POLARIMETRY AND DYNAMIC LIGHT SCATTERING IN QUALITY CONTROL OF CARDIOTONIC AND HYPOTENSIVE TINCTURES

Objective: To substantiate the possibility of using polarimetry to control the quality of tinctures as an additional pharmacopoeial method. Methods: The polarimetric method (POL-1/2, Atago, Japan, the measurement accuracy of±0.002 °) was used to measure the optical activity (α °) of motherwort, valerian and hawthorn tinctures. The dynamic light scattering method (DLS; Zetasizer Nano ZS, Malvern, UK) was used to assess the stability of alcoholic and aqueous dilutions of tinctures according to the intensity of dynamic light scattering dependent on the size (d, nm) of the dispersed phase particles and the values of the electrokinetic potential (ξ, mV). Results: For the first time in this investigation, the polarimetry approach was proposed to evaluate the cardiotonic and hypotensive tinctures' quality and for their identification. Valerian tincture, dilution 1:40,-0.10°<α°<-0.89°; motherwort, tincture-dilution 1:10,-0.10°<α°<-2.21°; hawthorn, tincture without dilution,-0.76°<α°<-1.55°-these are the acceptable ranges of optical activity (α°) of their alcohol dilutions. Beyond these intervals, the use of the polarimetric approach is impossible. Values of optical activity below 0.1 correspond to too low a content of optically active components. Tinctures with optical activity above the upper value of the interval were unstable dispersed systems with low values of the electrokinetic potential (|ξ|≪25mV) and micron particle sizes. Reference tinctures were made from raw materials (Leonurus cardiaca L.) to verify the results. The quality parameters: optical activity (α°), spectra of dynamic light scattering by intensity, volume, and number ("I-d"; "V-d"; "N-d"), electrokinetic potential (ξ) values, and photon pulse count per second (Count Rate, kcps) corresponded to the results obtained for pharmaceutical dosage forms. Conclusion: The permissible intervals of optical activity (α°) of their ethanol dilutions, as well as their relationships with the particle size of the dispersed phase and the values of the electrokinetic potential, were established for the first time to evaluate the quality of tinctures. The obtained results show that polarimetry can be recommended as an additional pharmacopoeial quality control method for tinctures

DEUTERIUM AS A TOOL FOR CHANGING THE PROPERTIES OF PHARMACEUTICAL SUBSTANCES (REVIEW)

The review is devoted to the influence of the hydrogen isotope–deuterium on biological models of organisms and the biological activity of pharmaceutical substances. The positions of the influence of deuterium on the properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients are examined from different perspectives. The first position reflects an increase in the kinetic isotope effect (KIE) in processes involving known pharmaceutical substances in aqueous solutions with a deuterium/protium ratio (D/H) below natural. For the first time, the dose-response diagram shows the identity of deuterium with essential trace elements, when a deficiency and excess of an element reduces the organism's vitality. Improved kinetic characteristics are demonstrated for the molecular and organism levels of different hierarchical gradations. In particular, they consist in the possibility of increasing the dissolution rate of substances by influencing the carbohydrate mutarotation processes and the optical activity of chiral substances, increased accumulation of essential elements in medicinal plants and other processes associated with a possible change in metabolic pathways in the cell and the organism as a whole. The second considered position of the influence of deuterium is associated with the use of deuterated substances–new compounds or obtained by substitution of protium in known protium analogues. The KIE is presented, which is expressed in a decrease in the biotransformation rate as a result of deuteration, it allows predicting a rapid development of the new direction in the development of drugs. Having an identical therapeutic effect, deuterated analogs provide improved pharmacokinetic characteristics, such as reduced toxicity, blocked epimerization of optically active substances, and a change in the mechanisms of biotransformation. The obtained results make it possible to predict the mechanisms of the effect of deuterium on the biochemical transformations of pharmaceutical substances in the organism

