A novel formulation of inhaled doxycycline reduces allergen-induced inflammation, hyperresponsiveness and remodeling by matrix metalloproteinases and cytokines modulation in a mouse model of asthma.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we assess the effectiveness of inhaled doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic displaying matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) inhibitory effects to prevent allergen-induced inflammation, hyperresponsiveness and remodeling. MMPs play key roles in the complex cascade of events leading to asthmatic phenotype. METHODS: Doxycycline was administered by aerosols by the mean of a novel formulation as a complex with hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (HP-gamma-CD) used as an excipient. BALB/c mice (n=16-24 in each group) were sensitized and exposed to aerosolized ovalbumin (OVA) from day 21 to 27 (short-term exposure protocol) or 5 days/odd weeks from day 22 to 96 (long-term exposure protocol). RESULTS: In the short-term exposure model, inhaled doxycycline decreased allergen-induced eosinophilic inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and in peribronchial areas, as well as airway hyperresponsiveness. In lung tissue, exposure to doxycycline via inhaled route induced a fourfold increase in IL-10 levels, a twofold decrease in IL-5, IL-13 levels and diminished MMP-related proteolysis and the proportion of activated MMP-9 as compared to placebo. In the long-term exposure model, inhaled doxycycline significantly decreased the extent of glandular hyperplasia, airway wall thickening, smooth muscle hyperplasia and subepithelial collagen deposition which are well recognized features of airway remodeling. CONCLUSION: Doxycycline administered by aerosols decreases the allergen-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness and inhibits the development of bronchial remodeling in a mouse model of asthma by modulation of cytokines production and MMP activity.

Theoretical and experimental investigations of organic acids/cyclodextrin complexes and their consequences upon the formation of miconazole/cyclodextrin/acid ternary inclusion complexes.

(1)H NMR spectrometry, FT-IR spectroscopy, as well as molecular modeling at the AM1 level and normal mode analysis were used to characterise the interactions and the formation of inclusion complexes between three organic acids: maleic, fumaric, L-tartaric acids and betaCD. In aqueous medium, the complexation was confirmed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy using two-dimensional technique. The stable geometries of the complexes were determined by molecular modeling. Experimental infrared frequencies were assigned on the base of the vibrational normal mode calculation at the fully optimized geometry for the inclusion complexes. All the results point out the presence of stable inclusion complexes between acids and betaCD at the solid state. These results show the double role of the acid. Correlated with the theoretical and experimental data previously obtained for the miconazole/CD/acids complexes, in function of both acids and CDs structures, the acids can either stabilize the complexes by formation of a multicomponent complex or form acid/CD inclusion complexes, hindering the guest inclusion.

Theoretical and experimental vibrational study of miconazole and its dimers with organic acids: application to the IR characterization of its inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins.

The geometry, frequency and intensity of the vibrational bands of miconazole were derived from the density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the hybrid functional B3LYP and the 6-31G(d) basis set. Starting from the fully AM1 optimized geometries of miconazole/betaCD/acids complexes, the miconazole/acid dimers were reoptimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Three acids were studied: maleic, fumaric and l-tartaric acids. To begin with the vibrational spectral data obtained from solid phase in mid FT-IR spectrum of miconazole and its dimers are assigned based on the results of the normal modes calculations. All the observed spectra and the calculated ones are found to be in good agreement. In a second step, theoretical results allowed the assignment of FT-IR spectrum for the miconazole/HPgammaCD inclusion complex produced by supercritical carbon dioxide treatment and confirmed the inclusion of miconazole. The experimental spectra for the miconazole/HPgammaCD/acids complexes prepared by supercritical carbon dioxide processing were also assigned using theoretical results. The results confirmed the presence of a genuine inclusion complex and also the interaction between miconazole and the acid.

Solid lipid microparticles as a sustained release system for pulmonary drug delivery.

The controlled release of drugs for pulmonary delivery is a research field which has been so far rather unexploited but is currently becoming increasingly attractive. The introduction part of this research article first details the potential advantages of solid lipid microparticles (SLMs) as drug carrier compared to liposomes and polymeric microspheres. The aim of this work is to use SLMs to impart a sustained release profile to a model drug, salbutamol acetonide (SA). SA was synthesized from salbutamol in order to increase the lipophilicity of this molecule and thereby to increase its incorporation efficiency into SLMs. SA-loaded SLMs were then produced by a hot emulsion technique followed by high-shear homogenisation and the manufacturing parameters were optimized using the experimental design methodology in order to reach a suitable particle size for pulmonary administration. Scanning electron micrographs showed that SLMs are spherical, have a smooth surface and that SA crystallizes outside of the particles when the drug loading is higher than 20%. This was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. SA in vitro release study from SLMs showed that the release rate increased with SA loading but remained in every case lower than the dissolution rate of pure SA.

Theoretical and experimental investigations on miconazole/cyclodextrin/acid complexes: molecular modeling studies.

