Heterocycles in drugs and drug discovery

Heterocycles are common fragments of the vast majority of marketed drugs. This is a reflection of the central role that heterocycles play in modern drug design. They can serve as useful tools to manipulate lipophilicity, polarity, and hydrogen bonding capacity of molecules, which may lead to improved pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and physicochemical properties of drug candidates and ultimately drugs.     

Theoretical Insights into the Formation, Structure, and Energetics of Some Cyclodextrin Complexes

To investigate the physicochemical aspects relevant for the formation of various cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and to search for corresponding general structure–complex-stability relationships, stability data of 1 : 1 complexes for 179, 310, and 51 guest molecules with unsubstituted -, -, and -cyclodextrin were collected. Statistical analysis using structure-based parameters such as molecular size, hydrophobicity, rotatable bonds, electronic properties, and the presence or absence of more than 150 various functional or structural moieties were performed. The complexation thermodynamics could be well described within the framework of our recently introduced molecular size-based model for nonassociative liquids. With increasing guest size, 1 : 1 complex stability, as measured by ln K or G⁰, increases linearly up to a size limit characteristic for each CD, and the corresponding slopes and intercepts are in agreement with those predicted by the model. For larger structures, values level off and are scattered around an average value depending on shape, goodness of fit, and possibly lipophilicity and some specific effects (e.g. such as those caused by presence of phenol functionality). The complexation between -cyclodextrin and certain large steroidal guest molecules, especially a brain-targeted estradiol chemical delivery systems (E₂-CDS) that is under clinical development, was investigated in details based on fully relaxed semiempirical AM1 quantum chemical calculations. A deformation index (DI) of the CD ring computed using these fully optimized host-guest geometries could be used to characterize the conformational change of the guest.     

SLIPPER-2001 -- software for predicting molecular properties on the basis of physicochemical descriptors and structural similarity

A new approach for predicting the lipophilicity (log P), solubility (log Sw), and oral absorption of drugs in humans (FA) is described. It is based on structural and physicochemical similarity and is realized in the software program SLIPPER-2001. Calculated and experimental values of log P, log Sw, and FA for 42 drugs were used to demonstrate the predictive power of the program. Reliable results were obtained for simple compounds, for complex chemicals, and for drugs. Thus, the principle of "similar compounds display similar properties" together with estimating incremental changes in properties by using differences in physicochemical parameters results in "structure - property " predictive models even in the absence of a precise understanding of the mechanisms involved.     

Reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography of various pesticides in the presence of water-soluble beta-cyclodextrin polymer

Summary The modification of the hydrophobicity of 28 commercial pesticides with a water-soluble -cyclodextrin polymer (SCDP) in the presence of aqueous NaCl has been studied by reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography. The pesticides formed inclusion complexes with SCDP and these complexes are less lipophilic than the parent pesticides. The sodium chloride exerted a typical saltingout effect, the retention of each pesticide increased with increasing concentration of the salt in the eluent. This effect can be tentatively explained by the suppression of the dissociation of the polar groups in the solute molecules resulting in increased apparent lipophilicity. The correlation between lipophilicity and salting-out effect was found to be significant, that is the salting-out effect increases with increasing polarity (lower lipophilicity) of the pesticides, whereas the lipophilicity has negligible influence on the inclusion-forming capacity of non-homologous series of pesticides.     

Synthesis of Mesoporous Silica Materials via Nonsurfactant Templated Sol-Gel Route by Using Mixture of Organic Compounds as Template

Mesoporous silica materials have been successfully prepared by employing a mixture of -cyclodextrin and urea as a template in a HCl-catalyzed sol-gel process, followed by extraction with water. The obtained materials are characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements, powder X-ray diffraction patterns and transmission electron microscopy. The changes of the pore parameters depend on both the weight ratio of -cyclodextrin and urea and the template content in the final silica composite. The effects of the mixture as template (or pore-forming agent) on the physicochemical properties of the two synthesized systems, with different weight ratio and same template content, as well as varied template content and fixed weight ratio, were investigated in this paper. The results show that the hydrogen bonding interactions between -cyclodextrin and urea molecules or urea aggregates, the urea-holding -cyclodextrin molecules themselves as well as inorganic species are the driving force in the formation of mesoporous silica materials.     

