Thermally-activated gelatin-chitosan-MOF hybrid aerogels for efficient removal of ibuprofen and naproxen

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most frequently used drugs and have been frequently detected in aquatic environments. This paper demonstrates a thermally-activated gelatin-chitosan and amine-functionalized metal-organic framework (UiO-66-NH2) aerogel (CGC-MOF), which was successfully synthesized for the efficient removal of ibuprofen (IBP) and naproxen (NPX). Various characterization tools were used to systematically analyze the microstructure and physicochemical properties of the synthesized aerogel. In addition, the effect of key reaction parameters as well as batch and continuous-flow fixed-bed column experiments were carried out to elucidate the adsorption process. Several functional groups in the biopolymer network, combined with excellent MOF properties, synergistically couple to form an adsorbent with great performance. The mesoporous aerogel activated at 200 °C (CGC-MOF200) exhibited a high specific surface area (819.6 m2/g) that is valuable in providing abundant adsorption active sites that facilitate the efficient adsorption of IBP and NPX. CGC-MOF200 exhibited an excellent removal of IBP and NPX, accounting to 99.28 % and 96.39 %, respectively. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm models, suggesting heterogeneous and chemisorption adsorption processes. Overall, this work provides new and valuable insights into the development of a promising biopolymer-MOF composite aerogel for environmental remediation.

Spectroscopic Analysis of the Effect of Ibuprofen Degradation Products on the Interaction between Ibuprofen and Human Serum Albumin

BACKGROUND

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly used groups of medicinal compounds in the world. The wide access to NSAIDs and the various ways of storing them due to their easy accessibility often entail the problem with the stability and durability resulting from the exposure of drugs to external factors. The aim of the research was to evaluate in vitro the mechanism of competition between ibuprofen (IBU) and its degradation products, i.e., 4'-isobutylacetophenone (IBAP) and (2RS)-2-(4- formylphenyl)propionic acid (FPPA) during transport in a complex with fatted (HSA) and defatted (dHSA) human serum albumin.

METHODS

The research was carried out using spectroscopic techniques, such as spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

RESULTS

The comprehensive application of spectroscopic techniques allowed, among others, for the determination of the binding constant, the number of classes of binding sites and the cooperativeness constant of the analyzed systems IBU-(d)HSA, IBU-(d)HSA-FPPA, IBU-(d)HSA-IBAP; the determination of the effect of ibuprofen and its degradation products on the secondary structure of albumin; identification and assessment of interactions between ligand and albumin; assessment of the impact of the presence of fatty acids in the structure of albumin and the measurement temperature on the binding of IBU, IBAP and FPPA to (d)HSA.

CONCLUSION

The conducted research allowed us to conclude that the presence of ibuprofen degradation products and the increase in their concentration significantly affect the formation of the IBU-albumin complex and thus, the value of the association constant of the drug, changing the concentration of its free fraction in the blood plasma. It was also found that the presence of an ibuprofen degradation product in a complex with albumin affects its secondary structure.

Janus Dendrimers as Nanocarriers of Ibuprofen, Chlorambucil and their Anticancer Activity

BACKGROUND

Janus Dendrimer represents a novel class of synthetic nanocarriers. Since it is possible to introduce multiple drugs and target moieties, this helps the designing of new biocompatible forms with pharmacological activities comprised of different drugs with tailor-made functionalities, such as anticancer and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, which could improve the anticancer activity with less toxicity.

AIMS

This study aimed to determine the anticancer activity of the Janus dendrimers formed by two dendrons. One dendron conjugates with chlorambucil, and the other dendron conjugates with Ibuprofen.

METHODS

The cytotoxicity of the drug carriers was determined by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay for three cell lines. PC-3 (human prostatic adenocarcinoma), HCT-15 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), MFC-7 (human breast cancer) and the COS-7 African green monkey kidney (used as a control) cell lines were seeded into 96-well plates at a density of 5x103 cells/well and cultured for 24 h before use. All the obtained compounds were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR one and two dimensions, UVvis, FTIR, MALDI-TOF, Electrospray mass, and FAB+. Microscopic images were taken in an Inverted microscope Nikon, Diaphot 300, 10x4 in culture medium.

