scholarly journals A Synthetic Chrono Genetic Therapy Gene for Consecutive Drug Delivery

Author(s):  
Maryam Anosh ◽  
Zukhruff Majeed ◽  
Nida Qamar

Chronotherapy, the delivery of therapeutic interventions personalized to patient's circadian rhythms, has shown enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects. Patients exhibit diurnal changes in cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis that lead to inflammatory flares and enhanced disease severity in the early morning. There has been important work showing the administration of anti-inflammatory treatments in the early morning, immediately before the inflammatory flare, in reducing symptoms of RA. Using synthetic biology, we developed chronotherapy-based gene chromogenic therapies that produce our prescribed transgene downstream of the core circadian clock component, Per2. We transduced these lentiviral chromogenic therapies into murine-induced pluripotent stem cells and developed tissue-engineered cartilage as our model system for timed drug delivery. Our anti-inflammatory chromogenic could produce interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in an oscillatory manner tracking with circadian rhythms in vitro. Additionally, the tissue-engineered pellets could entrain host circadian rhythms when implanted into mice and produce different levels of IL-1Ra in the serum at other times of the day. The chromogenic synthetic gene provides a novel cell therapy driving by the circadian clock for controlled biologic delivery at prescribed times of the                      day.

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley S Simpson ◽  
Xianling Luo ◽  
Jiping Wang ◽  
Yunmei Song ◽  
David Claudie ◽  
...  

Purpose: We have previously reported that the Australian Northern Kaanju (Kuuku I’yu) medicinal plant Dodonaea polyandra has anti-inflammatory activity. This is attributed largely to the presence of clerodane diterpenoids contained within the leaf resin. We envisaged developing a topical preparation to treat indications relating to skin inflammation. However, it was unknown whether the resin could be incorporated into a suitable dosage form while retaining the therapeutic value demonstrated in previous work. Therefore, the following study was undertaken to assess parameters of safety and efficacy for a prototype formulation containing the leaf resin extracted from D. polyandra. Methods: Using the assessment criteria of optimum appearance, tactile feeling, spreadability and odour, 78 different formulations were developed. Formulation stability was assessed using a centrifugal test with preparations displaying phase separation further modified or re-formulated. A prototype formulation containing 5% w/w plant resin was selected and subjected to in vitro release studies. This was quantified through HPLC analysis using two major bioactive diterpenoids as reference. The prototype formulation was tested for efficacy in a TPA-induced acute murine skin inflammation model as well as a 3D human skin model for irritancy/toxicity (Epiderm™). Results: The prototype resin cream was a chartreuse-coloured homogenous semisolid preparation that was readily spreadable upon contact with skin with no sensation of tackiness, residual greasiness, or irritation. The optimized cream showed no phase separation after 30 min centrifugation at 825 g. In the TPA-induced inflammation model, the resin formulation significantly reduced ear thickness and interleukin-1 beta levels in mouse ear tissue. The 5% w/w resin cream formulation showed no irritancy in a 3D human skin model. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that bioactive resin from D. polyandra can be formulated into a stable and non-irritant semi-solid dosage form and reduce parameters of acute skin inflammation in vivo. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 2575-2590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Zhong ◽  
Ruiming Liang ◽  
Jun Yao ◽  
Jia Li ◽  
Tongmeng Jiang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Current drug therapies for osteoarthritis (OA) are not practical because of the cytotoxicity and severe side-effects associated with most of them. Artemisinin (ART), an antimalarial agent, is well known for its safety and selectivity to kill injured cells. Based on its anti-inflammatory activity and role in the inhibition of OA-associated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is crucial in the pathogenesis of OA, we hypothesized that ART might have an effect on OA. Methods: The chondro-protective and antiarthritic effects of ART on interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β)-induced and OA patient-derived chondrocytes were investigated in vitro using cell viability assay, glycosaminoglycan secretion, immunofluorescence, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. We also used OA model rats constructed by anterior cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscus resection (ACLT+MMx) in the joints to investigate the effects of ART on OA by gross observation, morphological staining, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: ART exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and matrix metallopeptidase-13. It also showed favorable chondro-protective effect as evidenced by enhanced cell proliferation and viability, increased glycosaminoglycan deposition, prevention of chondrocyte apoptosis, and degeneration of cartilage. Further, ART inhibited OA progression and cartilage degradation via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, suggesting that it might serve as a Wnt/β-catenin antagonist to reduce inflammation and prevent cartilage degradation. Conclusion: In conclusion, ART alleviates IL-1β-mediated inflammatory response and OA progression by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Thereby, it might be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for OA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL4) ◽  
pp. 1853-1863
Author(s):  
Shubhra Rai ◽  
Gopal Rai ◽  
Ashish Budhrani

