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Purpose: To develop an approach to formulating an injectable solution containing both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs for subcutaneous administration. Based on the literature survey, isotropic medium chain mono-and diglyceride (MCMDG) systems were chosen for study. For this purpose, analytical methods were developed and validated. In vitro assessments of the MCMDG systems, and in vitro release and in vivo studies were conducted. Methods: The phase diagrams of the isotropic MCMDG systems were constructed with systems comprising two and three components. The isotropic region was examined by visual inspection and confirmed using polarized light microscopy. Viscosities of formulations were measured. The validated HPLC assay methods were developed for determination of levamisole and abamectin in liquid formulations and in sheep plasma. The HPLC assay was capable of evaluating stability of abamectin and levamisole in liquid formulations. Solubilities of levamisole hydrochloride or levamisole phosphate and abamectin were determined in the isotropic MCMDG formulations using a HPLC assay method. Stabilities of levamisole phosphate and abamectin were conducted in the isotropic MCMDG formulations at 60�C for 10 days. In vitro release studies for levamisole phosphate were carried out for selected formulations using modified Franz diffusion cells. Based on stability and in vitro release studies, one formulation (MCMDG/propylene glycol (PG):glycerol formal (GF), 20/20:60 % w/w) was selected for a preliminary in vivo study. The selected MCMDG/PG:GF (20/20:60) formulation containing both levamisole phosphate and abamectin was injected subcutaneously into sheep, and the injection site was examined after subcutaneous injection. Pharmacokinetic profiles were determined. A correlation between in vitro fraction released (FR) and in vivo fraction absorbed (FA) for levamisole phosphate from the MCMDG/PG:GF (20/20:60) formulation was assessed. Results: The isotropic systems of the MCMDG systems containing two or three components were characterized through phase diagrams and viscosity. The solubility of the levamisole hydrochloride in the isotropic MCMDG/sesame oil/water formulations was higher in the absence of abamectin than in combination with abamectin. Solubility of levamisole phosphate was higher in the MCMDG system containing GF or PG compared to the MCMDG/SO/water system. The isotropic MCMDG/PG:GF systems allowed preparations of levamisole phosphate/abamectin solution dose forms containing more than the usual dosage of levamisole. Stability of both levamisole phosphate and abamectin in MCMDG/PG:GF formulations was higher compared with MCMDG/PG:GF/water formulations. Levamisole phosphate degraded in the presence or absence of abamectin in the MCMDG/PG:GF (20/20:60) formulation at 60�C for 10 days. Abamectin alone was found to be stable in the formulation at 60�C for 10 days. In vitro release of levamisole phosphate from water and the MCMDG formulations tested displayed first-order kinetics. Water from the receptor compartment was observed to pass through the membrane into the donor compartment. Therefore, an advancing layer of turbidity occurred in the donor phase. A highly significant decrease in release rate of levamisole phosphate was obtained in MCMDG/GP:GF (20/20:60) formulation compared to water and the other formulations. Pharmacokinetic studies of subcutaneous injection of MCMDG/PG:GF 20/20:60) formulation showed the tmax values of 2.2 h and 4.2 days for levamisole phosphate and abamectin, respectively. The Cmax was 0.94 [mu]g/ml for levamisole phosphate and 6.24 ng/ml for abamectin while the formulation displayed the AUC value was 5.2 [mu]g�h�ml⁻1 for levamisole phosphate and 84.7 ng�day�ml⁻1 for abamectin. No inflammatory reaction was observed at the injection site. Linear regression analysis showed that a significant relationship between the FR (in vitro) and FA for the subcutaneously injected formulation. Conclusion: The study carried out in this thesis introduces a new approach to formulating an injectable solution of the isotropic MCMDG/PG:GF systems containing both levamisole (hydrophilic drug) and abamectin (lipophilic drug) for subcutaneous administration, and presents the development of the HPLC assay methods for determination of levamisole and abamectin in liquid MCMDG formulations and plasma, in order to investigate in vitro and in vivo release from the isotropic MCMDG/PG:GF formulations. The MCMDG/PG:GF formulations may represent an alternative to the more traditional formulations for both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs.

