Cocrystallization of 5-fluorouracil with gallic acid: A novel 5-fluorouracil cocrystal displaying synergistic anti-tumor activity both in oral and intraperitoneal injection administration

Comments on "Cocrystallization of 5-fluorouracil with gallic acid: A novel 5-fluorouracil cocrystal displaying synergistic anti-tumor activity both in oral and intraperitoneal injection administration"

This commentary highlights the significance of the solution stability and preparation of a solution of cocrystal in evaluating anti-tumor activity. It introduces a challenging issue regarding improving the biological activity of an API in cocrystal form.

Efficient cocrystal coformer screening based on a Machine learning Strategy: A case study for the preparation of imatinib cocrystal with enhanced physicochemical properties

Cocrystal engineering, which involves the self-assembly of two or more components into a solid-state supramolecular structure through non-covalent interactions, has emerged as a promising approach to tailor the physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Efficient coformer screening for cocrystal remains a challenge. Herein, a prediction strategy based on machine learning algorithms was employed to predict cocrystal formation and seven reliable models with accuracy over 0.890 were successfully constructed. Imatinib was selected as the model drug and the models established were applied to screen 31 potential coformers. Experimental verification results indicated RF-8 is the optimal model among seven models with an accuracy of 0.839. When the seven models were combined for coformer screening of Imatinib, the combinational model achieved an accuracy of 0.903, and eight new solid forms were observed and characterized. Benefiting from intermolecular interactions, the obtained multicomponent crystals displayed enhanced physicochemical properties. Dissolution and solubility experiments showed the prepared multicomponent crystals had higher cumulative dissolution rate and remarkably improved the solubility of imatinib, and IM-MC exhibited comparable solubility to Imatinib mesylate α form. Stability test and cytotoxicity results showed that multicomponent crystals exhibited excellent stability and the drug-drug cocrystal IM-5F exhibited higher cytotoxicity than pure API.

Monophasic coamorphous sulpiride: a leap in physicochemical attributes and dual inhibition of GlyT1 and P-glycoprotein, supported by experimental and computational insights

Study aimed to design and development of a supramolecular formulation of sulpiride (SUL) to enhance its solubility, dissolution and permeability by targeting a novel GlyT1 inhibition mechanism. SUL is commonly used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, migraine, anti-emetic, anti-depressive and anti-dyspeptic conditions. Additionally, Naringin (NARI) was incorporated as a co-former to enhance the drug's intestinal permeability by targeting P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux inhibition. NARI, a flavonoid has diverse biological activities, including anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to design and develop a supramolecular formulation of SUL with NARI to enhance its solubility, dissolution, and permeability by targeting a novel GlyT1 inhibition mechanism, extensive experimental characterization was performed using solid-state experimental techniques in conjunction with a computational approach. This approach included quantum mechanics-based molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and density functional theory (DFT) studies to investigate intermolecular interactions, phase transformation and various electronic structure-based properties. The findings of the miscibility study, radial distribution function (RDF) analysis, quantitative simulations of hydrogen/π-π bond interactions and geometry optimization aided in comprehending the coamorphization aspects of SUL-NARI Supramolecular systems. Molecular docking and MD simulation were performed for detailed binding affinity assessment and target validation. The solubility, dissolution and ex-vivo permeability studies demonstrated significant improvements with 31.88-fold, 9.13-fold and 1.83-fold increments, respectively. Furthermore, biological assessments revealed superior neuroprotective effects in the SUL-NARI coamorphous system compared to pure SUL. In conclusion, this study highlights the advantages of a drug-nutraceutical supramolecular formulation for improving the solubility and permeability of SUL, targeting novel schizophrenia treatment approaches through combined computational and experimental analyses.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Crystallization from solution versus mechanochemistry to obtain double-drug multicomponent crystals of ethacridine with salicylic/acetylsalicylic acids

Salicylic and acetylsalicylic acids and ethacridine have complementary bioactive properties. They can be combined to obtain double-drug multicomponent crystals. Their reactivity in different environments was explored to obtain the possible compounds, stable at different hydration degrees. Solution, liquid-assisted grinding, and dry preparation approaches were applied to the couples of reactants in different stoichiometric ratios. Four compounds were obtained, and three out of them were stable and reproducible enough to determine their structures using SCXRD or PXRD methods. When coupled to ethacridine, salicylic acid gave two stable structures (1 and 3, both showing 1:1 ratio but different hydration degree) and a metastable one (5), while acetylsalicylic acid only one structure from solution (2 in 1:1 ratio), while LAG caused hydrolysis and formation of the same compound obtained by LAG of ethacridine with salicylic acid. While solution precipitation gave dihydrated (1) or monohydrated (2) structures with low yields, LAG of salicylic acid and ethacridine allowed obtaining an anhydrous salt complex (3) with a yield close to 1. The structures obtained by solution crystallizations maximize π(acridine)-π(acridine) contacts with a less compact packing, while the LAG structure is more compact with a packing driven by hydrogen bonds. For all compounds, NMR, ATR-FTIR, and Hirshfeld surface analysis and energy framework calculations were performed.

