Samanwita Pal

Bio: Samanwita Pal is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology Madras. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pulse sequence & Nuclear quadrupole resonance. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 6 citations.

Study of multi-site chemical exchange in solution state by NMR: 1D experiments with multiply selective excitation

Abstract: Chemical exchange in solution state has been investigated traditionally by both 1D and 2D NMR, permitting the extraction of kinetic parameters (e.g. the spin-lattice relaxation time T 1, the exchange rate constant k and the activation parameters). This work demonstrates a simple 1D NMR approach employing multiply selective excitation to study multi-site exchange processes in solution, applying it to systems that exhibit three-site exchange. This approach involves simultaneous excitation of all — or a chosen subset of — the exchanging sites by using an appropriately modulated shaped radiofrequency pulse. The pulse sequence, as well as analysis is summarized. Significant features of the experiment, which relies on sign labelling of the exchanging sites, include considerably shorter experiment time compared to standard 2D exchange work, clear definition of the exchange time window and uniform pulse non-ideality effects for all the exchanging sites. Complete kinetic information is reported in the study of dynamic processes in superacid solutions of two weak bases, studied by 1H NMR. An analytical solution, leading to the determination of four rate parameters, is presented for proton exchange studies on these systems, which involve a mixture of two weak bases in arbitrary concentration ratio, and stoichiometric excess of the superacid.

Nuclear quadrupole resonance exchange spectroscopy with shaped radiofrequency pulses

Abstract: Recent work on the nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) investigation of molecular dynamics in the solid state has relied on 2D methods. We report our studies of dynamic processes by 1D shaped pulse NQR spectroscopy. Significant advantages include considerably shorter experimental duration, clear definition of the exchange time window, and avoidance of off-resonance effects. The reorientation of the Cl3C˜ group in polycrystalline chloral hydrate [Cl3C–CH(OH)2] is considered as a test case. This may be modelled as a three-site exchange process. An analysis of the generalised Bloch–McConnell equation is performed to formulate the kinetic matrix. The present approach involves simultaneous excitation of the sites that undergo chemical exchange by employing a suitably modulated shaped RF pulse, followed by a mixing time, and finally a suitable read pulse for signal detection. The experimental signal intensities are plotted against the mixing time to extract the kinetic parameters, i.e. the exchange rate and the ...

Study of dynamics in pentachlorophenol in the solid state by 1D Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance exchange spectroscopy

Abstract: The paper reports studies of the dynamic process in pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the solid state by one-dimensional Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) exchange spectroscopy employing shaped rf pulses. Pentachlorophenol exhibits intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl proton and one of the o-chlorines. Reorientation of the hydrogen bond with migration of the hydroxyl proton from one o-chlorine to the other is possible in a wide temperature range. In this process the two o-chlorines are exchanged; at the same time this implies the exchange of the two m-chlorines as well, which we have chosen to monitor, modeling it as a two-site exchange process. A detailed analysis of the appropriate Bloch-McConnell equation is performed to formulate the relevant kinetic matrix. The exchange pulse sequence implemented by us involves suitably modulated shaped RF pulses to achieve simultaneous on-resonance excitation of the two exchanging sites. This approach results in a clear definition of the exchange time wind...

Analysis of Molecular Interaction of Drugs within β-Cyclodextrin Cavity by Solution-State NMR Relaxation.

Abstract: The prime focus of the present study is to employ NMR relaxation measurement to address the intermolecular interactions, as well as motional dynamics, of drugs, viz., paracetamol and aspirin, encapsulated within the β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) cavity. In this report, we have attempted to demonstrate the applicability of nonselective (R1ns), selective (R1se), and bi-selective (R1bs) spin–lattice relaxation rates to infer dynamical parameters, for example, the molecular rotational correlation times (τc) and cross-relaxation rates (σij) of the encapsulated drugs. Molecular rotational correlation times of the free drugs were calculated using the selective relaxation rate in the fast molecular motion time regime (ωH2τc2 ≪ 1 and R1ns/R1se ≈ 1.500), whereas that of the 1:1 complexed drugs were found from the ratio of R1ns/R1se in the intermediate motion time regime (ωH2τc2 ∼ 1 and R1ns/R1se ≈ 1.054), and these values were compared with each other to confirm the formation of inclusion complexes. Furthermore, the cross-...

Targeting the Endocannabinoid System for Neuroprotection: A 19F-NMR Study of a Selective FAAH Inhibitor Binding with an Anandamide Carrier Protein, HSA.

Abstract: Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme involved in the inactivation of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA), is being considered as a therapeutic target for analgesia and neuroprotection. We have developed a brain permeable FAAH inhibitor, AM5206, which has served as a valuable pharmacological tool to explore neuroprotective effects of this class of compounds. In the present work, we characterized the interactions of AM5206 with a representative AEA carrier protein, human serum albumin (HSA), using 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Our data showed that as a drug carrier, albumin can significantly enhance the solubility of AM5206 in aqueous environment. Through a series of titration and competitive binding experiments, we also identified that AM5206 primarily binds to two distinct sites within HSA. Our results may provide insight into the mechanism of HSA-AM5206 interactions. The findings should also help in the development of suitable formulations of the lipophilic AM5206 and its congeners for their effective delivery to specific target sites in the brain.

Solution dynamics of 5-fluorouracil entrapped in poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microsphere-A study with 1D selective NMR methods.

Abstract: In this report, our main focus is to introduce a set of one-dimensional (1D) NMR methods based on chemical shift, relaxation, and magnetization transfer, namely, NOE and chemical exchange involving selective pulse excitation to study the solution dynamics of drug in free and encapsulated state within polymeric microsphere. In this regard 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres are prepared as model system via standard water-in-oil-in-water emulsification method. One-dimensional 1 H and 19 F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of 5-FU in presence of PLGA microspheres presented a significant change in linewidth and relaxation rates compared with free 5-FU confirming encapsulation. Furthermore, loss of coupling pattern in 1 H and 19 F NMR of PLGA encapsulated 5-FU as compared with free 5-FU suggests an enhanced -NH and -H2 O protons exchange dynamics in the interior of the microsphere indicating hydrated microsphere cavity. Quantification of exchange dynamics in case of free and PLGA-encapsulated 5-FU was attempted employing 1D selective NOESY and 1D multiply selective inversion recovery experiments. Analysis of the exchange rates confirmed existence of more than one kind of water population within the cavity as mentioned in an earlier solid state NMR report.