: Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules of great interest in the pharmaceutical field due to their use in combination with other adjuvants to solubilize poor soluble drugs, improve their dissolution profile, promote permeation, increase drug delivery systems stabilization, among other characteristics. Literature shows that surfactants are included in several pharmaceutical forms composition: tablets, solid dispersions, emulsions, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, liposomes, and niosomes. This review aims to elucidate the different classes of surfactants based on their charges (cationic, anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and dimeric), the micelles formation process, and how surfactants molecules geometry can affect this phenomenon. Moreover, current studies regarding the benefits of surfactants in the development of formulations are presented. Finally, a discussion on how charges and chain length of surfactants can interact with the stratum corneum epithelial cells leading to increased permeation or skin irritability is reported.

Background: Dexamethasone (DEXA) is a potent synthetic corticosteroid derived from the cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene nucleus known for its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. Due to its therapeutic effects, several analytical methods have been used for its quantitative determination and for physicochemical characterization, as well as for evaluation of pharmacological and toxicological properties. Objective: This review was aimed to describe the principles and methods commonly used to identify and quantify DEXA in drug delivery systems and biological samples. The methods herein discussed are high performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, x-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and thin layer chromatography. Conclusion: This review provided a wide variety of analytical methods that can be used for the quantification and identification of drugs, providing scientists with great support during the development of scientific research, as well as ensuring the quality of the manufacturing processes as well as of the resulting products. Therefore, the use of such analytical methods has become critical throughout the process of developing pharmaceutical formulation containing DEXA.

Background: The insertion of topical antimicrobials in wound treatment represented an important role in patient management. Among these agents, silver sulfadiazine (AgSD), introduced in the therapy of wounds and burns in the 1960s, is considered the gold standard in treatment due to its mechanism of action, in addition to its proven efficacy and safety. The association of AgSD with polymers for the development of curative formulations has been reported. The evaluation of the physical-chemical properties of these systems with the aid of analytical techniques of characterization is essential for the determination of their activities, besides allowing the detection of possible incompatibilities between AgSD and polymers. Objective: Thus, this review presents the main techniques of physicochemical characterization used in the evaluation of systems containing AgSD with curative purposes in order to provide parameters to ensure the efficacy and safety of these new therapeutic options. Results: Microscopic, thermoanalytical, and spectroscopic techniques, for example, provide information on system properties such as surface chemical composition, crystallinity, morphology, and thermal stability of curative formulations containing AgSD. Conclusion: These techniques are important in the selection of the most appropriate techniques during the development of a polymeric curative system containing AgSD, in addition to providing information for cost reduction of a possible scale-up and the establishment of methodologies for quality control of these systems to ensure their efficacy and safety.

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