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Li J, Chen G, Meng Z, Wu Z, Gan H, Zhu X, Han P, Liu T, Wang F, Gu R, Dou G. Bioavailability Enhancement of Cepharanthine via Pulmonary Administration in Rats and Its Therapeutic Potential for Pulmonary Fibrosis Associated with COVID-19 Infection. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27092745. [PMID: 35566097 PMCID: PMC9104485 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cepharanthine (CEP) has excellent anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties, indicating its favorable potential for COVID-19 treatment. However, its application is challenged by its poor dissolubility and oral bioavailability. The present study aimed to improve the bioavailability of CEP by optimizing its solubility and through a pulmonary delivery method, which improved its bioavailability by five times when compared to that through the oral delivery method (68.07% vs. 13.15%). An ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for quantification of CEP in rat plasma was developed and validated to support the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic studies. In addition, pulmonary fibrosis was recognized as a sequela of COVID-19 infection, warranting further evaluation of the therapeutic potential of CEP on a rat lung fibrosis model. The antifibrotic effect was assessed by analysis of lung index and histopathological examination, detection of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and hydroxyproline level in serum or lung tissues. Our data demonstrated that CEP could significantly alleviate bleomycin (BLM)-induced collagen accumulation and inflammation, thereby exerting protective effects against pulmonary fibrosis. Our results provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that pulmonary delivery CEP may be a promising therapy for pulmonary fibrosis associated with COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (R.G.)
| | - Guangrui Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zhiyun Meng
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
| | - Zhuona Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
| | - Hui Gan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
| | - Xiaoxia Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
| | - Peng Han
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
| | - Taoyun Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
| | - Fanjun Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
| | - Ruolan Gu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
- Correspondence: (J.L.); (R.G.)
| | - Guifang Dou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China; (G.C.); (Z.M.); (Z.W.); (H.G.); (X.Z.); (P.H.); (T.L.); (F.W.); (G.D.)
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