Solubility enhancement of simvastatin by arginine: thermodynamics, solute–solvent interactions, and spectral analysis

Abstract

We examined the solubility of simvastatin in water in 0.01 mol·dm⁻³, 0.02 mol·dm⁻³, 0.04 mol·dm⁻³, 0.09 mol·dm⁻³, 0.18 mol·dm⁻³, 0.36 mol·dm⁻³, and 0.73 mol·dm⁻³ arginine (ARG) solutions. The investigated drug is termed the solute, whereas ARG the cosolute. Phase solubility studies illustrated a higher extent of solubility enhancement for simvastatin. The aforementioned system was subjected to conductometric and volumetric measurements at temperatures (T) of 298.15 K, 303.15 K, 308.15 K, and 313.15 K to illustrate the thermodynamics involved and related solute–solvent interactions. The conductance values were used to evaluate the limiting molar conductance and association constants. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰, ΔS⁰, and E_s) for the association process of the solute in the aqueous solutions of ARG were calculated. Limiting partial molar volumes and expansibilities were evaluated from the density values. These values are discussed in terms of the solute–solvent and solute–cosolute interactions. Further, these systems were analyzed using ultraviolet–visible analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and ¹³C, ¹H, and two-dimensional nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy nuclear magnetic resonance to complement thermophysical explanation.

Keywords:

• simvastatin–arginine complex
• solubility
• volumetric
• conductometric
• spectroscopy

Introduction

In the last 2 decades, there has been an increasing interest in the solubility enhancement of active pharmaceutical ingredients, particularly on those belonging to class II of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. In this context, statin molecules, the well-known competitive and potent inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methlyglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, are classified as class II drugs.¹ Clinically, statins possess a potent cholesterol-lowering effect and could reduce the risk of mortality and morbidity associated with coronary heart disease.^2,3 Among the various statins available, simvastatin (SMV) is the most commonly used lipid-lowering agents prescribed and studied by medical practitioners and researchers.⁴ SMV has a very low bioavailability. It was reported that only 5% of the dosed SMV reached the systemic circulation resulting in a plasma concentration, typically only at the nanogram per milliliter level.⁵ Hence, the enhancement of the aqueous solubility in such a case shall lead to increased therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability.⁶

Numerous techniques and methods have been reported on how the solubility of SMV can be enhanced. These include particle size reduction,⁷ drug–dendrimer conjugates,⁸ mesoporous carriers,⁹ the solid dispersion method,^10–12 inclusion complexes,^13–15 and surfactant-based approaches.^16,17 Despite numerous solubility enhancement methods and techniques that have been discussed in detail, the fundamental properties of the molecular interaction involved are still rather scarce. Data such as conductometric and volumetric measurements at different temperatures are crucial to illustrate the thermodynamics involved and related solute–solvent interactions.¹⁸ Therefore, in this article, we investigated the feasibility of arginine (ARG), which had been reported as a solubility enhancer,^19,20 in improving the solubility of SMV. This comprised the investigation on the phase solubility study, densities, and conductivities for several concentrations of SMV–ARG binary solution mixture at T of 298.15 K, 303.15 K, 308.15 K, and 313.15 K. The parameters related to this study such as the Gibbs free energy of transfer $\left(\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0\right)$, limiting molar conductance (Λ₀), association constants (K_A), and related thermodynamic parameters (ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰, ΔS⁰, and E_s) were calculated. These parameters were used to discuss the solubility enhancement phenomenon; possible solute–solvent, solute–cosolute, and solvent–solvent interactions; the behavior of liquid systems; structure making and structure breaking phenomena; and related structural changes.^21,22 Further, these binary solution systems were analyzed using ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectrophotometer, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and ¹³C, ¹H, and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to complement thermophysical explanation.

Materials and methods

Materials

SMV was kindly donated by Hovid Berhad (Ipoh, Malaysia). ARG was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Co. (St Louis, MO, USA), while ethanol and methanol were procured from HmbG Chemical (Hamburg, Germany). The water used was obtained from Select Bio O Purite (Oxfordshire, UK) water system. All other chemicals used were of analytical grade unless otherwise stated.

