RESUMEN

There is a lack of FDA-approved tocolytics for the management of preterm labor (PL). In prior drug discovery efforts, we identified mundulone and mundulone acetate (MA) as inhibitors of in vitro intracellular Ca2+-regulated myometrial contractility. In this study, we probed the tocolytic potential of these compounds using human myometrial samples and a mouse model of preterm birth. In a phenotypic assay, mundulone displayed greater efficacy, while MA showed greater potency and uterine-selectivity in the inhibition of intracellular-Ca2+ mobilization. Cell viability assays revealed that MA was significantly less cytotoxic. Organ bath and vessel myography studies showed that only mundulone exerted inhibition of myometrial contractions and that neither compounds affected vasoreactivity of ductus arteriosus. A high-throughput combination screen identified that mundulone exhibits synergism with two clinical-tocolytics (atosiban and nifedipine), and MA displayed synergistic efficacy with nifedipine. Of these combinations, mundulone+atosiban demonstrated a significant improvement in the in vitro therapeutic index compared to mundulone alone. The ex vivo and in vivo synergism of mundulone+atosiban was substantiated, yielding greater tocolytic efficacy and potency on myometrial tissue and reduced preterm birth rates in a mouse model of PL compared to each single agent. Treatment with mundulone after mifepristone administration dose-dependently delayed the timing of delivery. Importantly, mundulone+atosiban permitted long-term management of PL, allowing 71% dams to deliver viable pups at term (>day 19, 4-5 days post-mifepristone exposure) without visible maternal and fetal consequences. Collectively, these studies provide a strong foundation for the development of mundulone as a single or combination tocolytic for management of PL.

Asunto(s)

Productos Biológicos , Trabajo de Parto Prematuro , Nacimiento Prematuro , Tocolíticos , Femenino , Recién Nacido , Ratones , Animales , Humanos , Tocolíticos/farmacología , Tocolíticos/uso terapéutico , Nacimiento Prematuro/tratamiento farmacológico , Nifedipino/farmacología , Nifedipino/uso terapéutico , Mifepristona/uso terapéutico , Productos Biológicos/uso terapéutico , Trabajo de Parto Prematuro/tratamiento farmacológico

RESUMEN

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation system that disassembles cytoplasmic components through autophagosomes fused with lysosomes. Recently, it has been reported that autophagy is associated with cardiovascular diseases, including pulmonary hypertension, atherosclerosis, and myocardial ischemia. However, the involvement of autophagy in hypertension is not well understood. In the present study, we hypothesized that excessive autophagy contributes to the dysfunction of mesenteric arteries in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertensive mice. Treatment of an autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), reduced the elevated blood pressure and wall thickness, and improved endothelium-dependent relaxation in mesenteric arteries of Ang II-treated mice. The expression levels of autophagy markers, beclin1 and LC3 II, were significantly increased by Ang II infusion, which was reduced by treatment of 3-MA. Furthermore, treatment of 3-MA induced vasodilation in the mesenteric resistance arteries pre-contracted with U46619 or phenylephrine, which was dependent on endothelium. Interestingly, nitric oxide production and phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p-eNOS) at S1177 in the mesenteric arteries of Ang II-treated mice were increased by treatment with 3-MA. In HUVECs, p-eNOS was reduced by Ang II, which was increased by treatment of 3-MA. 3-MA had direct vasodilatory effect on the pre-contracted mesenteric arteries. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), Ang II induced increase in beclin1 and LC3 II and decrease in p62, which was reversed by treatment of 3-MA. These results suggest that autophagy inhibition exerts beneficial effects on the dysfunction of mesenteric arteries in hypertension.

Asunto(s)

Angiotensina II , Hipertensión , Adenina/análogos & derivados , Angiotensina II/metabolismo , Angiotensina II/farmacología , Animales , Autofagia , Beclina-1/metabolismo , Presión Sanguínea , Endotelio Vascular , Hipertensión/inducido químicamente , Hipertensión/metabolismo , Arterias Mesentéricas , Ratones , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Vasodilatación

RESUMEN

The pentacyclic triterpenoid quinone methide celastrol (CS) from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. effectively ameliorates inflammation with potential as therapeutics for inflammatory diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and inflammation-resolving features of CS are incompletely understood. Here we demonstrate that CS potently inhibits the activity of human 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), the key enzyme in pro-inflammatory leukotriene (LT) formation, in cell-free assays with IC50 = 0.19-0.49 µM. Employing metabololipidomics using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes or M1 macrophages we found that CS (1 µM) potently suppresses 5-LOX-derived products without impairing the formation of lipid mediators (LM) formed by 12-/15-LOXs as well as fatty acid substrate release. Intriguingly, CS induced the generation of 12-/15-LOX-derived LM including the specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) resolvin D5 in human M2 macrophages. Finally, intraperitoneal pre-treatment of mice with 10 mg/kg CS strongly impaired zymosan-induced LT formation and simultaneously elevated the levels of SPM and related 12-/15-LOX-derived LM in peritoneal exudates, spleen and plasma in vivo. Conclusively, CS promotes a switch from LT biosynthesis to formation of SPM which may underlie the anti-inflammatory and inflammation-resolving effects of CS, representing an interesting pharmacological strategy for intervention with inflammatory disorders.

