The aim of this study was to develop and compare the pharmacokinetic property of testosterone undecanoate (TU) nano-/microcrystal suspension with three different particle sizes after intramuscular (i. m. ) administration. TU nano-/microcrystal suspensions were prepared by high pressure homogenization method and the mean particle size was 0. 30 ± 0. 11 μ m (A), 1. 21 ± 0. 37 μ m (B), and 4. 83 ± 0. 60 μ m (C), respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to observe the morphology of nano-/microcrystal suspensions after operation. X-ray Powder diffraction (XRPD) confirmed the crystalline state of TU in nano-/microcrystal suspension. After storage at 4 ° C and 25 ° C under mechanical shaking for 2 months, physical and chemical stabilities of nano-/microcrystal suspensions were measured by particle size analyzer and high performance liquid chromatography. There was no obvious change in particle size distribution and content of TU. After i. m. administration of suspension C to rats, the concentration of TU in plasma lasted for nearly 12 days that was comparative with the commercial testosterone undecanoate injection. The results showed that microcrystal C with a larger particle size had long-acting effect comparing with other two suspensions. The muscle irritation test in rabbits showed that the local irritation of TU nano-/microcrystal suspensions was lower than that of commercial testosterone undecanoate injection. It can be concluded that appropriate particle size of nano-/microcrystal suspensions for i. m. administration of TU was important to achieve better therapeutic effect.

Microcrystalline cellulose is an important agent and additive in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and other industries. One of the important characteristics of microcrystalline cellulose powder is the degree of polymerization, which according to international standards, should be equal to or less than 350. In this research, using the Response Surface Methodology, the percentage of acid, reaction time, and input temperature are defined as the primary input variables affecting the degree of polymerization. The range of acid content to dry matter was set to be between 3 to 7%, temperature between 100 to 140 ° C and time between 120 to 150 minutes. Statistical analysis and mathematical modeling were performed to extract a nonlinear model (R2 =0.90) and then the optimum polymerization degree targeted to be 350. The acid percentage, temperature and time at the optimal degree of polymerization point were 3.34 %, 127 ° C, and 116 minutes, respectively. Using the optimal point data, the new experiment was carried out three times to validate the model. Then the average physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the produced microcrystalline cellulose were compared with the control sample. All physical and mechanical properties except for “ash” were in accordance with United States Pharmacopeia standards. The starting point of thermal degradation of the produced microcrystalline cellulose was 212 ° C compared to 226 ° C of the control sample, demonstrating improved thermal properties of the produced sample with the optimum values determined by the Design Expert software.

Lichens, including a mycobiont and one or more photobionts, are symbiotic organisms. Chemical and micro chemical analysis of secondary metabolites of lichens has an effective role in supporting their taxonomic results. During the taxonomic investigation of the lichens from Kalate Albalou (north of the central part of Kashmar), Razavi Khorasan province, in addition to morphological, anatomical investigation and doing chemical tests, microcrystal method by using two different reagents, GAW and GE were done on six species.13 chemical compounds belong to six general groups of secondary metabolites were identified.

Background: Atorvastatin (AT), as a synthetic lipid-lowering agent, is a highly crystalline substance having poor solubility and low bioavailability. The objective of the present research was to improve the microprecipitation method of AT suspension preparation. Methods: Microprecipitation parameters were improved using Box-Behnken experimental design method. The suspension was formulated with Brij 35 (stabilizer agent) using methanol as solvent and water as non-solvent, respectively. DSC, XRD, FTIR studies were performed for characterization of the microcrystals. With the aim of evaluating the effect of independent variables, the amounts of organic solvent (X1), emulsifier concentration (X2), stirring rate (X3), and volume of aqueous solvent (X4) on dependent variables, drug content (DC, ) particle size (PS), drug released after 5 minutes (Q5), Gibbs free energy change (Δ G° tr), crystal yield (CY) and saturated solubility (Ss), a full factorial was used. Results: The results of DSC, XRD, and FTIR showed that there was not any interaction between AT and Brij 35. This research demonstrated a reduction in crystallinity in agglomerates. The microcrystals showed that micromeritics characteristics were significantly improved compared to pure AT. The content of drug and yield crystal was in the limit of 42. 58-110. 24% and 58. 33-98. 18% in all formulations, respectively. It was shown that the prepared microcrystals had a higher rate of release compared to the untreated AT powder (P< 0. 05). Size reduction of AT is needed for improving the solubility. Solubility and drug release rates of At was enhanced with the microprecipitation method. Conclusion: The results showed that microcrystals significantly increased AT dissolution rate.

