Molecular complexes have been studied to improve the physico-chemical properties of drugs for the past half century. Higuchi et al. reported that caffeine formed complexes with benzoic acid and various benzoate derivative esters in solution.1) They attempted the first quantitative evaluation regarding the molecular association responsible for the existence of these complexes and the effect on chemical stability. The complexation of some local anesthetic esters such as benzocaine,2) procaine, 3) and lidocaine 4) (LDC) with caffeine was also attempted to inhibit the hydrolysis of the ester group on these drugs in aqueous solution. To improve chemical stability and/or increase solubility, such molecular coupling, which is not covalent bonding, has been extensively investigated, for example, riboflavin-nicotinamide, 5) ampicillin-benzaldehyde, 6) and iodine-polyvinyl pyrrolidone.
7)Indomethacin (IDM), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), has been widely used to treat tendovaginitis, arthritis, and muscle pain as an ointment, cream, gel and adhesive plaster. Since IDM is, however, practically insoluble (ca. 2.5 mg/ml) in water, cyclodextrins, 8,9) poly(amidoamine) dendrimers, 10) and several additives 11) have been utilized to improve its dissolution. Furthermore, skin permeation of IDM was enhanced by the complexation of additives with L-menthol 12) or smectite.
13)LDC topical systems are used to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with herpes zoster virus infections of the skin. Our previous study using Neurometer ® demonstrated that the application of a 9% LDC ointment decreased sensory nerve function in 12 volunteers. Nevertheless, pain relief was not achieved efficiently, because the hydrochloride salt of LDC did not sufficiently penetrate the skin tissue.14) Accordingly, the LDC ointment was reformulated by adding IDM which was expected to heal the inflamed region, because there is no commercially available external medicine consisting of LDC and IDM. In a preliminary study, we obtained a reconstituted viscous paste from IDM and LDC kneaded with an appropriate amount of water.In this study, the intermolecular interaction between IDM and LDC was examined and the formation of a complex was confirmed using thermal analysis, a polarized microscope with a hot stage, fast-atom bombardment (FAB)-MS, phasesolubility techniques, IR, and 1 H-NMR. Finally, the molecular structure of the novel complex in aqueous solution was estimated.
ExperimentalMaterials IDM and LDC were of reagent grade and purchased from Wako Pure Chemical Industries Ltd. (Osaka, Japan). All other chemicals and solvents were of reagent grade and used without further purification.Preparation of the IDM and LDC Complex An equimolar mixture of IDM and LDC was kneaded with an appropriate amount of distilled water using an agate mortar and pestle for 20 min. Then the milled mixture was dried at room temperature under reduced pressure overnight.Determination of IDM and LDC IDM, LDC, and the kneaded mixture were subjected to a HPLC analysis...