Structural, thermal, vibrational, solubility and DFT studies of a tolbutamide co-amorphous drug delivery system for treatment of diabetes

Monophasic coamorphous sulpiride: a leap in physicochemical attributes and dual inhibition of GlyT1 and P-glycoprotein, supported by experimental and computational insights

Study aimed to design and development of a supramolecular formulation of sulpiride (SUL) to enhance its solubility, dissolution and permeability by targeting a novel GlyT1 inhibition mechanism. SUL is commonly used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, migraine, anti-emetic, anti-depressive and anti-dyspeptic conditions. Additionally, Naringin (NARI) was incorporated as a co-former to enhance the drug's intestinal permeability by targeting P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux inhibition. NARI, a flavonoid has diverse biological activities, including anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to design and develop a supramolecular formulation of SUL with NARI to enhance its solubility, dissolution, and permeability by targeting a novel GlyT1 inhibition mechanism, extensive experimental characterization was performed using solid-state experimental techniques in conjunction with a computational approach. This approach included quantum mechanics-based molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and density functional theory (DFT) studies to investigate intermolecular interactions, phase transformation and various electronic structure-based properties. The findings of the miscibility study, radial distribution function (RDF) analysis, quantitative simulations of hydrogen/π-π bond interactions and geometry optimization aided in comprehending the coamorphization aspects of SUL-NARI Supramolecular systems. Molecular docking and MD simulation were performed for detailed binding affinity assessment and target validation. The solubility, dissolution and ex-vivo permeability studies demonstrated significant improvements with 31.88-fold, 9.13-fold and 1.83-fold increments, respectively. Furthermore, biological assessments revealed superior neuroprotective effects in the SUL-NARI coamorphous system compared to pure SUL. In conclusion, this study highlights the advantages of a drug-nutraceutical supramolecular formulation for improving the solubility and permeability of SUL, targeting novel schizophrenia treatment approaches through combined computational and experimental analyses.

Microbiome and metabolome explain the high-fat diet-induced diabetes development and diabetes resistance in Guizhou mini-pigs

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an obesity-related disease claiming substantial global mortality annually. Current animal models of T2DM remain limited, with low success rates in establishing porcine models of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced T2DM. Our experimental design employed 35 Guizhou mini-pigs to develop a T2DM model via HFD induction, aiming to identify microbial and metabolic signatures associated with disease pathogenesis and resistance. At month 10, five individuals from the control (CTR), T2DM (DM), and T2DM resistant (anti-DM) groups were slaughtered, samples were collected, and relevant indices were measured. Metagenomics, metabolomics, and 16S rRNA sequencing were performed to identify microbes and metabolites linked to T2DM progression and resistance. Key findings demonstrated anti-DM group parameters-including metabolic indices (fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, HbA1c, IVGTT), histopathology (HE-stained pancreatic/hepatic tissues), microbial profiles (structural, compositional, functional), and metabolomic signatures-occupied intermediate positions between CTR and DM groups. Network analyses revealed: (1) Lactobacillus, L. amylovorus, fingolimod, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, thiamine, and atrazine in HFD-associated networks; (2) Limosilactobacillus reuteri, N-oleoyl-L-serine, tolbutamide, tetradecanoyl carnitine, 3'-sulfogalactosylceramide, and guggulsterone in T2DM resistance networks; (3) Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group, diethyl phthalate, zingerone, enalapril, 5-hydroxytryptophol, 2'-deoxyinosine, icariin, and emetine in T2DM progression networks. These results further clarify the role of the gut microbiota and serum metabolites in the development of T2DM in the Guizhou mini-pig model.

A new coamorphous ethionamide with enhanced solubility: Preparation, characterization, in silico pharmacokinetics, and controlled release by encapsulation

This study reports the synthesis and the experimental-theoretical characterization of a new coamorphous system consisting of ethionamide (ETH) and mandelic acid (MND) as a coformer. The solid dispersion was synthesized using the slow solvent evaporation method in an ethanolic medium. The structural, vibrational, and thermal properties of the system were characterized. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to analyze the interactions between ETH and MND in the heterodimer. These results contributed to the suitable assignment of infrared (IR) vibrational modes, to determine the chemical reactivity descriptors and the electronic indices of each component of the molecule. Additionally, Hirshfeld surfaces analysis and calculations of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) parameters were performed to examine intermolecular interactions and predict the in silico pharmacokinetic profile of the ETH-MND compound and its forming molecules. Powder X-ray diffraction data confirmed the formation of a coamorphous binary system in the 1:2 and 1:3 ETH and MND ratios. Furthermore, the ETH-MND (1:3) solid dispersion remained amorphous for up to 150 days when stored at 38 °C and 75 % relative humidity. DFT calculations, conducted both in vacuum and in ethanol, indicated that the formation of the coamorphous system is driven by hydrogen bonding between the NH2 groups of ETH and the C=O group of MND. Thermodynamic analysis showed that intermolecular interactions are favored in the gas phase, with Gibbs free energy of -3.20 kcal/mol. The IR spectra showed a correlation between experimental and calculated data. Thermal analyses revealed glass transition temperatures of 59 °C (1:2 ratio) and 61 °C (1:3 ratio), indicating thermal stability of the coamorphous materials. Additionally, dissolution tests showed a 3.58-fold increase in the solubility of ETH compared to its crystalline form. The encapsulation of ETH-MND coamorphous systems in sodium alginate spheres via polyelectrolyte complexation was also investigated, demonstrating significant controlled drug release over 480 min.

Preparation and Characterization of a Rifampicin Coamorphous Material with Tromethamine Coformer: An Experimental-Theoretical Study

Rifampicin (RIF) is an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis and leprosy. Even though RIF is a market-available drug, it has a low aqueous solubility, hindering its bioavailability. Among the strategies for bioavailability improvement of poorly soluble drugs, coamorphous systems have been revealed as an alternative in the increase of the aqueous solubility of drug systems and at the same time also increasing the amorphous state stability and dissolution rate when compared with the neat drug. In this work, a new coamorphous form from RIF and tromethamine (TRIS) was synthesized by slow evaporation. Structural, electronic, and thermodynamic properties and solvation effects, as well as drug-coformer intermolecular interactions, were studied through density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data allowed us to verify the formation of a new coamorphous. In addition, the DFT study indicates a possible intermolecular interaction by hydrogen bonds between the available amino and carbonyl groups of RIF and the hydroxyl and amino groups of TRIS. The theoretical spectra obtained are in good agreement with the experimental data, suggesting the main interactions occurring in the formation of the coamorphous system. PXRD was used to study the physical stability of the coamorphous system under accelerated ICH conditions (40 °C and 75% RH), indicating that the material remained in an amorphous state up to 180 days. The thermogravimetry result of this material showed a good thermal stability up to 153 °C, and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the glass temperature (Tg) was at 70.0 °C. Solubility studies demonstrated an increase in the solubility of RIF by 5.5-fold when compared with its crystalline counterpart. Therefore, this new material presents critical parameters that can be considered in the development of new coamorphous formulations.

Therapeutic Applications of Plant and Nutraceutical-Based Compounds for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review

Diabetes mellitus is a condition caused by a deficiency in insulin production or sensitivity that is defined by persistent hyperglycemia as well as disturbances in glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. Uncurbed diabetes or incessant hyperglycemic condition can lead to severe complications, including renal damage, visual impairment, cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, etc., which promotes diabetes-associated morbidity and mortality rates. The therapeutic management of diabetes includes conventional medications and nutraceuticals as complementary therapies. Nutraceuticals are bioactive compounds derived from food sources that have health-promoting properties and are instrumental in the management and treatment of various maladies. Nutraceuticals are clinically exploited to tackle DM pathogenesis, and the clinical evidence suggests that nutraceuticals can modulate biochemical parameters related to diabetes pathogenesis and comorbidities. Hypoglycemic medicines are designed to mitigate DM in traditional medicinal practice. This review intends to emphasize and comment on the various therapeutic strategies available to manage this chronic condition, conventional drugs, and the potential role of nutraceuticals in managing the complexity of the disease and reducing the risk of complications. In contrast to conventional antihyperglycemic drugs, nutraceutical supplements offer a higher efficacy and lesser adverse effects. To substantiate the efficacy and safety of various functional foods in conjunction with conventional hypoglycemic medicines, additional data from clinical studies are required.

