Effect of γ-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex on the Absorption of R-α-Lipoic Acid in Rats

R-α-lipoic acid (RLA) is an endogenous organic acid, and works as a cofactor for mitochondrial enzymes and as a kind of antioxidant. Inclusion complexes of RLA with α-, β- or γ-cyclodextrins (CD) were prepared and orally administered as a suspension to rats. Among them, RLA/γ-CD showed the highest plasma exposure, and its area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of RLA was 2.2 times higher than that after oral administration of non-inclusion RLA. On the other hand, the AUC after oral administration of non-inclusion RLA and RLA/γ-CD to pylorus-ligated rats did not differ. However, the AUC after intraduodenal administration of RLA/γ-CD was 5.1 times higher than that of non-inclusion RLA, and was almost comparable to the AUC after intraduodenal administration of RLA-Na solution. Furthermore, the AUC after intraduodenal administration of RLA/γ-CD was not affected by biliary ligation or co-administration of an amylase inhibitor. These findings demonstrated that RLA was absorbed from the small intestine effectively when orally administered as a γ-CD inclusion complex, which could be easily dissolved in the lumen of the intestine. In conclusion, γ-CD inclusion complex is an appropriate formulation for supplying RLA as a drug or nutritional supplement with respect to absorption.     

Daidzein-phospholipid complex loaded lipid nanocarriers improved oral absorption: in vitro characteristics and in vivo behavior in rats

A nano-based delivery system was developed to improve the oral absorption of daidzein, which has poor hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. A daidzein-phospholipid complex (DPC) was firstly prepared to improve its lipophilicity, and then encapsulated into lipid nanocarriers (DLNs) to verify the effectiveness of the strategy in enhancing the oral delivery of daidzein. DLNs were spherical nanosized particles with evidently increased dissolution. DLNs were mainly distributed in stomach and proximal intestine of mice after oral administration, and the intestinal permeability of DLNs in rats was significantly improved when compared with that of daidzein solution. The peak concentration of daidzein in rats after oral administration of DPC and DLNs was 6833 ± 1112 ng mL(-1) and 14,512 ± 2390 ng mL(-1), respectively, which was improved over 10-fold and 21-fold than that of free daidzein. Moreover, the areas under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-t)) of DPC and DLNs were enhanced by 3.62-fold and 6.87-fold compared with that of free daidzein. These results suggested that DLNs could be an effective strategy to improve the oral absorption of poor hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs like daidzein.     

Enhanced hypoglycemic effect of biotin-modified liposomes loading insulin: effect of formulation variables,intracellular trafficking,and cytotoxicity

Peroral protein/peptide delivery has been one of the most challenging, but encouraging topics in pharmaceutics. This article was intended to explore the potential of biotin-modified liposomes (BLPs) as oral insulin delivery carriers. By incorporating biotin-DSPE into the lipid bilayer, we prepared BLPs using reverse evaporation/sonication method. We investigated hypoglycemic effects in normal rats after oral administration of BLPs, and the possible absorption mechanism by a series of in vitro tests. The relative pharmacological bioavailability of BLPs was up to 11.04% that was as much as 5.28 folds of conventional liposomes (CLPs). The results showed that the enhanced oral absorption of insulin mainly attributed to biotin ligand-mediated endocytosis. The results provided proof of BLPs as effective carriers for oral insulin delivery.     

Prevention of Osteoporosis by Oral Administration of Phytate-Removed and Deamidated Soybean β-Conglycinin

Phytate-removed and deamidated soybean β-conglycinin (PrDS) prepared by ion-exchange resins was supplemented to be 4% in the diet administered to ovariectomized rats to investigate its preventive effect on osteoporosis. The apparent calcium absorption rate decreased following ovariectomy and was not replenished by oral administration of phytate-removed soybean β-conglycinin (PrS) or casein. On the other hand, administration of PrDS restored the calcium absorption rate to the same level as the sham group. Markers of bone resorption, such as serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD), increased, and the bone mineral density and breaking stress decreased following ovariectomy. However, PrDS supplementation suppressed the changes caused by the decrease in calcium absorption from the small intestine. Therefore, PrDS supplementation shows promise for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.     

