Therapeutic and Toxic Effects of New NSAIDs and Related Compounds: A Review and Prospective Study

Discovery of novel pyrazole based Urea/Thiourea derivatives as multiple targeting VEGFR-2, EGFRWT, EGFRT790M tyrosine kinases and COX-2 Inhibitors, with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities

A novel series of pyrazole derivatives with urea/thiourea scaffolds 16a-l as hybrid sorafenib/erlotinib/celecoxib analogs was designed, synthesized and tested for its VEGFR-2, EGFRWT, EGFRT790M tyrosine kinases and COX-2, pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 inhibitory activities. All the tested compounds showed excellent COX-2 selectivity index in range of 18.04-47.87 compared to celecoxib (S.I. = 26.17) and TNF-α and IL-6 inhibitory activities (IC50 = 5.0-7.50, 6.23-8.93 respectively, compared to celecoxib IC50 = 8.40 and 8.50, respectively). Screening was carried out against 60 human cancer cell lines by National Cancer Institute (NCI), compounds 16a, 16c, 16d and 16 g were the most potent inhibitors with GI% ranges of 100 %, 99.63-87.02 %, 98.98-43.10 % and 98.68-23.62 % respectively, and with GI50 values of 1.76-15.50 µM, 1.60-5.38 µM, 1.68-7.39 µM and 1.81-11.0 µM respectively, in addition, of showing good safety profile against normal cell line (F180). Moreover, compounds 16a, 16c, 16d and 16 g had cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase with induced necrotic percentage compared to sorafenib of 2.06 %, 2.47 %, 1.57 %, 0.88 % and 1.83 % respectively. Amusingly, compounds 16a, 16c, 16d and 16 g inhibited VEGFR-2 with IC50 of 25 nM, 52 nM, 324 nM and 110 nM respectively, compared to sorafenib (IC50 = 85 nM), and had excellent EGFRWT and EGFRT790M kinase inhibitory activities (IC50 = 94 nM, 128 nM, 160 nM, 297 nM), (10 nM, 25 nM, 36 nM and 48 nM) respectively, compared to both erlotinib and osimertinib (IC50 = 114 nM, 56 nM) and (70 nM, 37 nM) respectively and showed (EGFRwt/EGFRT790M S.I.) of (range: 4.44-9.40) compared to erlotinib (2.03) and osmertinib (1.89).

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic in the context of the human and the environment

From 2019, life in the world has mainly been determined by successive waves of the COVID-19 epidemic. During this time, the virus structure, action, short- and long-term effects of the infection were discovered, and treatments were developed. This epidemic undoubtedly affected people's lives, but increasing attention is also being paid to the effects of the epidemic on the environment. Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines, a global scoping review of peer-reviewed information has been conducted on the use of over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infections and their positive and negative effects on the human body, the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on aquatic organisms, and their adverse effects on non-target organisms. The literature from 1998 to 2021 was analysed using the Scopus®, Web of Science™ (WoS) and Google Scholar databases. As non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs place a heavy burden on the environment, all reports of the presence of these drugs in the environment during the pandemic period have been thoroughly analysed. Of the 70 peer-reviewed records within the scope, only 14% (n = 10) focussed on the analysis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs concentrations in wastewater and surface waters during the pandemic period. The percentage of these works indicates that it is still an open topic, and this issue should be supplemented with further reports in which the results obtained during the pandemic, which has been going on for several years, will be published. The authors hope this review will inspire scientists to investigate the problem of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the environment to protect them for the next generation.

Simultaneous Electrochemical Determination of Chlorzoxazone and Diclofenac on an Efficient Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode by Lanthanum Oxide@ Copper(I) Sulfide Composite

This study synthesized a La2O3@snowflake-like Cu2S composite to fabricate an electrochemical sensor for sensitively simultaneous detection of diclofenac and chlorzoxazone exploiting an easy hydrothermal approach, followed by analysis with XRD, FE-SEM, and EDX methods. According to voltammetric studies, the electrocatalytic diclofenac and chlorzoxazone oxidations on the electrode modified with La2O3@SF-L Cu2S composites were increased, with greater oxidation currents, as well as the oxidation potential was significantly decreased due to synergetic impact of La2O3@SF-L Cu2S composites when compared with the pure SF-L Cu2S NS-modified electrode. The differential pulse voltammetry findings showed wide straight lines (0.01–900.0 μM) for La2O3 NP@SF-L Cu2S NS-modified electrode with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.7 and 2.3 nM for the detection of diclofenac and chlorzoxazone, respectively. In addition, the limit of quantification was calculated to be 5.7 and 7.6 nM for diclofenac and chlorzoxazone, respectively. The diffusion coefficient was calculated to be 1.16 × 10−5and 8.4 × 10−6 cm2/s for diclofenac and chlorzoxazone oxidation on the modified electrode, respectively. Our proposed electrode was examined for applicability by detecting diclofenac and chlorzoxazone in real specimens.

