Preactivated Thiomers Research Articles

Synthesis and in vitro characterization of a preactivated thiolated acrylic acid/acrylamide-methylpropane sulfonic acid copolymer as a mucoadhesive sprayable polymer.

Development of a preactivated thiomer as sprayable excipient for mucoadhesive formulations. CG4500 (acrylic acid/acrylamide-methyl propane sulfonic acid copolymer) was thiolated by conjugation with L-cysteine and preactivated by further modification with 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (MNA) in a two-step synthesis and characterized regarding degree of modification and cytotoxicity on Caco-2 cells. The mucoadhesive properties of this novel thiomer were evaluated via rheological synergism, tensile and mucosal residence time studies. Furthermore, the sprayability of the thiomer was evaluated. The newly synthesized derivatives CG4500-SH and CG4500-S-S-MNA showed mean coupling rates of 651µmol thiol groups and 264µmol MNA per gram polymer, respectively. Even for the unmodified polymer a rheological synergism was observed with isolated porcine intestinal mucus, which was 2.81-fold higher in case of the preactivated thiomer. Mucoadhesion studies on freshly excised porcine intestinal mucosa confirmed these results via a 2.43-fold higher total work of adhesion and a 2.31-fold higher mucosal residence time of the preactivated thiomer. In sprayability tests it was shown that solutions of the preactivated thiomer could be sprayed in concentrations up to 12% (m/V). The novel polymer CG4500-S-S-MNA is a promising sprayable excipient for mucoadhesive formulations.

The function and mechanism of preactivated thiomers in triggering epithelial tight junctions opening

As a unique macromolecular permeation enhancer, thiolated polymers (thiomers), especially the preactivated thiomers, have demonstrated great merits in oral delivery of protein/peptide drugs by triggering epithelial tight junctions (TJs) opening. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. To clarify this issue, preactivated thiomers were synthesized and their TJs opening function as well as signaling pathways on MDCK and Caco-2 cell monolayers was investigated. The results showed that preactivated thiomers could reduce TEER and increase the permeation of Na-Flu and FITC-Insulin over 2-fold and 4-fold on MDCK monolayers, respectively, indicating their huge potential as macromolecular permeation enhancers. The signaling pathway study showed that intracellular PTK Src but not FAK, involved in the TJs opening by claudin-4 disruption. Src activation was based on interaction between thiol group of thiomers and cysteine-riched Src upstream membrane receptors, EGFR and IGFR. The deep comprehension of the thiomers-mediated TJs opening mechanisms provides goodness in application of protein/peptide drugs for the oral delivery.

S-preactivated thiolated glycol chitosan useful to combine mucoadhesion and drug delivery

This work describes S-preactivated N-acetylcysteine (NAC)- and glutathione (GSH)-glycol chitosan (GC) polymer conjugates engineered as potential mucoadhesive platform. Preactivated thiomers (GC-NAC-MNA, GC-GSH-MNA) were synthesized by bond formation between GC-NAC or GC-GSH and 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (MNA) used as ligand. The presence of protected thiol moieties on this new class of thiolated GC made them not subject to oxidation. The structural modifications of the resulting derivatives were confirmed by proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). The conjugates displayed 91.2% and 90.1% of S-preactivation for GC-NAC-MNA and GC-GSH-MNA, respectively. The polymers were tested in ex-vivo and in vitro for their mucoadhesive properties and toxicity. The results showed that the preactivation of GC-NAC and GC-GSH increased their mucoadhesive abilities compared to their thiolated precursors by 1.4-, 4.4-fold in time of adhesion evaluated using rotating cylinder method, 1.6-, 1.5-fold in total work of adhesion (TWA) and 2.0-, 1.3-fold in maximum detachment force (MDA) determined using tensile studies, respectively. Moreover, water-uptake studies showed an improved in weight indicating water-uptake strongly dependent on derivations, before erosion occurred, whereas disintegration took place for the thiolated polymers within the first hour. The S-preactivated modification did not affect the cell viability of Caco2 cells exposed to the polymers. The release of the model drug sodium naproxen from tablets prepared with a lyophilized mixture of drug and polymer was studied via dissolution apparatus revealing that the preactivation on GC-GSH and GC-NAC involves a slowdown in the drug release rate. The results shown that the novel preactivated thiolated GC-derivatives can be considered promising excipients for the development of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.

