AIMTo prepare salcatonin dry powder inhalations (sCT-DPIs) A (mixture of mannitol and L-leucine) and B (mixture of manntiol and lactose) by spray-drying and then to study their main pharmaceutical properties.

METHODSDumping rate of sCT-DPIs capsules and deposited fraction of sCT at effective part were determined according to Chinese Pharmacopiea 2000. Particle morphology under different relative humidity (RH) was observed by scanning electronics microphotograph, particle size and its distribution were determined by Malvern Mastersizer and the transition of morphorous state for carriers before and after spray-drying was investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD).

RESULTSDumping rates of sCT-DPIs A and B capsules were both above 10% and deposited fraction of sCT at effective part was above 90% for both A and B, which were all in agreement with the standard of Chinese Pharmacopiea 2000. Powder particle of sCT-DPIs A was round and existed one by one after keeping one month under RH 0, 23% and 52%, but aggregation can be observed under RH 75%; many particles which were also round agglomerated in sCT-DPIs B even under zero RH; mean particle size of sCT-DPIs A was 1.67 microns, which was much smaller than that of sCT-DPIs B; In sCT-DPIs A particle with empty core which was lighter than the same size particle with concreted core was observed. It was shown by DTA that melted heat of L-leucine in sCT-DPIs composed of mannitol and L-leucine lowered much more than that of L-leucine exisited alone after spray-drying. It was confirmed by XRPD that diffraction intensity of carriers in sCT-DPIs decreased more than that of carriers before spray-drying.

CONCLUSIONRound particle can be made when mannitol was added to carriers and ultra low density carriers can be formed when L-leucine was added. It was suggested by SEM that DPIs should be kept under certain RH. Particle size and distribution of sCT-DPIs all accorded with demand of DPIs. Complex spray-drying carriers formed amorphous state easier than single carrier.

Administration, Inhalation ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Calcitonin ; administration & dosage ; Differential Thermal Analysis ; Leucine ; Mannitol ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Particle Size ; Powders ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

AIMTo prepare acyclovir liposome for improvement the entrapment efficiency and stability.

METHODSAcyclovir liposome was prepared by the reverse evaporating method. Surfactants such as sodium deoxycholate and oleic acid were added to optimize the conditions and technology of preparing acyclovir liposome. The entrapment efficiency and particle size of the acyclovir liposome were determined. The liposome stability was proved by centrifugal acceleration experiment.

RESULTSThe particle size of the acyclovir liposome was 219.8 nm with the polydispersity index of 0.158. The entrapment efficiency reached 65%. The liposome was stable.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that the conditions and technology are stable and practical to prepare the liposome with high entrapment efficient and stability.

Acyclovir ; administration & dosage ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Stability ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate preliminarily the efficacy on functional constipation treated with electroacupuncture of different acupoint prescriptions.

METHODSOne hundred and four patients were randomized into a front-mu and back-shu points group (19 cases), a he-sea points group (34 cases), a he-sea, front-mu and back-shu points group (26 cases) and a western medication control group (25 cases). In the front-mu and back-shu points group, electroacupuncture was applied at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25) and Dachangshu (BL 25). In the he-sea points group, electroacupuncture was applied at bilateral Quchi (LI 11) and Shangjuxu (ST 37). In the he-sea, front-mu and back-shu points group, electroacupuncture was applied at unilateral Tianshu (ST 25), Dachangshu (BL 25), Quchi (LI 11) and Shangjuxu (ST 37). In the three groups above, the treatment was given 5 times a week in the first two weeks and 3 times a week in the next two weeks. In the western medication control group, mosapride citrate tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 1 table (5 mg) each time, 3 times a day, continuously for 4 weeks. The period of research was 9 weeks, including 1 week for baseline evaluation, 4 weeks for treatment and 4 weeks for follow-up. The weekly defecation frequency was taken as primary index, while the defecation difficulty and life quality score were taken as the secondary indices for the efficacy evaluation after treatment and in follow-up.

