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Fertility and early embryonic development toxicity and toxicokinetic study of KFP‐H008 in Sprague–Dawley rats. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:304-313. [DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Wang C, Chopp M, Huang R, Li C, Zhang Y, Golembieski W, Lu M, Hazan Z, Zhang ZG, Zhang L. Delayed (21 Days) Post Stroke Treatment With RPh201, a Botany-Derived Compound, Improves Neurological Functional Recovery in a Rat Model of Embolic Stroke. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:813. [PMID: 32848574 PMCID: PMC7412960 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the recent advances in the acute stroke care, treatment options for long-term disability are limited. RPh201 is a botany-derived bioactive compound that has been shown to exert beneficial effects in various experimental models of neural injury. The present study evaluated the effect of delayed RPh201 treatment on long term functional recovery after stroke. Methods Adult male Wistar rats subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were randomized into the following experimental groups (n = 20/group): (1) RPh201 treatment, and (2) Vehicle (cottonseed oil). RPh201 (20 μl) or Vehicle were subcutaneously administered twice a week for 16 consecutive weeks starting at 21 days after MCAO. An array of behavioral tests was performed up to120 days after MCAO. Results Ischemic rats treated with RPh201 exhibited significant (p < 0.05) improvement of neurological function measured by adhesive removal test, foot-fault test, and modified neurological severity score at 90 and 120 days after MCAO. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that RPh201 treatment robustly increased neurofilament heavy chain positive axons and myelin basic protein densities in the peri-infarct area by 61% and 31%, respectively, when compared to the Vehicle treatment, which were further confirmed by Western blot analysis. The RPh201 treatment did not reduce infarct volume. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that RPh201 has a therapeutic effect on improvement of functional recovery in male ischemic rats even when the treatment was initiated 21 days post stroke. Enhanced axonal and myelination densities by RPh201 in ischemic brain may contribute to improved stroke recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Michael Chopp
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States.,Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, United States
| | - Rui Huang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | | | - Mei Lu
- Department of Biostatistics and Research Epidemiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | | | - Zheng Gang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
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Randomized Controlled Phase 2a Study of RPh201 in Previous Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. J Neuroophthalmol 2020; 39:291-298. [PMID: 31430268 DOI: 10.1097/wno.0000000000000786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No proven treatment exists for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), either in the acute or late phase. OBJECTIVE To assess safety and changes in visual function and structure after RPh201/placebo treatment in participants with previous NAION. DESIGN AND SETTING Phase 2a, single-site, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial (registration NCT02045212). MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual fields, retinal nerve fiber layer, and visual evoked potential at weeks 13, 26, and after a 13-week wash-out ("off-drug") period; and safety. STUDY POPULATION Twenty-two participants aged 18 years or older with previous NAION. INTERVENTION(S) RPh201 (20 mg) or placebo (cottonseed oil vehicle) administered subcutaneously twice weekly at the study site. RESULTS Thirteen men and 9 women were randomized, of which 20 completed all visits. The mean (±SD) age was 61.0 ± 7.6 years. In a post hoc analysis, after 26 weeks of treatment, BCVA improved by ≥15 letters in 4/11 (36.4%) eyes with RPh201, compared to 1/8 (12.5%) eyes with placebo (P = 0.24). Overall, 7/11 (63.6%) of participants on RPh201 showed some improvement in BCVA, compared with 3/8 (37.5%) on placebo (P = 0.26). Improvement in BCVA from a calculated baseline was 14.8 ± 15.8 letters for RPh201 and 6.6 ± 15.3 for placebo (P = 0.27). Of the 154 adverse effects (AEs), 52 were considered related to the study procedures/treatment. Across the study and 1,017 injections, the most frequently reported AE was injection site pain (23 events in 5 participants). There were no clinically significant changes in vital signs or laboratory values. CONCLUSIONS This Phase 2a was designed to assess safety, feasibility, and explore potential efficacy signals in treating previous NAION with RPh201. No safety concerns were raised. The results support a larger trial in patients with previous NAION.
