Prodrug design

Synthesis and In-Vivo Evaluation of Benzoxazole Derivatives as Promising Anti-Psoriatic Drugs for Clinical Use

2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-benzoxazoleacetic acid (CBA) and its ester, methyl-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-benzoxazoleacetate (MCBA), were synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by 1HNMR, IR, and mass spectrophotometry. The anti-psoriatic activities of CBA and MCBA were tested using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mouse model, in which mice were treated both topically (1% w/w) and orally (125 mg/kg) for 14 days. The erythema intensity, thickness, and desquamation of psoriasis were scored by calculating the psoriasis area severity index (PASI). The study also included the determination of histopathological alterations in the skin tissues of treated mice. Topical and oral administration of CBA and MCBA led to a reduction in erythema intensity, thickness, and desquamation, which was demonstrated by a significant decrease in the PASI value. In addition, skin tissues of mice treated with CBA and MCBA showed less evidence of psoriatic alterations, such as hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, scale crust, edema, psoriasiform, and hyperplasia. After administration of either topical or oral dosing, the anti-psoriatic effects were found to be stronger in MCBA-treated than in CBA-treated mice. These effects were comparable to those produced by Clobetasol propionate, the reference drug. This drug discovery could be translated into a potential new drug for future clinical use in psoriasis treatment.

Biopharmaceutical characterization of a novel sustained-release formulation of allopurinol with reduced nephrotoxicity

The present study was aimed to develop a novel sustained-release formulation for allopurinol (ALP/SR) with the use of a pH-sensitive polymer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, to reduce nephrotoxicity. ALP/SR was evaluated in terms of crystallinity, the dissolution profile, pharmacokinetic behavior, and nephrotoxicity in a rat model of nephropathy. Under acidic conditions (pH1.2), sustained release behavior was seen for ALP/SR, although both crystalline ALP and ALP/SR exhibited rapid dissolution at neutral condition. After multiple oral administrations of ALP samples (10 mg-ALP/kg) for 4 days in a rat model of nephropathy, ALP/SR led to a low and sustained plasma concentration of ALP, as evidenced by half the maximum concentration of ALP and a 2.5-fold increase in the half-life of ALP compared with crystalline ALP, possibly due to suppressed dissolution behavior under acidic conditions. Repeated-dosing of ALP/SR resulted in significant reductions in plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels by 73% and 69%, respectively, in comparison with crystalline ALP, suggesting the low nephrotoxic risk of ALP/SR. From these findings, a strategic SR formulation approach might be an efficacious dosage option for ALP to avoid severe nephrotoxicity in patients with nephropathy.

Sympathomimetic bronchodilators: increased selectivity with lung-specific prodrugs

The development of selective bronchodilator β-adrenoceptor agonists is reviewed with emphasis on a pharmacodynamic approach, which is directed to drugs with high specificity for the β2-adrenoceptor, and on a pharmacokinetic approach in which known β2-adrenoceptor agonists are converted to prodrugs with selectivity for the lung. The pharmacodynamic approach has produced drugs that display high specificity for the β2-adrenoceptor but still suffer from side-effects including tremor and palpitations. This is due to the fact that the β2-adrenoceptors present in skeletal muscle and blood vessel are indistinguishable from those in the airways. On the other hand, the prodrug pharmacokinetic approach offers a promising way to obtain selectively acting bronchodilators with significantly fewer side-effects.

Prodrugs: design and clinical applications

Prodrugs are bioreversible derivatives of drug molecules that undergo an enzymatic and/or chemical transformation in vivo to release the active parent drug, which can then exert the desired pharmacological effect. In both drug discovery and development, prodrugs have become an established tool for improving physicochemical, biopharmaceutical or pharmacokinetic properties of pharmacologically active agents. About 5-7% of drugs approved worldwide can be classified as prodrugs, and the implementation of a prodrug approach in the early stages of drug discovery is a growing trend. To illustrate the applicability of the prodrug strategy, this article describes the most common functional groups that are amenable to prodrug design, and highlights examples of prodrugs that are either launched or are undergoing human trials.

