Controlled Release of Sulfasalazine Release from “Smart” Pectin Gel Microspheres under Physiological Simulated Fluids

Sulfasalazine (SLZ) is a synthetic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used mainly for the treatment of an inflammatory bowel and other diseases. Two pectins with different methylation degrees were blended to synthesized gel microspheres by ionotropic gelation for SLZ encapsulation. The encapsulation efficiency was found to be around of 99% in all formulations tested. However, different SLZ release profiles related to the methylation degrees of pectin were observed. Mixture of low methylated (LM) and high methylated (HM) pectins in the presence of calcium(II) displayed the best microsphere morphologies among the formulations tested determined by optical and electronic microscopies. The percentage of drug release using a mixture of LM and HM pectins after 255?min in simulated gastric fluid (pH?=?1.2), simulated intestinal fluid (pH?=?6.8), and phosphate buffer (pH?=?7.4) were 15.0%, 47.0%, and 52.2%, respectively.     

Signal-Induced Release of Guests from a Photolatent Metal–Phenolic Supramolecular Cage and Its Hybrid Assemblies

The coordination chemistry of plant polyphenols and metal ions can be used for coating various substrates and for creating modular superstructures. We herein explored this chemistry for the controlled release of guests from mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). The selective adsorption of tannic acids (TAs) on MSN silica walls opens the MSN mesoporous channels without disturbing mass transport. The channel may be closed by the coordination of TA with Cu^II ions. Upon exposure to light, photolysis of Trojan horse guests (photoacid generators, PAGs) leads to acid generation, which enables the release of payloads by decomposing the outer coordination shell consisting of TA and Cu^II. We also fabricated a modular assembly of MSNs on glass substrates. The photoresponsive release characteristics of the resulting film are similar to those of the individual MSNs. This method is a fast and facile strategy for producing photoresponsive nanocontainers by non-covalent engineering of MSN surfaces that should be suitable for various applications in materials science.     

Synthesis of Bowl-like Particles by Emulsion Polymerization and Release Behavior of Solvent from the Particles

Bowl-like poly (styrene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) was synthesized by swollen seeded emulsion polymerization. The polymerization was carried out in PS seed emulsion swollen by toluene, whereby the bowl-like particles formed at last. The shape was observed by SEM. These particles became ball-like when swollen by toluene, observed by optical microscope, and the release behavior of solvent from them was examined.     

Study of a Stable “Trifluoromethoxide Anion Solution” Arising from 2,4-Dinitro-Trifluoromethoxybenzene

Despite recent advances, trifluoromethoxylation remains a challenging reaction. Here we describe an efficient trifluoromethoxylative substitution, using an inexpensive and easy-to-handle reagent. By mixing DMAP with a slight excess of 1,4-dinitro-trifluoromethoxybenzene ( DNTFB ), a stable solution of trifluoromethoxide anion is obtained and can be used to perform a S_N2 reaction without any silver additives. A precise study of the properties and behavior of this unusual stable solution of CF₃O⁻ species is also performed.     

Intercalation of PM-19 into and in vitro Release of Anti-tumor Drug from Layered Double Hydroxide

Recently, controlled release ot drugs and gene delivery technology have received considerable attention due to their numerous advantages including prolonged duration of action of an active agent, improved efficacy, reduced toxicity and convenience compared to the conventional dosage forms. In this field typical systems are polymer delivery systems depending on the hydrolysis-induced degradation,     

The “off-template” problem: synthesis and alkylation of a fused-butyrolactone from d-glucose

The synthesis of a fused-butyrolactone from D-glucose and its stereospecific alkylation in an off-template position is described, together with an unusual silyl protecting group migration.     

Cassis and Green Tea: Spontaneous Release of Natural Aroma Compounds from β-Alkylthioalkanones

In depth headspace analysis of the slow degradation of β-alkylthioalkanones in ambient air led to the discovery of a novel δ-cleavage pathway, by which β-mercaptoketones are released. Since β-mercaptoketones are potent natural aroma compounds occurring in many fruits, herbs and flowers, the discovery of an enzyme-independent molecular precursor for this class of high-impact molecules is of practical importance. Moreover, the formation of β-diketones and aldehydes by concomitant oxidation at the α-sulfur-position enhances the versatility of this class of aroma precursors. A mechanistic model is proposed which suggests that the oxidative degradation occurs through a novel Pummerer-type rearrangement of initially formed persulfoxides.     