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Hazan Z, Adamsky K, Lucassen A, Levin LA. A First-in-Human Phase 1 Randomized Single and Multiple Ascending Dose Study of RPh201 in Healthy Volunteers. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2019; 9:366-374. [PMID: 31250992 PMCID: PMC7187404 DOI: 10.1002/cpdd.720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
RPh201 is a drug extracted from gum mastic that has been studied for its anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Preclinical studies of RPh201 demonstrated neuroprotective and neuroenhancing effects. Toxicology studies in animals did not reveal safety concerns or genotoxic effects. This single‐center, phase 1, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐masked study in healthy volunteers assessed the safety and tolerability of RPh201, and determined the highest tolerated dose. There were 2 parts: a single ascending dose (SAD) stage, followed by a multiple ascending dose (MAD) stage. Three dosing arms were included in each stage (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg). Safety data in the lower dosing arms were evaluated before higher doses were initiated. Eighteen participants were randomized in the SAD stage: 12 to RPh201 (4 at each dose) and 4 to placebo. Twenty‐one participants were randomized in the MAD stage, of which 13 received RPh201. All 18 participants in the SAD stage completed treatment. Sixteen of the 21 participants in the MAD stage completed treatment. The most frequently reported adverse events were local injection site pain and erythema. No deaths or adverse events related to changes in vital signs or electrocardiograms were reported. No occurrences of suicidal behavior or ideation were reported.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Leonard A Levin
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Ramot Y, Kronfeld N, Steiner M, Klaiman G, Hadid A, Sudak M, Nyska A. Biodegradability and Safety Study of LifeMesh™, a Novel Self-adhesive Mesh, in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Toxicol Pathol 2019; 47:483-493. [DOI: 10.1177/0192623319833906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Self-adhesive meshes are being developed to avoid complications due to traumatic fixation methods. LifeMesh™ is a novel self-adhesive mesh with a biodegradable gelatin adhesive layer developed for hernia repair. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and biodegradability of LifeMesh in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats for 6 weeks, in comparison to a bare polypropylene (BPP) mesh fixed with sutures. LifeMesh was tolerated well and its implantation did not result in any adverse local reaction, and its adhesive layer was substantially degraded after 4 weeks. Histopathological examination revealed that the presence of the adhesive contributed to a uniform thickness of the granulation tissue surrounding the mesh, in contrast to a nonuniform granulation tissue with BPP. Nonuniform granulation tissue suggests that there will be poorer integration of the mesh to the abdominal wall. The use of LifeMesh also resulted in less adhesions of internal organs with a smaller surface area of involvement. These findings lend support to the potential benefit of LifeMesh for hernia repair in humans and expand the available information on the typical histopathological findings expected with biodegradable implants in the peritoneal cavity of SD rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Ramot
- Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | | | - Guy Klaiman
- Envigo CRS (Israel) Ltd., Ness Ziona, Israel
| | | | | | - Abraham Nyska
- Consultant in Toxicologic Pathology, and Tel Aviv University, Timrat, Israel
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Ramot Y, Kannan K, Reddy S, Krishnappa H, Dillberger JE, Nyska A. Acute Histopathologic Findings Related to Needle Puncture Trauma during Subcutaneous Injection in the Sprague-Dawley Rat Model. Toxicol Pathol 2018; 47:93-96. [DOI: 10.1177/0192623318808989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
It is important to detect injection site reactions during the nonclinical phases of drug development. However, differentiating between normal changes following needle trauma and changes due to the toxicity of injected drugs can be challenging. Therefore, we used the Sprague-Dawley rat model to evaluate the pathological findings expected following a single subcutaneous injection of normal saline. Rats were subcutaneously administered with normal saline, and the injection sites were examined microscopically. Inflammation was evident in most of the injection sites, mostly in minimal severity. Parakeratosis/epithelial crust was also seen in several sites, and necrosis was observed in a minority of the cases. These findings indicate that needle puncture trauma can present with some degree of inflammation and necrosis. Although limited to a specific time point and strain, this study shows that inflammation following subcutaneous injection can be attributed in part to the needle trauma and not necessarily to the drug itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Ramot
- Hadassah—Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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Ramot Y, Hazan Z, Lucassen A, Adamsky K, Ross V, Young N, Saunders M, Ehall H, Nyska A. Toxicity and Toxicokinetic Study of Subcutaneously Administered RPh201 in Minipigs. Toxicol Pathol 2018; 46:693-705. [PMID: 30009686 DOI: 10.1177/0192623318786428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Mastic gum extracts are widely used as herbal remedies and are being tested for several clinical indications. Nevertheless, information on their safety is limited. RPh201 is an extract of the mastic gum, formulated and stabilized in a proprietary method, which is being developed as a novel drug candidate for neurological indications. The aim of this study was to assess the systemic toxic potential of RPh201, administered twice weekly by subcutaneous injections to minipigs, after 39 weeks of administration followed by a recovery period of 6 weeks. No clinical or dose-related signs were observed, but treatment-related findings were seen at the injection sites of the high-dose animals, composed of abscesses, chronic inflammation, and subcutaneous fibrosis. Abscesses >30 mm in size, graded as marked severity, were confined to the high-dose group and were considered as adverse. Minimal-slight subcutaneous and lymph nodes abscesses seen in control, low, and intermediate doses, related to the vehicle (cottonseed oil), were not considered as adverse. Additionally, minimal-to-slight cystic spaces or vacuolation related to the vehicle were observed in the skin, lymph nodes, kidney, and lungs. These findings were considered not to be adverse. The no-observed-adverse-effect level was considered to be 12.5 mg/kg/occasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Ramot
- 1 Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Vanessa Ross
- 3 Envigo Ltd, Alconbury, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel Young
- 3 Envigo Ltd, Alconbury, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Saunders
- 3 Envigo Ltd, Alconbury, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Helmut Ehall
- 3 Envigo Ltd, Alconbury, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Abraham Nyska
- 4 Consultant in Toxicologic Pathology, Timrat, Israel.,5 Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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