Molecular mechanism of drug photosensitization. 5. Photohemolysis sensitized by Suprofen

Selective Entrapment of the Cationic Form of Norfloxacin within Anionic Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Micelles at Physiological pH and its Effect on the Drug Photodecomposition†

The binding of the photosensitizing fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotic norfloxacin (NX) to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles and the photoreactivity of the NX/SDS complex under physiological pH conditions are investigated by means of absorption and emission spectroscopy, steady-state and laser flash photolysis. It is shown that the photolabile zwitterionic form of NX, which is dominant at physiological pH, is not the most abundant species in the presence of SDS micelles. This medium exhibits a high preference for the cationic form of the drug, which is selectively and successfully entrapped within the micellar cage (K(ass) = 6 x 10(4) M(-1) +/- 3000), becoming the largely dominant species at neutral pH. The effect of this trapping is drastically reflected on both efficiency and nature of the drug photodecomposition. It is observed that the photostability of NX incorporated in the micellar pseudophase increases of more than one order of magnitude if compared to that of the "free" drug. Furthermore, the radical photodecomposition mechanism occurring in phosphate buffered solution is suppressed by the micellar medium and the low photodegradation observed seems to take place preferentially through an ionic pathway. Hopefully, the results presented herein may contribute to a better understanding of the bio-distribution of NX in biological systems and provide helpful and stimulating information in order to get the control of FQ photoreactivity under physiological pH conditions.

UV-induced drug release from photoactive REV sensitized by suprofen

In order to achieve local administration of drugs, calcein (CAL) encapsulated reverse phase evaporation vesicles (REV) carrying photoactive destabilization agent suprofen (SPF) in the lipid bilayer were prepared. Effect of both UV-A and UV-B photoactivation of liposomal membrane incorporated SPF on the destabilization of the liposome bilayer and the release of encapsulated CAL was investigated. Standard REV of phosphatidylcholine (PC):cholesterol (CHOL) in 7:3 molar ratio, and photoactive REV of PC:CHOL:SPF, and DPPC:CHOL:SPF in 7:3:3 molar ratio were prepared. CAL encapsulation efficiency (EE (%)) and in situ release was studied. SPF incorporation in the PC REV membrane led to approximately 5% increase in the EE (34%) in comparison to standard REV (29%). EE decreased (21%) when DPPC was used to replace PC. Exposure to UV-B caused the highest CAL release. The lowest release was from the unexposed REV. DPPC led to a higher liposomal membrane stability (lower CAL release) than PC. A linear relationship was observed between UV-B exposure duration and REV permeability. This study revealed that membrane destabilization of SPF incorporated REV was best achieved upon photoactivation of the membrane-localized SPF by a 40 min exposure to UV-B.

Steady-state and time-resolved studies on the formation of skatolyl radicals photosensitized by 2-benzoylthiophene

Quenching of the excited triplet state of 2-benzoylthiophene (BT) by 3-methylindole (CH3InH) leads to several neutral radicals resulting from formal hydrogen-atom abstraction. The transient absorption spectra of the BT ketyl radical (BTH) and the N-centered (CH3In) radical are directly detected by laser flash photolysis. From the differences between the spectra in the presence and the absence of oxygen, the C-centered skatolyl radical (CH2InH) is also observed. Accordingly, product studies demonstrate the formation of homodimers as well as cross-coupling products. They include BTH dimers (BTH-BTH, two stereoisomers), indolyl dimers (three different products) and products derived from reaction of skatolyl and BT ketyl radicals.

Irreversible photo-oxidation of propranolol triggered by self-photogenerated singlet molecular oxygen

The photochemistry of propranolol (PR), 1-isopropylamino-2-(1-naphthyloxy)propan-2-ol, has been studied by combining laser-flash photolysis and steady-state measurements. Like other compounds bearing the naphthalene chromophore, the triplet state is produced quite efficiently (phi(isc) = 0.35) and it is able to transfer its energy to oxygen, sensitizing singlet oxygen formation with phi(delta) = 0.24. PR photodecomposition takes place in an aerated aqueous medium and leads to 6-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone as the sole stable photoproduct. This seems to be consistent with the intermediary formation of the highly photolabile 1,4-naphthoquinone. It is demonstrated that photodegradation occurs via a type II mechanism involving irreversible trapping of self-photogenerated singlet molecular oxygen.