Phase solubility study

Solubility studies of SMV in the presence of ARG were carried out by the methods described elsewhere.²³ Briefly, different concentrations of ARG solutions, ranging from 0.01 mol·dm⁻³ to 0.73 mol·dm⁻³, were prepared in the 100 mL conical flask. An excess amount of drug (SMV) was added to each flask containing the specified molar solutions of the ARG, which was denoted as S1–S7, respectively. Separately, the excess amount of drug was added only to distilled water to determine the respective intrinsic solubilities, which was denoted as S0. All conical flasks were placed in a mechanical water bath shaker at the temperature of 308.15 K±0.02 K and shaken for a maximum period of 72 hours. At the end of the incubation period, the suspensions were filtered through a 0.5 μm membrane filter. Aliquots of the filtrates were estimated for the drug concentration by UV–visible spectroscopy at 238 nm, with suitable dilution and against the respective molar solutions of ARG as blank. Results of the solubility obtained were used to calculate the solubility efficiency. Further, these filtrates along with their corresponding blanks were subjected to the estimation of thermophysicochemical parameters.

Conductometric studies

A cyber scan conductivity meter with an accuracy of ±0.5% and a conductivity cell (Model PC-510; Eutech Instruments, Singapore) were used for the measurement of conductivity of each sample. The conductance cell was equipped with a water circulating jacket, and the temperature was controlled within ±0.02 K with a water thermostat. The cell constant is 1.01 cm⁻¹ that was calculated by repeated measurements of KCl solutions. All data were corrected with specific conductivity of pure water at the experimental temperatures of 298.15 K and 313.15 K. For each sample, six data points were recorded to calculate the average. Further, these data were used to determine the equivalent conductance of the samples.

Volumetric studies

An Anton Paar digital density meter (Model DMA 60/602) was used to measure the density of solutions (both blank and solutions containing saturated concentrations of SMV at four different temperatures ranging from 298.15 K to 313.15 K). An efficient constant temperature bath with stability within ±0.02 K was used to control the temperature of water around the density meter cell. The density meter was calibrated using pure water and dry air. All density measurements of the solutions were made relative to pure water. Densities of pure water at the experimental temperatures were taken from the literature.²⁴

UV–visible analysis

The UV–visible spectroscopic analysis was carried out by GENESYS™ 10S UV–visible spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). The spectrum scan was performed between 900 nm and 200 nm. The investigated ARG test system containing saturated SMV (S7) was subjected to UV analysis against the corresponding ARG system as the blank. SMV solution in ethanol at a concentration of 10 μg/mL was spectrum scanned for comparison.

FTIR spectroscopic analysis

The S7 solution system was also subjected to Varian FTIR 600 series spectroscopic analysis (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) at room temperature from 400 cm⁻¹ to 4,000 cm⁻¹. The scanning rate of 20 scans was performed at a resolution of 4 cm⁻¹.

NMR spectrometer

The ARG system (S7/7.34 mol·dm⁻³) and its counterpart that is the ARG saturated with SMV along with deuterated methanol-solubilized SMV were subjected to the NMR spectroscopic analysis. NMR experiments were performed on a Bruker Ascend™ 600 spectrometer at a proton resonance ¹H of 600 MHz, equipped with a Z-gradient 5 mm broadband observe probe using standard pulse sequences and pulse cycling. Each sample was calibrated at 90° high-power pulse for ¹H. The sample temperature was set at 300 K. A 2D NOESY spectrum was recorded with 440 increments (64 scans each) in t₁ time domain and 2,000 complex points in t₂ time domain using a spectral width of 8,500 Hz in both dimensions with the ¹H carrier on water. The NMR spectrum of SMV was recorded using deuterated methanol as solvent, whereas SMV–ARG complex was recorded in deuterated water.

Results and discussion

Phase solubility study

The results of the solubility measurements of SMV in different molar concentrations of ARG (S1–S7) along with that in laboratory grade pure water are given in Table 1 at only 308.15 K. The intrinsic solubility of SMV in water was observed to be 0.003164 mmol/mL indicating their poor aqueous solubility. An enhancement of solubility is observed with the increase in cosolute concentration. There has been a massive enhancement of solubility of SMV by 12,781-fold. These massive differences in solubility enhancement can be attributed to the different extent of cosolute (ARG) interaction with SMV, by altering its extent of solvation.

