Efficacy of topical atorvastatin-loaded emulgel and nano-emulgel 1% on post-laparotomy pain and wound healing: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

This study aimed to develop atorvastatin-loaded emulgel and nano-emulgel dosage forms and investigate their efficiency on surgical wound healing and reducing post-operative pain. This double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in a surgical ward of a tertiary care hospital affiliated with university of medical sciences. The eligible patients were adults aged 18 years or older who were undergoing laparotomy. The participants were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three following groups of atorvastatin-loaded emulgel 1% (n = 20), atorvastatin-loaded nano-emulgel 1% (n = 20), and placebo emulgel (n = 20) twice a day for 14 days. The primary outcome was the Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation (REEDA) scores to determine the rate of wound healing. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and quality of life were the secondary outcomes of this study. A total of 241 patients assessed for eligibility; of them, 60 patients completed the study and considered for final evaluation. A significant decrease in REEDA score was observed on Days 7 (63%) and 14 (93%) of treatment with atorvastatin nano-emulgel (p-value < 0.001). A significant decrease of 57% and 89% in REEDA score was reported at Days 7 and 14, respectively, in atorvastatin the emulgel group (p-value < 0.001). Reduction in pain VAS in the atorvastatin nano-emulgel was also recorded at Days 7 and 14 of the intervention. The results of the present study suggested that both topical atorvastatin-loaded emulgel and nano-emulgel 1% were effective in acceleration of wound healing and alleviation of pain of laparotomy surgical wounds, without causing intolerable side effects.

Advantages of Material Biofunctionalization Using Nucleic Acid Aptamers in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Material engineering is a fundamental issue in the applications of materials in the medical field. One of the aspects of material engineering is incorporating recognition sites on the surface of biomaterials, which plays an essential role in increasing the efficiency of tissue engineering scaffolds in various aspects. The application of peptides and antibodies to establish the recognition and adhesion sites has limitations, such as fragility and instability under physical and chemical processes. Therefore, synthetic ligands such as nucleic acid aptamers have received much attention for easy synthesis, minimal immunogenicity, high specificity, and stability under processing. Due to the effective role of these ligands in increasing the efficiency of engineered constructs in this study, the advantages of nucleic acid aptamers in tissue engineering will be reviewed. Aptamer-functionalized biomaterials can attract endogenous stem cells to wounded areas and organize their actions to facilitate tissue regeneration. This approach harnesses the body's inherent regeneration potential to treat many diseases. Also, increased efficacy in controlled release, slow and targeted drug delivery are important issues in drug delivery for tissue engineering approaches which can be achieved by incorporating aptamers in drug delivery systems. Aptamer-functionalized scaffolds have very applications, such as diagnosis of cancer, hematological infections, narcotics, heavy metals, toxins, controlled release from the scaffolds, and in vivo cell tracing. Aptasensors, as a result of many advantages over other traditional assay methods, can replace older methods. Furthermore, their unique targeting mechanism also targets compounds with no particular receptors. Targeting cell homing, local and targeted drug delivery, cell adhesion efficacy, cytocompatibility and bioactivity of scaffolds, aptamer-based biosensor, and aptamer-functionalized scaffolds are the topics that will be examined in this review study.

Liposomal nanocarriers containing siRNA as small molecule-based drugs to overcome cancer drug resistance

This review discusses the application of nanoliposomes containing siRNA/drug to overcome multidrug resistance for all types of cancer treatments. As drug resistance-associated factors are overexpressed in many cancer cell types, pumping chemotherapy drugs out of the cytoplasm leads to an inadequate therapeutic response. The siRNA/drug-loaded nanoliposomes are a promising approach to treating multidrug-resistant cancer, as they can effectively transmit a small-molecule drug into the target cytoplasm, ensuring that the drug binds efficiently. Moreover, nanoliposome-based therapeutics with advances in nanotechnology can effectively deliver siRNA to cancer cells. Overall, nanoliposomes have the potential to effectively deliver siRNA and small-molecule drugs in a targeted manner and are thus a promising tool for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Development and characterization of a copolymeric micelle containing soluble and insoluble model drugs

OBJECTIVES

Micelles are nano-sized particles with a core-shell structure that are made by natural or synthetic polymers or copolymers. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a copolymeric micelle using two polymers loaded with hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs.

