ABSTRACT Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a drug used as anticonvulsant, especially in the treatment of epilepsy. For adequate control disease, treatment must achieve adequate blood concentrations, therefore, it is very important to control the levels of anticonvulsant drugs in biological matrices with suitable analytical methods. A simple and fast liquid chromatographic method with UV detection was developed and validated for the determination of CBZ in saliva. Chromatographic separation was achieved with a RP-18 column, using acetonitrile and water with triethylamine at pH 7,3 as mobile phase in isocratic elution mode, at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The detection was done at 230 nm. and bromazepam at 1,5 μg/mL was used as IS. The run time was 5 min. The described method was linear over a range of 0,5 - 5,5 μg/mL. The intraassay and interassay precision, expressed as the RSD, were in the range of 0,67 - 2,93 % and 0,17 - 9,33 %, respectively, the extraction recoveries were between 100,67 – 100,69 %, the accuracy values ranged from −3,33 to 0,69 % and - 2,67 to 0,72 in intraday and interday analysis, respectively, and the assay demonstrated adequate selectivity and specificity. The LLOQ is below the therapeutic level, demonstrating an adequate sensitivity of the method. The results showed that the proposed method was found to be suitable for quantitative determination of CBZ in saliva.

ABSTRACT Risperidone, an antipsychotic drug, was determined in human serum, using an optimized liquid-liquid extraction for isolation from biological fluid, with ethyl acetate as extraction solvent. This sample extraction method was chosen to increase extraction efficiency and reduce matrix interferences. Quantitation was achieved by LC/DAD at 294 nm over the concentration range of 1 ng/mL to 60 ng/mL (r=0.999). Desipramine was used as internal standard (tR for Risperidone: 4.23; tR Desipramine: 7.31). Mobile phase was water: acetonitrile: triethilamine: glacial acetic acid (70:29.16:0.52: 0.33 v/v), using a Purosphere STAR RP-18e 250 × 4.5 mm (5µ) column. RSD, for the intra-assay study, was between 0.52 % – 2.09 % (n=3), and between 0.79 % −3.25 % (n=9) for the inter-assay. LOD was 0.40 ng/mL and LOQ was 0.87 ng/mL. Recovery percentage for the accuracy study was between 90.82% and 98.56% ((RSD ≤ 3.93). The method is simple, fast, precise, accurate, sensible and selective. This method was successfully applied to quantify risperidone in patient serum samples. In conclusion, the method is useful for quantitative determination of risperidone in human serum.

Abstract: Introduction: In children with celiac disease, gluten intake causes an autoimmune, inflammatory and progressive lesion of the small intestine villi, compromising the absorption of nutrients and pos sible damage to others organs. Objective: To determine plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in Chilean child and adolescents with celiac disease. Patients and Method: A descrip tive cross-sectional study was carried out in which 16 pediatric patients of both genders diagnosed with celiac disease participated. General background, nutritional status and biochemical parameters were determined. Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were classified as sufficient between 30-100 ng/ ml, insufficient between 20-30 ng/ml and deficient as <20 ng/ml. Results: The age of the patients was between 5 and 18 years (age: 11 ± 4 years). Four out of 16 participants had normal 25(OH)D concentrations, eight had insufficient concentrations and one had deficient concentrations. Accor ding to BMI, 11 patients had normal nutritional status, four were overweight and one was obese. In relation to height, seven out of 16 cases presented short stature and normal-low height. Associating 25(OH)D concentrations to nutritional status, nine patients with normal nutritional status, two with overweight and one with obesity presented deficient and insufficient parameters. No significant asso ciations were found between 25(OH)D concentrations and all studied variables. Conclusion: A high frequency of insufficiency and deficiency of 25(OH)D was found in the group of Chilean children and adolescents with celiac disease.

