[Dermo-cosmetic control of cutaneous adverse effects in the oncological patient.]

Cutaneous adverse effects are often associated to cancer therapies. Modifications of the aspect represent one of the factors responsible for quality of life decrese, particularly visible in women. It must be underlined also that in many female tumors the cutaneous adverse effects are often enhanced by the hormonal levels inducing skin damage and photoinduced reactions. In this scenario the cosmetic oncology plays a very important role. In fact, it is a branch of cosmetic, having high social and ethical value born to support oncological patients by physical appearance improvement. The skin and cutaneous annexes of the oncological patient are different in comparison to that of health people requiring particular attention. In first instance a high skin protection and hydration is necessary for such patients. For this reason, the cosmetic oncology supports the oncological patients in the improvement of their appearance by means of specific products and skin care procedures. Projects of cosmetic oncology, involving many territorial pharmacies, raised with the idea that the attenuation of the external signs therapy-induced can contribute to the improvement of the patient quality of life.

Bioadhesive Polymeric Films Based on Red Onion Skins Extract for Wound Treatment: An Innovative and Eco-Friendly Formulation

The onion non-edible outside layers represent a widely available waste material deriving from its processing and consumption. As onion is a vegetable showing many beneficial properties for human health, a study aiming to evaluate the use of extract deriving from the non-edible outside layers was planned. An eco-friendly extraction method was optimized using a hydroalcoholic solution as solvent. The obtained extract was deeply characterized by in vitro methods and then formulated in autoadhesive, biocompatible and pain-free hydrogel polymeric films. The extract, very soluble in water, showed antioxidant, radical scavenging, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting a potential dermal application for wounds treatment. In vitro studies showed a sustained release of the extract from the hydrogel polymeric film suitable to reach concentrations necessary for both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Test performed on human keratinocytes showed that the formulation is safe suggesting that the projected formulation could be a valuable tool for wound treatment.

Dentifrice Based on Fluoride-Hydrotalcite Compounds: Characterization and Release Capacity Evaluation by Novel In Vitro Methods

Anti-caries activity of fluoride ions is due to the protection against demineralization and the enhancement of remineralization of tooth enamel. Dentifrices available on the market contain sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, stannous fluoride, and amine fluoride as source of these ions. A new compound working both as fluoride ion source and as abrasive was projected. Hybrids based on F^- ions intercalated between the lamellae of hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlc-F), namely MgAl-HTlc-F and ZnAl-HTlc-F, were prepared and characterized. Then, three different percentages (2, 3, and 4%) of both HTlc-F compounds were assayed. After the rheological characterization, the dentifrices containing 3 and 4% of MgAl-HTlc-F and ZnAl-HTlc-F, respectively, resulted to be the most suitable ones. Two novel in vitro methods, "rotary toothbrush method" and "manual brushing method," were developed and used in order to study the F^- ions release from the prepared dentifrices. The obtained results showed that the dentifrice containing ZnAl-HTlc-F (4%) was the most effective in releasing fluoride ions. The "rotary toothbrush method" resulted to be the most suitable as the simulation of the brushing movements is standardizable and reproducible.

Nanostructured hybrids for the improvement of folic acid biopharmaceutical properties

OBJECTIVES

Folic acid (FA) is an important source for the prevention of many diseases. However, its use is limited because the very low solubility (<10 mg/l particularly in the gastric environment) responsible for the incomplete adsorption of the administered dose. This study proposes a technological strategy to overcome this problem enhancing FA dissolution rate by means of a formulation able to make completely bioavailable the whole administered dose.

METHODS

Folic acid was intercalated in the layered double hydroxides (LDHs) MgAl-LDH and ZnAl-LDH. The obtained inorganic-organic nanostructured hybrids MgAl-LDH-FA and ZnAl-LDH-FA were deeply characterized and used to prepare immediate release tablets presenting very simple compositions. The hybrids, both as simple powders and as tablets, were submitted to in-vitro release studies mimic the gastric environment conducted both in sink and non-sink conditions.

KEY FINDINGS

Folic acid release from hybrids, as single powders or as tablets, resulted enhanced in both experiments in comparison with crystalline FA.

CONCLUSIONS

Obtained results showed that FA-LDH nanostructured hybrids are a promising strategy able to enhance the active ingredient dissolution at low pH values representing a promising approach suitable to realize innovative and effective nutraceutical products.

Intercalation compounds of hydrotalcite-like anionic clays with anti-inflammatory agents, II: Uptake of diclofenac for a controlled release formulation

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether hydrotalcite is able to intercalate diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and release it in a controlled manner. Layered Mg-Al hydrotalcite in the chloride form was used as a host, and the intercalation compound was prepared by Cl-/diclofenac anionic exchange. Drug release from the intercalation compound was performed in vitro in simulated intestinal fluid at pH 7.5 according to USP 24 and in a pH 7.0 solution designed to mimic the ionic conditions of the small intestine. Results from the intercalation process show that hydrotalcite is able to intercalate diclofenac with a simple procedure and with a good drug loading (55% wt/wt). The in vitro drug release was remarkably lower than that from the corresponding physical mixture at both pH 7.5 and pH 7.0. In the latter case, the release was not complete at 24 hours. The kinetic analysis shows the importance of the diffusion through the particle in controlling the drug release rate. The obtained results show that hydrotalcite may be used to prepare modified release formulations.

