ABSTRACT
Cinnamon leaf oil contains a high percentage of eugenol and has antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. However, the undiluted oil can cause irritation to the skin. Therefore, the aims of this study were to develop and evaluate cinnamon leaf oil nanocream using palm oil. Nanocream base was prepared using different ratios of oil, surfactants and water. The surfactant used were mixture of Tween 80:Carbitol or Tween 80:Span 65 at different hydrophile-lipophile balance values. The pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify the nanocream base areas and the results showed that the nanocream bases using Span 65 as co-surfactant produced bigger cream area. Fifteen formulations using mixtures of Tween 80:Span 65 were further evaluated for accelerated stability test, droplet size, zeta potential, rheological properties and apparent viscosity. The nanocream base which had an average droplet size of 219 nm and had plastic flow with thixotropic behavior was selected for incorporation of 2% cinnamon leaf oil. The nanocream containing cinnamon leaf oil had the average size of 286 nm and good rheological characteristics. The in vitro release study demonstrated that eugenol as the main constituent of cinnamon leaf oil was released for about 81% in 10 h. The short-term stability study conducted for 6 months showed that the cinnamon leaf oil nanocream was stable at a temperature of 25° and thus, cinnamon leaf oil nanocream is a promising natural based preparation to be used for topical application.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To express recombinant human interleukin-11 (rhIL-11) in methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris. METHODS: By designing and synthesizing an artificial gene for IL-11, the expression vector pPICZ alpha-A-IL-11 was constructed and introduced into Pichia pastoris by linearized electroporation. The rhIL-11 protein was identified by ELISA and SDS-PAGE analysis. The bioactivity was analyzed by B9-11 cell line. A combination of liquid chromatography was developed to purify the rhIL-11 from ferment supernatant. RESULTS: The nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that the sequence of cloned artificial IL-11 gene accorded with that of designed; the secreted yield of rhIL-11 by yeast Pichia pastoris KM71-2424 in flask reached 60 mg/L. The biological activity of IL-11 in yeast supernatant and E. coli standard determined by B9-11 was 5.5 x 10(7) U/mg and 2.2 x 10(7) U/mg respectively. The rhIL-11 was purified to electrophoretic purity by a combination of liquid chromatography. CONCLUSION: The human IL-11 artificial gene was obtained and successfully expressed in the Pichia pastoris(KM71-2424). The biological activity of IL-11 in yeast supernatant was significantly higher than that of E. coli standard. The rhIL-11 was purified to electrophoretic purity.
Subject(s)
Interleukin-11/biosynthesis , Interleukin-11/isolation & purification , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Genetic Vectors , Humans , Interleukin-11/genetics , Pichia/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis , Recombinant Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Indeed, cancer patients do face job discrimination. Empirical studies have shown evidences of personnel selection bias and many other work-related problems. Laws and legislation are good tools but are not the answers to most of the problems. A competent multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, a well-educated general public and employers, together with empowered cancer patients can do more towards eliminating destructive road blocks to the employment of the employable. This takes time and initially may be costly for all concerned. However, evidence has shown that the cost of closed cancer rehabilitation cases is the lowest per case for all occupational disabilities including tuberculosis, diabetes, mental disorders, heart disease, and orthopedic problems. In short, we dare not forget the simple truth put forth by Harold Dodds that "No, work is not an ethical duty imposed on us from without by a misguided and outmoded Puritan morality; it is a manifestation of man's deepest desire that the days of his life shall have significance." Cancer patients living with cancer desire significance to their days to the same degree that those of us who are healthy and well desire and need it.
