Synthesis and characterization of thiolated ß-cyclodextrin as a novel mucoadhesive excipient for intra-oral drug delivery.

The objective of the present study was to synthesize and characterize cysteamine conjugated ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD-Cys) as a novel mucoadhesive oligomeric excipient for intra-oral drug delivery. ß-CD-Cys conjugates were obtained in a two-step synthetic pathway, whereby, vicinal diol groups of the oligomer were oxidized using increasing concentrations of sodium-per-iodate (NaIO4), prior to the covalent coupling of cysteamine via reductive amination. Quantification of immobilized thiol groups through Ellman's test revealed 561.56 ± 81 µmol/g, 1054.26 ± 131 µmol/g and 1783.92 ± 201 µmol/g of free thiol groups attached to the oligomer backbone depending on the extent of oxidation. ß-CD-Cys conjugates at concentrations of 0.5% (m/v) showed no toxic effects on Caco-2 cells within 72 h. Furthermore, ß-CD-Cys conjugates displayed a 4-fold improved water solubility compared to the parent oligomer. ß-CD-Cys conjugates (ß-CD-Cys561, ß-CD-Cys1054 and ß-CD-Cys1783) showed 2.86-, 15.09- and 49.08-fold improved retention time on porcine intestinal mucosa and 9.66-, 16.43- and 34.51-fold improved on the porcine buccal mucosa, respectively. Formation of inclusion complexes of miconazole nitrate and ß-CD-Cys1054 resulted in 150-fold increased solubility of miconazole nitrate. According to these results, it seems that ß-CD-Cys conjugates might provide a new promising tool for delivery of poorly water soluble therapeutic agents, such as miconazole nitrate for intra-oral delivery.

A selective and accurate ratiometric electrochemical biosensor for monitoring of Cu2+ ions in a rat brain.

Metals are essential components of all living cells, and in many cases cells trigger and utilize dynamic metal movements for signaling purposes. So, it is very critical to develop the biosensors for determination of metal ions in living systems with high selectivity and accuracy. In this work, taking Cu(2+) as a model, an accurate and selective ratiometric electrochemical biosensor was developed. First, the specific molecule, 2,2',2″-(2,2',2″-nitrilotris(ethane-2,1-diyl)-tris((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)azanediyl)triethanethiol (TPAASH), was designed and synthesized for specific recognition of Cu(2+). Meanwhile, electroactive molecule, 6-(ferrocenyl)hexanethiol (FcHT) was coimmobilized with TPAASH at one electrode as inner reference molecule to provide a built-in correction for avoiding the environmental effects. Thus, the developed biosensor demonstrated high accuracy and remarkable selectivity toward Cu(2+) against other metal ions, amino acids, and so on. In addition, the biosensor also showed high sensitivity due to the electrocatalytic activity of the nanostructured gold flowers. As a result, the present ratiometric electrochemical biosensor was successfully applied in detection of Cu(2+) in brain microdialysates of normal rat brain and that followed by global cerebral ischemia.

Development of 4-hexadecyl-4,7-diaza-1,10-decanedithiol (HDD) kit for the preparation of the liver cancer therapeutic agent Re-188-HDD/lipiodol.

INTRODUCTION: A lipiodol solution of (188)Re-4-hexadecyl-2,2,9,9-tetramethyl-4,7-diaza-1,10-decanedithiol (HTDD) has been successfully developed for liver cancer therapy; however, its preparation requires a multi-step synthesis and it is characterized by a low labeling yield. METHODS: We synthesized a new compound, 4-hexadecyl-4,7-diaza-1,10-decanedithioacetate (AHDD), without gem dimethyl groups to address these issues. AHDD was formulated into a kit and was labeled with (188)Re. Biodistribution study was performed using normal BALB/c mice. RESULTS: The kit was labeled with (188)Re with a high efficiency (98.8±0.2%). After extraction with lipiodol, the overall yield of (188)Re-HDD/lipiodol was as high as 90.2±2.6%. A comparative biodistribution study of (188)Re-HTDD and (188)Re-HDD was performed in normal mice after intravenous injection. The lungs were identified as the main uptake site due to capillary-blockage. (188)Re-HDD/lipiodol showed a significantly higher lung uptake than that of (188)Re-HTDD/lipiodol (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The newly synthesized (188)Re-HDD/lipiodol showed improved radiolabeling yield and biodistribution results compared to (188)Re-HTDD/lipiodol, and may therefore be more suitable for liver cancer therapy.

