Structural Elucidation of Minor Components of Peptidyl Antibiotic P168s (Leucinostatins) by Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Tandem mass spectrometry with a four-sector type mass spectrometer was used to elucidate the structures of minor components of the peptidyl antibiotic P168s (leucinostatins). As N-terminal fragments, ions by B-type cleavage were dominant, while V-type cleavages were observed along with X, Y, and Z types as C-terminal ions. The V-type ions were predominant in the cleavages of the amino terminals of leucyl and hydroxyleucyl residues. The structures of several minor components could be deduced from the tandem mass spectra.

Evaluation of the mechanical destructive force in the stomach of dog

Orally administered dosage forms receive a destructive force in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract due to peristalsis. In this study, the destructive force was measured with a 'destructive force-dependent release system' (DDRS). DDRS is a press-coated tablet with an extremely brittle outer layer composed of highly hydrophobic Teflon(R) powder, which is molded with a weak compression force. Teflon(R) powder forms a porous but water-impermeable layer around the core tablet. A marker drug contained in the core tablet is released only when the tablet receives a force larger than its pre-determined crushing strength. A comparison of the physiological conditions in the GI tract of dogs with those of humans, including the destructive force against tablets in the stomach, helps us to understand their difference in bioavailability of oral dosage forms. With DDRS, it is possible to evaluate the destructive force of both human and dog stomach using the same method. Therefore, the destructive force data from human and dog can be directly compared. The destructive force in the dog stomach was evaluated to be 3.2 N, which was considerably stronger than that of humans.

A unique dosage form to evaluate the mechanical destructive force in the gastrointestinal tract

The purpose of this study was to prepare tablets that could evaluate the destructive force in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Many factors are known to affect in vivo drug release from oral dosage forms. There is still relatively little information on the mechanical destructive force in the GI tract. Press-coated tablets with an extremely brittle outer layer were developed using a unique, highly hydrophobic Teflon powder that could be shaped with weak compression force. A marker drug contained in the tablets was released only when the tablets received a force larger than its predetermined crushing strength. We referred to this type of tablet as a 'destructive force dependent release system' (DDRS). A total of nine healthy, male subjects were orally administered the tablets under fed and/or fasting conditions. Tablets with a predetermined crushing strength of 1.50 N were crushed by all of the four subjects who took them under fed conditions and two of the five subjects under fasting conditions. Tablets with a crushing strength of 1.89 N were crushed by two of the six subjects who took them under fed conditions and none of the five subjects under fasting conditions. The range of mechanical destructive force in the human stomach was obtained.

High-resolution LC/MS for analysis of minor components in complex mixtures: negative ion ESI for identification of impurities and degradation products of a novel oligosaccharide antibiotic

High-resolution mass spectrometry has been routinely used for structural confirmation and identification; however, it has mostly been applied to relatively pure samples. Exact mass measurement of minor components such as impurities, degradation products or metabolites in complex mixtures has been difficult without prior separation and isolation. Here we report the utilization of on-line liquid chromatography in combination with high-resolution mass spectrometry for the identification of impurities and base degradation products of Sch 27899, a member of the everninomicin class of antibiotics. Nine Sch 27899-related impurities and degradation products were detected by negative ion electrospray ionization using a magnetic sector mass spectrometer. Exact mass measurements were obtained at a resolution of 5000 using polyethylene glycol (PEG) sulfates as internal standards. Corresponding elemental compositions were determined within a 2 ppm error tolerance and structures were proposed for all components.

The skin permeation mechanism of ketotifen: evaluation of permeation pathways and barrier components in the stratum corneum

To evaluate the pathways and barrier components in the stratum corneum (SC) for the permeation of ketotifen, the effect of delipidization on the permeation and partition was examined under several donor pHs. Assuming that ionized ketotifen (KTH+) and un-ionized ketotifen (KT) contribute independently in both permeation and partition, the intrinsic permeability coefficients and SC/water partition coefficients of both species were estimated. Delipidization enlarged the permeability of KTH+ 100 times. This suggested that the lipid phase functions as the barrier against KTH+. KT has an intrinsic permeability 100 times larger than that of KTH+. Delipidization did not result in a significant change in permeability of KT. This suggested that the permeability of KT through the lipid phase is comparable to that through the aqueous phase in delipidized SC; that is, the lipid phase functions as a highly permeable pathway for KT. On the other hand, the permeability coefficient of KT through delipidized SC was 1/34 of that through the pure aqueous layer, which had a thickness equivalent to SC. Since this suggests that the permeability of KT through the proteinaceous phase is much lower than that through the aqueous phase, the proteinaceous phase can be assumed to function as a barrier against the permeation of KT. From these results, it is concluded that the predominant permeation pathway for KT is through the lipid phase. The SC/water partition coefficient of KT was cut in half by delipidization, but the value was still more than 100. These results show that the proteinaceous phase functions not only as the barrier, but also as the depot for KT. The knowledge obtained here will be useful for formulation design and for the selection of enhancers in a transdermal therapeutic system of ketotifen.

