Positive Pharmacological Effects Research Articles

Influence of Conservation Methods on the sour cherry (Cerasus vulgaris Mill.) fruits quality

Objective: Sour cherry fruits (Cerasus vulgaris Mill.) belong to the Rosaceae family and are designed as a GRAS ingredient based on the FDA data. Animal experiments and clinical practice confirm that there are many positive pharmacological effects mainly related to anthocyanins. Development of standard regulations for this kind of medicinal plant raw materials is actual to introduce sour cherry fruits into official medical practice. In our research, we investigate macroscopic and microscopic properties and determine the content of tanning substances and anthocyanins in sour cherry fruits of various kinds of conservation. Materials and methods: Modern complex of physicochemical methods was used in pharmacognostical research. Microscopic analysis was performed on a LOMO Micmed-6 microscope with 10× eyepieces, 4×, 10×, 40× and 100× objectives, photographies were taken with a Sony Xperia Z3 compact digital camera. The content of total anthocyanins in terms of cyanidin-3-О-glucoside was determined by differential UV-spectrophotometry, total tannins content – by redox titration. Results and discussion: The anomocytic stomatal complex, fruits pulp druses, anthocyanins containing in the epidermis and fruits pulp cells, and vessels are typical signs for the sour cherry fruits anatomy structure. A conservation method has not to effect on visual representation of diagnostic signs. The contents of tanning substances are little; it is from 2.73±0.08% to 4.12±0.13% in terms of tannin. Maximal anthocyanin contents (in terms of cyanidin-3-glucoside and in absolutely dried raw material) were determined in fresh-frozen sour cherry fruits (after defrosting (with juice and without kernel) is 5.40±0.15% or in terms of moisture-containing raw materials (without kernel) – 0.690±0.019%. In the defrosted fruits without juice, the content of anthocyanins is two times lower in terms of completely dried raw material (without kernel), it is 2.77±0.12% or in terms of moisture-containing raw material (without kernel), it is 0.410±0.018%. In the juice released from cherry fruits after defrosting anthocyanin content in terms of cyanidin-3-glucoside is of 0.450±0.007% (g/100ml juice), in dried sour cherry fruits (without kernel) – 4.34±0.17%, which is lower than in fresh-frozen raw materials. It can be explained by the varietal features, as well by the conservation conditions; this matter is to be further studied. Contents of tanning substances in fresh-frozen and dried sour cherry fruits when storage during 4 months is insignificantly reduced, but it is established that contents of anthocyanin in terms of cyanidin-3-glucoside reduces 1.5 times in 4 months, if the raw material is frozen, and it reduces by 10% if the raw material is dried. Conclusion: Diagnostic signs of macroscopic and microscopic structures, contents of tanning substances and anthocyanins in terms of cyanidin 3-glycoside in sour cherry fruits were studied. The content of the main groups of biologically active substances decreases equally during storage of dried and frozen cherry fruits. When defrosting, it is necessary to carefully collect the juice, as it contains the bulk of the anthocyanins. It is promising to study various options for freezing and drying of cherry fruits with kernels in order to reduce the loss of fruits juice to a minimum. In this case, it is important to ensure that the kernels are whole (not destroyed), in order to avoid the ingress of cyanogenic glycosides into the medicinal plant material. The results will be used to develop normative documentation for sour cherry fruits.

Effect of Ethanolic Stem Extract of Nelsonia Canescens on Selected Biochemical Parameters in Male Wistar Rats Induced with Sodium Arsenite

