Comparative Study of Nano-liposome and Nano-niosome for Delivery of Achillea Millefolium Essential Oils: Development, Optimization, Characterization and Their Cytotoxicity Effects on Cancer Cell Lines and Antibacterial Activity.

Nanoencapsulation of essential oils (EOs) in drug delivery systems leads to their capability of improving their solubility, stability, and bioavailability of them. The aim of this study was preparation, optimization, and characterization of nano-liposomes/nano-niosomes containing Achillea millefolium essential oils (A. millefolium EOs) and comparison of their properties. In the experimental study, characteristics of nanoparticles including size, zeta potential, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), % encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and the release amount of essential oils from nano-liposome or niosome were assessed using different techniques. Then to determine cell viability at different concentrations, the MTT assay was used. Also, the dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of antimicrobial agents. The optimized formulations provided potential advantages, including an appropriate nano-size scale, and a negative charge, and also showed a continuous drug release behavior, which successfully encapsulated essential oil with high entrapment efficiency. In terms of size and release amount, nano-niosome had superiority to nano-liposome with smaller size and also slower release but nano-liposome could encapsulate essential oils in a higher percentage compared to nano-niosome. Also, there was a significant difference between the toxicity of encapsulated EOs and free EOs in terms of viability (P<0.05). In addition, the antimicrobial effect of liposomal and niosomal EO was greater than free EO. In conclusion, the designed nano-based systems were determined as promising lipid-based nano-carriers for essential oil delivery that proffered a novel, high potential therapy for breast cancer and favorable antimicrobial effects.

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths after vaccination: a cohort event monitoring study, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Iranians vaccinated with either AZD1222 Vaxzevria, CovIran® vaccine, SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), Inactivated (lnCoV) or Sputnik V. Methods: We enrolled individuals 18 years or older receiving their first COVID-19 vaccine dose between April 2021 and January 2022 in seven Iranian cities. Participants completed weekly follow-up surveys for 17 weeks (25 weeks for AZD1222) to report their COVID-19 status and hospitalization. We used Cox regression models to assess risk factors for contracting COVID-19, hospitalization and death. Findings: Of 89 783 participants enrolled, incidence rates per 1 000 000 person-days were: 528.2 (95% confidence interval, CI: 514.0-542.7) for contracting COVID-19; 55.8 (95% CI: 51.4-60.5) for hospitalization; and 4.1 (95% CI: 3.0-5.5) for death. Compared with SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), hazard ratios (HR) for contracting COVID-19 were: 0.70 (95% CI: 0.61-0.80) with AZD1222; 0.73 (95% CI: 0.62-0.86) with Sputnik V; and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.63-0.86) with CovIran®. For hospitalization and death, all vaccines provided similar protection 14 days after the second dose. History of COVID-19 protected against contracting COVID-19 again (HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69-0.84). Diabetes and respiratory, cardiac and renal disease were associated with higher risks of contracting COVID-19 after vaccination. Conclusion: The rates of contracting COVID-19 after vaccination were relatively high. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell) provided lower protection against COVID-19 than other vaccines. People with comorbidities had higher risks of contracting COVID-19 and hospitalization and should be prioritized for preventive interventions.

Cytotoxicity evaluation of curcumin-loaded affibody-decorated liposomes against breast cancerous cell lines.

Curcumin is known as an effective anticancer herbal medicine but unfortunately, its bioavailability is poor which necessitate efforts for developing more efficient and specific delivery systems. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2) due to its overexpression in various types of cancers, is demonstrated to be a good candidate as a target for anticancer therapy. In this study, cytotoxicity of curcumin encapsulated in ZHER2:342 Affibody-decorated liposome was investigated against SKBR3 and MCF-7 cancerous cell lines. Curcumin-containing liposomes were prepared from soybeans lecetin and cholesterol by thin-film hydration method. Affibody ZHER2:342 molecules via C-terminal cysteine residue were conjugated covalently to the prepared liposomes. Particle size analysis was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Curcumin loading was measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and cytotoxic activity of curcumin formulations against cancerous cell lines was investigated by MTT assay. Induction of apoptosis was investigated using flow cytometry through Annexin V staining. Particle analysis showed the formation of spherical liposomes with a mean diameter of about 150 nm. Cytotoxic activity of curcumin was improved by its encapsulation in both liposomes and affibody-decorated liposomes. The Annexin V staining indicated the induction of apoptosis by affibody-decorated liposomes in both MCF-7 and SKBR3 cells. Decoration of curcumin-loaded liposomes with affibody ZHER2:342 may improve curcumin apoptotic function independently of HER2 expression level.

