Zaltoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, inhibits bradykinin-induced pain responses without blocking bradykinin receptors

Photoreductive 1,4-Dicarbofunctionalization of 1,3-Enynes with Organoiodides and Cyanoarenes via Halogen-Atom Transfer

A photoreductive halogen-atom transfer (XAT) strategy for 1,4-dicarbofunctionalization of 1,3-enynes with organoiodides and cyanoarenes is disclosed, enabling access to functionalized allenes in a highly regio-, chemo-, and stereoselective manner. Upon the photoredox catalysis and the activation of Et3N XAT agents, the mild conditions and high functional group tolerance of this protocol enable the formation of two C-C bonds, including a C(sp3)-C(sp3) bond and a C(sp2)-C(sp2) bond, in a single reaction step, and provides a general avenue to polysubstituted allenes and late-stage modification of bioactive compounds.

Recent progress in adverse events of carboxylic acid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (CBA-NSAIDs) and their association with the metabolism: the consequences on mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, and prevention with natural plant extracts

INTRODUCTION

Carboxylic acid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (CBA-NSAIDs) are extensively used worldwide due to their antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. CBA-NSAIDs have reasonable margin of safety at therapeutic doses, and in the current climate, do not possess addiction potential like opioid drugs. Studies have revealed that various adverse events of CBA-NSAIDs are related mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.

AREAS COVERED

This review article summarizes adverse events induced by CBA-NSAIDs, mechanisms of mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and metabolic interactions. Meanwhile, this review discusses the treatment and prevention of CBA-NSAIDs damage by natural plant extracts based on antioxidant effects.

EXPERT OPINION

CBA-NSAIDs can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mediate DNA, protein and lipid damage, lead to imbalance of cell antioxidant status, change of mitochondrial membrane potential, activate oxidative stress signal pathway, thus leading to oxidative stress and cell damage. Adverse events caused by CBA-NSAIDs often exhibit dose and time dependence. In order to avoid adverse events caused by CBA-NSAIDs, it is necessary to provide detailed patient consultation and eliminate influencing factors. Moreover, constructive research studies on the organ-specific toxicity and mechanism of natural plant extracts in preventing and treating metabolic abnormalities of CBA-NSAIDs, will provide important value for warning and guidance for use of CBA-NSAIDs.

Click processes orthogonal to CuAAC and SuFEx forge selectively modifiable fluorescent linkers

The appeal of catalytic click chemistry is largely due to the copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) process, which is orthogonal to the more recently introduced sulfur-fluoride exchange (SuFEx). However, the triazole rings generated by CuAAC are not readily modifiable, and SuFEx connectors cannot be selectively functionalized, attributes that would be attractive in a click process. Here we introduce bisphosphine-copper-catalysed phenoxydiazaborinine formation (CuPDF), a link-and-in situ modify strategy for merging a nitrile, an allene, a diborane and a hydrazine. We also present copper- and palladium-catalysed quinoline formation (Cu/PdQNF), which is applicable in aqueous media, involving an aniline as the modifier. CuPDF and Cu/PdQNF are easy to perform and deliver robust, alterable and tunable fluorescent hubs. CuPDF and Cu/PdQNF are orthogonal to SuFEx and CuAAC, despite the latter and CuPDF also being catalysed by an organocopper species. These advantages were applied to protecting group-free syntheses of sequence-defined branched oligomers, a chemoselectively amendable polymer, three drug conjugates and a two-drug conjugate.

Relationships of pain-causing substances with dry skin and effects of zaltoprofen on alleviation of symptoms in arthritis model mice

Skin dryness is a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the mechanisms through which dry skin is induced in RA are unclear. Accordingly, in this study, we characterized substances related to pruritus and pain and then evaluated whether oral administration of zaltoprofen (ZLT) alleviated the symptom of dry skin induced by RA in model mice. DBA/1JJmsSlc collagen-induced arthritis model mice were treated with ZLT, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), capacitance, and inflammation-, pruritus-, and pain-related markers were assessed. Our findings demonstrated that arthritis model mice treated with ZLT exhibited suppression of increases in TEWL and decreases in capacitance. Furthermore, ZLT also blocked the increase in mast cell numbers, substance P expression, and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in the skin and prevented enhancement of plasma levels of thymic stromal lymphopoietin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, histamine, and bradykinin. No changes in plasma levels of corticosterone or reactive oxygen species or skin levels of glucocorticoid receptor were observed in ZLT-treated arthritis model mice. Overall, these findings suggested that patients with RA may benefit from biopharmacy to alleviate joint symptoms and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief and alleviation of skin symptoms.

