Paclitaxel partitioning into lipid bilayers

Structural characterization of lateral phase separation in polymer-lipid hybrid membranes

Hierarchic self-assembly is the main mechanism used to create diverse structures using soft materials. This is a case for both synthetic materials and biomolecular systems, as exemplified by the non-covalent organization of lipids into membranes. In nature, lipids often assemble into single bilayers, but other nanostructures are encountered, such as bilayer stacks and tubular and vesicular aggregates. Synthetic block copolymers can be engineered to recapitulate many of the structures, forms, and functions of lipid systems. When block copolymers are amphiphilic, they can be inserted or co-assembled into hybrid membranes that exhibit synergistic structural, permeability, and mechanical properties. One example is the emergence of lateral phase separation akin to the raft formation in biomembranes. When higher-order structures, such as hybrid membranes, are formed, this lateral phase separation can be correlated across membranes in the stack. This chapter outlines a set of important methods, such as X-ray Scattering, Atomic Force Microscopy, and Cryo-Electron Microscopy, that are relevant to characterizing and evaluating lateral and correlated phase separation in hybrid membranes at the nano and mesoscales. Understanding the phase behavior of polymer-lipid hybrid materials could lead to innovative advancements in biomimetic membrane separation systems.

Preparation, Optimization and In Vitro Characterization of Fluticasoneloaded Mixed Micelles Based on Stearic Acid-g-chitosan as a Pulmonary Delivery System

PURPOSE

The primary objective of this study was to optimize formulation variables and investigate the in vitro characteristics of fluticasone propionate (FP)-loaded mixed polymeric micelles, which were composed of depolymerized chitosan-stearic acid copolymer (DC-SA) in combination with either tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate or dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine for pulmonary drug delivery.

METHODS

A D-optimal design was employed for the optimization procedure, considering lipid/ polymer ratio, polymer concentration, drug/ polymer ratio, and lipid type as independent variables. Dependent variables included particle size, polydispersion index, zeta potential, drug encapsulation efficiency, and loading efficiency of the polymeric micelles. Additionally, the nebulization efficacy and cell viability of the optimal FP-loaded DC-SA micellar formulations were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mixed polymeric micelles were successfully prepared with properties falling within the desired ranges, resulting in four optimized formulations. The release of FP from the optimal systems exhibited a sustained release profile over 72 hours, with 70% of the drug still retained within the core of the micelles. The nebulization efficiency of these optimal formulations reached up to 63%, and the fine particle fraction (FPF) ranged from 41% to 48%. Cellular viability assays demonstrated that FP-loaded DC-SA polymeric micelles exhibited lower cytotoxicity than the free drug but were slightly more cytotoxic than empty mixed micelles.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study suggests that DC-SA/ lipid mixed micelles have the potential to serve as effective carriers for nebulizing poorly soluble FP.

Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of human epidermal penetration of phenolic compounds: I. Stratum corneum solubility and partitioning

Warming of the skin is now an accepted means of promoting skin permeation. Accordingly, the usually quite onerous thermodynamic studies on solute transport through the skin have practical applications. Phenolic compounds permeate through the skin by partitioning into and diffusing through the stratum corneum (SC) intercellular lipids, with their size being the main determinant of their maximal solute flux through skin. This paper sought to characterise the enthalpic and entropic changes associated with the solubility and equilibrium partitioning into the human SC of a series of phenols similar in size but with differing log P from aqueous vehicles. The solubilities of 9 phenolic compounds, covering a range of polarities, were determined in water and SC following 72 h at 4, 24, 32 and 37 °C which allowed the estimation of the SC-water partition coefficients. Van't Hoff plots were then used to estimate the enthalpies and entropies for the SC solubility, water solubility and SC partitioning of phenols. In addition, partition coefficients of 3 of the 9 phenols from mineral oil into hydrated and dehydrated SC were measured at the same temperatures. Van't Hoff plots were then used to estimate the enthalpies and entropies for the SC solubility, water solubility and SC partitioning of phenols from the oil. The SC solubility for the polar phenols increased more with temperature than the non-polar phenols, with the SC-water partition coefficients increasing with temperature for the polar phenols but decreasing with temperature for the non-polar phenols. Thermodynamic analyses suggest that, while enthalpy and entropy effects are involved in the SC partitioning of the non-polar solutes, the SC partitioning of the polar phenols were almost entirely entropy driven. The resultant thermodynamic parameters are consistent with the polar phenols being mainly associated with the SC polar head groups whereas the nonpolar phenols were more likely to be located in the interior interface SC lipid region adjacent to the polar head groups. Further, hydrating the SC led to an increase in the enthalpy of partitioning for both the polar and non-polar phenols studied. The estimated entropy of the partitioning for solutes from dehydrated SC suggests this is not only a hydrophobic effect in water but that the partitioning arises from the nature of phenolic compound - SC intercellular lipid interactions and SC intercellular lipid entropy. This partitioning process is dominated more by the extent of interaction between the SC and solute than the hydrophobic effect in water and is likely to be even greater above the SC lipid phase transition at around 36 °C for hydrated epidermal membranes.