Removal of selenite from water using a synthetic dithiolate: an experimental and quantum chemical investigation.

Combination of the dithiol N,N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)isophthalamide, abbreviated as BDTH2 and as 1, with excess H2SeO3 in aqueous acidic (pH ≈ 1) conditions resulted in precipitation of BDT(S-Se-S) (6), with a (77)Se NMR chemical shift of δ = 675 ppm, and oxidized BDT. When the reaction is conducted under basic conditions Se(IV) is reduced to red Se(0) and oxidized 1. No reaction takes place between 1 and selenate (Se(VI)) under acidic or basic conditions. Compound 6 is stable in air but decomposes to red Se(0) and the disulfide BDT(S-S) (9) with heating and in basic solutions. Mechanisms and energetics of the reactions leading to 6 in aqueous solution were unraveled by extensive calculations at the ωB97X-D/aug-cc-pVTZ-PP level of theory. NMR chemical shift calculations with the gauge-independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method for dimethyl sulfoxide as solvent confirm the generation of 6 (calculated δ value = 677 ppm). These results define the conditions and limitations of using 1 for the removal of selenite from wastewaters. Compound 6 is a rare example of a bidentate selenium dithiolate and provides insight into biological selenium toxicity.

Multilayered mucoadhesive hydrogel films based on thiolated hyaluronic acid and polyvinylalcohol for insulin delivery.

A multilayered hydrogel film system based on hyaluronic acid-cysteamine (HA-Cym) and polyvinylalcohol (PVA) was fabricated. It contained a drug-impermeable backing layer, a supporting layer preventing direct contact between the loaded drug and the backing layer, a drug-loading layer and a mucoadhesive layer. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of the distinct layers. The composition and preparation procedure of the films influenced their mucoadhesion, swelling, in vitro release of insulin and loaded insulin stability. Vacuum drying and crosslinked PVA with glutaraldehyde might reduce mucoadhesion, and they partially decreased the bioactivity of loaded insulin. Lyophilized hydrogel film with uncrosslinked PVA as a mucoadhesive layer possessed high mucoadhesion and showed no influence on the bioactivity of loaded insulin. The application of vacuum-dried PVA-crosslinked HA-Cym/PVA hydrogel film as a drug-impermeable backing layer would provide a controllable unidirectional insulin release. Therefore, such a multilayered hydrogel film system could be a promising mucoadhesive delivery system for controlled macromolecular drug release.

HEC-cysteamine conjugates: influence of degree of thiolation on efflux pump inhibitory and permeation enhancing properties.

Within the present study hydroxyethyl cellulose-cysteamine conjugates are investigated regarding biocompatibility, in situ gelling, permeation enhancing and efflux pump inhibitory properties. For this purpose, a series of concentrations of sodium periodate was prepared to oxidize HEC leading to ring opening of glucose subunits. The resulting polymers showing varying degrees of oxidation (DO) were then conjugated with cysteamine stabilized via reductive amination. Consequently, HEC-cysteamine conjugates with increasing degree in thiolation were obtained. Since the conjugates are positively charged, potency of cytotoxicity was tested by resazurin assay. In situ gelling properties of the conjugates were studied to investigate change of their viscosity due to inter- and/or intramolecular crosslinking via disulfide bonds. The influence of the presence of the conjugates on transport of rhodamine 123 and fluoresceinisothiocyanate-dextran 4 (FD4) representing model compounds for P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition and permeation enhancing studies, respectively, across Caco-2 cell monolayers was determined. The conjugates showed a degree of thiolation in the range of 316-2158 µmol/g. Within 30 min, dynamic viscosity of the conjugate with the lowest degree of thiolation 0.5% (m/v) increased up to 300-fold. The conjugates showed a degree of thiolation-dependent increase in cytotoxicity but they all were found comparatively low cytotoxic. The addition of the conjugate with thiol group content of 1670 µmol/g resulted in the highest improvement in the transport of both rhodamine 123 and FD4 as compared to buffer control. Accordingly, the degree of thiolation strongly influences the properties of the conjugates and the modulation of the degree of thiolation could be exploited for development of various drug delivery systems.

Synthesis and characterization of tritylthioethanamine derivatives with potent KSP inhibitory activity.

