Elucidation of the Role of TRPV1, VEGF-A, TXA2, Redox Homeostasis, and Inflammatory Cascades in Protection against Cold Injuries by Herbosomal-Loaded PEG-Poloxamer Topical Formulation.

High-altitude regions, cold deserts, permafrost regions, and the polar region have some of the severest cold conditions on earth and pose immense perils of cold injuries to exposed individuals. Accidental and unintended exposures to severe cold, either unintentionally or due to occupational risks, can greatly increase the risk of serious conditions including hypothermia, trench foot, and cold injuries like frostbite. Cold-induced vasoconstriction and intracellular/intravascular ice crystal formation lead to hypoxic conditions at the cellular level. The condition is exacerbated in individuals having inadequate and proper covering and layering, particularly when large area of the body are exposed to extremely cold environments. There is a paucity of preventive and therapeutic pharmacological modalities that have been explored for managing and treating cold injuries. Given this, an efficient modality that can potentiate the healing of frostbite was investigated by studying various complex pathophysiological changes that occur during severe cold injuries. In the current research, we report the effectiveness and healing properties of a standardized formulation, i.e., a herbosomal-loaded PEG-poloxamer topical formulation (n-HPTF), on frostbite. The intricate mechanistic pathways modulated by the novel formulation have been elucidated by studying the pathophysiological sequelae that occur following severe cold exposures leading to frostbite. The results indicate that n-HPTF ameliorates the outcome of frostbite, as it activates positive sensory nerves widely distributed in the epidermis transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), significantly (p < 0.05) upregulates cytokeratin-14, promotes angiogenesis (VEGF-A), prominently represses the expression of thromboxane formation (TXA2), and significantly (p < 0.05) restores levels of enzymatic (glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) and nonenzymatic antioxidants (glutathione). Additionally, n-HPTF attenuates oxidative stress and the expression of inflammatory proteins PGF-2α, NFκB-p65, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidative protein products (AOPP), and protein carbonylation (PCO). Masson's Trichrome staining showed that n-HPTF stimulates cellular proliferation, and increases collagen fiber deposition, which significantly (p < 0.05) promotes the healing of frostbitten tissue, as compared to control. We conclude that protection against severe cold injuries by n-HPTF is mediated via modulation of pathways involving TRPV1, VEGF-A, TXA2, redox homeostasis, and inflammatory cascades. The study is likely to have widespread implications for the prophylaxis and management of moderate-to-severe frostbite conditions.

Enhancing oral bioavailability of Ca-DTPA by self double emulsifying drug delivery system (SDEDDS).

OBJECTIVE: BCS class III drug (highly soluble, poorly permeable) possesses low oral bioavailability. The research work highlights the utility of self-double emulsifying drug delivery system (SDEDDS) which are stable isotropic mixture of w/o primary emulsion and hydrophilic surfactants for improving oral bioavailability of Ca-DTPA (Calcium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate). Upon oral administration, SDEDDS rapidly emulsifies into w/o/w double emulsions in the aqueous gastrointestinal environment, with hydrophilic drugs entrapped inside oil reservoirs. METHODS: SDEDDS formulation was successfully developed using excipients, that is, medium chain triglycerides, oleic acid, phospholipids, Span 80, Tween 80 using double emulsification technique. RESULTS: The optimized formulation F4 (Aq. phase: 11.6%w,w; MCT & oleic acid: 70.9%w/w; Span 80:17.5%w/w; Lecithin:16%w/w and Tween 80 (10%w/w)) appeared bright yellow liquid which upon dilution appeared milky white within 2 min, droplet size (501.7 nm), pdi value (0.044), zeta potential (-52 mV), entrapment efficiency (79.6 ± 1.63), viscosity (72.2 ± 1.8 mpA.s), significant high cumulative in vitro drug permeation (CDP) and 2.17-fold increase in apparent permeability coefficient. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed 1.17-fold increases in AUC of F4 and comparatively higher plasma levels (Cmax) compared with pure drug administered orally. The Absolute (OF4, OD) and Relative bioavailability was found to be 14.52%, 12.35%, and 117.47%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present studies have clearly demonstrated that SDEDDS could readily form w/o/w double emulsions in vivo with enhanced in vitro and in vivo oral bioavailability. Therefore, considerable augmentation in the rate and extent of oral drug absorption ratified the better performance of the SDEDDS in enhancing the bioavailability of Ca-DTPA.