Development of a Dual Drug-Loaded, Surfactant-Stabilized Contrast Agent Containing Oxygen

Co-delivery of cancer therapeutics improves efficacy and encourages synergy, but delivery faces challenges, including multidrug resistance and spatiotemporal distribution of therapeutics. To address these, we added paclitaxel to previously developed acoustically labile, oxygen-core, surfactant-stabilized microbubbles encapsulating lonidamine, with the aim of developing an agent containing both a therapeutic gas and two drugs acting in combination. Upon comparison of unloaded, single-loaded, and dual-loaded microbubbles, size (~1.7 µm) and yield (~2 × 10⁹ microbubbles/mL) (~1.7) were not statistically different, nor were acoustic properties (maximum in vitro enhancements roughly 18 dB, in vitro enhancements roughly 18 dB). Both drugs encapsulated above required doses calculated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the cancer of choice. Interestingly, paclitaxel encapsulation efficiency increased from 1.66% to 3.48% when lonidamine was included. During preparation, the combination of single drug-loaded micelles gave higher encapsulation (µg drug/g microbubbles) than micelles loaded with either drug alone (lonidamine, 104.85 ± 22.87 vs. 87.54 ± 16.41), paclitaxel (187.35 ± 8.38 vs. 136.51 ± 30.66). In vivo intravenous microbubbles produced prompt ultrasound enhancement within tumors lasting 3–5 min, indicating penetration into tumor vasculature. The ability to locally destroy the microbubble within the tumor vasculature was confirmed using a series of higher intensity ultrasound pulses. This ability to locally destroy microbubbles shows therapeutic promise that warrants further investigation.

Polarization Switching Method for Effective Free Energy Calculation of Membrane Translocation on the Nano-scale

Free-energy calculations are crucial for investigating biomolecular interactions on the Nano-scale level. However, in theoretical studies, the neglect of electronic polarization can jeopardize their accuracy and correct predictive capabilities, specifically...

Paclitaxel-Based Chemotherapy Targeting Cancer Stem Cells from Mono- to Combination Therapy

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a chemotherapeutical agent commonly used to treat several kinds of cancer. PTX is known as a microtubule-targeting agent with a primary molecular mechanism that disrupts the dynamics of microtubules and induces mitotic arrest and cell death. Simultaneously, other mechanisms have been evaluated in many studies. Since the anticancer activity of PTX was discovered, it has been used to treat many cancer patients and has become one of the most extensively used anticancer drugs. Regrettably, the resistance of cancer to PTX is considered an extensive obstacle in clinical applications and is one of the major causes of death correlated with treatment failure. Therefore, the combination of PTX with other drugs could lead to efficient therapeutic strategies. Here, we summarize the mechanisms of PTX, and the current studies focusing on PTX and review promising combinations.

Evaluation of the In Vitro Stability of Stimuli-Sensitive Fatty Acid-Based Microparticles for the Treatment of Lung Cancer

The fatty acid-based microparticles containing iron oxide nanoparticles and paclitaxel (PAX) are a viable proposition for the treatment of lung cancer. The microparticles inhaled as a dry powder can be guided to selected locations using an external magnetic field, and when accumulated there, the active compound release can be triggered by local hyperthermia. However, this general strategy requires that the active compound is released from microparticles and can reach the targeted cells before microparticles are removed. Isothermal titration calorimetry was used to demonstrate that the components of microparticles were released and transferred to albumins and lipid bilayers. The morphology of the measured particulates was studied with scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. To determine the cytotoxicity of microparticles, cell culture studies were done. It has been shown that the transfer efficiency depends predominantly on the fatty acid composition of microparticles, which, together with the active ingredient, accumulate predominantly in membrane structures after being released from microparticles and before entering the cytoplasm. The release process is sufficient; hence, paclitaxel-loaded microparticles effectively suppressed the proliferation of A549 human lung epithelial cells of malignant origin (IC₅₀ values for both lauric acid-based and myristic/palmitic-based microparticles containing paclitaxel were below 0.375 μg/mL), while reference microparticles were noncytotoxic.

Prediction of paclitaxel pharmacokinetic based on in vitro studies: Interaction with membrane models and human serum albumin

Interactions of paclitaxel (PTX) with models mimicking biological interfaces (lipid membranes and serum albumin, HSA) were investigated to test the hypothesis that the set of in vitro assays proposed can be used to predict some aspects of drug pharmacokinetics (PK). PTX membrane partitioning was studied by derivative spectrophotometry; PTX effect on membrane biophysics was evaluated by dynamic light scattering, fluorescence anisotropy, atomic force microscopy and synchrotron small/wide-angle X-ray scattering; PTX distribution/molecular orientation in membranes was assessed by steady-state/time-resolved fluorescence and computer simulations. PTX binding to HSA was studied by fluorescence quenching, derivative spectrophotometry and dynamic/electrophoretic light scattering. PTX high membrane partitioning is consistent with its efficacy crossing cellular membranes and its off-target distribution. PTX is closely located in the membrane phospholipids headgroups, also interacting with the hydrophobic chains, and causes a major distortion of the alignment of the membrane phospholipids, which, together with its fluidizing effect, justifies some of its cellular toxic effects. PTX binds strongly to HSA, which is consistent with its reduced distribution in target tissues and toxicity by bioaccumulation. In conclusion, the described set of biomimetic models and techniques has the potential for early prediction of PK issues, alerting for the required drug optimizations, potentially minimizing the number of animal tests used in the drug development process.

