Dependence of solute solubility parameters on solvent polarity

Atosiban and Rutin exhibit anti-mycobacterial activity - An integrated computational and biophysical insight toward drug repurposing strategy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis targeting its essential enzyme HemD

With the advancements of high throughput computational screening procedures, drug repurposing became the privileged framework for drug discovery. The structure-based drug discovery is the widely used method of drug repurposing, consisting of computational screening of compounds and testing them in-vitro. This current method of repurposing leaves room for mechanistic insights into how these screened hits interact with and influence their targets. We addressed this gap in the current study by integrating highly sensitive biophysical methods into existing computational repurposing methods. We also corroborated our computational and biophysical findings on H37Rv for the anti-mycobacterial action of selected drugs in-vitro and ex-vivo conditions. Atosiban and Rutin were screened as highly interacting hits against HemD through multi-stage docking and were cross-validated in biophysical studies. The affinity of these drugs (K ~ 106 M-1) was quantified using fluorescence quenching studies. Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF) and urea-based chemical denaturation studies revealed a destabilizing effect of these drugs on target which was further validated using MD simulations. Conformational rearrangements of secondary structures were established using CD spectra and intrinsic fluorescence. Furthermore, Atosiban and Rutin inhibited M.tb growth in-vitro and ex-vivo while remaining non-toxic to mice peritoneal macrophages.

Dynamic Mixing Behaviors of Ionically Tethered Polymer Canopy of Nanoscale Hybrid Materials in Fluids of Varying Physical and Chemical Properties

An emerging area of sustainable energy and environmental research is focused on the development of novel electrolytes that can increase the solubility of target species and improve subsequent reaction performance. Electrolytes with chemical and structural tunability have allowed for significant advancements in flow batteries and CO₂ conversion integrated with CO₂ capture. Liquid-like nanoparticle organic hybrid materials (NOHMs) are nanoscale fluids that are composed of inorganic nanocores and an ionically tethered polymeric canopy. NOHMs have been shown to exhibit enhanced conductivity making them promising for electrolyte applications, though they are often challenged by high viscosity in the neat state. In this study, a series of binary mixtures of NOHM-I-HPE with five different secondary fluids, water, chloroform, toluene, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate, were prepared to reduce the fluid viscosity and investigate the effects of secondary fluid properties (e.g., hydrogen bonding ability, polarity, and molar volume) on their transport behaviors, including viscosity and diffusivity. Our results revealed that the molecular ratio of secondary fluid to the ether groups of Jeffamine M2070 (λ_SF) was able to describe the effect that secondary fluid has on transport properties. Our findings also suggest that in solution, the Jeffamine M2070 molecules exist in different nanoscale environments, where some are more strongly associated with the nanoparticle surface than others, and the conformation of the polymer canopy was dependent on the secondary fluid. This understanding of the polymer conformation in NOHMs can allow for the better design of an electrolyte capable of capturing and releasing small gaseous or ionic species.

Effects of Solvents, Emulsions, Cosolvents, and Complexions on Ex Vivo Mouse Myometrial Contractility

A great need exists to develop tocolytic and uterotonic drugs that combat poor, labor-related maternal and fetal outcomes. A widely utilized method to assess novel compounds for their tocolytic and uterotonic efficacy is the isometric organ bath contractility assay. Unfortunately, water-insoluble compounds can be difficult to test using the physiological, buffer-based, organ bath assay. Common methods for overcoming solubility issues include solvent variation, cosolvency, surfactant or complexion use, and emulsification. However, these options for drug delivery or formulation can impact tissue function. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the ability of common solvents, surfactants, cosolvents, and emulsions to adequately solubilize compounds in the organ bath assay without affecting mouse myometrial contractility. We found that acetone, acetonitrile, and ethanol had the least effect, while dimethylacetamide, ethyl acetate, and isopropanol displayed the greatest inhibition of myometrial contractility based on area under the contractile curve analyses. The minimum concentration of surfactants, cosolvents, and human serum albumin required to solubilize nifedipine, a current tocolytic drug, resulted in extensive bubbling in the organ bath assay, precluding their use. Finally, we report that an oil-in-water base emulsion containing no drug has no statistical effect beyond the control (water), while the drug emulsion yielded the same potency and efficacy as the freely solubilized drug.

