Pub Date : 2024-02-28DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010015
Bárbara Costa, Isabel Silva, José Carlos Oliveira, H. Reguengo, Nuno Vale
Lamotrigine, widely used for managing epilepsy and bipolar disorder, carries potential side effects, including severe anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) or drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may lead to hepatotoxicity. Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (TD2) and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) are identified as more susceptible to these adverse reactions. This exploratory analysis aims to identify clinical parameters influencing lamotrigine pharmacokinetics across diverse populations, shedding light on toxicity and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) considerations. Starting with a retrospective analysis of 41 lamotrigine-treated patients at Hospital Santo António reveals changes or deviations from normal levels in various blood parameters and significant correlations between these parameters. Serum level changes, including creatinine, albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, and Vitamin B12, are observed, with strong negative correlations between Vitamin B12 and creatinine. Then, we used GastroPlus and DILIsym to explore the impact of clinical parameters on lamotrigine for different patient populations. We constructed a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for lamotrigine in GastroPlus, based on ADMET predictions and data from the literature, to simulate the pharmacokinetic variability of lamotrigine in different populations, and we visualized the impact of increasing lamotrigine dose on its plasma concentration–time profiles (200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg, 1200 mg) and reduced bioavailability. At higher doses, it is possible that the saturation of metabolic pathways leads to the formation of toxic metabolites or intermediates. These metabolites may exert inhibitory effects on drug-metabolizing enzymes or disrupt normal physiological processes, thereby impeding the drug’s clearance and potentially lowering its bioavailability. In DILIsym, we investigated lamotrigine’s DILI potential for individuals with diabetes and NAFLD. The results demonstrated an increased risk, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring. This study underscores the importance of understanding lamotrigine’s pharmacokinetics for tailored treatment decisions, improved outcomes, and minimized adverse reactions.
{"title":"Pharmacokinetic Simulation Study: Exploring the Impact of Clinical Parameters on Lamotrigine for Different Patient Populations with Implications for Liver Function Assessment and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring","authors":"Bárbara Costa, Isabel Silva, José Carlos Oliveira, H. Reguengo, Nuno Vale","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010015","url":null,"abstract":"Lamotrigine, widely used for managing epilepsy and bipolar disorder, carries potential side effects, including severe anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) or drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may lead to hepatotoxicity. Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (TD2) and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) are identified as more susceptible to these adverse reactions. This exploratory analysis aims to identify clinical parameters influencing lamotrigine pharmacokinetics across diverse populations, shedding light on toxicity and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) considerations. Starting with a retrospective analysis of 41 lamotrigine-treated patients at Hospital Santo António reveals changes or deviations from normal levels in various blood parameters and significant correlations between these parameters. Serum level changes, including creatinine, albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, and Vitamin B12, are observed, with strong negative correlations between Vitamin B12 and creatinine. Then, we used GastroPlus and DILIsym to explore the impact of clinical parameters on lamotrigine for different patient populations. We constructed a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for lamotrigine in GastroPlus, based on ADMET predictions and data from the literature, to simulate the pharmacokinetic variability of lamotrigine in different populations, and we visualized the impact of increasing lamotrigine dose on its plasma concentration–time profiles (200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg, 1200 mg) and reduced bioavailability. At higher doses, it is possible that the saturation of metabolic pathways leads to the formation of toxic metabolites or intermediates. These metabolites may exert inhibitory effects on drug-metabolizing enzymes or disrupt normal physiological processes, thereby impeding the drug’s clearance and potentially lowering its bioavailability. In DILIsym, we investigated lamotrigine’s DILI potential for individuals with diabetes and NAFLD. The results demonstrated an increased risk, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring. This study underscores the importance of understanding lamotrigine’s pharmacokinetics for tailored treatment decisions, improved outcomes, and minimized adverse reactions.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140423281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-22DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010014