Effects of Doxorubicin on the Liquid-Liquid Phase Change Properties of Elastin-Like Polypeptides

The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the thermo-responsive engineered elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) biopolymer is being exploited for the thermal targeted delivery of doxorubicin (Dox) to solid tumors. We examine the impact of Dox labeling on the thermodynamic and hydrodynamic behavior of an ELP drug carrier and how Dox influences the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Turbidity, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and differential scanning calorimetry measurements show that ELP undergoes a cooperative liquid-liquid phase separation from a soluble to insoluble coacervated state that is enhanced by Dox labeling. Circular dichroism measurements show that below the LCST ELP consists of both random coils and temperature-dependent β-turn structures. Labeling with Dox further enhances β-turn formation. DLS measurements reveal a significant increase in the hydrodynamic radius of ELP below the LCST consistent with weak self-association. Dox-labeled SynB1-ELP1 (Dox-ELP) has a significant increase in the hydrodynamic radius by DLS measurements that is consistent with stable oligomers and, at high Dox-ELP concentrations, micelle structures. Enhanced association by Dox-ELP is confirmed by sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation measurements. Both ELP self-association and the ELP inverse phase transition are entropically driven with positive changes in enthalpy and entropy. We show by turbidity and DLS that the ELP phase transition is monophasic, whereas mixtures of ELP and Dox-ELP are biphasic, with Dox-labeled ELP phase changing first and unlabeled ELP partitioning into the coacervate as the temperature is raised. DLS reveals a complex growth in droplet sizes consistent with coalescence and fusion of liquid droplets. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements show a -11 kcal/mol change in enthalpy for Dox-ELP coacervation relative to the unlabeled ELP, consistent with droplet formation being stabilized by favorable enthalpic interactions. We propose that the ELP phase change is initiated by ELP self-association, enhanced by increased Dox-ELP oligomer and micelle formation and stabilized by favorable enthalpic interactions in the liquid droplets.

Three-Dimensional Microphase Separation and Synergistic Permeability in Stacked Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Membranes

We present new structures of soft-material thin films that augment the functionality of substrate-mediated delivery systems. A hybrid material composed of phospholipids and block copolymers adopts a multilayered membrane structure supported on a solid surface. The hybrid films comprise intentional intramembrane heterogeneities that register across multilayers. These stacked domains convey unprecedented enhancement and control of permeability of solutes across micrometer-thick films. Using grazing incidence X-ray scattering, phase contrast atomic force microscopy, and confocal microscopy, we observed that in each lamella, lipid and polymers partition unevenly within the membrane plane segregating into lipid- or polymer-rich domains. Interestingly, we found evidence that like-domains align in registry across multilayers, thereby making phase separation three-dimensional. Phase boundaries exist over extended length scales to compensate the height mismatch between lipid and polymer molecules. We show that microphase separation in hybrid films can be exploited to augment the capability of drug-eluting substrates. Lipid-polymer hybrid films loaded with paclitaxel show synergistic permeability of drug compared to single-component counterparts. We present a thorough structural study of stacked lipid-polymer hybrid membranes and propose that the presence of registered domains and domain boundaries impart enhanced drug release functionality. This work offers new perspectives in designing thin films for controlled delivery applications.

Distribution of Fullerene Nanoparticles between Water and Solid Supported Lipid Membranes: Thermodynamics and Effects of Membrane Composition on Distribution

The distribution coefficient (Klipw) of fullerene between solid supported lipid membranes (SSLMs) and water was examined using different lipid membrane compositions. Klipw of fullerene was significantly higher with a cationic lipid membrane compared to that with a zwitterionic or anionic lipid membrane, potentially due to the strong interactions between negative fullerene dispersions and positive lipid head groups. The higher Klipw for fullerene distribution to ternary lipid mixture membranes was attributed to an increase in the interfacial surface area of the lipid membrane resulting from phase separation. These results imply that lipid composition can be a critical factor that affects bioconcentration of fullerene. Distribution of fullerene into zwitterionic unsaturated lipid membranes was dominated by the entropy contribution (ΔS) and the process was endothermic (ΔH > 0). This result contrasts the partitioning thermodynamics of highly and moderately hydrophobic chemicals indicating that the lipid-water distribution mechanism of fullerene may be different from that of molecular level chemicals. Potential mechanisms for the distribution of fullerene that may explain these differences include adsorption on the lipid membrane surfaces and partitioning into the center of lipid membranes (i.e., absorption).

Recent advances in liposomal nanohybrid cerasomes as promising drug nanocarriers

Liposomes have been extensively investigated as possible carriers for diagnostic or therapeutic agents due to their unique properties. However, liposomes still have not attained their full potential as drug and gene delivery vehicles because of their insufficient morphological stability. Recently, a super-stable and freestanding hybrid liposomal cerasome (partially ceramic- or silica-coated liposome) has drawn much attention as a novel drug delivery system because its atomic layer of polyorganosiloxane surface imparts higher morphological stability than conventional liposomes and its liposomal bilayer structure reduces the overall rigidity and density greatly compared to silica nanoparticles. Cerasomes are more biocompatible than silica nanoparticles due to the incorporation of the liposomal architecture into cerasomes. Cerasomes combine the advantages of both liposomes and silica nanoparticles but overcome their disadvantages so cerasomes are ideal drug delivery systems. The present review will first highlights some of the key advances of the past decade in the technology of cerasome production and then review current biomedical applications of cerasomes, with a view to stimulating further research in this area of study.

The synthesis of novel taxoids for oral administration

A group of novel taxoids, with modifications at C-7, C-10, C-3' and C-14 positions of paclitaxel, was synthesized in order to improve their biological profile by decreasing their affinity with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and increasing cellular permeability. Most of the new taxoids demonstrated the similar potent cytotoxic activities in MCF-7 human tumor cell line as paclitaxel in vitro. In the permeability assay with monolayers of Caco-2 cells, most of the compounds demonstrated an increased trans-cellular transport in A-to-B direction in comparison with paclitaxel. Among them the compounds T-13, T-15 and T-26 showed the highest permeability, and with efflux ratios better than that of ortataxel. The interaction of the compounds T-13 and T-26 with P-gp was evaluated using Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)-multidrug resistance-1(MDR1) and MDCK-wild-type (WT). The results indicated that T-13 and T-26 were poor substrates for P-gp and possessed inhibiting effects of P-gp mediated efflux. It was thus clear that simultaneous modifications at the C-7, C-10 and C-3' positions of paclitaxel significantly impaired its interactions with P-gp and interfered with P-gp mediated efflux.