RESULTSAccording to the intention-to-treat (ITT) analytic principle, 104 cases were all enrolled in the final analysis. (1) After treatment, the weekly frequency of defecation was all increased significantly in the four groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The efficacy of the three electroacupuncture groups was similar to that of western medication control group (P > 0.05). In follow-up, the increasing effect on the weekly frequency of defecation was maintained in the he-sea points group (P < 0.01), superior to the front-mu and back-shu points group and the western medication control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the weekly frequency of defecation was not improved in the rest three groups (P > 0.05). (2) After treatment, defecation difficulty was relieved in the he-sea points group, the he-sea, front-mu and back-shu points group and the western medication control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In follow-up, the improvements were still significant in the he-sea points group and the he-sea, front-mu and back-shu points group (both P < 0.01). (3) After treatment, the life quality score was significantly improved in the patients of the he-sea points group (P < 0.05). The difference was not significant in the rest three groups as compared with that before treatment (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe weekly frequency of defecation is increased effectively after treatment in the three electroacupuncture groups and the efficacy is similar to mosapride citrate tablets. The bilateral Quchi (LI 11) and Shangjuxu (ST 37) in he-sea acupoints increase significantly the weekly frequency of defecation, relieve defecation difficulty and improve life quality. Acupuncture efficacy is sustained for 4 weeks. This acupoints prescription is the best in the treatment of functional constipation.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

AIMTo prepare the combined system of diltiazem hydrochloride delayed-onset sustained-release pellets in order to make time-specific drug delivery system. The drug can release from the system sustained after a predetermined lag time, and the release behavior can continue till 24 hour after administrating the formulation. According to the concept of chronotherapy, the combined system is useful to improve the pharmacotherapy of cardiovascular diseases.

METHODSThe velocity-time curve of the drug release from the multiple-unit system containing pellets was consistent with the fluctuation curve following time of blood pressure and heart ratio. So the velocity-time curve was selected to describe the release behavior of the combined system. The velocity-time equation describing the release behavior of two kinds of pellets was deduced by non-linear least square model fit. And zero-order kinetics equation was adopted to fit the release behavior of different combinations which were composed of different proportion of two kinds of pellets. The velocity-time equation describing the release behavior of the combinations was deduced by non-linear least square model fit, too. The difference of combinations in velocity-time curves between theoretical value and test value was compared.

RESULTSThe results showed that the test values were closely approximate to the theoretical values. Therefore, the multiple unit drug delivery system can be described by adding the velocity-time equations of different pellets to calculate the theoretical equations.

CONCLUSIONA multiple-unit combined system containing different coated pellets, as a novel delayed-onset sustained-release system, was prepared. Then a time-specific drug delivery system has been made. The programmed drug delivery system could be predicted by adding the velocity-time equation of each kind of pellets to calculate the theoretical equations. characterized by mathematics equation. The release behavior of pellets system could be characterized by mathematics equation.

Capsules ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Diltiazem ; administration & dosage ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Mathematics ; Models, Chemical ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

AIMTo prepare dilitazem hydrochloride delayed-onset, sustained release tablet, which can not only provide the delay in release start, but also the constant release rate after a lag time. To analyze release mechanism and investigate the effect of outershell compositions on release behavior.

METHODSThe delayed-onset, sustained release tablets were prepared by dry-compression coated technology. The release profiles of uncoated cores and presscoated tablets were compared. Two parameters, time-lag (Tlag) and release rate (k), were used to evaluate the influence of factors, such as the amount of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and poly-vinyl-pyrrolidinone (PVP) K30, the viscosity of ethylcellulose (EC) and HPMC, and the compression load on diltazam hydrochloride (DIL) release. Higuchi equation and Peppa's equation were used to analyze release mechanism.

RESULTSWith the increase of HPMC amount or HPMC viscosity, Tlag was prolonged and k was decreased; With the increase of PVP K30 amount, Tlag was shortened and k was increased; EC viscosity and compression load above certain degree showed no effect on DIL release.

CONCLUSIONThe drug release from delayed-release tablet is controlled by erosion mechanism, Tlag is determined by the erosion rate of outer-shell.

