Controlled and sustained release dosage forms are the focus of worldwide research. These dosage forms facilitate patient compliance by simplifying the dosage regimen, and decrease the risk of adverse effects by reducing large fluctuations in the plasma concentration of the drug. The objective of this study was to formulate a repeat-action tablet to provide a sustained release dose of pseudoephedrine sulfate (PSS), and an immediate release dose of both PSS and loratadine. The release profile was compared to that of a commercially available preparation, Clarityne-D®. This formulation developed presents a novel mechanism of sustaining the release of PSS. The prototype tablet consisted of a sustained release core coated with an ethylcellulose dispersion to introduce a lag phase into the release profile and a second outer film coat incorporating PSS and loratadine. The core comprised an ethylcellulose granulation of PSS compressed into a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose matrix. The release of PSS from prototypes was assessed using USP Apparatus 3, as this apparatus was more representative of in vivo conditions and discriminated more effectively between the different tablet compositions produced during development. All dissolution samples were analysed for PSS and loratadine using validated highperformance liquid chromatographic methods. The prototype sustained release cores were found to be more resistant than the reference product to elevated temperature and humidity (40°C/87% RH) with fewer observed changes to the release profiles following storage for up to six months. This study was a feasibility study to obtain proof of concept. The release profile obtained from the prototype tablets was similar (f₂ = 50.0) to that of the reference product. Further development and optimisation of this dosage form is necessary, including evaluation of the choice of hydrophobic polymer, the effect of compression force and tablet geometry and characterisation of the release mechanism from the coated matrix. Assessment of these factors is necessary in order to optimise the formulation with respect to the desired therapeutic objectives.

No description available.

Newspaper articles and media have shown that the use of illegal weight loss compounds, such as ephedrine and Melanotan, is becoming more common among adolescent girls, who are at risk of becoming a new group of addicts. These girls are rarely aware of the risks that the use of these compounds entails and the consequences that could adversely affect their bodies, mentally and physically.   The aim of this paper was to investigate the use of and attitudes towards illegal weight loss compounds amongst girls in year three, at Swedish upper secondary schools. In order to do that, a questionnaire was sent out to 120 girls in five different high schools, with varying college preparatory and vocational program directions.   My research shows that the use of illegal weight loss compounds, particularly ephedrine, was found among girls in year three, at upper secondary schools. Seven percent of the girls claimed they use, primarily, ephedrine. This result exceeds earlier studies findings on boys' use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). Throughout the survey a sense of how common the use of and attitudes towards illegal weight loss compounds were amongst these girls was formed. The girls' critical views of their bodies permeate my research, whereas almost half of all girls are experiencing dissatisfaction with their body weight and the majority of the girls want to lose body weight. Regarding the girls' attitudes towards the use of illegal weight loss compounds, one result accounted that almost half of all girls could think of using one if it guaranteed them to be thinner. My research also shows that more information needs to be targeted towards young girls; in order to make them conscious about the dangers of these illegal weight loss compounds. / Tidningsartiklar och media har belyst att bruk av illegala viktminskningspreparat såsom efedrin och Melanotan blir allt mer vanligt bland unga flickor och som riskerar att bli en ny grupp missbrukare. Dessa flickor är sällan medvetna om riskerna och följderna som negativt kan påverka deras kroppar både psykiskt och fysiskt vid bruk av dessa preparat.   Syftet med detta examensarbete var att undersöka förekomsten av bruk och attityd till illegala viktminskningspreparat bland flickor i årskurs tre på gymnasiet. För att kunna ge svar på syftet utfördes en enkätundersökning på 120 flickor på fem olika gymnasieskolor, med varierande studieförberedande och yrkesförberedande programinriktning. Genom undersökningen skapades en uppfattning om hur förekommande bruket av och attityder till illegala viktminskningspreparat var bland flickorna.   Min enkätundersökning visar att 7 % av respondenterna har använt ett illegalt viktminskningspreparat, främst efedrin. Detta resultat överstiger tidigare undersökningars och studiers resultat avseende pojkars bruk av anabola androgena steroider (AAS). Flickornas kritiska syn på sina kroppar genomsyrar min undersökning då nästan hälften upplever missnöje med sin kroppsvikt och majoriteten av flickorna önskar att gå ned i vikt. Avseende flickornas attityd gällande bruk av illegala viktminskningspreparat svarade nästan hälften att de inte är främmande till ett bruk ifall det garanterade dem att bli smala. Min undersökning visar också att mer information behöver riktas mot unga flickor för att medvetandegöra dem om farorna av dessa illegala viktminskningspreparat.