Photoreactivity of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory 2-arylpropionic acids with photosensitizing side effects

The photoreactivity of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory 2-arylpropionic acids benoxaprofen, carprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, tiaprofenic acid, and suprofen is reviewed with special emphasis on fundamental photophysical and photochemical properties. The absorption and emission properties of the excited states of these drugs as well as their main photodegradation routes are summarized. The photochemical mechanisms are discussed on the basis of product studies and detection of short-lived intermediates by means of laser flash photolysis. After dealing with the unimolecular processes, attention is focused on the photosensitized reactions of key biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins or nucleic acids. Finally, a short section on the photobiological effects on simple biological models is also included. Although some earlier citations are included, the literature coverage is in general limited to the last decade.

The photochemistry of flutamide and its inclusion complex with beta-cyclodextrin. Dramatic effect of the microenvironment on the nature and on the efficiency of the photodegradation pathways

The photochemistry of the anticancer drug flutamide (FM), 2-methyl-N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propanamide, in homogeneous media and in the beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) cavity has been investigated. The photoreactivity of the free molecule has been rationalized on the basis of an intramolecular nitro to nitrite rearrangement followed by cleavage of the nitrite intermediate. The twisted geometry of the nitro group with respect to the aromatic plane plays a key role in triggering such a photoprocess. Incorporation of FM in the beta-CD cavity leads to dramatic effects on both the efficiency and the nature of the photochemical deactivation pathways of the guest molecule. A 20-fold increase in the FM photodecomposition quantum yield and the formation of photoproducts originated by both reduction of the nitro group and cleavage of the amide bond were observed in the presence of the macrocycle. Such a behavior cannot be attributed exclusively to the micropolarity of beta-CD and/or to its role as a reactant. The induced circular dichroism spectra and the nature of the photoproducts formed in these experimental conditions provide indications that the photoreactivity in the beta-CD microenvironment could likely be mediated by structural changes of FM upon complexation.

Involvement of type I and type II mechanisms in the linoleic acid peroxidation photosensitized by tiaprofenic acid

Analysis of the photomixtures resulting from irradiation of aqueous solutions of linoleic acid sensitized by tiaprofenic acid (TPA) or its major photoproduct (DTPA) by HPLC has shown the formation of all the four possible conjugated dienic hydroperoxides. According to laser flash photolysis experiments the rate constants for hydrogen abstraction from linoleic acid by the excited triplet states of TPA and DTPA are 2 x 10(5) and 3.2x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. These data, together with the known rate constants for oxygen quenching of triplet (D)TPA and for the reaction of singlet oxygen with linoleic acid, show that the mechanism is mixed type I/type II. Finally, typical radical scavengers such as BHA and singlet oxygen quenchers such as DABCO and sodium azide are efficient quenchers of the triplet excited state of DTPA. This shows the risk of assigning mechanisms based on indirect 'evidences' using 'specific' additives.

Sequence specificity of alkali-labile DNA damage photosensitized by suprofen

On irradiation at UVB wavelengths, in aerated neutral aqueous solution, the anti-inflammatory drug suprofen (SP) photosensitizes the production of alkali-labile cleavage sites in DNA much more efficiently than direct strand breaks. It is active at submillimolar concentrations despite having no significant binding affinity for DNA. Gel sequencing studies utilizing 32P-end-labeled oligonucleotides have revealed that piperidine-sensitive lesions are formed predominantly at the positions of guanine (G) bases, with the extent of modification being UV dose- and SP concentration-dependent. Quite distinct patterns of G-specific damage are observed in single-stranded and duplex DNA molecules. The uniform attack at all G residues in single-stranded DNA, which is enhanced in D2O, is compatible with a Type-II mechanism. SP is a known generator of singlet oxygen whose participation in the reaction is supported by the effects of quenchers and scavengers. In duplex DNA, piperidine-induced cleavage occurs with high selectivity at the 5'-G of GG and (less prominently) GA doublets. This behavior is characteristic of a Type-I process involving electron transfer from DNA to photoexcited SP molecules. The ability of SP to sensitize the formation of Type-I and Type-II photo-oxidation products from 2'-deoxyguanosine attests to the feasibility of competing mechanisms in DNA.