RESULTS

Janus dendrimers (G1 and G2) were synthesized via an azide-alkyne click-chemistry reaction attaching on one face dendrons with ibuprofen molecules and, on the other face, attached a chlorambucil- derivative. The IC50 behavior of the conjugates of the first and second generations showed anticancer activity against PC-3, HCT-15, and MFC-7 cell lines. The second generation was more active against PC-3, HCT-15 and MFC-7 with IC50 of 3.8±0.5, 3.0±0.2 and 3.7 ± 1.1 mM, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The new Janus dendrimers with anticancer chlorambucil and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory Ibuprofen can improve the anticancer activity of chlorambucil with less toxicity.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Now, we are working on the synthesis of new Janus dendrimers using the most effective and fine methods. Moreover, we hope that we shall be able to obtain different generations that are more selective against cancer cells.

Analysis of stabilization mechanisms in β-lactoglobulin-based amorphous solid dispersions by experimental and computational approaches

Our previous work shows that β-lactoglobulin-stabilized amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) loaded with 70 % indomethacin remains stable for more than 12 months. The stability is probably due to hydrogen bond networks spread throughout the ASD, facilitated by the indomethacin which has both hydrogen donors and acceptors. To investigate the stabilization mechanisms further, here we tested five other drug molecules, including two without any hydrogen bond donors. A combination of experimental techniques (differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray power diffraction) and molecular dynamics simulations was used to find the maximum drug loadings for ASDs with furosemide, griseofulvin, ibuprofen, ketoconazole and rifaximin. This approach revealed the underlying stabilization factors and the capacity of computer simulations to predict ASD stability. We searched the ASD models for crystalline patterns, and analyzed diffusivity of the drug molecules and hydrogen bond formation. ASDs loaded with rifaximin and ketoconazole remained stable for at least 12 months, even at 90 % drug loading, whereas stable drug loadings for furosemide, griseofulvin and ibuprofen were at a maximum of 70, 50 and 40 %, respectively. Steric confinement and hydrogen bonding to the proteins were the most important stabilization mechanisms at low drug loadings (≤ 40 %). Inter-drug hydrogen bond networks (including those with induced donors), ionic interactions, and a high Tg of the drug molecule were additional factors stabilizing the ASDs at drug loading greater than 40 %.

Sticking Detection by Repeated Compactions on a Single Tablet

"Sticking" during tablet manufacture is the term used to describe the accumulation of adhered tablet material on the punch over the course of several compaction cycles. The occurrence of sticking can affect tablet weight, image, and structural integrity and halt manufacturing operations. The earlier the risk of sticking is detected during R&D, the more options are available for mitigation and the less potential there is for significant delays and costs. The detection osf sticking, however, during the early stages of drug development is challenging due to the limitations of available material quantity. In this work, single tablet multi-compaction (STMC) and a highly sensitive laser reflection sensor are used to detect the propensity of sticking with ibuprofen powder blends. STMC can differentiate the various formulations and replicates the trends of sticking at different punch speeds. The results demonstrate the potential for STMC to be used as an extremely material sparing (requiring very few tablets) methodology for the assessment of sticking during early-stage development.

New insights into the degradation mechanism of ibuprofen in the UV/H2O2 process: role of natural dissolved matter in hydrogen transfer reactions

Ibuprofen (IBU), a widely used antipyretic and analgesic, has been frequently detected in various natural water systems. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are effective ways to remove pollutants from water. The degradation of IBU under UV/H2O2 conditions in the presence of various kinds of natural dissolved matter was investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The eco-toxicological properties were predicted based on a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model. The calculated results showed that two H-abstraction reactions occurring at the side chain are predominant pathways in the initial reaction. H2O, NH3, CH3OH, C2H5OH, HCOOH and CH3COOH can catalyze the H transfer in the degradation process through decreasing the energy barriers and the catalysis effects follow the order of NH3 > alcohols > acids > H2O. The catalysis effects differ under acid or alkaline conditions. The overall rate coefficient of the reaction of IBU with ˙OH is calculated to be 5.04 × 109 M-1 s-1 at 298 K. IBU has harmful effects on aquatic organisms and human beings and the degradation process cannot significantly reduce its toxicity. Among all products, 2-(4-formylphenyl)propanoic acid, which is more toxic than IBU, is the most toxic with acute and chronic toxicity, developmental toxicity, mutagenicity, genotoxic carcinogenicity and irritation/corrosivity to skin. The findings in this work provide new insights into the degradation of IBU and can help to assess its environmental risks.

