Perphenazine modified pillar[5]arene based nano-assemblies for synergistic photothermal and photodynamic cancer therapy.

Nano-assemblies based on perphenazine modified pillar[5]arene were constructed successfully for synergistic photothermal and photodynamic (I&II) cancer therapy.

Repurposing of antipsychotics perphenazine for the treatment of endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common and fatal gynecological cancers worldwide, but there is no effective treatment for the EC patients of progesterone resistance. Repurposing of existing drugs is a good strategy to discover new candidate drugs. In this text, perphenazine (PPZ), approved for psychosis therapy, was identified as a potential agent for the treatment of both progesterone sensitive and resistant endometrial cancer for the first time. Specifically, perphenazine exhibited good cell proliferation inhibition in Ishikawa (ISK) and KLE cell lines according to the CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay. It also reduced the cell migration of ISK and KLE cell lines in the light of the transwell migration assay. Annexin-V/PI double staining assay suggested that perphenazine could effectively induce ISK and KLE cell apoptosis. Moreover, results of western blot assay indicated perphenazine obviously inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt. Delightedly, PPZ also could significantly attenuate xenograft tumor growth at both 3 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg in mice without influencing the body weights.

Direct comparison between millifluidic and bulk-mixing platform in the synthesis of amorphous drug-polysaccharide nanoparticle complex.

Amorphous drug-polysaccharide nanoparticle complex (or drug nanoplex) had emerged as an ideal supersaturating delivery system of poorly-soluble drugs attributed to its many attractive characteristics. Herein we presented for the first time direct comparison between two nanoplex synthesis platforms, i.e. millifluidics and bulk mixing, representing continuous and batch production modes, respectively. They were compared by the resultant nanoplex's (1) physical characteristics (size, zeta potential, and payload), (2) preparation efficiency, (3) storage stability, (4) dissolution rate/supersaturation generation, and (5) production consistency. The effects of key variables in drug-polysaccharide complexation (pH, charge ratio) were investigated in both platforms. Perphenazine and dextran sulfate were used as the drug and polysaccharide models, respectively. The results showed that both platforms shared similar dependences on pH and charge ratio with similar optimal preparation conditions, where the pH was the governing variable through its influence on size and zeta potential, Nanoplexes having mostly similar characteristics (size ≈70-90nm, zeta potential ≈-50mV) were produced by both platforms, except for the payload where bulk mixing resulted in lower payload (65% versus 85%). The lower payload, however, resulted in its superior supersaturation generation. Nevertheless, millifluidics was favored attributed to its superior production consistency and scalability.

Reflectometric monitoring of the dissolution process of thin polymeric films.

Pharmaceutical thin films are versatile drug-delivery platforms i.e. allowing transdermal, oral, sublingual and buccal administration. However, dissolution testing of thin films is challenging since the commonly used dissolution tests for conventional dosage forms correspond rather poorly to the physiological conditions at the site of administration. Here we introduce a traditional optical reflection method for monitoring the dissolution behavior of thin polymeric films. The substances, e.g. drug molecules, released from the film generate an increase in the refractive index in the liquid medium which can be detected by reflectance monitoring. Thin EUDRAGIT® RL PO poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate-co trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride) (RLPO) films containing the model drug perphenazine (PPZ) were prepared by spraying on a glass substrate. The glass substrates were placed inside the flow cell in the reflectometer which was then filled with phosphate buffer solution. Dissolution was monitored by measuring the reflectance of the buffer liquid. The method was able to detect the distinctive dissolution characteristics of different film formulations and measured relatively small drug concentrations. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that a traditional optical reflection method can provide valuable information about the dissolution characteristics of thin polymeric films in low liquid volume surroundings.

Effect of storage on the physical stability of thin polymethacrylate-perphenazine films.

We evaluated the physical stability of thin polymethacrylate-drug films under three different storage conditions by X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, polarized light microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Mechanical properties i.e. elongation, mechanical strength, and in vitro drug release from the thin films were also determined during storage. The films consisted of ammonium methacrylate copolymer (RLPO)/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer (EPO), polyvinylpyrroline (PVP)/polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Soluplus) and perphenazine (PPZ). PPZ remained fully amorphous in all RLPO- and EPO -films for up to 12months' storage at 4°C in dry conditions. Instead, in EPO+PVP+PPZ 15% -films, higher temperature induced recrystallization of PPZ within three months and higher humidity also at six months. Crystallization was also observed in EPO+Soluplus+PPZ 10% -films at high temperature at 12months. The amount of PPZ released was significantly lower from recrystallized PPZ films than from stable amorphous films. The better stability of RLPO -films was attributed to PPZ being molecularly dispersed and also because of strong drug-polymer interactions in the films, while increasing storage temperatures weakened the hydrogen bonding interactions in the EPO -films. In addition, the presence of hygroscopic PVP facilitated PPZ recrystallization in the EPO -films if they were stored in a highly humid environment.

