<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Syrian oregano (<italic>Origanum syriacum </italic>L., Lamiaceae) is a very popular culinary herb that has been used through the ages in traditional medicine mainly in Lebanon and the Arab world. The subject of this study was the microscopic analysis of the herbal drug Origani syriaci folium, as well as the chemical analysis of its essential oil components. Plant materials originated from Arabsalim - South Lebanon and were collected in 2010. The presence of very dense clusters of multicellular covering trichomes (510 μm × 18.47 μm) and peltate secretory glands (∅ 87.95 μm) with eight cells were observed. The essential oil of Origani syriaci folium was isolated and quantified using hydrodistillation according to SPhC 1997. The content of essential oil was 95 ml/1000 g, i.e. 9.5% (V/m). The volatile constituents of Origani syriaci folium were qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated using SPME GC/MS. The two dominant constituents identified in Syrian oregano leaves were carvacrol (78.4%) and thymol (17.9%).</abstract>

Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy and Botany

Semmelweis University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy Budapest

Analysis of the Essential Oil Compounds of Origanum Syriacum L.

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Contribution to the TLC separation of ursolic and oleanolic acid mixture</title>The aim of the study was to develop a rapid, simple, effective and reproducible TLC method for separation of a naturally occurring mixture of ursolic and oleanolic acids. Because of the similarity of chemical structures, <italic>in situ</italic> derivatisation by iodine was necessary to separate these triterpenic acids. Separation was achieved on silica gel plates. After derivatisation, a chromatographic plate was developed with the mobile phase consisting of light petrol, ethyl acetate and acetone (8.2:1.8:0.1, v/v/v) following visualisation by spraying with sulphuric acid in diethylether (25%, v/v) and heating to 120°C for 5 min. The method used enabled chromatographical differentiation of ursolic and oleanolic acid mixtures in all tested mutual ratios.</abstract>

Contribution to the TLC separation of ursolic and oleanolic acid mixture

<abstract>The new approach how to assess community pharmacy business by monitoring indicators of financial analysis, contributes to a
positive economic development in the community pharmacy business. The better is understanding and analysis of the financial
statements in the community pharmacy business, the better will be improvement in managing and controlling finances. Financial
analysis enable the community pharmacy to make more informed decisions, comparisons of actual financial performance
with forecast targets, performances in past years and comparisons to industry averages. The most important analysed financial
statements are balance sheet and profit and loss statement. The outcomes of the financial analysis are debt, efficiency, profitability,
liquidity ratios and working capital ratio. They are compared to recommended values and the suggestions are made to
improve community pharmacy´s efficiency and prosperity. The result of the new approach to assessment community pharmacy
technology business will contribute to positive financial development of the community pharmacy and it´s maintenance or
survival at the upcoming time.</abstract>

New Types of Assessments of Community Pharmacy Technology Business
and Their Contribution Towards Prosperity of the Community Pharmacy

Presentations

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Aim</title>
Oxidative stress due to chronic hyperglycaemia is a key factor in the development and progression of various microvascular complications including diabetic nephropathy (DN) and associated renal injury. Treatment with antioxidants is one of the strategies to protect the kidney from oxidative tissue damage to improve renal physiology during DN. The investigation, therefore, was designed to assess the nephroprotective effect of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), either alone or in combination in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NAD) induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rats.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Methods</title>
T2DM induced by STZ (55 mg/kg, i.p.)-NAD (110 mg/kg, i.p.) in Sprague-Dawley rats (220–250 g) was confirmed by the elevated blood glucose level and glycated haemoglobin. DN was assessed by renal function tests. The diabetic rats were treated with CoQ10 (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and/or NAC (300 mg/kg, p.o.) for 8 weeks after confirmation of DN. Oxidative tissue damage due to STZ-NAD was estimated by malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO) in the renal homogenate.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title>
Data showed significant alteration in serum and urinary creatinine, total protein, albumin, serum urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid in diabetic animals as compared to the control rats. CoQ10 and/or NAC effectively alleviated the disturbances in renal function. Diabetic rats showed increased MDA, decreased SOD and CAT activities and decreased GSH along with a significant increase in MPO activity and nitrite content. Treatment with the aforementioned antioxidants and their combination ameliorated the kidney damage as indicated by the reduced OS with improved renal function.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusion</title>
The investigation suggests that the chronic hyperglycaemia-induced OS leads to the development and progression of DN. The combined treatment with CoQ10 and NAC has shown a remarkable nephroprotective effect suggesting that combined antioxidant therapy with CoQ10 and NAC may be useful in the attenuation of DN.
</sec>
</abstract>

