scholarly journals Antiurolithiatic efficacy of combination preparations of Dolichos biflorus and Crataeva nurvala: folk medicines used in Indian traditional medicine

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Kaushik ◽  
Manjusha Choudhary ◽  
Shami Rajpal

Abstract Background In spite of advances in the modern allopathic medicines, there is no satisfactory treatment of kidney stones, so formation and growth of calculi continues to trouble mankind. In India, many herbal formulations are in use for the treatment of urolithiasis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antiurolithiatic efficacy of combined extract of plants Dolichos biflorus (D.b) (hydroalcoholic seed extract) and Crataeva nurvala (C.n) (aqueous bark extract) in ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in Wistar rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups. Ethylene glycol (0.75% v/v, p.o.) was administered for 35 days. Different drug treatments were given from the 21st to 35th day of the study. On the last day, rats were sacrificed, and different samples were taken for further analysis. Results Both the combination drug treatments were found to be effective in treating urolithiasis. More significant protection was observed on treatment with the fraction ratio of D.b + C.n (3:1). Histopathology analysis showed degenerated glomeruli and inflammatory cells in urolithiasis control. The same were regenerated on treatment with combined extract of the two plants. Conclusion Administration of the combined plant extracts in a ratio of D.b + C.n (3:1) possesses better efficacy against ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis in rats which may be evaluated further for mechanistic pathway elucidation in vivo.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zirui Zhang ◽  
Shangcong Han ◽  
Panpan Liu ◽  
Xu Yang ◽  
Jing Han ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic inflammation and lack of angiogenesis are the important pathological mechanisms in deep tissue injury (DTI). Curcumin is a well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. However, curcumin is unstable under acidic and alkaline conditions, and can be rapidly metabolized and excreted in the bile, which shortens its bioactivity and efficacy. Objective: This study aimed to prepare curcumin-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (CPNPs) and to elucidate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of wound healing in DTI models. Methods: CPNPs were evaluated for particle size, biocompatibility, in vitro drug release and their effect on in vivo wound healing. Results : The results of in vivo wound closure analysis revealed that CPNP treatments significantly improved wound contraction rates (p<0.01) at a faster rate than other three treatment groups. H&E staining revealed that CPNP treatments resulted in complete epithelialization and thick granulation tissue formation, whereas control groups resulted in a lack of compact epithelialization and persistence of inflammatory cells within the wound sites. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that treatment with CPNPs suppressed IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression, and up-regulated TGF-β, VEGF-A and IL-10 mRNA expression. Western blot analysis showed up-regulated protein expression of TGF-β, VEGF-A and phosphorylatedSTAT3. Conclusion: Our results showed that CPNPs enhanced wound healing in DTI models, through modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway and subsequent upregulation of pro-healing factors.


Open Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1202-1212
Author(s):  
Aichun Zhang ◽  
Yangzi Jin

AbstractAllergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic diseases. This study examined whether microRNA (miR)-182-5p plays a role in AR by regulating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). First, data demonstrated that TLR4 was a target of miR-182-5p. Subsequently, AR mouse model was established to explore the role of miR-182-5p and TLR4 in AR in vivo. Initially, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that miR-182-5p was downregulated, while TLR4 expression was upregulated in AR mice. Then we found that miR-182-5p mimic reduced the frequency of sneezing and nose rubbing of the AR mice. In addition, miR-182-5p mimic significantly increased ovalbumin (OVA)-specific IgE and leukotriene C4 expression levels in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) and serum of AR mice. miR-182-5p mimic decreased the number of inflammatory cells in NLF of AR mice. It also reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in the serum of AR mice, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, while increasing the release of IFN-γ and IL-2. Finally, miR-182-5p mimic inhibited NF-κB signaling pathway activation in AR mice. However, all effects of miR-182-5p mimic on AR mice were reversed by TLR4-plasmid. In conclusion, miR-182-5p/TLR4 axis may represent a novel therapeutic target for AR.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Thashini Moodley ◽  
Moganavelli Singh