Exploring Alkyl Ester Salts of L-Amino Acid Derivatives of Ibuprofen: Physicochemical Characterization and Transdermal Potential

This research presents novel ibuprofen derivatives in the form of alkyl ester salts of L-amino acids with potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties for potential use in transdermal therapeutic systems. New derivatives of (RS)-2-[4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propionic acid were synthesized using hydrochlorides of alkyl esters (ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, and pentyl) of L-glutamine. These were further transformed into alkyl esters of L-amino acid ibuprofenates through neutralization and protonation reactions. Characterization involved spectroscopic methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Various physicochemical properties were investigated, such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, polarimetric analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, water solubility, octanol/water partition coefficient, and permeability through pig skin using Franz diffusion cells. The research confirmed the ionic structure of the obtained hydrochlorides of alkyl esters of L-amino acids and ibuprofenates of alkyl esters of L-glutamic acid. It revealed significant correlations between ester chain length and thermal stability, crystallinity, phase transition temperatures, lipophilicity, water solubility, skin permeability, and skin accumulation of these compounds. Compared to the parent ibuprofen, the synthesized derivatives exhibited higher water solubility, lower lipophilicity, and enhanced skin permeability. This study introduces promising ibuprofen derivatives with improved physicochemical properties, highlighting their potential for transdermal therapeutic applications. The findings shed light on the structure-activity relationships of these derivatives, offering insights into their enhanced solubility and skin permeation, which could lead to more effective topical treatments for pain and inflammation.

Concentration-dependent mechanism of the binding behavior of ibuprofen to the cell membrane: A molecular dynamic simulation study

Ibuprofen is a commonly used drug for treating headaches, pain, and fever. The lipid bilayer is the primary and most important interface for drugs to interact with biological systems. However, the molecular interactions between ibuprofen and the cell membrane are not well understood. Our findings suggest that the interactions between ibuprofen and the bilayer involve multiple steps and depend on the concentration of the drug. At low concentrations of ibuprofen, it can bind to the surface of the lipid bilayer. The electrostatic and vdW energies of IBU-lipid at 0 ns of the simulation were -22.5 ± 3.2 and -5.9 ± 1.2 kj.mol-1 Fig. 2. In the following, the vdW energy of the IBU-lipid was increased by around -134.6 ± 3.7 kj.mol-1 whereas the electrostatic energy of the IBU-lipid was significantly decreased. This binding is facilitated by electrostatic and vdW interactions between ibuprofen and the head group of lipids. In the second step, ibuprofen is inserted into the lipid bilayer and positioned at the interface between the bilayer and the aqueous phase. In high concentrations of ibuprofen, it moved to the central region of the lipid bilayer. At this concentration, the physical and structural properties of the cell membrane change significantly. Results from the radial distribution function analysis indicate that at low concentrations, ibuprofen molecules are situated close to the head groups of phosphate groups. However, at high concentrations of ibuprofen, these molecules move to the inner side of the lipid bilayer. In addition, our findings indicate that at low concentrations of ibuprofen, these molecules did not significantly alter the physical properties of the cell membrane. In contrast, at high concentrations of ibuprofen, the physical parameters of the hydrocarbon tails, such as thickness, fluidity, and order, changed dramatically. APL parameter for POPC membrane increased slightly to 0.60 and 0.63 nm2 in the presence of low and high concentrations of ibuprofen molecules. The three-step interaction between ibuprofen and the lipid bilayer involves several events, such as the movement of ibuprofen molecules towards the central region of the lipid bilayer and the deformation and alteration of the structural and stability properties of the cell membrane. These effects are observed only at high concentrations of ibuprofen. It appears that the side effects of ibuprofen overdose are related to changes in the properties of the cell membrane and, subsequently, the function of membrane-anchored target proteins.