Table 1 Free energy of transfer $\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0$ (free energy of transfers) and solubility efficiency (S_s/S_int) of different concentrations of arginine solution system with saturated presence of simvastatin

Sample	Intrinsic solubility (mmol/mL)	Solubility efficiency (Ss/Sint)	$\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0$
S0	0.003164	–	0
S1	0.559757	176.914475	−12,832.62337
S2	0.713893	225.630055	−13,435.69217
S3	1.873970	592.278896	−15,828.52792
S4	2.494571	788.423206	−16,537.78278
S5	4.948580	1,564.02652	−18,236.14185
S6	14.521243	4,589.520449	−20,905.26137
S7	40.440444	12,781.429860	−23,444.72199

The dissolution of SMV in the presence of ARG in water (ie, in ternary solutions) may be explained in the light of 1) hydrophilic–ionic interactions between the hydrophilic sites (keto and hydroxyl) of SMV and the ions of ARG and 2) hydrophobic–ionic interactions between the hydrophobic sites (aromatic rings) of the SMV molecule and the ions of the ARG, the cosolute. According to the cosphere overlap model,²⁴ type 1) interactions favor the dissolution of SMV to that of type 2). The Gibbs free energy of transfer $\left(\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0\right)$ of SMV from pure water to aqueous solutions of ARG was calculated using the following equation:

$\left(\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0\right)=-2.303\mathit{\text{RT}}\log \left[\frac{S_c}{S_0}\right]$(1)

where [S_c/S₀] is the ratio of molar solubility of the investigated drugs in aqueous ARG solutions to that of pure water.

The Gibbs free energy change indicates the process of transfer from pure water to aqueous ARG solutions, which otherwise reflects the extent of favorability with regard to the solubility enhancement. Values of $\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0$ are shown in Table 1. Negative $\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0$ values in SMV indicate a favorable condition. However, it is interesting to note that at S1 (0.1 mol·dm⁻³ ARG), SMV achieved a 176-fold increase in solubility enhancement. This result is consistent with the corresponding $\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0$ value of −12,832.62. Further, as we move from S1 to S7, the $\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0$ values are observed to decrease with an increase in the ARG molar concentration. This observation can be explained by the fact that solution environment becomes more favorable with an increase in the presence of ARG, thus enhancing the accommodation of SMV in water.

Conductometric studies

The specific conductance (K, μS cm⁻¹) of the solutions of ARG (with and without SMV) under investigation with a concentration range of 0.1–7.34 mol·dm⁻³ at various temperatures of 298.15 K, 303.15 K, 308.15 K, and 313.15 K was measured. The molar conductance (Λ, Scm² mol⁻¹) for all studied systems was calculated by applying the following equation:

$\mathrm{\Lambda }=1,000K/C$(2)

where C is the molar concentration and K is the measured specific conductance of the studied systems after solvent correction.

The molar conductance for all studied systems was recorded in Tables 2 and 3. The limiting molar conductance (Λ₀) of the ARG system in the presence of SMV was obtained by Equation 3$\mathrm{\Lambda }={\mathrm{\Lambda }}_0-b\sqrt{c}$(3) least-square fitting the experimental data given in the table according to the Kohlrausch expression.²⁵

$\mathrm{\Lambda }={\mathrm{\Lambda }}_0-b\sqrt{c}$(3)

where b is a constant.

Table 2 Specific conductance (K), molar conductance (Λ), limiting molar conductance (Λ₀), and activation energy for each system (E_s) of pure arginine at different concentrations and temperatures

Sample	T/K=298.15		T/K=303.15		T/K=308.15		T/K=313.15		Es (kJ·mol^−1)
	Λ ([Scm^2mol^−1]	K (μS) × 10^3)	Λ ([Scm^2mol^−1]	K (μS) × 10^3)	Λ ([Scm^2mol^−1]	K (μS) × 10^3)	Λ ([Scm^2mol^−1]	K (μS) × 10^3)
S1	6.7509	77.50	6.9861	80.20	7.1733	82.35	7.3040	83.85	66,106.24
S2	4.7256	108.50	4.8454	111.25	5.0240	115.35	5.2156	119.75	58,818.51
S3	3.1718	145.65	3.2339	148.50	3.3199	152.45	3.4397	157.95	31,719.21
S4	2.0977	192.65	2.2213	204.00	2.3465	215.50	2.4118	221.50	38,214.62
S5	1.3583	249.50	1.4290	262.50	1.4671	269.50	1.5379	282.50	20,619.21
S6	0.9023	331.50	0.9540	350.50	0.9908	364.00	1.0330	379.50	15,329.10
S7	0.5553	408.00	0.5913	434.50	0.6206	456.00	0.6424	472.00	10,398.79
Λ0 ([Scm^2 mol^−1] ×10^3)	8.6128		8.8446		9.0646		9.2805		NA

Abbreviation: NA, not applicable.

