Experimental substantiation of the composition of gelatin mass for obtaining capsules with essential oils

Introduction. Soft gelatin capsules are a promising dosage form comprising essential oils as active agents. Joint research of the staff of the Perm State Pharmaceutical Academy, the Research Institute of Nutrition of the Ministry of Energy and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan have proposed the composition of gelatin mass for encapsulation by the rotary matrix method. The mechanical and physical-technological parameters required to preserve the strength and elasticity of the capsule shell during the production process and storage are determined.Aim. Study of the rheological properties of gelatin masses based on gelatin of different grades, as well as the migration of essential oils through capsule shells.Materials and methods. Pharmaceutical active substances "Lipovitol" and "Limoneol" obtained in the Republic of Tajikistan were used as active substances introduced into the composition of soft gelatin capsules. Sunflower oil was used as the solvent. Gelatin samples were used to obtain gelatin masses: 1 – Foodchem (China), 2 – Brodnickie Zaklady Zelatyny Sp. zo.o. (Poland), 3 - Italgelatine s.p.a. (Italy), 4 – Ewald-Gelatine GmbH (Germany), 5 – Weishardt International (France); glycerol; sunflower oil. Gelatin mass for manufacturing soft capsules was prepared in a closed reactor. Capsules were prepared on an automatic encapsulation line RJWJ – 115 Soft Gelatin Encapsulator Machine (China). The structural and mechanical properties of soft gelatin masses were determined on a rotary viscometer RV type "Reotest 2" (Germany). The dynamics of the process of migration of essential oils and its components were studied by changing their amount in a capsule by chromato-mass spectrometry method on a chromatograph Varian CP 3800 with a quadrupole mass spectrometer 4000 MS as a detector (USA).Results and discussion. When studying the rheological properties of model compositions, it was found that for all samples of gelatin masses there is a decrease in values of effective viscosity when the shear rate increases, which characterizes the tested samples as a structured dispersion system. Additional studies have shown that the gelatin masses have thixotropic properties. Samples of gelatin masses 3–5 had narrower hysteresis loops, while sample 5 the narrowest, restoration of the structure took place quite quickly. Capsules obtained from gelatin mass 3 and 4 samples had a strong seam and were well cut out of the tape. From the mass of sample 5, high strength ribbons were obtained, a high temperature was required to seal the capsules, in some capsules the seam was not glued on one side, as a result, the capsules were rigid and brittle. As a result of the study, the rheological optimum of the gelatin mass suitable for preparing capsules by a rotary matrix method was determined, which has boundaries in the ranges of shear rates of 0.556–243 s-1 and viscosity ranges of 11.46-5028.76 Pa ⋅ s and shear stress of 2788–2808 Pa developing at these rates. When studying the migration of active substances through the capsule shell, it was found that over three years of storage of capsules in a closed polymer can, the content of essential oil in Lipovitol capsules decreased by 4.88 %, in Limoneol capsules by 5 %, which indicates partial migration of oil through the gelatin shell. The content remained within the permissible deviations (±10 %). The content of essential essential oil components also remained within acceptable deviations throughout the shelf life.Conclusion. The optimal composition of the shell for producing soft capsules by a rotary matrix method is justified. It was found that the rheological optimum of gelatin mass is characterized by viscosity ranges of 11.46-5028.76 Pa ⋅ s and shear stress of 2788–2808 Pa. According to the results of the study of the migration of essential oils through the shell, has been established the shelf life of soft gelatin capsules in glass jars made of dark glass and a temperature of 15 to 25 °C – 3 years.

Tachinobia sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as parasitoid of Peckia Sarcodexia) lambens (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Insect parasitoids have an immature life stage that develops on or within a single insect host, ultimately killing the host, hence the value of parasitoids as natural enemies. This work reports the first occurrence of parasitoid Tachinobia sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as parasitoid Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae). The pupae were obtained by the flotation method. They were individually placed in gelatin capsules until the emergence of flies or their parasitoids. In November 2013, six pupae were obtained from P. (S) lambens, of which two pupae twelve specimens emerged Tachinobia sp. The percentage of parasitism was 33.3%. Most insect parasitoids only attack a particular life stage of one or several related species. The immature parasitoid develops on or within a pest, feeding on body fluids and organs, eventually leaving the host to pupate or emerging as an adult.

Aleochara notula Erichson, 1839 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) as a natural enemy of dipterans in chicken and cattle feces in Brazil

The feces in chicken farms and in cattle raising causes accumulations of manure that are an excellent substrate for the proliferation of Diptera. To control these insects, a management program must integrate cultural, chemical, and biological methods. This study reports the occurrence of Aleochara notula Erichson, 1839 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in chicken and cattle feces in Brazil. Manure samples, collected at two-week intervals, were taken to the laboratory and the pupae were extracted by water flotation. Each pupa was placed in colorless gelatin capsules until the appearance of the flies or their parasitoids. Percentages of parasitism in chicken and cattle feces were 0.33% and 0.3%, respectively.

Development of platform technology for gastro-resistant soft gel capsules by using the cross-linking technique

Introduction: Conventional enteric coating is very challenging in soft gel capsules because of shell nature (smooth surfaces and elasticity). Soft gelatin capsules are highly sensitive to temperature, humidity and it can lose their tensile strength during the conventional coating process. Materials and Methods: Enteric soft gel capsules were prepared by addition of enteric polymer in the gelatin shell composition by inducing the cross linking of gelatin through chemical treatment. Results: This dual approach makes the soft gelatin capsules to resist the drug release in stomach and reliably release their contents in the intestine within a predetermined time without affecting the physical properties of soft gel capsules. Conclusions: Enteric effect of soft gel capsules are brought by a specialized synergetic technique which is unique for the molecules which need intestinal drug release.

Treatment of atrial flutter (Vorhofsflimmerri). Drury Ilieskn and Wedd (Brit. Med. J., 24 / IX 1921)

Drury Ilieskn and Wedd (Brit. Med. J., 24 / IX 1921) used quinidine sulfate in 13 cases of this suffering, and after the patients were free of foxglove and strophanthus, they were first given 0.2 quinidine peros in order to find out , do they tolerate this remedy, and then the systematic use of the latter has already begun, again peros, in gelatin capsules.

Enhanced Mefenamic Acid Release from Poloxamer-Silicon Dioxide Gel Filled in Hard Gelatin Capsules – An application of Liquid Semisolid Matrix Technology for Insoluble Drug

Introduction: : Liquid semisolid matrix (LSSM) technology involves the filling of drug-mixed gel in hard gelatin capsules for different applications. Methods: In continuation of our previous work on LSSM technology, 10% (w/w) of practically insoluble model drug, mefenamic acid was incorporated in gels of different poloxamers with 8% (w/w) SiO2. Gels exhibited plasticity or pseudoplasticity along thixotropy at 2 and 24 h enabling their easy filling into hard gelatin capsules without content seepage. Mefenamic acid gels prepared with L64 and L92 maintained their apparent viscosities for the study period of one month. Around 100% mefenamic acid was released within 90 min from L64- and in 150 min from L92-SiO2 gels, both with first-order kinetics. Results: In 12 month long-term stability studies, only mefenamic acid-L64-SiO gel at 30°C/65% RH indicated dispersion stability with similar rheology and release pattern to that at 2, 24 and 30 days. Conclusion: No chemical drug-polymer interactions were found in FTIR. The release of practically insoluble mefenamic acid could be enhanced from gel formulated with L64 and SiO2.

Parasitoids Collected from Animal Feces in Brazil

The purpose of the paper is to report the species of dipteran parasitoids in poultry feces on farms, buffalo, and cattle in the field in Brazil. The experiments were carried out from April 2006 to December 2007. The pupae were obtained by the flotation method. They were individually placed in gelatin capsules until the emergency of the adult flies or their parasitoids. The specie more frequent was S endius with 7.2%. Were obtained from bovine feces 628 pupae of dipterous in buffalo feces, 3,437 pupae were collected and from chicken feces 2,799 pupae, from which 78, 172 and 504 parasitoids emerged, respectively. The most frequent species in bovine, of buffalo and chicken feces were: Gnathopleura quadridentata Wharton (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with 25.6%, Spalangia drosophilae Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) with 21.5% and Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani, 1875) with 46.8%, respectively.

Cellulose Nanocrystal (CNC) Capsules from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB)

The raw material used for this NCC production was oil palm empty bunches (OPEFB), currently waste from oil palm plantations. Delignification of OPEFB was carried out using 2 N NaOH solution at 70oC for 6 hours. NCC maximum yield from OPEFB is 62.1% (dry cellulose basis) obtained at a concentration of 54% sulfuric acid and a temperature of 50oC. The addition of plasticizers (glycerol and PEG) reduced the elastic modulus of NCC capsules from 7951.4 MPa to 4758 MPa (glycerol) and 3225 (PEG). The addition of glycerol and PEG did not affect the disintegration time of NCC capsules. NCC capsules have a release capability similar to the commercially available gelatin capsules. At 14 minutes, discharge reached about 43%, and it becomes constant after 18 minutes.

Manufacture of Hard Gelatin Capsules From a Lyophilisate of the Morus Nigra Fruit

Morus nigra L. (M. nigra L.) belongs to the Moraceae family. Traditional medicine for its physicochemical properties. To evaluate the physicochemical composition and pharmaceutical stability of hard gelatin capsules of the freeze-dried fruit of M. nigra L. The content of total phenols (CFT) and antioxidant capacity (CA) were evaluated by spectrophotometry, the content of ash, moisture, protein, fat and fiber were determined according to their own standard. The CFT and CA were 25.4 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of sample, and 74.1% inhibition, respectively. On the other hand, the values of ash, moisture, protein, fat and fiber were 4.2%, 7.9%, 3.9%, 0.5% and 3.6%, respectively. Lyophilized M. nigra fruit may be a novel candidate for the development of gelatin hard capsules and other new pharmaceutical products.