Two natural polymers, i.e., cellulose and water soluble pullulan, have been selectively oxidized employing the TEMPO-mediated protocol, to allow the introduction of C₆-OOH groups. Thereafter, the composite hydrogels of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and different content of the oxidized polysaccharides were prepared by the freezing/thawing method. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been used to discuss the degree of interaction between the hydrogels constituents into the physical network. The homogeneity of the prepared hydrogels as revealed by the SEM show an excellent distribution of the oxidized polysaccharides inside the PVA matrix. The samples exhibit self-healing features, since they quickly recover the initial structure after being subjected to a large deformation. The cell viability was performed for the selected hydrogels, all of them showing promising results. The samples are able to load L-arginine both by physical phenomena, such as diffusion, and also by chemical phenomena, when imine-type bonds are likely to be formed. The synergism between the two constituents, PVA and oxidized polysaccharides, into the physical network, propose these hydrogels for many other biomedical applications.

The excellent biological properties of chitosan (CS) together with the increased oxygen permeability of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were the prerequisites for the creation of a wound healing dressing that would also function as a system for L-arginine (L-arg) and caffeine (Caff) delivery. Using the freezing/thawing method, 12 hydrogels were obtained in PVA:CS polymer ratios of 90:10, 75:25, and 60:40, and all were loaded with L-arg, Caff, and the mixture of L-arg and Caff, respectively. Afterwards, an inorganic material (zeolite–Z) was added to the best polymeric ratio (75:25) and loaded with active substances. The interactions between the constituents of the hydrogels were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy, the uniformity of the network was highlighted by the SEM technique, and the dynamic water vapor sorption capacity was evaluated. In the presence of the inorganic material, the release profile of the active substances is delayed, and in vitro permeation kinetics proves that the equilibrium state is not reached even after four hours. The synergy of the constituents in the polymer network recommends that they be used in medical applications, such as wound healing dressings.

Topical approaches to dermatophytosis have the advantage of targeted therapy and minimal side effects and are patient-friendly. The present study focused on obtaining thin, flexible, and transparent bioadhesive polymeric films loaded with terbinafine hydrochloride (TH), in order to be administered to the skin affected by fungal infection. Polymeric films based on pullulan (P), oxidized pullulan (T-OP), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC), and glycerin were obtained by the casting and evaporation technique, and the solubility of the drug was significantly increased by micellar solubilization with Tween-80, thus avoiding the use of organic solvents. Physico-chemical characterization through the FTIR technique and EDX analysis indicates the absence of strong interactions between the drug and the polymer, and the loading efficiency highlights the uniform distribution of the drug. The mechanical properties, bioadhesion, contact angle, and water sorption capacity highlight optimal adhesion parameters on the skin. In vitro studies indicate a prolonged drug release, in the first 300 min, of 80% and 60% for F2_TH and F1_TH, respectively, and the release kinetics follow the Weibull model. Significant antifungal activity was obtained for both polymeric films. The biocompatibility of the ingredients, the gentle technique for obtaining the films, and the results obtained from their analysis represent promise for their applicability in topical antifungal treatment.

For the determination of enalapril maleate in tablets a new, simple and economical HPLC method was developed and fully validated. Chromatographic separation was achieved on Hewlett Zorbax SB-C 18 (150 x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column and the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile: 0.025 M phosphate buffer adjusted to pH 3 (70:30 v/v) pumped at a flow rate 0.8 mL/min and UV-detection was performed at 210 nm. The proposed method was validated according to ICH guidelines (linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, recovery and system suitability). The total run time was less than 3 min and the retention time for Enalapril maleate was 2.3 min. The calibration graph was linear in the concentration range between 10 – 100 μg/mL with the correlation coefficient r ² = 0.9998. The developed and validated method was successfully applied to determine the Enalapril maleate in tablets. Therefore, this method proved to be sensitive, specific and reproducible and can be applied for routine analysis of enalapril maleate from pharmaceutical formulation due to its simplicity of application.