Effects of cinnamon oil and its main constituents, cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde, on 1 - methyl - 4 - phenyl - 1,2,3,6 - tetrahydropyridine - induced neurodegeneration in PC - 12 cells / Efectos del aceite de canela y sus principales componentes, ácido cinámico y cin amaldehído en la neurodegeneración inducida por 1 - metil - 4 - fenil - 1,2,3,6 - tetrahidropiridina en células PC 12

Cinnamon ( Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) is a well - known medicinal plant considered as an effective treatment for neurological disorders based on Persian medicine . The aim of the present study was assessing the effect of cinnamon oil, cinnamic acid, and cinnamaldehyde, on the in vitro model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Cinnamon oil, prepared in sesame oil, was phytochemically analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Pheochromocytoma - 12 (PC - 12) cells were treated with 1 - methyl - 4 - phenyl - 1,2,3,6 - tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) as an in vitro model of neurodegeneration in PD. Cell viability, activity of caspase enzymes, and formation of reactive oxygen sp ecies (ROS) were evaluated. MPTP significantly decreased cell viability and increased Casp activity, as well as ROS formation. Cinnamon oil and cinnamic acid at 200 µg/m L could significantly reverse MPTP - induced abnormalities in PC - 12 cells including Casp activity and ROS formation. Our study supports the beneficial effect of cinnamon oil in neurodegeneration. Furt her investigations are needed to clarify the mechanisms and main active components.

La canela ( Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) es una planta medicinal m uy conocida, y considerada como un tratamiento efectivo para patologías neurológicas según la medicina persa. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del aceite de canela, el ácido cinámico, y el cinamaldehído, en un modelo in vitro de la enferme dad de Parkinson (PD). El aceite de canela, preparado en aceite de sésamo, fue analizado fitoquímicamente usando cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia (HPLC). Se trataron células con feocromocitoma - 12 (P - 12) usando 1 - metil - 4 - fenil - 1,2,3,6 - tetrahidropiridi na (MPTP) como un modelo in vitro de neurodegeneración en PD. Se evaluó la viabilidad celular, actividad de enzimas caspasa, y formación de especies reactivas del oxígeno (ROS). El tratamiento con MPTP disminuyó significativamente la viabilidad celular y a umentó la actividad casp, así la formación de ROS. Aceite de canela y ácido cinámico a 200 µg/mL podría revertir significativamente las anormalidades inducidas por MPTP en células PC - 12, incluyendo la actividad casp y la formación de ROS. Nuestro estudio e ntrega sustento sobre los efectos benéficos del aceite de canela en la neurodegeneración. Se requiere más investigación para clarificar los mecanismos y los principales componentes activos.

Preparation and physicochemical characterization of prazosin conjugated PLGA nanoparticles for drug delivery of flutamide

In the current work, a sustained drug delivery system of flutamide (FLT) was developed using Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) decorated bypoly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) grafted prazosin (PLGA-PEG-Praz) as a targeting moiety. In a multi-step reaction, PLGA was linked to PEG and prazosin. The structure of the synthesized polymers was confirmed by FTIR and 1H-NMR. Flutamide-loaded nanoparticles were prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique. The nanoparticles were evaluated for size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, drug crystallinity, loading efficiency, and release properties. Also, the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and Powder X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD). The particle size of nanoparticles was ranged between 191 and 249 nm. Loading efficiency of nanoparticles was about 43%-69%. Results showed a steady release rate for nanoparticles compared to that of a pure drug powder. SEM characterization confirmed that particles were in nanosize range. DSC and XRPD results verified a decrease in drug crystallinity in the prepared formulations. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that PLGA-PEG-Praz nanoparticles could be a good choice to improve the physicochemical properties of the drug and these formulations can increase Flutamide efficacy.

Acute and subchronic toxicological evaluation of Echinophora platyloba DC (Apiaceae) total extract in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE: Echinophora platyloba DC is a widely used herbal medicine and food seasoning in Iran. It is claimed to exert antimicrobial, antifungal, and antispasmodic effects. Despite the prevalent use of this plant as a food and medicine, there are no reports on its possible toxic effects. To evaluate the safety of E. platyloba, we tested its acute and sub-chronic toxicity in male and female Wistar rats. METHODS: Rats were orally treated with four different single doses of E. platyloba total extract and screened for signs of toxicity two weeks after administration. In the sub-chronic toxicity study, E. platyloba was administered for 45 days. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, hematological and biochemical parameters, gross findings, organ weights, and histological markers were monitored during the study. RESULTS: We found no mortality and no abnormality in clinical signs, body weight, or necropsy findings in any of the animals in the acute study. The results of the subchronic study showed no significant difference in hematological parameters in either sex. There was a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase in the female groups. A significant increase in the relative lung weight of female rats was noted at 500 mg/kg. Histopathological examinations revealed intra-alveolar hemorrhage in the male rats (500 mg/kg). In the females, congestion of the alveolar capillaries (at 500 mg/kg) and liver bridging necrosis (at 200 mg/kg) were significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The no observed adverse effect level of E. platyloba was determined to be 200 and 50 mg/kg for male and female rats, respectively.