Crystallographic mining driven computer-guided approach to identify the ASK1 inhibitor likely to perturb the catalytic region.

The pathological levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress has been recognized as a critical driver for inflammatory disorders. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) has been reported to be activated by intracellular ROS and its inhibition leads to a down regulation of p38-and JNK-dependent signaling. ASK1 inhibitors are reported to have the potential to treat clinically important inflammatory pathologies including liver, pulmonary and renal disorders. In view of its biological and pathological significance, inhibition of ASK1 with small molecules has been pursued as an attractive strategy to combat human diseases such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Despite several ASK1 inhibitors being developed, the failure in Phase 3 clinical trials of most advanced candidate selonsertib's, underscores to discover therapeutic agents with diverse chemical moiety. Here, by using structural pharmacophore and enumeration strategy on mining co-crystals of ASK1, different scaffolds were generated to enhance the chemical diversity keeping the critical molecular interaction in the catalytic site intact. A total of 15,772 compounds were generated from diverse chemical scaffolds and were evaluated using a virtual screening pipeline. Based on docking and MM-GBSA scores, a lead candidate, S3C-1-D424 was identified from top hits. A comparative molecular dynamics simulations (MD) of APO, Selonsertib and shortlisted potential candidates combined with pharmacokinetics profiling and thermodynamic analysis, demonstrating their suitability as potential ASK1 inhibitors to explore further for establishment towards hit-to-lead campaign.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

In-vitro Evaluation of Triazine Scaffold for Anticancer Drug Development: A Review.

INTRODUCTION: The widespread importance of the synthesis and modification of anticancer agents has given rise to many numbers of medicinal chemistry programs. In this regard, triazine derivatives have attracted attention due to their remarkable activity against a wide range of cancer cells. This evaluation covers work reports to define the anticancer activity, the most active synthesized compound for the target, the SAR and, when described, the probable MOA besides similarly considered to deliver complete and target-pointed data for the development of types of anti-tumour medicines of triazine derivatives. Triazine scaffold for the development of anticancer analogues. Triazine can also relate to numerous beneficial targets, and their analogues have auspicious in vitro and in vivo anti-tumour activity. Fused molecules can improve efficacy, and drug resistance and diminish side effects, and numerous hybrid molecules are beneath diverse stages of clinical trials, so hybrid derivatives of triazine may offer valuable therapeutic involvement for the dealing of tumours. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the recent review was to summarize the recent reports on triazine as well as its analogues with respect to its anticancer therapeutic potential. CONCLUSION: The content of the review would be helpful to update the researchers working towards the synthesis and designing of new molecules for the treatment of various types of cancer disease with the recent molecules that have been produced from the triazine scaffold. Triazine scaffolds based on 1,3,5-triazine considerably boost molecular diversity levels and enable covering chemical space in key medicinal chemistry fields.

Deciphering the Structural Determinants Critical in Attaining the FXR Partial Agonism.

