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Vale N, Ferreira A, Matos J, Fresco P, Gouveia MJ. Amino Acids in the Development of Prodrugs. Molecules 2018; 23:E2318. [PMID: 30208629 PMCID: PMC6225300 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23092318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Although drugs currently used for the various types of diseases (e.g., antiparasitic, antiviral, antibacterial, etc.) are effective, they present several undesirable pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties. Most of the drugs have low bioavailability, lack of sensitivity, and do not target only the damaged cells, thus also affecting normal cells. Moreover, there is the risk of developing resistance against drugs upon chronic treatment. Consequently, their potential clinical applications might be limited and therefore, it is mandatory to find strategies that improve those properties of therapeutic agents. The development of prodrugs using amino acids as moieties has resulted in improvements in several properties, namely increased bioavailability, decreased toxicity of the parent drug, accurate delivery to target tissues or organs, and prevention of fast metabolism. Herein, we provide an overview of models currently in use of prodrug design with amino acids. Furthermore, we review the challenges related to the permeability of poorly absorbed drugs and transport and deliver on target organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Vale
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho, 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Abigail Ferreira
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- LAQV&REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Joana Matos
- SpiroChem AG, Rosental Area, WRO-1074-3, Mattenstrasse 24, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Paula Fresco
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Maria João Gouveia
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Foley DW, Pathak RB, Phillips TR, Wilson GL, Bailey PD, Pieri M, Senan A, Meredith D. Thiodipeptides targeting the intestinal oligopeptide transporter as a general approach to improving oral drug delivery. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 156:180-189. [PMID: 30006163 PMCID: PMC6107785 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.06.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The broad substrate capacity of the intestinal oligopeptide transporter, PepT1, has made it a key target of research into drug delivery. Whilst the substrate capacity of this transporter is broad, studies have largely been limited to small peptides and peptide-like drugs. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that a diverse range of drugs can be targeted towards transport by PepT1 using a hydrolysis resistant carrier. Eleven prodrugs were synthesized by conjugating modified dipeptides containing a thioamide bond to the approved drugs ibuprofen, gabapentin, propofol, aspirin, acyclovir, nabumetone, atenolol, zanamivir, baclofen and mycophenolate. Except for the aspirin and acyclovir prodrugs, which were unstable in the assay conditions and were not further studied, the prodrugs were tested for affinity and transport by PepT1 expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes: binding affinities ranged from approximately 0.1 to 2 mM. Compounds which showed robust transport in an oocyte trans-stimulation assay were then tested for transcellular transport in Caco-2 cell monolayers: all five tested prodrugs showed significant PepT1-mediated transcellular uptake. Finally, the ibuprofen and propofol prodrugs were tested for absorption in rats: following oral dosing the intact prodrugs and free ibuprofen were measured in the plasma. This provides proof-of-concept for the idea of targeting poorly bioavailable drugs towards PepT1 transport as a general means of improving oral permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Foley
- EPSAM Research Institute, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Ravindra B Pathak
- EPSAM Research Institute, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Theresa R Phillips
- EPSAM Research Institute, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Gayle L Wilson
- EPSAM Research Institute, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Patrick D Bailey
- EPSAM Research Institute, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
| | - Myrtani Pieri
- Department of Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; Department of Life and Health Sciences, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Nicosia, 46 Makedonitissas Avenue, CY-2417, P.O.Box 24005, CY-1700, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Anish Senan
- Department of Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - David Meredith
- Department of Biological & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK.
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Vig BS, Huttunen KM, Laine K, Rautio J. Amino acids as promoieties in prodrug design and development. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2013; 65:1370-85. [PMID: 23099277 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2012.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2012] [Revised: 10/07/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Prodrugs are biologically inactive agents that upon biotransformation in vivo result in active drug molecules. Since prodrugs might alter the tissue distribution, efficacy and the toxicity of the parent drug, prodrug design should be considered at the early stages of preclinical development. In this regard, natural and synthetic amino acids offer wide structural diversity and physicochemical properties. This review covers the use of amino acid prodrugs to improve poor solubility, poor permeability, sustained release, intravenous delivery, drug targeting, and metabolic stability of the parent drug. In addition, practical considerations and challenges associated with the development of amino acid prodrugs are also covered.
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Kolik LG, Konstantinopolsky MA, Ryibina IV, Povarnina PY, Gudasheva TA, Seredenin SB. Anxiolytic Activity of Dipeptide GB-115 after Oral Administration. Bull Exp Biol Med 2013; 155:200-3. [DOI: 10.1007/s10517-013-2112-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Cao F, Jia J, Yin Z, Gao Y, Sha L, Lai Y, Ping Q, Zhang Y. Ethylene Glycol-Linked Amino Acid Diester Prodrugs of Oleanolic Acid for PepT1-Mediated Transport: Synthesis, Intestinal Permeability and Pharmacokinetics. Mol Pharm 2012; 9:2127-35. [DOI: 10.1021/mp200447r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Feng Cao
- Department
of Pharmaceutics and §Center of Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, State
Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Jinghao Jia
- Department
of Pharmaceutics and §Center of Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, State
Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Zhi Yin
- Department
of Pharmaceutics and §Center of Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, State
Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Yahan Gao
- Department
of Pharmaceutics and §Center of Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, State
Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Lei Sha
- Department
of Pharmaceutics and §Center of Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, State
Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Yisheng Lai
- Department
of Pharmaceutics and §Center of Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, State
Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Qineng Ping
- Department
of Pharmaceutics and §Center of Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, State
Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
| | - Yihua Zhang
- Department
of Pharmaceutics and §Center of Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy, State
Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
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Eriksson AH, Varma MVS, Perkins EJ, Zimmerman CL. The intestinal absorption of a prodrug of the mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY354740 is mediated by PEPT1: in situ rat intestinal perfusion studies. J Pharm Sci 2010; 99:1574-81. [PMID: 19780137 DOI: 10.1002/jps.21917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
LY354740 is a potent mGlu2/3 agonist with a limited oral bioavailability. Its alanyl prodrug, LY544344, showed high affinity to the intestinal peptide transporter PEPT1, and improved the oral bioavailability of LY354740 in various animal models. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of in vivo absorption of the dipeptidic prodrug LY544344. The permeabilities of LY544344 and LY354740 were examined in the rat in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model. The intestinal absorptive flux of LY354740 was shown to be very low in comparison with LY544344. The absorptive flux of LY544344 could best be described by a Michaelis-Menten process in parallel with a linear process. The estimated parameters were: J(max) = 26.7 x 10(-5) micromol/(cm(2)-s), K(m) = 2.6 mM. The absorptive permeability of LY544344 was reduced to approximately 5% of control in the presence of excess Gly-Sar, a known PEPT1 substrate. Intracellular accumulation of LY354740 and LY544344, estimated postperfusion, showed high levels of LY354740 over LY544344 at all perfusate concentrations studied. However, there was a decline in the intracellular ratio of LY354740 to LY544344 at higher concentrations, suggesting that the metabolic activation to release LY354740 is saturable.
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Affiliation(s)
- André H Eriksson
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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Brandsch M. Transport of drugs by proton-coupled peptide transporters: pearls and pitfalls. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2009; 5:887-905. [DOI: 10.1517/17425250903042292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Foley D, Pieri M, Pettecrew R, Price R, Miles S, Lam HK, Bailey P, Meredith D. The in vitro transport of model thiodipeptide prodrugs designed to target the intestinal oligopeptide transporter, PepT1. Org Biomol Chem 2009; 7:3652-6. [DOI: 10.1039/b909221h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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