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Purpose: To develop an approach to formulating an injectable solution containing both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs for subcutaneous administration. Based on the literature survey, isotropic medium chain mono-and diglyceride (MCMDG) systems were chosen for study. For this purpose, analytical methods were developed and validated. In vitro assessments of the MCMDG systems, and in vitro release and in vivo studies were conducted. Methods: The phase diagrams of the isotropic MCMDG systems were constructed with systems comprising two and three components. The isotropic region was examined by visual inspection and confirmed using polarized light microscopy. Viscosities of formulations were measured. The validated HPLC assay methods were developed for determination of levamisole and abamectin in liquid formulations and in sheep plasma. The HPLC assay was capable of evaluating stability of abamectin and levamisole in liquid formulations. Solubilities of levamisole hydrochloride or levamisole phosphate and abamectin were determined in the isotropic MCMDG formulations using a HPLC assay method. Stabilities of levamisole phosphate and abamectin were conducted in the isotropic MCMDG formulations at 60�C for 10 days. In vitro release studies for levamisole phosphate were carried out for selected formulations using modified Franz diffusion cells. Based on stability and in vitro release studies, one formulation (MCMDG/propylene glycol (PG):glycerol formal (GF), 20/20:60 % w/w) was selected for a preliminary in vivo study. The selected MCMDG/PG:GF (20/20:60) formulation containing both levamisole phosphate and abamectin was injected subcutaneously into sheep, and the injection site was examined after subcutaneous injection. Pharmacokinetic profiles were determined. A correlation between in vitro fraction released (FR) and in vivo fraction absorbed (FA) for levamisole phosphate from the MCMDG/PG:GF (20/20:60) formulation was assessed. Results: The isotropic systems of the MCMDG systems containing two or three components were characterized through phase diagrams and viscosity. The solubility of the levamisole hydrochloride in the isotropic MCMDG/sesame oil/water formulations was higher in the absence of abamectin than in combination with abamectin. Solubility of levamisole phosphate was higher in the MCMDG system containing GF or PG compared to the MCMDG/SO/water system. The isotropic MCMDG/PG:GF systems allowed preparations of levamisole phosphate/abamectin solution dose forms containing more than the usual dosage of levamisole. Stability of both levamisole phosphate and abamectin in MCMDG/PG:GF formulations was higher compared with MCMDG/PG:GF/water formulations. Levamisole phosphate degraded in the presence or absence of abamectin in the MCMDG/PG:GF (20/20:60) formulation at 60�C for 10 days. Abamectin alone was found to be stable in the formulation at 60�C for 10 days. In vitro release of levamisole phosphate from water and the MCMDG formulations tested displayed first-order kinetics. Water from the receptor compartment was observed to pass through the membrane into the donor compartment. Therefore, an advancing layer of turbidity occurred in the donor phase. A highly significant decrease in release rate of levamisole phosphate was obtained in MCMDG/GP:GF (20/20:60) formulation compared to water and the other formulations. Pharmacokinetic studies of subcutaneous injection of MCMDG/PG:GF 20/20:60) formulation showed the tmax values of 2.2 h and 4.2 days for levamisole phosphate and abamectin, respectively. The Cmax was 0.94 [mu]g/ml for levamisole phosphate and 6.24 ng/ml for abamectin while the formulation displayed the AUC value was 5.2 [mu]g�h�ml⁻1 for levamisole phosphate and 84.7 ng�day�ml⁻1 for abamectin. No inflammatory reaction was observed at the injection site. Linear regression analysis showed that a significant relationship between the FR (in vitro) and FA for the subcutaneously injected formulation. Conclusion: The study carried out in this thesis introduces a new approach to formulating an injectable solution of the isotropic MCMDG/PG:GF systems containing both levamisole (hydrophilic drug) and abamectin (lipophilic drug) for subcutaneous administration, and presents the development of the HPLC assay methods for determination of levamisole and abamectin in liquid MCMDG formulations and plasma, in order to investigate in vitro and in vivo release from the isotropic MCMDG/PG:GF formulations. The MCMDG/PG:GF formulations may represent an alternative to the more traditional formulations for both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs.

