Resveratrol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles mediated programmed cell death in prostate cancer cells

Resveratrol (RL), a natural polyphenol, is known for its diverse biological effects against various human cancer cell lines. But low aqueous solubility, poor bioavailability, and stability limit its efficacy against prostate cancer. In this study polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating resveratrol (RLPLGA) were designed and their cytotoxic and mode of apoptotic cells death against prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) was determined. Nanoparticles were prepared by solvent displacement method and characterized for particle size, TEM, entrapment efficiency, DSC and drug release study. RLPLGA exhibited a significant decrease in cell viability with 50% and 90% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀ and IC₉₀) of 15.6?±?1.49 and 41.1?±?2.19?μM respectively against the LNCaP cells. This effect was mediated by apoptosis as confirmed by cell cycle arrest at G1-S transition phase, externalization of phosphatidylserine, DNA nicking, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species generation in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, significantly greater cytotoxicity to LNCaP cells was observed with nanoparticles as compared to that of free RL at all tested concentrations. RLPLGA nanoparticles presented no adverse cytotoxic effects on murine macrophages even at 200?μM. Our findings support the potential use of developed resveratrol loaded nanoparticle for the prostate cancer chemoprevention/ chemotherapy with no adverse effect on normal cells.     

Impaired microsomal oxidation of the atypical antipsychotic agent clozapine in hepatic steatosis

Hepatic lipid infiltration (steatosis) is a complication of the metabolic syndrome and can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and severe liver injury. Microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) drug oxidases are down-regulated in experimental steatosis. In this study we evaluated the separate and combined effects of lipid accumulation and P450 down-regulation on the microsomal oxidation of the antipsychotic agent clozapine (CLZ), the use of which is associated with an increased incidence of the metabolic syndrome. Several important drug oxidizing P450s were down-regulated, and the formation of N-desmethyl-CLZ (norCLZ) and CLZ N-oxide was decreased in microsomal fractions from orotic acid-induced early steatotic rat liver. Inclusion of lipids extracted from steatotic, but not control, liver decreased the free concentration of CLZ in microsomes and suppressed norCLZ formation; CLZ N-oxidation was unchanged. Triglycerides increased in steatotic liver to 15-fold of control, whereas increases in the monounsaturated oleic acid to 10-fold of control and total polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids to 4- and 5-fold of control also occurred. Addition of triglycerides containing esterified omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids inhibited the microsomal formation of norCLZ but not that of CLZ N-oxide; triglycerides esterified with unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids were inactive. Thus, drug oxidation may be suppressed in steatosis by P450 down-regulation and the accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty esters. In contrast, the activity of the flavin-containing monooxygenase that mediates CLZ N-oxidation was unimpaired. Lipid deposition in livers of patients with the metabolic syndrome may necessitate dosage adjustments for toxic drugs, including CLZ.     

Clinical and scanning electron microscopic features of invasive cervical resorption in a maxillary molar

This case report presents clinical and morphological features of severe invasive cervical resorption (ICR) involving a maxillary first molar. Surface morphology of the ICR defect that extended into enamel was studied using a scanning electron microscope. The topography and morphology of resorbed enamel and pulpal surfaces are described. The pulpal space was characterized by proliferation of fibrovascular tissue invaded by a number of > or = 15-microm-large dentinoclastlike cells. The vertical orientation and hexagonal geometric outlines of enamel rods indicated that the resorptive defect had extended into the outer surface of enamel. Preferential odontoclastic dissolution of interprismatic enamel was noted. Deposits of a cementumlike substance were noticed on enamel surfaces, indicating that resorptive process was coupled with repair. Complete destruction of dentin was associated with no response by the tooth to cold stimulus, supporting the hydrodynamic theory of dentinal sensitivity. The results of this study indicate that in addition to predentin and cementum, the outer surface enamel may be resistant to the resorptive process as well.     

Recent developments with tau-based drug discovery

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which accounts for three fourth of all cases of dementia, is a major public health problem in modern society and, yet, there is no effective treatment available that can prevent or inhibit this chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease. A major current drug target is intraneuronal abnormally hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau which is a histopathological hallmark of this disease and of a family of neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies.

Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss a growing number of studies that describe the nature and mechanism of tau pathology and various drug discovery options and most recent developments in tau-based therapeutics. PubMed was used to obtain relevant literature while clinicaltrials.gov site and Google search were employed to obtain the latest information on tau based AD clinical trials.

