Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/cyclodextrin inclusion complexes: solution and solid-state characterizations and their thermal stability

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have recently gained attention as a new class of drug in the therapeutic management of glaucoma. However, the application of eye drops is limited because of their chemical instability in aqueous solutions. To overcome such a problem, cyclodextrins (CDs) were introduced to form inclusion complexes. Three ACE inhibitors, namely, captopril, quinapril and fosinopril (FOS), were chosen and the effect of CDs on their thermal stability in aqueous solutions was investigated. All three drugs formed inclusion complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry with all three natural CDs and the FOS/γCD inclusion complex possessed the highest stability constant, resulting in thermal stability enhancement. Furthermore, the addition of antioxidants could greatly enhance the thermal stability of FOS in the presence of γCD in aqueous solutions. The inclusion complex formation of FOS/γCD was further examined by computational and experimental characterizations. All these characterization results confirmed that FOS and γCD formed a true inclusion complex that provided drug stabilization in the aqueous eye drop medium.

     

Surface activity and self-aggregation ability of three cationic quaternized aminocalix[4]arenes

The self-aggregation ability of three amphiphilic cationic calix[4]arenes possessing four quaternary amino groups (aminoCAs) was investigated using a variety of methods. All of the studied compounds possess high aggregation ability. Their critical aggregation concentration (CAC) values in water are in the 0.0009–0.04 % (w/v) concentration range. Several size populations of aggregates were detected by DLS for all three CAs, and restructuring of aggregates was observed to be dependent on concentration. Particles formed above CAC were attributed to formation of vesicular structures (vesicles). The coexistence of other type of aggregates (presumably micelles) with vesicles was observed in the aqueous solution of CAs 2 and 3 from concentrations of 0.5 and 0.8 % (w/v), respectively. The filtration procedure was found to be a significant factor since the obtained data from filtered and unfiltered samples was different. The particle sizes obtained by TEM measurements were somewhat correlated with the DLS data for unfiltered CAs solutions. An analysis of the aggregate composition was undertaken by a size-exclusion method using semi-permeable cellophane membranes with different MWCO. A negative deviation from linearity of permeability flux profile starting from 0.8 % (w/v) concentration of donor phase indicated that the fraction of large aggregates at this point is significant enough that the molecules could not easily permeate through the membranes.     

Cyclodextrin solubilization of celecoxib: solid and solution state characterization

The low aqueous solubility of celecoxib (CCB) hampers its oral bioavailability and permeation from aqueous environment through biological membranes. The aim of this study was to enhance the aqueous solubility of CCB by complexation with cyclodextrin (CD) in the presence of water-soluble polymer. The effects of different CDs (αCD, βCD, γCD, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RMβCD)) and mucoadhesive, water-soluble polymers (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), chitosan and hyaluronic acid) were investigated. The phase solubility profiles and CCB/CD complex characteristics were determined. RMβCD exhibited the greatest solubilizing effect of the two CDs tested. However, γCD was also selected for further investigations due to its safety profile. Addition of polymer to the aqueous CD solutions enhanced the CD solubilization. Formation of CCB/RMβCD/HPMC and CCB/γCD/HPMC ternary complexes resulted in 11 and 19-fold enhancement in the apparent complexation efficiency in comparison to their CCB/CD binary complex, respectively. The size of ternary complex aggregates in solution were determined to be from about 250 to about 350 nm. The data obtained from Fourier transform infra-red, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction indicated presence of CCB/CD inclusion complexes in the solid state. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance data demonstrated that CCB was partially and totally inserted into the hydrophobic central cavities of RMβCD and γCD.     

