Eprosartan: a review of its use in hypertension

Lipid Horizons: Recent Advances and Future Prospects in LBDDS for Oral Administration of Antihypertensive Agents

The lipid-based drug delivery system (LBDDS) is a well-established technique that is anticipated to bring about comprehensive transformations in the pharmaceutical field, impacting the management and administration of drugs, as well as treatment and diagnosis. Various LBDDSs verified to be an efficacious mechanism for monitoring hypertension systems are SEDDS (self-nano emulsifying drug delivery), nanoemulsion, microemulsions, vesicular systems (transferosomes and liposomes), and solid lipid nanoparticles. LBDDSs overcome the shortcomings that are associated with antihypertensive agents because around fifty percent of the antihypertensive agents experience a few drawbacks including short half-life because of hepatic first-pass metabolism, poor aqueous solubility, low permeation rate, and undesirable side effects. This review emphasizes antihypertensive agents that were encapsulated into the lipid carrier to improve their poor oral bioavailability. Incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery, LBDDS holds promise in addressing the multifactorial nature of hypertension. By fine-tuning drug release profiles and enhancing drug uptake at specific sites, LBDDS can potentially target renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system components, sympathetic nervous system pathways, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which play crucial roles in hypertension pathophysiology. The future of hypertension management using LBDDS is promising, with ongoing reviews focusing on precision medicine approaches, improved biocompatibility, and reduced toxicity. As we delve deeper into understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying hypertension, LBDDS offers a pathway to develop next-generation antihypertensive therapies that are safer, more effective, and tailored to individual patient needs.

Metal-Promoted Heterocyclization: A Heterosynthetic Approach to Face a Pandemic Crisis

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has drastically changed our everyday life and the life of scientists from all over the world. In the last year, the scientific community has faced this worldwide threat using any tool available in order to find an effective response. The recent formulation, production, and ongoing administration of vaccines represent a starting point in the battle against SARS-CoV-2, but they cannot be the only aid available. In this regard, the use of drugs capable to mitigate and fight the virus is a crucial aspect of the pharmacological strategy. Among the plethora of approved drugs, a consistent element is a heterocyclic framework inside its skeleton. Heterocycles have played a pivotal role for decades in the pharmaceutical industry due to their high bioactivity derived from anticancer, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory capabilities. In this context, the development of new performing and sustainable synthetic strategies to obtain heterocyclic molecules has become a key focus of scientists. In this review, we present the recent trends in metal-promoted heterocyclization, and we focus our attention on the construction of heterocycles associated with the skeleton of drugs targeting SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

Synthesis of 2-Organylchalcogenopheno[2,3-b]pyridines from Elemental Chalcogen and NaBH4 /PEG-400 as a Reducing System: Antioxidant and Antinociceptive Properties

An alternative method to prepare 2-organylchalcogenopheno[2,3-b]pyridines was developed by the insertion of chalcogen species (selenium, sulfur or tellurium), generated in situ, into 2-chloro-3-(organylethynyl)pyridines by using the NaBH₄ /PEG-400 reducing system, followed by an intramolecular cyclization. It was possible to obtain a series of compounds with up to 93 % yield in short reaction times. Among the synthesized products, 2-organyltelluropheno[2,3-b]pyridines have not been described in the literature so far. Moreover, the compounds 2-phenylthieno[2,3-b]pyridine (3 b) and 2-phenyltelluropheno[2,3-b]pyridine (3 c) exhibited significant antioxidant potential in different in vitro assays. Further studies demonstrated that compound 3 b exerted an antinociceptive effect in acute inflammatory and non-inflammatory pain models, thus indicating the involvement of the central and peripheral nervous systems on its pharmacological action. More specifically, our results suggest that the intrinsic antioxidant property of compound 3 b might contribute to attenuating the nociception and inflammatory process on local injury induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA).

Enhanced dissolution/caco-2 permeability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic performance of re-dispersible eprosartan mesylate nanopowder

Eprosartan mesylate is an angiotensin receptor blocker which suffers from extremely poor bioavailability owing to its poor solubility and poor permeability. The rationale of the present work was to design the drug delivery system capable of overcoming these constraints. Nanoformulation of eprosartan mesylate was developed using ultrasonic wave-assisted liquid-antisolvent technique. Nanoformulation was further freeze dried with the addition of 1% of mannitol resulting in formation of re-dispersible EPM nanopowder. To prove our proof of principle, the re-dispersed nanopowder with z-average particle size 165.2 ± 1.8 nm was evaluated enormously for in-vitro dissolution behaviour and permeability assay through Caco-2 cell model. In-vitro dissolution study was performed at pH 1.2, pH 4.5 and pH 6.8. Result demonstrates enhanced dissolution from EPM nanopowder with negligible pH dependence. Transport studies accomplished using validated Caco-2 based cell model showed 11-fold enhanced apparent permeability of redispersed nanopowder when compared to pure EPM and corresponding physical mixture (p < 0.0001). In-vivo study reveals, exceptionally strong variations in plasma concentration of EPM through nanopowder (62 mg/kg) formulation when compared with physical mixture and pure EPM (62 mg/kg) group. Moreover, study manifests that 5-fold lower dose (12.4 mg/kg) of developed formulation yields higher exposure (4600 ± 36 ng·mL^-1·h) than pure EPM (2349 ± 34 ng·mL^-1·h) and corresponding physical mixture (2456 ± 49 ng·mL^-1·h) at therapeutic dose (62 mg/kg). Further, L-NAME induced hypertensive model was undertaken to investigate effect of reduced dose of EPM nanopowder on systolic blood pressure, biochemical analysis and histopathology of heart. Results revealed pronounced antihypertensive potential of re-dispersed EPM nanopowder at 5-fold lower dose (12.4 mg/kg). In conclusion, our study indicates that nanopowder delivery might be the promising approach for providing enhanced oral bioavailability at lower dose.

Synthesis of 2,3-bis-organochalcogenyl-benzo[b]chalcogenophenes promoted by Oxone®

We report here an alternative and tunable metal-free synthesis of benzo[b]chalcogenophenes via the electrophilic cyclization of 2-functionalized chalcogenoalkynes promoted by Oxone®.

A review on antioxidant potential of bioactive heterocycle benzofuran: Natural and synthetic derivatives

The majority of heterocycle compounds and typically common heterocycle fragments present in most pharmaceuticals currently marketed, alongside with their intrinsic versatility and unique physicochemical properties, have poised them as true cornerstones of medicinal chemistry. In this context, oxygen heterocycles exhibit diverse biological and pharmacological activities due in part to the similarities with many natural and synthetic molecules with known biological activity. Among oxygen containing heterocycles, benzofuran (synthetic and natural isolated) and its derivatives have attracted medicinal chemists and pharmacologists due to their pronounced biological activities and their potential applications as pharmacological agents such as antioxidant, antitumor, antiplatelet, antimalarial, antiinflammatory, antidepressant and anticonvulsant properties. There are also an amazing number of approved benzofuran-containing drugs in the market as well as compounds currently going through different clinical phases or registration statuses. Due to the wide range of biological activities of benzofurans, their structure activity relationships have generated interest among medicinal chemists, and this has culminated in the discovery of several lead molecules in numerous disease conditions. Recently, this scaffold has emerged as a pharmacophore of choice for designing antioxidant drug development as their derivatives have shown excellent results through different mechanism of action. This review focused on the recent development of benzofuran derivatives as antioxidant agents (including natural products) and their antioxidant activities; summarize the structure property, hoping to inspire new and even more creative approaches. Also, this study systematically provides a comprehensive report on current developments in benzofuran-based compounds as antioxidant agents and is also helpful for the researchers working on a substitution pattern around the nucleus, with an aim to help medicinal chemists to develop structure activity relationships (SAR) on these derivatives as antioxidant drugs.