Introduction: Due to the prevalence of beta thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia in Irana need for an accurate, quick, inexpensive and simple method for differential diagnosis between these two disorders is felt. In this study the value of zpp measurement as a tool to distinguish iron deficiency from heterozygous beta thalassemia in microcrystal patients was evaluated.Methods: In this study on 140 persons with microcytosis, the hemoglobin electrophoresis, serum iron, TIBC and serum ferritin and protoporphyrine relating to zinc (ZPP) were measured.Results: ZPP had been increased in all iron deficient patients and in 53 percent of Heterozygote beta thalassemia patients. Using combination of MCV and ZPP in iron deficient anemic patients and heterozygote beta thalassemia show the 99 percent accuaracy in differentiation of these two disorders. Discussion: According to the results, this method has better accuracy than red blood cells formulation in the screening programs for beta thalassemia and iron defficiency anemia.

Introduction: Neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin is an intermediate-acting basal insulin with a long history of clinical use, consisting native human insulin. Its rather undesirable action profile, characterized by a peak release within a few hours, followed by insufficient insulin delivery upon a single subcutaneous (s. c. ) dose, is well-documented. This may have been caused by the inherent microcrystal structure involving the basic peptide protamine, as well as the presence of tissue enzyme activities that readily act on protamine at the injection site. This issue may be circumvented by utilizing thermosensitive, erodible Pluronic F127 (PF127) to modulate the kinetics of insulin release from NPH over a period of 24 hours in which the hydrogel is completely eroded. Methods: Previously, we have shown that insulin release rates in vitro from NPH/PF127 formulations (0-25% PF127) markedly reduced the initial insulin release, especially in the presence of enzyme activity that selectively degraded protamine at 1-5 U/mL. Insulin release over the course of 20 hours was better modulated in the presence of increasing PF127 content. In this study, the insulin formulations (0, 20, and 25% PF127) were administered s. c. (4 U/kg) to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and blood glucose levels were monitored over 24 hours. Results: In vivo blood glucose depression profiles in STZ-induced diabetic rats exhibited a similar pattern of control to in vitro data at the single s. c. dose of 4 U/kg, apparently extending the duration of action of NPH over a 24-hour period in the presence of PF127. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the undesirable kinetics of insulin release from NPH is significantly influenced by tissue enzyme activity and that the presence of PF127 provided a timely modulation of insulin release from NPH microcrystals in the STZ-induced diabetic rat model.

