Triple-component nanocomposite films prepared using a casting method: Its potential in drug delivery

The purpose of this study was to fabricate a triple-component nanocomposite system consisting of chitosan, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and drug for assessing the application of chitosan–PEG nanocomposites in drug delivery and also to assess the effect of different molecular weights of PEG on nanocomposite characteristics. The casting/solvent evaporation method was used to prepare chitosan–PEG nanocomposite films incorporating piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin. In order to characterize the morphology and structure of nanocomposites, X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy were used. Drug content uniformity test, swelling studies, water content, erosion studies, dissolution studies, and anti-inflammatory activity were also performed. The permeation studies across rat skin were also performed on nanocomposite films using Franz diffusion cell. The release behavior of films was found to be sensitive to pH and ionic strength of release medium. The maximum swelling ratio and water content was found in HCl buffer pH 1.2 as compared to acetate buffer of pH 4.5 and phosphate buffer pH 7.4. The release rate constants obtained from kinetic modeling and flux values of ex vivo permeation studies showed that release of piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin increased with an increase in concentration of PEG. The formulation F10 containing 75% concentration of PEG showed the highest swelling ratio (3.42 ± 0.02) in HCl buffer pH 1.2, water content (47.89 ± 1.53%) in HCl buffer pH 1.2, maximum cumulative drug permeation through rat skin (2405.15 ± 10.97 μg/cm²) in phosphate buffer pH 7.4, and in vitro drug release (35.51 ± 0.26%) in sequential pH change mediums, and showed a significantly (p < 0.0001) higher anti-inflammatory effect (0.4 cm). It can be concluded from the results that film composition had a particular impact on drug release properties. The different molecular weights of PEG have a strong influence on swelling, drug release, and permeation rate. The developed films can act as successful drug delivery approach for localized drug delivery through the skin.

Carrageenan Based Bionanocomposites as Drug Delivery Tool with Special Emphasis on the Influence of Ferromagnetic Nanoparticles

Over the past few years, considerable attention has been focused on carrageenan based bionanocomposites due to their multifaceted properties like biodegradability, biocompatibility, and nontoxicity. Moreover, these composites can be tailored according to the desired purpose by using different nanofillers. The role of ferromagnetic nanoparticles in drug delivery is also discussed here in detail. Moreover, this article also presents a short review of recent research on the different types of the carrageenan based bionanocomposites and applications.

Abstract P6-07-22: Association of Hedgehog signaling pathway with luminal B sub-type of breast cancer affected patients of Pakistan

Introduction

Hedgehog pathway dysregulation is observed in different types of cancers including breast. In the present study, expression profiles of hedgehog pathway molecules in breast cancer cohort of Pakistan and their probable association with molecular sub-types were explored.

Methods

The study was preceded with ethical approval and informed consent from respective institutions and participants. During 2013-2015, a total of 150 cancer biopsies along with adjacent normal tissues were prospectively collected immediately after surgery and processed for RNA isolation. Transcriptional profiles of salient members including SHH, DHH, IHH, PTCH-1, SMO and GLI-1 were quantified using qRT-PCR. Cohort was categorized into molecular sub-types following St. Gallen International Expert Consensus System. Association of expression levels of these aforementioned molecules with various clinico-pathological parameters was explored.

Result

Both SHH (p=0.01) and DHH (p&lt;0.001) showed elevated expression among tumors in comparison to their controls. Similarly, PTCH-1 (p&lt;0.001) and GLI-1 (p=0.002) were also significantly up regulated in the cohort. Interestingly, strong positive correlations were observed among the pathway molecules (r-value ranging from 0.45 to 0.81) which highlight their interdependence towards tumor progression. A significant correlation of SHH, DHH, PTCH-1 and GLI-1 was observed with advanced tumor sizes, stages, grades and nodal involvement (p&lt;0.05). Association of IHH, SMO and GLI-1 over expression with cancer metastasis was also established in the cohort. SHH, PTCH-1 and GLI-1 were significantly linked with laterality, age and menopausal status. Expression of SHH (p=0.002) was more related to younger age group (mean age &lt; 45 yrs) patients in comparison to elderly women.

Moreover all hedgehog molecules were strongly related to hormonal receptors (ER and PR) (r-value ranging from 0.51 to 0.86) while over-expression of HER-2 was not associated with any pathway component. Briefly, 53% (79) of the cohort was categorized as Luminal-B, 18% (27) triple negative, 15% (23) Luminal-A and 14% (21) HER-2 for sub-typing of breast cancer patients in the cohort. Expression of SHH was significantly associated with the molecular sub-types (p=0.02) and age (p=0.005) using Pearson Chi-Square test. Elevated expression of SHH was observed in 60% of the patients in Luminal B sub-type.

