Capsule Preparation Research Articles

Cataract Progression Associated with Modifications in Calcium Signaling in Human Lens Epithelia as Studied by Mechanical Stimulation.

Ca2+ homeostasis and signaling disturbances are associated with lens pathophysiology and are involved in cataract formation. Here, we explored the spatiotemporal changes in Ca2+ signaling in lens epithelial cells (LECs) upon local mechanical stimulation, to better understand the LECs’ intercellular communication and its association with cataractogenesis. We were interested in if the progression of the cataract affects the Ca2+ signaling and if modifications of the Ca2+ homeostasis in LECs are associated with different cataract types. Experiments were done on the human postoperative anterior lens capsule (LC) preparations consisting of the monolayer of LECs on the basement membrane. Our findings revealed that the Ca2+ signal spreads radially from the stimulation point and that the amplitude of Ca2+ transients decreases with increasing distance. It is noteworthy that a comparison of signaling characteristics with respect to the degree of cataract progression revealed that, in LCs from more developed cataracts, the Ca2+ wave propagates faster and the amplitudes of Ca2+ signals are lower, while their durations are longer. No differences were identified when comparing LCs with regard to the cataract type. Moreover, experiments with Apyrase have revealed that the Ca2+ signals are not affected by ATP-dependent paracrine communication. Our results indicated that cataract progression is associated with modifications in Ca2+ signaling in LECs, suggesting the functional importance of altered Ca2+ signaling of LECs in cataractogenesis.

GAMBARAN PERESEPAN ANTIBIOTIK GOLONGAN FLUOROKUINOLON PADA PASIEN RAWAT JALAN DI RUMAH SAKIT IBNU SINA GRESIK OVERVIEW OF THE FLUOROKUINOLONE CLASS ANTIBIOTIK PREPARATION ON THE PATIENTS AT RUMAH SAKIT IBNU SINA GRESIK

One of the indicators used in assessing the success of drug use is prescription. Fluoroquinolone antibiotiks are one of the most frequently prescribed drugs. if the use is too high it will cause antibiotik resistance. The purpose of this study was to determine the overview of fluoroquinolone antibiotik prescription in outpatients at Rumah Sakit Ibnu Sina Gresik with a descriptive observational study design that carried out retrospective secondary data collection. This study used a population of all outpatient prescriptions who received fluoroquinolone class antibiotik therapy on February 1, 2020 - February 29, 2020 at the Outpatient Pharmacy Installation of Rumah Sakit Ibnu Sina Gresik with a sample size of 311 sheets of prescriptions taken by total sampling technique. It can produce the highest prescription profile from each of the analysis variables, namely 1 antibiotik item of 88.75%, lung clinic 21.87%, capsule preparation 58.80%, over 55 years of age 47.91%, generik fluoroquinolones 81.67% BPJS patients were 67.52% and fluoroquinolone second generation 69.77%. These results can be seen from the overview of outpatient prescriptions at Rumah Sakit Ibnu Sina Gresik on February 1 - February 29, 2020.
 
 Keywords: Prescribing, Antibiotik, Fluoroquinolone

Assessing a Mass-Based Method for the Preparation of Low-Dosed Paediatric Capsules with Baclofen and Spironolactone.

Despite the steadily improving medical care situation in pediatrics, some drugs are still not available in a suitable dose or dosage form and thus need to be prepared extemporaneously. Capsules can be easily compounded at the hospital and public pharmacies, offering an alternative to liquid formulations. This study aims at testing a mass-based approach for the extemporaneous preparation of low-dose pediatric capsules and investigating systematically the API loss during this procedure. A total of 54 capsule batches were prepared with baclofen and spironolactone as pediatric-relevant drugs. The hard capsules were prepared using three different bulking agents consisting of either mannitol, lactose-monohydrate and microcrystalline cellulose mixed with 0.5% colloidal silica. Capsules were tested according to Ph. Eur. method “2.9.40 Content Uniformity” as well as for occurring powder loss and mass uniformity. The results reveal that the mass-based approach, in general, allows the preparation of low-dose pediatric capsules of appropriate quality. However, absolute quality is highly dependent on the homogeneity of the powder mixture and the use of defined parameters for capsule preparation.