The inclusion of miconazole into cyclodextrin cavity has been demonstrated by different authors. Preliminary studies have shown which fragment of the molecule is involved in the inclusion. In the present study, AM1 approximate molecular orbital calculations have been performed on several cyclodextrins complexes (betaCD, HPbetaCD and HPgammaCD) with miconazole and acidic compounds (maleic, fumaric and L-tartaric acids) as partners. For all the binary complexes, the inclusion of the dichlorobenzene-CH(2)-O-group leads to the most stable complex. For the ternary complexes, depending on their conformation and/or their structures, the acids can either stabilize or destabilize the complex. All the theoretical results were in good agreement with experimental data of miconazole inclusion yields into cyclodextrins. This work clearly demonstrates that the structure of both cyclodextrin and acid plays a key-role in the formation of inclusion complexes.

Pharmacokinetic study of a new synthetic MMP inhibitor (Ro 28-2653) after IV and oral administration of cyclodextrin solutions.

Ro 28-2653 (5-biphenyl-4-yl-5-[4-(4-nitro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione) is a new synthetic inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) with a high selectivity towards MMP2, MMP9 and membrane type 1-MMP. It has been shown that cyclodextrins (CDs) are able to form inclusion complexes with Ro 28-2653 and to increase its aqueous solubility. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that an increase in Ro 28-2653 solubility, via ternary complex formation, can lead to an increase in the oral bioavailability of this drug. This study shows that a synergistic effect exists between hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) and l-lysine. The use of this multicomponent system enabled the preparation of oral and intravenous solutions of Ro 28-2653. In vivo evaluation of the oral solution of the inclusion complex of Ro 28-2653 in comparison with a suspension of the same uncomplexed drug showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in absolute bioavailability. The area under curve (AUC) and the peak serum concentration (Cmax) were approximately 10 times higher than those obtained with the suspension, while the time (Tmax) to reach Cmax was reduced. Moreover, in vivo administration of Ro 28-2653 solutions highlighted some information about the pharmacokinetic behavior of Ro 28-2653: a long biologic half-life (about 15.5h) and a small overall volume of distribution (8l).

The effect of cyclodextrins on the aqueous solubility of a new MMP inhibitor: phase solubility, 1 H-NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling studies, preparation and stability study of nebulizable solutions.

PURPOSE: Ro 28-2653 (RO) is a synthetic inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which is potentially effective against bronchial remodeling. Given that this molecule has very poor aqueous solubility, different cyclodextrins (CDs) have been tested to increase its solubility. The aim of this study was to prepare and to characterize inclusion complexes between RO and CDs, in order to develop nebulizable solutions. METHODS: The complex formation was investigated by phase solubility studies. (1)H-NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling studies were carried out to elucidate the structure of the inclusion complex between RO and dimethyl-beta-CD (DIMEB). Nebulizable solutions of RO were developed with CDs and a stability study was performed over 9 months. RESULTS: The phase solubility studies showed that beta-CD and its derivatives form a 1:2 complex with RO, whereas gamma-CD includes RO with a 1:1 stoichiometry and a weak stability constant. T-ROESY spectra showed that DIMEB is able to complex two RO substituents (nitrophenyl and biphenyl groups) with preferential orientations, while molecular modeling demonstrated that the configurations observed with (1)H-NMR are energetically favorable, especially owing to H-bond formation between RO and DIMEB. Two CDs were selected to develop nebulizable solutions of RO and the stability study demonstrated that RO degradation in solution is strongly dependent on the concentration of the 1:2 inclusion complex. CONCLUSIONS: CDs are able to include RO and to improve its aqueous solubility. The beta-CD derivatives can be used to formulate nebulizable solutions of RO, the stability of which depends on the concentration of the 1:2 complex.

Effect of acidic ternary compounds on the formation of miconazole/cyclodextrin inclusion complexes by means of supercritical carbon dioxide.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of different acidic compounds on the inclusion of miconazole (MICO) in several cyclodextrins (CDs) using supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO(2) ) processing. METHODS: Physical mixtures were processed by SCCO(2) at 30 MPa, 125 degrees C during 60 minutes in a static mode to produce inclusion complexes. The inclusion complexes were characterized by differential solubility, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and dissolution test. RESULTS: The best inclusion yields were achieved with the combination of MICO base and HPgammaCD with or without acids. Maleic and fumaric acids influenced the MICO inclusion differently in function of their conformation. During the process, a miconazole salt was observed with maleic acid and characterized by thermal analysis and mass spectrometry. The kinetics inclusion followed a saturation-type shape curve. FT-IR confirmed the presence of genuine inclusion complexes. The complexes MICO base/HPgammaCD/(L-tartaric acid) enhanced the dissolution rates of MICO more than the corresponding physical mixtures did. Lastly, the stability study revealed that the complexes were stable. CONCLUSIONS: The formation of stable complexes between MICO and CDs is possible using SCCO(2). Moreover an acidic ternary compound is able to modify the formation of the complex. The inclusion complexes, which show better dissolution profiles than those with the corresponding physical mixtures, could lead to an increase of the oral bioavailability of MICO.