Enhancement of the Aqueous Solubility and Masking the Bitter Taste of Famotidine Using Drug/SBE-β-CyD/Povidone K30 Complexation Approach

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of ternary system (comprised of famotidine, β-cyclodextrin (β-CyD) or its derivatives and a hydrophilic polymer) as an approach for enhancing the aqueous solubility and masking the bitter taste of famotidine. The aqueous solubility of famotidine increased in the presence of β-CyDs, particularly sulfobutyl ether β-CyD (SBE-β-CyD), and it was further enhanced by the combination of SBE-β-CyD and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (Povidone) K30. The solid binary (drug-β-CyDs) and ternary (drug-β-CyDs-Povidone K30) systems were prepared by the kneading and freeze-drying methods. The dissolution rates of these solid systems were much faster than that of the drug alone. A taste perception study was carried out, initially using a taste sensory machine and subsequently on human volunteers to evaluate the taste masking ability of the ternary complexation. Our results indicated that the combination of SBE-b-CyD and Povidone K30 is effective not only in the enhancement of the solubility and dissolution rate of famotidine, but also in masking of the bitter taste of the drug. This technique may be of value for the pharmaceutical industries, especially in preparation of rapidly disintegrating tablets dealing with bitter drugs to improve patient compliance and thus effective pharmacotherapy.     

NMR spectroscopic characterization of metoprolol/cyclodextrin complexes in aqueous solution: cavity size dependency

The inclusion complex formation of a water-soluble beta(1)-selective adrenoreceptor antagonist Metoprolol (Met) with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CyD), beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CyD), gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CyD), and 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CyD) in aqueous solution was studied by ultraviolet (UV), circular dichroism (CD), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies and the modes of interaction were assessed. Continuous variation plots revealed that Met forms the inclusion complexes with alpha-CyD, beta-CyD, and HP-beta-CyD in a stoichiometry of 1:1, whereas gamma-CyD forms the 2:1 complex where two Met molecules are included in one gamma-CyD cavity. NMR spectroscopic studies, including ROESY and GROESY techniques, clearly indicated that alpha-CyD with the small cavity includes the methoxyethylbenzene moiety of Met molecule shallowly in the cavity, depositing the benzene and the methoxy moieties around the secondary and primary sides, respectively, of the cavity. In the case of the beta-CyD complex, the methoxyethylbenzene moiety is more deeply included in the cavity, and it is feasible that Met may be able to enter from both primary and secondary hydroxyl sides of the cavity, forming the 1:1 complex. On the other hand, two Met molecules are included probably in an antiparallel orientation in the large gamma-CyD cavity, and the benzene moieties of Met are in contact with each other.     

Enhancement of gene transfer activity mediated by mannosylated dendrimer/alpha-cyclodextrin conjugate (generation 3, G3).

To enhance gene transfer activity of dendrimers, we prepared its conjugate (generation 3, G3) with alpha-cyclodextrin bearing mannose (Man-alpha-CDE conjugates) with various degrees of substitution of the mannose moiety (DSM5, 10, 13, 20) and compared their cytotoxicity and gene transfer activity, and elucidated the enhancing mechanism for the activity. Of the various carriers used here, Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (G3, DSM10) provided the highest gene transfer activity in NR8383, A549, NIH3T3 and HepG2 cells, being independent of the expression of mannose receptors. Gene transfer activity of Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (G3, DSM10) was not decreased by the addition of 10% serum in A549 cells. Cytotoxicity of the polyplex with Man-alpha-CDE conjugates (G3, DSM10) was not observed in A549 and NIH3T3 cells up to the charge ratio of 200/1 (carrier/pDNA). The gel mobility and particle size of polyplex with Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (G3, DSM10) were relevant to those with alpha-CDE conjugate (G3), but zeta-potential, DNase I stability, pDNA condensation of the former polyplex were somewhat different from those of the latter one. Cellular association of polyplex with Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (G3, DSM10) was almost comparable to that with dendrimer (G3) complex and alpha-CDE conjugate (G3). The addition of mannan and mannose attenuated gene transfer activity of Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (G3, DSM10) in A549 cells. Alexa-pDNA complex with TRITC-Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (G3, DSM10), but not the complex with TRITC-alpha-CDE conjugate (G3), was found to translocate to nucleus at 24 h after incubation in A549 cells. HVJ-E vector including mannan, but neither the vector alone nor the vector including dextran, suppressed the nuclear localization of TRITC-Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (G3, DSM10) to a striking degree after 24 h incubation in A549 cells. These results suggest that Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (G3, DSM10) has less cytotoxicity and prominent gene transfer activity through not only its serum resistant and endosome-escaping abilities but also nuclear localization ability.     

