Fexofenadine-loaded chitosan coated solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs): A potential oral therapy for ulcerative colitis.

The targeting and mucoadhesive features of chitosan (CS)-linked solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were exploited to efficiently deliver fexofenadine (FEX) into the colon, forming a novel and potential oral therapeutic option for ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment. Different FEX-CS-SLNs with varied molecular weights of CS were prepared and optimized. Optimized FEX-CS-SLNs exhibited 229 ± 6.08 nm nanometric size, 36.3 ± 3.18 mV zeta potential, 64.9 % EE, and a controlled release profile. FTIR, DSC, and TEM confirmed good drug entrapment and spherical particles. Mucoadhesive properties of FEX-CS-SLNs were investigated through mucin incubation and exhibited considerable mucoadhesion. The protective effect of FEX-pure, FEX-market, and FEX-CS-SLNs against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats was examined. Oral administration of FEX-CS-SLNs for 14 days before ulcerative colitis induction reversed UC symptoms and almost restored the intestinal mucosa to normal integrity and inhibited Phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (73.6 %), protein kinase B (73.28 %), and elevated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (185.9 %) in colonic tissue. Additionally, FEX-CS-SLNs inhibited tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) to (70.79 % & 72.99 %) in colonic tissue. The ameliorative potential of FEX-CS-SLNs outperformed that of FEX-pure and FEX-market. The exceptional protective effect of FEX-CS-SLNs makes it a potentially effective oral system for managing ulcerative colitis.

Explicit mechanistic insights of Prosopis juliflora extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at the molecular level.

Background: The Ancient system of medicine showed the limelight on the use of herbal remedies and was found to possess minimal side effects and acceptable therapeutic outcomes. In this context, Prosopis juliflora gained importance in managing chronic diseases such as cancer, dermatological diseases, and chronic inflammatory disorders. Hence, P. juliflora was selected for further investigation associated with diabetes and inflammation. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity in chemically induced experimental rats and explore the nature of phytocomponents that may produce this activity. Methods: Experimentally, diabetes was induced by a single administration of streptozotocin at 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally in Wistar rats. The animals were treated orally with P. juliflora at low and high doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) for 10 days. Blood collected from the retro-orbital plexus was analyzed for parameters like blood glucose levels, insulin, adiponectin, Keap1 and Nrf2. PPAR-γ, AMPK and GLUT 2 levels were analyzed in the pancreatic tissue. Besides, at the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed, and the pancreatic tissue sections were subjected for histopathological, morphometrical and immune histochemical exploration. The phytochemical composition of the plant was investigated by GC-MS. Results: The administration of P. juliflora higher dose showed a significant decrease (**p< 0.001) in blood glucose levels with a rise in adiponectin, PPARγ, Keap1, Nrf2, Glut 2, and AMPK significantly (**p< 0.001). The inflammatory cytokine TNFα was also estimated and was found to be lowered significantly (**p< 0.001) in test drug-treated animals. Furthermore, in the pancreatic tissue, the number of Islets, the area, and the number of ß-cells were improved significantly with the sub-chronic treatment of P. juliflora extract. The structure and function of ß-cells were also revamped. Conclusion: The study results demonstrated a significant effect of P. juliflora on glycemic status, inflammatory condition, and the architecture of pancreatic tissue. In the identification and isolation process by GC MS, it was noticed that P. juliflora contained few phytochemical constituents from which it might be considered a promising drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Chitosan coated clove oil-based nanoemulsion: An attractive option for oral delivery of leflunomide in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a distressing inflammatory autoimmune disease, is managed mainly by Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), e.g. leflunomide (LEF). LEF (BCS class II) has limited solubility and adverse effects following its systemic exposure. The appealing antirheumatic properties of both clove oil and chitosan (CS) were exploited to design oral leflunomide (LEF)-loaded nanoemulsion (NE) system to augment the therapeutic action of LEF and decrease its systemic side effects as well. Different LEF-NEs were prepared using clove oil, Tween® 20 (surfactant), and PEG 400(co-surfactant) and characterized by thermodynamic stability, percentage transmittance, cloud point, size analysis, and drug content. Optimized LEF-NE was subjected to CS coating forming LEF-CS-NE that exhibited nanometric size range, prolonged drug release, and good physical stability. In vivo anti-rheumatic activity of pure LEF, market LEF, and LEF-CS-NE was assessed utilizing a complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) rat model. Treatment with LEF-CS-NE reduced edema rate (48.68% inhibition) and caused a marked reduction in interleukin-6 (IL-6) (510.9 ± 2.48 pg/ml), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) (397.3 ± 2.53 pg/ml), and rheumatoid factor (RF) (42.58 ± 0.49 U/ml). Furthermore, LEF-CS-NE reduced serum levels of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) to (83.19%) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) to (40.68%) compared to the control + ve group. The effects of LEF-CS-NE were also superior to both pure and market LEF and showed better results in histopathological studies of paws, liver, kidney, lung, and heart. The remarkable therapeutic and safety profile of LEF-CS-NE makes it a potential oral system for the management of RA.

