Thermal Stability of Simvastatin under Different Atmospheres

Experimental, Thermodynamic, and Molecular Modeling Evaluation of Amorphous Simvastatin-Poly(vinylpyrrolidone) Solid Dispersions

A crucial step for the selection of proper amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) matrix carriers is the in-depth assessment of drug/polymer physicochemical properties. In this context, the present study extends the work of previously published attempts by evaluating the formation of simvastatin (SIM)-poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) ASDs with the aid of thermodynamic and molecular modeling. Specifically, the implementation of both Flory-Huggins lattice theory and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations was able to predict the miscibility between the two components (a finding that was experimentally verified via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hot stage polarized microscopy), while a complete temperature-concentration phase-transition profile was constructed, leading to the identification of the thermodynamically metastable and unstable ASD zones. Furthermore, as in the case of previously published reports, the analysis of the ASDs via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy did not clarify the type and extent of observed molecular interactions. Hence, in the present study, a computer-based MD simulation model was developed for the first time in order to gain an insight into the properties of the observed interactions. MD amorphous assemblies of SIM, PVP, and their mixtures were initially developed, and the calculated glass transition temperatures were in close agreement with experimentally obtained results, indicating that the developed models could be considered as realistic representations of the actual systems. Furthermore, molecular interactions evaluation via radial distribution function and radius of gyration analysis revealed that increasing SIM content results in a significant PVP chain shrinkage, which eventually leads to SIM-SIM amorphous intermolecular interactions, leading to the formation of amorphous drug zones. Finally, MD-based results were experimentally verified via DSC.

Solid-State Reactivity of Mechano-Activated Simvastatin: Atypical Relation to Powder Crystallinity

The present study investigated the impact of solid-state disorders generated during milling on the chemical reactivity of simvastatin. An amorphous and a partially crystalline simvastatin powders were generated via cryomilling simvastatin crystals for either 90 or 10 min, respectively. The thoroughly characterized milled powders were stored at 40°C/75% RH, in open and closed containers. The effect of milling and storage conditions on physical stability was investigated using simultaneous small and wide-angle X-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry. The chemical degradation was evaluated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Compared with the fully amorphous state, the partially crystalline simvastatin crystallized to a lower extent in the expense of higher chemical degradation on open storage. The closely stored samples degraded to a lower extent and crystallized to a higher extent than the openly stored ones. However, the trends of the total crystallinity and degradation between amorphous and partially crystalline powders were similar. Small-angle X-ray scattering revealed that the partially crystalline simvastatin comprised a higher extent of nanoscale density heterogeneity than the fully amorphous powder. The overall results pointed toward the role of the remaining amorphous content and the nanoscale and mesoscale density heterogeneity on the chemical reactivity in the disordered simvastatin.

Polymorphism in Simvastatin: Twinning, Disorder, and Enantiotropic Phase Transitions

Simvastatin is one of the most widely used active pharmaceutical ingredients for the treatment of hyperlipidemias. Because the compound is employed as a solid in drug formulations, particular attention should be given to the characterization of different polymorphs, their stability domains, and the nature of the phase transitions that relate them. In this work, the phase transitions delimiting the stability domains of three previously reported simvastatin forms were investigated from structural, energetics, and dynamical points of view based on single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), hot stage microscopy (HSM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments (conventional scans and heat capacity measurements), complemented with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Previous assignments of the crystal forms were confirmed by SCXRD: forms I and II were found to be orthorhombic ( P2₁2₁2₁, Z'/ Z = 1/4) and form III was monoclinic ( P2₁, Z'/ Z = 2/4). The obtained results further indicated that (i) the transitions between different forms are observed at 235.9 ± 0.1 K (form III → form II) and at 275.2 ± 0.2 K (form II → form I) in DSC runs carried out at 10 K min^-1 and close to these values when other types of techniques are used (e.g., HSM). (ii) They are enantiotropic (i.e., there is a transition temperature relating the two phases before fusion at which the stability order is reversed), fast, reversible, with very little hysteresis between heating and cooling modes, and occur under single crystal to single crystal conditions. (iii) A nucleation and growth mechanism seems to be followed since HSM experiments on single crystals evidenced the propagation of an interface, accompanied by a change of birefringence and crystal contraction or expansion (more subtle in the case of form III → form II), when the phase transitions are triggered. (iv) Consistent with the reversible and small hysteresis nature of the phase transitions, the SCXRD results indicated that the molecular packing is very similar in all forms and the main structural differences are associated with conformational changes of the "ester tail". (v) The MD simulations further suggested that the tail is essentially "frozen" in two conformations below the III → II transition temperature, becomes progressively less hindered throughout the stability domain of form II, and acquires a large conformational freedom above the II → I transition. Finally, the fact that these transitions were found to be fast and reversible suggests that polymorphism is unlikely to be a problem for pharmaceutical formulations employing crystalline simvastatin because, if present, the III and II forms will readily convert to form I at ambient temperature.