D. S. Gordeeva, A. V. Sitenkova (Bukhovets), R. I. Moustafine
The aim of this study was the analysis of interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) based on Eudragit® EPO and Eudragit® L100 as prospective carriers for gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS) using two model drugs: metronidazole (MZ) and acyclovir (ACR). Eudragit® EPO/L100 IPECs with different pH concentrations were characterized by different degrees of swelling in mimicking fasted stomach medium (0.1 M HCl) and saved their shape for 6 h. The microenvironmental changes in IPEC structures in acidic medium were investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal and elemental analysis. IPEC samples showed bioadhesive properties that were not significantly different from the positive control (Carbopol) in the test with the mucin compacts. The release rate of metronidazole (class I BCS) from IPEC matrices increased with the increasing degree of swelling. IPEC 1 provided 49.62 ± 6.20% and IPEC 2 reached 87.69 ± 5.15% of metronidazole release after 6 h in mimicking fasted stomach medium (0.1 M HCl). The total amount of released acyclovir (class III BCS) from IPEC 1 was 25.76 ± 5.67% and from IPEC 2 was 21.48 ± 5.00%. Release of both drugs was controlled by relaxation of polymeric chains in matrices according to the Peppas–Sahlin model. According to the received results, investigated interpolymer complexes are prospects for further evaluation as carriers for gastroretentive bioadhesive systems.
{"title":"New Carriers for Bioadhesive Gastroretentive Drug Delivery Systems Based on Eudragit® EPO/Eudragit® L100 Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes","authors":"D. S. Gordeeva, A. V. Sitenkova (Bukhovets), R. I. Moustafine","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010014","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this study was the analysis of interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) based on Eudragit® EPO and Eudragit® L100 as prospective carriers for gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS) using two model drugs: metronidazole (MZ) and acyclovir (ACR). Eudragit® EPO/L100 IPECs with different pH concentrations were characterized by different degrees of swelling in mimicking fasted stomach medium (0.1 M HCl) and saved their shape for 6 h. The microenvironmental changes in IPEC structures in acidic medium were investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal and elemental analysis. IPEC samples showed bioadhesive properties that were not significantly different from the positive control (Carbopol) in the test with the mucin compacts. The release rate of metronidazole (class I BCS) from IPEC matrices increased with the increasing degree of swelling. IPEC 1 provided 49.62 ± 6.20% and IPEC 2 reached 87.69 ± 5.15% of metronidazole release after 6 h in mimicking fasted stomach medium (0.1 M HCl). The total amount of released acyclovir (class III BCS) from IPEC 1 was 25.76 ± 5.67% and from IPEC 2 was 21.48 ± 5.00%. Release of both drugs was controlled by relaxation of polymeric chains in matrices according to the Peppas–Sahlin model. According to the received results, investigated interpolymer complexes are prospects for further evaluation as carriers for gastroretentive bioadhesive systems.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140439120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-19DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010013
E. Baek, Eun-Ju Hong, Jung-Hee Kim, Min Kim, Jongmin Ahn, Hyo-Jung Kwun
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in aging men. Panicum dichotomiflorum (PD) is an annual grass species of Poaceae that is distributed worldwide. The present study examined whether PD has a protective effect against BPH. BPH was generated in rats by daily subcutaneous administration of testosterone for four weeks. During this period, the rats were also given daily oral gavages of an extract of PD (150 mg/kg). After the final treatment, all animals were euthanized and their prostates were collected and weighed. In BPH model rats, the prostate weight and levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5α-reductase expression were inhibited following treatment with PD extract. Testosterone-induced increases in prostate gland epithelial thickness and expression of cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were markedly suppressed in PD-treated rats, whereas cleaved caspase-3 levels were increased. PD administration also decreased the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the phosphorylation of Akt, and inflammatory cytokines levels. Taken together, these results show that PD extract protects against testosterone-induced BPH progression by alleviating prostate cell growth and reducing levels of growth factors and inflammatory cytokines, indicating that PD extract may have potential in protecting against BPH.