Multicompartimental nanoparticles for co-encapsulation and multimodal drug delivery to tumor cells and neovasculature

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was the development of a multicompartimental nanocarrier for the simultaneous encapsulation of paclitaxel (PTX) and genistein (GEN), associating antiangiogenic and cytotoxic properties in order to potentiate antitumoral activity.

METHOD

Polymeric nanocapsules containing PTX were obtained by interfacial deposition of preformed polymer and coated with a phospholipid bilayer entrapping GEN. Physical-chemical and morphological characteristics were characterized, including size and size distribution, drug entrapment efficiency and drug release profile. In vivo studies were performed in EAT bearing Swiss mice.

RESULTS

Entrapment efficiency for both drugs in the nanoparticles was approximately 98%. Average particle diameter was 150 nm with a monomodal distribution. In vitro assays showed distinct temporal drug release profiles for each drug. The dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day of PTX resulted in 11% tumor inhibition, however the association of 12 mg/kg/day of GEN promoted 44% tumor inhibition and a 58% decrease in VEGF levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Nanoparticles containing GEN and PTX with a temporal pattern of drug release indicated that the combined effect of cytotoxic and antiangiogenic drugs present in the formulation contributed to the overall enhanced antitumor activity of the nanomedicine.

An in vitro spectrometric method for determining the partition coefficients of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs into human erythrocyte ghost membranes

Usefulness of second derivative spectrophotometry for determining the partition coefficients (K(p)s) of four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) between human erythrocyte ghost (HEG) membranes and buffer at simulated physiological conditions (pH=7.4, 37 °C) has been adequately emphasized. In the absorption spectra for each of the investigated NSAIDs, λ(max) was red-shifted in presence of HEG membranes, indicating that NSAIDs have the nature of metachromasy between lipid bilayer and water. Further quantitative spectral data for calculating K(p)s could not be obtained from the absorption spectra because of the presence of background signal impacts of HEG lipid bilayers. Second derivative spectra were calculated from absorption spectra and fortunately showed three isosbestic derivative points for each NSAID, indicating without doubt that the background signals were entirely eliminated. From the relation between the derivative intensity change (ΔD) induced by addition of HEG membranes, K(p)s were calculated and obtained with RSD of below 6%. Fractions of partitioned NSAIDs are in well-harmony with that derived from the experimental values. Moreover, validity of the proposed method was confirmed. Conclusively, the second derivative spectrometry has proven to be a facile, reliable and more expeditious method to obtain in vitro K(p)s of drugs to HEG without previous separation.

Gold nanorods carrying paclitaxel for photothermal-chemotherapy of cancer

Nanotechnology-based photothermal therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for cancer during the past decade. However, heterogeneous laser heating and limited light penetration can lead to incomplete tumor cell eradication. Here, we developed a method to overcome these limitations by combining chemotherapy with photothermal therapy using paclitaxel-loaded gold nanorods. Paclitaxel was loaded to gold nanorods with high density (2.0 × 10(4) paclitaxel per gold nanorod) via nonspecific adsorption, followed by stabilization with poly(ethylene glycol) linked with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid. Paclitaxel was entrapped in the hydrophobic pocket of the polymeric monolayer on the surface of gold nanorods, which allows direct cellular delivery of the hydrophobic drugs via the lipophilic plasma membrane. Highly efficient drug release was demonstrated in a cell membrane mimicking two-phase solution. Combined photothermal therapy and chemotherapy with the paclitaxel-loaded gold nanorods was shown to be highly effective in killing head and neck cancer cells and lung cancer cells, superior to photothermal therapy or chemotherapy alone due to a synergistic effect. The paclitaxel-gold nanorod enabled photothermal chemotherapy has the potential of preventing tumor reoccurrence and metastasis and may have an important impact on the treatment of head and neck cancer and other malignancies in the clinic.

Liposomal paclitaxel formulations

Over the past three decades, taxanes represent one of the most important new classes of drugs approved in oncology. Paclitaxel (PTX), the prototype of this class, is an anti-cancer drug approved for the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer. However, notwithstanding a suitable premedication, present-day chemotherapy employing a commercial preparation of PTX (Taxol®) is associated with serious side effects and hypersensitivity reactions. Liposomes represent advanced and versatile delivery systems for drugs. Generally, both in vivo mice tumor models and human clinical trials demonstrated that liposomal PTX formulations significantly increase a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of PTX which outperform that for Taxol®. Liposomal PTX formulations are in various stages of clinical trials. LEP-ETU (NeoPharm) and EndoTAG®-1 (Medigene) have reached the phase II of the clinical trials; Lipusu® (Luye Pharma Group) has already been commercialized. Present achievements in the preparation of various liposomal formulations of PTX, the development of targeted liposomal PTX systems and the progress in clinical testing of liposomal PTX are discussed in this review summarizing about 30 years of liposomal PTX development.