OATP and MRP2-mediated hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of eprosartan in rat and human

BACKGROUND

Eprosartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure in clinical patients. The objective of this study was to clarify the mechanism underlying hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of eprosartan in rats and humans.

METHODS

Perfused rat liver in situ, rat liver slices, isolated rat hepatocytes and human organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP)-transfected cells in vitro were used in this study.

RESULTS

Extraction ratio of eprosartan was decreased by rifampicin in perfused rat livers. Uptake of eprosartan in rat liver slices and isolated rat hepatocytes was significantly inhibited by Oatp modulators such as ibuprofen, digoxin, rifampicin and cyclosporine A, but not by tetraethyl ammonium or p-aminohippurate. Uptake of eprosartan in rat hepatocytes indicated a saturable process. Although uptake of eprosartan in OATP1B3-human embryonic kidney cells (HEK) 293 cells was not observed, significant differences in cellular accumulations of eprosartan between vector- and OATP1B1-Madin-Darby canine kidney strain (MDCK) II cells were found in transcellular transport study. Moreover, cumulative biliary excretion rate of eprosartan in the presence of probenecid (Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) inhibitor) was significantly decreased in perfused rat livers. Vectorial basal-to-apical transport of eprosartan was also observed in OATP1B1/MRP2 double transfectants.

CONCLUSIONS

Eprosartan was transported by multiple Oatps (at least Oatp1a1 and Oatp1a4)/Mrp2 in rat and OATP1B1/MRP2, at least, in human.

A Review of the Use of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Essential Hypertension Without Compelling Indications

OBJECTIVE

To review the role of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with essential hypertension without other compelling indications.

DATA SOURCES

Peer-reviewed clinical trials, review articles, and relevant treatment guidelines were identified from MEDLINE and Current Content database (both 1966-November 15, 2012) using the search terms angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), azilsartan, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan, valsartan, hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and cardiovascular outcomes. Results were limited to human trials published in English. Citations from articles were also reviewed for additional references.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

The focus was on clinical trials evaluating cardiovascular end points of ARBs used in patients with essential hypertension without compelling indications.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Data supporting the use of ARBs for reducing cardiovascular events in patients with essential hypertension without compelling indications are inconsistent. To date, only candesartan and losartan have shown a significant reduction in cardiovascular morbidity within this sizable subgroup of patients. In the Study on Cognition and Prognosis in the Elderly (SCOPE) trial, candesartan showed a 27.8% reduction in nonfatal stroke versus placebo (95% CI 1.3–47.2; p = 0.04). Moreover, losartan demonstrated a decrease in all cardiovascular events compared to atenolol in the Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in the Losartan Intervention for Endpoint Reduction in Hypertension (LIFE) study (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.77–0.98; p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

Data supporting the use of ARBs for reducing cardiovascular events in patients with essential hypertension without compelling indications are limited and inconclusive. More studies are needed before ARBs can be routinely recommended as first-line therapy for hypertension management in patients without other compelling indications.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of valsartan in the post-myocardial infarction population

INTRODUCTION

The most common risk factors for heart failure are hypertension and myocardial infarction. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) attenuate the deleterious effects of angiotensin II. Valsartan is a once or twice daily ARB that is FDA-approved for hypertension, LV dysfunction post-myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure as both an adjunct in ACE-inhibitor tolerant, and alternative in ACE-I intolerant patients.

AREAS COVERED

This article presents a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of valsartan, with particular attention paid to the post-myocardial infarction population.

EXPERT OPINION

Valsartan is a safe, well-tolerated and readily titratable ARB. In addition to its vasodilatory effects there are pleotropic effects associated with the ARB such as modulation of a number of neurohormonal regulators, cytokines and small molecules. Given the clear evidence-based benefits above and beyond its hypertensive properties, it has the potential, if priced appropriately, to grow in its impact as a pharmacotherapeutic long after its patent expires.