In recent years, a range of studies have been conducted with the aim to design and characterize delivery systems that are able to release multiple therapeutic agents in controlled and programmed temporal sequences, or with spatial resolution inside the body. This sequential release occurs in response to different stimuli, including changes in pH, redox potential, enzyme activity, temperature gradients, light irradiation, and by applying external magnetic and electrical fields. Sequential release (SR)-based delivery systems, are often based on a range of different micro-or nanocarriers and may offer a silver bullet in the battle against various diseases, such as cancer. Their distinctive characteristic is the ability to release one or more drugs (or release drugs along with genes) in a controlled sequence at different times or at different sites. This approach can lengthen gene expression periods, reduce the side effects of drugs, enhance the efficacy of drugs, and induce an anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells due to the synergistic effects of genes and drugs. The key objective of this review is to summarize recent progress in SR-based drug/gene delivery systems for cancer and other diseases.
Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy and the second leading cause of death among women worldwide that is caused by numerous genetic and environmental factors. Hence, effective treatment for this type of cancer requires new therapeutic approaches. The traditional methods for treating this cancer have side effects, therefore so much research have been performed in last decade to find new methods to alleviate these problems. The study of the molecular basis of breast cancer has led to the introduction of gene therapy as an effective therapeutic approach for this cancer. Gene therapy involves sending genetic material through a vector into target cells, which is followed by a correction, addition, or suppression of the gene. In this technique, it is necessary to target tumour cells without affecting normal cells. In addition, clinical trial studies have shown that this approach is less toxic than traditional therapies. This study will review various aspects of breast cancer, gene therapy strategies, limitations, challenges and recent studies in this area.
Introduction: Camphor is a natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and tissue repair properties. Nephrotoxicity is the most important side effect of gentamicin (GEM) administration. Therefore, investigating the effect of natural antioxidants can resolve this complication. Objectives: We aimed to assay the effect of camphor on biochemical factors and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPX]) and inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], nuclear factor kappa-B [NF-κB], interleukine-6 [IL-6]), and apoptotic indices (BCL2-associated X protein [Bax], B-cell lymphoma 2 [Bcl-2], caspase-3)], against GEM-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats were allocated to five groups. Positive control and treatment groups were given GEM to induce nephrotoxicity. Animal treatment groups were treated with camphor in olive oil for 12 days. Renal biopsies, serum, extraction of renal tissue and urine of rats were taken after the twelfth day. Biopsies were examined for structural changes using a light microscope, moreover, apoptosis, desired biochemical and inflammatory factors, were investigated by suitable methods. Results: Camphor had no effect on biochemical factors, including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), urea, creatinine and urine protein. However, it reduced the gene expression of TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-6, Bax, and caspase-3 and increased the gene expression of GPX and CAT and Bcl-2. Moreover, camphor improved kidney histopathological changes in the camphor groups in comparison with the GEM group. Conclusion: Camphor can be useful in the attenuation of GEM-induced nephrotoxicity based on expression levels of examined enzymes and factors and improving kidney histopathological changes.
Background: Prangos uloptera is a medicinal plant from the Apiaceae family which is native to Iran. Objectives: In the current study, phytochemical constituents of the essential oils, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of the aerial parts of P. uloptera were investigated. Materials and Methods: To determine the main ingredients of the essential oils and to investigate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of this plant, the GC-MS (gas chromatography - mass spectrometry) analysis, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay and microdilution method were used. Results: The GC–MS analysis showed that the leading constituents of the essential oils were butyl octanoate (24.88%), 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z) (14.19%) and alpha-pinene (19.28%) in the flowers, fruit and leaves, respectively. The greatest amount of phenolic compound was observed in methanolic extract of the leaves (0.5 ± 0.11 mgGAEs/g). Likewise, the greatest level of flavonoids (0.074 ± 12.4 mg QEs/g) was identified in the leaves. Furthermore, DPPH assay showed the most radical scavenging activity (IC50 201.7 ± 20.39 μg/mL) in the methanolic extract of the leaves. The highest total antioxidant capacity was observed in the fruit (0.004 ± 0.0005 g AAE/ml). The antibacterial activity of the plant extracts against the pathogenic fungal and bacterial species was investigated by broth microdilution method. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) amounts were in the ranges of 312 to 10000 and 1000 to 10000 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this research demonstrated that P. uloptera was a potent source of useful bioactive compounds, making it a promising candidate for further studies.
Background chemotherapy, novel treatmen Because of the Methods: Li zeta potential w done to examin was performed Results: The results of drug other pHs. Furt flow cytometry methotrexate. Conclusion: an appropriate
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.