Journal Of Pharmaceutical and Health
Volume:2 Issue: 1, Winter 2013

Nanotechnology has revolutionized diagnosis and treatment of cancers. Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among women. Paclitaxel and hydroxyurea are important drugs in treatment of breast cancer but their use is limited due to a series of significant side effects. On the other hand, nanoliposomes are widely used as nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. In this study, cytotoxic effects of nanoliposomal hydroxyurea and nanoliposomal Paclitaxel were investigated. Liposomes were prepared using reversed phase evaporation.Cytotoxicity of liposomal formulations of the drugs was determined using Methylthiazolyldiphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Results showed an IC50 level of 86.25 μl/ml for nanoliposomal Hydroxyureaand and 43.78 μl/ml for nanoliposomal Paclitaxel. In general, it can be concluded that that cytotoxicity of nanoliposomal drugs are higher than that of standard formulations.

This study was conducted to assess the possible effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) and nano zinc oxide (nZnO) on growth performance as well as the levels of Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn in Markhoz goat kids blood samples. Thirty 5-6 months male Markhoz goat kids were supplemented with 22.12 mg of Zn/ kg DM as basal diet for 70 days. Zinc was administered at daily doses of zero, 2 and 40 ppm in ZnO group, and 20 and 40 ppm in nZnO group by adding to their basal diet. Animals were weighed fortnightly to obtain average daily gain (ADG). Blood samples were taken for analyzing blood mineral levels at baseline and days 35 and 70.No significant difference in food intake and ADG was identified between Zn supplemented and control groups. Zn supplementation did not affect the blood mineral levels in kids except for plasma Zn concentration on day 35 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, present results show that ZnO and nZnO at applied concentrations does not affect growth performance and composition of bloods mineral in Markhoz goat kids.

Manufactured nanoparticles have a wide range of application due to their advantageous properties when compared with their bulk forms. There is a growing concern regarding the safety of nanoparticles. This study aimed to evaluate the cell membrane lipoperoxidation (LPO) and DNA integrity in red earthworm Lumbricus rubellus when exposed to artificial soil systems containing different concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticles (n-ZnO). Exposure to n-ZnO led to an increase in LPO content and DNA damage (in terms of halos) in earthworm coelomocytes. We identified a positive strong correlation (r = +0.891, p<0.01) between LPO and DNA damage/ halos. In summary, we show that n-ZnO are toxic to soil organisms and may imposed a sever oxidative stress/ LPO leading to DNA damages.

As a result of growing applications of manufactured nanoparticles, there is an increasing concern about possible side effects of exposure to these materials on human and environment. Nanosilver (n-Ag) has found wide use in medical applications including development of silver-based dressings and silver coated medical devices. However, toxicity of these particles resulted from dermal use has not been fully identified. In this study, we analyzed the potential dermal toxicity of n-Ag bandage (100 μg/mL) over a period of 3 and 7 days in mice balb/c. Silver nitrate bandage (100 μg/mL) was applied in the positive control group. We found no cutaneous inflammatory responses such as erythemia and/or eschar for n-Ag. However, exposure to these nanoparticles resulted in considerable increase of hepatic necrosis biomarkers viz. ALT and AST. On the other hand, TGF-beta1 levels, an anti-inflammatory biomarker was found to be decreased significantly in mice blood sera following application of n-Ag bandage. No mortality was observed in n-Ag treated groups. Also, differences between n-Ag treated groups and positive control in hepatic and anti inflammatory biomarkers was found to be significant. Briefly, our results reveal that dermal application of n-Ag does not lead to any external changes and observable inflammatory responses in animal skin. However, it can alter the level of some biomarkers related to liver function in blood serum of samples.

The extensive use of nanoparticles in a variety of applications has raised great concerns regarding their biological effects and environmental fate. Silver nanoparticle، often referred to as nanosilver (n-Ag)، may be cause health problems because of its wide and ever growing use in many applications. n-Ag is used in treatments of wounds، disinfection of water and/or air and coatings textiles. n-Ag is shows toxic effects only when oxidized to silver ions (Ag+). There is a limited knowledge concerning environmental and health consequences of exposure to n-Ag. In the current study، we aimed to evaluate the potential ecotoxicity of n-Ag for freshwater crustacean model organism، Gammarus pseudosyriacus. Three low concentration solutions of n-Ag (2. 5، 5 and 7. 5 ppm) were used over a period 96 hr. The concentrations of n-Ag used in this study are not environmentally relevant but provide a model system to examine its ecotoxicity. It was revealed that n-Ag imposes a severe lipid peroxidation (LPO/MDA) in Gammarus whole body extract. In addition، the activity of some antioxidant enzymes changed. Catalase (CAT) activity was decreased and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity significantly increased. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was also markedly decreased. An abnormal vigorous movement was observed among animals. Briefly، n-Ag was found highly toxic to aquatic organisms and with the potential to exert a strong oxidative stress، leading to altered physiological state.

Nanomaterials are particles with 10 to100 nanometer size. They can easily be transported from the skin، lung alveoli، and placenta. Materials in nano scales show different properties compared with the same materials in macro or larger scales. It is found that zinc element is an essential metal for normal physiological functions. However increase or decrease of this element during pregnancy، for example with using cosmetics and deodorants، can be teratogen and cause several fetal abnormalities. Given this fact، this study was conducted to investigate the effects of nano zinc oxide on the developmental stages of hind limb budsin NMRI mice embryos.

Increased production and use of nanomaterials has led to an ever growing exposure of living organisms to these substances. Limited knowledge about possible toxicity of nanomaterials and their potential to harm living creatures is becoming a serious concern. To address this problem، there is a need for development of diagnostic methods enabling effective determination of potential toxicity of nanomaterials. On the other hand، developing appropriate test methods are contingent on identifying the underlying cellular mechanisms of nanomaterial toxicity. This study reviews toxicity of some of the most widely used nanomaterials. According to the literature، Iron oxide nanoparticles can augment rate of cell death through oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Exposure to zinc oxide،gold and silver nanoparticles can result in cell death via mitochondrial dysfunction، expression of abnormal protein in cells، andaltering the patterns of gene expression،respectively. Likewise، carbon nanotubes can lead to an increased rate of cell death through the reduction of membrane fluidity، there by destroying cell membrane. Our literature review identified a lower toxic effect for nanotubes as compared with other nano-structures. Regarding the evident high toxicity of nanomaterials، caution must be exercised in irregular production and use of these substances in the industry. In addition، from the health and environmental standpoints، carbon nanotubes are the preferable nano structures for development of nanotechnologies regarding their lower toxicity in comparison with other nanomaterials.

A series of phenoxybenzylidene aroylhydrazine derivatives were synthesized and their structures were confirmed using FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Analgesic profiles of all compounds were examined using abdominal constriction test (writhing test). Most of synthesized compounds induced significant reduction in the writhing response as compared with controls. The most active compounds exhibited an analgesic activity comparable with that of mefenamic acid.