Nephroprotective Effect of Coenzyme Q10 alone and in Combination with N-acetylcysteine in Diabetic Nephropathy

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The aim of this formulation study was to determine the effect of the binder used in the preparation of granules by thermoplastic granulation on the release of propranolol from experimental tablets. Another aim was to select suitable excipients and their ratio in the granules to ensure a trouble-free formulation of the tablets. This study proved that the binder affects the flow properties of the granules, disintegration of the tablets and, subsequently, also the method of drug release, which can be used for the preparation of tablets with modified or prolonged drug release.
</abstract>

Formulation and Evaluation of Tablets Compressed from Granules Prepared by Thermoplastic Granulation

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Background</title>
White-water yam (<italic>Dioscorea alata L</italic>.) is one of the potential sources of starch; however, it is not yet available for commercial purposes. Besides, native white-water yam starch (WS) presents limited functionality due to poor flowability, mechanical properties and instability at high temperature and acidic conditions. Therefore, this study aims to modify the starch to improve its characteristics and make it useful as an excipient for the preparation of the tablets.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Materials and methods</title>
The modification of WS was achieved by physical and chemical treatments, specifically pre-gelatinization and phosphorylation, respectively. Pre-gelatinization WS involves heating, meanwhile phosphorylation WS is obtained by treating WS with sodium tripolyphosphate.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title>
The results showed that the powder of the modified WS has good characteristics which improved the flowability of the powder mixture as a granule based on density, porosity, compressibility index and swelling power determination. The WS granules were found to display the oval or irregular (polygonal) shape with the amylose content 11.92±0.61% for unmodified WS, 10.41±0.90% for pre-gelatinized WS and 12.61±1.75% for phosphorylated WS. Furthermore, the granule was formulated as an excipient in tablet preparations, and the formulas were compressed after wet granulation. The mechanical properties of the tablets were assessed using uniformity of mass and size, hardness, friability and disintegration time. WS modification affects the hardness of tablets when used as a binder. Phosphorylated WS is recommended to be used as a binder in wet granulation formulations because it produces tablets with a longer disintegration time, which means better binding ability. However, the utilization of modified WS with both pre-gelatinization and phosphorylation leads to tablets with low brittleness compared to others with unmodified binder with the disintegration time still met the requirement of fast disintegrating tablet (&lt;15 minutes).
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusion</title>
All the physical properties studied indicated that the modified WS is a promising pharmaceutical excipient in tablets.
</sec>
</abstract>

Physicochemical properties of tablet dosage form based on pre-gelatinized- and phosphorylated-modified starches from white-water yam (<italic>Dioscorea alata</italic> L.)

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Aim</title>
To determine the content of phenolcarboxylic acids using gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (GC–MS) in the obtained extract, conduct a study of the antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities of <italic>Rubus idaeus</italic> shoot lipophilic extract.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Material/methods</title>
The quantification of phenolcarboxylic was accomplished through GC–MS, antioxidant activity was assessed by potentiometric method, antimicrobial and antifungal activities were determined by well method.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title>
The 8 compounds were identified by the GC–MS method. The vanillic acid (2.59 ± 0.08 mg/100 g), benzoic acid (1.51±0.08 mg/100 g), and ferulic acid (0.79±0.04 mg/100 g) dominated in the obtained lipophilic <italic>R. idaeus</italic> shoot extract. <italic>Bacillus subtilis</italic> (17.00 ± 0.50 mm) was the most sensitive to lipophilic extract, whereas <italic>Proteus vulgaris</italic> was the most resistant to the lipophilic extract. Moreover, <italic>Candida albicans</italic> was medium sensitive to lipophilic extract (13.50 ± 0.50 mm). The antioxidant activity was 1.00 mmol-equiv./mdry res; according to Maslov's antioxidant level classification it has low level.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusions</title>
The lipophilic extract from <italic>R. idaeus</italic> shoots contains various phenolcarboxylic acids, including vanillic acid, benzoic acid, ferulic acid, <italic>p</italic>-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, gentisic acid, salicylic acid, and phenylacetic acid, with the highest concentrations observed for vanillic, benzoic, and ferulic acids. This study highlights the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of the <italic>R. idaeus</italic> shoot lipophilic extract. However, the obtained lipophilic extract showed a relatively low level of antioxidant activity. Consequently, the derivatives of phenolcarboxylic acids play a substantial role in the antimicrobial and antifungal effects, whereas their contribution to antioxidant activity appears to be limited.
</sec>
</abstract>

Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical Investigation of Phenolcarboxylic Acids by GC–MS of Raspberry (<italic>Rubus idaeus</italic> L.) Shoot Lipophilic Extract

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Objective</title>
The objective of the present investigation is to improve the solubility of valsartan and prepare immediate release tablets.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Materials and methods</title>
To increase the solubility and bioavailability of valsartan, a low-soluble antihypertensive drug, immediate release dosage forms were formulated by a direct compression method using a solid dispersion technique with three different carriers (β-cyclodextrin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30 and poloxamer 188) at three different ratios (1:3, 1:4 and 1:5). Nine physical mixtures (PM1–PM9) were prepared and various physical parameters were characterised in <italic>in vitro</italic> release studies.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title>
Out of the prepared physical mixtures, PM8 showed the best results, with 94.2% of the drug dissolving within 30 min. Formulation PM8 solid dispersion further used for the preparation of valsartan immediate release tablets by using sodium starch glycolate superdisintegrant, at different concentrations (3%, 4% and 5%; i.e., IF1, IF2 and IF3 formulations, respectively). The optimised formulation showed friability and disintegration values of 0.456±0.9 and 6.2±0.4 min. Among the three immediate release formulations, IF2, which contains 4% sodium starch glycolate, demonstrated an 84.46% drug release in 30 min and a 99.69% drug release in 1 hr, indicating increased drug solubility. When compared with a valsartan pure drug, the solubility of the solid dispersion increased by 135.06-fold.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Discussion and conclusion</title>
The results show that the optimised IF2 formulation demonstrated enhanced drug solubility by 135.06-fold, using a solid dispersion technique with poloxamer 188. This can be explained by the conversion of crystalline to an amorphous form of drug, leading to a reduction in the contact angle between the drug and the gastric medium. It can be concluded that poloxamer 188 is a suitable carrier and that use of a physical mixture technique is an applicable method to improve the solubility of valsartan.
</sec>
</abstract>

Development and Characterisation of Valsartan Immediate Release Dosage Form Using Solubility Enhancement Technique

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Aim</title>
The present study was aimed at preparing stable dry adsorbed nanoparticles (DANs) of olanzapine (OLZ) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for sustained release.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Materials/methods</title>
OLZ SLNs were prepared by hot melt emulsification and ultrasonication using Precirol ATO 5 (PRE) as a solid lipid, combination of Kolliphor ELP (KELP) and Tween 80 (T80) as surfactants, after optimising formulation and process variables. The SLN system was subjected to evaluation of particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), <italic>in-vitro</italic> drug release and <italic>ex-vivo</italic> intestinal permeability studies using the chicken intestinal segments (jejunum). Further, these SLNs were converted into stable DANs by adsorbing onto a Neusilin US2 (NUS2) and Avicel CL 611 (ACL) carriers using the granulation-evaporative drying method. The DANs were characterised for redispersion properties, <italic>in-vitro</italic> drug release, thermal behaviour, crystallinity, and morphology.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Results</title>
The SLN and DAN had a particle size of 238.0 nm [0.274 polydispersity index (PdI)] and 302.4 [0.494 PdI] respectively. The zeta potentials of SLN and DAN were found to be −29.3 mV and −26.3 mV, respectively. The SLN had 67% EE, and showed a sustained drug release in various media. The highest permeability of SLNs was observed in <italic>ex-vivo</italic> permeation model compared to the OLZ suspension, indicating that SLNs have the potential to bypass hepatic metabolism. The adsorption of SLNs onto carriers was confirmed by surface morphology. The DAN had good flow properties and sustained drug release similar to that of SLNs. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and endothermic peaks confirmed the complete encapsulation of actives in lipid matrices.
</sec>
<sec><title style='display:none'>Conclusion</title>
The encapsulating of OLZ in SLNs and converting it into DAN showed a sustained release and adsorption technique that can be used for improving the stability of NLC dispersion. The DANs can be offered in dosage forms such as filling into sachets, capsules and compressed into tablets.
</sec>
</abstract>

