Researchers from the Institute of Chemistry (IHR) GA Krestov Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences imported gels based on methotrexate. This drug is used in the treatment of autoimmune and oncological skin diseases. The results of the work of scientists with “socialbites.ca” were shared in the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.
First of all, the drug is used in gels. This method of treatment can avoid surgery and save the patient from some aesthetic defects. However, in Russia there is a shortage of such drugs, as they are mainly produced abroad.
Synthetic macromolecular compounds (HMCs) are used as the main components in the preparation of such gels. Very high concentrations of these polymers (up to 20% by weight) are required to achieve the desired viscosity of the drug, which negatively affects the cost of the final product and can be harmful to the environment.
Experts from the Institute of Chemical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences have proposed using iota-carrageenan, a naturally biocompatible polymer obtained from red seaweed from the E. spinosum species, to create native gels with methotrexate. Among other properties, iota-carrageenan has the high thickening power required to form gels.
The scientists also added β-cyclodextrin to the gel. This substance increases the solubility of the drug by forming stable inclusion complexes with it. This decision made it possible to increase the content of methotrexate in it by 8 times without affecting the structural and mechanical properties of the dosage form.
“The use of β-cyclodextrin makes it possible to stabilize methotrexate during drug storage. The results obtained can form a basis for the development of new composite gels for pharmaceutical purposes that will be an alternative to imported drugs,” he said. socialbites.ca.
Skin pathologies (dermatoses) rank 5th among all diseases considered in terms of severity and prevalence, and skin cancer accounts for about 12-15% of all cases of neoplasms.
Methotrexate gels are also used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia, cancer of the cervix and vulva, cancer of the esophagus, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter, Ewing’s sarcoma, lung cancer, breast cancer. , psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and a number of other major autoimmune diseases.