Response Surface Methodological Approach toward Optimization of a RP-HPLC Method to Determine Paracetamol in Tablets

Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to develop an RP-HPLC method in which paracetamol was analyzed and determined on a C18 column with UV detection. To explain more, RSM was used to statistically model the impact of flow rate (ml.min-1) (A), column temperature (°C) (B) and mobile phase composition (H2O: MeOH) (C)on the retention time (RT) of Paracetamol within tablets. Introduction: The major goal of this investigation was to optimize an RP-HPLC method which is simple, linear, accurate, sensitive and selective in determination of Paracetamol in solid dosage forms. Methods and Results:Three distinctive levels were dedicated to each evaluated factor.Box-Behnken experimental design including seventeen independent runs within a range of 25-50% MeOH ratio (mobile phase), 25-45 ºC and 0.7-1.3 mL. min-1 flow rate were carried out to explore the effectivefactors onRT of Paracetamol using RP-HPLC method. ANOVA results revealed that quadratic model was significant (Model F-value of 225.65) and could best describe the relationship between dependent variable (RT) and independent ones: RT= 3.30 - 1.2A - 0.38B - 0.80C + 0.30AC + 0.43BC + 0.53A2 As can be understood from the model terms, the most significant term was the solvent ratio and all the factor levels were indirectly proportional to the Rt. Moreover, the interaction of column temperature and solvent ration seemed to be more important. It was also predicted that optimum assay condition included 1:2 ratio of methanol to water, column temperature of 35ºC and mobile phase flow rate of 1.3 mL.min−1. Using this optimum condition, baseline separation of the drug was achieved with a good resolution and a run time of 2.1 min. The optimized method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, limit of detection and limit of quantification of paracetamol within a few commercially available Paracetamol tablets. Conclusions:The optimized RP-HPLC technique provided a convenient and efficient method toward qualitative/quantitative analysis of Paracetamol in its tablets. The improved method is also rapid and sensitive enough to be used for single tablet analysis

Antioxidant Levels in Cord Blood of Term Neonates and Its Association with Birth Weight

How to Cite This Article: Mirzarahimi M, Ahadi A, Bohlooli SH, Namakikhalajan E, Barak M. Antioxidant Levels in Cord Blood of Term Neonates and Its Association with Birth Weight. Iran J Child Neurol. Winter 2016; 10(1):31-34. AbstractObjectiveDue to excessive production of free radicals and antioxidants evolved mechanisms against oxidative stress, infants are very vulnerable. As there was a significant relation between antioxidant levels and birth weight, we aimed verify this relationship.Materials & MethodsIn this descriptive analytical study we evaluated the antioxidant status of 40 healthy term newborns (gestation age 38-42 wk) with weight >2500 g (AGA) and 40 healthy term newborns (gestation age 38-42 wk) with LBW babies (weight < 2500 g) (SGA) in Ardabil Buali Hospital, Ardabil, northwest Iran in 2014. About 15 Ml of cord blood was collected after the second stage of labor.The levels of vitamin A, E, and C, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), bilirubin and serum uric acid were measured by standard methods. Informed consent was obtained from newborn mothers and study protocol was approved by university Ethics Committee. Data were analyzed using SPSS.19.ResultsThe mean levels of bilirubin, vitamin C, E, catalase and GPX in AGA group were significantly higher than SGA group but the mean of serum uric acid in SGA group was more than AGA. In addition, the mean of vitamin A was similar in two groups.There was a significant relation between antioxidant levels and birth weight in term newborns.ConclusionIn line with other studies the amounts of antioxidant levels except serum uric acid in AGA group was significantly more than SGA group

Effect of chronic supplementation with methylsulfonylmethane on oxidative stress following acute exercise in untrained healthy men

Objective  This study was conducted to assess the effects of chronic daily methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) supplementation on known markers of oxidative stress following acute bouts of exercise in untrained healthy young men. Methods  Eighteen untrained men volunteered for this study. Participants were randomized in a double-blind placebo-controlled fashion into two groups: MSM (n = 9) and placebo (n = 9). The participants took supplementation or placebo daily for 10 days before running. Participants ran 14 km. The MSM supplementation was prepared in water at 50 mg/kg body weight. The placebo group received water. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and plasma oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were measured as markers of oxidative stress. The plasma-reduced glutathione (GSH) level and the GSH/GSSG ratio were determined as markers of plasma antioxidant capacity. Key Findings  Acute exercise led to elevated levels of serum MDA, PC and plasma GSSG. MSM supplementation maintained PC, MDA and GSSG at lower levels after exercise than the placebo. The plasma level of GSH and the ratio of GSH/GSSG were significantly higher in the MSM supplemented group. Conclusions  These results suggest that chronic daily oral supplementation of MSM has alleviating effects on known markers of oxidative stress following acute bouts of exercise in healthy young men

Original Article Expression levels of microRNA machinery components Drosha, Dicer and DGCR8 in human (AGS, HepG2, and KEYSE-30) cancer cell lines

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been shown to play fundamental roles in diverse cellular processes and linked to variety of cancers. Dicer and Drosha are two major enzymes in the miRNA maturation process. DGCR8 is the assistant of Drosha in the microprocessor complex. In this study, we evaluated the mRNA expression profiles of major miRNA processing machinery Drosha, Dicer, and DGCR8 in human gastrointestinal (AGS, KYSE30 and HepG2) cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: The cells were cultured and harvested, and total cellular RNA was isolated from cells. Then, first-strand cDNA was synthesized from the RNA of cells. Afterward, Quantitative analysis was performed by real-time RT-PCR using the PowerSYBR Green PCR Master Mix. Results: Expression levels of Drosha in AGS and HepG2 cells were higher than the controls, whereas, Drosha's expression level in KYSE-30 cell line was lower. The Dicer expression levels in AGS and HepG2 cells were higher, while, its expression level in KYSE-30 cell was lower. The DGCR8 expression levels in all three cell lines were significantly higher than the control samples. Conclusion: Expression levels of the two most important enzymes of the miRNA machinery, Drosha and Dicer, and microprocessor complex component, DGCR8 were noticeably dysregulated when compared to healthy controls