Molecular mechanisms of photosensitization XIII: a combined differential scanning calorimetry and DNA photosensitization study in non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs-DNA interaction

A combined differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and photosensitization study has been carried out on the interaction of several NSAID on DNA, both from calf thymus and pBR 322 plasmid. The investigated compounds were both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as well as compounds related to NSAIDs for structural similar properties, to find evidence for their ability to interact with DNA as a function of steric hindrance and polarity of the chemical structures. The considered NSAIDs were diflunisal (DFN, a salicylic derivative), naproxen (NAP), ketoprofen (KPF), suprofen (SPF) and tiaprofenic acid (TIA, arylpropionic acids). The structural criterion used was related to three different aromatic groups, biphenyl, naphthalene and benzophenone (BZP). In fact drug-DNA interaction can be revealed by variations of the enthalpies and temperatures of unfolding of DNA obtained by comparison of calorimetric peaks, where a decrease of the enthalpy is associated with the drug-DNA interaction, by engaging electrostatic bonds. Testing their ability in inducing DNA cleavage when UVA irradiated can evidence the photosensitizing properties of the drug. A good correlation was found between calorimetric and photosensitization studies. From the results obtained it can be reasonably supposed that the photocleavage depends only on the drug molecules bound to DNA.

Effect of the microenvironment on the efficiency of singlet oxygen (O2(1 delta g)) production by photosensitizing anti-inflammatory drugs

The influence of the medium on the quantum yields of singlet oxygen (O2(1 delta g)) production (phi delta) by a series of photosensitizing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) derived from 2-arylpropionic acid (APA) has been investigated. Four-component oil-in-water and water-in-oil microemulsions, based on anionic and cationic surfactants, have been employed as the simplest models to mimic more complex biological environments. phi delta values have been determined by monitoring the singlet oxygen (1O2) luminescence at 1270 nm upon continuous excitation of the drugs under air-equilibrated conditions. Results indicate that phi delta values are highly affected by the medium, being higher in microheterogeneous systems than in (homogeneous) solution. Some of the anti-inflammatory derivatives are very efficient 1O2 sensitizers: e.g., values of apparent phi delta as high as 0.86 (+/- 0.04) and 0.70 (+/- 0.03) have been found for tiaprofenic acid and suprofen, respectively. The location of the drugs in the interfacial region of the microemulsions combined with their high phi delta values suggest that type II reactions may play a significant role in the overall photodynamic process in more complex organized media, such as biological membranes.

Photosensitizing drugs containing the benzophenone chromophore

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents ketoprofen, tiaprofenic acid, suprofen and tolmetin, together with the anti-hyperlipoproteinemic drug fenofibrate and the anti-arrhythmic amiodarone can be included in the group of benzophenone-derived photosensitizing drugs. They contain a diaryl ketone chromophore and mediate the development of phototoxic reactions. In some cases, photoallergic responses have been reported. These properties have been substantiated in clinical reports, as well as by means of in vivo and in vitro assays. Tolmetin is phototoxic in vitro, however there are no reports on photosensitization by this drug in humans. In general, photochemical and photobiological studies strongly suggest that photosensitization involves formal hydrogen abstraction (either in a single step or via electron transfer followed by proton transfer) by the benzophenone-like chromophore from the excited triplet state. In the case of amiodarone, the radicals generated by photodehalogenation from the triplet are responsible for the photosensitivity side-effects.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-photosensitized formation of pyrimidine dimer in DNA

Phototoxic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may induce DNA damage in vitro upon irradiation. In this study, we investigated the ability of ketoprofen (KP), tiaprofenic acid (Tia), naproxen (NP) and indomethacin (IND) to photosensitize the formation of pyrimidine dimers and single strand breaks. Both kinds of damage were sought by analyzing DNA-drug mixtures irradiated at 313 nm by agarose gel electrophoresis. The formation of pyrimidine dimers was evidenced by using endonuclease V from bacteriophage T4 and compared to that induced by acetophenone, a well-known photosensitizer of thymine dimerization. Upon irradiation of DNA alone, pyrimidine dimers were observed while single strand breaks were not detected under our conditions. DNA, in the presence of NSAIDs, undergoes single strand breaks, the quantum yield of the DNA cleavage so induced (phiC) varying from 5 x 10(-4) for KP to 10(-5) for IND. The formation of dimers was only increased in the presence of KP or Tia. The quantum yields of pyrimidine dimers formed by photosensitization (phiD) were 2 x 10(-4) for KP and 10(-5) for Tia, respectively. The oxygen and concentration dependence of both processes was analyzed in the case of KP. In aerated solution, KP-photoinduced cleavage of DNA was predominant on the photodimerization process of pyrimidines, whereas in deaerated solution the cleavage was decreased and the dimerization increased. These results reflect competition between a radical process leading to DNA cleavage and a poorly efficient energy transfer between the drug and the pyrimidines at the origin of the dimerization process.

