Listeria monocytogenes 4b and its forms without cell walls (L forms of a protoplastic type) were used to study in vivo interactions with host cells. Samples of peritoneal lavage fluid were obtained from rats intraperitoneally inoculated at intervals between 1 and 15 days after challenge, for scanning electron microscopic, bacteriological, biochemical, and cytometrical investigations. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed continuous adhesion of L forms on the macrophage surface up to 15 days after inoculation. The persistence of the L forms within the peritoneal cavity was also shown bacteriologically at all sample times, while the parental bacterial forms were isolated from the peritoneal cavity up to 7 days after challenge. The total count of peritoneal exudative cells determined by automated flow peroxidase cytometry peaked on the 15th day in animals infected with parental forms, while in animals infected with L forms the peak was lower and the macrophage population was predominant. The glycolytic and acid phosphatase activity of peritoneal exudative cells was two times higher in rats infected with L form as compared with rats infected with the L. monocytogenes parental forms on the 3rd day after challenge. An understanding of the nature of the interactions between L forms of L. monocytogenes and peritoneal exudative cells found in vivo could be used to establish the influence of L forms on host cellular defense mechanisms.
Considering the potential of Salvia officinalis in prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as the ability of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) to successfully deliver drug molecules across blood–brain barrier (BBB), the objective of this study was design, development, optimization and characterization of freeze‐dried salvia officinalis extract (FSE) loaded NLC intended for intranasal administration. NLC were prepared by solvent evaporation method and the optimization was carried out using central composite design (CCD) of experiments. Further, the optimized formulation (NLCo) was coated either with chitosan (NLCc) or poloxamer (NLCp). Surface characterization of the particles demonstrated a spherical shape with smooth exterior. Particle size of optimal formulations after 0.45 μm pore size filtration ranged from 127 ± 0.68 nm to 140 ± 0.74 nm. The zeta potential was −25.6 ± 0.404 mV; 22.4 ± 1.106 mV and − 6.74 ± 0.609 mV for NLCo, NLCc, and NLCp, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed the formation of NLC whereas Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the FSE encapsulation into particles. All formulations showcased relatively high drug loading (>86.74 mcg FSE/mg solid lipid) and were characterized by prolonged and controlled release that followed Peppas‐Sahlin in vitro release kinetic model. Protein adsorption studies revealed the lowest adsorption of the proteins onto NLCp (43.53 ± 0.07%) and highest protein adsorption onto NLCc (55.97 ± 0.75%) surface. The modified ORAC assay demonstrated higher antioxidative activity for NLCo (95.31 ± 1.86%) and NLCc (97.76 ± 4.00%) as compared to FSE (90.30 ± 1.53%). Results obtained from cell cultures tests pointed to the potential of prepared NLCs for FSE brain targeting and controlled release.
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