Specific crystal structure of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) thin films studied by infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy

Infrared reflection–absorption (IR-RAS) and transmission spectra were measured for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) thin films to explore its specific crystal structure in the surface region. As IR-RAS is sensitive to the vibration mode of perpendicular orientation of the surface, differences between IR-RAS and transmission spectra indicate an orientation of the lamella structure in the surface of PHB thin films. The relative intensity of the crystalline CO stretching band in the IR-RAS spectrum is significantly weaker than that in the transmission spectrum. It may be concluded that the transient dipole moment of the CO stretching mode of the crystalline state is not oriented perpendicular but nearly parallel to the substrate surface. On the other hand, the relative intensity of the band at 3009 cm⁻¹ due to the C–H stretching mode of the C–HOC hydrogen bonding is similar between the IR-RAS and transmission spectra, suggesting that the C–H bond is oriented neither perpendicular nor parallel to the substrate surface but in an intermediate direction. Since the CO group of the C–HOC hydrogen bonding is oriented nearly parallel to the surface and its C–H group is in the intermediate direction, it is very likely that the C–HOC hydrogen bonding has a somewhat bent structure. These results are in good agreement with our previous conclusion that the C–HOC hydrogen bonding of PHB exists along the a-axis (not the b-axis) between the CH₃ group of one helix and the CO group of another helix.     

A Novel Cyclodextrin-containing Glass Thermoplastic System (GTS) for Formulating Poorly Water Soluble Drug Candidates: Preclinical and Clinical Results

We present a novel solid solution/dispersion technology with glass thermoplastic properties that provide good dissolution rates and oral bioavailabilities for poorly water-soluble weak bases. In this process, a thermoplastic gum was prepared by mixing a polyhydroxy acid such as citric acid or tartaric acid with a weakly basic drug, hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CD) and a cellulose polymer such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) in a protic solvent. Removal of the solvent gave a material which could be loaded into hard gelatin capsules. Several model compounds were processed in this manner including methylene blue and itraconazole. The resulting data indicated that dissolution properties of GTS's based on methylene blue was pH independent and rapid with 80% dissolved within 30 min. Three GTS formulations of itraconazole containing 100 mg of the drug and 500 mg of citric acid as well as various concentrations of HP--CD and HMPC were found to dissolve rapidly (100% in 45 min). One of these formulations was selected for human pharmacokinetic evaluation and demonstrated significant oral bioavailability relative to unmanipulated drug.The studies suggest that the components of the GTS provide for solubilization through complexation and reduced pH and that the cellulose polymer acts to inhibit recrystallization of the supersaturated solution formed. The rationaldevelopment of the GTS dosage form can be useful for generating acceptable formulations for poorly water-soluble drug candidates.     

An Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Pyrazine- and 4,4′-bipyridyl-Td-type Clathrates: Mn (pyrazine) M(CN)4 benzene (M = Cd or Hg) and Mn (4,4′-bipyridyl) M(CN)4. benzene (M = Zn, Cd or Hg)

The infrared spectra of the title compounds have been reported. The spectral data suggest that the host framework of these compounds are similar to those of the en-T_d-type clathrate compounds. There is good evidence for hydrogen bonding from ligand molecules to benzene molecules as a to hydrogen bond.     

Theoretical studies of (d-p)ρ bonding,electronic spectra,and reactivities in homo- and heterometallic clusters: [Mo3- n W n X4(H2O)9]4+ ( X = O,S, Se,Te;n= 0-3)

Ab initio calculations with relativistic effective potentials have been carried out on 12 trinuclear molybdenum/tungsten cluster aqua ions [M₃X₄(H₂O)₉]^4– (M₃= Mo₃, W₃ for X = O, S, Se, Te; M₃=Mo₂W, MoW₂ for X = O, S). The electronic structures and bonding pictures of l-12 are discussed in terms of the delocalized and localized molecular orbitals as well as the Mulliken populations, natural populations, and Mayer bond orders. It is shown that the (d-p) bonding in the puckered six-membered ring of the [M₃(µ-X)₃] core arises from a closed continuous ring of three mutually adjacent localized (d-p-d) bonds with strong interactions. It is these three-centered two-electron (d-p-d) bonds that account for the unusual physicochemical properties and reactivities of these cluster compounds. The wavelengths and the assignment of electronic spectra have been given, and the relation between the wavelength shili and the (d-p) bonding is discussed, The reactivities of the ligand substitution reactions and two kinds of addition reactions as weil as some kinetic and redox properties of these compounds are briefly discussed by taking advantage of this Iocalization (d-p-d) a bonding picture.     