Medicinal plants are those that have curative qualities or have positive pharmacological effects on the human body. The effect of ethanolic stem extracts from Nelsonia canescens was studied in relation to Sodium arsenite-induced toxicity in wistar rats. Fresh stem extract of Nelsonia canescens were obtained behind rice mill area, Wukari, Taraba state and was shade dried at room temperature and was homogenized into powder and measured at 300g into 100ml of absolute ethanol for 72 hours. 15 healthy male rats of 70g to 90g weight were obtained from animal house Makurdi, Benue state. Animals from Group 1 were used as control. 5mg/kg body weight of Sodium arsenite was administered to Group 2 animals while animals in Groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered with Nelsonia canescens ethanolic stem extracts 50 mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200 mg/kg as well. At the end of 3 weeks the animals were sacrificed and serum sample were collected and analysed using standard methods. The results indicate that, when compared to those who received Sodium arsenite, those who received ethanol stem extracts of Nelsonia canescens showed a comparatively considerable liver protection against Sodium arsenite -induced damage. The levels of biochemical parameters: Albumin, Total protein, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total bilirubin, Urea, Creatinine of rats administered with Sodium arsenite only was also observed. The Nelsonia canescens extract’s activity at 200mg/kg bw (higher dose) give a reasonable decrease in the amount of these liver enzymes. Deducing from study results, it indicates that Nelsonia canescens leaf extracts could be an effective agent in Sodium arsenite mediated liver toxicity in adult wistar rats and drug development.

Sosialisai Tentang Pentingnya Penanaman Tanaman Obat Untuk Mewujudkan Masyarakat Sehat Di Kecamatan Medan Helvetia, Kota Medan

Medicinal plants are plants with positive pharmacological effects on the human body and are usually grown on a home or communal scale. These medicinal plants can then be used as traditional medicine which can be made easily. The plants chosen are usually plants that can be used to treat simple health problems such as flu and coughs. Medicinal plants can increase the body's immunity because they can prevent disease through the secondary metabolites they contain. In this service activity, two activities were carried out separately, namely socialization and planting medicinal plants with residents. The outreach was carried out to provide information to the residents of Medan Helvetia District regarding medicinal plants so that these medicinal plants can be useful after being planted. Planting is also carried out to increase awareness regarding land use, as well as being a starting point for residents in cultivating medicinal plants. This socialization on the use of family medicinal plants aims to provide information to the people of Kexamatan Medan Helvetia in using medicinal plants. It is hoped that this community service activity will help increase public knowledge about the importance of planting and utilizing medicinal plants to create a healthy society.

Ultrasound-mediated multifunctional magnetic microbubbles for drug delivery of celastrol in VX2 liver transplant tumors.

Celastrol (CST) has positive pharmacological effects on various cancers, but clinical application is limited because of poor water solubility and systemic toxicity. Ferric oxide (Fe3O4) has a large specific surface area and can be functionalized by inorganic modification to form complex magnetic drug delivery systems. Herein, Fe3O4 was surface-modified with citric acid and polyethylene glycol (PEG) (via) the Mitsunobu reaction and then covalently bound to CST. Finally, magnetic microbubbles (MMBs) containing perfluoropropane (C3F8) and Fe3O4-PEG2K-CST particles were constructed with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as the shell membrane. In vitro studies showed that ultrasound-mediated MMBs exhibited improved inhibition of VX2 cell proliferation compared to inhibition achieved using MMBs without ultrasound mediation, blank MMBs, or free CST. In ultrasound mode, MMBs have favorable imaging properties. After the application of a high mechanical index, MMBs collapse through the cavitation effect, releasing their internal Fe3O4-PEG2K-CST. The CST is then delivered to the tumor microenvironment under acidic conditions. In magnetic resonance imaging T2 mode, a specific hypointense signal was observed in the tumor area compared with that before treatment, whereas no significant change occurred in the signal intensity of the surrounding organs. After treatment, pathological examination of tumor-bearing rabbit tissues showed that iron elements accumulated in several apoptosis cells in the tumor area, with no apparent abnormalities found in other areas. Thus, ultrasound-mediated MMBs could significantly improve the drug uptake of solid tumors and inhibit tumor growth with favorable biological safety.

Antibacterial efficacies of brown sea weed Sargassum Wightii on Periodontal Pathogens: An In-Vitro Microbiological Analysis

Objective: Sargassum wightii is brown algae available across the south east coast of India which can produce many secondary metabolites and are opulent sources of potential plant derived by-products with antiviral, antihelminthic, antifungal and antibacterial activities. The objective of the current study was to assess minimal inhibitory concentration MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration MBC of whole leaf extract of Sargassum wightii on P.Gingivalis (Pg), F.Nucleatum (Fn), T.Forsythia (Tf) and A. Actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). Methods: The method executed out by serial dilutions of the test drug with thioglycollate broth nine times. Cultures of chosen pathogens were added to obtain culture suspension up to 10-9. Their turbidity has monitored to assess MIC after incubating in oxygen independent container. The First 3 or 5 dilutions tubes which were MIC sensitive were removed and incubated one complete day. To determine whether there was bacterio-static or bactericidal effect of the extract on selected organisms, colony numbers were assessed the day after. Results: Outcome for MIC was in the span of 0.2μg/ml to 0.4μg/ml and for MBC from 0.2μg/ml to 3.12μg/ml. Conclusion: Positive pharmacological effect does exists against tested microorganisms of whole leaf extract of Sargassum Wighitti & demands more extensive research for treating multi-factorial periodontal disease.

