Estimating the Bias of Model Compounds for the Determination of Species-Specific Protonation Constants.

The previously unknown extent of the goodness of using model compounds for the microspeciation of polyprotic systems was studied. Mirror-symmetric dibasic compounds and their monosubstituted derivatives were investigated to quantify how the derivatives are appropriate models of the minor microspecies to be mimicked in various microspeciation systems. The results were analyzed using statistical methods. It was found that the respective O-methyl and S-methyl derivatives of phenols and thiols as well as the methyl esters of carboxylic acids are sufficiently good derivatives for microspeciation. It was also found that the methyl esters are superior to the carboxylic amides for modeling the -COOH moiety.

ß-cyclodextrin complex formation and protonation equilibria of morphine and other opioid compounds of therapeutic interest.

The inclusion complex formation of morphine and its 18 opioid derivatives with ß-cyclodextrin has been studied using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Initially, the protonation equilibria and the acid-base properties of dibasic opioid compounds have been fully characterized. Apparent protonation constants and the relative concentration of the microspecies in cyclodextrin excess were also determined. The 1:1 complex stoichiometry was confirmed by the continuous variation method of Job using UV-VIS spectroscopy. The stability constants of the different protonation forms were determined by 1H NMR titrations. The highest stability was observed in highly alkaline solutions where the amino group is in its unprotonated, neutral state. The structures of the complexes were investigated by two-dimensional ROESY experiments. Based on the stability constants and ROESY experiments, morphine derivatives with longer side chain on the nitrogen atom such as nalbuphine and naltrexone show stronger complexation. The protonation state of the phenolate group, positioned outside the CD cavity, has only a slight influence on the complex stability.

Selenate-An internal chemical shift standard for aqueous 77 Se NMR spectroscopy.

The 77 Se NMR spectra of selenate were studied under various circumstances, such as concentration, pH, temperature, ionic strength, and D2 O:H2 O ratio, in order to examine its potential as a water-soluble internal chemical shift standard. The performance of selenate as a chemical shift reference and that of other attempted ones from the literature (dimethyl selenide, tetramethylsilane/TMS, and 3-(trimethylsilyl)propane-1-sulfonate/DSS) was also explored. The uncertainty in the resulting chemical shift relative to the effective spectral width is comparable to that of DSS. Compared to the currently prevalent water-soluble external chemical shift reference, selenic acid solution, the properties of internal selenate are much more favorable in terms of ease of use. We have also demonstrated that selenate can be used in reducing media, which is inevitable for the analysis of selenol compounds. Thus, it can be stated that sodium selenate is a robust internal chemical shift reference in aqueous media for 77 Se NMR measurements; the chemical shift of this reference in a solution containing 5 V/V% D2 O at 25°C and 0.15 mol·dm-3 ionic strength is 1048.65 ppm relative to 60 V/V% dimethyl selenide in CDCl3 and 1046.40 ppm relative to the 1 H signal of 0.03 V/V% TMS in CDCl3 . In summary, a water-soluble, selenium-containing internal chemical shift reference compound was introduced for 77 Se NMR measurements for the first time in the literature, and with the aforementioned results all previous 77 Se measurements can be converted to a unified scale defined by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Synthesis of 3-O-Carboxyalkyl Morphine Derivatives and Characterization of Their Acid-Base Properties.

The C-3 phenolic hydroxy group containing morphine derivatives (morphine, oxymorphone, naloxone, naltrexone) are excellent candidates for the synthesis of 3-O-functionalized molecules. Achieving free carboxylic group containing derivatives gives the opportunity for further modification and conjugation that could be used for immunization and immunoassays. For this purpose ethyl bromo- and chloroacetate can be used as O-alkylating agents. Hydrolyzing the products affords the appropriate free carboxylic group containing 3-O-carboxyalkyl derivatives. As these molecules contain an acidic and a basic functional group the protonation macro- and microconstants were determined too, using pH-potentiometry and NMR-pH titration, beside fully characterizing their structure using IR, CD, NMR and HR-MS measurements.

Synthesis of Potential Haptens with Morphine Skeleton and Determination of Protonation Constants.