A Comparative Clinical Study of a Novel Pre-colonoscopy Bowel Capsule Preparation Against Two Commercially Available Liquid Preparations.

Background and Aims: Colonoscopy surveillance depends on effective bowel preparation. Inadequate bowel preparation can lead to inaccurate clinical diagnosis, insufficient visualization of the colon and increased risk of missed diagnosis. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of a novel Capsule Bowel Preparation (RitePrep), high-volume (2L) polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (MoviPrep®) and low-volume (1L) polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (Plenvu™).Methods: Patients (n = 120) were divided into three groups and were administered either RitePrep, MoviPrep® or Plenvu™ as a pre-colonoscopy bowel preparation followed by a colonoscopy at a single center. Validated Boston Bowel Preparation Score (BBPS) and bubble score were used to evaluate bowel cleanliness. Blood tests were also evaluated. The scores and the blood results were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-squared tests.Results: A total of 120 patients (median age of 55; 57 males) [RitePrep (n = 40), MoviPrep® (n = 40) and Plenvu™ (n = 40)] were included in the study. RitePrep was the most effective method for cleansing the bowel, with a significantly higher median BBPS compared to MoviPrep® and Plenvu™ (p = 0.006 and 0.024, respectively). Nearly 50% of the patients in Plenvu™ group showed increased serum osmolality disturbance. Nausea and vomiting were higher in Plenvu™ and MoviPrep® groups than RitePrep group.Conclusions: RitePrep was demonstrated to be a more effective and safe preparation than the other two preparations. RitePrep was not only well-tolerated by all patients; the preparation sufficiently cleared the ascending, transverse, and descending colon, enabling optimal visualization for the clinician. RitePrep was also much safer than the comparators, with no alteration in electrolytes measured. For both the clinician and the patient, RitePrep was the preferred preparation.

Oral Fecal Microbiota Transplant Capsules Are Safe and Effective for Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to examine the efficacy and safety of oral fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) capsules for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). FMT through colonoscopy is established as effective and safe in treating multiple recurrences of CDI, but consensus has not been established on delivery through oral capsules. A systematic literature search was performed with multiple databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE to identify original studies including at least 10 patients that investigated the role of oral FMT capsules to treat rCDI. Cure rates were pooled by a random effects model and publication bias was assessed with the Egger test. Secondary analyses assessed for differences between capsule preparation (frozen vs. lyophilized stool) and delivery modality (capsule vs. colonoscopy). Fifteen studies (12 case series and 3 randomized controlled trials) encompassing 763 patients were identified for inclusion. Significant variability existed in baseline patient characteristics and protocols. Meta-analysis of proportions showed efficacy of oral FMT capsules to be 0.821 (95% confidence interval: 0.762-0.874). No evidence for publication bias was found (P=0.51). Secondary analyses did not find significant differences in efficacy. Fourteen adverse events leading to death or hospitalization were noted, none of which were attributed to FMT. Oral FMT capsules for rCDI are promising because of ease of administration and noninvasive delivery. We found an overall efficacy of 82.1% with a low rate of serious adverse events. Further studies are needed to optimize protocols and outcomes.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: encapsulated faecal microbiota transplantation - evidence for clinical efficacy.

