La vectorisation des médicaments est une approche très prometteuse tant sur le plan médical qu’économique pour la livraison des substances actives ayant une faible biodisponibilité. Dans ce contexte, les polymères en étoile et les dendrimères, macromolécules symétriques et branchées, semblent être les solutions de vectorisation les plus attrayantes. En effet, ces structures peuvent combiner efficacement une stabilité élevée dans les milieux biologiques à une capacité d’encapsulation des principes actifs. Grâce à leur architecture bien définie, ils permettent d’atteindre un très haut niveau de reproductibilité de résultats, tout en évitant le problème de polydispersité. Bien que des nombreuses structures dendritiques aient été proposées ces dernières années, il est cependant à noter que la conception de nouveaux nanovecteurs dendritiques efficaces est toujours d’actualité. Ceci s’explique par des nombreuses raisons telles que celles liées à la biocompatibilité, l’efficacité d’encapsulation des agents thérapeutiques, ainsi que par des raisons économiques. Dans ce projet, de nouvelles macromolécules branchées biocompatibles ont été conçues, synthétisées et évaluées. Pour augmenter leur efficacité en tant qu’agents d’encapsulations des principes actifs hydrophobes, les structures de ces macromolécules incluent un coeur central hydrophobe à base de porphyrine, décanediol ou trioléine modifié et, également, une couche externe hydrophile à base d’acide succinique et de polyéthylène glycol. Le choix des éléments structuraux de futures dendrimères a été basé sur les données de biocompatibilité, les résultats de nos travaux de synthèse préliminaires, ainsi que les résultats de simulation in silico réalisée par une méthode de mécanique moléculaire. Ces travaux ont permis de choisir des composés les plus prometteurs pour former efficacement et d’une manière bien contrôlable des macromolécules polyesters. Ils ont aussi permis d’évaluer au préalable la capacité de futurs dendrimères de capter une molécule médicamenteuse (itraconazole). Durant cette étape, plusieurs nouveaux composés intermédiaires ont été obtenus. L’optimisation des conditions menant à des rendements réactionnels élevés a été réalisée. En se basant sur les travaux préliminaires, l’assemblage de nouveaux dendrimères de première et de deuxième génération a été effectué, en utilisant les approches de synthèse divergente et convergente. La structure de nouveaux composés a été prouvée par les techniques RMN du proton et du carbone 13C, spectroscopie FTIR, UV-Vis, analyse élémentaire, spectrométrie de masse et GPC. La biocompatibilité de produits a été évaluée par les tests de cytotoxicité avec le MTT sur les macrophages murins RAW-262.7. La capacité d’encapsuler les principes actifs hydrophobes a été étudiée par les tests avec l’itraconazole, un antifongique puissant mais peu biodisponible. La taille de nanoparticules formées dans les solutions aqueuses a été mesurée par la technique DLS. Ces mesures ont montré que toutes les structures dendritiques ont tendance à former des micelles, ce qui exclue leurs applications en tant que nanocapsules unimoléculaires. L’activité antifongique des formulations d’itraconazole encapsulé avec les dendrimères a été étudiée sur une espèce d’un champignon pathogène Candida albicans. Ces tests ont permis de conclure que pour assurer l’efficacité du traitement, un meilleur contrôle sur le relargage du principe actif était nécessaire. / The drug molecule vectorization is a very promising approach in terms of both medical and economical factors for the delivery of active substances with low bioavailability. In this context, the star polymers and dendrimers, symmetrical and branched macromolecules, seem to be more attractive solutions. Indeed, these structures can effectively combine a high stability in biological media and the ability to encapsulate active ingredients. Thanks to the well-defined architecture, they can achieve a high level of reproducibility of results, while avoiding the problem of polydispersity. In recent years, many dendritic structures have been proposed; however, the design of new effective dendritic nanocarriers is still relevant. This is due to many reasons such as related to biocompatibility, encapsulation efficiency of therapeutic agents, as well as economic