Carboxymethyl cellulose-based rotigotine nanocrystals-loaded hydrogel for increased transdermal delivery with alleviated skin irritation.

Transdermal rotigotine (RTG) therapy is prescribed to manage Parkinson's disease (Neupro® patch). However, its use is suffered from application site reactions. Herein, drug nanocrystalline suspension (NS)-loaded hydrogel (NS-HG) employing polysaccharides simultaneously as suspending agent and hydrogel matrix was constructed for transdermal delivery, with alleviated skin irritation. RTG-loaded NS-HG was prepared using a bead-milling technique, employing sodium carboxylmethyl cellulose (Na.CMC) as nano-suspending agent (molecular weight 90,000 g/mol) and hydrogel matrix (700,000 g/mol), respectively. NS-HG was embodied as follows: drug loading: ≤100 mg/mL; shape: rectangular crystalline; crystal size: <286.7 nm; zeta potential: -61 mV; viscosity: <2.16 Pa·s; and dissolution rate: >90 % within 15 min. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis revealed that the anionic polymers bind to RTG nanocrystals via charge interaction, affording uniform dispersion in the matrix. Rodent transdermal absorption of RTG from NS-HG was comparable to that from microemulsions, and proportional to drug loading. Moreover, NS-HG was skin-friendly; erythema and epidermal swelling were absent after repeated application. Further, NS-HG was chemically stable; >95 % of the drug was preserved up to 4 weeks under long term (25 °C/RH60%), accelerated (40 °C/RH75%), and stress (50 °C) storage conditions. Therefore, this novel cellulose derivative-based nanoformulation presents a promising approach for effective transdermal RTG delivery with improved tolerability.

Chemoenzymatic total synthesis of rotigotine via IRED-catalyzed reductive amination.

A short and chemoenzymatic synthesis of rotigotine using an IR-36-M5 mutant is reported. Focusing on the residues that directly contact the 2-tetralone moiety, we applied structure-guided semi-rational design to obtain a double-mutant F260W/M147Y, which showed a good isolated yield and S-stereoselectivity >99% toward 2-aminotetralin synthesis. Furthermore, the utility of this biocatalytic protocol was successfully demonstrated in the enantioselective synthesis of rotigotine via enzymatic reductive amination as the key step.

Conformationally Defined Rexinoids for the Prevention of Inflammation and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers.

Compound 1 is a potent rexinoid that is highly effective in cancer chemoprevention but elevates serum triglycerides. In an effort to separate the lipid toxicity from the anticancer activity of 1, we synthesized four new analogs of rexinoid 1, of which three rexinoids did not elevate serum triglycerides. Rexinoids 3 and 4 are twice as potent as rexinoid 1 in binding to Retinoid X receptor (RXR). All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) plays a key role in maintaining skin homeostasis, and rexinoids 3-6 are highly effective in upregulating the genes responsible for the biosynthesis of ATRA. Inflammation plays a key role in skin cancer, and rexinoids 3 and 4 are highly effective in diminishing LPS-induced inflammation. Rexinoids 3 and 4 are highly effective in preventing UVB-induced nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) without displaying any overt toxicities. Biophysical studies of rexinoids 3 and 5 bound to hRXRα-ligand binding domain (LBD) reveal important conformational and dynamical differences in the ligand binding domain.

Discovery of orexin 2 receptor selective and dual orexin receptor agonists based on the tetralin structure: Switching of receptor selectivity by chirality on the tetralin ring.

A novel series of 1-amino-tetralin derivatives were designed and synthesized based on the putative binding mode of the naphthalene-type orexin receptor agonist 5 and their agonist activities against orexin receptors were evaluated. The introduction of N-methyl-(3-methoxyphenyl)acetamide unit onto the 1-amino-tetralin skeleton remarkably enhanced the potency of the agonist. The asymmetric synthesis of 6 revealed that (-)-6 having a (S)-1-amino-tetralin skeleton showed a OX2R selective agonist activity (EC50 = 2.69 nM for OX2R, OX1R/OX2R = 461) yet its enantiomer (R)-(+)-6 showed a potent OX1/2R dual agonist activity (EC50 = 13.5 nM for OX1R, 0.579 nM for OX2R, OX1R/OX2R = 23.3). These results suggested that upward orientation of the amide side chain against the tetralin scaffold (S-configuration) would be selective for OX2R activation, and the downward orientation (R-configuration) would be significant for dual agonist activity. To our best knowledge, there have been no reports thus far that the stereochemistry of one carbon center on the agonist structure regulates the orexin receptor selectivity. Our results would provide important information for the development of OX1R selective agonists.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antiradical Properties of Some Phyto and Mammalian Lignans.

