Development and validation of a cost-effective and sensitive bioanalytical HPLC-UV method for determination of lopinavir in rat and human plasma.

A simple, sensitive and cost-effective HPLC-UV bioanalytical method for determination of lopinavir (LPV) in rat and human plasma was developed and validated. The plasma sample preparation procedure includes a combination of protein precipitation using cold acetonitrile and liquid-liquid extraction with n-hexane-ethyl acetate (7:3, v/v). A good chromatographic separation was achieved with a Phenomenex Gemini column (C18 , 150 mm × 2.0 mm, 5 µm) at 40°C with gradient elution, at 211 nm. Calibration curves were linear in the range 10-10,000 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantification of 10 ng/mL using 100 µL of plasma. The accuracy and precision in all validation experiments were within the criteria range set by the guidelines of the Food and Drug Administration. This method was successfully applied to a preliminary pharmacokinetic study in rats following an intravenous bolus administration of LPV. Moreover, the method was subsequently fully validated for human plasma, allowing its use in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). In conclusion, this novel, simple and cost-efficient bioanalytical method for determination of LPV is useful for pharmacokinetic and drug delivery studies in rats, as well as TDM in human patients.

Self-Assembling Benzothiazole-Based Gelators: A Mechanistic Understanding of in Vitro Bioactivation and Gelation.

Low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) of chemotherapeutic drugs represent a valid alternative to the existing polymer-based formulations used for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs. Herein we report the design and development of novel self-assembling gelators of the antitumor benzothiazole 5F 203 (1). Two different types of derivatives of 1 were synthesized, formed by an amide (2) and a carbamate (3a-3d) linker, respectively, which showed potent in vitro antitumor activity against MCF-7 mammary and IGROV-1 ovarian carcinoma cells. In contrast, MRC-5 fibroblasts were inherently resistant to the above derivatives (GI50 > 10 µM), thus revealing stark selectivity against the malignant cell lines over the nontransformed fibroblasts. Western blots assays demonstrated induction of CYP1A1 by 1 and its derivatives only in sensitive malignant cells (MCF-7), corroborating conservation of a CYP1A1-mediated mechanism of action. The ability to form stable gels under relatively high strains was supported by rheological tests; in addition, their inner morphology was characterized as possessing a crossed-linked nanostructure, with the formation of thick aggregates with variable widths between 1100 and 400 nm and lengths from 8 to 32 µm. Finally, in vitro dissolution studies proved the ability of hydrogel 2 to release 48% of 2 within 80 h, therefore demonstrating its ability to act as a platform for localized delivery.

In Silico and in Vitro-Guided Identification of Inhibitors of Alkylquinolone-Dependent Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major opportunistic pathogen in cystic fibrosis, wound and nosocomial infections, posing a serious burden to public health, due to its antibiotic resistance. The P. aeruginosa Pseudomonas Quinolone System (pqs) quorum sensing system, driven by the activation of the transcriptional regulator, PqsR (MvfR) by alkylquinolone (AQ) signal molecules, is a key player in the regulation of virulence and a potential target for the development of novel antibacterial agents. In this study, we performed in silico docking analysis, coupled with screening using a P. aeruginosa mCTX::PpqsA-lux chromosomal promoter fusion, to identify a series of new PqsR antagonists. The hit compounds inhibited pyocyanin and alkylquinolone signal molecule production in P. aeruginosa PAO1-L and PA14 strains. The inhibitor Ia, which showed the highest activity in PA14, reduced biofilm formation in PAO1-L and PA14, increasing their sensitivity to tobramycin. Furthermore, the hepatic and plasma stabilities for these compounds were determined in both rat and human in vitro microsomal assays, to gain a further understanding of their therapeutic potential. This work has uncovered a new class of P. aeruginosa PqsR antagonists with potential for hit to lead optimisation in the search for quorum sensing inhibitors for future anti-infective drug discovery programs.

From UTP to AR-C118925, the discovery of a potent non nucleotide antagonist of the P2Y2 receptor.

