Amino acid ester prodrugs of the antiviral agent 2-bromo-5,6-dichloro-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole as potential substrates of hPEPT1 transporter

Amino acid ester prodrugs of 2-bromo-5,6-dichloro-1-(beta-d-ribofuranosyl)benzimidazole (BDCRB) were synthesized and evaluated for their affinity for hPEPT1, an intestinal oligopeptide transporter. Assays of competitive inhibition of [(3)H]glycylsarcosine (Gly-Sar) uptake in HeLa/hPEPT1 cells by the amino acid ester prodrugs of BDCRB suggested their 2- to 4-fold higher affinity for hPEPT1 compared to BDCRB. Further, promoieties with hydrophobic side chains and l-configuration were preferred by the hPEPT1 transporter.     

Carbamate ester prodrugs of dopaminergic compounds: synthesis, stability, and bioconversion.

Various carbamic acid esters (CAE) of a new class of dopaminergic drugs, 5-substituted 8-chloro-7-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-1 H-3-benzazepines, were synthesized and evaluated as prodrug forms with the aim of protecting the parent phenols against first-pass metabolism following oral administration. Monosubstituted CAE were found to be highly unstable at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C, the half-lives of hydrolysis being between 4 and 40 min. Plasma from various species catalyzed the hydrolysis of the carbamates. N,N-Disubstituted carbamates, on the other hand, were stable both in buffer and plasma solutions. They showed a very potent inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8), but were less potent inhibitors of the specific erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.17). In vitro incubations of an N,N-dimethylsubstituted carbamate ester (10) with liver microsomes from mouse and rat showed an appreciable formation of the parent phenolic compound. This bioconversion is suggested to occur via an initial cytochrome P-450-catalyzed hydroxylation to give an N-hydroxymethyl derivative which spontaneously decomposes to the N-monomethylcarbamate. It is concluded that N,N-disubstituted carbamate esters may be potentially useful prodrugs for the 7-hydroxy-3-benzazepines, whereas N-monosubstituted carbamates appear to be too chemically and enzymatically labile.     

Glycolamide esters as biolabile prodrugs of carboxylic acid agents: synthesis, stability, bioconversion, and physicochemical properties

Benzoic acid esters of various substituted 2-hydroxyacetamides (glycolamides) were found to be hydrolyzed extremely rapidly in human plasma solutions, the half-lives of hydrolysis being less than 5 s in 50% plasma solutions for some N,N-disubstituted glycolamide esters. The rapid rate of hydrolysis could be largely attributed to cholinesterase (also called pseudocholinesterase) present in plasma. From a study of a variety of substituted glycolamide esters and structurally related esters, the most prominent structural requirement needed for a rapid rate of hydrolysis was found to be the glycolamide ester structure combined with the presence of two substituents on the amide nitrogen atom. A structural similarity of such esters with benzoylcholine, a good substrate for cholinesterase, was put forward. Esters of N,N-disubstituted glycolamides are suggested to be a useful biolabile prodrug type for several carboxylic acid agents. The esters combine a high susceptibility to undergo enzymatic hydrolysis in plasma with a high stability in aqueous solution. Furthermore, as demonstrated with the benzoic acid model esters, it is feasible to obtain ester derivatives with almost any desired water solubility or lipophilicity with retainment of marked lability to enzymatic hydrolysis.     

Nalidixic acid prodrugs: Amides from amino acid ester and nalidixic acid

Amides from amino acid ester and nalidixic acid were synthesized. The solubility characteristics and partition coefficient of the compounds were studied. The hydrolysis of the compounds was studied in the simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid. Some compounds showed better antibacterial activity than nalidixic acid.     

