Benzydamine N-oxide Research Articles

Identification of benzydamine and its metabolit in the presence of certain anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs

The aim of the work. Currently, a large number of cases of non-medical use of benzydamine hydrochloride have been described. The identification of benzydamine and its metabolite, benzydamine N-oxide, in the presence of some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, has been insufficiently studied. Therefore, the development of a method for its identification in biological material is an urgent task.
 Materials and methods. The subjects of the study were benzydamine hydrochloride and its metabolite, as well as some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are its analogues in terms of pharmacological action. The studies were carried out by methods of thin layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography.
 Results. At the first stage a screening method for benzydamine identification was studied using the extraction in acidic and basic conditions. It was shown that benzydamine can be isolated in both medias with subsequent development with a solution of iodoplatinate and Dragendorff's reagent according to Munier or with Mandelin reagent respectively. The mobile phase was selected and respective hRf for the target molecule were defined.
 After a preliminary identification of benzydamine a reference method for the final confirmation of the drug that had led to poisoning was proposed. A robust, specific and accurate reversed phase HPLC method was chosen. It was shown that benzydamine exists in biological material mainly in a form of metabolite – benzydamine N-oxide. The selected method was able to separate and determine key analytes in biological samples after a preparative isolation by TLC method. The comparison with UV spectra of the reference standard of benzydamine hydrochloride was proposed to avoid false positive conclusion of drug identification.
 Conclusions. Proposed methodology can be applied for routine identification of benzydamine poisoning in toxicological laboratories

Drug metabolite synthesis by immobilized human FMO3 and whole cell catalysts

BackgroundSufficient reference standards of drug metabolites are required in the drug discovery and development process. However, such drug standards are often expensive or not commercially available. Chemical synthesis of drug metabolite is often difficulty due to the highly regio- and stereo-chemically demanding. The present work aims to construct stable and efficient biocatalysts for the generation of drug metabolites in vitro.ResultIn this work, using benzydamine as a model drug, two easy-to-perform approaches (whole cell catalysis and enzyme immobilization) were investigated for the synthesis of FMO3-generated drug metabolites. The whole cell catalysis was carried out by using cell suspensions of E. coli JM109 harboring FMO3 and E. coli BL21 harboring GDH (glucose dehydrogenase), giving 1.2 g/L benzydamine N-oxide within 9 h under the optimized conditions. While for another approach, two HisTrap HP columns respectively carrying His6-GDH and His6-FMO3 were connected in series used for the biocatalysis. In this case, 0.47 g/L benzydamine N-oxide was generated within 2.5 h under the optimized conditions. In addition, FMO3 immobilization at the C-terminal (membrane anchor region) significantly improved its enzymatic thermostability by more than 10 times. Moreover, the high efficiency of these two biocatalytic approaches was also confirmed by the N-oxidation of tamoxifen.ConclusionsThe results presented in this work provides new possibilities for the drug-metabolizing enzymes-mediated biocatalysis.

Human plasma metabolic profiles of benzydamine, a flavin-containing monooxygenase probe substrate, simulated with pharmacokinetic data from control and humanized-liver mice

1. Benzydamine is used clinically as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug in oral rinses and is employed in preclinical research as a flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) probe substrate. In this study, plasma concentrations of benzydamine and its primary N-oxide and N-demethylated metabolites were investigated in control TK-NOG mice, in humanized-liver mice, and in mice whose liver cells had been ablated with ganciclovir.2. Following oral administration of benzydamine (10 mg/kg) in humanized-liver TK-NOG mice, plasma concentrations of benzydamine N-oxide were slightly higher than those of demethyl benzydamine. In contrast, in control and ganciclovir-treated TK-NOG mice, concentrations of demethyl benzydamine were slightly higher than those of benzydamine N-oxide.3. Simulations of human plasma concentrations of benzydamine and its N-oxide were achieved using simplified physiologically based pharmacokinetic models based on data from control TK-NOG mice and from reported benzydamine concentrations after low-dose administration in humans. Estimated clearance rates based on data from humanized-liver and ganciclovir-treated TK-NOG mice were two orders magnitude high.4. The pharmacokinetic profiles of benzydamine were different for control and humanized-liver TK-NOG mice. Humanized-liver mice are generally accepted human models; however, drug oxidation in mouse kidney might need to be considered when probe substrates undergo FMO-dependent drug oxidation in mouse liver and kidney.

