New metal complexes derived from diacetylmonoxime-n(4)antipyrinylthiosemicarbazone: Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of antitumor activity against Ehrlich solid tumors induced in mice

Fabrication of Nanocrystals for Enhanced Distribution of a Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibitor (Orlistat) as a Promising Method to Relieve Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma-Induced Hepatic Damage in Mice

BACKGROUND

Orlistat (ORL) is an effective irreversible inhibitor of the lipase enzyme, and it possesses anticancer effects and limited aqueous solubility. This study was designed to improve the aqueous solubility, oral absorption, and tissue distribution of ORL via the formulation of nanocrystals (NCs).

METHODS

ORL-NC was prepared using the liquid antisolvent precipitation method (bottom-up technology), and it demonstrated significantly improved solubility compared with that of the blank crystals (ORL-BCs) and untreated ORL powder. The biodistribution and relative bioavailability of ORL-NC were investigated via the radiolabeling technique using Technetium-99m (99mTc). Female Swiss albino mice were used to examine the antitumor activity of ORL-NC against solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC)-induced hepatic damage in mice.

RESULTS

The prepared NCs improved ORL's solubility, bioavailability, and tissue distribution, with evidence of 258.70% relative bioavailability. In the in vivo study, the ORL-NC treatment caused a reduction in all tested liver functions (total and direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP) and improved modifications in liver sections that were marked using hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) and immunohistochemical staining (Ki-67 and ER-α) compared with untreated SEC mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The developed ORL-NC could be considered a promising formulation approach to enhance the oral absorption tissue distribution of ORL and suppress the liver damage caused by SEC.

New inorganic inhibitors derived from cefotaxime to enhance corrosion resistance of mild steel in 3% NaCl

To overcome the threat of corrosion and its cost, a new Schiff base was prepared and utilized to synthesize inorganic inhibitors to enhance corrosion resistance and reduce current density. The Schiff base was obtained from the interaction of cefotaxime with acetylacetone, while 1H NMR and IR spectra were used to confirm the preparation. Moreover, FeIII, CoII, NiII and CuII metal salts were reacted with the Schiff base to give the corresponding complexes. Meanwhile, the non-ionic behavior of the observed complexes in solutions was proved from the conductance results. In addition, the octahedral geometry and the postulated structure of complexes were determined from CHNM%, IR spectroscopy, UV-visible spectra, and TGA analysis. Also, the energy of molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) and other quantum mechanics parameters were calculated using the DFT method. The observed results indicated the reactivity of metal complexes and their ability to donate electrons more than the Schiff base. Furthermore, the corrosion rate of a steel sample under various concentrations of inhibitors was calculated by a potentiodynamic polarization test. The obtained data displayed that metal complexes declined the corrosion rate more than the Schiff base; therefore, the binding between the metal ion and the Schiff base improved the inhibition efficiency.

Cryptolepine Analog Exhibits Antitumor Activity against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells in Mice via Targeting Cell Growth, Oxidative Stress, and PTEN/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of chemotherapy continues to be limited due to associated toxicity and chemoresistance. Thus, synthesizing and investigating novel agents for cancer treatment that could potentially eliminate such limitations is imperative.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aims to explore the anticancer potency of cryptolepine (CPE) analog on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EACs) in mice.

METHODS

The effect of a CPE analog on EAC cell viability and ascites volume, as well as malonaldehyde, total antioxidant capacity, and catalase, were estimated. The concentration of caspase-8 and mTOR in EACs was also measured, and the expression levels of PTEN and Akt were determined.

RESULTS

Results revealed that CPE analog exerts a cytotoxic effect on EAC cell viability and reduces the ascites volume. Moreover, this analog induces oxidative stress in EACs by increasing the level of malonaldehyde and decreasing the level of total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity. It also induces apoptosis by elevating the concentration of caspase-8 in EACs. Furthermore, it decreases the concentration of mTOR in EACs. Moreover, it upregulates the expression of PTEN and downregulates the expression of Akt in EACs.

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed the anticancer activity of CPE analog against EACs in mice mediated by regulation of the PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

New phthalimide analog ameliorates CCl4 induced hepatic injury in mice via reducing ROS formation, inflammation, and apoptosis

The present study aimed, for the first time, to examine the biochemical effects of new phthalimide analog, 2-[2-(2-Bromo-1-ethyl-1H-indol-3-yl) ethyl]-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, compared to thalidomide drug against liver injury induced in mice. Carbon tetrachloride was intraperitoneal injected in mice for 6 consecutive weeks at a dose of 0.4 mL/kg twice a week for liver injury induction. Histopathological examination, levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and antioxidant enzymes were determined. Additionally, the protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, proliferating cell nuclear protein, tumor necrosis factor-alfa, nuclear factor kappa B-p65, B-cell lymphoma-2, and cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 were determined. Results revealed that the treatment with phthalimide analog improved the detected liver damage and presented an obvious antioxidant activity through decreasing malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels accompanied by increasing the levels of the antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, the analog exhibited an effective inhibitory activity towards the studied protein expressions in liver tissues. Moreover, the B-cell lymphoma-2 protein level was increased while the cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 level was suppressed after the treatment with phthalimide analog. Together, these results propose that phthalimide analog can ameliorate carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice through its potent inhibition mediating effect in oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis mechanisms.