新型非环核苷膦酸L-氨基酸酯类化合物的设计、合成与抗乙型肝炎病毒活性

设计合成具有抗乙型肝炎病毒活性的非环核苷膦酸双L-氨基酸酯系列衍生物。以adefovir dipivoxil为先导化合物， 根据核苷L-氨基酸酯前药提高生物利用度及抗病毒活性的研究结果对先导化合物进行结构优化， 设计并合成一系列新型非环核苷膦酸双L-氨基酸类化合物， 确定其结构， 并通过测定其对HepG2 2.2.15细胞分泌的HBV-DNA的抑制作用评价其体外抗病毒活性。结果发现8个adefovir双L-氨基酸类化合物可显示不同程度活性， 其中化合物11的抗病毒活性最强、 选择性指数最高(EC₅₀ 0.095 2 μmol·L^-1, SI 69523)。以上研究提示L-氨基酸酯策略可适用于非环核苷膦酸的前药修饰， 以期发现有效抗HBV药物。     

Paclitaxel as an anticancer agent: isolation,activity, synthesis and stability

Paclitaxel is isolated from the Pacific yew. It can be obtained from the European yew, but only after chemical modification of the isolated compound by a semi-synthesis procedure. The procedure for total synthesis of paclitaxel is very complicated, involving multiple steps, and the yields of paclitaxel are meagre. This substance is also a metabolite of certain kinds of fungus. The microbiological pathway for producing paclitaxel compared with isolation from plant material involves shorter procuction times but a small yield. Cyclodextrins are usually used for improving the solubility of paclitaxel in aqueous media, with polymeric and other substances added. Paclitaxel has anticancer activity and use for preparing the formulations intravenously administrated to patients with tumors. The paclitaxel concentration in these formulations is determined using validated HPLC methods.     

Serine peptide phosphoester prodrugs of cyclic cidofovir: synthesis, transport, and antiviral activity

Cidofovir (HPMPC, 1), a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, is currently used to treat AIDS-related human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) retinitis and has recognized therapeutic potential for orthopox virus infections, but is limited by its low oral bioavailability. Cyclic cidofovir (2) displays decreased nephrotoxicity compared to 1, while also exhibiting potent antiviral activity. Here we describe in detail the synthesis and evaluation as prodrugs of four cHPMPC dipeptide conjugates in which the free POH of 2 is esterified by the Ser side chain alcohol group of an X-L-Ser(OMe) dipeptide: 3 (X=L-Ala), 4 (X=L-Val), 5 (X=L-Leu), and 6 (X=L-Phe). Perfusion studies in the rat establish that the mesenteric permeability to 4 is more than 20-fold greater than to 1, and the bioavailability of 4 is increased 6-fold relative to 1 in an in vivo murine model. In gastrointestinal and liver homogenates, the cHPMPC prodrugs are rapidly hydrolyzed to 2. Prodrugs 3, 4, and 5 are nontoxic at 100 microM in HFF and KB cells and in cell-based plaque reduction assays had IC 50 values of 0.1-0.5 microM for HCMV and 10 microM for two orthopox viruses (vaccinia and cowpox). The enhanced transport properties of 3-6, conferred by incorporation of a biologically benign dipeptide moiety, and the facile cleavage of the Ser-O-P linkage suggest that these prodrugs represent a promising new approach to enhancing the bioavailability of 2.     

Pyrimidine and nucleoside gamma-esters of L-Glu-Sar: synthesis, stability and interaction with hPEPT1.

The aim of the present study was to improve the synthetic pathway of bioreversible dipeptide derivatives as well as evaluate the potential of using l-Glu-Sar as a pro-moiety for delivering three newly synthesised nucleoside and pyrimidine l-Glu-Sar derivatives. l-Glu(trans-2-thymine-1-yl-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl ester)-Sar (I), l-Glu(thymine-1-yl-methyl ester)-Sar (II) and l-Glu(acyclothymidine)-Sar (III) were synthesised and in vitro stability was studied in various aqueous and biological media. Affinity to and translocation via hPEPT1 was investigated in mature Caco-2 cell monolayers, grown on permeable supports. Affinity was estimated in a competition assay, using [14C] labelled Gly-Sar (glycylsarcosine). Translocation was measured as pHi-changes induced by the substrates using the fluorescent probe BCECF and an epifluorescence microscope setup. All dipeptide derivatives released the model drugs quantitatively by specific base-catalysed hydrolysis at pH>6.0. II was labile in aqueous buffer solution, whereas I and III showed appropriate stability for oral administration. In 10% porcine intestinal homogenate, the half-lives of the dipeptide derivatives indicated limited enzyme catalyzed degradation. All compounds showed good affinity to hPEPT1, but the Compounds I and III showed not to be translocated by hPEPT1. The translocation of the l-Glu-Sar derivative of acyclovir, l-Glu(acyclovir)-Sar was also investigated and showed not to take place. Consequently, l-Glu-Sar seems to be a poor pro-moiety for hPEPT1-mediated transport.     