Combination of SEDDS and Preactivated Thiomer Technology: Incorporation of a Preactivated Thiolated Amphiphilic Polymer into Self-Emulsifying Delivery Systems.

The aim of the study was to create novel mucoadhesive drug delivery systems by incorporating amphiphilic hydrophobically modified, thiolated and preactivated polymers (preactivated thiomers) into self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS). L-Cysteine methyl ester was covalently attached to the polymeric backbone of Pemulen TR-2 and preactivated using 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (2-MNA). These thiomers were incorporated in a concentration of 0.3% (w/v) into SEDDS. The size distribution and the zeta potential of the emulsions were evaluated by dynamic light scattering. Mucoadhesive properties of thiomers-SEDDS spiked with FDA (fluorescein diacetate) were examined utilizing rheological measurement, permeation studies and in vitro residence time study on porcine mucosa. Cell viability tests were additionally performed. 734±58μmol L-Cysteine methyl ester and 562±71μmol 2-MNA could be attached per gram polymer of Pemulen TR-2. Emulsions exhibited a droplet size range between 180 and 270nm. Blank SEDDS possessed a zeta potential value between -5.7 and -8.6mV, whereas thiomers-SEDDS between -14.6 and -17.2mV. Viscous modulus of thiomer and preactivated thiomer containing SEDDS-mucus mixture was 8-fold and 11-fold increased in comparison to reference. The amount of FDA permeated the mucus layer was 2-fold lower in case of thiomers-SEDDS compared to blank SEDDS. A prolonged residence time was observed for thiomers-SEDDS over 45min. During cell viability studies no severe toxic effects were detected. The novel developed SEDDS with incorporated thiomers might be a promising tool for mucoadhesive oral drug delivery.

Preactivated thiomers for intranasal delivery of apomorphine: In vitro and in vivo evaluation

The purpose of this study was to synthesize preactivated thiomers with different degrees of preactivation and to evaluate their potential as novel excipient for nasal apomorphine administration. The thiomer (PAA-cys) was synthesized by addition of thiol groups on poly(acrylic acid) with various molecular mass including 100, 250and450kDafollowed by immobilization of 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (2MNA) to thiol groups by disulfide bond formation resulting in PAA-cys-2MNA. These thiomers (PAA100-cys, PAA250-cys and PAA450-cys) were in the next step preactivated by 56.3, 59.5 and 46.5% (medium degree), and 80.1, 81.6 and 87% (high degree), respectively. Apomorphine permeation across porcine nasal mucosa in the presence of PAA100-cys-2MNA, PAA250-cys-2MNA and PAA450-cys-2MNA with high degree of preactivation was 3.1-, 4.4- and 4.1-fold, while 2.7-, 3.4- and 3.0-fold higher than control for medium degree of preactivation, respectively. Administration of apomorphine in the presence of PAA250-cys-2MNA showed in rats 9 and ∼2-fold improvement of relative bioavailability compared with oral and intranasal administration of apomorphine solution, respectively. Because of the pronounced improvement among other polymers, PAA250-cys-2MNA with high degree of preactivation could be considered as promising excipient for nasal delivery of apomorphine.