<p>Infusions, decoctions, alcoholic preparations and other dosage forms of Artemisia afra are frequently used in South African traditional medicine. Generally when these preparations are made without applying good manufacturing practices they do not meet microbial quality control standards, safety and toxicity criteria and encourage poor patients compliance. To overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of traditional dosage forms a sold dosage form, i.e. a table might be recommended. The first objective of this study was to formulate and manufacture a rapid release tablet dosage of Artemisia afra that would contain an amount of plant material equivalent to that found in its traditional liquid dosage forms and that would meet conventional pharmaceutical standards. The second objective was to conduct a pilot study to obtain a preliminary profile of the bioavailability of select flavonoids presents in both the tablet and traditional liquid preparation of Artemisia afra in humans.</p>

Orientador: Paulo Fernando de Arruda Mancera / Banca: Marcelo Lobato Martins / Banca: Claudia Helena Pellizzon / Resumo: O câncer é uma das principais causas de morte no mundo e afeta uma parcela considerável da população, particularmente em países subdesenvolvidos. De acordo com os dados fornecidos pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHO, 2014), 8,2 milhões de pessoas morreram em 2012 devido ao câncer. De acordo com o Instituto Nacional do Cˆancer (Brasil, 2014), a estimativa para o ano de 2014 aponta para a ocorrência de, aproximadamente, 576 mil casos novos de câncer no Brasil. No entanto, muitas destas mortes poderiam ser evitadas. Por exemplo, mais de 30% das mortes poderia ser impedida por um estilo de vida saudável ou por imunização contra infecções que causam câncer (HPV, HBV). Ainda, cânceres detectados precocemente podem ser tratados e curados. Mesmo com câncer em estágio final, o sofrimento dos pacientes pode ser aliviado com um bom cuidado paliativo / Abstract: The cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world and affects a considerable portion of the population, particularly in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2014), 8.2 million people worldwide died from cancer in 2012. In 2014 there are 576 000 new cases of cancer expected in Brazil (Brasil, 2014). Yet, many of these deaths could be avoided. Over 30% of canceres can be prevented by healthy life style or by immunization against cancer causing infections (HBV, HPV). Others can be detected early, treated and cured. Even in the late stage, the suffering of patients can be relieved with good palliative care. In this dissertation, we present a mathematical model with the goal of understanding tumor development and the effect of administration in cycles according two protocols of chemotherapy as well as two methods of drug delivery We begin with an introduction to the biology of cancer taking into account the main aspects for the construction of the mathematical model. Then, a review of the literature for the mathematical model is presented, and then we present a linear stability analysis for the spatially homogeneous model with and without treatment, in order to understand the dynamics of the model. We conclude that the parameters of competition are the main bifurcation parameters of the system, which define the tumor progression and the successful of chemotherapy. With these results and numerical simulations we concluded that the metronomic protocol proves more effective in prolonging the patient's life than the MTD protocol. Moreover, the uniform delivery method along with the metronomic protocol is the most efficient in reducing the density of the tumor during treatment / Mestre

Transdermal drug delivery system has been limited to small and lipophilic drugs because skin has the intrinsic function to protect the body preventing entry of the external species into the body. In this thesis, two physical methods were studied to overcome the skin barrier in the controlled breakage of the skin barrier and to deliver macromolecules-based drugs through the skin; (1) polysaccharide dissolving microneedles and (2) micro thermal skin ablation. Polysaccharide dissolving microneedles system was designed to break the skin barrier in a minimized size with the mechanically poor material, to release them into skin with the dissolution of microneedles, and to deliver human growth hormone into the living hairless rats. Micro thermal skin ablation was designed to fabricate the device generating the energy impact with the basis of arc discharge, to transfer the energy impact on the skin, to remove stratum corneum selectively with three-dimensionally controlled manner, and to deliver hydrophilic macromolecules through skin.