Berberine attenuates epithelial mesenchymal transition in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice via activating A2aR and mitigating the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling.

AIMS: Berberine is endowed with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. This study explored the role of adenosine A2a receptor (A2aR) activation and SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling suppression in the protective effects of berberine in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. MAIN METHODS: Pulmonary fibrosis was generated in mice by injecting bleomycin (40 U/kg, i.p.) on days 0, 3, 7, 10 and 14. Mice were treated with berberine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) from day 15 to day 28. KEY FINDINGS: Severe lung fibrosis and increased collagen content were observed in the bleomycin-challenged mice. Pulmonary A2aR downregulation was documented in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis animals and was accompanied by enhanced expression of SDF-1/CXCR4. Moreover, TGF-ß1elevation and pSmad2/3 overexpression were reported in parallel with enhanced epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers expression, vimentin and α-SMA. Besides, bleomycin significantly elevated the inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic mediator NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-6. Furthermore, bleomycin administration induced oxidative stress as depicted by decreased Nrf2, SOD, GSH and catalase levels. Interestingly, berberine administration markedly ameliorated the fibrotic changes in lungs by modulating the purinergic system through the inhibition of A2aR downregulation, mitigating EMT and effectively suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress. Strikingly, A2aR blockade by SCH 58261, impeded the pulmonary protective effect of berberine. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings indicated that berberine could attenuate the pathological processes of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis at least partially via upregulating A2aR and mitigating the SDF-1/CXCR4 related pathway, suggesting A2aR as a potential therapeutic target for the management of pulmonary fibrosis.

Combating hematopoietic and hepatocellular abnormalities resulting from administration of cisplatin: role of liver targeted glycyrrhetinic acid nanoliposomes loaded with amino acids.

The effectiveness of cisplatin in cancer treatment renders its use vital to clinicians. However, the accompanying side effects as cachexia, emesis and liver damage necessitate the use of a dietary supplement which is capable of hindering such undesirable complications. The branched chain amino acids as well as glutamine and arginine have been proven to be effective nutritional co-adjuvant therapeutic agents. Furthermore, new pharmaceutical approaches encompass designing organ-targeted nanoformulations to increase the medicinal efficacy. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effects of liver-targeted amino acids-loaded nanoliposomes in counteracting the adverse hematopoietic and hepatic complications associated with cisplatin. Results revealed the use of the combination of two nanoliposomal formulations (one loading leucine + isolecuine + valine, and the other loading glutamine and arginine) given orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg for twelve days was effective against cisplatin-induced toxicities represented by improvement in the complete blood picture parameters, decrease in the serum hepatic enzymes levels, amelioration of the hepatic oxidative stress and cellular energy imbalance along with reduction in the histopathological abnormalities. It can be concluded that amino acids loaded nanoliposomes could be considered a new strategy in preventing cisplatin's adverse effects.

Famotidine-loaded solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system demonstrates exceptional efficiency in amelioration of peptic ulcer.