{"title":"Protective Effect of Panicum dichotomiflorum in a Rodent Model of Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia","authors":"E. Baek, Eun-Ju Hong, Jung-Hee Kim, Min Kim, Jongmin Ahn, Hyo-Jung Kwun","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010013","url":null,"abstract":"Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in aging men. Panicum dichotomiflorum (PD) is an annual grass species of Poaceae that is distributed worldwide. The present study examined whether PD has a protective effect against BPH. BPH was generated in rats by daily subcutaneous administration of testosterone for four weeks. During this period, the rats were also given daily oral gavages of an extract of PD (150 mg/kg). After the final treatment, all animals were euthanized and their prostates were collected and weighed. In BPH model rats, the prostate weight and levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5α-reductase expression were inhibited following treatment with PD extract. Testosterone-induced increases in prostate gland epithelial thickness and expression of cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were markedly suppressed in PD-treated rats, whereas cleaved caspase-3 levels were increased. PD administration also decreased the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the phosphorylation of Akt, and inflammatory cytokines levels. Taken together, these results show that PD extract protects against testosterone-induced BPH progression by alleviating prostate cell growth and reducing levels of growth factors and inflammatory cytokines, indicating that PD extract may have potential in protecting against BPH.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140449857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-04DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010011
T. Zaprutko, Józefina Sprawka, Barbara Maciuszek-Bartkowska, P. Ratajczak, Dorota Kopciuch, A. Paczkowska, K. Kus
Pharmacists play an important role, being increasingly focused on patient care and pharmaceutical services. This trend is also noticeable in Poland. Thus, we aimed to study the opinions of Polish pharmacists to determine the potential for introducing a new category of pharmacist-only medicines (POMs). This study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the survey (anonymous questionnaire consisting of 10 questions addressed to pharmacists) was only available in electronic form. A total of 500 correctly completed surveys were collected and subjected to further analysis. The vast majority of pharmacists (91.8%) revealed a willingness to expand their professional rights and 88% stated that the POMs implementation would be important. As a substance that should function as a POM instead of an OTC medicine, respondents most often indicated ketoprofen, sildenafil, and mometasone, accounting for 26.2%, 24.8%, and 24.4% of responses, respectively. In terms of funding pharmaceutical services, 54.2% of respondents indicated that costs should be covered partially by the patient and the payer. There is a clear need for the incorporation of the POM category in Poland. Polish pharmacists are anticipating the development of pharmaceutical services which should be partly covered by patients and payers.
{"title":"The Potential of Incorporating a Pharmacist-Only Medicine Category in Poland","authors":"T. Zaprutko, Józefina Sprawka, Barbara Maciuszek-Bartkowska, P. Ratajczak, Dorota Kopciuch, A. Paczkowska, K. Kus","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010011","url":null,"abstract":"Pharmacists play an important role, being increasingly focused on patient care and pharmaceutical services. This trend is also noticeable in Poland. Thus, we aimed to study the opinions of Polish pharmacists to determine the potential for introducing a new category of pharmacist-only medicines (POMs). This study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the survey (anonymous questionnaire consisting of 10 questions addressed to pharmacists) was only available in electronic form. A total of 500 correctly completed surveys were collected and subjected to further analysis. The vast majority of pharmacists (91.8%) revealed a willingness to expand their professional rights and 88% stated that the POMs implementation would be important. As a substance that should function as a POM instead of an OTC medicine, respondents most often indicated ketoprofen, sildenafil, and mometasone, accounting for 26.2%, 24.8%, and 24.4% of responses, respectively. In terms of funding pharmaceutical services, 54.2% of respondents indicated that costs should be covered partially by the patient and the payer. There is a clear need for the incorporation of the POM category in Poland. Polish pharmacists are anticipating the development of pharmaceutical services which should be partly covered by patients and payers.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139806361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-04DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010012
Sergio Adrian Ocampo-Ortega, S. Cabrera-Becerra, Vivany Maydel Sierra-Sánchez, Vanessa Giselle Garcia-Rubio, Citlali Margarita Blancas-Napoles, R. Romero-Nava, Fengyang Huang, Enrique Hong, Asdrúbal Aguilera-Méndez, S. Villafaña
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterised by persistent airflow limitation during breathing, is considered to be the third leading cause of death worldwide. Among the mechanisms involved in this pathology is the excessive generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which can induce an unwanted inflammatory response. These traps have been reported to be generated by the enzyme peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4). The aim of this work is therefore to evaluate the effect of the administration of a siRNA targeting PAD4 on lung damage in a COPD animal model. Wistar rats weighing 300–350 g were administered cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg i.p.) every 24 h. Then, following one week of the administration of cadmium chloride, the PAD4-targeted siRNA was administered, and at the second week, lung function was measured, as were lung and heart weights, as well as PAD4 expression by RT-PCR. Our results showed that cadmium administration generated a COPD model, which increased PAD4 expression and decreased lung and heart weights and respiratory function. SiRNA administration partially reversed the changes associated with the COPD model. In conclusion, our results suggest that administration of an siRNA targeting PAD4 could improve respiratory function by decreasing lung and heart damage.