Asunto(s)

Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Leucotrienos/metabolismo , Metabolismo de los Lípidos/efectos de los fármacos , Inhibidores de la Lipooxigenasa/farmacología , Triterpenos Pentacíclicos/farmacología , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/química , Araquidonato 5-Lipooxigenasa/metabolismo , Vías Biosintéticas/efectos de los fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Humanos , Inflamación/tratamiento farmacológico , Inflamación/metabolismo , Inhibidores de la Lipooxigenasa/química , Masculino , Ratones , Simulación del Acoplamiento Molecular , Triterpenos Pentacíclicos/química , Tripterygium/química

RESUMEN

The pharmacology of cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive major component of Cannabis sativa, is of growing interest as it becomes more widely prescribed. This study aimed to examine the effects of cannabidiol on a wide range of contractile agents in rat small resistance arteries, in comparison with large arteries, and to explore its mechanism of action. The vascular actions of cannabidiol were also contrasted with effects on the contractions of bronchial, urogenital, cardiac and skeletal muscles. Isolated small or large arteries were incubated with cannabidiol (0.3-3 µM) or vehicle and concentration-contraction response curves were completed to various agents, including endothelin-1, arginine vasopressin, methoxamine, 5-HT, α-methyl 5-HT and U46619. In small arteries, the effects of cannabidiol were tested in the presence of antagonists of CB1 or CB2 receptors, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase, PPARγ or a combination. The role of L-type voltage-operated calcium channels was also assessed. Cannabidiol 1-3 µM significantly inhibited the contraction of small resistance arteries to all tested agents through a combination of mechanisms that include CGRP and L-type calcium channels. However, large arteries were insensitive to cannabidiol. Cannabidiol (10-100 µM) was largely without effect in bronchi, atria and hemidiaphragm, but 100 µM attenuated maximum contractions in vasa deferentia. Cannabidiol's effects in the clinical range (1-3 µM) appear to be specific to small resistance arteries. This high sensitivity of the resistance arterial circulation to cannabidiol may offer a therapeutic opportunity in peripheral vascular disease that excludes off-target sites such as the heart and non-vascular smooth muscle.

Asunto(s)

Péptido Relacionado con Gen de Calcitonina/metabolismo , Bloqueadores de los Canales de Calcio/farmacología , Canales de Calcio Tipo L/efectos de los fármacos , Cannabidiol/farmacología , Arterias Mesentéricas/efectos de los fármacos , Vasodilatación/efectos de los fármacos , Vasodilatadores/farmacología , Animales , Canales de Calcio Tipo L/metabolismo , Señalización del Calcio , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Masculino , Arterias Mesentéricas/metabolismo , Ratas Sprague-Dawley

RESUMEN

The risk of thrombosis, a globally growing challenge and a major cause of death, is influenced by various factors in the intravascular coagulation, vessel wall, and cellular systems. Among the contributors to thrombosis, the contact activation system and the kallikrein/kinin system, two overlapping plasma proteolytic systems that are often considered as synonymous, regulate thrombosis from different aspects. On one hand, components of the contact activation system such as factor XII initiates activation of the coagulation proteins promoting thrombus formation on artificial surfaces through factor XI- and possibly prekallikrein-mediated intrinsic coagulation. On the other hand, physiological activation of plasma prekallikrein in the kallikrein/kinin system on endothelial cells liberates bradykinin from associated high-molecular-weight kininogen to stimulate the constitutive bradykinin B2 receptor to generate nitric oxide and prostacyclin to induce vasodilation and counterbalance angiotensin II signaling from the renin-angiotensin system which stimulates vasoconstriction. In addition to vascular tone regulation, this interaction between the kallikrein/kinin and renin-angiotensin systems has a thrombo-regulatory role independent of the contact pathway. At the level of the G-protein coupled receptors of these systems, defective bradykinin signaling due to attenuated bradykinin formation and/or decreased B2 receptor expression, as seen in murine prekallikrein and B2 receptor null mice, respectively, leads to compensatory overexpressed Mas, the receptor for angiotensin-(1-7) of the renin-angiotensin system. Mas stimulation and/or its increased expression contributes to maintaining a healthy vascular homeostasis by generating graded elevation of plasma prostacyclin which reduces thrombosis through two independent pathways: (1) increasing the vasoprotective transcription factor Sirtuin 1 to suppress tissue factor expression, and (2) inhibiting platelet activation. This review will summarize the recent advances in this field that support these understandings. Appreciating these subtle mechanisms help to develop novel anti-thrombotic strategies by targeting the vascular receptors in the renin-angiotensin and the kallikrein/kinin systems to maintain healthy vascular homeostasis.