High mineral affinity of polyphosphoester ionomer-phospholipid vesicles

Bone-specific drug delivery is important for the treatment of osteoporosis and osseous metastases. However, there have been limitations in the design of drug carriers having bone affinity. We synthesized amphiphilic polyphosphoester ionomers (CH-PHE) and modified them to 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) vesicles. The ζ-potential of the vesicles was decreased by immobilization of CH-PHE; the amount was influenced by the structure and fraction of CH-PHE. The release rate of 5-carboxyfluorescein from the vesicles could be controlled by changing the fraction of DOPC and CH-PHE. In particular, the release of CF from DOPC vesicles containing 3% CH-PHE was most reduced. In addition, the enzymatic degradation of DOPC was reduced by immobilization with polyphosphoester ionomers; enzyme tolerance was increased with an increase in the molar fraction of polyphosphoester ionomers. Hemolytic activity of the phospholipid vesicles bearing CH-PHE was infrequently observed and was similar to that of the DOPC vesicles. Although a decrease in the viability of mouse osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) in contact with the vesicles bearing CH-PHE was observed when the DOPC concentration of the vesicles bearing 20 mol % CH-PHE with highly ionized units was greater than 200 μM, the cytotoxicity was diminished by sodium salt formation of the CH-PHE. The affinity of the vesicles to calcium deposits generated by MC3T3-E1 cells was significantly improved by the immobilization polyphosphoesters.

Nanoparticle shape improves delivery: rational coarse grain molecular dynamics (rCG-MD) of taxol in worm-like PEG-PCL micelles

Nanoparticle shape can improve drug delivery, based in part on recent findings that flexible, worm-like nanocarriers (Worms) increase the amount of drug delivered to tumors and shrink the tumors more effectively than spherical micelles (Spheres). Here, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to build a rational coarse grain (rCG) model that helps clarify shape-dependent effects in delivery of the widely used anticancer drug Taxol by block copolymer micelles. Potentials for rCG-MD were developed to examine the partitioning of this hydrophobic-aromatic drug into Worms and Spheres that self-assemble in water from poly(ethyleneglycol)-poly(caprolactone) (PEG-PCL), a weakly segregating amphiphile. PCL is a biodegradable, hydrophobic polymer widely used in biomaterials and accurately modeled here. Thermodynamic integration of the force to pull a single Taxol molecule from the micelles into solvent shows that twice as much drug loads into Worms than Spheres, fully consistent with experiments. Diffusivity of drug in the hydrated PEG corona is surprisingly slow compared to that in the core, indicative of strong but transient drug-polymer interactions. The distinctly distended corona of the Worms enhances such interactions and reflects the same balance of molecular forces that underlie an experimentally-validated phase diagram for simulated Spheres, Worms, and Bilayers. Moreover, with realistic drug loadings in micro-second simulations, Taxol is seen to draw PEG chains into the PCL core, dispersing the drug while localizing it near the interface—thus providing a molecular explanation for a measurable burst release of drug as well as the enhanced delivery seen with Worms.

Carbamazepine mucoadhesive nanoemulgel (MNEG) as brain targeting delivery system via the olfactory mucosa

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic orally administered drug, but due to its low solubility in water, its gastrointestinal absorption is slow and irregular, leading to delayed brain uptake with consequent peripheral side actions. The objective of this study was the brain targeting of CBZ via the olfactory mucosa in form of an intranasal mucoadhesive o/w nanoemulgel (MNEG). CBZ was formulated in a nanoemulgel system containing oleic acid/labrasol in a ratio of 1:5 as oil/surfactant and 0.1% xanthan gum as anionic mucoadhesive polymer. The prepared MNEG was characterized with respect to oil droplet size, mucoadhesion, in-vitro release of the drug and CBZ uptake by phosphatidylcoline liposomes as an in-vitro model for olfactory cells. The anticonvulsant action of nasal MNEG was studied on chemically and electrically induced convulsive Swiss Albino mice. The in-vitro release of CBZ from MNEG was very low, however CBZ uptake via liposomal membrane reached 65% within 1 hr. Treatment of animals with MNEG significantly prolonged the onset times for convulsion of chemically convulsive mice and protected the animals from two electric shocks. One can thus spire and hope for the emergence of a new intranasal treatment of epilepsy with consequent decrease in the peripheral side actions of CBZ.

High-throughput screening of drug-lipid membrane interactions via counter-propagating second harmonic generation imaging

Here we report the use of counter-propagating second harmonic generation (SHG) to image the interactions between the local anesthetic tetracaine and a multicomponent planar supported lipid bilayer array in a label-free manner. The lipid bilayer arrays, prepared using a 3D continuous flow microspotter, allow the effects of lipid phase and cholesterol content on tetracaine binding to be examined simultaneously. SHG images show that tetracaine has a higher binding affinity to liquid-crystalline phase lipids than to solid-gel phase lipids. The presence of 28 mol % cholesterol decreased the binding affinity of tetracaine to bilayers composed of the mixed chain lipid, 1-steroyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phophocholine (SOPC), and the saturated lipids 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phophocholine (DMPC) and 1,2-dipamitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phophocholine (DPPC) while having no effect on diunsaturated 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phophocholine (DOPC). The maximum surface excess of tetracaine increases with the degree of unsaturation of the phospholipids and decreases with cholesterol in the lipid bilayers. The paper demonstrates that SHG imaging is a sensitive technique that can directly image and quantitatively measure the association of a drug to a multicomponent lipid bilayer array, providing a high-throughput means to assess drug-membrane interactions.

