Beta-cyclodextrin/steroid complexation: effect of steroid structure on association equilibria

Therapeutic potential of procathepsin L-inhibiting and progesterone-entrapping dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin nanoparticles in treating experimental sepsis

The pathogenic mechanisms of bacterial infections and resultant sepsis are partly attributed to dysregulated inflammatory responses sustained by some late-acting mediators including the procathepsin-L (pCTS-L). It was entirely unknown whether any compounds of the U.S. Drug Collection could suppress pCTS-L-induced inflammation, and pharmacologically be exploited into possible therapies. Here, we demonstrated that a macrophage cell-based screening of a U.S. Drug Collection of 1360 compounds resulted in the identification of progesterone (PRO) as an inhibitor of pCTS-L-mediated production of several chemokines [e.g., Epithelial Neutrophil-Activating Peptide (ENA-78), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) or MCP-3] and cytokines [e.g., Interleukin-10 (IL-10) or Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)] in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In vivo, these PRO-entrapping 2,6-dimethal-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) nanoparticles (containing 1.35 mg/kg PRO and 14.65 mg/kg DM-β-CD) significantly increased animal survival in both male (from 30% to 70%, n = 20, P = 0.041) and female (from 50% to 80%, n = 30, P = 0.026) mice even when they were initially administered at 24 h post the onset of sepsis. This protective effect was associated with a reduction of sepsis-triggered accumulation of three surrogate biomarkers [e.g., Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) by 40%; Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-2 (MIP-2) by 45%; and Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor I (sTNFRI) by 80%]. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) analysis revealed a strong interaction between PRO and pCTS-L (KD = 78.2 ± 33.7 nM), which was paralleled with a positive correlation between serum PRO concentration and serum pCTS-L level (ρ = 0.56, P = 0.0009) or disease severity (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, SOFA; ρ = 0.64, P = 0.0001) score in septic patients. Our observations support a promising opportunity to explore DM-β-CD nanoparticles entrapping lipophilic drugs as possible therapies for clinical sepsis.

Inclusion complexes of the steroid hormones 17β-estradiol and progesterone with β- and γ-cyclodextrin hosts: syntheses, X-ray structures, thermal analyses and API solubility enhancements

Overcoming the challenges of poor aqueous solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is necessary to render them bioavailable. This study addresses the poor solubility of two potent steroid hormones, 17β-estradiol (BES) and progesterone (PRO), via their complexation with two water-soluble native cyclodextrins (CDs) namely β-CD and γ-CD. The hydrated inclusion complexes β-CD·BES, β-CD·PRO, γ-CD·BES and γ-CD·PRO were prepared via kneading and co-precipitation, and ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis of solutions of their pure complex crystals yielded the host-guest stoichiometries 2:1, 2:1, 1:1 and 3:2, respectively. Both powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) were employed for focused studies of the isostructurality of the CD complexes with known complexes and structural elucidation of the new complexes, respectively. SCXRD analyses of β-CD·BES, β-CD·PRO and γ-CD·PRO at 100(2) K yielded the first crystal structures of CD complexes containing the hormones BES and PRO, while the complex γ-CD·BES was readily shown to be isostructural with γ-CD·PRO by PXRD. Severe disorder of the encapsulated steroid molecules in the respective channels of the CD molecular assemblies was evident, however, preventing their modelling, but combination of the host-guest stoichiometries and water contents of the four hydrated inclusion complexes enabled accurate assignment of the chemical formulae of these ternary systems. Predicted electron counts for the complexed molecules BES and PRO correlated reasonably well with the complex compositions indicated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Subsequent measurements of the aqueous solubilities of the four complexes confirmed significant solubility improvements effected by encapsulation of the steroids within the CDs, yielding solubility enhancement factors for BES and PRO in the approximate range 5-20.

Kinetic and structural determinants for GABA-A receptor potentiation by neuroactive steroids

Endogenous neurosteroids and synthetic neuroactive steroid analogs are among the most potent and efficacious potentiators of the mammalian GABA-A receptor. The compounds interact with one or more sites on the receptor leading to an increase in the channel open probability through a set of changes in the open and closed time distributions. The endogenous neurosteroid allopregnanolone potentiates the α1β2γ2L GABA-A receptor by enhancing the mean duration and prevalence of the longest-lived open time component and by reducing the prevalence of the longest-lived intracluster closed time component. Thus the channel mean open time is increased and the mean closed time duration is decreased, resulting in potentiation of channel function. Some of the other previously characterized neurosteroids and steroid analogs act through similar mechanisms while others affect a subset of these parameters. The steroids modulate the GABA-A receptor through interactions with the membrane-spanning region of the receptor. However, the number of binding sites that mediate the actions of steroids is unclear. We discuss data supporting the notions of a single site vs. multiple sites mediating the potentiating actions of steroids.

