Riaz A. Khan

Syntheses and anti-depressant activity of 5-amino-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole-2-thiol imines and thiobenzyl derivatives.

A number of new imine derivatives of 5-amino-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole-2-thiol have been synthesized, and their anti-depressant activity was tested using imipramine as reference drug. Two compounds namely 5-{[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)prop-2-en-1-ylidene]-amino}-5-benzylthio-1, 3,4 -thiadiazole 4i(b) and 5-{[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-dimethyl-aminophenyl)-prop-2-en-1-ylidene]amino}-5-benzylthio-1,3,4-thiadiazole 4i(c) have shown significant anti-depressant activity, which decreased immobility time by 77.99% and 76.26% compared to the standard imipramine (82%). All the compounds in the series have passed neurotoxicity tests.

Polymeric emulsion and crosslink-mediated synthesis of super-stable nanoparticles as sustained-release anti-tuberculosis drug carriers

This study focused on evaluating four emulsion-based processing strategies for polymeric nanoparticle synthesis to explicate the mechanisms of nanoparticle formation and the influence on achieving sustained-release of two anti-tuberculosis drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles were formulated with and without sorbitan mono-oleate as a stabilizer using emulsion-solvent-surfactant-evaporation (ESSE) and emulsion-solvent-evaporation (ESE) approaches. An alginate solution gelled by ionic crosslinking with calcium chloride was employed to prepare alginate hydrogel nanoparticles via reverse-emulsion-cationic-gelification (RECG) and reverse-emulsion-surfactant-cationic-gelification (RESCG) approaches. In vitro drug release analysis was performed. The size, zeta potential and morphology of the nanoparticles were analyzed. Molecular mechanics energy relationships (MMER) were employed to explore the spatial disposition of alginate and PLGA with respect to the emulsifying profile of sorbitan monooleate and to corroborate the experimental findings. Results revealed that particle size of the PLGA nanoparticles was influenced by the stabilizer concentration. Nanoparticles synthesized by the ESSE approach had smaller sizes of 240±8.7 nm and 195.5±5.4 nm for rifampicin- and isoniazid-loaded nanoparticles, respectively. This was a substantial size reduction from nanoparticles generated by the ESE approach (>1000 nm). The RESCG approach produced stable and higher nanoparticle yields with desirable size (277±1.0 nm; 289±1.2 nm), a low polydispersity index (27.1±0.3 mV; 28.5±0.5 mV) and drug entrapment efficiency of 73% and 75% for isoniazid and rifampicin, respectively. Drug release from the ESSE and RESCG synthesized nanoparticles displayed desirable release of the two anti-TB drugs with sustained zero-order kinetics over a period of 8h. MMER supported the mechanisms of nanoparticle formation with a sphericalized interlaced network configuration.

Preparation, characterization, in vivo and biochemical evaluation of brain targeted Piperine solid lipid nanoparticles in an experimentally induced Alzheimer’s disease model

Background: Alzheimer is a fast growing disease with imprecise chemical treatments. Increased oxidative stress, decrease in acetylcholine concentration, and appearance of amyloidal proteins are reported in pathology of Alzheimer. Chemical drugs are effective but on the cost of detrimental side effects. Purpose: Present research is based on Preparation, characterization, behavioral and biochemical evaluation of brain targeted Piperine solid lipid nanoparticles in an experimentally induced Alzheimer’s model at a low dose of 2 mg/kg. Methods: Piperine solid lipid nanoparticles were prepared by Emulsification-Solvent Diffusion technique with polysorbate-80 coating to impart Brain specific targeting. Experimental Ibotenic acid induced Alzheimer’s, Force swimming test, superoxide dismutase, acetylcholenesterase enzymatic assays and also Histopathology of brain cortex was conducted to evaluate the Piperine therapeutic effects in Alzheimer’s Disease. Results: Piperine in solid lipid nanoformulation (2 mg/kg equivalent) reduced the SOD values by 504 ± 44.24 m units, p < 0.05, increased the acetylcholenesterase values by 29.24 ± 4.29 µg/mg, p < 0.01 and reduced immobility to 41.36 ± 3.53 s, p < 0.001 and has shown superior results than Donepezil (5 mg/kg). Histopathology studies revealed the reduced plaques and tangles. Conclusions: P-80-PIP-SLN has shown therapeutic effects in Alzheimer via reducing the oxidative stress and reducing the cholinergic degradation at 2 mg/kg dose equivalent.

