Chirality of antidepressive drugs: an overview of stereoselectivity

Design and synthesis of S-citalopram-imprinted polymeric sorbent: Characterization and application in enantioselective separation

The current work describes the efficient creation and employment of a new S-citalopram selective polymeric sorbent, made from poly(divinylbenzene-maleic anhydride-styrene). The process began by using suspension polymerization technique in the synthesis of poly(styrene-maleic anhydride-divinylbenzene) microparticles. These were then modified with ethylenediamine, developing an amido-succinic acid-based polymer derivative. The S-citalopram, a cationic molecule, was loaded onto these developed anionic polymer particles. Subsequently, the particles were post-crosslinked using glyoxal, which reacts with the amino group residues of ethylenediamine. S-citalopram was extracted from this matrix using an acidic solution, which also left behind stereo-selective cavities in the S-citalopram imprinted polymer, allowing for the selective re-adsorption of S-citalopram. The attributes of the polymer were examined through methods such as 13C NMR, FTIR, thermogravemetric and elemental analyses. SEM was used to observe the shapes and structures of the particles. The imprinted polymers demonstrated a significant ability to adsorb S-citalopram, achieving a capacity of 878 mmol/g at a preferred pH level of 8. It proved efficient in separating enantiomers of (±)-citalopram via column methods, achieving an enantiomeric purity of 97 % for R-citalopram upon introduction and 92 % for S-citalopram upon release.

Expanding the Role of Chiral Drugs and Chiral Nanomaterials as a Potential Therapeutic Tool

Chirality, the property of molecules having mirror-image forms, plays a crucial role in pharmaceutical and biomedical research. This review highlights its growing importance, emphasizing how chiral drugs and nanomaterials impact drug effectiveness, safety, and diagnostics. Chiral molecules serve as precise diagnostic tools, aiding in accurate disease detection through unique biomolecule interactions. The article extensively covers chiral drug applications in treating cardiovascular diseases, CNS disorders, local anesthesia, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, and anticancer drugs. Additionally, it explores the emerging field of chiral nanomaterials, highlighting their suitability for biomedical applications in diagnostics and therapeutics, enhancing medical treatments.

Investigation of the immunological effects of escitalopram oxalate in the breast cancer co-culture model

Background

During breast cancer treatment, approximately half of the patients are prescribed psychotropic medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Escitalopram oxalate is an SSRI used as an antidepressant.

Objectives

In this study, by creating a breast cancer microenvironment with THP-1, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer co-culture models were created.

Methods

MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and THP-1 cell lines to determine the concentration range of the cytotoxic effect of escitalopram oxalate MTS and MTT test were used. IC50 values were determined by the xCELLigence real-time cell analysis (RTCA) system. Apoptotic activities and cytokine levels were determined by flow cytometry.

Results

In the xCELLigence real-time analysis made according to the results, the IC50 value of escitalopram oxalate was measured as 13.7 μM for MCF-7 and 10.9 μM for MDA-MB-231. The IC50 value was measured as 54.6 μM for MCF-7 and 58.4 μM for MDA-MB-231 in xCELLigence analysis with tamoxifen. According to the MTS test results, the IC50 value of tamoxifen for THP-1 was 92.03 μM and the IC50 value for escitalopram oxalate was 95.32 μM. In the co-culture model, the immunological effects of escitalopram oxalate on MCF-7 cells were 2.8%, 11.1%, 15.6%, 10.6%, and 12.1% for interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α, respectively, while MDA effects on MB-231 cells, respectively, were 2.1%, 15.9%, 16.2%, 8.8%, and 11.8%.

Conclusions

According to the results obtained, it was concluded that the immunological effects of escitalopram oxalate are more effective than tamoxifen and that it can be used as an adjunctive agent in breast cancer treatment.

Stereoselective analysis of chiral pesticides: a review

Chiral organic pollutants, including pesticides, herbicides, medicines, flame retardants, and polycyclic musk, represent a significant threat to both the environment and human health. The presence of asymmetric centers in the structure of chiral pesticides introduces stereoisomers with distinct distributions, fates, biomagnification capacities, and cytotoxicities. In aquatic environments, pesticides, as persistent/pseudo-persistent compounds, have been detected in substantial quantities, posing severe risks to non-target species and, ultimately, public health through water supply and food exposures. In response to this environmental challenge, stereoselective analytical methods have gained prominence for the identification of pesticide/drug enantiomers in recent years. This review examines the environmental impact of chiral pesticides, emphasizing the distinct biological activities and distribution patterns of their stereoisomers. By highlighting the advancements in liquid chromatography for enantiomeric analysis, the review aims to underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of these pollutants to facilitate informed remediation strategies and ensure the safer dispersal of chiral organic pollutants in the environment, thereby addressing the potential risks they pose to ecosystems and human health. Future research should focus on developing sustainable and efficient methodologies for the precise analysis of stereoisomers in complex matrices, particularly in sewage water, emphasizing the importance of sewage processing plants in ensuring water quality.