Development and Validation of an HPLC-UV Detection Assay for the Determination of Clonidine in Mouse Plasma and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of a Novel Estrogen-Targeted PEGylated Oxaliplatin Liposome for Gastric Cancer

Background

Chemotherapy is still the main first-line treatment for advanced metastatic gastric cancer, but it has the limitations of serious side effects and drug resistance. Conventional liposome has been substantially used as drug carriers, but they lack targeting character with lower drug bioavailability in tumor tissues. Based on the above problems, a novel estrogen-targeted PEGylated liposome loaded with oxaliplatin (ES-SSL-OXA) was prepared to further improve the metabolic behavior, the safety profile, and the anti-tumor efficacy of oxaliplatin.

Methods

Four kinds of oxaliplatin (OXA) liposomes were prepared by film hydration method. The obtained formulations were characterized in terms of entrapment efficiency (EE), particle size, and so on by HPLC and DLS (dynamic light scanning). The morphology of ES-SSL-OXA was detected by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The in vitro and in vivo targeting effect of ES-SSL-OXA was verified by fluorescence microscopy and in vivo imaging system in gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901) and tumor-bearing athymic mice. The in vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacies of ES-SSL-OXA were investigated on SGC-7901 cells and athymic tumor-bearing mice. Pharmacokinetic, biodistribution, and acute toxicity tests of ES-SSL-OXA were performed on ICR mice.

Results

The ES-SSL-OXA exhibited an average particle size of about 153.37 nm with an encapsulation efficiency of 46.20% and low leakage rates at 4°C and 25°C. In vivo and in vitro targeting study confirmed that ES-SSL-OXA could effectively target the tumor site. The antitumor activity demonstrated the strongest inhibition in tumor growth of ES-SSL-OXA. Pharmacokinetics and acute toxicity study showed that ES-SSL-OXA could significantly improve the metabolic behavior and toxicity profile of oxaliplatin.

Conclusion

In this study, a novel estrogen-targeted long-acting liposomal formulation of OXA was successfully prepared. ES fragment effectively targeted the delivery system to tumor tissues which highly express estrogen receptor, providing a promising therapeutic method for gastric cancer in clinic.

Comparison of clonidine and cyproheptadine determination in animal-derived foods by sweeping-micellar electrokinetic chromatography and large volume sample stacking-capillary zone electrophoresis

This study establishes a method for rapid detection of clonidine and cyproheptadine in foods of animal origin. In order to obtain the best detection method, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), large volume sample stacking (LVSS), and sweeping-micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (sweeping-MEKC) were used respectively. The limits of detection (LODs) of clonidine and cyproheptadine by LVSS-CZE were 0.028 μg mL−1 and 0.034 μg mL−1, and those by sweeping-MEKC were 0.023 μg mL−1 and 0.031 μg mL−1, respectively. Compared with the CZE method, the two online pre-concentration technologies have greatly improved the detection sensitivity and achieved good enrichment results. However, compared with the sweeping-MEKC system, the LVSS system consumed a longer time and was greatly affected by the actual sample matrix. The sweeping-MEKC method was proved to be suitable for real sample analysis. Under the best sweeping-MEKC conditions, clonidine and cyproheptadine could be well separated within 8 min and good linear relationships in the range of 0.1–1.0 μg mL−1 (r 2 > 0.99) were obtained. This method was successfully applied to the determination of clonidine and cyproheptadine in animal-derived foods with the recoveries of 82.3%–90.1% and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 3.11%. The sweeping-MEKC method is simple to operate and has great potential in the rapid detection of clonidine and cyproheptadine in animal-derived foods.