Hybrid chitosan/molecularly imprinted polymer hydrogel beads doped with iron for selective ibuprofen adsorption

Pharmaceutical pollutants are a group of emerging contaminants frequently found in water streams. In this study, the composite chitosan beads with incorporated molecularly imprinted polymers (monoliths or microparticles) and iron(III) hydroxide were fabricated to remove ibuprofen from aqueous solutions. The adsorptive properties were investigated in different conditions to evaluate the influence of solution pH, adsorbent dose, ibuprofen initial concentration, adsorption time, and temperature. The highest adsorption capacity (79.41 mg g-1), about twice as large as that for the chitosan beads without polymers (39.42 mg g-1), was obtained for the ones containing monoliths imprinted with ibuprofen. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of 103.93 mg g-1 was obtained based on the experiments in optimal pH 5. The adsorption of ibuprofen on the hybrid hydrogel beads followed the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The process was found as endothermic and thermodynamically spontaneous. The adsorbent with a molecularly imprinted polymer retained its selectivity in the presence of other molecules. The imprinted cavities, chitosan functional groups, and iron hydroxide were presumably responsible for interactions with ibuprofen molecules. Additionally, the effectiveness of the adsorbent did not change significantly in real water samples and remained at a satisfactory level for up to four desorption-adsorption cycles.

Development of an Image-based Method for Tablet Microstructure Description and Its Correlation with API Release Rate

The performance of a pharmaceutical formulation, such as the drug (API) release rate, is significantly influenced by the properties of the materials used, the composition of the final product and the tablet compression process parameters. However, in some cases, the knowledge of these input parameters does not necessarily provide a reliable description or prediction of tablet performance. Therefore, the knowledge of tablet microstructure is desirable to understand such formulations. Commonly used analytical techniques, such as X-ray tomography and intrusion mercury porosimetry, are not widely used in pharmaceutical companies due to their price and/or toxicity, and therefore, efforts are made to develop a tool for fast and easy microstructure description. In this work, we have developed an image-based method for microstructure description and applied it to a model system consisting of ibuprofen and CaHPO4∙2H2O (API and excipient with different deformability). The obtained parameter, the quadratic mean of the equivalent diameter of the non-deformable, brittle excipient CaHPO4∙2H2O, was correlated with tablet composition, compression pressure and API release rate. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility of describing the tablet dissolution performance in the presented model system based on the microstructural parameter, providing a possible model system for compressed solid dosage forms in which a plastic component is present and specific API release is required.

Effective intracellular release of ibuprofen triggered by thermosensitive magnetic nanocarriers

Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers are being widely applied in the development of new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. An inherent difficulty in general drug therapy is the lack of precision with respect to a specific pathological site, which can lead to toxicity, excessive drug consumption, or premature degradation. In this work, the controlled drug delivery is achieved by using magnetite nanoparticles coated with mesoporous silica with core-shell structure (MMS) and grafted with the thermoresponsive polymer poly [N-isopropylacrylamide-co-3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate] (MMS-P). The efficiency of MMS-P as a temperature-controlled drug delivery system was evaluated by in vitro release experiments using ibuprofen (IBU) in various mammalian cell models. Further, the effects of IBU as a photoprotectant in cells exposed to photodynamic therapy (PDT) in a carbaryl-induced neurodegenerative model were evaluated. The results showed that MMS-P nanocarriers do not exhibit cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells at high doses such as 7600 µg mL-1. Pre-incubation of MMS-P charged with IBU showed no effect on the PDT in N2A cells; however, it produced a further decrease in the viability of HepG2 cells, leading to a reduction to PDT resistance. On the other hand, a cytoprotective effect against carbaryl toxicity in N2A cells was observed in IBU administrated by MMS-P, which confirms the effective intracellular IBU uptake by means of MMS-P. These results encourage the potential application of MMS-P as a drug delivery system and confirm the effect of IBU as a cytoprotective agent in a neurodegenerative model.

Novel pH-responsive E-selectin targeting natural polysaccharides hybrid micelles for diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is an important complication of diabetes and is the main cause of end-stage renal disease. The pathogenesis of DN is complex, including glucose and lipid metabolism disorder, inflammation, and so on. Novel hybrid micelles loaded Puerarin (Pue) based on Angelica sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) and Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) were fabricated with pH-responsive ASP-hydrazone-ibuprofen (BF) materials (ASP-HZ-BF, SHB) and sialic acid (SA) modified APS-hydrazone-ibuprofen materials (SA/APS-HZ-BF, SPHB) by thin-film dispersion method. The SA in hybrid micelles can specifically bind to the E-selectin receptor which is highly expressed in inflammatory vascular endothelial cells. The loaded Pue could be accurately delivered to the inflammatory site of the kidney in response to the low pH microenvironment. Overall, this study provides a promising strategy for developing hybrid micelles based on natural polysaccharides for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting renal inflammatory reactions, and antioxidant stress.

