Solubilization and stabilization of an anti-HIV thiocarbamate, NSC 629243, for parenteral delivery, using extemporaneous emulsions

Lipid peroxidation: Its effects on the formulation and use of pharmaceutical emulsions

Pharmaceutical delivery systems are developed to improve the physicochemical properties of therapeutic compounds. Emulsions are one of these drug delivering systems formulated using water, oils and lipids as main ingredients. Extensive data are usually generated on the physical and chemical characteristics of these oil-in-water and lipid emulsions. However, the oxidative tendency of emulsions is often overlooked. Oxidation impacts the overall quality and safety of these pharmaceutical emulsions. Additionally, introducing oxidatively unstable emulsions into biological systems further promotes oxidation in situ. Products of these reactions then continue to pose serious harm to cells and fuel other physiological oxidation reactions. Consequently, the increase of oxidation products leads to oxidative damage to biological systems. Thus, emulsions with lower lipid peroxidation are more stable and will reduce the negative effects of oxidation in situ. Preventive measures during the formulation of emulsions are important. Many naturally occurring and cost effective substances possess low oxidation tendencies and confer oxidative protection when used in emulsions. Additionally, certain preparatory methods should be employed to reduce or better control lipid peroxidation. Finally, emulsions must be evaluated for their oxidation susceptibility using the various techniques available. Careful attention to the preparation of emulsions and assessment of their oxidative stability will help produce safer emulsions without compromising efficacy.

Injectable lipid emulsions-advancements, opportunities and challenges

Injectable lipid emulsions, for decades, have been clinically used as an energy source for hospitalized patients by providing essential fatty acids and vitamins. Recent interest in utilizing lipid emulsions for delivering lipid soluble therapeutic agents, intravenously, has been continuously growing due to the biocompatible nature of the lipid-based delivery systems. Advancements in the area of novel lipids (olive oil and fish oil) have opened a new area for future clinical application of lipid-based injectable delivery systems that may provide a better safety profile over traditionally used long- and medium-chain triglycerides to critically ill patients. Formulation components and process parameters play critical role in the success of lipid injectable emulsions as drug delivery vehicles and hence need to be well integrated in the formulation development strategies. Physico-chemical properties of active therapeutic agents significantly impact pharmacokinetics and tissue disposition following intravenous administration of drug-containing lipid emulsion and hence need special attention while selecting such delivery vehicles. In summary, this review provides a broad overview of recent advancements in the field of novel lipids, opportunities for intravenous drug delivery, and challenges associated with injectable lipid emulsions.

Influence of incorporation methods on partitioning behavior of lipophilic drugs into various phases of a parenteral lipid emulsion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of drug incorporation methods on the partitioning behavior of lipophilic drugs in parenteral lipid emulsions. Four lipophilic benzodiazepines, alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam, were used as model drugs. Two methods were used to incorporate drugs into an emulsion: dissolving the compound in the oil phase prior to emulsification (de novo emulsification), and directly adding a concentrated solution of drug in a solubilizer to the emulsion base (extemporaneous addition). Based on the molecular structures and determination of the oil and aqueous solubilities and the partition coefficients of the drugs, the lipophilicity was ranked as diazepam > clonazepam > lorazepam > alprazolam. Ultracentrifugation was used to separate the emulsion into four phases, the oil phase, the phospholipid-rich phase, the aqueous phase and the mesophase, and the drug content in each phase was determined. Partitioning of diazepam, which has the highest lipophilicity and oil solubility among the four drugs, was unaffected by the drug incorporation method, with both methods giving a high proportion of drug in the inner oil phase and the phospholipid-rich phase, compared to the aqueous phase and mesophase. Partitioning of the less lipophilic drugs (alprazolam, clonazepam, and lorazepam) in the phases of the emulsion system was dependent on the method of incorporation and the drug solubility properties. Emulsions of the three drugs prepared by de novo emulsification exhibited higher drug localization in the phospholipid-rich phase compared to those made by extemporaneous addition. With the latter method, the drugs tended to localize in the outer aqueous phase and mesophase, with less deposition in the phospholipid-rich phase and no partitioning into the inner oil phase.

