Formulation and Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidative, and Anti-remodelling Effects of the Niosomal Myrtenol on the Lungs of Asthmatic Rats

Asthma is a common chronic allergic disease that affects a significant percentage of the world’s population. Niosomes are nanoparticles consisting of non-ionic surfactants that can be used for drug delivery. This research was designed to investigate the impacts of inhalation of simple and niosomal forms of myrtenol against adverse consequences of asthma in rats. Asthma induction was performed via injection of ovalbumin, followed by its inhalation. Niosomes were created by a heating protocol, and their physicochemical features were evaluated. Forty-nine male Wistar rats were allotted into 7 groups (n=7 each): Control (CTL), vacant niosome (VN), Asthma, Asthma+VN, Asthma+SM (simple myrtenol), Asthma+NM (niosomal myrtenol), and Asthma+B (budesonide). Lung remodeling, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), inflammatory  and cytokines, and antioxidant factors in the lung tissue and bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), as well as), were evaluated. The results showed that myrtenol-loaded niosomes had appropriate encapsulation efficiency, kinetic release, size, and zeta potential. The thickness of the epithelial cell layer in the lungs, as well as cell infiltration, fibrosis, IgE, reactive oxygen species, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor nuclear factor alpha (TNF-α) levels, decreased significantly. In contrast, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxide activity increased significantly in the serum and BALF of the treated groups. The niosomal form of myrtenol revealed a higher efficacy than simple myrtenol and was similar to budesonide in ameliorating asthma indices.  Inhalation of simple and niosomal forms of myrtenol improved the detrimental changes in the asthmatic lung. The niosomal form induced more prominent anti-asthmatic effects comparable to those of budesonide

Boosting therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in pulmonary fibrosis: The role of genetic modification and preconditioning strategies

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is the end stage of severe lung diseases, in which the lung parenchyma is replaced by fibrous scar tissue. The result is a remarkable reduction in pulmonary compliance, which may lead to respiratory failure and even death. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most prevalent form of PF, with no reasonable etiology. However, some factors are believed to be behind the etiology of PF, including prolonged administration of several medications (e.g., bleomycin and amiodarone), environmental contaminant exposure (e.g., gases, asbestos, and silica), and certain systemic diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus). Despite significant developments in the diagnostic approach to PF in the last few years, efforts to find more effective treatments remain challenging. With their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties, stem cells may provide a promising approach for treating a broad spectrum of fibrotic conditions. However, they may lose their biological functions after long-term in vitro culture or exposure to harsh in vivo situations. To overcome these limitations, numerous modification techniques, such as genetic modification, preconditioning, and optimization of cultivation methods for stem cell therapy, have been adopted. Herein, we summarize the previous investigations that have been designed to assess the effects of stem cell preconditioning or genetic modification on the regenerative capacity of stem cells in PF

Niosome nanocarrier enhances the ameliorating effects of myrtenol in the lungs of rats with experimental asthma

We assessed the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-remodeling impacts of a synthesized myrtenol-loaded niosome in rats with allergic asthma. Forty-nine rats were divided into seven groups of control, vacant niosome (VN), Asthma, Asthma+VN, Asthma+SM (simple myrtenol), Asthma+NM (niosomal myrtenol, 8 mg/kg), and Asthma+B (budesonide, 41 μg). Ovalbumin-induced asthmatic animals were exposed to daily inhalation of drug/vehicle for one week. Histopathology and inflammatory and oxidative stress indices in the lungs were assessed. Myrtenol-loaded niosomes showed appropriate physicochemical properties. Airway smooth muscle thickness, inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia, NO, IL-17, and MDA level decreased, and IL-10 and TAC levels increased in tissue and/or BALF of treatment groups. Niosomal myrtenol showed high potency comparable to budesonide in alleviating disease parameters. In conclusion, inhalation of niosomal myrtenol ameliorated inflammation, oxidative stress and tissue remodeling in asthmatic animals more potently than simple myrtenol and could be a target for production of an anti-asthmatic medicine

Effects of E2 administration on TGF-β1 level in OVX rats.

Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 7 rats/group). ***PVS. SD+Oil; +++PVS. HFD+Oil; #PVS. SD+CR+Oil; &PVS. HFD+CR+Oil. CR: Calorie restriction, HFD: High-fat diet, SD: Standard diet, OVX: Ovariectomy, E2: 17-β estradiol, Oil: Sesame oil.</p

Effects of CR on ANP mRNA expression in LV tissue.

Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 4 hearts/group). ***PVS. Sham+SD; +++PVS. Sham+HFD; ###P##PVS. OVX+SD; &&PVS. OVX+HFD; ^^^PVS. Sham+HFD+CR. CR: Calorie restriction, HFD: High-fat diet, SD: Standard diet, Sham: Ovary-intact, OVX: Ovariectomy, ANP: Atrial natriuretic peptide.</p

Comparison of CR effects on body weight changes, HW, HW/BW ratio, and LVW in Sham and OVX rats.

Comparison of CR effects on body weight changes, HW, HW/BW ratio, and LVW in Sham and OVX rats.</p

Effects of E2 administration on hemodynamic parameters in OVX rats.

Data are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 7 rats/group). A: MAP (mmHg), B: SBP (mmHg), C: DBP (mmHg), and D: HR (bpm). *PVS. SD+Oil; ++PVS. HFD+Oil; ###P#PVS. SD+CR+Oil; &&&P&&P&PVS. HFD+CR+Oil. CR: Calorie restriction, HFD: High-fat diet, SD: Standard diet, MAP: Mean arterial pressure, SBP: Systolic blood pressure, DBP: Diastolic blood pressure, HR: Heart rate, OVX: Ovariectomy, E2: 17-β estradiol, Oil: Sesame oil.</p

Effect of E2 administration on LV cardiomyocyte diameter and hydroxyproline content in OVX animals.

A) The hematoxylin and eosin stained LV cross sections of OVX animals. Black lines show LV cardiomyocyte diameters in the cell nucleus region. B) LV cardiomyocyte diameter bar graphs of OVX rats. C) Hydroxyproline content in heart of OVX rats (n = 4 hearts/group, *PVS. SD+Oil; +++P++P+PVS. HFD+Oil; &&P&PVS. HFD+CR+Oil). CR: Calorie restriction, HFD: High-fat diet, SD: Standard diet, LV: Left ventricular, OVX: Ovariectomy, E2: 17-β estradiol, Oil: Sesame oil.</p