Design and in vitro evaluation of curcumin-loaded PLGA nanoparticle-embedded sodium alginate/gelatin 3D printed scaffolds for Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Targeted nanoparticles (NPs) are aimed at improving clinical outcomes by enhancing the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy of drugs in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Curcumin (CUR)-loaded poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) NPs (CNPs) were produced to demonstrate a prolonged release and successfully embedded into 3D printed sodium alginate (SA)/gelatin (GEL) scaffolds that can dissolve rapidly sublingually. Characterization and in vitro activity of the NPs and scaffolds were evaluated. RESULTS: Based on the in vitro drug release studies, 99.6 % of the encapsulated CUR was released in a controlled manner within 18 days for the CNPs. In vitro cell culture studies showed that all samples exhibited cell viability above 84.2 % and no significant cytotoxic effect on SH-SY5Y cells. The samples were analyzed through 2 different pathways by PCR analysis. Real-time PCR results indicated that CNP and CNP-embedded SA/GEL scaffolds (CNPSGS) may show neuroprotective effects by modulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. The gene expression level of ß-catenin slightly increased compared to the gene expression levels of other proteins and enzymes with these treatments. However, the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3ß signaling pathway was regulated at the same time because of the crosstalk between these 2 pathways. CONCLUSION: CNPSGS might be an effective therapeutic alternative for AD treatment.

Vitamin B12-loaded chitosan-based nanoparticle-embedded polymeric nanofibers for sublingual and transdermal applications: Two alternative application routes for vitamin B12.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegeneration type that is biologically recognizable via ß-amyloid plaques and tau neurofibril tangles. Global estimation for the total count of individuals enduring AD will rise up to 131 million by 2050. Investigations suggested the existence of a direct proportion between the likelihood of AD occurrence and vitamin B12 (VB12) hypovitaminosis. Approved VB12 administrations, intramuscular and oral, each has serious defects broaching the demand for alternative routes. This work developed VB12-loaded chitosan/tripolyphosphate/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/TPP/PVA) nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinylpyrrolidone/polycaprolactone (PVP/PCL) nanofibrous (NFs) produced by pressurized gyration (PG) for sublingual and transdermal routes, respectively. Biomaterials were investigated morphologically, chemically, and thermally. Moreover, degradation, disintegration, release behavior, and release kinetics were analyzed. The effectiveness and safety of nanomaterials were assessed and proven with the alamarBlue test on the Aß1-42-induced SH-SY5Y model. The final evaluation suggested the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of produced systems. Consequently, two alternative VB12 application routes were developed with high effectivity and low toxicity with the power of nanotechnology.

Sublingual Administration of Teucrium Polium-Loaded Nanofibers with Ultra-Fast Release in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

In this study, Teucrium polium (TP) methanolic extract, which has antidiabetic activity and protects the ß-cells of the pancreas, was loaded in polyethylene oxide/sodium alginate nanofibers by electrospinning and administered sublingually to evaluate their effectiveness in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by cell culture and in vivo studies. The gene expressions of insulin, glucokinase, GLUT-1, and GLUT-2 improved in TP-loaded nanofibers (TPF) on human beta cells 1.1B4 and rat beta cells BRIN-BD11. Fast-dissolving (<120 s) sublingual TPF exhibited better sustainable anti-diabetic activity than the suspension form, even in the twenty times lower dosage in streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced T2DM rats. The levels of GLP-1, GLUT-2, SGLT-2, PPAR-γ, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were improved. TP and TPF treatments ameliorated morphological changes in the liver, pancreas, and kidney. The fiber diameter increased, tensile strength decreased, and the working temperature range enlarged by loading TP in fibers. Thus, TPF has proven to be a novel supportive treatment approach for T2DM with the features of being non-toxic, easy to use, and effective.

