Preparation and Evaluation of Curcumin Derivatives Nanoemulsion Based on Turmeric Extract and Its Antidepressant Effect.

Purpose: The early stage of this study verified that a turmeric extract (TUR) including 59% curcumin (CU), 22% demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and 18% bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), could enhance the stability of CU and had greater antidepressant potential in vitro. The objective of the study was to develop a nano-delivery system containing TUR (TUR-NE) to improve the pharmacokinetic behavior of TUR and enhance its antidepressant effect. Methods: The antidepressant potential of TUR was explored using ABTS, oxidative stress-induced cell injury, and a high-throughput screening model. TUR-NE was fabricated, optimized and characterized. The pharmacokinetic behaviors of TUR-NE were evaluated following oral administration to normal rats. The antidepressant effect of TUR-NE was assessed within chronic unpredictable mild stress model (CUMS) mice. The behavioral and biochemical indexes of mice were conducted. Results: The results depicted that TUR had 3.18 and 1.62 times higher antioxidant capacity than ascorbic acid and CU, respectively. The inhibition effect of TUR on ASP+ transport was significantly enhanced compared with fluoxetine and CU. TUR-NE displayed a particle size of 116.0 ± 0.31 nm, polydispersity index value of 0.121 ± 0.007, an encapsulation rate of 98.45%, and good release and stability in cold storage. The results of pharmacokinetics indicated the AUC(0-t) of TUR-NE was 8.436 and 4.495 times higher than that of CU and TUR, while the Cmax was 9.012 and 5.452 times higher than that of CU and TUR, respectively. The pharmacodynamic study confirmed that the superior antidepressant effect of TUR-NE by significantly improving the depressant-like behaviors and elevating the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine in plasma and brain in CUMS mice. TUR-NE showed good safety with repeated administration. Conclusion: TUR-NE, which had small and uniform particle size, enhanced the bioavailability and antidepressant effect of TUR. It could be a promising novel oral preparation against depression.

Effects of low doses of UV-B radiation supplementation on tuber quality in purple potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).

UV-B is an important environmental factor that differentially affects plant growth and secondary metabolites. However, our knowledge regarding the physiological and biochemical changes in under-ground plant organs responded to UV-B treatment remains limited. In this study, we investigated potato plant (Solanum tuberosum L.) and tuber responses to short-term supplemental UV-B exposure performed during tuber development. Our results indicated that the supplemental UV-B radiation with relative low dose had no obvious adverse impact on plant growth or tuber production. Nutritional composition analyses of tubers revealed that the contents of starch, soluble sugars, and proteins were significantly increased under lower UV-B radiation relative to controls. Similarly, low dose of UV-B treatment promoted the health-promoting compounds, including anthocyanin, phenols, and flavonoids in tubers. Moreover, higher activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly induced in tubers in response to lower UV-B radiation. These findings suggest that short-term UV-B radiation supplementation at relative low doses can improve the tuber quality in potato plants.

Primary colorectal lymphoma: computed tomography and double-contrast barium enema examination findings with histopathological correlation in 19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Primary colorectal lymphoma (PCL) is a rare disorder, the accurate imaging diagnosis of which remains a clinical challenge. This study aimed to characterize the imaging features of PCL by double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) examination and computed tomography (CT) and correlate them with histopathological findings. METHODS: DCBE (n=6) and CT (n=19) findings for 19 pathologically proven PCLs were evaluated and compared with histopathological findings in this retrospective analysis. RESULTS: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma was present in all patients, and the most common histological type was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (63.2%, 12/19). The most common site was the ileocecum (84.2%, 16/19). CT revealed circumferential infiltrative lesions (68.4%, 13/19), polypoid masses (26.3%, 5/19) and ulcerative lesions (5.3%, 1/19). Most (94.7%, 18/19) lesions appeared as moderate enhancements. Fourteen (73.7%, 14/19) patients had serous membrane infiltration presenting as a poorly defined serous membrane and focal opacities in the pericolonic fat. Regional lymph node involvement was observed in twelve (63.2%, 12/19) patients who presented with aggregated nodules or masses. Frequent findings of the DCBE exam included a filling defect and niche with slight mucosal destruction, mild luminal narrowing and preserved peristalsis. The imaging appearance reflected the gross pathological findings well, although the preoperative diagnostic accuracy was low. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging features of PCL have a relatively characteristic appearance but are still, at times, hardly differentiated from carcinoma. Familiarity with the radiological features of PCL on DCBE and CT can help ensure a correct diagnosis.