New Approach for the One-Pot Synthesis of 1,3,5-Triazine Derivatives: Application of Cu(I) Supported on a Weakly Acidic Cation-Exchanger Resin in a Comparative Study

An efficient and simple methodology for Ullmann Cu(I)-catalyzed synthesis of di- and trisubstituted 1,3,5-triazine derivatives from dichlorotriazinyl benzenesulfonamide and corresponding nucleophiles is reported. Cations Cu(I) supported on macroporous and weakly acidic, low-cost industrial resin of polyacrylate type were used as a catalyst. The reaction times and yields were compared with traditional synthetic methods for synthesis of substituted 1,3,5-triazine derivatives via nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms in dichlorotriazinyl benzenesulfonamide. It was found that Ullmann-type reactions provide significantly shortened reaction times and, in some cases, also higher yields. Finally, trisubstituted s-triazine derivatives were effectively prepared via Ullmann-type reaction in a one-pot synthetic design. Six new s-triazine derivatives with potential biological activity were prepared and characterized.

3,3'-Diindolylmethane nanoencapsulation improves its antinociceptive action: Physicochemical and behavioral studies

This study aimed to characterize the physicochemical properties of 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM)-loaded nanocapsules (NCs) as well as the antinociceptive effect using distinct animal models (hot plate test, formalin-induced nociception and complete Freud's adjuvant induced paw inflammation). The DIM-loaded NCs (composed by primula oil and ethylcellulose) were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The physicochemical characterization demonstrated that DIM could be molecularly dispersed into the NCs, whose size was nanometric with a spherical shape. An improvement in DIM thermal stability was achieved by its encapsulation and there were no interactions among the formula components. For the nociceptive evaluation, male adult Swiss mice were pretreated with the NCs or free DIM by the intragastric route at the dose of 10 mg/Kg (time-response curve), 5 or 2.5 mg/Kg (dose-response curve). The behavioral tests were performed over an experimental period of 0.5-8 h. Both free and nanoencapsulated DIM reduced the mechanical hypernociception induced by CFA, mitigated nociceptive behavior of formalin-induced neurogenic and inflammatory pain and increased paw withdrawal latency assessed by the hot-plate test. Importantly, the DIM nanoencapsulation promoted a rapid initiation and prolonged the bioactive antinociceptive action (up to 8 h) as well as reduced the effective dose in comparison to its free form. In summary, this study reported that the NCs had adequate nanometric size, increased DIM stability and its antinociceptive action in different animal models, suggesting that the formulation may be a possible therapeutic alternative to the management of pain and inflammatory-related pathologies.

A comprehensive strategy in the development of a cyclodextrin-modified microemulsion electrokinetic chromatographic method for the assay of diclofenac and its impurities: Mixture-process variable experiments and quality by design

A comprehensive strategy involving the use of mixture-process variable (MPV) approach and Quality by Design principles has been applied in the development of a capillary electrophoresis method for the simultaneous determination of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac and its five related substances. The selected operative mode consisted in microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography with the addition of methyl-β-cyclodextrin. The critical process parameters included both the mixture components (MCs) of the microemulsion and the process variables (PVs). The MPV approach allowed the simultaneous investigation of the effects of MCs and PVs on the critical resolution between diclofenac and its 2-deschloro-2-bromo analogue and on analysis time. MPV experiments were used both in the screening phase and in the Response Surface Methodology, making it possible to draw MCs and PVs contour plots and to find important interactions between MCs and PVs. Robustness testing was carried out by MPV experiments and validation was performed following International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines. The method was applied to a real sample of diclofenac gastro-resistant tablets.