Affinity and translocation relationships via hPEPT1 of H-Xaa-Ser-OH dipeptides: Evaluation of H-Phe-Ser-OH as a pro-moiety for ibuprofen and benzoic acid prodrugs

The intestinal di/tri-peptide transporter 1 (hPEPT1) has been suggested as a drug delivery target for peptide-based prodrugs. The aim of the study was to synthesize a series of 11 serine-containing dipeptides (H-X_aa-Ser-OH) and to investigate the relationship between binding to and transport via hPEPT1. An additional aim was to design a dipeptide which could serve as a pro-moiety for prodrugs targeted to hPEPT1. X_aa was chosen from the 20 proteogenic amino acids. The dipeptides were synthesized using solid phase peptide synthesis. The K_i-values of H-X_aa-Ser-OH dipeptides for hPEPT1 in MDCK/hPEPT1 cells ranged from 0.14 mM (log IC₅₀ = −0.85 ± 0.06) for H-Tyr-Ser-OH to 0.89 mM (log IC₅₀ = −0.09 ± 0.02) for H-Gly-Ser-OH, as measured in a competition assay with [¹⁴C]Gly-Sar. The dipeptides were translocated via hPEPT1 with K_m-values in the range of 0.20 (log IC₅₀ = −0.69 ± 0.04) for H-Met-Ser-OH to 1.04 (log IC₅₀ = 0.02 ± 0.04) mM for H-Gly-Ser-OH. The relationship between ligand and transportate properties indicated that the initial binding of the ligand to hPEPT1 is the major determinant for translocation of the investigated dipeptides. H-Phe-Ser-OH was selected as a pro-moiety, and two prodrugs were synthesized, i.e. H-Phe-Ser(Ibuprofyl)-OH and H-Phe-Ser(Bz)-OH. Both H-Phe-Ser(Ibuprofyl)-OH and H-Phe-Ser(Bz)-OH had high affinity for hPEPT1 with K_i-values of 0.07 mM (log IC₅₀ = −0.92 ± 0.12) and 0.12 mM (log IC₅₀ = −1.17 ± 0.40), respectively. However, none of the prodrugs were translocated via hPEPT1. This indicated that the coupling of the drug compounds to the peptide backbone did not decrease transporter binding, but abolished translocation, and that high affinity of prodrugs does not necessarily translate into favourable permeation properties.     

Pilocarpine prodrugs. II. Synthesis, stability, bioconversion, and physicochemical properties of sequentially labile pilocarpine acid diesters

Various novel diesters of pilocarpic acid were synthesized and evaluated as prodrug forms for pilocarpine with the aim of improving the ocular delivery characteristics of the drug. The pilocarpic acid monoesters previously studied cyclized spontaneously to pilocarpine in aqueous solution and although they showed enhanced corneal permeability when compared with pilocarpine these monoesters suffered from poor solution stability. The present study shows that this problem can be totally overcome by blocking the free hydroxyl group in the monoesters. Diesters of pilocarpic acid were obtained by esterification of this group. Such compounds were found to possess a high stability in aqueous solution (shelf lives of more than 5 years at 20 degrees C were estimated) but at the same time were readily converted to pilocarpine under conditions simulating those occurring in vivo through a sequential process involving enzymatic hydrolysis of the O-acyl bond followed by spontaneous lactonization of the intermediate pilocarpic acid monoester. Rate data are given for the conversion of the diesters in human plasma and in various rabbit eye homogenates. The pH-solubility profile was derived for a diester and lipophilicity parameters were determined for the compounds. All diesters were markedly more lipophilic than pilocarpine and the corresponding pilocarpic acid monoesters. The results suggest that pilocarpic acid diesters may be potentially useful pilocarpine prodrugs as they combine a high solution stability with an adequate rate of conversion to pilocarpine under in vivo conditions.     

