Report: investigation of anti-cancer effects of cherry in vitro.

Cherry (Prunus Cerasus) is still one of the most popular preserve in Turkish cuisine. Cherry has been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory-related symptoms. Recent researches have proved that cherry is a valuable natural source of some important bioactive compounds in human health preservation. Evidence suggests that, cherry consumption may decrease the risk of chronic diseases and cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of cherry on breast cancer cells lines, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level and certain multidrug-resistant bacteria. The cancer cell proliferation activity and analysis of apoptotic-necrotic cells was evaluated by using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and scoring of apoptotic cell nuclei. Measurement of ADMA and the minimum inhibitory concentration was accomplished by HPLC and the micro dilution broth method. The results showed that, extracts of cherry exhibit anti-proliferative activity in mammary adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) & mouse mammary tumor cell (4T1) breast cancer cells lines as well as induction of apoptosis, lower ADMA concentrations in cell cultures treated with cherry extract and antibacterial effects against certain multidrug-resistant bacteria in vitro. These findings may open new horizons for traditional anti-inflammatory product as prophylactic-therapeutic agent from cancer, cardiovascular diseases and multidrug-resistant infections.

Design of meloxicam and lornoxicam transdermal patches: Preparation, physical characterization, ex vivo and in vivo studies.

Transdermal patches of meloxicam (MX) and lornoxicam (LX) were aimed to be prepared in order to overcome their side effects by oral application. The strategy was formulation of optimized films to prepare transdermal patches by determination of physical properties and investigation of drug-excipient compatibility. As the next step, in vitro drug release, assesment of anti-inflammatory effect on Wistar Albino rats, ex vivo skin penetration and investigation of factors on drug release from transdermal patches were studied. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) was concluded to be suitable polymer for formulation of MX and LX transdermal films indicating pharmaceutical quality required. MX and LX transdermal patches gave satisfactory results regarding to the edema inhibition in the assessment of anti-inflammatory effect. MX was found out to be more effective compared to LX on relieving of edema and swelling. These results were supported by data obtained from ex vivo penetration experiments of drug through rat skin. Indicative parameters like log P, molecular weight and solubility constraint on penetration rate of drugs also indicated good skin penetration. Transdermal patches of MX and LX can be suggested to be used especially for the immediate treatment of inflammated area since it displays anti-inflammatory effect, soon.

Spectrophotometric determination of doxazosin mesylate in tablets by ion-pair and charge-transfer complexation reactions.

Two accurate, easy spectrophotometric methods for the determination of doxazosin mesylate were described. The first method was based on the formation of ion-pair complexes with the acidic sulfophthalein dyes bromocresol purple (BCP) and bromophenol blue (BPB) in pH 3.3 and 4.5 citrate-phosphate buffer, respectively. The formed complexes were extracted into dichloromethane, and their absorbance was measured at 403 and 410 nm for BCP and BPB, respectively. The second method was based on the charge transfer reaction of the drug as an n-electron donor with either 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) or 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) as pi-acceptors, to give colored radical anions. The absorbances of products were measured at 457 nm in acetonitrile and 838 nm in methanol for DDQ and TCNQ, respectively. Under the optimum reaction conditions, Beer's law was obeyed with a good correlation coefficient (r = 0.9997-0.9999) in the concentration ranges 3.0-18.0, 3.0-20.0, 15.0-95.0, and 10.0-100.0 microg/mL for the BCP, BPB, DDQ, and TCNQ methods, respectively. Limits of detection of the BCP, BPB, DDQ, and TCNQ methods were 0.314, 0.408, 1.935, and 1.610 microg/mL, respectively. The limits of quantification were 1.045, 1.360, 6.449, and 5.367 microg/mL, respectively. The parameters molar absorptivity, precision, accuracy, recovery, robustness, and stability constant were studied. The proposed methods were successfully applied for determination of the drug in tablets with good accuracy and precision. Statistical comparison of the results with those obtained by a reported method showed good agreement and indicated no significant difference in accuracy and precision.

Screening of antioxidant activity of three Euphorbia species from Turkey.

Euphorbia acanthothamnos, E. macroclada and E. rigida were investigated for their antioxidant activity. The antioxidant potential of extracts of E. acanthothamnos, E. macroclada and E. rigida was evaluated using different complementary antioxidant tests.

Cardioactive diterpenes from the roots of Salvia eriophora.

From the roots of Salvia eriophora (Lamiaceae), a new compound, 4,14-dihydroxysaprorthoquinone, was isolated in addition to ten known diterpenoids. The structure of the new compound was established by spectroscopic analysis. The crude extract of the plant and the isolated diterpenoids were tested for their cardiovascular activities using Wistar Albino rats. Activity was demonstrated in the crude extract and in 4,14-dihydroxysaprorthoquinone, aethiopinone, ferruginol, 4,12-dihydroxysapriparaquinone, and 6,7-dehydroroyleanone.