Development of chitosan-based edible film incorporated with purified flavonoids from Moringa oleifera: Structural, thermal, antibacterial activity and application.

Purified flavonoids (PF) from Moringa oleifera leaves were incorporated in chitosan (CS) polymer at different concentrations (0.5-4%) to produce a novel edible film. The physical, structure, mechanical, and bio-functional characterizations of the film were evaluated. The incorporation of PF significantly (p < 0.05) improved the thickness, solubility, swelling, and color of CS-films. Incorporating 4% of Moringa oleifera purified flavonoids (MOPF) improved the water vapor permeability from 8.85 to 2.47 g-1 s-1 Pa-1, and increased the film surface heterogeneity observed by SEM. Results also indicated that PF enhanced the mechanical properties and thermal stability of CS-films. The FTIR results indicated alterations in the CS-MOPF composite films' characteristics. Additionally, the incorporation of MOPF increased the antioxidation capacity. Furthermore, 4% of MOPF inhibited the activity of pathogenic bacteria in packed beef burgers. These results suggest that CS-MOPF composite films with enhanced technological and bio-functional properties could be industrially applied to increase the shelf-life of packaged foods.

Polysaccharides from Brassica rapa root: Extraction, purification, structural features, and biological activities. A review.

Brassica rapa (B. rapa) roots are attracting increased attention from nutritionists and health-conscious customers because of their remarkable performance in supplying necessary nutrients. Polysaccharides are major biologically active substances in B. rapa roots, which come in a variety of monosaccharides with different molar ratios and glycosidic bond types. Depending on the source, extraction, separation, and purification methods of B. rapa roots polysaccharides (BRP); different structural features, and pharmacological activities are elucidated. Polysaccharides from B. rapa roots possess a range of nutritional, biological, and health-enhancing characteristics, including anti-hypoxic, antifatigue, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor, and antioxidant activities. This paper reviewed extraction and purification methods, structural features, and biological activities as well as correlations between the structural and functional characteristics of polysaccharides from the B. rapa roots. Ultimately, this work will serve as useful reference for understanding the connections between polysaccharide structure and biological activity and developing novel BRP-based functional foods.

Anti myelosuppressant and hematopoietic activities of ethanolic fraction obtained from seeds of Carica papaya L.

Bone marrow suppression is one of the serious consequences of treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin (DOX). It is very difficult to treat bone marrow suppression caused by anti-cancer drugs. This study was aimed to evaluate hematological effects particularly the antimyelosuppressant effects of ethanolic extract of papaya seeds at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg daily dose for three weeks in doxorubicin induced hematopoietic suppression in rat model. Hematological parameters were assessed on weekly basis on days 0, 1, 7, 14 and 21. The alcoholic extract was found to cause remission of induced myelosuppression as indicated by a dose dependent increase in WBCs, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, RBCs, Hb, hematocrit & mean corpuscular volume. However, the maximum dose (600mg/kg) of the extract showed maximum activity (p<0.05) in normalizing hematological parameters when compared with group B (induced group) and group A (controlled animals). These effects were compareable with those produced by Filgrastim 5µgm/kg used as standard or reference drug during these experiments. It is concluded from the results that papaya seeds possess myelostimulant activity and can be used to treat myelosuppression caused by chemotherapy. The drug can also be used for curing anemia, thrombocytopenia and immunological disorders characterized by myelosuppression.

Comparative secondary metabolites profiling and biological activities of aerial, stem and root parts of Salvadora oleoides decne (Salvadoraceae).

