Characterization of Nanosilver Biosynthesis by Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck and Peel-off Mask Formulation with Variation Polyethylene Glycol 400-Glycerin Concentration

Sweet orange contains flavonoids and citric acid that have the potential as a capping agent in the nanosilver biosynthesis process. The antibacterial activity of silver can be increased in nanoparticles, then it can be applied to treat acne through a peel-off mask preparation. Glycerin and Polyethylene glycol 400 are humectants that combined to obtain good physicochemical properties of the preparation. This study aims to determine the character of nanosilver biosynthesis and the effect of humectant combination on the physicochemical properties of the preparation. The characterization of nanosilver was employed by UV-VIS Spectrophotometry, Particle Size Analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscope. The Glycerin- PEG 400 combination was F1 (0:100%); F2 (25:75%); F3 (50:50%); F4 (75:25%) and F5 (100:0%). The results of nanosilver biosynthesis have an absorption peak of nanoparticles at 421-423nm, rod shape, the particle size of 83.2±7.2nm. Statistical analysis showed that the combination of Glycerin- PEG 400 had a significant effect on organoleptic, viscosity, and dry time, but did not affect the pH of preparation. The combination of Glycerin-PEG 400 (75%:25%) is the best formula because it has stable viscosity, dry time, and pH value during storage for four weeks.Keywords: nanosilver, biosynthesis, Citrus sinensis, humectants, peel off mask

Extraction of pyridine using systems based on water-soluble polymers

In the process of using hydrocarbon fractions containing a large amount of nitrogenous compounds, nitrogen oxides are released into the atmospheric air, which have a negative impact on the environment and human health. The traditional cleaning method is treatment with a 25% sulfuric acid solution and subsequent hydrotreating. However, this process becomes disadvantageous due to its inability to achieve ultra-low concentrations of nitrogen-containing compounds (<10 ppm). Extraction using non-toxic and environmentally friendly water-soluble polymers is a promising alternative compared to traditional methods. This work presents the dependence of the interphase distribution of pyridine on the composition of extraction systems based on water-soluble polymers. According to the results of the study, it was found that polyethylene glycol-400, polypropylene glycol-425 and methyl ether of polyethylene glycol-350 exhibit effective extraction properties in relation to pyridine and extract it by 90.95%, 90.33% and 87.82% in one extraction stage, respectively. It was also found that the use of two-phase aqueous systems based on water-soluble polymers in the process of extracting pyridine is promising.

IN-SITU FILM-FORMING SOLUTION FOR TOPICAL APPLICATION OF TERBINAFINE HCL: BIOPHARMACEUTICAL EVALUATION AND IN VIVO ANTIFUNGAL PERFORMANCE USING ANIMAL MODEL

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to develop a film-forming solution with optimum physical-mechanical characteristics and excellent antifungal activity to enhance deposition and penetration into the stratum corneum (SC). Methods: The film-forming solutions of terbinafine HCl were formulated using methacrylate copolymers, polyethylene glycol 400, and ethanol as diluent. The selected formulations were subjected to test of physical-mechanical properties, drug release, drug permeation across the stratum corneum and drug deposition study. The best formulation was further evaluated for in vivo antifungal efficacy. Results: The selected formulations exhibited superior pharmaceutical characteristics, including rapid drying, non-stickiness, and being transparency on the skin. Formulation A (FA) had significantly lower tensile strength (4.78 N/m2, p<0.05) and higher percentage elongation at break (33.61%, p<0.05), which reduced the firmness of the film, allowing it to be super-flexible in following the movement of the skin and preventing loss of film through abrasion. FA showed significantly (p<0.05) rapid drug permeation (1510.51 µg/cm2) across the stratum corneum (SC) at 24 h when compared with the other formulations and the positive control proprietary drug (PD), Terbex® cream formulation (475.8 µg/cm2). Conclusion: Having superior physical-mechanical and drug permeation characteristics, FA can be considered as an efficient, reproducible, and efficacious antifungal formulation for topical application.

TPPU Pre-Treatment Rescues Dendritic Spine Loss and Alleviates Depressive Behaviours during the Latent Period in the Lithium Chloride-Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus Rat Model

Epileptogenesis may be responsible for both of recurrent seizures and comorbid depression in epilepsy. Disease-modifying treatments targeting the latent period before spontaneous recurrent seizures may contribute to the remission of seizures and comorbid depression. We hypothesized that pre-treatment with 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea (TPPU), a soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor, which has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects might rescue status epilepticus (SE)-induced dendritic spine loss and alleviate depressive behaviours. Rats were either pre-treated with TPPU (0.1 mg/kg/d) intragastrically or with vehicle (40% polyethylene glycol 400) from 7 days before to 7 days after SE that was induced with lithium chloride and pilocarpine intraperitoneally. Rats in the Control group were given saline instead. The forced swim test (FST) was performed on the 8th day after SE to evaluate the depression-like behaviours in rats. The results showed that seizures severity during SE was significantly decreased, and the immobility time during FST was significantly increased through TPPU pre-treatment. Moreover, pre-treatment with TPPU attenuated inflammations including microglial gliosis and the level of proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β in the hippocampus; in addition, neuronal and dendritic spine loss in the subfields of hippocampus was selectively rescued, and the expression of NR1 subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, ERK1/2, CREB, and their phosphorylated forms involved in the dendritic spine development were all significantly increased. We concluded that pre-treatment with TPPU attenuated seizures severity during SE and depressive behaviours during the period of epileptogenesis probably by rescuing dendritic spine loss in the hippocampus.

On the Biocompatibility and Teat Retention of In Situ Gelling Intramammary Formulations: Cattle Mastitis Prevention and Treatment

Treatment and prevention of cattle mastitis remains a formidable challenge due to the anatomical and physiological constraints of the cow udder. In this study, we investigated polymeric excipients and solvents that can form, (when combined) novel, non-toxic and biocompatible in situ gelling formulations in the mammary gland of bovine cattle. We also report on a new approach to screen intramammary formulations using fresh excised cow teats. Fourteen hydrophilic polymers and six solvents were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity and biocompatibility towards cultured bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T), microscopic and macroscopic examination upon contact with excised cow teats. No significant cytotoxicity (p > 0.05) was observed with polyethylene oxides, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate and xanthan gum. Polycarbophil and carbopol polymers showed significantly higher cytotoxicity (p < 0.05). Concentration-dependent cytotoxicity was observed for glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol 400, ethanol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and 2-pyrrolidone, with the 2-pyrrolidone solvents showing higher cytotoxic effects (p < 0.05). In situ gelling formulations comprising hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or carboxymethyl cellulose and solvents in specific ratios were biocompatible at higher concentrations with MAC-T cells compared to alginates. All investigated formulations could undergo in situ sol-to-gel phase transformation, forming non-toxic gels with good biocompatibility in excised cow teats hence, showing potential for use as intramammary carriers for sustained drug delivery.