Assembly of a bipolar mitotic spindle requires the action of class 5 kinesins, and inhibition or depletion of this motor results in mitotic arrest and apoptosis. S-Trityl-l-cysteine is an allosteric inhibitor of vertebrate Kinesin Spindle Protein (KSP) that has generated considerable interest due to its anti-cancer properties, however, poor pharmacological properties have limited the use of this compound. We have modified the triphenylmethyl and cysteine groups, guided by biochemical and cell-based assays, to yield new cysteinol and cysteamine derivatives with increased inhibitory activity, greater efficacy in model systems, and significantly enhanced potency against the NCI60 tumor panel. These results reveal a promising new class of conformationally-flexible small molecules as allosteric KSP inhibitors for use as research tools, with activities that provide impetus for further development as anti-tumor agents.

Design and synthesis of a novel cationic thiolated polymer.

The purpose of this study was to design and characterize a novel cationic thiolated polymer. In this regard a hydroxyethylcellulose-cysteamine conjugate (HEC-cysteamine) was synthesized. Oxidative ring opening with periodate and reductive amination with cysteamine were performed in order to immobilize free thiol groups to HEC. The resulting HEC-cysteamine displayed 2035 ± 162 µmol immobilized free thiol groups and 185 ± 64 µmol disulfide bonds per gram of polymer being soluble in both acidic and basic conditions. Unlike the unmodified HEC, in case of HEC-cysteamine, a three-fold increase in the viscosity was observed when equal volumes of the polymer were mixed with mucin solution. Tablets based on HEC-cysteamine remained attached on freshly excised porcine mucosa for 8 0h and displayed increased disintegration time of 2h. Swelling behavior of HEC-cysteamine tablets in 0.1M phosphate buffer pH 6.8 indicated swelling ratio of 19 within 8h. In contrast, tablets comprising unmodified HEC detached from the mucosa within few seconds and immediately disintegrated. In addition, they did not exhibit swelling behavior. The transport of rhodamine 123 across freshly excised rat intestine enhanced by a value of approximately 1.6-fold (p-value = 0.0024) in the presence of 0.5% (m/v) HEC-cysteamine as compared to buffer control. Result from cytotoxicity test of HEC-cysteamine applied to Caco-2 cells in concentration of 0.5% (m/v) revealed 82.4 ± 4.60% cell viability. According to these results, HEC-cysteamine seems to be a promising polymer for various pharmaceutical applications especially for intestinal drug delivery.

Synthesis, characterization and properties of a physically and chemically gelling polymer system using poly(NIPAAm-co-HEMA-acrylate) and poly(NIPAAm-co-cysteamine).

The aim of this work was to develop a simultaneous physically and chemically gelling system using NIPAAm co-polymers. The in situ polymer gel was obtained by synthesizing poly(NIPAAm-co-HEMAacrylate) and poly(NIPAAm-co-cysteamine) through free radical polymerization and further nucleophilic substitution. The purpose of the dual gelation is that physical gelation would take place at higher temperatures as the NIPAAm chains associate, while chemical gelation would occur through a Michael-type addition reaction, resulting in a cross-link forming through a nucleophilic attack of the thiolate on the acrylate. The structure of each co-polymer was then verified using (1)H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The corresponding lower critical solution temperature and phase transition behavior of each co-polymer was analyzed through cloud point and DSC, while mechanical properties were investigated through rheology. Swelling behavior was also monitored at different temperatures. The resulting polymer system demonstrated properties compatible with physiological conditions, forming a gel at pH 7.4 and at temperatures near body temperature. The hydrogel also showed reduced viscoelastic flow at low frequency stress, and increased strength than purely physical or chemical gels. Swelling behavior was determined to be temperature-dependent; however, no difference was observed in swelling percent beyond 48 h. Having the ability to alter these co-polymers through various synthesis parameters and techniques, this hydrogel can potentially be used as an injectable, waterborne gelling material for biomedical applications such as endovascular embolization.

Prebiotic synthesis of methionine and other sulfur-containing organic compounds on the primitive Earth: a contemporary reassessment based on an unpublished 1958 Stanley Miller experiment.

Original extracts from an unpublished 1958 experiment conducted by the late Stanley L. Miller were recently found and analyzed using modern state-of-the-art analytical methods. The extracts were produced by the action of an electric discharge on a mixture of methane (CH(4)), hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), ammonia (NH(3)), and carbon dioxide (CO(2)). Racemic methionine was formed in significant yields, together with other sulfur-bearing organic compounds. The formation of methionine and other compounds from a model prebiotic atmosphere that contained H(2)S suggests that this type of synthesis is robust under reducing conditions, which may have existed either in the global primitive atmosphere or in localized volcanic environments on the early Earth. The presence of a wide array of sulfur-containing organic compounds produced by the decomposition of methionine and cysteine indicates that in addition to abiotic synthetic processes, degradation of organic compounds on the primordial Earth could have been important in diversifying the inventory of molecules of biochemical significance not readily formed from other abiotic reactions, or derived from extraterrestrial delivery.