Design, biometric simulation and optimization of a nano-enabled scaffold device for enhanced delivery of dopamine to the brain.

This study focused on the design, biometric simulation and optimization of an intracranial nano-enabled scaffold device (NESD) for the site-specific delivery of dopamine (DA) as a strategy to minimize the peripheral side-effects of conventional forms of Parkinsons disease therapy. The NESD was modulated through biometric simulation and computational prototyping to produce a binary crosslinked alginate scaffold embedding stable DA-loaded cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) nanoparticles optimized in accordance with Box-Behnken statistical designs. The physicomechanical properties of the NESD were characterized and in vitro and in vivo release studies performed. Prototyping predicted a 3D NESD model with enhanced internal micro-architecture. SEM and TEM revealed spherical, uniform and non-aggregated DA-loaded nanoparticles with the presence of CAP (FTIR bands at 1070, 1242 and 2926 cm(-1)). An optimum nanoparticle size of 197 nm (PdI=0.03), a zeta potential of -34.00 mV and a DEE of 63% was obtained. The secondary crosslinker BaCl(2) imparted crystallinity resulting in significant thermal shifts between native CAP (T(g)=160-170 degrees C; T(m)=192 degrees C) and CAP nanoparticles (T(g)=260 degrees C; T(m)=268 degrees C). DA release displayed an initial lag phase of 24 h and peaked after 3 days, maintaining favorable CSF (10 microg/mL) versus systemic concentrations (1-2 microg/mL) over 30 days and above the inherent baseline concentration of DA (1 microg/mL) following implantation in the parenchyma of the frontal lobe of the Sprague-Dawley rat model. The strategy of coupling polymeric scaffold science and nanotechnology enhanced the site-specific delivery of DA from the NESD.

Enzymic regioselective hydrolysis of peracetylated reducing disaccharides, specifically at the anomeric centre: Intermediates for the synthesis of oligosaccharides.

Abstract Reaction of reducing disaccharide peracetates 1 , 5 , 9 and 13 with hydrazine hydrate in acetonitrile gave predominantly the corresponding heptaacetates 2 , 6 , 10 and 14 , with the free hydroxyl group at C-1 or the hexaacetates 3 , 7 , 11 and 12 , with the hydroxyl groups at C-1,2 or C-1,3 and the pentaacetates 4 and 8 with the hydroxyl groups at C-1,2,3, depending on the quantity of reagent used.

Plausible antioxidant biomechanics and anticonvulsant pharmacological activity of brain-targeted β-carotene nanoparticles

