Dynamic self-assembled meso-structures formed across a wide concentration range in aqueous solutions of propranolol hydrochloride

Yixuan Yan, Yichun Shen, Najet Mahmoudi, Peixun Li, James Tellam, Richard A. Campbell, David J. Barlow, Katharina Edkins, Andrew G. Leach, M.Jayne Lawrence

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Hypothesis
Nanoscale characterisation of the self-associated species formed by amphiphilic pharmaceuticals in aqueous solution carries relevance across their entire journey from development through to manufacture – relevant, therefore, not only as regards formulation of the drug products as medicines, but also potentially relevant to their bioavailability, activity, and clinical side effects. Such knowledge and understanding, however, can only be fully secured by applying a range of experimental and theoretical methodologies.

Experiments
Herein, we apply a synergistic combination of solubility, surface tension, SANS, NMR and UV spectroscopic studies, together with MD simulation and QM calculations, to investigate the meso-structures of propranolol hydrochloride aggregates in bulk aqueous solutions, at concentrations spanning 2.5 mM to > 200 mM. In addition, we explore the effects of adding NaCl to mimic the ionic strength of physiological fluids, and the differences between racemate and single enantiomer.

Findings
There is a continuum of particle sizes shown to exist across the entire concentration range, with molecules joining and leaving on the nanosecond timescale, and with the distributions of aggregate sizes varying with drug and salt concentration. Given that propranolol is a highly prescribed (WHO essential) medicine, disfavouring aggregators from consideration in high-throughput screening for potential new drug candidates − as many have advocated − should thus be done cautiously.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1135-1149
JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science
Volume683
Issue numberPart 1
Early online date18 Dec 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 18 Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Colloidal systems
  • Small angle neutron scattering
  • Molecular dynamics
  • Nuclear magnetic resonance
  • Quantum mechanics
  • Drug self-association
  • Propranolol hydrochloride

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