In this study, the antioxidant and antiradical properties of some phyto lignans (nordihydroguaiaretic acid, secoisolariciresinol, secoisolariciresinol diglycoside, and α-(-)-conidendrin) and mammalian lignans (enterodiol and enterolactone) were examined by different antioxidant assays. For this purpose, radical scavenging activities of phyto and mammalian lignans were realized by 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical (ABTS•+) scavenging assay and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging assay. Additionally, the reducing ability of phyto and mammalian lignans were evaluated by cupric ions (Cu2+) reducing (CUPRAC) ability, and ferric ions (Fe3+) and [Fe3+-(TPTZ)2]3+ complex reducing (FRAP) abilities. Also, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were determined and reported for DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging influences of all of the lignan molecules. The absorbances of the lignans were found in the range of 0.150-2.320 for Fe3+ reducing, in the range of 0.040-2.090 for Cu2+ reducing, and in the range of 0.360-1.810 for the FRAP assay. On the other hand, the IC50 values of phyto and mammalian lignans were determined in the ranges of 6.601-932.167 µg/mL for DPPH• scavenging and 13.007-27.829 µg/mL for ABTS•+ scavenging. In all of the used bioanalytical methods, phyto lignans, as secondary metabolites in plants, demonstrated considerably higher antioxidant activity compared to that of mammalian lignans. In addition, it was observed that enterodiol and enterolactone exhibited relatively weaker antioxidant activities when compared to phyto lignans or standard antioxidants, including butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Trolox, and α-tocopherol.

Rotigotine protects against oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL)-induced damages in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).

Rotigotine is a non-ergoline dopamine agonist that has been licensed for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Cardiovascular diseases are the world's leading cause of death. Ox-LDL- induced endothelial damages are involved in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we assessed the beneficial properties of Rotigotine on ox-LDL-induced insults to HUVECs to highlight its potential use in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Our findings show that Rotigotine suppresses the expressions of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK-9), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP-2). It also inhibits ox-LDL-induced cholesterol accumulation in endothelial cells (ECs), improves U937 monocytes adhesion, and decreases the representation of NADPH oxidase (NOX-4) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells (ECs). Furthermore, Rotigotine inhibited the expressions of both vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in HUVECs and had anti-inflammatory efficacy in ox-LDL-induced cells by inhibiting the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Notably, Rotigotine inhibits the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) by preventing nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and reducing the luciferase activity of NF-κB reporter. We, therefore, conclude that these effects of Rotigotine on HUVECs suggest that it may play a therapeutic role in cardiovascular diseases.

Comparative study of dezocine, pentazocine and tapentadol on antinociception and physical dependence.

AIMS: Dezocine and pentazocine, widely prescribed in China for postoperative pain, were initially considered as mixed agonist/antagonist targeting µ-opioid receptors (MORs) and κ-opioid receptors (KORs). However, dezocine has been revealed to alleviate chronic neuropathic pain through MOR activation and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition (NRI). This study investigated dezocine- and pentazocine-induced antinociception and physical dependence development, compared to the typical MOR-NRI opioid tapentadol. MAIN METHODS: Calcium mobilization assay was conducted to assess the potency of the drugs while hot-plate test was performed to compare the antinociception. Physical dependence development was compared with morphine. KEY FINDINGS: Treatment with dezocine, pentazocine and tapentadol stimulated calcium mobilization in HEK293 cells stably expressed MORs but not KORs, whereas dezocine and pentazocine inhibited KOR activities. Subcutaneously injected dezocine-, tapentadol- and pentazocine-induced antinociception dose-dependently, in hot-plate test. Intrathecally injected MOR antagonist CTAP, norepinephrine depletor 6-OHDA and α2-adrenoceptor (α2-AR) antagonist yohimbine partially antagonized dezocine, pentazocine and tapentadol antinociception. Whereas specific KOR antagonist GNTI did not alter their antinociception, the putative inverse KOR agonist nor-BNI reduced dezocine and pentazocine antinociception. Moreover, combined CTAP and 6-OHDA or yohimbine blocked dezocine and tapentadol antinociception but displayed the same partial inhibition on pentazocine antinociception as CTAP alone. Furthermore, compared to morphine and pentazocine, long-term treatment with dezocine and tapentadol produced much less physical dependence-related withdrawal signs, which were restored by spinal 6-OHDA or yohimbine treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings illustrated that dezocine and tapentadol, but not pentazocine, exert remarkable antinociception in nociceptive pain with less abuse liability via dual mechanisms of MOR activation and NRI.

