No abstract

Cellulose acetate (ACT) is one of the most important cellulose derivatives due to its biodegradability and low toxicity, presenting itself as one of the main substitutes for synthetic materials in the development of wound dressing films. The incorporation of a N-acylhydrazonic derivative (JR19), with its promising anti-inflammatory activity, may represent an alternative for the treatment of skin wounds. This work aims to develop and to physicochemically and mechanically characterize ACT films containing JR19. The films were prepared using the ‘casting’ method and further characterized by thermoanalytical and spectroscopic techniques. In addition, mechanical tests and morphological analysis were performed. Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses showed that the thermal events attributed to excipients and films were similar, indicating the absence of physical incompatibilities between ACT and JR19. Infrared spectroscopy showed that JR19 was incorporated into ACT films. The characteristic band attributed to C≡N (2279 to 2264 cm−1) was observed in the spectra of JR19, in that of the physical mixture of JR19/ACT, and, to a lesser extent, in the spectra of JR19 incorporated into the ACT film, suggesting some interaction between JR19 and ACT. X-ray diffraction (XRD) evidenced the suppression of the crystallinity of JR19 (diffraction peaks at 8.54°, 12.80°, 14.09°, 16.08°, 18.19°, 22.65°, 23.59°, 24.53°, 25.70°, 28.16° and 30.27°2θ) after incorporation into ACT films. The mechanical tests indicated the adequate integrity of the films and their resistance to bending. The morphological characterization showed JR19 crystals along with a homogeneously distributed porous structure throughout the surface of the films with an average diameter of 21.34 µm and 22.65 µm of the films alone and of those incorporating JR19F, respectively. This study was able to characterize the ACT films incorporating JR19, showing their potential to be further developed as wound healing dressings.

: Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules of great interest in the pharmaceutical field due to their use in combination with other adjuvants to solubilize poor soluble drugs, improve their dissolution profile, promote permeation, increase drug delivery systems stabilization, among other characteristics. Literature shows that surfactants are included in several pharmaceutical forms composition: tablets, solid dispersions, emulsions, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, liposomes, and niosomes. This review aims to elucidate the different classes of surfactants based on their charges (cationic, anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and dimeric), the micelles formation process, and how surfactants molecules geometry can affect this phenomenon. Moreover, current studies regarding the benefits of surfactants in the development of formulations are presented. Finally, a discussion on how charges and chain length of surfactants can interact with the stratum corneum epithelial cells leading to increased permeation or skin irritability is reported.

Background: Dexamethasone (DEXA) is a potent synthetic corticosteroid derived from the cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene nucleus known for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. Due to its therapeutic effects, several analytical methods have been used for its quantitative determination and for physicochemical characterization, as well as for evaluation of pharmacological and toxicological properties. Objective: This review was aimed to describe the principles and methods commonly used to identify and quantify DEXA in drug delivery systems and biological samples. The methods herein discussed are high performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and thin layer chromatography. Conclusion: This review provided a wide variety of analytical methods that can be used for the quantification and identification of drugs, providing scientists with great support during the development of scientific research, as well as ensuring the quality of the manufacturing processes as well as of the resulting products. Therefore, the use of such analytical methods has become critical throughout the process of developing pharmaceutical formulation containing DEXA.

A Síndrome Congênita do Zika Vírus é uma importante enfermidade que emergiu no Brasil no ano de 2015 e não existe cura para esta síndrome. O tratamento medicamentoso visa melhorar a qualidade de vida dos portadores desta doença; entretanto, a terapia medicamentosa com o uso de múltiplos fármacos pode acarretar efeitos adversos e interações medicamentosas. O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar o cuidado farmacêutico com os pacientes pediátricos portadores da Síndrome Congênita do Zika Vírus. Trata-se de um garanestudo longitudinal realizado na Clínica de Fisioterapia da Universidade Estadual da Paraíba e no Centro Especializado em Reabilitação, ambos localizados na cidade de Campina Grande, PB, durante 8 meses. Foram 5 atendimentos por pacientes pediátricos, um a cada mês, utilizando a metodologia Phamacoterapy WorKup e a base de dados Micromedex®. No total, foram avaliados 23 pacientes, 29 prescrições e 71 medicamentos pertencentes a 9 classes farmacológicas. Os anticonvulsivantes foram os mais prescritos. Quanto à comorbidade existente, 8 pacientes apresentaram duas ou mais doenças etiologicamente relacionadas. Houve 35 (49,2%) interações medicamento-medicamento, destas, 8 (22,9%) com efeito grave, 23 (65,7%) moderado, 4 (11,4%) menor e nenhuma contraindicada, além de 32 interações medicamentoalimento e 43 medicamento-laboratório. Os problemas relacionados aos medicamentos identificados foram 42; a ineficácia [23 (55%)] sendo o mais frequente. Portanto, é fundamental o acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico aos pacientes pediátricos portadores da Síndrome Congênita do Zika Vírus para avaliar o uso racional destes medicamentos, no qual o Cuidado Farmacêutico pode fazer a diferença na utilização segura e adequada dos fármacos.