Nanoliposomal formulation of Agrostemma githago aqueous extract shows enhanced cytotoxic effect on gastric cancer cell line

Objective(s): The objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxic effects of nanoliposomal form of lyophilized aqueous extract of Agrostemma githago (A. githago) seeds on gastric cancer cell line (AGS) using cell viability tests. Materials and Methods: Lyophilized aqueous extract of A. githago seeds was prepared. Liposomes were also prepared by thin-film hydration method and their stability and size were characterized by SEM. The size and zeta potential were determined by Malvern Zetasizer. Cytotoxic effects of nanoliposomes on gastric cancer cell line was determined using MTT, Neutral Red and Frame methods. Results: The size of liposomes was around 171.5 nm with proper dispersion (PDI=0.268). The morphology of the liposomes was suitable according to SEM images. The IC50 values indicated that the nanoliposomal form of extract was 3-4 times more active than extract alone. Average IC50 values for extract and liposomal form of extract were 13.02 ± 0.95 and 4.43 ± 1.49 ug/ml, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that liposomal form of aqueous extract of A. githago seeds exerts cytotoxic effect at significantly lower concentrations than the extract itself

Effect of virgin olive oil versus piroxicam phonophoresis on exercise-induced anterior knee pain

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of virgin olive oil phonophoresis on female athletes' anterior knee pain (AKP). Materials and Methods: A double blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted. Ninety-three female athletes suffering from AKP voluntarily participated in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into olive oil (n=31), piroxicam (n=31) or base gel phonophoresis (n=31) groups. At the baseline visit, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire was filled by subjects who were then treated with olive oil, piroxicam or pure phonophoresis for 12 sessions. After 6 and 12 sessions of physiotherapy, subjects filled the questionnaire again. Main outcomes were significant improvement in pain, stiffness, physical function, and total WOMAC scores. Results: Although, there was a significant reduction in symptoms of AKP at the end of the therapy in all groups (p< 0.05), but in olive oil group, this improvement was seen after 6 sessions of treatment (p< 0.001). A significant difference between olive oil group and piroxicam and/or phonophoresis group was observed after 6 sessions of therapy (p< 0.05). Conclusion: It could be proposed that phonophoresis with virgin olive oil is as effective as piroxicam gel on lowering WOMAC scores of AKP in female athletes and also has several beneficial properties including faster effect and shorter duration of therapy. The exact mechanism of beneficial action of virgin olive oil on AKP is not clear and requires further studies

Nanoliposomal formulation of Ecballium elaterium Extract: Cytotoxic Evaluation against Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma (AGS) Cell Line

Objective(s): The aim of this study was to determine cytotoxic effect of nanoliposomal form of lyophilized aqueous extract of Ecballium elaterium fruit on gastric cell line (AGS) using cell viability tests. Methods: An aqueous extract of the fruits of Ecballium elaterium was prepared. Nanoliposomal form was also prepared by thin-film hydration method and stability size was determined by SEM. The zeta potential and size characterized by Malvern zetasizer. Cytotoxic effect of the nanoliposomes encapsulated the extract on cell line was examined by MTT, Neutral Red and Frame methods. Results: The size of nanoliposomes was 218.2 nm with proper dispersion (PDI=0.3). The morphology of the liposomes was suitable according to SEM image. The IC50 values indicated that the nanoliposomal form of extract was 2-3 times more active than extract alone. The average IC50 values for extract and nanoliposomal form of extract were 1±0.1 and 0.39±0.02 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusions: The results from this study showed that the crude extract and nanoliposomal form extract of Ecballium elaterium have cytotoxicity effect on AGS cell line and these cells were significantly more susceptible to nanoliposomes encapsulated Ecballium elaterium extract than that of the extract itself

Expression levels of microRNA machinery components Drosha, dicer and DGCR8 in human (AGS, HepG2, and KEYSE-30) cancer cell lines

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been shown to play fundamental roles in diverse cellular processes and linked to variety of cancers. Dicer and Drosha are two major enzymes in the miRNA maturation process. DGCR8 is the assistant of Drosha in the microprocessor complex. In this study, we evaluated the mRNA expression profiles of major miRNA processing machinery Drosha, Dicer, and DGCR8 in human gastrointestinal (AGS, KYSE30 and HepG2) cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: The cells were cultured and harvested, and total cellular RNA was isolated from cells. Then, first-strand cDNA was synthesized from the RNA of cells. Afterward, Quantitative analysis was performed by real-time RT-PCR using the PowerSYBR Green PCR Master Mix. Results: Expression levels of Drosha in AGS and HepG2 cells were higher than the controls, whereas, Drosha\u27s expression level in KYSE-30 cell line was lower. The Dicer expression levels in AGS and HepG2 cells were higher, while, its expression level in KYSE-30 cell was lower. The DGCR8 expression levels in all three cell lines were significantly higher than the control samples. Conclusion: Expression levels of the two most important enzymes of the miRNA machinery, Drosha and Dicer, and microprocessor complex component, DGCR8 were noticeably dysregulated when compared to healthy controls