Resumen: Introducción: En celíacos la ingesta de gluten provoca una lesión inflamatoria de origen autoinmune que causa un daño progresivo de las vellosidades del intestino delgado, comprometiendo la absorción de nutrientes y posible daño a otros órganos. Objetivo: Determinar las concentraciones plasmáticas de 25-hidroxivitamina D (25OHD) en niños y adolescentes chilenos con enfermedad celíaca. Pacientes y Método: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Participaron 16 pacientes pediátricos de ambos sexos, diagnosticados con enfermedad celíaca. Se determinó antecedentes ge nerales, estado nutricional y parámetros bioquímicos. Las concentraciones plasmáticas de 25OHD se clasificaron como suficientes cuando estaban entre 30-100 ng/ml, insuficiente (20-29 ng/ml) y deficiente (< 20 ng/ml). Resultados: La edad de los pacientes estaba comprendida entre 5 y 18 edad (edad: 11 ± 4 años). De los participantes 4 de 16 presentaron concentraciones normales de 25OHD, 8 insuficiente y 1 deficiente. Según IMC, 11 tenían estado nutricional normal, 4 sobrepeso y 1 obesidad. El diagnóstico de la talla mostró 7 de 16 casos de talla baja y normal baja. Al relacionar las concentraciones de 25OHD con estado nutricional, los parámetros deficientes e insuficientes se concentraron en 9 pacientes con estado nutricional normal, 2 con sobrepeso y 1 con obesidad. Se realizaron asociaciones entre las concentraciones de 25OHD y todas las variables estudiadas y no se encontró ninguna asociación significativa. Conclusión: Se encontró una alta frecuencia de insuficiencia y deficiencia de 25OHD en el grupo de niños y adolescentes chilenos con enfermedad celíaca.

ABSTRACT A stability-indicating LC method was developed and validated for the determination of risperidone in tablets. Quantitation was achieved by LC/DAD at 294 nm over the concentration range of 25.00 μg/mL to 250.00 μg/mL. Mobile phase was a mixture of water: glacial acetic acid 0.50 %: triethylamine 0.80 %: acetonitrile (65.00: 0.32: 0.52: 34.16, v/v), using a Purosphere STAR RP-18e 250 × 4.5 mm (5μ) column, and paroxetine as internal standard. The method exhibited an adequate linearity (r = 0.999), selectivity, precision (RSD ≤ 0.847 %) and accuracy (recoveries from 99.55 % to 101.35 %). Risperidone was subjected to the stress conditions of oxidative, acid, base, thermal and photolytic degradation. Risperidone was found no degrade in basic or acid stress conditions, neither in thermal stress exposition (50, 70 and 100 °C) no at visible or UV stress conditions, during the time of the study. Only two degradation products were observed with peroxide oxidation, well resolved from analyte peak, proving the stability-indicating power of the method. The proposed method was found to be suitable for quantitative determination and the stability studies of risperidone in tablets.

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are possible risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and these can be modified by physical activity and changes in dietary patterns, such as switching to a Mediterranean diet. This diet includes fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish and moderate wine intake. These foods provide vitamins, polyphenols and unsaturated fatty acids. This diet should be able to reduce oxidative stress. The inflammatory response is also reduced by unsaturated fatty acids, resulting in a lower expression and a lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The Cardiovascular protection is related to the actions of polyphenols and unsaturated fatty acids on the vascular endothelium. The Mediterranean diet also can improve cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. These beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet should have a role in Alzheimer’s disease prevention.

Introduction: Pediculosis capitis is a public health problem with a high prevalence. The emergence of parasite resistance to conventional pediculicide is of great concern worldwide. Objective: To develop alternatives pediculicide, effective and safe, based on the essential oil of Eucaliptus globulus. Method: Through bioassays active concentrations ranges of the essential oil were established, and proceeded to develop a standardized, stable, pharmaceutical form, evaluating its effects on our population. Results: The results showed 100% effectiveness; short time of death, ovicidal action, activity on the adhesion of the egg, and low toxicity. Discussion: In addition to great effect, the inability of the parasite to become resistant to the chemical composition of the essential oil makes this formulation an alternative to the problem of head lice solution.

Introducción: La pediculosis capitis es un problema de salud pública con una alta prevalencia. La aparición de resistencia del parásito a los pediculicidas convencionales es de gran preocupación a nivel mundial. Objetivo: Desarrollar alternativas pediculicidas, efectivas y seguras, en base al aceite esencial de Eucaliptus globulus. Método: A través de bioensayos se establecieron rangos de concentraciones activas del aceite esencial, y se procedió al desarrollo de una forma farmacéutica, estandarizada, estable, evaluando sus efectos en nuestra población. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron 100% de efectividad; corto tiempo de muerte, acción ovicida, actividad sobre la adherencia del huevo, y baja toxicidad. Discusión: Además de la gran efectividad, la imposibilidad del parásito de adquirir resistencia a la composición química del aceite esencial hace de esta formulación una solución alternativa al problema de la pediculosis.