Synthesis of mercaptoethylamine-coated CdSe/CdS nanocrystals and their use for DNA probe.

CdSe/CdS nanocrystals (NCs) have been synthesized in aqueous solution by using mercaptoethylamine as a stabilizer. The results of TEM, UV-Vis and FL spectra show that the product is of excellent crystal structure, uniform in radius, with extraordinary fluorescence characters. These CdSe/CdS NCs allow the ultrasensitive quantitative detection of DNA. Under the optimum conditions, linear relationships have been found between the relative fluorescence intensity and the DNA concentration in the ranges 0 - 10 and 10 - 100 microg mL(-1); the linear equations are DeltaF = 210 + 80.91 C and DeltaF = 946 + 10.57 C (C, microg mL(-1)), respectively. The detection limits are 0.251 and 1.920 microg mL(-1), correspondingly. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of DNA in pig liver. It is indicated that these NCs could become a newly kind of DNA probe. In addition, the mechanism of the binding reaction has also been explored. It is considered that the binding reaction is mainly due to static electricity forces.

Interactions of amphipathic carrier peptides with membrane components in relation with their ability to deliver therapeutics.

To identify rules for the design of efficient CPPs that can deliver therapeutic agents such as nucleic acids (DNAs, siRNAs) or proteins and PNAs into subcellular compartments, we compared the properties of several primary and secondary amphipathic CPPs. Studies performed with lipid monolayers at the air-water interface have enabled identification of the nature of the lipid-peptide interactions and characterization of the influence of phospholipids on the ability of these peptides to penetrate into lipidic media. Penetration and compression experiments reveal that both peptides interact strongly with phospholipids, and observations on Langmuir-Blodgett transfers indicate that they can modify the lipid organization. Conformational investigations indicate that the lipid-peptide interactions govern the conformational state(s) of the peptides. On the basis of the ability of both peptides to promote ion permeation through both natural and artificial membranes, models illustrating the translocation processes have been proposed. One is based on the formation of a beta-barrel pore-like structure while another is based on the association of helices.

Synthesis of poly(beta-amino ester)s with thiol-reactive side chains for DNA delivery.

The safe and efficient delivery of DNA remains the major barrier to the clinical application of non-viral gene therapy. Here, we present novel, biodegradable polymers for gene delivery that are capable of simple graft modification and demonstrate the ability to respond to intracellular conditions. We synthesized poly(beta-amino ester)s using a new amine monomer, 2-(pyridyldithio)-ethylamine (PDA). These cationic, degradable polymers contain pyridyldithio functionalities in the side chains that react with high specificity toward thiol ligands. This reactivity is demonstrated using both mercaptoethylamine (MEA) and the thiol peptide RGDC, a ligand that binds with high affinity to certain integrin receptors. These two polymer derivatives displayed strong DNA binding as determined using electrophoresis and dye exclusion assays. In addition, the MEA-based polymer and plasmid DNA were shown to self-assemble into cationic complexes with effective diameters as low as 100 nm. Furthermore, this DNA binding ability was substantially reduced in response to intracellular glutathione concentrations, which may aid in DNA unpackaging inside the cell. These complexes also displayed low cellular toxicity and were able to mediate transfection at levels comparable to PEI in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. These results suggest that PDA-based poly(beta-amino ester)s may serve as a modular platform for polymer-mediated gene delivery.

Synthesis and antimelanoma activity of reversed amide analogues of N-acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol.

The melanin biosynthetic pathway from tyrosine is a potential target for combating malignant melanoma. N-Acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol 1 is a previously synthesized analogue of tyrosine that probably acts by this pathway. It interferes with cell growth and proliferation via selective oxidation in melanocytes to an oquinone that can alkylate cellular nucleophiles. We previously synthesized a range of analogues of the original lead compound 1 most of which displayed greater cytotoxicity than 1. Eighteen new analogues with the amide group reversed have now been synthesized and tested for antimelanoma activity. Most of these reverse amides showed greater cytotoxicity than N-acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol towards five representative melanoma cell lines. The highest cytotoxicity was observed for the piperidine and hexamethyleneimine derivatives 7, 8, 12, 13, and 17 and the catechol 18. The most active compound, 7, had cytotoxicity comparable to cisplatin against the five melanoma cell lines. The moderate activity of 7 and 18 against SK-Mel-24 (non-tyrosinase containing) and an ovarian cell line suggests that interference with the melanin pathway may not be the only mode of action of these compounds. Assays of some of the compounds as substrates for tyrosinase showed that the catechol 18 was the best substrate and that the piperidine derivative 7 was the best substrate of the phenolic compounds synthesized.

