β-LAPACHONA E ESTUDO DE ESTABILIDADE DOS CRISTAIS EM DIFERENTES CONDIÇÕES DE ARMAZENAMENTO

PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF β-LAPACHONE AND STABILITY STUDY OF THE CRYSTALS UNDER DIFFERENT STORING CONDITIONS. The β-lapachone is a product obtained from the Ipe Roxo tree [Tabebuia avellandae], which has proved its excellent antineoplasic potential acting through a particular mechanism of apoptosis against various cancer types. This study aims at determining the identity card of β-lapachone by means of physico-chemical and pharmaco-technical characterization. A purifying process has been performed, as well as the isolation of a contaminant, its isomer α-lapachone. A stability study was also performed, determining the ideal storing conditions for β-lapachone, essential for the ongoing pre-formulation studies for obtaining the different classic pharmaceutical forms and modified release systems.