Insight into the adsorptive removal of ibuprofen using porous carbonaceous materials: A review

Over the last decade, the removal of pharmaceuticals from aquatic bodies has garnered substantial attention from the scientific community. Ibuprofen (IBP), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is released into the environment in pharmaceutical waste as well as medical, hospital, and household effluents. Adsorption technology is a highly efficient approach to reduce the IBP in the aquatic environment, particularly at low IBP concentrations. Due to the exceptional surface properties of carbonaceous materials, they are considered ideal adsorbents for the IBP removal of, with high binding capacity. Given the importance of the topic, the adsorptive removal of IBP from effluent using various carbonaceous adsorbents, including activated carbon, biochar, graphene-based materials, and carbon nanostructures, has been compiled and critically reviewed. Furthermore, the adsorption behavior, binding mechanisms, the most effective parameters, thermodynamics, and regeneration methods as well as the cost analysis were comprehensively reviewed for modified and unmodified carbonaceous adsorbents. The compiled studies on the IBP adsorption shows that the IBP uptake of some carbon-based adsorbents is significantly than that of commercial activated carbons. In the future, much attention is needed for practical utilization and upscaling of the research findings to aid the management and sustainability of water resource.

Functional characterization of an efficient ibuprofen-mineralizing bacterial consortium

Ibuprofen (IBU) is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which has attracted widespread attention due to its high frequency of environmental detection, non-degradability and potential ecological risks. However, little is known about the functional characterization of the highly efficient IBU-mineralizing consortium. In this study, an IBU-mineralizing consortium C6 was obtained by continuous enrichment of the original consortium C1 accumulated the metabolite of 2-Hydroxyibuprofen (2HIBU). Methylobacter, Pseudomonas, and Dokdonella spp. were significantly enriched in the consortium C6. Streptomyces sp. had a relative abundance of about 0.01 % in the consortium C1 but extremely low (< 0.001 %) in the consortium C6. Subsequently, two IBU degraders, Streptomyces sp. D218 and Pseudomonas sp. M20 with detection of 2HIBU or not, were isolated from the consortia C1 and C6, respectively. These results imply that the degradation of IBU in the consortia C1 and C6 may be mainly mediated by key players of Streptomyces and Pseudomonas, respectively. This study showed that the composition of the core functional strains of the bacterial community structure was changed by continuous enrichment, which affected the degradation process of IBU. These findings provide new insights into our understanding of the biotransformation process of NSAIDs and provide valuable strain resources for bioremediation.

Chiral Nanosilica Drug Delivery Systems Stereoselectively Interacted with the Intestinal Mucosa to Improve the Oral Adsorption of Insoluble Drugs

Chiral nanoparticles (NPs) with nanoscale rough surfaces have enormous application prospects in drug delivery. However, the stereoselective interactions between the chiral NPs and biosurfaces remain challenging and mysterious. Herein, we designed mesoporous silica nanocarriers (l/d/dl-TA-PEI@CMSN) exhibiting the same structural parameters (hydrophilic, electroneutral, spherical NPs, ∼120 nm) but different geometrical chirality as oral nanodrug delivery systems (Nano-DDS) for insoluble drugs nimesulide (NMS) and ibuprofen (IBU) and demonstrated their stereoselective interactions with the intestinal mucosa, that is, l-TA-PEI@CMSN as well as Nano-DDS in the l-configuration displayed apparent superior behaviors in multiple microprocesses associated with oral adsorption, including adhesion, penetration, adsorption, retention and uptake, causing by the stereomatching between the chiral mesostructures of NPs and the inherent chiral topologies of the biosurfaces. As hosting systems, l/d/dl-TA-PEI@CMSN effectively incorporated drugs in amorphous states and helped to overcome the stability, solubility and permeability bottlenecks of drugs. Subsequently, Nano-DDS in the l-configuration (including IBU/l-TA-PEI@CMSN and NMS/d-TA-PEI@CMSN owing to a chiral inversion) showed higher oral delivery efficiency of NMS and IBU evidenced by the larger relative bioavailability (1055.06% and 583.17%, respectively) and stronger anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In addition, l/d/dl-TA-PEI@CMSN were stable, nonirritative, biocompatible and biodegradable, benefiting for their clinical applications. These findings provided insights into the rational design of functionalized Nano-DDS and contributed to the further knowledge in the field of chiral pharmaceutical science.