Enantioselective Pharmacokinetics of α-Lipoic Acid in Rats

α-Lipoic acid (LA) is widely used for nutritional supplements as a racemic mixture, even though the R enantiomer is biologically active. After oral administration of the racemic mixture (R-α-lipoic acid (RLA) and S-α-lipoic acid (SLA) mixed at the ratio of 50:50) to rats, RLA showed higher plasma concentration than SLA, and its area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last (AUC) was significantly about 1.26 times higher than that of SLA. However, after intravenous administration of the racemic mixture, the pharmacokinetic profiles, initial concentration (C₀), AUC, and half-life (T_1/2) of the enantiomers were not significantly different. After oral and intraduodenal administration of the racemic mixture to pyrolus-ligated rats, the AUCs of RLA were significantly about 1.24 and 1.32 times higher than that of SLA, respectively. In addition, after intraportal administration the AUC of RLA was significantly 1.16 times higher than that of SLA. In conclusion, the enantioselective pharmacokinetics of LA in rats arose from the fraction absorbed multiplied by gastrointestinal availability (F_aF_g) and hepatic availability (F_h), and not from the total clearance.     

A comparative evaluation between utilizing SAS supercritical fluid technique and solvent evaporation method in preparation of Azithromycin solid dispersions for dissolution rate enhancement

Azithromycin is a poorly water-soluble drug with a lower dissolution rate which resulted in poor bioavailability after oral administration. The aim of this study was to enhance Azithromycin dissolution by a solid dispersion (SD) using solvent evaporation and supercritical fluid based on solvent-anti-solvent technique. Solid dispersions of Azithromycin were prepared with various concentrations of PEG 6000, Sorbitol and Poloxamer 188, SLS (in ternary systems). All samples were studied for the drug solubility. The formulations were also characterized by IR, DSC, XRD and SEM. The solubility and dissolution rate were remarkably improved in case of most SDs prepared with of PEG 6000 (in binary systems, 1:6 ratio) and both surfactants (ternary systems) compared to the related PMs and pure Azithromycin. But the best result was obtained in the dispersion (Azithromycin:PEG 6000:SLS) with a weight ratio of (1:4:2). SAS–SCF processes were signs of less crystallinity of the drug due to the transformation of its crystalline stat into amorphous state. The analysis of dissolution data indicated that enhanced drug dissolution can be achieved where the SDs obtained in the supercritical fluid process was consisted of PEG 6000 and SLS. The dissolution rate and solubility of Azithromycin improved significantly with PEG 6000 and SLS utilizing SAS-supercritical fluid.     

Design of photocrosslinkable polyesters with specific absorptions

2,5-Bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)cyclopentanone (DVCP), when condensed to form polyesters, polysulfonates, polycarbonates, and polyphosphonates, provides photocrosslinkable polymers useful in photoresist and photolithographic applications. With the use of 26 distyryl ketones related to DVCP, a series of polyesters have been prepared which reflect in their photoresponse the structural variations of the monomeric bisphenols. Those prepared from cyclopentanone are more light sensitive than those from acetone, cyclohexanone, etc. Methoxyl groups on the bisphenol enhance sensitivity and solubility and cause a bathochromic shift. Nitro- and ortho-hydroxyl substituents cause desensitization. Halogens on the bisphenol do not significantly change the polymer sensitivity or absorption. The polymers prepared from DVCP-type bisphenols usually show a hypsochromic shift of 30–40 nm from the monomer's absorption maximum. By selecting the proper bisphenol, one can “tailor” the absorption, sensitivity, and solubility of the resulting polyester. Most of the polyesters of this work were prepared from azelaoyl chloride or sebacyl chloride and had up to 50 mole-% of a nonlight-sensitive bisphenol such as tetrachlorobisphenol A present to improve their solubility in dichloroethane.     

