Biomedical subjects

Thorsteinn Loftsson

Publications and source records attributed to Thorsteinn Loftsson.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Investigation and physicochemical characterization of vinpocetine-sulfobutyl ether beta-cyclodextrin binary and ternary complexes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactions between vinpocetine (VP), sulfobutyl ether beta-cyclodextrin (SBEbetaCD) and the water-soluble polymers polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). The water-soluble polymers were shown to improve the complexation efficiency of SBEbetaCD, and thus less SBEbetaCD was needed to prepare solid VP-SBEbetaCD complexes in the presence of the polymers. The interactions between VP and SBEbetaCD, with or without PVP or HPMC, were thoroughly investigated in aqueous solutions using the phase-solubility method as well as in the solid state. The amount of VP solubilized in water or aqueous polymer solution increased linearly with increasing SBEbetaCD concentration, demonstrating A(L)-type plots. We estimated the apparent stability constant (K(c)) at room temperature of VP-SBEbetaCD binary complex to be 340 M(-1) and this value increased to 490 M(-1) or 390 M(-1), respectively, with the addition of PVP and HPMC, assuming a 1 : 1 VP-SBEbetaCD molar ratio. Improvement in the K(c) values for ternary complexes clearly confirmed the benefit of the addition of water-soluble polymers to promote higher complexation efficiency. Solid VP-SBEbetaCD binary and ternary systems were prepared by physical mixing, kneading, coevaporation, and lyophilization methods and fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffractometry. The results obtained suggest that coevaporation and lyophilization methods yield a higher degree of amorphous entities and indicated formation of VP-SBEbetaCD binary and ternary complexes.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed2002

Studies of curcumin and curcuminoids. XXVII. Cyclodextrin complexation: solubility, chemical and photochemical stability.

Cyclodextrin complexes of the natural compound curcumin were prepared in order to improve the water solubility and the hydrolytic and photochemical stability of the compound. Complex formation resulted in an increase in water solubility at pH 5 by a factor of at least 10(4). The hydrolytic stability of curcumin under alkaline conditions was strongly improved by complex formation, while the photodecomposition rate was increased compared to a curcumin solution in organic solvents. The cavity size and the charge and bulkiness of the cyclodextrin side-chains influenced the stability constant for complexation and the degradation rate of the curcumin molecule.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2002

Buccal absorption of ergotamine tartrate using the bioadhesive tablet system in guinea-pigs.

The buccal administration of ergotamine tartrate (ET) combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel brought about higher plasma concentration of ET compared with that of oral administration of capsules in guinea-pigs. T(max) of ET in plasma of buccal administration was significantly smaller than that of oral administration. For the buccal dosage form of ET, the bioadhesive tablet system (BTS) was newly developed. It consisted of a reservoir of drug and an adhesive region. BTS showed better absorption of ET compared with PVA gel in guinea pigs. Among several pharmaceutical bases in the reservoir of BTS, Witepsol W-35 was most effective. It is likely that the high lipophilic property of Witepsol W-35 in which ET was dissolved facilitated the drug release by its relatively low melting point (around 35 degrees C), consequently a rapid absorption. In addition, the enhancing activity of the cod-liver oil extract (CLOE) in hydrophilic ointment on the in vivo buccal ET absorption was clarified to be comparable to that in the in vitro study utilizing the keratinized epithelial-free membrane (KEF-membrane) of the hamster cheek pouch.

Absorption↗

PubMed2002

Cyclodextrins and drug permeability through semi-permeable cellophane membranes.

Determinations of drug fluxes through semi-permeable cellophane membranes are used to evaluate cyclodextrin complexes and cyclodextrin containing drug formulations. In the present study we investigated how the cyclodextrin concentration, the membrane thickness and the molecular weight cut off (MWCO) of the membrane influence drug fluxes. The cyclodextrin used was 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPbetaCD) and the sample drug was hydrocortisone. The MWCO of the membranes ranged from 500 to 14,000 and the HPbetaCD concentration ranged from 0 to 25% (w/v). The hydrocortisone flux from saturated solutions through the MWCO 500 membrane was unaffected by the cyclodextrin concentration. When MWCO of the membrane was greater than the molecular weight of the complex the flux from solutions saturated with hydrocortisone increased with increasing HPbetaCD concentration. This increase showed negative deviation from linearity. When the flux was corrected for the viscosity increase with increasing HPbetaCD concentration then the flux pattern could be described on the basis of Fick's first law and Stokes-Einstein equation. However, the flux did not correlate with the viscosity when it was increased by adding polymer to the saturated drug solutions. It was shown that the observed flux pattern was consistent with self-association of cyclodextrin complexes in the aqueous donor phase.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2002

Self-association and cyclodextrin solubilization of drugs.