Formulation development, in-vitro and ex-vivo evaluation of dry adsorbed solid lipid nanoparticles: an approach of overcoming olanzapine drawbacks

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Metal complexes, which, under physiologic conditions, show redox properties and are able to bind to DNA, are great tools to cleave the DNA chain. This aspect is of great importance for their use as antineoplastic drugs. We synthesized ligands derived from short-chain amino acids and from salicylaldehyde. The prepared ligands of the type of reduced Schiff bases were subsequently used for the preparation of copper(II) complexes. The aim of the study was in vitro testing of copper(II) complexes, where it was confirmed that they are capable of cleaving DNA. Their cytotoxic activity was also confirmed by the resazurin redox method on Saccharomyces cerevisiae based on preserved healthy mitochondrial function.
</abstract>

DNA Cleavage and Cytotoxic Activity of Copper(II) Complexes Based on Reduced Schiff Bases Derived From Salicylaldehyde and Amino Acids

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Aminopeptidase N (APN) is a broad specificity zinc metallopeptidase with many functions that do not always depend on its enzymatic activity. Among others, it is involved in tumor angiogenesis and metastasizing and also serves as a cellular receptor of some coronaviruses. Some APN inhibitors, such as bestatin or tosedostat, were used or tested as anticancer drugs in the past. Within the past two decades, we have prepared several series of potential APN inhibitors. Some of them reached interesting values of inhibitory activity and were also successfully tested for antiproliferation activity in cancer cell lines. We also performed some QSAR studies with APN inhibitors prepared by us and other authors.
</abstract>

Aminopeptidase N as a potential drug target

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The skin barrier, which is essential for human survival on dry land, is located in the uppermost skin layer, the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum consists of corneocytes surrounded by multilamellar lipid membranes that prevent excessive water loss from the body and entrance of undesired substances from the environment. To ensure this protective function, the composition and organization of the lipid membranes is highly specialized. The major skin barrier lipids are ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol in an approximately equimolar ratio. With hundreds of molecular species of ceramide, skin barrier lipids are a highly complex mixture that complicate the investigation of its behaviour. In this minireview, the structures of the major skin barrier lipids, formation of the stratum corneum lipid membranes and their molecular organization are described.</abstract>

Ceramides in the skin barrier

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Primaquine (PQ) has long been recognized as the only effective drug in the treatment of hepatic stage malaria. However, severe toxicity limits its therapeutical application. Combining PQ with chloroquine (CQ) has been reported as enhancing the former’s efficacy, while simultaneously reducing its toxicity. In this study, the optimal conditions for encapsulating PQ-CQ in liposome, including incubation time, temperature and drug to lipid ratio, were identified. Furthermore, the effect of the loading combination of these two drugs on liposomal characteristics and the drug released from liposome was evaluated. Liposome is composed of HSPC, cholesterol and DSPE-mPEG2000 at a molar ratio of 55:40:5 and the drugs were loaded by means of the transmembrane pH gradient method. The particle size, ζ-potential and drug encapsulation efficiency were subsequently evaluated. The results showed that all liposome was produced with a similar particle size and ζ -potential. PQ and CQ could be optimally loaded into liposome by incubating the mixtures at 60°C for 20 minutes at a respective drug to lipid ratio of 1:3 for PQ and CQ. However, compared to single drug loading, dual-loading of PQ+CQ into liposome resulted in lower drug encapsulation and slower drug release. In conclusion, PQ and CQ can be jointly loaded into liposome with differing profiles of encapsulation and drug release.
</abstract>