Table 3 Specific conductance (K), molar conductance (Λ), limiting molar conductance (Λ₀), and activation energy for each system (E_s) of arginine solution system with saturated presence of simvastatin

Sample	T/K=298.15		T/K=303.15		T/K=308.15		T/K=313.15		Es (kJ·mol^−1)
	Λ ([Scm^2mol^−1]	K (μS) × 10^3)	Λ ([Scm^2mol^−1]	K (μS) × 10^3)	Λ ([Scm^2mol^−1]	K (μS) × 10^3)	Λ ([Scm^2mol^−1]	K (μS) × 10^3)
S1	15.4878	177.80	15.5444	178.45	16.0453	184.20	16.1629	185.55	83,125.60
S2	10.2352	235.00	10.9538	251.50	11.4329	262.50	12.0862	277.50	21,560.90
S3	6.8815	316.00	8.8306	405.50	8.9939	413.00	9.2661	425.50	79,014.77
S4	4.4480	408.50	4.5296	416.00	4.6439	426.50	4.7474	436.00	36,157.29
S5	2.8826	529.50	2.9670	545.00	3.0622	562.50	3.1384	576.50	30,840.77
S6	2.5164	924.50	2.6321	967.00	2.6865	987.00	2.7028	993.00	29,968.08
S7	2.0857	1,532.50	2.1571	1,585.00	2.2578	1,659.00	2.2850	1,679.00	25,020.93
Λ0 ([Scm^2mol^−1] ×10^3)	19.615		20.200		20.945		21.422		NA

Abbreviation: NA, not applicable.

The limiting molar conductance values are summarized in Tables 2 and 3. The values of molar conductance and limiting molar conductance were used to calculate the degree of dissociation (α), which was incorporated into the mass action law for the ion association (K_A) as given in the following equation:²⁶

$K_{\mathrm{A}}=1-\alpha /{\alpha }^{2}c{f}_{\pm }^2$(4)

where f_± is the mean activity coefficient. The values of K_A are summarized in Tables 4 and 5 for 298.15 K.

Table 4 Ion association (K_A) of pure arginine at different concentrations and temperatures

Sample	T/K=298.15	T/K=303.15	T/K=308.15	T/K=313.15
	KA	KA	KA	KA
S1	30.65109139	29.33881884	29.0210704	29.9503855
S2	65.29690037	65.61830094	63.20276212	60.40082904
S3	101.4383903	103.3345081	102.8875212	99.77184136
S4	138.8549307	129.2787536	120.4298753	119.3246417
S5	184.3733975	174.8433675	174.1745567	165.388705
S6	222.0171666	208.7074837	202.9329932	195.2537834
S7	306.3256677	284.1069335	270.4735637	264.4018462

Table 5 Ion association (K_A) of arginine solution system with saturated presence of simvastatin at different concentrations and temperatures

Sample	T/K=298.15	T/K=303.15	T/K=308.15	T/K=313.15
	KA	KA	KA	KA
S1	29.39826422	33.90263642	34.72264743	37.56575107
S2	76.49242636	67.79677245	66.38482509	59.62875544
S3	114.858381	64.1372059	67.38914286	66.04643019
S4	163.7333318	167.9872041	172.3811823	172.573728
S5	215.0308706	215.2810962	217.4481675	216.4749624
S6	144.165844	139.426745	144.22417	149.408387
S7	107.5747337	106.5997796	104.493366	106.8535489

It can be seen from Tables 2 and 3 that the calculated molar conductivities Λ of aqueous molar solutions of ARG in the absence and saturated presence of SMV decrease with increasing ARG concentration. The increase in ARG concentration causes the formation of ion pairs in the dilute region and possibly stronger ion association, decreasing molar conductivity. Further, the increase in amino acid concentration causes a strong interaction between the ions of water molecule and NH₂ charge end group of amino acids thus decreasing the molar conductivity. However, in saturated presence of SMV, the molar conductivity values increased as compared with their counterparts without SMV. The aforementioned observation can be ascribed to the fact that reduced microscopic viscosity decreases the frictional coefficient of the medium enhancing the mobility of the species because of a preferential interaction between the solute SMV and cosolute ARG in water hence increasing the solubility of the former. Moreover, the preferential attraction between ARG and SMV reduces the attraction between the ions of the ARG and water molecules causing a decrease in hydrodynamic radii of the ions and an increase in their mobility.