Abstract Knowledge of the effects of maternally administered vasopressors on human fetal and placental haemodynamics is sparse and limited to elective Caesarean deliveries in uncomplicated pregnancies. We hypothesized that, after short-term fetal hypoxaemia, which activates fetal cardiovascular compensatory mechanisms, treatment of maternal hypotension with ephedrine or phenylephrine results in divergent responses in fetal and placental haemodynamics. Chronically instrumented near-term sheep fetuses with either normal placental function or increased placental vascular resistance following placental embolization were exposed to two subsequent periods of decreased fetal oxygenation caused by maternal hypoxaemia and epidural-induced hypotension. The fetuses that underwent placental embolization were also chronically hypoxaemic. Fetal and placental haemodynamics were assessed by invasive techniques and by noninvasive Doppler ultrasonography. Our results show that umbilical artery blood flow velocity waveforms cannot be used to derive information of fetal cardiac function. Furthermore, the changes in placental volume blood flows and vascular resistances caused by maternal vasopressor treatment cannot be reliably recognized based on uterine and umbilical artery pulsatility index values. In response to acute hypoxaemia, a fetus with normal placental function redistributes its right ventricular cardiac output from the pulmonary to the systemic circulation and is able to increase its combined cardiac output, with a concomitant relative decrease in the net forward flow through the aortic isthmus. However, fetal haemodynamic responses to subsequent hypoxaemic insults may vary. Furthermore, the compensatory responses of fetuses with increased placental vascular resistance differ from those of normal fetuses. In these fetuses, repeated episodes of a further decrease in oxygenation lead to lactataemia. The effects of ephedrine on uteroplacental and umbilicoplacental circulations were more favourable than those of phenylephrine. Ephedrine restored the changes in fetal cardiovascular haemodynamics caused by maternal hypotension to the baseline conditions in both embolized and nonembolized fetuses. Phenylephrine did not reverse fetal pulmonary vasoconstriction or the relative decrease in the net forward flow through the aortic isthmus. Moreover, fetal left ventricular function was impaired by phenylephrine. Although no significant differences in fetal acid-base status were observed in fetuses with normal placental function, the lactate concentrations of the embolized fetuses increased further when maternal hypotension was treated with phenylephrine.

A busca por um padrão estético globalizado e o aumento da obesidade fazem crescer o uso de suplementos alimentares e compostos emagrecedores à base de extratos vegetais. Produtos contendo a associação de p-sinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína são amplamente consumidos e não apresentam efetividade e segurança bem esclarecidas. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a toxicidade subcrônica de p-sinefrina, efedrina, cafeína e salicina, isoladas e em associação, em ratos Wistar machos. Doses de salicina 6 mg/kg, efedrina 4 mg/kg, p-sinefrina 10 mg/kg, cafeína 80 mg/kg e a associação de salicina, efedrina, p-sinefrina e cafeína 100 mg/kg (6:4:10:80, respectivamente) foram testadas via oral por 28 dias consecutivos. A massa corporal foi verificada semanalmente e o teste da atividade locomotora foi realizado no 28º dia. O sangue foi coletado para análise bioquímica e órgãos vitais como fígado e rins foram utilizados para avaliação histológica. Os resultados mostraram uma redução significativa (p<0,05) na massa corporal nos dias 21 e 28 do grupo tratado com cafeína comparado ao grupo controle. Nos dias 14, 21 e 28 ocorreu um aumento significativo (p<0,05) da massa corporal no grupo tratado com p-sinefrina comparado com os grupos efedrina, salicina, cafeína e associação. No teste da atividade locomotora houve um aumento significativo (p<0,05) no grupo tratado com a associação comparado ao grupo controle. Não foram encontradas alterações nos marcadores bioquímicos de fígado, rim e coração, bem como nas avaliações macroscópicas dos órgãos vitais. Entretanto, na análise histológica do fígado, verificou-se em todos os grupos a presença de vacuolização e tumefação celular, congestão vascular e alargamento dos sinusóides, e apenas os grupos p-sinefrina, efedrina e salicina apresentaram degeneração hidrópica. Na histologia dos rins todos os grupos demonstraram vacuolização celular e aumento do espaço da cápsula de Bowman e o grupo p-sinefrina mostrou a presença de infiltrado inflamatório. Esses resultados sugerem que o uso dessas substâncias, tanto na forma isolada como em associação, apresenta