Brain uptake of an anti-ischemic agent by nasal administration of microparticles.

N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) has neuronal anti-ischemic properties, but it is not absorbed into the brain from the bloodstream, where it shows poor stability and induces side effects. Microparticulate drug delivery systems designed for CPA nasal administration and constituted by mannitol or chitosan, were prepared by spray-drying and characterized. Mannitol-lecithin microparticles showed high CPA dissolution rate, whereas chitosan microparticles controlled its release rate. In vitro mucoadhesion studies indicated that CPA-loaded chitosan microparticles had higher mucoadhesive properties compared to mannitol particles. Ex vivo studies on sheep nasal mucosa showed that mannitol microparticles promoted CPA permeation across the mucosa, whereas chitosan microparticles controlled CPA permeation rate in comparison with CPA raw material. In vivo studies were carried out on rats. No CPA was detected in rat cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain sections after intravenous administration. In contrast, after nasal administration of loaded microparticles CPA was found in the CSF at concentrations ranging from high nM to microM values and up to two order of magnitude higher than those obtained at systemic level. CPA was also found in the olfactory bulb at concentrations around 0.1 ng/mg of tissue. These results can open new perspectives for the employment of CPA against brain damages following stroke.

Non-phospholipid vesicles as carriers for peptides and proteins: production, characterization and stability studies.

In the present study, the preparation, characterization and activity of non-phospholipid vesicles (NPV) containing three aminoacid-based molecules were described. As model compounds trypsin, bovine basic pancreatic inhibitor and polylysine rich peptides derived from the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein B were employed. NPV were chosen as alternative to liposomes for the possible administration of aminoacid based molecules via mucous membrane (nasal or vaginal) routes. NPV containing the indicated model drugs have shown to be more stable in term of size with respect to liposomes encapsulating the same model drugs previously produced by our group [Cortesi, R. Argnani, R., Esposito, E., Dalpiaz, A. Scatturin, A., Bortolotti, F., Lufino, M., Guerrini, R., Incorvaia, C., Menegatti, E., Manservigi, R., 2006. Cationic liposomes as potential carriers for ocular administration of peptides with antiherpetic activity. Int. J. Pharm. 317, 90-100]. In addition our study indicates that the produced NPV (i) are able to encapsulate the model drugs over 49%, (ii) are characterized by dimensions compatible with applications on the mucous membrane, (iii) remain stable in size for at least 3 months and (iv) can release the model drug (after a slight lag time) in a controlled fashion as compared to that of the corresponding free solution.

Polymeric nanoparticles as drug controlled release systems: a new formulation strategy for drugs with small or large molecular weight.

We report a study evaluating the encapsulation and release modalities from poly(D,L lactic acid) (PLA) or poly(D,L-lactide-co-glicolide) (PLGA) micro- and nano-particles of the antiischemic drug N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), chosen as protein model. The results obtained by classical preparation methods (nanoprecipitation, single or double emulsion/solvent evaporation) of the particles were compared with those obtained by their formulation with a novel method, employing a thermosensible gel of Pluronic F-127, whose aqueous solutions can be liquid when refrigerated, but gel upon warming. Our results indicate that CPA-loaded nanoparticles, obtained by classical methods, drastically reduce their drug content showing, moreover, any control of the drug release with respect to CPA-loaded microparticles. The novel preparation method allowed us to obtain, instead, CPA encapsulation values in nanoparticles similar to those obtained for microparticles, achieving also a weak control of the drug release. Any drastic reduction of BSA particle content was obtained by decreasing their size from micro- to nano-scales, independently on the employment of classical or novel preparation methods. Moreover, the size reduction induced only a weak increase of the BSA release rate. The patterns of protein released from micro- and nano-particles obtained by the same formulation method were similar. In particular, the micro- and nano-spheres prepared by double emulsion technique showed an incomplete BSA release, characterized by an elevated burst effect followed by a very slow phase. On the other hand, the release from micro- and nano-particles obtained by the novel method was complete and quite regular, being characterized by a little burst release followed by a fast phase. These results have been related to the strong BSA distribution (observed by confocal laser scanning microscope) in the surface or in the core of microparticles obtained by the classical or novel methods, respectively.

Binding thermodynamics as a tool to investigate the mechanisms of drug-receptor interactions: thermodynamics of cytoplasmic steroid/nuclear receptors in comparison with membrane receptors.

