Preventive effect of cichorium intybus l. two extracts on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of pancreas with sudden onset, high mortality rate and multiple organ failure characteristics. It has been shown that oxygen free radicals have an important role in development of pancreatitis and its complications. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatotoxicity and gastroprotective properties of Cichorium intybus L. suggest that this plant may have beneficial effects in the management of acute pancreatitis. Five intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection of cerulean [50 microg/ kg at 1 h intervals] in mice resulted in acute pancreatitis, which was characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration, as well as increases in the serum levels of amylase and lipase in comparison to normal mice. Different doses of C. intybus root [CRE] and aerial parts hydroalcoholic extract [CAPE] orally [50, 100, 200 mg/kg] and intraperitoneally [50, 100, 200 mg/kg] were administrated 1.0 and 0.5 h respectively before pancreatitis induction on separate groups of male mice [n=6]. Control groups treated with normal saline [5 ml/ kg] similarly. Both extracts in greater test doses [100 mg/kg and 200 m/kg, i.p.] were effective to decrease amylase [23-36%] and lipase [27-35%] levels. In oral route, the dose of 200 mg/ kg showed a significant decrease in levels of amylase [16%] and lipase [24%] activity while the greatest dose [200 mg/kg, i.p.] was only effective to diminish inflammatory features like edema and leukocyte infiltration in pancreatitis tissue [P<0.01]. Vacuolization was not significantly reduced in extracts treated groups. These data suggest that C. intybus hydroalcoholic extracts were effective to protect against experimental acute pancreatitis and the efficacy was partly dependent to the dose and was more significant after parenteral administration

Pectin film coated pellets for colon-targeted delivery of budesonide: in-vitro/in-vivo evaluation in induced ulcerative colitis in rat

The main objective of this study was to prepare colon-specific pellets of budesonide, using pectin as film coating. Pellet cores of budesonide were prepared by extrusion / spheronization technique. Pectin, in different ratios was combined with Eudragit RS30D, Eudragit NE30D or Surelease to produce film coating. The dissolution profiles of pectin coated pellets were investigated in pH of 1.2 [2 h], pH of 7.4 [4 h] and pH of 6.8 in the absence as well as presence of rat cecal contents [18 h]. Finally the selected formulation was evaluated on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid [TNBS] induced ulcerative colitis in rat model, in comparison with conventional UC treatments. The dissolution profiles of pectin coated pellets showed that the release of budesonide in presence of rat cecal content depended on adjuvant polymer, the ratio of pectin to polymer and film thickness. Coated pellets, prepared out of pectin and Surelease at a ratio of 1:3 at coating level of 35% [w/w], could increase budesonide release statistically in presence of rat cecal content, while they released no drug in pH of 1.2 and 7.4. Animal experiments revealed the therapeutic efficacy of pectin/Surelease-coated pellets of budesonide in alleviating the conditions of TNBS-induced colitis model as reflected by weight gain, as well as improvement of clinical, macroscopic and microscopic parameters of induced colitis. This confirmed the ability of the optimized formulation for targeted drug delivery of budesonide to colon

Effect of Matricaria aurea [Loefl.] Shultz-Bip. hydroalcoholic extract on acetic acid-induced acute colitis in rats

Matricaria aurea is found abundant in Iran and has large similarities in constituents especially essential oils, flavones and flavonoides as well as traditional uses to the main species; Matricaria recutita L. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and spasmolytic properties of the main species suggest that this plant may have beneficial effects on inflammatory bowel diseases so the present study was carried out. Hydroalcoholic extract of plant with doses of 200, 400, 800 mg/kg were administered orally [p.o.] for 5 days and rectally [i.r.] [400 and 800 mg/kg] at 15 and 2 hr before ulcer induction. To induce colitis, 2 ml of acetic acid 4% was instilled intra-colonically to separate groups of male Wistar rats [n= 6]. Normal saline [2 ml], prednisolone [4 mg/kg] and hydrocortisone acetate [20 mg/kg] enema were administered to control and reference groups respectively. The tissue injures were assessed macroscopically and histopathologically. Greater doses of extract [400 and 800 mg/kg] reduced colon weight/length ratio [P< 0.01] and the highest test dose [800 mg/kg p.o. or i.r.] was effective to decrease tissue damage parameters including ulcer severity, area and index [P< 0.01] as well as inflammation severity and extent, crypt damage and total colitis index [P< 0.01] significantly. It is concluded that Matricaria aurea extract was effective to protect against acute colitis in acetic acid model and this effect was more significant with the greater doses administered orally or rectally. Further studies are warranted to ascertain the mechanisms that are involved and the responsible active constituents

[ correlation between MDM[2] protein and histologic grading of cerebral astrocytomas]

MDM[2] is a protein factor that plays an improtant role in inhibition of P[53] and P[73] related apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between MDM[2] expression and histologic grading of cerebral astrocytomas in order to reduce misdiagnosis of this tumor in controversial cases. In this study, 104 cases of astrocytic tumors including 4 different grades were selected randomly. We prepared 4 micro m sections of paraffin blocks of tumors. Then the slides were stained by anti MDM[2] antibody. The intensity of nuclear staining for MDM[2] marker had a statistically significant correlation with histologic grading. There was no significant correlation between percentage of nuclear staining for MDM[2] and histologic grading. The positivity of MDM[2] marker, as well as the multiplication of intensity and percentage of nuclear staining in S.Score had a significant correlation with histologic grading. The S.Score correlation with grading of astrocytic tumors was analysed by ROC Cure analysis method and showed that at the cut off point of 6, this score can be indicative for differentiation of Glioblastom multiform from other grades with specificity of 95.3%. Our results confirm the role of the MDM[2] protein as a oncogenic factor in progression of astrocytic tumors. Evaluation the MDM[2] experession in astrocytic cerebral tumors can be specifically indicative for distinction of glioblastom multiform from other grades of astrocytic tumors