Publications

Abstract The encapsulation of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in lipid nanoparticles (LNs) could be a suitable approach to avoid drug oxidation and epimerization, which are common processes that lead to low bioavailability of the drug limiting its therapeutic efficacy. The human health benefits of EGCG gained much interest in the pharmaceutical field, and so far there are no studies reporting its encapsulation in LNs. The purpose of this study has been the development of an innovative system for the ocular delivery of EGCG using LNs as carrier for the future treatment of several diseases, such as dry eye, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema. LNs dispersions have been produced by multiple emulsion technique and previously optimized by a factorial design. In order to increase ocular retention time and mucoadhesion by electrostatic attraction, two distinct cationic lipids were used, namely, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB). EGCG has been successfully loaded in the LNs dispersions and the nanoparticles analysis over 30 days of storage time predicted a good physicochemical stability. The particles were found to be in the nanometer range (<300 nm) and all the evaluated parameters, namely pH, osmolarity and viscosity, were compatible to the ocular administration. The evaluation of the cationic lipid used was compared regarding physical and chemical parameters, lipid crystallization and polymorphism, and stability of dispersion during storage. The results show that different lipids lead to different characteristics mainly associated with the acyl chain composition, i.e. double lipid shows to have influence in the crystallization and stability. Despite the recorded differences between DTAB and DDAB, both cationic LNs seem to fit the parameters for ocular drug delivery.

Abstract The present work aimed at studying the interaction between insulin and SiNP surfaced with mucoadhesive polymers (chitosan, sodium alginate or polyethylene glycol) and the evaluation of their biocompatibility with HepG2 and Caco-2 cell lines, which mimic in vivo the target of insulin-loaded nanoparticles upon oral administration. Thus, a systematic physicochemical study of the surface-modified insulin-silica nanoparticles (Ins-SiNP) using mucoadhesive polymers has been described. The surfacing of nanoparticle involved the coating of silica nanoparticles (SiNP) with different mucoadhesive polymers, to achieve high contact between the systems and the gut mucosa to enhance the oral insulin bioavailability. SiNP were prepared by a modified Stoner method at room temperature via hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). Interaction between insulin and nanoparticles was assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) studies. The high efficiency of nanoparticles' coating resulted in more stable system. FTIR spectra of insulin-loaded nanoparticles showed amide absorption bands which are characteristic of alpha-helix content. In general, all developed nanoparticles demonstrated high biocompatible, at the tested concentrations (50-500 mu g/mL), revealing no or low toxicity in the two human cancer cell lines (HepG2 and Caco-2). In conclusion, the developed insulin-loaded SiNP surfaced with mucoadhesive polymers demonstrated its added value for oral administration of proteins.

Abstract A recent report on a density odd-even alternation effect in a homologous series of ionic liquids (alkyltrioctylphosphonium chlorides, with the linear alkyl group ranging from ethyl to decyl) led to the detection of a similar trend in another ionic liquid family based on a different cation (1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium). Ab initio calculations and Molecular Dynamics simulations of the corresponding ions confirmed that the charge distribution along the alkyl side chains and the conformations adopted by them are not the direct cause of the odd-even effect. The simulations also showed that all cation side chains tend to adopt transoid conformations that pack head-to-head in the liquid phase. Such types of conformations/packing lead to odd-even alternation effects on properties involving solid phases of different molecular compounds containing linear alkyl chains. The surprising results obtained for the ionic liquid series enabled us to unveil similar trends in the liquid phases of linear alkanes and alkanols via the application of a simple corresponding states principle.

Abstract We have studied thermochemical, thermophysical and structural properties of bisphenols A, E, F, and AP. In particular, the standard enthalpies of sublimation and the standard enthalpies of formation in the gas phase at 298.15 K for all these species were experimentally determined. A computational study, through M05-2X density functional theory, of the various species shed light on structural effects and further confirmed, by means of the isodesmic reaction scheme, the excellent consistency of the experimental results. Our results reflect also the fact that energetic substituent effects are transferable from diphenylalkanes to bisphenols.

Abstract Genotoxicity is a key toxicity endpoint for current regulatory requirements regarding new and existing chemicals. However, genotoxicity testing is time-consuming and costly, and involves the use of laboratory animals. This has motivated the development of computational approaches, designed to predict genotoxicity without the need to conduct laboratory tests. Currently, many existing computational methods, like quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models, provide limited information about the possible mechanisms involved in mutagenicity or predictions based on structural alerts (SAs) do not take statistical models into account. This paper describes an attempt to address this problem by using the TOPological Substructural MOlecular Design (TOPS-MODE) approach to develop and validate improved QSAR models for predicting the mutagenicity of a range of halogenated derivatives. Our most predictive model has an accuracy of 94.12%, exhibits excellent cross-validation and external set statistics. A reasonable interpretation of the model in term of SAs was achieved by means of bond contributions to activity. The results obtained led to the following conclusions: primary halogenated derivatives are more mutagenic than secondary ones; and substitution of chlorine by bromine increases mutagenicity while polyhalogenation decreases activity. The paper demonstrates the potential of the TOPS-MODE approach in developing QSAR models for identifying structural alerts for mutagenicity, combining high predictivity with relevant mechanistic interpretation.