Expert opinion: In authors’ opinion, loss of neuronal connectivity leads to the hyperphosphorylation of tau and is thus a key therapeutic target. Rescue of neuronal connectivity loss and hyperphosphorylation of tau are most promising approaches. Consequently, tau immunotherapy has a high therapeutic potential.     

Telemedicine-based new patient consultations for hernia repair and advanced abdominal wall reconstruction

Hernia - Telemedicine has emerged as a viable option to in-person visits for the evaluation and management of surgical patients. Increased integration of telemedicine has allowed for greater access...     

Phytochemical constituents,biological activities,and health‐promoting effects of the genus Origanum

Origanum species are mostly distributed around the Mediterranean, Euro‐Siberian, and Iran‐Siberian regions. Since time immemorial, the genus has popularly been used in Southern Europe, as well as on the American continent as a spice now known all over the world under the name “oregano” or “pizza‐spice.” Origanum plants are also employed to prepare bitter tinctures, wines, vermouths, beer, and kvass. The major components of Origanum essential oil are various terpenes, phenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids with predominant occurrence of carvacrol and thymol (with reasonable amounts of p‐cymen and ‐terpinene) or of terpinene‐4‐ol, linalool, and sabinene hydrate. Many species of Origanum genus are used to treat kidney, digestive, nervous, and respiratory disorders, spasms, sore throat, diabetes, lean menstruation, hypertension, cold, insomnia, toothache, headache, epilepsy, urinary tract infections, etc. Origanum essential oil showed potent bioactivities owing to its major constituents' carvacrol, thymol, and monoterpenes. Several preclinical studies evidenced its pharmacological potential as antiproliferative or anticancer, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, anti‐obesity, renoprotective, antiinflammatory, vasoprotective, cardioprotective, antinociceptive, insecticidal, and hepatoprotective properties. Its nanotechnological applications as a promising pharmaceutical in order to enhance the solubility, physicochemical stability, and the accumulation rate of its essential oils have been investigated. However, Origanum has been reported causing angioedema, perioral dermatitis, allergic reaction, inhibition of platelet aggregation, hypoglycemia, and abortion. Conclusive evidences are still required for its clinical applications against human medical conditions. Toxicity analyses and risk assessment will aid to its safe and efficacious application. In addition, elaborate structure–activity studies are needed to explore the potential use of Origanum‐derived phytochemicals as promising drug candidates.     

“Turn the tail,not the head”: a simple,quick and inexpensive technique for the safe removal of jammed/stripped locking screws

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology - A jammed screw is a well-known complication of locking plates. Noncompliance to the standard techniques, nonusage of torque limiting...     

Beyond bone biology: Lessons from team science

Today, research in biomedicine often requires the knowledge and technologies in diverse fields. Therefore, there is an increasing need for collaborative team science that crosses traditional disciplines. Here, we discuss our own lessons from both interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams, which ultimately ushered us to expand our research realm beyond bone biology.     

Synthesis of water soluble copper(II) complexes: crystal structures,DNA binding,oxidative DNA cleavage,and in vitro anticancer studies

Two ternary copper(II) complexes of dl-threonine and polypyridyl ligands with formula of [Cu(Thr)(Byp)Cl]·H₂O (1) and [Cu(Thr)(Phen)H₂O]Cl·2H₂O (2) were synthesized. The complexes were characterized by spectral (NMR, FT-IR, and UV–Vis), CHN elemental analysis and have been structurally elucidated by X-ray crystallography. Both of the complexes formed slightly distorted square-pyramidal coordination geometry. The electronic absorption spectra of the complexes showed a very low intensity d–d electronic band in the range of 610–620 nm in Tris–HCl/NaCl (5:5 mM) pH 7.2 buffer solution. The DNA binding interaction with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by electronic absorption spectral titration and viscosity measurements. The results revealed that the phenanthroline complex (2) interact with CT-DNA through intercalation while bipyridyl complex (1) through the groove binding mode. The calculated intrinsic binding constant (K _b) of (1) and (2) were 0.5 and 4.4 × 10⁵ M^?1, respectively. Both the complexes were found to promote efficient DNA cleavage activities at low concentration in the presence of H₂O₂. The results showed that (2) has the highest DNA binding and nuclease activity. Furthermore, both the complexes were tested against human colon cancer (HCT 116) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines and showed a dose-dependent antiproliferation effect.