Francisco Bosca

New Trends in Photobiology (Invited Review) Photosensitizing drugs containing the benzophenone chromophore

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents ketoprofen, tiaprofenic acid, suprofen and tolmetin, together with the anti-hyperlipoproteinemic drug fenofibrate and the anti-arrhythmic amiodarone can be included in the group of benzophenone-derived photosensitizing drugs. They contain a diaryl ketone chromophore and mediate the development of phototoxic reactions. In some cases, photoallergic responses have been reported. These properties have been substantiated in clinical reports, as well as by means of in vivo and in vitro assays. Tolmetin is phototoxic in vitro, however there are no reports on photosensitization by this drug in humans. In general, photochemical and photobiological studies strongly suggest that photosensitization involves formal hydrogen abstraction (either in a single step or via electron transfer followed by proton transfer) by the benzophenone-like chromophore from the excited triplet state. In the case of amiodarone, the radicals generated by photodehalogenation from the triplet are responsible for the photosensitivity side-effects.

PHOTOCHEMICAL AND PHOTOBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF KETOPROFEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE BENZOPHENONE CHROMOPHORE

Abstract Irradiation of ketoprofen in neutral aqueous medium gave rise to 3‐ethylbenzophenone as the major photoproduct. Its formation is justified via protonation of a benzylic carbanion or hydrogen abstraction by a benzylic radical. Minor amounts of eight additional compounds were isolated. Four of them are derived from the benzylic radical: 3‐(1‐hydroperoxyethyl)benzophenone, 3‐(1‐hydroxyethyl)benzophenone, 3‐acetylbenzophenone and 2,3‐bis‐(3‐benzoylphenyl)butane. The other four products involve initial hydrogen abstraction by the excited benzophenone chromophore of ketoprofen: 1,2‐bis‐(3‐ethylphenyl)‐1,2‐diphenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol, 2‐(3‐benzoylphenyl)‐1‐(3‐ethylphenyl)‐1 ‐phenylpropan‐1 ‐01,α ‐(3‐ethylphenyl)phenylmethanol, 1,2‐bis‐[3‐(2‐hydroxycarbonylethyl)phenyl]‐1,2‐di‐phenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol. The latter process was found to mediate the photoperoxidation of linoleic acid through a type I mechanism, as evidenced by the inhibition produced by the radical scavengers butylated hydroxyanisole and reduced glutathione. The major photoproduct, which contains the benzophenone moiety but lacks the propionic acid side chain, also photosensitized linoleic acid peroxidation. Because lipid peroxidation is indicative of cell membrane lysis, the above findings are highly relevant to explain the photobiological properties of ketoprofen.

Photoreactivity of the Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory 2-Arylpropionic Acids with Photosensitizing Side Effects¶

The photoreactivity of the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory 2‐arylpropionic acids benoxaprofen, carprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, tiaprofenic acid, and suprofen is reviewed with special emphasis on fundamental photophysical and photochemical properties. The absorption and emission properties of the excited states of these drugs as well as their main photodegradation routes are summarized. The photochemical mechanisms are discussed on the basis of product studies and detection of short‐lived intermediates by means of laser flash photolysis. After dealing with the unimolecular processes, attention is focused on the photosensitized reactions of key biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins or nucleic acids. Finally, a short section on the photobiological effects on simple biological models is also included. Although some earlier citations are included, the literature coverage is in general limited to the last decade.

Photosensitised pyrimidine dimerisation in DNA

Triplet-mediated pyrimidine (Pyr) dimerisation is a key process in photochemical damage to DNA. It may occur in the presence of a photosensitiser, provided that a number of requirements are fulfilled, such as favourable intersystem crossing quantum yield and high triplet energy. The attention has been mainly focused on cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, as they are by far the most relevant Pyr photoproducts obtained by sensitisation. The present perspective deals with the involved chemistry, not only in DNA but also in its simple building blocks. It also includes the photophysical characterisation of the Pyr triplet excited states, as well as a brief discussion of the theoretical aspects.

