ABSTRACT
Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in men. The present study was designed to evaluate the hair growth-promoting activity of a preparation of the Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn. [A. capillus-veneris] on albino mice using a testosterone-induced alopecia model. Five groups of albino mice were studied: [A] Testosterone solution only [n=6]; [B] Testosterone + Finasteride solution [2%] [n=6]; [C] Testosterone + vehicle [n=6]; [D] Testosterone + A. capillus-veneris solution [1%] [n=6]; [E] intact control [n=2, without testosterone]. Alopecia was induced in all intervention groups by testosterone 1.0 mg subcutaneous. A. capillus-veneris solution was applied topically to the back skin of animals in the respective group. Hair growth was evaluated by visual observation and histological study of several skin sections via various parameters as follicle density [number of follicles/mm] and anagen/telogen ratio. After 21 days, a patch of diffuse hair loss was seen in animals received testosterone while animals treated with A. capillus-veneris showed less hair loss as compared to those treated with testosterone only. The follicular density observed in the A. capillus-veneris-treated group was 1.92 +/- 0.47, compared to 1.05 +/- 0.21 in testosterone-group and 2.05 +/- 0.49 in finasteride-treated animals. Anagen/telogen ratio was significantly affected by A. capillus-veneris, which was 0.92 +/- 0.06 as compared with 0.23 +/- 0.03 and 1.12 +/- 0.06 for testosterone and finasteride treated groups, respectively. According to visual observation and quantitative data [follicular density and anagen/telogen ratio], A. capillus-veneris was found to possess good activity against testosterone-induced alopecia
ABSTRACT
Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolisms of all cells including hepatocytes, and hence, modulate hepatic function. Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders characterized by increased secretion of thyroid hormones T3 and/or T4. This study investigated frequency of abnormal liver function tests in the patients with hyperthyroidism that referred to Imam Reza Hospital of Kermanshah from 1[st] October 2009 to 30[th] April 2012. Patients who had complication disorders such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, liver disease and using any of drugs effecting liver and thyroid function tests and patients with positive hepatic viral markers were excluded from the study. After excluding patients with complication disorders, fifty patients were remained. Fifty volunteers without history of significant diseases were chosen as matched control group. Mean ALT [Alanine amino transferase] of cases were 52.1+/-6.97 and of controls were 25.6+/-3.9. Also, Mean ALP [Alkaline phosphatase] of cases was 259.94+/-25.83 and of controls were 185.10+/-33.75. There is significant difference between ALT, ALP in case group in compare the control group [P<0.05and P<0.01 respectively]. Further, there is no significant difference in serum levels of AST [Aspartate amino transferase] and Mean direct bilirubin between case and control group. These findings indicate that ALT and ALP levels are frequently elevated in hyperthyroidism. Hence, they are possibly thyroid dependent enzymes
ABSTRACT
Crystalline arrays of proteinaceous subunits forming surface layers [S-layers] are now recognized as one of the most common outermost cell envelope components of prokaryotic organisms. The surface layer protein of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC4356 is composed of a single species of protein of apparent molecular weight of 43-46 KDa. Considering the Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC4356 having the S-layer is stable in harsh gastrointestinal [GI] conditions, a protective role against destructive GI factors which has been proposed for these nanostructures. It opens interesting perspectives in the using and development of this S-layer as a protective coat for oral administration of unstable drug nanocarriers. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to study the in-vitro stability of the S-layers in the simulated gastrointestinal fluids [SGIF]. This study was planned to evaluate the in-vitro stability of the extracted S-layer protein of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC4356 in SGIF using it as a protective coat in oral drug delivery. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] and circular dichroism [CD] spectroscopy were used to study the stability of the S-layer protein incubated in SGIF. Both the SDS-PAGE and CD spectra results showed that Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC4356 S-layer protein is stable in simulated gastric fluid [SGF] with pH = 2 up to 5 min. It is stable in SGF pH = 3.2 and above it, with and without pepsin. It is also stable in all the simulated intestinal fluids. This S-layer is also stable in all of the simulated intestinal fluids