Elucidation of structural determinants is pivotal for structure-based drug discovery. The Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a proven target for NASH; however, its full agonism causes certain clinical complications. Therefore, partial agonism (PA) appears as a viable alternative for improved therapeutics. Since the agonist and PA both share the same binding site, i.e., ligand-binding pocket (LBP), which is highly dynamic and has synergy with the substrate binding site, the selective designing of PA is challenging. The identification of structural and conformational determinants is critical for PA compared with an agonist. Furthermore, the mechanism by which PA modulates the structural dynamics of FXR at the residue level, a prerequisite for PA designing, is still elusive. Here, by using ∼4.5 µs of MD simulations and residue-wise communication network analysis, we identified the structural regions which are flexible with PA but frozen with an agonist. Also, the network analysis identified the considerable changes between an agonist and PA in biologically essential zones of FXR such as helix H10/H11 and loop L:H11/H12, which lead to the modulation of synergy between LBP and the substrate binding site. Furthermore, the thermodynamic profiling suggested the methionine residues, mainly M328, M365, and M450, seem to be responsible for the recruitment of PA. The other residues I357, Y361, L465, F308, Q316, and K321 are also identified, exclusively interacting with PA. This study offers novel structural and mechanistic insights that are critical for FXR targeted drug discovery for PA designing.

Design and optimization of a novel herbosomal-loaded PEG-poloxamer topical formulation for the treatment of cold injuries: a quality-by-design approach.

The spectrum of cold injuries ranges from frostnip, chilblains to severe frostbite. Cold injuries occur upon prolonged exposure to freezing temperature and are pathologically a combination of ice crystal formation in the tissue resulting in inflammation, thrombosis and ischemia in the extremities, often necessitating limb amputation in extreme cases due to tissue necrosis. Severe forms of frostbite are a cause of major concern to patients as well as the treating physician. Due to the lack of effective treatment modalities and paucity of research on prophylaxis and therapeutics of cold injuries, we developed a novel herbosomal-loaded PEG-poloxamer topical formulation (n-HPTF) employing quality-by-design (QBD) approach. Natural compounds exhibiting potent therapeutic potential for the management of cold injuries were incorporated in novel lipid vesicles (herbosomes) loaded in PEG-poloxamer polymers. The herbosomal formulation effectively creates an occlusion barrier that promotes epithelial regeneration, desmosome scale-up and angiogenesis and thus promotes rapid healing, indicating controlled release of herbosomes. Optimized novel herbosomes showed entrapment efficiency > 90% and < 300 nm mean particle size and in vitro drug permeation of about 2 µg/cm2 followed Higuchi's release kinetics. Skin irritancy study on female Sprague-Dawley rats showed no edema or erythema. In vivo bio-efficacy study revealed significant efficacy (p < 0.05) when compared to the standard treatment groups. Graphical abstract presenting the designing and optimization of novel herbosomal-loaded PEG-poloxamer topical formulation (n-HPTF) and predictive model for the in vivo study of the developed n-HPTF on cold injury rat skin model.

In-vitro Evaluation of Isatin Derivatives as Potent Anti-Breast Cancer Agents against MCF-7, MDA MB 231, MDA-MB 435 and MDA-MB 468 Breast Cancers Cell Lines: A Review.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most frequent malignancies and the most common reasons for impermanence in women. The backbone of therapy for BC is principally chemotherapy, but its non-specific nature to differentiate between normal cells and cancer cells and severe side effects are the main barriers in its use. So, there is an intense requirement to enlarge more efficacious, more specific and safer anti-BC agents. OBJECTIVE: Isatin (IST) is an endogenous molecule that is a principal class of heterocyclic compounds and exhibits a wide range of therapeutic activities which can be used as a starting material for the synthesis of several drug molecules. Many kinds of literature were reported previously on different pharmacological activities of IST derivatives and particularly on anticancer activity but this review mainly focuses on anti-BC activities of IST derivatives through MCF-7, MDA MB 231, MDA-MB 435 and MDA-MB 468 cell lines. Herein we mentioned; a total of 33 IST derivatives (compound 24- 56) which show good anti-BC activity. IST-derived compounds are also available in the market and are used for various cancer types like sunitinib for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and Nintedanib for the cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis treatment, but when evaluated for BC, they did not prove to be much successful. CONCLUSION: This review mainly highlights anti-BC activities of various IST analogues using MCF-7, MDA MB 231, MDA-MB 435 and MDA-MB 468 cell lines, displaying the potent compound of the series and structure-activity relationships of compounds with molecular docking also. So, this study mainly shows the importance of IST as a major source for drug design and development of newer anti-BC drugs.