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of cysteine and hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution

The oxidation of thiol-containing small molecules, peptides, and proteins in the presence of peroxides is of increasing biological and pharmaceutical interest. Although such reactions have been widely studied there does not appear to be a consensus in the literature as to the reaction products formed under various conditions, the reaction stoichiometry, and the reaction mechanisms that may be involved. This study examines the reaction kinetics of cysteine (CSH) with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in aqueous buffers (in the absence of metal ions) over a wide range of pH (pH 4-13) and at varying ratios of initial reactant concentrations to explore the range of conditions in which a two-step nucleophilic model describes the kinetics. The disappearance of CSH and H(2)O(2) and appearance of cystine (CSSC) versus time were monitored by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of oxygen, metal ions (Cu(2+)), pH (4-13), ionic strength, buffer concentration, and temperature were evaluated. Data obtained at [H(2)O(2)](0)/[CSH](0) ratios from 0.01-2.3 demonstrate that the reaction of CSH with H(2)O(2) in the absence of metal ions is quantitatively consistent with a two-step nucleophilic reaction mechanism involving rate-determining nucleophilic attack of thiolate anion on the unionized H(2)O(2) to generate cysteine sulfenic acid (CSOH) as an intermediate. Second-order rate constants for both reaction steps were generated through model fitting. At [H(2)O(2)](0)/[CSH](0) > 10, the % CSSC formed as a product of the reaction declines due to the increased importance of alternative competing pathways for consumption of CSOH. A thorough understanding of the mechanism in aqueous solution will provide valuable background information for current studies aimed at elucidating the influence of such factors on thiol oxidation in solid-state formulations.

Structure-Based Design, Parallel Synthesis, Structure−Activity Relationship, and Molecular Modeling Studies of Thiocarbamates, New Potent Non-Nucleoside HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Isosteres of Phenethylthiazolylthiourea Derivatives

In this paper we describe our structure-based ligand design, synthetic strategy, and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies that led to the identification of thiocarbamates (TCs), a novel class of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), isosteres of phenethylthiazolylthiourea (PETT) derivatives. Assuming as a lead compound O-[2-(phthalimido)ethyl]phenylthiocarbamate 12, one of the precursors of the previously described acylthiocarbamates (Ranise, A.; et al. J. Med. Chem. 2003, 46, 768-781), two targeted solution-phase TC libraries were prepared by parallel synthesis. The lead optimization strategy led to para-substituted TCs 31, 33, 34, 39, 40, 41, 44, 45, and 50, which were active against wild-type HIV-1 in MT-4-based assays at nanomolar concentrations (EC50 range: 0.04-0.01 microM). The most potent congener 50 (EC50 = 0.01 microM) bears a methyl group at position 4 of the phthalimide moiety and a nitro group at the para position of the N-phenyl ring. Most of the TCs showed good selectivity indices, since no cytotoxic effect was detected at concentrations as high as 100 microM. TCs 31, 37, 39, 40, and 44 significantly reduced the multiplication of the Y181C mutant, but they were inactive against K103R and K103N + Y181C mutants. Nevertheless, the fold increase in resistance of 41 was not greater than that of efavirenz against the K103R mutant in enzyme assays. The docking model predictions were consistent with in vitro biological assays of the anti-HIV-1 activity of the TCs and related compounds synthesized.

Solubilizing excipients in oral and injectable formulations

A review of commercially available oral and injectable solution formulations reveals that the solubilizing excipients include water-soluble organic solvents (polyethylene glycol 300, polyethylene glycol 400, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerin, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethylacetamide, and dimethylsulfoxide), non-ionic surfactants (Cremophor EL, Cremophor RH 40, Cremophor RH 60, d-alpha-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, Solutol HS 15, sorbitan monooleate, poloxamer 407, Labrafil M-1944CS, Labrafil M-2125CS, Labrasol, Gellucire 44/14, Softigen 767, and mono- and di-fatty acid esters of PEG 300, 400, or 1750), water-insoluble lipids (castor oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, peanut oil, peppermint oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated vegetable oils, hydrogenated soybean oil, and medium-chain triglycerides of coconut oil and palm seed oil), organic liquids/semi-solids (beeswax, d-alpha-tocopherol, oleic acid, medium-chain mono- and diglycerides), various cyclodextrins (alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, and sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin), and phospholipids (hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine, distearoylphosphatidylglycerol, L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, L-alpha-dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol). The chemical techniques to solubilize water-insoluble drugs for oral and injection administration include pH adjustment, cosolvents, complexation, microemulsions, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, micelles, liposomes, and emulsions.

Microemulsion formulation of clonixic acid: solubility enhancement and pain reduction

Clonixic acid is currently marketed as a salt form because of its poor water-solubility. However, the commercial dosage form causes severe pain after intramuscular or intravenous injection. To improve the solubility of clonixic acid and to reduce pain on injection, clonixic acid was incorporated into oil-in-water microemulsions prepared from pre-microemulsion concentrate composed of varying ratios of oil and surfactant mixture. As an oil phase for drug incorporation, up to 14% castor oil could be included in the pre-microemulsion concentrate without a significant increase in droplet size. Both drug contents and droplet size increased as the weight ratio of Tween 20 to Tween 85 decreased. Taken together, when microemulsions were prepared from pre-microemulsion concentrate composed of 5:12:18 weight ratio of castor oil:Tween 20:Tween 85, clonixic acid could be incorporated at 3.2 mg mL(-1) in the microemulsion with a droplet size of less than 120 nm. The osmotic pressure of this microemulsion was remarkably lower than the commercial formulation, irrespective of the dilution ratios. The rat paw-lick test was used to compare pain responses among formulations. The microemulsion formulation significantly reduced the number of rats licking their paws as well as the total licking time, suggesting less pain induction by the microemulsion formulation. The pharmacokinetic parameters of clonixic acid after intravenous administration of the clonixic acid microemulsion to rats were not significantly different from those of the commercial formulation, lysine clonixinate. The present study suggests that microemulsion is an alternative formulation for clonixic acid with improved characteristics.