2,2′Dithiodinicotinyl ligands: Key to more reactive thiomers

The aim of this study was to establish a novel type of preactivated thiomers exhibiting a comparatively higher reactivity with mucus and consequently improved mucoadhesive properties.In order to achieve this goal, the dimeric form of 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (MNA-MNA) was directly attached to the polymeric backbone of chitosan (CHI) via amide bond formation mediated by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDAC) used as a coupling reagent. The remaining free amino groups were in the following reacted with succinic anhydride (Succ) in order to obtain a uniformly anionically charged polymer (CHI-Succ-MNA-MNA).Within this study, different coupling rates of up to 170μmol MNA-MNA per gram polymer were achieved. The attachment of the dimeric ligand resulted in a preactivated thiomer with a comparatively more reactive disulfide substructure due to the additional nitrogen atom in conjugation over the aromatic moieties. Furthermore, the obtained polymer is entirely preactivated and thus prevented against undesired oxidation reactions. Kinetic studies of disulfide exchange reactions showed a 3.8-fold higher reactivity of CHI-Succ-MNA-MNA in comparison to a state-of-the-art preactivated thiomer. Within rheological measurements, CHI-Succ-MNA-MNA with a coupling rate of 170μmol (CHI-Succ-MNA-MNA 170) led to a 5.7-fold higher mucus viscosity than the non-thiolated control polymer (CHI-Succ) indicating a rheological synergism due to mucoadhesive properties. These results were confirmed by a second mucoadhesion study, which showed a significantly prolonged retention time of CHI-Succ-MNA-MNA on the small intestinal mucosa compared to CHI-Succ (P<0.02).Accordingly, the double preactivation seems to be a promising strategy in order to obtain entirely preactivated polymers with enhanced mucoadhesive properties.

Preactivated thiolated nanoparticles: A novel mucoadhesive dosage form

Within this study a novel form of mucoadhesive nanoparticles (NPs) exhibiting a prolonged residence time on mucosal tissues was developed.In order to achieve this goal a new thiomer was synthesized by the covalent attachment of the amino acid l-cysteine ethyl ester to poly(acrylic acid) (100kDa). The free thiol groups were in the following preactivated with the aromatic thiol bearing ligand 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (2-MNA) and the amount of coupled l-cysteine ethyl ester as well as the amount of attached 2-MNA was determined. Based on this, preactivated thiomer NPs were prepared by ionic gelation with polyethylenimine (PEI). The resulting NPs were characterized regarding size and zeta potential. Furthermore their mucoadhesive properties were investigated via rheological measurements with porcine intestinal mucus and via determination of the particles’ mucosal residence time.Results showed that 1666.74μmol l-cysteine ethyl ester and 603.07μmol 2-MNA could be attached per gram polymer. NPs were in a size range of 112.67–252.84nm exhibiting a zeta potential of −29mV. Thiolated NPs only led to a 2-fold increase in mucus viscosity whereas preactivated NPs showed a 6-fold higher mucus viscosity than unmodified NPs. The mucosal residence time of thiolated NPs was 1.6-fold prolonged and that of preactivated NPs even 4.4-fold higher compared to unmodified particles.Accordingly, preactivated thiolated NPs providing a prolonged residence time on mucosal membranes could be a promising dosage form for various applications.

P-glycoprotein inhibitors: synthesis and in vitro evaluation of a preactivated thiomer

The aim of this study was to synthesize the preactivated thiomer poly(acrylic acid)-cyteine-2-mercaptonicotinic acid (PAA-Cys-2MNA) and to evaluate its P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitory properties. The thiomer (PAA-Cys) was synthesized by covalent immobilization of thiol groups on poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) with a molecular mass of 250 kDa followed by immobilization of 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (2MNA) to thiol groups via disulfide bond formation resulting in PAA-Cys-2MNA. P-gp inhibitory effect of this preactivated thiomer was evaluated on Caco-2 cells. Transports of rhodamine 123 at 37 °C with and without verapamil and at 4 °C were performed to evaluate P-gp function of cells. In total, 1571.81 ± 156.18 µmol thiol groups were immobilized per gram of polymer that were in the next step by 99.88% preactivated. The enhancement ratios of Papp calculated from the ratio between Papp of rhodamine 123 in the presence of P-gp inhibitors and Papp of rhodamine 123 alone were 2.36, 2.09, and 1.84-fold in the presence of PAA-Cys-2MNA, PAA-Cys, and PAA, respectively. Because of its pronounced P-gp inhibitory effect, PAA-Cys-2MNA could be considered as promising macromolecular P-gp inhibitor for various drug delivery systems.