Introduction: Plastic contamination, especially in packaging application, has been the main issue for universities and industry. Bio-composite of biodegradable Starch is considered as an appropriate replacement for starch due to low price, availability and biodegradability. The film or coating is placed on the food as an integrated and thin layer of different polymer compounds. Today, contaminants from synthetic polymers have drawn attention to the use of biodegradable materials, and over the past two decades, the study of biodegradable materials derived from proteins and carbohydrates has expanded. These macromolecules could potentially be a viable alternative to synthetic polymers derived from petroleum products. Material and methods: In the present study, different starch films have been produced by corn starch and natural cellulose booster from 0% to 20% applying melt mixing with twin extruder. The aim of this study is to obtain a suitable combination of starch with cellulose (natural and degradable) that makes starch similar to synthetic polymers with low water permeability and high mechanical strength and can be a good alternative for them. In addition, food additives such as citric acid and stearic acid are used in a constant amount to facilitate the process and improve the properties of the film. The current study aims at investigating the effect of cellulose, as an intensifier, and different ratio of glycerol/sorbitol, as a plasticizer, on the improvement of starch bio-composite. The optimum point for starch bio-composite is obtained by Design Expert Software and structural tests, TGA and XRD, were conducted on this point. First, a suspension of cellulose and a certain amount of water were homogenized or subjected to ultrasound so that the starch could be well dispersed in the matrix. Raw material for the production of starch biocomposites, including corn starch (as a matrix), glycerol and sorbitol (as a softener and each from 10 to 20% by weight of starch), different amounts of cellulose fiber (from 0 to 20% by weight of starch), citric acid 1% by weight to improve the biocomposite, starch and stearic acid were physically mixed as a process aid (to prevent starch from adhering to equipment and 1% by weight of starch). The main mixing was done uniformly in the two-screw face extruder. The produced starch biocomposite or sheet was exposed to 50% relative humidity and 30° C for one week and then the necessary tests were performed on them. In the next step, the mold was used under pressure, until a starch sheet with a thickness of 1 mm was produced. The sheets were produced at a temperature of 160° C and a pressure of 25 Mpa for 2 minutes. The temperature reached 50-40° C by the flow of cold water flowing around the mold and the pressure was removed. Then each sheet was qualified separately at 58% RH and 30° C and entered the test stage. The thickness of the film was measured randomly in 5 positions with the micrometer of incision (model W-3275-A, USA) with a resolution of 0. 01 mm and their average was used for calculations. Results and discussion: Tensile strength, Young’ s modulus and elongation at break were measured from the stress-strain curves gained from the prepared starch sheets. Table1 shows that there was irregularity effect with the addition of cellulose, glycerol and sorbitol in the composite. The lowest yield of tensile strength was 0. 51 MPa at 5% cellulose, 15% glycerol and 20% sorbitol and the highest level was 1. 52 MPa with 15% cellulose, 12. 5% glycerol and 12. 5% sorbitol. The mechanical properties are prejudiced by the ingredients of a composite. The adding of component is estimated to rise the mechanical properties of a composite because of the increasing affinity in the composite. Different trends were observed for Young’ s modulus. A significant improvement for Young’ s modulus from 283 to 915 MPa was obtained for different starch biocomposites. The best result for Young’ s modulus was obtained with 10% of cellulose, 10% glycerol and 20% sorbitol. Elongation at break had range from 1. 01 to 10. 24 that could be related to the percentage increase in length that a material will achieve before breaking. A higher percentage usually indicates a better quality material when combined with good UTS. Negative coefficient of sorbitol and glycerol means they caused to fall down elongation of starch biocomposite. Those starch biocomposites with cellulose had more elongation at break. The optimum point was 5% cellulose and 17. 5% of each emollient which has Water Vapor Permeability (WVP) as 7. 81*10-10 gs-1-1-1 m Pa, tensile strength of 0. 85 Mpa, Young module 277. 56 Mpa and elongation at break point 7. 08%. The optimum glass transition temperature of bio-composite starch increases to 130 o C. Although optimum bio-composite XRD show high picks demonstrating crystals, the findings from thermal weighting reveal that optimum bio-composite will be decomposed about 300. According to decomposition of natural starch at 220 o C, this thermal resistance can be ascribed to the cellulose in its structure. Conclusion: The aim of this study was to obtain a suitable combination of starch with cellulose (natural and degradable) and glycerol and sorbitol softeners that make starch similar to synthetic polymers with low water permeability and high mechanical strength. In this study, optimization of starch biocomposite formulation was performed by epithelial mixing method. The main purpose of optimization was to place the parameters of tensile strength, elongation and elastic modulus in the desired range and to minimize water vapor permeability. According to the modeling, the optimal treatment in the production of starch biocomposite was 5% cellulose, 17. 5% glycerol and 17. 5% sorbitol. The validation results of the answers showed that the results of the model have an acceptable similarity with the practical results. X-ray diffraction test to investigate the distribution of particles in the polymer matrix showed that the components of the composites are well dispersed. Behavioral patterns related to heat-weight changes of starch biocomposite showed that three main stages of degradation and weight loss were observed in starch biocomposites. It is It is concluded that the composition of microcrystal cellulose and equal glycerol/sorbitol ratio lead to the development of starch bio-composite properties. The results of this study can open a new window towards the use of biodegradable packaging in the food industry to improve food quality and safety and reduce food waste. More research is needed to replace conventional plastics with green composites to at least protect human health and the environment.