Introduction
Cyclosporin A, a naturally occurring cyclic peptide composed of 11 amino acids, serves as a noncytotoxic immunosuppressant. Clinically, it finds application in treating autoimmune and inflammatory conditions and preventing organ rejection following transplantation. The primary mechanism of action of Cyclosporin involves suppressing T lymphocyte function, crucial for the progression of inflammation. Unlike other immunosuppressive agents, Cyclosporin A exhibits a rapid onset of action and selectively targets T lymphocytes without affecting other hematopoietic cells or causing bone marrow suppression. However, nephrotoxicity induced by Cyclosporin A remains a significant clinical concern, with oxidative stress being implicated as a potential contributing factor.
Description
Cyclosporin, a cyclic polypeptide immunosuppressant composed of 11 amino acids, possesses a molecular weight of 1202.64 g/mol. It is derived as a metabolite from the fungus Beauveria nlyea. The chemical structure of cyclosporin is represented as [R-[R*,R*-(E)]]-cyclic(L-alanyl-D-alanyl-N-methyl-L-leucyl-N-methyl-L-leucyl-N-methyl-L-valyl-3-hydroxy-N,4-dimethyl-L-2-amino-6-octenoyl-L-α-amino-butyryl-N-methylglycyl-N-methyl-L-leucyl-L-valyl-N-methyl-L-leucyl). Its molecular formula is C62H111N11O12.
Physical Appearance
White, sterile-filtered powder obtained through lyophilization.
Formulation
Cyclosporin-A, in a concentrated solution of 1 mg/ml, undergoes lyophilization without the addition of any excipients.
Solubility
For reconstitution of lyophilized Cyclosporin-A, anhydrous ethanol (analytical grade) is recommended, aiming for a concentration of 50 mg/ml.
Stability
Lyophilized Cyclosporin A demonstrates stability at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. However, for prolonged storage, it is advisable to store it desiccated at a temperature below -18°C. After reconstitution, Cyclosporin A should be stored at 4°C for a duration of 2-7 days. For extended storage, it is recommended to store it below -18°C. It's important to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Purity
The purity of Cyclosporin A exceeds 99.0%, as determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC).