Vol 69, No 1 (2020)

Introduction. Assessment of the quality of drugs in terms of the indicator «Bacterial Endotoxins» has shown that along with the latter, β-glucans undergo enzymatic reaction with amebocyte lysate. This leads to false positive results in the (Limulus amebocyte lysate) LAL test, which poses a serious problem in the determination of pyrogenic impurities. There are 2 main sources of β-glucans in drugs: 1) excipients in the composition of a drug (for example, carmellose sodium, crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose) and 2) technological impurities of the active ingredient at the drug production stage. Objective: to investigate the potentiating (reinforcing) effect of β-glucans in tests for bacterial endotoxins, to search and select a method for its elimination. Material and methods. The investigation objects were agents: Betamethasone, injectable suspension (7 mg/ml), and Inosine, injectable solution (20 mg/ml). Endotoxin-specific buffer (β-glucan blocker) was used to carry out the LAL test in gel-clot and chromogenic kinetic modifications. Results. The investigators considered the main causes of false results: potentiation (reinforcement) of a reaction of the LAL reagent with bacterial endotoxins due to the presence of β-glucans in the agents. Procedures were developed to eliminate the factors interfering with the LAL test in order to avoid false-positive results. Conclusion. Methodological approaches were elaborated to prevent the influence of a potentiating (reinforcing) interfering factor on the results of the LAL test

Introduction. Evaluating the quality of ground burnut (Tribulus terrestris) herb is regulated by the normative document for furostanol glycosides. The literature presents information that raw materials contain not only steroidal saponins, but also a complex of biologically active substances, in particular flavonoids, the content of which can be used to quickly and objectively assess the quality of the raw materials. Objective: to develop a procedure for quantifying the total flavonoid content in the ground burnut herb, by using differential spectrophotometry. Material and methods. The investigation objects were samples of ground burnut herb gathered in the Botanic Garden, All-Russian Research Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (VILAR) (Moscow), in Crimea, the Republic of Moldova, and Syria during 2016-2018. Spectral studies were conducted in the wavelength range of 350-430 nm with a 1-nm increment, by using an SF-2000 spectrophotometer. Results and discussion. The UV spectra for alcoholic extracts were investigated to determine an analytical wavelength. The differential spectrum for extraction with aluminum chloride had a maximum emission at 410±2 nm, which coincided with that of the State standard sample (SSS) of rutin. The highest amount of flavonoids was extracted with 80% ethanol. The maximum optical density and the greatest yield of total flavonoids from the raw material were observed at a grinding fineness of 2 mm with a single extraction for 60 minutes. Under complexing conditions, the optimal ratio of the volume of the test solution to 2% alcoholic aluminum chloride solution was 2:5. The stability of the complex with the latter was observed 15 minutes after the start of the reaction and retained it for 1 hour. Conclusion. The procedure was developed for quantifying the sum of flavonoids in the ground burnut herb calculated with reference to rutin, by using differential spectrophotometry.

Introduction. The problem of treating patients with wounds and wound infection of the skin continues to be relevant. The design of agents as gels containing biologically active substances from medicinal plant raw materials is of interest since their high efficacy with good tolerance and no pronounced adverse effect is expected. Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica) that contains polysaccharides and lichenic acids is a promising object. Objective: to develop a technology of a topical carbomer-based gel that contains biologically active substances from the Iceland moss thalli and to determine the antimicrobial activity of the gel obtained. Material and methods. The investigators extracted water-soluble polysaccharides from the Iceland moss thalli according to the method by N.K. Kochetkov and lichenic acids by percolation using 70% ethanol. The gel base was obtained by the addition of purified carbopol and the neutralizing agent triethanolamine to water by stirring. The microbiological purity of the series of the gel obtained was examined in accordance with the requirements of GPA 1.2.4.0002.18 «Microbiological purity» of the Russian Federation State Pharmacopoeia 14th edition (RF SP-14). The agar diffusion method was used to assess the antimicrobial activity of the gels obtained against 6 cultures of test microorganisms: Staphylococccusaureus, Bacillussubtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus brasiliensis. Results. Water-soluble polysaccharides and lichenic acids were obtained from the Iceland moss thalli. The compatibility of the gel base with the extracted substances was determined at different concentrations of carbopol. The resulting gel meets the microbiological purity requirements of the RF SP-14. The gel was found to have antimicrobial activity against the strains of S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, and A. brasiliensis. Conclusion. The technology of a gel containing a complex of biologically active substances isolated from the Iceland moss thalli was developed. The obtained gel was ascertained to exhibit in vitro inhibitory activity against a number of bacteria and fungi (S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, and A. brasiliensis).

Introduction. An effective system for providing medications to patients is a basis for the quality of medical services, which emphasizes the need to improve the mechanism for the distribution of financial resources in the Russian healthcare system between participants in the implementation of territorial state guarantee programs for the free provision of health care to citizens. Objective: to assess the provision of drugs to certain categories of the population of Saint Petersburg Material and methods. The authors used materials on the implementation of state assistance programs for the population of Saint Petersburg: data from the reports of the Health Committee and the City Finance Committee over time in 2015-2017, as well as methods for comparative, structural-logical, and systems analyses. Results. Funding for the state program «The Development of Healthcare in Saint Petersburg» was ascertained to increase every year. The contribution of budgetary funds was not equivalent at the federal and regional levels; the amount of financing the subject of the Russian Federation exceeded the federal one by 1.5, 2.0, and 3.8 times in 2015, 2016, and 2017, respectively, which is suggestive of the high burden on regional budgets. Analysis of the efficiency indices of the state program «The Development of Healthcare in Saint Petersburg» in 2015 and 2017 demonstrated noticeable changes. A positive trend was noted in a number of indicators: all-cause mortality (a 3.4% reduction), tuberculosis mortality (a 28% decrease), morbidity due to socially significant diseases, etc. Close attention should be paid to mortality from coronary heart disease; such patients require a more effective medical approach and improvement of preferential provision of medicines. Conclusion. The regional budget of Saint Petersburg exceeds federal subsidies by an average of 2 times; the greatest contribution is made by the provision of drugs to the population groups approved by Government Order No. 890 dated July 30, 1994, including the provision of essential medicines for cancer patients, which demonstrates positive changes in efficiency indices of the program. Mortality from coronary heart disease requires close attention to the elaboration of effective medical approaches and to the improvement of preferential drug provision.