Biodegradation of Microtoxic Phenylpropanoids (Phenylpropanoic Acid and Ibuprofen) by Bacteria and the Relevance for Their Removal from Wastewater Treatment Plants

The NSAID ibuprofen (2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoic acid) and the structurally related 3-phenylpropanoic acid (3PPA), are widely used pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) which enter municipal waste streams but whose relatively low rates of elimination by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are leading to the contamination of aquatic resources. Here, we report the isolation of three bacterial strains from a municipal WWTP, which as a consortium are capable of mineralizing ibuprofen. These were identified as the Pseudomonas citronellolis species, termed RW422, RW423 and RW424, in which the first two of these isolates were shown to contain the catabolic ipf operon responsible for the first steps of ibuprofen mineralization. These ipf genes which are associated with plasmids could, experimentally, only be transferred between other Sphingomonadaceae species, such as from the ibuprofen degrading Sphingopyxis granuli RW412 to the dioxins degrading Rhizorhabdus wittichii RW1, generating RW421, whilst a transfer from the P. citronellolis isolates to R. wittichii RW1 was not observed. RW412 and its derivative, RW421, as well as the two-species consortium RW422/RW424, can also mineralize 3PPA. We show that IpfF can convert 3PPA to 3PPA-CoA; however, the growth of RW412 with 3PPA produces a major intermediate that was identified by NMR to be cinnamic acid. This and the identification of other minor products from 3PPA allows us to propose the major pathway used by RW412 to mineralize 3PPA. Altogether, the findings in this study highlight the importance of ipf genes, horizontal gene transfer, and alternative catabolic pathways in the bacterial populations of WWTPs to eliminate ibuprofen and 3PPA.

Photodegradation of ibuprofen laden-wastewater using sea-mud catalyst/H2O2 system: evaluation of sonication modes and energy consumption

The main goal of the current investigation was to decontaminate ibuprofen (IBP) from hospital wastewater using sea mud as an H2O2 activator. Sea sludge was converted into catalysts at different temperatures and residence times in furnaces, and then tested in the removal of IBP, and the most efficient ones were reported for the production of catalysts. The catalyst was optimized at 400 °C and 3 h. SEM-mapping, FTIR, EDX, BET, and BJH experiments were used to characterize the catalyst. Experiments were done at two pulsed and continuous ultrasonication modes in a photoreactor, and their efficiencies were statistically compared. The designed variables included IBP concentration (10-100 mg/L), the catalyst concentration (0-3 g/L), pH (4-9), and time (10-90 min). The oxidation process had the maximum efficiency at pH 4, treatment time of 60 min, catalyst quantity of 5 g/L, and IBP content of 50 mg/L. The catalyst was recycled, and in the fifth stage, the removal efficiency of IBP was reduced to 50%. The amount of energy consumed for treating IBP laden-wastewater using the evaluated catalyst in two modes of continuous and pulsed ultrasonic was calculated as 102 kW h/m3 and 10 kW h/m3, respectively. IBP oxidation process was fitted with the first-order kinetic model. The system can be proposed for purifying hospital and pharmaceutical wastewaters.

Use of In silico Methodologies to Predict the Bioavailability of Oral Suspensions: A Regulatory Approach

BACKGROUND

Oral suspensions are heterogeneous disperse systems, and the particle size distribution, crystalline form of the dispersed solid, and composition of the formulation can be listed as parameters that control the drug dissolution rate and its bioavailability.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work was to develop a discriminative dissolution test, which, in association with in silico methodologies, can make it possible to safely anticipate bioavailability problems.

METHODS

Nimesulide and ibuprofen (BCS class II) and cephalexin (BCS class I) oral suspensions were studied. Previously, solid-state structure and particle size in active pharmaceutical ingredients were characterized and the impact of differences on solubility was evaluated for the choice of discriminative medium. Afterwards, particle size distribution (0.1 to 360 μm), dissolution profile, and in vitro permeability in Caco-2 cell of commercial suspensions, were determined. These parameters were used as input for the establishment of the in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) for the suspensions using the GastroPlus™ with Wagner-Nelson and Loo- Riegelmann deconvolution approach.

