Thermoresponsive sol-gel containing probiotic's cell free supernatant for dental caries prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Lactobacillus rhamnosus SD11 is a probiotic derived from the human oral cavity and has potential being used for dental prophylaxis. The cell free supernatant (CFS) of L. rhamnosus SD11 has good antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. AIM: This study aimed to incorporate CFS of the probiotic into thermoresponsive copolymers to create a sol-gel formulation. METHODS: The sol-gel formulation was developed using Poloxamer 407 as the main polymer, which was mixed with natural polymers such as gellan gum, sodium alginate, and xyloglucan in different proportions. The sol-gel formulations were characterized based on their physicochemical parameters such as appearance, pH, viscosity, flow-ability in low temperature, antioxidant and antibacterial activity. An in vitro release study was performed using Franz's diffusion cell and the stability was determined under freeze-thaw cycle conditions. RESULTS: The combination of 15% w/v of poloxamer 407 with 0.5% w/v of sodium alginate was the best sol-gel formulation to deliver the CFS of the probiotic. CONCLUSION: This study was successful in creating a sol-gel formulation using a thermoresponsive copolymer, that could efficiently deliver CFS of the probiotic L. rhamnosus SD11.

Nanoengineered strategies for siRNA delivery: from target assessment to cancer therapeutic efficacy.

The promise of RNA interference (RNAi) technology in cancer therapeutics aims to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) for silencing of gene expression in cell type-specific pathway. However, the challenge for the delivery of stable siRNA is hindered by an immune-hostile tumor microenvironment and physiological barriers of the circulatory system. Therefore, the development and validation of safe, stable, and efficient nanoengineered delivery systems are highly essential for effective delivery of siRNA into cancer cells. This review focuses on gene-silencing mechanisms, challenges to siRNA delivery, design and delivery of nanocarrier systems, ongoing clinical trials, and translational prospects for siRNA-mediated cancer therapeutics.

Inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation and involvement of non-cellular blood chemical mediators are responsible for the antithrombotic potential of the fruits of Lagenaria siceraria.

AIM: The fruits of Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl. (Cucurbitaceae), a commonly used vegetable, are reported to possess various medicinal properties. In previous studies, the fibrinolytic potential of an ethanolic extract of fruits of Lagenaria siceraria was investigated in comparison with kaempferol isolated from it. The aim of the present study was to explore its mechanistic antithrombotic potential and antiplatelet activity using a wide dose range in different in vitro and in vivo models, and to quantify the total phenolic, flavonoid, and kaempferol contents using a colorimetric method. METHOD: The antithrombotic potential was investigated using tail bleeding time in mice, a plasma recalcification assay, and pulmonary thromboembolism in mice. The antiplatelet activity was studied using an in vitro model to investigate IC50 value. RESULTS: A significant amount of total phenols, flavonoids, and kaempferol was quantified in L. siceraria ethanolic extract. An ethanolic extract of the fruits of L. siceraria showed a significant increase in tail bleeding time and plasma recalcification time, significant protection against ADP induced pulmonary thromboembolism in mice, and also inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by ADP in vitro. The study suggested that the fruits of L. siceraria exhibit significant antithrombotic potential due to inhibition of ADP-mediated platelet aggregation and the involvement of various non-cellular chemical mediators of blood. CONCLUSION: This finding may be helpful in treating the serious consequences of the thrombus formed in blood vessels which include atherothrombotic diseases, such as myocardial or cerebral infarction. So, further investigation should be done for revealing exact mechanism of action behind these types of activities.

Wound healing activity of ent-kaura-9(11),16-dien-19-oic acid isolated from Wedelia trilobata (L.) leaves.

Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitchc (Asteraceae) has been used in traditional medicine in the Caribbean and Central America for stubborn wounds, sores, swelling, arthritic painful joints. The present study was carried out to derive bioactive compounds from ethanolic extracts of W. trilobata (L.) leaves that could influence wound healing. W. trilobata leaves extract were subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation. The five fractions (WEA1-A, B, C, D, and E) obtained were tested for antimicrobial activity. Out of the five fractions only the fraction (WEA1-B) containing ent-kaura-9(11),16-dien-19-oic acid showed promising antibacterial activity with MIC value of 15.62µg/ml against S. aureus and 7.81µg/ml against S. epidermidis. It was then further assessed for its possible activity on fibroblasts by measuring their percentage cell viability and on oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. WEA1-B (2.5-0.08µg/ml) produced an increase in the percentage viability of mouse fibroblast L929 cells from 97 to 117% and protection of the fibroblast L929 cells against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (94-80%). The present study provides some scientific evidence for the traditional use of W. trilobata in the management of wound healing due to a combination of antimicrobial, stimulation of fibroblast growth and protection of the cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced injury, all of which could play some role in its effect on tissue repair.