Currently, biopharmaceuticals including vaccines, proteins, and DNA are delivered almost exclusively through the parenteral route using hypodermic needles. However, injection by hypodermic needles generates pain and causes bleeding. Disposal of these needles also produces biohazardous sharp waste. An alternative delivery tool called microneedles may solve these issues. Microneedles are micron-size needles that deliver drugs or biopharmaceuticals into skin by creating tiny channels in the skin. This thesis focuses on dissolving microneedles in which the needle tips dissolve and release the encapsulated drug or vaccine upon insertion. The project aimed to (i) design and optimize dissolving microneedles for efficient drug and vaccine delivery to the skin, (ii) maintain vaccine stability over long-term storage, and (iii) immunize animals using vaccine encapsulated microneedles. The results showed that influenza vaccine encapsulated in microneedles was more thermally stable than unprocessed vaccine solution over prolonged periods of storage time. In addition, mice immunized with microneedles containing influenza vaccine offered full protection against lethal influenza virus infection. As a result, we envision the newly developed dissolving microneedle system can be a safe, patient compliant, easy to-use and self-administered method for rapid drug and vaccine delivery to the skin.

Background. Good health care is becoming increasingly unaffordable. A wider use of generic medicines offers significant cost savings. As the family practitioner is the gatekeeper in prescribing medicines, his attitude towards generic medicines is crucial. The factors that influence family practitioners' prescription of pharmaceuticals require investigation. Objectives. The primary objective of this study is to assess attitudes and perceptions that family practitioners have towards generic medicines and evaluate factors that influence its prescription. The secondary aim is to assess the individual characteristics and personality traits of family practitioners that may impact on generic prescription. Methods. This study is a convenient sample of 198 family practitioners that are surveyed by means of a questionnaire. Responses were based largely on a Likert scale and evaluated by factor analysis. Results. Using factor analysis, five factors identified in the order of importance are as follows: 1) Patient factors: It is primarily the patients' disease profile and their financial capacity that determines the use of generic versus ethical drugs. 2) Clinical autonomy of the family practitioners: Family practitioners resent their clinical decisions being challenged by managed care organisations. 3) Strategies promoting generics: Improved marketing by the generic pharmaceutical industry and the provisions of acceptable financial incentives are likely to promote wider use of generics. 4) Cost of medicines: Most family practitioners are price-sensitive. A further reduction in the price of generic medicines is therefore likely to increase the use. 5) Specialists' opinion: Specialists use fewer generics and their choice of medication is respected by family practitioners. A wider use of generic medicines by specialists will positively impact on generic prescription by family practitioners. Personality traits and individual characteristics of the family practitioners do not affect their prescription of generic medicines. It is noted that most family practitioners have encountered specific instances of reduced efficacy, an increased side-effect profile, substandard packaging, erratic availability and poor patient confidence with the use of generic drugs. Conclusion. In order to bring about a reduction in the healthcare costs by promoting wider use of generics, different stakeholders in the industry need to act synergistically. All stakeholders need to increase the awareness of generic medicines by continuing health education. Specific recommendations for the generic pharmaceutical industry include increased marketing, further reduction in the price of generics and implementation of research and surveillance studies to ensure satisfactory clinical efficacy of their drugs. Medicines Control Council need to closely monitor the number and quality of available generic medicines. Managed care organisations need to respect the clinical autonomy of family practitioners and work closely with them. Finally, acceptable and ethical incentives need to be considered for family practitioners, the gatekeepers, to achieve the objective of wider use of generic medicines. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of Natal, 2001.