Resveratrol potentiates cytotoxic properties of both cancer drugs used in the study through increasing their intracellular level due to p-glycoprotein inhibition and downregulation of mdr1 gene.

Abstract. Thymoquinone (TQ), obtained from black cumin (Nigella sativa), is a natural product with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects but unfortunately with poor bioavailability. Aiming to improve its poor oral bioavailability, TQ-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were prepared by high-speed homogenization followed by ultrasonication and evaluated in vitro. Bioavailability and pharmacodynamic studies were also performed. The resultant NLCs showed poor physical homogeneity in Compritol 888 ATO Pluronic F127 system which consequently produced larger particle size and polydispersity index, smaller zeta potential values, and lower short-term (30 days) physical stability than other systems. Encapsulation efficiency percentage (EE%) lied between 84.6±5% and 96.2±1.6%. TQ AUC 0-t values were higher in animals treated with NLCs, with a relative bioavailability of 2.03-and 3.97-fold (for F9 and F12, respectively) higher than TQ suspension, indicating bioavailability enhancement by NLC formulation. Hepatoprotective effects of F12 showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in both serum alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase to reach 305.0±24.88 and 304.7±23.55 U/ml, respectively, when compared with untreated toxic group. Anti-oxidant efficacy of F12 showed significant (P<0.05) decline of malondialdehyde and elevation of reduced glutatione. This improvement was also confirmed histopathologically.

With the aim of developing novel anti-inflammatory scaffolds, a new series of pyrazole-substituted various nitrogenous heterocyclic ring systems at C-4 position were synthesized through different chemical reactions and validated by means of spectral and elemental data. The new obtained compounds were investigated for their anti-inflammatory activity using the carrageenan-induced paw edema standard technique and revealed that, compound 6b showed increased potency with % inhibition of edema 85.23 ± 1.92 and 85.78 ± 0.99, respectively, higher than the standard reference drugs indomethacin and celebrex (72.99% and 83.76%). Molecular modeling studies were initiated herein to validate the attained pharmacological data and provide understandable evidence for the observed anti-inflammatory behavior.

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic alkylating agent used in the treatment of malignant diseases and autoimmune disorders. Its clinical use is limited to its marked cardiorenal toxicity. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of taurine (Tau; 200 mg·kg per day, i.p.) on CP-induced cardiorenal toxicity. CP (200 mg·kg) was administered as a single intraperitoneal injection whereas; Tau was administered for 3 weeks on a daily basis. The results showed that CP produced an elevation in serum activities of creatine kinase, creatine kinase isoenzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine as well as blood urea nitrogen. CP also induced an elevation in the oxidative stress markers viz. elevation in the serum lipid peroxides level (measured as malondialdehyde; MDA) and reduction in reduced glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity in both heart and renal tissue. On the other hand, administration of Tau attenuated the CP-evoked disturbances in the above mentioned parameters. In addition, CP exhibited electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, which were significantly reversed by Tau treatment. Finally, the histopathological examination emphasized the obtained results. In conclusion, Tau is suggested to be a potential candidate to ameliorate CP-induced cardiorenal toxicity that may be related to its antioxidant activity.

Series of N-(4-substitutedphenyl)-4-(1-methyl (or 1,2-dimethyl)-4-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)-alkanamides (5a-j) and 4-chloro-N'-((1-methyl (or 1,2-dimethyl)-4-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)-alkaloyl)benzohydrazides (6a-f) were designed based on the previously reported essential structural features for anticonvulsant activity. Several amino acids were incorporated within the synthesized quinazolin-4(3H)-ones to improve their bioavailability and the anticonvulsant activity. Synthesis of the target compounds was accomplished in four steps starting from the reaction between N-methyl isatoic anhydride and the appropriate amino acid. Then, the carboxylic acid group was utilized to synthesize the required final structures. The new quinazolinone derivatives were evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity according to the Anticonvulsant Drug Development (ADD) Program protocol. All the 16 new quinazolinones exhibited good anticonvulsant activity; especially 5f, 5b, and 5c showed superior anticonvulsant activities in comparison to the reference drug, with ED values of 28.90, 47.38, and 56.40 mg/kg, respectively.

The present investigation deals with the synthesis of some new salicylamidoacetyl sulfonamides 3a,b, salicylamido ethylacetate 4, salicylamido acetic acid hydrazide 5, which is considered as the key intermediate for the synthesis of several series of new compounds such as salicylamido pyrazol 6 and pyrazolone 7. N-imido-derivatives 9, 10, 11, thiadiazole 13, oxadiazole 14, 15, Schiffs bases 16a-f. Cyclocondensation of Schiffs bases with thioglycolic acid gave thiazolidinone 18a-c while with acetylchloride afforded azitidinones 19a-c and with acetic anhydride gave 1,4-benzoxazepine-3,5-dione. Some of the compounds were tested for their analgesic and antiinflammatory activities as well as ulcerogenic effects. Some derivatives were more effective than salicylamide and ulcerogenic activity was variably lowered.

No abstract

No abstract