reasons. In this project, new branched biocompatible macromolecules were designed, synthesized and evaluated. To increase their effectiveness as encapsulation agents for hydrophobic active principles, the structures of the proposed macromolecules include a hydrophobic central core on the basis of porphyrin, decanediol or modified triolein, and also a hydrophilic outer layer based on succinic acid and polyethylene glycol. The choice of structural elements of future dendrimers was based on the data on their biocompatibility and the results of our preliminary synthesis works, as well as the in silico simulations performed by using the method of molecular mechanics. The preliminary studies allowed for selecting the most promising compounds to effectively form polyesters macromolecules in well controlled manner, as well as to assess in advance the ability of future dendrimers to capture a drug molecule (itraconazole). During this phase, several new intermediates were obtained. The optimization of reaction conditions leading to high yields was performed. Based on the preliminary work, the assembly of new dendrimers of first and second generations was performed, by using the divergent and convergent synthesis approaches. The structures of new compounds were characterized by proton and 13C carbon NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and GPC techniques. The biocompatibility of products was evaluated by cytotoxicity tests with MTT on murine RAW 262.7 macrophages. The ability to encapsulate hydrophobic active principles was studied by testing with itraconazole, an antifungal agent with low bioavalability. The size of nanoparticles formed in aqueous solutions was measured by the DLS technique. These measurements showed that all dendritic structures tend to form micelles, which excludes their application as unimolecular nanocapsules. The antifungal activity of itraconazole formulations with dendrimers was studied in a kind of a pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. These tests lead to the conclusion that to ensure the effectiveness of treatment, more control over the release of the active ingredient has been needed.

La vectorisation des médicaments est une approche très prometteuse tant sur le plan médical qu’économique pour la livraison des substances actives ayant une faible biodisponibilité. Dans ce contexte, les polymères en étoile et les dendrimères, macromolécules symétriques et branchées, semblent être les solutions de vectorisation les plus attrayantes. En effet, ces structures peuvent combiner efficacement une stabilité élevée dans les milieux biologiques à une capacité d’encapsulation des principes actifs. Grâce à leur architecture bien définie, ils permettent d’atteindre un très haut niveau de reproductibilité de résultats, tout en évitant le problème de polydispersité. Bien que des nombreuses structures dendritiques aient été proposées ces dernières années, il est cependant à noter que la conception de nouveaux nanovecteurs dendritiques efficaces est toujours d’actualité. Ceci s’explique par des nombreuses raisons telles que celles liées à la biocompatibilité, l’efficacité d’encapsulation des agents thérapeutiques, ainsi que par des raisons économiques. Dans ce projet, de nouvelles macromolécules branchées biocompatibles ont été conçues, synthétisées et évaluées. Pour augmenter leur efficacité en tant qu’agents d’encapsulations des principes actifs hydrophobes, les structures de ces macromolécules incluent un coeur central hydrophobe à base de porphyrine, décanediol ou trioléine modifié et, également, une couche externe hydrophile à base d’acide succinique et de polyéthylène glycol. Le choix des éléments structuraux de futures dendrimères a été basé sur les données de biocompatibilité, les résultats de nos travaux de synthèse préliminaires, ainsi que les résultats de simulation in silico réalisée par une méthode de mécanique moléculaire. Ces travaux ont permis de choisir des composés les plus prometteurs pour former efficacement et d’une manière bien contrôlable des macromolécules polyesters. Ils ont aussi permis d’évaluer au préalable la capacité de futurs dendrimères de capter une molécule médicamenteuse (itraconazole). Durant cette étape, plusieurs nouveaux composés intermédiaires ont été obtenus. L’optimisation des conditions menant