Evaluation of the wound healing potential of Wedelia trilobata (L.) leaves.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitchc (Asteraceae) leaves are used in the treatment of wounds by traditional healers. Despite the use of this plant in wound healing, there is a scarcity of scientific data to support its therapeutic application. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the wound healing potential of Wedelia trilobata (L.) leaves commonly employed by traditional healers and to clarify its traditional use in a scientific investigation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ethanolic extract of Wedelia trilobata leaves was subjected to column chromatography. Hexane, ethyl acetate (WEA) and chloroform:methanol (50:50) (WCM) fractions were obtained. The fractions were tested using relevant in vitro wound healing assays. Antioxidant activity was measured by the DPPH assay. The fibroblast proliferation, oxidative stress using hydrogen peroxide, an in vitro scratch assay, and increasing collagen content was determined using fibroblast L929. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. RESULTS: WEA (3 µg/mL) promoted fibroblast L929 survivability up to more than 90% before and more than 85% after hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress. WEA (3 µg/mL) induced a 70% migration rate in the in vitro scratch assay and the collagen content was increased to 261 µg/mL compared to the control (57.5 µg/mL). WCM exhibited a scavenging activity for DPPH with an IC(50) value of 179.5 µg/mL comparable to BHT (139.3 µg/mL). WEA was active against gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis with MIC values of 62.5 and 31.25 µg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION: These scientific findings of wound healing activity supports the traditional claims for Wedelia trilobata (L.) leaves. The WEA displayed antibacterial and fibroblast stimulatory activities while WCM exhibited antioxidant to indicate its potential wound healing properties. However further studies to isolate the antibacterial, antioxidant and fibroblast stimulatory compounds that contribute to the wound healing properties of this plant are needed.

In-Vivo Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Mentha pulegium leaf against CCl4 induced toxicity in rats

Objective: To evaluate the in-vivo antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of Mentha Pulegium against CCl4 induced toxicity in rats. Methods: Animals were treated with plant extract for 7 days and then toxicity was induced with a single CCl4 intraperitoneal injection. Pre-treatment with 600 mg/kg (p.o.) of ethanolic extract of Mentha Pulegium improved the glutathione, SOD, catalase, and peroxidase levels significantly as compared to control group. Results: The present studies revealed that Mentha Pulegium has significant in-vivo antioxidant activity and can be used to protect tissue from oxidative stress. The result showed that the activities of glutathione, SOD, catalase and peroxidase in group treated with CCl4 declined significantly than that of normal group. Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of Mentha Pulegium in the dose of 600 mg/kg, p.o., has improved the glutathione, SOD, catalase, and peroxidase levels significantly, which were comparable with Liv 52. Based on this study we conclude that Ethanolic extract of MenthaPulegium possesses in vivo antioxidant activity and can be employed in protecting tissue from oxidative stress.

Phytochemical investigation and evaluation of in vitro free radical scavenging activity of Tabernaemontana divaricata Linn.

We evaluate the in vitro free radical scavenging activity of the leaves of Tabernaemontana divaricata Linn. Petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts of T. divaricata were prepared with successive extraction in a soxhlet apparatus. Each extract was selected to study the free radical scavenging activity by superoxide scavenging assay method. It was found that the aqueous extract contained carbohydrates, glycosides, amino acids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and steroids, and the ethanolic extract contained glycosides, amino acids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and steroids. The ethanolic extract of T. divaricata showed 58.7 +/- 0.62% inhibition in the superoxide scavenging model. The aqueous extract also showed almost similar activity (54.9 +/- 0.53% compared to the ethanolic extract), while petroleum ether extract showed poor inhibition of superoxide scavenging activity. All extracts showed the dose- and time-dependent inhibition of the superoxide scavenging activity.