Cellulose ; chemistry ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Diltiazem ; administration & dosage ; Lactose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Methylcellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Oxazines ; Polyvinyls ; chemistry ; Pyrrolidinones ; chemistry ; Tablets ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; Viscosity

Objective:To explore the distribution characteristics of respiratory pathogens in patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Lianyungang.Methods:A total of 612 patients admitted to the second people′s Hospital of Lianyungang City because of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in 2019 were selected as subjects. Sputum or pharyngeal swabs were collected to extract nucleic acids, and 13-fold nucleic acids of respiratory pathogens were detected by PCR capillary electrophoresis fragment analysis. SPSS statistical software and GraphPad5.0 statistical mapping software were used for statistical analysis.Results:The physical examination rate of respiratory pathogens in the adult group was 82.0% in winter, 48.4% in spring, 28.0% in autumn, 20.0% in summer, χ 2=38.473, P=0.000. The positive rate of nucleic acid detection was significantly different in different seasons, among which the physical examination rate of respiratory pathogens in winter was the highest. The physical examination rate of respiratory pathogens in the juvenile group was 86.0% in spring, 76.2% in winter, 71.3% in summer and 66.7% in autumn, χ 2=7.946, P=0.047 . The positive rate of nucleic acid detection was calculated according to gender grouping. The comparison of nucleic acid positive rate between adult group and juvenile group in different seasons: 86.0% vs 48.4% in spring, χ 2=19.436, P=0.000; 71.3% vs 20.0% in summer, χ 2=22.180, P=0.000; 66.7% vs 28.0% in autumn, χ 2=13.485, P=0.000; 76.2% vs 82.0% in winter, χ 2=0.758, P=0.384. Except in winter, the detection rate of nucleic acid of pathogens in the juvenile group was significantly higher than that in the adult group. Conclusions:The nucleic acid detection rate and etiological distribution characteristics of respiratory pathogens are different in patients with community-acquired pneumonia in different seasons and different age groups. 13 kinds of multiple detection methods of respiratory pathogens can provide favorable laboratory data support for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical CAP patients.

To develop different methods for determining siRNA content and the entrapment efficiency of siRNA loaded liposomes, SYBR Gold electrophoresis method and Ribogreen fluorospectrophotometry method were used respectively. SYBR Gold electrophoresis method has a good linear relation in a range at 0.2-2.0 micromol x L(-1) (R = 0.9930), and the recovery at the high, middle and low concentrations were 96.35%, 96.92%, and 100.74%, respectively (n = 3). The intra-day and inter-day RSD were far below 5% (n = 5). Ribogreen fluorospectrophotometry method has a good linear relation in a range at 10-50 nmol x L(-1) (R = 0.9971), and the recovery at the high, middle and low concentrations were 98.22%, 99.88% and 99.64%, respectively (n = 3). The intra-day and inter-day RSD were far below 5% (n = 5). The content and the entrapment efficiency of three batches of siRNA cationic liposomes were 98.52%, 97.85% and 99.20%, 96.45%, respectively, with these two methods. And there is no significant difference by ANOVA. Both of the two methods are accurate, sensitive, convenient method for determination of the siRNA content and the entrapment efficiency of siRNA loaded cationic liposomes.
Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electrophoresis ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; RNA, Small Interfering ; analysis ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence

The aim of the study is to prepare flurbiprofen axetil nanoemulsion-in situ gel system (FBA/NE-ISG) and observe its ocular pharmacokinetics, rheological behavior, TEM images, irritation and cornea retention. Production of nanoemulsion was based on high-speed shear and homogenization process, and then mixed with gellan gum to prepare FBA/NE-ISG. Rheological study showed that FBA/NE-ISG possesses strong gelation capacity and its viscosity and elastic modulus increases by 2 Pa*s and 5 Pa respectively when mixed with artificial tear at the ratio of 40 : 7. TEM images suggested no significant changes in particle morphology of the pre and post gelation. Good ocular compatibility of FBA/NE-ISG was testified by the irritation test based on histological examination. In vivo fluorescence imaging system was applied to investigate the characteristics of cornea retention, and the results indicated that the nanoemulsion-in situ gel (NE-ISG) prolonged the cornea retention time significantly since K(NE-ISG) (0.008 5 min(-1) was much lower compared with flurbiprofen sodium eye drops (FB-Na, 0.03% w/v) of which the K(Eye drops) was 0.105 2 min(-1), indicated that the cornea retention time of NE-ISG was prolonged significantly. Pharmacokinetics of FBA/NE-ISG in rabbit aqueous humor was studied by cornea puncture, the MRT (12.3 h) and AUC(0-12h) (126.8 microg x min x mL(-1)) of FBA/NE-ISG was 2.7 and 2.9 times higher than that of the flurbiprofen sodium eye drops respectively, which meant that the ocular bioavailability was improved greatly by the novel preparation. Therefore, FBA/NE-ISG can enhance the ocular bioavailability by prolonging drug corneal retention significantly. What's more, encapsulated by emulsion droplets prodrug flurbiprofen (FBA) instead of flurbiprofen (FB) can reduce the ocular irritation.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; pharmacokinetics ; Aqueous Humor ; metabolism ; Biological Availability ; Cornea ; cytology ; drug effects ; Emulsions ; Female ; Flurbiprofen ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Gels ; Male ; Nanoparticles ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Rabbits ; Rheology ; Viscosity

AIMTo prepare insulin powder for inhalation by spray-drying technology, determine the deposition of the insulin powder formulation in vitro and preliminarily investigate hypoglycemic response of the dry powder with/without absorption promoters.

METHODSThe depositions of the insulin powder for inhalation were determined by the China Pharmacopoeia 2000 version addenda XH and hypoglycemic effects were evaluated by testing serum glucose with glucose oxidase-peroxidase (GOD-PAP) method.

RESULTSThe depositions of the spray-dried insulin powder for inhalation were more than 40% under various humidity and their changes were not significant when air flow was no less than 18 L x min(-1). The coadministration of insulin with 8 mmol x L(-1)/dose sodium taurocholate [PA = 59.91%, Cnadir = (33 +/- 6) %] and 10 mmol x L(-1)/dose sodium deoxycholate [PA = 47.46% , Cnadir = (32 +/- 7)%] induced a significantly greater decline in blood glucose levels, while coadministration with 1% sodium caprylate, 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 250 microg/dose lecithin, 10 mmol x L(-1)/dose EDTA appeared to have no significant effect (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONInsulin powder for inhalation was relatively stable under various humidity conditions and different flow current. The use of 8 mmol x L(-1)/dose sodium taurocholate and 10 mmol x L(-1)/dose sodium deoxycholate could be able to potentially improve the bioavailability of insulin by pulmonary route.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Biological Availability ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Deoxycholic Acid ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Female ; Humidity ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Inhalation ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Powders ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Taurocholic Acid ; pharmacology

The aim was to prepare a novel ocular cationic microemulsion-in situ gel (CM-ISG) system with vitamin A palmitate (VAP) as model drug, and investigate the corneal retention behavior and corneal irritation of the system. VAP/CM was prepared by a process based on supply of energy, and the before-and-after gelation rheology of VAP/CM-ISG was investigated. In vitro VAP release and gel dissolution of both VAP/CM-ISG and Oculotect Gel was determined. And in vitro corneal retention behavior of both formulations was evaluated by captive bubble technique. Ocular irritation test was carried out based on the Draize method. Images of TEM showed that homogenous VAP/CM was made, and no significant differences of particle size were found between the VAP/CM and VAP/CM in Poloxamer 407 gel. Rheology study illustrated that VAP/CM reduced the phase transition temperature of Poloxamer 407 gel by 1.5 degrees C, and the elastic modulus increased about 15.7 times. The in vitro release and gel dissolution profile of both formulations exhibited the characteristics of zero order kinetics. Comparing with Oculotect Gel, desorption kinetics study of VAP/CM-ISG exhibited longer corneal retention time and smaller contact angle. Irritation test showed a good ocular compatibility of VAP/CM-ISG. Therefore, VAP/CM-ISG combined both advantages of the cationic microemulsion and in situ gel system, provided better wettability and longer ocular retention time. It might be a promising ocular drug delivery system.
Animals ; Cornea ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Emulsions ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Poloxamer ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Viscosity ; Vitamin A ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity