Enabling Direct Preferential Crystallization in a Stable Racemic Compound System.

The preparative resolution by preferential crystallization (PC) of proxyphylline has been achieved despite the existence of a stable racemic compound. This is enabled through the careful selection of a solvent in which both the racemic compound and the metastable conglomerate possess a low nucleation rate. Induction time measurements in isobutyl alcohol show that a highly supersaturated solution (ß = 2.3) remains clear for almost 1 h at 20 mL scale, revealing a slow nucleation rate. Seeding the supersaturated solution with the pure enantiomer triggered its crystallization both isothermal and polythermic modes of PC were successfully implemented. Alongside the reported case of diprophylline, this study opens opportunities to broaden the application of PC toward slowly crystallizing racemic compounds.

Impact of molecular flexibility on double polymorphism, solid solutions and chiral discrimination during crystallization of diprophylline enantiomers.

The polymorphic behavior of racemic and enantiopure diprophylline (DPL), a chiral derivative of theophylline marketed as a racemic solid, has been investigated by combining differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, hot-stage microscopy and single-crystal X-ray experiments. The pure enantiomers were obtained by a chemical synthesis route, and additionally an enantioselective crystallization procedure was developed. The binary phase diagram between the DPL enantiomers was constructed and revealed a double polymorphism (i.e., polymorphism both of the racemic mixture and of the pure enantiomer). The study of the various equilibria in this highly unusual phase diagram revealed a complex situation since mixtures of DPL enantiomers can crystallize either as a stable racemic compound, a metastable conglomerate, or two distinct metastable solid solutions. Crystal structure analysis revealed that the DPL molecules adopt different conformations in the crystal forms suggesting that the conformational degrees of freedom of the substituent that carries the only two H-bond donor groups might be related to the versatile crystallization behavior of DPL. The control of these equilibria and the use of a suitable solvent allowed the design of an efficient protocol for the preparative resolution of racemic DPL via preferential crystallization. Therefore, the resolution of DPL enantiomers despite the existence of a racemic compound stable at any temperature demonstrates that the detection of a stable conglomerate is not mandatory for the implementation of preferential crystallization.

Comparative study of the interactions between ovalbumin and three alkaloids by spectrofluorimetry.

The interaction between ovalbumin (OVA) and three purine alkaloids (caffeine, theophylline and diprophylline) was investigated by the aid of intrinsic and synchronous fluorescence, ultraviolet-vis absorbance, resonance light-scattering spectra and three-dimensional fluorescence spectra techniques. Results showed that the formation of complexes gave rise to the fluorescence quenching of OVA by caffeine, theophylline, and diprophylline. Static quenching was confirmed to results in the fluorescence quenching. The binding site number n, apparent binding constant KA and corresponding thermodynamic parameters were measured at different temperatures. The binding process was spontaneous molecular interaction procedures in which both enthalpy and Gibbs free energy decreased. Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bond played a major role in stabilizing the complex. The comparison between caffeine, theophylline, and diprophylline was made, and thermodynamic results showed that diprophylline was the strongest quencher and bound to OVA with the highest affinity among three compounds. The influence of molecular structure on the binding aspects was reported.

Prioritizing potential ACE2 inhibitors in the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from a molecular mechanics-assisted structure-based virtual screening experiment.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a membrane-bound zinc metallopeptidase that generates the vasodilatory peptide angiotensin 1-7 and thus performs a protective role in heart disease. It is considered an important therapeutic target in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak, since SARS-CoV-2 enters permissive cells via an ACE2-mediated mechanism. The present in silico study attempted to repurpose existing drugs for use as prospective viral-entry inhibitors targeting human ACE2. Initially, a clinically approved drug library of 7,173 ligands was screened against the receptor using molecular docking, followed by energy minimization and rescoring of docked ligands. Finally, potential binders were inspected to ensure molecules with different scaffolds were engaged in favorable contacts with both the metal cofactor and the critical residues lining the receptor's active site. The results of the calculations suggest that lividomycin, burixafor, quisinostat, fluprofylline, pemetrexed, spirofylline, edotecarin, and diniprofylline emerge as promising repositionable drug candidates for stabilizing the closed (substrate/inhibitor-bound) conformation of ACE2, thereby shifting the relative positions of the receptor's critical exterior residues recognized by SARS-CoV-2. This study is among the rare ones in the relevant scientific literature to search for potential ACE2 inhibitors. In practical terms, the drugs, unmodified as they are, may be introduced into the therapeutic armamentarium of the ongoing fight against COVID-19 now, or their scaffolds may serve as rich skeletons for designing novel ACE2 inhibitors in the near future.