It can be seen from Tables 2 and 3 that the values of Λ₀ of SMV are high in the aqueous solutions of ARG. The higher Λ₀ value of SMV can be ascribed to the similar point of analogy as in the case of the molar conductivities.²⁷ It is evident from Table 3 that Λ₀ of SMV increases with an increase in temperature in the aqueous solutions of ARG. A similar trend is seen in the case of the ARG solutions only (Table 2). The increased Λ₀ values with an increase in temperature indicate less solvation or higher mobility of ions, which can be attributed to the fact that the increased thermal energy results in greater bond breaking and variation in vibrational, rotational, and translational energy of the molecules that lead to higher frequency and higher mobility of the ions.²⁸

Tables 4 and 5 show that the association constant (K_A) values of ARG in the absence and saturated presence of SMV increase at almost all experimental concentrations. This was parallel with the earlier argument which stated that the increase in ARG concentration caused the formation of ion pairs in the dilute region and possibly resulted in an increase in ion association. Moreover, it is interesting to note that at higher concentrations of ARG (S5 and S6) with saturated presence of SMV, the K_A values decrease with the increased concentration of ARG. This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that at higher concentrations of ARG more and more SMV will be bound with ARG that reduces the attraction between the ions of the ARG and water molecules resulting in less ion association.²⁹ Since the conductance measurements of an ion depend upon mobility,³⁰ it is quite reasonable to treat the conductance data similar to the one employed for the rate process taking place with the change of temperature as given in the following equation:

${\mathrm{\Lambda }}_0=A{\mathrm{e}}^{-E_s/RT}\text{or}\log {\mathrm{\Lambda }}_0=\log A-E_s/2.303RT$(5)

where A is the frequency factor, R is the gas constant, and E_s is the Arrhenius activation energy of the transport process.

From the plot of log Λ₀ vs 1/T, the E_s values were computed from the slope (= −E_s/2.303R) and given in Tables 2 and 3.

The free energy change, ΔG⁰, for the association process is calculated from the following equation:

$\mathrm{\Delta }{G}^0=-RT\ln K_{\mathrm{A}}$(6)

The heat of association, ΔH⁰, is calculated from the slope of the plot of ln K_A vs 1/T, and the entropy change, ΔS⁰, is from Gibbs–Helmholtz equation as shown in the following equation:

$\mathrm{\Delta }{G}^0=\mathrm{\Delta }{H}^0-\mathrm{T}\mathrm{\Delta }{\mathrm{S}}^0$(7)

The values of ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰, and ΔS⁰ at 298.15–313.15 K are given in Tables 6 and 7.

Table 6 Gibbs free energy (ΔG⁰), entropy (ΔS⁰), and enthalpy (ΔH⁰) of pure arginine at different concentrations and temperatures

Sample	T/K=298.15		T/K=303.15		T/K=308.15		T/K=313.15		ΔH^0
	ΔG^0	ΔS^0	ΔG^0	ΔS^0	ΔG^0	ΔS^0	ΔG^0	ΔS^0
S1	−8,487.24	30.16	−8,519.24	29.76	−8,631.85	29.65	−8,854.00	29.88	503.68
S2	−10,362.59	37.39	−10,548.75	37.39	−10,626.61	37.04	−10,680.93	36.62	786.05
S3	−11,454.92	39.53	−11,693.71	39.67	−11,875.47	39.61	−11,988.07	39.34	331.69
S4	−12,233.49	45.42	−12,258.48	44.75	−12,278.95	44.09	−12,454.17	43.95	1,307.9
S5	−12,936.57	45.59	−13,019.71	45.11	−13,224.63	45.05	−13,304.40	44.58	656.78
S6	−13,397.28	47.63	−13,466.09	47.07	−13,616.28	46.80	−13,736.74	46.43	803.58
S7	−14,195.49	51.45	−14,243.70	50.76	−14,352.60	50.29	−14,526.34	50.04	1,144.8

Table 7 Gibbs free energy (ΔG⁰), entropy (ΔS⁰), and enthalpy (ΔH⁰) of arginine solution system with saturated presence of simvastatin

