Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the physicochemical properties of multicomponent solid forms of Gemfibrozil

• Grant number: 24/20467-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Flávio Junior Caires
• Grantee: Larissa Loris Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/07866-0 - Study of the mechanochemical synthesis of multicomponent solid forms of gemfibrozil based on in situ PXRD and Raman analyses with synchrotron radiation, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Cholesterol is a lipid that performs important functions in the human body, for example, as a structural component of cell membranes, synthesis of hormones, and synthesis of vitamin D. However, nowadays, high cholesterol is one of the biggest problems that public health is facing, as it is associated with metabolic and neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's, diabetes and hypertension. Gemfibrozil (GEM) is an API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) from the fibrate class, which are drugs that target fatty acids and triglycerides (TLG) in the bloodstream. Furthermore, GEM is in class II of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), which means it has low solubility and high permeability; this becomes an obstacle to the application of this compound in inhibiting myotoxins. An alternative to overcome this problem is the prospection of new multicomponent solid forms, such as salts. In this context, this project aims to synthesize multicomponent solid forms of GEM using the mechanochemical, slurry and crystallisation in solution methods to optimize its physicochemical properties. Thermal analysis (TG-DTA and DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and single crystal X-ray diffraction (MSXRD) will be used to elucidate the synthesised products. Finally, the characterised systems will undergo solubility and dissolution rate tests. There will also be a scientific exchange programme in Germany with Professor Franziska Emmerling through the Research Internship Abroad (BEPE) grant, in which she will deepen her knowledge of mechanochemistry in situ.