Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume:20 Issue: 4, Mar 2015

Gammaoryzanol is a natural antioxidant and could provide beneficial as used in the food products due to the antioxidant activity and potential health benefits. Nanotechnology has been introduced into several aspects of the food science, including encapsulation of materials and used as delivery systems. The field of nanoparticle delivery systems for nutrients and nutraceuticals has been expanding over the last decades. The aim of this work was evaluation of different methods for preparation of polymeric nanoparticle containing gammaoryzanol. Nanoprecipitation technique, where polymer and gammaoryzanol were dissolved in acetone, nano-emulsion template method, by stepwise addition of water in to the oil phase consisting of ethyl acetate, gammaoryzanol and surfactant mixtures, as well as emulsification solvent evaporation technique, where gammaoryzanol and polymer were dissolved in ethyl acetate and chloroform, were used for preparation of nanoparticles. Two ratio of gammaoryzanol-polymer (Ethyl cellulose) (1:2 and 1:4) as well as different solvents and surfactants were used in these methods to produce gammaoryzanol nanoparticles. Among these methods, solvent evaporation technique has been successfully employed to produce gammaoryzanol loaded nanoparticles with desired characteristics.

Danae racemosa (L.) Moench (Ruscus racemosa L., Asparagaceae) is an erect, muchbranched evergreen shrub, native in the mountains from Syria to Iran, commonly used for its decorative green foliage in fresh flower arrangements. Despite its importance, far too little attention has been paid to gather detailed documentations of chemical constituent present in extract of D. racemosa. In this study, leaves of D. racemosa were collected from north of Iran, next, extracted via maceration followed by partitioning through solvents of different polarity. The qualitative–quantitative chemical composition of the extract was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Two major flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol, were separated whilst their identities were confirmed by UV-visible, shift reagents and 1H-NMR spectroscopy.

Essential oil (EO) of Zataria multiflora Bioss., contains components with antibacterial and antifungal properties that can be used as substitutes for synthetic drugs and food preservatives. These applications require appropriate carriers like nanoliposome. The purpose of this study was to encapsulate this EO into nanoliposomes. In addition, the effects of preparation methods were evaluated on the physical properties of nanoliposomes. The EO was encapsulated into nanoliposomes by three different methods including thin film evaporation, ethanol injection and sonication methods. Formation of liposomes and their physical properties was studied by means of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency. In addition the changes in EO retention and mean size distribution were studied during one month of storage at 4±1°C. Liposomal systems prepared by sonication method with about 99 nm displayed the smallest mean size and better dispersivity. The encapsulation efficiency of nanoliposomes containing EO was in the following rank order: thin film evaporation > Ethanol Injection > sonication. Moreover, MLV (multilamellar vesicles) liposomes prepared by the thin layer evaporation method showed better stability during storage. This study indicated that the preparation method can affect the formation of liposomes and their physical properties and storage stability.

Traditionally, Ocimum basilicum has been used for its anti-inflammatory activity. Here, the effect of O. basilicum ethanol extract was evaluated on carrageenan induced paw edema in male Wistar rats. O. basilicum ethanol extract was achieved through maceration procedure. Next, the paw inflammation was induced with 1% carrageenan, subcutaneous, to all groups after 1h of the intrapritoneal injection of O. basillicum extracts (0, 2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg; respectively). The paw thickness was measured at hourly intervals for 4h. Finally, histological examination and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was assessed in the inflamed paw at the 4thh. Moreover, total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract was determined. Besides, different in vitro antioxidant activities were detected by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, nitric oxide radical inhibition and reducing power methods. The extract diminished paw inflammation as indexed by reduction paw thickness (p<0.001) as well as MPO activity (p<0.001), which was associated with a marked decrease in tissue edema and leukocyte infiltration. In addition, values for the total phenolic and flavonoids were calculated as 266 mg gallic acid equivalent and 65 mg quercetin equivalent per 100g of O. basilicum fresh plant material. Furthermore, the RC50 values for DPPH and nitric oxide antioxidant activity of the extract was determined as 118µg/mL and 929.7µg/ml. Ethanol extract of O. basilicum significantly decreased the inflammatory reaction induced by carrageenan which could be related to its antioxidant effects.