Sample	T/K=298.15		T/K=303.15		T/K=308.15		T/K=313.15		ΔH^0
	ΔG^0	ΔS^0	ΔG^0	ΔS^0	ΔG^0	ΔS^0	ΔG^0	ΔS^0
S1	−8,383.75	23.00	−8,883.78	24.27	−9,091.55	24.55	−9,444.04	25.28	−1,526.5
S2	−10,754.99	41.14	−10,631.09	40.06	−10,752.50	39.80	−10,647.43	38.83	1,512
S3	−11,763.02	51.76	−10,491.19	46.71	−10,790.98	46.92	−10,913.66	46.56	3,668
S4	−12,642.17	40.82	−12,918.85	41.05	−13,198.10	41.30	−13,415.16	41.33	−472.82
S5	−13,318.00	44.52	−13,544.28	44.54	−13,793.34	44.62	−14,005.46	44.59	−43.09
S6	−12,326.57	39.14	−12,449.01	38.90	−12,741.04	39.22	−13,039.75	39.54	−656.26
S7	−11,600.56	39.80	−11,772.15	39.71	−11,915.16	39.53	−12,166.67	39.70	266.44

It can be seen from Tables 2 and 3 that the values of E_S are positive. The negative ΔG⁰ values for the systems of ARG with and without SMV indicate that the association process predominates over the dissociation process. It is interesting to note that for the system of ARG, the association is endothermic for all concentrations, whereas for ARG system with SMV, there is no specific trend observed. The association process is either endothermic or exothermic depending on the concentration of ARG in the system. Values of ΔS⁰ are found to be positive indicating the disorderedness of the solubilized species and its highly hydrated nature.

Volumetric studies

Results of the density measurements are given in Table 8 along with the values of limiting apparent molar volume $\left({\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0\right)$ and limiting apparent molar expansibility $\left({\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{E}}^0\right)$ of the ARG system in the absence and saturated presence of SMV in water at T=298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. Values of ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0$ and ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{E}}^0$ were determined from the intercept of the plot of Φ_v vs C^1/2 and of Φ_E vs C⁻¹, respectively, which was in turn derived from the experimentally measured densities as shown in the following equations:

${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}=1,000{\left(C{d}_0\right)}^{-1}\left(d_0-d\right)+M_2/d_0$(8)

and

${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{E}}=\mathrm{\alpha }{\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0+\left(\alpha -{\alpha }_0\right)1,000C^{-1}$(9)

where C is the molar concentration of the solute, d₀ is the density of pure water, d is the density of the solution, M₂ is the molecular mass of the solute, and α₀ and α are the coefficients of expansion of the solvent and solution (with or without drug), respectively, and determined by means of the relation available in the literature.³¹ The Φ_v and Φ_E showed linear dependence with square root of concentration and were found to obey the linear equation as shown in the following equations:

${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}={\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0+S_{\mathrm{v}}{c}^{1/2}$(10)

and

${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{E}}={\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{E}}^0+S_{\mathrm{E}}{c}^{-1}$(11)

Table 8 Limiting apparent molar volume (ΦV₀), limiting apparent molar expansibility (ΦE₀), S_V, and S_E constance of pure ARG, ARG solution system with saturated presence of SMV (SMV-ARG)

System	Temperature (K)	Sv	ΦV0	SE	ΦE0
ARG	298.15	233.35	31.072	0.1041	−0.037
SMV-ARG	298.15	173.36	42.660	0.1168	0.3740
ARG	303.15	−8.277	134.92	0.1041	0.0073
SMV-ARG	303.15	12.544	116.26	0.1167	0.4080
ARG	308.15	−153.52	183.33	0.0576	0.3696
SMV-ARG	308.15	−102.22	170.20	0.1167	0.4330
ARG	311.15	−53.632	151.22	0.0576	0.3559
SMV-ARG	311.15	−18.925	135.28	0.1167	0.4167

Abbreviations: ARG, arginine; SMV, simvastatin.