METHODS

Poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-PCL) were used to form a copolymeric micelle which was further loaded with either moxifloxacin or clarithromycin as hydrophilic and lipophilic drug samples, respectively. Characterization tests were done including fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, encapsulation efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, transmission electron microscopy, and in-vitro release test.

RESULTS

The construction of the copolymer was confirmed by the results of FT-IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy tests. The encapsulation efficiency test exhibited that loading was about 50% for twelve formulations. Particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of monodispersed, uniform, and nano-sized micelles with a few negative charges. The kinetic model of release was fitted to the Higuchi model.

CONCLUSIONS

Polymeric micelles consisting of PEG-PCL copolymer were loaded with adequate concentrations of hydrophilic (moxifloxacin) and lipophilic (clarithromycin) model drugs, with a mean particle size under 300 nm. Therefore, copolymeric micelles can be used as a suitable drug delivery system for mucous membranes and skin.

Efficacy of the Novel Formulation of Topical Liothyronine and Liothyronine-Insulin in Mild to Moderate Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Randomized, Triple-blind Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the challenging complications of chronic diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to investigate whether liothyronine (T3) and liothyronine-insulin (T3/Ins) topical preparations could significantly reduce the healing time of DFU.

METHODS

A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, patient-blinded clinical trial was conducted on patients with mild to moderate DFU, over a lesion area of no greater than 100 cm2. The patients were randomized to receive T3, T3/Ins, or honey cream 10% as the routine of care twice a day. Patients were examined for tissue healing weekly for 4 weeks, or until the total lesion clearance was observed, whichever was earlier.

RESULTS

Of 147 patients with DFUs, 78 patients (26 per group) completed the study and were included in the final evaluation. At the time of study termination, all participants in each of the T3 or T3/Ins groups were free of symptoms based on the REEDA score, while about 40% of participants in the control group were detected with each of grades 1, 2, or 3. A significant difference was observed on days 7, 14, and 21 of consumption of topical preparations (P-value < 0.001). The mean time to complete wound closure in the routine care group was about 60.6 days, while it was 15.9 and 16.4 days in T3 and T3/Ins groups, respectively. Within the T3 and T3/Ins groups, significant earlier wound closure was detected at day 28 (P-value < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

T3 or T3/Ins topical preparations are effective for wound healing and acceleration of wound closure in mild to moderate DFUs.

Efficacy of curcumin for amelioration of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a preliminary randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the main problems in almost all patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy (RT). Owning to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, the effect of both oral and topical formulations of curcumin was assessed on radiation-induced OM (ROM) in this study.

METHODS

The safety and efficacy of curcumin mouthwash 0.1% (w/v) and curcumin-nanocapsule were evaluated in ameliorating severity and pain/burning associated with OM during RT. The current randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 37 patients with head and neck cancers. Patients with grades 1 to 3 of ROM were randomized to receive one of the three interventions: curcumin mouthwash (0.1% w/v); Sinacurcumin soft gel containing 40 mg curcuminoids as nano-micelles (SinaCurcumin®40); or placebo mouthwash with a similar transparent appearance to curcumin mouthwash for 1 min three times daily during RT. Study evaluations were conducted at baseline and weekly thereafter for up to 3 weeks using the Numeric rating scale (NRS) and world health organization (WHO) scale.

