Liposomal retention of a modified anti-inflammatory steroid.

In studies with synthetic lecithins, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine was found to be the preferred form for liposomal retention of cortisol esters at 37 degrees C. Cortisol palmitate was retained longer than cortisol octanoate, whereas unesterified cortisol escaped readily from liposomes. Such a liposome composition may allow the controlled release of modified anti-inflammatory agents, particularly when used for intra-articular administration.     

VBP15: Preclinical characterization of a novel anti-inflammatory delta 9,11 steroid

Δ9,11 modifications of glucocorticoids (21-aminosteroids) have been developed as drugs for protection against cell damage (lipid peroxidation; lazaroids) and inhibition of neovascularization (anecortave). Part of the rationale for developing these compounds has been the loss of glucocorticoid receptor binding due to the Δ9,11 modification, thus avoiding many immunosuppressive activities and deleterious side effect profiles associated with binding to glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. We recently demonstrated that anecortave acetate and its 21-hydroxy analog (VBP1) do, in fact, show glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor binding activities, with potent translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor to the cell nucleus. We concluded that Δ9,11 steroids showed novel anti-inflammatory properties, retaining NF-κB inhibition, but losing deleterious glucocorticoid side effect profiles. Evidence for this was developed in pre-clinical trials of chronic muscle inflammation. Here, we describe a drug development program aimed at optimizing the Δ9,11 chemistry. Twenty Δ9,11 derivatives were tested in in vitro screens for NF-κB inhibition and GR translocation to the nucleus, and low cell toxicity. VBP15 was selected as the lead compound due to potent NF-κB inhibition and GR translocation similar to prednisone and dexamethasone, lack of transactivation properties, and good bioavailability. Phamacokinetics were similar to traditional glucocorticoid drugs with terminal half-life of 0.35 h (mice), 0.58 h (rats), 5.42 h (dogs), and bioavailability of 74.5% (mice), and 53.2% (dogs). Metabolic stability showed ?80% remaining at 1 h of VBP6 and VBP15 in human, dog, and monkey liver microsomes. Solubility, permeability and plasma protein binding were within acceptable limits. VBP15 moderately induced CYP3A4 across the three human hepatocyte donors (24–42%), similar to other steroids. VBP15 is currently under development for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.     

A new phenanthrene with a spirolactone from Dendrobium chrysanthum and its anti-inflammatory activities

Investigation of phenolic patterns from the stems of Dendrobium chrysanthum by HPLC-PDA-MS has led to the isolation of a new phenanthrene derivative with a spirolactone ring, dendrochrysanene (1), that proved to suppress the mRNA level of TNF-alpha, IL8, IL10, and iNOS in murine peritoneal macrophages. The structure of 1 was characterized on the basis of various NMR (1H, 13C, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC), mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystal diffraction data.     

Two new metabolites from Portulaca oleracea and their anti-inflammatory activities

Two new metabolites, identified as 6-phenylbenzofuran-4-ol, named olerabenzofuran (1), and 2-(furan-2-yl)− 6-hydroxy-1 H-inden-1-one, named oleraindenone (2), together with eight furan compounds obtained for the first time, (+)-pinoresinol (3), (-)-syringaresinol (4), (+)-diasyringaresinol (5), (+)-episyringaresinol (6), (2 S)− 1-[2-(furan-2-yl)− 2-oxoethyl]− 5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid (7), methyl (2 S)− 1[2-(furan-2-yl)− 2-oxoethyl]− 5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxylate (8), drynaran (9), and 2-furoic acid (10), were isolated from Portulaca oleracea L., and spectroscopic methods, including 1D and ²D NMR and UHPLC-ESI-QTOF/MS spectrometry techniques, were employed to determine their structures. It was suggested that both olerabenzofuran (1) and oleraindenone (2) could significantly inhibit inflammatory factor interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS.     

Two new flavanone glycosides from Scutellaria galericulata with anti-inflammatory activities

Two new flavanone glycosides, named scugalerosides A and B (1-2), were isolated from the whole plant of Scutellaria galericulata. Their chemical structures including absolute configurations were established on the basis of detailed physical data analyses. In vitro, two new compounds showed anti-inflammatory activities, with the inhibition rates of release of β-glucuronidase from polymorphonuclear leukocytes of rats being 43.7% and 45.1% at concentrations of 10 μM.     

N-Amino acid linoleoyl conjugates: anti-inflammatory activities

Several N-linked amino acid-linoleic acid conjugates were studied for their potential as anti inflammatory agents. The parent molecule, N-linoleoylglycine was tested in an in vivo model, the mouse peritonitis assay where it showed activity in reducing leukocyte migration at doses as low as 0.3mg/kg when administered by mouth in safflower oil. Harvested peritoneal cells produced elevated levels of the inflammation-resolving eicosanoid 15-deoxy-Δ(13,14)-PGJ(2). These results are similar to those obtained in earlier studies with N-arachidonoylglycine. An in vitro model using mouse macrophage RAW cells was used to evaluate a small group of structural analogs for their ability to stimulate 15-deoxy-Δ(13,14)-PGJ(2) production. The d-alanine derivative was the most active while the d-phenylalanine showed almost no response. A high degree of stereo specificity was observed comparing the d and l alanine isomers; the latter being the less active. It was concluded that linoleic acid conjugates could provide suitable templates in a drug discovery program leading to novel agents for promoting the resolution of chronic inflammation.     