{"title":"Attenuation of Pulmonary Damage Associated with COPD in a Cadmium-Exposed Model Due to the Administration of a siRNA Targeting PAD4","authors":"Sergio Adrian Ocampo-Ortega, S. Cabrera-Becerra, Vivany Maydel Sierra-Sánchez, Vanessa Giselle Garcia-Rubio, Citlali Margarita Blancas-Napoles, R. Romero-Nava, Fengyang Huang, Enrique Hong, Asdrúbal Aguilera-Méndez, S. Villafaña","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010012","url":null,"abstract":"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterised by persistent airflow limitation during breathing, is considered to be the third leading cause of death worldwide. Among the mechanisms involved in this pathology is the excessive generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which can induce an unwanted inflammatory response. These traps have been reported to be generated by the enzyme peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4). The aim of this work is therefore to evaluate the effect of the administration of a siRNA targeting PAD4 on lung damage in a COPD animal model. Wistar rats weighing 300–350 g were administered cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg i.p.) every 24 h. Then, following one week of the administration of cadmium chloride, the PAD4-targeted siRNA was administered, and at the second week, lung function was measured, as were lung and heart weights, as well as PAD4 expression by RT-PCR. Our results showed that cadmium administration generated a COPD model, which increased PAD4 expression and decreased lung and heart weights and respiratory function. SiRNA administration partially reversed the changes associated with the COPD model. In conclusion, our results suggest that administration of an siRNA targeting PAD4 could improve respiratory function by decreasing lung and heart damage.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139866753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-04DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010012
Sergio Adrian Ocampo-Ortega, S. Cabrera-Becerra, Vivany Maydel Sierra-Sánchez, Vanessa Giselle Garcia-Rubio, Citlali Margarita Blancas-Napoles, R. Romero-Nava, Fengyang Huang, Enrique Hong, Asdrúbal Aguilera-Méndez, S. Villafaña
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterised by persistent airflow limitation during breathing, is considered to be the third leading cause of death worldwide. Among the mechanisms involved in this pathology is the excessive generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which can induce an unwanted inflammatory response. These traps have been reported to be generated by the enzyme peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4). The aim of this work is therefore to evaluate the effect of the administration of a siRNA targeting PAD4 on lung damage in a COPD animal model. Wistar rats weighing 300–350 g were administered cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg i.p.) every 24 h. Then, following one week of the administration of cadmium chloride, the PAD4-targeted siRNA was administered, and at the second week, lung function was measured, as were lung and heart weights, as well as PAD4 expression by RT-PCR. Our results showed that cadmium administration generated a COPD model, which increased PAD4 expression and decreased lung and heart weights and respiratory function. SiRNA administration partially reversed the changes associated with the COPD model. In conclusion, our results suggest that administration of an siRNA targeting PAD4 could improve respiratory function by decreasing lung and heart damage.
