Structure elucidation of sildenafil analogues in herbal products.

The structure of unknown compounds present in herbal products was elucidated using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, direct-infusion electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Compounds 1-3 were identified as sildenafil analogues, 1 bearing an N-ethylpiperazine moiety instead of an N-methylpiperazine, and an acetyl group instead of the sulfonyl group, named acetildenafil, 2 bearing an N-ethylpiperazine moiety instead of an N-methylpiperazine (homosildenafil), and 3 bearing an N-hydroxylethylpiperazine moiety instead of an N-methylpiperazine, named hydroxyhomosildenafil. When analysing products marketed for penile erectile dysfunction or marketed as aphrodisiacs, attention should be given to the possible presence of these components

Stabilised aluminium phosphate nanoparticles used as vaccine adjuvant

Aluminium phosphate is a commonly used adjuvant consisting of heterogeneously sized aggregates up to several micrometers. However, aluminium phosphate nanoparticles may exhibit an improved adjuvant effect. In this study, nanoparticles were made by sonication of commercially available aluminium phosphate adjuvant, resulting in particles with a size (Z-average diameter) between 200-300 nm and a point of zero charge of 4.5. To prevent reaggregation, which occurred within 14 days, a screening of excipients was performed to identify stabilisers effective under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 290 mOsm). The amino acids threonine, asparagine, and L-alanyl-L-1-aminoethylphosphonic acid (LAPA) stabilised sonicated aluminium phosphate. Particle sizes remained stable between 400-600 nm at 37 °C during 106 days. Contrarily, arginine induced strong reaggregation to a particle size larger than 1000 nm. The stability of aluminium phosphate nanoparticles was strongly affected by the pH. Aggregation mainly occurred below pH 7. The adsorption capacity, a potentially relevant parameter for adjuvants, was slightly reduced in the presence of asparagine, when using a model antigen (lysozyme). LAPA, arginine, threonine and aspartic acid reduced protein adsorption significantly. The adjuvant effect of aluminium phosphate nanoparticles was studied by immunisation of mice with diphtheria toxoid adjuvanted with the aluminium phosphate nanoparticles. The presence of LAPA, threonine, aspartic acid or asparagine did not alter diphtheria toxoid-specific antibody or toxin-neutralising antibody titres. Arginine increased diphtheria toxoid-specific antibody titres but not toxin-neutralising antibody titres. In conclusion, aluminium phosphate nanoparticles were stabilised by particular amino acids and induced an adjuvant effect comparable to that of aluminium phosphate microparticles.Drug Delivery Technolog

Degradomics-based analysis of tetanus toxoids as a quality control assay

-adsorbed tetanus toxoids. Overall, the assay shows potential for use in both stability studies and as an alternative for in vivo potency studies by showing batch-to-batch consistency of bulk toxoids as well as for aluminum-containing vaccines.Drug Delivery Technolog