β-Carotene has been established as a known free radical scavenger with chain-breaking antioxidant properties. It has been documented for the treatment of epileptic convulsions at a 200 mg/kg body weight dose. The reported pathogenesis for epileptic convulsions is oxidative stress. Hence, experimental epileptic convulsions via oxidative stress was induced in albino mice epileptic models (maximal electroshock seizure and pentylenetetrazole [PTZ]). A dose concentration equivalent to 2 mg/kg was efficaciously administered in the form of brain-targeted polysorbate-80-coated poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were prepared by solvent evaporation technique and further characterized for their physical parameters, in-vitro release kinetics, and in-vivo brain release via various standard methods. Normal β-carotene nanoparticles (BCNP) and polysorbate-80-coated β-carotene nanoparticles (P-80-BCNP) of 169.8 ± 4.8 nm and 176.3 ± 3.2 nm in size, respectively, were formulated and characterized. Their zeta potential and polydispersity index were subsequently evaluated after 5 months of storage to confirm stability. In vivo activity results showed that a 2 mg unformulated β-carotene dose was ineffective as an anticonvulsant. However, salutary response was reported from BCNP at the same dose, as the hind limb duration decreased significantly in maximal electroshock seizure to 9.30 ± 0.86 seconds, which further decreased with polysorbate-80 coating to 2.10 ± 1.16 seconds as compared to normal control (15.8 ± 1.49 seconds) and placebo control (16.50 ± 1.43 seconds). In the PTZ model, the duration of general tonic–clonic seizures reduced significantly to 2.90 ± 0.98 seconds by the use of BCNP and was further reduced on P-80-BCNP to 1.20 ± 0.20 seconds as compared to PTZ control and PTZ-placebo control (8.09 ± 0.26 seconds). General tonic–clonic seizures latency was increased significantly to 191.0 ± 9.80 seconds in BCNP and was further increased in P-80-BCNP to 231.0 ± 16.30 seconds, as compared to PTZ (120.10 ± 4.50 seconds) and placebo control (120.30 ± 7.4 seconds). The results of this study demonstrate a plausible novel anticonvulsant activity of β-carotene at a low dose of 2 mg/kg, with brain-targeted nanodelivery, thus increasing its bioavailability and stability.

In vitro and ex vivo bioadhesivity analysis of polymeric intravaginal caplets using physicomechanics and computational structural modeling.

The in vitro and ex vivo bioadhesivity of polyacrylic acid (PAA)-based intravaginal caplets was explored from a physicomechanical and chemometrical structural modeling viewpoint. An Extreme Vertices Mixture Design was constructed for analyzing the bioadhesivity of 11 matrices that were optimized. Two sets of crosslinked PAA-based matrices comprising either allyl-sucrose (AS-PAA) or allyl-penta-erythritol (APE-PAA) were explored. Powders were compressed into caplet-shaped matrices and rotational rheological analysis was performed on hydrated polymeric blends. Caplets were evaluated for bioadhesiveness using a simulated vaginal membrane (SVM) with optimized caplets further tested using freshly excised rabbit vaginal tissue. The SVM and caplets were hydrated in simulated vaginal fluid before bioadhesivity testing using a texture analyzer to determine the rupture force between the membranous substrates and hydrated caplets. Computational and molecular structural modeling deduced transient sol-gel mechanisms, chemical interactions and inter-polymeric interfacing during caplet-substrate bioadhesion. Peak adhesive force (PAF) and work of adhesion (AUC(FD)) values for the APE-PAA caplets (1.671+/-0.232N; 0.0010+/-0.0002J) were higher than the AS-PAA caplets (1.168+/-0.093N; 0.00030+/-0.0001J) revealing superior bioadhesiveness. Similarly, rheological analysis revealed APE-PAA blends with higher viscosity and shear stress values (9x10(5)mPa/180Pa). The optimized APE-PAA matrices adhered appreciably to rabbit vaginal tissue (PAF=0.883+/-0.083N; AUC(FD)=(0.0003+/-3.5355)x10(-5)J). Results strongly suggest that the approach may be useful for assessing the bioadhesivity of intravaginal matrices on ex vivo rabbit vaginal tissue with data further supported by molecular structural analysis and energy-dependant bioadhesivity modeling.