RESULTS

Among the 45 patients randomized, 37 (mean (SD) age of 53.36 (15.99) years; 14 [37.8%] women) completed the treatment according to the protocol. Patients treated with either oral or topical curcumin showed a significantly reduced severity and burning related to OM during the first 3 weeks after administration (P-Value < 0.001) as compared with the placebo. At study termination, more than 33% of subjects utilizing curcumin mouthwash and 15% of patients utilizing curcumin-nanocapsule remained ulcer free while all of the placebo-receiving subjects had OM. The reduction of NRS and WHO scale between curcumin groups was comparable without significant differences.

CONCLUSION

Both curcumin mouthwash and nanocapsule were effective, safe, and well-tolerated in the treatment of radiation-induced OM. Higher doses of curcumin and larger sample sizes can be used for further investigation in future studies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://irct.ir/ IRCT20190810044500N17 (13/08/2021).

Molecular characteristic of treatment failure clinical isolates of Leishmania major

Background

Leishmaniasis is a prevalent tropical disease caused by more than 20 Leishmania species (Protozoa, Kinetoplastida and Trypanosomatidae). Among different clinical forms of the disease, cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form, with an annual 0.6–1 million new cases reported worldwide. This disease’s standard treatment is pentavalent antimonial (Sb^V) that have been used successfully since the first half of the 20th century as a first-line drug. However, treatment failure is an increasing problem that is persistently reported from endemic areas. It is important to define and standardize tests for drug resistance in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Sb^V must be reduced to its trivalent active form (Sb^III). This reduction occurs within the host macrophage, and the resultant Sb^IIIenters amastigotes via the aquaglyceroporin1 (AQP1) membrane carrier. Overexpression of AQP1 results in hypersensitivity of the parasites to Sb^III, but resistant phenotypes accompany reduced expression, inactivation mutations, or deletion of AQP1. Hence, in this study, a phylogenetic analysis using barcode gene COXII and kDNA minicircle and expression analysis of AQP1 were performed in treatment failure isolates to assess the isolates’ molecular characteristics and to verify possible association with drug response.

Methods

Samples in this study were collected from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis referred to the Diagnosis Laboratory Center in Isfahan Province, Iran, from October 2017 to December 2019. Among them, five isolates (code numbers 1–5) were categorized as treatment failures. The PCR amplification of barcode gene COXII and kDNA minicircle were done and subsequently analyzed using MEGA (10.0.5) to perform phylogenetics analysis of Treatment failures (TF) and Treatment response (TR) samples. Relative quantification of the AQP1 gene expression of TF and TR samples was assessed by real-time PCR.

Results

All samples were classified as L. major. No amplification failure was observed in the cases of barcode gene COXII and kDNA minicircle amplification. Having excluded the sequences with complete homology using maximum parsimony with the Bootstrap 500 method, four major groups were detected to perform phylogenetic analysis using COXII. The phylogenetic analysis using the barcode target of minicircle showed that all five treatment failure isolates were grouped in a separate sub-clade.

Conclusions

We concluded that the barcode gene COXII and the minicircle kDNA were suitable for identification, differentiation and phylogenetic analysis in treatment failure clinical isolates of Leishmania major. Also, AQP1 gene expression analyses showed that treatment failure isolates had less expression than TR isolates. The isolate with TF and overexpression of the AQP1 gene of other molecular mechanisms such as overexpression of ATP-binding cassette may be involved in the TR, such as overexpression of ATP-binding cassette which requires further research.

Improvement of Drug Delivery Properties of Risperidone via Preparation of Fast Dissolution Tablet Containing Nanostructured Microparticles

Aimed to improve the dissolution profile of risperidone and increase the compliance of psychotic patients, we designed a fast dissolution tablet (FDT) containing nanoparticles. Risperidone nanoparticles were prepared by the acid-alkali neutralization method, and their size and stability were evaluated. Spray freeze-drying (SFD) process was then employed to fabricate the nanoaggregates using sugars. The physicochemical properties of the dried powders were assessed. Finally, nanoaggregates were compressed into tablets, and their properties were evaluated. The results show that the synergic effect of cremophore EL and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose E₁₅ can give rise to the formation of risperidone nanosuspension with the particle size of 188 nm. Moreoevr, it is shown that the fabrication of risperidone nanoaggregate enhanced the drug dissolution and decreased that to 2 min, which is faster than coarse risperidone powder (with dissolution time of 60 min). The formulations of FDT containing 9.5% of sodium starch glycolate and 83.2% microcrystalline cellulose were selected with a disintegration time of less than 30 s and a dissolution time of 10 min. This investigation shows that the preparation of FDT containing nanoparticles using SFD is an easy and feasible method for improving the dissolution profile of many drugs with low solubility.