Lead is known to be a highly toxic heavy metal. There are a limited number of studies investigating the effects of antioxidants on lead-induced kidney damage. Statins are widely used drugs for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia, but they also have other pleiotropic effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different doses of simvastatin on biochemical and histopathological parameters in mice exposed to lead. Forty eight adult male mice were randomised into six groups. The control group received no lead. Group II was injected interaperitoneally with 60 mg/kg lead acetate and groups III-VI received intraperitoneally 5-10-20-40 mg/kg simvastatin plus 60 mg/kg lead. After 14 days, a stereological study was done in accordance with the principle of Cavalieri and serum concentrations of urea and creatinine were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and ANOVA. Lead acetate treatment caused collapse of glomeruli, glumerulosclerosis, necrosis and vacuolization in renal tubules. Administration of 20 mg of simvastatin reduced the severity of kidney damage. Glomerular volume in the groups treated with 40 mg of simvastatin was significantly different from the group treated with lead alone (P =0.001). The number of renal glomeruli in the group treated with 5 mg of simvastatin were significantly difference compared to the lead treated group (P =0.027). Serum concentrations of urea and creatinine were not significantly different in the groups treated with simvastatin compared to the group treated with lead alone. Treatments with simvastatin Caused protective effects on renal tissue of mice exposed to lead. However, there was no significant effect on urea and creatinine levels.

In recent years, apple cider vinegar has been singled out as an especially helpful health remedy. It has been widely used in various dosage forms in alternative medicine for several conditions such as diabetes and obesity. In this study, the effect of apple cider vinegar on blood glucose level has been evaluated. Intraperitoneal (IP) injection of streptozocin 40 mg/kg/day for 4 days was used to induce diabetes in mice. The mice were divided in six groups (n=10). Two concentrations of 0.16% and 1.6% of apple cider vinegar were used in drinking water for 21 days. Normal saline and acetic acid were used as negative controls and glibenclamide by IP injection (5mg/kg) as positive control. For studying any possible combination effects, 0.16% apple cider vinegar and glibenclamide were used together. Also, the effects of apple cider vinegar on glucose tolerance test and amylase serum concentration were evaluated. Our results indicated that apple cider vinegar in both concentrations was not effective after 3 days of the start of its administration. However, on day 7 it reduced blood glucose levels significantly and this was maintained on days 14 and 21. Glucose tolerance test showed that apple cider vinegar was effective in lowering blood glucose level after 60 minutes of glucose administration and this was maintained up to 120 minutes. Also, in both concentrations significantly reduced serum amylase levels 21 days after the start of its administration. Therefore, in this study it has been revealed that apple cider vinegar has considerable reducing effect on blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. The mechanism of this action and its significance remain to be elucidated in future investigations.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are widely used for treatment of type II diabetes mellitus in humans. The first drug of this class, troglitazone, was withdrawn from the market due to a high incidence of hepatotoxicity. Several cases of liver injury induced by other TZDs such as pioglitazone is also reported. The mechanism of cellular injury induced by pioglitazone is not recognized precisely so far. Mitochondria is a postulated target for TZDs to induce injury. This investigation was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of pioglitazone in cultured HepG2 cells. Cell death, glutathione level, occurrence of lipid peroxidation, and finally cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, as an index of mitochondrial functionality, were monitored in HepG2 cells after pioglitazone administration. It was found that pioglitazone was toxic towards HepG2 cells concentration dependently and 1 mM of pioglitazone reduced cellular viability to less than 60% in 48 hours of incubation. Pioglitazone administration reduced ATP content of the cells, but did not induce oxidative stress in this cell line, as no lipid peroxidation and/or decrease in cellular glutathione were detected. Administration of ATP suppliers dihydroxyacetone (5 and 10 mM) and glyceraldehyde (1 and 5 mM), inhibited drop in cellular ATP induced by pioglitazone and prevented drug-induced cell death. These results suggest that pioglitazone affect cellular mitochondria and might cause cytotoxicity by prevention of ATP production.

Inorganic nanoparticles for biomedical applications have undergone extensive investigations in recent years. Among different inorganic drug carriers, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticles show unique advantages due to their ideal biocompatibility and the potential as delivery system for loading different categories of drugs. The accessibility, low cost, safety, biocompability, pH-sensitive properties, osteoconductivity and slow biodegradability of CaCO3 particles nominate it to be a suitable drug delivery carrier. Due to slow degradation of CaCO3 matrices, these nanoparticles can be used as sustained release systems to retain cargo for longer times after administration. The osteoconductivity and bioresorbability may offer these nanoparticles as proper candidate for dual application as bone substitution and drug release in the bone related disease such as osteomyelitis. Filling bone defects, treatment of early dental caries lesions and generating neoformed bone tissue using by different types of nanoparticulate calcium carbonate has also shown notable applications. According to reviewed literature, CaCO3 nanoparticles because of their special characteristics show a potential dual application as bone substitution and drug carrier in the bone related disease/defects.