Novel therapeutic intervention of coenzyme Q10 and its combination with pioglitazone on the mRNA expression level of adipocytokines in diabetic rats.

AIMS: Aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of co-administration coenzyme Q10 and pioglitazone on the mRNA expression of adipocytokines in white adipose tissues of chemically induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats. MAIN METHODS: Diabetes was induced by administration of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, i.p.), followed by nicotinamide (110 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 min later. The diabetic rats were treated coenzyme Q10 (Q10, 10 mg/kg, p.o.) or pioglitazone (PIO, 20 mg/kg, p.o.) alone and their combination for four weeks. Biochemical parameters like FBS level, insulin and HbA1c along with tissue levels of MDA, SOD, CAT and GSH were estimated. The mRNA levels of ADIPOQ, RBP4, RETN, IL-6 and TNF-α in White Adipose Tissue (WAT) were measured. KEY FINDINGS: Treatment with Q10 + PIO showed a significant reduction in the levels of FBS, HbA1c and a significant increase in insulin levels as compared to normal control group. Additionally, there was a significant change in the levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress after treatment with Q10 + PIO as compared to streptozotocin-nicotinamide group. Treatment with Q10 + PIO also significantly altered the mRNA expression of ADIPOQ, RETN, IL-6 and TNF-α when compared to monotherapy. However, mRNA expression of RBP4 did not alter in Q10 + PIO treated animal as compared to Q10 or PIO alone. SIGNIFICANCE: It is concluded that co-administration of Q10 and PIO has been shown the better therapeutic effect on the mRNA expression of adipocytokines and oxidative stress parameters as compared to either Q10 or PIO.

Effect of Vaccinium macrocarpon on MK-801-induced psychosis in mice.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of aqueous cranberry extract (ACE) on MK-801-induced psychosis in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MK-801-treated mice were administered ACE (1 and 2 g/kg, p.o.) for 14 days. Various behavioral parameters and neurochemical estimations such as dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, and glycine as well as markers of oxidative stress such as nitrite levels were measured. RESULTS: Psychosis-induced mice showed a significant elevation of immobility time in forced swim test, locomotor activity, and reduction in time of permanency in rota-rod test, escape latency time in Cook's pole test while treatment with ACE showed a significant alteration in above-mentioned behavioral parameters in MK-801-induced psychosis. Moreover, MK-801-induced psychosis in the mice showed a significant increase in DA, 5-HT, and NA levels and decrease in GABA, glutamate, and glycine levels in the brain. In contrast, treatment with ACE at both doses remarkably altered the neurochemical parameters. In addition, ACE-treated mice showed a substantial reduction in acetylcholinesterase, D-amino acid oxidase enzyme activity, and nitrite levels which were elevated by the administration of MK-801. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ACE once for 14 days (1 and 2 g/kg) significantly ameliorated the behavioral symptoms in experimentally induced psychosis by virtue of neuromodulation and decreased oxidative stress.

Nanostructured lipid carriers for oral bioavailability enhancement of raloxifene: Design and in vivo study.

The objective of present work was to utilize potential of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for improvement in oral bioavailability of raloxifene hydrochloride (RLX). RLX loaded NLCs were prepared by solvent diffusion method using glyceryl monostearate and Capmul MCM C8 as solid lipid and liquid lipid, respectively. A full 3(2) factorial design was utilized to study the effect of two independent parameters namely solid lipid to liquid lipid ratio and concentration of stabilizer on the entrapment efficiency of prepared NLCs. The statistical evaluation confirmed pronounced improvement in entrapment efficiency when liquid lipid content in the formulation increased from 5% w/w to 15% w/w. Solid-state characterization studies (DSC and XRD) in optimized formulation NLC-8 revealed transformation of RLX from crystalline to amorphous form. Optimized formulation showed 32.50 ± 5.12 nm average particle size and -12.8 ± 3.2 mV zeta potential that impart good stability of NLCs dispersion. In vitro release study showed burst release for initial 8 h followed by sustained release up to 36 h. TEM study confirmed smooth surface discrete spherical nano sized particles. To draw final conclusion, in vivo pharmacokinetic study was carried out that showed 3.75-fold enhancements in bioavailability with optimized NLCs formulation than plain drug suspension. These results showed potential of NLCs for significant improvement in oral bioavailability of poorly soluble RLX.