Abstract A combined experimental and computational study was developed to evaluate and understand the energetics and reactivity of formyl and methoxy a-naphthalene derivatives. Static bomb combustion calorimetry and the Calvet microcalorimetry were the experimental techniques used to determine the standard (p degrees = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation, in the liquid phase, Delta H-f(m)o (1), and of vaporization, 4fH, at T= 298.15 K, respectively, of the two liquid naphthalene derivatives. Those experimental values were used to derive the values of the experimental standard molar enthalpies of formation, in the gaseous phase, Delta H-f(m)o(g), of 1-methoxynaphthalene, (-3.0 +/- 3.1) kJ mol(-1), and of 1-formylnaphthalene, (36.3 +/- 4.1) kJ mol(-1). High-level quantum chemical calculations at the composite G3(MP2)//B3LYP level were performed to estimate the values of the AfH(g) of the two compounds studied resulting in values in very good agreement with experimental ones. Natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations were also performed to determine more about the structure and reactivity of this class of compounds.

Abstract The standard (pA degrees A = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpy of formation at T = 298.15 K for 4,5-dicyanoimidazole, in the crystalline phase, was derived from the standard molar energy of combustion measured by static bomb combustion calorimetry. This value and the literature value of the standard molar enthalpy of sublimation of the compound allow the calculation of the corresponding gas-phase standard molar enthalpy of formation, at T = 298.15 K. Additionally, theoretical calculations for 4,5-dicyanoimidazole were performed by density functional theory with the hybrid functional B3LYP and the 6-31G(d) basis set, extending the study to the 2,4- and 2,5-dicyanoimidazole isomers. Single-point energy calculations for both molecules were determined at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p) level of theory. With the objective of assessing the quality of the results, standard ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the G3 level were also performed. Enthalpies of formation, obtained using appropriate working reactions, were calculated and compared with the experimental data.

Abstract This work reports an experimental and computational thermochemical study of two aminothiazole derivatives, namely 2-aminothiazole and 2-aminobenzothiazole. The standard (p degrees =0.1 MPa) molar energies of combustion of these compounds were measured by rotating bomb combustion calorimetry. The standard molar enthalpies of sublimation, at T = 298.15 K, were derived from the temperature dependence of the vapor pressures of these compounds, measured by the Knudsen-effusion technique and from high temperature Calvet microcalorimetry. The conjugation of these experimental results enabled the calculation of the standard molar enthalpies of formation in the gaseous state, at T = 298.15 K, for the compounds studied. The corresponding standard Gibbs free energies of formation in crystalline and gaseous phases were also derived, allowing the analysis of their stability, in these phases. We have also estimated the gas-phase enthalpies of formation from high-level molecular orbital calculations at the G3(MP2)//B3LYP level of theory, the estimates revealing very good agreement with the experimental ones. The importance of some stabilizing electronic interactions occurring in the title molecules has been studied and quantitatively evaluated through Natural Bonding Orbital (NBO) of the corresponding wave-functions and their Nucleus Independent Chemical Shifts (NICS) parameters have been calculated in order to rationalize the effect of electronic delocalization upon stability.

Abstract Condensed phase standard (p degrees = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation for 2-coumaranone and 3-coumaranone were derived from the standard molar enthalpies of combustion, in oxygen, at T = 298.15 K, measured by mini-bomb combustion calorimetry. Standard molar enthalpies of sublimation of both isomers were determined by Calvet microcalorimetry. These results were combined to derive the standard molar enthalpies of formation of the compounds, in gas phase, at T = 298.15 K. Additionally, accurate quantum chemical calculations have been performed using DFT methods and high level composite ab initio calculations. Theoretical estimates of the enthalpies of formation of the compounds are in good agreement with the experimental values thus supporting the predictions of the same parameters for isobenzofuranone, an isomer which has not been experimentally studied. The relative stability of these isomers has been evaluated by experimental and computational results. The importance of some stabilizing electronic intramolecular interactions has been studied and quantitatively evaluated through Natural Bonding Orbital (NBO) analysis of the wave functions and the nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) of the studied systems have been calculated in order to study and establish the effect of electronic delocalization upon the relative stability of the isomers.

Abstract The present study reports the production and characterization of PEG-coated silica nanoparticles (SiNP-PEG) containing insulin for oral administration. High (PEG 20,000) and low (PEG 6000) PEG molecular weights were used in the preparations. SiNP were produced by sol gel technology followed by PEG adsorption and characterized for in vitro release by Franz diffusion cells. In vitro permeation profile was assessed using everted rat intestine. HPLC method has been validated for the determination of insulin released and permeated. Insulin secondary structure was performed by circular dichroism (CD). Uncoated SiNP allowed slower insulin release in comparison to SiNP PEG. The coating with high molecular weight PEG did not significantly (p>0.05) alter insulin release. The slow insulin release is attributed to the affinity of insulin for silanol groups at silica surface. Drug release followed second order kinetics for uncoated and SiNP PEG at pH 2.0. On the other hand, at pH 6.8, the best fitting was first-order for SiNP PEG, except for SiNP which showed a Boltzmann behavior. Comparing the values of half-live, SiNP PEG 20,000 showed a faster diffusion followed by Si-PEG 6000 and SiNP. CD studies showed no conformational changes occurring after protein release from the nanoparticles under gastrointestinal simulated conditions.