Amorphous nanoparticle complex of perphenazine and dextran sulfate as a new solubility enhancement strategy of antipsychotic perphenazine.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to develop a new solubility enhancement strategy of antipsychotic drug - perphenazine (PPZ) - in the form of its amorphous nanoparticle complex (or nanoplex) with polyelectrolyte dextran sulfate (DXT). SIGNIFICANCE: Poor bioavailability of PPZ necessitated the development of fast-dissolving PPZ formulations regardless of delivery routes. Existing fast-dissolving formulations, however, exhibited low PPZ payload. The high-payload PPZ-DXT nanoplex represents an attractive fast-dissolving formulation, as dissolution rate is known to be proportional to payload. METHODS: The nanoplex was prepared by electrostatically driven complexation between PPZ and DXT in a simple process that involved only ambient mixing of PPZ and DXT solutions. We investigated the effects of key variables in drug-polyelectrolyte complexation (i.e. pH and charge ratio RDXT/PPZ) on the physical characteristics and preparation efficiency of the nanoplex produced. Subsequently, we characterized the colloidal and amorphous state stabilities, dissolution enhancement, and supersaturation generation of the nanoplex prepared at the optimal condition. RESULTS: The physical characteristics of nanoplex were governed by RDXT/PPZ, while the preparation efficiency was governed by the preparation pH. Nanoplex having size of ≈80 nm, zeta potential of ≈(-) 60 mV, and payload of ≈70% (w/w) were prepared at nearly 90% PPZ utilization rate and ≈60% yield. The nanoplex exhibited superior dissolution than native PPZ in simulated intestinal juice, resulting in high and prolonged apparent solubility with good storage stabilities. CONCLUSIONS: The simple yet efficient preparation, excellent physical characteristics, fast dissolution, and high apparent solubility exhibited by the PPZ-DXT nanoplex established its potential as a new bioavailability enhancement strategy of PPZ.

Molecular mobility in the supercooled and glassy states of nizatidine and perphenazine.

The dielectric properties of two pharmaceuticals nizatidine and perphenazine were investigated in the supercooled liquid and glassy states by broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Two relaxation processes were observed in both the pharmaceuticals. The relaxation process observed above the glass transition temperature is the structural alpha relaxation and below the glass transition temperature is the gamma relaxation of intramolecular origin. The Johari-Goldstein beta relaxation coming from the motion of the entire molecule is found to be hidden under the structural relaxation peak in both the pharmaceuticals.

Electrospun fibers as potential carrier systems for enhanced drug release of perphenazine.

Solubility represents an important challenge for formulation of drugs, because the therapeutic efficacy of a drug depends on the bioavailability and ultimately on its solubility. Low aqueous solubility is one of the main issues related with formulation design and development of new molecules. Many drug molecules present bioavailability problems due to their poor solubility. For this reason there is a great interest in the development of new carrier systems able to enhance the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs. In this work, fibers containing an insoluble model drug and prepared by an electrospinning method, are proposed and evaluated to solve this problem. Two hydrophilic polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (Plasdone® K29/32) and polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Soluplus®) were used to increase the water solubility of perphenazine. The physico-chemical characterization suggests that the drug loaded in the fibers is in the amorphous state. Both polymeric carriers are effective to promote the drug dissolution rate in water, where this active pharmaceutical ingredient is insoluble, due to the fine dispersion of the drug into the polymeric matrices, obtained with this production technique. In fact, the dissolution profiles of the fibers, compared to the simple physical mixture of the two components, and to the reference commercial product Trilafon® 8mg tablets, show that a strong enhancement of the drug dissolution rate can be achieved with the electrospinning technique.

Monitoring of drug release kinetics from thin polymer films by multi-parametric surface plasmon resonance.

The aim of the present study is to monitor the release of perphenazine (PPZ) from thin polymer films in real-time by the multi-parametric surface plasmon resonance method (MP-SPR). The MP-SPR method is capable of measuring changes in polymer films that are significantly thicker than the apparent scanning depth of the SPR field. The in vitro reference measurements confirm that the MP-SPR results can be correlated to the in vitro release of PPZ. However, information gained by MP-SPR can be used to identify three different modes of change in the films with different kinetic timescales, which are not visible in the in vitro testing. The EUDRAGIT(®) RL PO-PVP-PPZ-film shows significantly faster changes than the film without polyvinylpyrroline (PVP). This information can be used to optimize the drug-release profile of different film formulations for different pharmaceutical purposes.

