Inclusion complexes between the Satureja montana essential oil and beta-cyclodextrin were prepared by co-precipitation method with the four oil to beta-cyclodextrin ratios of 5:95, 10:90, 15:85 and 20:80 (w/w) in order to determine the effect of the ratio on the inclusion efficiency of beta-cyclodextrin for encapsulating oil volatiles. The characterization of the complex involved the analysis of the initial essential oil, the surface and the total extracted oils. The retention of essential oil volatiles reached a maximum of 93.15 % at the oil to beta-cyclodextrin ratio of 15:85. Though, the maximum inclusion efficiency of beta-cyclodextrin was achieved at the ratio of 20:80. The qualitative and quantitative composition of the volatiles in the total oil extracts was similar to the starting oil which is confirmed the high inhibition zone as antifungal and high antioxidant properties after encapsulation to beta-cyclodextrin. This justifies the use of beta-cyclodextrin as complexion agent for S. montana essential oil in the food and pharmaceutical industries

Background: Essential oils are currently the subject of intensive scientific study, and their potential as active medicinal compounds or natural preservatives has attracted the attention of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Objectives: The objectives of the present study were: to develop a cosmetic emulsion based on different concentrations of synthetic preservative and essential oils, applied as natural preservatives; to evaluate and subsequently compare their stability and antimicrobial activity. Materials and Methods: Various samples were prepared using different concentrations of methylparaben, and essential oils as well. The fresh samples were evaluated immediately after preparation related to organoleptic and physicochemical testing. The behavior of the samples related to light tests, accelerated tests, and microbiological stability tests as well were performed for four weeks of storage. Results: During the accelerated stability test, formulations loaded with 2% essential oils were not stable as was noted a variation in the color and liquefaction in the second week of storage at 40°C; their rheological behavior showed a significant decrease in the viscosity, varying from 4890±34.7 to 3720±37.9. For all the samples, the pH levels were within the physiological skin pH range, it varied from 6.01±0.33 to 6.92±0.19. The self-preserving activity of all the cosmetic emulsions was satisfactory. Conclusion: Cosmetic emulsions loaded with essential oils, in the concentration of 1% showed promising stability, physico-chemical characteristics, and selfpreserving properties, in different storage conditions. The formulations loaded with essential oils provide a novel alternative for the preservation of "paraben-free" cosmetic products.

Herbal drugs as novel antibacterials-Assoc.

To promote rational drug use in developing countries, it is important to assess drug use pattern using the World Health Organization (WHO) drug use indicators. The aim of this study was to assess the drug prescription patterns and the extent of rational prescribing in Tirana city, Albania. A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study of 1000 prescriptions, selected by systematic random sampling from 5000 prescription collected in 8 pharmacies in Tirana was conducted at the outpatient pharmacy. The WHO prescribing indicators were analyzed using the SPSS package 21. The index of rational drug prescribing (IRDP) was calculated to assess rational prescribing. The average number of medicines per prescription was 2.406. The percentage of medicines prescribed by generic names was 43.85 %, while 53.3% and 10.3% of prescriptions had an antibiotic and injection, respectively. The percentage of medicines prescribed from the national essential medicines list was 24.10%. The most commonly prescribed pharmacological groups of medicines were antibiotics 51.5%, vitamins 49.4% and NSAIDS 22.70%. The IRDP was 2.728, instead of the ideal value of 5. Average number of medicines per prescription, prescription with generic name and drug from the essential medicines list, and IRDP showed deviation from the standard recommended by WHO. However, there is a need to do more on some issues, including prescribing practice of antibiotics, average number of medicines per prescription, as well as prescribing by national essential of medicine list and by generic names.

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