Summary

A simple sensitive method of high specificity and selectivity for quantitative determination of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen and its main metabolite, 6-demethylated derivative, in biological specimens is described. Like naproxen, its metabolite absorbs maximally at 232 om; this makes their simultaneous quantification, via direct UV-measurements at λ_max, in biological fluids quite impossible. Simple TLC-separation on silica gel F₂₅₄ using chloroform + methanol (85:15, v/v) achieved the best fractionation of the unchanged drug and its metabolite from the matrix-contents of urine. UV-quantification of fractionated components could reach concentration levels of 0.2–3.0μg ml⁻¹ (ppm) in worked up urine samples. Varying levels of unchanged antiinflammatory drug and the phenolic metabolite could be accurately traced in urine samples following a 2.9 mglk.g oral dose after different time-intervals. Synthetic preparation of the metabolite by demethylation of naproxen is briefly mentioned.

The starting point for my overview of some of the changes that have occurred in post-marketing surveillance at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during the past 3 years, is the recognition that industry, the medical community and regulators share the responsibility for ensuring that drugs are used in safe and appropriate ways. The jobs of the regulator and the drug developer are not completed when a drug is approved. We must monitor real-world drug use, through post-marketing surveillance, to gain new safety information not available when a drug is first marketed. The FDA’s activities in post-marketing surveillance can be divided into two segments: monitoring adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports and the conduct of pharmacoepidemiology.

The conditions of the acid hydrolysis of industrial wastes from a culture of ginseng tissue have been investigated and the optimum conditions — liquor ratio, concentration of acid (HCl and H₂SO₄) and the temperature have been determined. The ratio of monosaccharides has been established with the aid of gas-liquid chromatography. These hydrolysates can be used as nutrient media or additives for them in the microbiological industry.

Summary

Parenteral phenytoin solution (Dilantin®) was given rectally three times a day for three days to two beagle dogs. This was well tolerated, with no evidence of mucosal irritation noted either on endoscopic nor on rectal mucosal biopsy. When given in this manner, phenytoin is absorbed to a limited degree in canines. Parenteral phenytoin solution can be safely administered rectally, despite a pH of 12. Further study in normal volunteers is needed to assess the usefulness of this route of administration in situations in which the oral and/or parenteral route of administration is unavailable.

Summary

A new electrochromatoscanning method has been developed for the quantitative analysis of micro-volume samples by paper chromatography. This method permitted the analysis of amino acid samples as small as 1 nmole. Amino acids such as β-alanine, glycine, L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid in seaweeds were analyzed using this method.

The review contains an analysis of the literature up to 1986, inclusive on the chemical investigation of some species of the genusBetula (family Betulaceae). Attention is devoted mainly to the distribution of the triterpene compounds in various parts of birch trees, and their biological properties and prospects are also discussed. Information (structure, melting point, angle of rotation, source) is given on 33 triterpenoids of the dammarane series isolated from the leaves, catkins, and young twigs of birch trees, and of 23 triterpenoids of the lupane and β-amyrin series isolated from the outer bark.