Liposome membrane can act like molecular and metal chaperones for oxidized and fragmented superoxide dismutase

Electrozymographic evaluation of the attenuation of arsenic induced degradation of hepatic SOD, catalase in an in vitro assay system by pectic polysaccharides of Momordica charantia in combination with curcumin

Momordica charantia (MC) fruit known as bitter gourd, is of potential nutritional and medicinal value. The objectives of the present in vitro study were to evaluate the efficacy of bioactive pectic polysaccharides (CCPS) of MC along with another well-known bioactive compound curcumin in the abrogation of hepatocellular oxidative stress persuaded by sodium arsenite. Electrozymographic method was developed for the assessment of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities of liver tissues maintained under an in vitro system. A significant association of CCPS of MC in combination with curcumin was found in the alleviation of oxidative stress induced by sodium arsenite in liver slice. Generated data pointed out that CCPS of MC and curcumin separately or in combination can offer significant protection against alterations in malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated diene (CD) and antioxidative defense (SOD, CAT) markers. Furthermore, results of hepatic cell DNA degradation strongly supported that both these co-administrations have efficacy in preventing cellular damage. This is the first information of extracted polysaccharides from MC preventing arsenic induced damage in a liver slice of rat.

Sodium thiosulfate ameliorates oxidative stress and preserves renal function in hyperoxaluric rats

Background

Hyperoxaluria causes crystal deposition in the kidney, which leads to oxidative stress and to injury and damage of the renal epithelium. Sodium thiosulfate (STS, Na₂S₂O₃) is an anti-oxidant, which has been used in human medicine for decades. The effect of STS on hyperoxaluria-induced renal damage is not known.

Methods

Hyperoxaluria and renal injury were induced in healthy male Wistar rats by chronic exposure to ethylene glycol (EG, 0.75%) in the drinking water for 4 weeks. The treatment effects of STS, NaCl or Na₂SO₄ were compared. Furthermore, the effects of STS on oxalate-induced oxidative stress were investigated in vitro in renal LLC-PK1 cells.

Results

Chronic EG exposure led to hyperoxaluria, oxidative stress, calcium oxalate crystalluria and crystal deposition in the kidneys. Whereas all tested compounds significantly reduced crystal load, only STS-treatment maintained tissue superoxide dismutase activity and urine 8-isoprostaglandin levels in vivo and preserved renal function. In in vitro studies, STS showed the ability to scavenge oxalate-induced ROS accumulation dose dependently, reduced cell-released hydrogen peroxide and preserved superoxide dismutase activity. As a mechanism explaining this finding, STS was able to directly inactivate hydrogen peroxide in cell-free experiments.

Conclusions

STS is an antioxidant, which preserves renal function in a chronic EG rat model. Its therapeutic use in oxidative-stress induced renal-failure should be considered.

Preparation and Characterization of Liposomes Containing Essential Oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Leaf

BACKGROUND

The increased incidence of fungal resistance has necessitated the need to search for new antifungal agents.

OBJECTIVE

The main objectives of the present study were to investigate the effectiveness of the essential oil of Eucalyptus camaldulensis on dermatophytes growth and to formulate and characterize a liposomal gel loaded with the essential oil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The essential oil extracted from the leaves of E. camaldulensis was analyzed by GC-MS. The antifungal activity of this essential oil was determined against Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and T. verrucosum, using the well diffusion method. Liposomes were prepared by the freeze-thaw method and evaluation of size distribution was performed using a particle size analyzer. The liposomal gel was prepared using 'hydroxethyl cellulose (HEC) as the gelling agent. The rheologic characteristics were determined by a Brookfield viscometer.

RESULTS

The results showed that the minimum inhibitory volume of the essential oil was 0.125 ml and 95 ± 0.57% of the essential oil was successfully entrapped in the liposomes. The main constituents of the essential oil detected by GC-MS were; phenol, 1, 8 cineole, limonene, alcohol, pinene and terpinen. Results of particle size determination showed a wide range from 40.5 to 298 nm for the different formulations. No significant thixotropy was observed in the rheogram of the formulated liposomal gel.

CONCLUSION

Liposomal gel formulation of the essential oil may lead to improved antifungal activity.