Gilaburu (Viburnum opulus L.) fruit extract has potential therapeutic and prophylactic role in a rat model of acetic acid-induced oxidant colonic damage.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) which has a global impact on the health care system with its recurrent and incompletely curable characteristics, affects the patients' quality of life. Gilaburu (GB; Viburnum opulus L.) is a fruit with rich polyphenol ingredient which is used ethnobotanically in Türkiye for medicinal purposes (for example, to pass kidney stones, to treat stomach, heart, and liver diseases, hemorrhages, hypertension, ulcers, common cold, tuberculosis, rheumatic and menstrual pain, and diabetes). On the other hand, the effects of GB in the experimental UC model have not been studied. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to explore the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of GB fruit extract in improving acetic acid (AA)-induced UC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Starting immediately after (AA + GB group) or 1 week before (GB + AA + GB group) the colitis induced by intrarectal AA (5%; v/v) administration, the rats orally received GB (100 mg/kg) once per day for 3 days. The control and AA groups were administered orally saline (1 ml), while the AA + SS group were administered sulfasalazine (SS; 100 mg/kg; orally) as a positive control once per day for 3 days. Distal colonic tissue specimens were obtained for the histological and biochemical [myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), chemiluminescence (CL), caspase-3, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, smad-3 and cytokine (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, interferon (IFN)-γ), measurements] evaluations on the 3rd day. RESULTS: Elevated macroscopic and microscopic damage scores, high tissue wet weight values, increased tissue-associated MPO, MDA, CL, caspase-3, 8-OHdG, cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8), MMP-9, TGF-ß1, smad-3 levels, and decreased GSH values of the AA group were all reversed by GB treatments (AA + GB and GB + AA + GB groups) (p < 0.05-0.001). However, sulfasalazine treatment (AA + SS group) did not change the IL-8, 8-OHdG, MMP-9, and TGF-ß1 measurements significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Gilaburu shows both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects against AA-induced colonic damage by suppressing neutrophil infiltration, regulating inflammatory mediators, inhibiting reactive species production, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis, conserving endogenous antioxidant glutathione, and ameliorating oxidative DNA damage. Since the current ulcerative colitis drugs display limited benefits and adverse side effects, potential therapeutic and/or prophylactic role of gilaburu can be evaluated in ulcerative colitis.

Rosa canina L. improves learning and memory-associated cognitive impairment by regulating glucose levels and reducing hippocampal insulin resistance in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Recent studies claim that Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) overlap in several common pathological pathways which from neuronal damage to impaired memory performance. It is known that the use of Rosa canina L. (R. canina) as medicine in folk medicine dates back to ancient times and is used in the treatment of nervous diseases in Persian medicine. However, the effect of R. canina on diabetes-related cognitive decline and memory impairment has not yet been studied. AIM OF THE STUDY: We evaluated the impact of T2DM on AD-like alterations and examined the molecular mechanism of a possible effect of R. canina on cognitive alterations in diabetic rats. MATERIALS&METHODS: R. canina ethanol extract was obtained by maceration method. This study was performed with male Sprague-Dawley rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks, low-dose streptozotocin (STZ; 35 mg/kg IP) injection for 4 weeks, and R. canina (250 mg/kg; per oral) and metformin (400 mg/kg; per oral) administration for 4 weeks. The weight and blood glucose of rats were measured weekly. To evaluate glucose tolerance area under the curve (AUC) was calculated by performing an oral glucose tolerance test. Then the rats were subjected to behavioural tests, and their hippocampus and cortex tissues were obtained for biochemical and morphological analyses. RESULTS: R. canina could manage glucose responsiveness by reducing post-prandial blood glucose levels, preventing weight loss, and raising serum insulin levels in T2DM-induced rats. Behavioural tests showed that R. canina significantly improves diabetes-related cognitive decline in recall and long-term memory. Treatment with R. canina significantly reversed HFD/STZ-induced increases in insulin, amyloid-ß, amyloid precursor protein levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Furthermore, histological analyzes revealed the protection of R. canina against neuronal disruption in the cortical and hippocampal CA3 region caused by chronic hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: Analyzed collectively, these results suggest that R. canina can correct T2DM-related cognitive decline may be attributed to insulin pathway modulation, prevention of amyloid deposition, and increased cholinergic transmission.

A novel multi-target strategy for Alzheimer's disease treatment via sublingual route: Donepezil/memantine/curcumin-loaded nanofibers.