Evaluation of functional characteristics of preactivated thiolated chitosan as potential therapeutic agent for dry mouth syndrome

PurposeThe objective of this study was to investigate preactivated thiomers for their potential in the treatment of dry mouth syndrome. MethodsChitosan–thioglycolic–mercaptonicotinamide conjugates (chitosan–TGA–MNA) were synthesized by the oxidative S–S coupling of chitosan–thioglycolic acid (chitosan–TGA) with 6-mercaptonicotinamide (MNA). Test disks were compressed out of unmodified chitosan, chitosan–TGA (thiomers) and chitosan–TGA–MNA conjugates to investigate cohesive properties, cytotoxicity assays and mucoadhesion studies. ResultsImmobilizing the MNA achieved higher swelling and cohesive properties of chitosan–TGA–MNA conjugates compared to unmodified chitosan. Rotating cylinder studies displayed a 3.1-fold improvement of mucoadhesiveness of chitosan–TGA–MNA conjugates compared to thiolated polymers. Findings in tensile strength were in good agreement with rotating cylinder ones. Furthermore, preactivated thiomers exhibit higher stability. All conjugates were found non-toxic against Caco-2 cells. ConclusionPreactivated thiolated chitosan could be a promising system for the treatment of dry mouth syndrome where mucosa requires lubrication and mucoadhesiveness.

Preactivated hyaluronic acid: A potential mucoadhesive polymer for vaginal delivery

The objective of this study was to develop mucoadhesive polymeric excipients for vaginal drug delivery systems. Hyaluronic acid was thiolated and subsequently preactivated with 6-mercaptonicotinamide (HA-CYS–MNA) to enhance stability and mucoadhesive properties on vaginal mucosa. After determination of the thiol group content, disintegration studies and in vitro mucoadhesion studies (rotating cylinder and tensile) were performed. Furthermore, swelling behavior and cytotoxicity studies were performed in comparison with corresponding polymers. Both, disintegration and in vitro mucoadhesive studies revealed that modifying HA-CYS with MNA resulted in higher stability (3.6-fold prolonged disintegration time compared to unmodified hyaluronic acid) and prolonged mucoadhesion time. MTT assay and LDH revealed no toxicity for the polymeric excipients and safe for their use. Disintegration and swelling results conducted more pronounced stability of the preactivated thiomers compared to corresponding unmodified ones. According to these results preactivated hyaluronic acid might be a useful tool for vaginal delivery systems.

Chemical Modification of Hyaluronic Acid for Intraoral Application

This study was aimed to investigate chemical preactivated thiomers for their potential use in mucosal drug delivery. Thiomers--thiolated polymers--are mucoadhesive polymers with sulfhydryl group-bearing side chains. Thiomers are synthesized by covalent attachment of low molecular mass compounds bearing sulfhydryl group to the polymeric backbone of well-established polymers. Hyaluronic acid-cysteine ethyl ester-mercaptonicotinamide conjugates (HA-CYS-MNA) were synthesized by the oxidative S-S coupling of HA-CYS with 6-MNA. Conjugates were compressed into test discs to investigate cohesive properties, cytotoxicity assays, and mucoadhesion studies. Because of the immobilization of MNA, the HA-CYS-MNA conjugates exhibit comparatively higher swelling properties and cohesive properties corresponding unmodified HA. On the rotating cylinder, discs based on HA-CYS-MNA conjugates displayed fourfold improved mucoadhesion time compared with thiolated polymers. Tensile study results were found in good agreement with rotating cylinder results. Moreover, preactivated thiomers showed higher stability. All polymers were found nontoxic over Caco-2 cells. On the basis of achieved results, the preactivated thiomeric therapeutic agent seems to represent a promising generation of mucoadhesive polymers that are safe to use for a prolonged residence time to target the mucosa requested for intraoral application.

