A method for adsorbent fractionation of cottonseed oil for experimental intravenous fat emulsions

Potential of diallyl sulfide bearing pH-sensitive liposomes in chemoprevention against DMBA-induced skin papilloma

Diallyl sulfide (DAS), an active component of garlic, possesses strong anti-neoplastic properties against various forms of cancer. In the present study, we have evaluated chemo-preventive effects of liposomized DAS (conventional egg PC and pH-sensitive liposomes) against DMBA-induced skin papilloma. Various liposome-based novel formulations of DAS (250 microg/mouse) were applied topically, after one hour of exposure to DMBA (52 microg/mouse/dose), to the animals. The animals were treated thrice weekly for the total period of 12 weeks. The efficacy of the various liposomal formulations of DAS was evaluated on the basis of parameters such as incidence of tumorogenesis and total numbers and sizes of induced tumor nodules. The liposomized DAS formulations also were assessed for their effect on the expression of p53wt, p53mut, and p21/Waf1. The results of the present study showed that liposomized DAS could effectively delay the onset of tumorogenesis and reduce the cumulative numbers and sizes of tumor papillomas in treated mice. Treatment of DMBA-exposed animals with the liposomal formulation of DAS ensued in upregulation of p53wt and p21/Waf1, while levels of p53mut expression reduced down. The promising chemo-preventive nature of liposomal DAS may form the basis for establishing effective means of controlling various forms of cancer, including skin papilloma.

Potential of diallyl sulfide bearing pH-sensitive liposomes in chemoprevention against DMBA-induced skin papilloma

Diallyl sulfide (DAS), an active component of garlic, possesses strong anti-neoplastic properties against various forms of cancer. In the present study, we have evaluated chemo-preventive effects of liposomized DAS (conventional egg PC and pH-sensitive liposomes) against DMBA-induced skin papilloma. Various liposome-based novel formulations of DAS (250 microg/mouse) were applied topically, after one hour of exposure to DMBA (52 microg/mouse/dose), to the animals. The animals were treated thrice weekly for the total period of 12 weeks. The efficacy of the various liposomal formulations of DAS was evaluated on the basis of parameters such as incidence of tumorogenesis and total numbers and sizes of induced tumor nodules. The liposomized DAS formulations also were assessed for their effect on the expression of p53wt, p53mut, and p21/Waf1. The results of the present study showed that liposomized DAS could effectively delay the onset of tumorogenesis and reduce the cumulative numbers and sizes of tumor papillomas in treated mice. Treatment of DMBA-exposed animals with the liposomal formulation of DAS ensued in upregulation of p53wt and p21/Waf1, while levels of p53mut expression reduced down. The promising chemo-preventive nature of liposomal DAS may form the basis for establishing effective means of controlling various forms of cancer, including skin papilloma.

Prophylactic role of liposomized chloroquine against murine cryptococcosis less susceptible to fluconazole

PURPOSE

The prophylactic role of liposomized chloroquine (lip-CQ) has been assessed against less susceptible Cryptococcus neoformans infection in murine model.

METHODS

In the current study, we investigated the antifungal activity of lip-CQ against C. neoformans in macrophages cell line (J 774) and murine model. Mice were pretreated with free as well as liposomized formulations of CQ at various doses. The anticryptococcal activity of fluconazole was compared in mice with or without CQ pretreatment. The efficacy of CQ prophylaxis was assessed by survival as well as colony forming units (cfu) in brain and lungs of treated mice.

RESULTS

Fluconazole alone was not found significantly effective against C. neoformans in both in vitro and in vivo studies. However, the antifungal activity of fluconazole increases in chloroquine-pretreated mice. Lip-CQ was found to be more effective in comparison to the same dose of free chloroquine in reducing fungal burden from macrophages in vitro and lungs and brain of C. neoformans infected mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The enhanced prophylactic activity of lip-CQ seems due to rapid uptake of drug-containing liposomes by macrophages. The liposome-mediated accumulation of CQ in macrophages makes the environment unfavorable (alkaline) for the intracellular multiplication of C. neoformans. Moreover, the increased incidence of multi-drug resistance and diversity of pathogenic microorganisms inhibited or killed by CQ makes it the drug of choice for prophylactic therapy.