Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

Aidaa Maaz ¹, Saleh Trefi ¹, Mohammad Haroun ², Wassim Abdelwahed ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Control, Aleppo University, SY
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Control, Alandalus University, SY
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Aleppo University, SY

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to prepare microparticles containing Gatifloxacin suitable for ocular drug delivery. Polycaprolactone microparticles were prepared using the double emulsion (water-in-oil-in-water) solvent extraction/evaporation method. Two different modified methods were applied and the influence of their preparation parameters on the final microparticles properties was studied in an attempt to control particle sizes and encapsulation efficiency. By adjusting formulation and process parameters, we uncovered that using of 3% (w/v) PVA as emulsion stabilizer in the internal aqueous phase (first studied process) facilitated microparticles (77% of particles more than 100μm in size) which is suitable for oral drug delivery, but with highest entrapment efficiency EE% (82.12%). Whereas introducing 5% (w/v) of PVP as stabilizing agent and 5% (w/v) of NaCl as osmotic balancer in the external aqueous phase (second studied process) afford microparticles which is optimal in size for ophthalmic drug delivery (95% of particles less than 25μm in size) with an acceptable EE% (30.18%).The later result demonstrated that, this colloidal system could be developed in order to use as drug carriers for ocular drug delivery, which offers several advantages including longevity, stability and bioavailability of encapsulated drug. Moreover, it seemed to be applicable for sustained ocular drug delivery allowing minimizing dose repetition to reduce systemic side effects and enhance patient compliance.

Keywords

Gatifloxacin, Microparticles, Ocular Drug Delivery, Double Emulsion, PCL, PVA, PVP.

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Nour Mammari ¹, Wehad Ibrahim ², Mohammad Haroun ³

Affiliations
1 Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology Department, Tishreen University, Lattakia, SY
2 Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology Department, Tishreen University, SY
3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Control Department, Tishreen University and Andalus University, SY

Abstract

Metformin hydrochloride extended release tablets are available in many brands in the Syrian market, which make it difficult to select the safe, effective and economic one. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality control standards of generic different brands of metformin extended release tablets, and compare them with the innovator Glucophage XR^®. Two brands AandB (two batches from each brand) were selected. The physiochemical equivalence of all tablets were assessed through the evaluation of weight variation test, assay, swelling behavior study and dissolution test which was carried out for 12 hours using USP apparatus Ι in phosphate buffer pH= 6.8 as a dissolution media. The release mechanism were explored and explained with zero order, first order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas equations. In order to compare dissolution profiles, dissolution data was taken and compared through model independent- methods: difference factor f1, similarity factor f2 and dissolution efficiency DE. The tablets had been passed weight variation test and the percent of assay for all brands were within the acceptable ranges. Fitting dissolution data to Korsmeyer-Peppas equation indicated that diffusion along with polymer relaxation could be the mechanism of drug release from brand B and the reference, whereas Fickian diffusion was the predominant mechanism of metformin release from brand A. The study showed that, brand B had similar dissolution profiles with the reference (F2>50), whereas brand A was different in its release behavior (F2>15).

Keywords

Metformin HCl, Extended Release, Dissolution Profiles, Swelling Index, In-Vitro Release.

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Rim M. Harfouch ¹, Manal Darwish ², Wisam Al-Asadi ², Ali F. Mohammad ³, Nour M. Gharib ¹, Mohammad Haroun ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Al Andalus University, Tartous, SY
2 Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Al Andalus University, Tartous, SY
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Quality Control, Al Andalus University, Tartous, SY

Abstract

We aimed in this study to determine the antibacterial efficacy of essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia officinalis leaves and Anthemis nobilis flowers widespread in the Syrian coast against several strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The essential oils were extracted and the yield was measured using Clevenger apparatus. In vitro investigation of antibacterial activity using agar disc diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each essential oil was determined by microdilution method against studied bacteria. Results demonstrated that Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil had the highest activity (MIC for Staphylococcus aureus was 3.9μl/ml and MIC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 7.8 μl/ml). Salvia officinalis essential oil had moderate antibacterial effect with MIC of 31.2 μl/ml and 125μl/ml against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. On the other hand, Anthemis nobilis essential oil had no efficacy against tested bacterial strains. According to our study, Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil exhibited higher antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa than this of Salvia officinalis.

Keywords

Rosemary, Sage, Chamomile, Essential Oils, Antibacterial Activity, MIC.

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