Study of the binding interaction of salmon sperm DNA with nintedanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor using multi-spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and in silico approaches

The study of the intermolecular binding interaction of small molecules with DNA can guide the rational drug design with greater efficacy and improved or more selective activity. In the current study, nintedanib's binding interaction with salmon sperm DNA (ssDNA) was thoroughly investigated using UV-vis spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, ionic strength measurements, viscosity measurements, thermodynamics, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation techniques under physiologically simulated conditions (pH 7.4). The obtained experimental results showed that nintedanib and ssDNA had an apparent binding interaction. Nintedanib's binding constant (Kb) with ssDNA, as determined using the Benesi-Hildebrand plot, was 7.9 × 104 M-1 at 298 K, indicating a moderate binding affinity. The primary binding contact forces were hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions, as verified by the enthalpy and entropy changes (ΔH0 and ΔS0), which were - 16.25 kJ.mol-1 and 39.30 J mol-1 K-1, respectively. According to the results of UV-vis spectrophotometry, viscosity assays, and competitive binding interactions with ethidium bromide or rhodamine B, the binding mode of nintedanib to ssDNA was minor groove. Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation studies showed that nintedanib fitted into the B-DNA minor groove's AT-rich region with high stability. This study can contribute to further understanding of nintedanib's molecular mechanisms and pharmacological effects.

Simultaneous estimation of two anti-diabetic drugs; Linagliptin and empagliflozin in their tablet by chemometric spectrophotometry

Four spectrophotometric approaches had been established and optimized for the simultaneous estimation of two anti-diabetic drugs; linagliptin (LIN) and empagliflozin (EMP) in their bulk and tablet dosage form. LIN concentration could be first determined from the zero order spectra at its λmax (293 nm) without interference from EMP as at this wavelength EMP showed zero absorbance. The LIN and EMP zero order absorption spectra displayed considerable overlap which hindered the direct determination of EMP. Thus, four indirect spectrophotometric approaches were established and optimized for the determination and quantification of EMP concentrations in presence of LIN. Method (I) was ratio difference method (RD) which depended on the determination of difference amplitudes in the ratio spectra (ΔP) at 236 nm and 227 nm; ΔP(236-227) was directly proportional to EMP concentration. Method (II) was ratio derivative method (1DD) based on the measuring of the amplitude of first derivative of ratio spectra at 243 nm which was directly proportional to EMP concentration. For determination of EMP concentration using both method (I) and (II); LIN 7 µg/mL was used as the divisor. Method (III) was area under curve method (AUC) which depended on the measurement of area confined between 220 and 230 nm and 273-290 nm. Method (IV) was dual wavelength method (DWL) which based on measurement of absorbance difference (ΔA) in zero order spectra between 239.8 and 282.6 nm which was directly proportional to EMP concentration. The four developed methods were optimized and entirely validated regarding to ICH guidelines. The proposed spectrophotometric approaches were used for the quantification of LIN and EMP simultaneously in their tablet dosage form. F-test and t-test were applied for statistical comparison between the results obtained by the proposed approaches and that obtained by the reported method. There was no significant difference concerning to precision and accuracy.

Eco-friendly simultaneous multi-spectrophotometric estimation of the newly approved drug combination of celecoxib and tramadol hydrochloride tablets in its dosage form

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved co-formulated celecoxib and tramadol for the treatment of acute pain in adults. Three spectrophotometric methods were efficiently applied to estimate the co-formulated Celecoxib and Tramadol in their tablets; second derivative 2D-spectrophotometry technique (method I), induced dual-wavelength technique (method II) and dual-wavelength resolution technique (method III). The proposed methods were successfully validated following the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines and statistically assessed based on the correlation coefficients, relative standard deviations as well as detection and quantitation limits. The obtained results revealed non-significant differences compared to the reported results as revealed by the variance ratio F test and Student t test. Moreover, the applied techniques were further assessed concerning their greenness based on the analytical eco-scale method revealing an excellent green scale with a final score of 95. The proposed spectrophotometric techniques could be applied for the routine analysis and quality control of the studied drugs in their dosage form.

