Submission of Rifaximin to Different Techniques: Characterization, Solubility Study, and Microbiological Evaluation

Targeted delivery of rifaximin using P6.2-decorated bifunctional PLGA nanoparticles for combating Staphylococcus aureus infections

The emergence of antibiotic resistance makes the treatment of bacterial infections difficult and necessitates the development of alternative strategies. Targeted drug delivery systems are attracting great interest in overcoming the limitations of traditional antibiotics. Here, we aimed for targeted delivery of rifaximin (RFX) by decorating RFX-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) with synthetic P6.2 peptide, which was used as a targeting agent for the first time. Our results showed that encapsulation of RFX into NPs increased its antibacterial activity by improving its solubility and providing controlled release, while P6.2 modification allowed targeting of NPs to S. aureus bacterial cells. A promising therapeutic approach for bacterial infections, these P6.2-conjugated RFX-loaded PLGA NPs (TR-NP) demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against both strains of S. aureus. The antibacterial activity of RFX-loaded PLGA NPs (R-NP) showed significant results with an increase of 8 and 16-fold compared to free RFX against S. aureus and MRSA, respectively. Moreover, the activity of targeted nanoparticles was found to be increased 32 or 16-fold with an MBC value of 0.0078 μg/mL. All nanoparticles were found to be biocompatible at doses where they showed antimicrobial activity. Finally, it revealed that P6.2-conjugated targeted nanoparticles extremely accumulated in S. aureus rather than E. coli.

Moxifloxacin: Physical-chemical and Microbiological Analytical Methods in the Context of Green Analytical Chemistry

Moxifloxacin (MOX) is a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone used in the form of tablets, infusion solutions and ophthalmic solutions. It does not have a physical-chemical or microbiological analytical method described in an official compendium. However, the literature shows some analysis methods for pharmaceuticals and biological matrices. In this context, the objective is to show the analytical methods present in the literature for the investigation of MOX by physical-chemical and microbiological techniques, as well as discussing them according to the requirements of current pharmaceutical analyses and green analytical chemistry. Among the physical-chemical methods present in the literature for MOX evaluation, 33% are HPLC, 21% are UV-Vis and 17% are capillary electrophoresis. On the other hand, among the microbiological methods, all of them are based on diffusion in agar. There is still scope in the literature to incorporate new and improved analytical methods for MOX evaluation, which adopt the concepts of green and sustainable analytical chemistry, either by using less (or not using) toxic organic solvents, reducing waste generation or even reducing the analysis time according to the intended objectives.

Highly Polymorphic Materials and Dissolution Behaviour: The Peculiar Case of Rifaximin

Rifaximin is a locally acting antibiotic practically insoluble in water. It presents several crystal phases characterized by different degrees of hydration. The aim of this work is to investigate the dissolution behaviour of rifaximin α, β, and amorphous forms in relation to their relative thermodynamic stability to contribute to clarifying possible solvent- or humidity-mediated conversion patterns. Kinetic and intrinsic solubility were investigated along with particle size distribution, specific surface area, and external morphology. The solution and moisture mediated conversion from metastable α and amorphous forms to stable β form were elucidated by coupling intrinsic dissolution test with chemometric analysis as well as by dynamic vapour sorption measurements. The dissolution behaviour of the α form stems mainly from the transition to β form that occurs upon exposition to relative humidity higher than 40%. The α form converted more rapidly than the amorphous form due to the smaller supersaturation ratio. It can be concluded that, due to its marked tendency to transform into β form, the dissolution test for the α form, even if conducted according to compendial procedures, needs to be accompanied by a panel of further tests that allow to uniquely identify the solid phase under investigation.

Drug-plasticizer interactions causing solid state transitions of rifaximin

Solid phase interactions are often the reason for incompatibilities in solid dosage forms. A special situation occurs, if the incompatible compounds are able to migrate within the solid matrix. This study describes for the first time the migration of a plasticizer from the coating into the core and its interaction with the active ingredient located there. This behavior was observed in rifaximin gastro-resistant granules and resulted in the formation of solvates with altered dissolution behavior. For a detailed study, rifaximin was incubated with five plasticizers of different solubility and miscibility as well as different molecular geometry (linear vs branched), (dibutyl sebacate, tributyl citrate, triacetin, polyethylene glycol 400, and propylene glycol). The resulting solid states were analyzed by means of PXRD, supported by thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and quantitative H NMR. No direct correlation could be demonstrated between the resulting type of solvate/hydrate and the affinity of rifaximin with the respective plasticizers. Interestingly all plasticizers that are able to form type I solvates/hydrates have linear structures. This common feature, which distinguishes them from the more bulky TAC and TBC, seems to be a key characteristic. Rifaximin-PG-solvate formation was not only detected after direct incubation trials, but also observed in enteric coated granules.

Short-Stability Study of Rifaximin-Based Samples

BACKGROUND

Rifaximin is an oral antimicrobial with a daily dose ranging from 600 to 800 mg. It is classified as Class IV in the Biopharmaceutic Classification System. Thus, rifaximin-based samples were developed by complexation to β-cyclodextrin using a phase solubility diagram, and malaxation and decreasing particle size using wet milling.