Drug delivery systems that not only show efficacy through multiple therapeutic pathways but also facilitate patient drug use and exhibit a high bioavailability profile represent a promising strategy in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, donepezil (DO)/memantine (MM)/curcumin (CUR)-loaded electrospun nanofibers (NFs) were produced for the treatment of AD. DSC, XRD, and FT-IR studies demonstrated the complete incorporation of the drug into PVA/PVP NFs. The disintegration profile was improved by loading the drugs in PVA/PVP with fast wetting (less than 1 s), the start of disintegration (21 s), and dispersion in 110 s. The desired properties for sublingual application were achieved with the dissolution of NFs in 240 s. The cell viability in DO/MM/CUR-loaded NFs was similar to the control group after 48 h in the cell culture. DO/MM/CUR-loaded NFs enhanced the expressions of BDNF (13.5-fold), TUBB3 (8.9-fold), Neurog2 (5.6-fold), NeuroD1 (5.8-fold), Nestin (166-fold), and GFAP (115-fold). DO/MM/CUR-loaded NFs and powder of these drugs contained in these fibers were daily administered sublingually to intracerebroventricular-streptozotocin (icv-STZ) treated rats. DO/MM/CUR-loaded NFs treatment improved the short-term memory damage and enhanced memory, learning ability, and spatial exploration talent. Results indicated that the levels of Aß, Tau protein, APP, GSK-3ß, AChE, and TNF-α were significantly decreased, and BDNF was increased by DO/MM/CUR-loaded NFs treatment compared to the AD group. In the histopathological analysis of the hippocampus and cortex, neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary nodes were not observed in the rats treated with DO/MM/CUR-loaded NFs. Taken together, the sublingual route delivery of DO/MM/CUR-loaded NFs supports potential clinical applications for AD.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of 3D printed sodium alginate/polyethylene glycol scaffolds for sublingual delivery of insulin: Preparation, characterization, and pharmacokinetics.

Delivery of therapeutic peptides via sublingual administration is extremely desired and 3D printed scaffolds are potential candidates as carriers to enhance insulin delivery. 3D printed sublingual sodium alginate (SA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite scaffolds were produced for enhancing insulin delivery by examining the chemical, morphological, mechanical, thermal, cytotoxic, and pharmacokinetic features. The tensile strength and flexibility of scaffolds increased after loading insulin due to the crystalline structure of insulin. Furthermore, insulin-loaded 9SA/3PEG scaffolds showed ultrafast wetting (<1 s), disintegration (<6 s), and also dissolution (<30 s) according to Hixson-Crowell kinetic model. The cell viability of L929 cells on 3D printed scaffolds was examined and these scaffolds could be safely applied on animals. Pharmacokinetic parameters and blood glucose level were evaluated following sublingual administration of scaffolds to type-1 diabetic rats. A single dose of scaffold presented a longer hypoglycemic effect, reducing ~60% of glycemia after 30 min and it lasted for 12 h by increasing the bioavailability of insulin. Scaffolds indicated a sustained profile for serum insulin levels, which continued to increase slightly after 3 h during the study. The polymeric scaffold with a high safety and efficacy holds a new promising delivery strategy for administering injectable insulin through the sublingual route.

Metformin-Loaded Polymer-Based Microbubbles/Nanoparticles Generated for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease that is increasingly common all over the world with a high risk of progressive hyperglycemia and high microvascular and macrovascular complications. The currently used drugs in the treatment of T2DM have insufficient glucose control and can carry detrimental side effects. Several drug delivery systems have been investigated to decrease the side effects and frequency of dosage, and also to increase the effect of oral antidiabetic drugs. In recent years, the use of microbubbles in biomedical applications has greatly increased, and research into microactive carrier bubbles continues to generate more and more clinical interest. In this study, various monodisperse polymer nanoparticles at different concentrations were produced by bursting microbubbles generated using a T-junction microfluidic device. Morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy, molecular interactions between the components by FTIR, drug release by UV spectroscopy, and physical analysis such as surface tension and viscosity measurement were carried out for the particles generated and solutions used. The microbubbles and nanoparticles had a smooth outer surface. When the microbubbles/nanoparticles were compared, it was observed that they were optimized with 0.3 wt % poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution, 40 kPa pressure, and a 110 µL/min flow rate, thus the diameters of the bubbles and particles were 100 ± 10 µm and 70 ± 5 nm, respectively. Metformin was successfully loaded into the nanoparticles in these optimized concentrations and characteristics, and no drug crystals and clusters were seen on the surface. Metformin was released in a controlled manner at pH 1.2 for 60 min and at pH 7.4 for 240 min. The process and structures generated offer great potential for the treatment of T2DM.