β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex to Improve Physicochemical Properties of Pipemidic Acid: Characterization and Bioactivity Evaluation

The aptitude of cyclodextrins (CDs) to form host-guest complexes has prompted an increase in the development of new drug formulations. In this study, the inclusion complexes of pipemidic acid (HPPA), a therapeutic agent for urinary tract infections, with native β-CD were prepared in solid state by kneading method and confirmed by FT-IR and ¹H NMR. The inclusion complex formation was also characterized in aqueous solution at different pH via UV-Vis titration and phase solubility studies obtaining the stability constant. The 1:1 stoichiometry was established by a Job plot and the inclusion mechanism was clarified using docking experiments. Finally, the antibacterial activity of HPPA and its inclusion complex was tested on P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. aureus to determine the respective EC_50s and EC_90s. The results showed that the antibacterial activity of HPPA:β-CD against E. coli and S. aureus is higher than that of HPPA. Furthermore, HPPA and HPPA:β-CD, tested on human hepatoblastoma HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines by MTT assay, exhibited, for the first time, antitumor activities, and the complex revealed a higher activity than that of HPPA. The use of β-CD allows an increase in the aqueous solubility of the drug, its bioavailability and then its bioactivity.     

Inclusion complex of cantharidin with β‐cyclodextrin: Preparation,characterization, in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Because of low aqueous solubility and slow dissolution rate, cantharidin has a low oral bioavailability. Our research aims to prepare the inclusion complex of cantharidin and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and accomplish characterization, in vitro and in vivo evaluation. CA‐β‐CD inclusion complex was prepared by saturated solution method. The CA was demonstrated by HPLC in vitro experiment and by GC‐MS in vivo experiment. CA‐β‐CD inclusion complex was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Through complexation with β‐CD, the solubility of CA in neutral aqueous solution was improved significantly. CA‐β‐CD inclusion complex also shows a significantly improved dissolution rate in comparison with free CA. Comparison of the pharmacokinetics between CA‐β‐CD inclusion complex and free CA was performed in rats. The in vivo results show that CA‐β‐CD inclusion complex has earlier t_max, higher C_max, and higher bioavailability than free CA after oral dosing. By comparing the AUC_0–t of CA and CA‐β‐CD inclusion complex, the relative bioavailability of CA‐β‐CD inclusion complex to free CA was 506.3%, which highlighted the evidence of significantly improved bioavailability of formulation of CA with β‐CD. Thus, this β‐CD‐based drug delivery system should be an effective oral dosage form to improve oral bioavailability of CA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Thiolated chitosan-modified PLA-PCL-TPGS nanoparticles for oral chemotherapy of lung cancer

Oral chemotherapy is a key step towards ‘chemotherapy at home’, a dream of cancer patients, which will radically change the clinical practice of chemotherapy and greatly improve the quality of life of the patients. In this research, three types of nanoparticle formulation from commercial PCL and self-synthesized d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (PLA-PCL-TPGS) random copolymer were prepared in this research for oral delivery of antitumor agents, including thiolated chitosan-modified PCL nanoparticles, unmodified PLA-PCL-TPGS nanoparticles, and thiolated chitosan-modified PLA-PCL-TPGS nanoparticles. Firstly, the PLA-PCL-TPGS random copolymer was synthesized and characterized. Thiolated chitosan greatly increases its mucoadhesiveness and permeation properties, thus increasing the chances of nanoparticle uptake by the gastrointestinal mucosa and improving drug absorption. The PLA-PCL-TPGS nanoparticles were found by FESEM that they are of spherical shape and around 200 nm in diameter. The surface charge of PLA-PCL-TPGS nanoparticles was reversed from anionic to cationic after thiolated chitosan modification. The thiolated chitosan-modified PLA-PCL-TPGS nanoparticles have significantly higher level of the cell uptake than that of thiolated chitosan-modified PLGA nanoparticles and unmodified PLA-PCL-TPGS nanoparticles. In vitro cell viability studies showed advantages of the thiolated chitosan-modified PLA-PCL-TPGS nanoparticles over Taxol® in terms of cytotoxicity against A549 cells. It seems that the mucoadhesive nanoparticles can increase paclitaxel transport by opening tight junctions and bypassing the efflux pump of P-glycoprotein. In conclusion, PLA-PCL-TPGS nanoparticles modified by thiolated chitosan could enhance the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity, which revealed a potential application for oral chemotherapy of lung cancer.     