à des rendements réactionnels élevés a été réalisée. En se basant sur les travaux préliminaires, l’assemblage de nouveaux dendrimères de première et de deuxième génération a été effectué, en utilisant les approches de synthèse divergente et convergente. La structure de nouveaux composés a été prouvée par les techniques RMN du proton et du carbone 13C, spectroscopie FTIR, UV-Vis, analyse élémentaire, spectrométrie de masse et GPC. La biocompatibilité de produits a été évaluée par les tests de cytotoxicité avec le MTT sur les macrophages murins RAW-262.7. La capacité d’encapsuler les principes actifs hydrophobes a été étudiée par les tests avec l’itraconazole, un antifongique puissant mais peu biodisponible. La taille de nanoparticules formées dans les solutions aqueuses a été mesurée par la technique DLS. Ces mesures ont montré que toutes les structures dendritiques ont tendance à former des micelles, ce qui exclue leurs applications en tant que nanocapsules unimoléculaires. L’activité antifongique des formulations d’itraconazole encapsulé avec les dendrimères a été étudiée sur une espèce d’un champignon pathogène Candida albicans. Ces tests ont permis de conclure que pour assurer l’efficacité du traitement, un meilleur contrôle sur le relargage du principe actif était nécessaire. / The drug molecule vectorization is a very promising approach in terms of both medical and economical factors for the delivery of active substances with low bioavailability. In this context, the star polymers and dendrimers, symmetrical and branched macromolecules, seem to be more attractive solutions. Indeed, these structures can effectively combine a high stability in biological media and the ability to encapsulate active ingredients. Thanks to the well-defined architecture, they can achieve a high level of reproducibility of results, while avoiding the problem of polydispersity. In recent years, many dendritic structures have been proposed; however, the design of new effective dendritic nanocarriers is still relevant. This is due to many reasons such as related to biocompatibility, encapsulation efficiency of therapeutic agents, as well as economic reasons. In this project, new branched biocompatible macromolecules were designed, synthesized and evaluated. To increase their effectiveness as encapsulation agents for hydrophobic active principles, the structures of the proposed macromolecules include a hydrophobic central core on the basis of porphyrin, decanediol or modified triolein, and also a hydrophilic outer layer based on succinic acid and polyethylene glycol. The choice of structural elements of future dendrimers was based on the data on their biocompatibility and the results of our preliminary synthesis works, as well as the in silico simulations performed by using the method of molecular mechanics. The preliminary studies allowed for selecting the most promising compounds to effectively form polyesters macromolecules in well controlled manner, as well as to assess in advance the ability of future dendrimers to capture a drug molecule (itraconazole). During this phase, several new intermediates were obtained. The optimization of reaction conditions leading to high yields was performed. Based on the preliminary work, the assembly of new dendrimers of first and second generations was performed, by using the divergent and convergent synthesis approaches. The structures of new compounds were characterized by proton and 13C carbon NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and GPC techniques. The biocompatibility of products was evaluated by cytotoxicity tests with MTT on murine RAW 262.7 macrophages. The ability to encapsulate hydrophobic active principles was studied by testing with itraconazole, an antifungal agent with low bioavalability. The size of nanoparticles formed in aqueous solutions was measured by the DLS technique. These measurements showed that all dendritic structures tend to form micelles, which excludes their application as unimolecular nanocapsules. The antifungal activity of itraconazole formulations with dendrimers was studied in a kind of a pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. These tests lead to the conclusion that to ensure the effectiveness of treatment, more control over the release of the active ingredient has been needed.

