Fresh Fruit Juice of Opuntia dillenii Haw. Attenuates Acetic Acid-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats.

The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of fresh fruit juice of Opuntia dillenii Haw. (FJOD) on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Fresh FJOD (2.5 and 5 ml/kg) and sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg) were given orally for seven consecutive days prior to colitis induction on the eighth day by intrarectal acetic acid (4% v/v) administration. Macroscopic, clinical activity scoring, biochemical, and histopathological examinations of colon were used to assess colonic damage. FJOD and sulfasalazine treatment significantly attenuated the macroscopic damage, clinical activity score, and wet weight of the colon when compared to disease control and further showed significantly reduced levels of myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, and serum lactate dehydrogenase and enhanced colonic levels of reduced glutathione. The protective effect of FJOD may be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in ulcerative colitis. The observed effects may be due to the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, and betalains in the fruit juice of Opuntia dillenii.

Fabrication of a biomimetic ZeinPDA nanofibrous scaffold impregnated with BMP-2 peptide conjugated TiO2 nanoparticle for bone tissue engineering.

A biomimetic Zein polydopamine based nanofiber scaffold was fabricated to deliver bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) peptide conjugated titanium dioxide nanoparticles in a sustained manner for investigating its osteogenic differentiation potential. To prolong its retention time at the target site, BMP-2 peptide has been conjugated to titanium dioxide nanoparticles owing to its high surface to volume ratio. The effect of biochemical cues from BMP-2 peptide and nanotopographical stimulation of electrospun Zein polydopamine nanofiber were examined for its enhanced osteogenic expression of human fetal osteoblast cells. The sustained delivery of bioactive signals, improved cell adhesion, mineralization, and differentiation could be attributed to its highly interconnected nanofibrous matrix with unique material composition. Further, the expression of osteogenic markers revealed that the fabricated nanofibrous scaffold possess better cell-biomaterial interactions. These promising results demonstrate the potential of the composite nanofibrous scaffold as an effective biomaterial substrate for bone regeneration.

Biodegradable zein-polydopamine polymeric scaffold impregnated with TiO2 nanoparticles for skin tissue engineering.

Polymers from renewable resources are attractive for various industrial and biomedical applications owing to their compatibility, degradability, ease of use and availability. Rapid progress in the development of nanotechnology has improved the characteristic features of polymers in composite materials by reinforcing the nanosized particulates during fabrication. In this study, we have attempted to incorporate metal oxide nanoparticles into polymeric nanofibers in order to enhance the overall properties of the composite scaffold. The thermal stability of a TiO2 nanoparticle-impregnated zein-polydopamine-based nanofibrous scaffold was investigated, and its potential as a suitable wound dressing material was demonstrated. Further, the influence of nanotopographic structure on improved adhesion, proliferation and migration of cells was ascertained through in vitro assays. The constructive results obtained were well corroborated with the in vivo excisional wound healing experiment. Thus, the competence of the prepared nanofibrous scaffold was examined both in vitro and in vivo and demonstrated to be an alternative, cost-effective biomaterial for skin tissue engineering applications.

Electrospun protein nanofibers in healthcare: A review.

Electrospun nanofibers are being utilized for a wide range of healthcare applications. A plethora of natural and synthetic polymers are exploited for their ability to be electrospun and replace the complex habitat provided by the extracellular matrix for the cells. The fabrication of nanofibers can be tuned to act as a multicarrier system to deliver drugs, growth factors and health supplements etc. in a sustained manner. Owing to its pliability, nanofibers reached its heights in tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. This review mainly focuses on various standardized parameters and optimized blending ratios for animal and plant proteins to yield fine, continuous nanofibers for effective utilization in various healthcare applications.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of flower extract of Millingtonia hortensis Linn. on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: Millingtonia hortensis Linn is an abundant resource of flavonoids, which might be beneficial in protecting liver tissue from injury. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of M. hortensis on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanism involved therein were investigated in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preliminary phytochemical studies were carried out to determine the total phenol and flavonoid contents. 30 adult Wistar rats were allocated into 5 groups. Control group received vehicle, group-2 received CCl(4) alone (1 ml/kg body weight, intraperitonially), groups 3 - 5 received the ethanolic flower extract in 2 dose levels (200 and 400 mg/kg) and Curcumin (100 mg/kg) as a standard for 8 days orally, followed by CCl(4) as a single dose on the 8(th) day. 48 hours later, blood was withdrawn, serum was subjected to biochemical assessments, and liver homogenate was examined for lipid peroxides, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and total protein levels. Furthermore, hepatic tissues were subjected to histopatological studies. RESULTS: CCl(4) treatment produced a profound increase in the levels of malondialdehyde, hepatic marker enzymes and bilirubin content compared with the control (P < 0.05). Pre-treatment with the flower extract of M. hortensis significantly enhanced the levels of endogenous antioxidants and reduced the levels of hepatic marker enzymes in relation to the CCl(4) treated group (P < 0.05). Balloning degeneration and fatty changes in hepatocytes was prevented by pre-treatment with the flower extract. CONCLUSION: The antioxidant nature of the flower extract of M. hortensis could be responsible for averting damage to the liver.