Vitamin D3/vitamin K2/magnesium-loaded polylactic acid/tricalcium phosphate/polycaprolactone composite nanofibers demonstrated osteoinductive effect by increasing Runx2 via Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Vitamin D3, vitamin K2, and Mg (10%, 1.25%, and 5%, w/w, respectively)-loaded PLA (12%, w/v) (TCP (5%, w/v))/PCL (12%, w/v) 1:1 (v/v) composite nanofibers (DKMF) were produced by electrospinning method (ES) and their osteoinductive effects were investigated in cell culture test. Neither pure nanofibers nor DKMF caused a significant cytotoxic effect in fibroblasts. The induction of the stem cell differentiation into osteogenic cells was observed in the cell culture with both DKMF and pure nanofibers, separately. Vitamin D3, vitamin K2, and magnesium demonstrated to support the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by expressing Runx2, BMP2, and osteopontin and suppressing PPAR-γ and Sox9. Therefore, the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway was activated by DKMF. DKMF promoted large axonal sprouting and needle-like elongation of osteoblast cells and enhanced cellular functions such as migration, infiltration, proliferation, and differentiation after seven days of incubation using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that DKMF demonstrated sustained drug release for 144 h, tougher and stronger structure, higher tensile strength, increased water up-take capacity, decreased degradation ratio, and slightly lower Tm and Tg values compared to pure nanofibers. Consequently, DKMF is a promising treatment approach in bone tissue engineering due to its osteoinductive effects.

Dual-drug delivery of Ag-chitosan nanoparticles and phenytoin via core-shell PVA/PCL electrospun nanofibers.

Dual-drug delivery systems were constructed through coaxial techniques, which were convenient for the model drugs used the present work. This study aimed to fabricate core-shell electrospun nanofibrous membranes displaying simultaneous cell proliferation and antibacterial activity. For that purpose, phenytoin (Ph), a well-known proliferative agent, was loaded into a polycaprolactone (PCL) shell membrane, and as-prepared silver-chitosan nanoparticles (Ag-CS NPs), as biocidal agents, were embedded in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) core layer. The morphology, chemical composition, mechanical and thermal properties of the nanofibrous membranes were characterized by FESEM/STEM, FTIR and DSC. The coaxial PVA-Ag CS NPs/PCL-Ph nanofibers (NFs) showed more controlled Ph release than PVA/PCL-Ph NFs. There was notable improvement in the morphology, thermal, mechanical, antibacterial properties and cytobiocompatibility of the fibers upon incorporation of Ph and Ag-CS NPs. The proposed core-shell PVA/PCL NFs represent promising scaffolds for tissue regeneration and wound healing by the effective dual delivery of phenytoin and Ag-CS NPs.

A novel reusable anti-COVID-19 transparent face respirator with optimized airflow.

This novel face mask is designed to be a reusable respirator with a small and highly efficient disposable fabric filter. Respirator material requirements are reduced by 75% compared to traditional designs and allow repeated cleaning or sterilization. The probability of virus particle inhalation is reduced using novel air filtration pathways, through square-waveform design to increase filter airflow. Air enters the mask from right and left side filters, while the area in front of the mouth is isolated. Clear epoxy is used for a transparent frame, allowing lip-reading, and mask edges contain a silicone seal preventing bypass of the filters. The mask is manufactured using silicone molds, eliminating electricity requirements making it economical and viable in developing countries. Computational fluid dynamics numerical studies and Fluent ANSYS software were used to simulate airflow through the filter to optimize filter air path geometry and validate mask design with realistic human requirements. The breathing cycle was represented as a transient function, and N95 filter specifications were selected as a porous medium. The novel design achieved 1.2 × 10-3 kg s-1, 20% higher than human requirements, with air streamlines velocity indicating local high speed, forcing and trapping virus particles against filter walls through centrifugal forces.

Accelerated diabetic wound healing by topical application of combination oral antidiabetic agents-loaded nanofibrous scaffolds: An in vitro and in vivo evaluation study.

