Nanoformulation for potential topical delivery of Vismodegib in skin cancer treatment.

Vismodegib (Erivedge®, Genentech) is a first-in-class inhibitor of the hedgehog signaling pathway for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The treatment currently consists of the oral administration of Erivedge® capsules. Although it has shown therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials, there are many side effects related to its systemic distribution. In this work, we have incorporated vismodegib to ultradeformable liposomes in order to obtain a nano-drug delivery system via topical route, which could be useful to reduce systemic distribution -and consequently side effects- while achieving a viable epidermis-specific target where neoplastic events of BCC develop. Vismodegib was loaded into liposomes composed of soy phosphatidylcholine and sodium cholate, and the obtained formulation was characterized by different techniques, both experimental and computational. Several analyses were performed,with a special focus on the interaction of the drug with the liposomal membrane. Additionally, the penetration of Vismodegib delivered by ultradeformable liposomes was assessed on human skin explants. This is one of the first works that propose the topical route for Vismodegib and the first, to our knowledge, in stabilizing this active into a nano-drug delivery system specifically designed for penetrating the stratum corneum impermeable barrier.

Vibrational studies (FTIR and Raman), conformational analysis, NBO, HOMO-LUMO and reactivity descriptors of S-methyl thiobutanoate, CH3CH2CH2C(O)SCH3.

In the present article, the molecular structure of S-methyl thiobutanoate, CH3CH2CH2C(O)SCH3 was determined by ab initio (MP2) and DFT calculations using different basis sets. The infrared and Raman spectra for the liquid phase were also recorded and the bands observed were assigned to the vibrational normal modes. The experimental and calculations confirm the presence of two most stable conformers, one with pseudo anti-syn conformation and another with gauche-syn conformation. The study was completed using natural bond orbital (NBO) and AIM analysis. The molecular properties like dipole moment, molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEP) and HOMO-LUMO molecular orbitals were calculated to get a better insight of the properties of the title molecule. Global and local reactivity descriptors were computed in order to predict reactivity and reactive sites on the molecule for nucleophilic, electrophilic and radical attacks.

Vibrational spectroscopy and conformation of S-ethyl thioacetate: CH3COSCH2CH3 and comparison with -C(O)S- and -C(O)O- compounds.

The molecular structure and conformational properties of S-ethyl thioacetate, CH3COSCH2CH3, were determined in the gas phase by electron diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman). The experimental investigations were supplemented by ab initio (MP2) and DFT quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory. Theoretical methods reveal two structures with Cs (anti, anti) and C1 (anti, gauche) symmetries. The infrared and Raman spectra for different phases were also recorded and the bands observed assigned to the vibrational normal modes. Liquid Raman and infrared spectra in liquid and gaseous state measurements revealed the presence of two conformations anti, anti (Cs symmetry) and anti, gauche (C1 symmetry). The study was completed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. We have also analyzed the internal rotation barrier about the C(O)SCC dihedral angle using a variety of computational approaches and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses to understand the nature of the potential function and to explain the preferred conformation of the molecule.

A conformational and vibrational study of CF(3)COSCH(2)CH(3).

The molecular structure and conformational properties of S-ethyl trifluorothioacetate, CF(3)COSCH(2)CH(3), were determined in the gas phase by electron diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman). The experimental investigations were supplemented by ab initio (Moller Plesset of second order) and density functional theory quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory. Both experimental and theoretical methods reveal two structures with C(s) (anti, anti) and C(1) (anti, gauche) symmetries, although there are disagreements about which is more stable. The electron diffraction intensities are best interpreted with a mixture of 51(3)% anti, anti and 49(3)% anti, gauche conformers. This conformational preference was studied using the total energy scheme and the natural bond orbital scheme. In addition, the infrared spectra of CF(3)COSCH(2)CH(3) are reported for the gas, liquid and solid phases as well as the Raman spectrum of the liquid. Using calculated frequencies as a guide, evidence for both C(s) and C(1) structures is obtained in the IR spectra. Harmonic vibrational frequencies and scaled force fields have been calculated for both conformers.