Drug-receptor binding thermodynamics has proved to be a valid tool for pharmacological and pharmaceutical characterization of molecular mechanisms of receptor-recognition phenomena. The large number of membrane receptors so far studied has led to the discovery of enthalpy-entropy compensation effects in drug-receptor binding and discrimination between agonists and antagonists by thermodynamic methods. Since a single thermodynamic study on cytoplasmic receptors was known, this paper reports on binding thermodynamics of estradiol, ORG2058, and R1881 bound to estrogen, progesterone, and androgen steroid/nuclear receptors, respectively, as determined by variable-temperature binding constant measurements. The binding at 25 degrees C appears enthalpy/entropy-driven (-53.0

Ascorbic and 6-Br-ascorbic acid conjugates as a tool to increase the therapeutic effects of potentially central active drugs.

Ascorbic acid (AA) or 6-Br-ascorbate (BrAA) conjugation has been investigated as a tool to improve brain drug delivery by the Vitamin C transporter SVCT2. To this aim, the effects of AA- or BrAA-conjugation on drug affinity and uptake have been assessed in vitro, by using human retinal pigment epithelium (HRPE) cells, and compared in vivo on mice. Nipecotic, kynurenic and diclofenamic acids were chosen as model drugs. Kinetic and inhibition experiments referred to [(14)C]AA uptake into HRPE cells showed that nipecotic and kynurenic acids became able to interact with SVCT2, as competitive inhibitors, only when conjugated to AA or BrAA. Surprisingly, diclofenamic acid itself appeared able to interact with SVCT2, with an affinity that was significantly increased or decreased by AA or BrAA conjugation, respectively. HPLC analysis, performed on HRPE cells, confirmed the SVCT2 mediated transport for the BrAA-conjugate of nipecotic acid, whereas kynurenic acids conjugates although interacting with the transporter did not enter the cells. In accordance, only the nipecotic acid conjugates showed anticonvulsant activity after systemic injection in mice.

Development and characterization of biodegradable nanospheres as delivery systems of anti-ischemic adenosine derivatives.

We report a preliminary study concerning the encapsulation modalities in nanoparticles of the anti-ischemic drug N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) and its pro-drug 5'-octanoyl-CPA (Oct-CPA). The release of these compounds and the related pro-drug stability effects in human whole blood have been tested. Moreover, the influence of the delivery systems on CPA interaction toward human adenosine A1 receptor has been analysed. The nanospheres were prepared by nanoprecipitation or double emulsion solvent evaporation method using poly(lactic acid) and recovered by gel filtration or ultracentrifugation or dialysis. Free and encapsulated Oct-CPA was incubated in fresh blood and its stability was analysed with HPLC. Quite spherical nanoparticles with mean diameters ranging between 210+/-50 and 390+/-90 nm were obtained. No encapsulation occurred when CPA was used. Satisfactory results concerning drug content (0.1-1.1% w/w) and encapsulation efficiency (6-56%) were achieved when Oct-CPA was employed. The controlled release of the pro-drug was achieved, being released within a range of 1-4 h, or very slowly, depending on nanoparticle preparations. The hydrolysis rate of Oct-CPA in human whole blood appeared stabilized in human whole blood with modalities related to the release patterns. The presence of all nanoparticle preparations did not interfere with CPA interaction at its action site.

Design, synthesis and in vitro evaluation on HRPE cells of ascorbic and 6-bromoascorbic acid conjugates with neuroactive molecules.

Preliminary investigations allowed us to anticipate that conjugation of nipecotic acid with L-ascorbate (AA) gave a prodrug endowed with anticonvulsant activity in mice. In view of these results, and in order to get deepen insight into the molecular aspects at the base of the transport mechanism, a second generation of compounds, based on 6-bromo-6-deoxy-L-ascorbic acid (BrAA) as the carrier molecule was designed and synthesized. Effects of the chirality of the transported drug was also investigated on R- and S-nipecotic acid. Interaction and uptake modalities were evaluated in our in vitro model based on human retinal pigment epithelium cells (HRPE), which expresses the membrane L-ascorbic acid (AA) SVCT2 transporters. A remarkable increase on SVCT2 affinity was found going from AA to BrAA conjugates, that is, 11 (Ki=1187+/-78 microM) versus 19 (Ki=193+/-14 microM) and 12 (Ki=39.8+/-3.2 microM) versus 20, (Ki=7.4+/-0.8 microM). Taken together, these data are in agreement with our initial hypothesis on the possibility to achieve better affinities by conjugation with AA analogs, and also consent to hypothesize the presence of accessory interactions that may improve transporters recognition.

Transporter-mediated effects of diclofenamic acid and its ascorbyl pro-drug in the in vivo neurotropic activity of ascorbyl nipecotic acid conjugate.

