Hydrolysis in pharmaceutical formulations

This literature review presents hydrolysis of active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as the effects on dosage form stability due to hydrolysis of excipients. Mechanisms and measurement methods are discussed and recommendations for formulation stabilization are listed.     

N-ACYLSUCCINIMIDES AS ACYLATING AGENTS FOR PROTEINS: SYNTHESIS,HYDROLYSIS AND AMINOLYSIS

N-Acylsuccinimides have been examined as potential acylating agents. Three different methods used to synthesize a number of these reagents are described. The rates of hydrolysis of N-acetyl, N-propionyl, N-n-butyryl, N-i-butyryl and N-n-valeryl succinimides and the rates at which they react with n-butylamine in aqueous solution are reported. These N-acylsuccinimides are soluble in water, relatively slow to hydrolyse and yet sufficiently reactive to acylate amines in aqueous solution, even in weak acid solutions. The hydrolysis of N-acetylsuccinimide follows two pathways, giving, as primary products, either N-acetylsuccinamic acid or acetic acid and succinimide. The relative amounts of these hydrolysis products, which were determined by NMR spectroscopy, varies with the pH of hydrolysis.     

Ligand bias at metabotropic glutamate 1a receptors: molecular determinants that distinguish β-arrestin-mediated from G protein-mediated signaling

The metabotropic glutamate 1a (mGlu1a) receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor linked with phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis and with β-arrestin-1-mediated sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and cytoprotective signaling. Previously, we reported the existence of ligand bias at this receptor, inasmuch as glutamate induced both effects, whereas quisqualate induced only PI hydrolysis. In the current study, we showed that mGlu1 receptor agonists such as glutamate, aspartate, and l-cysteate were unbiased and activated both signaling pathways, whereas quisqualate and (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine stimulated only PI hydrolysis. Competitive antagonists inhibited only PI hydrolysis and not the β-arrestin-dependent pathway, whereas a noncompetitive mGlu1 receptor antagonist blocked both pathways. Mutational analysis of the ligand binding domain of the mGlu1a receptor revealed that Thr188 residues were essential for PI hydrolysis but not for protective signaling, whereas Arg323 and Lys409 residues were required for β-arrestin-1-mediated sustained ERK phosphorylation and cytoprotective signaling but not for PI hydrolysis. Therefore, the mechanism of ligand bias appears to involve different modes of agonist interactions with the receptor ligand binding domain. Although some mGlu1a receptor agonists are biased toward PI hydrolysis, we identified two endogenous compounds, glutaric acid and succinic acid, as new mGlu1 receptor agonists that are fully biased toward β-arrestin-mediated protective signaling. Pharmacological studies indicated that, in producing the two effects, glutamate interacted in two distinct ways with mGlu1 receptors, inasmuch as competitive mGlu1 receptor antagonists that blocked PI hydrolysis did not inhibit cytoprotective signaling. Quisqualate, which is biased toward PI hydrolysis, failed to inhibit glutamate-induced protection, and glutaric acid, which is biased toward protection, did not interfere with glutamate-induced PI hydrolysis. Taken together, these data indicate that ligand bias at mGlu1 receptors is attributable to different modes of receptor-glutamate interactions, which are differentially coupled to PI hydrolysis and β-arrestin-mediated cytoprotective signaling, and they reveal the existence of new endogenous agonists acting at mGlu1 receptors.     

Forced Degradation Studies of Aloe Emodin and Emodin by HPTLC

Anthraquinones are natural phenolic compounds, which are reported to act as anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, laxative and antitumor agents. They are abudant in plants like candle bush, aloes, cascara bark and rhubarb. The present work was to observe the effect of different forced degradation conditions by high-performance thin layer chromatography on potential markers i.e. aloe emodin and emodin. Both aloe emodin and emodin were subjected to various forced degradation studies such as oxidation, acid and alkaline hydrolysis, photolysis, hydrolytic and thermal degradation. Aloe emodin, was more susceptible to acid hydrolysis and degradation was found to a lesser extent under thermal degradation whereas significant degradation was observed under acid hydrolysis, lesser extent was observed under alkali hydrolysis for emodin. Forced degradation studies on aloe emodin and emodin gives information about its storage and intrinsic stability conditions considering the advanced pharmaceutical aspects of formulation.     

