On Complex Formation between 5-Fluorouracil and β-Cyclodextrin in Solution and in the Solid State: IR Markers and Detection of Short-Lived Complexes by Diffusion NMR

In this work, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and IR spectroscopic markers of the complexation between 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) in solid state and in aqueous solution are investigated. In the attenuated total reflectance(ATR) spectra of 5-FU/β-CD products obtained by physical mixing, kneading and co-precipitation, we have identified the two most promising marker bands that could be used to detect complex formations: the C=O and C-F stretching bands of 5-FU that experience a blue shift by ca. 8 and 2 cm-1 upon complexation. The aqueous solutions were studied by NMR spectroscopy. As routine NMR spectra did not show any signs of complexation, we have analyzed the diffusion attenuation of spin-echo signals and the dependence of the population factor of slowly diffusing components on the diffusion time (diffusion NMR of pulsed-field gradient (PFG) NMR). The analysis has revealed that, at each moment, ~60% of 5-FU molecules form a complex with β-CD and its lifetime is ca. 13.5 ms. It is likely to be an inclusion complex, judging from the independence of the diffusion coefficient of β-CD on complexation. The obtained results could be important for future attempts of finding better methods of targeted anticancer drug delivery.

Interaction between the photosensitizer lumichrome and human serum albumin: effect of excipients

Lumichrome (Lc) is a photodegradation product of riboflavin that can be used as a photosensitizer (PS) in antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). The binding of Lc with plasma proteins such as human serum albumin (HSA) could affect its efficiency as PS. Excipients are necessary to prepare stable formulations to be used in aPDT and they may affect the PS-HSA binding. Hydroxypropyl (HP)-α, β, γ-cyclodextrin (CD), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) and Pluronic^® F-127 (PF127) were selected as model excipients in this study. The intrinsic HSA fluorescence quenching and absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to evaluate the Lc-HSA interaction in the absence and presence of excipients. Nano-differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the effect of excipients on HSA. The photostability of the samples was also evaluated. The combined results showed a modest interaction between Lc and HSA which was reduced mainly by HPβCD. No major alterations of the HSA nano-DSC thermogram were observed after addition of excipients. HSA did enhance Lc photodegradation. The presence of PF127 did also induce photochemical destabilization of Lc independent of HSA. In conclusion, HPαCD, HPγCD and PEG400 seemed to be the excipients more suitable for use in topical preparations containing Lc.

Photophysical properties of 7-(diethylamino)coumarin-3-carboxylic acid in the nanocage of cyclodextrins and in different solvents and solvent mixtures

The photophysical properties of 7-(diethylamino) coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (7-DCCA) were studied in cyclodextrins (α, β, γ,-CDs), different neat solvents and solvent mixtures by using steady state absorption, emission and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We have observed that with gradual increase in concentration of β-CD the fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime decreased in a regular pattern whereas with gradual increase in concentration of γ-CD the fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime gradually increased. With addition of urea, the fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime of 7-DCCA in CDs increased. Binding constant calculation shows that 7-DDCA forms 1:1 complex with β-CD and with γ-CD it forms 1:1 and 1:2 (guest:host) inclusion complex. We proposed that the dye molecule formed capping complex with β-CD by means of hydrogen bonding and after addition of urea the hydrogen bonding network broke down and part of dye molecule entered inside the cavity of β-CD. The photophysics of 7-DCCA was studied in dioxane-water mixture and ethylene glycol-acetonitrile mixture to know the effect of polarity and viscosity of the media. The photophysics of 7-DCCA was also studied in different neat solvents. It was found that the photophysics of 7-DCCA depended on the structural feature of the solvents and solvent mixtures.