Spectroscopic, thermal and X-ray structural study of the antiparasitic and antiviral drug nitazoxanide

Nitazoxanide [2-(acetyloxy)-N-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)benzamide, NTZ] is a potent antiparasitic and antiviral agent recently approved. The anti-protozoal activity of NTZ is believed to be due to interference with the pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR) enzyme dependent electron transfer reaction. As drug– enzyme interactions are governed by the three-dimensional stereochemistry of both participants, the crystal structure of NTZ was determined for the first time to identify the conformational preferences that may be related to biological activity. NTZ crystallizes as the carboxamide tautomer in the orthorhombic system, space group Pna21 with the following parameters at 100(2) K: a = 14.302(2) Å, b = 5.2800(8) Å, c = 33.183(5) Å, V = 2505.8(6) Å3 , Z = 8, Dx = 1.629 g cm3 , R = 0.0319, wR2 = 0.0799 for 5121 reflections. In addition, the spectroscopic and thermal properties were determined and related to the molecular structure. The 13C CPMAS NMR spectra showed resolved signals for each carbon of NTZ, some signals being broad due to residual dipolar interaction with quadrupolar 14N nuclei. In particular, the resonance at about 127 ppm showed multiplicity, indicating more than one molecule in the asymmetric unit and this is consistent with the crystallographic data. The DSC and TG data revealed that NTZ shows a single DSC melting peak with extrapolated onset at 201 C which is accompanied by a TG weight loss, indicating that NTZ melts with decomposition.Fil: Bruno, Flavia Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Caira, Mino R.. University of Cape Town; SudáfricaFil: Monti, Gustavo Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; ArgentinaFil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Sperandeo, Norma Rebeca. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentin

Key Aspects to Consider about Beneficial and Harmful Effects on the Central Nervous System by the Endocannabinoid Modulation Linked to New Cardiovascular Therapies

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is closely related to the central nervous system (CNS) and exerts a promising therapeutic potential on the cardiovascular system, mainly through its neuromodulatory, neuroprotective, and neuroinflammatory effects. For this reason, when designing new treatments for different cardiovascular pathologies, it is necessary to consider the side effects that such therapies can cause at the neurological level. ObjectiveTo deepens the knowledge of each cannabinoid (CB) and the molecular mechanisms that can lead to undesired results to analyze its possible use in cardiovascular therapy.MethodsThe present review analyzes the psychoactive consequences of anandamide and other similar substances such as other endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids, to assess their little-explored therapeutic potential in clinical investigations. Finally, the major behavioral tests most used until the moment to predict possible changes in the conduct of animals treated with various substances of cannabinoid nature are summarized. It has been observed that endocannabinoids have few adverse central nervous effects, unlike the phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids and antagonists of CB receptors. These molecules act on typical receptors due to a similar spatial configuration; however, their structure is not identical between them. For this reason, the competition and displacement of endogenous ligands of the ECS by exogenous cannabinoids provokes an alteration in the CNS normal functioning, leading to the associated side effects. An exhaustive analysis of each cannabinoid and the molecular mechanisms that can lead to undesired results is necessary at the time of proposing them as news cardiovascular therapeutic alternatives.Fil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Químicas; ArgentinaFil: Mocayar Maron, Feres Jose. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo.Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Químicas; ArgentinaFil: Ferder, Leon Fernando. Universidad de Miami; Estados UnidosFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Synthesis, physicochemical characterization and biological activity of anandamide/ε-polycaprolactone nanoparticles obtained by electrospraying

Drug encapsulation in nanocarriers such as polymeric nanoparticles (Nps) may help to overcome the limitations associated with cannabinoids. In this sense, our work aimed to highlight the use of electrospraying technique for the development of carrier Nps of anandamide (AEA), an endocannabinoid with attractive pharmacological effects but underestimated due to its unfavorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties added to its undesirable effects at the level of the central nervous system. We characterized physicochemically and evaluated in vitro biological activity of anandamide/ε-polycaprolactone nanoparticles (Nps-AEA/PCL) obtained by electrospraying in epithelial cells of human proximal tubule (HK2), to prove the utility of this method and to validate the biological effect of Nps-AEA/PCL. We obtained particles from 100 to 900 nm of diameter with a predominance of 200 a 400 nm. Their zeta potential was -20±1.86 mV. We demonstrated the stable encapsulation of AEA in Nps-AEA/PCL, as well as its dose-dependent capacity to induce the expression of iNOS and NO levels and to decrease the Na+/K+ ATPase activity in HK2 cells. Obtaining Nps-AEA/PCL by electrospraying would represent a promising methodology for a novel AEA pharmaceutical formulation development with optimal physicochemical properties, physical stability and biological activity on HK2 cells.Fil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Católica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Russo, Marcos Guillermo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Narda, Griselda Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Fuentes, Lucía B.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Mazzei, Luciana Jorgelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra Luques, Carlos Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Universidad Católica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Determinación de la Cinética de crecimiento de Rhizopus oryzae NCIM 1299 usando escobajo de uva en experimentos de membrana