In vitro study of emodin-induced nephrotoxicity in human renal glomerular endothelial cells on a microfluidic chip

Emodin is an effective component of rhubarb with positive pharmacological effects on human health. However, it is also toxic to different cells or tissues to varying degrees. The effects of emodin on glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) remain to be tested, and the documented works were always performed in vitro and hardly reflect the real physiological situation. To study the effects of emodin on GECs in a biomimetic environment, we utilized a microfluidic chip to assess the physiological reaction of human renal glomerular endothelial cells to various concentrations of emodin in this work. The results showed that emodin caused cytotoxicity, impaired glomerular filtration barrier integrity to macromolecules, and increased barrier permeability in a dose-dependent manner. With the increase in emodin concentration, the concentration of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, transforming growth factor-β1, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) increased while the production of inflammatory cytokine IL-6 first increased and then decreased with the increase in emodin concentration. Our findings shed new light on emodin-induced nephrotoxicity and provide insights for the application of microfluidic chip devices to reveal drug-cell interactions.

Geroprotective properties of fucoxanthin

Introduction. Fucoxanthin is one of the main representatives of marine carotenoids with a wide range of biological activities, including a geroprotective effect. The most common source of fucoxanthin in the food industry is diatomic algae (e.g., Phaeodactylum tricornutum). The aim of the work was to summarize and analyze the data on the mechanisms of geroprotective action of fucoxanthin. Materials and Methods. An analysis of scientific research publications from PubMed, E-Library, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, UpToDate databases is presented, as well as a review of scientific literature for the period from 2017 to 2022. The results of fucoxanthin use on animal and human cell cultures, where the drug proved to be a potential geroprotector, are reflected. Inclusion criteria: priority was given to review and original articles that presented data on the results of fucoxanthin application. Key words in the search for publications: fucoxanthin, geroprotector, oxidative stress, hormesis. Results and Discussion. In-depth study of fucoxanthin structure revealed its pharmacodynamics as a potential drug. Many positive pharmacological effects of fucoxanthin are realized due to the presence of an allene bond in the chemical structure. The mechanisms of fucoxanthin influence oxidative stress and aging at different levels of organization (molecular, cellular, tissue, organ). Deterioration of vision is often a problem of the elderly and is one of the properties of the aging organism. The hypothesis that fucoxanthin realizes a geroprotective effect due to its cytoprotective potential under oxidative stress is the most popular. The geroprotective effect of fucoxanthin on the whole organism is directly related to the differential expression of genes and changes in the activity of molecular pathways. In the transcriptome analysis of fucoxanthin effects, the activation of mechanisms related to hormesis is evident. Conclusion. Studies have shown the effectiveness of fucoxanthin as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of diseases associated with the aging process.

Can Isoquinoline Alkaloids Affect Platelet Aggregation in Whole Human Blood?

Isoquinoline alkaloids have multiple biological activities, which might be associated with positive pharmacological effects as well as negative adverse reactions. As bleeding was suggested to be a side effect of the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine, we decided to ascertain if different isoquinoline alkaloids could influence hemocoagulation through the inhibition of either platelet aggregation or blood coagulation. Initially, a total of 14 compounds were screened for antiplatelet activity in whole human blood by impedance aggregometry. Eight of them demonstrated an antiplatelet effect against arachidonic acid-induced aggregation. Papaverine and bulbocapnine were the most potent compounds with biologically relevant IC50 values of 26.9 ± 12.2 μM and 30.7 ± 5.4 μM, respectively. Further testing with the same approach confirmed their antiplatelet effects by employing the most physiologically relevant inducer of platelet aggregation, collagen, and demonstrated that bulbocapnine acted at the level of thromboxane receptors. None of the alkaloids tested had an effect on blood coagulation measured by a mechanical coagulometer. In conclusion, the observed antiplatelet effects of isoquinoline alkaloids were found mostly at quite high concentrations, which means that their clinical impact is most likely low. Bulbocapnine was an exception. It proved to be a promising antiplatelet molecule, which may have biologically relevant effects.