Synthesis of Pharmaceutically Relevant 2-Aminotetralin and 3-Aminochroman Derivatives via Enzymatic Reductive Amination.

2-Aminotetralin and 3-aminochroman derivatives are key structural motifs present in a wide range of pharmaceutically important molecules. Herein, we report an effective biocatalytic approach towards these molecules through the enantioselective reductive coupling of 2-tetralones and 3-chromanones with a diverse range of primary amine partners. Metagenomic imine reductases (IREDs) were employed as the biocatalysts, obtaining high yields and enantiocomplementary selectivity for >15 examples at preparative scale, including the precursors to Ebalzotan, Robalzotan, Alnespirone and 5-OH-DPAT. We also present a convergent chemo-enzymatic total synthesis of the Parkinson's disease therapy Rotigotine in 63 % overall yield and 92 % ee.

Reversed lipid micellar hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction of rotigotine in rat plasma.

A hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME) based on a reversed lipid micelle as the extraction phase was proposed and combined with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the determination of rotigotine in biological matrix. In the proposed procedure, pieces of hollow fibers were fastened on a magnetic stir bar using a thread to provide better precision. Rotigotine was extracted from 5 mL of diluted plasma sample phase with pH 6 into reversed lipid micelle (5 mmol/L of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline in n-octanol/water) impregnated in both the wall pores and the lumen of the hollow fiber. After the extraction at 900 rpm and room temperature for 30 min, the acceptor phase of reversed lipid micelle was collected for HPLC analysis. Various parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, such as type of surfactant and organic solvent, surfactant concentration, sample phase pH, salt amount, extraction time, stirring rate, and dilution factor of the plasma sample, were investigated and optimized. Furthermore, the formed reversed lipid micelle was characterized by fluorescence method. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of rotigotine was between 2 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL with determination coefficient (r2) ≥ 0.9913. It is shown from results of method validation that the satisfactory accuracy (the relative errors between -8.5% and 3.3%), precision (the relative standard deviations from 3.8% to 8.9%), stability and matrix effect were obtained. The enrichment factor (EF) of the reversed lipid micelle-based HF-LPME for rotigotine reached 126. And the feasibility of the proposed method was confirmed by the application to the pharmacokinetic study of rotigotine in rat plasma.

Lasofoxifene as a potential treatment for therapy-resistant ER-positive metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Endocrine therapy remains the mainstay of treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Constitutively active mutations in the ligand binding domain of ERα render tumors resistant to endocrine agents. Breast cancers with the two most common ERα mutations, Y537S and D538G, have low sensitivity to fulvestrant inhibition, a typical second-line endocrine therapy. Lasofoxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator with benefits on bone health and breast cancer prevention potential. This study investigated the anti-tumor activity of lasofoxifene in breast cancer xenografts expressing Y537S and D538G ERα mutants. The combination of lasofoxifene with palbociclib, a CDK4/6 inhibitor, was also evaluated. METHODS: Luciferase-GFP tagged MCF7 cells bearing wild-type, Y537S, or D538G ERα were injected into the mammary ducts of NSG mice (MIND model), which were subsequently treated with lasofoxifene or fulvestrant as single agents or in combination with palbociclib. Tumor growth and metastasis were monitored with in vivo and ex vivo luminescence imaging, terminal tumor weight measurements, and histological analysis. RESULTS: As a monotherapy, lasofoxifene was more effective than fulvestrant at inhibiting primary tumor growth and reducing metastases. Adding palbociclib improved the effectiveness of both lasofoxifene and fulvestrant for tumor suppression and metastasis prevention at four distal sites (lung, liver, bone, and brain), with the combination of lasofoxifene/palbociclib being generally more potent than that of fulvestrant/palbociclib. X-ray crystallography of the ERα ligand binding domain (LBD) shows that lasofoxifene stabilizes an antagonist conformation of both wild-type and Y537S LBD. The ability of lasofoxifene to promote an antagonist conformation of Y537S, combined with its long half-life and bioavailability, likely contributes to the observed potent inhibition of primary tumor growth and metastasis of MCF7 Y537S cells. CONCLUSIONS: We report for the first time the anti-tumor activity of lasofoxifene in mouse models of endocrine therapy-resistant breast cancer. The results demonstrate the potential of using lasofoxifene as an effective therapy for women with advanced or metastatic ER+ breast cancers expressing the most common constitutively active ERα mutations.