Composite Polylactic-Methacrylic Acid Copolymer Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Methotrexate

The purpose of this study was to develop poly(lactic acid)-methacrylic acid copolymeric nanoparticles with the potential to serve as nanocarrier systems for methotrexate (MTX) used in the chemotherapy of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Nanoparticles were prepared by a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique employing a 3-Factor Box-Behnken experimental design strategy. Analysis of particle size, absolute zeta potential, polydispersity (Pdl), morphology, drug-loading capacity (DLC), structural transitions through FTIR spectroscopy, and drug release kinetics was undertaken. Molecular modelling elucidated the mechanisms of the experimental findings. Nanoparticles with particle sizes ranging from 211.0 to 378.3 nm and a recovery range of 36.8–86.2 mg (Pdl ≤ 0.5) were synthesized. DLC values were initially low (12 ± 0.5%) but were finally optimized to 98 ± 0.3%. FTIR studies elucidated the comixing of MTX within the nanoparticles. An initial burst release (50% of MTX released in 24 hours) was obtained which was followed by a prolonged release phase of MTX over 84 hours. SEM images revealed near-spherical nanoparticles, while TEM micrographs revealed the presence of MTX within the nanoparticles. Stable nanoparticles were formed as corroborated by the chemometric modelling studies undertaken.

Fabrication, Modeling and Characterization of Multi-Crosslinked Methacrylate Copolymeric Nanoparticles for Oral Drug Delivery

Nanotechnology remains the field to explore in the quest to enhance therapeutic efficacies of existing drugs. Fabrication of a methacrylate copolymer-lipid nanoparticulate (MCN) system was explored in this study for oral drug delivery of levodopa. The nanoparticles were fabricated employing multicrosslinking technology and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, morphology, structural modification, drug entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release. Chemometric Computational (CC) modeling was conducted to deduce the mechanism of nanoparticle synthesis as well as to corroborate the experimental findings. The CC modeling deduced that the nanoparticles synthesis may have followed the mixed triangular formations or the mixed patterns. They were found to be hollow nanocapsules with a size ranging from 152 nm (methacrylate copolymer) to 321 nm (methacrylate copolymer blend) and a zeta potential range of 15.8–43.3 mV. The nanoparticles were directly compressible and it was found that the desired rate of drug release could be achieved by formulating the nanoparticles as a nanosuspension, and then directly compressing them into tablet matrices or incorporating the nanoparticles directly into polymer tablet matrices. However, sustained release of MCNs was achieved only when it was incorporated into a polymer matrix. The experimental results were well corroborated by the CC modeling. The developed technology may be potentially useful for the fabrication of multi-crosslinked polymer blend nanoparticles for oral drug delivery.

Flavonoids and Polymer Derivatives as CYP3A4 Inhibitors for Improved Oral Drug Bioavailability

Molecular modeling computations were utilized to generate pharmaceutical grade CYP3A4-enzyme inhibitors. In vitro metabolism of felodipine in human intestinal and liver microsomes (HLM and HIM) was optimized yielding a Michaelis-Menten plot from where the K(m) and V(max) values were estimated by nonlinear regression. The flavonoids, naringin, naringenin, and quercetin, were subsequently incubated with felodipine at the determined K(m) value in HLM. Comparing results obtained from a known CYP3A4 inhibitor, verapamil, the flavonoids inhibited felodipine metabolism. In-depth computational analysis of these flavonoids in terms of CYP3A4 binding, sequencing, and affinity, computational biomimetism was employed to validate the potential CYP3A4 inhibitors. The modeled compounds were comparatively evaluated by incubation with felodipine in both HLM and HIM. Results showed that the polymers 8-arm-PEG, o-(2-aminoethyl)-o-methyl-PEG, 4-arm-PEG (molecular weight = 10,000 g/mol and 20,000 g/mol, respectively), and poly(l-lysine) were able to inhibit the felodipine metabolism with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values ranging from 7.22 to 30.0 μM (HLM) and 5.78 to 41.03 μM (HIM). Molecular docking confirmed drug-enzyme interactions by computing the free energies of binding (ΔE) and inhibition constants (K(i)) of the docked compounds utilizing a Lamarckian Genetic Algorithm. Comparative correlations between the computed and experimental K(i) values were obtained. Computational modeling of CYP3A4 inhibitors provided a suitable strategy to screen pharmaceutical grade compounds that may potentially inhibit presystemic CYP3A4-dependent drug metabolism with the prospect of improving oral drug bioavailability.