Hydrotropic solubilization--mechanistic studies

Hydrotropic polymer micelle system for delivery of paclitaxel

Hydrotropic polymer micelle system has been developed for delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs such as paclitaxel. Hydrotropic polymers based on N,N-diethylnicotinamide were synthesized and used as a hydrophobic block for constructing amphiphilic block copolymers. The hydrotropic block copolymers self-assembled to form micelles in aqueous media. The size of the prepared polymer micelles was in the range of 30-50 nm, and increased to 100-120 nm after paclitaxel loading. The critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of the block copolymers were higher by an order of magnitude than those of other typical polymer micelles, due to less hydrophobicity of the hydrotropic blocks. The drug loading capacity and physical stability of the polymer micelles were characterized and compared with those of other polymer micelles. The hydrotropic polymer micelles containing hydrotrope-rich cores showed not only higher loading capacity but also enhanced physical stability in aqueous media. They could be redissolved in aqueous media by simple vortexing and/or a mild heating. The hydrotropic polymer micelles provide an alternative approach for formulation of poorly soluble drugs.

Study of interaction between ibuprofen and nicotinamide using differential scanning calorimetry, spectroscopy, and microscopy and formulation of a fast-acting and possibly better ibuprofen suspension for osteoarthritis patients

Solid-state interaction between ibuprofen and nicotinamide was studied using thermal, spectroscopic, and microscopic techniques. Solubility enhancement was calculated by high-performance liquid chromatography and suspension was found to be the suitable choice of formulation. Ibuprofen-nicotinamide binary mixtures were prepared by solvent evaporation method. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to investigate the stoichiometry and thermal properties of the complex between ibuprofen and nicotinamide. A sharp, single endotherm was observed between the melting endotherms of the individual components at a composition of 60% ibuprofen and 40% nicotinamide (w/w). Several spectroscopic techniques such as ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and powder X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the type of interaction between the two components. Optical microscopy was performed to observe changes with regard to particle size and crystal habit. It was concluded that the interaction that occurred was Pi donor-Pi acceptor in nature and too weak to sustain the integrity of the complex in the liquid state. The solubility of ibuprofen was enhanced by 62 times in the suspension when the concentration of nicotinamide was 13.3 mg/mL. The suspension prepared in this study has potential of being a better medication for pain relief in patients with osteoarthritis.

Hydrotropic agents for study of in vitro paclitaxel release from polymeric micelles

A new experimental method for in vitro release studies of poorly soluble drugs from polymeric micelle systems was developed using a hydrotropic agent, sodium salicylate. It is difficult to maintain a good sink condition for poorly water-soluble drugs, such as paclitaxel (PTX), because of their low aqueous solubility. In this study, a good sink condition for PTX was achieved by using aqueous sodium salicylate solution which solubilized more than 10 times the total amount of PTX incorporated in polymeric micelles. Sodium salicylate at 1 M concentration increased the aqueous PTX solubility by 100 times without destroying the micellar structure of poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(phenylalanine) (PEG-b-PPhe) copolymer. PTX was continuously released from PEG-b-PPhe micelles in the hydrotropic release medium. The hydrotropic solution presents a simple method for studying in vitro release behavior of poorly soluble drugs from polymeric micelles in aqueous media.

Hydrotropic solubilization of paclitaxel: analysis of chemical structures for hydrotropic property

PURPOSE

To identify hydrotropic agents that can increase aqueous paclitaxel (PTX) solubility and to study the chemical structures necessary for hydrotropic properties so that polymeric hydrotropic agents can be synthesized.

METHODS

More than 60 candidate hydrotropic agents (or hydrotropes) were tested for their ability to increase the aqueous PTX solubility. A number of nicotinamide analogues were synthesized based on the observation that nicotinamide showed a favorable hydrotropic property. The identified hydrotropes for PTX were used to examine the structure-activity relationship.

RESULTS

N,N-Diethylnicotinamide (NNDENA) was found to be the most effective hydrotropic agent for PTX. The aqueous PTX solubility was 39 mg/ml and 512 mg/ml at NNDENA concentrations of 3.5 M and 5.95 M, respectively. These values are 5-6 orders of magnitude greater than the intrinsic solubility of 0.30 +/- 0.02 microg/ml. N-Picolylnicotinamide, N-allylnicotinamide, and sodium salicylate were also excellent hydrotropes for PTX. Solubility data showed that an effective hydrotropic agent should be highly water soluble while maintaining a hydrophobic segment.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study identified several hydrotropic agents effective for increasing aqueous solubility of PTX and analyzed the structural requirements for this hydrotropic property. This information can be used to find other hydrotropic compounds and to synthesize polymeric hydrotropes that are effective for PTX and other poorly water-soluble drugs.

Surface active drugs: self-association and interaction with membranes and surfactants. Physicochemical and biological aspects

Many pharmacologically active compounds are of amphiphilic (or hydrophobic) nature. As a result, they tend to self-associate and to interact with biological membranes. This review focuses on the self-aggregation properties of drugs, as well as on their interaction with membranes. It is seen that drug-membrane interactions are analogous to the interactions between membranes and classical detergents. Phenomena such as shape changes, vesiculation, membrane disruption, and solubilization have been observed. At the molecular level, these events seem to be modulated by lipid flip-flop and formation of non-bilayer phases. The modulation of physicochemical properties of drugs by self-association and membrane binding is discussed. Pathological consequences of drug-membrane interaction are described. The mechanisms of drug solubilization by surfactants are reviewed from the physicochemical point of view and in relation to drug carrying and absorption by the organism.