Photosensitivity induced by fibric acid derivatives and its relation to photocontact dermatitis to ketoprofen

BACKGROUND Photosensitivity reactions to fibric acid derivatives are not well understood and have been rarely reported. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe two cases of photosensitivity, one induced by fenofibrate and one by bezafibrate; to study the in vivo photosensitizing potential of these drugs; and to evaluate the possibility of cross-reactivity between fenofibrate and ketoprofen. METHODS Patch and photopatch tests with fibric acid derivatives and ketoprofen were performed in the patients, in 12 normal volunteers, and in 7 patients with photopatch-proven photocontact dermatitis to ketoprofen. Phototesting studies were performed both while the patients were taking the drugs and after withdrawal of them, as well as in a group of 18 hyperlipemic volunteers without history of photosensitivity who were taking therapeutic doses of fenofibrate or bezafibrate for 2 to 3 months. RESULTS Positive photopatch test responses to ketoprofen and to fenofibrate were obtained only in the first patient, who also had a weaker positive ordinary patch test response to the latter. Five patients photosensitized to ketoprofen also had a positive patch test to fenofibrate. Phototesting studies were abnormal in both patients but normal in all volunteers. CONCLUSION An association between systemic photosensitivity to fenofibrate and photocontact sensitivity to ketoprofen seems to exist. The structural similarities of these chemicals favor cross-reactivity.

Photosensitized DNA damage: the case of fluoroquinolones.

This review focuses on DNA damage photosensitized by the fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibacterial drugs. The in vivo evidence for photocarcinogenesis mediated by FQs is presented in the introduction. The different methods employed for detection of DNA‐photodamage mediated by FQs are then summarized, including gel electrophoresis (with whole cells, with isolated DNA and with oligonucleotides) and chromatographic analysis (especially HPLC with electrochemical and MS/MS detection). The chemical mechanisms involved in the formation of the reported lesions are discussed on the basis of product studies and transient spectroscopic evidence. In general, the literature coverage is limited to the last decade, although some earlier citations are also included.

Evaluation of ketoprofen (R,S and R/S) phototoxicity by a battery of in vitro assays.

Abstract The various enantiomers of ketoprofen (S and R) and its racemic form ( R S ) exhibited comparable phototoxicities when examined by the following in vitro test systems: (a) effects of pre-irradiated drugs on cultured hepatocytes; (b) co-irradiation of drugs with hepatocytes or fibroblasts; (c) photohaemolysis sensitized by the various ketoprofen steroisomers; (d) drug-photosensitized formation of linoleic acid hydroperoxides. Inhibition of photohaemolysis and photodynamic lipid peroxidation by butylated hydroxyanisole and reduced glutathione suggests that the phototoxicity of ketoprofen is associated with a radical chain (type I) peroxidation of membrane lipids, leading to cell lysis In view of the above results it could be advantageous to use the pharmacologically active S(+) enantiomer instead of the R/S form, since the lower doses required would result in a diminished phototoxic potential.

Photochemistry of 2,6‐D'ichlorodiphenylamine and 1‐Chlorocarbazole, the Photoactive Chromophores of Diclofenac, Meclofenamic Acid and Their Major Photoproducts

Diclofenac and meclofenamic acid are two structurally related nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs with some photosensitizing potential. Their photochemistry involves cyclization to monohalogenated carbazoles. In principle, photocyclization could occur by photodehalogenation, followed by intramolecular radical addition, or by 6TT electrocyclization and subsequent dehydrohalogenation of the intermediate dihydrocarbazoles. Previously, it has been assumed that the reaction follows the first pathway and that the key species associated with phototoxicity are the resulting aryl radicals. In the present work, we have performed photophysical and photochemical studies on 2,6‐dichlorodiphenylamine (la). This is a suitable model compound because since it contains the active chromo‐phore present in diclofenac and meclofenamic acid, and its photoreactivity should be relevant to the understanding of the photobiological properties of both drugs. Our results clearly show that the first photochemical reaction is a very rapid 6iT‐electrocyclization, and hence no radicals are formed at this stage. Instead, cleavage of the carbon‐halogen bond occurs in the 1‐chlorocarbazole photoproduct 2a. The reduced lifetime of the 2a triplet (as compared with the unsubstituted carbazole) and the observed reaction quenching by oxygen are in agreement with the reaction occurring from the excited triplet state. Overall, the above results suggest that the potential phototoxicity of diclofenac and meclofenamic acid is due to a photobiologically active photoproduct that is able to generate radicals upon photolysis, rather than to the parent drug.