Famotidine (FMD) is a highly potent H2-receptor antagonist used in peptic ulcer treatment. However, the drug possesses poor aqueous solubility and permeability. FMD-loaded solid self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (FMD-S-SNEDDS) comprised of Labrafil® M 1944 CS, Tween® 20 and PEG 400, adsorbed on Aerosil® 200, has been developed. FMD-S-SNEDDS has demonstrated acceptable micromeritic properties, and upon reconstitution in water, spherical nanosized particles were released, as demonstrated by dynamic light scattering studies and transmission electron microscopy imaging. High encapsulation efficiency of FMD in the developed SNEDDS has been attained, and the saturated solubility of the drug has increased by 20-fold when it was incorporated in the SNEDDS. Several in vitro characterizations have been carried out, including, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and drug dissolution studies. In vivo, upon administration of the free drug suspension, marketed product (FAMOTIN®) and FMD-S-SNEDDS (40 mg/kg) in peptic ulcer rat models, FMD-S-SNEDDS and the marketed FMD demonstrated 12.5- and 4.7-fold reduction in ulcers number, and 28.7- and 7.2-fold reduction in ulcer severity, respectively, compared to the control untreated animals. FMD-S-SNEDDS showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of depleted glutathione and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the elevated level of malondialdehyde, as compared to the free and marketed FMD. Only FMD-S-SNEDDS could restore the elevated proton pump activity and cyclic adenosine monophosphate RNA expression to their normal levels. Hence, FMD-S-SNEDDS provides a great potential as a nanotherapeutic system for treatment of peptic ulcer.

Nanocurcumin alleviates insulin resistance and pancreatic deficits in polycystic ovary syndrome rats: Insights on PI3K/AkT/mTOR and TNF-α modulations.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread endocrine disorder affecting females. Mechanisms underlying PCOS complicated pathology remain largely unknown, making current treatment only symptomatic. Increasing reports suggest impaired PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels are involved in cellular proliferation and metabolism-related disorders. However, rare data explored their role in PCOS. Hence, this study investigated TNF-α and pancreatic PI3K/AKT/mTOR levels in PCOS animal model and evaluated their effects on developed pancreatic deficits. Secondly; we explored the impact of nanocurcumin as powerful anti-inflammatory supplement against these developed pancreatic pathologies. METHODS: PCOS was induced in rats using letrozole. Nanocurcumin was formulated to increase solubility and bioavailability of curcumin. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential and Infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used for characterization. Nanocurcumin was orally ingested for 15 days. FINDINGS: PCOS group exhibited significant disturbance in sex hormones, oxidative stress markers, and TNF-α levels as determined by immunoassay. Western blotting revealed significant reduction of PI3K/AKT/mTOR levels leading to impaired insulin sensitivity, decreased ß cells function and mass as confirmed by HOMA assessments and immunohistochemistry. Nanocurcumin significantly improved oxidative markers, glucose indices and TNF-α levels. It reinstated PI3K/AKT/mTOR levels, alleviated insulin resistance, and retained islets integrity consequently restoring normal sex hormonal levels. SIGNIFICANCE: To the best of our knowledge, the study is the first to report pancreatic role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and TNF-α in PCOS and the first to demonstrate nanocurcumin promising potential against PCOS-related pancreatic molecular and histological pathologies that can indeed offer better control of the disease.

Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma of the Breast Mimicking Granulomatous Mastitis- Case Report and Review of the Literature

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the breast is an exceedingly rare variant of mammary cancer. To our knowledge, only twenty - one cases have been reported in the literature. Diagnosis of this type of mammary carcinoma may be challenging, owing to its rarity and the histopathological similarity to common inflammatory and malignant lesions of the breast mainly granulomatous mastitis, medullary carcinoma, pleomorphic lobular carcinoma, lymphoma and other hematological malignancies. Our case is the 22nd case of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma reported in the breast, presenting with a palpable tender mass in a post-menopausal female. Her clinical picture had been mistaken for inflammatory disease. We present our case, with its detailed clinical history, radiological findings, histopathological and immune-histochemical findings along with a review of the literature. Highlighting this type of tumors may help in appropriate diagnosis. Moreover, studying the behavior of these rare neoplasms is essential to expedite treatment for this tumor type.