Protective effects of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa seed in paracetamol induced acute hepatotoxicity in vivo

Paracetamol overdose causes serious liver necrosis. Hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa in Paracetamol induced acute hepatotoxicity was investigated in rats. Fasted male Wistar rats were orally treated with Nigella sativa extract in graded doses for 5 days followed by Nigella sativa extract and paracetamol 3 g kg(-1) on 6 and 7th day. Circulatory liver markers and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were estimated and histopathological study of liver performed. Paracetamol caused a significant increase in serum alkaline phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and total Bilirubin and a significant decrease in GSH compared to control. Nigella sativa pretreatment significantly prevented the increase in liver enzymes and total bilirubin and decrease in GSH level as compared to paracetamol group. Liver histopathology showed marked reduction in sinusoidal dilatation, midzonal necrosis, portal triaditis and occasional apoptosis in Nigella sativa extract treated groups as compared to group receiving only paracetamol. Nigella sativa extract possesses hepatoprotective action against paracetamol induced acute hepatoxicity. Further research is needed to advocate its prophylactic use for drug induced hepatotoxicity.

Deep tissue massage and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain: a prospective randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether chronic low back pain therapy with deep tissue massage (DTM) gives similar results to combined therapy consisting of DTM and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).

DESIGN

Prospective controlled randomized single blinded trial.

SETTINGS

Ambulatory care of rehabilitation.

PARTICIPANTS

59 patients, age 51.8 ± 9.0 years, with chronic low back pain. Interventions. 2 weeks of DTM in the treatment group (TG) versus 2 weeks of DTM combined with NSAID in the control group (CG).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual analogue scale, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Roland-Morris questionnaire (RM).

RESULTS

In both the TG and the CG, a significant pain reduction and function improvement were observed. VAS decreased from 58.3 ± 18.2 to 42.2 ± 21.1 (TG) and from 51.8 ± 18.8 to 30.6 ± 21.9 (CG). RM value decreased from 9.8 ± 5.1 to 6.4 ± 4.4 (TG), and from 9.3 ± 5.5 to 6.1 ± 4.6 (CG). ODI value decreased from 29.2 ± 17.3 to 21.4 ± 15.1 (TG) and from 21.4 ± 9.4 to 16.6 ± 9.4 (CG). All pre-post-treatment differences were significant; however, there was no significant difference between the TG and the CG.

CONCLUSION

DTM had a positive effect on reducing pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Concurrent use of DTM and NSAID contributed to low back pain reduction in a similar degree that the DTM did.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of enzymatically cleavable NSAIDs prodrugs derived from self-immolative dendritic scaffolds for the treatment of inflammatory diseases

It has been reported that delivery systems based on dendritic prodrugs of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) improved the properties of drug molecules and reduced the side effects and irritation on the gastric mucosa. To find a more effective way in NSAIDs dendritic prodrugs, in this paper, three different dendritic scaffolds of enzymatically cleavable naproxen conjugates have been synthesized in a convergent approach and well characterized by NMR and MS techniques. These self-immolative dendritic NISADs prodrugs programmed to release multiple molecules of the potent naproxen after a single enzymatic activation step, and in 50% human plasma, the drug released from the compound T3 reaching 47.3% after 24h in vitro assay. Moreover, all prodrugs were also found to maintain more significant anti-inflammatory activity, no significant cytotoxicity against HEK293 cells and less degree of ulcerogenic potential in vivo than their monomeric counterpart naproxen. These results provided an effective entry to the development of new dendritic NSAIDs prodrugs.

Protective effect of berberine on expression pattern of apoptotic, cell proliferative, inflammatory and angiogenic markers during 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis

Investigation of expression pattern of molecular markers in oral epithelial tissues would help to assess the cell differentiation and proliferation as well as early diagnosis of precancerous and cancerous lesions of the oral cavity. Aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of berberine on expression pattern of apoptotic, cell proliferative, inflammatory and angiogenic markers during 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Immunohistochemical staining [p53, Bcl-2, Bax, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)], Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) [c-fos, COX-2, caspase-3 and -9] and Real-Time PCR [Cyclin D1 and NFkappaB] were utilized to assess the expression pattern of molecular markers in DMBA induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Over expression of mutant p53, PCNA, Bcl-2 and VEGF were noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Decreased expression of Bax protein was noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Increased expression of C-fos, COX-2, NFkappaB and Cyclin D1 and decreased activities of caspase-3 and -9 were also noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration ofberberine at a dose of 75 mg kg(-1) b.w. brought back the expression of above mentioned molecular markers to near normal pattern in hamsters treated with DMBA. The present results thus suggest that berberine has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-cell proliferative and apoptosis inducing properties in DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis.