Aleksander P. Mazurek

Experimental and theoretical studies on the molecular properties of ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, pefloxacin, sparfloxacin, and gatifloxacin in determining bioavailability

The aim of this investigation is to identify, by in silico and in vitro methods, the molecular determinants, e.g., solubility in an aqueous medium and lipophilic properties, which have an effect on the bioavailability of five selected fluoroquinolones. These properties were estimated by analysis of the electrostatic potential pattern and values of free energy of solvation as well as the partition coefficients of the studied compounds. The study is based on theoretical quantum-chemical methods and a simple experimental shake-flask technique with two immiscible phases, n-octanol and phosphate buffer. The solvation free energy values of compounds in both environments appeared to be negative. The wide range of electrostatic potential from negative to positive demonstrates the presence of dipole–dipole intermolecular interactions, while the high electron density at various sites indicates the possibility of hydrogen bond formation with solvent molecules. High partition coefficient values, obtained by summing the atomic contributions, did not take various correction factors into account and therefore were not accurate. Theoretical partition coefficient values based on more accurate algorithms, which included these correction factors (fragmental methods), yielded more accurate values. Theoretical methods are useful tools for predicting the bioavailability of fluoroquinolones.

A method for rapid screening of interactions of pharmacologically active compounds with albumin.

We determine the association constants for ligand-protein complex formation using the flow injection method. We carry out the measurements at high flow rates (F=1 mL min(-1)) of a carrier phase. Therefore, determination of the association constant takes only a few minutes. Injection of 1 nM of the ligand (10 μL of 1 μM concentration of the ligand solution) is sufficient for a single measurement. This method is tested and verified for a number of complexes of selected drugs (cefaclor, etodolac, sulindac) with albumin (BSA). We obtain K=4.45×10(3) M(-1) for cefaclor, K=1.00×10(5) M(-1) for etodolac and K=1.03×10(5) M(-1) for sulindac in agreement with the literature data. We also determine the association constants of 20 newly synthesized 3β- and 3α-aminotropane derivatives with potential antipsychotic activity--ligands of 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A and D2 receptors with the albumin. Results of the studies reported here indicate that potential antipsychotic drugs bind weakly to the transporter protein (BSA) with K≈10(2)-10(3) M(-1). Our method allows measuring K in a wide range of values (10(2)-10(9) M(-1)). This range depends only on the solubility of the ligand and sensitivity of the detector.

Synthesis and biological investigation of potential atypical antipsychotics with a tropane core. Part 1.

The synthesis, structure, in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities of 3β-acylamine derivatives of tropane (4a-n, 5a-g, 6a,b, 8a-c) are described. Among the investigated compounds, several displayed very high (in nM) affinity for the monoamine receptors 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A,) and D(2). The most interesting agent 6b revealed very high affinity for the 5-HT(2A) and D(2) receptors and high affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor. The in vivo head twitch model was used to demonstrate antagonism of the 5-HT(2A) receptor subtype by this compound. In another test, 6b caused hypothermia in mice, which was not attenuated by WAY 100635. In the climbing test, the compound did not significantly modify climbing behaviour following apomorphine administration. Moreover, 6b significantly reduced locomotor activity in mice. Molecular docking studies using a homology model of the 5-HT(1A) receptor revealed a significant role of the N-8 atom of the tropane core in stabilising the ligand-receptor complex due to strong hydrogen bonding with Asp116 located in the TMH 3 helix. Analogically, in a homology model of the 5-HT(2A) receptor, the N-8 atom formed a hydrogen bond with Gly369. In another homology model of the D(2) receptor, strong hydrogen bonding of the amide moiety in the 3β position of the tropane nucleus with Asp85 was observed. Compound 6b displayed a favourable Meltzer index (1.21) which is a feature of atypical antipsychotic agents.

The molecular interactions of buspirone analogues with the serotonin transporter.

A major problem with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is the delayed onset of action. A reason for that may be that the initial SSRI-induced increase in serotonin levels activates somatodendritic 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors, causing a decrease in serotonin release in major forebrain areas. It has been suggested that compounds combining inhibition of the serotonin transport protein with antagonistic effects on the 5-HT(1A) receptor will shorten the onset time. The anxiolytic drug buspirone is known as 5-HT(1A) partial agonist. In the present work, we are studying the inhibition of the serotonin transporter protein by a series of buspirone analogues by molecular modelling and by experimental affinity measurements. Models of the transporter protein were constructed using the crystal structure of the Escherichia coli major facilitator family transporter-LacY and the X-ray structure of the neurotransmitter symporter family (NSS) transporter-LeuT(Aa) as templates. The buspirone analogues were docked into both SERT models and the interactions with amino acids within the protein were analyzed. Two putative binding sites were identified on the LeuT(Aa) based model, one suggested to be a high-affinity site, and the other suggested to be a low-affinity binding site. Molecular dynamic simulations of the LacY based model in complex with ligands did not induce a helical architecture of the LacY based model into an arrangement more similar to that of the LeuT(Aa) based model.