Benzydamine N-oxygenation as an index for flavin-containing monooxygenase activity and benzydamine N-demethylation by cytochrome P450 enzymes in liver microsomes from rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans

Benzydamine is an anti-inflammatory drug that undergoes flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)-dependent metabolism to benzydamine N-oxide; however, benzydamine N-demethylation is also catalyzed by liver microsomes. In this study, benzydamine N-oxygenation and N-demethylation mediated by liver microsomes from rats, dogs, monkeys, and humans were characterized comprehensively. Values of the maximum velocity/Michaelis constant ratio for benzydamine N-oxygenation by liver microsomes from dogs and rats were higher than those from monkeys and humans, despite roughly similar rates of N-demethylation in the four species. Benzydamine N-oxygenation by liver microsomes was extensively suppressed by preheating liver microsomes at 45 °C for 5 min or at 37 °C for 5–10 min without NADPH, and benzydamine N-demethylation was strongly inhibited by 1-aminbobenztriazole. Liver microsomal benzydamine N-oxygenation was inhibited by dimethyl sulfoxide and methimazole, whereas N-demethylation was inhibited by quinidine. High benzydamine N-oxygenation activities of recombinant human FMO1 and FMO3 and human kidney microsomes were observed at pH 8.4, whereas N-demethylation by cytochrome P450 2D6 was faster at pH 7.4. These results suggest that benzydamine N-oxygenation and N-demethylation are mediated by FMO1/3 and P450s, respectively, and that the contribution of FMO to metabolic eliminations of new drug candidates might be underestimated under certain experimental conditions suitable for P450 enzymes.

Benzydamine as a useful substrate of hepatic flavin‐containing monooxygenase activity in veterinary species

Benzydamine (BZ), a weak base and an indazole derivative with analgesic and antipyretic properties used in human and veterinary medicine, is metabolized in human, rat, cattle and rabbit to a wide range of metabolites. One of the main metabolites, BZ N-oxide (BZ-NO), is produced in the liver and brain by flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), by liver and brain enzymes. To evaluate the suitability of BZ as an FMO probe in veterinary species, BZ metabolism was studied in vitro using liver microsomes from bovine, rabbit and swine. Kinetic parameters, K(m) and V(max), of BZ-NO production, were evaluated to corroborate the pivotal role of FMOs. Inhibition studies were carried out by heat inactivation and by specific FMO chemical inhibitors: trimethylamine and methimazole. The results confirmed the presence of FMO activity in the liver and the role of BZ as a suitable marker of FMO enzyme activities for the veterinary species considered.

Expression and Characterization of Functional Dog Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase 3

Mammalian flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) enzymes catalyze oxidation at nucleophilic, heteroatom centers and are important for drug, xenobiotic, and endogenous substrate metabolism. In human liver, human FMO3 (hFMO3) is the most abundant FMO isoform and is known to contribute to the hepatic clearance of a variety of clinical drugs. The purpose of the current study was to express and compare the dog (beagle) FMO3 (dFMO3) to hFMO3. A full-length dFMO3 cDNA was obtained from liver by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Using a baculovirus expression system in Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells, dFMO3 was expressed to protein levels of 0.50 nmol/mg, as determined by liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection. Expressed dFMO3 displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, catalyzing NADPH-dependent N-oxidation of benzydamine, with K(m) and V(max) values of 18.6 microM and 0.63 nmol N-oxide formed/min/nmol of enzyme, respectively. Benzydamine N-oxidation catalyzed by hFMO3 showed values of 42.6 microM (K(m)) and 3.56 nmol/min/nmol of enzyme (V(max)). Human FMO3 was observed to catalyze the S-oxidation of sulindac sulfide, with respective K(m) and V(max) values of 69.3 microM and 35.4 nmol/min/nmol of enzyme. dFMO3 also catalyzed sulindac sulfide S-oxidation with 6.8 nmol/min/nmol of enzyme being the highest velocity observed. Finally, Western blot analysis indicated protein expression levels of dFMO3 in pooled dog liver and lung microsomes to be 27 and 9 pmol/mg, respectively. In summary, dFMO3 appears to be a functional enzyme expressed at appreciable levels in liver, but one with some kinetic properties that are substantially different from its human homolog hFMO3.

