Incorporation of indomethacin into a mesoporous silica nanoparticle enhances the anti-inflammatory effect Indomethacin into a mesoporous silica

In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of BACCHARIN from BRAZILIAN green PROPOLIS

Baccharin is one of the major compounds found in Brazilian green propolis and its botanical source, Baccharis dracunculifolia. Considering the biological effects of propolis and B. dracunculifolia, this study aims to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of baccharin. The neurodepressor potential was performed by the open field test, analgesia by mechanical stimulation with Dynamic Plantar Aesthesiometer, and by thermal stimulation with Hargreaves apparatus. In addition, the anti-inflammatory potential was achieved by the paw edema assay, histopathological evaluation, and NF-kB expression. Doses of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of baccharin were evaluated. After euthanasia, plantar tissue was collected and prepared for histology. As a result, analgesic activity was observed at a dose of 10 mg/kg of baccharin in thermal stimulation under an inflammatory process and anti-inflammatory potential at a dose of 5 mg/kg of baccharin from the second hour in the paw edema test. A decrease in cellular infiltrate and down-modulation of NF-kB, besides the reduction of edema in the histopathology was observed. There was no evidence of kidney and liver toxicity and neurodepressive potential at the doses tested. Thus, baccharin has a promising anti-inflammatory effect possibly associated with antiedematogenic activity by inhibiting mediators such as prostaglandins, inhibiting the migration of polymorphonuclear cells, and modulating NF-kB expression.

A toxicological profile of silica nanoparticles

Humans are regularly exposed to silica nanoparticles in environmental and occupational contexts, and these exposures have been implicated in the onset of adverse health effects. Existing reviews on silica nanoparticle toxicity are few and not comprehensive. There are natural and synthetic sources by which crystalline and amorphous silica nanoparticles are produced. These processes influence physiochemical properties, which are factors that can dictate toxicological effects. Toxicological assessment includes exposure scenario (e.g. environmental, occupational), route of exposure, toxicokinetics, and toxicodynamics. Broader considerations include pathology, risk assessment, regulation, and treatment after injury. This review aims to consolidate the most relevant and up-to-date research in these areas to provide an exhaustive toxicological profile of silica nanoparticles.

Mesoporous Materials as Elements of Modern Drug Delivery Systems for Anti-Inflammatory Agents: A Review of Recent Achievements

Interest in the use of mesoporous materials as carriers of medicinal substances has been steadily increasing in the last two decades. Mesoporous carriers have application in the preparation of delivery systems for drugs from various therapeutic groups; however, their use as the carriers of anti-inflammatory agents is particularly marked. This review article, with about 170 references, summarizes the achievements in the application of mesoporous materials as the carriers of anti-inflammatory agents in recent years. This article will discuss a variety of mesoporous carriers as well as the characteristics of their porous structure that determine further use of these materials in the field of medical applications. Special attention will be paid to the progress observed in the construction of stimuli-responsive drug carriers and systems providing site-specific drug delivery. Subsequently, a review of the literature devoted to the use of mesoporous matrices as the carriers of anti-inflammatory drugs was carried out.

Antitumor activity of solamargine in mouse melanoma model: relevance to clinical safety

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, and thus it is important to develop new drugs for its treatment. The present study aimed to examine the antitumor effects of solamargine a major alkaloid heteroside present in Solanum lycocarpum fruit. In addition solamargine was incorporated into nanoparticles (NP) of yttrium vanadate functionalized with 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (YVO₄:Eu³⁺:CPTES:SM) to determine antitumor activity. The anti-melanoma assessment was performed using a syngeneic mouse melanoma model B16F10 cell line. In addition, systemic toxicity, nephrotoxic, and genotoxic parameters were assessed. Solamargine, at doses of 5 or 10 mg/kg/day administered subcutaneously to male C57BL/6 mice for 5 days, decreased tumor size and frequency of mitoses in tumor tissue, indicative of a decrease in cell proliferation. Treatments with YVO₄:Eu³⁺:CPTES:SM significantly reduced the number of mitoses in tumor tissue, associated with no change in tumor size. There were no apparent signs of systemic toxicity, nephrotoxicity, and genotoxicity initiated by treatments either with solamargine alone or plant alkaloid incorporated into NP. The animals treated with YVO₄:Eu³⁺:CPTES:SM exhibited significant increase in spleen weight accompanied by no apparent histological changes in all tissues examined. In addition, animals treated with solamargine (10 mg/kg/day) and YVO₄:Eu³⁺:CPTES:SM demonstrated significant reduction in hepatic DNA damage which was induced by tumor growth. Therefore, data suggest that solamargine may be considered a promising candidate in cancer therapy with no apparent toxic effects.

Novel 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives of Pyrrolo[3,4-d]Pyridazinone Exert Anti-Inflammatory Activity without Acute Gastrotoxicity in the Carrageenan-Induced Rat Paw Edema Test

Background and Purpose

Due to the risk of gastrointestinal damage and various tissue toxicity associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use, investigating new anti-inflammatory agents with efficacy comparable to that of NSAIDs but reduced toxicity is still a major challenge and a clinical need. Based on our previous study, new 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives of pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridazinone, especially 6-butyl-3,5,7-trimethyl-1-[[4-[[4-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]methyl]-5-thioxo-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]methoxy]pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridazin-4-one and 6-butyl-1-[[4-[[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-piperidyl]methyl]-2-thioxo-1,3,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]methoxy]-3,5,7-trimethyl-pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridazin-4-one (hereafter referred to as the compounds 10b and 13b, respectively) seem to be promising anti-inflammatory agents. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of these two new derivatives on the course of experimental rat inflammation, liver and kidney function, and gastric mucosa.

Methods

The anti-inflammatory effect of compounds 10b and 13b was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw edema test in rats. The increase in paw volume (paw edema), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, histological alterations, and inflammatory cell infiltration in paw tissue were determined. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities, serum urea and creatinine levels, as well as changes in gastric mucosa, were measured as indicators of hepatic, renal, and gastric toxicity.

Results

Pretreatment with both novel derivatives at 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg doses reduced paw edema, counteracted the increased PGE₂ and TNF-α levels, reduced the influx of inflammatory cells, and decreased histopathological alterations in paw tissue. Compound 13b at a dose of 20 mg/kg was more effective than indomethacin in reversing the increased TNF-α levels and reducing the influx of inflammatory cells. Only compound 13b at all studied doses (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) counteracted the increased MPO level in paw tissue. Both compounds neither caused alterations in ALT, AST, urea, creatinine parameters nor gastric mucosal lesions.

Conclusion

New compounds exert an anti-inflammatory effect, presumably via inhibiting inflammatory mediators release and inflammatory cell infiltration. Moreover, both possess a more favorable benefit–risk profile than indomethacin, especially compound 13b.