Deduction of the operable design space of RP-HPLC technique for the simultaneous estimation of metformin, pioglitazone, and glimepiride

A reversed-phase RP-HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of metformin hydrochloride (MET), pioglitazone (PIO), and glimepiride (GLM) in their combined dosage forms and spiked human plasma. Quality risk management principles for determining the critical method parameters (CMPs) and fractional factorial design were made to screen CMPs and subsequently, the Box-Behnken design was employed. The analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) paradigm was used to establish the method operable design region (MODR) for the developed method depended on understanding the quality target product profile (QTPP), analytical target profile (ATP), and risk assessment for different factors that affect the method performance to develop an accurate, precise, cost-effective, and environmentally benign method. The separation was carried out using a mobile phase composed of methanol: 0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer pH 3.7 with 0.05% TEA (78:22, v/v). The flow rate was 1.2 mL/min. DAD detector was set at 227 nm. Linagliptin (LIN) was used as an internal standard. The proposed method was validated according to The International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The assay results obtained by using the developed method were statistically compared to those obtained by the reported HPLC method, and a satisfying agreement was observed.

Green fluorometric strategy for simultaneous determination of the antihypertensive drug telmisartan (A tentative therapeutic for COVID-19) with Nebivolol in human plasma

Telmisartan (TEL) and Nebivolol (NEB) are frequently co-formulated in a single dosage form that is frequently prescribed for the treatment of hypertension, moreover, telmisartan is currently proposed to be used to treat COVID19-induced lung inflammation. Green rapid, simple, and sensitive synchronous spectrofluorimetric techniques for simultaneous estimation of TEL and NEB in their co-formulated pharmaceutical preparations and human plasma were developed and validated. Synchronous fluorescence intensity at 335 nm was used for TEL determination (Method I). For the mixture, the first derivative synchronous peak amplitudes (D¹) at 296.3 and 320.5 nm were used for simultaneous estimation of NEB and TEL, respectively (Method II). The calibration plots were rectilinear over the concentration ranges of 30-550 ng/mL, and 50-800 ng/mL for NEB and TEL, respectively. The high sensitivity of the developed methods allowed for their analysis in human plasma samples. NEB`s Quantum yield was estimated by applying the single-point method. The greenness of the proposed approaches was evaluated using the Eco-scale, National Environmental Method Index (NEMI), and Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) methods.

Using of eosin Y as a facile fluorescence probe in alogliptin estimation: Application to tablet dosage forms and content uniformity testing

New simple sensitive and reliable spectrofluorimetric approach was established for the determination of the antidiabetic drug; Alogliptin (ALG) in its pure and tablet forms. The developed approach is depended on the suppressive action of ALG on the eosin Y native fluorescence. The quenching action of ALG on the eosin Y native fluorescence was measured at acidic medium pH: 3.5, emission wavelength 541 nm (λ_ex. 260 nm). The relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) was measured, and it was directly proportional to ALG concentration in the concentration range of (15-110) μg/mL. The developed and optimized approach was entirely validated regarding to ICH guidelines. The developed method application was successfully extended for ALG content uniformity test (CU). The distribution fraction (DF), rate constants (K), and free energy changes (ΔG°) were calculated. The results obtained were compared to that of the published spectrophotometric one.

A highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of bilastine in its pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids

Allergic rhinitis and urticaria are extremely prevalent among all age groups. From the clinical experience, usually, an essential second-generation non-sedating H₁-antihistaminic drug, such as bilastine is given to relieve allergic symptoms. Bilastine is preferred to be used instead of oral corticosteroids and first -generation sedating H₁-antihistaminics to avoid their side effects. A highly sensitive and simple spectrofluorometric method was developed and validated for the determination of bilastine in its dosage forms and biological fluids. The quantum yield was calculated and was found to be as high as 0.48. Aqueous water solution of bilastine gives high native fluorescence emission at 298 nm after excitation at 272 nm. A rectilinear calibration plot was obtained over the concentration range of 1.0-50.0 ng mL^-1. The limits of quantitation and detection were 1.0 and 0.33 ng mL^-1, respectively. The parameters influencing its spectrofluorimetric behavior, viz, type of solvent, pH and organized media were studied. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of the drug in pharmaceutical dosage form and the results obtained were in good agreement with those of given by reported method. The high sensitivity of the proposed method enabled the estimation of the drug in biological matrices, including human plasma and urine samples after simple protein precipitation, and the results obtained were satisfactory.