Anti-herpetic and anti-inflammatory activities of two new synthetic 22,23-dihydroxylated stigmastane derivatives

Stromal keratitis resulting from ocular infection with Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a common cause of blindness. This report investigates the antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties of two new synthetic stigmastane analogs in the experimental model of HSV-1-induced ocular disease in mice. (22S,23S)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one (1) and (22S,23S)-22,23-dihydroxystigmasta-1,4-dien-3-one (2) exhibited anti-HSV-1 activity in vitro and ameliorated the signs of murine herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK), although none of the compounds showed antiviral activity in vivo. We discuss that the improvement of HSK could be due to an immunomodulatory effect of both compounds.     

Methyl vinyl sulphone: a new class of Michael-type genotoxin

Methyl vinyl sulphone (MVS) is a labile, Michael-reactive chemical, similar in structure to acrylamide (AA). Given that acrylamide is a reference mammalian mutagen and a rodent carcinogen, studies were undertaken to evaluate the potential genotoxicity of MVS. In common with AA, MVS was non-mutagenic to Salmonella but active as an aneugen to cultured mammalian cells. It is concluded that vinyl sulphones should be regarded as representative of a new class of genotoxic chemical whose mode of action is probably primarily dependent upon Michael reactivity to proteins.     

Inhaled steroid/tobacco smoke particle interactions: a new light on steroid resistance

Background

Inhaled steroid resistance is an obstacle to asthma control in asthmatic smokers. The reasons of this phenomenon are not yet entirely understood. Interaction of drug particles with environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) could change the aerodynamic profile of the drug through the particle coagulation phenomenon. Aim of the present study was to examine whether steroid particles interact with smoke when delivered in the presence of ETS.

Methods

Beclomethasone-hydrofluoralkane (BDP-HFA) pMDI particle profile was studied after a single actuation delivered in ambient air or in the presence of ETS in an experimental chamber using a light scattering Optical Particle Counter capable of measuring the concentrations of particle sized 0.3–1.0, 1.1–2.0, 2.1–3.0, 3.1–4.0, 4.1–5.0, and > 5.1 μm in diameter with a sampling time of one second. The number of drug particles delivered after a single actuation was measured as the difference between total particle number after drug delivery and background particle number. Two groups of experiments were carried out at different ambient background particle concentrations. Two-tail Student''s t-test was used for statistical analysis.

Results

When delivered in ambient air, over 90% of BDP-HFA particles were found in the 0.3–1.0 μm size class, while particles sized 1.1–2.0 μm and 2.1–3.0 represented less than 6.6% and 2.8% of total particles, respectively. However, when delivered in the presence of ETS, drug particle profile was modified, with an impressive decrease of 0.3–1.0 μm particles, the most represented particles resulting those sized 1.1–2.0 μm (over 66.6% of total particles), and 2.1–3.0 μm particles accounting up to 31% of total particles.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that particle interaction between inhaled BDP-HFA pMDI and ETS takes place in the first few seconds after drug delivery, with a decrease in smaller particles and a concurrent increase of larger particles. The resulting changes in aerosol particle profile might modify regional drug deposition with potential detriment to drug efficacy, and represent a new element of steroid resistance in smokers. Although the present study does not provide any functional or clinical assessment, it might be useful to advise smokers and non smokers with obstructive lung disease such as asthma or COPD, to avoid to act inhaled drugs in the presence of ETS in order to obtain the best therapeutic effect.     

Letter to the editor: Non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and pregnancy

A review of relevant clinical research literature leads to the conclusion that any known nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) should be contraindicated for use during pregnancy. This conclusion is reached as a result of the potentially profound effects of NSAIDs noted on platelet functions and their inhibition of specific tissue prostaglandin(PG) synthetases. Study results have shown that administration of Naproxen to midtrimester abortion patients prolonged the instillation-abortion interval from 33.4 hours +or- 2.9 hours (in a placebo treated group) to 64.7 hours +or- 6.4 hours. Treatment with aspirin prolonged induction-abortion time by about 9 hours and treatment with indomethacin by 30 hours. 2 recent clinical papers have shown that use of acetylsalicylic acid, a relatively weak inhibitor of PG synthetase when compared to Naproxen, by pregnant women at or near term increased their length of gestation, their mean duration of labor, the frequency of postmaturity among them, and the incidence of pre- and postpartum hemorrhage. A small dose of aspirin given to mothers at or near term results in platelet dysfunction in both the mother and the newborn infant. NSAID most frequently disrupts normal hemostatic homeostasis mechanisms. In addition, studies have shown that use of NSAIDs increases the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in spontaneous abortuses. Such drugs should not be used to prevent threatened abortions.     