Vaccination could be a promising alternative warfare against drug addiction and abuse. For this purpose, so-called haptens can be used. These molecules alone do not induce the activation of the immune system, this occurs only when they are attached to an immunogenic carrier protein. Hence obtaining a free amino or carboxylic group during the structural transformation is an important part of the synthesis. Namely, these groups can be used to form the requisite peptide bond between the hapten and the carrier protein. Focusing on this basic principle, six nor-morphine compounds were treated with ethyl acrylate and ethyl bromoacetate, while the prepared esters were hydrolyzed to obtain the N-carboxymethyl- and N-carboxyethyl-normorphine derivatives which are considered as potential haptens. The next step was the coupling phase with glycine ethyl ester, but the reactions did not work or the work-up process was not accomplishable. As an alternative route, the normorphine-compounds were N-alkylated with N-(chloroacetyl)glycine ethyl ester. These products were hydrolyzed in alkaline media and after the work-up process all of the derivatives contained the free carboxylic group of the glycine side chain. The acid-base properties of these molecules are characterized in detail. In the N-carboxyalkyl derivatives, the basicity of the amino and phenolate site is within an order of magnitude. In the glycine derivatives the basicity of the amino group is significantly decreased compared to the parent compounds (i.e., morphine, oxymorphone) because of the electron withdrawing amide group. The protonation state of the carboxylate group significantly influences the basicity of the amino group. All of the glycine ester and the glycine carboxylic acid derivatives are currently under biological tests.

Physicochemical Properties of Zwitterionic Drugs in Therapy.

In solution, amphoteric compounds exist in anionic, uncharged, zwitterionic and cationic forms. The importance of zwitterionic drugs is currently under-represented in the literature. Herein, the acid-base parameters, lipophilicity and solubility of such compounds are discussed to deepen the molecular-level understanding of their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behaviour. Our recent studies show there are many drug molecules, including thyroid hormones and 5-hydroxytryptophan, the precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin, for which the contribution of the zwitterionic microspecies to the overall lipophilicity exceeds that of the uncharged one, which is of higher individual lipophilicity, but occurs in much lower concentration. The second part of the minireview highlights the most important zwitterionic compounds in therapy, grouped into therapeutic classes. The importance of the charge of the molecules is emphasized in their binding to the target molecules.

Physicochemical Profiling of Baicalin Along with the Development and Characterization of Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes.

Baicalin is a flavone glycoside extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Numerous pharmacological effects of baicalin were reported (e.g. antioxidant, anxiolytic); nevertheless, the most important physicochemical properties influencing the pharmacokinetic behaviour and the concomitant oral bioavailability have not yet been described in a comprehensive study. The aim of this project was to characterize the acid-base, lipophilicity, biorelevant solubility and permeability properties of the drug substance and providing scientific data to support the dosage form design. Another important objective was the comparative evaluation of six various baicalin-cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion complexes along with the creation of a suitable Drug Delivery System (DDS) for this BCS IV drug. Biorelevant profiling was carried out by NMR-pH titrations, saturation shake-flask and distribution coefficients (logP) measurements, while CD inclusion studies were fulfilled by experimental methods (phase solubility, 1H/13C NMR, 2D ROESY) and computational approaches. Due to low aqueous solubility (67.03 ± 1.60 µg/ml) and low permeability (Papp = 0.037 × 10-6 cm/s), baicalin is classified as BCS IV. The γ-CD complexation significantly increased the solubility of baicalin (~ 5 times). The most promoted chemical shift change occurred in baicalin-γ-CD complex. Computational studies showed disparate binding pattern for baicalin in case of ß- and γ-CD; furthermore, the calculated complexation energy was - 162.4 kJ mol-1 for ß-CD, while it was significantly stronger for γ-CD (- 181.5 kJ mol-1). The physicochemical and structural information of baicalin and its CD complexes introduced herein can create molecular basis for a promising DDS with enhanced bioavailability containing a bioactive phytopharmacon.

Advances in the Physicochemical Profiling of Opioid Compounds of Therapeutic Interest.

This review focuses on recent developments in the physicochemical profiling of morphine and other opioids. The acid-base properties and lipophilicity of these compounds is discussed at the microscopic, species-specific level. Examples are provided where this type of information can reveal the mechanism of pharmacokinetic processes at the submolecular level. The role of lipophilicity in quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies of opioids is reviewed. The physicochemical properties and pharmacology of the main metabolites of morphine are also discussed. Recent studies indicate that the active metabolite morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) can contribute to the analgesic activity of systemically administered morphine. The unexpectedly high lipophilicity of M6G partly accounts for its analgesic activity. When administered parenterally, another suspected minor metabolite, morphine-6-sulfate (M6S) has superior antinociceptive effects to those of morphine. However, because sulfate esters of morphine derivatives cannot cross the blood-brain barrier these esters may be good candidates to develop peripheral analgesic drugs.

