• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.339-345
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• 2010

Fenofibrate has been used for many years to lower cholesterol levels and its pharmacokinetic profile is well understood. However, due to its low solubility in water, it has low bioavailability after oral administration. In order to improve the dissolution rate, fenofibrate was formulated into a self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS). We used pseudo-ternary phase diagrams to evaluate the area of microemulsification, and an in vitro dissolution test was used to investigate the dissolution rate of fenofibrate. The optimized formulation for in vitro dissolution assessment consisted of Lauroglycol FCC (60%), Solutol HS 15 (27%), and Transcutol-P (13%). The mean droplet size of the oil phase in the microemulsion formed from the SMEDDS was about 130 nm. The dissolution rate of fenofibrate from SMEDDS was significantly higher than that of the reference tablet. Our studies suggested that the fenofibrate containing SMEDDS composition can effectively increase the solubility and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.119-134
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• 2012

As much as the popularity of ginseng in herbal prescriptions or remedies, ginseng has become the focus of research in many scientific fields. Analytical methodologies for ginseng, referred to as ginseng analysis hereafter, have been developed for bioactive component discovery, phytochemical profiling, quality control, and pharmacokinetic studies. This review summarizes the most recent advances in ginseng analysis in the past half-decade including emerging techniques and analytical trends. Ginseng analysis includes all of the leading analytical tools and serves as a representative model for the analytical research of herbal medicines.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 1993

A new cephalosporin derivate, cefazolin phthalidyl ester(CFZ-PT) was synthesized to improve oral absorption and bioavailability of parent drug by esterification of sodium cefazolin(CFZ). Partition coefficient studies showed that CFZ-PR is more lipophilic than CFZ. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of CFZ-PT and CFZ preparations were compared following oral administrations of these compounds to rabbits. The analysis of CFZ in plasma was conducted by HPLC method. The ester compound was not detected in plasma following oral administration of CFZ-PT was increased by yielding 3.5-fold bioavailability rather than CFZ. From the results of this experiment, it was concluded that CFZ-PT could be a novel prodrug of CFZ which can improve the oral bioavailability of CFZ.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.331-338
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• 2003

A butyrolactone ester of cefazolin (CFZ-BTL) was synthesized by the esterification of cefazolin (CFZ) with $\alpha$-bromo-${\gamma}$-butyrolactone. The synthesis was confirmed by the spectroscopic analysis. The CFZ-BTL was more lipophilic than the CFZ when assessed by n-octanol/water partition coefficients at various pH. The CFZ-BTL itself did not show any antimicrobial activity in vitro, but after oral administration of CFZ-BTL to rabbits, exerted significant anti-microbial activity in serum samples when measured by the inhibion zone method in nutrient agar plates, due to conversion of CFZ-BTL to an active metabolite, probably CFZ, in the body. The CFZ-BTL was also converted into CFZ as confirmed by in vitro incubation study, with tissue homogenates (liver, blood and intestine) of rabbits. The liver showed the fastest conversion rate, probably via the hydrolysis mechanism. In vivo metabolism of CFZ-BTL to CFZ was also confirmed in vivo serum samples by HPLC. The oral bioavailability of CFZ-BTL in rabbits was 1.6-fold increased when compared to CFZ, resulting from followed by enhanced lipophilicity increased passive absorption in the intestine.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) is a perennial that has been used for medicinal purposes from the ancient times and valerian preparations including root and rhizome extracts are known to possess a variety of biological activities such as anticonvulsant, antidepressant, sleep aid, tranquilizer, and anti-HIV activities. Main components of the extracts were classified according to the structural features. Importantly, one of the main components, isovaleramide, has drawn our attention due to the concise structure, broad spectrum, and low toxicities. The general aspects including generation of this interesting molecule, a variety of activities, pharmacokinetic properties, derivatization, and fusion with other known drugs were described. Isovaleramide has been isolated from valerian probably as an isolation artifact after treatment of ammonia to prepare ammoniated tincture, and is known to exhibit anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, and sleep aid activities without distinct side effects such as excessive sedation and decreasing muscle tone. It was also found to be well absorbed into the circulation system without specific cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The derivatives of isovaleramide, valpromide, valrocemide and valnoctamide were also briefly discussed.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 1992

A prodrug of cefazolin pivaloyloxymethyl ester (CFZ-PV) was synthesized to improve oral absorption and bioavailability of parent drug by esterification of sodium cefazolin (CFZ) with chloromethyl pivalate. The successful synthesis of CFZ-PV was confirmed by spectroscopic analysis. Partition coefficient studies showed that CFZ-PV is more lipophilic than CFZ. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of CFZ-PV and CFZ preparations were compared following oral administrations of these compounds to rabbits. The analysis of CFZ in plasma was conducted by HPLC method. The ester compound (prod rug) was not detected in plasma following oral administration of CFZ-PV, and although CFZ-PV had not microbiological activity in vitro, the plasma taken after CFZ-PV administration had microbiological activity. From above observations, it was noted that CFZ-PV is rapidly hydrolyzed to CFZ in the body. And it was found that the oral absorption of CFZ-PV was increased, yielding 2-fold higher bioavailability than CFZ. From the results of this experiment, it was concluded that CFZ-PV could be a novel prodrug of CFZ which can improve the oral bioavailability of CFZ.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 1993