Mechanistic explanation of the (up to) 3 release phases of PLGA microparticles: Diprophylline dispersions.

The aim of this study was to better understand the root causes for the (up to) 3 drug release phases observed with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles containing diprophylline particles: The 1st release phase ("burst release"), 2nd release phase (with an "about constant release rate") and 3rd release phase (which is again rapid and leads to complete drug exhaust). The behavior of single microparticles was monitored upon exposure to phosphate buffer pH 7.4, in particular with respect to their drug release and swelling behaviors. Diprophylline-loaded PLGA microparticles were prepared with a solid-in-oil-in-water solvent extraction/evaporation method. Tiny drug crystals were rather homogeneously distributed throughout the polymer matrix after manufacturing. Batches with "small" (63 µm), "medium-sized" (113 µm) and "large" (296 µm) microparticles with a practical drug loading of 5-7% were prepared. Importantly, each microparticle releases the drug "in its own way", depending on the exact distribution of the tiny drug crystals within the system. During the burst release, drug crystals with direct surface access rapidly dissolve. During the 2nd release phase tiny drug crystals (often) located in surface near regions which undergo swelling, are likely released. During the 3rd release phase, the entire microparticle undergoes substantial swelling. This results in high quantities of water present throughout the system, which becomes "gel-like". Consequently, the drug crystals dissolve, and the dissolved drug molecules rather rapidly diffuse through the highly swollen polymer gel.

A comparison of the stability of ertapenem and meropenem in pharmaceutical preparations in solid state.

The following first-order rate constants of the degradation of ertapenem in INVANZ and meropenem in MERONEM were determined: (a) in dry air at 363, 373, 378, 383, 388, 393 K; (b) at increased relative air humidity (76.4% RH) at 313, 323, 333 and 343 K; (c) at increased relative air humidity (50.9, 60.5, 66.5, 76.4% RH-ertapenem and 50.9, 66.5, 76.4 and 90.0% RH-meropenem) at 333 K. The dependence ln k(i) = f(RH%) was described by the equations: ln k(i) = (6.63+/-1.22) x 10(-2) x (RH%)-13.36 +/- 1.68 (ertapenem) and ln k(i) = (4.22 +/- 2.98) x 10(-2) x (RH%)-12.14 +/- 2.16 (meropenem). The dependence lnk(i)=f(1/T) was described by equations: ln k(i) =19.4 +/- 2.6-(9230 +/- 800)(1/T) for ertapenem, at 76.4% RH; ln k(i) = 11.5 +/- 4.9-(9880 +/- 1800)(1/T) for ertapenem in dry air; ln k(i) = 14.8 +/- 11.9-(7785 +/- 3905)(1/T) for meropenem, at 76.4% RH; ln k(i) = 37.6 +/- 7.73-(18385 +/- 2930)(1/T) for meropenem in dry air. The thermodynamic parameters E(a), DeltaH( not equal) and DeltaS( not equal) of the degradation of ertapenem and meropenem were calculated. The difference between the influence of temperature on the stability of ertapenem and meropenem was not significant at 76.4% RH. In dry air (363-393 K) this influence was greater in the case of meropenem. The degradation of ertapenem was slower in this temperature range. Humidity was a significant factor affecting the degradation of these antibiotics and it influenced their stability is similar ways.

Synthesis, pharmacological activity and nitric oxide generation by nitrate derivatives of theophylline.