The combination of oral antidiabetic drugs, pioglitazone, metformin, and glibenclamide, which also exhibit the strongest anti-inflammatory action among oral antidiabetic drugs, were loaded into chitosan/gelatin/polycaprolactone (PCL) by electrospinning and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)/PCL composite nanofibrous scaffolds by pressurized gyration to compare the diabetic wound healing effect. The combination therapies significantly accelerated diabetic wound healing in type-1 diabetic rats and organized densely packed collagen fibers in the dermis, it also showed better regeneration of the dermis and epidermis than single drug-loaded scaffolds with less inflammatory cell infiltration and edema. The formation of the hair follicles started in 14 days only in the combination therapy and lower proinflammatory cytokine levels were observed compared to single drug-loaded treatment groups. The combination therapy increased the wettability and hydrophilicity of scaffolds, demonstrated sustained drug release over 14 days, has high tensile strength and suitable cytocompatibility on L929 (mouse fibroblast) cell and created a suitable area for the proliferation of fibroblast cells. Consequently, the application of metformin and pioglitazone-loaded chitosan/gelatin/PCL nanofibrous scaffolds to a diabetic wound area offer high bioavailability, fewer systemic side effects, and reduced frequency of dosage and amount of drug.

Astaxanthin alleviates oxidative damage in acute pancreatitis via direct antioxidant mechanisms.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Astaxanthin (ATX) is a naturally occurring carotenoid and a potent antioxidant. Various anti-inflammatory effects of ATX have been examined. We aimed to investigate the protective effect of ATX and its mechanism in a cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were randomized into 2 main groups as control (C) and acute pancreatitis group (AP). AP group was subsequently divided into subgroups as AP+vehicle (AP), AP+ATX, and ATX+peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha antagonist GW6471 (ATX+GW) groups. To induce AP, the rats were administered cerulein (50 µg/kg, intraperitonally [ip]) at 1 hour intervals, whereas the C group received saline. The AP group was treated with vehicle olive oil, ATX 40 mg/kg/orally, or GW6471 and ATX (GW1 mg/kg/ip; ATX; 40 mg/kg/peroral). Treatments were administered after the 1st cerulein injection. At the 7th hour after the final injection, the rats were killed and the pancreatic tissue was used for the determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and luminol-lucigenin chemiluminescence levels. Serum amylase, lipase, and histopathological analyses were performed. RESULTS: Elevated serum lipase and amylase levels in the vehicle-treated AP group (p<0.01) decreased in the ATX and ATX+GW groups (p<0.05). In the AP groups, GSH was reduced and MDA, MPO, luminol, and lucigenin levels were increased (p<0.05-0.001). ATX reversed these changes (p<0.05-0.001). The vehicle-treated group revealed significant severe cytoplasmic degeneration and vacuolization, whereas ATX ameliorated these destructions. GW6471 did not abolish the positive effects of ATX biochemically or histologically. CONCLUSION: ATX has a potent protective effect on AP via its radical scavenging and antioxidant properties. Therefore, we believe that ATX may have therapeutic potential.

A novel treatment strategy for preterm birth: Intra-vaginal progesterone-loaded fibrous patches.

Progesterone-loaded poly(lactic) acid fibrous polymeric patches were produced using electrospinning and pressurized gyration for intra-vaginal application to prevent preterm birth. The patches were intravaginally inserted into rats in the final week of their pregnancy, equivalent to the third trimester of human pregnancy. Maintenance tocolysis with progesterone-loaded patches was elucidated by recording the contractile response of uterine smooth muscle to noradrenaline in pregnant rats. Both progesterone-loaded patches indicated similar results from release and thermal studies, however, patches obtained by electrospinning had smaller average diameters and more uniform dispersion compared to pressurized gyration. Patches obtained by pressurized gyration had better results in production yield and tensile strength than electrospinning; thereby pressurized gyration is better suited for scaled-up production. The patches did not affect cell attachment, viability, and proliferation on Vero cells negatively. Consequently, progesterone-loaded patches are a novel and successful treatment strategy for preventing preterm birth.

Development of Satureja cuneifolia-loaded sodium alginate/polyethylene glycol scaffolds produced by 3D-printing technology as a diabetic wound dressing material.