Glycine betaine-based ionic liquids and their influence on bacteria, fungi, insects and plants

Natural origin ionic liquids with betaine-based cations as new agrochemicals.

Improving solubility and avoiding hygroscopicity of tetrahydroberberine by forming hydrochloride salts by introducing solvents: [HTHB]Cl, [HTHB]Cl·CH3OH and [HTHB]Cl·CH3COOH

Improving the solubility of tetrahydroberberine by forming hydrochloride salts and avoiding the hygroscopicity.

Oral Administration of Peptide-Based Drugs: Beyond Lipinski's Rule

The use of peptides in therapy presents several limitations, from physicochemical characteristics to inadequate pharmacokinetic profiles for oral absorption. As peptides are gaining importance in the therapeutic arsenal, there is an increasing need to rationalize the main characteristics of this compound class in the market. Therefore, we performed an extensive analysis of all known peptide drugs and clinical candidates based on their peptide features, physicochemical and structural properties, and correlated these with their administration route and therapeutic classes. Peptide drugs are widely distributed across drug and pharmacological space, covering several therapeutic areas with structural diversity and complexity, distributed between groups of cyclic and linear compounds. Although structural and physicochemical properties are clear within these groups, we counter the consensus that cyclic peptides have better oral availability than linear peptides, as most of the orally administrated peptides have linear structures. This study and review furnishes information that could support peptide drug design, with a new cutoff of known descriptors that go beyond the Rule of Five.

Solubility prediction of satranidazole in propylene glycol-water mixtures using extended hildebrand solubility approach

Extended Hildebrand solubility approach is used to estimate the solubility of satranidazole in binary solvent systems. The solubility of satranidazole in various propylene glycol-water mixtures was analyzed in terms of solute-solvent interactions using a modified version of Hildebrand-Scatchard treatment for regular solutions. The solubility equation employs term interaction energy (W) to replace the geometric mean (δ(1)δ(2)), where δ(1) and δ(2) are the cohesive energy densities for the solvent and solute, respectively. The new equation provides an accurate prediction of solubility once the interaction energy, W, is obtained. In this case, the energy term is regressed against a polynomial in δ(1) of the binary mixture. A quartic expression of W in terms of solvent solubility parameter was found for predicting the solubility of satranidazole in propylene glycol-water mixtures. The expression yields an error in mole fraction solubility of ~3.74%, a value approximating that of the experimentally determined solubility. The method has potential usefulness in preformulation and formulation studies during which solubility prediction is important for drug design.

Effect of propylene glycol on ibuprofen absorption into human skin in vivo

The objective was to assess the impact of propylene glycol (PG), a common cosolvent in topical formulations, on the penetration of ibuprofen into human skin in vivo. Drug uptake into the stratum corneum (SC), following application of saturated formulations containing from 0 to 100% v/v PG, was assessed by tape-stripping. Dermatopharmacokinetic parameters, characterizing drug amount in and diffusivity through the SC, were derived. The solubility behavior of ibuprofen in PG-water mixtures was carefully evaluated, as were a number of other physical properties. Ibuprofen delivery depended on the level of PG in the vehicle, despite all formulations containing the drug at equal thermodynamic activity. PG appeared to alter the solubility of ibuprofen in the SC (presumably via its own uptake into the membrane), the effect becoming more important as the volume fraction of cosolvent in the formulation increased. In summary, tape-stripping experiments, with careful interpretation, can reveal details of a drug's bioavailability in the skin following topical application and may be used to probe the mechanism(s) by which certain excipients influence local drug delivery.