ABSTRACT
In this work attempts were made to evaluate K[+]-SDS and hydrocolloid polymer-SDS interactions in flocculation of megestrol acetate dispersions to enhancetheir stability as a part of suspension formulation. Different dispersions of micronized megestrol acetate and SDS were prepared. KCl and KH[2]PO[4] and their corresponding sodium salts were added to the dispersions and the preparations were evaluated using general physicochemical and stability tests including appearance, sedimentation volume, sedimentation rate and redispersibility. Addition of polyols and hydrocolloid polymers to the SDS containing dispersions was also investigated for possible instabilities.SDS deflocculated the initial megestrol acetate dispersions. The use of potassium salts unlike the sodium salts flocculated the dispersion particles due to precipitation reaction of potassium ions and the adsorbed SDS. Additionally the uncharged hydrocolloid polymers MC and HPMC in contrast to the ionic polymers xanthan gum and NaCMC showed incompatibility due to their interaction with SDS. K[+]- SDS interactions have proved useful in protein and DNA analysis studies and we found this precipitation reaction to be applicable in flocculation of pharmaceutical suspensions containing SDS
Subject(s)
Potassium/chemistry , Suspensions , Colloids , Megestrol Acetate , FlocculationABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to measure the degree of conversion [DC] of three types of composite resins [micro-hybrid, nano-hybrid and Ormocer] with different light curing units [LED LCU and QTH LCU] in two depths. Three commercially available dental resin composites were used in this study: [Tetric Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein-A2 shade], [Tetric Evoceram, Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein-A2 shade], [Ceram X, Dentsply, Germany-M[2] shade]. Specimens were divided into two groups, 5 specimens were photo-activated by QTH unit [Coltolux 75-Colten] and the other five specimens were cured by LED [Demi-Kerr]. Then each specimen was sectioned at the top surface and at 2-mm depth. The DC was measured by FT-IR [Bruker-tensor 27]. The data were analyzed by 3-way ANOVA test. There was significant difference between tested composite resins [P<0.001]. The results of top surfaces were significantly different from those observed at 2-mm depth [P<0.001]. The type of curing unit affected the polymerization of Ceram X resin composite. This study showed a significant difference in the degree of conversion in different thicknesses within three groups of resin composites
Subject(s)
Organically Modified Ceramics , Curing Lights, Dental , Light-Curing of Dental AdhesivesABSTRACT
Chitosan with excellent biodegradable and biocompatible characteristics has received attention as an oral drug delivery vehicle for controlled-release formulations. In this study an enteric-coated capsule containing theophylline-chitosan beads based on 2[3] factorial designs was prepared as a colon drug delivery system. The theophylline-chitosan gel beads were formulated by adding the drug-containing solution of chitosan into tripolyphosphate solutions, dropwise. The obtained beads were washed with water and freeze-dried before filling into the capsules. Eudragit[R] S100 was then used to enteric-coat the prepared capsules. Drug entrapment efficiency and the effects of different variables including: bead morphology, swelling behavior of the beads and the release behavior of the system on these parameters were investigated. Results showed that the highest and lowest swelling ratio is obtained at pH 4.5 and 7.2, respectively. These studies have shown that chitosan concentration and drug polymer weight ratio significantly affect the drug entrapment. Decreasing the drug solubility in external phase caused a significant increase in drug loading. External phase saturation with theophylline and tripolyphosphate, as well as decreasing temperature, have increased drug loading. Furthermore, the lowering of temperature had a significant effect on bead's hardness. The release of theophylline from freeze-dried beads filled in enteric-coated capsules was also investigated. Release of theophylline was prolonged with saturation of both drug and tripolyphosphate in the external phase. Results showed that the release of theophylline from chitosan beads is possibly due to more than one mechanism, possibly dissolution, diffusion and relaxation of the polymer chains