Asunto(s)

Coagulación Sanguínea , Sistema Calicreína-Quinina/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas/metabolismo , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Sistema Renina-Angiotensina , Trombosis/sangre , Animales , Epoprostenol/metabolismo , Humanos , Precalicreína/metabolismo , Proto-Oncogenes Mas , Receptor de Bradiquinina B2/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Sirtuina 1/metabolismo

RESUMEN

The fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla is often used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat dementia and memory defects. In this study, we isolated a novel acidic polysaccharide (AOP70-2-1) from A. oxyphylla fruit. Structural analysis showed that AOP70-2-1 consists of ß-D-GlcAp-(1→, →2,3,6)-α-D-Galp-(1→, α-L-Araf-(1→, →2,5)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →3,4)-α-D-Xylp-(1→, →3,6)-ß-D-Manp-(1→, and α-L-Rhap-(1→. Morphological analysis indicated that AOP70-2-1 had an irregular sheet structure. The crude polysaccharide (AOP70) from A. oxyphylla significantly improved learning and memory ability of Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice, and AOP70 exhibited comparable or even better effects than huperzine A. Most important, AOP70 reduced NO, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and PGE-2 concentrations to normal levels. AOP70-2-1 significantly inhibited NO production in lipopolysaccharide stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Note that the effect of 2.6 µM AOP70-2-1 was superior to indomethacin. AOP70-2-1 also remarkably decreased the values of IL-6 and TNF-α. AOP70-2-1 may be a bioactive component of AOP70 and has the potential for the treatment of AD.

Asunto(s)

Alpinia , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/tratamiento farmacológico , Antiinflamatorios , Fármacos Neuroprotectores , Polisacáridos , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/sangre , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/química , Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Línea Celular , Dinoprostona/sangre , Frutas , Interleucina-1beta/sangre , Masculino , Ratones , Estructura Molecular , Fármacos Neuroprotectores/química , Fármacos Neuroprotectores/farmacología , Óxido Nítrico/sangre , Polisacáridos/química , Polisacáridos/farmacología , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/sangre

RESUMEN

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Fruits of Crataegus songarica K. Koch. (Rosaceae) are commonly used in folk medicine for their diuretic properties to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. To date, no scientific data has been published to support the diuretic potential. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to evaluate efficacy and mechanism underlying the hypotensive and diuretic action of C. songarica in normotensive rats and to determine the constituents from the extracts by LC-DAD-MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Firstly, phytochemical profiling and antioxidant potential of C. songarica extracts was determined. Then, to evaluate changes in blood pressure, different groups of anesthetized normotensive rats were intravenously treated with crude extract (CS-Cr, 10-80 mg/kg), aqueous soluble (AS-CS, 0.1-20 mg/kg), and n-butanol soluble fractions of C. songarica (BS-CS, 1-80 mg/kg). The diuretic effects of CS-Cr (100-500 mg/kg, p.o), AS-CS (100-300 mg/kg, p.o) and BS-CS (100-300 mg/kg, p.o) were evaluated in comparison with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, 10 mg/kg, p.o). The urinary volume, sodium, potassium and pH were estimated in the sample collected for 6 h from saline-loaded rats. Using pharmacological antagonists or inhibitors, we determine the involvement of acetylcholine, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide in C. songarica induced hypotensive and diuresis action. In addition, the activities of angiotensin converting enzyme, erythrocytary carbonic anhydrase and renal Na+/K+/ATPase were evaluated in vitro. RESULTS: From the LC-DAD-MS analyses, thirty-nine compounds were detected, showing a complex chemical profile and an expressive antioxidant activity "in vitro". Acute treatment with CS-Cr, AS-CS, and BS-CS exhibited significant hypotensive and diuretic potential in normotensive rats. However, AS-CS produced most potent and significant dose-dependent hypotension in normotensive rats, and also produced highly significant diuretic and saluretic effects. Despite the changes in urinary excretion of electrolytes, the plasmatic levels of sodium and potassium were not changed. Previous treatment with atropine and L-NAME significantly reduced the hypotensive and diuretic action of AS-CS in normotensive rats. Moreover, the 7-day treatment with AS-CS also resulted in significant ACE inhibitory activity. CONCLUSION: This research supports and extends the ethnomedicinal use of C. songarica as diuretic and hypotensive agent. The results showed that AS-CS from C. songarica could present compounds responsible for hypotensive and diuretic activities with no signs of toxicity, and these effects could involve nitric oxide pathway activated by muscarinic receptors or/and inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme.

