Synthesis, in vitro safety and antioxidant activity of new pyrrole hydrazones

Six new N-pyrrolylhydrazide hydrazones were synthesized under micro synthesis conditions, assuring about 59–93 % yield, low harmful emissions and reagent economy. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by melting points, TLC characteristics, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectral data followed by MS data. The purity of the obtained compounds was proven by the corresponding elemental analyses. “Lipinski’s rule of five” parameters were applied for preliminary evaluation of the pharmacokinetic properties of the target molecules. The initial in vitro safety screening for cytotoxicity (on HepG2 cells) and hemocompatibility (hemolysis assay) showed good safety of the new compounds, where ethyl 5-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(1-(2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)hydrazineyl)-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)-2-methyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylate (4d) and ethyl 5-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(1-(2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazineyl)-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)-2-methyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylate (4a) were the least toxic. The antioxidant activity in terms of radical scavenging activity (DPPH test) and reducing ability (ABTS) was also evaluated. The antioxidant protective potential of the compounds was next determined in different in vitro cellular-based models, revealing compounds 4d and 3 [ethyl 5-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(1-hydrazineyl-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)-2-methyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylate] as the most promising compounds, with 4d having better safety profile

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Sdox, a Promising H2S-Releasing Doxorubicin for the Treatment of Chemoresistant Tumors

Sdox is a hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-releasing doxorubicin effective in P-glycoprotein-overexpressing/doxorubicin-resistant tumor models and not cytotoxic, as the parental drug, in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was the assessment of Sdox drug-like features and its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)/toxicity properties, by a multi- and transdisciplinary in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approach. Doxorubicin was used as the reference compound. The in silico profiling suggested that Sdox possesses higher lipophilicity and lower solubility compared to doxorubicin, and the off-targets prediction revealed relevant differences between Dox and Sdox towards several cancer targets, suggesting different toxicological profiles. In vitro data showed that Sdox is a substrate with lower affinity for P-glycoprotein, less hepatotoxic, and causes less oxidative damage than doxorubicin. Both anthracyclines inhibited CYP3A4, but not hERG currents. Unlike doxorubicin, the percentage of zebrafish live embryos at 72 hpf was not affected by Sdox treatment. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that Sdox displays a more favorable drug-like ADME/toxicity profile than doxorubicin, different selectivity towards cancer targets, along with a greater preclinical efficacy in resistant tumors. Therefore, Sdox represents a prototype of innovative anthracyclines, worthy of further investigations in clinical settings

Simultaneous quantification of the major flavonoids from wild spinach by UHPLC-HRMS and their neuroprotective effects in a model of H2O2-induced oxidative stress on SH-SY5Y cells

A modified UHPLC-HRMS method for simultaneous quantification of eight flavonoids from the aerial parts of the wild spinach (Chenopodium bonus-henricus L.) was re-validated for specificity, the limit of detection and quantitation limit, linearity, accuracy, and precision. The glycosides of spinacetin (Chbhnf-04, Chbhnf-06, and Chbhnf-08) and patuletin (Chbhnf-01) were the predominant compounds. The total amount of assayed flavonoids from the aerial parts of a title plant was estimated to be 1.82% and 1.4% in two different populations from Vitosha Mountain (Bulgaria). The neuroprotective properties of compounds Chbhnf-02, Chbhnf-04, Chbhnf-06, Chbhnf-07, Chbhnf-08 were further assessed using a model of H2O2-induced oxidative stress on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. All tested flavonoids demonstrated statistically significant neuroprotective activity close to that of silibinin. Patuletin (Chbhnf-07) and spinacetin (Chbhnf-08) triglycosides showed the most protective effects at the lowest concentration of 50 µM

In vitro protective effects of encapsulated quercetin in neuronal models of oxidative stress injury

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of free and encapsulated quercetin against oxidative stress injury in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells and isolated rat brain synaptosomes. Quercetin (QR) was encapsulated in nanoparticles consisting of sodium alginate and chitosan and the ratio between both biopolymers was 10:1 or 1:10, respectively. The nanoparticles formulated with higher amount of sodium alginate were negatively charged, whereas those with higher chitosan amount were positively charged. The protective effects of free and encapsulated quercetin were studied in two in vitro models: H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced neurotoxicity in isolated rat brain synaptosomes. Comparing to free quercetin, quercetin encapsulated in the nanoparticles formulated with higher chitosan concentration exerted more pronounced neuroprotective activity in a model of H2O2-induced (1 mmol/L H2O2, 15 min) oxidative stress in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. A similar trend was observed in a model of 6-OHDA induced neurotoxicity in rat brain synaptosomes. In conclusion, encapsulation of quercetin in nanoparticles based predominantly on chitosan improved its neuroprotective activity in vitro

Study on the Neuroprotective, Radical-Scavenging and MAO-B Inhibiting Properties of New Benzimidazole Arylhydrazones as Potential Multi-Target Drugs for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Oxidative stress is a key contributing factor in the complex degenerating cascade in Parkinson’s disease. The inhibition of MAO-B affords higher dopamine bioavailability and stops ROS formation. The incorporation of hydroxy and methoxy groups in the arylhydrazone moiety of a new series of 1,3-disubstituted benzimidazole-2-thiones could increase the neuroprotective activity. In vitro safety evaluation on SH-SY5Y cells and rat brain synaptosomes showed a strong safety profile. Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects were evaluated in H2O2-induced oxidative stress on SH-SY5Y cells and in a model of 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in rat brain synaptosomes, where the dihydroxy compounds 3h and 3i demonstrated the most robust neuroprotective and antioxidant activity, more pronounced than the reference melatonin and rasagiline. Statistically significant MAO-B inhibitory effects were exerted by some of the compounds where again the catecholic compound 3h was the most potent inhibitor similar to selegiline and rasagiline. The most potent antioxidant effect in the ferrous iron induced lipid peroxidation assay was observed for the three catechols—3h and 3j, 3q. The catecholic compound 3h showed scavenging capability against superoxide radicals and antioxidant effect in the iron/deoxyribose system. The study outlines a perspective multifunctional compound with the best safety profile, neuroprotective, antioxidant and MAO-B inhibiting properties