Effects of Berberine on Liver Cancer

Liver cancer, otherwise known as hepatocellular carcinoma, is a chronic disease condition with an excessive deposition and growth of malignant cells in the body. The high incidence and prevalence rates of liver cancer continue to be problems, as well as its poor prognosis and therapeutic limitations involving severe drug adverse reactions linked to the use of synthetic chemotherapeutic compounds. Continuous experimental studies, as well as utilization of pure herbal-based compounds, are essential towards finding more potent cures for liver cancer. Natural bioactive compounds, particularly alkaloids (eg, berberine), have been shown to be highly beneficial in the treatment of various diseases. Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid, is obtained from stem, bark, roots, rhizomes, and leaves of several medicinal plants, including Berberis species. It is commonly synthesized from the benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline system with the incorporation of an additional carbon atom as a bridge. The multiple attributes of BBR involving effective inhibitory and cytotoxic actions against the proliferation of cancer cells have been demonstrated. The use of BBR in experimental studies (in vivo and in vitro) for over a decade for liver cancer treatment has proven to be highly effective, safe, and potent. Until now, the poor solubility of BBR remains one of the contributing factors leading to its minimal clinical bioavailability. Therefore, BBR could serve as a prospective drug candidate in the future towards drug formulation for liver cancer treatment. The relevant information regarding this review was obtained electronically through the use of databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, Hindawi, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All the aforementioned databases were searched from 1981 to 2020. This literature represents an update of previous review papers discussing the various positive pharmacological and mechanistic effects (oxidative stress regulation, inflammation reduction, apoptosis activation, overcoming drug resistance, and metastasis inhibition) of BBR for liver cancer treatment, which would be of great significance to drug development and clinical research.

Comprehensive Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology to Explore the Mechanism of 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural in the Treatment of Blood Deficiency Syndrome.

Radix Rehmanniae (RR, from Radix Rehmanniae (Gaertn.) DC.) is a natural medicine used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since ancient times for the treatment of blood disorders. RR is steamed to get Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RP), which has a tonic effect on blood; the content of 5-hydromethylfurfural (5-HMF) increases more than four times after steaming. Studies have shown that 5-HMF has positive pharmacological effects on cardiovascular and hematological disorders. This study aimed to explore and verify the impact of 5-HMF on rats with chemotherapy-induced blood deficiency syndrome (BDS). Rats were given cyclophosphamide (CP) and acetophenhydrazine (APH) to induce BDS, the coefficients of some organs (liver, spleen, and kidney) were measured, and a routine blood test examined the coefficients of several peripheral blood cells. Metabolomics and network pharmacology were combined to find important biomarkers, targets, and pathways. Western blot was used to detect the expression of CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 proteins in the spleen. All these findings suggested that the 5-HMF significantly increased the number of peripheral blood cells and reversed splenomegaly in rats. In addition, 5-HMF upregulated CYP17A1 and HSD3B1 protein expression in splenic tissues. Also, 5-HMF ameliorated chemotherapy-induced BDS in rats, and its therapeutic mechanism might depend on steroid hormone biosynthesis and other pathways. It acts on blood deficiency via multiple targets and pathways, which is unique to Chinese medicine.

Pharmacological Dose-Effect Profiles of Various Concentrations of Humanised Primary Bile Acid in Encapsulated Cells.