Physicochemical and Pharmacological Characterization of Permanently Charged Opioids.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of synthesizing permanently charged opioids is to ensure that they do not enter the central nervous system. Such drugs can provide analgesic activity with reduced sedation and other side effects on the central nervous system. METHODS: We undertook a search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature and also summarized our published results in this field. RESULTS: The present review focuses on the characterization of permanently charged opioids by various physicochemical methods, and in vitro as well as in vivo tests. The basicity and lipophilicity of opioid alkaloids are discussed at the microscopic, speciesspecific level. Glucuronide conjugates of opioids are also reviewed. Whereas the primary metabolite morphine-3-glucuronide does not bind to opioid receptors with high affinity, morphine-6-glucuronide is a potent analgesic, at least, partly due to its unexpectedly high lipophilicity. We discuss the quaternary ammonium opioid derivatives of a permanent positive charge, detailing their antinociceptive activity and effects on gastrointestinal motility in various in vivo animal tests and in vitro studies. Compounds with antagonistic activity are also reviewed. The last part of our study concentrates on sulfate conjugates of morphine derivatives that display unique pharmacological properties because they carry a negative charge at any pH value in the human body. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the findings of this review confirm the importance of permanently charged opioids in the investigated fields of pharmacology.

Passive Membrane Penetration of the Serotonin Precursor 5-Hydroxytryptophan is Controlled by Its Zwitterion.

Species-specific partition coefficients in the octanol/water system were determined for the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) and its precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). The pH-independent partition coefficients (p) of the individual microspecies were determined by combination of experimentally measured distribution constants and a custom-tailored evaluation method, using highly similar auxiliary compounds. Experimental microscopic partition coefficients for triprotic molecules have only been reported before for thyroxine and its derivatives. The parabolic pH-distribution profile of 5-HT shows the dominance of the lipophilic non-charged microspecies, with a log p of 0.66. However, the most lipophilic non-charged form of 5-HTP, with a log p of 0.31, has no significant contribution to the distribution coefficient at any pH value. Instead, the less lipophilic zwitterionic protonation isomer dominates the distribution in the pH range 2.10 - 11.11. Although the non-charged microspecies of 5-HTP is 151 times more lipophilic than its zwitterionic protonation isomer, the overwhelming dominance of the zwitterionic form ensures that its contribution to the overall lipophilicity exceeds 1320 times that of the non-charged one. This fact is another counter-example of the widespread belief that passive diffusion into lipophilic media is predominated by the non-charged species. The lipophilicity profile of 5-HT and 5-HTP is depicted in terms of species-specific lipophilicities.

Physico-chemical profiling of semisynthetic opioids.

Species-specific acid-base and partition equilibrium constants were experimentally determined for the therapeutically important semisynthetic opioid receptor agonist hydromorphone, dihydromorphine, and mixed agonist-antagonist nalorphine and nalbuphine. The acid-base microequilibria were characterized by combining pH-potentiometry and deductive methods using synthesized auxiliary compounds. Independent of the pH, there are approximately 4.8 times as many zwitterionic microspecies than non-charged ones in nalbuphine solutions, while for nalorphine it is the non-charged form that predominates by the same ratio. The non-charged microspecies is the dominant one also in the case of hydromorphone, although its concentration exceeds only 1.3 times that of its zwitterionic protonation isomer. The pH-independent partition coefficients of the individual microspecies were determined by a combination of experimentally measured, pH-dependent, conditional distribution constants and a custom-tailored evaluation method, using highly similar auxiliary compounds. The pH-independent contribution of the zwitterionic microspecies to the distribution constant is 1380, 1070, 3160 and 72,440 times smaller than that of the inherently more lipophilic non-charged one for hydromorphone, dihydromorphine, nalbuphine and nalorphine, respectively.

Advances in microspeciation of drugs and biomolecules: Species-specific concentrations, acid-base properties and related parameters.

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behaviour of drugs and the interacting biomolecules are highly influenced by their species-specific physico-chemical properties. The first of such bio-relevant, structure-dependent properties were the species-specific acid-base constants and the co-dependent concentrations, but the past decade brought significant advances to previously uncharted territories, including the experimental determination of species-specific partition coefficients, solubilities and redox equilibrium constants. This review gives an overview of the types and definitions of species-specific physico-chemical and analytical properties. We survey the pertinent literature, the fundamental relationships, and summarize some of our recent work that enabled the determination of species-specific partition coefficients for coexisting, inseparable protonation isomers and pH-independent, microscopic redox equilibrium constants. The thorough insight provided by these species-specific properties improves our understanding of the submolecular mechanism of pharmacokinetic processes. As a result, there are some pieces of clear-cut evidence of practical significance. A few of them are as follows: - passive diffusion into lipophilic media is not necessarily predominated by the non-charged species, contrary to the widespread misbelief. - the reactive microspecies in structure-controlled, highly specific biochemical reactions is not necessarily the major one. - a preventive defence system against oxidative stress can be based upon thiol-disulfide equilibria of custom-tailored redox potentials.

