Anti-influenza activity of a novel polyoxometalate derivative [POM-4960]

There are many effective chemotherapeutic agents used in influenza disease which some of them inhibit virus replication by interfering with FluV [influenza virus] viral binding or its penetration into cell membrane. A series of polyoxometalates compounds such as POM-523 and PM-504 have been synthesized and have showed inhibitory effects on viruses. In this study we examined anti influenza activity of a novel polyoxometalate derivative [POM-4960] synthesized in the Faculty of Chemistry of Damghan University of Basic Sciences. To evaluate the anti-influenza activity of POM, following the treatment of FluV with POM at different temperatures and incubation periods, viral titer reduction was assessed by haemaglutination assay [HA]. The 3-[4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay was used to determine TCID50 [tissue culture infective dose] of virus, CC50 [median cytotoxic concentration] of POM, protection percentage and antiviral activity of POM in cell culture. RT-PCR and direct Immunofluorescent assays were performed to evaluate the effect of POM on viral infection and viral RNA load, respectively. POM reduced HA titer near to zero in all cell culture specimens and showed high protection against viral infection of the cells. Reduction in viral infection was confirmed by RT-PCR and Immunofluorescent staining methods. Moreover, this POM derivative has a dual [cumulative] effect on attachment and penetration inhibition compared to other POM's with just one inhibitory effect. POM-4960 could be considered as a powerful antiinfluenza agent with low toxicity and high antiviral potency.

effect of ethanolic extract of propolis on radiation-induced mucositis in rats

To assess the efficacy of ethanolic extract of propolis in radiation-induced mucositis in rats. This study was performed in the Dental Faculty, Shahid Rajaee Hospital of Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Mazandaran, Iran from August 2008 to September 2009, It was carried out on 21 male Wistar rats, age 7-11 weeks, and weighing 160 +/- 20g. They were divided into 3 groups. Group A received intraperitoneal [ip] injections of 100 mg/kg ethanolic extract of propolis [EEP], group B received ip injections of 200 mg/kg EEP, and the control group [group C] received 10% ethanol [10ml/kg [ip]] just before x-ray irradiation. All rats were irradiated in the head and neck region by an x-ray device at a dose rate of 15 gray [Gy] for 9 minutes and 39 seconds. The daily injection continued for the next 10 days, and the lips and tongues of the rats were examined daily to assess the intensity of lesions induced by irradiation. In group C, the first signs of ulcers appeared on the first day, while they appeared on the fourth day in group B, and third day in group A. The severity of ulcers was greatest in group C, and least in group B. Propolis is effective in reducing and delaying radiation-induced mucositis in an animal model, however, further study and evaluation is required

Humoral and cellular immunomodulation induced by propoxure in C57-w/6 mice

Propoxure [PPX] is a well-known carbamate insecticide, which has been used for several decades in the world and Iran in agriculture and public health programs. However, there is no clear investigation toward its immunotoxicity as yet. In this study, we examined the effects of subchronic i.p. exposure of PPX on humoral [PFC and HA] and cellular [DTH] responses, and also monitored T-Cell subtypes using FACS technique. Briefly, female C57b1/6 inbred mice were administered PPX [0.2, 2 and 10 mg/kg/day i.p. [5 inj/wk] for 28 days] or positive and negative controls. On the day 28, mice were examined for DTH, PFC and HA responses to SRBC. Splenocyte single cell suspension was used for measuring the spleen CD4/CD8 percentage and absolute number. In vitro lymphocyte proliferation response to non-specific antigen [PHA] was also measured using MTT method. Results showed that PPX at 10 mg/kg/day could suppress DTH response and could increase the spleen CD4-/CD8+ T-cell percentage. On the other hand, PPX at medium dose [2 mg/kg] could increase the antibody formation response against SRBC as determined by PFC and HA. Subchronic PPX at low dose [0.2 mg/kg/day] could not show any significant effects on humoral or cellular responses. It could be concluded that, subchronic PPX at high dose [10 mg/kg], possessed cellular immunosuppressive effect. However, PPX at 2 mg/kg does not change cellular response to antigen but can stimulate humoral responses. It seems that PPX has no adverse effects on mice immune system at low doses as 0.2 mg/kg, which is 10 fold greater than PPX Allowed Daily Intake limit