Complexation study of midazolam hydrochloride with beta-cyclodextrin: NMR spectroscopic study in solution

Molecular recognition of flunarizine dihydrochloride and β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex by NMR and computational approaches

Background

Flunarizine dihydrochloride (FLN) is used in the prophylactic treatment of migraine, vertigo, occlusive peripheral vascular disease and epilepsy. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are chiral, truncated cone shaped macrocycles known for their inner hydrophobic and outer hydrophilic site. They form complexes with hydrophobic drug molecules and enhance the solubility and bioavailability of such compounds by enhancing drug permeability through mucosal tissues. NMR spectroscopy and computational docking have been recognized as an important tool for the interaction study of CDs-drug inclusion complexes in solution state.

Results

The structural assignments of FLN and β-CD protons were determined by ¹H NMR and 2D ¹H-¹H COSY NMR spectroscopy. ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies of FLN, β-CD and their mixtures confirmed the formation of β-CD-FLN inclusion complex in solution. ¹H NMR titration data for β-CD-FLN inclusion complex showed 1:1 stoichiometry, an association constant of K_a = 157 M⁻¹ and change in Gibbs free energy of ∆G = − 12.65 kJ mol⁻¹. The binding constant of the β-CD inclusion complex with two nearly similar structures, FLN and cetirizine dihydrochloride, were compared. Two-dimensional ¹H-¹H ROESY spectral data and molecular docking studies showed the modes of penetration of the aromatic rings from the wider rim side into the β-CD cavity. The possible geometrical structures of the β-CD-FLN inclusion complex have been proposed in which aromatic rings protrude close to the narrower rim of the β-CD truncated cone.

Conclusion

NMR spectroscopic studies of FLN, β-CD and FLN:β-CD mixtures confirmed the formation of 1:1 inclusion complex in solution at room temperature. Two-dimensional ¹H-¹H ROESY together with molecular docking study confirmed that the F-substituted aromatic ring of FLN penetrates into β-CD truncated cone and the tail of aromatic rings were proximal to narrower rim of β-CD. The splitting of aromatic signals of FLN in the presence of β-CD suggests chiral differentiation of the guest FLN by β-CD.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13065-018-0395-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Structural insights into the inclusion complexes between clomiphene citrate and β-cyclodextrin: The mechanism of preferential isomeric selection

A major challenge in pharmaceuticals for clinical applications is to alter the solubility, stability, and toxicity of drug molecules in living systems. Cyclodextrins (CDs) have the ability to form host-guest inclusion complexes with pharmaceuticals for further development of new drug formulations. The inclusion complex of clomiphene citrate (CL), a poorly water-soluble drug, with native β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was characterized by a one and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic approach and also by molecular docking techniques. Here we report NMR and a computational approach in preferential isomeric selection of CL, which exists in two stereochemical isomers, enclomiphene citrate (ENC; E isomer) and zuclomiphene citrate (ZNC; Z isomer) with β-CD. β-CD cavity protons, namely, H-3' and H-5', experienced shielding in the presence of CL. The aromatic ring protons of the CL molecule were observed to be deshielded in the presence of β-CD. The stoichiometric ratio of the β-CD:CL inclusion complex was observed by NMR and found to be 1:1. The overall binding constant of β-CD:CL inclusion complexes was based on NMR chemical shifts and was calculated to be 50.21 M^-1 . The change in Gibb's free energy (∆G) was calculated to be -9.80 KJ mol^-1 . The orientation and structure of the β-CD:CL inclusion complexes are proposed on the basis of NMR and molecular docking studies. 2D ¹ H-¹ H ROESY confirmed the involvement of all three aromatic rings of CL in the inclusion complexation with β-CD in the solution, confirming the multiple equilibria between β-CD and CL. Molecular docking and 2D ¹ H-¹ H ROESY provide insight into the inclusion complexation of two isomers of CL into the β-CD cavity. A molecular docking technique further provided the different binding affinities of the E and Z isomers of CL with β-CD and confirmed the preference of the Z isomer binding for β-CD:CL inclusion complexes. The study indicates that the formation of a hydrogen bond between -O- of CL and the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group of β-CD was the main factor for noncovalent β-CD:CL inclusion complex formation and stabilization in the aqueous phase.

