Protective effect of dendrosomal curcumin combination on colon cancer in rat

Cancer is a multistep process that develops very rapidly after its onset. Previous studies have confirmed antitumor effects of curcumin [1,7-bis [4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl]-l,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione; diferuloylmethane] that can potentially prevent colon cancer development with low side-effects. Different methods have been performed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of curcumin among which dendrosome, a nanoparticle created by Sarbolouki et al. was used in this study. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of dendrosomal curcumin on rat colon cancer. In this study which was performed in Cancer Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010 year, forty rats were equally divided into control, curcumin and curcumin-dendrosome groups. Animals received azoxymethane [15 mg/kg s.c.], a carcinogen, once a week for two weeks. Curcumin [0.2%] and curcumin-dendrosome were administered to the respective animals 2 weeks before the first and 14 weeks after the last azoxymethane injections. Eventually, colorectal specimens from tumoral and adjacent non-tumoral mucosal tissues were fixed in 10% formaldehyde, and passaged and embedded in paraffin. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed on the specimens. The mean number of lesions, nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, epithelial stratification, loss of nuclear polarity, goblet depletion, structural abnormality and beta-catenin expression were higher in the control group compared to curcumin and curcumin-dendrosome groups. These parameters had significantly decreased in the dendrosomal curcumin group [P<0.05]. The present study shows that dendrosome can be used as a suitable nanoparticle to increase curcumin efficiency in the prevention or treatment of colon cancer

Immune response analysis of immunized Balb/C mice with HIV-1 fusion p24 - gp41 genes as DNA vaccine candidate

The global HIV epidemic continues to expand and exceeding previous predictions. An effective vaccine represents the best hope to curtail the HIV epidemic. DNA vaccines induce humoral and cellular responses and mimic live vaccines without their pathogenic potential. The importance of CD8[+]CTL responses in controlling HIV and SIV viremia has led to production of a series of vaccines candidates that effectively induce these responses. It is now widely believed that an HIV vaccine strategy must stimulate both a strong humoral [antibody] as well as cell-mediated [CTL] immune response. The p24 and gp41 play many important roles in host-virus interaction and pathogenesis. These proteins are considered as attractive vaccine candidate in which their immunogenecity and immunomodulatory effects have been confirmed. In this study, a construct, pcDNA3.1Hygro- [p24-gp41], was evaluated as a DNA vaccine candidate in Balb/C mice for generation of effective cellular immune responses. For immunizing, we used dendrosome, a novel family of vehicles for transfection and therapy. IFN-gamma cytokine production and total antibody were detected by ELISA. Lymphoprolifration assay was performed by MTT test. ELISA and MTT assays confirmed that the cited p24-gp41 fusion gene is able to enhance immune responses in mice. The construct that was used in this research can be a good candidate for DNA vaccine against HIV-1, if the future complementary tests demonstrate the same trends of immunogenic responses shown in this study

[Novel transdermal drug delivery systems]

Delivery of drugs into systemic circulation via skin has generated lots of interest during the last decade. Transdermal drug delivery systems offer many advantages over the conventional forms or sustained release delivery systems. When technically feasible, topical delivery of drug products for both local and systemic indications offer many advantages over oral or parenteral routes, such as the need for fewer administration, constant blood level, elimination of the potential for both under and overdosing, and avoidance of first-pass metabolism. Skin structure shows that it is relatively impermeable to exogenous substances and drugs. Understanding this structure will help us to improve drug delivery using prodrugs, chemical enhancers, iontophoresis, electroporation and ultrasound waves. This review will overview the structure and function of skin, the skin routes, the interactions between skin and drug delivery systems and advantageous and disadvantageous of skin as a route for drug delivery. Thus the properties and interactions of three entities-the skin, the drug and the drug delivery excipients-is going to be considered