Floating and sustained-release characteristics of effervescent tablets prepared with a mixed matrix of Eudragit L-100-55 and Eudragit E PO

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Na-bicarbonate as an effervescent agent on the floating and sustained-release characteristics in 0.1 M HCl of tablets made of Eudragit E PO (EE) and/or Eudragit L-100-55 (EL) as matrix formers at different EE:EL weight ratios: 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0. The tablets were made by direct compression utilizing metronidazole as a model drug. Effervescent tablets with 50EE/50EL (w/w) showed the best floating and sustained drug release properties in the dissolution medium. The corresponding noneffervescent tablets were nonfloating and showed significantly faster drug release. Effervescent tablets with single polymers showed an immediate drug release pattern. These results were explained by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis, which showed strong evidence of interpolyelectrolyte complexation between EE and EL when they were exposed to 0.1 M HCl as an effervescent hybrid matrix, but not as a noneffervescent hybrid matrix. The role of Na-bicarbonate in allowing EE-EL complexation during dissolution was explained as due to raising the pH around EL particles for sufficient polymer ionization and ionic-interaction with the ionized EE.     

Recent Updates on the Functional Impact of Kahweol and Cafestol on Cancer

Kahweol and cafestol are two diterpenes extracted from Coffea arabica beans that have distinct biological activities. Recent research describes their potential activities, which include anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer properties, among others. The two diterpenes have been shown to have anticancer effects in various in vitro and in vivo cancer models. This review aims to shed light on the recent developments regarding the potential effects of kahweol and cafestol on various cancers. A systematic literature search through Google Scholar and PubMed was performed between February and May 2022 to collect updates about the potential effects of cafestol and kahweol on different cancers in in vitro and in vivo models. The search terms “Kahweol and Cancer” and “Cafestol and Cancer” were used in this literature review as keywords; the findings demonstrated that kahweol and cafestol exhibit diverse effects on different cancers in in vitro and in vivo models, showing pro-apoptotic, cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, and anti-migratory properties. In conclusion, the diterpenes kahweol and cafestol display significant anticancer effects, while remarkably unaffecting normal cells. Our results show that both kahweol and cafestol exert their actions on various cancers via inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cell growth. Additionally, kahweol acts by inhibiting cell migration.     

Synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of new pyrimidinone-5-carbonitriles as potential anticancer and antimicrobial agents

Research on Chemical Intermediates - New series of pyrimidinone-5-carbonitriles 3a–i, 4a–e, 5a–c, 6 and 7 have been synthesized and explored for their activities as anticancer,...     

Novel pyrimidinone derivatives: synthesis, antitumor and antimicrobial evaluation

Starting from 6-aryl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (4a-d), a series of mono- and dialkyl derivatives 5a-j and 6a, b was synthesized. Hydrazinolysis of 4a, b, d and 5d afforded the hydrazino derivatives 7a-c which were cyclised to give the triazolopyrimidinones 8a-c and the pyrimidotriazinones 9a-c through the reaction with formic acid and chloroacetyl chloride, respectively. Most of the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in-vitro antitumor activity. Compounds 6a and b displayed promising anticancer activity against leukaemia, non-small cell lung, melanoma, and renal cancer. On the other hand, all compounds prepared were screened for their in-vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities. Compounds 5h and j showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus, while compounds 5e, 7c and 8c displayed moderate inhibitory activity against Candida albicans.