Thiolated and S-protected hydrophobically modified cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) – A new generation of multifunctional polymers

The aim of this study was to create a novel multifunctional polymer by covalent attachment of l-cysteine to the polymeric backbone of hydrophobically modified cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) (AC1030). Secondly, the free thiol groups of the resulting thiomer were activated using 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (2-MNA) to provide full reactivity and stability. Within this study, 1167.36μmol cysteine and 865.72μmol 2-MNA could be coupled per gram polymer. Studies evaluating mucoadhesive properties revealed a 4-fold extended adherence time to native small intestinal mucosa for the thiomer (AC1030-cysteine) as well as an 18-fold prolonged adhesion for the preactivated thiomer (AC1030-Cyst-2-MNA) compared to the unmodified polymer. Modification of the polymer led to a higher tablet stability concerning the thiomer and the S-protected thiomer, but a decelerated water uptake could be observed only for the preactivated thiomer. Neither the novel conjugates nor the unmodified polymer showed severe toxicity on Caco-2 cells. Evaluation of emulsification capacity proofed the ability to incorporate lipophilic compounds like medium chain triglycerides and the preservation of the emulsifying properties after the modifications. According to these results thiolated AC1030 as well as the S-protected thiolated polymer might provide a promising tool for solid and semisolid formulations in pharmaceutical development.

Preactivated thiomers: Evaluation of gastroretentive minitablets

The object of this study was to evaluate the potential of a recently developed preactivated thiolated pectin derivative as mucoadhesive excipient in drug delivery to the gastric cavity. Pectin (Pec) was chemically modified with L-cysteine (Cys). The free thiol groups of resulting thiomer were activated with 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (MNA) in order to improve stability and reactivity of attached thiol groups over a broad pH range. Multiunit dosage form properties of the resulting conjugate (Pec-Cys-MNA) were compared to unmodified pectin and the intermediate thiolated using rosuvastatin calcium as a model drug in loaded minitablets. Obtained results were compared with unmodified pectin and the intermediate thiolated pectin. Approximately half of attached thiol groups (507 μmol/g polymer) have been preactivated. Minitablets were evaluated regarding mucoadhesive properties, hardness, disintegration behavior, swelling characteristics and release of rosuvastatin calcium. Mediated by covalent bonds between the polymer and cysteine-rich subdomains in mucus, total work of adhesion increased more than 5-fold. The modification had no impact on hardness of compressed tablets but implementation of the aromatic ligand went along with reduction in hydrophilic properties. Disintegration time was prolonged more than 2-fold while water uptake capacity increased. Weight gain for Pec-Cys-MNA was at least 16-fold. Further, a sustained release of rosuvastatin calcium over 36 h was determined. Neither biodegradability nor CaCo-2 cell viability was affected. The study shows that Pec-Cys-MNA is a promising excipient for the development of mucoadhesive gastric dosage form.