Bile acids (BA)s are known surfactants and well-documented to play a major role in food digestion and absorption. Recently, potential endocrinological and formulation-stabilisation effects of BAs have been explored and their pharmacological effects on supporting cell survival and functions have gained wide interest. Hence, this study aimed to explore the hyper-glycaemic dependent dose-effect of the BA chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) when encapsulated with pancreatic β-cells, allowing assessment of CDCA’s impacts when encapsulated. Four different concentrations of the BA were prepared, and viable cells were encapsulated and incubated for 2 days. Multiple analyses were carried out including confocal imaging, glucose-induced cellular mitochondrial viability indices, insulin production, inflammatory biomarker analyses and cellular bioenergetics measurements. There was a significant dose-effect with different concentrations of the BA, affecting cellular viability and antioxidant activities, cell functions and insulin release, inflammatory biomarkers, and cellular-bioenergetics at different oxidative stress levels. The results demonstrate that, when encapsulated, the BA CDCA exerts positive pharmacological effects at the cellular level, and such effects are concentration dependent.

A network pharmacology-based strategy for predicting the protective mechanism of Ginkgo biloba on damaged retinal ganglion cells.

Hallmarks of the pathophysiology of glaucoma are oxidative stress and apoptotic death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) with multi-target, multi-pathway functions has been reported to exert positive pharmacological effects on oxidative stress and damaged RGCs. However, the ingredients and anti-apoptotic targets of EGb in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in-depth analysis is necessary for further research. Ginkgo biloba-related and anti-apoptotic targets were identified and then combined to obtain the intersection, representing the potential anti-apoptotic targets of Ginkgo biloba. In addition, compound-anti-apoptotic target and OAG-target protein-protein interaction network were merged to obtain five core genes and compound-OAG-anti-apoptotic target protein-protein interaction network. Consequently, the active compounds and anti-apoptotic targets of Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of OAG were identified, namely luteolin, β-sitosterol, kaempferol, stigmasterol, quercetin, and p53, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, respectively. For the anti-apoptotic targets of Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of OAG, Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analysis were executed to confirm the gene functions of Ginkgo biloba in antagonizing apoptosis of RGCs. The pathway enrichment was mainly involved in transcriptional activation of p53 responsive genes, activation of caspases and apoptotic processes. Finally, we confirmed the results of the network analysis by H2O2 treated RGC-5 cells in vitro. The results demonstrated that EGb protection can effectively diminish H2O2-induced apoptosis by inhibiting p53 acetylation, reducing the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and suppressing the expression of specific cleavage of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3.

Ecdysteroids

Ecdysteroid: member of a class of polyhydroxylated steroids found in invertebrate animals (zooecdysteroids; moulting hormones), plants (phytoecdysteroids) and fungi (mycoecdysteroids). Over 500 structural analogues are currently known. Biosynthetically, they derive from C27-, C28- or C29-sterols. The most frequently encountered analogue (in arthropods and plants) is 20-hydroxyecdysone (2β,3β,14α,20R,22R,25-hexahydroxycholest-7-en-6-one). In arthropods, ecdysteroids occur universally and regulate development by inducing moulting and reproduction, where their action is mediated by high-affinity binding to an intracellular member of the class of nuclear receptor (NR) proteins (ecdysteroid receptor; EcR) dimerised with a second NR (USP/RxR). This receptor complex binds to specific DNA promoter sites and regulates gene expression. In plants, ecdysteroids are a class of secondary compounds, occurring in varying amounts in certain species, but not all in others. Phytoecdysteroids are believed to contribute to the reduction of invertebrate predation by acting as feeding deterrents or endocrine disruptors. Ecdysteroids also possess a wide range of positive pharmacological effects in mammals, where the mode of action involves moderate-affinity binding to plasma-membrane-bound receptors and not interaction with the classical NRs for vertebrate steroid hormones.

Prenatal treatment with rapamycin restores enhanced hippocampal mGluR-LTD and mushroom spine size in a Down\u2019s syndrome mouse model

Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent genetic cause of intellectual disability including hippocampal-dependent memory deficits. We have previously reported hippocampal mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) hyperactivation, and related plasticity as well as memory deficits in Ts1Cje mice, a DS experimental model. Here we characterize the proteome of hippocampal synaptoneurosomes (SNs) from these mice, and found a predicted alteration of synaptic plasticity pathways, including long term depression (LTD). Accordingly, mGluR-LTD (metabotropic Glutamate Receptor-LTD) is enhanced in the hippocampus of Ts1Cje mice and this is correlated with an increased proportion of a particular category of mushroom spines in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Remarkably, prenatal treatment of these mice with rapamycin has a positive pharmacological effect on both phenotypes, supporting the therapeutic potential of rapamycin/rapalogs for DS intellectual disability.

