Coconut oil based self-nano emulsifying delivery systems mitigate ulcerogenic NSAIDs side effect and enhance drug dissolution: Formula optimization, in-vitro, and in-vivo assessments

Gastric ulcer is a common gastrointestinal ailment that affects many people worldwide. NSAIDs induced ulcers are the second most common etiology of gastric ulcers. Coconut oil has well-known potential anti-ulcerogenic characteristics. This work aimed to develop and optimize diclofenac potassium (a highly used model drug of NSAIDs) as self-nanoemulsifying delivery system containing coconut oil (DFP-COSNEDS) to overcome its ulcerogenic effect. A mixture design was applied for formula optimization and investigation of the effect of different formulation factors on the droplet size (DS) and polydispersity index (PDI) of the prepared DFP-COSNEDS. The optimized formulae showed good self-emulsification characters and better drug dissolution compared with the drug suspension. The ulcer protection was assessed in-vivo using 7 groups of adult male Wistar rats. Oxidative stress parameters (MDA, GSH, and SOD), inflammatory mediators (PGE-2, TNF-α, and IL-6) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) gene expression were measured. The results revealed that pure coconut oil and DFP-COSNEDS containing 25 % of coconut oil showed close figures to normal group and better values than famotidine (FAM) group. In conclusion, coconut oil showed high potential for gastric-protection activity against DFP induced ulcer. DFP-COSNEDS offers dual benefits of improving DFP dissolution and alleviating its ulcerogenic effect.

Searching for serum protein markers of equine squamous gastric disease using gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND

Equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) is a very common disorder but an accurate and practical screening technique for detecting ESGD is currently lacking.

OBJECTIVES

To identify serum protein markers to detect ESGD using electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

STUDY DESIGN

Proteomic analysis and bioinformatics.

METHODS

ESGD was diagnosed using gastroscopy in 30 horses. Gastric ulceration was categorised into three groups: normal, mild/moderate and severe ESGD. Pooled sera from each group were compared using 1D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The candidate proteins for ESGD markers were selected based on their specifically high expression in nonglandular stomach, and their association with gastric ulceration using public gene and protein databases.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ESGD in this study was 43% (with mild/moderate ESGD at 33% and severe ESGD at 10%). The proteomic study revealed that the identified serum protein markers for normal equine stomach were B4GALNT2 and XDH. The marker for mild/moderate EGSD was KRT10, while the marker for severe ESGD was KLK13. Furthermore, markers for both ulcer types were SLC4A7, PPARG, FCGBP, PKP1, ASPRV1 and KRT5-like proteins.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

The functions of the identified proteins are not well characterised in horse. Proteomics is a tool for screening protein markers, but confirmation of putative protein markers with specific antibodies is required.

CONCLUSIONS

In total, 10 serum proteins found in this study may be used as putative markers for ESGD. However, confirmation of candidate proteins with specific antibodies in a larger study cohort is necessary before it can be used in the veterinary clinic or on horse farms. The Summary is available in Portuguese - see Supporting Information.

Differential role of platelet-activating factor in gastric mucosal ulcer healing

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent phospholipid-derived messenger involved in a number of diverse pathological conditions, including mediation of inflammatory cascades associated with wound healing. In this study, we investigated the effect of a specific PAF antagonist, BN52020, on the course of experimentally induced gastric mucosal ulcer healing by analyzing apoptotic processes and the mucosal expression of TNF-alpha, COX-2, and the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2). Groups of rats were intragstrically pretreated with BN52020 either 24 and 4 h before acetic acid injury (prophylactic) or 24 and 44 h after the injury (therapeutic) and their mucosal tissue subjected to assessment of ulcer healing rate and biochemical measurements. Compared with the controls, the prophylactic administration of BN52020 produced dose-dependent acceleration in ulcer healing, accompanied by an increase in COX-2 expression and a marked reduction in the extent of mucosal apoptosis, TNF-alpha and NOS-2 activity. A delay in ulcer healing, however, occurred with BN52020 administered therapeutically, and this effect of the agent was reflected in a decreased COX-2 protein expression and a significant increase in the rate of epithelial cell apoptosis, TNF-alpha, and the mucosal NOS-2 activity. Thus, PAF antagonist, BN52020, when administered prophylactically exerts anti-inflammatory effects that accelerate gastric ulcer healing, while given therapeutically interferes with COX-2 enzyme expression that leads to a protracted inflammatory responses that delay ulcer healing.