In this study, different parts (aerial, stem and root) of Salvadora oleoides Decne were investigated in order to explore their phytochemical composition and biological potential. The bioactive contents were evaluated by conventional spectrophotometric methods. Additionally, the secondary metabolite compounds were identified by UHPLC-MS analysis. Biological potential was evaluated by determining antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, and Phosphomolybdenum) and enzyme inhibitory (butrylcholinesterase and lipoxygenase) effects. Higher total bioactive contents were found in methanolic extracts which tend to correlate with higher radical scavenging and reducing potential of these extracts. LC/MS spectrum revealed the presence of 16 different secondary metabolites belonging to terpene, glucoside and sesquiterpenoid dervivatives. Glucocleomin and emotin A were the main compounds present in all three parts. The strongest butrylcholinesterase and lipoxygenase inhibitory activity was observed for root and stem DCM extracts. Demonstrated biological potential of S. oleoides plant can trace a new road map for developing newly designed bioactive pharmaceuticals.

Recent advances in the delivery of disulfiram: a critical analysis of promising approaches to improve its pharmacokinetic profile and anticancer efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Disulfiram (DSF) has a long history of being used as a first-line promising therapy for treatment of alcoholism in human. Besides its prominence in the treatment of alcoholism, extensive investigations have been carried out to explore other biomedical and pharmacological effects of DSF. Amongst other biomedical implications, plenty researches have shown evidence of promising anticancer efficacy of this agent for treatment of wide range of cancers such as breast cancer, liver cancer and lung carcinoma. METHODS: Electronic databases, including Google scholar, PubMed and Web of science were searched with the keywords disulfiram, nanoparticles, cancer, drug delivery systems. RESULT: Despite its excellent anticancer efficacy, the pharmaceutical significance and clinical applicability of DSF are hampered due to poor stability, low solubility, short plasma half-life, rapid metabolism, and early clearance from systemic circulation. Various attempts have been made to eradicate these issues. Nanotechnology based interventions have gained remarkable recognition in improving pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of DSF by improving its stability and avoiding its degradation. CONCLUSION: The aim of the present review is to critically analyse all recent developments in designing various nanotechnology-based delivery systems, to ponder their relevance in improving stability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile, and achieving target-specific delivery of this agent to cancer cells to effectively eradicate cancer and abolish its metastasis. Nanotechnology is a novel approach for overcoming such obstacles faced presently, the results obtained so far using different novel drug delivery systems seem to be very promising to increase the stability and half-life of DSF. Graphical abstract Nanocrrier mediated drug delivery systems for disulfiram.

The impact of hydrophilic emulsifiers on the physico-chemical properties, microstructure, water distribution and in vitro digestibility of proteins in fried snacks based on fish meat.

The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of ionic and non-ionic emulsifiers at 3 different levels of 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45% per 100 g of flour on the physico-chemical properties, microstructure and water distribution of fish-meat based fried snacks. The results showed that the addition of distilled mono-glycerides (DMG) decreased the strength of the starch-protein network which resulted in increased expansion and decreased water holding capacity (WHC). The addition of diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono-glycerides (DATEM) increased the WHC and the ordered structure between starch and proteins while oil uptake was decreased. Pasting properties such as breakdown, peak viscosity and pasting temperatures were increased with the addition of DATEM compared to DMG and the control indicating the strong interaction among DATEM, starch and proteins. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that DATEM strengthened the starch-protein matrix and the dense and rigid microstructure with fewer voids while DMG increased the intercellular spaces between the molecules of starch and proteins. Low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxometry analysis revealed that the amount of free water (T21) was decreased and that of bound water (T23) was increased in DATEM samples indicating the strong interaction between emulsifiers and macromolecules compared to the control and DMG. Moreover, protein in vitro digestibility was also increased with the addition of DATEM. The findings suggested that 0.30% DATEM can be used in snacks with improved physico-chemical and functional properties.

Surface modification of microcrystalline cellulose: Physicochemical characterization and applications in the Stabilization of Pickering emulsions.