With increasing incidence and mortality rates, cancer remains one of the most devastating global non-communicable diseases. Restricted dosages and decreased bioavailability, often results in lower therapeutic outcomes, triggering the development of resistance to conventionally used drug/gene therapeutics. The development of novel therapeutic strategies using multimodal nanotechnology to enhance specificity, increase bioavailability and biostability of therapeutics with favorable outcomes is critical. Gated vectors that respond to endogenous or exogenous stimuli, and promote targeted tumor delivery without prematurely cargo loss are ideal. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are effective delivery systems for a variety of therapeutic agents in cancer therapy. MSNs possess a rigid framework and large surface area that can incorporate supramolecular constructs and varying metal species that allow for stimuli-responsive controlled release functions. Its high interior loading capacity can incorporate combination drug/gene therapeutic agents, conferring increased bioavailability and biostability of the therapeutic cargo. Significant advances in the engineering of MSNs structural and physiochemical characteristics have since seen the development of nanodevices with promising in vivo potential. In this review, current trends of multimodal MSNs being developed and their use in stimuli-responsive passive and active targeting in cancer therapy will be discussed, focusing on light, redox, pH, and temperature stimuli.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1438
Author(s):  
Silvio Curia ◽  
Feifei Ng ◽  
Marie-Emérentienne Cagnon ◽  
Victor Nicoulin ◽  
Adolfo Lopez-Noriega

This article presents the evaluation of diblock and triblock poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(1,3-trimethylene carbonate) amphiphilic copolymers (PEG-PTMCs) as excipients for the formulation of long-acting injectables (LAIs). Copolymers were successfully synthesised through bulk ring-opening polymerisation. The concomitant formation of PTMC homopolymer could not be avoided irrespective of the catalyst amount, but the by-product could easily be removed by gel chromatography. Pure PEG-PTMCs undergo faster erosion in vivo than their corresponding homopolymer. Furthermore, these copolymers show outstanding stability compared to their polyester analogues when formulated with amine-containing reactive drugs, which makes them particularly suitable as LAIs for the sustained release of drugs susceptible to acylation.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 153
Author(s):  
Sabrina Daniela da Silva ◽  
Fabio Albuquerque Marchi ◽  
Jie Su ◽  
Long Yang ◽  
Ludmila Valverde ◽  
...  

Invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is often ulcerated and heavily infiltrated by pro-inflammatory cells. We conducted a genome-wide profiling of tissues from OSCC patients (early versus advanced stages) with 10 years follow-up. Co-amplification and co-overexpression of TWIST1, a transcriptional activator of epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT), and colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF1), a major chemotactic agent for tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), were observed in metastatic OSCC cases. The overexpression of these markers strongly predicted poor patient survival (log-rank test, p = 0.0035 and p = 0.0219). Protein analysis confirmed the enhanced expression of TWIST1 and CSF1 in metastatic tissues. In preclinical models using OSCC cell lines, macrophages, and an in vivo matrigel plug assay, we demonstrated that TWIST1 gene overexpression induces the activation of CSF1 while TWIST1 gene silencing down-regulates CSF1 preventing OSCC invasion. Furthermore, excessive macrophage activation and polarization was observed in co-culture system involving OSCC cells overexpressing TWIST1. In summary, this study provides insight into the cooperation between TWIST1 transcription factor and CSF1 to promote OSCC invasiveness and opens up the potential therapeutic utility of currently developed antibodies and small molecules targeting cancer-associated macrophages.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 681
Author(s):  
Gugulethu P. Khumalo ◽  
Nicholas J. Sadgrove ◽  
Sandy F. Van Vuuren ◽  
Ben-Erik Van Wyk