Kinetics and mechanism of decomposition of some derivatives of 5-allylbarbituric acid. Part V. The course of hydrolysis of 5 allyl-5-(2'-hydroxypropyl)barbituric acid

The course of hydrolysis of the title compound was investigated in a broad pH range. It was found that undissociated and monoanionic forms are reversibly isomerized to alpha-allophanyl-alpha allyl-gamma-valerolactone. This last compound simultaneously hydrolyzes to alpha-allyl-gamma-valerolactone and urea. After the hydrolysis in strongly alkaline medium (dianionic form) alpha-allyl-alpha-carboxy-gamma-valerolactone was isolated and the presence of urea was proved. The course of hydrolysis of the investigated drug in the applied pH range have been discussed. Kinetic parameters of hydrolysis at ph=5.4 were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography as the analytical method.     

Carboxyl group catalysis of acyl transfer reactions in corticosteroid 17- and 21-monoesters

Succinate esters, although frequently employed as water-soluble prodrugs of poorly soluble parent drugs, are not sufficiently stable to allow long-term storage in solution. Intramolecular catalysis of ester hydrolysis by the terminal succinate carboxyl group is a contributing factor to this instability. Methylprednisolone 21-succinate has recently been reported to undergo both hydrolysis and 21 in equilibrium 17 acyl migration in aqueous solutions. Intramolecular catalysis by the terminal carboxyl group is seen in both reactions, but the catalytic mechanisms are not well understood. While acyl migration can only be catalyzed via the carboxyl group acting as a general acid or general base, hydrolysis may undergo either nucleophilic or general acid-base catalysis. To gain further insight into the catalytic mechanism, hydrolysis of methylprednisolone 21-succinate was carried out in aniline buffers to trap any succinic anhydride (as the anilide) that would form if the catalysis were nucleophilic. The nucleophilic mechanism was shown to account for only 15-20% of the overall catalysis. Comparisons of the rates of the intramolecularly catalyzed reactions of methylprednisolone 21- and 17-succinate were made with the same reactions of methylprednisolone 21- and 17-acetate catalyzed intermolecularly by acetate ion. Interestingly, intramolecular catalysis appears to favor acyl migration over hydrolysis. Hence, the hydrolysis of methylprednisolone 21-succinate is faster in basic solutions (pH greater than 7.4), while acyl migration becomes the dominant reaction in the catalyzed region of the pH profile between pH 3.6 and 7.4. Arguments are presented to account for these differences in catalytic efficiency in terms of the transition-state structures for the two reactions.     

Kinetics of digoxin stability in aqueous solution.

Digoxin hydrolysis was studied as a function of pH. Conversion of digoxin to digoxigenin was followed by high-pressure liquid chromatography and shown to proceed by the initial loss of one, two, or three sugars. The hydrolysis rate was directly proportional to parent drug concentration and hydrogen-ion activity. The individual hydrolysis rate constants of digoxin, digoxigenin bisdigitoxoside, and digoxigenin monodigitoxoside were determined by a simplex fitting procedure. Data are presented suggesting that at least some variation in the bioavailability of orally administered digoxin arises from observed variations in gastric pH; these variations influence the extent to which hydrolysis occurs and, thus, modify the composition of digoxin species available for absorption.     