Expression and activities of several drug-metabolizing enzymes in LLC-PK1 cells

LLC-PK1 cells are frequently used in toxicology research, but little information is available concerning the capacity of these cells to metabolize xenobiotics. We examined the expression and activities of cytochromes P450 (P450) 1A1/1A2 (CYP 1A1/1A2), 2E1 (CYP 2E1), flavin monooxygenase (FMO), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and prostaglandin H synthase (PHS)-associated cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). We prepared S9 fractions from LLC-PK1 cells, rat liver, and rat kidney, and measured enzyme activities using ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD) for CYP 1A1/1A2 and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation (ECOD) for CYP 2E1, benzydamine N-oxidation (BNO) for FMO, leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4) formation for 5-LO, and thromboxane B 2 (TXB 2) formation for COX-1 activities. To assure that product formation was due to enzymatic activity, we used the following inhibitors: 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) for P450, methimazole for FMO, caffeic acid for 5-LO and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for COX-1. We also performed Western blot analysis to confirm our observations. All five enzyme activities were demonstrable in rat liver at much greater levels than in rat kidney S9 fractions. Activities in LLC-PK1 cells were significantly lower than activities in rat liver S9 fraction and generally less than activities in rat kidney S9 fraction. Enzyme inhibitors decreased product formation in all three tissues and Western blot analysis supported our observations of low enzyme activity in LLC-PK1 cells. These results indicate that LLC-PK1 cells have very low content of relevant drug-metabolizing enzyme activities.

Biotransformation of benzydamine by microsomes and precision-cut slices prepared from cattle liver

1. Benzydamine (BZ), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in human and veterinary medicine, is not licensed for use in food-producing species. Biotransformation of BZ in cattle has not been reported previously and is investigated here using liver microsomes and precision-cut liver slices. 2. BZ was metabolized by cattle liver microsomes to benzydamine N-oxide (BZ-NO) and monodesmethyl-BZ (Nor-BZ). Both reactions followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (Km = 76.4 ± 16.0 and 58.9 ± 6.4 µM, Vmax = 6.5 ± 0.8 and 7.4 ± 0.5 nmol mg−1 min−1, respectively); sensitivity to heat and pH suggested that the N-oxidation is catalysed by the flavin-containing monooxygenases. 3. BZ-NO and Nor-BZ were the most abundant products derived from liver slice incubations, and nine other BZ metabolites were found and tentatively identified by LCMS. Desbenzylated and hydroxylated BZ-NO analogues and a hydroxylated product of BZ were detected, which have been reported in other species. Product ion mass spectra of other metabolites, which are described here for the first time, indicated the formation of a BZ N+-glucuronide and five hydroxylated and N+-glucuronidated derivatives of BZ, BZNO and Nor-BZ. 4. The results indicate that BZ is extensively metabolized in cattle. Clearly, differences in metabolism compared with, for example, rat and human, will need to be considered in the event of submission for marketing authorization for use in food animals.

Characterization of moclobemide N-oxidation in human liver microsomes

1. Moclobemide undergoes morpholine ring N-oxidation to form a major metabolite in plasma, Ro12-5637. 2. The kinetics of moclobemide N-oxidation in human liver microsomes (HLM) (n = 6) have been investigated and the mixed-function oxidase enzymes catalysing this reaction have been identified using inhibition, enzyme correlation, altered pH and heat pretreatment experiments. 3. N-oxidation followed single enzyme Michealis-Menten kinetics (0.02-4.0 mM). Km app and Vmax ranged from 0.48 to 1.35 mM (mean ± SD 0:77 ± 0:34 mM) and 0.22 to 2.15 nmol mg−1 min−1 (1:39 ± 0:80 nmol mg−1 min−1), respectively. 4. The N-oxidation of moclobemide strongly correlated with benzydamine N-oxidation, a probe reaction for flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) activity, (0.1 mM moclobemide, rS = 0:81; p < 0:005; 4 mM moclobemide, rS = 0:94; p = 0:0001). Correlationswere observed between moclobemide N-oxidation and specific cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities at both moclobemide concentrations (0.1 mM moclobemide, CYP2C19 rS = 0:66; p < 0:05; 4 mM moclobemide, CYP2E1 rS = 0:56; p < 0:05).5. The general P450 inhibitor, N-benzylimidazole, did not affect the rate of Ro12-5637 formation (0% inhibition versus control) at 1.3 mM moclobemide. Furthermore, the rate of Ro12-5637 formation in HLM was unaffected by inhibitors or substrates of specific P450s (<10% inhibition versus control). 6. Heat pretreatment of HLM in the absence of NADPH (inactivating FMOs) resulted in 97% inhibition of Ro12-5637 formation. N-oxidation activity was greatest when incubated at pH 8.5. These results are consistent with the reaction being FMO mediated. 7. In conclusion, moclobemide N-oxidation activity has been observed in HLM in vitro and the reaction is predominantly catalysed by FMOs with a potentially small contribution from cytochrome P450 isoforms.