Molecular Design for Dual Modulation Effect of Amyloid Protein Aggregation.

Modulation of protein self-assembly has been a powerful strategy for controlling and understanding amyloid protein aggregation. Most modulators of amyloid aggregation only involve simple inhibition or acceleration. Here we report a new multivalent molecular motif, the polyethylenimine-perphenazine (PEI-P) conjugate which has a dual "acceleration-inhibition" modulation effect on amyloid ß (Aß) aggregation. Dose dependent results from Thioflavin T fluorescence assays, circular dichroism, and atomic force microscopy show that PEI-P conjugates accelerate formation of Aß prefibrillar intermediates and then inhibit Aß fibrillation. Furthermore, compared to perphenazine alone, PEI-P conjugates exhibit an enhanced inhibitory effect due to multivalency. Cell viability assays indicate that the PEI-P conjugates reduce the cytotoxicity of Aß aggregates in a dose-dependent manner. This new modulation strategy may shed light on controlling amyloid aggregation, which offers a general concept for designing new modulators.

PLGA biodegradable nanoparticles containing perphenazine or chlorpromazine hydrochloride: effect of formulation and release.

In our study, poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with perphenazine (PPH) and chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CPZ-HCl) were formulated by emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The effect of various processing variables, including PLGA concentration, theoretical drug loading, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) concentration and the power of sonication were assessed systematically to obtain higher encapsulation efficiency and to minimize the nanoparticles size. By the optimization formulation process, the nanoparticles were obtained in submicron size from 325.5 ± 32.4 to 374.3 ± 10.1 nm for nanoparticles loaded with PPH and CPZ-HCl, respectively. Nanoparticles observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) presented smooth surface and spherical shape. The encapsulation efficiency of nanoparticles loaded with PPH and CPZ-HCl were 83.9% and 71.0%, respectively. The drug loading were 51.1% and 39.4% for PPH and CPZ-HCl, respectively. Lyophilized nanoparticles with different PLGA concentration 0.8%, 1.3% and 1.6% (w/v) in formulation process were evaluated for in vitro release in phosphate buffered saline (pH = 7.4) by using dialysis bags. The release profile for both drugs have shown that the rate of PPH and CPZ-HCl release were dependent on a size and amount of drugs in the nanoparticles.

Phenothiazines induce PP2A-mediated apoptosis in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive cancer that is frequently associated with activating mutations in NOTCH1 and dysregulation of MYC. Here, we performed 2 complementary screens to identify FDA-approved drugs and drug-like small molecules with activity against T-ALL. We developed a zebrafish system to screen small molecules for toxic activity toward MYC-overexpressing thymocytes and used a human T-ALL cell line to screen for small molecules that synergize with Notch inhibitors. We identified the antipsychotic drug perphenazine in both screens due to its ability to induce apoptosis in fish, mouse, and human T-ALL cells. Using ligand-affinity chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, we identified protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) as a perphenazine target. T-ALL cell lines treated with perphenazine exhibited rapid dephosphorylation of multiple PP2A substrates and subsequent apoptosis. Moreover, shRNA knockdown of specific PP2A subunits attenuated perphenazine activity, indicating that PP2A mediates the drug's antileukemic activity. Finally, human T-ALLs treated with perphenazine exhibited suppressed cell growth and dephosphorylation of PP2A targets in vitro and in vivo. Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the recurring identification of phenothiazines as a class of drugs with anticancer effects. Furthermore, these data suggest that pharmacologic PP2A activation in T-ALL and other cancers driven by hyperphosphorylated PP2A substrates has therapeutic potential.

Effect of storage on the dissolution rate of a fast-dissolving perphenazine/ß-cyclodextrin complex.

OBJECTIVE: In general, the chemical and physical stability of amorphous cyclodextrin complexes and how storage affects their dissolution rate have not been widely reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the solid-state stability of a fast-dissolving perphenazine/ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) complex, which has been found to be well absorbed after sublingual administration to rabbits. In addition, the dissolution rate of plain ß-CD in crystalline and amorphous forms was determined. METHODS: The amorphous perphenazine/ß-CD complex powders were prepared by spray-drying and freeze-drying, and their stability was examined after storage at 40°C, 75% relative humidity (RH) or at room temperature, 60% RH for up to 82 days. KEY FINDINGS: Perphenazine was found to be chemically stable in all samples. The dissolution rate of perphenazine remained practically unchanged at both storage conditions, although partial crystallization was observed in both spray-dried and freeze-dried samples at 40°C, 75% RH. Interestingly, it was also observed that the dissolution rates of crystalline and amorphous ß-CD were similar. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that CD complexation may represent a suitable alternative for preparing intraorally dissolving formulations because the fast dissolution rate of the drug was maintained even though changes in the crystal structure were observed during storage.