Development of Novel Adhesive Bilayer Lyophilized Wafer of Moxifloxacin as a Modern Wound Dressing

 Wound healing is a complex process and is influenced by different factors. Aimed to enhance the wound healing procedure, the Moxifloxacin bilayer wafer was designed, optimized and evaluated as an advanced wound healing dressing. The wafers were prepared by the lyophilization and casting method. Optimization was done according to the results of bioadhesion force, swelling index, release rate, T₄₀ and T₉₀ (the time to reach 40% and 90% of release). The optimized wafer was evaluated against in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy using the disc diffusion method and histologic evaluation after application on the wound. The optimized formulation contained HPMC, MC, gelatin and PVP with mounts of 50 mg, 25 mg, 2 mg and 10 mg respectively. The hydrophilic bilayer wafer is adhered to the wound up to the end of wound healing. Application of optimized formulation led to the healing of wound 6 days faster without any sign of infection. The application of this wafer promoted wound healing and epithelium regeneration without any inflammation.

Does resveratrol affect prepared sperm parameters and chromatin quality in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients before and after freezing? A lab trial study

Background

Previous studies have examined the effect of resveratrol as a potent antioxidant for free radicals in semen. While, the prepared spermatozoa are more affected by ROS factors due to centrifugation and incubation.

Objective

To evaluate the RSV's effects on the prepared sperm parameters and chromatin quality in both normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic cases before and after freezing.

Materials and Methods

The sample of 10 normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men was prepared through the swim-up method. The groups were then divided into two samples of control and experimental (exposure to 30 µmol/l of RSV) to evaluate and compare the sperm parameters and chromatin quality before and after freezing.

Results

The motility and viability of spermatozoa were seen to be significantly different before and after freezing separately in the control and treatment samples of the groups (p ≤ 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, the stated difference between the control and treatment samples of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients were not significant (p > 0.05). In addition, the sperm morphology and chromatin quality were not significantly different between the two samples of each group; nonetheless, chromatin quality of the treated sample was better than that of the control before and after freezing.

Conclusion

Despite the protective effects of RSV on the semen samples, RSV cannot affect significantly the prepared sperms parameters and chromatin quality in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients.

Formation of nanosuspensions in bottom-up approach: theories and optimization

BACKGROUND

Nanosuspensions, liquid dispersions with nanometer size distribution, are becoming trendy in pharmaceutical practice to formulate poorly water-soluble drugs and to enhance their bioavailability. Generally, nanosuspensions are produced in two main approaches; top-down or bottom-up. The former is based on size-reduction of large particles via milling or high pressure homogenization. The latter is focused on the mechanisms of nucleation and particle growth.

METHODS

In this review, the critical factors influencing the kinetics or dynamics of nucleation and growth are discussed. Subsequently, the mechanisms of nanosuspension instability as well as strategies for stabilization are elaborated. Furthermore, the effects of stabilizers on key parameters of instability as well as the process of choosing an appropriate stabilizer is discussed.