Hydrotropic polymer micelles as versatile vehicles for delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs

Polymer micelles have been used widely for delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. Such drug delivery, however, has been based primarily on hydrophobic interactions. For better drug loading and improved stability, hydrotropic polymer micelles were used. To develop a versatile polymer micelle for solubilizing various poorly soluble drugs, two different hydrotropic agents were examined. The solubilizing properties of two hydrotropic agents, N,N-diethylnicotinamide (DENA) and N,N-dimethylbenzamide (DMBA), in polymeric form were investigated for their ability to solubilize five drugs with low aqueous solubility covering a wide range of hydrophobicity and molecular structures. The hydrotropes were covalently linked to the hydrophobic block of a block copolymer that also had a hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block. The solubilizing capacity of the polymeric hydrotropes was compared with that of the non polymeric hydrotropes, as well as of two conventional (non hydrotropic) copolymer systems. The solubilizing capacity of polymeric hydrotropes reflects combined effects of the micellar solubilization by the hydrophobic micelle core and hydrotropic solubilization. Because of the highly localized configuration, hydrotropes in the polymeric form are more powerful solubilizers than in the monomeric (non-polymeric) solution. It is possible to produce 1~3 orders of magnitude increase in solubility with polymeric hydrotropes at the 1% (w/v) level. Of the two hydrotropic polymeric systems in this study, the DENA-based system is highly specific, whereas the DMBA-based system is a general solubilizer of hydrophobic drugs. An additional advantage of polymeric hydrotropes over the non-polymeric form is absence of high concentrations of free hydrotropes in the formulation. Solubilization vehicles based on polymeric hydrotropes are expected to provide a new and versatile means of preparing formulations for various poorly soluble drugs and drug candidates without using organic solvents. This advantage is accompanied with the inherent controlled release property of the hydrotropic polymer micelles, making them ideal for pharmaceutical formulations used in drug candidate screening and toxicology studies.

The thermodynamics of simple biomembrane mimetic systems

Insight into the forces governing a system is essential for understanding its behavior and function. Thermodynamic investigations provide a wealth of information that is not, or is hardly, available from other methods. This article reviews thermodynamic approaches and assays to measure collective properties such as heat adsorption / emission and volume variations. These methods can be successfully applied to the study of lipid vesicles (liposomes) and biological membranes. With respect to instrumentation, differential scanning calorimetry, pressure perturbation calorimetry, isothermal titration calorimetry, dilatometry, and acoustic techniques aimed at measuring the isothermal and adiabatic processes, two- and three-dimensional compressibilities are considered. Applications of these techniques to lipid systems include the measurement of different thermodynamic parameters and a detailed characterization of thermotropic, barotropic, and lyotropic phase behavior. The membrane binding and / or partitioning of solutes (proteins, peptides, drugs, surfactants, ions, etc.) can also be quantified and modeled. Many thermodynamic assays are available for studying the effect of proteins and other additives on membranes, characterizing non-ideal mixing, domain formation, bilayer stability, curvature strain, permeability, solubilization, and fusion. Studies of membrane proteins in lipid environments elucidate lipid-protein interactions in membranes. Finally, a plethora of relaxation phenomena toward equilibrium thermodynamic structures can be also investigated. The systems are described in terms of enthalpic and entropic forces, equilibrium constants, heat capacities, partial volume changes, volume and area compressibility, and so on, also shedding light on the stability of the structures and the molecular origin and mechanism of the structural changes.

Hydrotropic solubilization of poorly water-soluble drugs

The solubilizing ability of two aromatic hydrotropes, N,N-diethylnicotinamide (DENA) and N,N-dimethylbenzamide (DMBA), was investigated using a set of 13 poorly soluble, structurally diverse drugs. The number of aromatic rings in the solute molecule has a very strong effect on the solubility enhancement produced by either hydrotrope. However, although solubility enhancements in the order of 1000- to 10,000-fold were obtained with each of the hydrotropic agents, important differences were found between the two. DMBA is more hydrophobic and undergoes more extensive self-association than DENA, as determined by vapor osmometry. As a result, DMBA is generally a more powerful solubilizer of hydrophobic drugs. DENA, on the other hand, is more polar and its self-association is essentially limited to dimer formation. However, despite being less hydrophobic, DENA is an extremely powerful solubilizer of paclitaxel, a highly hydrophobic compound. Such a result is attributed to the higher hydrogen bonding ability of DENA over DMBA and the very high hydrogen bonding ability of paclitaxel. These observations in turn illustrate the strong interplay between specific and hydrophobic interactions on the observed solubilization by hydrotropic agents.

A liposomal formulation able to incorporate a high content of Paclitaxel and exert promising anticancer effect

A liposome formulation for paclitaxel was developed in this study. The liposomes, composed of naturally unsaturated and hydrogenated phosphatidylcholines, with significant phase transition temperature difference, were prepared and characterized. The liposomes exhibited a high content of paclitaxel, which was incorporated within the segregated microdomains coexisting on phospholipid bilayer of liposomes. As much as 15% paclitaxel to phospholipid molar ratio were attained without precipitates observed during preparation. In addition, the liposomes remained stable in liquid form at 4°C for at least 6 months. The special composition of liposomal membrane which could reduce paclitaxel aggregation could account for such a capacity and stability. The cytotoxicity of prepared paclitaxel liposomes on the colon cancer C-26 cell culture was comparable to Taxol. Acute toxicity test revealed that LD₅₀ for intravenous bolus injection in mice exceeded by 40 mg/kg. In antitumor efficacy study, the prepared liposomal paclitaxel demonstrated the increase in the efficacy against human cancer in animal model. Taken together, the novel formulated liposomes can incorporate high content of paclitaxel, remaining stable for long-term storage. These animal data also demonstrate that the liposomal paclitaxel is promising for further clinical use.

