Praziquantel
(PZQ) is one of the most widespread anthelmintic drugs. However, the frequent insufficient
application of PZQ after oral administration is associated with its
low solubility, penetration rate, and bioavailability. In the present
study, the permeation of PZQ through a 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) membrane was investigated to probe
glycyrrhizin-assisted transport. Glycyrrhizin (or glycyrrhizic acid,
GA), a natural saponin, shows the ability to enhance the therapeutic
activity of various drugs when it is used as a drug delivery system.
However, the molecular mechanism of this effect is still under debate.
In the present study, the transport rate was measured experimentally
by a parallel artificial membrane permeation assay (PAMPA) and molecular
dynamics (MD) simulation with DOPC lipid bilayers. The formation of
the noncovalent supramolecular complex of PZQ with disodium salt of
GA (Na2GA) in an aqueous solution was proved by the NMR relaxation
technique. PAMPA experiments show a strong increase in the amount
of the penetrating praziquantel molecules in comparison with a saturated
aqueous solution of pure drug used as a control. MD simulation of
PZQ penetration through the bilayer demonstrates an increase in permeability
into the membrane in the presence of a glycyrrhizin molecule. A decrease
in the free energy barrier in the middle of the lipid bilayer was
obtained, associated with the hydrogen bond between PZQ and GA. Also,
GA reduces the local bilayer surface resistance to penetration of
PZQ by rearranging the surface lipid headgroups. This study clarifies
the mechanism of increasing the drug’s bioavailability in the
presence of glycyrrhizin.
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