RESULTS

Steric and electrostatic stabilizations or combination of them is essential for nanosuspensions formulation to prevent coagulation. Accordingly, some characteristics of stabilizers play critical role on stability and optimization of nanosuspensions; i.e., HLB and concentration. Nevertheless, after reviewing various articles, it is ascertained that each formulation requires individual selection of surfactants according to the parameters of the particle surface and the medium.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, application of excipients such as stabilizers requires proper optimization of type and concentration. This implies that each formulation requires its own optimization process. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Formulation and Optimization of Oral Mucoadhesive Patches of Myrtus Communis by Box Behnken Design

Purpose: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common painful ulcerative disease of oral mucosa happening in ~20% of people. Aimed to develop Myrtus communis L. (Myrtle) containing oral patches, we applied box-behnken design to evaluate the effect of polymers such as Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), Gelatin, Methylcellulose (MC) and Pectin. Methods: The patches properties such as tensile strength, folding endurance, swelling index, thickness, mucoadhesive strength and the pattern of myrtle release were evaluated as dependent variables. Then, the model was adjusted according to the best fitted equation with box behnken design. Results: The results indicated that preparation of myrtle patch with hydrophilic polymers showed the disintegration time up to 24h and more. Using of polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a water soluble polymer and a pore-former polymer led to faster release of soluble materials from the patch to 29 (min-1). Also it decreases swelling index by increasing the patch disintegration. Gelatin and Pectin, with rigid matrix and water interaction properties, decreased the swelling ratio. Pectin increased the tensile strength, but gelatin produced an opposite effect. Thinner Myrtle patch (about 28µm) was obtained by formulation of methyl cellulose with equal ratio with polyvinyl pyrrolidone or gelatin. Conclusion: Altogether, the analysis showed that the optimal formulation was achieved with of 35.04 mg of Gelatin, 7.22 mg of Pectin, 7.20 mg of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, 50.52 mg of methyl cellulose and 20 mg of Myrtle extract.

Application of cyclodextrins in antibody microparticles: potentials for antibody protection in spray drying

OBJECTIVES

Dry powder formulations are extensively used to improve the stability of antibodies. Spray drying is one of important methods for protein drying. This study investigated the effects of trehalose, hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin (HPBCD) and beta cyclodextrin (BCD) on the stability and particle properties of spray-dried IgG.

METHODS

D-optimal design was employed for both experimental design and analysis and optimization of the variables. The size and aerodynamic behavior of particles were determined using laser light scattering and glass twin impinger, respectively. In addition, stability, ratio of beta sheets and morphology of antibody were analyzed using size exclusion chromatography, IR spectroscopy and electron microscopy, respectively.

RESULTS

Particle properties and antibody stability were significantly improved in the presence of HPBCD. In addition, particle aerodynamic behavior, in terms of fine-particle fraction (FPF), enhanced up to 52.23%. Furthermore, antibody was better preserved not only during spray drying, but also during long-term storage. In contrast, application of BCD resulted in the formation of larger particles. Although trehalose caused inappropriate aerodynamic property, it efficiently decreased antibody aggregation.

CONCLUSION

HPBCD is an efficient excipient for the development of inhalable protein formulations. In this regard, optimal particle property and antibody stability was obtained with proper combination of cyclodextrins and simple sugars, such as trehalose.

Alpha particle energy response of 1-mm-thick polycarbonate track detectors by 50 Hz-HV electrochemical etching method

The electrochemical etching (ECE) method enlarges charged particle tracks to enhance its applications in particular in health physics and radiation dosimetry. The ECE method is usually based on using a high frequency-high voltage (HF-HV) generator with 250-µm-thick polycarbonate track detectors (PCTDs). The authors' recent studies on nitrogen and helium ions and alpha tracks in 1-mm-thick large-size PCTDs under a 50 Hz-HV ECE process provided promising results. In this study, alpha track efficiency and mean track diameter versus energy responses and registration energy range as well as alpha and background track shapes under three sets of 50 Hz-4, 5 and 6 kV applied field conditions have been studied and are reported. The efficiency versus alpha energy has a Bragg-type response from ∼15 keV to ∼4.5 MeV for the field conditions applied with an efficiency value of 40-50% at the Bragg peak. The results are presented and discussed.

