Thermodynamic dissociation constants of silychristin, silybin, silydianin and mycophenolate by the regression analysis of spectrophotometric data

Thermochemical Transition in Low Molecular Weight Substances: The Example of the Silybin Flavonoid

Silybin is a complex organic molecule with high bioactivity, extracted from the plant Silybum. As a pharmaceutical substance, silybin’s bioactivity has drawn considerable attention, while its other properties, e.g., thermodynamic properties and thermal stability, have been less studied. Silybin has been reported to exhibit a melting point, and values for its heat of fusion have been provided. In this work, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry including derivative thermogravimetry, infrared spectroscopy, and microscopy were used to provide evidence that silybin exhibits a thermochemical transition, i.e., softening occurring simultaneously with decomposition. Data from the available literature in combination with critical discussion of the results in a general framework suggest that thermochemical transition is a broad effect exhibited by various forms of matter (small molecules, macromolecules, natural, synthetic, organic, inorganic). The increased formation of hydrogen bonding contributes to this behavior through a dual influence: (a) inhibition of melting and (b) facilitation of decomposition due to weakening of chemical bonds.

Flavonolignan 2,3-dehydroderivatives: Preparation, antiradical and cytoprotective activity

The protective constituents of silymarin, an extract from Silybum marianum fruits, have been extensively studied in terms of their antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities. Here, we explore the electron-donor properties of the major silymarin flavonolignans. Silybin (SB), silychristin (SCH), silydianin (SD) and their respective 2,3-dehydroderivatives (DHSB, DHSCH and DHSD) were oxidized electrochemically and their antiradical/antioxidant properties were investigated. Namely, Folin-Ciocalteau reduction, DPPH and ABTS(+) radical scavenging, inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation and cytoprotective effects against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced damage to a human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line were evaluated. Due to the presence of the highly reactive C3-OH group and the C-2,3 double bond (ring C) allowing electron delocalization across the whole structure in the 2,3-dehydroderivatives, these compounds are much more easily oxidized than the corresponding flavonolignans SB, SCH and SD. This finding was unequivocally confirmed not only by experimental approaches, but also by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The hierarchy in terms of ability to undergo electrochemical oxidation (DHSCH~DHSD>DHSB>>SCH/SD>SB) was consistent with their antiradical activities, mainly DPPH scavenging, as well as in vitro cytoprotection of HepG2 cells. The results are discussed in the context of the antioxidant vs. prooxidant activities of flavonolignans and molecular interactions in complex biological systems.

The thermodynamic dissociation constants of ambroxol, antazoline, naphazoline, oxymetazoline and ranitidine by the regression analysis of spectrophotometric data

The mixed dissociation constants of five drug acids-ambroxol, antazoline, naphazoline, oxymetazoline and ranitidine-at various ionic strengths I of range 0.01 and 1.0 and at temperatures of 25 and 37 degrees C were determined using SQUAD(84) regression analysis of the pH-spectrophotometric titration data. A proposed strategy of efficient experimentation in a protonation constants determination, followed by a computational strategy for the chemical model with a protonation constants determination, is presented on the protonation equilibria of ambroxol. The thermodynamic dissociation constant pK(a)(T) was estimated by non-linear regression of {pK(a), I} data at 25 and 37 degrees C: for ambroxol p K (a ,1)(T )=8.05 (6) and 8.25 (4), logbeta (21)(T )=11.67 (6) and 11.83 (8), for antazoline p K (a ,1)(T )=7.79 (2) and 7.83 (6), p K (a ,2)(T )=9.74 (3) and 9.55 (2), for naphazoline pK (a ,1)(T )=10.81 (1) and 10.63 (1), for oxymethazoline pK (a ,1)(T )=10.62 (2) and 10.77 (7), pK(a,2)(T)=12.03(3) and 11.82 (4) and for ranitidine p K (a ,1)(T )=1.89 (1) and 1.77 (1). Goodness-of-fit tests for various regression diagnostics enabled the reliability of the parameter estimates to be found.

