Nanotechnology in Wound Healing; Semisolid Dosage Forms Containing Curcumin-Ampicillin Solid Lipid Nanoparticles, in-Vitro, Ex-Vivo and in-Vivo Characteristics

Purpose: Wound healing is a natural biologic process, but the duration of it may take too long. Trying to shorten this process is one of the challenges for scientists. Many technologies were applied to achieve this goal as well as nanotechnology. In this study semi solid formulations containing curcumin and ampicillin solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared to evaluate as burn wound healing agent. Methods: Curcumin as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent and ampicillin as an antibiotic were applied. In-vitro and in-vivo evaluations were carried out. Particle size, loading efficiency, release profile, morphology and anti-bacterial efficacy of desired nanoparticles were evaluated at first. Then the remaining of the antibacterial effect in semi solid preparations was studied. Animal studies for both toxicology using rabbits and skin burn model using rats were designed. Pathology studies after applying of formulations was done too. Results: Desired nanoparticles were spherical in shape and particle size in range of 112-121 nm, with low zeta potential. For increasing stability of particles they were freeze dried using cryoprotectant. Lyophilized particles show no significant size enlargement. Results showed that both ointment and gel preparations have reasonable anti-bacterial effects, both of them cause increasing in the rate of wound healing in comparison with placebos and control groups and none of the formulations showed acute toxicity. Conclusion: It seems that using nanotechnology could shorten wound healing process to reduce treatment costs and increase compliance of patients

Endocrine Disrupting Effects of Carbon Nanotubes: A Systematic Review on Next Generation Nanotechnology based Agrochemicals

The etiological factors for increased risk of endocrine and reproductive disorders remain largely unclear but huge number of data from in vitro, in vivo and epidemiological studies, support the association of their incidence with long term exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals /agrochemicals in the modern world. Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs) could be considered as new alternatives to overcome the environmental challenges of endocrine disrupting pesticides and fertilizers and to reduce human health risks of cancer and endocrine toxicity based on their unique physicochemical properties. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the initiative members of the big family of ENMs used for developing “Nanotechnology Based Agrochemical” but despite remarkable detoxifying effects mediated by CNTs, a number of controversies and key questions address the toxicity and endocrine disrupting properties of these authoritative agents which may introduce to the global markets new generation of as nanofertilizers ,nanoadsorbents and nanopesticides soon .The actual issue stems from limited number of studies in valid toxicology models on CNTs related endocrine disruption and absence of systematic reviews on CNTs exposure-mediated endocrine health hazards especially with respect to epidemiological and human data. In this direction this systematic review focused on the following sub-topics: (1) an overview on CNTs applications as novel agrochemicals (2) environmental risks and benefits of CNTs 3) toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic of CNTs (4) contribution of CNTs in pathogenesis of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular effects 4) evidence on the involvement of CNTs in developmental and reproductive toxicities from in vitro and in vivo studies (5) conclusions and perspectives

Micronucleus Investigation in Buccal Mucosal Cells of Young Waterpipe Tobacco Smokers in Tehran

Waterpipe Tobacco Smoke(WTS) is an unhealthy life style that may increase the risk of genotoxic responses and chronic diseases such as cancer. Micronucleus test is a successful and reliable method which is used for screening of genetotoxic responses of whole body and also for screening those people who had already exposed to genotoxic compounds. In this study, specific questionnaires were designed and used for studying the role of shisha smoking on the extent of genotoxic responses and cases were looked for MNs with this biomonitoring method. The study population was 20 young adults (12men and 8 women) who born and lived in Tehran and had continuously smoked shisha more than 2 times weekly for more than 2 years . The associations between all recorded background, environmental and nutritional factors and increased incidence of Micronucleus in buccal cells of all cases were considered by statistical methods. In order to count Micronucleus levels, buccal cells were collected from buccal mucosa of these people with small-headed toothbrush and was placed the head of tooth brush into buccal cell buffer, slides were prepared and cells were stained with Schiff’s reagent and light green .Finally 1000 differentiated cells were recorded by optical microscope in each slide and the mean level of MN was determined for each volunteer . All steps were performed according to the buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay protocol. Increased incidence of Micronucleus was associated with the extent of shisha smoking per week (p=0.021), alcohol consumption ( p=0.021) and BMI ( p=0.027). The other effective factor in the occurrence of Micronucleus was gender/sex ( p=0.011) but nutritional factors didn’t change the level of Micronucleus in our cases. The relationship between other background and environmental factors were not significant too. It seems that long term consumption of shisha in both genders could increase the risk of genetic toxicity and occurrence of malignancies in human target cells

Increased risk of endometriosis by long term exposure to xenoestrogens: A case control study in Iranian women

Aims of the study: Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecologic disorder in young women at reproductive age but the underlying risk factors have not identified yet in Iran and other neighboring countries. Persistent exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in particular dioxins, PAHs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with xenoestrogenic potentials have been hypothesized in the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis .We aimed in the present study to investigate the joint effects of endogenous and exogenous sources of estrogens on the incidence of endometriosis in Iranian women who born and lived in Tehran .Methods: The age matched study population consisted of 34 women with endometriosis and 100 healthy women who underwent surgery from March 2009 to March 2012 . Results: Out of evaluated exogenous sources of estrogen exposure, living near xenoestrogen producing factories (p<0.001*, OR= 16.8, CI 95%5-56.8) in women with lower economical status (p= 0.001, OR=8.29 Cl95%, 3.37-20.37) was identified as the most important risk factor of endometriosis. The prevalence of this phenomenon was higher in women with histories of malignancy in their first degree family (P=0.014, OR=3.08, CI95% 1.23-8.53), infertility (p<0.001, OR=13.07, Cl95%, 5.14-33.23), hormonal dysregulations (p=0.003, OR=8.38, CI95%, 2.03-34.61) and bipolar disorders (p=0.046, OR=3.44, CI95%, 1.11-10.68). Conclusion: Incidence and development of endometriosis is dependent on long term exposure to environmental xenoestrogens especially in women with lower economical status which may affect the endogenous levels of estrogen in women with background factors