Rapid Construction of Tetralin, Chromane, and Indane Motifs via Cyclative C-H/C-H Coupling: Four-Step Total Synthesis of (±)-Russujaponol F.

The development of practical C-H/C-H coupling reactions remains a challenging yet appealing synthetic venture because it circumvents the need to prefunctionalize both coupling partners for the generation of C-C bonds. Herein we report a cyclative C(sp3)-H/C(sp2)-H coupling reaction of free aliphatic acids enabled by a cyclopentane-based mono-N-protected ß-amino acid ligand. This reaction uses inexpensive sodium percarbonate (Na2CO3·1.5H2O2) as the sole oxidant and generates water as the only byproduct. A range of biologically important scaffolds, including tetralins, chromanes, and indanes, can be easily prepared by this protocol. Finally, the synthetic application of this methodology is demonstrated by the concise total synthesis of (±)-russujaponol F in a four-step sequence starting from readily available phenylacetic acid and pivalic acid through sequential functionalizations of four C-H bonds.

RP-HPLC analysis of diterpene lactones in leaves and stem of different species of Andrographis.

In the present study diterpene lactones were quantified in leaves and stem of different species of Andrographis collected from Western Ghats of India using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method. Different populations of AA (Andrographis alata), AE (Andrographis echioides), ALn (Andrographis lineata var. lineata), ALw (Andrographis lineata var. lawii), AM (Andrographis macrobotrys), AO (Andrographis ovata), AP (Andrographis paniculata), APr (Andrographis producta) and AS (Andrographis serphyllifolia) were assessed for the amount of AG (andrographolide), NAG (neoandrographolide) and DDAG (14-deoxy-11, 12-didehydroandrographolide) in leaves and stem. The most abundant diterpenoid was AG and highest amount of 68.35 mg/g DW was recorded in a population of AP. AG was also present in leaves of ALw at considerable level (40.85 mg/g DW). NAG was optimum in the leaves of AM (98.43 to 102.03 mg/g DW). DDAG was higher in the leaves of AP (16.01 mg/g DW).

Antinociceptive effects of rotigotine-loaded microspheres and its synergistic interactions with analgesics in inflammatory pain in rats.

Rotigotine-loaded microspheres (RoMS) are sustained-release formulations with prolonged anti-Parkinson's effects. Given that pain is a non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease, this study investigated the antinociceptive effects of RoMS and their synergistic effects with analgesics on inflammatory pain. A model of inflammatory pain was prepared by intraplantarly injecting male Sprague-Dawley rats with carrageenan. The antinociceptive effects of RoMS, acetaminophen, and tramadol, both alone and in combination, were evaluated using the hind paw withdrawal latency in the hot plate test and Randall-Selitto test. The rotigotine concentrations in serum and tissues were assayed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Isobolographic analysis was performed to evaluate the nature of the interactions of RoMS with acetaminophen or tramadol. The results showed that hind paw withdrawal latency to thermal and mechanical stimuli was significantly increased on day 3 and 7 after administered RoMS. Rotigotine could be detected in serum and tissues 3 and 7 days after an intramuscular injection of RoMS. However, the rotigotine concentration fell the detection limit of the assay on day 14 after administration. RoMS produced synergistic antinociceptive effects in the inflammatory pain model when RoMS is combined with acetaminophen or tramadol. These findings suggest that RoMS can relieve inflammatory pain in rats. Furthermore, the combination of RoMS with acetaminophen or tramadol produces synergistic antinociception, which may be clinically worthy because combination therapies may reduce the drug doses required for antinociception.

The novel rexinoid MSU-42011 is effective for the treatment of preclinical Kras-driven lung cancer.