{"title":"Attenuation of Pulmonary Damage Associated with COPD in a Cadmium-Exposed Model Due to the Administration of a siRNA Targeting PAD4","authors":"Sergio Adrian Ocampo-Ortega, S. Cabrera-Becerra, Vivany Maydel Sierra-Sánchez, Vanessa Giselle Garcia-Rubio, Citlali Margarita Blancas-Napoles, R. Romero-Nava, Fengyang Huang, Enrique Hong, Asdrúbal Aguilera-Méndez, S. Villafaña","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010012","url":null,"abstract":"Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterised by persistent airflow limitation during breathing, is considered to be the third leading cause of death worldwide. Among the mechanisms involved in this pathology is the excessive generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which can induce an unwanted inflammatory response. These traps have been reported to be generated by the enzyme peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4). The aim of this work is therefore to evaluate the effect of the administration of a siRNA targeting PAD4 on lung damage in a COPD animal model. Wistar rats weighing 300–350 g were administered cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg i.p.) every 24 h. Then, following one week of the administration of cadmium chloride, the PAD4-targeted siRNA was administered, and at the second week, lung function was measured, as were lung and heart weights, as well as PAD4 expression by RT-PCR. Our results showed that cadmium administration generated a COPD model, which increased PAD4 expression and decreased lung and heart weights and respiratory function. SiRNA administration partially reversed the changes associated with the COPD model. In conclusion, our results suggest that administration of an siRNA targeting PAD4 could improve respiratory function by decreasing lung and heart damage.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139807119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-04DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010011
T. Zaprutko, Józefina Sprawka, Barbara Maciuszek-Bartkowska, P. Ratajczak, Dorota Kopciuch, A. Paczkowska, K. Kus
Pharmacists play an important role, being increasingly focused on patient care and pharmaceutical services. This trend is also noticeable in Poland. Thus, we aimed to study the opinions of Polish pharmacists to determine the potential for introducing a new category of pharmacist-only medicines (POMs). This study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the survey (anonymous questionnaire consisting of 10 questions addressed to pharmacists) was only available in electronic form. A total of 500 correctly completed surveys were collected and subjected to further analysis. The vast majority of pharmacists (91.8%) revealed a willingness to expand their professional rights and 88% stated that the POMs implementation would be important. As a substance that should function as a POM instead of an OTC medicine, respondents most often indicated ketoprofen, sildenafil, and mometasone, accounting for 26.2%, 24.8%, and 24.4% of responses, respectively. In terms of funding pharmaceutical services, 54.2% of respondents indicated that costs should be covered partially by the patient and the payer. There is a clear need for the incorporation of the POM category in Poland. Polish pharmacists are anticipating the development of pharmaceutical services which should be partly covered by patients and payers.
{"title":"The Potential of Incorporating a Pharmacist-Only Medicine Category in Poland","authors":"T. Zaprutko, Józefina Sprawka, Barbara Maciuszek-Bartkowska, P. Ratajczak, Dorota Kopciuch, A. Paczkowska, K. Kus","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010011","url":null,"abstract":"Pharmacists play an important role, being increasingly focused on patient care and pharmaceutical services. This trend is also noticeable in Poland. Thus, we aimed to study the opinions of Polish pharmacists to determine the potential for introducing a new category of pharmacist-only medicines (POMs). This study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the survey (anonymous questionnaire consisting of 10 questions addressed to pharmacists) was only available in electronic form. A total of 500 correctly completed surveys were collected and subjected to further analysis. The vast majority of pharmacists (91.8%) revealed a willingness to expand their professional rights and 88% stated that the POMs implementation would be important. As a substance that should function as a POM instead of an OTC medicine, respondents most often indicated ketoprofen, sildenafil, and mometasone, accounting for 26.2%, 24.8%, and 24.4% of responses, respectively. In terms of funding pharmaceutical services, 54.2% of respondents indicated that costs should be covered partially by the patient and the payer. There is a clear need for the incorporation of the POM category in Poland. Polish pharmacists are anticipating the development of pharmaceutical services which should be partly covered by patients and payers.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139866242","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-26DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010010
