Induction of Mitochondrial Cell Death and Reversal of Anticancer Drug Resistance via Nanocarriers Composed of a Triphenylphosphonium Derivative of Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol Succinate.

We have devised a nanocarrier using "tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) conjugated to triphenylphosphonium cation" (TPP-TPGS) for improving the efficacy of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). Triphenylphosphonium cation (TPP) has affinity for an elevated transmembrane potential gradient (mitochondrial), which is usually high in cancer cells. Consequently, when tested in molecular docking and cytotoxicity assays, TPP-TPGS, owing to its structural similarity to mitochondrially directed anticancer compounds of the "tocopheryl succinate" family, interferes specifically in mitochondrial CII enzyme activity, increases intracellular oxidative stress, and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. DOX loaded nanocarrier (DTPP-TPGS) constructed using TPP-TPGS was positively charged, spherical in shape, sized below 100 nm, and had its drug content distributed evenly. DTPP-TPGS offers greater intracellular drug delivery due to its rapid endocytosis and subsequent endosomal escape. DTPP-TPGS also efficiently inhibits efflux transporter P glycoprotein (PgP), which, along with greater cell uptake and inherent cytotoxic activity of the construction material (TPP-TPGS), cumulatively results in 3-fold increment in anticancer activity of DOX in resistant breast cancer cells as well as greater induction of necroapoptosis and arrest in all phases of the cell cycle. DTPP-TPGS after intravenous administration in Balb/C mice with breast cancer accumulates preferentially in tumor tissue, which produces significantly greater antitumor activity when compared to DOX solution. Toxicity evaluation was also performed to confirm the safety of this formulation. Overall TPP-TPGS is a promising candidate for delivery of DOX.

Novel Validated RP-HPLC Method for Bendamustine Hydrochloride Based on Ion-pair Chromatography: Application in Determining Infusion Stability and Pharmacokinetics.

Ion pair chromatography was used for quantifying bendamustine hydrochloride (BH) in its marketed vial. The permissive objective was to investigate time duration for which highly susceptible drug content of the marketed vial remained stable after reconstitution. However, the method could also be used to measure extremely low levels of drug in rat plasma and a pharmacokinetic study was accordingly conducted to further showcase method's applicability. Optimized separation was achieved on C-18 Purospher®STAR (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm particle size) column. Mobile phase flowing at 1.5 mL/min consisted of 5 mM sodium salt of octane sulfonic acid dissolved in methanol, water and glacial acetic acid (55:45:0.075) maintained at pH 6. Detection was carried out at 233 nm with BH eluting after 7.8 min. Validation parameters were determined as per ICH guidelines. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 0.1 µg/mL and 0.33 µg/mL, respectively. The recoveries were 98-102% in bulk and 85-91% in plasma. The developed method was specific for BH, and utilized for assessing its short-term stability in physiologic solvents and forced degradation products in acid, base, oxidative, light and temperature induced stress environments.