The Development and Pre-Clinical Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy of a New Transdermal Ureasil-Polyether Hybrid Matrix Loaded with Flavonoid-Rich Annona muricata Leaf Extract.

This study aimed to develop a novel ureasil-polyether transdermal hybrid matrix (U-PEO) loaded with Annona muricata concentrated extract (AMCE), which exhibits potent anti-inflammatory activity. The extract was obtained by maceration, a method that allowed for the extraction of a high concentration of flavonoids (39.27 mg/g of extract). In vivo tests demonstrated that 10 mg/kg of AMCE inhibited inflammation for 6 h. The physicochemical characterization of U-PEO with AMCE was conducted via a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while its surface was recorded using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The in vitro macroscopic swelling and release tests demonstrated the hydrophilic profile of the material and the percentage of AMCE released. The TGA results demonstrated that the system exhibited physical compatibility due to the thermal stability of U-PEO. Additionally, the AFM analysis revealed a rough and porous surface, with a particular emphasis on the system with AMCE. The release resulted in the liberation of 23.72% of AMCE within 24 h. Finally, the preclinical tests demonstrated that U-PEO with AMCE was also capable of effectively inhibiting inflammation for 6 h, a duration comparable to that of a commercial formulation. The results permit the advancement of the study towards the development of a transdermal system, thereby rendering its application in clinical studies feasible.

Mechanistic Insight from Preclinical Models of Parkinson's Disease Could Help Redirect Clinical Trial Efforts in GDNF Therapy.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by four pathognomonic hallmarks: (1) motor and non-motor deficits; (2) neuroinflammation and oxidative stress; (3) pathological aggregates of the α-synuclein (α-syn) protein; (4) neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal system. Recent evidence sustains that the aggregation of pathological α-syn occurs in the early stages of the disease, becoming the first trigger of neuroinflammation and subsequent neurodegeneration. Thus, a therapeutic line aims at striking back α-synucleinopathy and neuroinflammation to impede neurodegeneration. Another therapeutic line is restoring the compromised dopaminergic system using neurotrophic factors, particularly the glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Preclinical studies with GDNF have provided encouraging results but often lack evaluation of anti-α-syn and anti-inflammatory effects. In contrast, clinical trials have yielded imprecise results and have reported the emergence of severe side effects. Here, we analyze the discrepancy between preclinical and clinical outcomes, review the mechanisms of the aggregation of pathological α-syn, including neuroinflammation, and evaluate the neurorestorative properties of GDNF, emphasizing its anti-α-syn and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical and clinical trials.

Inflammatory and Infectious Processes Serve as Links between Atrial Fibrillation and Alzheimer's Disease.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent forms of arrhythmia that carries an increased risk of stroke which, in turn, is strongly associated with cognitive decline. The majority of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD) with obscure pathogenesis. While the exact mechanisms are unknown, the role of inflammatory processes and infectious agents have recently been implicated in both AD and AF, suggesting a common link between these maladies. Here, we present the main shared pathways underlying arrhythmia and memory loss. The overlapping predictive biomarkers and emerging joint pharmacological approaches are also discussed.

Personalized pharmacological therapy for ARDS: a light at the end of the tunnel.

Introduction: Pharmacotherapy for the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been tested in preclinical and clinical studies. However, to date, no pharmacological interventions have proven effective. This may be attributed to lack of proper identification of different ARDS phenotypes.Areas covered: We designed inclusive search strings and searched four bibliographic databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov) to identify relevant research. Search results were mainly restricted to papers published from 2009 through 2019. ARDS is a heterogeneous syndrome, and its different phenotypes - defined according to clinical, radiological, and biological parameters - may affect response to therapy. The most promising pharmacological approaches to date have been based on ARDS pathophysiology. They focus on reducing inflammation and pulmonary edema, promoting selective vasodilation, and repairing alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells.Expert opinion: Pharmacotherapeutic approaches targeting ARDS pathophysiology have failed to exert beneficial effects. Personalized medicine targeting the different ARDS phenotypes has emerged as an option to improve survival. Identification of specific ARDS patient phenotypes that respond to specific therapies seems to be the most important challenge for the next decade. Additional research is warranted before personalized medicine approaches can be applied at bedside for ARDS patients.

Beneficial effect of a mixture of vitamin-producing and immune-modulating lactic acid bacteria as adjuvant for therapy in a recurrent mouse colitis model.

Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic and relapsing-remitting disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Previously, the administration of folate and riboflavin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or an immune-modulating strain showed beneficial effects as they were able to reduce the acute inflammation in mouse models. The aim of this work was to evaluate a mixture of vitamin-producing and immune-modulating LAB administering together with an anti-inflammatory drug during the remission period of a mouse model of recurrent colitis. BALB/c mice were intrarectally instilled with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and those who recovered from this acute challenge were given the LAB mixture, mesalazine, or the combination of both (mesalazine + LAB) during 21 days, followed by a second challenge with TNBS. Control mice instilled with ethanol (vehicle of TNBS) and receiving the different treatments were also evaluated in order to study the effect of chronic anti-inflammatory therapy. The combination of mesalazine and LAB mixture was the most effective to decrease the intestinal damage at macroscopic and histological levels and to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in intestinal fluids. In animals instilled with ethanol, mesalazine produced a loss of body weight and intestinal damages with increased IL-6. These side effects were prevented by the co-administration of mesalazine and the LAB mixture. The LAB blend did not affect the primary anti-inflammatory treatment, was able to improve it, and also prevented the side effects of this therapy.