Oral Absorption of Peptides: Influence of pH and Inhibitors on the Intestinal Hydrolysis of Leu-Enkephalin and Analogues

Leu-enkephalin (YGGFL) and several analogues were chosen as model peptides for the study of peptide absorption and hydrolysis in the rat jejunum. An HPLC assay was adapted to detect YGGFL or the analogues and metabolites. Peptide hydrolysis was studied in the rat jejunum using a single-pass perfusion method. Extensive hydrolysis of YGGFL was observed in the rat jejunum and approaches to reduce its metabolism were studied. The brush border enzymes are a major site of enkephalin hydrolysis. Lumenal peptidases were secondary to the brush border enzymes in hydrolyzing the enkephalins in this system. In the in situ perfusion system, YGGFL is hydrolyzed primarily to Tyr and GGFL by the brush border aminopeptidase and to YGG and FL by brush border endopeptidase. Lowering the jejunal pH below 5.0 significantly reduces aminopeptidase activity and, to a lesser extent, endopeptidase activity. An aminopeptidase inhibitor, amastatin, produced more pronounced inhibitory effects at higher pH and the endopeptidase inhibitors, tripeptides YGG and GGF, are effective even below pH 5.0. Coperfusion of YGGFL with a combination of aminopeptidase and endopeptidase inhibitors, e.g., amastatin and YGG, is more effective in inhibiting hydrolysis since both metabolic pathways are inhibited. Leu-D(Ala)²-enkephalin, while showing enhanced stability against aminopeptidase hydrolysis, is hydrolyzed at the Gly–Phe bond by the endopeptidase. Its hydrolysis is not affected by pH changes or amastatin but is decreased by YGG. The YGGFL wall permeability was estimated and is not a limiting factor for oral absorption.     

Structural effects of N-aromatic acyl-amino acid conjugates on their deconjugation in the cecal contents of rats: implication in design of a colon-specific prodrug with controlled conversion rate at the target site

N-aromatic acyl-amino acid conjugates possess a colon-targeted property, implying that such conjugates are stable and are not absorbable until reaching the large intestine in which they are microbially converted (hydrolysed) to the parent drugs that are therapeutically active. To investigate the structural effect of N-aromatic acyl-amino acid conjugates on the large intestinal deconjugation, the hydrolysis of various N-aromatic acyl-amino acid conjugates was examined in the cecal contents. On incubation of conjugates with glycine, D or/and L forms of alanine or phenylalanine in the cecal contents, the conjugates with D amino acids were not hydrolysed. The other conjugates are susceptible to the hydrolysis, the rates of which decreased as the size of the substituent on the 2-position of the amino acids increased. The conjugates with alkyl analogs (2-4 carbons) of glycine and taurine were resistant to the hydrolysis, while taurine- and glycine-conjugates were hydrolysed effectively. The hydrolysis of N-aromatic acyl-glycine conjugates was enhanced by para-substitution of electron withdrawing groups on the aromatic acyl moiety and vice versa for electron-donating groups. While a methyl, methoxy or chloro group on the ortho-position retarded the hydrolysis, a hydroxyl group on the position accelerated it. Our data may provide useful information for the design of a colon-specific prodrug with controlled conversion rate in the large intestine.     

Characterization of the role of physicochemical factors on the hydrolysis of dipyrone

Dipyrone is a prodrug which is used mainly for its analgesic and antipyretic effects. After oral intake, dipyrone is rapidly hydrolyzed to its main metabolite, 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA), from which many other metabolites are produced by enzymatic reactions. Even though it is well known that dipyrone is a prodrug and hydrolyzed non-enzymatically, in most of the studies of dipyrone the prodrug form is tested using in vitro methodologies, which do not represent or predict the actual in vivo activity of dipyrone. In this study, we characterize the hydrolysis kinetics of dipyrone as functions of concentration, temperature, and pH using a HPLC assay. Concentration is an important factor in the hydrolysis of dipyrone. Low concentrations of dipyrone are hydrolyzed more rapidly than are solutions of higher concentrations. At a concentration of 0.1M, which is 140 times, the concentration of the marketed pharmaceutical form, dipyrone is only minimally (10%) hydrolyzed to 4-MAA at 5h. Temperature, as expected, affects the hydrolysis reaction dramatically. We tested three temperatures (4, 21, and 37 degrees C) and found that at body temperature the hydrolysis is significantly faster than at room or at refrigerator temperatures. Compared with more alkaline solutions, the hydrolysis rate of dipyrone increases dramatically in acidic solutions. At low pH (2.5) and at a 0.01 mM concentration, the hydrolysis of dipyrone is completed within almost 30 min, which is the highest rate we observed. Experiments which involve in vitro and/or local application of dipyrone should consider these physicochemical factors and interpret the results accordingly.     