The G protein-coupled P2Y2 receptor, activated by ATP and UTP has been reported as a potential drug target for a wide range of important clinical conditions, such as tumor metastasis, kidney disorders, and in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. However, pharmacological studies on this receptor have been impeded by the limited reported availability of stable, potent and selective P2Y2R antagonists. This article describes the design and synthesis of AR-C118925, a potent and selective non-nucleotide antagonist of the P2Y2 receptor discovered using the endogenous P2Y2R agonist UTP as the chemical starting point.

Discovery of α-Amidobenzylboronates as Highly Potent Covalent Inhibitors of Plasma Kallikrein.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare genetic disorder, is associated with uncontrolled plasma kallikrein (PKa) enzyme activity leading to the generation of bradykinin swelling in subcutaneous and submucosal membranes in various locations of the body. Herein, we describe a series of potent α-amidobenzylboronates as potential covalent inhibitors of PKa. These compounds exhibited time-dependent inhibition of PKa (compound 20 IC50 66 nM at 1 min, 70 pM at 24 h). Further compound dissociation studies demonstrated that 20 showed no apparent reversibility comparable to d-Phe-Pro-Arg-chloromethylketone (PPACK) (23), a known nonselective covalent PKa inhibitor.

Small Molecule Fluorescent Ligands for the Atypical Chemokine Receptor 3 (ACKR3).

The atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3) is a receptor that induces cancer progression and metastasis in multiple cell types. Therefore, new chemical tools are required to study the role of ACKR3 in cancer and other diseases. In this study, fluorescent probes, based on a series of small molecule ACKR3 agonists, were synthesized. Three fluorescent probes, which showed specific binding to ACKR3 through a luminescence-based NanoBRET binding assay (pKd ranging from 6.8 to 7.8) are disclosed. Due to their high affinity at the ACKR3, we have shown their application in both competition binding experiments and confocal microscopy studies showing the cellular distribution of this receptor.

CXCL17 is an allosteric inhibitor of CXCR4 through a mechanism of action involving glycosaminoglycans.

CXCL17 is a chemokine principally expressed by mucosal tissues, where it facilitates chemotaxis of monocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages and has antimicrobial properties. CXCL17 is also implicated in the pathology of inflammatory disorders and progression of several cancers, and its expression is increased during viral infections of the lung. However, the exact role of CXCL17 in health and disease requires further investigation, and there is a need for confirmed molecular targets mediating CXCL17 functional responses. Using a range of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based assays, here we demonstrated that CXCL17 inhibited CXCR4-mediated signaling and ligand binding. Moreover, CXCL17 interacted with neuropillin-1, a VEGFR2 coreceptor. In addition, we found that CXCL17 only inhibited CXCR4 ligand binding in intact cells and demonstrated that this effect was mimicked by known glycosaminoglycan binders, surfen and protamine sulfate. Disruption of putative GAG binding domains in CXCL17 prevented CXCR4 binding. This indicated that CXCL17 inhibited CXCR4 by a mechanism of action that potentially required the presence of a glycosaminoglycan-containing accessory protein. Together, our results revealed that CXCL17 is an endogenous inhibitor of CXCR4 and represents the next step in our understanding of the function of CXCL17 and regulation of CXCR4 signaling.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of New 1H-Benzo[d]imidazole Based PqsR Inhibitors as Adjuvant Therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the top priority pathogens that requires immediate attention according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Due to the alarming shortage of novel antimicrobials, targeting quorum sensing (QS), a bacterial cell to cell signaling system controlling virulence, has emerged as a promising approach as an antibiotic adjuvant therapy. Interference with the pqs system, one of three QS systems in P. aeruginosa, results in reduction of bacterial virulence gene expression and biofilm maturation. Herein, we report a hit to lead process to fine-tune the potency of our previously reported inhibitor 1 (IC50 3.2 µM in P. aeruginosa PAO1-L), which led to the discovery of 2-(4-(3-((6-chloro-1-isopropyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)amino)-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl)acetonitrile (6f) as a potent PqsR antagonist. Compound 6f inhibited the PqsR-controlled PpqsA-lux transcriptional reporter fusion in P. aeruginosa at low submicromolar concentrations. Moreover, 6f showed improved efficacy against P. aeruginosa CF isolates with significant inhibition of pyocyanin, 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones production.