Dipeptidomimetic ketomethylene isosteres as pro-moieties for drug transport via the human intestinal di-/tripeptide transporter hPEPT1: design, synthesis, stability, and biological investigations

Five dipeptidomimetic-based model prodrugs containing ketomethylene amide bond replacements were synthesized from readily available alpha,beta-unsaturated gamma-ketoesters. The model drug (BnOH) was attached to the C-terminus or to one of the side chain positions of the dipeptidomimetic. The stability, the affinity for the di-/tripeptide transporter hPEPT1, and the transepithelial transport properties of the model prodrugs were investigated. ValPsi[COCH(2)]Asp(OBn) was the compound with highest chemical stability in buffers at pH 6.0 and 7.4, with half-lives of 190 and 43 h, respectively. All five compounds showed high affinity for hPEPT1 (K(i) values < 1 mM), and PhePsi[COCH(2)]Asp(OBn) and ValPsi[COCH(2)]Asp(OBn) had the highest affinities with K(i) values of 68 and 19 microM, respectively. An hPEPT1-mediated transport component was demonstrated for the transepithelial transport of three compounds, a finding that was corroborated by hPEPT1-mediated intracellular uptake. The results indicate that the stabilized Phe-Asp and Val-Asp derivatives are promising pro-moieties in a prodrug approach targeting hPEPT1.     

Synthesis, stability studies, anti-inflammatory activity and ulcerogenicity of morpholinoalkyl ester prodrugs of niflumic acid

In search for potential prodrugs for anti-inflammatory drug candidates in the niflumate series, novel morpholinoalkyl ester prodrugs of niflumic acid (CAS 4394-00-7) 5a-b were prepared by esterification of appropriate morpholinylalkyl alcohols 3a-b with niflumic acid 4 in the presence of dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCC) and catalyst dimethylamino pyridine (DMAP) at 0-5 degrees C. The structures were confirmed by elemental and spectral data (UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and EI-MS). The ester prodrugs 5a-b showed better solubility than the parent drug niflumic acid 4 in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The in vitro hydrolysis studies were conducted at pH 1.3 (SGF), phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and in human plasma diluted with phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) at 37+/-0.5 degrees C using HPLC with UV detection. The ester prodrugs 5a-b were quantitatively hydrolyzed to the parent drug niflumic acid 4 by enzymatic and/or chemical means. It is observed that an increase in the carbon chain length rendered the prodrugs 5a-b more stable in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) than in pH 1.3 (SGF), but they were rapidly hydrolyzed in human plasma at 37+/-0.5 degrees C. They exhibited longer hydrolytic half-lives of 16.11-53.30 h in aqueous buffer solutions (pH 1.3 and 7.4) and 1.63-2.73 min in human plasma, respectively. The title compounds were evaluated in vivo for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced rat paw oedema model in rats at the doses 45, 90, 150 mg/kg b.w. The test compounds exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity (46.6-53.2 % at the dose of 150 mg/kg b. w.) with respect to niflumic acid (78.7 % at the dose of 90 mg/kg b.w.). The compounds were also screened for in vivo ulcerogenicity, it was observed that the prodrug 5b was significantly less irritating to gastric mucosa than compound 5a and the parent drug niflumic acid 4 following single and chronic oral administration in rats.     

Chemical stability, enzymatic hydrolysis, and nasal uptake of amino acid ester prodrugs of acyclovir

The objective of this work was to improve nasal absorption of relatively impermeable small drug molecules via an amino acid prodrug approach. Acyclovir was selected as a model drug. L-Aspartate beta-ester, L-lysyl, and L-phenylalanyl esters of acyclovir were synthesized to investigate their effectiveness in enhancing nasal absorption of acyclovir. A stability study was conducted in phosphate buffer under various pH conditions at 25 and 37 degrees C. Enzymatic hydrolysis in rat nasal washings and plasma was conducted at 37 degrees C. A rat in situ nasal perfusion technique was utilized in this investigation to examine the rate and extent of nasal absorption of amino acid prodrugs. The remaining analyte concentrations in the nasal perfusate were quantitated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The results revealed that the L-lysyl and L-phenylalanyl esters were less stable than L-aspartate beta-ester. The stability of all three esters decreased with increasing pH and temperature. L-phenylalanyl ester is highly susceptible to plasma esterases, with an in vitro half-life 1.33 min. The rat in situ nasal perfusion study revealed that the extent of nasal absorption of acyclovir, L-lysyl and L-phenylalanyl esters was not significant (p < 1%). L-Aspartate beta-ester was absorbed to the extent of approximately 8% over 90 min of perfusion at an initial drug concentration of 100 microM. Nasal absorption of L-aspartate beta-ester of acyclovir was inhibited by L-asparagine but not by a dipeptide glycylsarcosine (Gly-Sar). The enhancement of acyclovir nasal absorption from the L-aspartate beta-ester prodrug suggests that nasal uptake of this prodrug probably involves an active transport system.     