Indigenous trade of medicinal plants in South Africa is a multi-million-rand industry and is still highly relevant in terms of primary health care. The purpose of this study was to identify today’s most traded medicinal barks, traditionally and contemporaneously used for dermatological, gastrointestinal, and respiratory tract infections; then, to investigate the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of the respective extracts and interpret outcomes in light of pharmacokinetics. Thirty-one popularly traded medicinal barks were purchased from the Faraday and Kwa Mai-Mai markets in Johannesburg, South Africa. Information on the medicinal uses of bark-based medicines in modern commerce was recorded from randomly selected traders. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method was used for antimicrobial screening, and brine shrimp lethality was used to determine toxicity. New medicinal uses were recorded for 14 bark species. Plants demonstrating some broad-spectrum activities against tested bacteria include Elaeodendron transvaalense, Erythrina lysistemon, Garcinia livingstonei, Pterocelastrus rostratus, Rapanea melanophloeos, Schotia brachypetala, Sclerocarya birrea, and Ziziphus mucronata. The lowest MIC value of 0.004 mg/mL was observed against Staphylococcus epidermidis for a dichloromethane bark extract of E. lysistemon. The tested medicinal barks were shown to be non-toxic against the Artemia nauplii (brine shrimp) bioassay, except for a methanol extract from Trichilia emetica (69.52% mortality). Bacterial inhibition of bark extracts with minimal associated toxicity is consistent with the safety and valuable use of medicinal barks for local muthi market customers. Antimicrobial outcomes against skin and gastrointestinal pathogens are feasible because mere contact-inhibition is required in vivo; however, MIC values against respiratory pathogens require further explaining from a pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics perspective, particularly for ingested rather than smoked therapies.


2001 ◽  
Vol 90 (04) ◽  
pp. 198-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
LV Bonamin ◽  
KS Martinho ◽  
AL Nina ◽  
F Caviglia ◽  
RGW Do Rio

AbstractWe evaluated the interaction of dexamethasone 10−17 and 10−33 M (equivalent to 7cH and 15cH) with dexamethasone in pharmacological concentrations, using as experimental models: acute inflammation induced by carrageenan, Ehrlich ascitic tumour, and migration of tumour infiltrating leukocytes (TIL). Male adult BALB/c mice (n=7 per group) were used in all experiments. Carrageenan (1%) was injected into the footpad for oedema evaluation and into the peritoneal cavity (i.p.), for differential counting of inflammatory cells. Ehrlich ascitic tumour cells (107 viable cells/ml) were injected i.p. and tumour cells were counted after 6 days, by the Trypan blue exclusion method. The differential TIL was counted using smears stained by hematoxylin–eosin. Treatments were made immediately after carrageenan inoculation or once a day, during Ehrlich tumour development, until the animals were killed. Animals were treated with the following preparations: (1) phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution; (2) dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg for inflammation model or 4 mg/kg for tumour model) mixed with dexamethasone 7cH or 15cH; (3) dexamethasone (same doses) mixed in PBS. Homeopathic dexamethasone partially blocked the anti-inflammatory effect of pharmacological dexamethasone with regard to paw oedema (two-way ANOVA, P≤0.0008) and polymorphonuclear cell migration (χ2, P=0.0001). No important differences were observed between experimental and control groups, in relation to Ehrlich tumour cells viability or count, or bodyweight, but potentised dexamethasone restored control levels of TIL viability, compared to mice treated with pharmacological doses of dexamethasone (χ2, P≤0.001). The results demonstrate that a potentised substance may change its own pharmacological effects and suggest that ultradilutions effects act mostly on host response.


Author(s):  
Bhong Prabha N. ◽  
Naikawade Nilofar. S. ◽  
Mali Pratibha. R. ◽  
Bindu Madhavi. S.