Conformational Characterization of the Co-Activator Binding Site Revealed the Mechanism to Achieve the Bioactive State of FXR.

FXR bioactive states are responsible for the regulation of metabolic pathways, which are modulated by agonists and co-activators. The synergy between agonist binding and 'co-activator' recruitment is highly conformationally driven. The characterization of conformational dynamics is essential for mechanistic and therapeutic understanding. To shed light on the conformational ensembles, dynamics, and structural determinants that govern the activation process of FXR, molecular dynamic (MD) simulation is employed. Atomic insights into the ligand binding domain (LBD) of FXR revealed significant differences in inter/intra molecular bonding patterns, leading to structural anomalies in different systems of FXR. The sole presence of an agonist or 'co-activator' fails to achieve the essential bioactive conformation of FXR. However, the presence of both establishes the bioactive conformation of FXR as they modulate the internal wiring of key residues that coordinate allosteric structural transitions and their activity. We provide a precise description of critical residue positioning during conformational changes that elucidate the synergy between its binding partners to achieve an FXR activation state. Our study offers insights into the associated modulation occurring in FXR at bound and unbound forms. Thereafter, we also identified hot-spots that are critical to arrest the activation mechanism of FXR that would be helpful for the rational design of its agonists.

Application of In silico Methods in the Design of Drugs for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases are complex disorders that cause neuron loss, brain aging and ultimately lead to death. These diseases are difficult to treat because of the complex nature of the nervous system, and the available medicines are unable to heal them effectively. This fact implies the need for novel therapeutics to be designed that are ready to stop or a minimum of retard the neurodegeneration process. These days, Computer-Assisted Drug Design (CADD) approaches are a passage to extend the drug development efficiency and to reduce time and cost because traditional drug discovery is both time-consuming as well as costly. Computational or in silico methods came up with powerful tools in drug design against neurodegenerative diseases. This review presents the approaches and theoretical basis of CADD. Also, the successful applications of various in silico studies, including homology modeling, molecular docking, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR), Molecular Dynamic (MD), De novo drug design, Pharmacophore-based drug design, Virtual Screening (VS), LIGPLOT Analysis, In silico ADMET and drug safety prediction, for treating neurodegenerative diseases have also been included in this review. Major emphasis is given to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease because these two are the most familiar neurodegenerative diseases.

pH-dependent Release Matrix Oral Formulation of Prussian Blue to Improve its Efficacy as an Internal Decorporation Agent.

BACKGROUND: Prussian Blue (PB) is available as conventional release dosage form "Radiogardase" with effective daily dose of 3-10 g (very high). The target site is the duodenum, where it inhibits the enterohepatic circulation of Cs & Tl ions, enhancing their fecal excretion. OBJECTIVE: To enhance efficacy, target release, reduce the dose and side effects, oral pH-dependent matrix formulation of PB based on in-situ gelation of sodium alginate along with calcium salts was formulated and evaluated. METHODS: Different combinations of matrix granules were formulated and optimized. The optimized one was compressed using Polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (Pvp K30) in different batches and optimized. Langmuir adsorption isotherm was used to assess in-vitro binding efficacy of formulation to thallium using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The proof of concept i.e., drug release in the duodenum was studied through pharmacoscintigraphy using radiolabeled formulation in rabbits. RESULTS: The optimized granules showed no drug release in an acidic medium for 2 h whereas complete empty of the basket in a basic medium within 30-60 minutes. The matrix tablet formulation with Pvp K30 (10% w/w) was optimized with desired hardness and optimum in-vitro release profile. The release data fitted to various linear kinetic models, Hixson-Crowell r2 (0.9906) best fit, confirmed the erosion-based release mechanism. The maximum binding capacity (MBC) was found significantly higher (89.60 mg Tl/g formulation) than that of PB API (65.90 mg Tl /g PB API). Pharmacoscintigraphic images confirmed intact formulation in the stomach up to 2h and burst release in intestine thereafter. CONCLUSION: The results exemplify oral pH-dependent PB matrix formulation which achieved desirable target release at the duodenum and in-vitro binding efficacy towards Tl ion was appreciable.

