Cyclodextrin enhances corneal tolerability and reduces ocular toxicity caused by diclofenac

With advances in refractive surgery and demand for cataract removal and lens replacement, the ocular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has increased. One of the most commonly used NSAIDs is diclofenac (Diclo). In this study, cyclodextrins (CDs), α-, β-, γ-, and HP-β-CDs, were investigated with in vitro irritation and in vivo ulceration models in rabbits to reduce Diclo toxicity. Diclo-, α-, β-, γ-, and HP-β-CD inclusion complexes were prepared and characterized and Diclo-CD complexes were evaluated for corneal permeation, red blood cell (RBCs) haemolysis, corneal opacity/permeability, and toxicity. Guest- (Diclo-) host (CD) solid inclusion complexes were formed only with β-, γ-, and HP-β-CDs. Amphipathic properties for Diclo were recorded and this surfactant-like functionality might contribute to the unwanted effects of Diclo on the surface of the eye. Contact angle and spreading coefficients were used to assess Diclo-CDs in solution. Reduction of ocular toxicity 3-fold to16-fold and comparable corneal permeability to free Diclo were recorded only with Diclo-γ-CD and Diclo-HP-β-CD complexes. These two complexes showed faster healing rates without scar formation compared with exposure to the Diclo solution and to untreated groups. This study also highlighted that Diclo-γ-CD and Diclo-HP-β-CD demonstrated fast healing without scar formation

Direct Precipitation and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles

ZnO nanoparticles are prepared through hydrolysis and condensation of zinc acetate dihydrate by potassium hydroxide in alcoholic medium at low temperatures. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the precursor is made in order to specify the temperature range over which the weight loss and thermal effect are significant. X-ray diffraction of the as-prepared specimens shows that the hexagonal (a=3.2459 Å, c=5.1999 Å) structure is the predominant crystallographic structure. According to Scherer’s formula, the average size of the nanoparticles is 22.4 ± 0.6 nm. The structural properties of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles have been confirmed using the TEM micrographs. The optical energy gap of the ZnO nanoparticles, as obtained from applying Tauc’s equation, is equal to 3.52 eV, which is higher than that of the bulk material. Absorption peak of the as-prepared sample is 298 nm which is highly blue shifted as compared to the bulk (360 nm). Large optical energy gap and highly blue shifted absorption edge confirm that the prepared ZnO nanoparticle exhibits strong quantum confinement effect

In vitro assessment of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential of endophytic fungal metabolites extracts

Endophytes are endosymbiotic microorganisms that act as reservoir of novel bioactive secondary metabolites with antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-cancer activities. In the present study, the extracts  of 26 different endophytic fungal strains were screened for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. The results showed a wide variety of antimicrobial activities against 12 target microorganisms including three Gram (+) bacteria, three Gram (-) bacteria, 3 yeasts, 2 dermatophytic fungi and one keratinophilic fungus. Four fungal extracts (Aspergillus versicolor, A. awamori, A. niger and Penicillium funiculosum) displayed a broader antibacterial spectrum and inhibited the growth of all Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacterial species. The extracts of 8 endophytic fungi inhibited the growth of the two tested dermatophytic strains (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum). Only eight fungal extracts have an inhibition activity against the keratinophilic fungal strain (Chrysosporium tropicum). The anti-inflammatory assay showed that the extracts of Emericella nidulans, Pleospora tarda and Penicillium funiculosum had good activities in inhibition of protein denaturation reached to 83%, 82.5% and 81.4%, respectively. Also, Emericella nidulans and Pleo-spora tarda recorded the maximum inhibition effect on bovine serum albumin denaturation reached to 95% and 90.7%, respectively. On the other side, Emericella nidulans showed the maximum inhibition activity (69.5%) out of all tested endophytic strains against humun red blood cells membrane stabilization assay. In conclusion some secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi have a promising potential as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.83969

Calidad del color del pimentón: Efecto de tratamientos de secado al natural y al aire.

Color, browning compounds formation and total carotenoids as indicator of paprika quality were investigated under air and natural drying processes. The data resulted from air drying experiments showed an inversely relationship between the progress in temperature (40, 60 and 80° C) and the paprika quality. In natural dried samples, three different treatments were carried out (sun, dark drying and blanching + sun drying). The data revealed an irregular pattern characterized by two stages: 1 st one is biosynthetic and the second is degradative with more profound effect in light more than darkness. Multilinear regression data analysis was also employed to simulate the results especially the changes in total carotenoids as a function of time. Sensory evaluation for color of the samples indicated a large variation in responses of panelists. Low temperature treatment was recommended to favour the quality of paprika if the rate of forming browning compounds is reduced.Bajo procesos de secado al natural y al aire se han investigado el color, la formación de compuestos de pardeamiento y los carotenoides totales como indicadores de la calidad del pimentón. Los datos obtenidos a partir de experimentos de secado al aire mostraron una relación inversa entre el aumento de la temperatura (40, 60 y 80° C) y la calidad del pimentón. En muestras secadas al natural, se llevaron a cabo tres tratamientos diferentes (sol, secado en la oscuridad y decolorado + secado al sol). Los datos revelaron un comportamiento irregular caracterizado por dos estados: el primero es biosintético y el segundo es degradativo con un efecto más profundo en la luz que en la oscuridad. El análisis de los datos por regresión multilinear fue también empleado para simular los resultados, especialmente los cambios en carotenoides totales como una función del tiempo. La evaluación sensorial para el color de las muestras indicó una larga variación en respuestas de los panelistas. Se recomendaron tratamientos a baja temperatura para favorecer la calidad del pimentón si es reducida la velocidad de formación de compuestos de pardeamiento

Detection of human MCP-4/CCL13 isoforms by SELDI immunoaffinity capture

Monocyte Chemoattractant Proteins 4 (MCP-4/CCL13) is a member of a distinct, structurally-related subclass of CC chemokines mainly involved in recruitment of eosinphils to inflammatory sites. Recent evidence demonstrates that serum level of this protein strongly increases following high dose IL-2 immunotherapy. The physiological form of human MCP-4/CCL13 has yet to be purified. Therefore, the primary structure of the biologically relevant (mature) form has not been established. By using SELDI immunoaffinity capture technology we describe two mature isoforms both present in serum before and after high-dose IL-2 immunotherapy

Appraisal on the Wound Healing Potential of Deverra tortuosa DC. and Deverra triradiata Hochst Essential Oil Nanoemulsion Topical Preparation

Deverra tortuosa (Desf.) DC. and Deverra. triradiata Hochst. ex Bioss are perennial desert shrubs widely used traditionally for many purposes and they are characteristic for their essential oil. The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vivo wound healing activity of the essential oil (EO) of D. tortuosa and D. triradiata through their encapsulation into nanoemulsion. EO nanoemulsion was prepared using an aqueous phase titration method, and nanoemulsion zones were identified through the construction of phase diagrams. The EO was prepared by hydrodistillation (HD), microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and analyzed using GC/MS. D. tortuosa oil is rich in the non-oxygenated compound, representing 74.54, 73.02, and 41.19% in HD, MADH, and SFE, respectively, and sabinene represents the major monoterpene hydrocarbons. Moreover, D. triradiata is rich in oxygenated compounds being 69.77, 52.87, and 61.69% in HD, MADH, and SFE, respectively, with elemicin and myristicin as major phenylpropanoids. Topical application of the nanoemulsion of D. tortuosa and D. triradiata (1% or 2%) exhibited nearly 100% wound contraction and complete healing at day 16. Moreover, they exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and a significant increase in growth factors and hydroxyproline levels. Histopathological examination exhibited complete re-epithelialization accompanied by activated hair follicles and abundant collagen fibers, especially at a concentration of 2%. Therefore, the incorporation of the two Deverra species into nanoemulsion could professionally endorse different stages of wound healing

Quality of Type 2 Diabetes Management in the States of The Co-Operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf: A Systematic Review

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a growing, worldwide public health concern. Recent growth has been particularly dramatic in the states of The Co-operation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), and these and other developing economies are at particular risk. We aimed to systematically review the quality of control of type 2 diabetes in the GCC, and the nature and efficacy of interventions. We identified 27 published studies for review. Studies were identified by systematic database searches. Medline and Embase were searched separately (via Dialog and Ovid, respectively; 1950 to July 2010 (Medline), and 1947 to July 2010 (Embase)) on 15/07/2009. The search was updated on 08/07/2010. Terms such as diabetes mellitus, non-insulin-dependent, hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and Gulf States were used. Our search also included scanning reference lists, contacting experts and hand-searching key journals. Studies were judged against pre-determined inclusion/exclusion criteria, and where suitable for inclusion, data extraction/quality assessment was achieved using a specifically-designed tool. All studies wherein glycaemic-, blood pressure- and/or lipid- control were investigated (clinical and/or process outcomes) were eligible for inclusion. No limitations on publication type, publication status, study design or language of publication were imposed. We found the extent of control to be sub-optimal and relatively poor. Assessment of the efficacy of interventions was difficult due to lack of data, but suggestive that more widespread and controlled trial of secondary prevention strategies may have beneficial outcomes. We found no record of audited implementation of primary preventative strategies and anticipate that controlled trial of such strategies would also be useful