The phenomenon of polymer adsorption was applied to modify the surface of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The active polymer sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCNa), having different molecular weight was used to produce modified MCCs. The average particle size of unmodified MCC was about 14.208 ±â€¯0.064 µm, and it was increased to 19.576 ±â€¯0.26 µm after modification. The modified MCCs exhibited a typical shear thinning behavior. It suggested that the molecular weight of active polymer had an amenable and significant influence on the physicochemical properties and stability of MCCs. The composites prepared from CMCNa with high molecular weight were more stable than others. Moreover, dried MCCs could be re-dispersed in water and could be used as a stabilizer for Pickering emulsions. The obtained emulsions (CMCNa-c) showed higher stability against pH changes, ionic strength and coalescence during storage. It suggested that the re-dispersible MCCs played a significant role in stabilization of emulsions. Furthermore, the re-dispersible MCCs preserved the original properties of un-dried composites and could also be used in other food allied sectors.

Asiatic Acid Protects Dopaminergic Neurons from Neuroinflammation by Suppressing Mitochondrial Ros Production.

This study sought to evaluate the effects of Asiatic acid in LPS-induced BV2 microglia cells and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridine (MPP+)-induced SH-SY5Y cells, to investigate the potential anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Asiatic acid in Parkinson’s disease (PD). SH-SY5Y cells were induced using MPP+ to establish as an in vitro model of PD, so that the effects of Asiatic acid on dopaminergic neurons could be examined. The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in BV2 microglia cells to explore potential mechanisms for the neuroprotective effects of Asiatic acid. We showed that Asiatic acid reduced intracellular production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and altered the mitochondrial membrane potential to regulate mitochondrial dysfunction, and suppressed the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia cells. We additionally found that treatment with Asiatic acid directly improved SH-SY5Y cell viability and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by MPP+. These data demonstrate that Asiatic acid both inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by downregulating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species directly to protect dopaminergic neurons from, and improves mitochondrial dysfunction in SH-SY5Y cells, which were established as a model of Parkinson’s disease. Our finding reveals that Asiatic acid protects dopaminergic neurons from neuroinflammation by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation in microglia cells as well as protecting dopaminergic neurons directly. This suggests a promising clinical use of Asiatic acid for PD therapy.

Silymarin-Laden PVP-Nanocontainers Prepared Via the Electrospraying Technique for Improved Aqueous Solubility and Dissolution Rate

Abstract The aim of the present research was to develop a silymarin-laden PVP-nanocontainer providing ameliorated aqueous solubility and dissolution of the drug. Several silymarin-laden formulations were formed with varying quantities of PVP and SDS via the solvent evaporation method using the electrospraying technique. The influence of the hydrophilic carriers on solubility and dissolution was explored. The solid-state characterization was carried out by particle-size analysis, PXRD, DSC, FTIR and SEM. All of the formulations demonstrated better solubility and dissolution than did silymarin plain powder. Both the SDS and PVP had positive effects on solubility and dissolution of silymarin in the aqueous media. An increased solubility was attained as the drug/PVP ratio was 1/4; however, further increase in PVP did not provide significant improvement. In particular, a nanocontainer formulation prepared with silymarin, PVP and SDS (1/4/0.5, w/w/w) exhibited the best solubility (26432.76 ± 1749.00 μg/mL) and an excellent dissolution (~92 % in 20 min) than did silymarin plain powder. Also, it demonstrated similar dissolution profiles compared to a commercial product; therefore, might be bioequivalent to the commercial product (f 1 = 3 and f 2 = 69). Moreover, cumulative undersize distribution values as represented by X10, X50 and X90 were 201 ± 21.01 nm, 488 ± 36.05 nm and 392 ± 48.10 nm, respectively. The drug existed in the amorphous state in the PVP-nanocontainers with no strong chemical bonding with other excipients. Thus, this formulation might be used for more effective administration of silymarin via the oral route.

Cigarette smoke exposure during adolescence but not adulthood induces anxiety-like behavior and locomotor stimulation in rats during withdrawal.