BeO nanotube as a promising material for anticancer drugs delivery system

In this research, the application of BeO nanotube (BeONT) as a nanocarrier for Fluorouracil (5-FU) anticancer drug has been studied by density functional theory (DFT) approach. The method ωB97XD with 6-31 G** basis set were employed. A precise surface study, shows that there are two directions for 5-FU adsorption that did not deliver any of the imaginary frequency vibrational spectra, identifying that all relaxation structures are at the lowest energy level. Based on our calculations, the energy of adsorption for 5FU@BeONT structures are range -120 to -168 kJ/mol, in the gas phase and -395 to 4-00 kJ/mol in the aqueous phase. The highest and the lowest values of adsorption energy are both in strong physical adsorption. Due to receiving an electronic charge from 5-FU, BeONT exhibited a p-type semiconducting feature for all positions. In addition, based on natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, the direction of charge transfer was from fluorine's σ orbitals of the drug to n* orbitals (O and Be atoms) of BeONT with a considerable amount of transferred energy. BeONT can be employed as a potential strong carrier for 5-FU drugs for practical purposes based on our findings.

In silico and in vitro investigation of bile salts as coformers for edaravone coamorphous dispersion- Part I

In the present study, we aimed to design the spray-dried coamorphous dispersion (COAM) of a neuroprotective agent-edaravone (EDR) with bile salts to improve oral bioavailability. After the initial screening of different bile salts, EDR-sodium taurocholate (NaTC) COAM showed 4-fold solubility than a pure drug in 1-7pH range. In silico studies to select coformer for COAM revealed a narrow energy gap, easy charge transfer and high chemical reactivity between EDR and NaTC. The optimized EDR-NaTC COAM in a 1:1 molar ratio was characterized for solid state characterizations and in vitro release study. Hydrogen bond formation between the pyrazolone ring of EDR and the -OH group of the phenanthrene ring of NaTC was observed in the ATR-FTIR spectra of COAM. The DSC and XRPD data indicated the formation of an amorphous halo, whereas SEM photographs demonstrated porous, spherical particles of COAM. The pH-independent in vitro drug release of COAM was observed in 0.1N HCl, pH 4.5 and 6.8 buffers which was 3-fold higher than EDR. The COAM was stable for 6 months at accelerated condition without showing a change in drug content or devitrification (Initial: 98.002±0.942%; Accelerated condition: 97.016±1.110%). Although coamorphous form and hydrogen bonding between EDR-NaTC dispersion were primarily responsible for improved dissolution, NaTC, an exceptional surfactant, has also contributed to it. Moreover, its exclusive structural characteristics could prevent the recrystallization of the drug in supersaturated conditions of the GIT and also minimize the effect of food on oral absorption of EDR which will be studied in animals in the second part of this work.

Improving physicochemical properties and pharmacological activities of ternary co-amorphous systems

The formation of co-amorphous by combining low molecular weight compounds with drugs is a relatively new technology in the pharmaceutical field, which can significantly improve the solubility, dissolution, and stability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, in our previous studies, the binary co-amorphous system of andrographolide-oxymatrine (AP-OMT) was found to have obvious recrystallization and poor dissolution behavior. Therefore, in this study, we designed three stable ternary co-amorphous systems to improve the physicochemical properties of the binary co-amorphous system of AP-OMT. The ternary co-amorphous systems were prepared with AP, OMT, and trans-cinnamic acid (CA), p-hydroxycinnamic acid (pHCA), or ferulic acid (FA). Intermolecular hydrogen bonds were confirmed by spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. Solubility studies showed that the solubility of the ternary co-amorphous systems of AP-OMT-CA/pHCA/FA was significantly increased compared with that of crystalline AP. Dissolution experiments suggested that the ternary co-amorphous systems of AP-OMT-CA/pHCA/FA exhibited better dissolution behavior without significant recrystallization compared to the binary co-amorphous AP-OMT. The stability study confirmed that the ternary co-amorphous system of AP-OMT-CA/pHCA/FA maintained good physical stability in the long term for 18 months. In addition, pharmacological experiments revealed that the ternary co-amorphous systems of AP-OMT-CA/pHCA/FA have an excellent safety profile and its anti-Alzheimer's disease effects are significantly improved compared to that of the binary co-amorphous systems of AP-OMT. Moreover, this study also found that reducing the pKa value of low molecular weight co-formers would affect the intermolecular interactions and improve the solubility of drugs in the ternary co-amorphous systems. In conclusion, we have successfully prepared ternary co-amorphous systems of AP-OMT-CA/pHCA/FA by amorphization technique, which improves the physicochemical properties of the binary co-amorphous systems of AP-OMT and anti-Alzheimer's disease activity in the Caenorhabditis elegans model. The mechanism for the influence of the pKa value of the co-formers on the physicochemical properties of the ternary co-amorphous system was preliminarily explored, providing theoretical guidance for the development of the ternary co-amorphous system.