Development of lipophilic ester prodrugs of dolutegravir for intestinal lymphatic transport.

The establishment of latent cellular and anatomical viral reservoirs is a major obstacle to achieving a cure for people infected by HIV. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) are one of the most important anatomical reservoirs of HIV. Suboptimal levels of antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs in these difficult-to-penetrate viral reservoirs is one of the limitations of current antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens. This study aimed to design and assess highly lipophilic ester prodrugs of dolutegravir (DTG) formulated with long-chain triglyceride (LCT) for delivery of DTG to the viral reservoir in mesenteric lymph and MLNs. A number of alkyl ester prodrugs of DTG were designed based on the predicted affinity to chylomicrons (CM), and the six most promising prodrugs were selected and synthesised. The synthesised prodrugs were further assessed for their intestinal lymphatic transport potential and biotransformation in biorelevant media in vitro and ex vivo. DTG and the most promising prodrug (prodrug 5) were then assessed in pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies in rats. Although oral administration of 5 mg/kg of unmodified DTG (an allometrically scaled dose from humans) with or without lipids achieved concentrations above protein binding-adjusted IC90 (PA-IC90) (64 ng/mL) in most tissues, the drug was not selectively targeted to MLNs. The combination of lipophilic ester prodrug and LCT-based formulation approach improved the targeting selectivity of DTG to MLNs 4.8-fold compared to unmodified DTG. However, systemic exposure to DTG was limited, most likely due to poor intestinal absorption of the prodrug following oral administration. In vitro lipolysis showed a good correlation between micellar solubilisation of the prodrug and systemic exposure to DTG in rats in vivo. Thus, it is prudent to include in vitro lipolysis in the early assessment of orally administered drugs and prodrugs in lipidic formulations, even when intestinal lymphatic transport is involved in the absorption pathway. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms of low systemic bioavailability of DTG following oral administration of the prodrug and potential ways to overcome this limitation.

Distribution of lamivudine into lymph node HIV reservoir.

Efficient delivery of antiretroviral agents to lymph nodes is important to decrease the size of the HIV reservoir within the lymphatic system. Lamivudine (3TC) is used in first-line regimens for the treatment of HIV. As a highly hydrophilic small molecule, 3TC is not predicted to associate with chylomicrons and therefore should have negligible uptake into intestinal lymphatics following oral administration. Similarly, negligible amounts of 3TC are predicted to be transported into peripheral lymphatics following subcutaneous (SC) injection due to the faster flow rate of blood in comparison to lymph. In this work, we performed pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies of 3TC in rats following oral lipid-based, oral lipid-free, SC, and intravenous (IV) administrations. In the oral administration studies, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) had significantly higher 3TC concentrations compared to other lymph nodes, with mean tissue:serum ratios ranging from 1.4 to 2.9. However, cells and chylomicrons found in mesenteric lymph showed low-to-undetectable concentrations. In SC studies, administration-side (right) draining inguinal and popliteal lymph nodes had significantly higher concentrations (tissue:serum ratios as high as 3.2) than corresponding left-side nodes. In IV studies, lymph nodes had lower mean tissue:serum ratios ranging from 0.9 to 1.4. We hypothesize that following oral or SC administration, slower permeation of this hydrophilic molecule into blood capillaries may result in considerable passive 3TC penetration into lymphatic vessels. Further studies will be needed to clarify the mechanism of delivery of 3TC and similar antiretroviral drugs into the lymph nodes.

Small-Molecule Fluorescent Ligands for the CXCR4 Chemokine Receptor.

The C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4, or CXCR4, is a chemokine receptor found to promote cancer progression and metastasis of various cancer cell types. To investigate the pharmacology of this receptor, and to further elucidate its role in cancer, novel chemical tools are a necessity. In the present study, using classic medicinal chemistry approaches, small-molecule-based fluorescent probes were designed and synthesized based on previously reported small-molecule antagonists. Here, we report the development of three distinct chemical classes of fluorescent probes that show specific binding to the CXCR4 receptor in a novel fluorescence-based NanoBRET binding assay (pKD ranging 6.6-7.1). Due to their retained affinity at CXCR4, we furthermore report their use in competition binding experiments and confocal microscopy to investigate the pharmacology and cellular distribution of this receptor.