Randomized placebo-controlled double-blind phase II study of zaltoprofen for patients with diffuse-type and unresectable localized tenosynovial giant cell tumors: The REALIZE study

Background

A tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is a locally aggressive benign neoplasm arising from intra- or extra-articular tissue, categorized as localized (L-TGCT, solitary lesion) and diffuse (D-TGCT, multiple lesions) TGCT. Surgical excision is the mainstay of the treatment, and a high local recurrence rate of approximately 50% has been reported. We focused on zaltoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that can activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and inhibit the proliferation of TGCT stromal cells. Therefore, we conducted a randomized trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of zaltoprofen in patients with D-TGCTs or unresectable L-TGCTs.

Methods

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of zaltoprofen. In the treatment group, zaltoprofen (480 mg/day) was administered for 48 weeks; the placebo group received similar dosages without zaltoprofen. The primary outcome was progression-free rate (PFR) 48 weeks after treatment administration. Disease progression was defined as the following conditions requiring surgical intervention: 1) repetitive joint swelling due to hemorrhage, 2) joint range of motion limitation, 3) invasion of the adjacent cartilage or bone, 4) severe joint space narrowing, and 5) increased tumor size (target lesion).

Results

Forty-one patients were allocated to the zaltoprofen (n=21) or placebo (n=20) groups. The PFR was not significant between the zaltoprofen group and the placebo group at 48 weeks (84.0% and 90.0%, respectively; p=0.619). The mean Japanese Orthopedic Association knee score significantly improved from baseline to week 48 in the zaltoprofen group (85.38 versus 93.75, p=0.027). There was a significant difference between the values at 48 weeks of placebo and zaltoprofen group (p=0.014). One severe adverse event (grade 3 hypertension) was observed in the zaltoprofen group.

Discussion

This is the first study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zaltoprofen in patients with TGCT. No significant differences in PFR were observed between the groups at 48 weeks. Physical function significantly improved after zaltoprofen treatment. The safety profile of zaltoprofen was acceptable. This less invasive and safer treatment with zaltoprofen, compared to surgical removal, could be justified as a novel approach to treating TGCT. Further analysis of long-term administration of zaltoprofen should be considered in future studies.

Clinical Trial Registration

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, identifier (UMIN000025901).

Zaltoprofen/4,4'-Bipyridine: A Case Study to Demonstrate the Potential of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) in the Pharmaceutical Field

The Zaltoprofen/4,4'-Bipyridine system gives rise to two co-crystals of different compositions both endowed - in water and in buffer solution at pH 4.5 - with considerably higher solubility and dissolution rate than the pure drug. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the DSC measurements, carried out on samples made up of mixtures prepared according to different methodologies, allows us to elaborate and propose an accurate thermodynamic model that fully takes into account the qualitative aspects of the complex experimental framework and which provides quantitative predictions (reaction enthalpies and compositions of the co-crystals) in excellent agreement with the experimental results. Co-crystal formation and cocrystal compositions were confirmed by X-ray diffraction measurements as well as by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy measurements. The quantitative processing of DSC measurements rationalizes and deepens the scientific aspects underlying the so-called Tammann's triangle and constitutes a model of general validity. The work shows that DSC has enormous potential, which however can be fully exploited only by paying adequate attention to the experimental aspects and the quantitative processing of the measurements.

Bio-Analytical Method Development and Validation for Estimation of Zaltoprofen in Human Plasma by Reverse Phase -HPLC Method

Objective:

A particular, easy and precise reverse phase liquid chromatographic technique was developed for the determination of Zaltoprofen in human plasma.

Methods:

The ODS C18 (250mm x 4.6mm, 5µm) column was utilized for determination. The mobile phase contains buffer and acetonitrile (55:45 v/v). The rate of flow was 1.0 ml/min. The volume of sample infused was 10 µl. The column has been kept at a temperature of ~300C. The column was equilibrated for no less than 30 min prior to injection of the solutions. The detection wavelength was set at of 331 nm.

Results:

The linearity experiment was performed for Zaltoprofen in the range of 0.15 to 20 µg/ml. The observed recovery of Zaltoprofen was 98.32 %.

Conclusion:

The suggested technique has been validated and the same is very helpful for zaltoprofen determination in human plasma.