OBJECTIVE

Concomitant to the pharmaceutical technology, a stability studywas undertaken with the objective of verifying the integrity of the drug.

METHODS

The stability of the new samples were studied for 6 months, without interruption, under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity in a climatic chamber. They were analyzed simultaneously by HPLC and microbiological turbidimetry at zero, 3, and 6 months.

RESULTS

Two of the samples follow second reaction order and one follows zero reaction order. Microbiological analysis proved to be important in assessing the potency of rifaximin in one of the samples, and its results were more consistent than the results by HPLC.

CONCLUSIONS

The rifaximin-based samples were stable under controlled temperature and humidity conditions and the physical-chemical and microbiological methods were able to evaluate their behavior during the 6-month study.

HIGHLIGHTS

It is worth considering the development of these products, since the design process of formulation and pharmaceutical technology is financially more attractive than the development of new drugs that require high levels of investment in research and development, innovation of public policies, and regulatory actions.

An Ecological and Miniaturized Biological Method for the Analysis of Daptomycin Potency

BACKGROUND

Physicochemical and microbiological methods are found in the literature for the analysis of daptomycin, an antimicrobial.

OBJECTIVE

This paper brings a miniaturized turbidimetric microbiological method for analysis of daptomycin in lyophilized powder.

METHODS

The method was performed using 96-well microplates, 4-h incubation, 2, 4 and 8 μg/mL, 7% Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 IAL 2082, and BHI broth.

RESULTS

Linearity was proven by obtaining analytical curves with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.99 and statistical evaluation by ANOVA. The method was also selective, since the standard and sample analytical curves were parallel, proving that the excipient does not interfere with daptomycin analysis. Intraday, interday and inter-analyst precision presented RSDs of 2, 2.27, and 1.08%, respectively. Accuracy was assessed by the recovery test, where known quantities of standard solution are added to the sample and an average recovery value of 100.73% (RSD = 0.71%) was obtained. The present method was robust when minor changes were made in the parameters of used antimicrobial volume, inoculum volume and incubation time.

CONCLUSIONS

This work is an innovative and ecological proposal and has advantages such as (i) less waste generation, (ii) miniaturized quantities of sample, culture media and inoculum, (iii) no need to use formaldehyde as in the traditional turbidimetric method, (iv) lower volume of glassware used and (v) shorter incubation time compared to other methods as agar diffusion requiring approximately 24 h.

HIGHLIGHTS

This work is focuses on a current, innovative and sustainable theme for pharmaceutical analysis around the world.

Designing, structural determination and biological effects of rifaximin loaded chitosan- carboxymethyl chitosan nanogel

Due to the poor solubility and permeability of rifaximin (RFX), it is not effective against intracellular pathogens although it shows strong activity against most bacteria. To develop an effective mucoadhesive drug delivery system with a targeted release in bacterial infection site, RFX-loaded chitosan (CS)/carboxymethyl-chitosan (CMCS) nanogel was designed and systematically evaluated. FTIR, DSC, and XRD demonstrated that the nanogel was formed by interactions between the positively charged NH₃⁺ on CS and CMCS, and the negatively charged COO on CMCS. RFX was encapsulated into the optimized nanogel in amorphous form. The nanogel was a uniform spherical shape with a mean diameter of 171.07 nm. It had excellent sustained release, strong mucin binding ability, and pH-responsive properties of quicker swelling and release at acidic pH. It showed low hemolytic ratio and high antioxidant activity. The present investigation indicated that the CS-nanogel could be potentially used as a promising bacterial responsiveness drug delivery system.

Current Status of Vancomycin Analytical Methods

BACKGROUND

The glycopeptide antibiotics are a class of antimicrobial drugs that are an important alternative for cases of bacterial infections resistant to penicillins, besides being able to be used to treat infections in people allergic to pencilin. They have great activity against Gram-positive microorganisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), by inhibiting the cell wall synthesis.

OBJECTIVE

There are many analytical methods in the literature for determination of antimicrobial glycopeptide vancomycin in different matrixes that are very effective; however, all of them use toxic solvents, contributing to the generation of waste, causing damage to the environment and to the operator, as well as increased costs of analysis.

RESULTS

The most prevailing method found was high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), followed by microbiological assays and, in less quantity, spectrometric methods. The chromatographic methods use organic solvents that are toxic, such as acetonitrile and methanol, and buffer solutions, that can damage the equipment and the column. In the microbiological assays the disc diffusion methods are still in the majority. The spectrophotometric methods were based in the UV-Vis region using buffer solutions as a diluent.

CONCLUSIONS

All these methods can become greener, following green analytical chemistry principles, which could bring benefits both to the environment and the operator, and reduce costs.

HIGHLIGHTS

In this paper, a literature review regarding analytical methods for determination of vancomycin was carried out with a suggestion of greener alternatives.