Factors influencing the diffusion-controlled release of papaverine from poly (L-lactic acid) matrix

Effects of drug content and medium pH on the release of papaverine (PAP) from biodegradable poly(l-lactic acid) [P(L)LA] matrix were investigated to reveal the predominant factors affecting the two-stage diffusion-controlled release mechanism. A drug-dissolved cylindrical matrix (rod; 10 mmx1 mm diameter) was prepared by heat compression method. In the case of a PAP content below 10%, pH was found to have a strong effect on the release rate, and drug content was found to have no effect on the release profile. The release profile consisted of two sequential diffusion stages due to P(L)LA transformation from amorphous to the semicrystalline state prior to release. In the first release stage PAP diffused through the swollen matrix. The release accelerated with increasing medium pH due to an increase in water content in the acidic P(L)LA rod. In the second release stage PAP diffused through the water-filled micropores developed as a result of the polymer crystallization. On the assumption that the drug partition between the polymer and the medium in the micropores affects the diffusion and the partition is controlled by pH, we derived a modified diffusion kinetic equation. The observation that the release decelerated with increasing medium pH can be explained by the derived equation as resulting from the increase in the drug partition to the polymer. In the case where the rods contained more than 15% of PAP, the drug precipitated out as crystals during release. Accordingly, these rods showed a slower release.

Structural analysis of new syringopeptins by tandem mass spectrometry

New syringopeptins SP(SC)-1 and -2 were isolated from culture filtrates of phytopathogenic bacterium strain SC1 of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. These syringopeptins were composed of a beta-hydroxy fatty acid, a long sequence of aliphatic amino acids. and a lactone moiety of eight amino acids. The amino acid sequences were deduced from a comparison of their tandem mass sepctra with those of known syringopeptins SP-22a and SP-25a. SP(SC)-1 and SP(SC)-2 resembled SP-22a, but differed from the latter by 3 amino acids.

Two new quinochalcone yellow pigments from Carthamus tinctorius and Ca2+ antagonistic activity of tinctormine

Two new quinochalcone C-glycosides, hydroxysafflor yellow A (1a) and tinctormine (2a), were isolated from Carthamus tinctorius L. (Compositae) together with carthamin, safflor yellow B and safflomin C. The structures of 1a and 2a have been determined by spectroscopic methods including heteronuclear multiple-bond multiple-quantum coherence and linked scan FAB-MS. The latter compound (2a) was demonstrated to have potent Ca2+ antagonistic action.

Direct determination of opium alkaloid-bovine serum albumin conjugate by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

Opium alkaloids (thebaine, codeine and morphine) have been conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) to give individual antigen conjugates which are analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. It became clear that 9 molecules of thebaine were contained in a thebaine-BSA conjugate. Codeine and morphine contents in individual conjugates were determined to be 12 and 6 molecules, respectively.

Factors affecting microencapsulability in simple gelatin coacervation method

Microencapsulation by way of simple coacervation by gelatin was examined. Five kinds of core material and six kinds of coacervation-inducing agent (CIA) were chosen and the encapsulability of each combination was studied. Some core materials are easily encapsulated, others are difficult to encapsulate, and some show a dependency of encapsulability on the CIA. Electrophoresis and gelatin adsorption studies revealed that encapsulation by way of simple coacervation by gelatin is caused by the affinity between core and coacervate resulting from gelatin adsorption on the core surface. These studies further revealed that cores onto which a large amount of gelatin has been adsorbed before coacervation can be encapsulated.

Core treatment for improving microencapsulability in simple gelatin coacervation method

In microencapsulation by way of simple coacervation by gelatin, some core materials are encapsulated easily, whilst others are difficult to encapsulate or show an encapsulability dependent on the coacervation-inducing agent. The treatment of core materials to improve encapsulability was studied. It was found that core particle encapsulability can be improved by recrystallization from aqueous solution of an ionic polymer. Electrophoresis, microscopical observation and pH dependency of encapsulability of recrystallized cores revealed that the electrostatic attractive force between gelatin molecules in solution and a polymer attached to the core particle cause gelatin adsorption on the core surface to result in a great improvement in encapsulability.