Nitrates of theophylline derivatives - potential nitric oxide (NO) donors - were synthesized by esterification of 7-hydroxyalkyl theophylline derivatives with fuming nitric acid. The nitrates obtained were tested in-vitro in reactions with sulfydryl compounds at appropriately adjusted pH and temperature. Under the applied conditions, the synthesized compounds underwent decomposition to release NO, quantified using a polarographic method using a selective isolated (ISO-NO) sensor. The effects of dyphylline and proxyphylline and their new synthesized nitrates on arterial blood pressure (BP) were measured in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats. BP was measured in conscious SH rats using the tail-cuff method. Both short- and long-term administration of the xanthines tested significantly decreased systolic, diastolic and mean BP. The hypotensive effect of a single dose of nitrate dyphylline on mean BP was greater than that of the parent compound (P = 0.000012; P=0.000472 at 30 and 60 min post-dose, respectively), whereas proxyphylline and its nitrate derivative had similar activity. In rats treated with the tested compounds for 9 days twice daily, the decrease in BP persisted for at least 16 h after the last dose. Proxyphylline produced the most marked decrease in diastolic and mean BP. Among the xanthines examined, proxyphylline nitrate had the strongest hypotensive effect when administered in a single dose to animals pretreated with the same compound for 9 days. These results indicate that insertion of a nitrate group weakly modifies the hypotensive action of the studied xanthines in SH rats.

Synthesis and activity against HBV of novel Tetra-seconucleoside analogues of dyphlline having the acyclic chains of ACV and HBG.

Selective alkylation of dyphylline (1) with (2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl bromide (2a) or 4-acetoxybutyl bromide (2b) afforded 3'-O-[(acetoxyethoxy)methyl]dyphylline (3a) and 3'-O-(4-acetoxybutyl)-dyphylline (3b), respectively. A trans esterification process rather than alkylation of the dihydroxy-propyl side chain in 1 had taken place during the reaction with 2-p-toluoyloxy)ethyl chloride (5) to afford the respective 3'-toluoyloxy derivative 7 and not the anticipated 3'-O-[(p-toluoyloxy)ethyl]-dyphylline (6). Deacylation of 3a,b and 7 afforded 4a,b and 1, respectively. Viral screening of selected compounds against HBV has been investigated.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate: potential drug-excipient incompatibility.

The stability of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) and its potential incompatibility with active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) carrying hydroxyl group(s) were investigated in this research. HPMC-AS may undergo hydrolysis under harsh processing conditions with the generation of succinic acid and acetic acid, which can form ester bond(s) with the hydroxyl group(s) in API. In this case, the hot-melt extrusion (HME) product prepared from HPMC-AS and our model compound (compound A) was tested after heating at 140 degrees C up to 5 h. The succinate esters of compound A and its epimer were found in the product, suggesting potential drug-excipient incompatibility during formulation development. In addition, dyphylline was also tested with HPMC-AS and the potential incompatibility was further confirmed.

Limited drug solubility can be decisive even for freely soluble drugs in highly swollen matrix tablets.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the importance of potential limited solubility effects for the control of drug release from hydrophilic matrix tablets loaded with a freely water-soluble drug. It is often assumed that the considerable amounts of water penetrating into this type of advanced drug delivery systems are sufficient to rapidly dissolve the entire drug loading, and that limited drug solubility is not playing a role for the control of drug release. Here, we show that this assumption can be erroneous. HPMC/lactose matrix tablets were loaded with 5 to 60% diprophylline (e.g. solubility in 0.1M HCl at 37°C: 235mg/mL), and drug release was measured at low and neutral pH, respectively. A mechanistically realistic mathematical theory was applied, considering drug diffusion in axial and radial direction in the cylindrical matrices and the potential co-existence of dissolved and non-dissolved drug. Importantly, only dissolved drug is available for diffusion. It is demonstrated that during major parts of the release periods, non-dissolved drug excess exists within tablets containing 30% or more diprophylline, despite of the substantial water contents of the systems. This leads to partially almost linear drug concentration distance profiles within the tablets, and reveals a major contribution of limited drug solubility effects to the control of drug release, even in the case of freely water-soluble diprophylline. It can be expected that also in other types of drug delivery systems, e.g. microparticles and implants (containing much less water), limited drug solubility effects play a much more important role than currently recognized.

Hydrophilic thermoplastic polyurethanes for the manufacturing of highly dosed oral sustained release matrices via hot melt extrusion and injection molding.