Development of orally disintegrating tablets of Perphenazine/hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complex.

The aim of the present work was to prepare perphenazine (PPZ) orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) based on the use of hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) forming inclusion complex with PPZ to improve the solubility and dissolution of this practically insoluble drug. Phase solubility studies were performed to evaluate the complexation of PPZ with HP-ß-CD in three aqueous systems. The inclusion complex prepared by evaporation method was characterized by different physicochemical techniques, including the dissolution studies. The prepared complex was incorporated into ODTs containing different fillers and disintegrants. The ODTs prepared by direct compression were evaluated for drug content, hardness, porosity, friability, in vitro disintegration time (DT), wetting time (WT) and dissolution profiles. The solubility and dissolution rate were substantially improved compared with that of PPZ. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses suggested that PPZ could form true inclusion complex with HP-ß-CD. The optimized formulation F6 exhibited short DT (15.5 ± 1.9 s) and WT (34.2 ± 2.3 s), sufficient hardness (30.4 ± 1.6 N/mm) and rapid drug dissolution. The developed tablet formulation could be a promising drug delivery system with improvements in PPZ bioavailability and patient compliance.

Fast-dissolving sublingual solid dispersion and cyclodextrin complex increase the absorption of perphenazine in rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: The sublingual administration route as well as solid dispersion formation with macrogol 8000 and complexation with ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CyD) were investigated as ways for improving the absorption of perphenazine, a poorly water-soluble drug subjected to substantial first-pass metabolism. METHODS: The absorption of perphenazine was studied in rabbits after sublingual administration of perphenazine/macrogol solid dispersion, solid perphenazine/ß-CyD complex and plain micronized perphenazine, as well as after peroral administration of an aqueous perphenazine solution. Solid formulations were prepared by freeze-drying (perphenazine/macrogol solid dispersion) or spray-drying (perphenazine/ß-CyD complex). KEY FINDINGS: The value for area under the curve from 0 to 360 min (AUC(0-360 min) ) of perphenazine after peroral administration was only 8% of the AUC(0-360 min) value obtained after intravenous administration, while the corresponding values for the sublingually administered formulations were 53% (perphenazine/macrogol solid dispersion), 41% (perphenazine/ß-CyD complex) and 64% (micronized perphenazine). There are three possible mechanisms to explain these results: avoidance of the first-pass metabolism; good sublingual absorption of perphenazine; and rapid dissolution rate of perphenazine from the studied formulations. CONCLUSIONS: With sublingual administration, the drug has to dissolve rapidly in a small volume of saliva. Based on the present absorption studies in rabbits, the solid dispersion preparation and cyclodextrin complexation were postulated to be useful ways to attain successful sublingual administration of perphenazine. Good sublingual absorption was also achieved by micronization of perphenazine. As far as we are aware, this paper is one of the first to evaluate the sublingual administration of a solid dispersion in vivo.

Thermally induced intramolecular oxygen migration of N-oxides in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

N-Oxides are known to undergo three main thermal degradation reactions, namely deoxygenation, Cope elimination (for N-oxides containing a ß-hydrogen) and Meisenheimer rearrangement, in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS). The ions corresponding to these thermal degradants observed in the ensuing APCI mass spectra have been used to identify N-oxides as well as to determine the N-oxidation site when the analyte contains multiple tertiary amine groups. In this paper, we report a thermally induced oxygen migration from one N-oxide amine to another tert-amine group present in the same molecule through a six-membered ring transition state during APCI-MS analysis. The observed intramolecular oxygen migration resulted in the formation of a new isomeric N-oxide, rendering the results of the APCI-MS analysis more difficult to interpret and potentially misleading. In addition, we observed novel degradation behavior that happened after the Meisenheimer rearrangement of the newly formed N-oxide: a homolytic cleavage of the N-O bond instead of elimination of an aldehyde or a ketone that usually follows the rearrangement. Understanding of these unusual degradation pathways, which have not been reported previously, should facilitate structural elucidation of N-oxides using APCI-MS analysis.

Perphenazine solid dispersions for orally fast-disintegrating tablets: physical stability and formulation.