Formation of antifouling functional coating from deposition of a zwitterionic-co-nonionic polymer via “grafting to” approach

We develop a new process for the preparation of synergistic antifouling functional coatings on gold surfaces via a “grafting to” approach. The strategy includes a synthetic step of polymer brushes that consist of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and zwitterionic side chains via a typical reversible-addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization process, and a subsequent deposition of the polymer brushes onto a gold substrate. The presence of PEG and zwitterion chains on these polymer brush-coated gold surfaces has been proved to have a synergistic effect on the final antifouling property of the coating. PEG chains lower the electrostatic repulsion between zwitterionic polymer chains and increase their graft density on gold surfaces, while zwitterionic polymer effectively improves the antifouling property that is offered by PEG chains alone. Protein adsorption and cell attachment assays tests are conducted to confirm that this copolymer layer on gold surface has a pronounced resistance against proteins such as Bovine serum albumin and Lysozyme. Importantly, the antifouling property can be systematically adjusted by varying the molar ratio of PEG to zwitterionic chains in the final coating copolymer.     

Mechanochemical synthesis of vanadium(III) β-diketonates

The effect of the mechanical treatment conditions and of the nature of reactants on the course of the solid-phase reaction of vanadium(III) chloride with sodium β-diketonates and potassium tetramethylheptanedionate, on the yield of the reaction products, and on some properties of the activated mixtures was examined. A method was developed for the synthesis of vanadium(III) β-diketonates by the solid-phase mechanochemical reaction of vanadium(III) chloride with appropriate sodium or potassium β-diketonate, followed by sublimation or extraction.     

Solubilization and Release of a Model Drug Nimesulide from PEO–PPO–PEO Block Copolymer Core–Shell Micelles: Effect of Size of PEO Blocks

The commercially available polypropylene oxide (PPO)–polyethylene oxide (PEO) symmetrical triblock copolymers (Pluronics^®) have been recognized as pharmaceutical excipients and used in a variety of applications. This paper reports studies on micellar and solubilization behavior of three PEO–PPO–PEO block copolymers, viz. P103, P104 and P105 (same PPO mol. wt = 3250 g·mol^?1 but different  % PEO = 30, 40 and 50 %, respectively) in aqueous solutions. Critical micellization concentrations (CMCs), critical micellization temperatures (CMTs), and micelle size/polydispersity for copolymers with and without the drug, nimesulide (NIM), are reported. The solubilization of NIM is significantly enhanced with increasing hydrophobicity (P103 > P104 > P105), concentration, temperature and in the presence of added salt. The copolymer hydrophobicity, temperature and the drug loading strongly affect micelle behavior. The micelle–water partition coefficient (P) and thermodynamic parameters of solubilization, viz. Gibbs energy ( $ \Updelta G_{s}^{\text{o}} $ ), enthalpy ( $ \Updelta H_{s}^{\text{o}} $ ) and entropy ( $ T\Updelta S_{s}^{\text{o}} $ ), were calculated. The solubilization site of the drug in different micellar solutions and its release from Pluronics^® micelles in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution at 37 °C were examined. The kinetics of NIM exhibits burst release characteristics, which are believed to be controlled by degradation of the copolymers. These studies were carried out to investigate the feasibility of using Pluronics^® as a release vehicle of nimesulide in vitro. From the results, it was concluded that Pluronic^® based formulations might be practical for drug delivery.     

Syntheses of a new type of chiral phosphines from glucose

Methyl 3-deoxy-3-(diphenylphosphino)-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-altropyranoside (1) and methyl 2-deoxy-2-(diphenylphosphino)-4,6-O-benzylidene-α-D-altropyranoside (2) were prepared from methyl 2,3-anhydro-4,6-O-benzylidene-O-D-mannopyranoside and methyl 2,3-anhydro-4,6-O-benzyl-idene-α-D-allopyranoside,respectively,via regioselective and stcreospecific ring-opening reactions in high yields.Compounds 1 and 2 were oxidized to give the corresponding phosphine oxides (3 and 4).     

