharmacy. Unfortunately Lithuanian pharmacists do not have such databases today. Only with such databases there is a possibility to render pharmaceutical services of the best quality.

[The research of quality of patient counselling and resources of pharmaceutical information in community pharmacy]. / Paciento konsultavimo kokybes tyrimas ir farmacines informacijos gavimo saltiniai visuomenes vaistineje.

THE OBJECTIVE: To learn patients opinion about quantity and quality of patient counselling in pharmacy. Also, to explore usage of pharmacy information systems (PIS) in pharmacies; find out internet usage in pharmacy daily activities and it's determinants. METHODS: Random anonymous questionnaire method. RESULTS: Obtained answers indicated, that in pharmacy patients receive essential information about medicines usage, however, explanatory information is not sufficient. All pharmacies in Lithuania daily use PIS, more than a half of market is occupied by "Skaitos kompiuteriu servisas" PIS ("SKS Vaistai"). Sixty percent of Lithuanian pharmacies have internet connection; 50% of all personnel of pharmacies use internet in their work. In this time pharmacies of Lithuania are not satisfied of with any PIS, and attempt to compensate shortage of information in other ways.

[Patient medication record in pharmacy: development of specialized information system and possibilities of its application in Lithuanian community pharmacies]. / Paciento medicininis irasas vaistineje: informacines sistemos kurimas ir jos pritaikymo galimybes Lietuvos visuomenes vaistinese.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether the managers of Lithuanian community pharmacies need a special information system for the creation of patients' medication record in the pharmacy. To design the system and to analyze the possibilities of its application. RESEARCH MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to determine the need for a specialized information system a questionnaire-based survey of pharmacies managers was used. During the development of information system the detailed requirements analysis was performed and basing on this analysis the architecture of the system and its user interface were designed. System was built using "Microsoft Access 2000" and "Visual Basic 6" development tools. RESULTS: Survey revealed that managers of community pharmacies require an information system for the creation of patients' medication record in the pharmacy. The design of the system was prepared and the initial version was built. Examinations of the developed system showed that it could be used to form the patient information database, which would improve the quality of service. CONCLUSION: The developed information system or its analogue should be used in community pharmacies because absence of the patients medical records database makes it impossible to implement the recommendations of good pharmacy practice.