Improvement of gene delivery mediated by mannosylated dendrimer/alpha-cyclodextrin conjugates.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate in vitro and in vivo gene delivery efficiency of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) starburst dendrimer (generation 2, G2) conjugate with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CDE conjugate (G2)) bearing mannose (Man-alpha-CDE conjugates) with the various degrees of substitution of the mannose moiety (DSM) as a novel non-viral vector in a variety of cells. Man-alpha-CDE conjugates (DSM 3.3 and 4.9) were found to have much higher gene transfer activity than dendrimer, alpha-CDE conjugate and Man-alpha-CDE conjugates (DSM 1.1 and 8.3) in various cells, which are independent of the expression of cell surface mannose receptors. Cellular association of pDNA complexes with dendrimer, alpha-CDE conjugate and Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (DSM 3.3) and their cytotoxic effects differed only very slightly. Surface plasmon resonance study demonstrated that the specific binding activity of Man-alpha-CDE conjugates to concanavalin A was not very strong. Much more conjugation of the mannose moiety to alpha-CDE conjugates provided unfavorable physicochemical properties of pDNA complexes for gene transfer, e.g. the low interaction with pDNA, the low enzymatic stability of pDNA and the lack of pDNA compaction. Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (DSM 3.3) provided gene transfer activity higher than dendrimer and alpha-CDE conjugate in kidney 12 h after intravenous injection in mice. These results suggest the potential use of Man-alpha-CDE conjugate (DSM 3.3) as a non-viral vector.     

Improvement of thermal and photochemical stability of benzaldehyde by cyclodextrin complexation

Inclusion complexes of benzaldehyde (BA) with α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins (α-, β-and γ-CyD) in water and in the solid phase were investigated by the solubility method, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and thermal analysis. The solid complexes of BA with all 3 CyDs were prepared, and their molar ratios were found to be 1:1 (BA/α-CyD), 3:2 (BA/β-CyD) and 2:1 (BA/γ-CyD). The volatility and photo-oxidation of BA were significantly retarded by the CyD inclusion complexation. The oxidation of BA was completely inhibited by 3 CyD complexes. The improved thermal and photochemical stabilities of BA by inclusion complexation suggest ease of handling with prolonged storage time.     

Sustained release of buserelin acetate, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist, from an injectable oily preparation utilizing ethylated beta-cyclodextrin

The possible use of heptakis (2,6-di-O-ethyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DE-beta-CyD) as a parenteral sustained-release carrier for buserelin acetate, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone superagonist, has been examined. The in-vitro release of buserelin from the oily suspension was significantly retarded by the complexation with DE-beta-CyD, mainly due to the poor water solubility of the complex. A single subcutaneous injection of the suspension containing the buserelin-DE-beta-CyD complex to rats provided an effective continuous plasma level of buserelin lasting for at least one month, indicating a potential therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of the endocrine-dependent diseases. These results suggest that DE-beta-CyD serves as an injectable sustained-release drug carrier suitable for chronic treatment with buserelin acetate.     

Cyclodextrin conjugate-based controlled release system: repeated- and prolonged-releases of ketoprofen after oral administration in rats.