Adolescence is a critical period for cigarette smoking. Studies have shown that adolescent smokers are more likely to become addicted, are less likely to quit, and are more prone to relapse. In the present study, we examined the affective symptoms experienced by adolescents during withdrawal from cigarette smoke exposure. Towards this goal, adolescent male rats were repeatedly exposed to cigarette smoke, through an automated smoking machine, for 14 days. Then, cigarette smoke exposure was discontinued to induce spontaneous withdrawal. During the withdrawal period, anxiety-like behavior (elevated plus-maze test), locomotor activity (open-field test), and learning and memory (passive-avoidance test) were evaluated. These behavioral evaluations were conducted during the first, third, seventh, and fourteenth day of withdrawal. For comparison, parallel experiments were performed in adult rats. We found that adolescent rats exposed to cigarette smoke experiences increased anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity during withdrawal relative to control rats. Learning and memory processes were undisturbed. On the other hand, adult rats exposed to cigarette smoke did not show any statistically significant behavioral alteration during withdrawal. These results are consistent with the notion that adolescents are differentially sensitive to the withdrawal effects of cigarette smoking. This sensitivity might be a factor why adolescent smokers have difficulty quitting and are more prone to relapse.

Cigarette smoke exposure during adolescence enhances sensitivity to the rewarding effects of nicotine in adulthood, even after a long period of abstinence.

Adolescence is a period of enhanced vulnerability to the motivational properties of tobacco/cigarette smoking. Several studies have suggested that smoking initiation during this period will more likely lead to long-lasting cigarette or nicotine addiction. In the present study, we investigated the influences of adolescent cigarette smoke or nicotine exposure on the rewarding effects of nicotine, particularly whether these influences persist even after a long period of abstinence. Towards this, adolescent and adult Sprague-Dawley rats were repeatedly exposed to cigarette smoke or nicotine, for 14 days, and then were subjected to a 1-month abstinence period. Thereafter, the rewarding effects of nicotine were evaluated through the conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) tests. Even after a 1-month abstinence period, rats pre-exposed to either nicotine or cigarette smoke demonstrated enhanced CPP for the higher dose (0.6 mg/kg) of nicotine. Notably, cigarette smoke-preexposed adolescent rats, now adults, showed CPP for both 0.2 and 0.6 mg/kg dose of nicotine. Moreover, only these rats (pre-exposed to cigarette smoke during adolescence) showed significant acquisition and maintenance of nicotine (0.03 mg/kg/infusion) SA. These results suggest that cigarette smoke exposure during adolescence enhances sensitivity to the rewarding effects of nicotine in adulthood, even after a long period of abstinence. This may be a factor in the high rates of nicotine addiction and dependence observed in smokers who started during adolescence. More importantly, our findings highlight the enduring consequences of adolescent-onset cigarette smoking and the need to protect this vulnerable population.

Conditioned place preference and self-administration induced by nicotine in adolescent and adult rats.

Nicotine addiction is a worldwide problem. However, previous studies characterizing the rewarding and reinforcing effects of nicotine in animal models have reported inconsistent findings. It was observed that the addictive effects are variable on different factors (e.g. route, dose, and age). Here, we evaluated the rewarding and reinforcing effects of nicotine in different routes of administration, across a wide dose range, and in different age groups. Two of the most widely used animal models of drug addiction were employed: the conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) tests. Nicotine CPP was evaluated in different routes [intraperitoneal (i.p.) and subcutaneous (s.c.)], doses (0.05 to 1.0 mg/kg) and age [adolescent and adult rats]. Similarly, intravenous nicotine SA was assessed in different doses (0.01 to 0.06 mg/kg/infusion) and age (adolescent and adult rats). In the CPP test, s.c. nicotine produced greater response than i.p. The 0.2 mg/kg dose produced highest CPP response in adolescent, while 0.6 mg/kg in adult rats; which were also confirmed in 7 days pretreated rats. In the SA test, adolescent rats readily self-administer 0.03 mg/kg/infusion of nicotine. Doses that produced nicotine CPP and SA induced blood nicotine levels that corresponded well with human smokers. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that nicotine produces reliable CPP [0.2 mg/kg dose (s.c.)] in adolescents and [0.6 mg/kg dose (s.c.)] in adults, and SA [0.03 mg/kg/infusion] in adolescent rats. Both tests indicate that adolescent rats are more sensitive to the rewarding and reinforcing effects of nicotine.