Lipospheres represent a novel type of fat-based encapsulation system produced for the topical drug delivery of bioactive compounds. The goal of this research work was to develop lipospheres, including ketoprofen applied for topical skin drug delivery. Ketoprofen lipospheres were formulated by melt emulsification method using stearic acid and Phospholipon® 90G. The lipospheres were analysed in terms of particle size and morphology, entrapment efficiency, Differential scanning calorimetry, In-vitro drug release, In-vivo (Anti-inflammatory activity). Outcomes of research revealed that particle size was found to be 9.66 µm and entrapment efficiency 86.21 ± 5.79 %. In-vivo, the study of ketoprofen loaded lipospheres formulation shows a higher plain formulation concentration in plasma (5.61 mg/mL). For dermis, ketoprofen retention was 27.02 ± 5.4 mg/mL for the lipospheres formulation, in contrast to that of the plain formulation group (10.05 ± 2.8 mg/mL). The anti-inflammatory effect of liposphere drug delivery systems was assessed by the xylene induced ear oedema technique and compared with marketed products. Finally, it seems that the liposphere drug delivery system possesses superior anti-inflammatory activity as compared to the marketed product gel consistencies. Liposphere may be capable of entrapping the medicament at very high levels and controlling its release over an extended period. Liposphere furnishes a proper size for topical delivery as well as is based on non-irritating and non-toxic lipids; it’s a better option for application on damaged or inflamed skin.


2013 ◽  
Vol 647 ◽  
pp. 391-395
Author(s):  
Liu Sen ◽  
Song Liu

Regulation of daily physiological functions with approximate a 24-hour periodicity, or circadian rhythms, is a characteristic of eukaryotes. So far, cyanobacteria are only known prokaryotes reported to possess circadian rhythmicity. The circadian system in cyanobacteria comprises both a post-translational oscillator (PTO) and a transcriptional/translational feedback loop (TTFL). The PTO can be reconstituted in vitro with three purified proteins (KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC) with the existence of ATP. Phase of the nanoclockwork has been associated with the phosphorylation states of KaiC, with KaiA promoting the phosphorylation of KaiC, and KaiB de-phosphorylating KaiC. Here we studied the evolution of the KaiB protein. The result will be helpful in understanding the evolution of the circadian clock system.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quanxin Ma ◽  
Kai Wang ◽  
Qinqin Yang ◽  
Shun Ping ◽  
Weichun Zhao ◽  
...  

Veronicastrum axillare is a traditional medical plant in China which is widely used in folk medicine due to its versatile biological activities, especially for its anti-inflammatory effects. However, the detailed mechanism underlying this action is not clear. Here, we studied the protective effects of V. axillare against acute lung injury (ALI), and we further explored the pharmacological mechanisms of this action. We found that pretreatment with V. axillare suppressed the release of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum of ALI mice. Histological analysis of lung tissue demonstrated that V. axillare inhibited LPS-induced lung injury, improved lung morphology, and reduced the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lungs. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory actions of V. axillare were investigated in vitro. We observed that V. axillare suppressed the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in RAW264.7 cells challenged with LPS. Furthermore, pretreatment of V. axillare in vitro reduced the phosphorylation of p65 and IκB-α which is activated by LPS. In conclusion, our data firstly demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effects of V. axillare against ALI were achieved through downregulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing the production of inflammatory mediators.


