Topical SCD-153, a 4-methyl itaconate prodrug, for the treatment of alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata is a chronic hair loss disorder that involves autoimmune disruption of hair follicles by CD8+  T cells. Most patients present with patchy hair loss on the scalp that improves spontaneously or with topical and intralesional steroids, topical minoxidil, or topical immunotherapy. However, recurrence of hair loss is common, and patients with extensive disease may require treatment with oral corticosteroids or oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, both of which may cause systemic toxicities with long-term use. Itaconate is an endogenous molecule synthesized in macrophages that exerts anti-inflammatory effects. To investigate the use of itaconate derivatives for treating alopecia areata, we designed a prodrug of 4-methyl itaconate (4-MI), termed SCD-153, with increased lipophilicity compared to 4-MI (CLogP 1.159 vs. 0.1442) to enhance skin and cell penetration. Topical SCD-153 formed 4-MI upon penetrating the stratum corneum in C57BL/6 mice and showed low systemic absorption. When added to human epidermal keratinocytes stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) or interferon (IFN)γ, SCD-153 significantly attenuated poly I:C-induced interleukin (IL)-6, Toll-like receptor 3, IL-1ß, and IFNß expression, as well as IFNγ-induced IL-6 expression. Topical application of SCD-153 to C57BL/6 mice in the resting (telogen) phase of the hair cycle induced significant hair growth that was statistically superior to vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide), the less cell-permeable itaconate analogues 4-MI and dimethyl itaconate, and the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib. Our results suggest that SCD-153 is a promising topical candidate for treating alopecia areata.

Optimization of QuPPe approach and validation of analytical method for estimation of validamycin from grain, paddy husk, and soil by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS-based method.

Validamycin is the most active component of the antibiotic and antifungal validamycin complex. Since it is widely used to protect rice crops, its persistence in soil and rice matrices may affect the quality and the health of the consumer. Methods for its estimation from soil matrices are not available. Besides, its analysis from complex matrices including grain and paddy husk is challenging. So very few reliable analytical methods are available for its residue analysis. Thus, we aimed to develop a new QuPPe technique and new HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analytical method for the estimation of validamycin in grain, paddy husk, and soil. The QuPPe method was validated with a linearity range of 0.00101 to 0.10134 µg/mL. The LOQ of validamycin in grain, paddy husk, and soil was 1.01013 µg/kg and the retention time was 5.62 min. These results will be helpful in further analysis of food safety and environmental pollution.

Effect of Tinospora cordifolia aqua-alcoholic extract on pharmacokinetic of Glibenclamide in rat: An herb-drug interaction study.

Tinospora cordifolia (TC) has been used as a complimentary/alternative medicine against diabetes. Considering its potential to modulate metabolic enzymes, Tinospora cordifolia extract (TCE) may influence the metabolism of the antidiabeic drug Glibenclamide following co-administration. Accordingly, this work was undertaken to evaluate impact of TCE on fate of Glibenclamide. Activity of clinically important Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes were inhibited in the order of CYP2C9 > CYP2D6 > CYP2C19 > CYP1A2 > CYP3A4. Formations of metabolites were inhibited with increasing concentration of TCE in both rat and human liver microsomes. TCE was co- administered in three different groups (0, 100 and 400 mg/kg) with Glibenclamide at 1 mg/kg dose to observe the alteration in pharmacokinetic parameters of Glibenclamide. The rats were pretreated with 0 (vehicle), 100 and 400 mg/kg dose of TCE b.i.d for 14 days and on the 14th day all three groups were administered with 1 mg/kg Glibenclamide. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed based on plasma concentrations of Glibenclamide from all the groups by LC-HRMS methods using Glipizide as an internal standard. At 400 mg/kg dose, a marked increase in the bio availability of Glibenclamide was observed with a significant delay of Tmax and suppression of clearance.