Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Harmaline’s Pharmacological Properties: A Focus on Thermodynamics and Kinetics

TL;DR

This study explores the solubility and permeability of harmaline, a biologically active compound, to improve its drug formulation and bioavailability.

Contribution

The paper provides new thermodynamic and kinetic data on harmaline's solubility and distribution coefficients across various solvents and membranes.

Findings

Harmaline's solubility decreases in the order OctOH > pH 2.0 > pH 7.4 > IPM > Hex at 310.15 K.

The distribution coefficient of harmaline in OctOH/pH 7.4 ranges from 0.973 to 1.345, indicating good bioavailability potential.

Harmaline transfer into OctOH is thermodynamically spontaneous, but not into Hex.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Advancing information on the key physicochemical properties of biologically active substances enables the development of formulations with reduced dosing, lower toxicity, and minimal adverse effects. This work addresses the knowledge gap concerning the pharmacologically relevant properties of harmaline (HML), with a focus on thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. New data were obtained on the compound’s solubility and distribution coefficients across a wide temperature range. Specifically, solubility was measured in aqueous buffers (pH 2.0 and 7.4), 1-octanol (OctOH), n-hexane (Hex), and isopropyl myristate (IPM), while distribution coefficients were determined in OctOH/pH 7.4, Hex/pH 7.4, and IPM/pH 7.4 systems. Methods: Three membranes—regenerated cellulose (RC), PermeaPad (PP) and polydimethylsiloxane-polycarbonate (PDS)—were used as barriers in permeability studies using a Franz diffusion cell. Results: At 310.15 K, the molar solubility of HML in the solvents decreased in the following order: OctOH > pH 2.0 > pH 7.4 > IPM > Hex. The distribution coefficient of HML showed a strong dependence on the nature of the organic phase, correlating with its solubility in the respective solvents. The OctOH/pH 7.4 distribution coefficient ranged from 0.973 at 293.15 K to 1.345 at 313.15 K, falling within the optimal range for potential drug bioavailability. The transfer of HML into OctOH (from either pH 7.4 or hexane) is thermodynamically spontaneous, whereas its transfer into Hex is unfavorable. Conclusions: Based on its permeability across the PP barrier, HML was classified as highly permeable. The distribution and permeation profiles of HML showed similar trends over 5 h in both the OctOH/pH 7.4–PP and IPM/pH 7.4–PDS systems. These systems were therefore proposed as suitable models for studying HML transport in vitro.

Figures