Values of S_V and S_E obtained from slopes of the corresponding plots are also given in Table 8. Table 8 shows that the values of ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0$ are positive for the ARG systems in the absence and presence of SMV at the experimental temperatures. Since the ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0$ is a measure of ion–solvent interaction, the positive values of ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0$ indicate a strong ion–solvent or drug–solvent interactions. The results of both the systems indicate that the ion–solvent interactions (in the case of ARG systems) and the solute–solvent interactions (in the case of ARG with the presence of SMV systems) increase with an increase in temperature except at 311.15 K. The presence of ion–solvent or drug–solvent interaction between molecules promotes the structure making effects of the SMV in aqueous ARG systems.

As observed, S_V values are positive at lower temperatures except for ARG systems at 303.15 K. Values are negative at higher temperatures at all cases of ARG and ARG–SMV systems; this suggests the absence of ion–ion or solute–solute interaction in the system. Further, it is seen that the values of S_V for the system in the presence of SMV are higher as compared with those ARG-only systems. This points to the fact that the solvent structure is not too much enhanced in the presence of the drug.

The standard partial molar volume of transfer, Δ_t ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0$, at infinite dilution of SMV from water to aqueous ARG was determined from the following equation:

$\begin{array}{c}{\mathrm{\Delta }}_t{\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0={\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0\left(\text{in}\text{aqueous}\text{arginie}\text{solution}\right)\\ -{\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0\left(\text{in}\text{water}\right)\end{array}$(12)

It is seen that the values of Δ_t ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0$ are positive for all systems at experimental temperatures and decrease with an increase in temperature. Dehydration of ions (the cation and anion of the ARG) and drug (SMV) molecules may also make a positive contribution to the Δ_t ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{v}}^0$ value. This may be due to the destructive overlap of cospheres resulting in a net decrease in solvation, thereby increasing the solute (drug) volume, and because of the strong interactions between the drug and the ARG, the latter loses its effect on the water structure.

Values of ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{E}}^0$ for all the systems at all temperatures are low but positive except in the case of ARG at 298.15 K and vary irregularly with the increase in temperature. However, values of ${\mathrm{\Phi }}_{\mathrm{E}}^0$ in the presence of SMV indicated the presence of caging or packing effect³² supporting the earlier contention that the solvent structure is not too much enhanced.

UV–visible analysis

The superimposed UV spectra of pure SMV and SMV–ARG systems are presented in Figure 1. The pure SMV shows three absorption peaks at 230, 238, and 246 nm with the 238 nm being the maximum wavelength (λ_max). These observations are in agreement with the literature.^33,34 The spectrum representing the SMV–ARG shows two peaks at 241 and 247 nm, with the former being the maximum wavelength. The disappearance of the absorption peak at 230 nm and the bathochromic shifts at 238 and 246 to 241 nm and 247 nm, respectively, indicate the formation of a complex.

Figure 1 UV spectra of pure simvastatin and simvastatin–arginine complex with an optimum wavelength of 238 nm and 241 nm, respectively.

Abbreviation: UV, ultraviolet.

These observations of complexation are also supported by the results of thermophysical analysis that a molecular association predominates in the ternary system consisting of solute–cosolute and the solvent, that is, SMV–ARG–water.

FTIR spectroscopic analysis

The FTIR spectra containing SMV and SMV–ARG systems are shown in Figure 2. The SMV spectrum in ethanol shows the characteristics absorption peaks at 3,399.63 cm⁻¹, 2,997.06 cm⁻¹, 1,638.40 cm⁻¹, and 1,208 cm⁻¹ corresponding to the functional presence of free O–H stretch, C–H asymmetric stretch, ester C=O stretch, and lactone C–O–C stretch, respectively.^10,35 The deviation in peak values (ie, 3,550 cm⁻¹, 2,959 cm⁻¹, 1,704 cm⁻¹, and 1,267 cm⁻¹) as compared with SMV spectrum in powder form can be attributed to the solvent effects. However, in the case of SMV–ARG systems, a broad peak is seen at 3,436.41 cm⁻¹, with the disappearance of the peak at 2,977.6 cm⁻¹. These peak alterations can be attributed to the fact that hydrogen bonding and chemical interaction at C–H asymmetric stretch may result in a complex formation. In addition, a new peak appeared at 2,075.05 cm⁻¹, which can be due to a functional group being attributed to ARG. The peak at 1,638.40 cm⁻¹ in the case of SMV appeared at 1,637.89 as a peak with higher intensity indicating its possible involvement. This result indicates that the complex formation is supported by both UV and FTIR analyses of the liquid system.

Figure 2 FTIR spectra of liquid sample of pure simvastatin and simvastatin–arginine complex.