um perfil toxicológico considerável. / The search for a globalized aesthetic standard and the increasing obesity are enhancing the use of food supplements and weight loss compounds from plant base extracts. Products containing the combination of p-synephrine, ephedrine, caffeine and salicin are widely consumed and the effectiveness and safety are not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the subchronic toxicity of p-synephrine, ephedrine, caffeine and salicin, isolated and in combination, in male Wistar rats. Doses of salicin 6 mg/kg, ephedrine 4 mg/kg, p-synephrine 10 mg/kg, caffeine 80 mg/kg and the association of salicin, ephedrine, p-synephrine and caffeine (100 mg/kg; 6:4:10:80, respectively) were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Body weight was recorded weekly and a locomotor activity test was performed on the 28th day. Blood was collected for biochemical analysis and vital organs such as liver and kidneys were used for histologic evaluation. The results showed a significant reduction (p <0.05) in body mass on days 21 and 28 in the caffeine-treated group compared to control group. Besides that, on days 14, 21 and 28 a significant increase (p <0.05) in body weight was observed in the group treated with p-synephrine compared to the ephedrine, salicin, caffeine and association-treated groups. In the test of locomotor activity, a significant increase (p <0.05) was observed in the association-treated group treated compared to the control group. No changes were found in biochemical markers associated with liver, kidney and heart conditions or in macroscopic evaluations of vital organs. However, the histological analysis of the liver in all groups shown presence of cellular vacuolization and swelling, vascular congestion and enlargement of the sinusoids, whereas the p-synephrine, ephedrine and salicin groups exhibited hydropic degeneration. In the histology of kidneys, all groups showed cellular vacuolation and increased of the Bowman's capsule space and the p-synephrine group showed the presence of inflammatory infiltrate. These results suggest that the use of these substances either in isolation or in combination showed a considerable toxicological profile.

R-phenylacetylcarbinol (PAC) is used as a precursor for production of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are anti-asthmatics and nasal decongestants. PAC is produced from benzaldehyde and pyruvate mediated by pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC). A strain of Rhizopus javanicus was evaluated for its production of PDC. The morphology of R. javanicus was influenced by the degree of aeration/agitation. A relatively high specific PDC activity (328 U decarboxylase g-1 mycelium) was achieved when aeration/agitation were reduced significantly in the latter stages of cultivation. The stability of partially purified PDC and crude extract from R. javanicus were evaluated by examining the enzyme deactivation kinetic in various conditions. R. javanicus PDC was less stable than Candida utilis PDC currently used in our group. A kinetic model for the deactivation of partially purified PDC extracted from C. utilis by benzaldehyde (0?00 mM) in 2.5 M MOPS buffer has been developed. An initial lag period prior to deactivation was found to occur, with first order dependencies of PDC deactivation on exposure time and on benzaldehyde concentration. A mathematical model for the enzymatic biotransformation of PAC and its associated by-products has been developed using a schematic method devised by King and Altman (1956) for deriving the rate equations. The rate equations for substrates, product and by-products have been derived from the patterns for yeast PDC and combined with a deactivation model for PDC from C. utilis. Initial rate and biotransformation studies were applied to refine and validate a mathematical model for PAC production. The rate of PAC formation was directly proportional to the enzyme activity level up to 5.0 U carboligase ml-1. Michaelis-Menten kinetics were determined for the effect of pyruvate concentration on the reaction rate. The effect of benzaldehyde on the rate of PAC production followed the sigmoidal shape of the Monod-Wyman-Changeux (MWC) model. The biotransformation model, which also included a term for PDC inactivation by benzaldehyde, was used to determine the overall rate constants for the formation of PAC, acetaldehyde and acetoin. Implementation of digital pH control for PAC production in a well-stirred organic-aqueous two-phase biotransformation system with 20 mM MOPS and 2.5 M dipropylene glycol (DPG) in aqueous phase resulted in similar level of PAC production [1.01 M (151 g l-1) in an organic phase and 115 mM (17.2 g l-1) in an aqueous phase after 47 h] to the system with a more expensive 2.5 M MOPS buffer.