Infrared study on the double hydrogen bond between the urea molecule and halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents

Abstract The infrared bands of CO and NH stretching vibrations of urea dissolved in a series of halogen derivatives of aliphatic hydrocarbons were analyzed. From the relationship between the solubility of urea and the structure of the solvent as well as the infrared spectra it is concluded that a double hydrogen bond between one urea and one solvent molecule is formed. In this bond, the solvent molecule is donor of two hydrogen atoms of two polar CH bonds, and the CO group of urea is proton acceptor. The interaction of NH groups with XC solvent groups is predominantly determined by the valence orbital repulsion of N and X atoms, and the polarizability of the halogen atom X.

Cytisine basicity, solvation, log P, and log D theoretical determination as tool for bioavailability prediction

Cytisine, an α4β2 nicotinic receptor partial agonist, is a plant alkaloid widely used as a smoking cessation agent. Despite long history of use, knowledge on pharmacokinetics of cytisine still demands an extension. This work is aimed at theoretical determination of physicochemical parameters that affect the bioavailability of cytisine. The acidic dissociation constant, Gibbs free energy of solvation in water and n-octanol as well as n-octanol/water partition coefficient and n-octanol/water distribution coefficient of cytisine were calculated as quantities corresponding to its solubility and permeability. Cytisine structure was optimized with several quantum chemical methods-ab initio: HF and MP2, and DFT functionals (B3LYP, B3LYP-D3, CAM-B3LYP, M06-2X, TPSS, VSXC) with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Solvation of cytisine in water and n-octanol was determined with the SMD continuum model. It was shown that lipophilicity of cytisine depends on the pH of an environment. Protonated cytisine, the most populated state under acidic conditions, is characterized by enhanced hydrophilicity. Then neutral cytisine, dominating in a basic environment, demonstrates more lipophilic character. It appears that cytisine is very well soluble in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract fluids. Then the distribution of cytisine ought to occur very rapidly. However, permeability of cytisine through the mucous membrane of the GI tract may be limited, leading to the diminished bioavailability.

13C CP/MAS NMR study of a genistein/piperazine complex

Abstract 13 C CP/MAS NMR indicates that piperazine forms a hydrogen bond with the C7OH group of genistein. The hydroxyl proton is transferred to the piperazine nitrogen atom. It is shown that the I – I * – S model of the polarization transfer in isolated spin clusters is also valid for quaternary carbon atoms.

Synthesis of Imperatorin Analogs and Their Evaluation as Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors

In this study, we synthesized several imperatorin analogs using imperatorin and xanthotoxin as substrates. The anti‐cholinesterase activities of all compounds were evaluated in in vitro experiments according to the modified Ellmans method. For each synthesized compound, IC50 values for both enzymes were established. Galantamine hydrobromide was used as a positive control in the enzymatic experiments. All active compounds showed selectivity toward butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) rather than acetylcholinesterase. The most active ones were 8‐(3‐methylbutoxy)‐psoralen and 8‐hexoxypsoralen with IC50 values for BuChE of around 16.5 and 16.4 µM, respectively. The results of our study may be considered as the beginning of a search for potential anti‐Alzheimers disease drugs based on the structure of natural furocoumarins.

Model structure–activity relationship studies of potential tropane 5HT1A, 5HT2A, and D2 receptor ligands

The two-stages studies of structure–activity relationship for model ligands of 5HT1A, 5HT2A, and D2 receptors were performed. On the first stage, the pharmacophores of two potential ligands of known in vitro binding to 5HT1A, 5HT2A, D2 receptors and model pharmacophore of strongly interacting D2 receptor ligands were found and their parameters were related to affinity data. The analyzed parameters were hydrophobic, hydrophilic, aromatic, donor and acceptor of proton centers. The geometry of spatial distribution of these properties was also investigated in comparative analysis. The studied, model compounds were two 3β-acylamine derivatives of tropane. The second stage includes docking of studied compounds to D2 receptor model and the comparison of its quality with in vivo binding data. The obtained results are consistent with in vitro binding data and applied procedure accurate estimates the affinity of potential ligands to D2 receptors.

IR study on double hydrogen bonding in dichloromethane

Abstract Evidence of double hydrogen-bond formation between dichloromethane and electron-donor molecules is given using IR spectroscopy. The analysis of IR spectra is based mainly on the intensity changes of the ν 1 and ν 6 CH-stretching vibration bands of dichloromethane and deuterated dichloromethane dissolved in several electron-donor solvents. Dimerisation of dichloromethane diluted in inert solvents was also observed.