Conclusion

Hedgehog pathway plays a crucial role in breast cancer progression and is found to be activated in Luminal B sub-type in this cohort. As Luminal B is a more aggressive type of breast cancer having poor prognosis and early-onset, association of SHH with Luminal-B and younger age patients signify it importance as a biomarker for early diagnosis of young patient's. Hence therapeutic interventions for hedgehog pathway can improve the prognosis of patients categorized as Luminal B subtype of breast carcinogenesis.

Citation Format: Riaz SK, Rashid R, Shah STA, Wang F, Malik MFA. Association of Hedgehog signaling pathway with luminal B sub-type of breast cancer affected patients of Pakistan [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-07-22.

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF PROTOCATECHUIC ACID

Protocatechuic acid (3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, PCA) is a simple phenolic acid. It is found in a large variety of edible plants and possesses various pharmacological activities. This article aims to review the modern trends in phytochemical isolation and extraction of PCA from plants and other natural resources. Moreover, this article also encompasses pharmacological and biological activities of PCA. It is well known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemia, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-ageing, anti-athro- genic, anti-tumoral, anti-asthma, antiulcer, antispasmodic and neurological properties.

Antiglycation therapy: Discovery of promising antiglycation agents for the management of diabetic complications

CONTEXT

During diabetes mellitus, non-enzymatic reaction between amino groups of protein and carbonyl of reducing sugars (Millard reaction) is responsible for the major diabetic complications. Various efforts have been made to influence the process of protein glycation.

OBJECTIVES

This review article provides an extensive survey of various studies published in scientific literature to understand the process of protein glycation and its measurement. Moreover, evaluation and identification of potential inhibitors (antiglycation agents) of protein glycation from natural and synthetic sources and their mechanism of action in vitro and in vivo are also addressed.

METHOD

In this review article, the mechanism involved in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is discussed, while in second and third parts, promising antiglycation agents of natural and synthetic sources have been reviewed, respectively. Finally, in vivo studies have been addressed. This review is mainly compiled from important databases such as Science, Direct, Chemical Abstracts, SciFinder, and PubMed.

RESULTS

During the last two decades, various attempts have been made to inhibit the process of protein glycation. New potent inhibitors of protein glycation belonging to different classes such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, benzenediol Schiff bases, substituted indol, and thio compounds have been identified.

CONCLUSION

Antiglycation therapy will be an effective strategy in future to prevent the formation of AGEs for the management of late diabetic complications Current review article highlighted various compounds of natural and synthetic origins identified previously to inhibit the protein glycation and formation of AGEs in vitro and in vivo.

Antifungal and cytotoxic activities of Nannorrhops ritchiana roots extract

This atudy was designed to evaluate the antifungal and cytotoxic activities of the Nannorrhops ritchiana (Mazari Palm) 80% methanol extract (NR-M) and its four crude extracts i.e., petroleum ether (NR-A), dichloromethane (NR-B), ethyl acetate (NR-C) and butanol (NR-D). The antifungal activity was determined by agar tube dilution method against nine fungal strains; Aspergillus flavus, Trichophyton longifusis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Aspergillus flavus and Microsporum canis were susceptible to the extracts with percentage inhibition of (70-80%). Extracts exhibited significant and good antifungal activity against various fungal strains. The results were deduced by comparing with those for miconazole, amphotericin B and ketoconazole as standard drugs. The fractions of methanolic extract were assayed for their brine shrimp cytotoxic activity. They exhibited low toxicity with LC50 values ranging from 285.7 to 4350.75 μg/mL at the concentration of obtained results warrant follow up through bioassay guided isolation of the active principles, future antiinfectious research.

Antioxidant and hypoglycemic effect of Otostegia aucheri methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male long-Evans rats

Present study is based on the investigation of antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effect of methanolic extract from areal parts of Otostigea aucheri (OA). 2,2-Diphenyl-1 -picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was used to measure the antioxidant activity of extract of the species Otostigea aucheri. The observed scavenging activity for the free radicals was significant and it was compared with the standard BHT inhibition method. The IC50 value obtained of methanolic extract was 2.23 microg/mL. The methanolic extract of OA on the blood glucose level was further studied in normal (non-diabetic), streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I and type II diabetic male Long-Evans rats at postprandial glucose load state. The results revealed that the oral administration of methanolic extract (1.25 g/kg) of OA showed no remarkable hypoglycemic effect in normal and type 1 (IDDM) diabetic rats. However, the methanolic extract significantly lowered (p < 0.005) serum glucose level in type II diabetic (NIDDM) models when simultaneous glucose was administered. This screening for antioxidant activity interprets the pernicious effects of diabetes that have been associated with mediation through the oxidation stress. The study also suggests to introduce natural source of the potential orally active antioxidant and active antihyperglycemic phytochemicals for the future. It may also improve the impaired antioxidant defense system.