Benzydamine N-oxidation as an index reaction reflecting FMO activity in human liver microsomes and impact of FMO3 polymorphisms on enzyme activity.

The role of flavin containing monooxygenases (FMO) on the disposition of many drugs has been insufficiently explored. In vitro and in vivo tests are required to study FMO activity in humans. Benzydamine (BZD) N-oxidation was evaluated as an index reaction for FMO as was the impact of genetic polymorphisms of FMO3 on activity. BZD was incubated with human liver microsomes (HLM) and recombinant enzymes. Human liver samples were genotyped using PCR-RFLP. BZD N-oxide formation rates in HLM followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics (mean Km = 64.0 microM, mean Vmax = 6.9 nmol mg-1 protein min-1; n = 35). N-benzylimidazole, a nonspecific CYP inhibitor, and various CYP isoform selective inhibitors did not affect BZD N-oxidation. In contrast, formation of BZD N-oxide was almost abolished by heat treatment of microsomes in the absence of NADPH and strongly inhibited by methimazole, a competitive FMO inhibitor. Recombinant FMO3 and FMO1 (which is not expressed in human liver), but not FMO5, showed BZD N-oxidase activity. Respective Km values for FMO3 and FMO1 were 40.4 microM and 23.6 microM, and respective Vmax values for FMO3 and FMO1 were 29.1 and 40.8 nmol mg-1 protein min-1. Human liver samples (n = 35) were analysed for six known FMO3 polymorphisms. The variants I66M, P135L and E305X were not detected. Samples homozygous for the K158 variant showed significantly reduced Vmax values (median 2.7 nmol mg-1 protein min-1) compared to the carriers of at least one wild type allele (median 6.2 nmol mg-1 protein min-1) (P < 0.05, Mann-Whitney-U-test). The V257M and E308G substitutions had no effect on enzyme activity. BZD N-oxidation in human liver is mainly catalysed by FMO3 and enzyme activity is affected by FMO3 genotype. BZD may be used as a model substrate for human liver FMO3 activity in vitro and may be further developed as an in vivo probe reflecting FMO3 activity.

In vitro evaluation of potential in vivo probes for human flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO): metabolism of benzydamine and caffeine by FMO and P450 isoforms.

AIMS To determine the FMO and P450 isoform selectivity for metabolism of benzydamine and caffeine, two potential in vivo probes for human FMO. METHODS Metabolic incubations were conducted at physiological pH using substrate concentrations of 0.01-10 mM with either recombinant human FMOs, P450s or human liver microsomes serving as the enzyme source. Products of caffeine and benzydamine metabolism were analysed by reversed-phase h.p.l.c. with u.v. and fluorescence detection. RESULTS CYP1A2, but none of the human FMOs, catalysed metabolism of caffeine. In contrast, benzydamine was a substrate for human FMO1, FMO3, FMO4 and FMO5. Apparent Km values for benzydamine N-oxygenation were 60 +/- 8 microM, 80 +/- 8 microM, > 3 mM and > 2 mM, for FMO1, FMO3, FMO4 and FMO5, respectively. The corresponding Vmax values were 46 +/- 2 min-1, 36 +/- 2 min-1, < 75 min-1 and < 1 min-1. Small quantities of benzydamine N-oxide were also formed by CYPs 1A1, 1A2, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4. FMO1 and FMO3 catalyse benzydamine N-oxygenation with the highest efficiency. However, it is likely that the metabolic capacity of hepatic FMO3 is a much greater contributor to plasma levels of the N-oxide metabolite in vivo than is extrahepatic FMO1. Therefore, benzydamine, but not caffeine, is a potential in vivo probe for human FMO3.

Estimation of flavin-containing monooxygenase activity in intact hepatocyte monolayers of rat, hamster, rabbit, dog and human by using N-oxidation of benzydamine

The flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)-dependent N-oxidation of benzydamine has been assessed as a method for monitoring the activity of FMOs in monolayer cultures of hepatocytes from rat, dog, rabbit, hamster and human. The advantage of this substrate is that benzydamine N-oxide formation can be measured directly in extracts of cellular incubations without an intensive work-up procedure. Benzydamine and its N-oxide are readily separated by HPLC with fluorometric detection. This assay proved sensitive enough to monitor FMOs activity in intact monolayer of cultured hepatocytes. The formation of benzydamine N-oxide was inhibited when hepatocytes were coincubated with methimazole (another FMO substrate) in a dose-dependent manner, whereas N-octylamine (an inhibitor of cytochrome P450) had no inhibitory effect. In contrast to cytochrome P450, FMO activity assessed by benzydamine N-oxidation was relatively stable for all species studied during 72-h cultures.

