Modulation of cerulein-induced pancreatic inflammation by hydroalcoholic extract of curry leaf (Murraya koenigii).

This study was performed to study the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of hydroalcoholic extract of curry leaf (CLE) rich in carbazole alkaloids, against LPS-induced inflammation in Raw 264.7 macrophages and cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis, respectively. CLE was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Raw 264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS (2 µg/ml) and treated with CLE. The animals were treated with two doses of CLE (100 and 300 mg/kg). Plasma biochemistry, tissue lipid peroxidation, cytokines, and histological examination were evaluated. CLE was found to decently scavenge the activity of DPPH radical. It dose dependently suppressed nitrite production and oxidative stress in macrophages. CLE alleviated LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages as evident from the results of various inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α). In vivo, CLE reduced cerulein-induced pancreatic edema. CLE significantly abrogated the cerulein-induced lipid peroxidation, nitrite, MPO, and GSH levels. The inflammatory cytokines and p65-NFκB activity were significantly reduced by CLE. Mechanistically, CLE reduced the expression of NT, MPO, IL-1ß, ICAM-1, and COX-2, and increased the expression of Nrf2. It reduced distant organ damage markers as well. We report for the first time that CLE holds substantial potential for the prevention of acute pancreatitis.

Therapeutic applications of selenium nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles (NPs) serve to reduce the toxicity, enhance bioactivity, improve targeting, and provide versatile means to control the release profile of the encapsulated moiety. Among different NPs, inorganic NPs of metals like Ag, Au, Ce, Fe, Se, Ti and Zn possess a significant place owing to their unique bioactivities in nanoforms. Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element. It is incorporated into selenoproteins as selenocysteine (Sec) representing the most important part of the active center of their enzymatic activities. Many selenoproteins have oxidoreductase activity and, thus, regulate the physiological redox balance. Se has a narrow therapeutic window and the toxicity margins are very delicate whereas the nanoparticles of Se (SeNPs) possess remarkably reduced toxicity. SeNPs have been explored in various oxidative stress and inflammation mediated disorders like arthritis, cancer, diabetes and nephropathy with potential therapeutic benefits. SeNPs constitute an attractive carrier platform to ferry various drugs to the site of action. Herein we have discussed the significance of nanosizing on the pharmacological activity of Se. The role of SeNPs in pharmacological protection against various inflammatory and oxidative stress mediated conditions is presented. However, it is largely unknown how SeNPs may affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of selenoproteins. Most of the available studies were poorly designed without any comparison to the other Se sources. In the future, detailed studies with inclusion of an appropriate source of Se should be carried out with emphasis on understanding the role of selenoproteins in the observed pharmacological activity.