Thiolated silicone oil: Synthesis, gelling and mucoadhesive properties

AbstractThe aim of this study was the development of novel thiolated silicone oils and their evaluation with regard to gelling and mucoadhesive properties. A thiol coupling of 220±14 and 127±33μmol/g polymer for 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)- and cysteine-coupled silicone oil was determined, respectively. The dynamic viscosity of MPA–silicone raised significantly (p<0.000001) after oxidation with iodine to a maximum of 523-fold within 1h. During tensile studies, MPA–silicone showed both the highest results for total work of adhesion (TWA) and maximum detachment force (MDF) with a 3.8- and 3.4-fold increase, respectively, compared to the control. As far as the residence time on small intestinal mucosa is concerned, both silicone conjugates were detectable in almost the same quantities for up to 8h with 56.9±3.3 and 47.8±8.9% of the initially applied conjugated silicone oil. Thiolated silicone oils can be regarded superior in comparison to commonly used silicone oils due to a prolonged retention time in the small intestine as site of action. Gelling and mucoadhesive features are advantageous for antiflatulent as well as mucoprotective biomaterials. Thus, these novel thiomers seem promising for an upgrade of currently available products for the treatment of dyspepsia, reflux oesophagitis and even inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

Synthesis of thiolated and acrylated nanoparticles using thiol-ene click chemistry: towards novel mucoadhesive materials for drug delivery

Thiol- and acrylate-functionalized nanoparticles have been synthesized from pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercapto-propionate) and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate using thiol-ene click chemistry. Using Raman and 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as Ellman's assay, it was demonstrated that excess pentaerythritol tetraacrylate in the feed mixture led to nanoparticles with free acrylate groups on their surface, whereas nanoparticles with thiolated surfaces could be synthesized using feed mixtures with excess pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercapto-propionate). The possibility of fluorescent labelling of thiolated nanoparticles has been demonstrated through their reaction with fluorescein-5-maleimide. The thiolated nanoparticles were found to be mucoadhesive and exhibited retention on mucosal surface of porcine urinary bladder

In vivo evaluation of an oral self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) for exenatide

Background The aim of the study was to develop an oral self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) for exenatide and to evaluate its in vivo efficacy. Methods Exenatide was lipidised via hydrophobic ion pairing with sodium docusate (DOC) and incorporated in SEDDS consisting of 35% Cremophor EL, 25% Labrafil 1944, 30% Capmul-PG 8 and 10% propylene glycol. Exenatide/DOC was characterized in terms of lipophilicity evaluating the octanol/water phase distribution (logP). Exenatide/DOC SEDDS were characterized via droplet size analysis, drug release characteristics (log DSEDDS/release medium determination) and mucus permeation studies. Furthermore, the impact of orally administered exenatide/DOC SEDDS on blood glucose level was investigated in vivo on healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats. Results Hydrophobic ion pairing in a molar ratio of 1:4 (exenatide:DOC) increased the effective logP of exenatide from −1.1 to 2.1. SEDDS with a payload of 1% exenatide/DOC had a mean droplet size of 45.87 ± 2.9 nm and a Log DSEDDS/release medium of 1.9 ± 0.05. Permeation experiments revealed 2.7-fold improved mucus diffusion for exenatide/DOC SEDDS compared to exenatide in solution. Orally administered exenatide/DOC SEDDS showed a relative bioavailability (versus s.c.) of 14.62% ± 3.07% and caused a significant (p < .05) 20.6% decrease in AUC values of blood glucose levels. Conclusion According to these results, hydrophobic ion pairing in combination with SEDDS represents a promising tool for oral peptide delivery

Methods to determine the interactions of micro- and nanoparticles with mucus

The present review provides an overview of methods and techniques for studying interactions of micro- and nanoparticulate drug delivery system with mucus. Nanocarriers trapped by mucus are featuring a change in particle size and zeta potential that can be utilized to predict their mucus permeation behavior. Furthermore, interactions between nanoparticulate drug delivery systems and mucus layer modify the viscoelasticity of mucus which can be detected via rheological studies and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) analysis. To have a closer look at molecular interactions between drug carrier and mucus small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is an appropriate analysis technique. Moreover, different methods to determine particle diffusion in mucus such as the newly established Transwell diffusion system, rotating silicone tube technique, multiple-particle tracking (MPT) and diffusion NMR are summarized within this review. The explanations and discussed pros and cons of collated methods and techniques should provide a good starting point for all those looking forward to move in this interesting field

Beyond humanization and de-immunization: tolerization as a method for reducing the immunogenicity of biologics

Immune responses to some monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and biologic proteins interfere with their efficacy due to the development of anti-drug antibodies (ADA). In the case of mAbs, most ADA target ‘foreign’ sequences present in the complementarity determining regions (CDRs). Humanization of the mAb sequence is one approach that has been used to render biologics less foreign to the human immune system. However, fully human mAbs can also drive immunogenicity. De-immunization (removing epitopes) has been used to reduce biologic protein immunogenicity. Here, we discuss a third approach to reducing the immunogenicity of biologics: introduction of Treg epitopes that stimulate Treg function and induce tolerance to the biologic protein. Supplementing humanization (replacing xenosequences with human) and de-immunization (reducing T effector epitopes) with tolerization (introducing Treg epitopes) where feasible, as a means of improving biologics ‘quality by design’, may lead to the development of ever more clinically effective, but less immunogenic, biologics

Mucus-Penetrating Nanosuspensions for Enhanced Delivery of Poorly Soluble Drugs to Mucosal Surfaces

Mucus-penetrating Nanosuspensions, consisting of pure hydrophobic therapeutics with dense muco-inert coatings that enable particles to effectively bypass the mucus barrier, demonstrate superior drug distribution and absorption at mucosal surfaces. With significantly increased drug load compared to polymeric systems and established clinical translation of nanosuspensions-based products, mucus-penetrating nanosuspensions are a promising vehicle for improving mucosal delivery of poorly soluble drugs