APPLICATION OF MATHEMATICAL MODELING AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL ANALYSIS METHODS IN THE PREDICTION OF BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY AND QUALITY CONTROL OF GOSSYPOL DERIVATIVES

Objective: The purpose of this work was to evaluate in silico biological activity profiles of real and virtual molecular structures of gossypol derivatives and to develop methods of Physico-chemical analysis to control their quality. Methods: Substance of gossypol-acetic acid (GAA) and 14 virtual derivatives; PASS and ChemicDescript QSAR methods; low angle and dynamic laser light scattering (LALLS, DLS) methods; IR Spectroscopy–Cary 630 Fourier Transform IR Spectrometer, UV spectrometry–Cary-60 spectrophotometer, Optical microscopy (Altami BIO 2 microscope); Spirotox method for a sample’s biological activity. Results: A distance-based topological Balaban index (J) was successfully selected by ChemicDescript analysis; the Pa meaning by PASS Online program showed maximum (from 0.8 to 0.9) variations of antitumor and antiandrogenic and minimum of antiviral activities of GAA derivatives (Pa<0.5) despite the existing literature data. Microscopy and DLS methods demonstrated the values of high powder dispersion d=0.8 nm and weak stability of colloidal particles =-0.9 mV. According to UV data =42.4±0.8 (100 ml·g-1·cm-1) at λmax=380 nm. The LALLS method determined the GAA dissolution rate constant in ethanol: k=0.041±0.004 s-1. The calculated activation energy values of cell biosensor death process in 1 mmol solution of GAA in N,N-DMF: °bsEa=174.36±0.45 kJ·mol-1 in comparison with the solvent medium: °bsEa=213±1.55 kJ·mol-1 Conclusion: The developed approach of chemometric, laser and biotesting methods can be used for the identification of biologically active properties, as well as for qualitative analysis within the development of the standard for the pharmaceutical substance of natural polyphenols

Chelation of Zinc with Biogenic Amino Acids: Description of Properties Using Balaban Index, Assessment of Biological Activity on Spirostomum Ambiguum Cellular Biosensor, Influence on Biofilms and Direct Antibacterial Action

The complexation of biogenic molecules with metals is the widespread strategy in screening for new pharmaceuticals with improved therapeutic and physicochemical properties. This paper demonstrates the possibility of using simple QSAR modeling based on topological descriptors for chelates study. The presence of a relationship between the structure (J) and lipophilic properties (logP) of zinc complexes with amino acids, where two molecules coordinate the central atom through carboxyl oxygen and amino group nitrogen, and thus form a double ring structure, was predicted. Using a cellular biosensor model for Gly, Ala, Met, Val, Phe and their complexes Zn(AA)2, we experimentally confirmed the existence of a direct relationship between logP and biological activity (Ea). The results obtained using topological analysis, Spirotox method and microbiological testing allowed us to assume and prove that the chelate complex of zinc with methionine has the highest activity of inhibiting bacterial biofilms, while in aqueous solutions it does not reveal direct antibacterial effect

Development, production and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (Coronaviridae: <i>Orthocoronavirinae: Betacoronavirus: Sarbecovirus</i>)

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has created serious health problems worldwide. The most effective way to prevent the occurrence of new epidemic outbreaks is vaccination. One of the modern and effective approaches to vaccine development is the use of virus-like particles (VLPs). The aim of the study is to develop a technology for production of VLP based on recombinant SARS-CoV-2 proteins (E, M, N and S) in insect cells. Materials and methods. Synthetic genes encoding coronavirus proteins E, M, N and S were used. VLP with various surface proteins of strains similar to the Wuhan virus, Delta, Alpha and Omicron were developed and cloned into the pFastBac plasmid. The proteins were synthesized in the baculovirus expression system and assembled into VLP in the portable Trichoplusia ni cell. The presence of insertion in the baculovirus genome was determined by PCR. ELISA and immunoblotting were used to study the antigenic activity of VLP. VLP purification was performed by ultracentrifugation using 20% sucrose. Morphology was assessed using electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Results. VLPs consisting of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 proteins (S, M, E and N) were obtained and characterized. The specific binding of antigenic determinants in synthesized VLPs with antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 proteins has been demonstrated. The immunogenic properties of VLPs have been studied. Conclusion. The production and purification of recombinant VLPs consisting of full-length SARS-CoV-2 proteins with a universal set of surface antigens have been developed and optimized. Self-assembling particles that mimic the coronavirus virion induce a specific immune response against SARS-CoV-2

