Computational Studies of the Photodegradation Mechanism of the Highly Phototoxic Agent Benoxaprofen.

Computational quantum chemistry within the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) framework is used to investigate the photodegradation mechanism as well as the photochemical and photophysical properties of benoxaprofen (BP), a non steroid anti-inflammatory molecule (2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-benzoxazol-5-yl] propanoic acid). BP is a highly phototoxic agent that causes cutaneous phototoxicity shortly after its administration. On the grounds of concern about serious side effects, especially hepatotoxicity, it was withdrawn from the world market after only 2 years of its release.

Theoretical assessment of norfloxacin redox and photochemistry.

Norfloxacin, 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydo-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid, NOR, is an antibiotic drug from the fluoroquinoline family. The different protonation states of this drug formed throughout the pH range is studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) and the spectra of the NOR species computed using time-dependent DFT. Details about their photochemistry are obtained from investigating the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals.

Photodegradation mechanism of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs containing thiophene moieties: suprofen and tiaprofenic acid.

The photodegradation of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs suprofen, 2-[4-(2-thienoyl)phenyl]propionic acid, and tiaprofenic acid, 2-(5-benzoyl-2-thienyl)propanoic acid, is studied by means of density functional theory. Besides the redox properties of the neutral species, we report on absorption spectra and degradation pathways involving excitation, intersystem crossing to the T(1) state, and spontaneous decarboxylation of the deprotonated species of each drug. The energetics and properties of the suprofen and tiaprofenic acid systems are found to be very similar to those of the highly photolabile benzyl analogue ketoprofen.

Photodegradation mechanism of the common non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac and its carbazole photoproduct.

Diclofenac (DF) is a widely used non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug, associated with a range of side effects. The phototoxicity of DF is studied herein employing computational quantum chemistry at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. The results show that the drug readily absorbs radiation from the UV-region.

Theoretical study of the phototoxicity of naproxen and the active form of nabumetone.

Density functional theory using the hybrid functional B3LYP has been employed in order to study the mechanisms of photoinduced decomposition of the closely related nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs naproxen (NP) and 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (MNAA; the active form of nabumetone). The photochemical properties and computed energies of various species obtained in this study show that both drugs dominate in their deprotonated forms at physiological pH. The deprotonated acids are unable to decarboxylate from their excited singlets; instead, they decarboxylate from their first excited triplet states with high efficiency, overcoming energy barriers less than 3 and 1 kcal/mol for MNAA and NP, respectively.

Theoretical study of ibuprofen phototoxicity.

The photochemical properties and degradation of the common nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen is studied by means of hybrid density functional theory. Computed energies and properties of various species show that the deprotonated form dominates at physiological pH, and that the species will not be able to decarboxylate from a singlet excited state. Instead, decarboxylation will occur, with very high efficiency, provided the deprotonated compound can undergo intersystem crossing from an excited singlet to its excited triplet state.

Theoretical assessment of naphazoline redoxchemistry and photochemistry.

The imidazoline derivative naphazoline (2-(1-naphtylmethyl)-2-imidazoline) is an alpha2-adrenergic agonist used as non-prescription eye and nasal preparations. Besides its functionality in generating vascoconstriction and decongestion in the patient, the toxicity, ROS generating capability, and recently also possible antioxidant capacity of the compound have been reported in the literature. In the current work the structural and electronic features of the drug are explored, using computational chemical tools.

Mechanism of photoinduced decomposition of ketoprofen.

UV-induced decarboxylation of the NSAID ketoprofen, followed by activation of molecular oxygen or formation of a decarboxylated peroxide adduct, is explored using computational quantum chemistry. The excited energy surfaces reveal that the neutral species will not decarboxylate, whereas the deprotonated acid decarboxylates spontaneously in the triplet state, and with an associated 3-5 kcal/mol barrier from several low-lying excited singlet states. The observed long lifetimes of the decarboxylated anion is explained in terms of the high stability of the triplet benzoyl ethyl species with protonated carbonylic oxygen, from which there is no obvious decay channel.