AIM: The aim of this study was to prepare an orally fast-disintegrating tablet (FDT) by direct compression, containing a poorly soluble drug (perphenazine, PPZ) formulated as a stable solid dispersion. METHODS: The stability studies of the fast dissolving 5/1, 1/5, 1/20 (w/w), PPZ/polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP) or polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG)) solid dispersions, and amorphous PPZ were conducted with differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and dissolution rate studies. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: It was found that 1/5 PPZ/PEG was the most stable dispersion under elevated temperature and/or humidity. FDTs containing 60% of mannitol, 15% of calcium silicate, 15% of crospovidone, and 10% of 1/5 PPZ/PEG solid dispersion exhibited fast disintegration times (37 +/- 3), sufficient hardness (1.28 +/- 0.06 MPa), and fast onset of drug dissolution (34% of PPZ dissolved in 4 minutes), and these properties were found to be retained with storage. Thus, by optimizing the drug/excipient ratio of the solid dispersion and tablet composition, it was possible to produce FDTs that possessed fast disintegration and satisfactory drug dissolution in addition to adequate tensile strength, so that they can be handled and packed normally.

Intraorally fast-dissolving particles of a poorly soluble drug: preparation and in vitro characterization.

In this study, the dissolution rate of a poorly soluble drug, perphenazine (PPZ) was improved by a solid dispersion technique to permit its usage in intraoral formulations. Dissolution of PPZ (4 mg) in a small liquid volume (3 ml, pH 6.8) within one minute was set as the objective. PVP K30 and PEG 8000 were selected for carriers according to the solubility parameter approach and their 5/1, 1/5 and 1/20 mixtures with PPZ (PPZ/polymer w/w) were prepared by freeze-drying from 0.1 N HCl solutions. The dissolution rate of PPZ was improved with all drug/polymer mixture ratios compared to crystalline or micronized PPZ. A major dissolution rate improvement was seen with 1/5 PPZ/PEG formulation, i.e. PPZ was dissolved completely within one minute. SAXS, DSC and XRPD measurements indicated that solid solutions of amorphous PPZ in amorphous PVP or in partly amorphous PEG were formed. DSC and FTIR studies suggested that PPZ dihydrochloride salt was formed and hydrogen bonding was occurred between PPZ and the polymers. It was concluded that molecular mixing together with salt formation promoted the dissolution of PPZ, especially in the case of the 1/5 PPZ/PEG dispersion, making it a promising candidate for use in intraoral formulations.

In vitro phototoxicity of phenothiazines: involvement of stable UVA photolysis products formed in aqueous medium.

This paper reports the results of an in vitro evaluation of the phototoxic potential of stable photoproducts formed by UVA photolysis of three phenothiazines, perphenazine, fluphenazine, and thioridazine, in a water environment. Perphenazine gave a single product due to dechlorination. From thioridazine, the two major products formed; the endocyclic sulfoxide and the endocyclic N-oxide in which the 2-SCH3 substituent was replaced by a hydroxy group were tested. From fluphenazine, two products have been examined as follows: an exocyclic N-piperazine oxide and a carboxylic acid arising from hydrolysis of the 2-CF3 group. The phototoxicity of the isolated photoproducts has been studied in order to determine their possible involvement in the photosensitizing effects exhibited by the parent drugs, using hemolysis and 3T3 fibroblasts viability as in vitro assays. As fluphenazine, perphenazine, and thioridazine did, some photoproducts proved phototoxic. In particular, the perphenazine dechlorinated photoproduct and the thioridazine N-oxide were found to exert phototoxic properties similar to the parent compounds. Therefore, our data suggest that some phenothiazine photoproducts may play a role in the mechanism of photosensitivity of these drugs. Because some of these photoproducts correspond to metabolic products of phenothiazines found in humans, it cannot be ruled out that metabolites of phenothiazines can be phototoxic in vivo.

Preliminary studies on phenothiazine-mediated reversal of multidrug resistance in mouse lymphoma and COLO 320 cells.

The ability of phenothiazine derivatives to inhibit the transport activity of P-glycoprotein in resistant mouse lymphoma and MDR/COLO 320 cells was studied. A rhodamine 123 efflux from the above-mentioned neoplastic cells in the presence of tested compounds was examined by flow cytometry. Two of the phenothiazine derivatives, namely perphenazine and prochlorperazine dimaleate, proved to be effective inhibitors of the rhodamine efflux. Other tested phenothiazine derivatives (promethazine hydrochloride, oxomemazine, methotrimeprazine maleate, trifluoropromazine hydrochloride, trimeprazine) also modulated the intracellular drug accumulation in both resistant cell lines, however, they exerted additional cytotoxic effects. The differences observed between the effects of the test compounds on intracellular drug accumulation could be the outcome of differences in phenothiazine's chemical structure, which is crucial for drug-cell membrane interactions. The results of this study provide information about a new group of compounds that offer promise in multidrug resistance reversal in tumor cells.