One of the aims included in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals is to decrease the number of the world’s population without access to sanitation and water that is safe, by half by the year 2015. The use of water that is not safe for consumption leads to water–related diseases. For the purpose of this study gastro–intestinal disease was redefined as diseases of the gastro–intestinal tract caused by pathogens that spread via contaminated drinking water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene. Information obtained regarding the use of gastro–intestinal disease medication, may provide information about the prevalence of gastro–intestinal disease in South Africa. The general objective of this study was to determine the prescribing patterns of gastro–intestinal medication in different geographical areas in the private health care sector of South Africa. A retrospective drug utilisation review was conducted on data obtained from a medicine claims database of a pharmacy benefit management company for 2007 and 2008. A pharmacoepidemiological approach was followed in order to determine the prevalence of gastro–intestinal disease as well as the use of gastro–intestinal medication in South Africa as well as the different provinces of South Africa. The impact of water quality and sanitation on the prevalence of gastro–intestinal disease was also investigated. Gastro–intestinal medication (used in the treatment of gastro–intestinal disease) included the following pharmacological groups according to the MIMS®–classification: antivertigo and anti–emetic agents (group 1.8), antispasmodics (group 12.3), antidiarrhoeals (group 12.7), minerals and electrolytes (group 20.4, selected according to specified NAPPI–codes) and antimicrobials (group 18). Antimicrobials had to be prescribed in combination with one of the specified gastro–intestinal medication groups in order to be classified as a gastro–intestinal medication. In 2007 and 2008 respectively, 428864 and 340921 gastro–intestinal medication items were prescribed. The most frequently prescribed gastro–intestinal medication pharmacological groups in 2007 and 2008 were beta–lactam antimicrobials (with proportion percentages of 22.77% and 20.85% in 2007 and 2008 respectively), antivertigo and anti–emetic agents, antispasmodics, antidiarrhoeals and quinolone antimicrobials. Minerals and electrolytes represented only a small proportion (2.99% and 2.56% in 2007 and 2008 respectively) of the prescribed gastro–intestinal medication in South Africa. In the Free State and Western Cape antivertigo and anti–emetic agents were the most frequently prescribed gastro–intestinal medication items, while in other provinces beta–lactam antimicrobials ranked the highest. In all provinces except the Western Cape and the Northern Cape, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was the most frequently prescribed gastro–intestinal medication active ingredient. In the Western Cape loperamide was the most frequently prescribed active ingredient, while ciprofloxacin ranked highest as active ingredient in the Northern Cape in 2008. Based on the prescribing patterns of gastro–intestinal disease medications the treatment of gastro–intestinal disease in this section of the private health care sector of South Africa, does not fully comply with the Standard Treatment Guidelines with regard to the use of antimicrobials and electrolyte replacement therapy. / Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

One of the aims included in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals is to decrease the number of the world’s population without access to sanitation and water that is safe, by half by the year 2015. The use of water that is not safe for consumption leads to water–related diseases. For the purpose of this study gastro–intestinal disease was redefined as diseases of the gastro–intestinal tract caused by pathogens that spread via contaminated drinking water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene. Information obtained regarding the use of gastro–intestinal disease medication, may provide information about the prevalence of gastro–intestinal disease in South Africa. The general objective of this study was to determine the prescribing patterns of gastro–intestinal medication in different geographical areas in the private health care sector of South Africa. A retrospective drug utilisation review was conducted on data obtained from a medicine claims database of a pharmacy benefit management company for 2007 and 2008. A pharmacoepidemiological approach was followed in order to determine the prevalence of gastro–intestinal disease as well as the use of gastro–intestinal medication in South Africa as well as the different provinces of South Africa. The impact of water quality and sanitation on the prevalence of gastro–intestinal disease was