Enteric Release Essential Oil Prepared by Co-Spray Drying Methacrylate/Polysaccharides-Influence of Starch Type.

Oregano essential oil (EO) enteric release powder was formulated by spray drying feed emulsions stabilized with polysaccharides (PSC) and Eudragit L100 (PLM). Different modified starches were used in the PSC component. Spray-dried powders were evaluated for particle size and morphology, dynamic packing, flowability, chemical interactions, reconstitution, and gastric protection.

Interferon-alpha 2b treatment of chronic hepatitis C in haemodialysis patients.

Nineteen haemodialysis (HD) patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-alpha) at a dose of 3 or 1 MU thrice weekly for 6 months and were followed-up for another 14 months without treatment. Six patients discontinued treatment because they either presented severe side-effects to IFN-alpha or had complications of their primary disease. Levels of AST and ALT were within normal limits on the 2nd month of treatment and remained so throughout the treatment and the follow-up period in all patients except one who showed an elevation of transaminase levels 2 months after the end of treatment.