Preactivated thiomers for vaginal drug delivery vehicles

It was the purpose of this study to design and evaluate a chitosan derivative as mucoadhesive excipient for vaginal drug delivery systems. The chemical modification of chitosan was achieved by conjugation of thioglycolic acid (TGA) resulting in 1594 μmol thiol groups per gram of polymer followed by the linkage of mercaptonicotinic acid (MNA) to the immobilized thiol groups via disulfide bonding leading to 702 μmol ligand per gram of preactivated polymer. The mucoadhesive properties of these polymers within newly designed vaginal formulations (Chitosan–TGA and Chitosan–TGA–MNA) and commercially available vaginal formulations (Candibene®, Daktarin®, Dalacin®, GynoPevaryl®) were tested over a time period of 24 h via a mucoadhesion test system simulating vaginal conditions, tensile studies and mucus polymer interaction studies via viscosity measurements. Within the vaginal test system simulating vaginal in situ conditions, a 1.5-fold increase in mucoadhesion could be observed for preactivated thiomer formulations after 24 h in comparison to commercially available formulations. Similar results were achieved for tensile studies, as the chitosan–TGA–MNA containing formulation resulted in a 4.9-fold increase in total work of adhesion (TWA) in comparison to Candibene which showed the highest TWA value of all tested commercial formulations. Also in terms of rheology investigations of mucus/formulation mixtures, a 5.8-fold increase in dynamic viscosity for chitosan–TGA–MNA containing mixtures could be observed in comparison to the mucus-free control. In contrast, commercially available formulations achieved a maximum enhancement of 1.9-fold. These outcomes confirm that the newly developed polymer is a promising tool for vaginal drug delivery likely providing a prolonged vaginal residence time due to its comparatively high mucoadhesive properties.

Design and In Vitro Evaluation of A Novel Polymeric Excipient For Buccal Applications

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a more effective mucoadhesive thiomer for buccal drug-delivery systems. 2-iminothiolane was covalently attached to a chitosan backbone. A preactivation step followed, mediated by 6,6´dithionicotinamide, thiol groups were modified by disulfide bonds formation. Mucoadhesion studies were performed on buccal mucosa. In addition, water-uptake capacity, disintegration, release and cytotoxicity studies were completed. The obtained chitosan-thiobutylamidine conjugate displayed 647.4 ± 85.23 µmol/g immobilized thiol groups. Due to the preactivation, approximately 60% of thiol groups were modified by formation of disulfide bonds. Chitosan-thiobutylamidine-mercaptonicotinamide displayed 1.8-fold higher stability and 1.6-fold higher mucoadhesive properties, respectively. The release study demonstrated a 1.4-fold more prolonged drug release compared with corresponding thiomers. According to these results, preactivated thiomers demonstrate an improved stability and increased mucoadhesive properties. Therefore, they seem to be advantageous for buccal administration over corresponding thiomers and chitosan.

Thiomers: Promising Platform For Macromolecular Drug Delivery

The application of macromolecules as therapeutic agents holds great promise for several major disorders such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, their use is limited by the lack of efficient, safe and specific delivery strategies. A promising strategy to overcome these challenges might be the use of thiolated polymers or designated thiomers. Thiomers are synthesized by immobilization of sulfhydryl bearing ligands on a polymeric backbone of well-established polymers. These multifunctional polymeric excipients show advantages in mucoadhesion, enzyme and efflux pump inhibition in comparison to unmodified polymers. One obstacle in the use of thiomers is that they are prone to oxidation at lower pH but this could be solved by introducing a completely new generation of thiomers, namely, the preactivated thiomer generation. Preactivated thiomers are mixed disulfides, which exhibit oxidation resistance and, beyond that, improved thiomer features. This review summarizes recent findings of polymeric excipients for macromolecular drug delivery as well as their synthesis and distinctive features.

Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Preactivated Thiomer via Polymerization Reaction

The objective of this study was to synthesize 6-(2-acryloylamino-ethyldisulfanyl)-nicotinic acid (ACENA) for subsequent copolymerization with acrylic acid (AA) as a new method for synthesis of preactivated thiomers. Copolymerization reactions of ACENA and AA with different molar ratios were performed and the molecular weight (M(w)) values of the resulting copolymers were calculated and reported from 3046 to 3271 Da. The disulfide bond content values in the polymer chain were determined from 400 to 544 μmol disulfide bond per gram polymer. The transport enhancement ratio for 0.5% (m/v) solution of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was 1.1 using sodium fluorescein (Na-Flu) as model drug, in Ussing-type chambers, whereas it was over 1.9 for 0.5% (m/v) solution of ACENA and AA copolymers. Resazurin cell-viability test showed no significant toxicity for the polymers. Copolymerization of AA and disulfide-bond-containing monomers can open new horizons for the preparation of preactivated thiomers taking the better controllability and the huge variety of available monomers and combinations thereof into account.