Steroid determination in fish plasma using capillary electrophoresis

A capillary separation method that incorporates pH-mediated stacking is employed for the simultaneous determination of circulating steroid hormones in plasma from Perca flavescens (yellow perch) collected from natural aquatic environments. The method can be applied to separate eight steroid standards: progesterone, 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, estrone, 11-ketotestosterone, ethynyl estradiol, and 17beta-estradiol. Based on screening of plasma, the performance of the analytical method was determined for 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, and 17beta-estradiol. The within-day reproducibility in migration time for these four steroids in aqueous samples was < or =2%. Steroid quantification was accomplished using a calibration curve obtained with external standards. Plasma samples from fish collected from the Choptank and Severn Rivers, Maryland, USA, stored for up to one year were extracted with ethyl acetate and then further processed with anion exchange and hydrophobic solid phase extraction cartridges. The recovery of testosterone and 17beta-estradiol from yellow perch plasma was 84 and 85%, respectively. Endogenous levels of testosterone ranged from 0.9 to 44 ng/ml, and when detected 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one ranged from 5 to 34 ng/ml. The reported values for testosterone correlated well with the immunoassay technique. Endogenous concentrations of 17beta-estradiol were < or =1.7 ng/ml. 11-Ketotestosterone was not quantified because of a suspected interferant. Higher levels of 17alpha,20beta-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one were found in male and female fish in which 17beta-estradiol was not detected. Monitoring multiple steroids can provide insight into hormonal fluctuations in fish.

The influence of host-guest inclusion complex formation on the biotransformation of cortisone acetate Delta(1)-dehydrogenation

An intensive and systematic investigation had been carried out on the Delta(1)-dehydrogenation of cortisone acetate (CA) to prednisone acetate (PA) by Arthrobacter simplex TCCC 11037 in the presence of native and modified beta-cyclodextrins (beta-CDs). The biotransformation was improved through the formation of the host-guest inclusion complex between CA and CDs in aqueous solution. The inclusion complexes of CDs with CA were investigated by means of phase solubility, 2D NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The structural difference of CDs resulted in the stoichiometric differences between the complexes, the RM-beta-CD-CA, SBE-beta-CD-CA, HP-beta-CD-CA complexes were 1:1 whereas beta-CD-CA gave both 1:1 and 2:1 complexes, of which the 2:1 complex decreased the soluble CA concentration and inhibited the dissociation of beta-CD-CA in aqueous solution. The increase in solubility of CA was in the order of RM-beta-CD>SBE-beta-CD>HP-beta-CD>beta-CD. RM-beta-CD-CA, SBE-beta-CD-CA and HP-beta-CD-CA exhibited the higher biotransformation rate in comparison with native beta-CD. And the solubilization of CDs for CA in aqueous medium plays a key role in the biotransformation process. The article focuses on the various factors influencing the substrate water solubility, complex stability and biotransformation of CA through the addition of CDs in order to solve many problems associated with the process of drug delivery and biotransformation of different novel steroids.

Inclusion mechanism of steroid drugs into beta-cyclodextrins. Insights from free energy calculations

The inclusion of hydrocortisone, progesterone, and testosterone into the cavity of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) following two possible orientations was investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and free-energy calculations. The free-energy profiles that delineate the inclusion process were determined using an adaptive biasing force. The present results reveal that although the free-energy surfaces feature two local minima corresponding to a partial and a complete inclusion, the former mode is markedly preferred, irrespective of the orientation. Ranking the propensity of the three steroidal molecules to associate with beta-CD, viz. progesterone>testosterone>hydrocortisone, is shown to be in excellent agreement with experiment. This conclusion is further supported by independent calculations relying on alchemical transformations in conjunction with free energy perturbation, wherein the relative binding free energy for the three steroids was estimated. In addition, decomposition of the potentials of mean force into free-energy contributions and significant decrease in the total hydrophobic surface area suggest that by and large, van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions constitute the main driving forces responsible for the formation of the inclusion complexes. Analysis of their structural features from the molecular dynamics trajectories brings to light different hydrogen-bonding patterns that are characterized by distinct dynamics and stabilities.