Phase-solubility diagrams are frequently used to calculate stoichiometry of drug/cyclodextrin complexes. Linear diagrams (A(L)-type systems) are thought to indicate that the complexes are first order with respect to cyclodextrin and first or higher order with respect to the drug. Positive deviation from linearity (A(P)-type systems) are thought to indicate formation of complexes that are first order with respect to the drug but second or higher order with respect to cyclodextrin. The phase solubility of several different compounds, i.e., cholesterol, ibuprofen, diflunisal, alprazolam, 17beta-estradiol and diethylstilbestrol, and various charged and uncharged cyclodextrins was investigated. Phase-solubility diagrams of cholesterol in aqueous cyclodextrin solutions were all of A(P) type. However, the phase-solubility diagrams obtained with charged cyclodextrins could not be fitted to complexes of second or higher order with respect to cyclodextrin. The phase-solubility diagrams of ibuprofen and diflunisal were of A(L) type with slope greater than unity indicating formation of 2:1 drug/cyclodextrin complexes. However, Job's plots and space filling docking studies indicated that 1:1 complexes were formed. These and other observations show that stoichiometry of drug/cyclodextrin complexes cannot be derived from simple phase-solubility studies. Furthermore, the results indicate that drug/cyclodextrin complexes can self-associate to form water-soluble aggregates, which then can further solubilize the drug through non-inclusion complexation.

Cyclodextrins↗

PubMed2002

Cyclodextrins in eye drop formulations: enhanced topical delivery of corticosteroids to the eye.

Cyclodextrins are cylindrical oligosaccharides with a lipophilic central cavity and hydrophilic outer surface. They can form water-soluble complexes with lipophilic drugs, which 'hide' in the cavity. Cyclodextrins can be used to form aqueous eye drop solutions with lipophilic drugs, such as steroids and some carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The cyclodextrins increase the water solubility of the drug, enhance drug absorption into the eye, improve aqueous stability and reduce local irritation. Cyclodextrins are useful excipients in eye drop formulations of various drugs, including steroids of any kind, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, pilocarpine, cyclosporins, etc. Their use in ophthalmology has already begun and is likely to expand the selection of drugs available as eye drops. In this paper we review the properties of cyclodextrins and their application in eye drop formulations, of which their use in the formulation of dexamethasone eye drops is an example. Cyclodextrins have been used to formulate eye drops containing corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, with levels of concentration and ocular absorption which, according to human and animal studies, are many times those seen with presently available formulations. Cyclodextrin-based dexamethasone eye drops are well tolerated in the eye and seem to provide a higher degree of bioavailability and clinical efficiency than the steroid eye drop formulations presently available. Such formulations offer the possibility of once per day application of corticosteroid eye drops after eye surgery, and more intensive topical steroid treatment in severe inflammation. While cyclodextrins have been known for more than a century, their use in ophthalmology is just starting. Cyclodextrins are useful excipients in eye drop formulations for a variety of lipophilic drugs. They will facilitate eye drop formulations for drugs that otherwise might not be available for topical use, while improving absorption and stability and decreasing local irritation.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2002

Cycloserine fatty acid derivatives as prodrugs: synthesis, degradation and in vitro skin permeability.

Various 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl fatty acid ester derivatives of cycloserine were synthesized to improve skin permeation of cycloserine. The ester derivatives were prepared by using the tert-butoxycarbonyl (t-Boc) protection strategy. The 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl esters were readily hydrolysed in an aqueous buffer solution, and the degradation profiles showed both specific acid and specific base catalysis. In 50% human serum the formation of cycloserine was observed, but enzymatic catalysis was limited. Delivery through hairless mouse skin was investigated, and the apparent permeability coefficient was measured based on the flux of cycloserine into the receptor phase. The skin permeation of cycloserine across the hairless mouse skin was increased up to 20-fold by the fatty acid esters. The 4,5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl fatty acid esters of cycloserine can therefore be considered as new topical prodrugs with the potential use in treatment of various skin infections.

Animals↗