Enzyme Treatment Alters the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Water Extract of Wheat Germ In Vitro and In Vivo.

Wheat germ is rich in quinones that exist as glycosides. In this study, we used Celluclast 1.5L to release the hydroxyquinones, which turn into benzoquinone, and prepared the water extract from enzyme-treated wheat germ (EWG). We investigated whether enzyme treatment altered the anti-inflammatory activity compared to the water extract of untreated wheat germ (UWG). UWG inhibited the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin (IL)-12 and induced the production of IL-10 and heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Enzyme treatment resulted in greater inhibition of iNOS and IL-10 and induction of HO-1 compared to UWG, possibly involving the modulation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, activator protein 1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). Mice fed UWG or EWG had decreased serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and increased serum IL-10 levels after intraperitoneal injection of LPS, with UWG being more effective for IL-10 and EWG more effective for TNF-α. Hepatic HO-1 gene was only expressed in mice fed EWG. We provide evidence that enzyme treatment is a useful biotechnology tool for extracting active compounds from wheat germ.

Long-term results of adipose-derived stem cell therapy for the treatment of Crohn's fistula.

A previous phase II clinical trial of adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) therapy for fistulae associated with Crohn's disease, a devastating condition with a high recurrence rate, demonstrated safety and therapeutic potential with a 1-year sustained response. In the present study, 41 of the 43 phase II trial patients were followed for an additional year, regardless of response in the initial year. At 24 months, complete healing was observed in 21 of 26 patients (80.8%) in modified per protocol analysis and 27 of 36 patients (75.0%) in modified intention-to-treat analysis. No adverse events related to ASC administration were observed. Furthermore, complete closure after initial treatment was well-sustained. These results strongly suggest that autologous ASCs may be a novel treatment option for Crohn's fistulae.

Fabrication and evaluation of celecoxib microparticle surface modified by hydrophilic cellulose and surfactant.

This study was undertaken to improve the solubility and dissolution of a poorly water-soluble drug, celecoxib, by surface modification with a hydrophilic polymer and a surfactant by using a spray-drying technique. Based on the preliminary solubility tests, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) were selected as the polymer and the surfactant, respectively. A novel surface-modified celecoxib microparticle was successfully fabricated using a spray-drying process with water, HPMC, and TPGS, and without the use of an organic solvent. The physicochemical properties of the surface-modified celecoxib microparticle were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), a particle size analyzer, and contact angle determination. The formulation with drug/HPMC/TPGS at the weight ratio of 1:0.5:1.5 was determined to be the most effective composition in the preparation of the surface-modified celecoxib microparticle, based on the results of wettability, solubility, and dissolution studies. We found that the surface modification of microparticles with HPMC and TPGS can be an effective formulation strategy for new dosage forms of poorly water-soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to provide higher solubility and dissolution.