Conjugation to Ascorbic Acid Enhances Brain Availability of Losartan Carboxylic Acid and Protects Against Parkinsonism in Rats.

Identification of renin-angiotensin system in the interplay of hypertension and neurodegeneration has paved the way for the repurposing of antihypertensive drugs against Parkinsonism. Losartan carboxylic acid (LCA), the potent AT1 blocker metabolite of losartan, suffers from poor bioavailability and brain access. Since ascorbate transporters have earlier shown enough flexibility as carriers, we have conjugated losartan carboxylic acid to ascorbic acid with the aim of achieving higher oral/brain availability. Ester of LCA and ascorbic acid (FED) was developed keeping in view the substrate specificity of ascorbate transporters. Oral/brain bioavailability was assessed using in vivo pharmacokinetic model. Effect on central nervous system (CNS) and protection against Parkinsonism was evaluated using in vivo models. FED enhanced bioavailability of LCA. The higher brain availability of LCA enabled CNS protection as evident from the increase in locomotor activity, improved motor coordination, and protection against drug-induced catatonia. In conclusion, FED offers an approach to repurpose LCA against Parkinsonism. This can encourage further investigation to simultaneously address hypertension and neurodegeneration.

Current Strategies for Inhibition of Chikungunya Infection.

Increasing incidences of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection and co-infections with Dengue/Zika virus have highlighted the urgency for CHIKV management. Failure in developing effective vaccines or specific antivirals has fuelled further research. This review discusses updated strategies of CHIKV inhibition and provides possible future directions. In addition, it analyzes advances in CHIKV lifecycle, drug-target development, and potential hits obtained by in silico and experimental methods. Molecules identified with anti-CHIKV properties using traditional/rational drug design and their potential to succeed in subsequent stages of drug development have also been discussed. Possibilities of repurposing existing drugs based on their in vitro findings have also been elucidated. Probable modes of interference of these compounds at various stages of infection, including entry and replication, have been highlighted. The use of host factors as targets to identify antivirals against CHIKV has been addressed. While most of the earlier antivirals were effective in the early phases of the CHIKV life cycle, this review is also focused on drug candidates that are effective at multiple stages of its life cycle. Since most of these antivirals require validation in preclinical and clinical models, the challenges regarding this have been discussed and will provide critical information for further research.

Effect of Tinospora cordifolia aqua-alcoholic extract on pharmacokinetic of Glibenclamide in rat: An herb-drug interaction study.

Tinospora cordifolia (TC) has been used as a complimentary/alternative medicine against diabetes. Considering its potential to modulate metabolic enzymes, Tinospora cordifolia extract (TCE) may influence the metabolism of the antidiabeic drug Glibenclamide following co-administration. Accordingly, this work was undertaken to evaluate impact of TCE on fate of Glibenclamide. Activity of clinically important Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes were inhibited in the order of CYP2C9 > CYP2D6 > CYP2C19 > CYP1A2 > CYP3A4. Formations of metabolites were inhibited with increasing concentration of TCE in both rat and human liver microsomes. TCE was co- administered in three different groups (0, 100 and 400 mg/kg) with Glibenclamide at 1 mg/kg dose to observe the alteration in pharmacokinetic parameters of Glibenclamide. The rats were pretreated with 0 (vehicle), 100 and 400 mg/kg dose of TCE b.i.d for 14 days and on the 14th day all three groups were administered with 1 mg/kg Glibenclamide. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed based on plasma concentrations of Glibenclamide from all the groups by LC-HRMS methods using Glipizide as an internal standard. At 400 mg/kg dose, a marked increase in the bio availability of Glibenclamide was observed with a significant delay of Tmax and suppression of clearance.