Study of the interaction between progesterone and beta-cyclodextrin by electrochemical techniques and steered molecular dynamics

The interaction of progesterone with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) was studied by differential pulse polarography. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of beta-CD on the electrochemical behavior of progesterone in aqueous solution and also to analyze the molecular interactions involved in formation of the inclusion complex. The complex with stoichiometry of 1:1 was thermodynamically characterized. In addition, steered molecular dynamics (SMD) was used to investigate the energetic properties of formation of the inclusion complex along four different pathways (reaction coordinates), considering two possible orientations. From multiple trajectories along these pathways, the potentials of mean force for formation of the beta-CD progesterone inclusion complex were calculated. The energy analysis was in good agreement with the experimental results. In the beta-CD progesterone inclusion complex, a large portion of the steroid skeleton is included in the beta-CD cavity. The lowest energy was found when the D-ring of the guest molecule is located near the secondary hydroxyls of the beta-CD cavity. In the most probable orientation, one intermolecular hydrogen bond is formed between the O of the C-20 keto group of the progesterone and a secondary hydroxyl of the beta-CD.

[In-vitro evaluation of cinnarizine as a competing agent to beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes: effect of cinnarizine on the membrane permeation rate of progesterone from its beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex]

The use of competing agents is considered a powerful tool for the development of a drug-delivery system with drug/cyclodextrin inclusion complexes. However, there are very few studies examining this issue. To explain this phenomenon, it was thought that a competing agent with a sufficiently high stability constant had not yet been reported. In this study, cinnarizine (CN), which has a high stability constant with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and unique solubility characteristics, was selected, and its ability as a competing agent was examined in a membrane permeability study. The permeability study showed that the permeation rates of the drugs flurbiprofen, progesterone, and spironolactone decreased with their stability constants with the addition of beta-CD. In one of the drugs, progesterone (Pro), the decrease was restored by the addition of CN. The amount of CN added was a 1:1 molar ratio to the amount of Pro. However, no similar action was induced with the addition of DL-phenylalanine (Phe) in the permeation study at the 1:5 (Pro:Phe) molar ratio. These finding indicate that CN acts as a competing agent, and its action is much stronger than that of Phe.

Solid state characterization of progesterone in a freeze dried 1:2 progesterone/HPBCD mixture

Progesterone rapidly dissolves in an aqueous solution containing hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) at 1:2 molar ratio, forming a soluble inclusion complex. After filtration and freeze-drying of the final solution, the final powder was examined by SEM, DSC, TGA, XRD, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy. Experimental results confirm that an inclusion complex exists in the solid state and possible structure of the complex is briefly discussed.

Precipitation Complexation Method Produces Cannabidiol/β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex Suitable for Sublingual Administration of Cannabidiol

In the present study, the precipitation complexation method was used to prepare a complex of cannabidiol (CBD) with beta-CD. The effect of beta-CD-complexation on the sublingual absorption of CBD was studied in rabbits. A solid CBD/beta-CD inclusion complex was prepared by precipitation and the effect of complex formation on the dissolution rate of CBD was studied. The absorption of CBD (a 250 microg/kg dose of CBD in all formulations) after sublingual administration of solid CBD/beta-CD complex and ethanolic CBD solution, and after oral administration of ethanolic CBD solution, was studied in vivo in rabbits. The dissolution rate of solid CBD/beta-CD complex in vitro was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of plain CBD. The absorption of CBD (AUC0-300 min) decreased in the following order: sublingual ethanolic CBD solution (420+/-120 ngxmin/mL; mean+/-SD; n=4)>sublingual solid CBD/beta-CD complex (270+/-120 ngxmin/mL)>oral ethanolic CBD solution (concentrations in plasma below the quantitation limit). The results demonstrate that sublingual administration of a solid CBD/beta-CD complex enhances the absorption of CBD in rabbits when compared to oral administration of ethanolic CBD. Furthermore, the solid CBD/beta-CD complex may provide an alternative formulation for sublingual administration of CBD.