Prodrug of cefazolin (CFZ) was prepared with the objective of improving its oral bioavailability. Cefazolin phthalidyl ester (CFZ-PT) was synthesized and evaluated as potential prodrug form. The successful synthesis of CFZ-PT was identified by spectroscopic analysis. Partition coefficient studies showed that CFZ-PT is more lipophilic than CFZ and the ester was hydrolyzed enzymatically into the parent drug in blood, liver and intestinal homogenates. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of CFZ-PT and CFZ were compared following oral administrations to rabbits. Serum CFZ concentration was determined by HPLC method and the ester compound (prodrug) was not detected in serum following oral administration of CFZ-PT. CFZ-PT did not have antimicrobial activity in vitro against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, whereas CFZ-PT in serum after oral administration to rabbits had antimicrobial activity. From above observations, it was noted that CFZ-PT is rapidly hydrolyzed to CFZ in the body and the bioavailability of CFZ-PT was increased by 3.5-fold than that of CFZ. From these results of this study, it was concluded that CFZ-PT may be a novel prodrug of CFZ which can improve the oral absorption of CFZ.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1031-1037
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• 2008

Macrolide antimicrobial agents including erythromycin, roxithromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin are commonly used in the treatment of respiratory tract infections in children. Newer macrolides that have structural modifications of older drug erythromycin show improved change in the spectrum of activity, dosing, and administration. However, recent studies reported that increasing use of macrolide antibiotics is the main force driving the development of macrolide resistance in streptococci. In particular, azithromycin use is more likely to select for macrolide resistance with Streptococcus pneumoniae than is clarithromycin use, a possible reflection of its much longer half life. Recently, erythromycin resistance rates of S. pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes are rapidly increasing in Korea. Two main mechanisms of acquired macrolide resistance have been described, altered binding site on the bacterial ribosome encoded by the ermB gene and active macrolide efflux pump encoded by the mef gene. Relationship between the susceptibility of S. pneumoniae and the response to macrolides has been shown in studies of acute otitis media, but less clear in cases of pneumonia. This article reviews the spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetic properties, mechanisms of action and resistance, and clinical implication of resistance on the treatment of respiratory tract infections in children.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.80-90
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• 2017

Initial discovery on sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) as an intracellular second messenger was faced unexpectedly with roles of S1P as a first messenger, which subsequently resulted in cloning of its G protein-coupled receptors, $S1P_{1-5}$. The molecular identification of S1P receptors opened up a new avenue for pathophysiological research on this lipid mediator. Cellular and molecular in vitro studies and in vivo studies on gene deficient mice have elucidated cellular signaling pathways and the pathophysiological meanings of S1P receptors. Another unexpected finding that fingolimod (FTY720) modulates S1P receptors accelerated drug discovery in this field. Fingolimod was approved as a first-in-class, orally active drug for relapsing multiple sclerosis in 2010, and its applications in other disease conditions are currently under clinical trials. In addition, more selective S1P receptor modulators with better pharmacokinetic profiles and fewer side effects are under development. Some of them are being clinically tested in the contexts of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, such as, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, liver failure, renal failure, acute stroke, and transplant rejection. In this review, the authors discuss the state of the art regarding the status of drug discovery efforts targeting S1P receptors and place emphasis on potential clinical applications.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 1999

Semi-solid poly(ortho esters) (POE) were prepared to provide bioerodible carriers for sustained drug delivery systems of naloxone (NLX) in the treatment of narcotic addiction. As the POE have viscous behavior at room temperature, a significant advantage of this polymer is that it can be injected without any surgical intervention. The POE was synthesized by a transesterification reaction between 1,2,6-hexanetriol and trimethyl orthoacetate, and the structure of the polymer was confirmed by IR. The in vitro release of the drug from POE was studied. The release rate of NLX decreased with increasing intrinsic viscosities of the polymer. In vivo biocompatibility studies were carried out in rats with NLX loaded POE. Histopathological analysis showed that NLX implants are well-tolerated by rats when used subcutaneously. Pharmacokinetic studies of POE-NLX implants of two different viscosities were carried out in rabbits. In all cases, plasma concentrations of NLX were maintained over 1 ng/ml for at least 168 hours, but initial burst effect was observed. Mean residence time(MRT) was found to depend on the viscosity of the polymer.