Acute wounds are a common health problem, with millions of people affected and decreased granulation tissue formation and vascularization, it is also a big challenge for wound care researchers to promote acute wound healing around the globe. This study aims to produce and characterize Satureja cuneifolia plant extract (SC)-blended with sodium alginate (SA) /polyethylene glycol (PEG) scaffolds for the potential treatment of diabetic ulcer. SA/PEG scaffolds were prepared by adding different concentrations (1, 3, and 5 wt%) of PEG to 9 wt% SA. The morphological and chemical composition of the resulting 3D printed composite scaffolds was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), respectively. Mechanical and thermal properties, swelling, and degradation behaviours were also investigated. The release kinetics of SC were performed. The antimicrobial analysis was evaluated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. 3D printed scaffolds have shown an excellent antibacterial effect, especially against gram-positive bacteria due to the antibacterial SC extract they contain. Furthermore, the cell viability of fibroblast (L929) cells on/within scaffolds were determined by the colourimetric MTT assay. The SA/PEG/SC scaffolds show a great promising potential candidate for diabetic wound healing and against bacterial infections.

Phenolic compounds, biological activities and trace elements of Capparis ovata var. canescens

Introduction: Capparis species (Capparaceae), also called caper, grow naturally in various regions of the world. Caper is a plant with medicinal and aromatic properties. Flower buds, root bark, and fruits of the plant areused in folk medicine due to their analgesic, wound healing,cell regeneration, tonic, and diuretic effects. Objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate in vitro (anti-urease, antioxidant, anticholinesterase) and in vivo (anti-inflammatory) biological activities of caper (C. ovatavar.canescens). In addition, we aimed to identify its major phenolic compounds using high performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and confirmate them using quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (Q-TOF-LC/MS). Also, we quantified the concentrations of several trace and major elements in plant samples using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Methods: The antioxidant, anti-urease and anticholinesterase activities of different plant extracts were evaluated using DPPH, FRAP, ABTS/TEAC, Indophenol and Ellman tests. The identification of phenolic compounds and trace element contents was performed using HPLC and Q-TOF-LC/MS and ICP-MS. Results: Soxhlet methanol extract exhibited the strongest anti-urease, antioxidant (ABTS/TEAC) and anticholinesterase activity. Soxhlet and maceration methanol extracts demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effect in the altered edema size after the second hour of carrageenan injection. The active phenolic compounds in Soxhlet methanol extract were identified as rutin, quercetin-hexoside-hexoside, quercetin-3-O-hexoside and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside. In addition, the average concentrations of vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, copper, nickel, arsenic, selenium, zinc and lead were within the permissible limits defined by WHO for medicinal plants. However, it was found that the concentrations of cadmium and iron were higher than the maximum permissible limits. Conclusion: Our results suggest that although caper has a strong biological activity, it should be consumed carefully due to the excess amount of cadmium and iron elements it contains.

Introducción: Las especies de Capparis (Capparaceae), también llamadas alcaparras, crecen naturalmente en varias regiones del mundo. La alcaparra es una planta con propiedades medicinales y aromáticas. Los botones florales, la corteza de la raíz y los frutos de la planta se usan en la medicina popular debido a sus efectos analgésicos, cicatrizantes, de regeneración celular, tónicos y diuréticos. Objetivo: El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar las actividades biológicas in vitro (anti-ureasa, antioxidante, anticolinesterasa) e in vivo (antiinflamatorio) de la alcaparra (C. ovata var. canescens). Además, nuestro objetivo fue identificar sus principales compuestos fenólicos mediante cromatografía líquida de alto rendimiento con un detector de matriz de fotodiodos (HPLC-DAD) y confirmarlos mediante cromatografía líquida con espectrometría de masas en tándem (Q-TOF-LC/MS). Además, cuantificamos las concentraciones de varios elementos traza y elementos mayores en muestras de la planta utilizando espectrometría de masas con plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-MS). Métodos: Se evaluaron las actividades antioxidantes, anti-ureasa y anticolinesterasa de diferentes extractos de la planta usando las pruebas DPPH, FRAP, ABTS/TEAC, Indofenol y Ellman. La identificación de los compuestos fenólicos y el contenido de los elementos traza se realizó mediante HPLC y Q-TOF-LC/MS e ICP-MS. Resultados: El extracto de metanol Soxhlet exhibió la mayor actividad anti-ureasa, antioxidante (ABTS/TEAC) y anticolinesterasa. Los extractos de metanol Soxhlet y por maceración demostraron un efecto antiinflamatorio significativo en el tamaño alterado del edema después de la segunda hora de la inyección de carragenano. Los compuestos fenólicos activos en el extracto de metanol Soxhlet se identificaron como rutina, quercetina-hexósido-hexósido, quercetina-3-O-hexósido y kaempferol-3-O-rutinósido. Además, las concentraciones promedio de vanadio, cromo, manganeso, cobalto, cobre, níquel, arsénico, selenio, zinc y plomo estaban dentro de los límites permisibles definidos por la OMS para las plantas medicinales. Sin embargo, se encontró que las concentraciones de cadmio y hierro fueron más altas que los límites máximos permitidos. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados sugieren que, aunque la alcaparra tiene una fuerte actividad biológica, debe consumirse con cuidado debido al exceso de cadmio y hierro que contiene.

