The use of nanoparticles in the formulation of essential oils

زمینه و هدف: نانوتکنولوژی توانایی کنترل ویژگی های مواد در مقیاس اتمی و مولکولی است. حوزه پزشکی مدرن و داروسازی هم تحت تأثیر این فناوری قرار گرفته است. در این زمینه بیشترین تمرکز تحقیقاتی بر درون گیری ترکیبات فعال دارویی مخصوصاً داروهای سایتوتوکسیک بوده است. اسانس ها ترکیباتی هستند که کاربردهای درمانی و بهداشتی و آرایشی دارند. آن ها مخلوط پیچیده ای از انواع مولکول های فرار آروماتیک و آلیفاتیک هستند. استفاده از اسانس ها به عنوان عوامل ضد باکتری، ضد ویروس، ضد قارچ، ضد انگل و ضد حشره سابقه‌ای به قدمت تاریخ دارد. امروزه نانوتکنولوژی در جهت رفع عیوب آن ها وارد عمل شده و به بهبود حلالیت و کاهش فراریت کمک کرده است. هدف از مطالعه حاضر بررسی کاربرد نانوتکنولوژی و نانوذرات مختلف در درون گیری اسانس ها و نقش آن ها در بهبود اثرات درمانی و پایداری آن ها می باشد. روش بررسی: در مطالعه حاضر داده ها (با استفاده از کلمات کلیدی نانوذرات شناخته‌شده شامل نانوذرات لیپیدی جامد، لیپوزوم، امولسیون، سیکلودکسترین، نانوذرات مغناطیسی) از پایگاه‌های داده های الکترونیکی شامل Pubmed، Google Scholar، Magiran، Irandoc، IranMedex و پایگاه داده‌های علمی جمع آوری شد. یافته ها: با توجه به ماهیت فیزیکی اسانس ها، دو دسته از نانوحامل ها بیشتر استفاده شده است. دسته اول حامل های لیپیدی از جمله لیپوزوم ها، نانوذرات لیپیدی جامد، نانوامولسیون ها و میکروامولسیون ها هستند. دسته دوم شامل فرمولاسیون های حاوی نانوذرات پلیمری است که سبب بهبود قابل‌ توجه فعالیت ضد میکروبی اسانس‌ها شده اند. سیکلودکسترین ها و نانوذرات مغناطیسی هم در انتها اشاره شده است. نتیجه گیری: فناوری نانو و استفاده از نانوذرات سبب افزایش پایداری شیمیایی اسانس‌ها شده است، به‌علاوه کاهش سمیت و عوارض جانبی حاصل از آن را به همراه داشته است

Modulation of transforming growth factor-beta signaling transducers in colon adenocarcinoma cells induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a notable cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide, making it a pertinent topic for the study of cancer and its treatment. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), an enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus, has been demonstrated to exert anticancer and antimetastatic effects due to its ability to modify cell immunity and cellular signaling pathways. In the current study, SEB was investigated, including whether it exerts its growth inhibitory effects on colon adenocarcinoma cells. This may occur through the manipulation of a key tumor growth factor, termed transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), and its signaling pathway transducer, Smad2/3. The human colon adenocarcinoma HCT116 cell line was treated with different concentrations of SEB, and cell number was measured using MTT assay at different treatment times. Smad2/3 RNA expression level was analyzed in untreated or SEB-treated cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, which indicated significant differences between cell viability and Smad2/3 expression levels. SEB effectively downregulated Smad2/3 expression in the HCT116 cells at concentrations of 1 and 2 mu g/ml (P=0.0021 and P=0.0017, respectively). SEB concentrations that were effective at inhibiting Smad2/3 expression were correlated with those able to inhibit the proliferation of the cancer cells. SEB inhibited Smad2/3 expression at the mRNA level in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The present study thus proposed SEB as an agent able to significantly reduce Smad2/3 expression in colon cancer cells, provoking moderate TGF-beta growth signaling and the reduction of tumor cell proliferation

Modulation of transforming growth factor-β signalling transducers in colon adenocarcinoma cells induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin B