From libraries to candidate: the discovery of new ultra long-acting dibasic ß2-adrenoceptor agonists.

Libraries of dibasic compounds designed around the molecular scaffold of the DA(2)/ß(2) dual agonist sibenadet (Viozan™) have yielded a number of promising starting points that have been further optimised into novel potent and selective target molecules with required pharmacokinetic properties. From a shortlist, 31 was discovered as a novel, high potency, and highly efficacious ß(2)-agonist with high selectivity and a duration of action commensurable with once daily dosing.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Lung-Retentive Prodrugs for Extending the Lung Tissue Retention of Inhaled Drugs.

A major limitation of pulmonary delivery is that drugs can exhibit suboptimal pharmacokinetic profiles resulting from rapid elimination from the pulmonary tissue. This can lead to systemic side effects and a short duration of action. A series of dibasic dipeptides attached to the poorly lung-retentive muscarinic M3 receptor antagonist piperidin-4-yl 2-hydroxy-2,2-diphenylacetate (1) through a pH-sensitive-linking group have been evaluated. Extensive optimization resulted in 1-(((R)-2-((S)-2,6-diaminohexanamido)-3,3-dimethylbutanoyl)oxy)ethyl 4-(2-hydroxy-2,2-diphenylacetoxy)piperidine-1-carboxylate (23), which combined very good in vitro stability and very high rat lung binding. Compound 23 progressed to pharmacokinetic studies in rats, where, at 24 h post dosing in the rat lung, the total lung concentration of 23 was 31.2 µM. In addition, high levels of liberated drug 1 were still detected locally, demonstrating the benefit of this novel prodrug approach for increasing the apparent pharmacokinetic half-life of drugs in the lungs following pulmonary dosing.

Distribution of a highly lipophilic drug cannabidiol into different lymph nodes following oral administration in lipidic vehicle.

Efficient delivery of highly lipophilic drugs or prodrugs to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) can be achieved following oral administration with lipids. However, it remains unclear which specific MLN can be targeted and to what extent. Moreover, the efficiency of drug delivery to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes (RPLN) has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of a highly lipophilic model drug cannabidiol (CBD), known to undergo intestinal lymphatic transport following administration with lipids, into specific MLN and RPLN in rats at various time-points post dosing. In vivo studies showed that at 2 h following administration, significantly higher concentrations of CBD were present in the region second from the apex of the MLN chain. From 3 h following administration, concentrations in all MLN were similar. CBD was also found at substantial levels in RPLN. This study demonstrates that drug concentrations in specific MLN are different, at least at the peak of the absorption process. Moreover, in addition to the MLN, the RPLN may also be targeted by oral route of administration, which may have further implications for treatment of a range of diseases.

Vegetable oils composition affects the intestinal lymphatic transport and systemic bioavailability of co-administered lipophilic drug cannabidiol.

Although natural sesame oil has been shown to facilitate the lymphatic delivery and oral bioavailability of the highly lipophilic drug cannabidiol (CBD), considerable variability remains an unresolved challenge. Vegetable oils differ substantially in composition, which could lead to differences in promotion of intestinal lymphatic transport of lipophilic drugs. Therefore, the differences in composition of sesame, sunflower, peanut, soybean, olive and coconut oils and their corresponding role as vehicles in promoting CBD lymphatic targeting and bioavailability were investigated in this study. The comparative analysis suggests that the fatty acids profile of vegetable oils is overall similar to the fatty acids profile in the corresponding chylomicrons in rat lymph. However, arachidonic acid (C20:4), was introduced to chylomicrons from endogenous nondietary sources. Overall, fatty acid composition of natural vegetable oils vehicles affected the intestinal lymphatic transport and bioavailability of CBD following oral administration in this work. Olive oil led to the highest concentration of CBD in the lymphatic system and in the systemic circulation in comparison to the other natural vegetable oils following oral administration in rats.