Kinetics of hydrolysis of meclofenoxate hydrochloride in human plasma

The kinetics of hydrolysis of meclofenoxate hydrochloride in human plasma have been compared with those of clofibrate. The hydrolysis rate in fractionated plasma was determined in the presence and absence of a plasma esterase inhibitor, tetraethyl pyrophosphate. The kinetic data indicated that clofibrate decomposed only by esterase-induced hydrolysis, which was inhibited by binding of clofibrate to plasma proteins. In contrast to clofibrate, meclofenoxate decomposed rapidly in human plasma via spontaneous hydrolysis as well as esterase-induced hydrolysis. The spontaneous hydrolysis appeared to be inhibited by some components present in the esterase fraction isolated from plasma, while no significant inhibition of the hydrolysis by protein binding was observed.     

Inhibitors of Sir2: evaluation of splitomicin analogues

Splitomicin (1) and 41 analogues were prepared and evaluated in cell-based Sir2 inhibition and toxicity assays and an in vitro Sir2 inhibition assay. Lactone ring or naphthalene (positions 7-9) substituents decrease activity, but other naphthalene substitutions (positions 5 and 6) are well-tolerated. The hydrolytically unstable aromatic lactone is important for activity. Lactone hydrolysis rates were used as a measure of reactivity; hydrolysis rates correlate with inhibitory activity. The most potent Sir2 inhibitors were structurally similar to and had hydrolysis rates similar to 1.     

A modified alkaline hydrolysis of total ginsenosides yielding genuine aglycones and prosapogenols

To improve the yield of genuine aglycones from glycosides, the conditions of alkaline hydrolysis were investigated, and a modified method was established. The modified method employed pyridine as an aprotic solvent. To complete the hydrolysis and obtain 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (1) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (2), which are the genuine aglycones of ginsenosides, total ginsenosides were refluxed with sodium methoxide in pyridine. Addition of methanol, a protic polar solvent to the reaction mixture, led partial hydrolysis yielding a mixture of the genuine prosapogenols. Of the prosapogenols compound3 and6 characteristically possessed D-glucopyranosyl moiety attached at the sterically hindered C-20 hydroxyl group.3 and6 were not obtained by other hydrolysis methods except by the soil bacterial hydrolysis.     

Assessment of the hydrolysis process for the determination of okadaic acid-group toxin ester: presence of okadaic acid 7-O-acyl-ester derivates in Spanish shellfish.

The contamination of different types of shellfish by okadaic acid (OA)-group toxin esters is an important problem that presents serious risk for human health. During previous investigations carried out in our laboratory by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), the occurrence of a high percentage of esters in relation to the total OA equivalents has been observed in several shellfish species. The determination of these kinds of toxins using LC/MS or other chemical methods requires a hydrolysis step in order to convert the sterified compounds into the parent toxins, OA, dinophysistoxins-1 (DTX-1) and dinophysistoxins-2 (DTX-2). Most of the hydrolysis procedures are based on an alkaline hydrolysis reaction. However, despite hydrolysis being a critical step within the analysis, it has not been studied in depth up to now. The present paper reports the results obtained after evaluating the hydrolysis process of an esterified form of OA by using a standard of 7-O-acyl ester with palmitoyl as the fatty acid (palOA). Investigations were focused on checking the effectiveness of the hydrolysis for palOA using methanol as solvent standard and matrices matched standards. From the results obtained, no matrix influence on the hydrolysis process was observed and the quantity of palOA converted into OA was always above 80%. The analyses of different Spanish shellfish samples showed percentages of palOA in relation to the total OA esters ranging from 27% to 90%, depending on the shellfish specie.     

