ECONOMICAL STUDY OF IN VIVO AND IN VITRO PROPAGATION OF RUSSELIA EQUISETIFORMIS

This experimental trial was performed throughout two successive seasons (2015-2016) and (2016-2017) at the nursery of Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt. Intended to find out the effect of the individual and combined effects of different growing media with different types of propagation on morphological traits and some chemical constituents of Russelia equisetiformis Schlecht. & Cham plant. Accordingly, on September 1st, in the two seasons, different plant parts of the whole plant (tip and mid cutting of 10-12 cm length, besides divisions containing foliage and root parts were planted in 10 cm plastic pots (one plant/pot) for every growing media used. The plants were left to grow under open field conditions. The layout of the experiment was a factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates (2 growing media × 3 types of propagation). The results emphasized that the mixture of sand + 15% compost proved its mastery in improving vegetative growth parameters (plant height, number of branches/plant, fresh and dry weight of shoots). Besides, it was the best mixture used for raising fresh and dry weight of roots. Also, such mixture was superior in increasing survival rate %. Meantime, it raised pigments content in the leaves (chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophylls and carotenoids). Results showed also the prevalence of using division parts in propagation, which to improvise the above mentioned morphological traits studied in both seasons. Meanwhile, using tip cuttings in propagation proved its mastery in raising survival rate %, whereas using mid cuttings was the best in rising chlorophyll (b) in the leaves in both seasons. Also, using either mid cuttings or division parts was the best in raising total chlorophyll in the leaves. Using tip cuttings or division parts was the best in increasing carotenoids content in leaves in the first season, whereas using either mid cuttings or division plants was the best for raising the same content in the second one. From the aforementioned results, it could be recommended to use division parts in propagation and using the mixture of sand + compost 15% in pots for obtaining the best characters of Russelia equisetiformis plant under local conditions. Moreover, a protocol of micropropagation of Russelia equisetiformis was established using nodal explants taken from the main shoot and lateral branches. Explants were sterilized using 0.1% (w/v) mercuric chloride for 7 and 10 min for the main shoot and lateral branches explants, respectively as 100% of explants were surface decontaminated, survived and stimulated to form shoots. Data of the multiplication stage showed that the highest survival percentages were recorded when explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP at 0.25 or 0.50 mg/l or kin at 0.25 mg/l which recorded 97.22, 93.06 and 94.44%, respectively. The significantly highest number of the formed shootlets/explant (3.05) was obtained when medium was supplemented with 0.75 mg/l BAP during the third subculture. The significantly highest value of shootlet length (4.72 cm) was recorded when 0.25 mg/l of kin was used during the second subculture. The most suitable treatment for rooting stage was ¾ MS strength which recorded 100% rooting, 8.86 roots/plantlet with 4.56 cm root length. The in vitro propagated plantlets (microshoots with well-developed roots) were hardened in greenhouse with 82% survival rate. From the above mentioned results, it could be concluded that using tissue culture in propagation is considered the best economic way for the propagation of theRusselia equisetiformis plant comparing with that gained from the other propagation method used. Additionally, it could be mentioned that the profitability rate % of the production by the way of tissue culture method only 780.73% comparing with 338.2% terminal cutting

Antioxidant activity and free radical-scavenging of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) in hepatocellular carcinoma rats model