Development of Fenofibrate/Randomly Methylated β-Cyclodextrin-Loaded Eudragit® RL 100 Nanoparticles for Ocular Delivery

Fenofibrate (FE) has been shown to markedly reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration in clinical trials and animal models. Owing to the limited aqueous solubility of FE, it may hamper ocular bioavailability and result in low efficiency to treat such diseases. To enhance the solubility of FE, water-soluble FE/cyclodextrin (CD) complex formation was determined by a phase-solubility technique. Randomly methylated-β-CD (RMβCD) exhibited the best solubility and the highest complexation efficiency (CE) for FE. Additionally, water-soluble polymers (i.e., hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol [PVA]) enhanced the solubility of FE/RMβCD complexes. Solid- and solution-state characterizations were performed to elucidate and confirm the formation of inclusion FE/RMβCD complex. FE-loaded Eudragit^® nanoparticle (EuNP) dispersions and suspensions were developed. The physicochemical properties (i.e., pH, osmolality, viscosity, particle size, size distribution, and zeta potential) were within acceptable ranges. Moreover, in vitro mucoadhesion, in vitro release, and in vitro permeation studies revealed that the FE-loaded EuNP eye drop suspensions had excellent mucoadhesive properties and sustained FE release. The hemolytic activity, hen’s egg test on chorioallantoic membrane assay, and in vitro cytotoxicity test showed that the FE formulations had low hemolytic activity, were cytocompatible, and were moderately irritable to the eyes. In conclusion, PVA-stabilized FE/RMβCD-loaded EuNP eye drop suspensions were successfully developed, warranting further in vivo testing.     

Drug loading in cyclodextrin polymers: dexamethasone model drug

In pharmaceutical formulations cyclodextrins (CDs) are used to improve the aqueous solubility, stability, dissolution rate, bioavailability and/or local tolerance of drugs. Moreover, water-soluble polymers can be used to stabilize drug/CD complexes through formation ternary complexes. Alternative approach is to use CD-polymers, which can both enhance the aqueous solubility of a drug and result in sustained drug release. The aim of this work was to compare the solubilizing effects of ternary drug/CD/polymer complexes with two novel high molecular weight CD-polymers, i.e. poly(ethylene glycol) based ??-cyclodextrin (??CD) polymer (PEG/??CD) and epichlorohydrin-??-cyclodextrin polymer (EPI/??CD) using dexamethasone (Dex) as a model drug, as well as the drug loading capacity of those selected CD-polymers. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt were shown to have negligible effect on the solubilizing efficacy of ??CD while hexadimethrine bromide increases the solubilization efficacy. The stability of the polymers was tested and it was adequate for the experimental conditions used. The solubilization efficacy of both CD-polymers was higher than that of the parent ??CD and these ??CD based polymers are able to load greater amount of Dex than the parent ??CD.     

Effect of self-aggregation of γ-cyclodextrin on drug solubilization

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of drug-saturated aqueous cyclodextrin (CD) solutions. Phase solubility profiles of different drugs were determined in aqueous solutions containing γ-cyclodextrin (γCD) and/or hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HPγCD) in absence or presence of water-soluble polymers. ¹H-NMR and turbidity analysis were performed as well as permeation studies. Phase solubility diagrams showed that the observed γCD content (1–20% w/v) was only slightly different from the theoretical values for aqueous solutions that had been saturated with indomethacin, diclofenac sodium or amphotericin B, all displayed A-type profiles, while it was less than the theoretical value in solutions that had been saturated with corticosteroids (hydrocortisone and dexamethasone) that displayed B_S-type profiles. In the latter case self-assemble of drug/CD complexes decreased the overall CD solubility. Water-soluble polymers enhanced aqueous solubility of the drugs tested by stabilizing the drug/CD complexes, i.e. enhancing their stability constants, without affecting the observed aqueous γCD solubility. When the drug solubility leveled off (the B_S-type profiles) the amount of dissolved γCD increased and approached the theoretical values. Hydrocortisone formed partial inclusion complex with γCD and HPγCD and no non-inclusion or aggregates could be detected in diluted solutions by ¹H-NMR. Both permeation and turbidity studies showed that formation of dexamethasone/γCD complex promoted CD aggregation. All these observations indicate that CD aggregate formations play a role in CD solubilization of lipophilic and poorly water-soluble drugs and that the water-soluble polymers enhance the complexation efficiency of γCD and HPγCD by stabilizing the self-assembled drug/CD nanoparticles and promote non-inclusion complex formation.