RESULTS

The predicted/observed pharmacokinetic model showed good correlation coefficients (r) of 0.960, 0.950, and 0.901, respectively. The IVIVC was established for one nimesulide and two ibuprofen suspensions with r between 0.956 and 0.932, and the percent prediction error (%PE) did not exceed 15%.

CONCLUSION

In this work, we have performed a complete study combining in vitro/in silico approaches with the aim of anticipating the safety and efficacy of oral pharmaceutical suspensions in order to provide a regulatory tool for this category of products in a faster and more economical way.

Synthesis, In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity, and HRMS Analysis of New Amphetamine Derivatives

Herein, we report the obtaining of new hybrid molecules of amphetamine with different profens (amfens). The obtained amfens are characterized by their melting points, UV, ¹H-, ¹³C-NMR, and HRMS spectra. A complete and detailed mass spectral analysis of the newly obtained derivatives of amphetamine with ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, and carprofen was performed. In vitro inhibition of albumin denaturation of each new compound was assessed, and they showed significant activity. The IC₅₀ values of the obtained amphetamine-profen derivatives ranged from 92.81 to 159.87 µg/mL. This indicates that the new hybrids inherit the anti-inflammatory properties of profens. Using in silico method, the toxicity was also calculated. The obtained results are given in LD₅₀ values. Depending on the route of administration, the amfens are less toxic compared to the standard amphetamine.

Electroanalysis of Ibuprofen and Its Interaction with Bovine Serum Albumin

The current work presents a sensitive, selective, cost-effective, and environmentally benign protocol for the detection of ibuprofen (IBP) by an electrochemical probe made of a glassy carbon electrode modified with Ag-ZnO and MWCNTs. Under optimized conditions, the designed sensing platform was found to sense IBP up to a 28 nM limit of detection. The interaction of IBP with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by differential pulse voltammetry. IBP-BSA binding parameters such as the binding constant and the stoichiometry of complexation were calculated. The results revealed that IBP and BSA form a single strong complex with a binding constant value of 8.7 × 1013. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example that reports not only IBP detection but also its BSA complexation.

Reduced Fine API Agglomeration After Dry Coating for Enhanced Blend Uniformity and Processability of Low Drug Loaded Blends

PURPOSE

The impact of dry coating on reduced API agglomeration remains underexplored. Therefore, this work quantified fine cohesive API agglomeration reduction through dry coating and its impact on enhanced blend uniformity and processability, i.e., flowability and bulk density of multi-component blends API loading as low as 1 wt%.

METHODS

The impact of dry coating with two different types and amounts of silica was assessed on cohesion, agglomeration, flowability, bulk density, wettability, and surface energy of fine milled ibuprofen (~ 10 µm). API agglomeration, measured using Gradis/QicPic employing gentler gravity-based dispersion, resulted in excellent size resolution. Multi-component blends with fine-sized excipients, selected for reduced segregation potential, were tested for bulk density, cohesion, flowability, and blend content uniformity. Tablets formed using these blends were tested for tensile strength and dissolution.

RESULT

All dry coated ibuprofen powders exhibited dramatic agglomeration reduction, corroborated by corresponding decreased cohesion, unconfined yield strength, and improved flowability, regardless of the type and amount of silica coating. Their blends exhibited profound enhancement in flowability and bulk density even at low API loadings, as well as the content uniformity for the lowest drug loading. Moreover, hydrophobic silica coating improved drug dissolution rate without appreciably reducing tablet tensile strength.

CONCLUSION

The dry coating based reduced agglomeration of fine APIs for all three low drug loadings improved overall blend properties (uniformity, flowability, API release rate) due to the synergistic impact of a minute amount of silica (0.007 wt %), potentially enabling direct compression tableting and aiding manufacturing of other forms of solid dosing.