En San Juan se obtienen alrededor de 30.000 toneladas/año de escobajo de uva (EU), un residuo sólido generado en el despalillado del proceso de vinificación, atrayendo roedores/insectos, emanando mal olor y peligro de incendio. Su destino es la dispersión sobre viñedos o la incineración. Una alternativa para revalorizarlo sería usarlo como sustrato en fermentaciones en donde los desechos se inoculan con microorganismos, obteniendo metabolitos de interés. El ácido láctico (AL) se usa en las industrias alimentaria, cosmética/farmacéutica y química, con una demanda mundial de 1.220 kiloton. (2016). El AL se obtiene por síntesis biotecnológica, usando materias primas sin valor, aplicando baja temperatura de proceso, consumiendo poca energía y obteniendo AL de alta pureza, siendo la fermentación bacteriana la más usada a escala industrial

Nanotecnología y enfermedad cardiovascular: Avances y aplicaciones

El amplio abanico de enfermedades cardiovasculares existentes, ha sido y es actualmente responsable de una importante cantidad de muertes y aparición de discapacidad en un enorme porcentaje de la población mundial. A pesar del gran número de alternativas farmacológicas que hoy en día se utilizan para el tratamiento de estas patologías cada vez más frecuentes, las mismas resultan insuficientes para detener o reducir significativamente la progresión de este tipo de enfermedades. Frente a esta situación, la exploración de nuevas tecnologías y estrategias que permitan la mejora o la superación de las desventajas y limitaciones que ofrecen las opciones terapéuticas convencionales para el tratamiento de enfermedades cardiovasculares, se ha convertido en uno de los principales intereses científico-tecnológicos de los últimos tiempos. Así, los avances y aplicaciones de la nanotecnología se han extendido en forma creciente logrando cubrir muchas de las demandas que presentan las terapias actuales para el tratamiento de patologías tales como hiperlipidemia, hipertensión, infarto agudo de miocardio, accidente cerebro vascular y trombosis, entre las más destacadas.Fil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Cs. de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación En Ciencias Químicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Cs. de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación En Ciencias Químicas; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Nanotechnology offers a promising therapeutic approach for hypertension treatment

Hypertension is a medical condition considered one of the most important public health problems in developed countries, affecting around one billion people. Therefore, the study of its mechanisms, development and treatment is a priority. Of particular interest are the multiple contributing factors, and efforts by experts to fully understand it are also important. However, studies are currently insufficient and consequently, attention is focused on the exploration of new therapeutic approaches. This raises a growing interest in nanotechnology given the ability of certain structures to mimic the behavior of extracellular matrices. This opens a promising field in the treatment of diseases such as hypertension, where it stands to tissue engineering and its potential applications incorporating concepts such as controlled release drug, reduced side effects and receptor activation locally.Fil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Católica de Cuyo Sede San Juan; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Cuyo Sede San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Nanomedicine applied to cardiovascular diseases: Latest developments

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of disability and they are currently responsible for a significant number of deaths in a large percentage of the world population. A large number of therapeutic options have been developed for the management of cardiovascular diseases. However, they are insufficient to stop or significantly reduce the progression of these diseases, and may produce unpleasant side effects. In this situation, the need arises to continue exploring new technologies and strategies in order to overcome the disadvantages and limitations of conventional therapeutic options. Thus, treatment of cardiovascular diseases has become one of the major focuses of scientific and technological development in recent times. More specifically, there have been important advances in the area of nanotechnology and the controlled release of drugs, destined to circumvent many limitations of conventional therapies for the treatment of diseases such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke and thrombosis.Fil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Cs. de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación En Ciencias Químicas; ArgentinaFil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Cs. de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación En Ciencias Químicas; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Pharmaceutical polymorphism of a 5´-O-oxalatoyl prodrug of zidovudine (azidothymidine)