Abbreviation: FTIR, Fourier-transform infrared.

NMR analysis

The proposed structure of the complexation of ARG and SMV is illustrated in Figure 3. It is clearly shown that ARG molecules bound to the polar part of SMV via hydrogen bonding. Due to this hydrogen bonding between NH of ARG and hydroxyl group of SMV as well as carbonyl group make SMV more polar. The ¹H NMR and 2D NOESY (Figures 4 and 5) experiments showed a clear deviation of the respective chemical shifts. The ¹H NMR of the complex exhibited the upfield shift of hydroxyl-beared methine proton from δ 4.6 to δ 4.03 and downfield chemical shift of C-5 methylene protons from δ 1.6 to δ 1.8 due to β-substituent chemical shift effect (β-SCS), which clearly showed that hydrogen bonding was established between NH of ARG and SMV C-4 hydroxyl group. Furthermore, this was proven through 2D NOESY interactions. Another possible complexation was also predicted through ¹H NMR experiment that the NH part of ARG also formed complexation with the side chain of SMV. As a result of this minor shift of chemical shift, NH of ARG was observed. All the possible ¹H NMR chemical shifts are shown in Table 9.

Table 9 The observed and predicted ¹H NMR isotropic chemical shifts for arginine, simvastatin, and arginine–simvastatin complex

Number of Carbon	Arginine	Simvastatin	Arginine–simvastatin complex
1	NA	NA	NA
2	3.13, t, 5.0 Hz	NA	3.3, t, 5.0 Hz
3	1.46, m	1.5, m	1.5, m
4	1.45, m	4.6, m	4.03, m
5	3.03, m	1.6, m	1.8, m
6	NA	2.3, m	2.3, m
7	NA	1.7, m	1.7, m
8	NA	1.3, m	1.3, m
1′	NA	2.1, m	2.1, m
2′	NA	2.6, m	2.6, m
3′	NA	5.2, d, 4.3 Hz	5.3, d, 4.3 Hz
4′	NA	5.6, d, 4.3 Hz	5.6, d, 4.3 Hz
5′	NA	6.1, d, 4.7 Hz	6.1, d, 4.7 Hz
6′ and 6a′	NA	3.1, m/1.3, d, 2.1 Hz	3.1, m/1.3, d, 2.1 Hz
7′	NA	2.8, m	2.8, m
8′	NA	3.1, m	3.1, m
4a′	NA	NA	NA
8a′	NA	2.1, m	NA
1″	NA	NA	NA
2″	NA	1.8, m	1.8, m
3″	NA	1.6, m	1.6, m
4″	NA	1.3, m	1.3, m

Note: Bold entities indicates changes in chemical shifts of respective protons.

Abbreviations: NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance; NA, not applicable.

Figure 3 Molecular structure of proposed simvastatin–arginine complexation based on NMR results.

Abbreviation: NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance.

Figure 4 ¹H NMR spectra of ARG, SMV, and ARG–SMV complex.

Abbreviations: ARG, arginine; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance; SMV, simvastatin.

Figure 5 NOESY spectrum of SMV in purified water.

Abbreviations: ARG, arginine; NOESY, nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy; SMV, simvastatin.

Conclusion

The present study investigated the phase solubility studies and densities and conductivities of several concentrations of SMV–ARG binary solution mixture at various temperatures. The results indicated that there was a massive enhancement of SMV solubility with the presence of ARG as a cosolute. This was in view of the negative values of Gibbs free energy of transfer $\left(\mathrm{\Delta }{G}_{\text{tr}}^0\right)$ which indicated that solution environment became more favorable to enhance the accommodation of SMV in water. Based on volumetric and conductometric parameters, there is enough evidence to conclude that there is a strong solute–solvent and solute–cosolute interaction occurs in the SMV–ARG binary solution mixture. Furthermore, the results by spectral means complemented the thermophysical explanations, which prove that a complexation of ARG and SIM was formed resulting from the strong interaction between both molecules.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Hovid Berhad for providing SMV powder and the Faculty of Pharmacy (UiTM) for support and cooperation in the completion of this study. This study was supported by Long Term Grant Scheme (600-RMI/LRGS 5/3 (3/2012), Ministry of Higher Education, Government of Malaysia, and Research Excellence Fund (600-RMI/DANA 5/3/REI (3/2013), Research Management Centre (RMC), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.