Diosmin-Loaded Nanoemulsion-Based Gel Formulation: Development, Optimization, Wound Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Studies

Amelioration of Freund's adjuvant-induced polyarthritis by Diosmin-loaded nanoparticles in Wistar rats; a mechanistic study

The current study aims to synthesize diosmin-loaded nanoparticles (DNPs) to make available an alternative safe treatment for adjuvant-induced polyarthritis. DNPs were formulated using chitosan biopolymer and characterized. Acute toxicity study was also performed and acute anti-inflammatory potential was accessed using phologistic agents. For anti-arthritic potential, disease was inoculated by injecting 0.15-ml Freund's adjuvant at day 1 to all groups except normal control in left hind paw. Therapy using DNPs at 5-20 mg/kg and diosmin 20 mg/kg and methotrexate was started from day 8-28 orally. The DNPs of size 223 nm, potential 2.9 Mv, polydisparity index > 0.7 and spherical shape particles as revealed by scanning electron microscopy and amorphous nature were revealed by X-ray diffraction. DNPs dose dependently ameliorated arthritic scoring, pain, paw swelling and body weight in contrary to disease control. DNPs and free drug restored significantly altered blood parameters, oxidation status and neurotransmitters level in treated animals as evident by histologic examination of tissues. Treatment with DNPs and free drug profoundly downregulated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-α, NF-κβ and increased IL-4 and IL-10 in arthritic animals. DNP 20 mg/kg revealed noteworthy anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive potential in counter to diosmin and methotrexate treated animals.

Laminin mimetic angiogenic and collagen peptide hydrogel for enhance dermal wound healing

Laminins are essential in basement membrane architecture and critical in re-epithelialization and angiogenesis. These processes and collagen deposition are vital in skin wound healing. The role of angiogenic peptides in accelerating the wound-healing process has been known. The bioactive peptides could be a potential approach due to their similar effects as growth factors and inherent biocompatible and biodegradable nature with lower cost. They can also recognize ligand-receptor interaction and mimic the extracellular matrix. Here, we report novel angiogenic DYVRLAI, CDYVRLAI, angiogenic-collagen PGPIKVAV, and Ac-PGPIKVAV peptides conjugated sodium carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel, which was designed from laminin. The designed peptide exhibits a better binding with the α3β1, αvβ3, and α5β1 integrins and CXCR2 receptor, indicating their angiogenic and collagen binding efficiency. The peptides were evaluated to stimulate wound healing in full-thickness excision wounds in normal and diabetic mice (type II). They demonstrated their efficacy in terms of angiogenesis (CD31), re-epithelialization through regeneration of the epidermis (H&E), and collagen deposition (MT). The synthesized peptide hydrogel (DYVRLAI and CDYVRLAI) showed enhanced wound contraction up to 10.1 % and 12.3 % on day 7th compared to standard becaplermin gel (49 %) in a normal wound model. The encouraging results were also observed with the diabetic model, where these peptides showed a significant decrease of 5.20 and 5.17 % in wound size on day 10th compared to the commercial gel (9.27 %). These outcomes signify that the modified angiogenic peptide is a cost effective, novel peptide motif to promote dermal wound healing in both models.

Unveiling the Molecular Mechanism of Diosmetin and its Impact on Multifaceted Cellular Signaling Pathways

BACKGROUND

Diosmetin is an O-methylated flavone and the aglycone part of the flavonoid glycosides diosmin that occurs naturally in citrus fruits. Pharmacologically, diosmetin is reported to exhibit anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, oestrogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

OBJECTIVE

This comprehensive review was aimed to critically explore diverse pharmacological activities exhibited by diosmetin. Along with that, this review can also identify potential research areas with an elucidation of the multifactorial underlying signaling mechanism of action of diosmetin in different diseases.

METHODS

A comprehensive collection of evidence and insights was obtained from scientific journals and books from physical libraries and electronic platforms like Google Scholar and PubMed. The time frame selected was from year 1992 to July 2023.

RESULTS

The review delves into diosmetin's impact on cellular signaling pathways and its potential in various diseases. Due to its ability to modulate signaling pathways and reduce oxidative stress, it can be suggested as a potential versatile therapeutic agent for mitigating oxidative stressassociated pathogenesis.

CONCLUSION

The amalgamation of the review underscores diosmetin's promising role as a multifaceted therapeutic agent, highlighting its potential for drug development and clinical applications.

Nanoemulsion Composed of α-Tocopherol Succinate and Dequalinium Shows Mitochondria-Targeting and Anticancer Effects

Targeted drugs have been used to treat mitochondrial dysfunction-related diseases, including metabolic disorders and cancer; however, targeting and penetrating intracellular organelles remains a challenge. Dominant targeting approaches for therapeutic delivery are detailed in many nanoemulsion studies and show the tremendous potential of targeted delivery to inhibit cancer cell growth. Dequalinium (DQA) and α-tocopherol succinate (α-TOS) are good agents for targeting mitochondria. In this study, we aimed to develop a mitochondria-targeting emulsion, using DQA and α-TOS (DTOS), for cancer treatment. DTOS emulsions of 150-170 nm in diameter were formulated using homogenization. DQA and α-TOS were used as bifunctional agents (surfactants) to stabilize the nanoemulsion and anticancer drugs. Various molar ratios of DQA and α-TOS were tested to determine the optimal condition, and DTOS 5-5 was selected for further study. The DTOS emulsion showed improved stability, as evidenced by its ability to remain stable for three years at room temperature. This stability, combined with its effective targeting of mitochondria, led to inhibition of 71.5% of HeLa cells after 24 h. The DTOS emulsion effectively inhibited spheroid growth in the 3D model, as well as prevented the growth of HeLa cells grafted onto zebrafish larvae. These results highlight the DTOS emulsion's promising potential for mitochondria-targeting and cancer treatment.