Processed Aloe vera Gel Ameliorates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunotoxicity

The effects of processed Aloe vera gel (PAG) on cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunotoxicity were examined in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of CP significantly reduced the total number of lymphocytes and erythrocytes in the blood. Oral administration of PAG quickly restored CP-induced lymphopenia and erythropenia in a dose-dependent manner. The reversal of CP-induced hematotoxicity by PAG was mediated by the functional preservation of Peyer’s patch cells. Peyer’s patch cells isolated from CP-treated mice, which were administered PAG, produced higher levels of T helper 1 cytokines and colony-stimulating factors (CSF) in response to concanavalin A stimulation as compared with those isolated from CP-treated control mice. PAG-derived polysaccharides directly activated Peyer’s patch cells isolated from normal mice to produce cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, interferon-γ, granulocyte-CSF, and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF. The cytokines produced by polysaccharide-stimulated Peyer’s patch cells had potent proliferation-inducing activity on mouse bone marrow cells. In addition, oral administration of PAG restored IgA secretion in the intestine after CP treatment. These results indicated that PAG could be an effective immunomodulator and that it could prevent CP-induced immunotoxic side effects.     

Novel Assemblies of Organo-Soluble Aromatic Polyamides Containing Copper(II) Coordination Complex Units in the Main Chain

This research was primarily focused on investigating the possibility of the production of novel organo-soluble polyamides with coordination metal complex units in the main chain. Using a copper(II) coordination complex as a monomer, a novel Cu(II)-containing polyamide was synthesized by polycondensation with m-phenylenediamine. The obtained polyamide with Cu(II) ions in the main chain had an inherent viscosity of 0.20 dL/g, which indicated that it was a low molecular weight polymer. Then the p-phthalic acid monomer was introduced to the above synthesis system to create a Cu(II)-containing co-polyamide with a higher molecular weight. The subsequent addition of p-phthalic acid resulted in the formation of a series of co-polyamides with different contents of the Cu-complex in the main chain, which had higher inherent viscosity. The structures of the Cu(II)-containing polymers were characterized by ICP and ¹H-NMR. The prepared co-polyamides had increased solubility in organic solvents. It also revealed that the UV absorption properties of co-polyamides were enhanced significantly by the incorporation of Cu(II) ions into the polymer chain.     

Pharmacokinetics of the thioether phospholipid analogue BM 41.440 in rats

BM 41.440 (1-hexadecylmercapto-2-methoxymethyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is a cytotoxic thioether phospholipid analogue that recently has entered phase I trials in cancer patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of this compound in female rats after administration of a single oral dose (15 mg/kg body weight [bw]). Furthermore, BM 41.440 serum concentrations were determined under a daily oral treatment of up to 13 weeks. Blood samples were obtained via permanent catheters from the femoral arteries before and after drug administration for a total of 120 hr. Urine was collected in 24 hr-intervals for 120 hr; the volume was measured, and aliquots were stored at ?20 C until analytical determination of the thioether derivative. BM 41.440 was assayed in serum and urine by means of a specific, newly developed reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography technique. Mean maximum serum concentrations (1.7 μg/ml, n=4 animals) were attained after seven hr. A terminal half-life of ca. 27 hr was calculated from the rate constant for the terminal elimination phase (λ _z ～ 0.026/hr). The mean serum BM 41.440 concentration-time-area-under-the-curve was 52.9 mg × hr/l. The ratio of total body clearance to absorption fraction was 4.7 ml/min × kg bw. Only a small amount of the drug was found in the urine. The quantity excreted in the urine during a 24 hr-interval never exceeded 1.5% of the administered dose. Under a daily oral schedule (15 mg/kg bw × day) up to 13 weeks, mean BM 41.440 serum concentrations of 3.3±0.5 μg/ml and 5.2±1.2 μg/ml (mean ±S.D., n=10 animals) were found after five and 13 weeks, respectively. Taken together, the data indicate that BM 41.440 was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration and that accumulation of BM 41.440 can occur in rats.     