Chisopanins A-K, 11 new protolimonoids from Chisocheton paniculatus and their anti-inflammatory activities

Eleven new protolimonoids, chisopanins A-K (1-11), were isolated from the twigs of Chisocheton paniculatus, as well as thirteen known (12-24) protolimonoids. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and chemical methods. Chisopanins A and B (1 and 2) possessing uncommon hemiketal tetrahydropyran ring at C-17 showed the most potent inhibitory activities on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammation factor-release with IC(50) values at 5.4 and 7.9 μM for NO, and at 26.9 and 30.7 μM for TNF-α, respectively. In addition, compounds 5-7, 9, 12, 13, and 20 were potent to inhibit NO production with IC(50) value lower than 10 μM.     

High analgesic and anti-inflammatory in vivo activities of six new hybrids NSAIAs tetrahydropyran derivatives

We present in this article syntheses of six new hybrids compounds (4–9) that were efficiently prepared in one or two steps (70–84.6%) from our previous prototype (±)-cis-4-chloro-6-(naphthalen-1-yl)-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)methanol (3) and the NSAIAs: acetyl salicylic acid, indomethacin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. The acetic acid-induced writhing method is able to determine that all investigated new hybrids showed stronger antinociceptive properties (2- to 10-fold less ED₅₀ values) than their precursors. The highest antinociceptive effect was observed for compound 9 showing more than 10-fold less ED₅₀ values than diclofenac and ninefold less ED₅₀ value than compound 2. All compounds presented greater activity than the control group in the tail-flick test confirming the central antinociceptive effect. New hybrids did not alter the motor performance of mice by rota-rod performance and open-field tests. Investigated compounds 4–9 were not toxic after oral administration (LD₅₀ >2000 mg/kg).     

Membrane fusion: a new function of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Membrane fusion is an important event in many biological processes and is characterized by several intermediate steps of which content mixing between the two fusing vesicles signals the completion of the process. Fusion induced solely by small drug molecules is not a common event. Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), that control pain and inflammation, are also capable of exhibiting diverse functions. In this study we present a new function of NSAIDs belonging to the oxicam group, as membrane fusogenic agents. Small Unilamellar Vesicles (SUVs) formed by the phospholipid, dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC), were used as model membranes. Fluorescence assays using terbium/dipicolinic acid (Tb/DPA) were used to monitor content mixing and corresponding leakage in presence of the drugs. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) was also used to image fusion bodies in drug treated vesicles as compared to the untreated ones. The results show that the three oxicam NSAIDs viz. Meloxicam, Piroxicam and Tenoxicam can induce fusion of DMPC vesicles and lead the fusion process to completion at a very low drug to lipid ratio (D/L) of 0.045. The oxicam drugs exhibit differential fusogenic behavior as reflected in the kinetics of content mixing and leakage, both of which can be described by a single exponential rate equation. Moreover, not all NSAIDs can induce membrane fusion. Indomethacin, an acetic acid group NSAID and ibuprofen, a propionic acid group NSAID, did not induce fusion of vesicles. This new property of NSAIDs has important applications in biochemical processes.     

A new mechanism for steroid unresponsiveness: loss of nuclear binding activity of a steroid hormone receptor

The glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, binds to the specific cytosol receptors of a steroid-resistant mouse lymphoma cell line with the same affinity as to the receptors of the steroid-responsive parental cells. In the sensitive cells, the receptor-steroid complex translocates to the nucleus, whereas in the resistant cells nuclear transfer is greatly diminished. “Activated” receptor-dexamethasone complex from sensitive cells binds to isolated nuclei from both sensitive and resistant cell types, whereas the complex from the resistant cells binds to neither nuclei. Furthermore, the activated complex from sensitive cells binds to isolated homologous and heterologous DNA, whereas the complex from the resistant cells displays greatly reduced binding activity, implying that DNA plays a significant role in nuclear binding. These results suggest that the normal glucocorticoid receptor has two active domains: one for steroid binding, and the other for interaction with nuclear acceptor sites. The resistant cells described in this paper contain a receptor apparently defective in the latter activity.     

Methyl spongoate, a cytotoxic steroid from the Sanya soft coral Spongodes sp

A new steroid with an uncommon 21-oic acid methyl ester moiety designated methyl spongoate (1) which exhibited potent cytotoxicity against BEL-7402 tumor cells in vitro has been isolated from the Sanya soft coral Spongodes sp. Its structure was determined by detailed interpretation of spectroscopic data and by comparison with related compounds.     

Ring-20 chromosome: a new syndrome]

A comparative study of five observations of a r (20) syndrome characterized by facial dysmorphism, the absence of severe malformations, and rather late onset of encephalopathy and seizures.