Spectrophotometric and Chromatographic Assessment of Total Polyphenol and Flavonoid Content in Rhododendron tomentosum Extracts and Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity

In the literature, the chemical composition of Rhododendron tomentosum is mainly represented by the study of isoprenoid compounds of essential oil. In contrast, the study of the content of flavonoids will contribute to the expansion of pharmacological action and the use of the medicinal plant for medical purposes. The paper deals with the technology of extracts from Rh. tomentosum shoots using ethanol of various concentrations and purified water as an extractant. Extracts from Rh. tomentosum were obtained by a modified method that combined the effects of ultrasound and temperature to maximize the extraction of biologically active substances from the raw material. Using the method of high-performance thin-layer chromatography in a system with solvents ethyl acetate/formic acid/water (15:1:1), the following substances have been separated and identified in all the extracts obtained: rutin, hyperoside, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. The total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were estimated using spectrophotometric methods involving the Folin-Ciocalteu (F-C) reagent and the complexation reaction with aluminum chloride, respectively. A correlation analysis was conducted between antioxidant activity and the polyphenolic substance content. Following the DPPH assay, regression analysis shows that phenolic compounds contribute to about 80% (r2 = 0.8028, p < 0.05) of radical scavenging properties in the extract of Rh. tomentosum. The extract of Rh. tomentosum obtained by ethanol 30% inhibits the growth of test cultures of microorganisms in 1:1 and 1:2 dilutions of the clinical strains #211 Staphylococcus aureus and #222 Enterococcus spp. and the reference strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145.

The pharmaceutical market of medicines containing retinoids for the treatment of psoriasis in Ukraine, Poland and Kazakhstan

The aim of the work is to analyze the use of medicines containing retinoids for the treatment of psoriasis on the example of Ukraine, Poland and Kazakhstan. Materials and methods. The object of the study was antipsoriatic drugs, which are used for the treatment of psoriasis of local and systemic action, and are included in the official register of drugs of the studied countries. Regulatory documents of the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine were involved in the analysis of the use of medicines for the treatment of psoriasis in Ukraine. The analysis of the availability of the considered medicines on pharmaceutical markets was carried out according to the data of the official websites of the State Register of Medicines (Ukraine), the Register of Medicines of Poland (Republic of Poland), data of the National Center for Expertise of Medicines and Medical Devices of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Republic of Kazakhstan). The following methods of logical and meaningful formulation of the problem, office marketing research, content analysis of publications in scientific and practically oriented medical and pharmaceutical publications, comparative analysis, tabular and graphic means of visual presentation of the obtained data were used in the work. The results. According to the results of the obtained data, an assortment of medicinal products containing retinoids of the studied countries, used for the treatment of psoriasis, was determined. The fate of domestic production in the countries was analyzed, the main active components from the group of retinoids used for the treatment of psoriasis in preparations of systemic and local action were updated. Conclusions. The role of retinoids in the treatment of psoriasis in Ukraine, Poland and Kazakhstan and the need to develop modern domestic medicines containing retinoids for the treatment of psoriasis have been determined

Some biological, behavioral and social aspects of the perfumery use in the Ukrainian population sample (part 1. age associations)

The aim. The study encompassed some aspects related to perfumes use, which can potentially influence the individual perfume choice, in particular, among different age groups of the Ukrainian population. Factors related to perfumes choice, the state of awareness of respondents regarding quality, safety, and existing stereotypes regarding the characteristics of perfumes and potential harmful effects on the human body were investigated. Materials and methods. The analysis was performed on a sample of 124 residents of Ukraine. Respondents, who were randomly selected, were offered a questionnaire, developed by us, which included 15 items on the demographic characteristics of the subjects and questions related to the perfume use of and stereotypes about them. The Pearson chi-squared (χ2) test was used to analyze the relationships between qualitative characteristics. Results and discussion. About 98 % of surveyed persons in Ukraine use perfumery. Associations were found between age and the probability of purchase by the study participants of non-original perfume products and awareness of the safety of various perfume products. It has been established, that the determining factors when choosing a perfume is a certain scent, while the brand is given secondary importance. An increase in the effect of the brand in older age groups of the population has been demonstrated. Behavioral features of perfume use have been established: in younger women, it is associated with increased self-esteem and the influence of social networks, with age, the focus shifts to the desire for a positive effect on the mood from the use of a certain fragrance. However, in all age groups, the main purpose of perfume using was to improve the emotional state. Middle-aged women are more democratic in choosing perfumery with a specific gender orientation. Conclusions. For the first time in Ukraine, a pilot study was conducted to find possible associations between some biological, behavioral and demographic characteristics and the perfume use. Such factors as age and education level are promising for further analysis of the selected issues