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a notable cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide, making it a pertinent topic for the study of cancer and its treatment. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), an enterotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus, has been demonstrated to exert anticancer and antimetastatic effects due to its ability to modify cell immunity and cellular signaling pathways. In the current study, SEB was investigated, including whether it exerts its growth inhibitory effects on colon adenocarcinoma cells. This may occur through the manipulation of a key tumor growth factor, termed transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and its signaling pathway transducer, Smad2/3. The human colon adenocarcinoma HCT116 cell line was treated with different concentrations of SEB, and cell number was measured using MTT assay at different treatment times. Smad2/3 RNA expression level was analyzed in untreated or SEB-treated cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, which indicated significant differences between cell viability and Smad2/3 expression levels. SEB effectively downregulated Smad2/3 expression in the HCT116 cells at concentrations of 1 and 2 μg/ml (P=0.0021 and P=0.0017, respectively). SEB concentrations that were effective at inhibiting Smad2/3 expression were correlated with those able to inhibit the proliferation of the cancer cells. SEB inhibited Smad2/3 expression at the mRNA level in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The present study thus proposed SEB as an agent able to significantly reduce Smad2/3 expression in colon cancer cells, provoking moderate TGF-β growth signaling and the reduction of tumor cell proliferation

Down-regulation of miR-135b in colon adenocarcinoma induced by a TGF-β receptor I kinase inhibitor (SD-208).

OBJECTIVES Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is involved in colorectal cancer (CRC). The SD-208 acts as an anti-cancer agent in different malignancies via TGF-β signaling. This work aims to show the effect of manipulation of TGF-β signaling on some miRNAs implicated in CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated the effects of SD-208 on SW-48, a colon adenocarcinoma cell line. The cell line was treated with 0.5, 1 and 2 μM concentrations of SD-208. Then, the xenograft model of colon cancer was established by subcutaneous inoculation of SW-48 cell line into the nude mice. The animals were treated with SD-208 for three weeks. A quantitative real-time PCR was carried out for expression level analysis of selected oncogenic (miR-21, 31, 20a and 135b) and suppressor-miRNAs (let7-g, miR-133b, 145 and 200c). Data were analyzed using the 2-∆∆CT method through student's t-test via the GraphPad Prism software. RESULTS Our results revealed that SD-208 could significantly down-regulate the expression of one key onco-miRNA, miR-135b, in either SW-48 colon cells (P=0.006) or tumors orthotopically implanted in nude mice (P=0.018). Our in silico study also predicted that SD-208 could modulate the expression of potential downstream tumor suppressor targets of the miR135b. CONCLUSION Our data provide novel evidence that anticancer effects of SD-208 (and likely other TGF-β inhibitors) may be owing to their ability to regulate miRNAs expression

Spironolactone loaded nanostructured lipid carrier gel for effective treatment of mild and moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, prospective trial

Spironolactone (SP) known as an anti-androgen drug, has been proven to be effective in treatment of acne. The quest to minimize the unnecessary systemic side effects associated with the oral drug administration of spironolactone, has led to a growing interest of loading SP on lipid nanoparticles to deliver the drug in a topical formulation. The aim of the current investigation was to prepare and compare the performance of SP loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (SP-NLC) and SP alcoholic gels (SP-ALC) on two groups of respective patient populations, group A and group B in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. The results showed that SPNLCs were spherical in shape with an average diameter of ~240 nm. The polydispersity index (PI) and zeta potential of these nanoparticles were 0.286 and -21.4 respectively. The gels showed non-Newtonian independent pseudoplastic and shear thinning behavior. The SP-NLCs was not toxic to fibroblast cell strains at the 24 and 48 h periods. Results showed that the mean number of total lesions (37.66 ± 9.27) and non-inflammatory lesions (29.26 ± 7.99) in group A significantly decreased to 20.31 ± 6.58 (p<0.05) and to 13.95 ± 5.22 (p<0.05) respectively. A similar pattern was observed for group B where the mean number of total lesions and non-inflammatory lesions reduced from 33.73 ± 9.40 to 19.13 ± 5.53 (p<0.05) and from 25.65±8.12 to 13.45 ± 4.48 (p<0.05) respectively. The total lesion count (TLC) was significantly decreased from 37.16 ± 9.28 to 19.63 ± 6.36 (for group A; p<0.071) and 32.60 ± 9.32 to 18.33 ± 5.55 (for group B; p<0.05) respectively. After treatment with SP-NLC for 8 weeks, the water content of the skin significantly (p<0.05) increased from 37.44 ± 8.85 to 45.69 ± 19.34 instrumental units. Therefore, the SP-NLC gel may help in controlling acne vulgaris with skin care benefits

