Synthesis and characterization of new copper(II) complex compounds with chlorhexidine. Part I

Spray-Flame Synthesis of LaFexCo1-xO3 (x = 0.2, 0.3) Perovskite Nanoparticles for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Water Splitting: Effect of Precursor Chemistry (Acetates and Nitrates)

The product properties of mixed oxide nanoparticles generated via spray-flame synthesis depend on an intricate interplay of solvent and precursor chemistries in the processed solution. The effect of two different sets of metal precursors, acetates and nitrates, dissolved in a mixture of ethanol (35 Vol.%) and 2-ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA, 65 Vol.%) was investigated for the synthesis of LaFe_xCo_1-xO₃ (x = 0.2, 0.3) perovskites. Regardless of the set of precursors, similar particle-size distributions (d_p = 8-11 nm) were obtained and a few particles with sizes above 20 nm were identified with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. Using acetates as precursors, inhomogeneous La, Fe, and Co elemental distributions were obtained for all particle sizes according to energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mappings, connected to the formation of multiple secondary phases such as oxygen-deficient La₃(Fe_xCo_1-x)₃O₈ brownmillerite or La₄(Fe_xCo_1-x)₃O₁₀ Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) structures besides the main trigonal perovskite phase. For samples synthesized from nitrates, inhomogeneous elemental distributions were observed for large particles only where La and Fe enrichment occurred in combination with the formation of a secondary La₂(Fe_xCo_1-x)O₄ RP phase. Such variations can be attributed to reactions in the solution prior to injection in the flame as well as precursor-dependent variations in in-flame reactions. Therefore, the precursor solutions were analyzed by temperature-dependent attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) measurements. The acetate-based precursor solutions indicated the partial conversion of, mainly La and Fe, acetates to metal 2-ethylhexanoates. In the nitrate-based solutions, esterification of ethanol and 2-EHA played the most important role. The synthesized nanoparticle samples were characterized by BET (Brunauer, Emmett, Teller), FTIR, Mössbauer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). All samples were tested as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts, and similar electrocatalytic activities were recorded when evaluating the potential required to reach 10 mA/cm² current density (∼1.61 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)).

Synthesis, Drug Release, and Antibacterial Properties of Novel Dendritic CHX-SrCl2 and CHX-ZnCl2 Particles

This work demonstrated for the first time the synthesis of novel chlorhexidine particles containing strontium and zinc, to provide an effective, affordable, and safe intervention in the treatment of recurrent infections found in Medicine and Dentistry. The CHX-SrCl₂ and CHX-ZnCl₂ particles were synthesized by co-precipitation of chlorhexidine diacetate (CHXD) and zinc chloride or strontium chloride, where particle size was manipulated by controlling processing time and temperature. The CHX-ZnCl₂ and CHX-SrCl₂ particles were characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XRD. UV-Vis using artificial saliva (pH 4 and pH 7) was used to measure the drug release and ICP-OES ion release. The antibacterial properties were examined against P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and F. nucleatum subsp. Polymorphum, and cytotoxicity was evaluated using mouse fibroblast L929 cells. The novel particles were as safe as commercial CHXD, with antibacterial activity against a range of oral pathogens. UV-Vis results run in artificial saliva (pH 4 and pH 7) indicated a higher release rate in acidic rather than neutral conditions. The CHX-ZnCl₂ particles provided the functionality of a smart Zinc and CHX release, with respect to environmental pH, allowing responsive antibacterial applications in the field of medicine and dentistry.

Biguanides: Species with versatile therapeutic applications

Biguanides are compounds in which two guanidine moieties are fused to form a highly conjugated system. Biguanides are highly basic and hence they are available as salts mostly hydrochloride salts, these cationic species have been found to exhibit many therapeutic properties. This review covers the research and development carried out on biguanides and accounts the various therapeutic applications of drugs containing biguanide group-such as antimalarial, antidiabetic, antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-tubercular, antifilarial, anti-HIV, as well as other biological activities. The aim of this review is to compile all the medicinal chemistry applications of this class of compounds so as to pave way for the accelerated efforts in finding the drug action mechanisms associated with this class of compounds. Importance has been given to the organic chemistry of these biguanide derivatives also.