Hydrophilic aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane (Tecophilic™ grades) matrices for high drug loaded oral sustained release dosage forms were formulated via hot melt extrusion/injection molding (HME/IM). Drugs with different aqueous solubility (diprophylline, theophylline and acetaminophen) were processed and their influence on the release kinetics was investigated. Moreover, the effect of Tecophilic™ grade, HME/IM process temperature, extrusion speed, drug load, injection pressure and post-injection pressure on in vitro release kinetics was evaluated for all model drugs. (1)H NMR spectroscopy indicated that all grades have different soft segment/hard segment ratios, allowing different water uptake capacities and thus different release kinetics. Processing temperature of the different Tecophilic™ grades was successfully predicted by using SEC and rheology. Tecophilic™ grades SP60D60, SP93A100 and TG2000 had a lower processing temperature than other grades and were further evaluated for the production of IM tablets. During HME/IM drug loads up to 70% (w/w) were achieved. In addition, Raman mapping and (M)DSC results confirmed the homogenous distribution of mainly crystalline API in all polymer matrices. Besides, hydrophilic TPU based formulations allowed complete and sustained release kinetics without using release modifiers. As release kinetics were mainly affected by drug load and the length of the PEO soft segment, this polymer platform offers a versatile formulation strategy to adjust the release rate of drugs with different aqueous solubility.

Thermoplastic polyurethanes for the manufacturing of highly dosed oral sustained release matrices via hot melt extrusion and injection molding.

This study evaluated thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUR) as matrix excipients for the production of oral solid dosage forms via hot melt extrusion (HME) in combination with injection molding (IM). We demonstrated that TPURs enable the production of solid dispersions - crystalline API in a crystalline carrier - at an extrusion temperature below the drug melting temperature (Tm) with a drug content up to 65% (wt.%). The release of metoprolol tartrate was controlled over 24h, whereas a complete release of diprophylline was only possible in combination with a drug release modifier: polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) or Tween 80. No burst release nor a change in tablet size and geometry was detected for any of the formulations after dissolution testing. The total matrix porosity increased gradually upon drug release. Oral administration of TPUR did not affect the GI ecosystem (pH, bacterial count, short chain fatty acids), monitored via the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME). The high drug load (65 wt.%) in combination with (in vitro and in vivo) controlled release capacity of the formulations, is noteworthy in the field of formulations produced via HME/IM.

Molecular analysis of drug delivery systems controlled by dissolution of the polymer carrier.

Dissolution-controlled drug delivery systems are characterized by a phase erosion of the polymer carrier that is associated with fast or slow dissolution of the macromolecular chains. The molecular nature of the dissolution phenomenon was examined by analyzing the water transport process and the subsequent polymer chain disentanglement that is usually characterized by a snake-like motion of the chain (reptation). The results indicate that the polymer molecular weight, water, polymer and drug diffusion coefficients, equilibrium water concentration in the polymer, and water-polymer interaction parameter can control the mechanism and rate of drug release. A new model for this process was developed, and its predictions are compared with experimental studies of drug delivery from poly(vinyl alcohol)-based systems.

The effect of the aqueous solubility of xanthine derivatives on the release mechanism from ethylcellulose matrix tablets.

Release data from ethylcellulose (EC) matrix tablets was analyzed to determine which release equation provides the best fit to the data and to observe the effect of drug solubility on the release mechanism(s). Tablets were prepared by direct compression of drug, EC, and lubricant in an appropriate mass ratio to achieve a high and a low drug loading. Theophylline, caffeine, and dyphylline were selected as non-electrolyte xanthine derivatives with solubilities from 8.3 to 330 mg/ml at 25 degrees C. Drug release studies were conducted in 37 degrees C water with UV detection at 272 nm. Several equations to characterize release mechanisms were tested with respect to the release data. Drug diffusion, polymer relaxation, and tablet erosion were the mechanisms considered. Parameters were generated and ANOVA data presented by WinNonlin Pro(R) software. The Akaike Information Criterion was also considered to ascertain the best fit equation. At high drug loading, drug was released by a diffusion mechanism with a rate constant that increased with an increase in aqueous solubility. At low drug loading, polymer relaxation also became a component of the release mechanism. However, its contribution to drug release was less pronounced as solubility decreases, becoming negligible in the case of theophylline.

Mechanisms of diphylline release from dual-solute loaded poly(vinyl alcohol) matrices.