Electrochemical dehydrogenative cross-coupling of two anilines: facile synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls

New ortho/para-selective dehydrogenative cross-coupling of aryl amines for producing biaryls and incorporating pharmacophores is depicted.

Bidirectional communication between sensory neurons and osteoblasts in an in vitro coculture system

Recent studies have revealed that the sensory nervous system is involved in bone metabolism. However, the mechanism of communication between neurons and osteoblasts is yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the signaling pathways between sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells using an in vitro coculture system. Our findings indicate that signal transduction from DRG-derived neurons to MC3T3-E1 cells is suppressed by antagonists of the AMPA receptor and the NK₁ receptor. Conversely, signal transduction from MC3T3-E1 cells to DRG-derived neurons is suppressed by a P2X₇ receptor antagonist. Our results suggest that these cells communicate with each other by exocytosis of glutamate, substance P in the efferent signal, and ATP in the afferent signal.

The essential oil from the twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl alleviates pain and inflammation in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cinnamomum cassia Presl (Lauraceae) can be found southern China and its bark is commonly used for centuries as ingredient in food and cosmetic industry. The twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl is popularly used in China to treat inflammatory processes, pain, menstrual disorders, hypertension, fever etc. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the essential oil (EO) from the twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The chemical characterization of the EO was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The EO doses of 15, 30, and 60mg/kg were employed in the biological assays. The antinociceptive effects of the EO were evaluated using the models of acetic acid-induced writhing, oxytocin-induced writhing, and formalin and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) -induced overt pain tests. we also investigated the effect of the EO in pain intensity to a mechanical stimulus (mechanical hyperalgesia) after carrageenan by using an electronic version of von Frey filaments. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity was based on paw edema induced by carrageenan (300µg/25µL/paw) in mice. The levels of cytokines, NO, and PGE2 in paw skin tissue were determined according to instructions. COX-2 and iNOS proteins in paw skin tissue were assessed by Western Blot.

RESULTS

The EO (15, 30, and 60mg/kg) reduced the number of abdominal writhings induced by acetic acid with inhibition of 38.0%, 55.4% and 58.7%, respectively. The EO (15, 30, and 60mg/kg) also reduced the number of abdominal writhings induced by oxytocin with inhibition of 27.3%, 51.7% and 69.0%, respectively. The EO significant inhibited the inflammatory (second phase: 10-30min) phase of the formalin-induced paw flinching and licking at the doses of 15, 30, and 60mg/kg. The EO at the tested doses of 15, 30, and 60mg/kg showed inhibited CFA-induced paw flinching and licking. The EO (15, 30, and 60mg/kg) also inhibited carrageenan-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and paw edema. It also decreased the levels of cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-1β), NO, and PGE2 in carrageenan-induced mice paw skin tissue. Moreover, Western blot analysis showed that COX-2 and iNOS expressions in paw skin tissue of mice were significantly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the EO from the twigs of Cinnamomum cassia Presl, corroborating its use in folk medicine.

Oleic Acid Coated Gelatin Nanoparticles Impregnated Gel for Sustained Delivery of Zaltoprofen: Formulation and Textural Characterization

PURPOSE

In the present study, we have formulated zaltoprofen loaded, surface decorated, biodegradable gelatin nanogel and evaluated its texture characterization.

METHODS

The method used to prepare gelatin nanoparticles (GNP) was 'two step desolvation' and its surface decoration was performed with oleic acid (OA). The GNP was optimized by DOE software. Nanogels were evaluated for particle size entrapment efficiency, texture properties, SEM, in-vitro, ex-vivo drug release studies, in-vitro characterization, stability and in vivo evaluation of nanogel for anti-inflammatory activity was carried out by carrageenan induced rat paw edema method as an anti-inflammatory experimental model.

RESULTS

The formulated GNP with particle size and entrapment efficiency of optimized batch was found to be 247.1 nm and 76.21% respectively. The SEM of GNP shows smooth and spherical shape. In-vitro and Ex-vivo drug release shows that there was 69.47% and 78.59% drug released within 48 hrs. It follows Ritger peppas model, which indicates sustained drug release. The good texture properties of nanogel were observed from texture analysis graphs.In vivo studies of our formulation give significant results compared to the marketed nanogel. Stability data revealed stability of nanogel formulation up to 3 months.

CONCLUSION

The present approach can provide us promising results of the sustained analgesic activity and the stability of drug within the GNP.