Swellable microparticles containing Suprofen: evaluation of in vitro release and photochemical behaviour

Suprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug was incorporated in polymer networks based on biocompatible macromolecules, such as alpha,beta-polyasparthydrazide (PAHy) and alpha,beta-poly(N-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide (PHEA) crosslinked by glutaraldehyde or gamma-rays, respectively. Swelling tests carried out in aqueous media showed that pH value affects the swelling degree of the prepared hydrogels. In vitro release tests were performed in simulated gastrointestinal fluids (pH 1/6.8) using the pH variation method and in phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4. Experimental data indicated that Suprofen was released in a sustained way both from PAHy and PHEA microparticles. Further, incorporation of Suprofen in PAHy and PHEA networks provided a significant reduction of the drug photosensitizing activity, as evidenced by in vitro hemolysis tests.

Molecular mechanism of drug photosensitization. IX. Effect of inorganic ions on DNA cleavage photosensitized by naproxen

Photocleavage of DNA induced by naproxen and the correlated protective effect by some inorganic ions have been considered. The presence of a DNA complex is suggested and only associated naproxen seems to be responsible for the cleavage, for which the quantum yield of single strand breaks was calculated. The inorganic ions I-, Mn2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ decrease naproxen-photoinduced DNA cleavage. Iodide acts by a heavy atom mechanism, thus inhibiting naproxen photolysis and decreasing the amount of free radicals responsible for the photocleavage both in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Metallic ions protect only within a range of concentrations, as for higher amounts damaging processes are observed. The protective efficiency of cations decreases with the increase of free drug concentration in the bulk of the solution, due to their involvement in the scavenging of naproxen radicals generated by photolysis of the free drug. In the presence of EDTA the cations show a better protective action. The most likely hypothesis is an inhibiting effect on the damaging processes via a redox cycle. The different behaviors of copper and of the two other cations can be justified by the influence of redox potentials of free and complexed metals and by the superoxide dismutase-like activity of copper.

Molecular mechanism of drug photosensitization. Part 6. Photohaemolysis sensitized by tolmetin

The photosensitizing properties of tolmetin, 5-(p-toluoyl)-1-methyl-2-pyrrolyacetic acid (TLM), have been studied in vitro following the lysis of erythrocytes in phosphate buffer suspensions irradiated with UVA light in the presence of the drug. It was found that the phototoxic properties of the drug are negligible in nitrogen and significant in aerated medium, but that they decrease in oxygen-saturated solution. The investigation of the drug photolysis showed that TLM undergoes photodecarboxylation to p-tolyl 1,2-dimethyl-5-pyrrolyl ketone in nitrogen and to p-tolyl 1-methyl-2-hydroxymethyl-5-pyrrolyl ketone and 5-(p-toluoyl)-1-methyl-2-pyrrole carbaldehyde in air. These photoproducts also undergo photodegradation. The comparison between the photohaemolysis and photolysis results and the effect of suitable additives such as sodium azide, mannitol, butylated hydroxy-anisole, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and copper (II) suggest that the phototoxicity of TLM can be attributed essentially to singlet oxygen in the first step and to its photoproducts when they accumulate and compete with the starting drug in light absorption. Their phototoxic effect is much higher with respect to that of TLM, as shown by comparison of the doses needed to attain 50% photohaemolysis.

Molecular mechanism of drug photosensitization. 7. Photocleavage of DNA sensitized by suprofen

Ultraviolet-A irradiation of a suprofen (2-[4-2(2-thenoyl) phenyl]propionic acid) (SPF) buffered solution (pH 7.4) in the presence of supercoiled pBR322 DNA leads to single strand breaks with the formation of an open circular form and subsequent linearization of the plasmid. On the basis of agarose gel electrophoresis data of samples irradiated in an air-saturated solution or in an oxygen-modified atmosphere, and the effects of sodium azide, D20, mannitol, copper(II), superoxide dismutase, 2-H-propanol, deferoxamine and surfactants, we suggest a photosensitization mechanism involving singlet oxygen and free radicals. The higher rate of photocleavage in nitrogen compared to that in an air-saturated solution and the results obtained from oxygen consumption measurements support the hypothesis that both the type I and type II photosensitization mechanisms are operative and that oxygen quenches the excited state of the irradiated drug. The photosensitization model applied was in agreement with that previously applied to cell membrane SPF photoinduced damage. Interaction of the drug with DNA, studied through circular dichroism and fluorescence anisotropy, probably occurs through a surface binding mode. The experimental techniques used for assessing the photodamaging activity of this drug may be useful for screening of phototoxic compounds in the environment and for determining the active species involved.