Asunto(s)

Antihipertensivos/farmacología , Crataegus/química , Diuréticos/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Animales , Antihipertensivos/administración & dosificación , Antihipertensivos/aislamiento & purificación , Presión Sanguínea/efectos de los fármacos , Cromatografía Liquida , GMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Diuréticos/administración & dosificación , Diuréticos/aislamiento & purificación , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Espectrometría de Masas , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/administración & dosificación , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Sistema Renina-Angiotensina/efectos de los fármacos

RESUMEN

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder, which is treated surgically and/ or pharmacologically with an unmet clinical need for new therapeutics. A completed phase I trial and a recent phase II trial that investigated the steroidal aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) inhibitor BAY1128688 in endometriosis patients prompted this critical assessment on the role of AKR1C3 in endometriosis. This review includes an introduction to endometriosis with emphasis on the roles of prostaglandins and progesterone in its pathophysiology. This is followed by an overview of the major enzymatic activities and physiological functions of AKR1C3 and of the data published to date on the expression of AKR1C3 in endometriosis at the mRNA and protein levels. The review concludes with the rationale for using AKR1C3 inhibitors, a discussion of the effects of AKR1C3 inhibition on the pathophysiology of endometriosis and a brief overview of other drugs under clinical investigation for this indication.

Asunto(s)

Miembro C3 de la Familia 1 de las Aldo-Ceto Reductasas/antagonistas & inhibidores , Endometriosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Miembro C3 de la Familia 1 de las Aldo-Ceto Reductasas/metabolismo , Animales , Endometriosis/enzimología , Endometrio/enzimología , Femenino , Humanos

RESUMEN

Efficacy and safety profiles of different pharmacological interventions used to treat patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are relatively unexplored. Integrating the findings of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with those from observational studies may provide key evidence on this important issue. We aimed at estimating the relative likelihood of failure to close the PDA, need for surgical closure, and occurrence of adverse events among preterm and full-term infants treated with indomethacin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, placebo, or no treatment including both RCTs and observational studies. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Register of Controlled Trials from inception to October 30, 2018. We first estimated proportions of subjects with failure to close the PDA, subjects in whom surgical closure was performed after pharmacological treatment, death, and subjects with selected adverse events (AEs). These estimates were obtained using frequentist random-effect meta-analysis of arm-specific proportions. We then compared active drugs with each other and with control (either placebo or no treatment) by summarizing results at the end of treatment reported in the papers, regardless of number of administration(s), dose, route and type of administration, and study design and quality. We also summarized primary outcome results separately at first, second and third cycles of treatment. These estimates were obtained using Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis for mixed comparisons, and frequentist random-effect pairwise meta-analysis for direct comparisons. We included 64 RCTs and 24 observational studies including 14,568 subjects (5339 in RCTs and 9229 in observational studies, 8292 subjects received indomethacin, 4761 ibuprofen, 574 acetaminophen, and 941 control (including placebo or no intervention).The proportion of subjects with failure to close the PDA was 0.24 (95% Confidence Interval, CI: 0.20, 0.29) for indomethacin, 0.18 (0.14, 0.22) for ibuprofen, 0.19 (0.09, 0.30) for acetaminophen, and 0.59 (0.48, 0.69) for control. At end of treatment, compared to control, we found inverse associations between all active drugs and failure to close PDA (for indomethacin Odds Ratio, OR, was 0.17 [95% Credible Interval, CrI: 0.11-0.24], ibuprofen 0.19 [0.12-0.28], and acetaminophen 0.15 [0.09-0.26]), without differences among active drugs. We showed inverse associations between effective drugs and need for surgical closure, as compared to control (for indomethacin OR was 0.28 [0.15-0.50], ibuprofen 0.30 [0.16-0.54], and acetaminophen 0.19 [0.07-0.46]), without differences among drugs. Indomethacin was directly associated with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (1.27; 1.00, 1.62) compared to ibuprofen, and to oliguria as compared to ibuprofen (3.92; 1.69, 9.82) or acetaminophen (10.8; 1.86, 93.1). In conclusion, active pharmacological treatment, with indomethacin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, is inversely associated with failure to close the PDA compared to non-treatment. Ibuprofen should be preferred to indomethacin to avoid occurrence of IVH or oliguria, acetaminophen should be preferred to indomethacin to avoid oliguria.

Asunto(s)

Conducto Arterioso Permeable/tratamiento farmacológico , Preparaciones Farmacéuticas/administración & dosificación , Teorema de Bayes , Ensayos Clínicos como Asunto , Humanos , Metaanálisis en Red , Estudios Observacionales como Asunto , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto

RESUMEN

The number of models for assessing the solubility of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in polymeric matrices on the one hand and the extent of available associated data on the other hand has been rising steadily in the past few years. However, according to our knowledge an overview on the methods used for prediction and the respective experimental data is missing. Therefore, we compiled experimental data, the techniques used for their determination and the models used for estimating the solubility. Our focus was on polymers commonly used in spray drying and hot-melt extrusion to form amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs), namely polyvinylpyrrolidone grades (PVP), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer (copovidone, COP), polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft polymer (Soluplus®, SOL), different types of methacrylate copolymers (PMMA), polyethylene glycol grades (PEG) and hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose grades (HPMC). The literature data were further supplemented by our own results. The final data set included 37 APIs and two sugar derivatives. The majority of the prediction models was constituted by the melting point depression method, dissolution endpoint measurements, indirect solubility determination by Tg and the use of low molecular weight analogues. We observed that the API solubility depended more on the working group which conducted the experiments than on the measuring technique used. Furthermore, this compilation should assist researchers in choosing a prediction method suited for their investigations. Furthermore, a statistical assessment using recursive feature elimination was performed to identify descriptors of molecules, which are connected to the API solubility in polymeric matrices. It is capable of predicting the criterium 20% API soluble at 100 °C (Yes/No) for an unknown compound with a balanced accuracy of 71%. The identified 8 descriptors to be connected to API solubility in polymeric matrices were the number of hydrogen bonding donors, three descriptors related to the hydrophobicity of the molecule, glass transition temperature, fractional negative polar van der Waals surface area, out-of-plane potential energy and the fraction of rotatable bonds. Finally, in addition to our own model, the data set should help researchers in training their own solubility prediction models.

Asunto(s)

Preparaciones Farmacéuticas/química , Polímeros/química , Solubilidad/efectos de los fármacos , Química Farmacéutica/métodos , Composición de Medicamentos/métodos , Derivados de la Hipromelosa/química , Polietilenglicoles/química , Polivinilos/química , Povidona/análogos & derivados , Povidona/química , Pirrolidinas/química , Temperatura de Transición , Compuestos de Vinilo/química

RESUMEN

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Folk knowledge transmitted between generations allows traditional populations to maintain the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of several diseases. In this context, the species Terminalia fagifolia Mart., native to Brazil, is used for the treatment of chronic and infectious diseases. Plants rich in secondary metabolites, such as this species and their derivatives, may represent therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of diseases that reduce the quality of life of people. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal and anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous fraction from ethanolic extract of T. fagifolia, with in silico study of the major compound of the fraction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The phytochemical study of the aqueous fraction was performed by HPLC, LC/MS and NMR. The antifungal activity was evaluated against yeasts, by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration. The effect on Candida albicans was analyzed by AFM. The antibiofilm potential against biofilms of C. albicans was also tested. The anti-inflammatory potential of the aqueous fraction was evaluated in vivo by the carrageenan-induced paw edema and peritonitis. A microglial model of LPS-induced neuroinflammation was also studied. Further insights on the activation mechanism were studied using quantum chemistry computer simulations. Toxicity was evaluated in the Galleria mellonella and human erythrocytes models. RESULTS: Eschweilenol C was identified as the major constituent of the aqueous fraction of the ethanolic extract of T. fagifolia. The aqueous fraction was active against all Candida strains used (sensitive and resistant to Fluconazole) with MICs ranging from 1000 to 0.4 µg/mL. By AFM it was possible to observe morphological alterations in treated Candida cells. The fraction significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited paw edema and decreased levels of malondialdehyde induced by carrageenan. In a microglial cell model, aqueous fraction demonstrated the ability to inhibit NF-κB after induction with lipopolysaccharide. The theoretical studies showed structural similarity between eschweilenol C and indomethacin and an excellent antioxidant potential. The aqueous fraction did not present toxicity in the studied models. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the aqueous fraction of T. fagifolia has potential for biomedical applications with low toxicity. This finding can be attributed to the predominance of eschweilenol C in the aqueous fraction.

Asunto(s)

Antiinflamatorios , Antifúngicos , Ácido Elágico , Compuestos Heterocíclicos de 4 o más Anillos , Extractos Vegetales , Terminalia , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Antiinflamatorios/uso terapéutico , Antifúngicos/farmacología , Antifúngicos/uso terapéutico , Candida albicans/efectos de los fármacos , Candida albicans/crecimiento & desarrollo , Carragenina , Cryptococcus neoformans/efectos de los fármacos , Cryptococcus neoformans/crecimiento & desarrollo , Edema/inducido químicamente , Edema/tratamiento farmacológico , Ácido Elágico/farmacología , Ácido Elágico/uso terapéutico , Eritrocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Femenino , Compuestos Heterocíclicos de 4 o más Anillos/farmacología , Compuestos Heterocíclicos de 4 o más Anillos/uso terapéutico , Humanos , Masculino , Ratones , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Microglía/efectos de los fármacos , Microglía/metabolismo , FN-kappa B/metabolismo , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico

RESUMEN

In order to further explain the ability of gelatin 50PS and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to generate supersaturation of a series of poorly soluble drugs (carbamazepine, cinnarizine, diazepam, itraconazole, nifedipine, indomethacin, darunavir (ethanolate), ritonavir, fenofibrate, griseofulvin, ketoconazole, naproxen, phenylbutazone and phenytoin), drug-polymer binding was investigated using solution NMR and equilibrium dialysis experiments. Binding characteristics of the biopolymers were compared to those of PVP, PVPVA and HPMC. Since both biopolymers are prone to enzymatic digestion, we evaluated the influence of proteolytic enzymes like pepsin and pancreatin on the dissolution properties of poorly soluble compounds when formulated as amorphous solid dispersions with gelatin 50PS and BSA. Evidence is being presented that supports the importance of drug-polymer binding in inducing and stabilizing supersaturation of poorly soluble drugs and enhancing dissolution from ASDs. In fact, BSA displayed drug binding with nearly all tested model drugs while in case of gelatin 50PS binding was observed for 5 out of 12 drugs. Addition of pepsin or pancreatin during dissolution of the biopolymer-containing ASDs leads to a drop in the concentration of the drug pointing to enzymatic digestion of the gelatin and BSA. However, after digestion, these formulations still outperformed their crystalline counterparts.

Asunto(s)

Portadores de Fármacos/química , Gelatina/química , Preparaciones Farmacéuticas/química , Albúmina Sérica Bovina/química , Liberación de Fármacos , Pancreatina/química , Pepsina A/química

RESUMEN

AIMS: Several natural products have been evaluated for management of gastric ulcer induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Safranal, a plant-derived chemical, has a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was aimed to evaluate possible gastro-protective effects of safranal against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Lansoprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) was used as a reference drug. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty rats were divided into five groups. Groups 1 and 2 received vehicle. Groups 3, 4 and 5 treated with 0.063, 0.25 and 1 mg/kg safranal. Group 6 received 30 mg/kg lansoprazole. All groups except of group 1 received indomethacin (50 mg/kg) ingestion. Six hours later, animals were euthanized and their stomachs were removed. Gastric contents volume and pH were measured. Gastric ulcer area and protective index were evaluated using image J software. Histological changes were evaluated by light microscope. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) content, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Caspase-3 levels were determined in the gastric tissue. KEY FINDINGS: Safranal and lansoprazole normalized gastric volume and pH, reduced gastric ulcer area and produced gastric protection. Indomethacin-induced histological changes and tissue biochemical alterations were ameliorated by the above-mentioned treatments. SIGNIFICANCE: The results of the present study suggest the involvement of anti-secretory, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms in gastro-protective effect of safranal. In addition, gastro-protective effect of safranal was comparable to lansoprazole.

Asunto(s)

Antiulcerosos/farmacología , Ciclohexenos/farmacología , Indometacina/toxicidad , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Sustancias Protectoras/farmacología , Úlcera Gástrica/prevención & control , Terpenos/farmacología , Animales , Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/toxicidad , Crocus/química , Masculino , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Úlcera Gástrica/inducido químicamente , Úlcera Gástrica/patología

RESUMEN

Simulation of HME processes is a valuable tool for increased process understanding and ease of scale-up. However, the experimental determination of all required input parameters is tedious, namely the melt rheology of the amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) in question. Hence, a procedure to simplify the application of hot-melt extrusion (HME) simulation for forming amorphous solid dispersions (ASD) is presented. The commercial 1D simulation software Ludovic® was used to conduct (i) simulations using a full experimental data set of all input variables including melt rheology and (ii) simulations using model-based melt viscosity data based on the ASDs glass transition and the physical properties of polymeric matrix only. Both types of HME computation were further compared to experimental HME results. Variation in physical properties (e.g. heat capacity, density) and several process characteristics of HME (residence time distribution, energy consumption) among the simulations and experiments were evaluated. The model-based melt viscosity was calculated by using the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the investigated blend and the melt viscosity of the polymeric matrix by means of a Tg-viscosity correlation. The results of measured melt viscosity and model-based melt viscosity were similar with only few exceptions, leading to similar HME simulation outcomes. At the end, the experimental effort prior to HME simulation could be minimized and the procedure enables a good starting point for rational development of ASDs by means of HME. As model excipients, Vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer (COP) in combination with various APIs (carbamazepine, dipyridamole, indomethacin, and ibuprofen) or polyethylene glycol (PEG 1500) as plasticizer were used to form the ASDs.

Asunto(s)

Simulación por Computador , Modelos Químicos , Análisis Numérico Asistido por Computador , Preparaciones Farmacéuticas/química , Tecnología Farmacéutica/métodos , Carbamazepina/química , Dipiridamol/química , Composición de Medicamentos , Ibuprofeno/química , Indometacina/química , Transición de Fase , Plastificantes/química , Polietilenglicoles/química , Pirrolidinas/química , Reología , Programas Informáticos , Temperatura de Transición , Compuestos de Vinilo/química , Viscosidad

RESUMEN

Cyclosporine, the prototype calcineurin inhibitor, transformed immunosuppressant regimens and practices post-organ transplantation. Therapeutic uses of cyclosporine branched out to include management of different autoimmune disorders. However, multiple additional effects posed significant clinical challenges in face of the prolonged nature of cyclosporine use. Significantly, cyclosporine produced nephrotoxic, cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects in addition to alteration of hemodynamic function. These adverse effects are shared with other drug groups further complicating the therapeutic situation to include potential exacerbation in case of drug interactions. The potential for detrimental outcomes increases with commonly used drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also notorious for their deleterious renal and cardiovascular effects. Herein, we review the available experimental and clinical evidence describing the mechanisms and the outcomes of interactions between the two drug classes. Special attention is given to the divergent toxic effects of co-administration of cyclosporine with selective vs. non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibiting non-steroidal drugs.