Thermodynamic protonation constants of vardenafil by the nonlinear regression of multiwavelength pH-spectrophotometric titration data

pH-spectrophotometric titration data were used to determine protonation constants of vardenafil at different ionic strengths I and temperatures of 25°C and 37°C. The use of two different multiwavelength and the multivariate treatment of spectral data, SPECFIT32 and SQUAD(84) nonlinear regression analyses and INDICES factor analysis is presented. The reliability of the protonation constants of the drug was proven with goodness-of-fit tests of the pH-spectra. The thermodynamic protonation constants log K Ti were estimated by a nonlinear regression of (log K, I) data using the Debye-Hückel equation, yielding log K 4T = 3.59(1) and 3.26(1), log K 3T = 5.64(1) and 5.81(1), log K 2T = 9.41(1) and 8.59(2), log K 1T = 10.92(2) and 10.05(1) at 25°C and 37°C, where the figure in brackets is the standard deviation in last significant digit. Concurrently, the experimental determination of four thermodynamic protonation constants was combined with the computational prediction of the MARVIN program based on knowledge of the chemical structures of the drug and was in good agreement with its experimental value. The factor analysis of spectra in the INDICES program predicts the correct number of light-absorbing components when the instrument error is known and when the signal-to-error ratio SER is higher than 10.

Investigation of the inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin with mycophenolate mofetil

The acid-base equilibrium of mycophenolate mofetil is studied in the absence and presence of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The conditional acidity constants are obtained by rank annihilation factor analysis (RAFA) as a function of β-CD concentrations. Also the stability constants for inclusion complexes of β-CD with both acidic and basic forms are calculated. The conditional acidity constant decreases by increasing β-CD concentration. The calculated stability constants show that the acidic form of mycophenolate mofetil forms more stable inclusion complex (552±7 M(-1)) than its basic anionic form (158±2 M(-1)).

Reliability of dissociation constants and resolution capability of SQUAD(84) and SPECFIT/32 in the regression of multiwavelength spectrophotometric pH-titration data

The resolving power of multicomponent spectral analysis and the computation reliability of the stability constants and molar absorptivities determined for five variously protonated anions of physostigmine salicylate by the SQUAD(84) and SPECFIT/32 programs has been examined with the use of simulated and experimental spectra containing overlapping spectral bands. The reliability of the dissociation constants of drug was proven with goodness-of-fit tests and by examining the influence of pre-selected noise level s(inst)(A) in synthetic spectra regarding the precision s(pK) and also accuracy of the estimated dissociation constants. Precision was examined as the linear regression model s(pK)=β(0)+β(1)s(inst)(A). In all cases the intercept β(0) was statistically insignificant. When an instrumental error s(inst)(A) is small and less than 0.5 mAU, the parameters' estimates are nearly the same as the bias ΔpK=pK(a,calc)-pK(a,true) is quite negligible. In all four dissociation constants the bias seems to be quite small even though for pK(a4) it is a little bit higher, i.e., +0.05 for s(inst)(A) about 1.0 mAU. In the interval of s(inst)(A) from 0.1 to 1.0 mAU all four dissociation constants pK(i) are accurate enough. Of the various regression diagnostics considered, the goodness-of-fit is the most efficient criterion of whether the parameters found adequately represent the data. The magnitude of instrumental error s(inst)(A) only slightly affects the shape of a Cattel's scree graph s(k)(A)=f(k) to determine the true number of light-absorbing species in the equilibrium mixture.

