Comparative evaluation of propolis nanostructured lipid carriers and its crude extract for antioxidants, antimicrobial activity, and skin regeneration potential.

BACKGROUND: Propolis extracted from beehives has been conferred with natural antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Hence, it has been recommended as a wound healing therapy. This study investigated the additive value of nanotechnology to the herbal extract, (propolis rebuts), after which we examined its efficacy in wound healing. METHODS: Propolis nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were first prepared using the emulsion-evaporation-solidification method at three concentrations. Then, we compared their flavonoid and phenolic contents and phenolic contents. Their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects were also investigated after which, the skin regenerative capacity of propolis-NLCs was assessed using full-thickness skin wounds in rabbits. RESULTS: This study showed that propolis-NLCs had increased the phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to the raw propolis extract (EXTR) (9-fold and 2-fold, respectively). This increase was reflected in their antioxidant activities, which dramatically increased by 25-fold higher than the propolis-EXTR. Also, propolis-NLCs exhibited a 2-fold higher potent inhibitory effect than propolis-EXTR on Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacterium (Salmonella spp.), and fungus (Candida albicans) microbes (p < 0.0001). Investigations also revealed that treatment of full-thickness skin injuries with propolis-NLCs resulted in significantly higher wound closure compared to propolis-EXTR and the control after two weeks (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: With a prominent broad-spectrum antibacterial effect propolis-NLCs exhibited higher skin regenerative potency than propolis-EXTR. We also highlighted the additive impact of nanotechnology on herbal extract, which accounted for the increased flavonoid content and hence a better antioxidant and antimicrobial effect and propose it as a potential therapy for wound healing.

The carpal joint of the donkey (Equus asinus): morphological investigation / Articulación del carpo del asno (Equus asinus): investigación morfológica

The current study has been achieved to be an essential resource for all veterinary practitioners that deal with the anatomy of the carpal joint of the donkey. Ten adult donkeys of both sexes were used in the current study. The topographical approach to the carpal joint was investigated in this study. Radiography and computed tomography (CT) of the carpus delineated the articulations of the carpal joint: radiocarpal, intercarpal, and carpometacarpal. The carpal ligaments were well delineated and the carpal canal was demonstrated with its content such as superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). The contrast radiography visualized that the radiocarpal joint outpouched proximal to the accessory carpal bone by large palmarolateral pouch and small palmaromedial pouch, however the intercarpal joint outpouched distal to the accessory carpal bone by two small palmarolateral and palmaromedial pouches. The carpometacarpal joint showed medial and lateral palmarodistal outpouchings in distal direction between the corresponding 2nd and 4th metacarpal bones and the 3rd metacarpal bone. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) displayed two types of synoviocytes macrophages type A cells and fibroblast like type B cells at the cellular lining of the synovial membrane of the joint capsule.

Este estudio constituye un recurso esencial para todos los veterinarios que se ocupan de la anatomía de la articulación del carpo del asno. Fueron utilizados diez asnos adultos, de ambos sexos. Se analizó la articulación del carpo desde un enfoque topográfico. Se realizaron estudios por radiografía y tomografía computarizada para identificar las articulaciones del carpo en su conjunto: radiocarpiana, intercarpiana y carpometacarpiana. Los ligamentos del carpo se encontraron bien delineados y en el canal carpiano se identificó su contenido, como el tendón del flexor digital superficial y el tendón del flexor digital profundo. La radiografía de contraste permitió visualizar que la articulación radiocarpiana se articula proximalmente con el hueso accesorio del carpo a través una larga evaginación palmarolateral y una pequeña evaginación palmaromedial; sin embargo, la articulación intercarpiana se relaciona distalmente con el hueso accesorio del carpo por medio de dos pequeñas evaginaciones, palmarolateral y palmaromedial. La articulación carpometacarpiana mostró evaginaciones palmarodistales, medial y lateral, en dirección distal entre los correspondiente 2 y 4 huesos metacarpianos y el 3 hueso metacarpiano. La microscopía electrónica de barrido muestra dos tipos de células: células A, correspondientes a sinoviocitos macrófagos y células B, correspondientes a fibroblastos, en el revestimiento celular de la membrana sinovial de la cápsula articular.