A busca por um padrão estético globalizado e o aumento da obesidade fazem crescer o uso de suplementos alimentares e compostos emagrecedores à base de extratos vegetais. Produtos contendo a associação de p-sinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína são amplamente consumidos e não apresentam efetividade e segurança bem esclarecidas. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a toxicidade subcrônica de p-sinefrina, efedrina, cafeína e salicina, isoladas e em associação, em ratos Wistar machos. Doses de salicina 6 mg/kg, efedrina 4 mg/kg, p-sinefrina 10 mg/kg, cafeína 80 mg/kg e a associação de salicina, efedrina, p-sinefrina e cafeína 100 mg/kg (6:4:10:80, respectivamente) foram testadas via oral por 28 dias consecutivos. A massa corporal foi verificada semanalmente e o teste da atividade locomotora foi realizado no 28º dia. O sangue foi coletado para análise bioquímica e órgãos vitais como fígado e rins foram utilizados para avaliação histológica. Os resultados mostraram uma redução significativa (p<0,05) na massa corporal nos dias 21 e 28 do grupo tratado com cafeína comparado ao grupo controle. Nos dias 14, 21 e 28 ocorreu um aumento significativo (p<0,05) da massa corporal no grupo tratado com p-sinefrina comparado com os grupos efedrina, salicina, cafeína e associação. No teste da atividade locomotora houve um aumento significativo (p<0,05) no grupo tratado com a associação comparado ao grupo controle. Não foram encontradas alterações nos marcadores bioquímicos de fígado, rim e coração, bem como nas avaliações macroscópicas dos órgãos vitais. Entretanto, na análise histológica do fígado, verificou-se em todos os grupos a presença de vacuolização e tumefação celular, congestão vascular e alargamento dos sinusóides, e apenas os grupos p-sinefrina, efedrina e salicina apresentaram degeneração hidrópica. Na histologia dos rins todos os grupos demonstraram vacuolização celular e aumento do espaço da cápsula de Bowman e o grupo p-sinefrina mostrou a presença de infiltrado inflamatório. Esses resultados sugerem que o uso dessas substâncias, tanto na forma isolada como em associação, apresenta um perfil toxicológico considerável. / The search for a globalized aesthetic standard and the increasing obesity are enhancing the use of food supplements and weight loss compounds from plant base extracts. Products containing the combination of p-synephrine, ephedrine, caffeine and salicin are widely consumed and the effectiveness and safety are not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the subchronic toxicity of p-synephrine, ephedrine, caffeine and salicin, isolated and in combination, in male Wistar rats. Doses of salicin 6 mg/kg, ephedrine 4 mg/kg, p-synephrine 10 mg/kg, caffeine 80 mg/kg and the association of salicin, ephedrine, p-synephrine and caffeine (100 mg/kg; 6:4:10:80, respectively) were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Body weight was recorded weekly and a locomotor activity test was performed on the 28th day. Blood was collected for biochemical analysis and vital organs such as liver and kidneys were used for histologic evaluation. The results showed a significant reduction (p <0.05) in body mass on days 21 and 28 in the caffeine-treated group compared to control group. Besides that, on days 14, 21 and 28 a significant increase (p <0.05) in body weight was observed in the group treated with p-synephrine compared to the ephedrine, salicin, caffeine and association-treated groups. In the test of locomotor activity, a significant increase (p <0.05) was observed in the association-treated group treated compared to the control group. No changes were found in biochemical markers associated with liver, kidney and heart conditions or in macroscopic evaluations of vital organs. However, the histological analysis of the liver in all groups shown presence of cellular vacuolization and swelling, vascular congestion and enlargement of the sinusoids, whereas the p-synephrine, ephedrine and salicin groups exhibited hydropic degeneration. In the histology of kidneys, all groups showed cellular vacuolation and increased of the Bowman's capsule space and the p-synephrine group showed the presence of inflammatory infiltrate. These results suggest that the use of these substances either in isolation or in combination showed a considerable toxicological profile.

