92598-99-7Relevant academic research and scientific papers
Pilocarpic acid esters as novel sequentially labile pilocarpine prodrugs for improved ocular delivery
Bundgaard,Falch,Larsen,Mosher,Mikkelson
, p. 979 - 981 (1985)
Pilocarpic acid esters are shown to be potentially useful prodrugs of pilocarpine with the aim of improving its ocular delivery characteristics. The diesters are of particular interest since they combine an enhanced bioavailability and greatly prolonged duration of activity with a high stability in eye-drop formulation. The proprodrug or sequential cascade concept utilized in the design of these derivatives, involving and enzymatic cleavage mechanisms prior to the occurrence of a chemical (nonenzymatic) reaction, may also be of more general interest in prodrug design.
Pilocarpine prodrugs I. Synthesis, physicochemical properties and kinetics of lactonization of pilocarpic acid esters
Bundgaard,Falch,Larsen,Mikkelson
, p. 36 - 43 (2007/10/02)
Various alkyl and aralkyl esters of pilocarpic acid were synthesized and evaluated as prodrug forms for pilocarpine with the purpose of improving the ocular bioavailability of pilocarpine through increased corneal membrane permeability. The esters were found to undergo a quantitative cyclization to pilocarpine in aqueous solution of pH 3.5-10, the rate of cyclization being a function of the polar and steric effects within the alcohol portion of the esters. The rates of lactonization increased proportionally with the hydroxide ion activity over the pH range studied which is in accord with a reaction mechanism involving intramolecular nucleophilic attack of alkoxide ion on the ester carbonyl moiety. At pH 7.4 and 37° C, half-times of lactonization ranging from 30 min (p-chlorobenzyl ester) to 1105 min (n-hexyl ester) were observed for the various esters. The esters are markedly more lipophilic than pilocarpine. The results suggested that the pilocarpic acid esters may be potentially useful prodrugs, especially when further derivatized to give in vitro stable pilocarpic acid diesters.