Objectives: The present study designed to evaluate the Antiasthmatic activity of aqueous extract of bark of Eugenia Jambolana (AEEJ) on in vitro and in vivo animal models. Materials and methods: Different in vitro and in vivo animal models was used to study the anti asthmatic activity as isolated goat tracheal chain preparation, Acetylcholine and Histamine induced bronconstriction in guinea pigs, effect of drug extract on histamine release from mast cell was checked by clonidine-induced mast cell degranulation, and milk-induced eosinophilia and leukocytosis. Results: In-vitro study on goat tracheal chain preparation revealed that aqueous extract of Eugenia jambolana (AEEJ)bark exerted antagonistic effect on the histamine induced contraction. (P<0.05) The guinea pigs when exposed to 0.2% histamine aerosol showed signs of progressive dyspnoea leading to convulsions. AEEJ significantly prolonged the latent period of convulsions (PCT) as compared to control following the exposure of histamine (0.2%) aerosol (P<0.01). The observation of present study indicates aqueous extract of Eugenia jambolana shows significant inhibition of milk induced eosinophilia and leukocytosis. Group of animals pretreated with aqueous Eugenia jambolana bark extract showed significant reduction in degranulation of mast cells when challenged with clonidine. The prevention of degranulation process by the aqueous Eugenia jambolana bark extract (P<0.01) indicates a possible stabilizing effect on the mast cells, indicating mast cell stabilizing activity. Conclusions: Thus, AEEJ showed antihistaminic, mast cell stabilizing and protective in guinea pigs against histamine induced PCD, reduced eosinophilia and leukocytosis and hence possesses potential role in the treatment of asthma.


Author(s):  
Raymundo Alejandro Pérez-Hernández ◽  
Silvia Guadalupe Treviño-Moreno ◽  
Gilberto Arévalo- Martínez ◽  
Eduardo Sánchez -García ◽  
Catalina Leos-Rivas ◽  
...  

Background: In clinical therapy, there is no satisfactory drug available for treatment of urolithiasis, especially for the prevention of their recurrence. The aim of this work was to evaluate in vivo antiurolithic activity of methanolic extract of Berberis trifoliata leaves. Material and methods: Urolithiasis was induced in Wistar rats by zinc disc implantation in urinary bladder. Upon postsurgical recovery, different doses of the methanolic extract of B. trifoliata leaves (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight) were administered orally to zinc disc implanted rats for a period of 20 days. Antiurolithiatic activity was evaluated by measuring the difference between the weight of the implanted zinc discs at the time of implantation and the final weight of the dried calculi taken out from the bladder at the end of the 20 days period of treatment. Results: Extract of B. trifoliata significantly reduced calculi deposition around the implanted zinc disc at all doses (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg). Conclusion: Treatment with methanolic extract of B. trifoliata is useful agent against the kidney stone formation.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bayan Darwesh ◽  
Hibah Aldawsari ◽  
Shaimaa Badr-Eldin

(1) Background: Fluconazole, used orally for vaginal candidiasis, has reported gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore, researchers directed towards the drug vaginal delivery. However, vaginal delivery is limited by poor retention and leakage. Thus, this work aimed at exploring chitosan/anion polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) for the formulation of fluconazole vaginal inserts with controlled release and appreciable mucoadhesion. (2) Methods: PECs were prepared and assessed for interactions. Fluconazole PEC based vaginal inserts were prepared by lyophilization using mannitol. 3151 factorial design was applied to investigate the effect of the anion type and Chitosan/anion ratio on the inserts mucoadhesion and release properties. The optimized insert [based on 5:5 chitosan: anionic polymer (sodium alginate)] release was modulated by the release retardant; Compritol® 888. The selected formulation was subjected to microbiological and histological evaluation. (3) Results: Fluconazole inserts showed satisfactory drug content, acceptable friability percentages and highest swelling indices at six hours. Statistical analysis showed significant effect of the studied factors on detachment force and release properties. Microbiological assays revealed significantly higher antifungal activity of inserts compared to fluconazole solution. Reduced inflammatory cells were confirmed by histological evaluation. (4) Conclusion: CH/Alg based vaginal insert could be a promising platform for vaginal delivery of antifungal drugs used for vaginal candidiasis treatment.


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