Statistical modeling of zaltoprofen loaded biopolymeric nanoparticles: Characterization and anti-inflammatory activity of nanoparticles loaded gel

Objective:

The main objective of this study is to formulate polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with zaltoprofen, an NSAID drug. The optimization, in terms of polymer concentration, stabilizer concentration and pH of the formulation was employed by 3-factor-3-level Box-Behnken experimental design.

Materials and Methods:

The NPs of zaltoprofen were fabricated using chitosan and alginate as polymers by ionotropic gelation. The ionic interaction between the ionic polymers was studied using Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry study.

Result:

For different formulation the average particle size ranged between 156 ± 1.0 nm and 554 ± 2.8 nm. The drug entrapment ranged between 61.40% ± 3.20% and 90.20% ± 2.47%. The ANOVA results exhibited that all the three factors were significant. The resultant optimized batch was characterized by particle size 156.04 ± 1.4 nm, %entrapment efficacy 88.67% ± 2.0%, zetapotential + 25.3 mV and polydispersity index 0.320. The scanning electron microscopy showed spherical NPs of average size 99.5 nm. The optimized NPs were loaded in carbopol gel, which was subjected to study of drug content, viscosity, spreadability, in vitro drug diffusion and in vivo antiinflammatory test on rats.

Conclusion:

This study showed that zaltoprofen NPs prepared using the ratio of polymer CS:AG:1:1.8, stabilizer concentration 0.98% and pH 4.73 was found to be of optimized particle size, maximum drug entrapment. The NPs loaded gel showed controlled release for 12 h following Korsmeryer-peppas model of the diffusion profile. The in vivo antiinflammatory study showed prolonged effect of NPs loaded gel for 10 h.

Economical spectrophotometric method for estimation of zaltoprofen in pharmaceutical formulations

Aim:

A simple, rapid, precise, and economical spectrophotometric method has been developed for quantitative analysis of zaltoprofen (ZLT) in pharmaceutical formulations.

Materials and Methods:

A mixture of methanol and water was used as a solvent. Initial stock solution of ZLT was prepared in methanol and subsequent dilution was done in water. The standard solution of ZLT in water showed two absorption maxima, one at 243.5 nm and another at 338.0 nm.

Results:

The drug obeyed Beer–Lambert's law in the concentration range of 1–40 μg/mL with regression 0.9999 at 243.5 nm and 5–100 μg/mL with regression 0.9999 at 338.0 nm. The overall % recovery was found to be 99.53% and 99.77% at 243.5 nm and 338.0 nm, respectively, which reflect that the method is free from interference of the impurities and other additives used in tablet formulation. Relative standard deviations of absorbance from six measurements were always less than 2%.

Conclusions:

The results of analysis have been validated as per ICH guidelines. Both the wavelengths can be adopted in routine analysis of ZLT in tablet dosage form.

Differential anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by enantiomers of zaltoprofen in rodents

In the present study, we investigated the effect of zaltoprofen enantiomers on inflammation and pain and compared their effect with racemic zaltoprofen. S(+)-zaltoprofen potently inhibited the inflammatory response in carrageenan-induced paw edema model, whereas R(-)-zaltoprofen did not. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of S(+)-zaltoprofen was stronger than that of racemic zaltoprofen, suggesting that S(+)-zaltoprofen is an active component of racemic zaltoprofen in terms of anti-inflammatory activity. In contrast, the results of acetic acid-induced writhing model demonstrated that no significant analgesic effect was observed by racemic zaltoprofen and zaltoprofen enantiomers at doses used in carrageenan-induced paw edema model. However, racemic zaltoprofen and zaltoprofen enantiomers all exerted an analgesic effect at higher doses, which is inconsistent with the result of carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Gastric ulcers induced by racemic zaltoprofen and zaltoprofen enantiomers were minimal. Taken together, these results suggest that S(+)-zaltoprofen is a potent and active anti-inflammatory component of racemic zaltoprofen, but both S(+)-zaltoprofen and R(-)-zaltoprofen might seem to contribute to the analgesic effect of racemic zaltoprofen.