Magnetic nickel ferrite nanoparticles: Green synthesis by Urtica and therapeutic effect of frequency magnetic field on creating cytotoxic response in neural cell lines.

Despite of great attention concerned on Ni ferrite nanostructures in bioapplications, little is known about the toxicity of these NPs at the cellular and molecular levels. U87 (human primary glioblastoma) and SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma) cells treated with various concentration of well-characterized magnetic nickel ferrite nanoparticles, exposed to frequency magnetic field (FMF) and their response was studied. Ferromagnetic nanocrystalline nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) powder that characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, FT-IR, nanosizer, and VSM techniques were prepared by a hydrothermal method in the presence of Urtica plant extract as a green precursor that acts both as reducing and capping agent. Owing to the exceptional properties of green alkalinized agent such as minor toxicity, higher biodegradability, high active surface and environment compatibility, we used the green alkalinized agent (Utrica) to prepared nanostructures for the first time. According to the obtained results, the FMF exposure caused an increase in cell death in neural cell types 48 h after treatment. MNPs indicated dose-dependent cytotoxicity but the amount of cell death per cell in the absence of MFM for SH-SY5Y cells was more than in U87 cells. On the other hand, cell death induced by FMF exposure was observed specifically in SH-SY5Y cells. Nevertheless, it is essential to perform more investigations to find the exact related mechanisms. Imatinib showed dose-dependent antiproliferative effects in all three prostate cancer cell lines.

Efficacy of Pre-Medication with Ibuprofen on Post-Operative Pain after Pulpotomy in Primary Molars.

INTRODUCTION: Pain management following dental procedures, particularly pulpotomies and extraction, is of great importance in pediatric dentistry. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of pre-treatment with ibuprofen on post-operative pain following pulpotomy of primary molars. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In a split mouth double-blinded randomized clinical trial, 49 children aging between 6-10 years old were given either ibuprofen or a placebo 45 min prior to the treatment. After pulpotomy and placement of a stainless steel crown (SSC), the pain level was evaluated using the Wong-Baker face visual analogue scale for up to 7 days post-treatment. McNemar and Wilcoxon tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were eligible to participate in this study. Pre-medication with ibuprofen significantly reduced pain during the first 24 h post-treatment (P=0.032). However, there was no significant difference in the pain levels between placebo and ibuprofen groups at 48 and 72 h post-treatment (P=0.154 and P=0.197, respectively). The number of times patients needed analgesics in ibuprofen group was significantly lower compared to that in the placebo group (P=0.008). CONCLUSION: Pre-medication with ibuprofen resulted in less pain following pulpotomy and SSC placement in primary teeth.

The effect of premedication with ibuprofen and indomethacin on the success of inferior alveolar nerve block for teeth with irreversible pulpitis.

INTRODUCTION: Achieving pulp anesthesia with irreversible pulpitis is difficult. This study evaluated whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs assist local anesthesia. METHODS: In a randomized double-blinded clinical trial, 150 patients (50 per group) with irreversible pulpitis were given placebo, 600 mg ibuprofen, or 75 mg indomethacin 1 hour before local anesthesia. Each patient recorded their pain score on a visual analog scale before taking the medication, 15 minutes after anesthesia in response to a cold test, during access cavity preparation and during root canal instrumentation. No or mild pain at any stage was considered a success. Data were analyzed by the chi-square and analysis of variance tests. RESULTS: Overall success rates for placebo, ibuprofen, and indomethacin were 32%, 78%, and 62%, respectively (p < 0.001). Ibuprofen and indomethacin were significantly better than placebo (p < 0.01). There was no difference between ibuprofen and indomethacin (p = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Premedication with ibuprofen and indomethacin significantly increased the success rates of inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia for teeth with irreversible pulpitis.