Advances in Synthesis, Derivatization and Bioactivity of Isatin: A Review.

BACKGROUND: Isatin (IST) is a crucial pharmacologically active compound, chemically known as indole- 1H-2,3-dione. Development of different IST based analogues acquired significant awareness because of its pronounced therapeutic importance such as analgesic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antitubercular, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral (effective against SARS coronavirus 3C protease) and many other activities, and represents an important class of heterocyclic compounds that can be used as a precursor for the synthesis of many useful drugs. OBJECTIVE: Previously, many articles were reported on IST synthesis and its different pharmacological activities but herein, we mentioned 59 different synthesis schemes of several IST derivatives/hybrids derived from the substitution of the nitrogen, aromatic ring, the second and third position of IST along with most potent molecule among each of synthesized libraries with their structural activity relationship (SAR). Using these standardized approaches, several biologically important compounds were developed like sunitinib, nintedanib, indirubin, etc and several studies have been carried out nowadays to develop newer compounds having fewer side effects and also overcome the problem of resistance. CONCLUSION: This report critically reviews the different strategies for the designs and synthesis of several IST based compounds having different biological activities with SAR, which can favour further investigation and modification for the development of new and more potent entities.

Novel hybrids of benzothiazole-1,3,4-oxadiazole-4-thiazolidinone: Synthesis, in silico ADME study, molecular docking and in vivo anti-diabetic assessment.

A series of new benzothiazole-1,3,4-oxadiazole-4-thiazolidinone hybrid analogs (Tz1-Tz28) were synthesized in search of potential anti-diabetic agents. Molecular docking study was conducted with binding pocket of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma to elucidate the binding interactions of newly synthesized targets. Seven selected compounds with best docking scores were further screened for in vivo anti-hyperglycemic efficacy by oral glucose tolerance test in non-diabetic rats and on streptozotocin induced diabetic rat models. All the tested compounds demonstrated excellent to moderate reduction in blood glucose levels. Three of the compounds (Tz21, Tz7 and Tz10) showed excellent anti-diabetic effect by reducing concentration of glucose to 157.15 ±â€¯1.79 mg/dL, 154.39 ±â€¯1.71 mg/dL, 167.36 ±â€¯2.45 mg/dL, respectively better than the standard drug, pioglitazone, 178.32 ±â€¯1.88 mg/dL. Moreover, three derivatives Tz21, Tz4 and Tz24 with IC50 values of 0.21 ±â€¯0.01 µM, 9.03 ±â€¯0.12 µM and 11.96 ±â€¯0.40 µM respectively also showed better inhibitory activities on alpha-glucosidase even more than the standard acarbose (IC50 = 18.5 ±â€¯0.20 µM), indicating Tz21 has the highest inhibitory effect among the seven tested derivatives. Prediction of Drug like properties using molinspiration online software suggests that all the synthesized compounds have potential of becoming the orally active molecules. Thus, these novel hybrids could serve as potential candidates to become leads for the development of new drugs eliciting anti-hyperglycemic effect orally.

Synthesis, ADME, docking studies and in vivo anti-hyperglycaemic potential estimation of novel Schiff base derivatives from octadec-9-enoic acid.

A new series of octadec-9-enoic acid schiff base entities (S1-S30) were designed and synthesized targeting peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma for agonist action. Molinspiration software (online) was used to estimate drug like molecular properties of the metabolites. Docking disquisition on co-crystallized protein of PPAR-γ (PDB ID 1FM9) was carried out which showed S21, S10 and S7 as best situated in the vital sites of receptor having docking scores -9.19, -8.68 and -8.64 respectively. Free binding energy measured using model of Maestro 9.0 and was in range of from -40.01 and -80.54 kcal/mol, significant when compared with pioglitazone (-51.58 Kcal/mol). Seven best docked derivatives were assessed for in-vivo oral glucose tolerance on normal rats and anti-hyperglycaemic activity by streptozotocin induced diabetes model. S21 unveiled to be the best measured analogue among all the synthesized entities. Encouraging outcomes motivates fatty acids for further development of more effective and safer compounds.