Effective drugs are needed for lung cancer, as this disease remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Rexinoids are promising drug candidates for cancer therapy because of their ability to modulate genes involved in inflammation, cell proliferation or differentiation, and apoptosis through activation of the retinoid X receptor (RXR). The only currently FDA-approved rexinoid, bexarotene, is ineffective as a single agent for treating epithelial cancers and induces hypertriglyceridemia. Here, we used a previously validated screening paradigm to evaluate 23 novel rexinoids for biomarkers related to efficacy and safety. These biomarkers include suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and induction of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP). Because of its potent iNOS suppression, low SREBP induction, and activation of RXR, MSU-42011 was selected as our lead compound. We next used MSU-42011 to treat established tumors in a clinically relevant Kras-driven mouse model of lung cancer. KRAS is one of the most common driver mutations in human lung cancer and correlates with aggressive disease progression and poor patient prognosis. Ultrasound imaging was used to detect and monitor tumor development and growth over time in the lungs of the A/J mice. MSU-42011 markedly decreased the tumor number, size, and histopathology of lung tumors compared to the control and bexarotene groups. Histological sections of lung tumors in mice treated with MSU-42011 exhibited reduced cell density and fewer actively proliferating cells compared to the control and bexarotene-treated tumors. Although bexarotene significantly (p < 0.01) elevated plasma triglycerides and cholesterol, treatment with MSU-42011 did not increase these biomarkers, demonstrating a more favorable toxicity profile in vivo. The combination of MSU-42011 and carboplatin and paclitaxel reduced macrophages in the lung and increased activation markers of CD8+T cells compared to the control groups. Our results validate our screening paradigm for in vitro testing of novel rexinoids and demonstrate the potential for MSU-42011 to be developed for the treatment of KRAS-driven lung cancer.

Dibenzoate esters of cis-tetralin-2,3-diol as analogs of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate: synthesis and crystal structure of anticancer drug candidates.

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main component of green tea extract, displays multiple biological activities. However, it cannot be used as a drug due to its low cellular absorption, instability and metabolic degradation. Therefore, there is a need to provide analogs that can overcome the limitations of EGCG. In this work, six synthetic analogs of EGCG sharing a common tetralindiol dibenzoate core were synthesized and fully characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS and IR spectroscopies, and X-ray crystallography. These are (2R,3S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,3-diyl bis[3,4,5-tris(benzyloxy)benzoate], C66H56O10, and the analogous esters bis(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate), C30H32O10, bis(3,4,5-trifluorobenzoate), C24H14F6O4, bis[4-(benzyloxy)benzoate], C38H32O6, bis(4-methoxybenzoate), C26H24O6, and bis(2,4,6-trifluorobenzoate), C24H14F6O4. Structural analysis revealed that the molecular shapes of these dibenzoate esters of tetralindiol are significantly different from that of previously reported dimandelate esters or monobenzoate esters, as the acid moieties extend far from the bicyclic system without folding back over the tetralin fragment. Compounds with small fluorine substituents take a V-shape, whereas larger methoxy and benzyloxy groups determine the formation of an L-shape or a cavity. Intermolecular interactions are dominated by π-π stacking and C-H...π interactions involving the arene rings in the benzoate fragment and the arene ring in the tetrahydronaphthalene moiety. All six crystal structures are determined in centrosymmetric space groups (either P-1, P21/n, C2/c or I2/a).

Self-Assembly and Biorecognition of a Spirohydantoin Derived from α-Tetralone: Interplay between Chirality and Intermolecular Interactions.

A racemic spirohydantoin derivative with two aromatic substituents, a tetralin and a 4-methoxybenzyl unit, was synthesized and its crystal structure was determined. To define the relationship between molecular stereochemistry and spatial association modes, development of the crystal packing was analyzed through cooperativity of intermolecular interactions. Homo and heterochiral dimeric motifs were stabilized by intermolecular N-H⋅⋅⋅O, C-H⋅⋅⋅O, C-H⋅⋅⋅π interactions and parallel interactions at large offsets (PILO), thus forming alternating double layers. The greatest contribution to the total stabilization came from a motif of opposite enantiomers linked by N-H⋅⋅⋅O bonds (interaction energy=-13.72 kcal/mol), followed by a homochiral motif where the 4-methoxybenzyl units allowed C-H⋅⋅⋅π, C-H⋅⋅⋅O interactions and PILO (interaction energy=-11.56 kcal/mol). The number of the contact fragments in the environment of the tetralin unit was larger, but the 4-methoxybenzyl unit had greater contribution to the total stabilization. The statistical analysis of the data from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) showed that this is a general trend. The compound is a potential inhibitor of kinase enzymes and antigen protein-coupled receptors. A correlation between the docking study and the results of the CSD analysis can be drawn. Due to a greater flexibility, the 4-methoxybenzyl unit is more adaptable for interactions with the biological targets than the tetralin unit.

Syntheses of all eight stereoisomers of conidendrin.