Conjugates of methylated cyclodextrin derivatives and hydroxyethyl starch (HES): Synthesis, cytotoxicity and inclusion of anaesthetic actives

The mono-6-deoxy-6-azides of 2,6-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin (DIMEB) and randomly methylated-β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB) were conjugated to propargylated hydroxyethyl starch (HES) by Cu(+)-catalysed [2 + 3] cycloaddition. The resulting water soluble polymers showed lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) at 52.5 °C (DIMEB-HES) and 84.5 °C (RAMEB-HES), respectively. LCST phase separations could be completely avoided by the introduction of a small amount of carboxylate groups at the HES backbone. The methylated CDs conjugated to the HES backbone exhibited significantly lower cytotoxicities than the corresponding monomeric CD derivatives. Since the binding potentials of these CD conjugates were very high, they are promising candidates for new oral dosage forms of anaesthetic actives.

Enhancement of rhubarb extract solubility and bioactivity by 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin

Rhubarb is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, and the ethanolic extract of rhubarb consists of active anthraquinones, which are hydrophobic and have antiproliferative effects on hepatoma cell lines. To increase the aqueous solubility of rhubarb and study the consequent bioavailability, the ethanolic extract of rhubarb was complexed with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), a cyclic oligosaccharide that has a hydrophilic outer surface and a hydrophobic central cavity, to form a rhubarb-HP-β-CD complex. This complex was characterized by performing nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, two-dimensional rotating frame spectroscopy and thin layer chromatography to confirm the inclusion of anthraquinones from rhubarb extract in HP-β-CD (weight ratio of rhubarb extract:HP-β-CD=1:9). We investigated the effects of complexing rhubarb extract with HP-β-CD on the growth of Huh7 and HepG2 cells by performing cytotoxicity analysis, cellular uptake test, and colony formation assay. Our results showed that complexation of rhubarb extract with HP-β-CD increased the aqueous solubility and bioavailability of rhubarb and thus enhanced its effect on hepatoma cells.

Precision studies in supramolecular chemistry: a 1H NMR study of hydroxymethoxyacetophenone/β-cyclodextrin complexes

The association constants for the interactions of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-5-methoxyacetophenone, 2-hydroxy-6-methoxyacetophenone, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone with β-cyclodextrin in water were measured by (1)H NMR and by isothermal titration calorimetry. Very good agreement was obtained between the different methods. The errors associated with the NMR method for measuring mM binding affinities were estimated to be 10-30%, and by isothermal titration calorimetry, 10-20%. Rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy studies show that the solution phase host-guest complexes formed by β-cyclodextrin with these hydroxymethoxyacetophenone derivatives are not structurally well defined but that the hydroxymethoxyacetophenone derivatives are mostly associated with the narrow primary hydroxyl rim.

Structure-based in silico model profiles the binding constant of poorly soluble drugs with β-cyclodextrin

Cyclodextrin inclusion complexation technique is the key method to enhance the solubility and absorption of poorly soluble drugs in the early development stage, and thus it is essential to predict the binding constant between drug molecules and cyclodextrin. Structure-based in silico model was constructed for a data set of 86 poorly soluble drugs and used to profile the binding constant of drug-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex. The stepwise regression was employed to select the optimum subset of the independent variables. The in silico model was built by the multiple linear regression method and validated by the residual analysis, the normal Probability-Probability plot and Williams plot. For the entire data set, the R(2) and Q(2) of the model were 0.78 and 0.67, respectively. The results indicated that the fitted model is robust, stable and satisfies all the prerequisites of the regression models. The chemical space position and important contributors were compared between selected drug molecules and organic compounds available in the literature. It was suggested that the binding behavior of drug molecules with β-CD should differ from that of the common organic compounds. Focusing on structurally diverse drugs, the in silico model can be used as an efficient tool to rapidly screen the drug-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex stability and to rationally design the new drug delivery system of poorly soluble drugs.

