scholarly journals Novel Neuroprotective Formulations Based on St. John’s Wort Extract

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Vazzana ◽  
Ana S. Macedo ◽  
Antonello Santini ◽  
Caterina Faggio ◽  
Eliana B. Souto
Keyword(s):  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Drug Carrier ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
St John’S Wort ◽  
St John's Wort ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Carrier Systems

<p>St. John’s Wort (SJW) has been intensively studied in the last years with respect to its pharmacological properties and to understand the mechanism of action of its bioactive compounds. In fact, it is currently used for the treatment of several disorders. Nevertheless, only recently nanotechnology has been applied for the delivery of SJW extract in vivo, to enhance its neuroprotective properties. In the present review, the advantages, the chemical characterization and the special biological features of SJW extract are discussed, underlining the potential use of nanotechnology in the development of drug carrier systems based on lipid nanoparticles. A special focus is given to solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and to nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) given their versatility for a wide range of bioactive compounds.</p>

scholarly journals Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Citrus Flavonoid Hesperetin: Special Focus on Neurological Disorders

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amjad Khan ◽  
Muhammad Ikram ◽  
Jong Ryeal Hahm ◽  
Myeong Ok Kim
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

Neurodegenerative disorders have emerged as a serious health issue in the current era. The most common neurodegenerative disorders are Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These diseases involve progressive impairment of neurodegeneration and memory impairment. A wide range of compounds have been identified as potential neuroprotective agents against different models of neurodegeneration both in vivo and in vitro. Hesperetin, a flavanone class of citrus flavonoid, is a derivative of hesperidin found in citrus fruits such as oranges, grapes, and lemons. It has been extensively reported that hesperetin exerts neuroprotective effects in experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases. In this systematic review, we have compiled all the studies conducted on hesperetin in both in vivo and in vitro models of neurodegeneration. Here, we have used an approach to lessen the bias in each study, providing a least biased, broad understanding of findings and impartial conclusions of the strength of evidence and the reliability of findings. In this review, we collected different papers from a wide range of journals describing the beneficial effects of hesperetin on animal models of neurodegeneration. Our results demonstrated consistent neuroprotective effects of hesperetin against different models of neurodegeneration. In addition, we have summarized its underlying mechanisms. This study provides the foundations for future studies and recommendations of further mechanistic approaches to conduct preclinical studies on hesperetin in different models.

scholarly journals Lipid Nanostructured Particles as Emerging Carriers for Targeted Delivery of Bioactive Molecules: Applications in Food and Biomedical Sciences (An Overview)

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Patricia MUNTEAN ◽  
Carmen SOCACIU ◽  
Mihai Adrian SOCACIU
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Drug Carriers ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Biomedical Sciences ◽  
Nanostructured Particles ◽  
Drug Conjugates ◽  
Carrier Systems

Lipid nanoparticles are getting a growing scientific and technological interest, worldwide. Either Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs), Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs), Lipid Drug Conjugates (LDCs) or Polymer-Lipid Nanoparticles (PLNs) have been produced and investigated last years, being reccomended as emerging carrier systems for many food and biomedical applications. An overview of the last publications, mainly since 2017 is presented, underlying the most important methods and techniques used for their preparation (e.g. high shear homogenization in hot and cold conditions, ultrasound assisted melt emulsification) as well techniques applied for measuring the size, calorimetric properties, zeta-potential, etc. Most relevant data related to the use of food-grade ingredients and designed lipid nanoparticles as delivery systems for organic and inorganic bioactive molecules in food or packaging’s are presented. The major reason for this trend in food science is the aim to overcome problems associated with the low bioavailability of many lipophilic bioactive compounds which are claimed to bring benefits to human health (carotenoid or anthocyanin pigments, sterols, vitamins). Finally, the recent applications of different formulas of lipid nanoparticles as drug carriers for in vitro experiments or for in vivo therapy (oral, parenteral or transdermal formulas) are presented.

scholarly journals Efficient Synthesis of Glutamate Peptide-Estradiol Conjugate for Imaging Estrogen Receptor-Positive Diseases

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ming-Chi Shih ◽  
Sergio Daniel Simon ◽  
Zhiming Jin ◽  
Yuan Gui ◽  
Bohua Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrogen Receptor ◽  
Endocrine Therapy ◽  
Drug Carrier ◽  
Cell Uptake ◽  
Tumor Resistance ◽  
Efficient Synthesis ◽  
Average Cell ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Estrogen Receptor Positive

