No abstract

Strategy, Management and Health PolicyEnabling Technology, Genomics, ProteomicsPreclinical ResearchPreclinical Development Toxicology, Formulation Drug Delivery, PharmacokineticsClinical Development Phases I‐III Regulatory, Quality, ManufacturingPostmarketing Phase IV In the present study, the cardiotoxicity of aloin, a naturally occurring anthraquinone glycoside with antiproliferative activity was compared with doxorubicin, a cardiotoxic anthracyline drug, in rats. The antioxidant and iron‐chelating activities of aloin and doxorubicin in vitro were also evaluated. Rats treated with aloin (50 mg/kg body weight, intramuscular)) twice weekly over 2 weeks showed no signs of cardiotoxicity as assessed by an absence of changes in relative heart weight, serum level of heart function enzymes, and a lack of degeneration in the myocardium of the left ventricle. Acute doxorubicin administration (30 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal) to rats produced severe cardiotoxicity as supported by biochemical and histological studies. Aloin did not induce oxidative stress or enhance the endogenous antioxidant defense system in the heart. In vitro antioxidant tests showed that aloin, in contrast to doxorubicin, had substantial antioxidant activity represented by scavenging of 1,1‐diphenyl 2‐picrylhydrazyl and nitric oxide· radicals, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and ferric‐reducing antioxidant activity in addition to iron chelating potential. Ventricular inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression was unaffected by either aloin and doxorubicin treatments. In conclusion, repeated aloin treatment, in contrast to that of doxorubicin, failed to produce oxidative stress‐induced cardiotoxicity in the rats.

Oral exposure to chromium hexavalent [Cr(VI)] has disastrous impacts and affects many people worldwide. Cr(VI) triggers neurotoxicity via its high oxidation potential by generating high amount of ROS. Meanwhile, alginates are known by their chelating activity and ability to bind heavy metals and toxins, in addition to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities. So, this study aimed to explore the neuroprotective potential of sodium alginate (SA) against cellular injury, DNA damage, macromolecule alterations, and apoptosis induced by oral ingestion of Cr. Forty Wistar male rats were divided into 4 groups; group I: standard control ingested with the vehicle solution, group II: Cr-intoxicated group received 10 mg/kg b.w. of potassium dichromate orally by gavage and kept without treatment, group III: SA group in which rats were orally exposed to 200 mg/kg b.w. of SA only, and group IV: SA-treated group that received 200 mg/kg b.w. of SA along with Cr for 28 consecutive days. Neurotransmitters such as Acetyl choline esterase (AchE), Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) concentrations, Dopamine (DA) and 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels were assessed in brain homogenate tissues. Neurobiochemical markers; NAD+ and S100B protein were investigated in the brain tissues and serum, respectively. Levels of HSP70, caspase-3, protein profiling were evaluated. DNA damage was determined using the Comet assay. Results revealed a significant reduction in the AchE and MAOA concentrations, DA, 5-HT, and NAD+ levels, with an increase in the S100B protein levels. Cr(VI) altered protein pattern and caused DNA damage. High levels of HSP70 and caspase-3 proteins were observed. Fortunately, oral administration of SA prevented the accumulation of Cr in brain homogenates and significantly improved all investigated parameters. SA attenuated the ROS production and relieved the oxidative stress by its active constituents. SA can protect against cellular and DNA damage and limit apoptosis. SA could be a promising neuroprotective agent against Cr(VI)-inducing toxicity.

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive malignancy defined by accumulation of lymphoblasts in the bone marrow. Leukemic stem cells ( LSCs ) are the major cause of the recurrence and metastasis of ALL. This study aimed to develop an effective anti-cancer agent targeting these LSCs . Luffa Cylindrica ( L.C. ) leaves extract was selected to evaluate its effect on ALL via eradicating the LSCs as it contains many active anti-cancer flavonoids. Methods: Thirty-two bone marrow samples of ALL patients were used in this study. LSCs population was identified in the selected samples. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation marker; ki-67 and colony forming assay were further analyzed. Results: This study revealed the expression of CD34+/CD38+ cells in addition to CD34+/CD38- population and the extract was effective against the two LSCs populations. MTT assay showed that treated leukemic cells exhibited significant reduction in the viable cells in a dose dependent manner with IC50 of 3 µg/µl which was then confirmed by flow cytometry. Cell cycle analysis results showed significant reduction in the percentage of cells treated with L.C. extract in both the S and G0/G1 phases, with concomitant increase in the G2/M phase. Also, L.C. extract could effectively induce apoptosis, inhibit proliferation and suppress colonogenecity of leukemic cells. Conclusion: This study validated the medicinal potential of L.C. leaves extract as a promising anti-leukemic agent targeting both LSCs and blasts in ALL patients, which may be explained by the synergy found between its potent flavonoids especially apigenin, luteolin and kaempferol.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes functional disability due to bone destruction and severe joint pain. Current anti‐rheumatic treatments develop severe complications and do not provide complete remission. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have garnered attention because of their unique physical and chemical properties. In this study, we have evaluated the therapeutic effects of gold nanospheres (AuNSs) with two different ligands (targeted‐nanoparticles) against collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) and compared the outcomes with conventional methotrexate (MTX) and biological (infliximab) treatments. Clinical evaluation was performed by radiographic and histological examinations. The bioaccumulation of AuNSs in vital organs was assessed. The mechanistic studies targeting pro‐inflammatory/anti‐inflammatory and angiogenic mediators’ expressions were performed. Radiographic examination showed that the targeted AuNSs reduced joint space narrowing and bone erosion. Moreover, histopathological examination of rat ankle joints demonstrated that targeted AuNSs reduce bone and cartilage degeneration/inflammation. Gold nanospheres‐conjugated with nucleus localized peptide (nuclear membrane‐targeted) (AuNSs@NLS) has resolved bone destruction and inflammation compared to gold nanospheres‐conjugated at polyethylene glycol (AuNSs@PEG). Although the AuNSs accumulated in different organs in both cases, they did not induce any toxicity or tissue damage. The two different targeted AuNSs significantly suppress inflammatory and angiogenic mediators’ expression and induced anti‐inflammatory cytokine production, but the AuNSs@NLS had superior therapeutic efficacy. In conclusion, these results suggested that nuclear membrane‐targeted AuNSs effectively attenuated arthritis progression without systemic side effects.