Penetration-enhancing effect of ethanolic solution of menthol on transdermal permeation of ondansetron hydrochloride across rat epidermis

The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of an ethanol-water solvent system and ehtanolic solution of menthol on the permeation of ondansetron hydrochloride across the rat epidermis in order to select a suitable ethanol-water vehicle and optimal concentration of menthol for the development of a transdermal therapeutic system. The solubility of ondansetron hydrochloride in ethanol, water and selected concenetrtaion of ethanol-water vehicles (20:80 v/v, 40:60 v/v and 60:40 v/v) was determined. The effect of these solvent vehicles, containing 1.5% w/v of ondansetron hydrochloride, on the in vitro permeation of the drug was studied across the rat epidermis. The highest permeation was observed from 60% v/v of ethanol-water vehicle that showed highest solubilty. Hence, the hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) (2% w/w) gel formulations containing 1.5% w/w of ondansetron hydrochloride and selected concentrations of menthol (0, 2, 4, 8 and 10% w/w) were prepared using 60% v/v of ethanol-water vehicle, and subjected to in vitro permeation of the drug across rat epidermis. The transdermal permeation of ondansetron hydrochloride was enhanced markedly by the addition of menthol to HPC gel drug reservoir formulations. A maximum flux of ondansetron hydrochloride (77.85 ± 2.85 μ g/cm^2.h) was observed with a mean enhancement ratio of 13.06 when menthol was incorporated at a concentration of 8% w/w in HPC gels. However, there was no significant increase in the drug flux with 10% w/w menthol when compared to that obtained with 8% w/w of menthol in HPC gel formulations. The results suggest that 2% w/w HPC gel drug reservoir formulation, prepared with 60% v/v ethanol-water, containing 8% w/w of menthol provides an optimal transdermal permeation of ondansetron hydrochloride.     

Apolipoprotein B variant derived from rat intestine.

A variant of apolipoprotein B has been observed in the lymph lipoproteins [chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), and low density lipoproteins (LDL)] of rats, in the plasma VLDL of fed rats, and in the plasma VLDL and LDL of rats fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet. It is the sole apolipoprotein B in the chylomicrons and VLDL of lymph. It differs from the apolipoprotein B of normal plasma LDL in its immunological properties and in its apparent molecular weight from electrophoresis on 3.5% NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel.     

Development of a stability-indicating UPLC method for determining olanzapine and its associated degradation products present in active pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical dosage forms

A simple, sensitive and reproducible ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with a photodiode array detector method was developed for the quantitative determination of olanzapine (OLN) in API and pharmaceutical dosage forms. The method is applicable to the quantification of related substances and assays of drug substances. Chromatographic separation was achieved on Acquity UPLC BEH 100-mm, 2.1-mm, and 1.7-μm C-18 columns, and the gradient eluted within a short runtime, i.e., within 10.0 min. The eluted compounds were monitored at 250 nm, the flow rate was 0.3 mL/min, and the column oven temperature was maintained at 27°C. The resolution of OLN and eight (potential, bi-products and degradation) impurities was greater than 2.0 for all pairs of components. The high correlation coefficient (r(2)>0.9991) values indicated clear correlations between the investigated compound concentrations and their peak areas within the test ranges. The repeatability and intermediate precision, expressed by the RSD, were less than 2.4%. The accuracy and validity of the method were further ascertained by performing recovery studies via a spike method. The accuracy of the method expressed as relative error was satisfactory. No interference was observed from concomitant substances normally added to the tablets. The drug was subjected to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH)-prescribed hydrolytic, oxidative, photolytic and thermal stress conditions. The performance of the method was validated according to the present ICH guidelines for specificity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, linearity, accuracy, precision, ruggedness and robustness.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1-substituted-3(5)-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinoxalin-6-yl)pyrazoles as transforming growth factor-β type 1 receptor kinase inhibitors

A series of 1-substituted-3(5)-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinoxalin-6-yl)pyrazoles 14a-d, 15a-d, 17a, 17b, 18a-d, 19a, and 19b has been synthesized and evaluated for their ALK5 inhibitory activity in an enzyme assay and in a cell-based luciferase reporter assay. The 2-[3-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinoxalin-6-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-phenylethanethioamide (18a) inhibited ALK5 phosphorylation with an IC₅₀ value of 0.013 μM and showed 80% inhibition at 0.1 μM in a luciferase reporter assay using HaCaT cells permanently transfected with p3TP-luc reporter construct.     

Receptor localization, native tissue binding and ex vivo occupancy for centrally penetrant P2X7 antagonists in the rat

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The P2X7 receptor is implicated in inflammation and pain and is therefore a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Here, the development of a native tissue radioligand binding, localization and ex vivo occupancy assay for centrally penetrant P2X7 receptor antagonists is described.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Autoradiography studies using the P2X7 antagonist radioligand [³H]-A-804598 were carried out in rat brain and spinal cord. Subsequent in vitro binding and ex vivo occupancy assays were performed using rat cortex homogenate.

KEY RESULTS

P2X7 expression was shown to be widespread throughout the rat brain, and in the grey matter of the spinal cord. In binding assays in rat cortex homogenate, ∼60% specific binding was achieved at equilibrium. In kinetic binding assays, k_on and k_off values of 0.0021·min⁻¹·nM⁻¹ and 0.0070·min⁻¹ were determined, and the K_d derived from kinetic measurements was consistent with that derived from saturation analysis. Novel P2X7 antagonists inhibited the binding of [³H]-A-804598 to rat cortex P2X7 receptors with K_i values of <40 nM. In an ex vivo occupancy assay, a P2X7 antagonist dosed orally to rats caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of the specific binding of [³H]-A-804598 to rat cortex.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The present study describes the development of an assay that allows localization of P2X7 receptors, the measurement of the binding affinity of P2X7 receptor antagonists in native tissue, and provides a means of determining central P2X7 receptor occupancy. These assays could form an important part of a P2X7 drug discovery programme.     