Os suplementos alimentares e compostos emagrecedores a base de extratos vegetais têm uso muito difundido e indiscriminado, principalmente pela diversidade de produtos disponíveis e facilidade de acesso aos mesmos, aliada à falsa crença popular de que “o que é natural não faz mal”. Produtos contendo a associação de psinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína são amplamente consumidos pela população. Entretanto, a efetividade e, sobretudo, a segurança da associação dessas substâncias ainda não é conhecida, visto que estudos sobre o sinergismo farmacológico e toxicológico dessa associação ainda são praticamente inexistentes. Logo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi elucidar o perfil toxicológico agudo e subcrônico, incluindo avaliação do estresse oxidativo e de alterações fisiológicas, bem como o desenvolvimento de metodologias que permitam analisar e quantificar o teor dessas substâncias nos produtos comerciais. Para avaliação da toxicidade aguda, doses de 300, 350 e 400 mg/kg da associação de p-sinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína (10:4:6:80) foram testadas via oral em camundongos machos e fêmeas. Foi possível observar redução da atividade locomotora, ptose (em todas as doses em ambos os sexos), convulsões (350 mg/kg em fêmeas e 400 mg/kg em machos e fêmeas), além de salivação, agitação, piloereção em fêmeas, bem como mortes em machos (350 e 400 mg/kg) oriunda de hemorragia cardiopulmonar. Redução na atividade locomotora foi confirmada através do teste de atividade locomotora espontânea em machos que mostrou diminuição significativa (p<0,01) em todos os grupos tratados, sendo o mesmo resultado observado quando do teste de temperatura corporal, havendo decréscimo da mesma em todas as doses testadas. O teste de rota-rod mostrou ocorrência de neurotoxicidade em machos tratados com 400 mg/kg. A DL50 da mistura foi estimada entre 350 e 400 mg/kg. No teste de avaliação da toxicidade subcrônica, ratos machos e fêmeas foram tratados por via oral com a mesma mistura por 28 dias consecutivos nas doses de 50, 75, 100 e 150 mg/kg. Avaliações hematológicas, bioquímicas e de marcadores de estresse oxidativo foram realizadas, observando-se ocorrência de peroxidação lipídica e de dano hepático e renal em ratos machos (100 e 150 mg/kg), além de diminuição da GSH em todos os machos tratados. Nas fêmeas não houve indicação de estresse oxidativo, mas sim, ocorrência de alterações hepáticas não conclusivas. O diferente perfil de toxicidade apresentado por machos e fêmeas sugere influência hormonal sobre os efeitos fármaco-toxicológicos da mistura. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a associação de p-sinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína, nas doses testadas, apresenta considerável perfil de toxicidade, tanto agudo quanto subcrônico, indicando a necessidade de testes toxicológicos mais detalhados para total elucidação dos efeitos, incluindo avaliações relacionadas à influência da presença de estrogênio, avaliações que permitam períodos mais longos de exposição e avaliação de outros marcadores de estresse oxidativo, visto o grande número de acidentes toxicológicos relatados após utilização de suplementos alimentares e compostos emagrecedores cujas formulações frequentemente contém essa associação de substâncias. Com base no desenvolvimento da metodologia de análise, a extração em fase sólida com cartuchos de troca iônica SCX, seguida de extracção líquido-líquido com clorofórmio, subsequente reação de derivatização com anidrido trifluoroacético e posterior análise em CG/DIC (e GC/EM para confirmação) pode ser considerada uma alternativa promissora para analisar simultaneamente sinefrina, efedrina e cafeína em suplementos alimentares e compostos emagrecedores. O método por CG/DIC foi validado pela definição da faixa de linearidade para as substâncias (50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 e 2000 ug/mL para octopamina efedrina e p-sinefrina e 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 e 10000 ug/mL para cafeína), limite de detecção, limite de quantificação, precisão, exatidão, seletividade, especificidade e robustez. O método de análise desenvolvida pode ser utilizado no controle de qualidade de produtos, para identificar e quantificar estas substâncias em uma ampla variedade de matrizes. / Dietary supplements and weight loss compounds plant-based are indiscriminate and widespread use, mainly for the diversity of products available and easy acess to them, coupled with the false popular belief that “what is natural does not hurt”. Products containing p-synephrine associated to ephedrine, salicin and caffeine are largely consumed. However, the effectiveness and safety of this mixture is still unknown, since studies about pharmacological and toxicological synergism are still nonexistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicological profile, including assessment of oxidative stress physiological alterations, as well as the development of methodologies to analyze and quantify these substances in commercial products. To acute toxicological evaluation, 300, 350 and 400 mg/kg