Inversion of 4-methoxybenzophenone triplet in aqueous solutions

The triplet state of 4-methoxybenzophenone (4-MBP) has been investigated by laser flash photolysis and emission techniques in several solvents. In non-polar cyclohexane, 4-MBP triplet has an (n,pi*) configuration with the typical triplet-triplet absorption spectrum of benzophenone (lambda(max) ca. 525 nm). However, due to the proximity of the two lowest triplet states of different configuration, some unusual features are observed in polar solvents. Thus, 4-MBP shows in aqueous solutions a transient absorption spectrum with lambda(max) at 450 and 680 nm, which can be attributed to a T1 (pi,pi*) state. Further, transient absorption spectra due to T1 (n,pi*) and T2 (pi,pi*) being simultaneously populated are observed upon laser excitation of 4-MBP in polar solvents such as acetonitrile or methanol. The triplet state inversion (n,pi* to pi,pi*) is also detected by the measurement of triplet quenching rate constants by 1,4-cyclohexadiene (a good hydrogen donor) in acetonitrile and water (kH ca. 2 x 10(8) and 5 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1), respectively) and by the determination of room-temperature phosphorescence (the emission quantum yield at room-temperature decreases from 0.004 in acetonitrile to less than 1 x 10(-6) in water). Further, the energy of the 4-MBP triplet state is ca. 288 kJ mol(-1) both in polar and non-polar organic solvents, while in water it drops to 275 kJ mol(-1). The photophysical properties of 4-MBP are compared with those of 4-aminobenzophenone (4-ABP), which also possesses an electron-donating group. In polar organic solvents such as acetonitrile, the transient absorption spectrum and the quenching rate constant of hydrogen abstraction for triplet 4-ABP are practically the same as those obtained for 4-MBP in aqueous solutions. On the other hand, a small T2 (pi,pi*) contribution is observed in the triplet-triplet absorption spectrum of 4-ABP in cyclohexane.

A Photophysical and Photochemical Study of 6-Methoxy-2-naphthylacetic Acid, the Major Metabolite of the Phototoxic Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug Nabumetone

Nabumetone is a phototoxic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug used for the treatment of osteoarthritis. However, nabumetone is considered a prodrug with its metabolite 6‐methoxy‐2‐naphthylacetic acid the active form. Photophysical and photochemical studies on this metabolite have been undertaken. It undergoes photodecarboxylation in aerated aqueous and organic solvents. In addition to the accepted photodegradation pathway for related molecules, a new mechanism that implies generation of the naphthalene radical cation from the excited singlet and addition of O2 prior to the decarboxylation process has been demonstrated. Evidence for the involvement of the excited singlet state in this mechanism have been obtained by steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence experiments. The fluorescence quenching by O2 and the shorter singlet lifetime in aerated solvents support this assignment. Laser flash photolysis also supports this mechanism by showing the noninvolvement of the triplet in the formation of the naphthalene radical cation. Finally, the well‐known electron acceptor CCl4 acts as an efficient singlet quencher, enhancing the route leading to the radical cation, preventing intersystem crossing to the triplet and thus resulting in a dramatic increase in the yield of 6‐methoxy‐2‐naphthaldehyde, the major oxidative decarboxylation product; this constitutes unambiguous proof in favor of the new mechanistic proposals.