Biodegradable amphiphilic triblock copolymer bearing pendant glucose residues: preparation and specific interaction with Concanavalin A molecules.

A novel biodegradable amphiphilic block copolymer PLGG-PEG-PLGG bearing pendant glucose residues is successfully prepared by the coupling reaction of 3-(2-aminoethylthio)propyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside with the pendant carboxyl groups of PLGG-PEG-PLGG in the presence of N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole. The polymer PLGG-PEG-PLGG, i.e., poly{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt-(L-glutamic acid)]}-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block- poly{(lactic acid)-co-[(glycolic acid)-alt-(L-glutamic acid)]}, is prepared by ring-opening copolymerization of L-lactide (LLA) with (3s)-benzoxylcarbonylethylmorpholine-2,5-dione (BEMD) in the presence of dihydroxyl PEG with molecular weight of 2000 as macroinitiator and Sn(Oct)2 as catalyst, and then by catalytic hydrogenation. The glucose-grafted copolymer shows a lower degree of cytotoxicity to ECV-304 cells and improved specific recognition and binding with Concanavalin A (Con A). Therefore, this kind of glucose-grafted copolymer may find biomedical applications.

Oriented immobilization of antibodies by a self-assembled monolayer of 2-(biotinamido)ethanethiol for immunoarray preparation.

Orientation of antibodies is very important in the preparation of immunoarrays to keep the activity of antibodies on solid surfaces. Thus, we synthesized a new bifunctional compound, 2-(biotinamido)ethanethiol, and investigated whether the thiol compound is useful to analyze antibody-antigen interactions on immunoarrays with a spectral SPR biosensor. The synthesized organic thiol was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. 2-(Biotinamido)ethanethiol formed a monolayer on a gold surface and properly immobilized antibodies via streptavidin and biotinylated protein G. Optimal molar ratio of 2-(biotinamido)ethanethiol and mercaptohexanol for antigen-antibody interactions was 1:2. Thus, 2-(biotinamido)ethanethiol is an useful bifunctional linker in the preparation of immunoarrays on gold surfaces.

Synthesis and antimelanoma activity of sterically congested tertiary amide analogues of N-acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol.

Interference with the biosynthetic pathway to melanin may be a useful means for developing new chemotherapeutic drugs to combat malignant melanoma. N-Acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol (1) is an analogue of tyrosine that is involved in the pathway to melanin. It is probably oxidized selectively in melanocytes to an o-quinone that can alkylate thiol groups on important cellular enzymes, resulting in interference with cell growth and proliferation. We previously synthesized a range of more lipophilic analogues of 1 by independently varying the acyl portion and introducing substitution alpha to the nitrogen. Most of the new compounds displayed greater cytotoxicity than the original lead compound 1. We also made a series of tertiary amides that again showed higher cytotoxicity than 1. In this work three new acetamides and two new cyclohexanecarboxamides containing 4-S-cysteaminylphenol were prepared incorporating both substitution alpha to the nitrogen and different substituents on the nitrogen of the amide in each compound to increase lipophilicity and to reduce further the possibility of hydrolysis of the amides. Most of the new tertiary amides showed greater cytotoxicity towards five representative melanoma cell lines than the parent secondary amide. The highest cytotoxicity against these five cell lines with IC50 values of 1-15 nicroM, comparable to cisplatin, was observed for N-[2[(4-hydroxyphenyl)thio]-1,1-dimethylethyl]-N-methylcyclohexanecarboxamide (8c). The IC50 values of 14.5 and 5.4 microM for this compound against SK-Mel-24 (not containing tyrosinase) and an ovarian cell line, respectively, suggest that interference with the melanin pathway may not be the only mode of action of this new compound. The cyclohexanecarboxamides were better substrates for mushroom tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) than the acetamides.

Synthesis of and structural studies on lead(II) cysteamin complexes.