Hydrolysis of a series of parabens by skin microsomes and cytosol from human and minipigs and in whole skin in short-term culture

Parabens are esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and used as anti-microbial agents in a wide variety of toiletries, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It is of interest to understand the dermal absorption and hydrolysis of parabens, and to evaluate their disposition after dermal exposure and their potential to illicit localised toxicity. The use of minipig as a surrogate model for human dermal metabolism and toxicity studies, justifies the comparison of paraben metabolism in human and minipig skin. Parabens are hydrolysed by carboxylesterases to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. The effects of the carboxylesterase inhibitors paraoxon and bis-nitrophenylphosphate provided evidence of the involvement of dermal carboxylesterases in paraben hydrolysis. Loperamide, a specific inhibitor of human carboxylesterase-2 inhibited butyl- and benzylparaben hydrolysis in human skin but not methylparaben or ethylparaben. These results show that butyl- and benzylparaben are more selective substrates for human carboxylesterase-2 in skin than the other parabens examined. Parabens applied to the surface of human or minipig skin were absorbed to a similar amount and metabolised to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid during dermal absorption. These results demonstrate that the minipig is a suitable model for man for assessing dermal absorption and hydrolysis of parabens, although the carboxylesterase profile in skin differs between human and minipig.     

Preparation and testing of polymer drugs. 4. Water-soluble polymer drugs with a base of vinylpyrrolidone-maleic acid anhydride-copolymers

Watersoluble polymeric drugs were synthesized on the basis of alternating copolymer of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and maleic anhydride. Benzocain served as model drug. The drug was bound directly as well as about epsilon-aminocapronic acid as spacer. The pancreatin catalyzed hydrolysis of these polymeric drugs was studied. No hydrolysis was noted, if the drug is directly bound on the copolymer. The polymeric drug with the epsilon-aminocapronic acid as spacer showed a small release. Possible reasons for these facts are discussed.     

The Relationship between PON1 phenotype and PON1-192 genotype in detoxification of three oxons by human liver.

Phosphorothioate pesticides (OP) such as diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and parathion are activated to highly toxic oxon metabolites by the cytochromes P450 (P450s), mainly in the liver. Simultaneously, the P450s catalyze detoxification of OP to nontoxic dearylated metabolites. The oxon is then detoxified to the dearylated metabolite by PON1, an A-esterase present in the liver and blood serum. The aims of this study were to define the influence of PON1-192 genotype and phenotype on the capacity of human liver microsomes (n = 27) to detoxify the oxons diazoxon, chlorpyrifos-oxon, and paraoxon. Near physiological assay conditions were used to reflect as closely as possible metabolism in vivo and because the hydrolytic activity of the allelic variants of PON1-192 are differentially affected by a number of conditions. The rates of hydrolysis of diazoxon, chlorpyrifos-oxon, and paraoxon varied 5.7-, 16-, and 56-fold, respectively, regardless of PON1-192 genotype. Individuals with the PON1-192RR genotype preferentially hydrolyzed paraoxon (p < 0.01), and the R allele was associated with higher hydrolytic activity toward chlorpyrifos-oxon, but not diazoxon. There were strongly significant relationships between phenylacetate and paraoxon hydrolysis (p < 0.001) and phenylacetate and chlorpyrifos-oxon hydrolysis (p < 0.001), but not between phenylacetate and diazoxon hydrolysis. These data highlight the importance of PON1 phenotype for efficient hydrolysis of paraoxon and chlorpyrifos-oxon, but environmental and yet unknown genetic factors are more important than PON1-192 genotype in determining capacity to hydrolyze diazoxon.     