All eight stereoisomers of conidendrin were synthesized from (1 R,2 S,3 S)-1-(4-benzyloxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-benzyloxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-2- hydroxymethyl-1,4-butanediol ((+)-4) and its enantiomer with high optical purity. The configurations at 4-positions of the conidendrin stereoisomers were constructed by intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction of protected 4. After conversion to tetrahydronaphthalene intermediate 7a, the 2- and 3-position of tetrahydronaphthalene structure 7a were converted to 3a- and 9a-position of (+)-α-conidendrin (3a), respectively. By the epimerization process of 2- or 3-position of 7a, the other diastereomers were obtained. All enantiomers were also synthesized from (-)-4.

The characteristic smell emitted from two scale insects, Ceroplastes japonicus and Ceroplastes rubens.

The volatile components emitted from two scale insects, Ceroplastes japonicus and Ceroplastes rubens, were identified using GC-MS analysis. The major volatile components of the solvent extract from C. japonicus were α-humulene (35.8%) and δ-cadinene (17.0%), while those of C. rubens were ß-selinene (10.3%) and ß-elemene (5.1%). In GC/olfactometry, linalool, butyric acid, 3-methylbutyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, and vanillin were identified as the odor-active components of the extract from C. japonicus, in addition to trace amounts of trans-4,5-epoxy-(2E)-decenal, 4-methyl-(3E)-hexenoic acid, and phenylacetic acid. With regard to C. rubens, trans-4,5-epoxy-(2E)-decenal, 3-methylbutyric acid, and phenylacetic acid were identified as the odor-active components. Besides, decan-1,4-olide (γ-decalactone) with milky cherry-like note and 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylfuran-2(5H)-one (sotolone) with brown sugar-like note were also detected as the characteristic cherry-like sweet-and-sour note of these two scale insects. ABBREVIATIONS: GC: Gas chromatography; GC/O: gas chromatography/olfactometry.

Investigation of binding mechanism and downregulation of elacestrant for wild and L536S mutant estrogen receptor-α through molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy analysis.

The selective estrogen receptor downregulators (SERDs) are the new emerging class of drugs that are used for the treatment of endocrine resistance breast cancer. Elacestrant (ELA) is a new SERD, currently it is in phase II clinical trial. To understand the ELA-ERα interactions, the molecular docking analysis has been carried out. The ELA molecule binds with the helices H3, H5, H6, and H11 and forms important intermolecular interactions. In addition to this, the tetrahydronapthalene and phenyl rings of ELA are forming T-shaped π···π interactions with the Phe404 and Trp383 residues. Further to understand the stability and flexibility of ELA molecule in the active site of wild and mutated L536S ERα, 100ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was performed for both complexes. Interestingly, the MD analysis of wild complex revealed an interaction between ELA and the Asn532 of H11, which is an essential interaction for the downregulation/degradation of ERα, whereas this interaction is not observed in the mutated complex. The drug binding mechanism and H12 dynamics have been elucidated from the analysis of hydrogen bonding interactions and the secondary structure analysis. To explore the binding affinity of ELA molecule, the binding free energy and normal mode analyses were carried out. The per residue decomposition analysis also performed, which shows the contribution of individual amino acids. The principal component analysis and residue interaction network analysis were used to identify the modifications and the interaction between the residues. From the results of different analysis, the inhibition mechanism and downregulation of ERα-ELA complex has been investigated. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Investigation on the effect of deep eutectic formation on drug-polymer miscibility and skin permeability of rotigotine drug-in-adhesive patch.

The aim of present study was to develop a rotigotine (ROT) transdermal patch by converting ROT to a form of deep eutectic 'liquid co-crystal'. Formulation factors including the type of ROT-organic acid deep eutectics, pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), drug-loading and patch thickness were investigated by in vitro skin permeation study and the optimized patch was evaluated by pharmacokinetics study. It was particularly concerned about the drug-polymer miscibility and skin permeability of ROT-lactic acid deep eutectics (ROT-LA). FTIR study, thermal analysis and molecular modeling were conducted to investigate the drug-PSA interaction. Multiple linear regression was performed to investigate the mechanism of the promoted skin permeability. The results showed that strong interaction was observed between ROT-LA and hydroxyl PSA, which inhibited the formation of ROT crystals. Skin permeability of ROT-organic acids deep eutectics were improved by the variations of apparent partition coefficient and glass transition temperature. AUC0-t and Cmax of optimized patch were 1290.6 ± 102.7 h ng/mL and 60.7 ± 12.0 ng/mL, respectively, which had no significant difference with commercial product. In conclusion, a reduced administration area (75%) and low risk of crystallization were introduced by the ROT deep eutectics, which demonstrated the feasibility of improving drug-polymer miscibility and skin permeability of transdermal drug.