Asunto(s)

Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/farmacología , Ciclosporina/farmacología , Inmunosupresores/farmacología , Animales , Presión Sanguínea/efectos de los fármacos , Interacciones Farmacológicas , Corazón/efectos de los fármacos , Corazón/fisiología , Humanos , Riñón/efectos de los fármacos , Riñón/fisiología , Músculo Liso Vascular/efectos de los fármacos , Músculo Liso Vascular/fisiología , Miocitos del Músculo Liso/efectos de los fármacos , Miocitos del Músculo Liso/fisiología

RESUMEN

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide important benefits to millions of patients, but are associated with a number of serious adverse events. These adverse drug reactions are an important clinical issue and a serious public health risk. While most unfortunate responses in human to NSAIDs are mild and may disappear after decreasing the dose or withdrawal of the drug, some of them can produce serious outcomes. Currently, little is known regarding the effects of NSAIDs on global RNA expression in normal, non-transformed cells. Therefore, in this report, the effect of NSAIDs, COX-nonspecific and COX-2-specific inhibitors, indomethacin and nimesulide respectively, commonly used medications worldwide for the reduction of pain, fever, inflammation and stiffness, on transcriptomic signature of human dermal fibroblasts was investigated. A total of 3803 differentially expressed genes with a fold change greater than or equal to 1.3 and below than or equal to 0.7 for whole genome transcripts, with a P value of < 0.05 were identified in response to all applied conditions. We found that although the total number of deregulated genes was relatively high at such criteria, changes in fibroblast transcriptome profile after treatment at selected experimental conditions were however smallish, as the selected drugs slightly modulate transcriptome with only a few genes with expression altered a bit more than twice. Nevertheless, transcriptomic data has its own limitations and it cannot reflect all post-transcriptional changes, which in turn may cause same risks, especially for a long time of medication.

Asunto(s)

Antiinflamatorios no Esteroideos/administración & dosificación , Fibroblastos/efectos de los fármacos , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Seguridad , Piel/citología , Transcriptoma/efectos de los fármacos , Ciclo Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Fibroblastos/citología , Humanos , Factores de Tiempo

RESUMEN

Upon oral administration the solubility of a drug in intestinal fluid is a key property influencing bioavailability. It is also recognised that simple aqueous solubility does not reflect intestinal solubility and to optimise in vitro investigations simulated intestinal media systems have been developed. Simulated intestinal media which can mimic either the fasted or fed state consists of multiple components each of which either singly or in combination may influence drug solubility, a property that can be investigated by a statistical design of experiment technique. In this study a design of experiment covering the full range from the lower limit of fasted to the upper limit of fed parameters and using a small number of experiments has been performed. The measured equilibrium solubility values are comparable with literature values for simulated fasted and fed intestinal fluids as well as human fasted and fed intestinal fluids. The equilibrium solubility data range is statistically equivalent to a combination of published fasted and fed design of experiment data in six (indomethacin, phenytoin, zafirlukast, carvedilol, fenofibrate and probucol) drugs with three (aprepitant, tadalafil and felodipine) drugs not equivalent. In addition the measured equilibrium solubility data sets were not normally distributed. Further studies will be required to determine the reasons for these results however it implies that a single solubility measurement without knowledge of the solubility distribution will be of limited value. The statistically significant media factors which promote equilibrium solubility (pH, sodium oleate and bile salt) were in agreement with published results but the number of determined significant factors and factor interactions was fewer in this study, lecithin for example did not influence solubility. This may be due to the reduction in statistical sensitivity from the lower number of experimental data points or the fact that using the full range will examine media parameters ratios that are not biorelevant. Overall the approach will provide an estimate of the solubility range and the most important media factors but will not be equivalent to larger scale focussed studies. Further investigations will be required to determine why some drugs do not produce equivalent DoE solubility distributions, for example combined fasted and fed DoE, but this simply may be due to the complexity and individuality of the interactions between a drug and the media components.