Intercalation compounds of hydrotalcite-like anionic clays with anti-inflammatory agents, II: Uptake of diclofenac for a controlled release formulation

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether hydrotalcite is able to intercalate diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and release it in a controlled manner. Layered Mg-Al hydrotalcite in the chloride form was used as a host, and the intercalation compound was prepared by Cl-/diclofenac anionic exchange. Drug release from the intercalation compound was performed in vitro in simulated intestinal fluid at pH 7.5 according to USP 24 and in a pH 7.0 solution designed to mimic the ionic conditions of the small intestine. Results from the intercalation process show that hydrotalcite is able to intercalate diclofenac with a simple procedure and with a good drug loading (55% wt/wt). The in vitro drug release was remarkably lower than that from the corresponding physical mixture at both pH 7.5 and pH 7.0. In the latter case, the release was not complete at 24 hours. The kinetic analysis shows the importance of the diffusion through the particle in controlling the drug release rate. The obtained results show that hydrotalcite may be used to prepare modified release formulations.

Comprehensibility of the package leaflets of all medicinal products for human use: a questionnaire survey about the use of symbols and pictograms

Directive 92/27EEC establishes that the package leaflet is a document, which must be included in the package of medicinal products for human use in EU countries. This informative leaflet is directed at the users and it must give full and comprehensible information. The Law suggests the use of symbols but it does not give advice about the subjects to be represented. In order to evaluate the attitude of patients towards package leaflets provided with symbols, we planned a survey interviewing 1004 patients in pharmacies. The data suggest that Italian patients usually read the package leaflet but they neither understand it easily nor find the needed information readily. Most respondents (74.3%) considered the use of symbols helpful in finding the needed information. We proposed five symbols for each heading (therapeutic indications, side effects, paediatric use, contraindications, use in pregnancy) and asked to select which symbol could be used. In the case of 'side effects', 'paediatric use', 'use in pregnancy' and 'dose', most of the respondents chose the same symbol. In the case of 'therapeutic indications' and 'contraindications' there was no uniformity in the answers. The choice depends greatly on education, age and employment of respondents.

[Planning a statistical inquiry for evaluation of patient information]

This article deals with the patient package insert and the information to the patient-consumer. The law in force states that the patient package insert is an informative instrument for the consumer so it should be exhaustive, comprehensible and immediate. A statistical investigation has been performed in order to evaluate the clearness of patient package insert and the quality of the drug information. The protocol consists of the methodology of the investigation, the study pilot, the sampling and, finally, the questionnaire.

Studies on annelated 1,4-benzothiazines and 1,5-benzothiazepines. III--Synthesis and CNS activity of some 1-substituted derivatives of the novel heterocyclic system 4,5-dihydro-s-triazolo [3,4-d]-1,5-benzothiazepine

A series of new 4,5-dihydro-s-triazolo [3,4-d]-1,5-benzothiazepines has been prepared. All the described compounds are representative of a novel ring system. Some of these compounds were tested for their CNS activity and effects comparable with the ones of diazepam were observed.

Studies on annelated 1,4-benzothiazines and 1,5-benzothiazepines. II. Synthesis of new series of 1- or 2-substituted 4H-s-triazolo[3,4-c]-1,4-benzothiazines and related compounds with potential CNS activity

New series of 1- or 2-substituted 4H-s-triazolo[3,4-c]-1,4-benzothiazines have been prepared. The 1-substituted products were obtained starting from 3-hydrazino-2H-1,4-benzothiazine derivatives (III) by treatment with chloroacethyl chloride followed by cyclization of the resulting chloroacethylderivatives into the chloromethyltriazolobenzothiazines (IV a-e), which were then reacted with the appropriate amines to give the desired compounds (V a-n). Other 1-substituted compounds were prepared by ring closure of (III) with cyanogen bromide, affording 1-amino-4H-s-triazolo [3,4-c]-1,4-benzothiazines (XI a-e). The 2-substituted compounds (VIII) were prepared from 2,4-dihydro-1H-s-triazolo [3,4-c]-1,4-benzothiazin-1-ones (VII), synthesized from (I) by reaction with ethyl carbazate. The aminoalkyl side chain was introduced into (VII) in two steps: first by treatment with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane, then by refluxing the resulting product with the appropriate amine. Some 4H-tetrazolo[5,1-c]-1,4-benzothiazines (XII) were also synthesized from (III). Preliminary pharmacological data on the CNS activity of the synthesized tricyclic compounds are reported.

Studies on annelated 1,4-benzothiazines and 1,5-benzothiazepines. I. Synthesis of 4H-s-triazolo[3,4-c]-1,4-benzothiazine and derivatives with potential CNS activity

As a part of a program toward the synthesis and the pharmacological studies on annelated 1,4-benzothiazines and 1,5-benzothiazepines, a number of 4H-s-triazolo[3,4-c]-1,4-benzothiazine derivatives were prepared and tested for their CNS activity. The syntheses of the new tricyclic compounds (VII) were performed via the 2H-1,4-benzothiazine-3(4H)-thiones (II) which were obtained by Lawesson's thiation of lactams (I). Compounds (II) and their S-methyl-thioethers (III), quantitatively obtained by PTC method, were reacted with acylhydrazines to give the title compounds. Some triazolobenzothiazines (VII) were also prepared from 3-hydrazinoderivatives (IV) by cyclization with either an aliphatic acid or the corresponding orthoesther.