Synthesis, pharmacological activity and hydrolytic behavior of glyceride prodrugs of ibuprofen

For reducing the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with ibuprofen its carboxylic group was condensed with the hydroxyl group of 1,2,3-trihydroxy propane 1,3-dipalmitate/stearate to give the ester prodrugs 3a and 3b. The release of ibuprofen from these prodrugs has been studied at pH 3, 4, 5 and 7.4 by HPLC using methanol and 0.05% phosphoric acid (80%) (70:30) as mobile phase. The prodrugs showed insignificant hydrolysis at pH 5 compared to pH 7.4 indicating that the prodrugs do not break in stomach but release ibuprofen at pH 7.4 in adequate amounts. In vivo hydrolysis studies in rats, the peak plasma concentration of ibuprofen was attained in 1.5 h in case of ibuprofen and in 2 h in prodrugs treated animals. The plasma concentration was found to be less at all times in animals treated with ibuprofen compared to the prodrugs treated animals. The maximum anti-inflammatory activity of ibuprofen was observed at 2 h whereas prodrugs showed maximum activity at 3 h and remained practically constant upto 8 h whereas a decrease in activity was observed with free ibuprofen. Further the prodrugs showed less gastric ulcers compared to ibuprofen. An average score of 0.16, 0.45, 0.97 and 0.20, 0.76, 1.02 of ulcers was observed with 3a and 3b compared to an average score of 0.75, 1.10, and 2.97 with ibuprofen. These prodrugs also showed significant protection against acetic acid induced writhings in rats. These finding suggested that both the prodrugs are better in action as compared to the parent drug and are advantageous in having less gastrointestinal side effects.