In silico and in vitro prediction of gastrointestinal absorption from potential drug eremantholide C.

Abstract

Objectives Analysis of the biopharmaceutical properties of eremantholide C, sesquiterpene lactone with proven pharmacological activity and low toxicity, is required to evaluate its potential to become a drug.

Methods Preliminary analysis of the physicochemical characteristics of eremantholide C was performed in silico. Equilibrium solubility was evaluated using the shake‐flask method, at 37.0 °C, 100 rpm during 72 h in biorelevant media. The permeability was analysed using parallel artificial membrane permeability assay, at 37.0 °C, 50 rpm for 5 h. The donor compartment was composed of an eremantholide C solution in intestinal fluid simulated without enzymes, while the acceptor compartment consisted of phosphate buffer.

Key findings Physicochemical characteristics predicted in silico indicated that eremantholide C has a low solubility and high permeability. In‐vitro data of eremantholide C showed low solubility, with values for the dose/solubility ratio (ml): 9448.82, 10 389.61 e 15 000.00 for buffers acetate (pH 4.5), intestinal fluid simulated without enzymes (pH 6.8) and phosphate (pH 7.4), respectively. Also, it showed high permeability, with effective permeability of 30.4 × 10−6 cm/s, a higher result compared with propranolol hydrochloride (9.23 × 10−6 cm/s).

Conclusions The high permeability combined with its solubility, pharmacological activity and low toxicity demonstrate the importance of eremantholide C as a potential drug candidate.