Preparation and characterization of inclusion complexes of a hemisuccinate ester prodrug of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol with modified beta-cyclodextrins

Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol hemisuccinate (THC-HS), an ester prodrug of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been investigated for its potential to form inclusion complexes with modified synthetic beta-cyclodextrins (CDs). Phase solubility studies were performed to determine the stoichiometric ratio of complexation of THC-HS with random methylated beta-cyclodextrin (RAMEB) and 2-hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD). THC-HS/RAMEB and THC-HS/HPBCD solid systems were prepared by lyophilization and the lyophilized complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic spectroscopy, and molecular modeling techniques. The formation of inclusion complexes of THC-HS/RAMEB and THC-HS/HPBCD was demonstrated by an A(L) type curve with the slopes less than unity by the phase solubility method. The association constants for THC-HS/RAMEB and THC-HS/HPBCD were found to be 562.48 and 238.83 M(-1), respectively. The stoichiometry of both of the complexes was found to be 1:1 as determined from the Job's plot. This was confirmed by (1)H NMR and FT-IR techniques. The results obtained from the molecular modeling studies were in accordance with the data obtained from nuclear magnetic resonance and FT-IR. The docking studies revealed the most probable mode of binding of THC-HS with RAMEB in which the alkyl chain was submerged in the hydrophobic pocket of the CD molecule and hydrogen bonding interactions were observed between the hemisuccinate ester side chain of THC-HS and the rim hydroxy groups of RAMEB. The solubility of THC-HS was significantly higher in RAMEB compared to HPBCD. Solid dispersions of THC-HS with CDs will be further utilized to develop oral formulations of THC-HS with enhanced bioavailability.

NMR and molecular modelling studies on the interaction of fluconazole with beta-cyclodextrin

Background

Fluconazole (FLZ) is a synthetic, bistriazole antifungal agent, effective in treating superficial and systemic infections caused by Candida species. Major challenges in formulating this drug for clinical applications include solubility enhancement and improving stability in biological systems. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are chiral, truncated cone shaped macrocyles, and can easily encapsulate fluconazole inside their hydrophobic cavity. NMR spectroscopy has been recognized as an important tool for the interaction study of cyclodextrin and pharmaceutical compounds in solution state.

Results

Inclusion complex of fluconazole with β-cyclodextrins (β-CD) were investigated by applying NMR and molecular modelling methods. The 1:1 stoichiometry of FLZ:β-CD complex was determined by continuous variation (Job's plot) method and the overall association constant was determined by using Scott's method. The association constant was determined to be 68.7 M^-1 which is consistent with efficient FLZ:β-CD complexation. The shielding of cavity protons of β-CD and deshielding of aromatic protons of FLZ in various ¹H-NMR experiments show complexation between β-CD and FLZ. Based on spectral data obtained from 2D ROESY, a reasonable geometry for the complex could be proposed implicating the insertion of the m-difluorophenyl ring of FLZ into the wide end of the torus cavity of β-CD. Molecular modelling studies were conducted to further interpret the NMR data. Indeed the best docked complex in terms of binding free energy supports the model proposed from NMR experiments and the m-difluorophenyl ring of FLZ is observed to enter into the torus cavity of β-CD from the wider end.

Conclusion

Various NMR spectroscopic studies of FLZ in the presence of β-CD in D₂O at room temperature confirmed the formation of a 1:1 (FLZ:β-CD) inclusion complex in which m-difluorophenyl ring acts as guest. The induced shift changes as well as splitting of most of the signals of FLZ in the presence of β-CD suggest some chiral differentiation of guest by β-CD.