Analysis of metabolite kinetics by deconvolution and in vivo-in vitro correlations of metabolite formation rates: studies of fibrinogen receptor antagonist ester prodrugs

The pharmacokinetics of L-767,679, a potent fibrinogen receptor antagonist, were characterized following administration of its ethyl ester prodrug to dogs and monkeys. Deconvolution analysis was performed to determine the rate and extent of (1) the formation of L-767,679 from the prodrug in the systemic circulation, (2) the composite input (systemic and presystemic) of L-767,679 to the general circulation after oral administration of the prodrug, (3) the oral input of the prodrug, and (4) the input of the presystemically formed L-767,679 following oral administration of the prodrug. The results indicated that there were species differences in the kinetics of the disposition of L-767,679 and its prodrug. In dogs, the prodrug was absorbed faster than it was converted to the active drug, and the presystemic formation of L-767,679 contributed to about one-half of the total input of L-767,679 following oral administration of the prodrug. In monkeys, the low input of L-767,679 following oral administration of the prodrug was not due to an inefficient formation of L-767,679 in the systemic circulation but rather to the low oral bioavailability of the prodrug. Virtually all of the total oral input of L-767,679 following administration of its prodrug to monkeys resulted from the presystemic metabolism of the prodrug. These results were consistent with the finding in monkeys that the ester prodrug underwent extensive transformation to metabolites other than L-767,679. In addition, the present study also demonstrated a correlation between in vivo formation rates of L-767,679 determined using deconvolution analysis following its ethyl, methyl, and isopropyl esters in dogs and the ethyl ester in monkeys and in vitro formation rates of L-767,679 obtained following incubations of the corresponding esters with dog and monkey liver microsomes. The results suggested that deconvolution and/or convolution analysis together with in vitro metabolism results could potentially be used to predict in vivo formation rates of other ester prodrugs of L-767,679 and also plasma concentrations of L-767,679 as a function of time, following administration of its prodrugs.

Development of lipophilic anticancer agents for the treatment of brain tumors by the esterification of water-soluble chlorambucil

The lipophilic derivatives of the anticancer alkylating agent chlorambucil, chlorambucil-methyl, -isopropyl and -tertiary butyl esters, were synthesized and administered i.v. to anesthetized rats. Plasma and brain concentrations of these agents and of their active metabolites, chlorambucil and phenylacetic mustard, then were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography between 5 and 60 min. Whereas large amounts of chlorambucil-tertiary butyl ester entered and were maintained in brain, lower amounts of chlorambucil-isopropyl ester and no chlorambucil-methyl ester were found in brain. The comparative brain/plasma concentration-time integral ratios of the total active agents generated from chlorambucil-tertiary butyl, -isopropyl and -methyl esters were 0.85, 0.12 and 0.06, respectively, compared to a ratio of 0.02 for chlorambucil. In vitro alkylating activity of each ester was compared to that of equimolar chlorambucil, by reaction with 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)pyridine. Each ester possessed high intrinsic alkylating activity, equal to 38.4, 57.0 and 69.9% of chlorambucil activity, for the -tertiary butyl, -isopropyl and -methyl esters, respectively. Therefore each is an active antineoplastic agent irrespective of whether or not chlorambucil is regenerated. The rates of ester hydrolysis of these derivatives to chlorambucil were measured in fresh rat blood and in liver and brain homogenates at 37 degrees C. Chlorambucil-methyl and -isopropyl esters were hydrolysed quickly within 30 s in blood and liver, whereas chlorambucil-tertiary butyl ester was more stable with half-lives of approximately 7 h and 2 h, respectively. All proved to be relatively stable in brain homogenate. Steric hindrance around the ester linkage of chlorambucil-tertiary butyl ester reduces its affinity to and rate of hydrolysis by plasma and liver esterases, and allows it to accumulate within the brain. Chlorambucil-tertiary butyl ester maintains high levels in brain despite rapidly declining plasma concentrations and, due to these favorable pharmacokinetics and to its intrinsic anticancer activity, it possess promising characteristics for the treatment of malignant brain tumors.