A high performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for quantitative analysis of trazodone in human serum has been developed and validated. Trazodone was extracted with n-hexane: isoamyl alcohol (99:1). Chromatographic separation was performed on silica gel 60 F 254 HPTLC plates, with toluene: acetone: ethanol: ammonium (9:7:2:0.5, v/v/v/v) as mobile phase. Densitometric evaluation was carried out at 290 nm. There was no chromatographic interference between trazodone and its major metabolite, m-chlorophenilpiperazine (Rf 0.82 and 0.39, respectively). Regression analysis of the calibration plot revealed good linearity (r=0.999) over the range of 20.00 and 200.00 ng/band, corresponding to 0.20 and 2.00 ng/µL of trazodone in human serum after extraction process and applying 10 µL to the chromatographic plates. The % RSD of intra-assay and inter-assay precision, were in the range of 0.98% to 2.97% (n=3) and 1.06% to 3.54% (n=9), respectively. LOD and LOQ were found to be 0.016ng/µL, and 0.048ng/µL, and the recovery values, of trazodone from serum, were between 92.52 % and 96.73 %. This method was successfully applied to quantify trazodone in patient serum samples. In conclusion, the developed method might be useful for the quantitative determination of trazodone in human serum, as a tool to evaluate patient adherence to their pharmacotherapy with this drug.

A stability- indicating high performance thin layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed and validated for the determination of enalapril maleate in tablets. Chromatographic separation was achieved on precoated silica gel F 254 HPTLC plates using a mixture of 1-buthanol, glacial acetic acid and water (12:3:5, v/v) as a mobile phase. Quantitative analysis was carried out at a wavelength of 207 nm. The method exhibitied an adequate linearity (r =0.998), selectivity, precision and accuracy. Enalapril was subjected to oxidative, hydrolytic, thermal and photolytic stress conditions, and was found degradation significantly in basic stress condition only, during the time of the study. The degradation products were well resolved from main peak, proving the stability-indicating power of the method. This method was successfully applied for quantitative analysis of enalapril maleate in tablets. Therefore, the method is suitable for quantitative determination and the stability studies of enalapril maleate in tablets.

A method using HPTLC for quantitation of nifedipine in serum was developed and validated. It includes a liquid-liquid extraction, and carbamazepine as internal standard. Chloroform: ethyl acetate: cyclohexane (19:2:2, v/v/v) was the mobile phase. The method showed good relationship (r = 0.996) (2.00 to 25.00 ng/band, corresponding to 0.02 and 0.25 ng/µL in serum). The % RSD of intra-assay and inter-assay, were between 0.57 and 3.56 and 1.16 to 3.60, respectively. LOD and LOQ were 0.72 and 0.86 ng/band, respectively. The recovery values were between 93 and 102%. Rf for nifedipine and carbamazepine were 0.31 and 0.10, respectively.

The chemical stability of enalapril drug substance and tablets was studied by a stability-indicating liquid chromatographic method. Stress testing was performed on drug substance under various conditions. Accelerated stability testing was carried out for different formulations of enalapril tablets. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a RP-18 column, using a mobile phase of methanol phosphate buffer at 1.0 mL min"1 and UV detection. Degradation of the drug substance was greater under hydrolytic conditions. After 180 days of accelerated stability testing most enalapril tablets showed more than 10% of degradation. Enalapril drug substance and tablets showed instability under stress and accelerated testing respectively, with possible implications on the therapeutic activity.

Verapamil is one of the frequently prescribed calcium channel blockers used in the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. Results of evaluations of the therapy have led to reports of toxic effects. This study presents several evidences that verapamil affects human cells. Scanning electrón microscopy observations of intact human erythrocytes indicated that they underwent morphological alterations as increasing verapamil concentrations starting from 5 µM changed their discoid normal shape, and finally to hemolysis. Fluorescence spectroscopy on isolated unsealed human erythrocyte membranes confirmed these outcomes. In fact, the assays showed that verapamil induced a significant increase of the anisotropy parameters and a modérate one of the generalized polarization, indicative of enhanced order at the acyl chain and polar head regions of the erythrocyte membrane lipid bilayer. X-ray diffraction experiments on dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine bilayers, classes of the major phospholipids present in both outer and inner sides of the erythrocyte membrane, respectively showed that verapamil perturbed the polar head and acyl chain regions of both lipid bilayers. These interactions were found to be stronger with DMPC bilayers. On the other hand, human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells incubated with verapamil suffered a sharp decrease of cell viability.

Homeopathic medicine is a type of therapy that appeared in Europe at the end of the eighteenth century. At the present time, it is widely accepted in developed countries as a form of alternative medicine. In Chile, health regulation includes homeopathy as pharmaceutical producís and homeopathy is also considered a form of complementary medicine, that is well accepted by the public. The scientific rationale of homeopathy is based on an empine type of thought that goes from the general to the particular. The symptoms that are valued are those that are particular to each sick individual. It uses diluted solutions of plants, minerals, animáis and even venoms. There are basically two hypotheses to explain its mechanisms ofaction: The "immunological memory" and the "memory of water" or the transmission of electromagnetic information of the water. There still is needed to perform new studies to scientifically assess homeopathy and its usefulness, as an accepted alternative therapy .

Results of numerous epidemiologic studies indicate that elevated serum cholesterol, especially the LDL fraction, is a major cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). Epidemiologic and angiographic evidence from primary and secondary prevention studies involving several HMG-CoA reducíase inhibitors (statins) indicate that decreasing elevated serum cholesterol concentration (specifically LDL-cholesterol) can reduce the incidence of CHD and/or progression of atherosclerosis and results in a decrease in associated morbidity and mortality. It has been estimated that each 1% reduction in LDL-cholesterol concentration may result in a 1% decrease in the incidence of CHD. Furthermore, an analysis of pooled data from primary and secondary prevention studies found that treatment with a statin for a median duration of 5.4 years was associated with a 31% and 21% reduction in the risk of major coronary events and total mortality, respectively. This paper deals with the pharmacology of statins, specially with the pleiotropic effects ofthese drugs

Abstract: Carbamazepine is one of the most commonly used anticonvulsants for the treatment of epilepsy and its plasma concentrations must be monitored periodically to obtain a useful and safe clinical effect. There is not a good relationship between the dose of the carbamazepine and their effects in humans, but the effects of this drug have been well correlated with its plasma levels. Aim: To measure the correlation between plasma and saliva levels of carbamazepine in children with epilepsy. Material and Methods: Saliva and plasma levels of carbamazepine were measured by using instrumental planar chromatography in 11 epileptic children aged 8 to 15 years treated with the drug for at least six months. Results: The mean saliva/plasma ratio was 0.18±0.05 and the mean of carbamazepine concentration in saliva, expressed as a percentage of concentrations in plasma, was 17.97±5.40. There was a poor linear correlation (r =0.37) between the concentrations of carbamazepine in both fluids. Conclusions: In this group of epileptic children the correlation between saliva and plasma carbamazepine levels was weak

Background: Erectile dysfunction is a public health problem. Millions of men worldwide experience this condition, affecting their quality of life. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, is the treatment of choice for erectile dysfunction. Aim: To study the characteristics of Sildenafil use among costumers of community pharmacies in Concepcion Chile. Material and methods: A structured interview about Sildenafil use was applied to subjects purchasing the drug in community pharmacies and that consented to participate. Results: One hundred thirty eight males were studied. Forty six percent of patients were fifty years old or older. Most (47.1%) used Sildenafil for one year or more and 60.5% had no adverse events. Among those experiencing side effects, headache was experienced by 38.9%, flushing by 16.6% and gastrointestinal effects by 16.7%. Ninety percent of patients had a good evaluation of the drug in terms of benefits and tolerance. Thirty two percent of the subjects, had diseases associated to erectile dysfunction. Among these, 45% had diabetes mellitus, 29.5% had hypertension, and 18.2% had prostatic diseases. In 54% of cases, the drug was prescribed by a physician. Twenty two percent of patients experienced changes in the effect of the drug when it was simultaneously used with other drugs or meals. Thirty four percent of patients used other drugs. Among these, 43.3% were using antihypertensives, and 26.7% were using antidiabetic drugs. Conclusions: Considering the elevated age and the number of associated disease of patients using Sildenafil, the use of the drug under medical prescription must be emphasized to avoid untoward effects