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AQUEOUS COLLOIDAL INFUSIONS OF MEDICINAL PLANTS CONTAINING HUMIC ACIDS

Objective: Study of physical and chemical activity of biologically active substances containing humic complexes (HCs). Comparison of various preparations available on the market. Development of a modern express method of quality control. Methods: Preparations containing HCs manufactured by Biotechnology System, BIODORON, Faberlic, etc. Built-in flux density sensor TES-92 (TES Electrical Electronic Corp., Taipei, Taiwan), which was used to determine the flux density of radio thermal emission in the gigahertz range. Zetasizer Nano ZSP (Malvern Panalytical, Worcestershire, UK) was used to determine the size of nanoparticles in preparations containing the HCs and MP with humic acids (HAs). Results: In the course of experiments for studying the intrinsic radio thermal emission of HAs preparations, differences were found between HAs from different manufacturers, for example, HAs produced by Biotechnology System with a flux density of 35 ± 5 µW/m2 at 37°C differs several times from similar preparations produced by other companies. When diluting HAs from Biotechnology System 10, 100 and 1000 times, the emissivity of the preparations is preserved. Also, with the expiration of the 2-year shelf life of the preparation, as stated by the manufacturer, a sharp drop in emissivity of 20 times is observed. Conclusion: The radio thermal activity of HAs preparations revealed during the experiments allows developing a method that can be utilized to control the quality of manufactured products, as well as control the expiration dates of preparations without opening the primary package

Heavy Metals In Marine Aerosols Of The Azov Sea

The content of heavy metals and Al in the aerosol matter over the Sea of Azov has been studied. According to the special test the vast majority of samples were attributed to the type of marine aerosol. The ranges of contents were determined as following: Fe (200 – 2000 ng/m3), Al (20 – 200 ng/m3), Zn (10 – 280 ng/m3), Cu (2 – 23 ng/m3), Ni (1 – 16 ng/m3), Pb (3 -30 ng/m3), Cd (0.4 –2.8 ng/m3); Mn (3 – 23 ng/m3), Cr (1 – 15 ng/m3). The spatial distribution of HMs in the marine aerosol of the Sea of Azov depends on the influence of the river-sea geochemical barrier zone in the Taganrog Bay and the anthropogenic impact of the coastal industrial cities. HM concentrations decrease from the northern coast of the bay and the mouth of the Don River towards the open sea. The maximum HM content in marine aerosol observed in the mouth area of the Don River. It may be associated with the HM accumulation at the river-sea geochemical barrier, and also with the anthropogenic impact of the cities of Rostov-on-Don, Azov and Taganrog. Anthropogenic impact of the city of Mariupol cause the maximum values of Fe, Cr, and Cd in marine aerosol matter of the western part of the Taganrog Bay