Measurement of diffusion coefficients of parabens and steroids in water and 1-octanol

Diffusion coefficients (D) of parabens and steroids in water and 1-octanol were determined by using the chromatographic broadening method at 37 degrees C, and the relationships between the D values and the physicochemical properties of the drugs were discussed. The D values in 1-octanol were lower than those in water because of the higher viscosity of 1-octanol. The D values depend on not only the molecular weight (MW), but also the lipophilicity of the drugs in water and on the ability for hydrogen-bonding in 1-octanol. When the lipophilic index (LI), calculated from the retention time using in a reverse-phase column, was used as a parameter of drug lipophilicity, the following equation was obtained for D in water (D(w)); log D(w)=-0.215.log MW-0.077.log LI-4.367. When the hydrogen bond index (HI), the logarithm of the ratio of the partition coefficient of the drugs in 1-octanol and cyclohexane, was used as an index of hydrogen-bonding, the following equation was obtained for D in 1-octanol (D(o)); log D(o)=-0.690.log MW-0.074.log HI-4.085.     

A structural analysis of the complexes of (S,S)-dimethylpyridino-18-crown-6 with (R) and (S)-[α-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]ammonium perchlorate by NMR techniques and molecular modeling

Significant - interaction is found in the complexes of (S, S)-dimethylpyridino-18-crown-6 with (R)- and (S)-[-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]ammonium perchlorate. This finding is supported by the¹H NOESY NMR spectral technique, greater chemical shift changes of aromatic protons in both host and guest molecules upon complexation, and by molecular mechanics calculations. Because of the flexibility of the ligand, the tripod hydrogen bonding causes¹³C relaxation times of all periphery carbons to decrease without significant selectivity. Rotational energy barrier calculations of the methyl groups of the complexed ligand also show that the (S, S)-host-(R)-guest is the more stable complex.     

Hydration scheme of the purine and pyrimidine bases and base-pairs of the nucleic acids

The hydration scheme of the bases of the nucleic acids, leading to a representation of their first hydration shell, was computed using the overlap multipole procedure. The shell involves five, four, four and three bound water molecules in G, A, C and T respectively. The formation of the base pairs displaces one water molecule in the A-T pair and four water molecules in the G-C pair from the hydration shell. The hydration produces a destabilization of the pairing energy in comparison to the binding in vacuo, greater for the G-C pair than for the A-T pair. There remains nevertheless an appreciable residual affinity for inter-base hydrogen bonding in water.     

X-ray structure and thermal analysis of a 1∶1 complex between sulfathiazole andβ-cyclodextrin

An inclusion complex with the formula (-cyclodextrin) (sulfathiazole) 8.3 H₂O has been crystallized and characterized by physicochemical methods including single crystal X-ray analysis. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁, witha=15.264(4),b= 16.500(6),c=15.559(5) Å,=117.29(3)^o andZ=2. The structure was solved using published co-ordinates for-cyclodextrin in an isomorphous complex. Refinement by block-diagonal leastsquares yieldedR=0.061 for 4706 unique observed reflections. Inclusion of sulfathiazole produces a slight ellipticity in the host conformation, but the guest adopts a conformation similar to that observed in its polymorphs. The guest is held in the macrocyclic cavity predominantly by hydrophobic forces, with the phenyl ring near the host primary hydroxyl side and the thiazole ring near the secondary hydroxyl side. The complex packs in layers parallel to theac-plane. Layers are linked by hydrogen bonding to water molecules which are located outside the cyclodextrin cavity. An extensive network of hydrogen bonds mediated chiefly by water molecules stabilizes the crystal structure.     