A Review of Vesicular and Polymeric Nano-systems in Olanzapine Drug Delivery

Olanzapine (2-methyl-4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-10H-thieno [2, 3-b][1, 5]benzodiazepine) is an antipsychotic drug with poor water-solubility that has a suitable affinity to some receptors. This benzodiazepine derivative is a new (atypical) antipsychotic drug and has a wide range of efficacy, especially in treatment of patients with negative psychiatric symptoms of schizophrenia. Olanzapine is used in psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and acute restlessness in bipolar patients. Its oral absorption is low and about 40% of the drug is metabolized in first-pass hepatic metabolism. This drug has low permeability into the brain related to remove by p-glycoprotein efflux and blood-brain-barrier (BBB) existence. Emerging nanotechnology during recent years demonstrated the tremendous ability of nanoparticles as versatile nanocarrier systems. This emerging technology has raised promising attempts to address the significant impact on decreasing side effects of drugs and their associated defects. Olanzapine can be administrated by different routes. Intranasal delivery of olanzapine to the brain due to lack of blood-brain-barrier in the olfactory system has facilitated its delivery. In this review article, several olanzapine nano-drug delivery systems are listed by reviewing their results, including nanosuspensions, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), niosomes, transfersomes, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), polymeric nanoparticles (PNP), etc

Nose-to Brain Direct Delivery of Nanodrug Formulations in Treatment of Neurological Disorders: A Review Study

Global prevalence of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis is steadily increasing, but, there is still no effective delivery system to deliver therapeutic amounts of drug into the central nervous system (CNS). The blood-brain barrier ​​is the major component to control the entrance of drugs into the brain. Recent studies introduced intranasal drug delivery as a suitable method of drug delivery for bypassing blood-brain barrier and treatment of neurological diseases. The nasal route has been repeatedly examined in several preclinical models to investigate the delivery of drug to the brain via nanoparticles. Among various carriers utilized for drug delivery via nasal route, chitosan is widely used due to being effective in modulating drug charge. Key features of drug delivery systems through nasal route include easy drug delivery, higher stability in nasal cavity, increased penetration ability of drugs through nasal epithelium, and decreased drug metabolism. The present review investigated novel nano-formulations for drug delivery via nose to brain in treatment of major neurological disorders. In preclinical studies, intransaal nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are found to be more promising, effective, and targeted. However, more preclinical studies are needed to confirm their non-toxicity and beneficial effects

LXRs: The Key Regulators of Intermediary Metabolism in Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome and its various manifestations are considered to be a significant health epidemic in the developed and developing countries across the world. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a series of metabolic abnormalities, such as central adiposity, insulin resistance, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia. Patients with metabolic syndrome are at a higher risk of major complications, including fatty liver, type II diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases. Nuclear receptors are the key regulators of gene transcription, as well as several metabolic pathways. Among these receptors, LXRα and β play a major role in the regulation of lipogenesis, cholesterol/glucose homoeostasis, and inflammatory pathways through the induction or repression of target genes. In addition to metabolic homeostasis and diseases, lipogenesis and hypertriglyceridemia are regarded as the most significant adverse effects of liver X receptor (LXR) activation. Given the importance of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and inflammation in the development of metabolic disorders, the present study aimed to review the impact of LXR signaling on the risk of metabolic syndrome and its phenotypes, with an emphasis on their potential therapeutic applications in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. In general, growing evidence supports the notion that LXRs may represent the potential drug targets for the treatment of metabolic syndrome

Prediction of Financial Crisis Using Imperialist Competitive Algorithm: Evidence from Tehran Stock Exchange

Since the accuracy of corporate financial crisis prediction is very important for financial institutions, investors and governments, many methods have been employed for developing effective prediction models. The aim of this research was twofold

Evaluation of anticancer effect of colchicum autumnale L. Corm on breast cancer cell

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, and medicinal plants can prevent and play an inhibitory role for cancer. This study aims to evaluate the anticancer effect of colchicum autumnale L. Corm on breast cancer cell models. Methods In this study, the alkaloid-rich extract was prepared using the percolation method and with methanol/water solvent (70:30). HFF2 normal cell line and MCF-7 breast cancer cell line were cultured in microplates (96 wells). Then cells were treated with concentrations of 62.5 to 2000 ng/ml of extract and concentrations of 62 to 1000 ng/ml of doxorubicin at regular intervals of 48 and 72 h, and the percentage of cell growth inhibition was calculated. Cytotoxicity of drugs was measured by the MTT assay method. IC50 values were calculated by Calcusyn software. Also, the P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results Alkaloid-rich extract of Colchicum autumnale plant inhibited breast cancer cell growth (MCF-7). The IC50 parameter showed more cytotoxic effects of Colchicum autumnale plant extract on the MCF-7 cancer cell line than HFF2 normal cell line for 48 and 72 h. In addition, with higher concentrations of the extract, cytotoxicity, and growth inhibitory effect increased significantly and in comparison to the doxorubicin was almost the same as cytotoxic. Conclusion This research provides a novel view into the development of new drugs for the treatment of cancer diseases. Colchicum autumnale plant extract had a significant cytotoxic effect like Doxorubicin drug on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), which can alternatively treat and prevent breast cancer