Top ten considerations in the development of parenteral emulsions

The development of parenteral emulsions continues to play an important role in the formulation and delivery of many drugs. In addition to solubilization and stabilization applications, appropriately designed parenteral emulsions are effective delivery systems for sustained release and targeting of drugs. Control of the strict requirements of globule size and surface charge is important in the design and ultimate stability of the formulation. This review highlights the important issues and suggests strategies to assist the scientist in the development, manufacture and stability of this essential dosage form.

Inhibition of bovine immunodeficiency virus by anti-HIV-1 compounds in a cell culture-based assay

The bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) and human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and -2) are members of the lentivirus genus of retroviruses. Although DNA sequences of these viruses have diverged considerably, the BIV genome organization, function of structural and regulatory genes, and replication cycle are very similar to that of HIV-1, making BIV a potentially useful model to study compounds with anti-HIV-1 activity. A cell culture-based antiviral assay was developed to test compounds for inhibition of BIV replication. The assay uses an embryonic rabbit epithelial (EREp) cell line that is highly sensitive to BIV infection and cytopathology. The 50% effective concentrations (EC50) at which the virus was inhibited in EREp cells were determined for 13 nucleoside analog, non-nucleoside, tumor-suppressive, or membrane-surface inhibitory compounds. The nucleoside analogs (3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine, 2',3'-dideoxyinosine and 2',3'-dideoxycytosine), surface-membrane inhibitors (dextran sulfate, hypericin, Chicago Sky Blue and quinobene), the nucleoside reductase inhibitor (hydroxyurea), and a tumor-suppressive phorbol ester (prostratin) inhibited BIV with EC50 values similar to those derived in HIV-1 lymphocyte (CD4+)-based assays. BIV was markedly more resistant to inhibition with HIV-1-specific non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) (thiazolobenzimidazole, oxathiin carboxanilide and thiocarbamate) than was HIV-1, which parallels results with NNRTIs in HIV-2 assays.

Kinetics and thermodynamics of emulsion delivery of lipophilic antioxidants to cells in culture

Oil-in-water emulsions are being used increasingly for the delivery of lipophilic drugs, but the fundamental physicochemical principles governing such delivery have not been explored. We determined the kinetics and thermodynamics of delivery from emulsions to cells in culture for two lipophilic compounds, U74006 and U74500. Two fundamental properties dominate the delivery, (a) the concentration of the compound in the lipid phase of the emulsion is directly proportional to the concentration of the compound in cells at equilibrium, and (b) the rate of transfer is directly proportional to the concentration of particles in contact with the cells. Thus, the transfer is consistent with direct partitioning from the lipid phase of the emulsion to cells and occurs by the direct collision of emulsion particles with cells. The details of the mechanism of delivery differ between the two compounds. Specifically, delivery of U74006 is first-order with respect to the drug accumulating in the cells. The transfer of U74500 is best described as a sum of two simultaneous pseudo first-order processes consistent with delivery from a single donor compartment to two receiver compartments. Furthermore, two molecules of U74500 appear to be involved in each transfer event. Our results show that relatively simple principles govern the delivery of compounds from oil-in-water emulsions to cells.

Structural studies of commercial fat emulsions used in parenteral nutrition

In this paper, we demonstrate that by employing a combination of sedimentation field-flow fractionation (sedFFF) and other characterization techniques, such as photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) and freeze-fracture electron microscopy (EM), it is possible to show that commercial fat emulsions of similar overall chemical compositions not only may exhibit different size distributions but may have different densities as well. A closer look at the density difference between droplet and suspension medium, on the one hand, and the droplet size, on the other, demonstrates that fat emulsions may have structures other than the traditional oil droplet surrounded by a monolayer of surfactant. From our determined and simulated density differences, we propose that these emulsion droplets may have a multilayered surfactant arrangement as well as an inclusion of water vesicles in the oil phase of the emulsion. Freeze-fracture EM observations provide evidence to confirm the existence of such complex structures. These findings are supported by recent EM work from other laboratories, as well as through chemical verification of elevated water contents in the oil droplets of these emulsions.