Evaluation of burst release and sustained release of pioglitazone-loaded fibrous mats on diabetic wound healing: an in vitro and in vivo comparison study.

In order to provide more effective treatment strategies for the rapid healing of diabetic wounds, novel therapeutic approaches need to be developed. The therapeutic potential of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonist pioglitazone hydrochloride (PHR) in two different release kinetic scenarios, burst release and sustained release, was investigated and compared with in vitro and in vivo tests as potential wound healing dressings. PHR-loaded fibrous mats were successfully fabricated using polyvinyl-pyrrolidone and polycaprolactone by scalable pressurized gyration. The results indicated that PHR-loaded fibrous mats expedited diabetic wound healing in type-1 diabetic rats and did not show any cytotoxic effect on NIH/3T3 (mouse embryo fibroblast) cells, albeit with different release kinetics and efficacies. The wound healing effects of fibrous mats are presented with histological and biochemical evaluations. PHR-loaded fibrous mats improved neutrophil infiltration, oedema, and inflammation and increased epidermal regeneration and fibroblast proliferation, but the formation of hair follicles and completely improved oedema were observed only in the sustained release form. Thus, topical administration of PPAR-γ agonist in sustained release form has high potential for the treatment of diabetic wounds in inflammatory and proliferative phases of healing with high bioavailability and fewer systemic side effects.

The in vitro and in vivo investigation of biological activities and phenolic analysis of Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum

In Turkey, Helichrysum genus is represented by 26 taxa belonging to 20 species in Turkish flora of which 14 ones are endemic to Turkey. The aerial parts of Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum are used kidney stones, kidney and stomach ailments. The extraction procedures and solvents are important step in processing of bioactive constituents from the plant materials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-urease, anticholinesterase and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum different extracts. In addition, the phenolic characterization of the Soxhlet and maceration methanol extracts which showed significant antioxidant, anti-urease, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anticholinesterase activities were performed by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS. In the present study, the Soxhlet methanol extract exhibited strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticholinesterase activities than other extracts. The maceration methanol extract showed the strongest anti-urease activity. The Soxhlet methanol and maceration methanol extracts showed in vivo anti-inflammatory activities very close to each other. As a result of this study, chlorogenic acid, dicaffeoylquinic acid, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, naringenin-O-hexoside and isoquercitrin compounds were analysed in plant. Therefore, it is thought that methanol extracts can be used as a natural source in the future for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Effects of dapagliflozin in experimental sepsis model in rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of dapagliflozin in an experimental sepsis model in rats. METHODS: Saline (1 mL/kg, p.o.) or dapagliflozin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats for 5 days prior to the surgical procedures. Under anesthesia, sepsis was induced by cecal ligation puncture, while sham control groups underwent laparotomy only. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and glucose levels were measured in serum samples and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 beta, caspase 8, and caspase 9 were determined in tissue samples (kidney, liver, and lung). Histological evaluation was also performed. RESULTS: The administration of dapagliflozin in a sepsis model reduced oxidative stress (MDA), increased antioxidant levels (GSH), and reduced inflammation (MPO) in the kidney (p<0.05). Dapagliflozin also decreased oxidative stress (MDA) in lung tissue and decreased inflammation (MPO) in lung and liver tissue (p<0.05). Caspase 8 and 9 levels in kidney, lung, and liver tissue were increased (p<0.05) in the dapagliflozin group compared with the sepsis group. According to the histopathological results, sepsis was moderately improved in renal tissue and slightly attenuated in lung and liver tissue with the administration of dapagliflozin. CONCLUSION: Dapagliflozin had a preventive effect on sepsis-induced kidney damage, but the protective effect was mild in lung and liver tissue in the present study.