Improvement in biopharmaceutics of prednisolone by β- and γ-cyclodextrins

Inclusion complexes of prednisolone with - and -cyclodextrins in the molar ratio of 1:2 and 2:3, respectively, were prepared, and their dissolutions, permeations through a cellophane membrane, releases from a suppository base, andin vivo absorption behaviors were examined. The apparent rates of dissolution and permeation of prednisolone were significantly increased by the formations of inclusion complexes with - and -cyclodextrins. The release of the drug from Witepsol H₁₅ suppositories was also increased by complexation. The serum levels of prednisolone following oral and rectal administrations of the cyclodextrin complexes to rabbits were higher than those of the drug alone. The enhanced initial absorption of prednisolone by cyclodextrin complexation suggested the possibility of smaller doses in prednisolone therapy.     

Studies on orally active cephalosporin esters. IV. Effect of the C-3 substituent of cephalosporin on the gastrointestinal absorption in mice

The effect of the C-3 substituent on the oral absorbability of pivaloyloxymethyl (POM) ester of cephalosporin in mice is described. The C-3 substituent affects the physicochemical and biochemical properties of POM ester, such as lipophilicity, water solubility, chemical stability and enzymatic stability. Quantitative analyses of the relationships between these properties and the oral bioavailability have been attempted. Lipophilicity made a parabolic contribution to the absorption. The optimum log P octanol/water value was estimated to be around 2.22. The chemical isomerization of the cephem double bond from delta 3 to delta 2 in the intestinal lumen prior to absorption contributed linearly to decrease of absorption. In the case of POM ester having a larger isomerization rate, more delta 2 isomer was detected in feces and urine. Enzymatic hydrolysis of POM ester to the parent acid in intestinal tissue was faster for a more lipophilic ester. Hydrolytic activity, which was detected in the content of the intestinal lumen, would lower the absorption. The effect of the C-3 substituent on water solubility was not important for the absorption of cephalosporin employed in the present study. Isomerization of the double bond, which was found to be characteristic for cephalosporin ester, presented a problem in the prodrug approach for oral use.     

Analytical tools for the physicochemical profiling of drug candidates to predict absorption/distribution

The measurement of physicochemical properties at an early phase of drug discovery and development is crucial to reduce attrition rates due to poor biopharmaceutical properties. Among these properties, ionization, lipophilicity, solubility and permeability are mandatory to predict the pharmacokinetic behavior of NCEs (new chemical entities). Due to the high number of NCEs, the analytical tools used to measure these properties are automated and progressively adapted to high-throughput technologies. The present review is dedicated to experimental methods applied in the early drug discovery process for the determination of solubility, ionization constants, lipophilicity and permeability of small molecules. The principles and experimental conditions of the different methods are described, and important enhancements in terms of throughput are highlighted. Figure Scheme of the Drug Research Process.     

β-Cyclodextrin–Polyelectrolyte Interactions in Aqueous Solution: I. Poly(4-Sodium Styrenesulfonate) (NaPSS)

The interactions between -cyclodextrin and a hydrosoluble polymer carrying hydrophobic residues: poly(4-sodium styrenesulfonate) have been studied. Several techniques were used: capillary viscosimetry, circular dichroïsm, and NMR spectroscopy. The results proved that the aromatic residues of NaPSS were included in the cavity of -cyclodextrin, and that, in addition, a network of hydrogen bonding between sulfonic acid residues and the hydroxyl groups of -cyclodextrin occured.     

Synthesis and X-Ray Crystal Structure Study of ]2-Methyl-4-(2-methylbenzoyl)-phenoxy] Acetic Acid Hydrazide

Benzophenone analog 3 has been synthesized and characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The compound crystallizes in a monoclinic space group P2₁/c with cell parameters a = 7.701(8) Å, b = 7.151(5) Å, c= 28.323(3) Å, = 104.639(4)°, Z = 4. The structure exhibits intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding of the type N–HO, C–HO, and N–HN. The molecules are interlinked through hydrogen bonds forming an infinite chain. This polymeric-like structure may play an important role in biological activity.