灯盏乙素苷元4'-L-氨基酸衍生物的设计、合成与抗氧化活性

为了设计合成具有较强神经细胞氧化损伤保护作用及较好理化性质的灯盏乙素苷元4'-L-氨基酸衍生物,以灯盏乙素苷元为先导化合物,根据主动转运原理在改善口服药物生物利用度应用上取得的成功经验,采用拼合设计原理在先导化合物的4'-羟基上引入L-氨基酸酯、醚结构,设计、合成灯盏乙素苷元4'-L-氨基酸衍生物。采用H2O2诱导PC12细胞氧化损伤模型对设计化合物进行了体外抗氧化活性评价,同时进行了目标化合物理化性质研究。结果发现设计的化合物均具有抗氧化活性,5个化合物抗氧化活性优于VE,灯盏乙素苷元L-氨基酸醚类化合物在缓冲液中稳定性(t1/2 9～92 h)优于酯类衍生物(t1/2 0.5 h),灯盏乙素苷元L-氨基酸酯类衍生物18、19与醚类衍生物22、24～27的水溶解度分别为1 796～4 100μg·mL-1和27.7～81.1μg·mL-1,两者水溶性分别达到灯盏乙素的120～280倍和2～6倍。以上研究提示L-氨基酸前药设计策略可适用于灯盏乙素苷元的结构修饰,以获得具有较好抗氧化活性及理化性质的灯盏乙素苷元前药。     

Aminocarbonyloxymethyl ester prodrugs of flufenamic acid and diclofenac: suppressing the rearrangement pathway in aqueous media

Aminocarbonyloxymethyl ester prodrugs are known to undergo rearrangement in aqueous solutions to form the corresponding N-acylamine side product via an O-->N intramolecular acyl transfer from the carbamate conjugate base. Novel aminocarbonyloxymethyl esters of diclofenac and flufenamic acid containing amino acid amide carriers were synthesized and evaluated as potential prodrugs displaying less ability to undergo rearrangement. These compounds were prepared in reasonable yield by a four-step synthetic method that uses the appropriate N-Boc-protected amino acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester and secondary amine and chloromethyl chloroformate as key reactants. Their reactivity in pH 7.4 buffer and 80% human plasma at 37 degrees C was assessed by RP-HPLC. The aminocarbonyloxymethyl esters containing a secondary carbamate group derived from amino acids such as glycine or phenylalanine were hydrolyzed quantitatively to the parent drug both in non-enzymatic and enzymatic conditions, with no rearrangement product being detected. The oral bioavailability in rats was determined for selected diclofenac derivatives. These derivatives displayed a bioavailability of 25 to 68% relative to that of diclofenac, probably due to their poor aqueous solubility and lipophilicity. These results suggest that further optimization of aminocarbonyloxymethyl esters as potential prodrugs for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs require the use of amino acid carriers with ionizable groups to improve aqueous solubility.     

全反式维甲酸-正丁酸（丙戊酸）前体药物的设计、合成及抗肿瘤活性研究

目的合成全反式维甲酸（ATRA）的前体药物，增强ATRA对急性早幼粒白血病（APL）细胞的分化诱导作用。方法以乙二醇、对苯二酚、乙醇胺及乙二胺等为连接物，通过酯键和酰胺键将分化诱导剂ATRA与组蛋白去乙酰酶（mAC）抑制剂正丁酸、丙戊酸连接起来，形成前体药物。结果合成了13个ATRA与正丁酸或丙戊酸相连接的前体药物，化合物的结构经^1H-NMR、MS和IR确证。结论考察部分化合物对急性早幼粒细胞白血病细胞株NB4的生长抑制作用和对急性早幼粒白血病（APL）细胞分化诱导作用，初步的药理实验结果表明，ATRA与丙戊酸通过酰胺键连接时，对NB4细胞分化诱导能力显著增加。     