Effect of PEG6000 on the in vitro and in vivo transdermal permeation of ondansetron hydrochloride from EVA1802 membranes

The objective was to evaluate ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer membranes with vinyl acetate content of 18% w/w (EVA1802) for transdermal delivery of ondansetron hydrochloride. The EVA1802 membranes containing selected concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 15% w/w) of PEG6000 were prepared, and subjected to in vitro permeation studies from a nerodilol-based drug reservoir. Flux of ondansetron from EVA1802 membranes without PEG6000 was 64.1 +/- 0.6 microg/cm(2.)h, and with 10%w/w of PEG6000 (EVA1802-PEG6000-10) it increased to 194.9 +/- 4.6 microg/cm(2.)h. However, with 15%w/w of PEG6000, EVA1802 membranes produced a burst release of drug which in turn decreased drug flux. The EVA1802-PEG6000-10 membrane was coated with an adhesive emulsion, applied to rat epidermis and subjected to in vitro permeation studies against controls. Flux of ondansetron from transdermal patch across rat epidermis was 111.7 +/- 1.3 microg/cm(2.)h, which is about 1.3 times the required flux. A TTS was fabricated using adhesive-coated EVA1802-PEG6000-10 membrane and other TTS components, and subjected to in vivo delivery in human volunteers against a control. It was concluded from the comparative pharmacokinetic study that TTS of ondansetron, prepared with EVA1802-PEG6000-10 membrane, provided average steady-state plasma concentration on par with multiple-dosed oral tablets, but with a low percent of peak-to-trough fluctuation.     

Is microsporidial keratitis a seasonal infection in India?

Microsporidia are emerging ocular pathogens. In this study, we describe the seasonal trends of microsporidial keratitis. The incidence of microsporidial keratitis is increasing in India, with a seasonal trend towards disease onset during the monsoon.     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对急性心肌梗死大鼠血管内皮功能的影响

目的:观察骨髓间充质干细胞移植治疗急性心肌梗死对血管内皮功能的影响。方法:实验于2005-09/2006-06在唐山工人医院中心实验室完成。①选用清洁级健康近交系SD大鼠40只,随机数字表法分为假手术组、模型对照组、干细胞移植组、细胞培养基组,10只/组。另取1只大鼠用于骨髓间充质干细胞的提取。②大鼠处死后无菌条件下分离股骨和胫骨,剔除肌肉、骨膜,剪一侧骨端,用10mL无血清DMEM低糖培养基冲出骨髓细胞后,收集冲洗液制成单细胞悬液,过滤离心,弃上清液,密度梯度法分离培养骨髓间充质干细胞。待细胞80%贴满培养瓶底时,用乙二胺四乙酸和胰蛋白酶混合消化传代。将4,6-二脒-2-苯基吲哚以50mg/L浓度加入第3代细胞培养基中,制成细胞悬液备用。③术前各组大鼠均行气管插管,建立急性心肌梗死模型,以远端供血区心肌组织颜色苍白、心电图检测Ⅱ导联ST段持续抬高为模型建立成功的标志。假手术组仅开胸予以前降支穿线但不结扎。④造模成功后1～3h,干细胞移植组用微量注射器吸取4,6-二脒-2-苯基吲哚标记好的第3代骨髓间充质干细胞悬液50μL,直接注入梗死区边缘的心肌组织。细胞培养基组按干细胞移植组的方法于相同部位注射等量无血清DMEM低糖培养基(pH值6.9)。⑤造模后4周处死各组大鼠,切取心脏组织,于梗死边缘区心肌组织制作切片,荧光显微镜下观察4,6-二脒-2-苯基吲哚标记的供体细胞。留取2mL全血,离心后抽取血清500μL,酶联免疫吸附法测定血清中细胞间黏附分子1与血管内皮细胞黏附分子1的含量。结果:40只大鼠均进入结果分析。①体外培养骨髓间充质干细胞的性状观察:从正常大鼠骨髓中分离培养的原代骨髓间充质干细胞,24～48h贴壁生长,短棒状;7～10d达到80%～90%融合;传至第3代骨髓间充质干细胞分布均匀,呈纺锤形。②各组心脏标本4,6-二脒-2-苯基吲哚标记移植细胞的存活状况:干细胞移植组可见成团及散在的4,6-二脒-2-苯基吲哚标记的阳性细胞,其余3组心脏标本中均未见荧光细胞。③各组大鼠血清中细胞间黏附分子1与血管内皮细胞黏附分子1的含量检测:与假手术组比较,模型对照组、细胞培养基组、干细胞移植组细胞间黏附分子1与血管内皮细胞黏附分子1的含量均明显升高(P<0.01或0.05);与模型对照组比较,干细胞移植组细胞间黏附分子1与血管内皮细胞黏附分子1的含量均有所降低[(3.37±0.14),(2.10±0.15)μg/L;(2.64±0.13),(1.74±0.06)μg/L;P均<0.05]。结论:骨髓间充质干细胞移植到实验性大鼠心肌梗死模型后成功存活,能降低血清中增高的细胞间黏附分子1与血管内皮细胞黏附分子1含量,提示骨髓间充质干细胞移植可能通过降低黏附分子的表达来改善血管内皮功能。