Predicting the solubility of drugs in solvent mixtures: multiple solubility maxima and the chameleonic effect

An approach to reproduce the solubility profile of a drug in several solvent mixtures showing two solubility maxima is proposed in this work. The solubility of sulphamethoxypyridazine was determined at 25 degrees C in several mixtures of varying polarity (hexane:ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate:ethanol and ethanol:water). Sulphamethoxypyridazine was chosen as a model drug because of its proton-donor and proton-acceptor properties. A plot of the mole fraction of the drug vs the solubility parameter of the solvent mixtures shows two solubility peaks. The two peaks found for sulphamethoxypyridazine demonstrate the chameleonic effect as described by Hoy and suggest that the solute-solvent interaction does not vary uniformly from one mixture to another. The different behaviour of the drug in mixtures of two proton-donor and proton-acceptor solvents (alcohol and water), and in mixtures of one proton acceptor (ethyl acetate) and one proton donor-proton acceptor (ethanol) is rationalized in terms of differences in the proton donor-acceptor ability of the solvent mixtures. An approach based on the acidic and basic partial solubility parameters together with the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the solvent mixtures is developed to reproduce the experimental results quantitatively. The equation predicts the two solubility maxima as found experimentally, and the calculated values closely correspond to the experimental values through the range composition of the solvent mixtures. These results show that the chameleonic effect can be described in a quantitative way in terms of Lewis acid-base interactions; this approach can assist the product formulator to choose the proper solvent mixture for a new drug.

Percutaneous absorption of physostigmine: optimization of delivery from a binary solvent by thermodynamic control

A series of binary vehicles was used to deliver physostigmine across dermatomed human skin. The vehicles consisted of isopropyl myristate (IPM) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) mixed in various volume fractions. The kinetics of penetration is conveniently considered as the sum total of two contributing effects: a "push" process resulting from the excess free energy (delta EG) of the penetrant in the donor vehicle, and a "pull" process resulting from the effect of IPA and IPM on the skin barrier. The inverse ratio of the solubility of the drug in a given vehicle to that in pure IPA was used to estimate the relative delta EG, hence the relative "push" effect. The solubility of physostigmine was highest in pure IPA (delta = 11.5), lowest in pure IPM (delta = 8.5), and intermediate in their various mixtures. But the permeability coefficient (Kp) of physostigmine was highest when delivered from a 1:9 (v/v) solution of IPA:IPM and a calculated delta y = 8.8. A further increase in the volume fraction of IPA caused an opposite decrease in the Kp values of physostigmine. The "steady-state" flux (Jss) of IPA from the same vehicle was lowest at a volume fraction of 1:9 and highest at one of 1:1 IPA:IPM. Thus, the maximal physostigmine penetration enhancing effect of IPA occurs at the lowest flux of IPA found in the present series. This indicates that the "pull" process ascribed to the presence of IPA in the barrier membrane is not important enough to outweigh the decrease in delta EG of physostigmine following an increase in the volume fraction of IPA in the donor vehicle, or that an excess of IPA in the barrier is not conducive to further enhancement of physostigmine diffusivity across the barrier. Optimized percutaneous delivery of physostigmine is possible by thermodynamic control of the penetration process.

Predicting the solubility of sulfamethoxypyridazine in individual solvents. I: Calculating partial solubility parameters

Sulfamethoxypyridazine, a representative model of a drug molecule, is used to test the extended Hansen method for estimating partial solubility parameters of solid compounds. Solubilities are determined in polar and nonpolar solvents. The method provides reasonable partial parameters for the sulfonamide, and it may be useful in obtaining partial parameters for other drug molecules. A four-parameter extended Hansen approach involving proton donor and acceptor parameters is used in fitting the data to a theoretical model. A term, Wh, is introduced as an empirical measure of solute-solvent interactions due to hydrogen bonding. The use of the empirical term Wh allows the researcher to fit experimental solubilities and thus design regression models and equations which provide a reasonable prediction of solubilities of a polar drug in a number of very different solvents. A Flory-Huggins size correction term improves the prediction of sulfamethoxypyridazine solubilities in these irregular solutions.