Kamila Bartoníková, M. Špaglová, M. Papadakos, M. Hanko, O. Macho
(1) Background: The study aimed to compare the impact of various natural polymers–sodium alginate, acacia gum, carrageenan, guar gum, xanthan gum, and tragacanth on the formulation and the physical properties of mucoadhesive vaginal tablets containing metronidazole (167 mg/g). (2) Methods: The quality of the tablets prepared by direct compression was evaluated by pharmacopoeia tests (uniformity of mass, resistance to crushing, friability). Mucoadhesion of the tablets was characterized by swelling capacity and mucoadhesive strength, i.e., the force required to detach the tablet from the rabbit mucosa. In vitro drug release was performed by a modified dissolution method in paddle apparatus containing the simulated vaginal fluid (pH 4.5). Scanning electron microscopy observed morphological changes on the swollen tablets’ surface. (3) Results: Pharmacopoeia tests have shown that all prepared tablets met the requirements on quality. The highest mucoadhesive strength was noted in tablets containing guar and xanthan gum. The highest swelling capacity was possessed by tablets containing carrageenan. (4) Conclusions: Summarizing all tests’ results, sodium alginate can be considered the most suitable natural polymer in tablet formulation. The combination of polymers providing higher mucoadhesiveness and at the same time a prolonged release, e.g., xanthan or guar, together with sodium alginate, could also be of interest.
{"title":"Mucoadhesive Vaginal Tablets Containing Metronidazole: Screening of Optimal Natural Polymer in the Composition","authors":"Kamila Bartoníková, M. Špaglová, M. Papadakos, M. Hanko, O. Macho","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010010","url":null,"abstract":"(1) Background: The study aimed to compare the impact of various natural polymers–sodium alginate, acacia gum, carrageenan, guar gum, xanthan gum, and tragacanth on the formulation and the physical properties of mucoadhesive vaginal tablets containing metronidazole (167 mg/g). (2) Methods: The quality of the tablets prepared by direct compression was evaluated by pharmacopoeia tests (uniformity of mass, resistance to crushing, friability). Mucoadhesion of the tablets was characterized by swelling capacity and mucoadhesive strength, i.e., the force required to detach the tablet from the rabbit mucosa. In vitro drug release was performed by a modified dissolution method in paddle apparatus containing the simulated vaginal fluid (pH 4.5). Scanning electron microscopy observed morphological changes on the swollen tablets’ surface. (3) Results: Pharmacopoeia tests have shown that all prepared tablets met the requirements on quality. The highest mucoadhesive strength was noted in tablets containing guar and xanthan gum. The highest swelling capacity was possessed by tablets containing carrageenan. (4) Conclusions: Summarizing all tests’ results, sodium alginate can be considered the most suitable natural polymer in tablet formulation. The combination of polymers providing higher mucoadhesiveness and at the same time a prolonged release, e.g., xanthan or guar, together with sodium alginate, could also be of interest.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139594649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-24DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010009
Carlos Enrique López‐Luna, C. Vargas‐De‐León, Rocío Alejandra Gutiérrez-Rojas, K. A. Aguayo-Cerón, C. Calzada-Mendoza, Fengyang Huang, R. Romero-Nava, M. Ocharan-Hernández
Zoapatle, a native plant utilized for centuries in traditional Mexican medicine, is abundantly found in Mesoamerica and northern South America. Pleiotropic effects of this genus have been recognized, primarily inducing alterations in smooth muscle contractility in animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Zoapatle on the hypertrophy index and the gene expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, STAT5, and the PRLR in the brain, left ventricle, and renal cortex of rats with isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Three groups were studied, the control group (n = 4), hypertrophy group (n = 4) and hypertrophy group treated with Zoapatle (n = 4). A ventricular hypertrophy model was developed with 150 mg/kg/day of isoproterenol intraperitoneally administered over two days with a 24 h interval between applications. Zoapatle was administered for 28 consecutive days (25 mg/kg). Gene expression was determined with RT-qPCR. Subsequently, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using the RNA expression variables. A notably reduced left ventricle mass index was observed in the Zoapatle group. Additionally, Zoapatle administration in cardiac hypertrophy demonstrated a significant decrease in the gene expression of TNF-α, IL-1B, STAT 5, and the PRLR. TNF-α and the transcription factor STAT5 exhibited a similar trend in both the left ventricle and renal cortex, suggesting a correlation with the inflammatory state in these tissues due to ventricular hypertrophy. The findings suggest that Zoapatle reverses the hypertrophy index in a hypertrophy model, concurrently reducing several proinflammatory mediators associated with the hypertrophy index.