Molecular imaging of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) pathway-activated system serves the basis of ER+ disease management such as cancers and endometriosis. ER+ patients have better response to endocrine therapy and survive twice as long as negative ER patients. However, tumor resistance resulting from clinical used aromatase inhibitors and antiestrogens is unpredictable. Radiolabeled ER+ ligand could quantify ER+ tissue uptake which helps to stage and restage of the cancer as well as endometriosis. The differential diagnosis of ER+ lesions by using a labeled ligand helps to select the patients for optimal response to endocrine therapy and to discontinue the treatment when resistance occurs. In addition, radiolabeled ER+ ligand serves as basis for image-guided response follow-up. Glutamate receptors are cell surface receptors which are overexpressed in inflammation and infection. Using glutamate peptide as a drug carrier helps to target intracellular genes via glutamate receptor-mediated process. Reports have shown that polyglutamate is a drug carrier that could alter drug solubility and enhance estrogen receptor-ligand binding pocket. However, polyglutamate was a blend of mixed polymer with a wide range of molecular weight. Thus, the structural confirmation and purity of the conjugates were not optimized. To overcome this problem, the efficient synthesis of glutamate peptide-estradiol (GAP-EDL) conjugate was achieved with high purity. EDL was conjugated site-specific at the first glutamate of GAP. The average cell uptake of 68Ga-GAP-EDL was 5-fold higher than the previous reported synthesis. The efficient synthesis of GAP-EDL has greatly enhanced sensitivity and specificity in cell uptake studies. In vivo PET imaging studies indicated that 68Ga-GAP-EDL could image ER (+) tumors in MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, GAP-EDL makes it possible to image ER-enriched endometriosis and cancer.

scholarly journals St. John’s Wort Has Metabolically Favorable Effects on AdipocytesIn Vivo

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Fuller ◽  
Allison J. Richard ◽  
David M. Ribnicky ◽  
Robbie Beyl ◽  
Randall Mynatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
White Adipose Tissue ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Serine Phosphorylation ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Storage Site ◽  
St John’S Wort ◽  
St John's Wort

In addition to serving as a storage site for reserve energy, adipocytes play a critical role in whole-body insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. St. John’s Wort (SJW) is a botanical supplement widely used as an over-the-counter treatment of depression and a variety of other conditions associated with anxiety and nerve pain. Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated that SJW inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and adipocyte differentiation in cultured murine and mature human adipocytes. To investigate the effects of SJW on adipocyte functionin vivo, we utilized C57BL/6J mice. In our studies, mice were administered SJW extract (200 mg/kg) once daily by gavage for two weeks. In contrast to ourin vitrostudies, mice treated with SJW extract showed increased levels of adiponectin in white adipose tissue in a depot specific manner(P<0.01). SJW also exerted an insulin-sensitizing effect as indicated by a significant increase in insulin-stimulated Akt serine phosphorylation in epididymal white adipose tissue(P<0.01). Food intake, body weight, fasting blood glucose, and fasting insulin did not differ between the two groups. These results are important as they indicate that SJW does not promote metabolic dysfunction in adipose tissuein vivo.

scholarly journals Characterization of Andean Blueberry in Bioactive Compounds, Evaluation of Biological Properties and in vitro Bioaccessibility

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nieves Baenas ◽  
Jenny Ruales ◽  
Diego A. Moreno ◽  
Daniel Alejandro Barrio ◽  
Carla M. Stinco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
In Vitro Digestion ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Zebrafish Embryogenesis

Andean blueberries are wild berries grown and consumed in Ecuador which contain high values of bioactive compounds, mainly anthocyanins, with powerful antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile and contents of (poly)phenols and carotenoids in Andean blueberry by HPLC-DAD-MSn and determine a wide range of its biological activities. The antioxidant capacity of this fruit was evaluated in vitro by three different methods and in vivo using the zebrafish animal model, also the toxicity effect was determined by the zebrafish embryogenesis test. Besides, the antimicrobial activity and the capacity of Andean blueberry to produce hemagglutination in blood cells were evaluated. Finally, the bioaccessibility of (poly)phenols and related antioxidant capacity were determined in the different phases of an in vitro digestion. The global results indicated no toxicity of Andean blueberry, weakly bacteriostatic activity, and high contents of anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity, which were partially bioaccesible in vitro (~ 50 % at the final intestinal step), contributing to the knowledge of its health benefits for consumers and its potential use in the food and pharmaceutical industry as functional ingredient.

scholarly journals Plant Extracts Rich in Polyphenols as Potent Modulators in the Growth of Probiotic and Pathogenic Intestinal Microorganisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milica Milutinović ◽  
Suzana Dimitrijević-Branković ◽  
Mirjana Rajilić-Stojanović
Keyword(s):  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Medicinal Herbs ◽  
Yeast Growth ◽  
Plant Metabolites ◽  
Intestinal Microbes ◽  
St John’S Wort ◽  
St John's Wort ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Probiotic Yeast ◽  
The Impact

