GC determination of long chain fatty acids that compose D003 in 5-mg film-coated tablets

D-003 does not possess oestrogenic potential in-vivo: findings of the uterotrophic assay

D-003 is a mixture of long-chain fatty acids purified from sugarcane wax that inhibits both cholesterol synthesis prior to mevalonate formation, and lipid peroxidation. D-003 has been shown to prevent bone loss and bone resorption in ovariectomized rats, and significantly improves bone resorption markers in postmenopausal women with reduced bone mineral density. As hormone-replacement therapy, D-003 displays cholesterol-lowering and anti-resorptive effects. We have studied its potential oestrogenic activity in-vivo using the uterotrophic assay. Rats were randomly distributed into five groups: a sham-operated group and four groups of ovariectomized rats, one treated with vehicle, one with D-003 (50 mg kg−1), one with oestradiol benzoate (30 μg kg−1) and one with D-003 (50 mg kg−1) plus oestradiol benzoate (30 μg kg−1). Treatments were administered for 14 days. Ovariectomy decreased the values of relative uterus weight, epithelium cell height and endometrial thickness compared with sham-operated rats, and these effects were all significantly reduced with oestradiol benzoate, but not with D-003. Concurrent administration of D-003 and oestradiol benzoate had statistically similar effects on all variables as oestradiol benzoate alone. In conclusions, D-003 orally given at 50 mg kg−1, a dose that prevents bone loss and bone resorption in ovariectomized rats, did not display oestrogenic/anti-oestrogenic activity in-vivo, as assessed in the uterotrophic assay.

Validation of a gas chromatographic method for determining fatty acids that compose D003 in 10 mg film-coated tablets

D003 is a new product composed of a mixture of aliphatic fatty acids (C(24:0) to C(36:0)), which shows antiplatelet, antithrombotic, antioxidant, and cholesterol-lowering effects in experimental models and human beings. A gas chromatographic method using a DB-5 wide-bore column and 1-nonadecanoic acid as internal standard was developed and validated in order to determine D003 in 10 mg film-coated tablets. The acids were analysed as methyl esters derivatives, prepared using 5% aqueous HCl-methanol. Developed method was specific for the active principle, even when samples were subjected to stress conditions. Good linearity (correlation coefficient > 0.99) and accuracy (total average recovery = 100.29%) were proven over a range 50-150% of the nominal concentration. Within-day and intermediate precisions at the nominal dose (100%) were < 1.5%. Robustness was examined through an intralaboratory study, quantification and resolution were only affected by the injection volume increase and no other of the 7 operational changes evaluated affected the results. The method was suitable for quality control and stability studies of these tablets.