{"title":"Effect of Zoapatle (Montanoa tomentosa) on Inflammatory Markers in a Murine Model of Ventricular Hypertrophy","authors":"Carlos Enrique López‐Luna, C. Vargas‐De‐León, Rocío Alejandra Gutiérrez-Rojas, K. A. Aguayo-Cerón, C. Calzada-Mendoza, Fengyang Huang, R. Romero-Nava, M. Ocharan-Hernández","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010009","url":null,"abstract":"Zoapatle, a native plant utilized for centuries in traditional Mexican medicine, is abundantly found in Mesoamerica and northern South America. Pleiotropic effects of this genus have been recognized, primarily inducing alterations in smooth muscle contractility in animal models. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Zoapatle on the hypertrophy index and the gene expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, STAT5, and the PRLR in the brain, left ventricle, and renal cortex of rats with isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Three groups were studied, the control group (n = 4), hypertrophy group (n = 4) and hypertrophy group treated with Zoapatle (n = 4). A ventricular hypertrophy model was developed with 150 mg/kg/day of isoproterenol intraperitoneally administered over two days with a 24 h interval between applications. Zoapatle was administered for 28 consecutive days (25 mg/kg). Gene expression was determined with RT-qPCR. Subsequently, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using the RNA expression variables. A notably reduced left ventricle mass index was observed in the Zoapatle group. Additionally, Zoapatle administration in cardiac hypertrophy demonstrated a significant decrease in the gene expression of TNF-α, IL-1B, STAT 5, and the PRLR. TNF-α and the transcription factor STAT5 exhibited a similar trend in both the left ventricle and renal cortex, suggesting a correlation with the inflammatory state in these tissues due to ventricular hypertrophy. The findings suggest that Zoapatle reverses the hypertrophy index in a hypertrophy model, concurrently reducing several proinflammatory mediators associated with the hypertrophy index.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139599499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-01-16DOI: 10.3390/scipharm92010008
Georgios Agapakis, A. Siamidi, Stefanos Kikionis, M. Vlachou, N. Pippa
The design, development, and release kinetics of omeprazole (OME) from solid dosage forms have been investigated. These formulations were examined for their resilience in pH = 4.5 buffer solutions and their rate of disintegration in a small-intestine-like environment (pH = 6.8). The results were compared with those of the well-known brand product Losec®, where its use is accompanied by numerous benefits but drawbacks as well. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests were conducted in order to examine the release kinetics of the various dosage forms and provide explanations based on the interactions between the excipients and the active substance.
{"title":"A Thermal-Analysis-Technique-Based Mechanistic Approach toward the Release of Omeprazole from Solid Dosage Forms","authors":"Georgios Agapakis, A. Siamidi, Stefanos Kikionis, M. Vlachou, N. Pippa","doi":"10.3390/scipharm92010008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92010008","url":null,"abstract":"The design, development, and release kinetics of omeprazole (OME) from solid dosage forms have been investigated. These formulations were examined for their resilience in pH = 4.5 buffer solutions and their rate of disintegration in a small-intestine-like environment (pH = 6.8). The results were compared with those of the well-known brand product Losec®, where its use is accompanied by numerous benefits but drawbacks as well. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests were conducted in order to examine the release kinetics of the various dosage forms and provide explanations based on the interactions between the excipients and the active substance.","PeriodicalId":21601,"journal":{"name":"Scientia Pharmaceutica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139619982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：