Electrochemical investigation of flavonolignans and study of their interactions with DNA in the presence of Cu(II)

Flavonolignans, silybin and its derivatives (2,3-dehydrosilybin, 7-O-methylsilybin, 20-O-methylsilybin) and isosilybin were studied using ex situ (adsorptive transfer, AdT) cyclic and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The two oxidation steps were described for flavonolignans at potentials E(p1) +0.5 V and E(p2) +0.85 V depending on experimental conditions. An additional oxidation peak at E(p3) +0.35 V was observed only for 2,3-dehydrosilybin. The anodic currents of flavonolignans are related to their electron transfer processes (oxidation of hydroxyl groups), which was supported by density functional theory (DFT) and B3P86 theory level. Our electrochemical results confirmed that 2,3-dehydrosilybin is a relatively strong antioxidant, which is strictly associated with oxidation at E(p3). The oxidation processes and antioxidant parameters of flavonolignans can be affected by transition metal complexation via hydroxyl groups. We found that silybin and 2,3-dehydrosilybin are able to chelate transition metals, especially Cu(2+). The formation of silybin/Cu complexes was studied by AdT SWV and the observation was also confirmed using fluorescence spectroscopy. The electrochemical investigation of DNA interactions and damage caused in the presence of silybin/Cu complex and hydrogen peroxide is described. We present evidence that flavonolignans are involved not only in antioxidant abilities but also in the prooxidation effects under in vitro conditions.

The thermodynamic dissociation constants of methotrexate by the nonlinear regression and factor analysis of multiwavelength spectrophotometric pH-titration data

The mixed dissociation constants of methotrexate — chemically (2S)-2-[(4-{[(2,4-diamino-7,8-dihydropteridin-6-yl)methyl] (methyl)amino}phenyl)formamido]pentanedioic acid (the cas number 59-05-2) at various ionic strengths I of range 0.01–0.4, and at temperatures of 25°C and 37°C, were determined with the use of two different multiwavelength and multivariate treatments of spectral data, SPECFIT32 and SQUAD(84) nonlinear regression analyses and INDICES factor analysis according to a general rule of first, determining the number of components, and then calculating the spectral responses and concentrations of the components. Concurrently, the experimental determination of the thermodynamic dissociation constants was in agreement with its computational prediction of the PALLAS programme based on knowledge of the chemical structures of the drug. The factor analysis in the INDICES programme predicts the correct number of light-absorbing components when the data quality is high and the instrumental error is known. Three thermodynamic dissociation constants were estimated by nonlinear regression of {pK a , I} data: for methotrexate pK a1T= 2.895(13), pK a2T= 4.410(14), pK a3T= 5.726(15) at 25°C and pK a1T= 3.089(15), pK a2T= 4.392(12), pK a3T= 5.585(11) at 37°C, where the figure in brackets is the standard deviation in last significant digits. The reliability of the dissociation constants of the drug were proven by conducting goodness-of-fit tests of the multiwavelength spectrophotometric pH-titration data.

Topical delivery of silymarin constituents via the skin route

AIM

Silibinin (SB), silydianin (SD), and silychristin (SC) are components of silymarin. These compounds can be used to protect the skin from oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and treat it. To this end, the absorption of silymarin constituents via the skin was examined in the present report.

METHODS

Transport of SB, SD, and SC under the same thermodynamic activity through and into the skin and the effects of pH were studied in vitro using a Franz diffusion assembly.

RESULTS

The lipophilicity increased in the order of SC<SD<SB. Increased lipophilicity of a compound resulted in higher skin deposition but had a minor effect on permeation across the skin in the less-ionized form (pH 8). It is apparent that compounds in the less-ionized form showed higher skin uptake compared to the more-ionized form. Hyperproliferative skin produced by UVB exposure showed increased permeation of silymarin constituents in the less-ionized form, but it did not affect deposition within the skin. With in vivo topical application for 4 and 8 h, the skin deposition of SB was higher than those of SD and SC by 3.5 approximately 4.0- and 30 approximately 40-fold, respectively. The skin disruption and erythema test demonstrated that the topical application of these compounds for up to 24 h caused no apparent skin irritation.

CONCLUSION

The basic profiles of silymarin permeation via skin route were established.