6(A)-O-[2-(3-Benzoylphenyl)propinoyl]-alpha-cyclodextrin (KP-alpha-CyD conjugate), in which an anti-inflammatory drug, ketoprofen (KP), is covalently bound to one of the primary hydroxyl groups of alpha-cyclodextrin, was prepared, and its release behavior in vitro and in vivo was investigated. Further, the CyD conjugate-based repeated- and prolonged-release systems were designed by combining the conjugate (used as a delayed-release fraction) with the KP-2-hydroxypropyl-beta-CyD (HP-beta-CyD) complex (used as a fast-release fraction) or with KP-ethylcellulose (EC) solid dispersion (used as a slow-release fraction), respectively. The conjugate released KP only in rat cecum and colonic contents, whereas it was stable in other biological fluids of rats. The conjugate showed a typical delayed-release pattern after oral administration to rats, i.e., plasma levels of KP increased after a lag time of about 3 h and reached a maximum concentration at about 7 h. On the other hand, the non-covalent inclusion complex of KP with HP-beta-CyD gave a rapid increase in plasma drug levels, and the KP-EC solid dispersion retarded slightly the increase of plasma levels. The co-administration of the conjugate and the HP-beta-CyD complex gave a typical repeated release profile, i.e., double peaks were observed at about 1-2 and 8-12 h in plasma KP levels. On the other hand, the co-administration of the conjugate and the EC solid dispersion gave a typical sustained-release pattern of KP, i.e., a constant plasma KP level was maintained for at least 24 h. These repeated or long circulating release patterns in plasma KP levels after oral administration were clearly reflected in the anti-inflammatory effect using rats with carageenan-induced acute edema in paw. The results suggest that various release-controlled preparations can be designed by employing CyD conjugates in combination with other carriers with different releasing properties.     

Amorphous Water-Soluble Cyclodextrin Derivatives: 2-Hydroxyethyl, 3-Hydroxypropyl, 2-Hydroxyisobutyl,and Carboxamidomethyl Derivatives of β-Cyclodextrin

The pharmaceutical usefulness of natural, crystalline cyclodextrins can be improved by chemical conversions into water-soluble, amorphous mixtures of their derivatives. Reaction of -cyclodextrin with 2-chloroethanol, 3-chloropropanol, isobutylene oxide, or iodoacetamide yielded the title compounds. Distributions of the substitution degree were close to symmetrical and relatively narrow. The average substitution degrees increased with the amount of alkylating reagent used in the preparation. The number of components (half-width of distribution) increased with increasing average substitution degree. Further, distributions of the substitution degree were measured in glucose derivatives after hydrolysis of 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, and 2-hydroxyisobutyl--cyclodextrin. The results show an uneven distribution of substitutents around the cyclodextrins, suggesting that growth of oligoglycol side chains and/or clustering of substituents on one glucose residue occurs.     

Release characteristics of a short-chain fatty acid, n-butyric acid, from its beta-cyclodextrin ester conjugate in rat biological media

6(A)-O-(n-Butanoyl)-beta-cyclodextrin was prepared and its hydrolysis behavior in aqueous solutions and in rat intestinal fluids was investigated. Furthermore, the enzymatic hydrolyses of the n-butyric acid-beta-cyclodextrin conjugate using alpha-amylase and esterase were studied to gain insight into the release behavior of n-butyric acid from the conjugate. The hydrolysis of the conjugate proceeded according to a first-order kinetics in aqueous solution, and gave a V-shaped pH profile, indicating a specific acid-base-catalyzed hydrolysis at acidic and neutral-alkaline regions, respectively. The half-lives (t(1/2)) of the conjugate at pH 4.4, 6.8, and 7.4 at 37 degrees C were approximately 580, 43, and 6 days, respectively, indicating that the conjugate is stable in aqueous solution. No appreciable release of n-butyric acid from the conjugate was observed in the stomach and small intestinal contents of rats, or in the small and large intestinal homogenates of rats. On the other hand, a fast disappearance of the conjugate and an appearance of n-butyric acid were observed in the cecal and colonic contents of rats. The t(1/2) values of the disappearance were approximately 4, 1, and 6 h in 10 and 15% cecal contents and 10% colonic contents, respectively, and the appearance of n-butyric acid after 6 h was approximately 10% in the 15% cecal contents. Aspergillus oryzae alpha-amylase hydrolyzed the conjugate to small saccharide conjugates, such as the triose and maltose conjugates, but there was no appreciable release of n-butyric acid. The conjugate was less susceptible to carboxylic esterase (from porcine live), thus releasing no appreciable amounts of n-butyric acid. On the other hand, a fast release of n-butyric acid was observed when the esterase was employed after amylase hydrolysis, suggesting that two types of enzymes, sugar-degrading and ester-hydrolyzing enzymes, are necessary for the release of n-butyric acid from the conjugate in large intestinal contents.