Assessment of benzydamine N-oxidation mediated by flavin-containing monooxygenase in different regions of rat brain and liver using microdialysis.

N-Oxidation of benzydamine (BZY) mediated by flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) was evaluated by microdialysis in vivo in different regions of rat brain and liver. The probe was implanted into local regions of the brain, such as the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus and cerebellum, or the hepatic lobe. By perfusing BZY via the probe, BZY N-oxide was identified in the dialysate. The estimated concentrations of BZY N-oxide in extracellular fluid were almost the same as those in the olfactory bulb, hippocampus and cerebral cortex, half the concentration in the hepatic lobe; however, the concentration in the corpus striatum was lower and that in the cerebellum was higher than in the other regions. These results demonstrate that the extracellular concentration of BZY N-oxide formed in vivo was unexpectedly high in every brain region.

Flavin-containing monooxygenase mediated metabolism of benzydamine in perfused brain and liver

Benzydamine (BZY) N-oxidation mediated by flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) was evaluated in perfused brain and liver. Following 20 min of perfusion with modified Ringer solution, the infusion of BZY into brain or liver led to production of BZY N-oxide. BZY N-oxide, a metabolite of BZY oxidized exclusively by FMO, was mostly recovered in the effluent without undergoing further metabolism or reduction back to the parent substrate. The BZY N-oxide formation rate increased as the infusion concentration of BZY increased both in perfused brain and perfused liver. BZY N-oxidation activities in perfused rat brain and liver were 4.2 nmol/g brain/min and 50 nmol/g liver/min, respectively, although the BZY N-oxidation activity in brain homogenates was one 4000th that in liver homogenates. This is the first study of FMO activity in brain in situ.

Determination of flavin-containing monooxygenase activity in rat brain microsomes with benzydamine N-oxidation.

The activity of flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) in rat brain microsomes was measured by fluorometrical determination of benzydamine (BZY) N-oxygenation with HPLC. The apparent Km value for the formation of BZY N-oxide from BZY by brain microsomes was similar to that by hepatic microsomal fraction or purified FMO, but the Vmax value for brain microsomes was about one-hundredth of that for hepatic microsomes. BZY N-oxygenation activity by brain microsomes was at a maximum near pH 8.5, slightly more acidic than the optimum pH for liver FMO. BZY N-oxygenation activity was inhibited completely by heat inactivation and markedly in the presence of 1 mM thiourea, but slightly in the presence of 1 mM SKF-525A, and it was only barely activated in the presence of 5 mM n-octylamine, a positive effector of liver FMO. The addition of rabbit antisera raised against rat liver FMO resulted in 30% inhibition of BZY N-oxygenation by solubilized brain microsomes. Compared with microsomes from five different brain regions, the activity was highest in microsomes of olfactory bulbs. These results show that the activity of FMO in rat brain is distinctly determined by BZY N-oxygenation.

An Assay of Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase Activity with Benzydamine N-Oxidation

An assay system of flavin-containing monooxygenase was developed by fluorometric determination of benzydamine (BZY) N-oxidation with HPLC. The apparent Km value for the formation of BZY N-oxide from BZY by rat liver microsomes was similar to that by purified FMO. The Km and Vmax values for the formation of N-desmethylbenzydamine (Nor-BZY) by rat liver microsomes were about 50 times greater and 2000 times less, respectively, than those of BZY N-oxide. Nor-BZY was not formed upon incubation with purified enzyme. BZY N-oxidation activity was completely inhibited both in the absence of NADPH and by heat inactivation. The reaction was inhibited in the presence of 0.5 mM thiourea, but 2 mM SKF-525A did not affect BZY N-oxidation. Moreover, rabbit antibody raised against the rat enzyme inhibited BZY N-oxidation. These results are in accord with a simple, rapid, and sensitive assay for the enzyme.