Penetration of theophylline and adenosine into excised human skin from binary and ternary vehicles: effect of a nonionic surfactant

A nonionic surfactant, diethyleneglycol lauryl ether (PEG-2-L), increases the flux of either theophylline or adenosine by a factor of 2.2-2.7, when these are delivered from propionic acid solutions into human skin samples, with respect to propionic acid alone. At the same time, the flux of propionic acid from the same vehicles is decreased. Significant expansion of the partial molal volumes vi of both purines occurs following incorporation of PEG-2-L into their propionic acid solution. Hence, the enhancing effect of this surfactant arises mainly from an increase in the excess free energy of these solutes in the donor phase ("push" effect). Paraffin oil increases the flux of either drug from propionic acid by an entirely different mechanism. It enhances the flux of propionic acid into the skin, thus promoting the partitioning of the purine solute in the modified skin barrier ("pull" effect). Indeed, the magnitude of vi of either purine in propionic acid:paraffin oil solution gives no indication of a significant interaction between paraffin oil and the purine solute. Finally, the penetration enhancing effects of PEG-2-L and paraffin oil combined together in the same propionic acid vehicle are additive, resulting in a flux which is approximately the sum total of fluxes obtained separately with PEG-2-L or paraffin oil.

The influence of concentration of two salicylate derivatives on rectal insulin absorption enhancement

3,5-Diiodosalicylate sodium (DIS), a highly lipophilic salicylate, was evaluated against 5-methoxysalicylate sodium (MS) as a potential adjuvant absorption promoter for rectal insulin delivery. Comparative blood glucose measurements were made using the two adjuvants under identical conditions as promoters of rectal insulin absorption in rats. Concentrations of DIS greater than and including 0.1 M produced an unexpected, progressive decrease in adjuvant activity as determined by a decline in observed hypoglycaemic response. This was not due to formation of an insulin-DIS complex. The adjuvant MS produced a classical, sigmoidal log-dose response curve. Possible reasons for the occurrence of the DIS optimum phenomenon are discussed as well as are the observed differences in adjuvant potency of these agents in a propylene glycol-containing vehicle.

Delivery of theophylline into excised human skin from alkanoic acid solutions: a "push-pull" mechanism

Human skin samples are permeable to theophylline delivered from 1.5% solutions in various alkanecarboxylic acids and their mixtures. The respective permeability coefficients of theophylline, calculated from steady-state flux, correlate negatively with the permeability coefficients of the donor carboxylic acids and positively with the excess free energy of theophylline in the donor phase, or "push" effect. An exception is propionic acid which enhances the penetration of theophylline by promoting its solubility in the skin-propionic acid medium through the "pull" effect. The two effects operate jointly in the delivery of theophylline from a mixture of propionic and a higher acid such as lauric, resulting in a much higher flux than expected from theory. The "push" effect can be estimated from the solubility parameters of theophylline and those of the holding phases even though regular solution behavior is not strictly obeyed. The increase in the permeability coefficient with partial molal volume of theophylline in the donor phase seems to reach an upper limit or decrease beyond 119 cm3.mol-1.

Determination of partial and total cohesion parameters of caffeine, theophylline, and methyl p-hydroxybenzoate by gas-solid chromatography

For the first time, the total and partial solubility parameters, delta t, delta d, and delta s, of caffeine, theophylline, and methyl p-hydroxybenzoate were obtained by gas-solid chromatography (from the adsorption internal energy), by using the Keller, Karger, and Snyder equation. In comparison with the solubilization techniques, this method has the advantage of giving single solubility parameter values. The experimental work has been reduced to a minimum by the optimization of the matrix of experiments, according to the D-criterion, without any diminution in the quality of the results.