Spectroscopic Study of the Molecular Structure of the New Hybrid with a Potential Two-Way Antibacterial Effect

Bacterial strains become resistant to almost all classes of antibiotics, which makes it necessary to look for new substitutes. The non-absorbable ciprofloxacin–biguanide bismuth complex, used locally, may be a good alternative to a conventional therapy. The purpose of this study was to study the structure of the proposed ciprofloxacin (CIP) -bismuth(III)—chlorhexidine (CHX) composite (CIP-Bi-CHX). The spectroscopic techniques such as UV-VIS (ultraviolet-visible) spectroscopy, FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared) spectroscopy and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy were used for structure characterization of the hybrid compound. The performed analysis confirmed the presence of the two active components—CIP and CHX and revealed the possible coordination sites of the ligands with bismuth ion in the metallo-organic structure. Spectroscopic study showed that the complexation between Bi(III) and CIP occurs through the carboxylate and ketone groups of the quinolone ring, while CHX combines with the central ion via the biguanide moieties.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Investigation of a Novel Chlorhexidine Cyclamate Complex

The synthesis, crystal structure, and antimicrobial efficacy are reported for a novel material comprising a 1:2 ratio of chlorhexidine (CHX) to N-cyclohexylsulfamate (i.e., artificial sweetener known as cyclamate). The chemical structure is unambiguously identified by incorporating a combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, correlation spectroscopy (COSY), and attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The new material: 1) is amongst only several reported structures identified to date incorporating the vital chlorhexidine antimicrobial drug; 2) exhibits broad spectrum antimicrobial activity at concentrations less than 15 μg/mL; and 3) provides a unique delivery method for the essential active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Furthermore, substitution of inactive gluconate with bioactive cyclamate counterion potentially provides the additional benefit of improving the taste profile of chlorhexidine.

Gold Nanorod Mediated Chlorhexidine Microparticle Formation and Near-Infrared Light Induced Release

Gold nanorods (GNR) are good light harvesting species for elaboration of near-infrared (NIR) responsive drug delivery systems. Herein, chlorhexidine microparticles are grown directly on the surface of gold nanorods and then stabilized with polyelectrolyte multilayer encapsulation, producing novel composite drug-GNR particles with high drug loading and NIR light sensitivity. Crystallization of chlorhexidine is caused by the ionic strength of the chloride solution that has been demonstrated via formation of a homogeneous porous spherical structure at 0.33 M CaCl₂. By introducing GNRs into the CaCl₂ solution, the nucleation of chlorhexidine molecules and size of produced spheres are affected, since GNRs act as sites for chlorhexidine nucleation. Similarly, when GNRs are replaced by chlorhexidine seeds (5.2 ± 1.7 μm), a core-shell crystal structure is observed. The encapsulated GNR/chlorhexidine composites are responsive to NIR light (840 nm) that increases the temperature at the chlorhexidine crystals, followed by microparticle dissolution and rupture of capsules which is illustrated with confocal microscopy and SEM. Furthermore, a stepwise burst release of chlorhexidine can be induced by multiple cycles of NIR light exposure. The GNR/chlorhexidine composites show good biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. The proposed method of antibacterial drug release may therefore indicate that this NIR responsive chlorhexidine composite may be useful for future clinical applications.

Novel Formulation of Chlorhexidine Spheres and Sustained Release with Multilayered Encapsulation

This work demonstrates the synthesis of new chlorhexidine polymorphs with controlled morphology and symmetry, which were used as a template for layer-by-layer (LbL) encapsulation. LbL self-assembly of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes onto the drug surface was used in the current work, as an efficient method to produce a carrier with high drug content, improved drug solubility and sustained release. Coprecipitation of the chlorhexidine polymorphs was performed using chlorhexidine diacetate and calcium chloride solutions. Porous interconnected chlorhexidine spheres were produced by tuning the concentration of calcium chloride. The size of these drug colloids could be further controlled from 5.6 μm to over 20 μm (diameter) by adjusting the coprecipitation temperature. The chlorhexidine content in the spheres was determined to be as high as 90%. These particles were further stabilized by depositing 3.5 bilayers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) on the surface. In vitro release kinetics of chlorhexidine capsules showed that the multilayer shells could prolong the release, which was further demonstrated by characterizing the remaining chlorhexidine capsules with SEM and confocal microscopy. The new chlorhexidine polymorph and LbL coating has created novel chlorhexidine formulations. Further modification to the chlorhexidine polymorph structure is possible to achieve both sustained and stimuli responsive release, which will enhance its clinical performance in medicine and dentistry.