Adolescent nicotine or cigarette smoke exposure changes subsequent response to nicotine conditioned place preference and self-administration.

Nicotine/cigarette addiction starts young. Indeed, most smokers started when they were adolescents. Adolescence has been implicated to be a critical period for nicotine/cigarette addiction, thus it is important to understand the consequences of such early exposure. In the present study, we sought to characterize the effects of adolescent nicotine or cigarette smoke pre-exposure on the subsequent addictive effects of nicotine. The rewarding and reinforcing effects of nicotine were evaluated in drug-naïve, nicotine pre-exposed, or cigarette smoke pre-exposed adolescent and adult rats, through the conditioned place preference (CPP) and the self-administration (SA) tests. In the CPP test, drug-naïve adolescent rats demonstrated CPP for the 0.2mg/kg dose of nicotine, while drug-naïve adult rats showed CPP for the relatively higher dose of 0.6mg/kg. Pre-exposed adolescent rats showed diminished response for the 0.2mg/kg, instead significant CPP was observed for the higher dose (0.6mg/kg) of nicotine. No significant change was observed in pre-exposed adult rats. Interestingly, cigarette smoke pre-exposed adolescent rats showed substantially higher nicotine CPP (0.6mg/kg) than to its nicotine-pre-exposed or adult counterpart. In the SA test, drug-naïve adolescent rats reliably produced stable nicotine (0.03mg/kg/infusion) self-administration, but drug-naïve adult rats did not. Surprisingly, however, nicotine or cigarette smoke pre-exposed adolescent and adult rats showed decreased nicotine self-administration. These results conform with the growing notion that adolescents are more sensitive to the addictive effects of nicotine and that nicotine or cigarette smoke exposure during this period produces complex behavioral changes which may influence subsequent response to nicotine.

Propofol pretreatment induced place preference and self-administration of the tiletamine-zolazepam combination: implication on drug of abuse substitution.

BACKGROUND: Propofol and the tiletamine-zolazepam combination are anesthetics with both sedative-hypnotic and hallucinogenic effects. In South Korea, propofol is controlled while the tiletamine-zolazepam combination is not. Thus, there is a possibility that this drug combination might be used as a substitute drug by propofol-abusers. OBJECTIVE: In the present study we evaluated whether repeated pre-exposure to propofol predisposes to the use/abuse of the tiletamine-zolazepam combination. METHODS: Rats (8-10 animals/group) were pre-treated with saline (control) or propofol at different dosages (10, 30, 60 mg/kg, i.p.), for 14 days, then conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) for the tiletamine-zolazepam combination were evaluated. RESULTS: Rats pretreated with saline exhibited neither CPP nor SA for the tiletamine-zolazepam combination. On the other hand, rats pretreated with propofol, in all dosages, demonstrated significant CPP and SA for the tiletamine-zolazepam combination. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that tiletamine-zolazepam combinations might be used as a "substitute drug" by abusers of propofol. The careful use, dispensation, and monitoring of tiletamine-zolazepam combinations are advocated.

Identification of novel mPGES-1 inhibitors through screening of a chemical library.

Human microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is an emerging drug target for inflammatory disorders and cancer suppression. Therefore, it is crucially important to discover mPGES-1 inhibitors with novel structural scaffolds for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs. Here, we report the mPGES-1 inhibitors identified through screening of a chemical library. Initial screening of 1841 compounds out of 200,000 in a master library resulted in 9 primary hits. From the master library, 387 compounds that share the scaffold structure with the 9 primary hit compounds were selected, of which 3 compounds showed strong inhibitory activity against mPGES-1 having IC(50) values of 1-3 µM. Notably, a derivative of sulfonylhydrazide, compound 3b, inhibited the LPS-induced PGE(2) production in RAW 264.7 cells. This compound showed novel scaffold structure compared to the known inhibitors of mPGES-1, suggesting that it could be further developed as a potent mPGES-1 inhibitor.