The thermodynamic dissociation constants of four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by the least-squares nonlinear regression of multiwavelength spectrophotometric pH-titration data

The mixed dissociation constants of four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, flurbiprofen and ketoprofen at various ionic strengths I of range 0.003-0.155, and at temperatures of 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C, were determined with the use of two different multiwavelength and multivariate treatments of spectral data, SPECFIT/32 and SQUAD(84) nonlinear regression analyses and INDICES factor analysis. The factor analysis in the INDICES program predicts the correct number of components, and even the presence of minor ones, when the data quality is high and the instrumental error is known. The thermodynamic dissociation constant pK(a)(T) was estimated by nonlinear regression of (pK(a), I) data at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Goodness-of-fit tests for various regression diagnostics enabled the reliability of the parameter estimates found to be proven. PALLAS, MARVIN, SPARC, ACD/pK(a) and Pharma Algorithms predict pK(a) being based on the structural formulae of drug compounds in agreement with the experimental value. The best agreement seems to be between the ACD/pK(a) program and experimentally found values and with SPARC. PALLAS and MARVIN predicted pK(a,pred) values with larger bias errors in comparison with the experimental value for all four drugs.

Reliability and uncertainty in the estimation of pKa by least squares nonlinear regression analysis of multiwavelength spectrophotometric pH titration data

When drugs are poorly soluble then, instead of the potentiometric determination of dissociation constants, pH-spectrophotometric titration can be used along with nonlinear regression of the absorbance response surface data. Generally, regression models are extremely useful for extracting the essential features from a multiwavelength set of data. Regression diagnostics represent procedures for examining the regression triplet (data, model, method) in order to check (a) the data quality for a proposed model; (b) the model quality for a given set of data; and (c) that all of the assumptions used for least squares hold. In the interactive, PC-assisted diagnosis of data, models and estimation methods, the examination of data quality involves the detection of influential points, outliers and high leverages, that cause many problems when regression fitting the absorbance response hyperplane. All graphically oriented techniques are suitable for the rapid estimation of influential points. The reliability of the dissociation constants for the acid drug silybin may be proven with goodness-of-fit tests of the multiwavelength spectrophotometric pH-titration data. The uncertainty in the measurement of the pK (a) of a weak acid obtained by the least squares nonlinear regression analysis of absorption spectra is calculated. The procedure takes into account the drift in pH measurement, the drift in spectral measurement, and all of the drifts in analytical operations, as well as the relative importance of each source of uncertainty. The most important source of uncertainty in the experimental set-up for the example is the uncertainty in the pH measurement. The influences of various sources of uncertainty on the accuracy and precision are discussed using the example of the mixed dissociation constants of silybin, obtained using the SQUAD(84) and SPECFIT/32 regression programs.

Tutorial on a chemical model building by least-squares non-linear regression of multiwavelength spectrophotometric pH-titration data

Although the modern instrumentation enables for the increased amount of data to be delivered in shorter time, computer-assisted spectra analysis is limited by the intelligence and by the programmed logic tool applications. Proposed tutorial covers all the main steps of the data processing which involve the chemical model building, from calculating the concentration profiles and, using spectra regression, fitting the protonation constants of the chemical model to multiwavelength and multivariate data measured. Suggested diagnostics are examined to see whether the chemical model hypothesis can be accepted, as an incorrect model with false stoichiometric indices may lead to slow convergence, cyclization or divergence of the regression process minimization. Diagnostics concern the physical meaning of unknown parameters beta(qr) and epsilon(qr), physical sense of associated species concentrations, parametric correlation coefficients, goodness-of-fit tests, error analyses and spectra deconvolution, and the correct number of light-absorbing species determination. All of the benefits of spectrophotometric data analysis are demonstrated on the protonation constants of the ionizable anticancer drug 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecine, using data double checked with the SQUAD(84) and SPECFIT/32 regression programs and with factor analysis of the INDICES program. The experimental determination of protonation constants with their computational prediction based on a knowledge of chemical structures of the drug was through the combined MARVIN and PALLAS programs. If the proposed model adequately represents the data, the residuals should form a random pattern with a normal distribution N(0, s2), with the residual mean equal to zero, and the standard deviation of residuals being near to experimental noise. Examination of residual plots may be assisted by a graphical analysis of residuals, and systematic departures from randomness indicate that the model and parameter estimates are not satisfactory.