The importance of polymorphism in pharmaceuticals makes its study relevant. The aim of this study was to investigate the solid-state forms in which 3´-azido-2´,3´-dideoxi-5´-O-oxalatoyl-thymidinic acid (AZT-Ac), a zidovudine (AZT) prodrug with improved pharmacokinetic properties, may exist. Samples were prepared using different crystallization conditions, and characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and hot stage microscopy. Pharmaceutical relevant properties such as solid-state stability and intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) at 37 °C in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) were also evaluated. AZT-Ac was found able to exist as a crystalline polymorph (AZT-Ac-C) and an amorphous phase (AZT-Ac-A), which were thoroughly characterized. At 40 °C/75% RH, AZT-Ac-A in part devitrified to AZT-Ac-C, and partially hydrolyzed to AZT after 7 and 14 days of storage, respectively. AZT-Ac-C was physically stable at 40 °C/75% RH but partly hydrolyzed to AZT after 14 days of storage. In SGF, AZT-Ac-C exhibited a linear ID profile and provided an ID rate of 0.494 mg/min/cm2 while AZT-Ac-A exhibited a nonlinear profile. Therefore, the crystalline form demonstrated advantages over the amorphous one in terms of solid state stability and IDR, but approaches to enhance its stability should be considered for further formulation of this prodrug.Fil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentina. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Cs. de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bruno, Flavia Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Laboratorio Fresenius Kabi; ArgentinaFil: Monti, Gustavo Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Física Enrique Gaviola; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física; ArgentinaFil: Sperandeo, Norma Rebeca. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentin

Preparation and characterization of polymorphs of the glucocorticoid deflazacort

The polymorphism of new and old active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is of great importance due to performance, stability and processability aspects. The objective of this study was to investigate the polymorphism of deflazacort (DEF), a glucocorticoid discovered >40 years ago, since this phenomenon has not been previously investigated for this API. Using different methods for solid form screening, it was determined for the first time that DEF is able to exist as three forms: a crystalline (DEF-1); a hydrated X-ray amorphous (DEF-t-bw) and an anhydrous amorphous phase (DEF-g) obtained from manually grinding DEF-1. The in vitro and in vivo dissolution rates (DRs) of DEF-1 and DEF-t-bw, which were measured using the rotating disk method in water at 37 °C and the pellet implantation technique in rats, respectively, indicated that DEF-t-bw exhibited slightly faster in vitro and in vivo DRs than those of the crystalline form, but the values were not significantly different. In addition, it was determined that DEF-t-bw devitrifies to DEF-1 by the effect of pressure, humidity and heat. It was concluded that DEF is glucorticoid with low tendency to exhibit different crystalline forms and that DEF-t-bw has no advantages over DEF-1 in terms of solubility, DRs and solid-state stability.Fil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aiassa, Virginia. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bruno, Flavia Paola. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cuadra, Gabriel R.. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sperandeo, Norma Rebeca. Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. Facultad de Ciencias Quimicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Nanotechnological strategies as smart ways for diagnosis and treatment of the atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis provokes a continuous worsening of affected vessels causing a blood flow diminution with several complications and with clinical manifestations that generally appear in advanced phases of the illness. Hence, the conventional therapies are not enough because the atherosclerotic injuries are often irrevocable. For this reason, emerges the necessity to implement smart ways of drug supply and develop new therapeutic targets that decrease the advance atherosclerotic lesion. It results due to particular interest to use new tools for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this cardiovascular disease, thus concentrating our attention to accomplish better management on the immune system. Finally, this mini-review highlights the most recent knowledge about nanotechnology as a robust, novel and promissory therapeutic option applied to atherosclerotic pathology, nevertheless, we also alert for possible issues associated with their use.Fil: Martín Giménez, Virna Margarita. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Químicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Camargo, Alejandra Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Kassuha, Diego Enrique. Universidad Catolica de Cuyo - Sede San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias de la Alimentación, Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Químicas; ArgentinaFil: Manucha, Walter Ariel Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin