The identification of tricyclic neuroleptics and sulphonamides by high-performance thin-layer chromatography

Circular high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) has been used to differentiate a series of twelve tricyclic neuroleptics, using both normal phase and reverse phase procedures. The use of normal phase systems also allows the resolution of geometric isomers of chlorprothixene, clopenthixol and flupenthixol. Thirteen sulphonamides and Trirnethoprim may also be distinguished using HPTLC.     

Preparation and characterisation of thermoresponsive poly[(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide-co-(hydroxyethyl acrylate)] microspheres as a matrix for the pulsed release of drugs

Despite the large number of publications and patents concerning pH/thermoresponsive polymers, few data are available concerning the preparation of thermoresponsive cross-linked microspheres from preformed polymers. Therefore, N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide-co-(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) copolymers were obtained as a new thermoresponsive material with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) around 36 degrees C, in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, and with a cross-linkable OH group in their structure. The LCST value was determined both by UV spectroscopy and microcalorimetric analysis. These copolymers were solubilised in acidified aqueous solution below their LCST, dispersed in mineral oil, and transformed into stable microspheres by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The thermoresponsive microspheres were characterised by optical and scanning electron microscopy, degree of swelling, and water retention. The pore dimensions of the microspheres and the retention volumes of some drugs and typical compounds were evaluated at different temperatures by liquid chromatography. Indomethacin, as a model drug, was included in the microspheres by the solvent evaporation method. Finally, the influence of temperature and of temperature cycling on drug release was investigated.     

Open-access liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in a drug discovery environment

The use of open-access mass spectrometry to monitor synthetic chemistry reactions, and also the integrity and purity of new chemical entities, has been a part of the medicinal chemist's tool-box for more than 5 years. Originally in our group at Wyeth Research there were two open-access methods available to the chemists, flow injection analysis (FIA) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The FIA method was approximately 3 min long, while the LC/MS method was approximately 20 min long (including an 8 min gradient). Within the first 2 years, the total number of open-access analyses increased by approximately 125%. It is interesting, however, that the number of LC/MS analyses increased by more than 285%. This is attributed to the fact that the chemists began using the LC/MS data to monitor reactions and also to check final product integrity and purity. In addition, the number of chemists performing parallel synthesis reactions has increased; thus, individual chemists can produce sample sets of up to 100 vials. This paper describes the implementation of new methodology, which accommodates the need for much faster run times and also the ability to acquire alternating positive and negative ion spectra within the same run. In addition, the instrument has been configured to e-mail the resulting processed data report to the submitting chemist. Several methods have been developed, including structure elucidation using in-source collision-induced dissociation (CID) and night-time analysis. The LC/MS methods for this system are described herein and are applicable to both industrial and academic synthetic chemistry optimization efforts.     

Novel dual inhibitors against FP-2 and PfDHFR as potential antimalarial agents: Design,synthesis and biological evaluation

A series of novel 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-modified compounds was designed and synthesized. Compound 14 showed micromolar dual inhibitory effect on both FP-2 and PfDHFR, and potential inhibition to the proliferation of P. falciparum 3D7 strain and chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum Dd2 strain.     

New antimalarial drugs

Approximately 40% of the world population live in areas with the risk of malaria. Each year, 300-500 million people suffer from acute malaria, and 0.5-2.5 million die from the disease. Although malaria has been widely eradicated in many parts of the world, the global number of cases continues to rise. The most important reason for this alarming situation is the rapid spread of malaria parasites that are resistant to antimalarial drugs, especially chloroquine, which is by far the most frequently used. The development of new antimalarial drugs has been neglected since the 1970s owing to the end colonialism, changes in the areas of military engagement, and the restricted market potential. Only in recent years, in part supported by public funding programs, has interest in the development of antimalarial drugs been renewed. New data available from the recently sequenced genome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the application of methods of modern drug design promise to bring significant development in the fight against this disease.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Biocompatible pH‐Sensitive Hydrogels as Colon‐Specific Drug Delivery Systems

Because of the growing importance of pH‐sensitive hydrogels as drug delivery systems, biocompatible copolymeric hydrogels based N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NVP) and methacrylic acid (MAA) were designed and synthesized. These hydrogels were investigated for oral drug delivery. Radical copolymerizations of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NVP) and methacrylic acid (MAA) with the various ratios of cross‐linking agent were carried out at 70 °C. Azabisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was the free‐radical initiator employed and Cubane‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (CDA) linked to two 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) group was the crosslinking agent (CA) used for hydrogel preparations. The hydrogels were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and FT‐IR. Equilibrium swelling studies were carried out in enzyme‐free simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF, respectively). A model drug, olsalazine [3,3′‐azobis (6‐hydroxy benzoic acid)] (OSZ) as an azo derivative of 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA), was entrapped in these gels and the in‐vitro release profiles were established separately in both enzyme‐free SGF and SIF. The drug‐release profiles indicated that the amount of drug released depended on the degree of swelling. The swelling was modulated by the amount of crosslinking of the polymer bonded drug (PBDs) prepared. Based on the great difference in hydrolysis rates at pH 1 and 7.4, these pH‐sensitive hydrogels appear to be good candidates for colon‐specific drug delivery.     