also investigated. Gastro–intestinal medication (used in the treatment of gastro–intestinal disease) included the following pharmacological groups according to the MIMS®–classification: antivertigo and anti–emetic agents (group 1.8), antispasmodics (group 12.3), antidiarrhoeals (group 12.7), minerals and electrolytes (group 20.4, selected according to specified NAPPI–codes) and antimicrobials (group 18). Antimicrobials had to be prescribed in combination with one of the specified gastro–intestinal medication groups in order to be classified as a gastro–intestinal medication. In 2007 and 2008 respectively, 428864 and 340921 gastro–intestinal medication items were prescribed. The most frequently prescribed gastro–intestinal medication pharmacological groups in 2007 and 2008 were beta–lactam antimicrobials (with proportion percentages of 22.77% and 20.85% in 2007 and 2008 respectively), antivertigo and anti–emetic agents, antispasmodics, antidiarrhoeals and quinolone antimicrobials. Minerals and electrolytes represented only a small proportion (2.99% and 2.56% in 2007 and 2008 respectively) of the prescribed gastro–intestinal medication in South Africa. In the Free State and Western Cape antivertigo and anti–emetic agents were the most frequently prescribed gastro–intestinal medication items, while in other provinces beta–lactam antimicrobials ranked the highest. In all provinces except the Western Cape and the Northern Cape, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was the most frequently prescribed gastro–intestinal medication active ingredient. In the Western Cape loperamide was the most frequently prescribed active ingredient, while ciprofloxacin ranked highest as active ingredient in the Northern Cape in 2008. Based on the prescribing patterns of gastro–intestinal disease medications the treatment of gastro–intestinal disease in this section of the private health care sector of South Africa, does not fully comply with the Standard Treatment Guidelines with regard to the use of antimicrobials and electrolyte replacement therapy. / Thesis (M.Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The soybean cultivars reaction to the causal agent of asian rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & P. Syd.) and mixing responsiveness of DeMethylation Inhibitor (DMI) and Quinone outsite Inhibitor (QoI) fungicides are important factors to be determined for the management of the pathogen. The activity of these fungicides sprayed on the leaves depends on the amount that it reaches the biochemical action site and the compound efficacy. Thus, the proportion of leaf deposit that it enters the leaf, the rate of entry and dissipation in the leaf tissue are determinant for the activity and diseases residual control after the occurrence of a wash. The chapter I objective was to evaluate the reaction of fifteen soybean cultivars to the causal agent of soybean rust and the responsiveness mixing Active Ingredients (AI) epoxiconazole (EPOX) + pyraclostrobin (PYR) and prothioconazole (PROT) + trifloxystrobin (TRIFL). The parameters evaluated were the latency period, residual control, progression and the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC). In the Chapter II, the EPOX and PYR persistence associated with mancozeb (Mz) was determined under greenhouse conditions in two commercial soybean cultivars. Artificial washes were used to determine the concentration of the remaining AI on the foliar tissues after the spraying. For this purpose, the leaves were washed with water at 0.17, 1, 2, 4, 48, 96, 192 h after the fungicide spraying and immediately collected. The EPOX and PYR concentrations were also determined on leaves at 12, 16 and 20 days after spraying. Through the high performance liquid chromatographic analysis and the experimental design, it was possible to measure the EPOX and PYR concentrations penetrated and it dissipated in whole-plant leaves, associated or not to mancozeb. The influence of the interaction between leaflets age and cultivars in the EPOX and PYR concentration on leaves after the spraying was also evaluated. Due to the scarcity of detailed studies on the performance of site-specific fungicides associated with multisite fungicides, in the Chapter III was investigated the asian rust severity and the residual control of the EPOX and PYR mixture associated mancozeb. In the chapter I, it was verified that the responsiveness of DMI and QoI mixtures to P. pachyrhizi is different among the cultivars. The greatest residual control of the pathogen in the different cultivars was through of the PROT + TRIFL spraying. In the chapter II, it was verified that mancozeb influences the persistence of DMI and QoI fungicides in soybean cultivars. The EPOX penetration rate in the cultivars was faster without the association of mancozeb to the fungicide (DMI + QoI). The association of mancozeb to