Designing novel inhibitors against falcipain-2 of Plasmodium falciparum.

Coumarin containing pyrazoline derivatives have been synthesized and tested as inhibitors of in vitro development of a chloroquine-sensitive (MRC-02) and chloroquine-resistant (RKL-2) strain of Plasmodium falciparum and in vivo Plasmodium berghei malaria. Docking study was also done on cysteine protease falcipain-2 which showed that the binding pose of C-14 molecule and epoxysuccinate, inhibitor of falcipain-2, binds in the similar pattern. The most active antimalarial compound was 3-(1-benzoyl-5-(4-flurophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3yl)-7-(diethyamino)-2H-chromen-2-one C-14, with an IC50 of 4.21 µg/ml provided complete protection to the infected mice at 24 mg/kg X 4 days respectively.

Synthesis, molecular modelling studies and ADME prediction of benzothiazole clubbed oxadiazole-Mannich bases, and evaluation of their anti-diabetic activity through in vivo model.

A small library of new benzothiazole clubbed oxadiazole-Mannich bases (M-1 to M-22) were synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR, Mass and Elemental analysis results. Molecular docking studies were done to assess the binding mode and interactions of synthesized hits at binding site of receptor Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, PPAR-γ or PPARG (PDB 1FM9). Among the synthesized compounds, nine compounds were selected on the basis of docking score and evaluated for their in vivo anti-diabetic activity using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) in normal rats followed by Streptozotocin (STZ) - induced diabetes. Results indicated that compound M-14 (161.39 ±â€¯4.38) showed the highest reduction of blood glucose level comparable to that of the standard drug glibenclamide (140.29 ±â€¯1.24) in STZ model. Other compounds exhibited moderate to good anti hyperglycaemic activity. ADME studies was done using Molinspiration online software, revealed that all compounds (except M-11) are likely to be orally active as they obeyed Lipinski's rule of five.

Preparation, Characterization, and In Vivo Pharmacoscintigraphy Evaluation of an Intestinal Release Delivery System of Prussian Blue for Decorporation of Cesium and Thallium.

BACKGROUND: Prussian blue (PB, ferric hexacyanoferrate) is approved by US-FDA for internal decorporation of Cesium-137 (137Cs) and Thallium-201 (201Tl). AIM: Since PB is a costly drug, pH-dependent oral delivery system of PB was developed using calcium alginate matrix system. METHODS: Alginate (Alg) beads containing PB were optimized by gelation of sodium alginate with calcium ions and effect of varying polymer concentration on encapsulation efficiency and release profile was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out to study surface morphology. Adsorption efficacy of Alg-PB beads for 201Tl was evaluated and compared with native PB. In vivo pH-dependent release of the formulation was studied in humans using gamma scintigraphy. RESULTS: Encapsulation efficiencies of Alg-PB beads with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% polymer solution were 99.9, 91, 92, and 93%, respectively. SEM and particle size analysis revealed differences between formulations in their appearance and size distribution. No drug release was seen in acidic media (pH of 1-2) while complete release was observed at pH of 6.8. Dissolution data was fitted to various mathematical models and beads were found to follow Hixson-Crowell mechanism of release. The pH-dependent release of beads was confirmed in vivo by pharmacoscintigraphy in humans.

Design and evaluation of acrylate polymeric carriers for fabrication of pH-sensitive microparticles.