Background:Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) and is being applied experimentally in other diseases. Encapsulated administration may be equivalent in efficacy to delivery through other routes.Methods:A systematic review was undertaken of studies using encapsulated FMT up to 26 October 2020. Data on indication, clinical outcomes, safety, treatment protocol and capsule preparation were collected and reported. Pooled rates of clinical efficacy in rCDI were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. The impact of single variables on clinical efficacy was evaluated using univariate meta-regression.Results:A total of 35 studies reporting the treatment of 960 patients with encapsulated FMT for eight different indications met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (n = 18, 51%) and patients (n = 755, 79%) were from studies on rCDI. Cure rates after single and multiple courses of treatments with encapsulated FMT in rCDI were 85% (95% CI: 82%-88%) and 93% (95% CI: 88%-96%) respectively. The treatment outcome was not significantly affected by dose, number of delivered capsules, anaerobic/aerobic processing, single/multi-donor treatment, lyophilisation, or any other single factor in the production or delivery of encapsulated FMT. Promising but non-comparable results from the treatment of ulcerative colitis and multidrug-resistant organisms were reported.Conclusions:Encapsulated FMT is an effective and safe treatment of rCDI, with cure rates comparable to FMT delivered through other routes. The treatment is effective despite variations in donor screening, preparation and treatment protocol. For other indications, the role of FMT capsules is still not sufficiently examined, although some studies show promising results.Plain Language Summary Transfer of faecal material through capsules in the treatment of various diseases. Evidence for clinical efficacy The bacteria and other microorganisms of the gut is different in patient with various diseases in comparison with healthy subjects.Therefore, ways to change the microorganisms of the gut in a beneficial direction has been the subject of various research projects within recent years.Faecal microbiota transplantation often referred as FMT is a method of transferring microorganisms from healthy donors to patients with various diseases and is seen as one way to change the microbial community of the gut in a beneficial direction.Faecal microbiota transplantation can be performed in different ways such as through endoscopy, enemas or capsules. The transfer through capsules is preferred by the patients and has advantages since it can be administered long-term and can be delivered to the patients in their home. In this paper, we evaluated all accessible research reporting treatment with encapsulated faecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of various diseases. We report the following major findings:-Treatment with capsules is safe when guidelines for screening donors and testing faecal material is followed.-The treatment is highly effective in the treatment of recurrent C. difficile infection, a disease with high mortality often caused by repeated antibiotic treatments. The treatment was effective in 596 of 723 patients following one course of capsule treatment.-Faecal microbiota transplantation delivered through capsules is as effective as treatment delivered through other routes in the treatment of C. difficile infection.-The treatment is effective in the treatment of C. difficile infection across studies and countries, despite great differences in the ways the capsules were prepared and delivered.-Increasing the amount of faecal material used in the production did not affect the efficacy of the treatment.-There are promising results in the treatment of other diseases such as liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease and the treatment of multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Structural characteristics of oral health services in Brazilian Primary Health Care.

This study aimed to describe the structure of oral health services in primary health care in Brazil with centers participating in the second cycle of the 'National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care' (PMAQ-AB), the largest health service evaluation program ever instituted in the country. This cross-sectional study evaluated 16,202 oral health services, regarding 22 pieces of dental equipment and 25 dental supplies. The presence of each piece of equipment/dental supply generated a score for services. The sum of these scores was compared among different regions in Brazil. Quantitative data were described by quartiles and categorical data by frequencies, using the SPSS, version 25. Most of the evaluated centers presented adequate equipment in good using conditions and sufficient dental supplies for primary oral health care. Data also showed a lack of some equipment, such as X-rays, bicarbonate jet, and ultrasound devices, while for dental supplies, a lack of amalgam (capsule and manual preparation), anesthesia without vasoconstrictors, and intracanal medication was found. The services presented a median of 14 pieces of equipment and 22 dental supplies. Of the Brazilian regions, the South presented the highest median, while the North and Northeast regions presented the lowest one. The oral health services presented dental offices with good availability of equipment and dental supplies to perform clinical activities. However, differences in the structure of services among the Brazilian regions was still observed.

Celery (Apium graviolens L.) Herba Extract Capsule Formulation as Anti-Ulcer

The use of medicinal plants for medicine has been prevalent since ancient times and various plants are used for public health. One of the plants that is often used in herbal medicine is celery, either directly in the form of vegetables or as an extract from the Apium graveolens L plant. Celery extract has previously been given to white mice, and can significantly protect the gastric mucosa and suppress gastric acid secretion. Traditional medicine derived from plant extracts is generally more desirable in tablet or capsule dosage forms. The objective of this study is to determine the best filler in the celery herb extract capsule formulation. This study used a pure experimental method using celery herb extracts which were formulated in capsule dosage forms. The powder fillers used in this formulation are Avicel 101, Avicel 102, and Amylum maydis. The extract capsules were then evaluated for uniformity of weight and disintegration time. Based on the evaluation results, the capsules formulated with Avicel 102 filler gave the best results with an average weight uniformity of 380.98 ± 4.41 mg and disintegration time of 2.64 ± 0.31 minutes. It is advisable to continue the evaluation of the dissolution test for the capsule preparation which gives the best result.