Pharmacological Screening of South Asian Herbs: Potential Candidates for Drug Development

South Asia has a rich tradition of herbal medicine, offering a diverse range of plants used for centuries to heal diseases. Recent interest in exploring herbs' pharmacological potential for drug development is growing. This review provides an overview of the pharmacological screening of South Asian herbs and their promising role in modern medicine.The South Asian region is renowned for having an exceptional diversity of plants, which has resulted in the identification of various therapeutic plants. The systematic assessment of these plants’ chemical makeup, bioactivity, and medicinal potential is known as pharmacological screening. To determine the pharmacological characteristics of these plants, researchers have used various methods, such as phytochemical analysis, bioassays, and animal experiments. Several South Asian plants have demonstrated positive pharmacological effects. One prospective possibility for creating anti-inflammatory medications is Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, which has proven to have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. Another example is Ocimum sanctum, or holy basil, which has anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective benefits, indicating its potential as a source of new medications. Additionally, the ability of South Asian botanicals to treat cancer has attracted interest. Tinospora cordifolia and Withania somnifera are two plants that have demonstrated anti-cancer effects through various methods, including the activation of apoptosis and immune system regulation. South Asian herbs provide advantages like price, accessibility, cultural acceptance, and their potential for healing. However, standardizing herbal remedies and guaranteeing their safety and effectiveness still present obstacles. In conclusion, a wealth of potential candidates for medication development have been discovered by the pharmacological screening of South Asian plants. These plants have the potential to treat a variety of illnesses, from cancer to chronic disorders. South Asian herbs may be crucial in influencing the direction of medical research as it develops, providing fresh approaches and pharmacological options.

Importance of Nanotechnology: A Review

Mostly drugs possess not only positive pharmacological effects, but also have toxic effects, making the concept of drug targeting very gorgeous. However, one of the important need for any kind of the production of nanoparticles is that the matrix should be recyclable. This review article presents importance, application, formulations and future perceptions of nanoparticles in pharmaceutical industry. The aim is to acknowledge the nanoparticles as highly growing application in pharmaceutical technology and drug delivery system.

Neuroprotective Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Extract Against Hypoxic Retinal Ganglion Cell Degeneration In Vitro and In Vivo.

Hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and disturbed microvascular circulation are both associated with pathogenesis of glaucoma. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) has been reported to have positive pharmacological effects on oxidative stress and impaired vascular circulation. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of GBE against hypoxic injury to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) both in vitro and in vivo. The rat RGC line was used, and oxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in vitro. EGb 761, a standardized GBE, or vehicle was applied to RGCs. Hypoxic optic nerve injury in vivo was induced by clamping the optic nerve of rats with a "microserrefine clip" with an applicator, which was applied without crushing the optic nerve. This method is different from "optic nerve crush model" and does not involve elevation of intraocular pressure, and may serve as a possible normal tension glaucoma animal model. EGb 761 at various concentrations or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally. RGC density was measured to estimate the survival both in vitro and in vivo. The survival of RGCs was significantly (P < .001) higher upon treatment with 1 or 5 μg/mL of EGb 761 compared with vehicle after oxidative stress in vitro. RGC density upon treatment with EGb 761 of 100 mg/kg (1465.6 ± 175 cells/mm2) or 250 mg/kg (1307.6 ± 213 cells/mm2) was significantly higher (P < .01, P < .05, respectively) than that obtained with vehicle (876.3 ± 136 cells/mm2) in vivo. Our results suggest that GBE has neuroprotective effect on RGCs against hypoxic injury both in vitro and in vivo.