Solubility and dissolution rate of progesterone-cyclodextrin-polymer systems

This contribution focused on the solubility improvement of the poorly water-soluble steroid hormone progesterone which, in its natural state, presents a reduced oral bioavailability. In the first part of this study, two simple, reproducible methods that were candidates for use in the preparation of inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins were investigated. Solubility capacities of the progesterone complex with hydroxypropyl-beta-CD (HPbeta-CD), hydoxypropyl-gamma-CD (HPgamma-CD), permethyl-beta-CD (PMbeta-CD), and sulfobutylether-beta-CD (SBEbeta-CD), prepared by the freeze-drying and precipitation methods, were evaluated by Higuchi phase solubility studies. The results showed that HPbeta-CD and PMbeta-CD were the most efficient among the four cyclodextrins for the solubilization of progesterone, with the highest apparent stability constants. Therefore, dissolution studies were conducted on these latest progesterone/cyclodextrin complexes and physical mixtures. Two additional natural cyclodextrins, beta-CD and gamma-CD, were taken as references. Hence, the influence of more highly soluble derivatives of beta-CD (HPbeta-CD, PMbeta-CD) on the progesterone dissolution rate, in comparison to pristine beta-CD, alongside an increase in the cavity width for gamma-CD versus beta-CD, were investigated. The dissolution kinetics of progesterone dissolved from HPbeta-CD, PMbeta-CD, and gamma-CD revealed higher constant rates in comparison to beta-CD. Therefore, the aim of the second part of this study was to investigate the possibility of improving the dissolution rate of progesterone/beta-CD binary systems upon formation of ternary complexes with the hydrophilic polymer, PEG 6000, as beta-CD had the smallest progesterone solubility and dissolution capacity among the four cyclodextrins studied (beta-CD, HPbeta-CD, HPgamma-CD and PMbeta-CD). The results indicated that dissolution constant rates were considerably enhanced for the 5% and 10% progesterone/beta-CD complexes in PEG 6000. The interaction of progesterone with the cyclodextrins of interest on the form of the binary physical mixtures, complexes, or ternary complexes were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transformed-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results proved that progesterone was diffused into the cyclodextrin cavity, replacing the water molecules and, in case of ternary systems, that the progesterone beta-cyclodextrin was well dispersed into PEG, thus improving progesterone bioavailability for subsequent oral delivery in the same way as derivatized cyclodextrins. The present work proves that ternary complexes are promising systems for drug encapsulation.

Investigation of noncovalent complexes between beta-cyclodextrin and polyamide acids containing N-methylpyrrole and N-methylimidazole by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry was utilized to investigate noncovalent complexes between beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and five novel polyamide acids containing N-methylpyrrole and N-methylimidazole. The 1:1 binding mode was specified by examining the binding stoichiometry from ESI mass spectra. It found that polyamide acids with beta-CD have binding affinities in the order: ImImImbetaCOOH > ImPyImbetaCOOH > ImPyPybetaCOOH > PyPyPybetaCOOH > NO(2)PyPyPybetaCOOH. The method gives, simultaneously, the binding constants between beta-CD and polyamide acids based on a novel linear equation.

Phase solubility and structure of the inclusion complexes of prednisolone and 6 alpha-methyl prednisolone with various cyclodextrins

The purpose of this work was to study the inclusion binding interaction of two structurally related steroids, prednisolone and 6alpha-methyl prednisolone with a wide variety of cyclodextrins (CDs), both native (alpha-, beta- and gamma-CD) as well as modified (hydroxypropyl-, sulfobutyl ether-, glucosyl-, and maltosyl-beta-CD and sulfobutyl ether-gamma-CD), and to relate the binding constants to structural differences in the steroids. Phase-solubility diagrams of the steroids with various CDs were obtained. The stability constants (K1:1) revealed that beta-CD formed the strongest complex with prednisolone, followed by gamma-CD. With 6alpha-methyl prednisolone, the stability constants of both beta- and alpha-CD were considerably lower compared with prednisolone. In contrast, gamma-CD formed a stronger complex with 6alpha-methyl prednisolone compared with prednisolone. Derivatives of beta-CD gave slightly altered stability constants compared with native beta-CD. The structures of the complexes between the two guest molecules and native beta-CD were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This clearly showed that the introduction of the methyl group led to a different binding geometry of 6alpha-methyl prednisolone compared with prednisolone. Additionally, the nuclear magnetic resonance results indicate the presence of an additional, weaker binding site, which is less populated in prednisolone.