Improved delivery through biological membranes. XXXVII. Synthesis and stability of novel redox derivatives of naproxen and indomethacin

Several novel bioreversible redox derivatives of the nonsteroida, antinflammatory drugs (NSAID) naproxen and indomethacin were synthesized. The stability of these dihydropyridine-NSAID derivatives their synthetic precursors, and predicted products of oxidative metabolism, the corresponding pyridinium salts, was determined in buffer, human and rat blood, and rat organ homogenate. The dihydropyridines exhibited the expected stability profiles in the media examined: oxidation, water addition, and/or ester hydrolysis. The corresponding pyridinium salts were quite stable in biomedia. ester hydrolysis being the primary route of decomposition. The results of this study may be useful in selecting suitable candidates for selective delivery of naproxen and indomethacin across the blood-brain barrier.

Clinical significance of esterases in man

Esterases, hydrolases which split ester bonds, hydrolyse a number of compounds used as drugs in humans. The enzymes involved are classified broadly as cholinesterases (including acetylcholinesterase), carboxylesterases, and arylesterases, but apart from acetylcholinesterase, their biological function is unknown. The acetylcholinesterase present in nerve endings involved in neurotransmission is inhibited by anticholinesterase drugs, e.g. neostigmine, and by organophosphorous compounds (mainly insecticides). Cholinesterases are primarily involved in drug hydrolysis in the plasma, arylesterases in the plasma and red blood cells, and carboxylesterases in the liver, gut and other tissues. The esterases exhibit specificities for certain substrates and inhibitors but a drug is often hydrolysed by more than one esterase at different sites. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), for example, is hydrolysed to salicylate by carboxylesterases in the liver during the first-pass. Only 60% of an oral dose reaches the systemic circulation where it is hydrolysed by plasma cholinesterases and albumin and red blood cell arylesterases. Thus, the concentration of aspirin relative to salicylate in the circulation may be affected by individual variation in esterase levels and the relative roles of the different esterases, and this may influence the overall pharmacological effect. Other drugs have been less extensively investigated than aspirin and these include heroin (diacetylmorphine), suxamethonium (succinylcholine), clofibrate, carbimazole, procaine and other local anaesthetics. Ester prodrugs are widely used to improve absorption of drugs and in depot preparations. The active drug is released by hydrolysis by tissue carboxylesterases. Individual differences in esterase activity may be genetically determined, as is the case with atypical cholinesterases and the polymorphic distribution of serum paraoxonase and red blood cell esterase D. Disease states may also alter esterase activity.

Serum-catalyzed hydrolysis of metronidazole amino acid esters

Glycine (Gly), alanine (Ala), valine (Val), leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile), phenylalanine (Phe), and lysine (Lys) esters of metronidazole were synthesized using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) coupling or a mixed-anhydride route, using tert-butyloxycarbonyl (tert-Boc) amino acids. Human serum-catalyzed hydrolysis of these esters at 37 degrees C give half-lives varying from 4.5 min for the Phe ester to 96 h for the Ile ester. Also determined was the pH-rate profile for hydrolysis in aqueous buffers at 25 degrees C. A linear relationship was observed between the logarithmic value of the hydrolysis rate constant in serum and that of the OH- -catalyzed hydrolysis of cationic esters. This finding may indicate that the esters studied are "equally" poor substrates for binding to the enzymes in serum and, thus, the difference observed in the serum-catalyzed hydrolysis rate is solely derived from the chemical lability of an ester bond. Interestingly, the extent of chemical activation observed in the buffer system appears to be amplified in the serum-catalyzed hydrolysis.

Prodrugs. Do they have advantages in clinical practice?