Development and validation of colorimetric method for the determination of pregabalin in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations

A simple, accurate and precise colorimetric method was developed for the quantification of pregabalin (PGN) in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations. The method was based on the production of a colored complex by reacting PGN with ascorbic acid in DMSO solvent. The resultant complex exhibits absorption maxima at 390 and 532 nm. The factors that affect the complex development and stability were studied and optimized. The reaction stoichiometry of drug: reagent was found to be 1:2. The method was then validated according to ICH guidelines. Regression analysis of Beer's plot showed good correlation (r2 value more than 0.998) within a concentration range of 5-30μg/ml. Linearity was confirmed by standardized residuals versus fitted value plots using Minitab14 software. The limits of detection and quantification at 390 and 532nm were 1.34μg/ml, 1.09μg/ml and 4.05μg/ml, 3.294μg/ml, respectively. Added recovery measurements were found to be 100.04±2.07% and 99.58 ±1.98% at 390nm and 532nm, respectively, which reflect the accuracy of the method and freedom from interference (relative standard deviation values were less than or equal 0.2%). The average assay for the commercial capsule preparation (PGN 150mg/capsule) was found to be 101.373±0.49 and 101.812±0.73 at 390 and 532nm, respectively. The developed method is an inexpensive, extraction free and can be applied for routine analysis of PGN in most of analytical laboratories.

Current Advances of Hollow Capsules as Controlled Drug Delivery Systems

AbstractPolymeric hollow capsules have attracted increasing interest for the development of controlled drug delivery systems due to their capacities to load high amount of drugs and be able to finely tune the drug release profile. Various methods and strategies for capsule preparation and drug loading have been developed over time. Besides that, the controlled drug release from hollow capsules upon external and internal triggers is of great interest and has been a research focus in this area. This article aims to give the most recent progress review on hollow capsule based controlled drug delivery systems with a highlight on strategies being used for drug loading and stimuli‐release. In detail, the fabrication of hollow capsules using template‐assisted or template‐free methods will be introduced first. This will be followed by current strategies for pre‐loading and post‐loading of therapeutic agents into capsules. The article will then be particularly focused on discussing diverse drug‐release systems corresponding to various stimuli conditions including temperature, pH, ultrasound, light irradiation and enzyme degradation.

Study of the Potential of the Capsule Shell Based on Natural Polysaccharides in Targeted Delivery of the L-Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Enzyme Preparation.

The treatment of classical phenylketonuria is currently represented by many new methods of disease management. A promising method is the use of the enzyme L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) in various forms. The widespread use of enzyme preparations in therapy is limited by a lack of understanding of the mechanisms and systems of the targeted transport of PAL into certain organs and tissues as a result of the incorporation of a drug into the carrier. To ensure the stability of enzymes during the delivery process, encapsulation is preferable, which, as a rule, ensures the preservation of the qualitative characteristics of the enzymes orally applied to the environmental effects of the gastrointestinal tract (acidity, temperature, oxidation, etc.). Capsule preparations showed sufficient stability in the model gastric fluids and sustained release of the drug in the simulated intestinal fluid. Currently, there is a wide range of polymers used for encapsulation. The use of natural sources in the production technology of capsule systems improves bioavailability, controls the release, and prolongs the half-life of active substances. The advantage of this method is that the used enzyme is completely protected by the cell membranes of the capsules, which preserve its stability in the aggressive environment of the gastrointestinal tract. Capsules were obtained on the basis of compositions of hydrocolloids of plant origin. The potential of the developed capsules for targeted delivery of the enzyme preparation was studied. The degradation of the encapsulated form of the PAL enzyme preparation was studied in vitro in model bio-relevant media simulating the gastric and intestinal environment. The dynamics of the breakdown of the capsule shell allow us to expect that the release of L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase from capsules based on plant hydrocolloids will occur no earlier than reaching the upper intestines, where the interaction with the protein components of the consumed food products to neutralize phenylalanine should occur.