Dual Loading Of Primaquine And Chloroquine Into Liposome

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Aim: Patient-oriented pharmaceutical care in pharmacies could improve patient satisfaction and influence patient’s choice of a community pharmacy. The aim of the work was to assess patient satisfaction and attendance in community pharmacies in Slovakia. Methods: A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to patients visiting 33 community pharmacies in a total of 23 Slovak cities during October-December 2013. The questionnaire contained 29 items and three dimensions were supposed (managing therapy, interpersonal relationship, general satisfaction). A 5-point Likert-type scale (1 = very satisfied, 2 = satisfied, 3 = neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, 4 = dissatisfied, 5 = very dissatisfied) was used for assessing patient satisfaction. The results are presented in percentages and by the level of satisfaction within the range: high satisfaction (score 1.00-2.50), moderate satisfaction (score 2.51-3.50) and low satisfaction (score 3.51-5.00). Reasons for attendance in the community pharmacy and factors influencing pharmacy choice were evaluated either. Results: A total 2 844 respondents were included into the survey. Patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical care achieved high satisfaction level: interpersonal relationship (1.85 ± 0.598; 86.7% highly satisfied respondents) and general satisfaction (2.02 ± 0.643; 71.3% highly satisfied respondents). Managing therapy scored lower (2.24 ± 0.704; 65.4% highly satisfied respondents). The most frequently reported reasons for attending community pharmacy were to obtain prescription (70.4%) and over-the-counter medications (70.4%). The patient choice of a particular pharmacy was influenced by its location (74.1%). Conclusion: This study presents the first nationwide patientreported outcomes about patient satisfaction and attendance in community pharmacies in Slovakia. Future development and advancement of pharmacy practice leading to higher patient satisfaction requires modification of community pharmacists’ professional behaviour in Slovakia namely in managing therapy of patients.</abstract>

The Assessment of Patient Satisfaction and Attendance of Community Pharmacies in Slovakia

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects of the products of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism highly depend on the action of kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO). The present results show increased concentrations of the KMO in the plasma of rats repeatedly exposed to an immune challenge. Increased concentrations of this key enzyme are likely to cause a shift of kynurenine pathway towards enhanced production of neurotoxic metabolites. </abstract>

Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Bratislava

Comenius University Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Department of Pharmacology, BioMed, Martin,

Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Bratislava,

Comenius University in Bratislava, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Galenic Pharmacy, Bratislava,

Evaluation of the effect of carnosine, its novel derivative trolox-carnosine and trolox in a pre-clinical study focussing on the regulation of immunity

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Present research is oriented on the synthesis of some novel 12-(<italic>N</italic>-arylmethaniminyl)indolo[1,2-<italic>c</italic>]quinazoline analogs (4b1–4b11) and their characterization by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR and mass spectrophotometry. Their free radical scavenging activity and antibacterial potential were also evaluated. Many derivatives have shown a marked free radical scavenging capacity in all the concentrations but specifically compounds 4b7, 4b8 and 4b11 have shown good antioxidant potential with an IC50 value of 25.18 μmol/L, 28.09 μmol/L &amp; 44.22 μmol/L, respectively (DPPH method) and 39.46 μmol/L, 44.47 μmol/L &amp; 35.61 μmol/L, respectively (H2O2 method). The antibacterial evaluation was carried out against <italic>B. subtilis</italic> and <italic>E. coli</italic> by agar well diffusion method and it revealed that all the compounds in the series were having marked antibacterial activity but compounds 4b9 and 4b11 have shown best antibacterial potential. Then, it was concluded that the derivatives which were containing substituted anilines (4-Nitro, 4-Fluoro, 4-Bromo &amp; 4-Chloro-2-nitro) on the carbon attached on the 12th position of indoloquinazoline moiety were having marked potential as an antibacterial and free radical scavenger.</abstract>

Synthesis, antibacterial and free radical scavenging activity of some newer <italic>N</italic>-((10-nitro-1<italic>H</italic>-indolo [1, 2-c]quinazolin-12-yl)methylene)benzenamines

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