Prodrugs are pharmacologically inactive chemical derivatives of a drug molecule that require a transformation within the body in order to release the active drug. They are designed to overcome pharmaceutical and/or pharmacokinetically based problems associated with the parent drug molecule that would otherwise limit the clinical usefulness of the drug. The scientific rationale, based on clinical, pharmaceutical and chemical experience, for the design of various currently used prodrugs is presented in this review. The examples presented are by no means comprehensive, but are representative of the different ways in which the prodrug approach has been used to enhance the clinical efficacy of various drug molecules.

Aqueous conversion kinetics and mechanisms of ancitabine, a prodrug of the antileukemic agent cytarabine

The kinetics of conversion of the prodrug ancitabine to the anticancer drug cytarabine have been studied in aqueous solutions in the pH range of 1.5-10.7, temperature range of 19.5-80.0 degrees C, ionic strength range of 10(-4) to 1.5, and in the presence of several general-base catalysts. Under all conditions ancitabine was quantitatively converted to cytarabine. The pH-rate profiles were linear with slope = 1 in alkaline pH, becoming pH independent in the region of maximum stability at pH less than or equal to 4, where buffer catalysis was found to be insignificant and kobs approximately equal to (1.12 X 10(11) h-1)-exp [-10121 deg/T]. At 30 degrees C, pH less than or equal to 4, it is calculated that an aqueous ancitabine solution will maintain 90% of its initial concentration for 12 d. A novel method for measuring general-base catalysis in competition with predominating specific-base catalysis and in the presence of secondary salt effects at constant ionic strength was developed. Three mechanisms of hydrolytic prodrug conversion are proposed: nucleophilic hydroxide addition, general base-assisted nucleophilic water attack, and spontaneous water attack.

Pharmacokinetic prodrug modeling: in vitro and in vivo kinetics and mechanisms of ancitabine bioconversion to cytarabine

Conversion rates of the prodrug ancitabine to the antileukemic cytarabine have been measured in vivo (rabbits) and in vitro (in the presence of rabbit blood and human red blood cells, blood, and plasma) using HPLC analyses for the prodrug, drug, and its inactive metabolite, 1-beta-D-arabinosyluracil. These observed pH-dependent in vitro rate constants were consistent with those for chemical hydrolysis determined from controls using Tris buffers. Hydrolysis of ancitabine to cytarabine is chemically, not enzymatically, mediated. The blood concentration-time course for administered compound was described by a two-compartment open model following a rapid intravenous injection of prodrug, drug, or metabolite in each of three rabbits. The in vivo conversion rate constant (kc) following a rapid intravenous prodrug injection was estimated by simultaneous nonlinear regression of ancitabine and cytarabine blood concentration-time courses using equations for two-compartment prodrug and drug with all possible models describing potential conversion sites. The best fit was obtained for the case allowing simultaneous conversion of the prodrug in both central and peripheral compartments to the drug in the central compartment with a common value for kc. The resulting kc value (0.09 h-1, three rabbits) is similar to that for chemical hydrolysis (0.07 h-1) at 38.8 degrees C. Reasons why this agreement is regarded as fortuitous are discussed.

New horizons in pharmaceutical technology

The benefits they provide have contributed toward making drugs the most commonly used treatment modality. Although drugs account for less than 10 percent of all health care expenditures, their total costs can be substantial when one considers the impact of adverse effects as well as the problems resulting from misprescribing and misuse. The 1980s will see the introduction of a large number and variety of new drugs and new ways of delivering drugs to the body. The goals of these developments include increased effectiveness, decreased seriousness and frequency of adverse effects, and less complicated dosing regimes. This new technology raises questions regarding the optimal prescribing, distribution, financing, and use of these new drugs. It is also important to consider what actions should be taken to assure that continued growth in drug technology will occur and that this growth be directed toward the development of drugs that offer significant advantages over existing therapies. Rational policy must consider not only the costs of drugs themselves but also the potential for drugs to reduce the overall cost of health care.