Use of solubility parameters of drug and vehicle to predict flux through skin

The solubilities of theophylline in, and fluxes through skin from, isopropyl myristate, octanol, dimethylformamide, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and formamide have been determined experimentally. Values for experimental permeability coefficients (Kp) corresponding to the respective fluxes were determined from, flux/solubility = Kp, which were then compared with values for the respective theoretical partition coefficients (PC) calculated from the known solubility parameters for the vehicles (delta v), theophylline (delta i) and skin (delta s). There was a good correlation for theoretical log PC - 2.52 = experimental log Kp for vehicles exhibiting solubility parameters in the range of delta v = 12-18 (cal/cm3)1/2. This allows relative fluxes to be determined from calculated theoretical partition coefficients and experimentally determined solubilities in that range. For vehicles or mixtures of vehicles exhibiting solubility parameters in the range of delta v = 8-12 (cal/cm3)1/2 large increases in fluxes and permeability coefficients, compared with those predicted from the results in the delta v = 12-18 (cal/cm3)1/2 range, were observed because of vehicle effects on the skin caused by the similarity in solubility parameters of those vehicles to that of skin. Qualitatively, fluxes and permeability coefficients were found to be inversely dependent on drug solubility in the vehicles with a minimum that corresponded approximately to the point where delta i = delta v.

The effect of vehicle on the diffusion of salicylic acid through hairless mouse skin

The solubilities of salicylic acid in, and the fluxes through, hairless mouse skin from isopropyl myristate, 1-octanol, 1-propanol, propylene glycol, and formamide have been determined experimentally. Values for permeability coefficients (Kp) corresponding to the respective fluxes were determined from: flux/solubility = Kp. These values were then compared with values for the respective partition coefficients (P) which were calculated from the known solubility parameters for the vehicles (delta v), salicylic acid (delta i), and skin (delta s). Two different delta i values were used to calculate theoretical P values, one based on the peak solubility method and the other based on calculation from group contributions (11 and 14.4 (cal/cm3)1/2, respectively). There was good correlation between the values for theoretical log P - 1.42 and experimental log Kp for the delivery of salicylic acid from vehicles exhibiting solubility parameters in the range of delta v = 10-18 (cal/cm3)1/2, when delta i was assumed to be 14.4 (cal/cm3)1/2. There was also a good correlation between the values for theoretical log P - 2.09 and experimental log Kp for vehicles exhibiting solubility parameters in the range of delta v = 7.6-10 (cal/cm3)1/2, when delta i was assumed to be 11 (cal/cm3)1/2. Two different delta i values were used because salicylic acid apparently behaves like a polar molecule in polar vehicles and a nonpolar molecule in nonpolar vehicles. Qualitatively, fluxes and permeability coefficients were found to be inversely dependent on drug solubility in the vehicles, with a minimum that corresponded approximately to the point where delta v = delta i, and the minimum within the theoretical P curve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Theoretical derivation of solute-solvent interaction parameter in binary solution: case of the deviation from Raoult's law

In a binary mixture, partial vapor pressure may show either a positive or negative deviation from the predicted value of an ideal solution. In this report we derive the deviation from Raoult's law from the heat of mixing, delta H mix, and the molal volume, V, of each of the components of a binary solution. This derivation is then tested for seven sets of combinations of two different solvents, taken at random from the literature. Each set consists of several different ratios of solute-solvent. The correlation between the reported experimental values of the partial vapor pressure of a given component, P1, and the theoretically derived values is excellent. The same derivation is further applied to calculate the solute-solvent interaction parameter, beta 12, independently from the geometric mean assumption of regular solution theory. In a number of cases, especially in hydrocarbon-alcohol mixtures, beta 12 proves to be significantly different from the calculated geometric mean square root beta 11 beta 22 or from the Walker interaction parameter term, K.