Species-specific lipophilicity of morphine antagonists.

Complete sets of microscopic acid-base and partition equilibrium constants were experimentally determined for therapeutically important morphine derivatives, including the widely used antagonists naloxone and naltrexone. The acid-base microequilibria were characterized by combining pH-potentiometry and deductive methods using synthesized auxiliary compounds. Microscopic protonation equilibria show that approximately three times as many zwitterionic microspecies than non-charged ones exist in oxymorphone and naltrexone solutions. On the other hand, the non-charged microspecies is the dominant one in the case of naloxone, although its concentration is only 1.34 times higher than that of its zwitterionic protonation isomer. Partition coefficients of the individual microspecies were determined by a combination of experimentally measured distribution constants and deductive methods. The contribution ratio of the non-charged versus zwitterionic species to the overall lipophilicity is quantified and depicted in terms of species-specific lipophilicities over the entire pH range for each compound. Our lipophilicity values allowed the molecular interpretation of the classical pharmacologic observation that naloxone has a faster onset for antagonist activity, and a concomitant shorter duration of action.

Drug delivery: a process governed by species-specific lipophilicities.

Drug delivery is a cascade of molecular migration processes, in which the active principle dissolves in and partitions between several biological media of various hydrophilic and lipophilic character. Membrane penetration and other partitions are controlled by a number of physico-chemical parameters, the eminent ones are species-specific basicity and lipophilicity. Latter is a molecular property of immense importance in pharmacy, bio-, and medicinal chemistry, expressing the affinity of the molecule for a lipophilic environment. This review gives an overview of the types and definitions of the partition coefficient, the most widespread lipophilicity parameter, focusing on the species-specific (microscopic) partition coefficients. We survey the pertinent literature and summarize our recent works that enabled the determination of previously inaccessible species-specific partition coefficients for coexisting, inseparable protonation isomers too. This thorough insight provides explanation why some drugs unexpectedly get into the central nervous system and sheds some light on the submolecular mechanism of pharmacokinetic processes. The contribution of the various ionic forms to the overall partition can now be quantitated. As a result, there is clear-cut evidence that passive diffusion into lipophilic media is not necessarily predominated by the non-charged species, contrary to the widespread misbelief.

The interaction of enoxaparin and fondaparinux with calcium.

The main sites of calcium binding were determined for the low molecular weight heparin drug enoxaparin and the synthetic pentasaccharide Arixtra (fondaparinux). [(1)H,(13)C] HSQC pH titrations were carried out to characterize the acid-base properties of these samples both in the presence and absence of calcium. The differences in the titration curves were used to determine the structural components of enoxaparin and fondaparinux responsible for Ca(2+) binding. In enoxaparin both unsubstituted and 2-O-sulfated iduronic acid residues are important in calcium binding and the presence of the 2-O-sulfo group does not seem to influence the Ca(2+) binding capability of the iduronate ring. In fondaparinux changes in chemical shifts upon Ca(2+) binding were smaller than observed for enoxaparin, and were observed for both the glucuronic acid and 2-O-sulfated iduronic acid residues. In enoxaparin significant perturbations of the chemical shift of the N-sulfoglucosamine anomeric carbon in residues connected to 2-O-sulfated iduronic acid were detected on Ca(2+) binding, however it was not possible to determine whether these changes reflect direct involvement in calcium complexation or result from through space interactions or conformational changes.

Synthetic and quantum chemical study on the regioselective addition of amines to methyl maleamate.

Synthetic and theoretical studies were performed to gain insight into the regioselectivity in the mechanism of aspartyl-isoaspartyl formation, modeled by additions of ammonia and primary amines to methyl maleamate. Reactions between maleamate and aliphatic, araliphatic amines or O-methyl acetimidate lead to the formation of N-substituted isoasparaginates. The size of the amine and the activating effect of the amide and ester group on the double bond are the determining factors of the site of addition. The formation of both isomers was observed only in the case of ammonia addition. The regioselectivity was predicted on the basis of the charge distribution for low-energy methyl maleamate conformers, calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2pd)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level, both in gas phase and in methanol. The methyl isoasparaginate over methyl asparaginate product ratio was computed based on the free energy Boltzmann distribution of their conformers. The calculated 2 : 1 ratio is in agreement with the experimental regioselectivity of the addition of nitrogen nucleophiles.