Transfer mechanism of temoporfin between liposomal membranes

The transfer kinetics of temoporfin, a classic photosensitizer, was analyzed by investigating the influence of total lipid content, temperature, as well as charge, acyl chain length, and saturation of the lipids in donor vesicles using a mini ion exchange column technique. The obtained results are consistent with an apparent first order kinetics in which the transfer proceeds through both liposome collisions and through the aqueous phase. We present a corresponding theoretical model that accounts for the detailed distribution of drug molecules in donor and acceptor liposomes and predicts the transfer rates as a function of drug concentration and number of donor and acceptor liposomes. The experimentally observed transfer rates depended strongly on the temperature and comply with the Arrhenius equation. Thermodynamic calculations indicate the transfer process to be entropically controlled. In terms of the charge of donor liposomes, positively charged liposomes showed transfer rates faster than negatively charged liposomes whereas the maximum amount transferred was almost the same. A more rigid structure of the donor liposomes increases the transfer rate of temoporfin, which is caused by expelling the drug from the membrane interior, as proposed in former work. In summary, our combined theoretical/experimental approach offers a systematic way to study the mechanism of drug release from liposome-based delivery systems.

Alternative measures of lipophilicity: from octanol-water partitioning to IAM retention

This review describes lipophilicity parameters currently used in drug design and QSAR studies. After a short historical overview, the complex nature of lipophilicity as the outcome of polar/nonpolar inter- and intramolecular interactions is analysed and considered as the background for the discussion of the different lipophilicity descriptors. The first part focuses on octanol-water partitioning of neutral and ionisable compounds, evaluates the efficiency of predictions and provides a short description of the experimental methods for the determination of distribution coefficients. A next part is dedicated to reversed-phase chromatographic techniques, HPLC and TLC in lipophilicity assessment. The two methods are evaluated for their efficiency to simulate octanol-water and the progress achieved in the refinement of suitable chromatographic conditions, in particular in the field of HPLC, is outlined. Liposomes as direct models of biological membranes are examined and phospolipophilicity is compared to the traditional lipophilicity concept. Difficulties associated with liposome-water partitioning are discussed. The last part focuses on Immobilised Artificial Membrane (IAM) chromatography as an alternative which combines membrane simulation with rapid measurements. IAM chromatographic retention is compared to octanol-water and liposome-water partitioning as well as to reversed-phase retention and its potential to predict biopartitioning and biological activities is discussed.

Adjustable paclitaxel release kinetics and its efficacy to inhibit smooth muscle cells proliferation

Despite the success of drug-eluting stents in the field of interventional cardiology, very little work has been reported on the role of drug (paclitaxel) release kinetics on smooth muscle cell proliferation. This paper demonstrates how paclitaxel release from degradable polymers was successfully tailored from fast release rate to moderate and slow by changing the matrix composition. Cell counting and proliferation assays were employed to investigate the efficacy of each type of release kinetics in preventing human coronary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation. The fast release kinetics presented excellent inhibition immediately but may affect the re-endothelialization process. In this study, the moderate release kinetics appeared to be the best choice to prevent cell proliferation with consequently less effect on re-endothelialization. The slow release kinetics showed little inhibition in the early days but may be beneficial in the long term as a result of its sustained release.

In vitro stability and permeability studies of liposomal delivery systems for a novel lipophilic endomorphin 1 analogue

We have previously shown that the stability and permeability of peptides can be greatly improved by conjugation with lipoamino acids such as 2-aminododecanoic acid (C12Laa). However, the increase in lipophilicity which this conjugation provides can also cause a significant decrease in the compound's water solubility. In this study, we coupled C12Laa to the N-terminus of endomorphin1 (Endo-1, Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH(2)), and addressed its solubility issue by formulating C12Laa-Endo-1 into phosphatidylcholine liposomes. The aqueous solubility of the lipidic analogue was greatly improved, facilitating the accurate analysis of the compound in in vitro assays. The metabolic stability and in vitro endothelial permeability of the C12Laa-Endo-1 liposomal formulation was assessed using Caco-2 cells, and compared with the formulation of the parent peptide Endo-1. The liposome-encapsulated C12Laa-Endo exhibited significant increases in both stability and permeability. These results suggest that the combination of chemical modification and liposome formulation has great potentials in improving the bioavailability of neuroactive peptides.

X-ray diffraction from paclitaxel-loaded zwitterionic and cationic model membranes

We studied the incorporation of the hydrophobic anticancer drug paclitaxel (PXL), into a variety of lipid matrices by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Liposome suspensions from cationic and zwitterionic lipids, containing different molar fractions of paclitaxel were made and deposited on planar glass substrates. After drying at controlled relative humidity, aligned multilayer stacks were obtained. The structure perpendicular to the substrate plane was investigated by X-ray diffraction measurements. Bragg peaks to several orders were detected, indicative of well-ordered multilamellar lipid layers. The drug induced a modification of the bilayer spacing, which was the characteristic for a given type of lipid matrix. With an excess of the drug, Bragg peaks of drug crystals could be observed. The results provide insight into the solubility of paclitaxel in the different lipid membranes. A structural model of the organization of the drug in the membrane was discussed.