Stereoselective hydrolysis of soman in human plasma and serum

The contribution of various human serum and plasma fractions to the total hydrolysis rate constants of the four isomers of soman is studied. Spontaneous hydrolysis (as measured in buffer) occurs at a faster rate for the C(+)P(+)- and C(-)P(-)-isomers. A stereoselectively catalyzed hydrolysis of soman occurs in serum fractions IV and V (albumin). In fraction V the C(+)P(+)- and C(-)P(-)-isomers are hydrolyzed at a faster rate than their respective epimers, while in fraction IV-1 a stereoselective effect towards C(+)P(+)-soman is found. All the forementioned contributions, however, are negligible in comparison with the stereoselective enzymatic hydrolysis of the P(+)-isomers. The latter reaction is characterized by a significant lowering of the activation energy as compared with the spontaneous hydrolysis of the P(+)-isomers. Such a lowering in activation energy is not found for the hydrolysis of the P(-)-isomers in whole serum or plasma; hence it can be concluded that a phosphorylphosphatase hydrolyzes the P(+)-isomers in a stereoselective way, the P(-)-isomers either not being affected by this (these) enzyme(s) or the mechanism of catalysis being fundamentally different. This conclusion is in agreement with the observations on the influence of Hg2+ on the hydrolysis of soman in serum; the hydrolysis of the P(+)-isomers is significantly inhibited by 1 mM of Hg2+ while the P(-)-hydrolysis is unaffected by this concentration of Hg2+. The action of some potential inhibitors on this phosphorylphosphatase activity was studied. Iodoacetate did not inhibit nor did Ba2+, Sr2+, Co2+ or Mn2+ show a significant effect on the hydrolysis of the P(+)-isomers. On the other hand the hydrolytic activity in serum was nearly completely inhibited by EDTA but restored upon addition of Ca2+. These findings suggest that this enzymatic activity can be classified as an arylesterase (paraoxonase). Finally, the influence of pH on the hydrolytic activity shows a different pattern for C(+)P(+)- and C(-)P(+)-soman, which may suggest that more than one enzyme is involved in the degradation of soman.     

Cefpodoxime-proxetil hydrolysis and food effects in the intestinal lumen before absorption: in vitro comparison of rabbit and human material

The luminal and mucosal deesterification of the prodrug ester cefpodoxime-proxetil was studied in human duodenal washings in vitro. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the ester, releasing the active third generation cephalosporin, was observed in luminal washing in the same way as it had previously been observed in the rabbit. Eserine and PMSF and HgCl₂ were potent inhibitors of cefpodoxime-proxetil hydrolysis in luminal washing, suggesting the participation of a cholinesterase in the hydrolysis of cefpodoxime-proxetil. These results are in agreement with our previous findings performed in the rabbit. Moreover, cefpodoxime-proxetil directly decreases the acetylcholinesterase activity when tested by a specific enzymatic method. These observations support the hypothesis that the partial oral bioavailability of cefpodoxime-proxetil results from hydrolysis by luminal cholinesterases. In vitro experiments run with rabbit duodenal washing with food components were compared with the pharmacokinetics of cefpodoxime-proxetil in humans. Amino acids, trace elements and vitamins were potent inhibitors for cefpodoxime-proxetil hydrolysis in duodenal washings. Otherwise, lipids (LTC and mixed LCT/MCT) did not interact. In the human, cefpodoxime-proxetil bioavailability is significantly enhanced when tablets are administered with food. The correlation found between animal results and human results in vitro for prospective investigation of a new prodrug ester could be very useful. An in vitro hydrolysis in intestinal animal washings could allow the potentially degraded condition and the food effect of the luminal tract to be assessed before absorption.     

Epimerization and Hydrolysis of Dalvastatin,a New Hydroxymethylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) Reductase Inhibitor

In aqueous solutions, dalvastatin (1) undergoes epimerization as well as hydrolysis. The transformation of the drug was studied as a function of pH at 25°C in aqueous solutions containing 20% acetonitrile. At all pH values, first-order plots for the conversion are biphasic, indicating rapid equilibration of 1 with its epimer (2) and slower hydrolysis of 1 to the corresponding -hydroxy acid (3). Apparent first-order rate constants for the biexponential equation are given as a function of pH. The alkyl–oxygen cleavage of the lactone ring results in the epimerization of 1 to 2, whereas the acyl–oxygen cleavage results in the hydrolysis of 1 to 3. The epimerization is an S_N1 reaction reaching an equilibrium of [l] _eq/[2] _eq = 1.27. The epimerization rate is increased with an increase in the water content of the solvent. The hydrolysis of 1 to 3 is acid and base catalyzed. The hydrolysis is reversible in acidic media and irreversible in neutral and basic media. At pH values greater than 9, the hydrolysis reaction proceeds more rapidly than the epimerization.