Dexamethasone delivery to posterior segment of the eye

Due to anatomic barriers and lacrimal drainage it is difficult to obtain therapeutic drug concentrations in the posterior part of the eye after topical drug administrations. Lipophilic cyclodextrins, such as randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RMβCD), are known to act both as solubilizers of water-insoluble drugs in aqueous solutions and as penetration enhancers that reduce the barrier function of lipophilic membranes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of RMβCD on dexamethasone delivery from aqueous eye drop solution into rabbit eyes. Dexamethasone (0.5 and 1.5% w/v) drops (50 μl) were administered to the left eye of rabbits (n = 6) and the drug levels measured in different eye tissues 2 h after administration. In aqueous humor dexamethasone levels were 1,190 ± 110 and 1,670 ± 630 ng/g (mean ± SD) after administration of the 0.5 and 1.5% dexamethasone eye drops, respectively. In the retina the levels were 33 ± 7 and 66 ± 49 ng/g, and in optic nerve 41 ± 12 and 130 ± 50 ng/g, respectively. In a previous study the dexamethasone concentration in aqueous humor after topical administration of 1.3% (w/v) dexamethasone eye drops in aqueous 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) solution was determined to be 320 ± 230 ng/g and 66 ± 20 ng/g after administration of Maxidex^® eye drops. Both the hydrophilic HPβCD and the lipophilic RMβCD enhance topical dexamethasone delivery into the eye, but of the two, the lipophilic RMβCD results in higher dexamethasone concentrations.     

β微管蛋白中紫杉醇(Taxol)结合腔的性质分析

采用多拷贝同时搜寻法(MCSS), 并结合现有微管抑制剂的SAR及3D-QSAR对β微管蛋白中Taxol(紫杉醇)结合腔的性质进行了分析. 结构研究结果表明, Taxol结合腔以疏水性质为主, 并指出官能团分布的具体位置: 在Phe270上方(Leu361-Pro272-Leu273-Leu228之间)的弧形区域、Asp26羧基下方及其与Glu22羧基之间、M-loop的中部, 以及Asp224内侧且靠近Arg276的胍基的位置. 而Asp224的内侧又是新提出的结合位点. 研究结果符合现有微管抑制剂的SAR, 为现有抗肿瘤药物的结构改造以及小分子微管抑制剂设计提供了理论依据.     

Magnetic microcapsules for targeted delivery of anticancer drugs

To achieve targeted distribution of anticancer drugs with sustained activity, ferromagnetic ethylcellulose microcapsules containing an anticancer drug, mitomycin C (FM-MMC-mc), were prepared by a method based on phase separation principles. Two prototypes of FM-MMC-mc were made: one with the drug as the core and zinc ferrite on its capsular surface (outer type); the other with both the drug and zinc ferrite as the core (inner type). Both preparations provided a sustained-release property and a sensitive response to conventional magnetic force, although certain differences in the release rate of drug, magnetic responsiveness, and particle size were found between the two dosage forms. Animal studies showed that the magnetic microcapsules could be magnetically controlled in the artery and urinary bladder. VX2 tumors in the rabbit hind limb and urinary bladder were successfully treated with magnetic control of FM-MMC-mc. Pharmacokinetic study revealed that the targeting of the microcapsules markedly enhanced the drug absorption into the surrounding tissues for a prolonged period of time. The results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the magnetic microcapsules as a targeted drug delivery system.     

8—氮鸟嘌呤的极谱伏安行为

用循环伏安法（ＣＶ）、电流采样极诸法（ＳＣＰ，即ＴＡＳＴ）、常规脉冲极谱法（ＮＰＰ）、微分脉冲极谱法（ＤＰＰ）、线性扫描伏安法（ＬＳＶ）、Ｏｓｔｅｒｙｏｕｎｇ方波伏安法（ＯＳＷＶ）和计时库仑法（ＣＣ）等电化学技术研究了抗癌药物８－氮鸟嘌呤（８－ａｚａｇｕａｎｉｎｅ，ｇｕａｎａｚｏｌｏ，简称８－ＡＧ）的极谱伏安行为．在 ０． １ｍｏｌ／Ｌ Ｈ２ＳＯ４底液中，８－ＡＧ有一良好的还原峰，峰电位（Ｅｐ）在－０． ９５Ｖ（ｖｓ．Ａｇ／ＡｇＣｌ，下同）附近，８－ＡＧ浓度在４×１０－６～８×１０－４ｍｏｌ／Ｌ范围内．峰高与浓度有良好的线性关系，线性相关系数ｒ＝０．９９９９～０．９９１０，检出限为１× １０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ．实验证明了该峰具有吸附性．本文提出了电极反应机理，它包括：酸性介质中８－ＡＧ的质子化、质子化的８－ＡＧ在汞电极上吸附以及完全不可逆的两电子还原过程．同时用量子化学计算方法（全略微分重叠法即ＣＮＤＯ／２）对８－ＡＧ和鸟嘌呤的各原子的净电荷以及Ｗｉｂｅｒｇ键级进行了计算，从理论上解释了８－ＡＧ的电化学还原机理。