Colon-targeted microparticles loaded with a model anti-inflammatory drug were fabricated using especially designed acrylic acid-butyl methacrylate copolymers. Microparticles were prepared by oil-in-oil solvent evaporation method using Span 80 as emulsifier. Microparticles were found to be spherical in shape, hemocompatible and anionic with zeta potential of -27.4 and -29.0 mV. Entrapment of drug in the microparticles was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. However, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed amorphous nature of microparticles due to the dilution effect of amorphous polymer. The microparticles released less than 5% drug at pH 1.2, while more than 90% of the drug load was released at pH 7.4. This suggested the colon targeting nature of the formulations. In experimentally developed colitis in Wistar rats, the microparticle formulation showed significant reduction (p < .05) in the disease activity score (disease symptoms), the colon-to-body weight ratio (tissue edema) and the myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß activities.

Ex-vivo complexation, skin permeation, interaction and cytodermal toxicity studies of p-tertbutylcalix[4]arene nanoemulsion for radiation decontamination.

AIMS: p-tertbutylcalix[4]arene loaded nanoemulsion has been designed, characterized and evaluated for skin decontamination of radionuclides of interest in nuclear and radiological emergencies. Further, nanoemulsion was evaluated for Ex-vivo complexation, skin permeation, interaction and cytodermal toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ex-vivo skin complexation studies were conducted using High-resolution sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (HR-SF-ICPMS). Skin studies at dermal and cyto-dermal level have been carried out using techniques such as florescence microscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Flow cytometry, Confocal microscopy, Prestoblue and Comet assay. KEY FINDINGS: HR-SF-ICPMS study confirmed >95% complexation of surrogate nuclides of thallium and Iodine applied on excised rat skin mounted over Franz diffusion cell. Temporal analysis of aliquots obtained from Franz diffusion cell using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy indicated that only 3.37% of formulation permeates through the skin. Skin penetration study of rhodamine 123 nanoemulsion carried out using florescence microscopy confirmed that formulation remains localised in epidermis of rat skin. DSC data confirmed skin compatibility of nanoemulsion, as no lipid extraction was observed from skin. In-vitro cell viability and cellular uptake assays performed on human skin fibroblasts prove no cellular uptake and cytotoxic effects. Comet assay, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis-inducing mechanistic studies prove that prepared nanoemulsion is safe at cellular level. SIGNIFICANCE: Taken together, data indicate that p-tertbutylcalix[4]arene nanoemulsion is both effective and safe formulation to use on skin for radio-decontamination.

Imidazole Derivatives as Potential Therapeutic Agents.

BACKGROUND: The imidazole nucleus is inimitable and ubiquitous and it is very well known to play an important role in living organisms. Imidazole derivatives are under intensive scientific exploration due to their diverse and significant pharmacological activities. METHODS: The present paper is an attempt to discuss chemistry, synthetic aspects including click chemistry procedures of imidazoles through systematic literature survey. RESULTS: Biological activity profiles of the imidazole derivatives reported in recent scientific literature from 2000 to 2015 have been discussed in detail. It has been found that imidazole derivatives depict appreciable antiinfective activity potential. CONCLUSION: It is anticipated that the information compiled in this paper will be useful and motivating to prospective researchers working on this heterocylic scaffold.

Medicinal significance of benzothiazole scaffold: an insight view.

Heterocycles bearing nitrogen, sulphur and thiazole moieties constitute the core structure of a number of biologically interesting compounds. Benzothiazole, a group of xenobiotic compounds containing a benzene ring fused with a thiazole ring, are used worldwide for a variety of therapeutic applications. Benzothiazole and their heterocyclic derivatives represent an important class of compounds possessing a wide spectrum of biological activities. The myriad spectrum of medicinal properties associated with benzothiazole related drugs has encouraged the medicinal chemists to synthesize a large number of novel therapeutic agents. Several analogues containing benzothiazole ring system exhibit significant antitumour, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antiviral, antioxidant, antitubercular, antimalarial, antiasthmatic, anthelmintic, photosensitizing, diuretic, analgesic and other activities. This article is an attempt to present the research work reported in recent scientific literature on different pharmacological activities of benzothiazole compounds.