Asunto(s)

Ayuno , Secreciones Intestinales/química , Intestinos/fisiología , Modelos Biológicos , Preparaciones Farmacéuticas , Administración Oral , Ácidos y Sales Biliares , Humanos , Solubilidad

RESUMEN

ETHOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Persea major (Meisn.) L.E. Kopp (Lauraceae) (botanical synonym: Persea pyrifolia (D. Don) Spreng, Persea pyrifolia Nees and Mart., Persea cordata var. major (Meisn.) Mez and Persea willdenovii Kosterm) is a medicinal plant native in the south of Brazil, where is popularly known as Pau de Andrade, Maçaranduba or Abacate-do-Mato. Its barks are commonly used to prepare an infusion which is administered orally or topically to treat ulcers and wounds, respectively. Thus, this study has been undertaken to contribute to the validation of the popular use of P. major to treat of ulcerative disorders from gastrointestinal system, using different experimental models in rodents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Firstly, ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrophotometer has been performed. Next, the potential gastroprotective of hydroalcoholic extract of P. major barks (HEPM) (30-300mg/kg) has been evaluated in ulcer models acute as: ethanol, ethanol/HCl and indomethacin-induced ulcer. The extract (300mg/kg) has been also tested in acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer model. Histological, toxicological, histochemical, oxidative stress and gastric secretion parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: The main compounds found in HEPM were polyphenols as condensed tannins, flavonoids heterosides derivatives from quercetin and kaempferol. HEPM (300mg/kg, p.o) prevented gastric lesions induced by ethanol or indomethacin in rats by 58.98% and 97.48%, respectively, compared to vehicle group (148.00±14.83mm2 and 12.07±1.61mm2, respectively). In acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer model the HEPM (300mg/kg, p.o) reduced the ulcer are by 40.58%, compared to vehicle group (127.90±12.04mm2). The healing effect was confirmed histologically, by an increase in mucin content and by the reduction in oxidative and inflammatory parameters at the ulcer site. Neither significant effect on gastric acid secretion nor toxicological effects and cytotoxicity were provoked by administration of HEPM. CONCLUSIONS: The results allows to conclude that HEPM exerts gastroprotective and gastric cicatrizing effects favoring on protective defenses, but not possess antisecretory effect in contrast to the current antiulcer therapy, besides the extract present good tolerability and absence of cytotoxicity. Moreover, the results presented here contribute to the validation to the popular use of the P. major in the treatment of gastric ulcer.

Asunto(s)

Antiulcerosos/farmacología , Persea/química , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Úlcera Gástrica/tratamiento farmacológico , Animales , Antiulcerosos/química , Masculino , Fitoquímicos , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/química , Plantas Medicinales , Factores Protectores , Ratas

RESUMEN

Systematic in-vitro studies have been conducted to determine the ability of a range of 10 potential hydrotropes to improve the apparent aqueous solubility of the poorly water soluble drug, indomethacin. Solubilisation of the drug in the presence of the hydrotropes was determined experimentally using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet (UV) detection. These experimental data, together with various known and computed physicochemical properties of the hydrotropes were thereafter used in silico to train an artificial neural network (ANN) to allow for predictions of indomethacin solubilisation. The trained ANN was found to give highly accurate predictions of indomethacin solubilisation in the presence of hydrotropes and was thus shown to provide a valuable means by which hydrotrope efficacy could be screened computationally. Interrogation of the network connection weights afforded a quantitative assessment of the relative importance of the various hydrotrope physicochemical properties in determining the extent of the enhancement in indomethacin solubilisation. It is concluded that in-silico screening of drug/hydrotrope systems using artificial neural networks offers significant potential to reduce the need for extensive laboratory testing of these systems, and could thus provide an economy in terms of reduced costs and time in drug formulation development.

Asunto(s)

Química Farmacéutica/métodos , Indometacina/química , Aprendizaje Automático , Redes Neurales de la Computación , Solubilidad

RESUMEN

New theoretical screening procedure was proposed for appropriate selection of potential cocrystal formers possessing the ability of enhancing dissolution rates of drugs. The procedure relies on the training set comprising 102 positive and 17 negative cases of cocrystals found in the literature. Despite the fact that the only available data were of qualitative character, performed statistical analysis using binary classification allowed to formulate quantitative criterions. Among considered 3679 molecular descriptors the relative value of lipoaffinity index, expressed as the difference between values calculated for active compound and excipient, has been found as the most appropriate measure suited for discrimination of positive and negative cases. Assuming 5% precision, the applied classification criterion led to inclusion of 70% positive cases in the final prediction. Since lipoaffinity index is a molecular descriptor computed using only 2D information about a chemical structure, its estimation is straightforward and computationally inexpensive. The inclusion of an additional criterion quantifying the cocrystallization probability leads to the following conjunction criterions Hmix<-0.18 and ΔLA>3.61, allowing for identification of dissolution rate enhancers. The screening procedure was applied for finding the most promising coformers of such drugs as Iloperidone, Ritonavir, Carbamazepine and Enthenzamide.

Asunto(s)

Preparaciones Farmacéuticas/química , Carbamazepina/química , Cristalización , Liberación de Fármacos , Excipientes/química , Ritonavir/química , Salicilamidas/química