Medicinal plants and their extracts contain substantial quantities of polyphenols. As metabolically active plant metabolites, polyphenols are food components with a wide range of biological activities. Given their poor absorbability in the digestive tract their activity toward the human host is typically mediated through interaction with intestinal microbes. As a result, polyphenols comprise a novel group of prebiotics. In this study, we tested the effect of five polyphenol-rich extracts from four medicinal herbs on the growth of probiotic and pathogenic microbes. The studied medicinal herbs were Gentiana asclepiadea L. (willow gentian), Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort), Satureja montana L. (winter savory), and Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow). All these plants are traditionally used for the treatment of digestive problems. Extracts were prepared using safe solvent combinations. We tested the impact of addition of plant extracts on the growth of three probiotic lactobacilli and probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. The effect of addition of plant extracts to liquid media (concentration range 0.25–10 mg/mL) on the growth of probiotics, was tested in vitro. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested against several opportunistic bacteria and yeast. St. John's wort, winter savory, and willow gentian extracts showed a stimulative effect on probiotic yeast growth, while the highest growth-stimulating effect was achieved when microwave-assisted yarrow extract was used in the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. Under these conditions growth of S. boulardii was increased 130-fold. In addition, the yarrow extract stimulated the growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v. The growth of two Lacticasibacillus rhamnosus strains was not stimulated by the addition of any extracts. Our results show that plant polyphenol-rich extracts can influence the growth of microorganisms that are typical members of the intestinal microbiota. For the first time we demonstrate that probiotic yeast growth can be stimulated by extracts of medicinal herbs, which when accompanied by suppression of Candida yeasts suggests a potential benefit of the treatment in diseases that are associated with fungal dysbiosis.

scholarly journals Fluorescent Labeling of Hyaluronic Acid-Chitosan Nanocarriers by Protein-Stabilized Gold Nanoclusters

Crystals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1113
Author(s):  
Árpád Turcsányi ◽  
Ditta Ungor ◽  
Edit Csapó
Keyword(s):  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
Drug Carrier ◽  
Fluorescent Microscopy ◽  
Gold Nanoclusters ◽  
Fluorescent Labeling ◽  
Colloid Stability ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mass Ratios ◽  
Important Field

In medical research the visualization of drug carrier accumulation and release of the loaded drugs in vivo is an important field. In this work, two protein-stabilized gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) as effective fluorescent reporters (FRs) were investigated for labeling of biocompatible chitosan-modified hyaluronic acid based nanocarriers having two different structures. The colloid stability of the labeled carriers was studied by dynamic light scattering and Zeta potential measurements, while the changes in the fluorescence of the lysozyme- (LYZ) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)-stabilized Au NCs were analyzed by spectrofluorimetry and confocal fluorescent microscopy. We found that the labeling was effective with a wide range of marker:carrier mass ratios, and the fluorescence of the NCs and the colloid stability of the complexes were retained. Labeling during preparation and subsequent labeling were compared, and based on composition (nanocluster:carrier mass ratio) and structure of the complex systems we preferred the latter method, as it left the Au NCs free for further modifications. Considering both marker:carrier mass ratios and emission intensities, the LYZ-stabilized Au NCs proved to be better labels. The core-shell type carrier formulations showed increased fluorescence with LYZ-stabilized NCs, presumably from aggregation induced emission.

Recent Developments in Controlled Release of Antibiotics

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 911-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Gui Ning ◽  
En-Tang Kang ◽  
Yun Bing Wang ◽  
Xue Feng Hu ◽  
Li Qun Xu
Keyword(s):  
Drug Carrier ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Oral Ingestion ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Repeated Doses ◽  
Carrier Systems ◽  
Drug Carrier Systems

Traditional use of antibiotics through injection or oral ingestion has many disadvantages, such as detrimental side effects in the host, less effectiveness, high and repeated doses, and development of drug resistance. For prevention and treatment of implant-associated infections, the continuous local delivery of antibiotics is required. Thus, there is a strong demand for the development of drug carrier systems to control the release of antibiotics in a moderate manner over an appropriate timescale. This review summarizes the carrier platforms used for the loading of antibiotics, and highlights their drug release behaviors as well as in vitro and in vivo antibacterial properties.

scholarly journals Antiproliferative Effects of St. John’s Wort, Its Derivatives, and Other Hypericum Species in Hematologic Malignancies

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Alessandro Allegra ◽  
Alessandro Tonacci ◽  
Elvira Ventura Spagnolo ◽  
Caterina Musolino ◽  
Sebastiano Gangemi
Keyword(s):  
Matrix Metalloproteinase ◽  
Hematologic Malignancies ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
St John’S Wort ◽  
St John's Wort ◽  
Hypericum Species

Hypericum is a widely present plant, and extracts of its leaves, flowers, and aerial elements have been employed for many years as therapeutic cures for depression, skin wounds, and respiratory and inflammatory disorders. Hypericum also displays an ample variety of other biological actions, such as hypotensive, analgesic, anti-infective, anti-oxidant, and spasmolytic abilities. However, recent investigations highlighted that this species could be advantageous for the cure of other pathological situations, such as trigeminal neuralgia, as well as in the treatment of cancer. This review focuses on the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), its derivatives, and other Hypericum species in hematologic malignancies. Hypericum induces apoptosis in both myeloid and lymphoid cells. Other Hypericum targets include matrix metalloproteinase-2, vascular endothelial growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, which are mediators of cell migration and angiogenesis. Hypericum also downregulates the expression of proteins that are involved in the resistance of leukemia cells to chemotherapeutic agents. Finally, Hypericum and its derivatives appear to have photodynamic effects and are candidates for applications in tumor photodynamic therapy. Although the in vitro studies appear promising, controlled in vivo studies are necessary before we can hypothesize the introduction of Hypericum and its derivatives into clinical practice for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.

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