AS1411aptamer conjugated liposomes for targeted delivery of arsenic trioxide in mouse xenograft model of melanoma cancer

Development of AS1411aptamer-conjugated liposomes for targeted delivery of arsenic trioxide is the primary goal of this study. AS1411aptamer was used as ligand to target nucleolin, which is highly expressed on the surface of melanoma cancer cells. The targeted liposomes were constructed by the thin film method, and arsenic trioxide was loaded as cobalt (II) hydrogen arsenite (CHA) to increase the loading efficiency and stability of the liposomes. The liposomal structure was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). In addition, particle sizes and zeta potential of the CHA-loaded liposomes (CHAL) and aptamer-functionalized CHA-loaded liposomes (AP-CHAL) were determined. In vitro cytotoxicity of CHAL and AP-CHAL were evaluated using MTT assay in murine melanoma (B16) and mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell lines. The encapsulation efficiency of CHAL and AP-CHAL was reported as 60.2 ± 6.5% and 58.7 ± 4.2%, respectively. In vivo antitumor activity of CHAL and AP-CHAL in the B16 tumor-xenograft mouse model was dramatically observed. All mice of both groups survived until the end of treatment and showed body weight gain. The tumor protrusion completely disappeared in 50% of the mice in these groups. Furthermore, histopathology studies demonstrated that CHAL and AP-CHAL did not induce significant toxicity in healthy mice tissues. However, unlike the CHAL group, which showed an initial increase in tumor volume, a specific antitumor effect was observed in the AP-CHAL group from the beginning of treatment. The results showed that AP-CHAL can be used as an effective drug delivery system with high potential in the treatment of solid tumors.

Protective assessment of progesterone and its receptor on experimental diabetic neuropathy: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

Diabetes induces a disorder in mitochondrial activity, which causes damage to the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA and ultimately increases the release of inflammatory cytokines and damages the sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglion and induces neuropathy. It has been shown that progesterone has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects and prevents nerve cell damage. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of progesterone receptor neuroprotection on diabetic neuropathy. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups, including control group, diabetic control group, diabetic control group + progesterone (30 mg/kg), and diabetic control group + combination of progesterone (30 mg/kg) and RU486 (10 mg/kg). After the induction of diabetes, blood glucose level, body weight, behavioral tests, electrophysiological tests, oxidative and inflammatory factors, and histological parameters were measured. Progesterone treatment significantly reduced the level of sensitivity to hot plate without significant effect on glucose level, and significant changes were also observed in the results of tail flick test. In addition, the results showed that the administration of progesterone can improve MNCV and significantly reduce the serum levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors, as well as inflammation and edema around the sciatic nerve. However, RU486 inverted the beneficial effects of progesterone. Progesterone can be considered as a protective agent in reducing DN because of its ability to reduce inflammation and nerve damage. In addition, RU486, a progesterone receptor blocker, inhibits the beneficial effects of progesterone on the DN; thus, progesterone receptors play an important role in the neuroprotective effect of progesterone.

Fingolimod administration following hypoxia induced neonatal seizure can restore impaired long-term potentiation and memory performance in adult rats

Neonatal seizures commonly caused by hypoxia can lead to long-term neurological outcomes. Early inflammation plays an important role in the pathology of these outcomes. Therefore, in the current study, we explored the long-term effects of Fingolimod (FTY720), an analog of sphingosine and potentsphingosine 1-phosphate(S1P) receptors modulator, as an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent in attenuating anxiety, memory impairment, and possible alterations in gene expression of hippocampal inhibitory and excitatory receptors following hypoxia-induced neonatal seizure (HINS). Seizure was induced in 24 male and female pups (6 in each experimental group) at postnatal day 10 (P10) by premixed gas (5% oxygen/ 95% nitrogen) in a hypoxic chamber for 15 minutes. Sixty minutes after the onset of hypoxia, FTY720 (0.3 mg/kg) or saline (100 µl) was administered for 12 days (from P10 up to P21). Anxiety-like behavior and hippocampal memory function were assessed at P90 by elevated plus maze (EPM) and novel object recognition (NOR), respectively. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was recorded from hippocampal dentate gyrus region (DG) following stimulation of perforant pathway (PP). In addition, the hippocampal concentration of superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and thiol as indices of oxidative stress were evaluated. Finally, the gene expression of NR2A subunit of N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor, GluR2 subunit of (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) AMPA receptor and γ2 subunit of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA_A) receptor were assessed at P90 by the quantitative real-time PCR. FTY720 significantly reduced later-life anxiety-like behavior, ameliorated object recognition memory and increased the amplitude and slope of the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) in the rats following HINS. These effects were associated with restoration of the hippocampal thiol content to the normal values and the regulatory role of FTY720 in the expression of hippocampal GABA and glutamate receptors subunits. In conclusion, FTY720 could restore the dysregulated gene expression of excitatory and inhibitory receptors. It also increased the reduced hippocampal thiol content, which was accompanied with attenuation of HINS-induced anxiety, reduced the impaired hippocampal related memory, and prevented hippocampal LTP deficits in later life following HINS.

Evaluation of Wound Healing Activity of Sea Cucumber Holothuria parva Hydroalcoholic Extract in Rat

A significant challenge in biomedicine is the development of Biomaterials with the potential to accelerate wound healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the gel prepared from sea cucumber on wound healing in rats. Full-thickness wounds were created in male rats divided into five experimental groups, negative control (NC), positive control (PC), and treatments. The NC and PC groups received respectively gel base and phenytoin cream 1%. Treatment groups were treated topically by gels of 1%, 3%, and 5% Holothuria parva extract (HPE) in the gel base. The rats were sacrificed on days 7, 14, and 21. Pathological reports revealed the proliferation of keratinocytes in the borders of the wound in treatment groups and controls. Formation of granulation tissue was seen on day 7 in treatment groups, collagen fibers in granulation tissue were randomly organized, and the rate of fibroblast decreased. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences in wound contraction between all groups in comparison to the NC group (P < .05) on day 8. It was concluded that the 1% HPE gel has a good potential for promoting wound healing. [Formula: see text].

A. crassicauda, M. eupeus and H. lepturus scorpion venoms initiate a strong in vivo anticancer immune response in CT26-tumor mice model

In the present in vivo study the anticancer efficacy of the venoms from Androctonus crassicauda, Messobuthus eupeus and Hemiscorpius lepturus scorpions was investigated. In addition, we attempted to clarify whether the immune system is involved in this activity. Initially, the LD₅₀ of the venoms from these scorpions were determined and their 0.1 and 0.2 LD₅₀ were calculated. The toxicity of 0.1 and 0.2 LD₅₀ was tested on healthy mice by daily SC administration of these venoms for 12 consecutive days. CT26 cells were inoculated by SC route in BALB/c mice to establish a sold tumor, and ten days later, the mice were treated with 0.1 and 0.2 LD₅₀ doses of the venoms on daily basis for 12 consecutive days. The tumor volume was measured every 4 days. At day 13, the tumors from untreated-control and venom-treated groups were removed, weighed, and assessed by histopathological and immunohistochemical techniques. In addition, the levels of mRNA expression of IL-12, IFN-γ and IL-1β were measured by real-time PCR. All the venoms induced anticancer effects as evidenced by significant inhibition in tumor growth; significant increases in inflammatory and CD⁺-T cells and expression of mRNA IL-12 and IFN-γ in tumor microenvironment of venom-treated as compared to untreated-control. These findings demonstrated, for the first time, that sub-lethal doses of the venoms from these scorpions induce their in vivo anticancer effects by stimulating the immune system. Further studies, specifically designed to identify these active constituents are recommended.

Gastroprotective Effect of Zingerone on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

Background and objectives: Zingerone is an ingredient of ginger (Zingiber officinale) with different pharmacological activities. Several studies have investigated the effect of zingerone on various gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. This study is aimed to evaluate the effect of zingerone on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Materials and Methods: Gastric ulcers were induced by ethanol (96%, 5 mL/kg, po) in male wistar rats and zingerone (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was administrated orally. Normal saline and ranitidine were used as negative and positive control, respectively. In this study, the number and length of ulcers, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in stomach tissues were determined. Results: The findings showed that the mean number and length of gastric ulcers were significantly lower in zingerone-received groups than ethanol group (P < 0.05). The level of malondialdehyde was decreased in the stomach of zingerone groups (P < 0.05) compared to the ethanol group. In addition, zingerone treatment prevented the decrease of nitric oxide level by ethanol in the stomach tissue. Conclusions: The present study showed that zingerone has a protective effect on the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer, which may be due to its free radical scavenging activity.

Effect of royal jelly on formalin induced-inflammation in rat hind paw

BACKGROUND

Royal Jelly (RJ), a food item secreted by worker honeybees, is a mixture that contains protein, glucose, lipid, vitamins, and minerals; it is widely used as a commercial medical product. Previous studies have shown that RJ has a number of physiological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiallergic and antioxidant activities.

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, the anti-inflammatory properties of RJ were investigated in formalin-induced rat paw edema.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 30 male Wistar albino rats were divided into five equal groups (n = 6) as follows: test groups received different doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, ip) of RJ and a negative control group received normal saline (5 mL/kg) and a positive control group received aspirin (300 mg/kg, i.p). Edema was induced on the right hind paw of the rat by a subplantar injection of 100 µL of formalin (2.5%) after 30 minutes. Paw edema was measured in the rats received the drugs, saline and aspirin before and after the formalin injection during 5 hours, using a plethysmometer.

RESULTS

The results showed that RJ has a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect and the highest anti-inflammatory effect was observed in the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg.

CONCLUSIONS

Royal jelly has potent anti-inflammatory effects compared to aspirin and it could be used in the treatment of inflammation. However, further studies are required to determine the active components in RJ responsible for this effect and its mechanism of action.

Quercetin preventive effects on theophylline-induced anomalies in rat embryo

Background:

Theophylline has been shown to cause heart anomaly in animal and human fetus.

Objectives:

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of quercetin on theophylline-induced heart disorders in rat embryo.

Materials and Methods:

Theophylline-induced teratogenicity in rats was used as the animal model. Pregnant rats were administered theophylline (259 mg/kg, po) or theophylline plus quercetin (259 mg/kg, po and 100 mg/kg, ip, respectively) on 9th and 10th days of pregnancy. On day 19, cardiac changes were assessed, measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity levels in blood samples and also the fetus heart weight. Histopathological examination was also performed on all specimens.

Results:

Theophylline-treated rats showed MDA level elevation and GPx activity reduction. Quercetin treatment improved heart conditions and resulted in a significant reduction in MDA levels and elevation in GPx activity. Moreover, co-administration of quercetin and theophylline increased the heart weight significantly. Furthermore, histophatological study showed no changes in the treated groups.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that quercetin have beneficial effects on theophylline-induced-anomalies in rat embryo.