doses of association of p-synephrine, ephedrine, salicin and caffeine (10:4:6:80 w/w) were tested by oral gavage in male and female mice and was possible to observed a reduction in locomotor activity and ptose (in all treated groups for both male and female mice), seizures (350 mg/kg in female and 400 mg/kg in male and female), besides salivation, agitation and piloerection in female. Deaths occurred in male (350 and 400 mg/kg) and necropsy showed cardiopulmonary hemorrhage. The decrease in locomotor activity was confirmed throught the spontaneous locomotor activity, in which the number of crossings significantly decreased (p<0.01) in all treated groups, being the similar result obtained in body temperature evaluation, reducing in the all same doses. The rotarod test showed neurotoxicity in male treated with 400 mg/kg. The LD50 of the mixture was estimated between 350 and 400 mg/kg. In subchronic toxicity evaluation, male and female rats were treated by oral gavage with the mixture for 28 consecutive days at doses of 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg. Hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress biomarkers were performed and showed lipid peroxidation, and hepatic and renal damages in male rats (100 and 150 mg/kg) and reduction in GSH levels and all treated male groups. In females, there were no indications of oxidative stress, but were observed not conclusive hepatic enzyme changes. The different toxicity profile displayed by male and female rats suggests hormonal influence in mixture effects. All the results obtained showed that the association of p-synephrine, ephedrine, salicin and caffeine in tested doses has considerable toxicity both acute and subchronic profiles, indicating the need of more detailed investigations for elucidate all the effects, including assessments related to protector role of estrogen, and more longterm studies of exposure, besides evaluations of more oxidative biomarkers, since the large number of toxicological report cases related to these products whose formulations usually contain these substances´s combination. On the basis of analytical methodology development, the SPE with SCX stationary phases followed by liquid-liquid extraction with chloroform and subsequent derivatization with anhydride trifluoroacetic and GC/FID (and GC/MS confirmation) analysis can be considered a promising alternative to analyze simultaneously synephrine, ephedrine and caffeine in supplements and weight loss products. The GC/FID method was validated by defining the linearity (50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 μg/mL to ephedrine, octopamine and p-synephrine and 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10000 μg/mL to caffeine), limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, selectivity, specificity and robustness. The analysis method developed can be used in quality control to identify and quantificate these substances in a wide range of matrices.

A busca por um padrão estético globalizado e o aumento da obesidade fazem crescer o uso de suplementos alimentares e compostos emagrecedores à base de extratos vegetais. Produtos contendo a associação de p-sinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína são amplamente consumidos e não apresentam efetividade e segurança bem esclarecidas. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a toxicidade subcrônica de p-sinefrina, efedrina, cafeína e salicina, isoladas e em associação, em ratos Wistar machos. Doses de salicina 6 mg/kg, efedrina 4 mg/kg, p-sinefrina 10 mg/kg, cafeína 80 mg/kg e a associação de salicina, efedrina, p-sinefrina e cafeína 100 mg/kg (6:4:10:80, respectivamente) foram testadas via oral por 28 dias consecutivos. A massa corporal foi verificada semanalmente e o teste da atividade locomotora foi realizado no 28º dia. O sangue foi coletado para análise bioquímica e órgãos vitais como fígado e rins foram utilizados para avaliação histológica. Os resultados mostraram uma redução significativa (p<0,05) na massa corporal nos dias 21 e 28 do grupo tratado com cafeína comparado ao grupo controle. Nos dias 14, 21 e 28 ocorreu um aumento significativo (p<0,05) da massa corporal no grupo tratado com p-sinefrina comparado com os grupos efedrina, salicina, cafeína e associação. No teste da atividade locomotora houve um aumento significativo (p<0,05) no grupo tratado com a associação comparado ao grupo controle. Não foram encontradas alterações nos marcadores bioquímicos de fígado, rim e coração, bem como nas avaliações macroscópicas dos órgãos vitais. Entretanto, na análise histológica do fígado, verificou-se em todos os grupos a presença de vacuolização e tumefação celular, congestão vascular e alargamento dos sinusóides, e apenas os grupos p-sinefrina, efedrina e salicina apresentaram degeneração hidrópica. Na histologia dos rins todos os grupos demonstraram vacuolização celular e aumento do espaço da cápsula de Bowman e o grupo p-sinefrina mostrou a presença de infiltrado inflamatório. Esses resultados sugerem que o uso dessas substâncias, tanto na forma isolada como em associação, apresenta um perfil toxicológico considerável. / The