Effect of Low-Molecular-Weight .BETA.-Cyclodextrin Polymer on Release of Drugs from Mucoadhesive Buccal Film Dosage Forms

We investigated the effect of low-molecular-weight beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) polymer on in vitro release of two drugs with different lipophilicities (i.e., lidocaine and ketoprofen) from mucoadhesive buccal film dosage forms. When beta-CyD polymer was added to hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) or polyvinylalcohol (PVA) film dosage forms, the release of lidocaine into artificial saliva (pH 5.7) was reduced by 40% of the control. In contrast, the release of ketoprofen from the polymer film was enhanced by addition of beta-CyD polymer to the vehicle. When lidocaine and ketoprofen was incubated with beta-CyD polymer in the artificial saliva, concentration of free lidocaine molecules decreased in a beta-CyD polymer concentration-dependent manner. The association constant with beta-CyD polymer was 6.9+/-0.6 and 520+/-90 M(-1) for lidocaine and ketoprofen, respectively. Retarded release of the hydrophilic lidocaine by beta-CyD polymer might be due to the decrease in thermodynamic activity by inclusion complex formation, whereas enhanced release of the lipophilic ketoprofen by the beta-CyD polymer might be due to prevention of recrystallization occurring after contacting the film with aqueous solution. Thus, effects of low-molecular-weight beta-CyD polymer to the drug release rate from film dosage forms would vary according to the strength of interaction with and the solubility of active ingredient.

Progesterone inhibits capacitative Ca2+ entry in Jurkat T lymphocytes by a membrane delimited mechanism, independently of plasma membrane depolarization

The non-genomic inhibitory effect of progesterone on capacitative calcium entry was studied in Jurkat T lymphocytes. Capacitative calcium entry was induced by depleting intracellular calcium stores with thapsigargin and evaluated by a calcium free/calcium readmission protocol, in Fura-2 loaded cells. Progesterone (10-40 microg/ml) inhibited calcium entry and concomitantly depolarized cells, as revealed by measuring the plasma membrane potential with the fluorescent probe bis-oxonol. However, experiments run under depolarizing conditions (i.e. by substituting for Na+ with K+ ions in the medium) revealed that progesterone (10-40 microg/ml) could inhibit capacitative calcium entry independently of plasma membrane depolarization. The direct inhibition of calcium entry by progesterone was: (i) reverted by a treatment suitable to remove progesterone bound to cell surface, (ii) apparently related to the extent of membrane bound progesterone (measured radioisotopically), and (iii) specific, in that other related steroid compounds did not inhibit calcium entry.

Non-surfactant nanospheres of progesterone inclusion complexes with amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrins

Amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrins were formulated as nanospheres and characterised by particle size, zeta potential and TEM following freeze-fracture. The nanospheres were loaded with progesterone with different loading techniques involving the spontaneous formation of nanospheres from pre-formed inclusion complexes of amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrins modified on the primary or secondary face with progesterone. Inclusion complexes were characterised with various techniques including Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fast Atom Bombardment Mass Spectrometry (FAB MS) and 1H NMR spectroscopy; and progesterone was believed to be partially included in the CD cavity. Loading properties of conventionally-loaded nanospheres were compared with those prepared directly from pre-formed inclusion complexes and loading technique was found to enhance associated drug percentage significantly (P<0.05). Although both amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrins (6-N-CAPRO-beta-CD and beta-CDC6) were capable of high progesterone loading, beta-CDC6 displayed slightly higher entrapment efficiency due to the possible higher affinity of progesterone to the 14 alkyl chains surrounding this molecule resulting in higher drug adsorption to particle surface. Progesterone was released within a period of 1 h from all formulations. Progesterone-loaded amphiphilic beta-CD nanospheres were proved to be a promising non-surfactant injectable delivery system providing high-quantity of water-insoluble progesterone rapidly within 1 h.