Lecithin Inclusion by α-Cyclodextrin Activates SREBP2 Signaling in the Gut and Ameliorates Postprandial Hyperglycemia

Background: α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) is one of the dietary fibers that may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol and/or glucose metabolism, but its efficacy and mode of action remain unclear. Methods: In the present study, we examined the anti-hyperglycemic effect of α-CD after oral loading of glucose and liquid meal in mice. Results: Administration of 2 g/kg α-CD suppressed hyperglycemia after glucose loading, which was associated with increased glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion and enhanced hepatic glucose sequestration. By contrast, 1 g/kg α-CD similarly suppressed hyperglycemia, but without increasing secretions of GLP-1 and insulin. Furthermore, oral α-CD administration disrupts lipid micelle formation through its inclusion of lecithin in the gut luminal fluid. Importantly, prior inclusion of α-CD with lecithin in vitro nullified the anti-hyperglycemic effect of α-CD in vivo, which was associated with increased intestinal mRNA expressions of SREBP2-target genes (Ldlr, Hmgcr, Pcsk9, and Srebp2). Conclusions: α-CD elicits its anti-hyperglycemic effect after glucose loading by inducing lecithin inclusion in the gut lumen and activating SREBP2, which is known to induce cholecystokinin secretion to suppress hepatic glucose production via a gut/brain/liver axis.     

Study on Biopharmaceutics Classification and Oral Bioavailability of a Novel Multikinase Inhibitor NCE for Cancer Therapy

Specific biopharmaceutics classification investigation and study on phamacokinetic profile of a novel drug candidate (2-methylcarbamoyl-4-{4-[3- (trifluoromethyl) benzamido] phenoxy} pyridinium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate monohydrate, NCE) were carried out. Equilibrium solubility and intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) of NCE were estimated in different phosphate buffers. Effective intestinal permeability (P_eff) of NCE was determined using single-pass intestinal perfusion technique in rat duodenum, jejunum and ileum at three concentrations. Theophylline (high permeability) and ranitidine (low permeability) were also applied to access the permeability of NCE as reference compounds. The bioavailability after intragastrical and intravenous administration was measured in beagle dogs. The solubility of NCE in tested phosphate buffers was quite low with the maximum solubility of 81.73 μg/mL at pH 1.0. The intrinsic dissolution ratio of NCE was 1 × 10⁻⁴ mg·min⁻¹·cm⁻². The P_eff value of NCE in all intestinal segments was more proximate to the high-permeability reference theophylline. Therefore, NCE was classified as class II drug according to Biopharmaceutics Classification System due to its low solubility and high intestinal permeability. In addition, concentration-dependent permeability was not observed in all the segments, indicating that there might be passive transportation for NCE. The absolute oral bioavailability of NCE in beagle dogs was 26.75%. Therefore, dissolution promotion will be crucial for oral formulation development and intravenous administration route will also be suggested for further NCE formulation development. All the data would provide a reference for biopharmaceutics classification research of other novel drug candidates.     