Species-specific lipophilicity of thyroid hormones and their precursors in view of their membrane transport properties.

A total of 30 species-specific partition coefficients of three thyroid hormones (thyroxine, liothyronine, reverse liothyronine) and their two biological precursors (monoiodotyrosine, diiodotyrosine) are presented. The molecules were studied using combined methods of microspeciation and lipophilicity. Microspeciation was carried out by (1)H NMR-pH and UV-pH titration techniques on the title compounds and their auxiliary derivatives of reduced complexity. Partition of some of the individual microspecies was mimicked by model compounds of the closest possible similarity, then correction factors were determined and introduced. Our data show that the iodinated aromatic ring system is the definitive structural element that fundamentally determines the lipophilicity of thyroid hormones, whereas the protonation state of the aliphatic part plays a role of secondary importance. On the other hand, the lipophilicity of the precursors is highly influenced by the protonation state due to the relative lack of overwhelmingly lipophilic moieties. The different logp values of the positional isomers liothyronine and reverse liothyronine represent the importance of steric and electronic factors in lipophilicity. Our investigations provided clear indication that overall partition, the best membrane transport - predicting physico-chemical parameter depends collectively on the site-specific basicity and species-specific partition coefficient. At physiological pH these biomolecules are strongly amphipathic due to the lipophilic aromatic rings and hydrophilic amino acid side chains which can well be the reason why thyroid hormones cannot cross membranes by passive diffusion and they are constituents of biological membranes. The lipophilicity profile of thyroid hormones and their precursors are calculated and depicted in terms of species-specific lipophilicities over the entire pH range.

Thyroxine lipophilicity is dominated by its zwitterionic microspecies.

Species-specific partition coefficients were determined for a triprotic molecule for the first time. Thyroxine, the vitally important thyroid hormone which exists in solution in the forms of eight microspecies due to its phenolate, amino and carboxylate basic sites, was studied by combined methods of microspeciation and lipophilicity. Partition of the individual microspecies was mimicked by model compounds of the closest possible similarity, then correction factors were determined and introduced. The non-charged microspecies is only 2.40 times as lipophilic as its zwitterionic protonation isomer, showing that for thyroxine the iodinated aromatic rings are the structural elements that determine the lipophilicity of this molecule, and the protonation state of the other substituents plays only a minor role. The overwhelming dominance of the zwitterionic form, however, ensures that its contribution to the overall lipophilicity exceeds 14,500 times that of the non-charged one. This fact is so far the sharpest counter-example of the widespread belief that passive diffusion into lipophilic media is predominated by the non-charged species. The lipophilicity profile of thyroxine is expressed, calculated and depicted in terms of species-specific lipophilicities over the entire pH range.

Zwitterions can be predominant in membrane penetration of drugs: experimental proof.

The complete set of species-specific partition coefficients was determined, and the predominant contribution of zwitterionic species to the overall lipophilicity was experimentally proven for the first time. The compounds studied were the amphoteric eburnane alkaloid cis- and trans-apovincaminic acids of therapeutic interest. Partition of the individual microspecies was mimicked by model compounds of the closest possible similarity, and then correction factors were determined and introduced. The noncharged microspecies of the cis-epimer is 30 900 times as lipophilic as its zwitterionic protonation isomer, while the analogous ratio for the trans-epimer is around 15 800. Due to the overwhelming dominance of the zwitterionic form, however, its contribution to the overall lipophilicity exceeds 8 and 5 times that of the noncharged form for the two epimers, respectively. The lipophilicity profile of these zwitterionic compounds is expressed, calculated, and depicted in terms of species-specific lipophilicities over the entire pH range.

Lipophilicity of morphine microspecies and their contribution to the lipophilicity profile.

The complete set of experimental microscopic partition coefficients of morphine was determined for the first time for any compound. The acid-base microequilibria were characterized by combining pH-potentiometry and deductive methods using auxiliary compounds of reduced complexity. The results show around three times as many non-charged than zwitterionic microspecies in aqueous solution. Partition of the individual microspecies was mimicked by model compounds of the closest possible similarity, then correction factors were determined and introduced. Thus the intrinsic partition coefficients of all the microspecies could be quantitated, including the non-charged and the zwitterionic ones. The non-charged microspecies is 1070 times as lipophilic as its zwitterionic protonation isomer. Their contribution ratio to the overall lipophilicity is 3090. The lipophilicity profile of morphine was expressed, calculated and depicted in terms of species-specific lipophilicities over the entire pH range.