The release kinetics of the model hydrophilic drug, diphylline (DPL), from physically crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrices, is studied in relation to the drug load and the presence of a second solute incorporated in the matrix. The second solute, a gadolinium (III) complex (Gd-DTPA), is a commonly used MRI contrast agent. The water uptake kinetics by the glassy PVA matrix was found to deviate from t(1/2) law and to occur on time scales comparable to those of diphylline release. The corresponding rate of diphylline release was found to be substantially stabilized as compared to a purely diffusion-controlled release process, in line with theoretical predictions under conditions of relaxation-controlled water uptake kinetics. The release rate of DPL was found (i) to increase with increasing DPL load and (ii) for a particular DPL load, to increase in the presence of Gd-DTPA, incorporated in the matrix. The results were interpreted on the basis of the diphylline-induced plasticization of the polymer (evidenced by the depression of Tg) and of the excess hydration of the matrix at high solute loads. The latter effect was found to be additive in the case of dual-solute loaded matrices.

Release characteristics of polyurethane tablets containing dicarboxylic acids as release modifiers - a case study with diprophylline.

The influence of several dicarboxylic acids on the release characteristics of polyurethane tablets with a high drug load was investigated. Mixtures of diprophylline (Dyph) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPUR) (ratio: 50/50, 65/35 and 75/25 wt.%) were hot-melt extruded and injection molded with the addition of 1, 2.5, 5 and 10% wt.% dicarboxylic acid as release modifier. Incorporating malonic, succinic, maleic and glutaric acid in the TPUR matrices enhanced drug release, proportional to the dicarboxylic acid concentration in the formulation. No correlation was found between the water solubility, melting point, logP and pKa of the acids and their drug release modifying capacity. Succinic and maleic acid had the highest drug release modifying capacity which was linked to more intense molecular interactions with Dyph. A structural fit between the primary and secondary alcohol of Dyph and both carboxylic groups of the acids was at the origin of this enhanced interaction.

The effect of polymer properties on direct compression and drug release from water-insoluble controlled release matrix tablets.

The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate key polymer properties affecting direct compression and drug release from water-insoluble matrices. Commonly used polymers, such as Kollidon(®) SR, Eudragit(®) RS and ethyl cellulose, were characterized, formulated into tablets and compared with regard to their properties in dry and wet state. A similar site percolation threshold of 65% v/v was found for all polymers in dry state. Key parameters influencing polymer compactibility were the surface properties and the glass transition temperature (T(g)), affecting polymer elasticity and particle size-dependent binding. The important properties observed in dry state also governed matrix characteristics and therefore drug release in wet state. A low T(g) (Kollidon(®) SR

Comparative study of the binding of pepsin to four alkaloids by spectrofluorimetry.

The interactions between pepsin and four alkaloids, including caffeine (Caf), aminophylline (Ami), acefylline (Ace), diprophylline (Dip), were investigated by fluorescence, UV-visible absorption, resonance light scattering, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and 3D spectroscopy under mimic physiological conditions. The results revealed that Caf (Ami/Ace/Dip) caused the fluorescence quenching of pepsin by the formation of Caf (Ami/Ace/Dip)-pepsin complex. The binding constants and thermodynamic parameters at three different temperatures, the binding locality and the binding power were obtained. The hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions were the predominant intermolecular forces to stabilize the complex. Results showed that aminophylline was the stronger quencher and bound to pepsin with higher affinity than other three alkaloids.

Application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and genetic programming (GP) for prediction of drug release from solid lipid matrices.

The aim of the present study was to develop a semi-empirical mathematical model, which is able to predict the release profiles of solid lipid extrudates of different dimensions. The development of the model was based on the application of ANNs and GP. ANNs' abilities to deal with multidimensional data were exploited. GP programming was used to determine the constants of the model function, a modified Weibull equation. Differently dimensioned extrudates consisting of diprophylline, tristearin and polyethylene glycol were produced by the use of a twin-screw extruder and their dissolution behaviour was studied. Experimentally obtained dissolution curves were compared to the calculated release profiles, derived from the semi-empirical mathematical model.

Prediction of dissolution time and coating thickness of sustained release formulations using Raman spectroscopy and terahertz pulsed imaging.

Raman spectroscopy was implemented successfully as a non-invasive and rapid process analytical technology (PAT) tool for in-line quantitative monitoring of functional coating. Coating experiments were performed at which diprophylline tablets were coated with a sustained release formulation based on Kollicoat SR 30 D. Using PLS a multivariate model was constructed by correlating Raman spectral data with the mean dissolution time as determined by dissolution testing and the coating thickness as measured by terahertz pulsed imaging. By performing in-line measurements it was possible to monitor the progress of the coating process and to detect the end point of the process, where the acquired coating amount was achieved for the desired MDT or coating thickness.