Sweeping-micellar electrokinetic chromatography versus reversed phase liquid chromatography for the determination of coumarin in curry

Coumarin is a phytotoxin found in the popular spice cinnamon, which is used to flavor many Asian curry dishes. In this work, we developed and compared the analytical performance of reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) and sweeping-micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) methods for the determination of coumarin in complex curry (gravy) samples. Using a matrix matched sample (curry after solvent extraction with methanol and diluted with 100 mM phosphoric acid), the intra-day and inter-day repeatability of retention/migration time and (corrected) peak area for both methods were acceptable (%RSD (n=6) ≤ 5%). The linear range and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were an order of magnitude better in RP-LC (RP-LC linear range = 0.11-108 mg/kg, LOQ = 0.11 mg/kg) (Sweeping-MEKC linear range = 2.16-216 mg/kg, LOQ = 2.16 mg/kg). However, the limit of detection (S/N=3) and LOQ in sweeping-MEKC was 0.65 mg/kg and 2.16 mg/kg, which were sufficient to report the levels of coumarin ≥ the European limit of 2 mg/kg in foods. During the analysis of 25 curry samples, relatively similar results for sweeping-MEKC and RP-LC were obtained for 6 samples that contained coumarin >LOQ of sweeping-MEKC. Interferences in RP-LC lead to significant overestimation of coumarin levels in 3 samples. Coumarin levels above the EU limit was found in 6 curry samples using the more selective sweeping-MEKC. This work should also raise public awareness on the presence of potentially high levels of coumarin in some foods.

Fluorimetric Analysis of Five Amino Acids in Chocolate: Development and Validation

Amino acids present ergogenic action, helping to increase, protect, and restore the muscular system of young athletes. Moreover, the encapsulation of five relevant amino acids in chocolate pellet form will appeal to them, facilitating their daily consumption. A reliable HPLC fluorimetric method was developed to detect and quantitatively determine L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Histidine, L-Valine, and β-Alanine in chocolate using aniline as an internal standard. Experimental design methodology was used to investigate and optimize the clean-up procedure of the samples. Therefore, three extraction techniques (solid-phase extraction (by two different SPE cartridges) and liquid–solid extraction (LSE)) were compared and evaluated. The LOQ values in chocolate varied from 24 to 118 ng/g (recovery 89.7–95.6%, %RSD < 2.5). Amino acids were pre-column derivatized with o-phthalaldehyde (OPA), while derivatization parameters were thoroughly investigated by experimental design methodology. The analysis was performed by HPLC-fluorescence (emission: λ = 455 nm, excitation: λ = 340 nm) method using a C₁₈ column and a mixture of phosphate buffer (pH = 2.8; 20 mM)-methanol as a mobile phase in gradient elution. The method was validated (r² > 0.999, %RSD < 2, LOD: 10 ng mL⁻¹ for histidine and leucine, 2 ng mL⁻¹ for alanine and valine, and 4 ng mL⁻¹ for Isoleucine) according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines.

Preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of a clonidine hydrochloride drug-resin suspension as a sustained-release formulation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to prepare a clonidine hydrochloride (CH) sustained-release suspension.

METHODS

The processes involved in the drug formulation included drug loading, impregnating, and suspension preparation. Clonidine hydrochloride drug-resin complexes (CH-DRC) were prepared using the bath method and the CH-DRC impregnated before the microencapsulation process. Based on the bottom spray fluidized bed coating method, the CH microencapsulated drug-resin complexes (CH-MC) were also prepared using Surelease^® (the suspension of ethyl cellulose aqueous dispersion) as the coating material. The effects of coating (process/formulation) on the in vitro release of coating microcapsule were evaluated via single factor investigation and orthogonal design optimization. The CH-MC with optimized formulation was further dispersed in a suitable medium to obtain a sustained-release suspension. Rats were given commercial CH ordinary tablets and the CH sustained-release suspension via intragastric administration. The plasma concentration-time curve and related pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated using the non-compartment model.

RESULTS

The T_max of the CH sustained-release suspension was delayed from 2 h to 5 h compared with the CH ordinary tablets. Similarly, the C_max was reduced from 32.138 µg·mL^-1 to 18.150 µg·mL^-1 with the concentration-time curve being more gentle compared with the commercially CH ordinary tablets. After oral administration, the relative bioavailability of CH sustained-release suspension (AUC_0-24 of 137.703 µg·h·mL^-1) to its CH ordinary tablets (AUC_0-24 of 123.337 µg·h·mL^-1) was 111.65%.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings showed that the CH sustained-release suspension for oral administration was successfully formulated.