Retinoic Acid Decorated Albumin-Chitosan Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Retinoic acid (R) grafted chitosan (C) copolymers with different degree of substitution of retinoic acid on the chitosan were synthesized. Retinoic acid targeted chitosan-albumin nanoparticles were prepared for targeted delivery of doxorubicin in hepatocellular carcinoma by coacervation method. Physical properties of nanoparticles including particle size, zeta potential, drug loading efficiency, and drug release profiles were studied. TEM micrographs were taken to see the morphology of nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles was studied on HepG2 cells using MTT assay and their cellular uptake by fluorescence microscopy. FTIR and 1HNMR spectra confirmed successful production of RC conjugate which was used in production of the targeted RC-albumin nanoparticles. IC50 of drug loaded in these nanoparticles reduced to half and one-third compared to nontargeted nanoparticles and free drug, respectively

Role of Zinc Supplementation in the Treatment of Levetiracetam-Induced Hair Loss: A Case Series

Objective: Cosmetic side effects are of important causes for non-compliance in patients on anti-epileptics. TE is among the most encountered cosmetic adverse effects. Method: This report presents three patients with seizure disorder who developed levetiracetam- induced TE. Levetiracetam was considered the best therapeutic option for the treatment of the presented patients and therefore, was not changed to other anti-epileptics. To manage TE, it was decided to add Zinc sulfate to the therapeutic levetiracetam regimen. Results:  All three patients reported improvement in their hair condition while their seizure was controlled. Significance: Levetiracetam has favorable safety and efficacy profiles. However; the hair loss caused by this medication is a major drawback. Zinc supplementation is suggested to be safe and cost effective when considering management of levetiracetam-induced TE