Copper sulfate induced toxicological impact on in-vivo zebrafish larval model protected due to acacetin via anti-inflammatory and glutathione redox mechanism.

Copper sulfate (CuSO4) as industrial effluent is intentionally or unintentionally released into water bodies and accumulates in the fish. Because of its numerous applications, CuSO4 can be hazardous to non-target creatures, producing direct alterations in fish habitats. Acacetin is a flavonoid present in all vascular plants that are extensively dispersed in plant pigments and responsible for many natural hues. However, the impact of acacetin on mitigating the toxic effect of CuSO4 in the in-vivo conditions is not known. The toxicity of acacetin was determined by measuring the survival, deformities and heart rate after treatment with various concentrations to larvae. The protective effect of acacetin was also observed in CuSO4 exposed zebrafish larvae by reducing malformation, mortality rate and oxidative stress. Meanwhile, the acacetin-protected larvae from CuSO4 effects through the molecular mechanism by suppressing pro-inflammatory genes (COX-2, TNF-α and IL-1) and upregulating antioxidant genes (GPx, GST and GR). Overall, our findings suggest that acacetin can act as a protective barrier against CuSO4-induced inflammation in an in-vivo zebrafish larval model.

Preparation and characterization of lutein loaded folate conjugated polymeric nanoparticles.

AIM: To prepare and characterise lutein-loaded polylactide-co-glycolide-polyethylene glycol-folate (PLGA-PEG-FOLATE) nanoparticles and evaluate enhanced uptake in SK-N-BE(2) cells. METHODS: Nanoparticles were prepared using O/W emulsion solvent evaporation and characterised using DLS, SEM, DSC, FTIR and in-vitro release. Lutein-uptake in SK-N-BE(2) cells was determined using flow-cytometry, confocal-microscopy and HPLC. Control was lutein PLGA nanoparticles. RESULTS: The size of lutein-loaded PLGA and PLGA-PEG-FOLATE nanoparticles were 189.6 ± 18.79 nm and 188.0 ± 4.06 nm, respectively. Lutein entrapment was ∼61%(w/w) and ∼73%(w/w) for PLGA and PLGA-PEG-FOLATE nanoparticles, respectively. DSC and FTIR confirmed encapsulation of lutein into nanoparticles. Cellular uptake studies showed ∼1.6 and ∼2-fold enhanced uptake of lutein from PLGA-PEG-FOLATE nanoparticles compared to PLGA nanoparticles and lutein, respectively. Cumulative release of lutein was higher in PLGA nanoparticles (100% (w/w) within 24 h) compared to PLGA-PEG-FOLATE nanoparticles (∼80% (w/w) in 48 h). CONCLUSION: Lutein-loaded PLGA-PEG-FOLATE nanoparticles could be a potential treatment for hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.