A comparative study on the physicochemical and biological stability of IgG1 and monoclonal antibodies during spray drying process

Background

The main concern in formulation of antibodies is the intrinsic instability of these labile compounds. To evaluate the physicochemical stability of antibody in dry powder formulations, physical stability of IgG₁ and a monoclonal antibody (trastuzumab) during the spray drying process was studied in a parallel study and the efficacy of some sugar based excipients in protection of antibodies was studied.

Results

The SDS-PAGE analysis showed no fragmentation of antibodies after spray drying in all formulations. The secondary structure of antibodies contained 40.13 to 70.19% of β structure in dry state. Also, CD spectroscopy showed the similar secondary structure for trastuzumab after reconstitution in water. ELISA analysis and cell culture studies were conducted in order to evaluate bioactivity of monoclonal antibody. Formulations containing combination of excipients provided maximum tendency of trastuzumab to attach to the ELISA antigen (86.46% ± 2.3) and maximum bioactivity when incubated with SKBr₃ cell line (the cell viability was decreased to 65.99% ± 4.6). Incubation of formulations with L929 cell line proved the biocompatibility of the excipients and non-toxic composition of formulations.

Conclusion

The IgG₁ and trastuzumab demonstrated similar behavior in spray drying process. The combination of excipients containing trahalose, hydroxypropyl beta cyclodextrin and beta cyclodextrin with proper ratio improved the physical and chemical stability of both IgG₁ and monoclonal antibody.

Testosterone enhances functional recovery after stroke through promotion of antioxidant defenses, BDNF levels and neurogenesis in male rats

It is reported that circulating testosterone levels decrease after cerebral ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of testosterone on oxidative stress, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, neurogenesis, histological damage and sensorimotor recovery in a castrated male rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. Animals were divided into four groups. For all animals, castrations were conducted 7 days before transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was done and cerebral ischemia was induced. The first group served as sham. Second was MCAO group and received vehicle only, third was MCAO group that was post-treated with testosterone and the fourth was MCAO group post-treated with testosterone and flutamide. Treatment only with testosterone significantly weakened oxidative stress and increased BDNF levels and sensorimotor recovery during a 10 days period. Rats receiving testosterone demonstrated a significant reduction in infarct volume and a significant increase in neurogenesis on 10th day after focal cerebral ischemia. Our results for the first time showed a potential advantageous effect of testosterone after cerebral ischemia in male rats, which was probably mediated by promoting antioxidant defenses, BDNF levels and neurogenesis.

Effects of ascorbic acid on sperm motility, viability, acrosome reaction and DNA integrity in teratozoospermic samples

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress in teratozoospermic semen samples caused poor assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes. Among antioxidants, ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring free radical scavenger and as such its presence assists various other mechanisms in decreasing numerous disruptive free radical processes.

OBJECTIVE

The main goal of this study was to evaluate potential protective effects of ascorbic acid supplementation during in vitro culture of teratozoospermic specimens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Teratozoospermic semen samples that collected from 15 volunteers were processed, centrifuged and incubated at 37(o)C until sperm swimmed-up. Supernatant was divided into four groups and incubated at 37(o)C for one hour under different experimental conditions: Control, 10 µm A23187, 600µm ascorbic acid and 10 µm A23187+600 µm ascorbic acid. After incubation sperm motility, viability, acrosome reaction, DNA damage and malondialdehyde levels were evaluated.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that after one hour incubation, ascorbic acid significantly reduced malondialdehyde level in ascorbic acid group (1.4±0.11 nmol/ml) compared to control group (1.58±0.13 nmol/ml) (p<0.001). At the end of incubation, progressive motility and viability in ascorbic acid group (64.5±8.8% and 80.3±6.4%, respectively) were significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively) higher than the control group (54.5±6.8% and 70.9±7.3%, respectively). A23187 significantly (p<0.0001) increased acrosome reaction in A23187 group (37.3±5.6%) compared to control group (8.5±3.2%) and this effect of A23187 attenuated by ascorbic acid in ascorbic acid+A23187 group (17.2±4.4%). DNA fragmentation in ascorbic acid group (20±4.1%) was significantly (p<0.001) lower than controls (28.9±4.6%).

