Integrative Biology Journals

Natural Products and Bioprospecting ›› 2024, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (6): 53-53.DOI: 10.1007/s13659-024-00470-y

• REVIEW • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Recent advances in pharmaceutical cocrystals of theophylline

Yanxiao Jia1, Dezhi Yang1, Wenwen Wang1, Kun Hu1, Min Yan2, Li Zhang1,2, Li Gao2, Yang Lu1   

  1. 1. Beijing City Key Laboratory of Polymorphic Drugs, Center of Pharmaceutical Polymorphs, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China;
    2. Prescription Laboratory of Xinjiang Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Xinjiang Institute of Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Urumqi 830000, People's Republic of China
  • Received:2024-06-26 Online:2024-12-13 Published:2024-12-24
  • Contact: Li Zhang,E-mail:gaoli_535@163.com;Li Gao,E-mail:gaoli_535@163.com;Yang Lu,E-mail:luy@imm.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    The authors are thankful to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Innovation Environment Construction Special Fund and Technology Innovation Base Construction Key Laboratory Open Project (Grant No. 2022D04016), the Key R&D Program of Shan Dong Province (Grant No. 2021ZDSYS26), CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (Grant No. 2022-I2M-1-015), Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission Drug Standard Promoting Fund (Grant No. 2023Y11), Independent Innovation and Achievement Transformation Plan Project of Zaozhuang City (Grant No. 2022GH15), and 2023 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Innovation Tianchi Talent Introduction Program for financial support.

Recent advances in pharmaceutical cocrystals of theophylline

Yanxiao Jia1, Dezhi Yang1, Wenwen Wang1, Kun Hu1, Min Yan2, Li Zhang1,2, Li Gao2, Yang Lu1   

  1. 1. Beijing City Key Laboratory of Polymorphic Drugs, Center of Pharmaceutical Polymorphs, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China;
    2. Prescription Laboratory of Xinjiang Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Xinjiang Institute of Traditional Uyghur Medicine, Urumqi 830000, People's Republic of China
  • 通讯作者: Li Zhang,E-mail:gaoli_535@163.com;Li Gao,E-mail:gaoli_535@163.com;Yang Lu,E-mail:luy@imm.ac.cn
  • 基金资助:
    The authors are thankful to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Innovation Environment Construction Special Fund and Technology Innovation Base Construction Key Laboratory Open Project (Grant No. 2022D04016), the Key R&D Program of Shan Dong Province (Grant No. 2021ZDSYS26), CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (Grant No. 2022-I2M-1-015), Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission Drug Standard Promoting Fund (Grant No. 2023Y11), Independent Innovation and Achievement Transformation Plan Project of Zaozhuang City (Grant No. 2022GH15), and 2023 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Innovation Tianchi Talent Introduction Program for financial support.

Abstract: Currently, cocrystallization is a promising strategy for tailoring the physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Theophylline, an alkaloid and the most primary metabolite of caffeine, is a readily available compound found in tea and coffee. It functions primarily as a bronchodilator and respiratory stimulant, making it a mainstay treatment for lung diseases like asthma. Theophylline’s additional potential benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, and its possible role in neurological disorders, have garnered significant research interest. Cocrystal formation presents a viable approach to improve the physicochemical properties of theophylline and potentially mitigate its toxic effects. This review comprehensively explores several successful studies that utilized cocrystallization to favorably alter the physicochemical properties of theophylline or its CCF. Notably, cocrystals can not only enhance the solubility and bioavailability of theophylline but also exhibit synergistic effects with other APIs. The review further delves into the hydrogen bonding sites within the theophylline structure and the hydrogen bonding networks observed in cocrystal structures.

Key words: Pharmaceutical cocrystals, Theophylline, Physiochemical properties, Synergistic effect, Formation mechanism

摘要: Currently, cocrystallization is a promising strategy for tailoring the physicochemical properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Theophylline, an alkaloid and the most primary metabolite of caffeine, is a readily available compound found in tea and coffee. It functions primarily as a bronchodilator and respiratory stimulant, making it a mainstay treatment for lung diseases like asthma. Theophylline’s additional potential benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, and its possible role in neurological disorders, have garnered significant research interest. Cocrystal formation presents a viable approach to improve the physicochemical properties of theophylline and potentially mitigate its toxic effects. This review comprehensively explores several successful studies that utilized cocrystallization to favorably alter the physicochemical properties of theophylline or its CCF. Notably, cocrystals can not only enhance the solubility and bioavailability of theophylline but also exhibit synergistic effects with other APIs. The review further delves into the hydrogen bonding sites within the theophylline structure and the hydrogen bonding networks observed in cocrystal structures.

关键词: Pharmaceutical cocrystals, Theophylline, Physiochemical properties, Synergistic effect, Formation mechanism