Preactivated thiomers: Permeation enhancing properties

The study was aimed to prepare a series of poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine-2-mercaptonicotinic acid conjugates (preactivated thiomers) and to evaluate the influence of molecular mass or degree of preactivation with 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (2MNA) on their permeation enhancing properties. Preactivated thiomers with different molecular mass and different degree of preactivation were synthesized and categorized on the basis of their molecular mass and degree of preactivation as PAA(100)-Cys-2MNA (h), PAA(250)-Cys-2MNA (h), PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (h), PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (m) and PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (l). In vitro permeation studies, the permeation enhancement ability for preactivated thiomers was ranked as PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (h)>PAA(250)-Cys-2MNA (h)>PAA(100)-Cys-2MNA (h) on both Caco-2 cell monolayers and rat intestinal mucosa. Comparing the influence of degree of preactivation with 2MNA on permeation enhancement, the following order PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (h)>PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (m)≈PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (l) on Caco-2 cell monolayers and PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (m)>PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (h)>PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (l) on intestinal mucosa was observed. The P(app) of sodium fluorescein was 5.08-fold improved on Caco-2 cell monolayers for PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (h) and 2.46-fold improved on intestinal mucosa for PAA(450)-Cys-2MNA (m), respectively, in comparison to sodium fluorescein in buffer only. These results indicated that preactivated thiomers could be considered as a promising macromolecular permeation enhancing polymer for non-invasive drug administration.

Preactivated thiomers as mucoadhesive polymers for drug delivery

This study was aimed to synthesize polymeric excipients with improved mucoadhesive, cohesive and in situ-gelling properties to assure a prolonged retention time of dosage forms at a given target site, thereby achieving an increased uptake and improved oral bioavailability of certain challenging therapeutic agents such as peptides and proteins. Accordingly, poly(acrylic acid)-cysteine-2-mercaptonicotinic acid (PAA-cys-2MNA) conjugates were synthesized by the oxidative S–S coupling of PAA-cys (100-, 250- and 450 kDa) with 2-mercaptonicotinic acid (2MNA). Unmodified PAAs, PAAs-cys (thiomers) and PAA-cys-2MNA (100-, 250- and 450 kDa) conjugates were compressed into tablets to perform disintegration tests, mucoadhesion studies and rheological measurements. Moreover, cytotoxicty of the polymers was determined using Caco-2 cells. The resulting PAA-cys-2MNA (100-, 250- and 450 kDa) conjugates displayed 113.5 ± 12.7, 122.7 ± 12.2 and 117.3 ± 4.6 μmol/g of 2-mercaptonicotinic acid, respectively. Due to the immobilization of 2MNA, the PAA-cys-2MNA (pre-activated thiomers) conjugates exhibit comparatively higher swelling properties and disintegration time to the corresponding unmodified and thiolated polymers. On the rotating cylinder, tablets based on PAA-cys-2MNA (100-, 250- and 450 kDa) conjugates displayed 5.0-, 5.4- and 960-fold improved mucoadhesion time in comparison to the corresponding unmodified PAAs. Results achieved from tensile studies were found in good agreement with the results obtained by rotating cylinder method. The apparent viscosity of PAA-cys-2MNA (100-, 250- and 450 kDa) conjugates was improved 1.6-, 2.5- and 206.2-fold, respectively, in comparison to the corresponding unmodified PAAs. Moreover, pre-activated thiomers/mucin mixtures showed a time dependent increase in viscosity up to 24 h, leading to 7.0-, 18.9- and 2678-fold increased viscosity in comparison to unmodified PAAs (100-, 250- and 450 kDa), respectively. All polymers were found non-toxic over Caco-2 cells. Thus, on the basis of achieved results the pre-activated thiomers seem to represent a promising generation of mucoadhesive polymers which are safe to use for prolonged residence time of drug delivery systems to target various mucosa.