Evaluation of porcine diamine oxidase for the conversion of histamine in food-relevant amounts.

Histamine exists in a multitude of foods and displays an emerging role within food intolerances. Our aim was to identify the activity of porcine diamine oxidase (DAO) required for the in vitro degradation of histamine amounts that are found in typical meals containing histamine (75mg, equaled 150mg/L). Furthermore, we investigated an actual dietary supplement that is commercially available for histamine intolerant individuals for its histamine reduction capability. Kinetic investigations of porcine DAO showed a substrate inhibition by histamine concentrations greater than 56mg/L (0.5mM). The stability of free porcine DAO was tested in a fed state simulated intestinal fluid and exhibited a half-life period of around 19 min. A total of 50nanokatal (nkat) free porcine DAO, which equaled the amount of enzyme isolated from around 100g pig kidney, were necessary for the in vitro reduction of around 90% of the histamine. The dietary supplement that contains a pig kidney extract did not show DAO activity. Instead, the used histamine (0.75mg) was apparently reduced due to the adsorption of histamine onto a capsule component by 18.9 ±2.3% within 5hr. Although the capsule preparation retained its overall structure and shape for at least 90min in simulated gastric fluid, the apparent histamine reduction was significantly reduced to 12.1±2.3% (P≤0.05). In conclusion, an alternative to the pig kidney DAO or an improved capsule preparation is needed to ensure an adequate supplementation for histamine-intolerant humans. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Histamine intolerance is an emerging issue in our society and the intolerance-related physiological symptoms are currently not reliably treatable due to a lack of scientific investigation. A commercially available dietary supplement for histamine intolerance does not fulfil the requirements for a satisfactory histamine reduction in intolerant humans. The activity of the histamine degrading enzyme diamine oxidase, required for a satisfactory histamine degradation, is by far higher than the theoretical amount apparently given in the dietary supplement. With this knowledge, it is obvious that improved food supplements must be developed to help histamine intolerant humans.

Preparation and evaluation of enteric capsules

Capsule is one of the most commonly used dosage form for drugs which are intended to take orally. Capsules are in use over 160 years. Gelatin is the major polymer used for capsule preparation which is natural polymer obtained from animal source i.e. skin and bones of pigs and cows. The usage of gelatin in capsule making is decreased due to many reasons like source of gelatin is from animals which causes mad cow disease and cross linking of gelatin with drugs which decreases the efficiency of drug. To avoid problems with gelatin, the polymers from plants like Sodium alginate is obtained from sea weed, purely as Alginic acid and then converted into sodium alginate by chemical treatment was used in the experiment to make capsules which also have enteric property to avoid dissolution of capsules in acidic pH. Carrageenan and tragacanth was used as thickening agents to improve the texture of Capsule.

Encapsulation of Ionic Liquids for Tailored Applications.

This spotlight article highlights the favorable impact encapsulation of ionic liquids (ILs) has on multiple advanced applications. ILs are molten salts with many attractive properties such as negligible vapor pressure, good thermal stability, and high ionic conductivity; however, their widespread implementation in advanced applications is hampered by their relatively high viscosity, which makes them difficult to handle and results in slow mass transfer rates. The ability to encapsulate IL in a shell holds potential to impact many applications, including separations, gas sequestration, and energy storage and management, given that the capsule structure provides high surface area compared to that of bulk IL and also allows handling of the IL as a solid. Herein, we discuss encapsulation of ILs using different approaches and highlight the contributions from our lab in both capsule preparation and application. Specifically, we have developed the ability to use 2D carbon nanoparticle surfactants and interfacial polymerization to prepare capsules of IL using both IL-in-water and IL-in-oil Pickering emulsions as templates. This facile, one-step method to encapsulate ILs gives structures with beneficial performance in supercapacitors, separations, and CO2 sequestration, as discussed herein. We conclude this spotlight with an outlook on how to improve upon these systems for next-generation applications.

