Determination of noscapine in human plasma using solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography

Supercritical fluid extraction of papaverine and noscapine from poppy capsules followed by preconcentration with magnetic nano Fe3O4@Cu@diphenylthiocarbazone particles

A novel magnetite adsorbent modified with copper and diphenylthiocarbazone was synthesized and used as a sorbent for magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) of two opium alkaloids: papaverine and noscapine.

Nanoparticles Based on Linear and Star-Shaped Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Copolymers for the Delivery of Antitubulin Drug

PURPOSE

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles of different architectures based on polyethylene glycol-co-poly(ε-caprolactone) block copolymers have been loaded with noscapine (NOS) to study their effect on its anticancer activity. It was intended to use solubility of NOS in an acidic environment and ability of the nanoparticles to passively target drugs into cancer tissue to modify the NOS pharmacokinetic properties and reduce the requirement for frequent injections.

METHODS

Linear and star-shaped copolymers were synthetized and used to formulate NOS loaded nanoparticles. Cytotoxicity was performed using a sulforhodamine B method on MCF-7 cells, while biocompatibility was determined on rats followed by hematological and histopathological investigations.

RESULTS

Formulae with the smallest particle sizes and adequate entrapment efficiency revealed that NOS loaded nanoparticles showed higher extent of release at pH 4.5. Colloidal stability suggested that nanoparticles would be stable in blood when injected into the systemic circulation. Loaded nanoparticles had IC50 values lower than free drug. Hematological and histopathological studies showed no difference between treated and control groups. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that formulation P1 had a prolonged half-life and better bioavailability compared to drug solution.

CONCLUSIONS

Formulation of NOS into biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles has increased its efficacy and residence on cancer cells while passively avoiding normal body tissues. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

A Simple and Rapid Flow-Injection Chemiluminescence Method for the Determination of Noscapine with Ru(phen)32+-Ce(IV) System

A new flow injection chemiluminescence (CL) system was used for the determination of noscapine. This technique is based on the reduction effect of noscapine on the Ru(phen)3(3+), which is produced by reaction between Ru(phen)3(2+) and acidic Ce(IV) solutions, and this rapid reduction produces strong CL. Calibration plots were linear over the range of 3.0 x 10(-7) - 2.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) and 2.0 x 10(-6) - 2.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1). The CL intensity was so high, that it is able to produce a detection limit of 6.6 x 10(-8) M noscapine (3sigma). The relative standard deviation of 2.0 x 10(-6) M noscapine was 1.0% (n=10). The proposed method was successfully applied for the flow injection determination of noscapine in cough and Tonin syrup samples. The results of real sample analyses show good recovery percentages (97.3-102.4%). The minimum sampling rate was 100 samples per hour.

Noscapine crosses the blood-brain barrier and inhibits glioblastoma growth

The opium alkaloid noscapine is a commonly used antitussive agent available in Europe, Asia, and South America. Although the mechanism by which it suppresses coughing is currently unknown, it is presumed to involve the central nervous system. In addition to its antitussive action, noscapine also binds to tubulin and alters microtubule dynamics in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we show that noscapine inhibits the proliferation of rat C6 glioma cells in vitro (IC(50) = 100 microm) and effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier at rates similar to the ones found for agents such as morphine and [Met]enkephalin that have potent central nervous system activity (P < or = 0.05). Daily oral noscapine treatment (300 mg/kg) administered to immunodeficient mice having stereotactically implanted rat C6 glioblasoma into the striatum revealed a significant reduction of tumor volume (P < or = 0.05). This was achieved with no identifiable toxicity to the duodenum, spleen, liver, or hematopoietic cells as determined by pathological microscopic examination of these tissues and flow cytometry. Furthermore, noscapine treatment resulted in little evidence of toxicity to dorsal root ganglia cultures as measured by inhibition of neurite outgrowth and yielded no evidence of peripheral neuropathy in animals. However, evidence of vasodilation was observed in noscapine-treated brain tissue. These unique properties of noscapine, including its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, interfere with microtubule dynamics, arrest tumor cell division, reduce tumor growth, and minimally affect other dividing tissues and peripheral nerves, warrant additional investigation of its therapeutic potential.