Phytotherapy as a Complementary Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of neurologic disability in adults worldwide. Two main issues have caused MS patients to face several problems. One issue is that the definite cause of MS has not yet been determined and the other issue is the lack of a definite treatment for this disease. The people with MS, therefore, seek out complementary and alternative medications to manage the symptoms of this disease. Meanwhile, medicinal plants have been demonstrated to have possible positive pharmacological effects in treating MS in different models. The reliable articles indexed in the databases Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed Central, PubMed, Scientific Information Database, and Institute for Scientific Information were retrieved and analyzed to conduct this review. Medicinal plants and plant compounds caused decreases in the neurologic deficits due to MS. Clinical evidence has demonstrated the clinical potential of Cannabis sativa extract, cannabinoids, Ginkgo biloba, beta-phytosterol, and Lippia citriodora extract to improve MS symptoms. These plants and compounds can also improve spasticity, muscle spasm, neuropathic pain, and urinary tract complications in at least some of these patients. Nanocurcumins and Punica granatum L. peel extract have exhibited positive effects in animal models and can decrease neurologic deficits by reducing inflammation. Medicinal plants and their compounds can serve as new sources of MS drugs because they can improve MS symptoms.

Resveratrol-Loaded Lipid Nanocarriers Are Internalized By Endocytosis in Yeast.

Different positive pharmacological effects have been attributed to the natural product resveratrol (RSV), including antioxidant, antiaging, and cancer chemopreventive properties. However, its low bioavailability and rapid metabolic degradation has led to the suspicion that many of the biological activities of this compound observed in vitro may not be attainable in humans. To improve its bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile, attempts have been made to encapsulate RSV into lipid-based nanocarrier systems. Here, the dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB):monoolein (MO) liposomal system (1:2) loaded with RSV revealed appropriate characteristics for drug release purposes: reduced size for cellular uptake (157 ± 23 nm), stability up to 80 days, positive surface charge (ζ ≈ +40 mV), and a controlled biphasic release of RSV from the lipid nanocarriers over a period of almost 50 h at pH 5.0 and 7.4. Moreover, the encapsulation efficiency of the nanocarrier ranged from 70% to 92% and its RSV loading capacity from 9% to 14%, when [RSV] was between 100 and 200 μM. The partition coefficient ( Kp) of RSV between lipid and aqueous phase was log Kp = 3.37 ± 0.10, suggesting moderate to high lipophilicity of this natural compound and reinforcing the lipid nanocarriers' suitability for RSV incorporation. The thermodynamic parameters of RSV partitioning in the lipid nanocarriers at 37 °C (Δ H = 43.76 ± 5.68 kJ mol-1; Δ S = 0.20 ± 0.005 kJ mol-1; and Δ G = -18.46 ± 3.48 kJ mol-1) reflected the spontaneity of the process and the establishment of hydrophobic interactions. The cellular uptake mechanism of the RSV-loaded nanocarriers labeled with the lipophilic fluorescent probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) was studied in the eukaryotic model system Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thirty minutes after incubation, yeast cells readily internalized nanocarriers and the spots of blue fluorescence of DPH clustered around the central vacuole in lipid droplets colocalized with the green fluorescence of the lipophilic endocytosis probe FM1-43. Subsequent studies with the endocytosis defective yeast deletion mutant ( end3Δ) and with the endocytosis inhibitor methyl-β-cyclodextrin supported the involvement of an endocytic pathway. This novel nanotechnology approach opens good perspectives for medical applications.

Positive Pharmacological Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Moringa oleifera on Some Liver and Kidney Functions and Oxidative Stress Markers in Sea Bream Sparus auratus L Exposed to Sodium Fluoride toxicity

This study was planned to investigate possible positive pharmacological effects of the medicinal plant Moringa oleifera (M oleifera) against the toxic effects of sodium fluoride in sea bream Sparus auratus L exposed to 1/10 LC50 dose of sodium fluoride at 96 hr (6.1 mg/L). Also, the changes in anti-oxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in gills and aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and Creatinine were studied. In addition, the amelioration of sodium fluoride toxicity by addition of M. oleifera to the ration of exposed fish by the rate of 1% was investigated. The results showed that sodium fluoride decreased total protein in the serum of sea bream. On the other side, the level of AST, ALT and creatinine were increased. SOD and CAT in gills in sodium fluoride exposed group were lower than those in the group where M. oleifera was supplemented. Exposure of sea bream to sodium fluoride for eight weeks resulted in significant changes in mRNA abundance for a limited subset of the analyzed hepatic sea bream genes. GSR mRNA levels decreased in liver upon incubation with sodium fluoride, irrespective to the length of the treatment, whereas the corresponding levels in sea bream fed with M. oleifera were indistinguishable from controls.