Continuing our studies on SVCT2 ascorbic acid (AA) transporter-mediated drug delivery of neurotropic agents, we have now investigated the in vitro intracellular uptake of Diclofenac (Diclo) and its conjugate (AA-Diclo), both characterized by high affinity for the SVCT2 transporter. We have also investigated the in vivo uptake mechanism of AA-conjugate of Nipecotic acid (AA-Nipec) and the implication of the transporter-mediated effects of Diclo and AA-Diclo. Diclo resulted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of AA transport, but also showed a sodium-dependent and ascorbate-independent uptake, thus implying the possible involvement of specific transporters in the delivery to the brain of Diclo. This result opens a perspective in the discovery of new strategies in the targeting of this drug to the brain. Inhibitory effects of Diclo and AA-Diclo on the SVCT2 transporter were used to study anticonvulsant effects of AA-Nipec, confirming our hypothesis of an SVCT2-mediated transport in its neurotropic activity. AA-Diclo stability has been also investigated: it is hydrolyzed following a first-order kinetics in buffer, plasma (t(1/2) at about 10 h) and whole blood (t(1/2) at about 3 h), suggesting AA-Diclo as a potential candidate to enhance the short half-life of Diclo in vivo.

Conformational aspects of human formyl-peptide receptor agonists.

The conformation of several Met-Ile-Phe-Leu analogues was analyzed using circular dichroism and infra-red absorption. Their effect on human neutrophils was verified by receptor binding assays and measurements of lysozyme release. The results demonstrate that in amphipatic environments the compounds examined can be highly and weakly ordered in beta-turn structures, in dependence on their N-terminal substituents. The ability of the compounds to evoke neutrophil functions appears strongly and weakly influenced by N- and C-terminal modification, respectively.

Application of pharmacophore models for the design and synthesis of new anticonvulsant drugs.

The chemical diversity and various mechanisms of action of anticonvulsants make it difficult to identify a common pharmacophore. The present review outlines different pharmacophore models for anticonvulsant activity with emphasis on the development of new drugs. Some of them represent models for structurally different classes of compounds with similar mechanisms of action. Others represent pharmacophore models for similar chemical classes of compounds for which the mechanism of anticonvulsant action is not clear. A pharmacophore model for sodium channel blocking compounds, anticonvulsants with the phthalimide pharmacophore, a model for anticonvulsant semicarbazones, and a model for GABA uptake inhibitors are presented.

Peptide derivatives as agonists or antagonists of formylpeptide receptors: analysis of their effects on neutrophils.

The effects of peptide derivatives as agonists or antagonists of formylpeptide receptors are described, taking into account the related cellular responses by neutrophils. These effects are related to the structure of peptide derivatives, some of which are potent anti HIV-1 agents. Finally, formylpeptide receptor models are depicted.

C- and N-terminal residue effect on peptide derivatives' antagonism toward the formyl-peptide receptor.

The biological action of several X-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Z (X=3',5'-dimethylphenyl-ureido; Z=Phe, Lys, Glu, Tyr) analogues was analysed on human neutrophils to evaluate their ability to antagonize formyl-peptide receptors. X-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Phe analogues obtained as C-terminal olo or amido derivatives and T-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Phe analogues (T=thiazolyl-ureido) were also analysed. The activities of pentapeptide derivatives were compared with those of X-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Phe chosen as reference antagonist. Our results demonstrate that X-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-olo, X-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Glu and X-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Tyr are more active antagonists than X-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Phe. The presence of Lys (X-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Lys) seems, instead, to inhibit the formyl-peptide receptor antagonist properties. The presence of the N-terminal thiazolyl-ureido group seems to considerably contribute to the receptor antagonist properties of T-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-OH. The introduction of the C-terminal methyl ester (T-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-OMe) or amido group (X-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Phe-NH2) appears detrimental for the affinity and formyl-peptide receptor antagonist properties of the Phe-D-Leu-Phe-D-Leu-Phe derivatives. The examined peptides inhibit superoxide anion production and lysozyme release more efficaciously than neutrophil chemotaxis.

Design, synthesis and activity of ascorbic acid prodrugs of nipecotic, kynurenic and diclophenamic acids, liable to increase neurotropic activity.

To improve the entry of certain drugs into brain, ascorbic acid (AA) conjugates of these drugs were synthesized and their capacity to interact with SVCT2 ascorbate transporters was explored. Kinetic studies clearly indicate that all of the conjugates were able to competitively inhibit ascorbate transport in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (HRPE). In vivo studies, in a mouse model system, demonstrate that conjugate 3 is better absorbed compared to the nonconjugated parent drug.