Effect of functionalization on the adsorption performance of carbon nanotube as a drug delivery system for imatinib: molecular simulation study.

In this study, efficiency of functionalized carbon nanotube as a potential delivery system for imatinib anti-cancer drug was investigated. Accordingly, carboxyl and hydroxyl functionalized carbon nanotube were inspected as a notable candidate for the carriage of this drug in aqueous media. For this purpose, possible interactions of imatinib with pure and functionalized carbon nanotube were considered in aqueous media. The compounds were optimized in gas phase using density functional calculations. Solvation free energies and association free energies of the optimized structures were then studied by Monte Carlo simulation and perturbation method in water environment. Outcomes of quantum mechanical calculations presented that pure and functionalized carbon nanotubes can act as imatinib drug adsorbents in gas phase. However, results of association free energy calculations in aqueous solution indicated that only carboxyl and hydroxyl functionalized carbon nanotubes could interact with imatinib. Monte Carlo simulation results revealed that electrostatic interactions play a vital role in the intermolecular interaction energies after binding of drug and nanotube in aqueous solution. Computed solvation free energies in water showed that the interactions with functionalized carbon nanotubes significantly enhance the solubility of imatinib, which could improve its in vivo bioavailability.

Evaluation of curcumin-based ophthalmic nano-emulsion on atropine-induced dry eye in mice.

Background: One of the most efficient treatments for dry eye syndrome (DES) is to use nanocarriers as a potential delivery system. We aim to evaluate curcumin in a nano emulsion formulation. Methods: A new formulation containing 5.5% curcuminoid was used. DLS, Zeta potential, TEM, and HPLC tests were performed to determine the size and morphology. First, 30 mice were selected as atropine-induced dry eye models. Next, 25 mice in 5 groups were treated with the nano emulsion at different doses, and corneal tissues were separated for evaluation. Results: The DLS test results were indicative of the particles' stability. Nano curcumin appeared to be thoroughly effective in all groups, with the highest dose showing the most similarity to the healthy control group. Conclusions: Curcumin-based nano emulsion eye drop is a promising candidate for DES management. However, further investigation is required to evaluate the possible risks in humans.

The efficacy and safety of permethrin 2.5% with tea tree oil gel on rosacea treatment: A double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that typically affects the face and it results in redness and inflammation. The main risk factors of this disease are Demodex folliculorum, living in the pilosebaceous units. AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safty of permethrin 2.5% in combination with tea tree oil (TTO) topical gel versus placebo on Demodex density (Dd) and clinical manifestation using standard skin surface biopsy (SSSB) in rosacea patients. PATIENT/METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 47 papulopustular rosacea patients were enrolled, with 35 patients finishing the 12 weeks of treatment. Each patient used permethrin 2.5% with TTO on one side of the face and a placebo on the other, twice daily for 12 weeks. SSSB, photography and clinical rosacea scores according to National Rosacea Society, as well as adverse drug reaction (ADRs) were reported at the baseline, 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 12th weeks. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients were enrolled with papulopustular rosacea, and 35 patients finished the study. The effects of permethrin 2.5% with TTO gel on mite density were significant at week 5, 8, 12 (P value = .001). Clinical features and global assessments showed papules, pustules and nontransient erythema had improvement in drug group after 12 weeks (P values <.05). The improvement of burning and stinging and dry appearance was greater than the placebo gel (P value <.05). Itching in placebo group was significantly more than other group (P value = .002). CONCLUSION: Administration of permethrin 2.5% with TTO gel demonstrated good efficacy and safety in rosacea. This topical gel inhibited the inflammatory effects of rosacea and reduced Demodex mite.

Multivariate optimization of solvent bar microextraction combined with HPLC-UV for determination of trace amounts of vincristine in biological fluids.

In the current work, an efficient method named solvent bar microextraction-high performance liquid chromatography-UV detection (HPLC-UV) was developed for preconcentration and determining the trace amount of vincristine (VCR) in biological samples such as plasma and urine. Briefly, VCR was extracted from an aqueous sample with pH 10.7 (donor phase) into 1-octanol as the supported liquid membrane (SLM) which is inserted into the pores of the hollow fiber and followed by back extraction into an aqueous receiving phase (pH=3.1). Studying the factors affecting the extraction performance in order to achieve a high extraction efficiency, requires the design of experiments (DOE) approach. In this regards, diverse factors' effects including the pH value of donor and acceptor phases, extraction time, extraction temperature, stirring rate and salt content of the donor phase were considered. The optimum experimental condition was as following: pH of the source phase, 10.7; pH of the receiving phase, 3.1; stirring rate, 1000rpm; extraction temperature, 51°C; extraction time, 60min and 11.3% w/v NaCl in the sample solution. Under the optimal; extraction condition, a favorable preconcentration factor equal to 98.5 was achieved. The linearity range was obtained in the domain of 0.05-5mgL-1. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.015 and 0.05mgL-1. Within-day and between-day RSDs of the proposed SBME method were 4.1% and 12.5%, respectively. Finally, the applicability of the implemented SBME method was evaluated by the extraction and quantification of VCR from biological samples such as urine and plasma and satisfactory results were obtained.

Mutagenicity Assessment of Drinking Water in Combination with Flavored Black Tea Bags: a Cross Sectional Study in Tehran.

Diseases related to water impurities may present as major public health burdens. The present study aimed to assess the mutagenicity of drinking water from different zones of Tehran, and evaluate possible health risks through making tea with tea bags, by Ames mutagenicity test using TA 100, TA 98 and YG1029 strains. For this purpose, 450 water samples were collected over the period of July to December 2014 from 5 different zones of Tehran. Except for one sample, no mutagenic potential was detected during these two seasons and the MI scores were almost normal (≤ 1-1.6) in TA 100, TA 98 and YG1029 strains. Although no mutagenic effects were considered in TA 98 and TA 100 in the test samples of our three evaluated tea bag brands, one sample from a local company showed mutagenic effects in the YG1029 strain (MI=1.7-1.9 and 2) after prolonged (10-15 min.) steeping. Despite the mild mutagenic effect discovered for one of the brand, this cross sectional study showed relative safety of water samples and black tea bags in Tehran. According to the sensitivity of YG1029 to the mutagenic potential of water and black tea, even without metabolic activation by s9 fraction, this metabolizer strain could be considered as sensitive and applicable to food samples for quantitative analysis of mutagens.