DSC and EPR investigations on effects of cholesterol component on molecular interactions between paclitaxel and phospholipid within lipid bilayer membrane

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) were applied to investigate effects of cholesterol component on molecular interactions between paclitaxel, which is one of the best antineoplastic agents found from nature, and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) within lipid bilayer vesicles (liposomes), which could also be used as a model cell membrane. DSC analysis showed that incorporation of paclitaxel into the DPPC bilayer causes a reduction in the cooperativity of bilayer phase transition, leading to a looser and more flexible bilayer structure. Including cholesterol component in the DPPC/paclitaxel mixed bilayer can facilitate the molecular interaction between paclitaxel and lipid and make the tertiary system more stable. EPR analysis demonstrated that both of paclitaxel and cholesterol have fluidization effect on the DPPC bilayer membranes although cholesterol has more significant effect than paclitaxel does. The reduction kinetics of nitroxides by ascorbic acid showed that paclitaxel can inhibit the reaction by blocking the diffusion of either the ascorbic acid or nitroxide molecules since the reaction is tested to be a first order one. Cholesterol can remarkably increase the reduction reaction speed. This research may provide useful information for optimizing liposomal formulation of the drug as well as for understanding the pharmacology of paclitaxel.

Lipophilic drug transfer between liposomal and biological membranes: what does it mean for parenteral and oral drug delivery?

This review presents the current knowledge on the interaction of lipophilic, poorly water soluble drugs with liposomal and biological membranes. The center of attention will be on drugs having the potential to dissolve in a lipid membrane without perturbing them too much. The degree of interaction is described as solubility of a drug in phospholipid membranes and the kinetics of transfer of a lipophilic drug between membranes. Finally, the consequences of these two factors on the design of lipid-based carriers for oral, as well as parenteral use, for lipophilic drugs and lead selection of oral lipophilic drugs is described. Since liposomes serve as model-membranes for natural membranes, the assessment of lipid solubility and transfer kinetics of lipophilic drug using liposome formulations may additionally have predictive value for bioavailability and biodistribution and the pharmacokinetics of lipophilic drugs after parenteral as well as oral administration.

Submicron lipid emulsion as a drug delivery system for nalbuphine and its prodrugs

This study investigates the submicron lipid emulsion as a potential parenteral drug delivery system for nalbuphine and its ester prodrugs. Submicron emulsions were prepared using egg phospholipid as the main emulsifier, various co-emulsifiers were also incorporated, including Brij 30, Brij 98, and stearylamine. Squalene as the oil phase formed stable emulsions with small particles. Drug release was affected by incorporating various co-emulsifiers and drugs with various lipophilicity. The loading of nalbuphine into lipid emulsions resulted in the slower and sustained release of nalbuphine. Lipid emulsions containing Brij 98 could further enhance the release of prodrugs as compared to the aqueous solution (control) especially for nalbuphine enanthate (NAE). Hemolysis caused by the interaction between erythrocytes and lipid emulsions was investigated. Brij 30 and Brij 98 could shield the hemolytic activity of phospholipids in the oil/water interface, decreasing the acute toxicological potential of the emulsions. The in vivo analgesic activity of various emulsions was examined by a cold ethanol tail-flick test. The analgesic duration and potency were significantly increased by incorporating nalbuphine and NAE into Brij 98-containing emulsions. There was no need for nalbuphine benzoate (NAB) to show a controlled delivery manner by encapsulating into emulsions, since NAB itself could prolong the analgesic duration of nalbuphine due to the slow enzyme degradation. The in vivo analgesic activity correlated well to the profiles of in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using submicron lipid emulsion as the parenteral drug delivery system for nalbuphine and its prodrugs.

Transfer of lipophilic drugs between liposomal membranes and biological interfaces: Consequences for drug delivery

This review paper describes the present knowledge on the interaction of lipophilic, poorly water soluble, drugs with liposomal membranes and the reversibility of this interaction. This interaction is discussed in the context of equilibrium and spontaneous transfer kinetics of the drug, when the liposomes are brought in co-dispersion with other artificial or natural phospholipid membranes in an aqueous medium. The focus is on drugs, which have the potential to partition (dissolve) in a lipid membrane but do not perturb membranes. The degree of interaction is described as solubility of a drug in phospholipid membranes and the kinetics of transfer of a lipophilic drug between membranes. Finally, the consequences of these two factors on the design of lipid based carriers for oral, as well as parenteral use, for lipophilic drugs and lead selection of oral lipophilic drugs is described. Since liposomes serve as model-membranes for natural membranes, the assessment of lipid solubility and transfer kinetics of lipophilic drug using liposome formulations may additionally have predictive value for bioavailability and biodistribution and the pharmacokinetics of lipophilic drugs after parenteral as well as oral administration.

The Thermodynamics of the Partitioning of Ionizing Molecules Between Aqueous Buffers and Phospholipid Membranes

PURPOSE

To study the thermodynamics of partitioning of eight ionising dual D2-recepto beta2-adrenoceptor agonists between vesicles of L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and aqueous buffers.

METHODS

The thermodynamics of partitioning have been studied by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC).

RESULTS

Compounds which are predominantly cationic at pH 7.4 (designated as class 1 compounds) have a more exothermic partitioning than those which are predominantly in the electronically neutral form (designated as class 2 compounds) at pH 7.4, and less positive standard entropies of partitioning. Under acidic conditions (pH 4.0), class compounds 2 (predominantly electronically neutral at pH 7.4) are almost completely cationic and accordingly have a more exothermic partitioning than at pH 7.4. The standard entropies of partitioning also depend on the pH. When the compounds are predominantly cationic, the standard entropy change is less positive (less favourable) than under conditions where the compounds are predominantly electronically neutral.

CONCLUSIONS

The observations are consistent with the notion of there being a favourable electrostatic interaction (enthalpically) between the positively charged amino-group of predominantly cationic compounds and the negatively charged phosphate group of the vesicle.