Dynamic Release of Propranolol HCl from Cationic Ion–Exchanger–Loaded Calcium Alginate Beads

The dynamic release of drug propranolol HCl from the propranolol HCl–resin complex (PRC) loaded calcium alginate beads has been studied in the buffer media of pH 1.2 at the physiological temperature 37°C. The PRC encapsulated beads demonstrated nearly 58.04% release while naked PRC particles released 98.00% drug in 24 h in the gastric fluid. The amount of drug released was found to increase with and decrease in the amount of sodium alginate in the beads. Similarly, with the increase in the amount of entrapped PRC particles within the beads, the quantity of drug released was also observed to increase. The degree of crosslinking of beads also affected the release kinetics. Interestingly, the release from naked PRC particles followed ‘first‐order’ kinetics while PRC particles, entrapped in calcium–alginate beads, exhibited ‘diffusion controlled’ release behavior as indicated by liner nature of fractional release vs. √t plot.     

Structural Features of a Polysaccharide from Centella asiatica

Centella asiatica has been used as remedy for sodation, stabilization and against lepra, anabrosis1 in the oriental countries. The low-molecular-weight constituents in Centella asiatica have been investigated1. However, no polysaccharides have been reported. 1BI was the first polysaccharide isolated from C. asiatica, which had immunostimulating activity in vitro. In present study, we report the structural features of 1BI. Experimental Extraction, isolation and purification Dried C.…     

Mechanochemical Reaction of Aromatic Ketones and Aldehydes in the Presence of Zn-ZnCl2

The solvent-free reactions of aromatic ketones and aldehydes in the presence of Zn-ZnCl2 were performed with the aid of high-speed vibration mill, Retsch MM200 mixer mill and Retsch RM100 mortar grinder to give pinacol coupling and reduction products in varying yields.     

Mechanochemical Mediated Coexistence of B←N Coordination and Hydrogen Bonding

Mechanochemistry afforded a photoactive cocrystal via coexisting (B)O−H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bonds and B←N coordination. Specifically, solvent-free mechanochemical ball mill grinding and liquid-assisted grinding of a boronic acid and an alkene resulted in mixtures of hydrogen-bonded and coordinated complexes akin to mixtures of noncovalent complexes that can be obtained in solution in equilibria processes. The alkenes of the hydrogen-bonded assembly undergo an intermolecular [2+2] photodimerization in quantitative conversion, effectively reporting the outcome of the self-assembly processes. Our results suggest that interplay involving noncovalent bonds subjected to mechanochemical conditions can lead to functional solids where, in the current case, the structure composed of the weaker hydrogen bonding interactions predominates.     

Release characteristics of the non-toxic insect repellant 2-undecanone from its crystalline inclusion compound with α-cyclodextrin

2-Undecanone (methyl nonyl ketone), a natural non-toxic insect repellant compound, was recently isolated from the trichomes of wild tomatoes, and is currently being introduced as a replacement for insect repellants containing N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or DEET, which are permitted for use on children older than 2 months. In an effort to improve the delivery of the somewhat volatile 2-undecanone, we have successfully formed the crystalline inclusion compound (IC) between 2-undecanone and α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), using a coprecipitation method. Employing WAXD, DSC, FT-IR, and NMR observations, we have confirmed that 2-undecanone is included as a guest inside the host α-CD cavities, and forms a channel-type crystalline IC. The release characteristics of 2-undecanone insect repellant from its α-CD-IC were studied using TGA either at a heating rate of 20 °C/min in nitrogen, and air atmospheres or at constant temperatures of 25, and 40 °C over a period of 24 h. The release/loss of 2-undecanone insect repellant from its α-CD-IC was ~60% after 24 h at 40 °C. By comparison, ~97% of pure 2-undecanone was volatilized, and lost over 24 h at 40 °C. In addition, insecticidal activity of 2-undecaonone from its α-CD complex against German cockroaches was evaluated. The results show an excellent repellency that 100% of the cockroaches were repelled for the first 2 days after application. These results suggest that the gradual, long-term delivery of the insect repellant 2-undecanone can be significantly improved through employment of its crystalline α-CD-IC.