the fungicide (DMI + QoI) reduced the penetration rate of PYR in DM 6563 RSF IPRO cultivar. The PYR concentration in leaves of the two cultivars at 48 h after spraying was similar by the association or not of the fungicide with mancozeb. The cultivars showed different AI penetration rates in leaves. It was observed a reduction of the AI concentrations in the foliar tissues after 48 h of the spraying, evidencing a dissipation process of the AI, after this time. The association of mancozeb to the fungicide (DMI + QoI) only influenced the persistence of PYR at 16 days after spraying in DM 6563 RSF IPRO cultivar. The dissipation rate of PYR is different between the leaves cultivars. The penetration of the AI is greater in younger leaves than in older leaves. The concentrations of PYR in soybean leaves were higher than EPOX at different sampling times, after the fungicide spraying. In the chapter III, it was verified that mancozeb associated with EPOX + PYR in spray solution increases the residual control of P. pachyrhizi and it reduces the disease severity. / A reação de cultivares de soja ao agente causal da ferrugem asiática (Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & P. Syd.) e responsividade de mistura de fungicidas Inibidores da DesMetilação (IDM) e Inibidores da Quinona oxidase (IQo) são importantes fatores a serem determinados para o manejo do patógeno. A atividade desses fungicidas pulverizados na folha depende da quantidade que atinge o local de ação bioquímico e da eficácia do composto. Assim, a proporção do depósito foliar que entra na folha, a taxa de entrada e sua dissipação no tecido foliar são determinantes para a atividade e residual no controle das doenças após a ocorrência de uma lavagem. O capítulo I teve como objetivo avaliar a reação de quinze cultivares de soja ao agente causal da ferrugem asiática e responsividade da mistura dos ingredientes ativos (IA) epoxiconazol (EPOX) + piraclostrobina (PIR) e protioconazol (PROT) + trifloxistrobina (TRIFL). Os parâmetros avaliados foram o período de latência, residual de controle, progresso e a área abaixo da curva de progresso da doença (AACPD). No capítulo II, a persistência de EPOX e PIR associadas com mancozebe (Mz) em duas cultivares comerciais de soja foi determinada em condições de casa de vegetação. Lavagens artificiais foram utilizadas para determinar a concentração dos IA remanescentes nos tecidos foliares após a pulverização. Para isso, as folhas foram lavadas com água 0,17, 1, 2, 4, 48, 96, 192 h após a pulverização do fungicida e imediatamente coletadas. As concentrações de EPOX e PIR também foram determinadas em folhas aos 12, 16 e 20 dias após a pulverização. Através da análise cromatográfica liquida de alta eficiência e do desenho experimental foi possível mensurar as concentrações de EPOX e PIR penetradas e dissipadas em folhas de planta inteira, associadas ou não à mancozebe. A influência da interação de idade de trifólios e cultivares sobre as concentrações de EPOX e PIR após a pulverização também foi avaliada. Devido à escassez de estudos detalhados sobre o desempenho dos fungicidas sítio-específicos associados aos fungicidas multissítios, no capítulo III foi investigado a severidade de ferrugem asiática e o residual de controle da mistura de EPOX e PIR associada ao mancozebe. No capítulo I foi verificado que a responsividade de misturas de IDM e IQo à P. pachyrhizi é distinta entre as cultivares. O maior residual de controle do patógeno nas diferentes cultivares foi através da pulverização de PROT + TRIFL. No capítulo II foi verificado que mancozebe influencia a persistência de fungicidas IDM e IQo em cultivares de soja. A taxa de penetração de EPOX nas cultivares foi mais rápida sem a associação de mancozebe ao fungicida (IDM + IQo). A associação de mancozebe ao fungicida (IDM + IQo) reduziu a taxa de penetração de PIR na cultivar DM 6563 RSF IPRO. A concentração de PIR em folhas das duas cultivares às 48 h após a pulverização foi semelhante pela associação ou não do fungicida com mancozebe. As cultivares apresentaram diferentes taxas de penetração dos IA em folhas. Observou-se uma redução das concentrações dos IA nos tecidos foliares após 48 h da pulverização, evidenciando um processo de dissipação dos IA, após esse tempo. A associação de mancozebe ao fungicida (IDM + IQo) somente influenciou a persistência de PIR aos 16 dias após a pulverização na cultivar DM 6563 RSF IPRO. A taxa de dissipação de PIR em folhas é diferente entre as cultivares. A penetração dos IA é maior em folhas mais novas do que em folhas velhas. As concentrações de PIR em folhas de soja foram superiores que EPOX nos diferentes tempos de coletas, após a pulverização do fungicida. No capítulo III foi verificado que mancozebe associado com EPOX + PIR em calda de pulverização aumenta o residual de controle de P. pachyrhizi e reduz a severidade da doença.