光敏剂G-BDCM复合物的制备

光动力疗法具有微创性小、毒副作用低、副反应小、疗效快等优点,但是却存在水溶性低和吸收波长短的缺点。为了改善这两大缺点,通过实验制备了光敏剂G-BDCM复合物,提高了水溶性和吸收波长,有利于深处肿瘤的治疗。     

A novel zinc tetraphenylporphyrinate substituted in the axial position with one E-stilbazole: Synthesis,structure, and nonlinear optics

A novel zinc porphyrin (ZnTPP) derivative bearing an E-stilbazole chromophore in the axial position (ZnTPPL) was designed and prepared. Z-scan studies reveal that this complex exhibits improved nonlinear optical absorption and refraction in comparison with ZnTPP. In addition, the molecular structure of the complex was determined by X-ray diffraction study.     

Preparation and Evaluation of Enteric-Coated Chitosan Derivative-Based Microparticles Loaded with Salmon Calcitonin as an Oral Delivery System

Background: The production of protein drugs has recently increased due to advances in biotechnology, but their clinical use is generally limited to parenteral administration due to low absorption in non-parenteral administration. Therefore, non-parenteral delivery systems allowing sufficient absorption draw much attention. Methods: Microparticles (MP) were prepared using chitosan-4-thio-butylamidine conjugate (Ch-TBA), trimethyl-chitosan (TMC), and chitosan (Ch). Using salmon calcitonin (sCT) as a model protein drug, Ch-TBA-, Ch-TBA/TMC (4/1)-, and Ch-based MP were produced, and their Eudragit L100 (Eud)-coated MP, named Ch-TBA-MP/Eud, Ch-TBA/TMC-MP/Eud, and Ch-MP/Eud, respectively, were prepared as oral delivery systems. These enteric-coated microparticles were examined in vitro and in vivo. Results: All microparticles before and after enteric coating had a submicron size (600–800 nm) and micrometer size (1300–1500 nm), respectively. In vitro release patterns were similar among all microparticles; release occurred gradually, and the release rate was slower at pH 1.2 than at pH 6.8. In oral ingestion, Ch-TBA-MP/Eud suppressed plasma Ca levels most effectively among the microparticles tested. The relative effectiveness of Ch-TBA-MP/Eud to the intramuscular injection was 8.6%, while the sCT solution showed no effectiveness. Conclusion: The results suggest that Eud-coated Ch-TBA-based microparticles should have potential as an oral delivery system of protein drugs.     

Repurposing Bedaquiline for Effective Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Therapy as Inhalable Cyclodextrin-Based Molecular Inclusion Complexes

There is growing evidence that repurposed drugs demonstrate excellent efficacy against many cancers, while facilitating accelerated drug development process. In this study, bedaquiline (BDQ), an FDA approved anti-mycobacterial agent, was repurposed and an inhalable cyclodextrin complex formulation was developed to explore its anti-cancer activity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A sulfobutyl ether derivative of β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) was selected based on phase solubility studies and molecular modeling to prepare an inclusion complex of BDQ and cyclodextrin. Aqueous solubility of BDQ was increased by 2.8 × 10³-fold after complexation with SBE-β-CD, as compared to its intrinsic solubility. Solid-state characterization studies confirmed the successful incorporation of BDQ in the SBE-β-CD cavity. In vitro lung deposition study results demonstrated excellent inhalable properties (mass median aerodynamic diameter: 2.9 ± 0.6 µm (<5 µm) and fine particle fraction: 83.3 ± 3.8%) of BDQ-CD complex. Accelerated stability studies showed BDQ-CD complex to be stable up to 3 weeks. From cytotoxicity studies, a slight enhancement in the anti-cancer efficacy was observed with BDQ-cyclodextrin complex, compared to BDQ alone in H1299 cell line. The IC₅₀ values for BDQ and BDQ-CD complex were found to be ~40 µM in case of H1299 cell line at 72 h, whereas BDQ/BDQ-CD were not found to be cytotoxic up to concentrations of 50 µM in A549 cell line. Taken together, BDQ-CD complex offers a promising inhalation strategy with efficient lung deposition and cytotoxicity for NSCLC treatment.