Aim: Oxidative damage of cellular components by free radicals and other reactive oxygen molecules is believed to be associated with the development of degenerative diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity of cape gooseberry juice (CGJ) in diethylnitrosamine-(DENA) and CCl4 (3 mL/kg b.w.)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rats model.Methods: The rats were divided into 4 groups (6 rats each group). Group 1 (control): the rats of this group did not receive any treatments; group 2 (CGJ): rats were daily administered cape gooseberry juice at a dose of 1 mL/kg b.w.; group 3 (HCC): the rats treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of fresh DENA (200 mg/kg body weight) and received a subcutaneous injection of CCl4 (3 mL/kg/week); group 4: (HCC + CGJ): rats were treated with DENA (200 mg/kg b.w.) and CCl4 (3 mL/kg b.w. per week) in addition to daily administered cape gooseberry juice at a dose of 1 mL/kg b.w.Results: Treatment with DENA plus CCl4 induced a significant increase in tumor marker level, alpha-fetoprotein level, and liver function enzymes activity as well as elevated levels of malondialdehyde. This suggests oxidative stress accompanied with a significant decrease in antioxidant biomarkers including glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the examined tissues. However, the administration of GGJ could reduce these changes to control levels.Conclusion: CGJ is a promising candidate as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant processor in an HCC rats model. This beneficial effect was achieved by antagonizing free radicals generation and the enhancement of the antioxidant defense mechanisms, resulting in marked improvement of hepatic biomarkers

Polymeric micelles for the ocular delivery of triamcinolone acetonide: preparation and in vivo evaluation in a rabbit ocular inflammatory model

The aim of this study was to prepare triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactic acid) (PEG-b-PLA) micelles as a potential treatment of ocular inflammation. The micelles were evaluated for particle size, drug loading capacity and drug release kinetics. Selected micellar formulations were dispersed into chitosan hydrogel and their anti-inflammatory properties were tested in rabbits using a carrageenan-induced ocular inflammatory model. Particle size ranged from 59.44 ± 0.15 to 64.26 ± 0.55 nm for PEG-b-PCL and from 136.10 ± 1.57 to 176.80 ± 2.25 nm for PEG-b-PLA micelles, respectively. The drug loading capacity was in the range of 6–12% and 15–25% for PEG-b-PCL and PEG-b-PLA micelles, respectively and was dependent on the drug/polymer weight ratio. TA aqueous solubility was increased by 5- and 10-fold after loading into PEG-b-PCL and PEG-b-PLA micelles at a polymer concentration as low as 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. PEG-b-PLA micelles suspended in chitosan hydrogel were able to sustain the drug release where only 42.8 ± 1.6% drug was released in one week. TA/PEG-b-PLA micelles suspended in chitosan hydrogel had better anti-inflammatory effects compared with the plain drug hydrogel or the drug micellar solution. Complete disappearance of the corneal inflammatory changes was observed for the micellar hydrogel. These results confirm the potential of PEG-b-PLA micelles suspended in chitosan hydrogel to enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of triamcinolone acetonide

Mucoadhesive tablets for the vaginal delivery of progesterone: <i>in vitro</i> evaluation and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics in female rabbits

<p><b>Objective:</b> To develop mucoadhesive tablets for the vaginal delivery of progesterone (P4) to overcome its low oral bioavailability resulting from drug hydrophobicity and extensive hepatic metabolism.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> The tablets were prepared using mixtures of P4/Pluronic^® F-127 solid dispersion and different mucoadhesive polymers. The tablets physical properties, swelling index, mucoadhesion and drug release kinetics were evaluated. P4 pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties were evaluated in female rabbits and compared with vaginal micronized P4 tablets and intramuscular (IM) P4 injection, respectively.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> The tablets had satisfactory physical properties and their swelling, <i>in vitro</i> mucoadhesion force and <i>ex vivo</i> mucoadhesion time were dependent on tablet composition. Highest swelling index and mucoadhesion time were detected for tablets containing 20% chitosan-10% alginate mixture. Most tablets exhibited burst release (∼25%) during the first 2 h but sustained the drug release for ∼48 h. <i>In vivo</i> study showed that chitosan-alginate mucoadhesive tablets had ∼2-fold higher P4 mean residence time (MRT) in the blood and 5-fold higher bioavailability compared with oral P4. Further, same tablets showed 2-fold higher myometrium thickness in rabbit uterus compared with IM P4 injection.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> These results confirm the potential of these mucoadhesive vaginal tablets to enhance P4 efficacy and avoid the side effects associated with IM injection.</p