Effect of zinc oxide nanocomposite and ginger extract on lipid profile, glucose, pancreatic tissue and expression of Gpx1 and Tnf-α genes in diabetic rat model.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a life-threatening health condition that requires expensive treatment and places a significant financial burden on society. Consequently, this study aimed to explore the potential of low and high concentrations of ginger extract, ZnO-NPs, and a combination of both to help manage diabetes and reduce high levels of lipids in diabetic rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: The research focused on agglomerated nanoparticles under 100 nm, specifically ZnO nanoparticles. The size of the nanoparticles was determined using X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy analysis, with a monodisperse particle size distribution of 20 to 48 nm and an average size of 38 nm, as shown by dynamic light scattering. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of typical peaks of ginger extract and ZnO-NPs in the nanocomposite structure. The pancreatic tissue histopathological study indicated that a concentration of 10 mg/kg of the composite had the most significant antidiabetic effect compared to other treatments. Lower concentrations could significantly reduce and balance fasting blood sugar and triglycerides levels while also increasing the high-density lipoproteins levels. However, all treatments induced a significant decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins levels. Only metformin and ZnO-NPs in lower concentrations could decrease very low-density lipoproteins levels. The molecular technique showed that a low concentration of the composite led to the most significant decrease in Tnf-α gene expression compared to the diabetic group. The expression of the glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) gene in treated groups had no significant difference with the level of Gpx1 expression in the control rats. CONCLUSIONS: In general, this study demonstrated that lower concentrations of the treatments, especially composite, were more effective for treating diabetic rats due to reduced pancreatic tissue damage.

Surface Modification of Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles for the Sustained in vitro Release and the Enhanced Cytotoxicity of Chelidonine.

BACKGROUND: Chelidonine is a potent anticancer against several cell lines. However, low bioavailability and water solubility restrict the clinical applications of this compound. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to develop a novel formulation of chelidonine encapsulated in the nanoparticles of poly(d l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) employing vitamin E D-α-tocopherol acid polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (E TPGS) as a modifier to increase bioavailability. METHODS: Chelidonine-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles were fabricated using a single emulsion method and modified by various concentrations of E TPGS. Nanoparticles were recognized in terms of morphology, surface charge, drug release, size, drug loading, and encapsulation efficiency to obtain the optimized formulation. The cytotoxicity of different nanoformulations in HT-29 cells was evaluated using the MTT assay. The cells were stained with propidium iodide and annexin V solution to evaluate apoptosis using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Spherical nanoparticles prepared with 2% (w/v) of E TPGS had the optimum formulation in the nanometer size range (153 ± 12.3 nm), with a surface charge of -14.06 ± 2.21 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 95.58 ± 3.47%, drug loading of 33.13 ± 0.19%, and drug release profile of 73.54 ± 2.33. In comparison with non-modified nanoparticles and free chelidonine, E TPGS-modified nanoformulations improved anti-cancer capability even after three-months storage. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that E TPGS is an effective biomaterial for surface modification of nanoparticles, which can serve as a potential treatment for cancer.