The aim of the present study was to formulate clindamycin (CLN) as a microsponge based gel to release the drug in a controlled manner and reduce the side effects in the treatment of acne. Since this method requires poor water solubility of the drug to be loaded in particles, therefore, conversion of the hydrochloride salt to free base was done. By using an emulsion solvent diffusion method, we made six different formulations of microsponges containing CLN-free base by changing the proportions of polymer, emulsifier and the pH of the external phase. These formulations were studied for physical characterization and for drug- polymer interactions. The physical characterization showed that microsponge formulations coded by C5, C6 resulted in a better loading efficiency and production yield and their particle size was less than 30 µm. Scanning electron microscopy images showed the microsponges porous and spherical. C5, C6 microsponge formulation was prepared as gel in Carbopol and in vitro evaluated. The microsponge formulation gel C8 was found to be optimized. C8 released 90.38% of drug over 12 h and showed viscosity 20,157 ± 38 cp, pH of 6.3 ± 0.09 and drug content of 99.64 ± 0.04%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed no significant interactions between excipients and drug.

Taste masking of paracetamol was achieved by preparing amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) using modified coacervation method. The method is based on dissolving the drug and polymeric carrier in water adjusted to certain pH level. Then, precipitation of ASD granules is performed by gradually changing pH level. Therefore, the chosen drug and polymer should obtain appropriate acidic or basic groups to enable pH-dependent solvation. Moreover, using solubility enhancing additives such as sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and low viscosity polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) found to be essential in aiding drug/polymer aqueous solvation which enhanced amorphization, hence taste masking and drug loading. Solid dispersion between Paracetamol and Eudragit E was formed and that proved by FT-IR, DSC, PXRD and SEM. Also, Paracetamol was released after 2 min in 0.1 N hydrochloric acid medium and the taste of masking forms are accepted from all volunteers. Modified coacervation method does not involve organic solvents, high temperatures, or sophisticated instruments commonly used in taste masking methods. Using PEG 400 resulted in significantly higher drug loading and dissolution rate compared to SLS granules. Moreover, using previously reported scoring system for the evaluation of taste masking methods shows that pH dependent coacervation obtained high scoring over common methods and thus display a robust potential for industrial applications.

Context Since ancient times, traditional Arabic medicine (TAM) has been used to treat various diseases in Syria. They are cost-effective with fewer side effects and are more suitable for long-term use compared with chemically synthesized medicines. In addition, the scientific importance is manifested, as this survey proceeds, for the purposes of verifying and documenting these traditional medicines and their common uses. Objective We conducted ethnobotanical and ethnomedicine research on plants traditionally used to treat various diseases in central region of Syria. Methods Information was collected from 2019 to 2021 from the cities of Homs and Hama and their villages, which are two governorates located in central Syria, after interviews with traditional practitioners called Attarin , and many other people. Plant specimens were collected according to different references concerning medicinal plants of Syria, to document the traditional uses of plants at least two of the traditional healers and three other people were asked. Results In this survey, we listed 76 medicinal plants belonging to 39 families in alphabetical order with the parts used and the method of preparation according to their therapeutic use, which are used to treat 106 ailments. Conclusions Many of the uses of medicinal plants mentioned in this survey are still under study. There is no doubt that this study will provide new data that could contribute to further pharmacological discoveries by identifying the active ingredients and their mechanism of effect by doing additional pharmacological work to confirm the alleged biological activities of these plants.

ContextThe use of traditional Arabic medicine (TAM) has spread to treat various diseases in Syria since ancient time. They are cost-effective with fewer side effects and are more suitable for long-term use compared with chemically synthesized medicines.ObjectiveWe conducted ethnobotanical and ethno-medicine research on plants traditionally used to treat various diseases in Western region of Syria. MethodsField surveys were conducted during July 2019-December 2020 to document ethnobotanical information through oral interviews and designed semi-structured questionnaire from local herbalists (Tabib Arabi) and the elderly people and others who were familiar with traditional uses of plants particularly for medicinal. The queries were repeatedly made to increase the reliability of the data, during the field survey of 475 local inhabitants of 70 villages. ResultsIn this research we listed 258 medicinal plants belonging to 83 families in alphabetical order with the parts used and the method of preparation according to their therapeutic use. Of these studied plants, 185 are used to treat digestive disorders, 118 for respiratory diseases, 91 for several skin diseases, 87 for kidney and urinary tract disorders, 78 for diabetes, 18 for nervous system disorders, and a few plants for treatment the other diseases which are commonly spread in study area. The calculated results of medicinal use-value (MUV) showed that Olea europaea L., Origanum syriacum L. was ranked first (MUV= 0.934), while the lowest value was found for Fumana thymifolia (L.) Spach and Cistus creticus L. (MUV= 0.003).ConclusionA large portion of the uses of medicinal plants mentioned in the research are still under study. There is no doubt that its study will provide many new data that could contribute to further pharmacological discoveries by identifying the active ingredients and their mechanism of effect by doing a lot of pharmacological work to confirm the alleged biological activities of these plants.

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