THE NEW APPROACHES TO IDENTIFICATION OF TINCTURES AND MEDICINAL PLANTS

Objective: The objective of this study is to develop methods for identifying herbal medicines and tinctures by processing spectral results across a wide range of wavelengths using principal component analysis (PCA). Methods: Medicinal plants and tinctures of valerian, motherwort, and hawthorn have been analyzed using UV spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, ATR FTIR spectrometry, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. PCA was used to process the results of spectral analysis. Statistical processing of spectral results was carried out using the OriginPro program (OriginLab Corporation, USA, 2021). Results: For herbal medicines with sedative, hypotensive, and cardiotonic effects, spectral data libraries have been created in the following dimensions: UV spectrophotometry with 1800 absorption units (Ai), spectrofluorimetry with 4010 fluorescence intensity units (Ii), IR spectroscopy with a light transmittance of 50250 units (Ti), and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with an intensity of 1568 (Ii). These libraries were used as the primary matrices for PCA. Visualization of the PCA results was done using a scores plot and a loadings plot, which illustrate the contribution of each principal component (PC) to the PCA model. After performing chemometric processing on the original spectral results, it was discovered that samples belonging to the same botanical genus occupy distinct and compact regions in two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. Unknown plant samples (blind samples) and samples of other botanical species were successfully tested using new method. Conclusion: For the first time, tinctures and medicinal plants were identified based on their botanical genus using spectral techniques coupled with principal component analysis, eliminating the need for a chemical reference substance

Second-Order Scattering Quenching in Fluorescence Spectra of Natural Humates as a Tracer of Formation Stable Supramolecular System for the Delivery of Poorly Soluble Antiviral Drugs on the Example of Mangiferin and Favipiravir

In the present work, the methods of dynamic light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy were applied to study the optical properties of aqueous dilutions of the humic substances complex (HC) as a potential drug delivery system. The supramolecular structures in the humate solution were characterized as monodisperse systems of the submicron range with a tendency to decrease in particle size with a decrease in the dry matter concentration. The slightly alkaline medium (8.3) of the studied aqueous dilutions of HC causes the absence of a pronounced fluorescence maximum in the region from 400 to 500 nm. However, the presence of an analytically significant, inversely proportional to the concentration second-order scattering (SOS) signal at 2λex = λem was shown. In the examples of the antiviral substances mangiferin and favipiravir, it was shown that the use of the humic complex as a drug carrier makes it possible to increase the solubility by several times and simultaneously obtain a system with a smaller particle size of the dispersed phase. It has been shown that HC can interact with mangiferin and favipiravir to form stable structures, which lead to a significant decrease in SOS intensities on HC SOS spectra. The scattering wavelengths, λex/λem, were registered at 350 nm/750 nm for mangiferin and 365 nm/730 nm for favipiravir, respectively. The increments of the scattering intensities (I0/I) turned out to be proportional to the concentration of antiviral components in a certain range of concentrations

The COMPARISON OF BIOPHARMACEUTICAL PARAMETERS OF CANNABINOIDS AND NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS BY QSAR METHOD

Objective: To prove the benefits of biopharmaceutical parameters of cannabinoids over NSAIDs using quantitative structure and activity relationships (QSAR). Methods: The topological indices of Wiener (W) and Balaban (J) were calculated using the previously developed original program ChemicDescript (certificate no. 2003612305). Results: It was shown that the calculated topological indices were in one-to-one correspondence with such biopharmaceutical parameters as the constants of equilibrium binding to cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, toxicity, and lipophilicity. For example, it was shown that when the Wiener index changes from 480 to 530 LogK increases from 1.0 to 3.5. The LD50-W/J and logP-W/J diagrams demonstrate that cannabinoids are less toxic and more lipophilic than NSAIDs. Cannabidiol and cannabinol, having close values of their topological indices and insignificant psychoactivity, have the highest LD50 values, i.e. they are the least toxic. Moreover, for synthetic cannabinoids – nabilone and THJ-2201 – the Wiener index is approximately 2 times higher than for plant analogues. Conclusion: In connection with the successful promotion of cannabinoid analgesics in the global pharmaceutical market, the results obtained are important for demonstrating their advantages over NSAIDs in terms of toxicity and lipophilicity. The results demonstrate the possibility of predicting the cannabinoid receptor binding energy of synthetic and newly identified plant cannabinoids, as well as assessing their toxicity and lipophilicity