Sebetralstat (KVD900): A Potent and Selective Small Molecule Plasma Kallikrein Inhibitor Featuring a Novel P1 Group as a Potential Oral On-Demand Treatment for Hereditary Angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder in which patients experience sudden onset of swelling in various locations of the body. HAE is associated with uncontrolled plasma kallikrein (PKa) enzyme activity and generation of the potent inflammatory mediator, bradykinin, resulting in episodic attacks of angioedema. Herein, we disclose the discovery and optimization of novel small molecule PKa inhibitors. Starting from molecules containing highly basic P1 groups, which typically bind to an aspartic acid residue (Asp189) in the serine protease S1 pocket, we identified novel P1 binding groups likely to have greater potential for oral-drug-like properties. The optimization of P4 and the central core together with the particularly favorable properties of 3-fluoro-4-methoxypyridine P1 led to the development of sebetralstat, a potent, selective, orally bioavailable PKa inhibitor in phase 3 for on-demand treatment of HAE attacks.

Design-driven LO: the discovery of new ultra long acting dibasic ß2-adrenoceptor agonists.

Starting with the molecular scaffold of the DA(2)/ß(2) dual agonist sibenadet (Viozan™), a number of molecular changes were incorporated, which were designed to increase the potency and selectivity of the target molecule, and improve its pharmacokinetics. Through this process a novel, high potency, full ß(2)-agonist with high selectivity and long duration capable of being dosed once daily has been discovered.

Design driven HtL: The discovery and synthesis of new high efficacy ß2-agonists.

The design and synthesis of a new series of high efficacy ß(2)-agonists devoid of the key benzylic alcohol present in previously described highly efficacious ß(2)-agonists is reported. A hypothesis for the unprecedented level of efficacy is proposed based on considerations of ß(2)-adrenoceptor crystal structure, other biophysical data and modeling studies.

Assessing Lymphatic Uptake of Lipids Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Feasibility Study in Healthy Human Volunteers with Potential Application for Tracking Lymph Node Delivery of Drugs and Formulation Excipients.

Dietary lipids and some pharmaceutical lipid excipients can facilitate the targeted delivery of drugs to the intestinal lymphatics. Here, the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for imaging lipid uptake into the intestinal lymphatics was assessed, shedding light on which lymph nodes can be targeted using this approach. Three healthy male volunteers were scanned at 3.0 T at baseline, 120, 180, 240, and 300 min post high-fat meal. A sagittal multi-slice image was acquired using a diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging sequence with background suppression (DWIBS) (pre inversion TI = 260 ms). Changes in area, major, and minor axis length were compared at each time point. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was calculated (b = 0 and 600 s/mm2) across eight slices. An average of 22 nodes could be visualised across all time points. ADC increased at 120 and 180 min compared to the baseline in all three participants by an average of 9.2% and 6.8%, respectively. In two participants, mean node area and major axis lengths increased at 120 and 180 min relative to the baseline. In conclusion, the method described shows potential for repeated lymph node measurements and the tracking of lipid uptake into the lymphatics. Further studies should focus on methodology optimisation in a larger cohort.

Inclusion of Medium-Chain Triglyceride in Lipid-Based Formulation of Cannabidiol Facilitates Micellar Solubilization In Vitro, but In Vivo Performance Remains Superior with Pure Sesame Oil Vehicle.

Oral sesame oil-based formulation facilitates the delivery of poorly water-soluble drug cannabidiol (CBD) to the lymphatic system and blood circulation. However, this natural oil-based formulation also leads to considerable variability in absorption of CBD. In this work, the performance of lipid-based formulations with the addition of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) or surfactants to the sesame oil vehicle has been tested in vitro and in vivo using CBD as a model drug. The in vitro lipolysis has shown that addition of the MCT leads to a higher distribution of CBD into the micellar phase. Further addition of surfactants to MCT-containing formulations did not improve distribution of the drug into the micellar phase. In vivo, formulations containing MCT led to lower or similar concentrations of CBD in serum, lymph and MLNs, but with reduced variability. MCT improves the emulsification and micellar solubilization of CBD, but surfactants did not facilitate further the rate and extent of lipolysis. Even though addition of MCT reduces the variability, the in vivo performance for the extent of both lymphatic transport and systemic bioavailability remains superior with a pure natural oil vehicle.