Investigation of the Rheological Properties of Ointment Bases as a Justification of the Ointment Composition for Herpes Treatment

Objectives

Combinatorial drugs are among the leading pharmacotherapeutic agents, including those used for the treatment of herpetic infections, which require complex treatment. We have developed a soft dosage form of ointment, which includes acyclovir and miramistin, which have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and local immunoadjuvant activity. The study aimed to investigate the rheological properties of ointment bases in order to substantiate the composition of a soft dosage form with antiviral effect using the active ingredients miramistin and acyclovir.

Materials and Methods

The object of the study was to determine the heterogeneous and homogeneous composition models of the bases made using a wide range of excipients. Structural and mechanical studies were performed using the "Rheolab QC" rotary viscometer by Anton Paar (Austria) with coaxial cylinders CC27/S-SN29766. The rheological parameters were investigated at a temperature of 25°C±0.5°C. The samples were thermostated using a thermostat MLM U15c. The batch of sample weighing about 15.0±0.5 g was placed in the container of an external stationary cylinder. The required temperature of the experiment was set and the thermostating time was 20 min. The device is equipped with RheoPlus 32 V3.62 software.

Results

The rheological behavior of the model compositions was analyzed in terms of indicators, such as yield strength, hysteresis square, coefficients of dynamic flow, and mechanical stability. It was found that all samples have a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic type of flow. The model of spreading optimums was used to evaluate consumer properties. According to the rheological parameters, it is advisable to use the sample based on paraffin and vaseline oil for further research.

Conclusion

The findings from this study will be relevant in the development of the soft dosage form for the treatment of herpes viral diseases.

Biopharmaceutical and rheometric studies in the development of a gel composition with dimethindene maleate

Every year there is an increase in the number of cases of hypersensitivity to bites from various insects. A local allergic reaction to bites occurs within a few minutes and is accompanied by acute pain at the site of the bite, severe itching, hyperemia, the appearance of papules, tissue edema, and sometimes a small-point rash around. Considering the small number of drugs for local therapy of allergic manifestations and the unidirectional nature of their action, it is urgent to develop a drug containing the antihistamine dimethindene maleate and dexpanthenol, which plays the role of an anti-inflammatory, reparative and dermatoprotective substance. The aim. The aim of the study is to substantiate the delivery system of dimethindene maleate and dexpanthenol based on biopharmaceutical and rheometric research methods. Materials and methods. To determine the component composition of the active ingredient delivery system, the type of dimetindene maleate administration was substantiated by studying its solubility. As a delivery system for active pharmaceutical ingredients, hydrogels were considered, which were made using high-molecular compounds of various origins: a natural substance – xanthan gum, a semi-synthetic substance – gyroxypropyl methylcellulose, and a synthetic substance – carbomer. The rate of release of dimethindene maleate from hydrogels was estimated by studying the kinetics of release through a semipermeable membrane. The assessment of the viscoelastic properties of hydrogels was carried out by performing an oscillatory rheometry test, which makes it possible to quantitatively determine the viscous and elastic components, as well as to characterize the bioadhesive properties. Results. Based on the results of studying the solubility of dimethindene maleate in hydrophilic non-aqueous solvents, it was determined that propylene glycol is optimal for ensuring the introduction of a substance into hydrogel bases as a solution. As a result of studying the kinetics of the release of dimethindene maleate from hydrogels, it was found that the use of carbomer as a delivery system provides the release of 28.33 % of dimethindene maleate, xanthan gum – 25 %, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose – 7.33 %. When studying the viscoelastic properties by determining the values ​​of the storage modulus G', the loss modulus G" and the damping (attenuation) factor tg δ, it was found that the carbomer-based hydrogel is a viscoelastic solid, the xanthan gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-based hydrogels are a viscoelastic liquid. Bioadhesion on the surface of the skin during use has the advantage of carbomer hydrogel. Conclusions. Based on the combination of biopharmaceutical and rheometric methods for substantiating the composition of the delivery system for dimetindene maleate and dexpanthenol, it is rational to use carbomer for further pharmacological and microbiological studies