Dermal toxicity of Colloidal Nanosilver in Albino Rabbit: A New Approach to Physicochemical Properties

Objective(s): Silver nanoparticles have been widely used as new potent antimicrobial agents in cosmetic and hygienic products, as well as in new medical devices. Serious concerns have been expressed on the potential health risks of dermal applications of nanosilver containing consumer products (AgNPs), therefore regulatory health risk assessment has become necessary for the safe usage of AgNPs in biomedical products with special emphasis to their dermal toxicity potentials. We aimed in the present study to compare the dermal toxicity of three different AgNP containing disinfectantsin an albino rabbit model and tried to determine the role of size and other physicochemical properties on their possible dermal toxicity. Methods: After the characterization of all three samples by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) , corrosive and irritant potentials  of AgNPs in three different sizes of three colloidal AgNPs were scored by the OECD 404 guideline with necessary modifications and were applied under the specified concentrations via nanosilver skin patches on the shaved skin of young female albino rabbits. All skin reactions were recorded in 3 min as well as in 1, 4, 24, 48 and 72 hours from the application and compared with the control group and followed up for 14 days. Results: Although short-term observations didn’t show any significant changes in the weight of animals and macroscopic  variables, long-term histopathological abnormalities were seen in the skin of all test groups, which was not associated with the size and other physicochemical properties of AgNP samples. The toxicity manifestations were dry skin, scaling in doses lower than 100 ppm and erythema in higher doses up to 4000 ppm which was reversed. Conclusions: This finding creates a new issue in the possible dermal effects of all colloidal AgNPs, containing nano health products, which should be considered in future studies by focusing on other physicochemical properties of AgNPs and possible underlying mechanisms of toxicity by conducting cellular models

Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Assessment of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Stachys lavandulifolia in Mice

Stachys lavandulifolia is used as the herbal tea and its wide and potent medical effects have been reported for the extract in animal studies. This study aimed to find the safety profile of the extract to find the appropriate doses for further human studies. The aerial parts of the plant were air-dried and the hydroalcoholic extract was obtained and concentrated by percolation method with 140 mg/ml concentration. To assess the toxicity profile of this extract, 60 female mice (30 cases, 30 controls, 24.8 ±2.1 g, 4-6 weeks) were administered the extract by oral gavages in acute (24 hrs), subacute (14 days) and subchronic (45 days) models. All clinical, hematological, biochemical and histopathological changes were assessed in appropriate midpoints and endpoints and compared with control group. Doses up to 140 mg⁄kg were recognized as maximum tolerated dose in subchronic model. Abnormal changes in kidney and liver weight in treatment groups as well as the significant elevation of biochemical parameters in 45 days study has suggested the possible hepatic and renal toxicity potentials of this extract with doses upper than 140mg⁄kg. Doses up 70 mg⁄kg could be considered as no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) and could be used in further clinical trials on the possible therapeutic effects of this plant

Heavy Metal Bioremediation Potential of Autochthonous Lactic Acid Bacteria for Use in Edible Leafy Vegetables

Heavy metals are well-known as destructive environmental pollutants that cause serious health problems. The use of bacterial biological biosorption has been proposed as a practical and environmentally friendly solution for the removal of heavy metals. The current study was conducted in in vitro and in situ conditions. Initially, seven strains of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic properties (Lacticaseibacillus casei, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus helveticus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus) were screened for their ability to bind cadmium, lead, and nickel in an aqueous solution. Three of the potent probiotic strains that showed the highest biosorption efficiency at this stage were selected for further analysis. The effect of these bacteria mixed at a ratio of 1 : 1 : 1 on the removal of toxic metals in fresh leaves of edible vegetables including coriander, leek, and parsley was evaluated within 15 and 30 minutes. During in vitro analysis, the sorption percentage of Pb and Cd appeared higher than 99% during 15 minutes of initial contact, while increasing contact time (30 minutes) had no significant effect on the removal of these metals. While during in situ analysis, Ni sorption by the selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates was significantly enhanced with increasing contact time, such that the highest biosorption rate was recorded in coriander leaves at 30 minutes (91.15%). Overall, E. faecium showed the highest sorption of Pb, Cd, and Ni (79.75 ± 0.11, 75.28 ± 0.05, and 83.99 ± 0.10%), respectively. The combination of three bacterial strains had a synergistic effect on the toxic metal binding capacity compared to the single state of these bacteria, and the biosorption level increased to 99.94 ± 0.02, 99.91 ± 0.01, and 93.75 ± 0.04%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed that the majority of Pb, Cd, and Ni were bound to the surface of the bacterial cell

Toxicity assessment of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in different tissues

AbstractSuperparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have been employed in several biomedical applications where they facilitate both diagnostic and therapeutic aims. Although the potential benefits of SPIONs with different surface chemistry and conjugated targeting ligands/proteins are considerable, complicated interactions between these nanoparticles (NPs) and cells leading to toxic impacts could limit their clinical applications. Hence, elevation of our knowledge regarding the SPION-related toxicity is necessary. Here, the present review article will consider current studies and compare the potential toxic effect of SPIONs with or without identical surface chemistries on different cell lines. It centers on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying toxicity of SPIONs. Likewise, emphasis is being dedicated for toxicity of SPIONs in various cell lines, in vitro and animal models, in vivo