Spectrofluorometric determination of residual amounts of nitroxynil in food samples

Because of the frequent treatment of dairy cows with nitroxynil (NTX), the presence of the later residues in animal tissues and milk has a significant concern. The quantum yield of the reaction product was calculated. A highly sensitive and rapid spectrofluorometric method for determining the anthelmintic drug (NTX) residual amounts is developed. The proposed approach is based on using Zn/HCl to reduce NTX nitro group to an amino group, resulting in a highly fluorescent derivative that was detected at each of λ_em 302 nm and 364 nm after excitation at λ_ex = 277 nm. The experimental conditions were carefully studied and optimized. The proposed approach showed good linearity (r² ≥ 0.9998) with linearity range of 10.0-100.0 ng/mL with a detection limit of 1.89 ng/mL, 1.27 ng/mL and quantification limit of 5.73 ng/mL, 3.86 ng/mL at λ_em 302 nm and 364 nm, respectively; that is far below the Minimum Regulatory Limits (MRLs) of NTX in animal tissues and milk. The proposed approach was successfully applied for the analysis of the drug in its veterinary formulations, and the obtained results agreed well with those of the official British Pharmacopeia method. Moreover, the proposed method's application was extended to efficiently determine the residues of nitroxynil in meat, liver, kidney and milk samples.

Analytical quality by design based on design space in reversed-phase-high performance liquid chromatography analysis for simultaneous estimation of metformin, linagliptin and empagliflozin

Employing the Quality by Design paradigm through this work helped conclude the method operable design region for optimizing the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay using Design of Experiments and response surface methodology to obtain a good resolution and determination of all analysed compounds and to achieve a suitable analysis time. A deep understanding of the quality target product profile, analytical target profile and risk assessment for parameters that affect the method performance led to developing an accurate, precise and cost-effective method. Quality risk management principles were applied for determining the critical method parameters affecting the simultaneous determination of metformin hydrochloride (MET), linagliptin (LIN) and empagliflozin (EMP) by reversed-phase HPLC . The ternary mixture was successfully resolved in 5 min with a linearity range of (0.1-600) µg ml^-1 for MET and (0.05-50) µg ml^-1 for LIN and EMP. The newly developed method was validated according to the International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guidelines. Good agreement was observed with the assay results of the reported UPLC one. To evaluate the greenness of the proposed method, an analytical Eco-Scale method was used.

Simultaneous estimation of recently FDA approved co-formulated ophthalmic solution benoxinate and fluorescein: Application to aqueous humor

Nine simple, cost-effective, and sensitive spectrophotometric methods were developed to simultaneously assay benoxinate HCl and fluorescein sodium in their co-formulated eye drops without barring common excipients. A direct UV spectrophotometric method (method I) was developed for their FLU assay at 481 nm over the concentration range of 0.6-10.0 μg mL^-1. Meanwhile, BEN was assayed over the concentration range of 1.0-25.0 μg mL^-1 by different UV based methods, namely, conventional dual-wavelength method (DW) (method II), first derivative¹D spectrophotometry (method III), second derivative²D spectrophotometry (method IV), ratio spectra difference spectrophotometry (method V), the first derivative of ratio spectra (method VI), ratio subtraction method (method VII), isosbestic point method (ISP) (method VIII) and absorption factor method (method IX). The performance of the proposed methods was assessed relying on the correlation coefficients, relative standard deviations, and limits of detection and quantitation. The variance ratio F-test and Student t-test showed no significant differences between the obtained results of the developed methods and those of reference methods. The proposed methods were also applied to determine studied drugs in commercial eye drops and aqueous humor.

Insights for applying erythrosine B as a green fluorescence probe for estimation of anticancer tamoxifen and its analog; clomiphene in nanogram concentration

The growth of tumor tissue is extremely pervasive among post-menopausal women. Commonly, from the clinical application, adjuvant selective estrogen receptor modulators such as tamoxifen are prescribed for prohibiting metastatic breast cancer, while its analog, clomiphene, is used to treat infertility in women. Lately, the significance of green chemistry on our environment was through reducing the influence of hazardous chemicals. Consequently, efforts were screened to perform a fast and simple eco-friendly green method for the determination of two aromatase inhibitors. In this study, a sensitive green spectrofluorimetric approach was developed to detect and characterize tamoxifen citrate (TAM) and clomiphene citrate (CLO) via complex formation with erythrosine B. The reaction between erythrosine B dye (EB) and the two aromatase inhibitors results in quenching the fluorescence activity of the dye by the formation of ion-pair in Britton-Robinson buffer (BRB) solution (pH 4.3) at 554 nm (λ_ex = 527 nm). The approach outcome confirmed that the solvent's inherent nature has a critical impact on the approachs' sensitivity and reproducibility. An approved linear correlation was achieved between the reduction in the emission value of EB's fluorescence and the concentration in the ranges of 40.0-600.0 ng/mL for both TAM and CLO with mean % recoveries 100.20 ± 0.93 and 100.07 ± 1.09, respectively. The approach was validated regarding ICH protocols, and the outcomes were acceptable. The changes in Gibb's free energy (ΔG°) by the obtained ion-pair between EB and TAM or CLO were -36.65 or -37.03 kJ mol^-1, respectively, which indicates the reaction feasibility at ambient temperature. Commercial dosage forms for TAM and CLO were simply analyzed, and good recoveries were achieved within the range. The National Environmental Methods Index, Analytical Eco-Scale, and Green Analytical Procedure Index applications to our illustrated approach present additional eligibility to this study.

Multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking studies for binding interaction between fluvoxamine and human serum albumin

In the present study, different spectroscopic techniques have been used to study the binding interaction between the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine and human serum albumin under simulated physiological conditions (pH 7.4). The utilized spectroscopic techniques include fluorescence emission spectroscopy, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and molecular modeling methods. The obtained results revealed that the formation of a complex between human serum albumin and fluvoxamine was responsible for quenching the native fluorescence of human serum albumin. The results indicated that the quenching mechanism between human serum albumin and fluvoxamine was static. Besides, the binding constant (K), number of binding sites (n), thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG), and binding forces were calculated at three different temperatures (298, 310, and 318 K). These data proposed that hydrophobic forces were the principal intermolecular forces stabilizing the complex. From the molecular docking results, it could be deduced that fluvoxamine was inserted into sub-domain II A (site I) of human serum albumin and led to a slight change in human serum albumin conformation.

Gastroenterology manifestations and COVID-19 outcomes: A meta-analysis of 25,252 cohorts among the first and second waves

A meta-analysis was performed to identify patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during the first and second pandemic waves and investigate their association with the disease outcomes. A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and EMBASE was performed up to July 25, 2020. The pooled prevalence of the GI presentations was estimated using the random-effects model. Pairwise comparison for the outcomes was performed according to the GI manifestations' presentation and the pandemic wave of infection. Data were reported as relative risk (RR), or odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Of 125 articles with 25,252 patients, 20.3% presented with GI manifestations. Anorexia (19.9%), dysgeusia/ageusia (15.4%), diarrhea (13.2%), nausea (10.3%), and hematemesis (9.1%) were the most common. About 26.7% had confirmed positive fecal RNA, with persistent viral shedding for an average time of 19.2 days before being negative. Patients presenting with GI symptoms on admission showed a higher risk of complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (RR = 8.16), acute cardiac injury (RR = 5.36), and acute kidney injury (RR = 5.52), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR = 2.56), and mortality (RR = 2.01). Although not reach significant levels, subgroup-analysis revealed that affected cohorts in the first wave had a higher risk of being hospitalized, ventilated, ICU admitted, and expired. This meta-analysis suggests an association between GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients and unfavorable outcomes. The analysis also showed improved overall outcomes for COVID-19 patients during the second wave compared to the first wave of the outbreak.

Conventional and first derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric methods for the simultaneous determination of cisatracurium and nalbuphine in biological fluids

Cisatracurium besylate has been determined by fast and highly sensitive spectrofluorimetric method based on measuring the fluorescence intensity of its methanolic solution at 312 nm after excitation at 230 nm (Method I). The linearity occurred over the concentration range of 10.0-130.0 ng/mL with detection limit of 1.07 ng/mL. The method was further extended for the determination of the studied drug in spiked human plasma with good percentage recoveries (97.43-103.50%). Cisatracurium is co-administered with nalbuphine during surgery. The simultaneous determination of both drugs was based on synchronous spectrofluorimetric technique. First derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric amplitude was measured in methanol at Δ λ = 60 nm and each drug could be estimated at the zero crossing point of the other. Hence, cisatracurium could be measured at 284.6 nm while nalbuphine at 276.3 nm (Method II). The method was linear over the ranges of 50.0-750.0 ng/mL and 0.5-7.0 μg/mL with the detection limits of 2.16 ng/mL and 0.04 μg/mL for cisatracurium and nalbuphine, respectively. The method was further extended for the simultaneous determination of both drugs in spiked human urine with mean percentage recoveries of 99.99 ± 2.06 and 99.53 ± 6.17 for cisatracurium and nalbuphine, respectively. Both methods were validated in agreement with Guidelines adopted by International Council of Harmonization (ICH).

First derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric method for the simultaneous determination of propofol and cisatracurium besylate in biological fluids

Propofol and cisatracurium besylate have been simultaneously determined using a highly sensitive first derivative synchronous spectrofluorometric method. The method is based on measuring first derivative synchronous spectrofluorimetric amplitude at Δλ = 40 nm with a scanning rate of 600 nm/min. The different experimental parameters affecting the fluorescence intensity of the two drugs were carefully studied and optimized. The amplitude-concentration plots were rectilinear over the range 40.0-400.0 ng/mL and 20.0-280.0 ng/mL for propofol and cisatracurium, respectively with lower detection limits of 4.0 and 2.35 ng/mL and quantification limits of 12.1 and 7.1 ng/mL for propofol and cisatracurium, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of the two compounds in synthetic mixtures and in commercial ampoules. The high sensitivity attained using the proposed method allowed the simultaneous determination of both drugs in spiked plasma samples. The mean % recoveries in spiked human plasma (n = 3) were 96.53 ± 0.90 and 96.20 ± 1.64 for each of propofol and cisatracurium, respectively. The method was validated in compliance with International Council of Harmonization (ICH) Guidelines.

Hydroxylated near-infrared BODIPY fluorophores as intracellular pH sensors

In this study, a series of new, highly sensitive BF2-chelated tetraarylazadipyrromethane dyes are synthesized and analyzed to be suitable as on/off photo-induced electron transfer modulated fluorescent sensors for determination of intracellular pH. The ethanolic solutions of the new indicators feature absorption maxima in the range of 696-700 nm and a fluorescence emission maximum at 720 nm. Molar absorptivity and fluorescence quantum yield data were determined for the studied set of aza-BODIPY indicators. These indicators have high molar absorption coefficients of ∼80,000 M(-1) cm(-1) and quantum yields (up to 18%). Corresponding pKa values of indicators are determined from absorbance and fluorescence measurements and range from 9.1 to 10.8, depending on the selective positioning of electron-donating functionalities. The excellent photostability of the aza-BODIPY indicators makes them particularly suitable for long duration measurements. The in vitro cellular staining of living tissues in PC3 cells based on the isosbestic point at pH 7.8 and pH 9.3 has been employed which shows an increase in fluorescence intensity at 800 nm with increase in pH for certain compounds and fluorescence intensity decreases at 700 nm. Therefore, the new indicators are suitable for exploitation and adaptation in a diverse range of analytical applications.

Kinetic spectrophotometric determination of biotin in pharmaceutical preparations

A simple accurate kinetic spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of biotin in pure form and pharmaceutical preparations. The proposed method is based on a catalytic acceleration of biotin on the reaction between sodium azide and tri-iodide in an aqueous solution. Concentration range of 4-16 μg/mL for biotin was determined by measuring the decrease in the absorbance of tri-iodide at 348 nm by a fixed time method. The decrease in absorbance after 14 min from the initiation of the reaction was markedly correlated to the concentration with correlation coefficient of 0.9999. The detection limit (LOD) of biotin was 0.18 μg/mL while quantitation limit (LOQ) was 0.54 μg/mL. The percentage recovery of the spiked samples was 100.08 ± 0.761. The proposed procedure was successfully applied for the determination of biotin in its pharmaceutical preparations with mean recoveries of 101.17 ± 2.05 and 97.87 ± 1.50 for biotin ampoules and capsules, respectively. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained using official method.

Expression of Mts1, a metastasis-associated gene, increases motility but not invasion of a nonmetastatic mouse mammary adenocarcinoma cell line

The mts1 gene codes for a 101 amino acid protein belonging to the S100 subfamily of Ca(2+)-binding proteins. Mts1 is overexpressed in metastatic cancers as compared to their nonmetastatic counterparts, and although mts1 is known to be involved in the metastatic phenotype (Davies et al., 1993; Grigorian et al., 1993), the role mts1 plays in this process is not clearly understood. In order to determine what role mts1 plays in the process of metastasis, we have performed transfection studies on nonmetastatic and metastatic mouse mammary adenocarcinoma cell lines, CSML0 and CSML100, respectively (Senin et al., 1983, 1984). The metastatic variant, CSML100, expresses high levels of mts1, whereas the nonmetastatic variant, CSML0, expresses almost no mts1. CSML0 cells transfected with mts1 were assessed in in vitro motility and invasion assays, as well as in vivo metastasis assays to determine the role of mts1 in these processes. Cell lines expressing mts1 display an altered morphology as well as increased motility in modified Boyden chemotaxis chambers. However, no significant increase in in vitro invasion or in in vivo metastasis was observed. Therefore, the presence of mts1 may be important for metastasis by increasing motility, but may not be sufficient for invasion in vitro or metastasis in vivo. Very low levels of type IV collagenase activities were observed in CSML0 cells and the transfectants, as opposed to the highly metastatic CSML100 cells, where high levels of type IV collagenase activities were observed. It is possible that the presence of these proteases in addition to mts1 may be responsible for the high metastatic potential of the CSML100 in vivo.