207 Fecal Microbiota Transplantation With Oral Capsules for Clostridium difficile Infection: Inconsistencies Among Reporting and Impact on Remission Rates

INTRODUCTION: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (rCDI). FMT can be delivered via the upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) or lower GIT. Recently, oral capsule delivery has been demonstrated to be non-inferior to other routes. However, oral administration lends the capsule susceptible to pH changes and intestinal microbiota exposures prior to reaching the colon. There is a lack of consistency between studies evaluating FMT capsules with respect to multiple factors. This systematic review aimed at identifying factors within these studies that could impact remission rates such as type of capsule preparation, prior acid suppression therapy and colon preparation before treatment. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The search strategy was not limited by language. Search terms for both the free text and medical subject heading (MeSH) included “fecal microbiota transplantation” and “capsule.” Eligibility criteria included clinical trials using FMT for rCDI and delivery by capsule. Exclusion criteria included lack of capsule manufacturing description or endpoints related to CDI resolution. RESULTS: The initial search strategy yielded 93 publications. 30 duplicates were removed. 37 were excluded after screening titles and abstracts. 26 full papers were reviewed and of these, 11 met our eligibility criteria (See Table 1). A total of 425 patients were evaluated who underwent FMT via capsule delivery. Remission rates among studies ranged from 68% to 100%. Timeframe defining remission varied among studies, though 10/11 defined remission as resolution of diarrhea at least 8 weeks after FMT. The pooled remission rate was 86.6% in those receiving colon prep prior to FMT, 83.9% in those who received double-encapsulated formulations and 75.4% in those using PPIs prior to FMT (See Table 2). Heterogeneity among reported study protocols prohibited statistical analysis of these factors. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of FMT capsules greatly simplifies this treatment option for patients with rCDI. This systematic review highlights inconsistencies in reporting of the methodology used in FMT capsule studies, which can be contributing to variable remission rates. Future randomized trials are needed to compare the various factors outlined above.

Rate of change of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D following sublingual and capsular vitamin D preparations.

Vitamin D is critical for skeletal health, and is increasingly associated with other pathologies encompassing gastrointestinal, immunological and psychological effects. A significant proportion of the population exhibits suboptimal levels of vitamin D, particularly in Northern latitudes in winter. Supplementation is advocated, but few data are available on achievable or typical rates of change. There has been considerable interest in the potential use of sublingual sprays for delivery of nutrient supplements, but data on efficacy remain sparse. A randomised, placebo-controlled, three-arm parallel design study was conducted in healthy volunteers (n = 75) to compare the rate of change of vitamin D status in response to vitamin D3 (3000 IU/day) supplementation in capsule and sublingual spray preparations over a 6-week period between January and April 2017. Blood 25(OH)D concentrations were measured after day 0, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 42 days of supplementation with 3000 IU per diem. Baseline measurements show 25(OH)D deficiency (<30 nmol/l), insufficiency (31-46 nmol/l) and sufficiency (> 50 mmol/l) in 14.9, 44.6 and 40.5% of the participants, respectively. There was a significant elevation in blood concentrations of 25(OH)D in both of the treatment arms (capsule p = 0.003, spray p = 0.001) compared with control. The capsule and spray were equally efficacious. The rate of change ranged from 0.69 to 3.93 (capsule) and 0.64 to 3.34 (spray) nmol/L day with average change in blood 25(OH)D levels of 2 nmol/l/day. Rates followed a simple normal distribution in the study population (ks = 0.94 and 0.82 for capsule and spray, respectively). The data suggest that rates of change are higher in individuals with lower levels of 25(OH)D. A sublingual vitamin D spray is an effective mode of delivery for supplementation in a healthy population. The data provide reference values and ranges for the rate of change of 25(OH)D for nutrikinetic analyses.

Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of gastric mucosa injury caused by long-term use of low dose aspirin in patients with coronary heart disease

Aspirin is widely used in the treatment and prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). It plays an important role in anti-platelet aggregation by inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). On the other hand, the decrease of COX-1 activity inhibits the production of prostaglandin (PG) in gastric mucosa, which leads to the decrease of gastric mucosal blood flow and the weakening of mucous barrier. That makes the gastric mucosa more vulnerable to injury. We usually treat gastric mucous injury caused by long-term use of low-dose-aspirin (LDA) with drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion. However, these drugs cannot improve gastric mucosal blood flow and the effect of gastric mucous barrier. And the long-term use of these drugs can lead to a variety of adverse reactions, such as dyspepsia, osteoporosis, nutritional deficiency and so on. This paper reviews the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of gastric mucosa injury caused by LDA. It was found that Panax quinquefolius ( Xiyangshen ) saponins, Astragaloside A, Dendrobium officinale ( Tiepishihu ) polysaccharide, Bletilla Striata ( Baiji ), Jinghua Weikang capsule, Danhong injection and other TCM components or preparations can increase the level of PG in gastric mucosa and increase the blood flow of gastric mucosa, so as to improve the effect of gastric mucous barrier. This provides a certain idea for the prevention and treatment of gastric mucosa injury caused by long-term application of LDA in patients with CHD.

Investigation of the Shear Thickening Fluid Encapsulation in an Orifice Coagulation Bath.

The orifice coagulation bath method is proposed to encapsulate shear thickening fluid (STF) to form STF capsules, in an attempt to improve the combination of STF and the matrix as well as strengthen the flexibility and stability of the STF composites. By varying the calcium chloride concentration (10, 20 mg/mL), sodium alginate concentration (5, 7, 10 mg/mL) and the surfactant dosage (10%, 20%, 30%), optimal preparation conditions were studied, considering the capsule strength and encapsulation rate. The capsules were also characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The results show that the optimal solution for the preparation of the capsules is composed of 30% surfactant, 10 mg/mL mass concentration of CaCl2, and 10 mg/mL mass concentration of sodium alginate. The rough surface and porous interior was observed by SEM. The average diameter of the capsules was 1.93 mm. The TGA curves indicate an improvement on the capsule thermal stability. This study thus provides a promising STF capsule preparation method.

Optimization of the Calcium Alginate Capsules for Self-Healing Asphalt

It has been demonstrated that calcium alginate capsules can be used as an asphalt healing system by pre-placing rejuvenator (healing agent) into the asphalt mix and releasing the rejuvenator on demand (upon cracking). This healing mechanism relies on the properties of capsules which are determined by the capsule preparation process. In this study, to optimize the calcium alginate capsules, capsules are prepared using varying Alginate/Rejuvenator (A/R) ratios. Light microscope microscopy and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) are employed to characterize the morphology and microstructure of these capsules. Thermal stability and mechanical property are investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and compressive tests. The testing results indicate that higher alginate content results in smaller diameter and lower thermal resistance, but higher compressive strength. The optimum A/R ratio of calcium alginate capsules is found to be 30/70. To prove the effectiveness of the optimized capsules, the capsules are embedded in asphalt mortar beams and a bending and healing program is carried out. The effect of capsule shell material on the mechanical response of asphalt mixture is evaluated through three-point bending on the mortar beams embedded with blank capsules (without the healing agent). Aged mortar beams containing alginate capsules encapsulating rejuvenator demonstrate a higher strength recovery after bending tests, which indicates effective healing due to the release of the rejuvenators from the capsules.

Characterization and Evaluation of Capsules and Study of QC tests for Capsules

Using the capsule as a dosage form dates back to the early pharmacy days; from those days, the capsule preparation process is greatly evolved in order to meet the current needs of patients and the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, all pharmaceutical industries are making a dynamic change in the specifications of particular dosage forms such as capsules. It has become more difficult to obtain the higher valued drug product from the dosage form, along with the potential for improved delivery that can improve clinical outcomes. In addition, the capsules have played a significant role in drug development because of the hand filling or the production of semiautomatic capsular formulations, which have fewer requirements, and can be developed easily. The article will discuss different tests like Universal tests and specific tests, particularly for capsules, performed prior to the release of the batch to ensure efficacy and safety.