Local factors, like wearing of panty liners or use of tampons during menstruation, may promote recurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis, especially in patients who practice self-medication with antimycotics.

From a botanical perspective, the large number of species of the genus Sideritis coupled with the tendency to hybridise between the different species has prompted an accurate study designed to clarify all the controversial points in the botanical classification of this genus. The past phytochemical studies of the Sideritis species have been performed with different extracts from the aerial parts, essential oils and isolated compounds such as diterpenoids, flavonoids or phenylpropanoid glycosides. These investigations have justified the traditional uses for these plants and provided direction for new pharmacological research. In recent years, other compounds such as iridoids, coumarins, lignans and phenylpropanoid glycosides have also been isolated and identified. The results have shown that essential oils act as good antimicrobial agents against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and against the Candida albicans fungus. Diterpenoids have shown antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antifeedant activity, and flavonoids are active as anti-ulcerous, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Future research should focus on the pharmacological activity of these isolated compounds to find new active principles and identify their mechanisms of action. In addition, it would be interesting to investigate new pharmacological activities apart from those used in traditional medicine; recent studies have shown that diterpenes and some diterpene derivatives act as effective anti-HIV and antiproliferative agents.

In this study solid dispersions of carbamazepine in the hydrophilic Kollidon® VA64 polymer, adsorbed onto Neusilin® UFL2 adsorption carrier have been employed to improve carbamazepine dissolution rate. In order to evaluate effects of changing in the proportions of all solid dispersion components on carbamazepine dissolution rate, D-optimal mixture experimental design was used in the formulation development. From all prepared solid dispersion formulations, significantly faster carbamazepine dissolution was observed compared to pure drug. Ternary solid dispersions containing carbamazepine, Kollidon® VA64 and Neusilin® UFL2 showed superior dissolution performances over binary ones, containing only carbamazepine and Neusilin® UFL2. Proportion of Kollidon® VA64 showed the most profound effect on the amount of carbamazepine dissolved after 10 and 30 min, whereby these parameters increase upon increasing in Kollidon® VA64 concentrations up to the middle values in the studied range of Kollidon® VA64 concentrations. Physicochemical characterization of the selected samples using differential scanning calorimetry, FT-IR spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and polarizing light microscopy showed polymorphic transition of carbamazepine from more thermodynamically stable monoclinic form (form III) to less thermodynamically stable triclinic form (form I) in the case of ternary, but not of binary solid dispersion formulations. This polymorphic transition can be one of the factors responsible for improving of carbamazepine dissolution rate from studied solid dispersions. Ternary solid dispersions prepared with Kollidon® VA64 hydrophilic polymer and Neusilin® UFL2 adsorption carrier resulted in significantly improvement of carbamazepine dissolution rate, but formation of metastable polymorphic form of carbamazepine requires particular care to be taken in ensuring product long term stability.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of peloid, its mineralogical composition and its antimicrobial activity, including the presence of algae, with the aim of considering its dermo-cosmetic application, such as anti-skin aging and treatment. Physicochemical analysis showed that peloid from Ulcinj coast, contains minerals, necessary for smooth performance of skin functions, as well as, the whole body. A studied peloid sample showed significant antimicrobial activity of Candida albicans strain, and the presence of algae of Bacillariophyta division, known to have a beneficial effect on skin health. Results of examination of peloid from Ulcinj locality, recommended it as a high quality natural substance applicative in dermo-cosmetic preparations for treatment of problematic skin.