Biosynthesis and stereoselective analysis of (-)- and (+)-zaltoprofen glucuronide in rat hepatic microsomes and its application to the kinetic analysis

Zaltoprofen, available commercially as a racemic mixture, is a propionic acid derivative of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Firstly, (+)- and (-)-zaltoprofen glucuronide was biosynthesized and purified. Then a simple and rapid RP-HPLC analysis method for direct determination of (+)- and (-)-zaltoprofen glucuronide in rat hepatic microsomes was developed and validated. The calibration curves of (+)- and (-)-zaltoprofen glucuronide both showed good linearity in the concentration range from 0.15 to 31.13 μM. The lower limit of quantification was 0.15 μM. Finally, this method was used to investigate the enantioselectivity of zaltoprofen glucuronidation in rat hepatic microsomes. The kinetics of zaltoprofen glucuronidation in rat hepatic microsomes for 40 min incubation fit the Michaelis-Menten model. Kinetic analysis indicated that (-)-zaltoprofen had a higher glucuronidation rate in rat liver microsome than that of (+)-zaltoprofen. The catalyzing efficiency (V(max)/K(m)) ratio of (+)-zaltoprofen to (-)-enantiomer is 0.8 times in rat liver microsomes.

Zaltoprofen, a noninferior alternative to diclofenac for the treatment of primary knee osteoarthritis -- a comparative evaluation of efficacy and safety in a 4-week, multicentric, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy trial

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the clinical noninferiority of the analgesic effect of zaltoprofen (80 mg t.i.d.) compared with diclofenac (50 mg t.i.d.) in active knee osteoarthritis patients.

METHOD

In this multicentric, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, parallel-group, comparative study, 213 patients of either sex, aged 40 - 65 years having radiological and clinically confirmed primary knee osteoarthritis were randomized either to zaltoprofen (n = 105) or diclofenac (n = 108) and were followed-up at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. The treatment period was preceded by a washout period of 1 week.

RESULTS

Patients in both the zaltoprofen and diclofenac groups exhibited significant improvement (p < 0.001) in pain intensity, functional status and pain relief at each visit from baseline with no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment groups for global assessment rating done by the patient and investigator at the end of therapy (p > 0.05) and the proportion of patients who consumed ranitidine (p = 0.135) and paracetamol (p = 0.086) tablets during the treatment period on both the treatment arms. Both the study medications were well tolerated with no incidence of serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that efficacy and safety of zaltoprofen is clinically noninferior to that of diclofenac.

Application of column-switching HPLC method in evaluating pharmacokinetic parameters of zaltoprofen and its salt

The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of zaltoprofen and those of its sodium salt in rats. Zaltoprofen, a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, was virtually insoluble in water, but its sodium salt had excellent water solubility. To investigate the effect of aqueous solubility differences upon their pharmacokinetic parameters, minicapsules containing the drug powders were administrated orally to rats, and blood samples were taken via the common carotid artery. A column-switching high-performance liquid chromatographic analytical procedure was developed and validated for the quantitation of zaltoprofen in rat plasma samples. Our study demonstrated that the time required to reach maximum plasma concentration (T(max)) of zaltoprofen sodium was significantly reduced and its maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) was increased 1.5-fold, relative to the values for zaltoprofen. It is anticipated that the sodium salt of zaltoprofen will allow the rapid onset of the drug's action in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

A Bioactive Diterpene from Smallanthus sonchifolius

The dichloromethane extract of the air-dried leaves and freeze-dried tubers of Smallanthus sonchifolius afforded ent-kaurenoic acid (1). The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and was found to exhibit significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Ent-kaurenoic acid (1), dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide, also displayed potential anti-diabetes and anti-toxicity activity. In addition, 1 showed low antimicrobial activities against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, C. albicans and T. mentagrophytes, but was found to be inactive against B. subtilis and A. niger.

Does zaltoprofen antagonize the bradykinin receptors?

Zaltoprofen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug that has been proposed to inhibit with some selectivity the nociception mediated by the bradykinin (BK) B(2) receptor. In order to test the predictive power of this claim, we applied the drug to vascular smooth muscle assays previously found useful to characterize B(2) receptor antagonists (contractility, human isolated umbilical vein) or B(1) receptor antagonists (contraction, rabbit aorta; relaxation, rabbit mesenteric artery). Zaltoprofen (up to 30 microM) failed to antagonize BK or des-Arg(9)-BK-induced contraction in the umbilical vein and aorta, respectively. The drug (1 microM) abated des-Arg(9)-BK-induced, prostaglandin-mediated relaxation of the precontracted mesenteric artery, consistent with its known activity as a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor. However, zaltoprofen (10 microM) did not inhibit kinin-stimulated phospholipase A(2) activity in HEK 293 cells expressing recombinant forms of the rabbit B(1) or B(2) receptors. Nonpeptide antagonists of either receptor subtype were active in this respect. The results do not support that zaltoprofen, a COX inhibitor, antagonizes kinin receptors or influences their signaling with selectivity in the tested systems.