# A Novel Supramolecular Salt of Hypoxanthine with Maleic Acid as a Potential Weight-Loss Drug

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new drug form of hypoxanthine that dissolves better and may help with weight loss.

## Contribution

A novel supramolecular salt of hypoxanthine with maleic acid is developed and tested for improved solubility and anti-obesity effects.

## Key findings

- The HYP-MAL salt showed 2.4 times higher water solubility than pure hypoxanthine.
- The salt's dissolution rate was 1.8 times faster than hypoxanthine in the first 10 minutes.
- The salt demonstrated potential anti-obesity effects in obese mice.

## Abstract

Improving the stability of drugs in the solid state, as well as improving their solubility and poor bioavailability, is highly physiologically relevant. In this study, we focused on enhancing the solubility of hypoxanthine (HYP) through salt formation resulting from the preparation of hypoxanthine–maleic acid salt (HYP-MAL). Single crystals were obtained through solvent evaporation methods, and DSC, TGA, PXRD, FT-IR, and 1H NMR spectra were used to characterize the samples. The salt system had higher solubility properties than HYP, with an equilibrium solubility in water that was roughly 2.4 times greater than that of HYP, but the salt’s equilibrium solubility increased when the pH shifted from 7.4 to 1.2; additionally, from 0 to 10 min, the powder dissolution rate was 1.8 times that of HYP, resulting in increased bioavailability. The anti-obesity impact of HYP-MAL salt on obese mice was investigated, providing important insights for the development of future weight-loss medications.