The novel compounds PbCl(2).(SCH(2)CH(2)NH(3)) (1), Pb(SCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))(2).2PbCl(SCH(2)CH(2)NH(2)) (2), and Pb(SCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))(2) (3) were synthesized by reaction of PbO or PbCl(2) with [HSCH(2)CH(2)NH(3)]Cl and NaOH, and were characterized by elemental analysis, IR-, and UV/vis-spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed different coordination modes for the two Pb atoms in 2. The Pb atom in the Pb(SCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))(2) unit forms two covalent Pb-S and two intramolecular dative Pb...N bonds, leading to a pseudo trigonal bipyramidal configuration with a stereochemically active lone pair. The Pb atom in the PbCl(SCH(2)CH(2)NH(2)) unit, the first moiety structurally characterized of the PbCl(SR) type (R = organic group), forms covalent Pb-Cl and Pb-S bonds, an intramolecular dative Pb...N bond, and two intermolecular Pb...S contacts, giving a pseudo octahedral configuration with a stereochemically active lone pair as well. Despite the Pb(SCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))(2) moiety exhibiting C(2) symmetry in 2, and C(1) symmetry in 3, its structural parameters are rather similar in the two compounds. The influence of the Pb...N bond on molecular structure and thermodynamic stability were estimated by means of quantum chemical ab initio methods. Although an analysis of the wave function in terms of natural bond orbitals (NBO) revealed that n(N) and n(p)(S) compete for the empty p-orbital of the Pb(II) atom, the sigma-type n(N)-6p(Pb) interaction is stronger than the pi-type n(p)(S)-6p(Pb) interaction and hence determines the conformation of the compounds.

Synthesis and antimelanoma activity of tertiary amide analogues of N-acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol.

The biosynthetic pathway to melanin is a realistic target for therapeutic intervention in the development of new drugs to combat malignant melanoma. N-Acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol (1) is an analogue of a biosynthetic intermediate in the pathway to melanin. It probably acts as a prodrug and is oxidized selectively in melanocytes to an o-quinone, which can alkylate cellular nucleophiles resulting in interference with cell growth and proliferation. We previously synthesized a range of more lipophilic analogues of 1 by varying the acyl portion and introducing substitution alpha to the nitrogen. Most of the new compounds displayed greater cytotoxicity than the original lead compound 1. We have now prepared 12 new compounds with varying acyl portions and three different substituents on the nitrogen of the amide in order to increase lipophilicity and to reduce the possibility of hydrolysis of the amides. Most of the tertiary amides showed greater cytotoxicity towards five representative melanoma cell lines than the parent secondary amide. The highest cytotoxicity, comparable to cisplatin, was observed for the benzyl substituted compounds 4, 8, 12, and 16 and the cyclohexylacetamide derivatives 13-15 against these five cell lines. The moderate activity of 13-16 against SK-Mel-24 (non-tyrosinase containing) and an ovarian cell line suggests that interference with the melanin pathway may not be the only mode of action of these new compounds.

Thiolated polymers: synthesis and in vitro evaluation of polymer-cysteamine conjugates.

The purpose of the present study was to synthesize and characterize novel thiolated polymers. Mediated by a carbodiimide cysteamine was covalently linked to sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polycarbophil (PCP). The resulting CMC-cysteamine conjugates displayed 77.9+/-6.7 and 365.1+/-8.7 micromol thiol groups per gram of polymer, whereas the PCP-cysteamine conjugates showed 26.3+/-1.9 and 122.7+/-3.8 micromol thiol groups per gram of polymer (mean+/-S.D.; n=3). In aqueous solutions above pH 5.0 both modified polymers were capable of forming inter- and/or intra-molecular disulfide bonds. The reaction velocity of this oxidation process was accelerated with a decrease in the proton concentration. The oxidation proceeded more rapidly within thiolated CMC than within thiolated PCP. Permeation studies carried out in Ussing-type chambers with freshly excised intestinal mucosa from guinea pigs utilizing sodium fluorescein as model drug for the paracellular uptake revealed an enhancement ratio (R=P(app) (conjugate)/P(app) (control)) of 1.15 and 1.41 (mean+/-S.D.; n=3) for the higher thiolated CMC-cysteamine (0.5%; m/v) and PCP-cysteamine conjugate (1.0%; m/v), respectively. The decrease in the transepithelial electrical resistance values was in good correlation with the enhancement ratios. Due to a high crosslinking tendency by the formation of disulfide bonds stabilizing drug carrier systems based on thiolated polymers and a permeation enhancing effect, CMC- and PCP-cysteamine conjugates represent promising excipients for the development of novel drug delivery systems.