Highly sensitive and simultaneous electrochemical determinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in water using nanostructured carbon-based paste electrodes

Simple and fast simultaneous quantifications in water of anti-inflammatory drugs, which belong to the emerging pollutants, represents a great challenge for water quality control. The development of electrochemical methods to meet the simultaneous and concomitant detection requirements depends mainly on the electrode material. The fullerene‑carbon nanofiber (FULL/CNF) and graphene‑carbon nanotubes (GR/CNT) paste electrodes as sensing elements were employed for the first time for the determination of diclofenac (DCF), naproxen (NPX) and ibuprofen (IBP) simultaneously and concomitantly. The comparative morphostructural and electrochemical characterizations of both electrodes were achieved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Differential-pulsed voltammetry (DPV), chronoamperometry (CA) and multiple-pulsed amperometry (MPA) were used for detection tests. FULL/CNF electrode was suitable to develop a simultaneous DPV-based detection methodology that allowed reaching the lowest limit of detections of 0.230 nM for DCF, 0.310 nM for NPX and 0.180 nM for IBP. GR/CNT electrode did not provide stability for DPV-based detection, but the lowest limits of detection of 0.149 nM for DCF, 0.809 nM for NPX and 0.640 nM for IBP were achieved by MPA-based methodology. Both electrodes, linked to specific detection technique, showed good reproducibility, stability and ability to measure DCF, NPX and IBP simultaneously in aqueous solution. The satisfactory results achieved by analysis of real surface water sample (Bega River, Timisoara city, Romania) indicated that the proposed voltammetric and amperometric methodologies using both electrodes have great potential for practical applications in analysis of different water samples.

One Hundred Carboxylate Receptors

This work presents a compilation of binding constant (logKass) values in DMSO-d6/H2O (0.5% m/m) for a variety of receptors with 12 carboxylate anions (formate, acetate, lactate, pivalate, sorbate, hexanoate, benzoate, glyphosate, glucuronate, ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen). A total of 489 logKass values are listed for 100 anion receptor molecules. Most logKass values originate from previously published articles, along with some values for previously unpublished receptor molecules, spanning a workflow of 8 years. The purpose of this study is to serve as a comprehensive information source for selecting suitable receptor candidates to be used in practical carboxylate sensing applications, such as constructing ion-selective electrodes (ISE-s). To support such decision making, all receptors are presented together with lipophilicity (logPo/w) data.

White LED active α-Fe2O3/rGO photocatalytic nanocomposite for an effective degradation of tetracycline and ibuprofen molecules

The formation of phase pure magnetically separable α-Fe₂O₃ and α-Fe₂O₃/rGO nanostructures were achieved through a simple hydrothermal technique. The properties of synthesized materials were investigated through different analytical techniques. The formation of phase pure FO and FO/rGO nanostructures were confirmed by XRD analysis with crystallite size of about ∼42 nm and ∼65 nm, respectively. The morphological analysis reveals the formation of sphere-like nanoparticles with high agglomeration. The UV-DRS analysis clearly shows the enhanced visible-light activity of FO/rGO nanoparticles. The BET analysis revealed the mesoporous property of FO/rGO nanocomposite. The enhancement in the photoinduced charge transfer process is observed after including rGO nanoparticles with FO. The photocatalytic efficiency of nanomaterials was analyzed using tetracycline and ibuprofen as model organic pollutants under white LED irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic degradation ability of FO/rGO nanocomposite is studied against both tetracycline and ibuprofen molecules.

The fabrication of multifunctional sodium alginate scaffold incorporating ibuprofen-loaded modified PLLA microspheres based on cryogenic 3D printing

A strategy to develop a multifunctional sodium alginate personalized scaffold with enhanced mechanical stability, osteogenesis activity and excellent anti-inflammatory activity by cryogenic 3 D printing combined with subsequent crosslinking with Sr²⁺ is proposed in this study. The ink for 3 D printing was prepared by dispersing modified PLLA droplets containing ibuprofen into sodium alginate aqueous solution using lecithin as stabilizer. The results showed that the drug-loaded microspheres formed from the low-temperature solidifying of the modified PLLA droplets were homogeneously dispersed in sodium alginate substrate, and the scaffold displayed a sustained drug release performance toward ibuprofen which endowed the scaffold with persistent anti-inflammatory effects. In vitro cell culture indicated that the lecithin not only acted as the stabilizer, but also stimulated the proliferation and mineralization of osteoblastic cells on the scaffold. Sr²⁺-crosslinking improved the mechanical properties and osteogenic activity of the scaffold.