search for a globalized aesthetic standard and the increasing obesity are enhancing the use of food supplements and weight loss compounds from plant base extracts. Products containing the combination of p-synephrine, ephedrine, caffeine and salicin are widely consumed and the effectiveness and safety are not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the subchronic toxicity of p-synephrine, ephedrine, caffeine and salicin, isolated and in combination, in male Wistar rats. Doses of salicin 6 mg/kg, ephedrine 4 mg/kg, p-synephrine 10 mg/kg, caffeine 80 mg/kg and the association of salicin, ephedrine, p-synephrine and caffeine (100 mg/kg; 6:4:10:80, respectively) were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Body weight was recorded weekly and a locomotor activity test was performed on the 28th day. Blood was collected for biochemical analysis and vital organs such as liver and kidneys were used for histologic evaluation. The results showed a significant reduction (p <0.05) in body mass on days 21 and 28 in the caffeine-treated group compared to control group. Besides that, on days 14, 21 and 28 a significant increase (p <0.05) in body weight was observed in the group treated with p-synephrine compared to the ephedrine, salicin, caffeine and association-treated groups. In the test of locomotor activity, a significant increase (p <0.05) was observed in the association-treated group treated compared to the control group. No changes were found in biochemical markers associated with liver, kidney and heart conditions or in macroscopic evaluations of vital organs. However, the histological analysis of the liver in all groups shown presence of cellular vacuolization and swelling, vascular congestion and enlargement of the sinusoids, whereas the p-synephrine, ephedrine and salicin groups exhibited hydropic degeneration. In the histology of kidneys, all groups showed cellular vacuolation and increased of the Bowman's capsule space and the p-synephrine group showed the presence of inflammatory infiltrate. These results suggest that the use of these substances either in isolation or in combination showed a considerable toxicological profile.

Os suplementos alimentares e compostos emagrecedores a base de extratos vegetais têm uso muito difundido e indiscriminado, principalmente pela diversidade de produtos disponíveis e facilidade de acesso aos mesmos, aliada à falsa crença popular de que “o que é natural não faz mal”. Produtos contendo a associação de psinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína são amplamente consumidos pela população. Entretanto, a efetividade e, sobretudo, a segurança da associação dessas substâncias ainda não é conhecida, visto que estudos sobre o sinergismo farmacológico e toxicológico dessa associação ainda são praticamente inexistentes. Logo, o objetivo deste trabalho foi elucidar o perfil toxicológico agudo e subcrônico, incluindo avaliação do estresse oxidativo e de alterações fisiológicas, bem como o desenvolvimento de metodologias que permitam analisar e quantificar o teor dessas substâncias nos produtos comerciais. Para avaliação da toxicidade aguda, doses de 300, 350 e 400 mg/kg da associação de p-sinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína (10:4:6:80) foram testadas via oral em camundongos machos e fêmeas. Foi possível observar redução da atividade locomotora, ptose (em todas as doses em ambos os sexos), convulsões (350 mg/kg em fêmeas e 400 mg/kg em machos e fêmeas), além de salivação, agitação, piloereção em fêmeas, bem como mortes em machos (350 e 400 mg/kg) oriunda de hemorragia cardiopulmonar. Redução na atividade locomotora foi confirmada através do teste de atividade locomotora espontânea em machos que mostrou diminuição significativa (p<0,01) em todos os grupos tratados, sendo o mesmo resultado observado quando do teste de temperatura corporal, havendo decréscimo da mesma em todas as doses testadas. O teste de rota-rod mostrou ocorrência de neurotoxicidade em machos tratados com 400 mg/kg. A DL50 da mistura foi estimada entre 350 e 400 mg/kg. No teste de avaliação da toxicidade subcrônica, ratos machos e fêmeas foram tratados por via oral com a mesma mistura por 28 dias consecutivos nas doses de 50, 75, 100 e 150 mg/kg. Avaliações hematológicas, bioquímicas e de marcadores de estresse oxidativo foram realizadas, observando-se ocorrência de peroxidação lipídica e de dano hepático e renal em ratos machos (100 e 150 mg/kg), além de diminuição da GSH em todos os machos tratados. Nas fêmeas não houve indicação de estresse oxidativo, mas sim, ocorrência de alterações hepáticas não conclusivas. O diferente perfil de toxicidade apresentado por machos e fêmeas sugere influência hormonal sobre os efeitos fármaco-toxicológicos da mistura. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a associação de p-sinefrina, efedrina, salicina e cafeína, nas doses testadas, apresenta considerável perfil de toxicidade, tanto agudo quanto subcrônico, indicando a necessidade de testes toxicológicos mais detalhados para total elucidação dos efeitos, incluindo avaliações relacionadas à influência da presença de estrogênio, avaliações que permitam períodos mais longos de exposição e avaliação de outros marcadores de estresse oxidativo, visto o grande número de acidentes toxicológicos relatados após utilização de suplementos alimentares e compostos emagrecedores cujas formulações frequentemente contém essa associação de substâncias. Com base no desenvolvimento da metodologia de análise, a extração em fase sólida com cartuchos de troca iônica SCX, seguida de extracção líquido-líquido com clorofórmio, subsequente reação de derivatização com anidrido trifluoroacético e posterior análise em CG/DIC (e GC/EM para confirmação) pode ser considerada uma alternativa promissora para analisar simultaneamente sinefrina, efedrina e cafeína em suplementos alimentares e compostos emagrecedores. O método por CG/DIC foi validado pela definição da faixa de linearidade para as substâncias (50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 e 2000 ug/mL para octopamina efedrina e p-sinefrina e 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 e 10000 ug/mL para cafeína), limite de detecção, limite de quantificação, precisão, exatidão, seletividade, especificidade e robustez. O método de análise desenvolvida pode ser utilizado no controle de qualidade de produtos, para identificar e quantificar estas substâncias em uma ampla variedade de matrizes. / Dietary supplements and weight loss compounds plant-based are indiscriminate and widespread use, mainly for the diversity of products available and easy acess to them, coupled with the false popular belief that “what is natural does not hurt”. Products containing p-synephrine associated to ephedrine, salicin and caffeine are largely consumed. However, the effectiveness and safety of this mixture is still unknown, since studies about pharmacological and toxicological synergism are still nonexistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was evaluate the acute and subchronic toxicological profile, including assessment of oxidative stress physiological alterations, as well as the development of methodologies to analyze and quantify these substances in commercial products. To acute toxicological evaluation, 300, 350 and 400 mg/kg doses of association of p-synephrine, ephedrine, salicin and caffeine (10:4:6:80 w/w) were tested by oral gavage in male and female mice and was possible to observed a reduction in locomotor activity and ptose (in all treated groups for both male and female mice), seizures (350 mg/kg in female and 400 mg/kg in male and female), besides salivation, agitation and piloerection in female. Deaths occurred in male (350 and 400 mg/kg) and necropsy showed cardiopulmonary hemorrhage. The decrease in locomotor activity was confirmed throught the spontaneous locomotor activity, in which the number of crossings significantly decreased (p<0.01) in all treated groups, being the similar result obtained in body temperature evaluation, reducing in the all same doses. The rotarod test showed neurotoxicity in male treated with 400 mg/kg. The LD50 of the mixture was estimated between 350 and 400 mg/kg. In subchronic toxicity evaluation, male and female rats were treated by oral gavage with the mixture for 28 consecutive days at doses of 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg. Hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress biomarkers were performed and showed lipid peroxidation, and hepatic and renal damages in male rats (100 and 150 mg/kg) and reduction in GSH levels and all treated male groups. In females, there were no indications of oxidative stress, but were observed not conclusive hepatic enzyme changes. The different toxicity profile displayed by male and female rats suggests hormonal influence in mixture effects. All the results obtained showed that the association of p-synephrine, ephedrine, salicin and caffeine in tested doses has considerable toxicity both acute and subchronic profiles, indicating the need of more detailed investigations for elucidate all the effects, including assessments related to protector role of estrogen, and more longterm studies of exposure, besides evaluations of more oxidative biomarkers, since the large number of toxicological report cases related to these products whose formulations usually contain these substances´s combination. On the basis of analytical methodology development, the SPE with SCX stationary phases followed by liquid-liquid extraction with chloroform and subsequent derivatization with anhydride trifluoroacetic and GC/FID (and GC/MS confirmation) analysis can be considered a promising alternative to analyze simultaneously synephrine, ephedrine and caffeine in supplements and weight loss products. The GC/FID method was validated by defining the linearity (50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 μg/mL to ephedrine, octopamine and p-synephrine and 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 and 10000 μg/mL to caffeine), limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, selectivity, specificity and robustness. The analysis method developed can be used in quality control to identify and quantificate these substances in a wide range of matrices.