Sulfapyridine is the third oldest drug still in use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune inflammatory joint disease, according to the researchers from Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab.
However, long term use of the drug results in side effects such as nausea or vomiting, rashes, dizziness, anxiety and abdominal pain, they said.
"As the molecule has side effect due to its higher dose, we developed a formulation which can be delivered directly to the site of action and thus is safe," said Bhupinder Kapoor, Associate Professor, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, LPU, told .
In their study published in the peer-reviewed journal 'Materials Science and Engineering C', the researchers reported developing a prodrug of sulfapyridine and then incorporated it into an innovative delivery system.
The prodrug exhibited better retention in liposomes, as compared to the drug, thus reducing the symptoms of inflammation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Liposomes are spherical vesicles having at least one lipid bilayer which are used as a vehicle for administration of pharmaceutical drugs.
The prodrug treatment is administered by injecting the affected area of the patient, and not through oral consumption, according to the researchers.
This means that the medication only remains in the affected area, without spreading to the rest of the body, they said.
The research team, including Kapoor, Monica Gulati and Sachin K. Singh from LPU, successfully conducted the pre-clinical trials as well as the testing of the drug delivery mechanism.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We conducted a study to understand the efficacy of sulfapyridine-derived liposomes. In arthritic rats, prodrug liposomes were found to reverse the symptoms of inflammation, including the levels of biochemical markers," Kapoor explained.
"Therefore, liposomes of bio-responsive prodrugs offer a revolutionary approach in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sulfapyridine is the third oldest drug still in use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune inflammatory joint disease. The study was carried in collaboration with researchers at Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana & JSS College of Pharmacy, Ooty, Tamil Nadu.
Calling the results of the study as "promising", Dr. Arup Kumar Banerjee from North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri, West Bengal noted that prodrugs are compounds, or a derivative of a drug, that themselves are pharmacologically inactive but after administration get metabolised in the body into its active form.
"Prodrug form increases the bioavailability of the actual drug by defying metabolism in site other than the intended one and also decreases the adverse side effect by selective absorption or metabolism at the target cells or organs," Banerjee, who was not involved in the study, told .
Around 10 per cent of all drugs being used today are administered in the body in prodrug form, he added.
At present sulfapyridine is used in the form of sulfasalazine which is recommended orally in high dose and has few side effects due to exposure to nontarget sites, the researchers said.
For the successful retention of the drug at the injection site, they synthesised its lipophilic prodrug which is retained in the injection site for a longer time period and required in very low dose, therefore has no side effects and dosing frequency is also very less.
As sulfapyridine is not a suitable molecule due to poor solubility, the researchers synthesised its prodrug which can be retained in injection site for a longer time period, and therefore is effective in very low dose and without any side effect.
The researchers said their prodrug will need approval for sales and marketing from India's drug regulatory body.
The team has filed for a patent, and the pre-evaluation phase is now complete. They are also applying for an international patent for this new drug delivery method.
World No Tobacco Day: Smoking Can Hurt Eyes, Bones And Brain
1/10
Most smokers believe smoking is cool. No matter how you indulge in it, tobacco is harmful to your health. Tobacco contains over 7,000 toxins and 70 known carcinogens (chemicals that increase cancer risk) and can damage nearly every organ of the body.
Dr Sachin Kumar, Senior Consultant - Pulmonology at Sakra World Hospital explains how smoking affects every part of your body.
The next time you are tempted to take a drag, just pause for a minute and think of the consequences of your indulgence.
Most smokers believe smoking is cool. No matter how you indulge in it, tobacco is harmful to your health. Tobacco contains over 7,000 toxins and 70 known carcinogens (chemicals that increase cancer r..
Read More
Smoking usually helps smokers relax on a short-term basis. But, it comes at a huge price in the long-term. Smoking results in addiction and anxiety. It alters the brain chemistry and can increase the risk of stroke.
Smoking usually helps smokers relax on a short-term basis. But, it comes at a huge price in the long-term. Smoking results in addiction and anxiety. It alters the brain chemistry and can increase the..
Read More
Cancer of mouth and throat is common among smokers. In addition, smoking can also result in gum disease, premature tooth loss, discolouration of teeth, etc.
Cancer of mouth and throat is common among smokers. In addition, smoking can also result in gum disease, premature tooth loss, discolouration of teeth, etc.
Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death in the world, develops due to smoking. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which causes difficulty in breathing is another common cause of death among smokers. Chronic Bronchitis, the inflammation of the bronchial tubes which also results in difficulty in breathing, is caused primarily due to smoking.
Smoking also increases the risk of other infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.
Lung cancer, one of the leading causes of death in the world, develops due to smoking. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which causes difficulty in breathing is another common cause of death amon..
Read More
Smoking is one of the leading causes for heart diseases. Regular smokers, as well as second-hand/passive smokers, are at high risk of heart disease.
Tobacco also contributes to heart conditions by reducing the good cholesterol (HDL) and increasing the bad cholesterol (LDL and Triglycerides) in the body.
Smoking is one of the leading causes for heart diseases. Regular smokers, as well as second-hand/passive smokers, are at high risk of heart disease.
Tobacco also contributes to heart conditions by r..
Read More
In men, smoking can result in abnormality of sperm, impotence, erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.
In women, smoking can result in infertility, miscarriage, early menopause, and cervical and ovarian cancer.
Smoking can impact the future generation, and can lead to physical deformities and sudden infant deaths.
In men, smoking can result in abnormality of sperm, impotence, erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.
In women, smoking can result in infertility, miscarriage, early menopause, and cervical and ..
Read More
Smoking increases the risk of eye-related problems like stinging, excessive tearing, glaucoma and cataract. It can result in partial or total blindness if untreated.
Smoking increases the risk of eye-related problems like stinging, excessive tearing, glaucoma and cataract. It can result in partial or total blindness if untreated.
The kidney's main function is to clear the toxic wastes from our body. But, smoking does exactly the opposite.
It increases the chances of kidney failure, bladder cancer and other urinary tract-related problems.
The kidney's main function is to clear the toxic wastes from our body. But, smoking does exactly the opposite.
It increases the chances of kidney failure, bladder cancer and other urinary tract-rela..
Read More
Bones provide structure to the body. Due to the toxins present in tobacco, smoking can result in osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), increasing the risk of hip fracture, spine-related problems, bone marrow cancer and also rheumatoid arthritis.
In addition to the above-mentioned problems, tobacco can also result in premature ageing, hair loss, weak immunity etc.
Bones provide structure to the body. Due to the toxins present in tobacco, smoking can result in osteoporosis (weakening of the bones), increasing the risk of hip fracture, spine-related problems, bo..
Read More
Smoking reduces appetite. It prevents adequate nutrition to the body which makes the body weak. It can also up the insulin resistance of the body which makes people susceptible to type 2 diabetes. It also has a negative impact on the liver and intestine, and can increase the risk of ulcers in the stomach and intestine.
Smoking reduces appetite. It prevents adequate nutrition to the body which makes the body weak. It can also up the insulin resistance of the body which makes people susceptible to type 2 diabetes. It..