Comprehensive Assessment of Degradation Behavior of Simvastatin by UHPLC/MS Method, Employing Experimental Design Methodology

This manuscript describes comprehensive approach for assessment of degradation behavior of simvastatin employing experimental design methodology as scientific multifactorial strategy. Experimental design methodology was used for sample preparation and UHPLC method development and optimization. Simvastatin was subjected to stress conditions of oxidative, acid, base, hydrolytic, thermal, and photolytic degradation. Using 2ⁿ full factorial design degradation conditions were optimized to obtain targeted level of degradation. Screening for optimal chromatographic condition was made by Plackett-Burman design and optimization chromatographic experiments were conducted according to Box-Behnken design. Successful separation of simvastatin from the impurities and degradation products was achieved on Poroshell 120 EC C18 50 × 3.0 mm 2.7 μm, using solutions of 20 mM ammonium formate pH 4.0 and acetonitrile as the mobile phase in gradient mode. The proposed method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Validation results have shown that the proposed method is selective, linear, sensitive, accurate, and robust and it is suitable for quantitative determination of simvastatin and its impurities. Afterwards, the degradation products were confirmed by a direct hyphenation of liquid chromatograph to ion-trap mass spectrometer with heated electrospray ionization interface. This study highlights the multiple benefits of implementing experimental design, which provides a better understanding of significant factors responsible for degradation and ensures successful way to achieve degradation and can replace the trial and error approach used in conventional forced degradation studies.

Could simvastatin be considered as a potential therapy for chronic lung diseases? A debate on the pros and cons

INTRODUCTION

Simvastatin (SV) is a drug from the statin class, currently used orally as an anti-cholesterolemic drug. It inhibits the 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase to reduce cholesterol synthesis. Recently, it has been found that SV also has several other protective pharmacological actions unrelated to its anti-cholesterol effects that might be beneficial in the treatment of chronic airway diseases.

AREAS COVERED

This review summarizes the evidence relating to SV as a potential anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and muco-inhibitory agent, administered both orally and via pulmonary inhalation, and discusses its pro and cons. Evidence could potentially be used to support the delivery of SV as inhaled formulation for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases.

EXPERT OPINION

The use of SV as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and muco-inhibitory agent for drug delivery to the lung is promising. Inhaled SV formulations could allow the delivery profile to be customized and optimized to take advantage of the rapid onset of action, low systemic side effect and improved physico-chemical stability. This treatment could potentially to be used clinically for the localized treatment of lung diseases where inflammation and oxidative stress production is present.

Extremely thermophilic microorganisms as metabolic engineering platforms for production of fuels and industrial chemicals

Enzymes from extremely thermophilic microorganisms have been of technological interest for some time because of their ability to catalyze reactions of industrial significance at elevated temperatures. Thermophilic enzymes are now routinely produced in recombinant mesophilic hosts for use as discrete biocatalysts. Genome and metagenome sequence data for extreme thermophiles provide useful information for putative biocatalysts for a wide range of biotransformations, albeit involving at most a few enzymatic steps. However, in the past several years, unprecedented progress has been made in establishing molecular genetics tools for extreme thermophiles to the point that the use of these microorganisms as metabolic engineering platforms has become possible. While in its early days, complex metabolic pathways have been altered or engineered into recombinant extreme thermophiles, such that the production of fuels and chemicals at elevated temperatures has become possible. Not only does this expand the thermal range for industrial biotechnology, it also potentially provides biodiverse options for specific biotransformations unique to these microorganisms. The list of extreme thermophiles growing optimally between 70 and 100°C with genetic toolkits currently available includes archaea and bacteria, aerobes and anaerobes, coming from genera such as Caldicellulosiruptor, Sulfolobus, Thermotoga, Thermococcus, and Pyrococcus. These organisms exhibit unusual and potentially useful native metabolic capabilities, including cellulose degradation, metal solubilization, and RuBisCO-free carbon fixation. Those looking to design a thermal bioprocess now have a host of potential candidates to choose from, each with its own advantages and challenges that will influence its appropriateness for specific applications. Here, the issues and opportunities for extremely thermophilic metabolic engineering platforms are considered with an eye toward potential technological advantages for high temperature industrial biotechnology.