Determination of benzydamine and its N-oxide in biological fluids by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple, sensitive and selective method for the determination of benzydamine in human plasma and urine, and for benzydamine N-oxide in urine, has been developed using high-performance liquid chromatography in the reversed-phase mode. The limit of reliable determination of benzydamine in plasma was 0.5 ng/ml and that in urine 1 ng/ml; the limit of reliable determination of benzydamine N-oxide in urine was 50 ng/ml. The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of these compounds in biological fluids after administration of intravenous and oral doses of benzydamine to human volunteers.

In vivo metabolism and anti-inflammatory activity of benzydamine hydrochloride in rats treated with carrageenin.

The present study was made to evaluate the anti-inflammatory action of benzydamine hydrochloride (BZY-HCl) in relation to its metabolism. In rats given BZY·HCl orally, unconjugated metabolites (consisting mainly of benzydamine N-oxide) were predominantly excreted in urine, but conjugated metabolites (mainly consisting of glucuronides) were predominant in the bile. Moreover, it appeared that enterohepatic circulation occurred during the metabolism of BZY·HCl, then the levels of conjugated metabolites decreased greatly with time. In rat blood, unconjugated BZY and benzydamine N-oxide (BZY-NO) were predominant, whereas in the blood of rabbits, a conjugated metabolite (G-1) was predominant. However, in rats treated with carrageenin as an inflammation model, the levels of BZY-NO apparently increased in the blood and inflamed paw. The anti-edematous and analgesic potencies of BZY-NO hydrogen maleate (BZY-NO maleate) were determined simultaneously with the anti-inflammatory action. In the case of intravenous injection, BZY-NO maleate did not show anti-edematous or analgesic action, whereas in the case of oral administration, it showed anti-edematous action amounting to two-thirds of that of the parent drug BZY·HCl, and analgesic action similar to that of BZY·HCl. In addition, it was confirmed that BZY-NO maleate was well absorbed in the body by oral administration, and was reduced to the parent drug BZY. It is suggested that the effect of oral administration of BZY-NO maleate was due to BZY formed by the reduction of BZY-NO in the rat body.

Reduction of benzydamine N-oxide by rat liver xanthine oxidase.

Evidence is presented that a purified xanthine oxidase preparation, like milk xanthine oxidase, is responsible for the xanthine-dependent reduction of benzydamine N-oxide. Rat liver preparations contain enzymes which catalyze the anaerobic reduction of benzydamine N-oxide by either reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) NAD (P) H or xanthine. In crude enzyme preparations, the enzymatic reduction seems to involve xanthine oxidase and/or cytochrome P-450 because allopurinol, an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, and n-octylamine, an inhibitor of aliphatic tertiary amine N-oxide reductase (cytochrome P-450) block the reduction of benzydamine N-oxide in crude enzyme preparations of rat liver. Moreover, the enzymatic system exhibited dual pH optima of 7.4 and 9.0 for reductions dependent on NADPH and xanthine, respectively. An enzyme preparation which did not contain cytochrome P-450 was isolated from rat liver and purified 186-fold in terms of xanthine oxidase activity. Xanthine oxidase activity and xanthine-dependent benzydamine N-oxide reduction activity were copurified in parallel.

Metabolism of benzydamine hydrochloride: species differences and the identification of unconjugated metabolites in rabbit urine.

The urinary metabolites of benzydamine hydrochloride (BZY·EHCl) in rabbits were isolated by the combination of extraction with CHCl3 and column or thin-layer chromatography on Amberlite XAD-2, silica gel, and aluminum oxide, and identified by thin-layer co-chromatography with authentic samples and by mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.The major two metabolites are benzydamine N-oxide (BZY-NO) and 1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-3-(3-dimethylaminopropoxy)-1H-indazole (HO-BZY). The minor others are demethylated BZY (nor-BZY), N-debenzylated BZY (deB-BZY), 1-benzyl-1H-indazolone (BID), and indazolone (ID). The excretion of unchanged BZY amounts about 1%. In addition, three glucuronides were found but their chemical structures are not clarified, yet.The total amount of fluorescent metabolites excreted in 24 hr urine of rat, mouse, guinea pig, rabbit and dog received BZY-EHCl was equivalent to around 30% of dose. However, 62.4 or 74.7% of fluorescent metabolites of rat or dog was extracted directly with chloroform but about 20% of mouse, guinea pig or rabbit were. After incubating chloroform extracted urine with β-glucuronidase, the fluorescent metabolites in urine was extracted with chloroform more than 70% in mouse, guinea pig or rat but less than 40% in rabbit and 10% in dog. The cat excretes fluorescent metabolites equivalent to 16.6% of dose and no glucuronide.