Author(s):  
Irfana Zahoor ◽  
Farhat Jan ◽  
Ujjawal Sharma ◽  
Kiran K. Sahu ◽  
Amita Sharma ◽  
...  

Background:: There is an urgent need to devise improved alternatives for the efficient delivery of drugs to develop improved therapeutic interventions against cancers. Nanotechnology based drug delivery vehicles are in-use with obvious issues of toxicity and bio-distribution. Therefore, green synthetic routes are being deployed to replace the conventional nanoparticle formulations for effective drug delivery aiming at developing interventional strategies against cancer. Objective:: A simple, viable and fast approach was used for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf-extract of Viburnum nervosum (VN) and to explore the anti-cancer potential of the crude extract of VN. Methods:: Silver NPs were synthesized by reacting silver nitrate (AgNO3) with leaf extract of VN. Various analytical techniques were used to characterize the AgNPs. Finally, the anti-cancer potential of VN was observed when delivered through AgNPs. Results:: The surface plasmon spectra for AgNPs exhibited absorbance peak at 445 nm, and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy investigation revealed presence of biomolecules acting as an effective reducing and capping agent for converting silver nitrate to AgNPs. Further, our results suggest the spherical size of synthesized AgNPs ranging from 12-17 nm. Moreover, in vitro studies conducted for VN extract with breast (MCF-7) and epidermal carcinoma (A431) cells showed biocompatibility. Conclusion:: Doxorubicin loaded AgNPs documented an increased bioavailability of drug compared to the free drug, suggesting the use of AgNPs as “novel drug delivery vectors”.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaosheng Zhu ◽  
Keze Miao ◽  
Mingwei Dong ◽  
Jie Cai ◽  
Zhihao Shen ◽  
...  

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent disabling disease, is characterized by irreversible cartilage degradation and persistent inflammation. The etiology as well as pathogenesis of OA are not completely unclear and need further investigation. Gigantol, is a bibenzyl derivative extracted from Dendrobium plants and has been found exhibit multiple effects such as anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, the biological function of gigantol on osteoarthritis (OA) is still uncertain. This study aimed at examining the anti-inflammatory effects and latent mechanisms of gigantol in IL-1β-mediated OA progression. In vitro, we identified that gigantol treatment suppressed tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) mediated mouse OA chondrocytes. Gigantol was also shown to dose dependently downregulate the metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) as well as thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) levels. Moreover, IL-1β-mediated AKT and PI3K phosphorylation as well as NF-κB activation were inhibited by gigantol. Meanwhile, in vivo, we detected that gigantol treatment inhibited degradation of the cartilage degradation and lowered the Osteoarthritis Research Society International scores (OARSI) in OA mouse. Therefore, gigantol is a promising therapeutic option for OA.


2013 ◽  
Vol 699 ◽  
pp. 184-188
Author(s):  
Liu Sen ◽  
Song Liu ◽  
Fei Yun Chen

Regulation of daily physiological functions with approximate a 24-hour periodicity, or circadian rhythms, is a characteristic of eukaryotes. So far, cyanobacteria are only known prokaryotes reported to possess circadian rhythmicity. The circadian system in cyanobacteria comprises both a post-translational oscillator (PTO) and a transcriptional/translational feedback loop (TTFL). The PTO can be reconstituted in vitro with three purified proteins (KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC) with the existence of ATP. Phase of the nanoclockwork has been associated with the phosphorylation states of KaiC, with KaiA promoting the phosphorylation of KaiC, and KaiB de-phosphorylating KaiC. Here we studied the sequence variation of 65 KaiC proteins in evolution, and determined some key residues in KaiC by analyzing the site variation rates of the protein sequences. These key residues could be used to study the key interactions of KaiC with KaiA and KaiB.


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