Characterization of inclusion complexes of betamethasone-related steroids with cyclodextrins using high-performance liquid chromatography

HPLC was used to study the inclusion complexes formed between various beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins and a series of corticosteroids related to betamethasone. Apparent association constants were measured in acetonitrile-water for a set of 13 steroids. An increase in the stability of the steroid-cyclodextrin complex is observed at lower concentrations of acetonitrile. The effects of the nature of the halide at the 9-position, the location of a double bond within the C-ring, substitution at the 9- and 11-positions, and modification of the D-ring of the steroid backbone were studied. The 11- and 17-positions were found to be critically involved in the inclusion process. Larger apparent association constants were obtained with gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD) than with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) due to the increased diameter of the gamma-CD cavity. Van't Hoff plots were constructed to examine the thermodynamic properties of the inclusion process. Plots constructed using retention factors were found to be nonlinear when gamma-CD was present in the mobile phase. This is due to an increase in the strength of the inclusion complex as temperature decreases. Plots constructed using apparent association constants were linear, indicating that the mechanism of inclusion does not change over the range of temperatures studied (10 to 80 degrees C). Enthalpy-entropy compensation was observed for 11 of the 13 steroids studied. The usefulness of cyclodextrins to achieve the separation of steroids in HPLC is discussed and a practical application for the analysis of a steroid and three potential impurities is described.

Thermodynamics of binding of neutral molecules to sulfobutyl ether beta-cyclodextrins (SBE-beta-CDs): the effect of total degree of substitution

PURPOSE

To understand the role of degree of substitution on binding of molecules to beta-Cyclodextrins (beta-CDs) with varying degrees of sulfobutyl ether (SBE) substitution.

METHODS

Using UV spectroscopy, complexation constants of molecules to SBE-beta-CDs were estimated as a function of temperature, allowing for calculation of thermodynamic parameters, including the enthalpy and entropy of binding.

RESULTS

Binding constants of various molecules to SBE-beta-CDs did not show a uniform trend to total degree of SBE substitution. However, a distinct pattern was observed with the enthalpy and entropy of complexation. The results showed the complexation of substrates to SBE-beta-CDs to be more entropy-favored as the number of SBE groups increased. This favorable entropy of interaction was compensated by a less favorable enthalpy of interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Enthalpy and entropy of complexation provided additional insight into the role that the alkylsulfonate groups may play in the complexation of molecules with SBE-beta-CDs.

Sugar-branched-cyclodextrins as injectable drug carriers in mice

The purpose of this study was to investigate stable complexation of drug in blood by sugar-branched-beta-cyclodextrins (beta-CDs) such as glucose (glu)- or galactose (gal)-branched-beta-CDs and the pharmacokinetic disposition of drug in sugar-branched-beta-CD complex. Complexation of steroidal drugs in sugar-branched-beta-CDs and their replacement by cholesterol were measured. The complexes of dexamethasone/glucosyl-beta-CDs (dexamethasone/glu-beta-CD or dexamethasone/glu-glu-beta-CD) were not replaced by cholesterol, which is a representative endogenous compound, whereas the complex of dexamethasone/beta-CD was replaced by cholesterol. The same results were obtained in steroidal drugs such as hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, and prednisolone. Thus, the use of glu-beta-CD and glu-glu-beta-CD permitted the stable complexation of the drug in water. Stability constants of dexamethasone/glu-glu-beta-CD and dexamethasone/gal-glu-beta-CD complexes are the same, which means that the sugar moiety of the side chain in beta-CD has little effect on stability constants. After the dexamethasone/gal-glu-beta-CD complex or the dexamethasone/glu-glu-beta-CD complex (dexamethasone: 1 mg/body) was administered intravenously to mice, dexamethasone concentrations in liver tissue and blood were measured. The dexamethasone/gal-glu-beta-CD complex (66.1 +/- 1.7 micrograms as dexamethasone/gram of liver tissue) was distributed to liver tissue significantly more than the dexamethasone/glu-glu-beta-CD (beta-CD) complex (59.9 +/- 1.0 micrograms as dexamethasone/gram of liver) at 30 min after administration (p < .05). Sugar-branched-beta-CD gave a water-soluble and stable complex for dexamethasone and changed the disposition of dexamethasone. Sugar-branched-beta-CDs are potentially excellent carriers for a steroidal injectable formulation.