Ethanesulfohydroxamic acid ester prodrugs of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): synthesis, nitric oxide and nitroxyl release, cyclooxygenase inhibition, anti-inflammatory, and ulcerogenicity index studies

The carboxylic acid group of the anti-inflammatory (AI) drugs indo-methacin, (S)-naproxen and ibuprofen was covalently linked via a two-carbon ethyl spacer to a sulfohydroxamic acid moiety (CH(2)CH(2)SO(2)NHOH) to furnish a group of hybrid ester prodrugs that release nitric oxide (NO) and nitroxyl (HNO). Biological data acquired for this hitherto unknown class of ethanesulfohydroxamic acid ester prodrugs showed (i) all compounds exhibited superior NO, but similar HNO, release properties relative to arylsulfohydroxamic acids, (ii) the (S)-naproxen and ibuprofen prodrug esters are more potent AI agents than their parent NSAID, (iii) the indomethacin prodrug ester, in contrast to indomethacin which is highly ulcerogenic, showed no visible stomach lesions [ulcer index (UI) = 0 for a 80 μmol/kg oral dose] while retaining potent AI activity, and iv) that the indomethacin prodrug ester, unlike indomethacin which is an ulcerogenic selective COX-1 inhibitor, is a selective COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2 selectivity index = 184) devoid of ulcerogenicity that is attributed to its high COX-2 SI and/or ability to release cytoprotective NO.     

Bisphosphonate prodrugs: synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel clodronic acid dianhydrides as bioreversible prodrugs of clodronate

P,P'-Diacetyl, P,P'-dibutyroyl, P,P'-dipivaloyl, and P,P'-dibenzoyl (dichloromethylene)bisphosphonic acid dianhydride disodium salts (2a-d) were synthesized and evaluated as novel bioreversible prodrugs of clodronate. The anhydrides were prepared by reacting anhydrous tetrasodium clodronate with a large excess of the corresponding acid anhydride. The dianhydrides 2a-d alone were more lipophilic than the parent clodronate, as determined by drug partitioning between 1-octanol and phosphate buffer at pH 7.4. They also were stable toward chemical hydrolysis in aqueous solutions (pH 7.4 and 2.0). The half-lives for chemical degradation in a buffer solution at 37 degrees C varied from 0.7 to 286 h and from 15 to 790 h at pH 2.0 and 7.4, respectively. The dianhydrides 2a,b,d underwent complete enzymatic hydrolysis to clodronate in 80% serum at 37 degrees C after 1 min, although 2c had a half-life of 3.3 h. The aqueous solubility of clodronate decreased considerably in the presence of Ca2+ ions. This is most probably due to formation of poorly water-soluble chelates, which may also hinder the oral absorption of clodronate. However, Ca2+ ions did not have an effect on the aqueous solubility of clodronic acid dianhydrides, and therefore, these prodrugs may improve oral absorption of the parent drug. In conclusion, these novel dianhydride derivatives may be potentially useful prodrugs of clodronate which, due to their lipophilicity and lack of Ca2+ chelating, increase its bioavailability after oral administration.     

Water-soluble gambogic acid PEGylated prodrugs: synthesis, characterization, physicochemical properties and in vitro hydrolysis

A series of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) prodrugs of gambogic acid (GA) with different molecular weight which used L-leucine as spacer were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR and TOF MS. Drug loading capability, analyzed by UV spectrum, was 17.48, 9.26, 3.99, and 1.79%, aqueous solubility of the prodrugs was determined to be 1750, 1250, 800, and 645 mg/ml, respectively. The drug release from prodrugs was investigated under simulated in vivo conditions whose half-time (t1/2) in plasma ranged from 1.26 to 6.12 h. The effect of temperature on drug release was studied at four different temperatures and activation energy was determined as well. The stability of the prodrugs was improved in parallel with increasing molecular weight of PEG while prodrug yields and drug loading capability were reduced.