CONCLUSION

In vitro ascorbic acid supplementation during teratozoospermic semen processing for ART could protect teratozoospermic specimens against oxidative stress, and it could improve ART outcome.

Clarithromycin dissolution enhancement by preparation of aqueous nanosuspensions using sonoprecipitation technique

Clarithromycin (CLM) is a member of macrolide family with broad spectrum antibiotic activity. It is practically insoluble in water and its poor solubility is pH dependent. In this study, series of nanosuspensions containing CLM and stabilizer such as HPMC, NaCMC, polysorbate 80, poloxamer 188 and polyvinyl alcohol in various ratios were prepared using sonoprecipitation method. Briefly, CLM was dissolved in acid solution and the pH of solution was raised under sonication and the effects of different stabilizers on particle size of nanoparticles were evaluated. Characterization of nanoparticles in terms of size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, differential scanning calorimetery and dissolution studies was performed. Antimicrobial activity of CLM nanosuspension was compared with coarse powder by using an agar well diffusion method. The results showed that HPMC was more efficient in size reduction of particles and presence of HPMC E5 with ratio of 3:5 to CLM in formulation led to develop the stable nanosuspension with particle size of 340 nm. The obtained nanosuspension successfully showed enhanced dissolution rate and antimicrobial activity.

The effective encapsulation of a hydrophobic lipid-insoluble drug in solid lipid nanoparticles using a modified double emulsion solvent evaporation method

Raloxifene HCl (RH), a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), is indicated for the prophylaxis or treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. RH shows extremely poor bioavailability due to limited solubility and an extensive intestinal/hepatic first-pass metabolism. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are valuable carriers that can enhance drug bioavailability. However, in the case of RH, the encapsulation of the drug in SLNs remains a challenge because of its poor solubility in both water and lipids. In this study, a series of RH-containing SLNs (RH-SLNs) were generated using a modified double emulsion solvent evaporation (DESE) method. Briefly, RH with various drug/lipid ratios was solubilized in the inner core of a double emulsion using different water/organic solvent mixtures. Our best formulation was achieved with the formation of negatively charged nanoparticles, 180nm in diameter, with an encapsulation and loading efficiency of 85% and 4.5%, respectively. It also showed a Fickian mechanism of the drug release in the basic dissolution media. Thermal analysis revealed a distinct decrease in the crystallinity of lipids and RH in comparison with the unprocessed materials. The results of a cell viability assay also showed a better antiproliferative effect of the drug-loaded SLNs versus the free drug solution. Thus, these results indicated that the modified DESE method could be proposed for the effective encapsulation of RH in SLNs with appropriate physicochemical and biological properties.

Competition and interplay between σ-hole and π-hole interactions: a computational study of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes of nitryl halides (O2NX) with ammonia

Quantum calculations at the MP2/cc-pVTZ, MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, and CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ levels have been used to examine 1:1 and 1:2 complexes between O(2)NX (X = Cl, Br, and I) with NH(3). The interaction of the lone pair of the ammonia with the σ-hole and π-hole of O(2)NX molecules have been considered. The 1:1 complexes can easily be differentiated using the stretching frequency of the N-X bond. Thus, those complexes with σ-hole interaction show a blue shift of the N-X bond stretching whereas a red shift is observed in the complexes along the π-hole. The SAPT-DFT methodology has been used to gain insight on the source of the interaction energy. In the 1:2 complexes, the cooperative and diminutive energetic effects have been analyzed using the many-body interaction energies. The nature of the interactions has been characterized with the atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) methodologies. Stabilization energies of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes including the variation of the zero point vibrational energy (ΔZPVE) are in the ranges 7-26 and 14-46 kJ mol(-1), respectively.