Catalyzed thermal isomerization between previtamin D3 and vitamin D3 via beta-cyclodextrin complexation

To examine the effect of microenvironments on previtamin D3<==>vitamin D3 isomerization, we have conducted kinetic studies of the reaction in an aqueous solution of beta-cyclodextrin. Our results showed that at 5 degrees C, the forward (k1) and reverse (k2) rate constants for previtamin D3<==>vitamin D3 isomerization were increased by more than 40 and 600 times, respectively, compared with those in n-hexane (k1, 8.65 x 10(-6) versus 1.76 x 10(-7) s-1; k2, 8.48 x 10(-6) versus 1.40 x 10(-8) s-1), the fastest rate of this isomerization ever reported at this temperature. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the equilibrium constant of the reaction was significantly reduced by more than 12-fold when compared to that in n-hexane at 5 degrees C, and the percentage of vitamin D3 at equilibrium was increased as the temperature was increased in beta-cyclodextrin. When complexed with beta-cyclodextrin, the previtamin D3<==>vitamin D3 isomerization became endothermic (delta H zero = 13.05 kJ mol-1) in contrast to being exothermic in other media. We propose that thermodynamically unfavorable cZc conformers of previtamin D3 are stabilized by beta-cyclodextrin, and thus the rate of the isomerization is increased. This conformation-controlled process may play an important role in the modulation of previtamin D3<==>vitamin D3 endocrine system in vivo such as in the sea urchin.

Endocrine interactions: adrenal steroids and precursors

Adult male rats (n = 48) were castrated and treated daily for 4 wk with adrenal steroids in the presence or absence of adjuvant testosterone. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, and androstenedione (2 mg/kg body wt) were administered as cyclodextrin complexes to mimic the pharmacodynamics of the endogenous products. Although they are the substrates for testosterone synthesis in target tissues, supplements of adrenal steroids alone were unable to maintain integrity of sociosexual responses and androgen target tissues after castration. More surprising, groups administered adrenal precursor plus testosterone showed substantial suppression of the typical restoration of reproductive systems in castrates receiving androgen therapy. The adrenal steroids, however, were not functionally identical. Each steroid interacted with testosterone to leave its own distinctive "footprint" on androgen-sensitive systems. The conclusion is that the endogenous adrenal products are not simply passive precursors of testosterone. Adrenal steroids may serve as endocrine regulators of androgen bioavailability and bioactivity.

Comparative study on inclusion complexation of maltosyl-beta-cyclodextrin, heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin and beta-cyclodextrin with fucosterol in aqueous and solid state

The complexation of fucosterol with three kinds of beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD) was investigated in aqueous solution and in the solid state. The solubility of fucosterol increased significantly on its complexation with maltosyl-beta-CyD and heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-CyD (DM-beta-CyD), while no appreciable increase was observed when complexed with beta-CyD. The stability constant of complexation with beta-CyD estimated from solubility determinations was greater for a 1:2 complex than for a 1:1 complex. On the other hand, 1:1 complexation of fucosterol with maltosyl-beta-CyD or DM-beta-CyD was greater than 1:2 complexation. The solid complexes were obtained in molar ratios of 1:2 and 1:3 for beta-CyD and maltosyl-beta-CyD complexes, respectively. The inclusion behaviour of fucosterol with maltosyl-beta-CyD was compared with beta-CyD in the solid state using DSC, powder X-ray diffractometry and CP/MAS 13C NMR. Maltosyl-beta-CyD showed different inclusion behaviour compared with beta-CyD, and produced an amorphous structure of fucosterol on complex formation. The dissolution rate of fucosterol-maltosyl-beta-CyD complex was significantly faster than other complexes due to its high aqueous solubility and amorphous structure.

Determination of association constants in cyclodextrin/drug complexation using the Scatchard plot: application to beta-cyclodextrin-anilinonaphthalenesulfonates

The appropriate Scatchard equation was developed for a system involving the formation of 1:1 and 1:2 substrate:cyclodextrin complexes. Simulation of this system was performed under the most common experimental conditions encountered in this type of study. The use of the equation allows for nonlinear least-squares estimation of the association constants. The interaction of the model compounds 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (1,8-ANS) and 2(p-toluidinyl)-6-naphthalenesulfonate (2,6-TNS) with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) was used to evaluate the theoretical model. Binding experiments were performed using either potentiometric titration or fluorimetric detection. The experimental data for 1,8-ANS/beta-CD fit well to the 1:1 binding model, with an association constant of 87 +/- 1 M-1. The association constants of the 1:1 and 1:2 2,6-TNS/beta-CD complexes utilizing direct potentiometry were 3737 +/- 6 and 149 +/- 2 M-1. It is shown that fluorimetry can give biased estimates for the association constants of the complexation 2,6-TNS/beta-CD, since the assumption of an equivalent quantum yield of bound species is not valid.