5-Fluorouracil and Anti-EGFR antibody scaffold chitosan-stabilized Pickering emulsion: Formulations, physical characterization, in-vitro studies in NCL-H226 cells, and in-vivo investigations in Wistar rats for the augmented therapeutic effects against squamous cell carcinoma

This research seeks to optimize a chitosan-stabilized Pickering emulsion (PE) containing 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a potential Squamous Cell Carcinoma therapy. The 5-Fluorouracil was also thoroughly analysed using UV spectrophotometry and RP-HPLC, demonstrating exceptional linearity, sensitivity, precision, and robustness. The techniques of characterization revealed Pickering emulsion (PE) morphology, solid-like gel properties, successful encapsulation, and promising anticancer effects. FTIR was used to validate the efficacy of encapsulation, and DSC was used to confirm the post-encapsulation drug stability. The 0.6 % chitosan-stabilized PE showed exceptional stability and drug loading efficiency. Anti-EGFR-5-FU-CS-PE gel was developed for sustained drug release in the treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Anti-EGFR-5-FU-CS-PE demonstrated potent anticancer effects in vitro, with a lower IC50 than 5-FU and 5-FU-CS-PE. Anti-EGFR-5-FU-PE Pickering emulsions based on chitosan were investigated for their rheological properties, cellular interactions, and therapeutic potential. Both emulsions and gel exhibited sustained in vitro drug release after successful encapsulation. Anti-EGFR-5-FU-CS-PE induced apoptosis, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibited the migration of cancer cells. Wistar mice were tested for safety and tumour growth inhibition. All formulations exhibited exceptional six-month stability. Anti-EGFR-5-FU-CS-PE emerges as a viable therapeutic option, necessitating additional research.

Targeted Anticancer Drug Delivery Using Chitosan, Carbon Quantum Dots, and Aptamers to Deliver Ganoderic Acid and 5-Fluorouracil

Breast cancer is a malignancy that affects mostly females and is among the most lethal types of cancer. The ligand-functionalized nanoparticles used in the nano-drug delivery system offer enormous potential for cancer treatments. This work devised a promising approach to increase drug loading efficacy and produce sustained release of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and Ganoderic acid (GA) as model drugs for breast cancer. Chitosan, aptamer, and carbon quantum dot (CS/Apt/COQ) hydrogels were initially synthesized as a pH-sensitive and biocompatible delivery system. Then, CS/Apt/COQ NPs loaded with 5-FU-GA were made using the W/O/W emulsification method. FT-IR, XRD, DLS, zeta potentiometer, and SEM were used to analyze NP's chemical structure, particle size, and shape. Cell viability was measured using MTT assays in vitro using the MCF-7 cell lines. Real-time PCR measured cell apoptotic gene expression. XRD and FT-IR investigations validated nanocarrier production and revealed their crystalline structure and molecular interactions. DLS showed that nanocarriers include NPs with an average size of 250.6 nm and PDI of 0.057. SEM showed their spherical form, and zeta potential studies showed an average surface charge of +37.8 mV. pH 5.4 had a highly effective and prolonged drug release profile, releasing virtually all 5-FU and GA in 48 h. Entrapment efficiency percentages for 5-FU and GA were 84.7±5.2 and 80.2 %±2.3, respectively. The 5-FU-GA-CS-CQD-Apt group induced the highest cell death, with just 57.9 % of the MCF-7 cells surviving following treatment. 5-FU and GA in CS-CQD-Apt enhanced apoptotic induction by flow cytometry. 5-FU-GA-CS-CQD-Apt also elevated Caspase 9 and downregulated Bcl2. Accordingly, the produced NPs may serve as pH-sensitive nano vehicles for the controlled release of 5-FU and GA in treating breast cancer.

In Silico Screening as a Tool to Prepare Drug-Drug Cocrystals of Ibrutinib-Ketoconazole: a Strategy to Enhance Their Solubility Profiles and Oral Bioavailability

Ibrutinib (IBR) is a biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class II drug and an irreversible Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. IBR has an extremely low oral bioavailability due to the activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme. The current intention of the research was to enhance solubility followed by oral bioavailability of IBR using the hot melt extrusion (HME) technique by formulating drug-drug cocrystals (DDCs). Ketoconazole (KET) is an active CYP3A4 inhibitor and was selected based on computational studies and solubility parameter prediction. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluations were employed for estimating the formation of IBR-KET DDCs. The IBR-KET DDC system was discovered to have a hydrogen bond (H-bond) and π-π-stacking interactions, in accordance with the computational results. Further, IBR-KET DDCs showed enhanced solubility, stability, powder dissolution, in vitro release, and flow properties. Furthermore, IBR-KET-DDCs were associated with enhanced cytotoxic activity in K562-CCL-243 cancer cell lines when compared with IBR and KET alone. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies have shown an enhanced oral bioavailability of up to 4.30 folds of IBR and 2.31 folds of KET through IBR-KET-DDCs compared to that of the IBR and KET suspension alone. Thus, the prepared IBR-KET-DDCs using the HME technique stand as a favorable drug delivery system that augments the solubility and oral bioavailability of IBR along with KET.