Maxcal-C (a polyherbal formulation) prevents ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-osteoporotic activity of Maxcal-C in ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sham-operated control rats were designated as Group I; Group II animals served as OVX control; Group III OVX control rats treated with Calcium Sandoz (50 mg/kg, p.o.); Group IV and V OVX control rats treated with Maxcal-C (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.), respectively. All the aforementioned treatments were given for four weeks after the development of osteoporosis. At the end of the treatment, serum biochemical parameters such as serum calcium and alkaline phosphate were measured. After sacrificing the animals, femoral bone parameters with histology, body weight, and bone breaking strength of 5(th) lumbar vertebra were measured. RESULTS: The treatment with Maxcal-C showed a significant improvement in serum biochemical, femoral bone parameters, and bone breaking strength of 5(th) lumbar vertebra with histopathological changes. CONCLUSION: The finding of the present study indicates that Maxcal-C showed a potential anti-osteoporotic activity. These results support the traditional use of Maxcal-C in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Protective effect of simvastatin and rosuvastatin on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Statins have anti-inflammatory effects that are not directly related to their cholesterol lowering activity. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of simvastatin or rosuvastatin on the extent of colonic mucosal damage and on the inflammatory response in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced ulcerative colitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ulcerative colitis was induced by single intrarectal injection of 120 mg/kg TNBS. Test groups were treated with simvastatin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) or rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Colonic mucosal inflammation was evaluated clinically, biochemically, and histologically. RESULT: Disease activity index score in TNBS-treated rats, as determined by weight loss, stool consistency, fecal occult blood, were significantly lowers in simvastatin or rosuvastatin-treated rats than TNBS-treated animals. Simvastatin or rosuvastatin counteracted the reduction in colon length, decreased colon weight, neutrophil accumulation, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha level in TNBS-induced colitis. Simvastatin and rosuvastatin also inhibited the increase in oxidative stress levels after TNBS administration. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that simvastatin and rosuvastatin significantly ameliorate experimental colitis in rats, and these effects could be explained by their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Effect of coenzyme Q10 alone and its combination with metformin on streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of coenzyme Q10 and its combination with metformin on streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Type 2 diabetes in rats was induced with STZ-nicotinamide. The diabetic rats were treated with coenzyme Q10 (10 mg/kg, p.o.) alone or coenzyme Q10 + metformin. Various parameters of renal function tests such as serum creatinine, urea, uric acid, and markers of oxidative stress such as renal malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), and nitrite content were estimated in renal tissues. All treated animal were subjected to histopathological changes of kidney. RESULT: Diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in renal function, which was reflected with an increase in serum urea, serum creatinine, uric acid. In addition, STZ-nicotinamide caused renal tubular damage with a higher MDA level, depletion of SOD and CAT activity and glutathione (GSH) level. Moreover, TNF-α, MPO activity, TGF-ß, and nitrite content were significantly increased in diabetic rats, while treatment with coenzyme Q10 or metformin or their combination ameliorate STZ-nicotinamide induced renal damage due to improvement in renal function, oxidative stress, suppression of TNF-α, MPO activity, TGF-ß and nitrite content along with histopathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that the treatment with coenzyme Q10 or metformin showed significant renoprotective effect against STZ-nicotinamide-induced DN. However, concomitant administration of both showed a better renoprotective effect than coenzyme Q10 or metformin alone treatment.

Amelioration of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by statins.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of simvastatin (SIM) and rosuvastatin (RST) on cisplatin (CIS)-induced nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control group (Group 1) received 0.5% sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, group 2 and group 3 received SIM and RST for 10 days, respectively, and group 4 was injected single dose of CIS (7 mg/kg, i.p.). Group 5 and 6 were treated with SIM (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and RST (10 mg/kg, p.o.) for 10 days, respectively. All groups received cisplatin on the 5(th) day of treatment. Renal function tests like serum creatinine, urea, BUN, albumin, calcium, uric acid and magnesium, serum lipids, and markers of oxidative stress such as renal malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured. All tissues were investigated for histopathological changes. RESULT: CIS reduced the renal function, which was reflected with significant increase in serum urea, BUN, serum creatinine, uric acid and also significant decrease serum calcium, magnesium, albumin levels. In addition, cisplatin caused renal tubular damage with a higher MDA level, depletion of SOD and CAT activity, and elevation of serum lipids. SIM or RST ameliorate CIS induced renal damage due to improvement in renal function, oxidative stress, suppression of serum lipids, and histological alteration. CONCLUSIONS: This finding suggests that simvastatin and rosuvastatin may have a protective effect against cisplatin-induced kidney damage via amelioration of lipid peroxidation as well as due to improvement of renal function, and lipid-lowering effects.