In vitro evaluation of antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of curcumin loaded in Pluronic micelles

Curcumin is a polyphenolic substance with attractive pharmacological activities (e.g. antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer). Incorporation of curcumin in polymeric micelles could overcome the problems associated with its instability and low aqueous solubility. The aim of this study was to load curcumin in polymeric micelles based on Pluronic® P 123 or Pluronic® F 127 triblock copolymers and evaluate the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects after micellization. The micelles were prepared and loaded with curcumin by applying the dissolution method. Higher encapsulation efficiency was observed in the micelles formulated with Pluronic® P 123. These micelles were characterized with small size and narrow size distribution. The effects of micellar curcumin were investigated in two in vitro models. First, the capacity of micellar curcumin to inhibit iron/ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes was evaluated. Micellar curcumin and free drug showed similar inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Second, micellar curcumin and free curcumin showed protective potential in a model of 6-hydroxydopamine induced neurotoxicity in rat brain synaptosomes. The results from both methods indicated preservation of antioxidant and neuroprotective activity of curcumin in micelles. The small micellar size, high loading capacity and preservation of antioxidant activity of curcumin into Pluronic micelles, suggested their further evaluation as a curcumin delivery system

In vitro toxicity evaluation of lomefloxacin-loaded MCM-41 mesoporous silica nanoparticles

Lomefloxacin (LF) is interesting as a model molecule from a safety point of view because of its high potential for serious adverse drug effects (i.e. phototoxic reactions). In this study, MCM-41 mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MCM-41) were loaded with lomefloxacin, aiming to overcome the drug's intrinsic cytotoxicity. The good biocompatibility of the empty drug carrier (0.1-1.0 mg/ml) was established by the absence of red blood cell lysis (hemolysis assay). The cytotoxicity of empty MCM-41 and lomefloxacin-loaded MCM-41 (LF-MCM-41) was evaluated by using a battery of in vitro cytotoxicity assays: Alamar blue, lactate dehydrogenase release and reactive oxygen species formation by dichlorofluorescein assay. Three cell cultures models: hepatoma HepG2, fibroblasts L929 and endothelial EA.hy926 cells were used to compare the cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species formation by free drug, empty MCM-41, and LF-MCM-41. The findings from the study indicated that empty MCM-41 (0.1-1.0 mg/ml) showed a low cytotoxic potential in HepG2, followed by L929 and EA.hy926 cells. Lomefloxacin loading in MCM-41 mesoporous silica nanocarrier reduced the cytotoxicity of the free lomefloxacin, especially in the high concentration (1.0 mg/ml MCM-41, containing 120 µg/ml LF). L929 and EA.hy926 cells were more sensitive to the protective effects of LF-MCM-41, compared to HepG2 cells. The results indicate that an improvement in lomefloxacin safety might be expected after incorporation in an appropriate drug delivery system

Development of MCM-41 mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a platform for pramipexole delivery

Herein, we present development of new pH-responsive drug delivery systems for D3-dopamine receptor agonist pramipexole, based on its encapsulation in MCM-41 mesoporous silica particles. Pramipexole loaded particles were further coated with chitosan and/or sodium alginate in order to modify drug release. The prepared pramipexole loaded nanoparticles were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), N 2 -physisorption, dynamic light scattering (DLS), TEM and attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra. The post-coating of pramipexole loaded MCM-41 with chitosan/sodium alginate polymers changed dramatically physicochemical properties of the particles. The release profile showed that combination of both polymers led to significant reduction by approximately 50% in the initial burst-release effect at both tested pH values (1.2 and 6.8). Uncoated MCM-41 released the total amount of pramipexole within the first 15 min, whereas double-coated particles reached full release after 300 min. Interestingly, we found that pramipexole loaded MCM-41 particles showed a higher potential in preventing H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, compared to the free drug. In conclusion, pramipexole loading in chitosan/sodium alginate coated MCM-41 might represent a promising drug delivery strategy for modified release and neuronal protection against oxidative damage, observed in Parkinson's disease

Evaluation of antioxidant activity of caffeic acid phenethyl ester loaded block copolymer micelles

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a hydrophobic constituent of poplar propolis of valuable biological activity, was immobilized in poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-b-PCL-b-PEO) copolymer micelles to improve its solubility in water. CAPE was loaded in the micelles by dialysis, achieving ca. 50% encapsulation efficiency. The drug loaded micelles were characterized with a mean diameter of 39 nm, narrow size distribution and slightly positive zeta-potential (approximately 2 mV). The in vitro release profile showed an improved dissolution behavior of micellar CAPE than pure CAPE. In vitro studies on human hepatoma HepG2 and neuronal SH-SY5Y cells demonstrated that the empty PEO-b-PCL-b-PEO micelles were not cytotoxic, whereas the drug loaded micelles exerted cytotoxic effects proportional to CAPE content. The protective activity of pure and micellar CAPE was investigated in a model of H2O2 induced oxidative damage in HepG2 and SH-SY5Y cells. In both cell types, micellar CAPE exhibited better protective activity against the oxidative damage than pure CAPE at very low concentrations (0.1 µg/mL), which is far from the cytotoxic concentration of CAPE-loaded micelles (71 µg/mL). Consequently, the developed micellar formulation has an improved activity against oxidative damage in hepatic and neuronal cells as comparing to pure CAPE