N-acetylcysteine and glycyrrhizin combination: Benefit outcome in a murine model of acetaminophen-induced liver failure

Formulation and in vitro characterization of nanoemulsions containing remdesivir or licorice extract: A potential subcutaneous injection for coronavirus treatment

The management of coronavirus necessitates that medicines are available, reasonably priced, and easy to administer. The work aimed at formulating and characterizing remdesivir and licorice extract nanoemulsions and comparing their efficacy against coronavirus for further subcutaneous injection. First, the solubility of remdesivir was determined in different oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants to choose the optimal nanoemulsion components. Nanoemulsions were optimized concerning surfactant: co-surfactant ratio (5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, and 1:1) and oil to surfactant: co-surfactant ratio (1:9, 1:8, 1:7, 1:6, 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, and 1:1). The formulations were evaluated concerning % transmittance, emulsification time, pH, viscosity, droplet size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, drug content, transmission electron microscopy, in-vitro drug release, stability (of the optimal formulas), and antiviral effect against coronavirus. The optimal nanoemulsion formula was F7, exhibiting an acceptable pH level, a rapid emulsification rate, a viscosity of 20 cP, and 100% drug content. The formulation droplet size was 16 and 17 nm, the polydispersity index was 0.18 and 0.26, and the zeta potential was - 6.29 and - 10.34 mV for licorice extract and remdesivir nanoemulsions, respectively. However, licorice extract nanoemulsion exhibited better release and physical stability. Licorice extract nanoemulsion may be a potential subcutaneous injection for combating mild to moderate coronavirus.

Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of Sedum adenotrichum in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits

Sedum adenotrichum (SA) has been traditionally used against various ailments due to the presence of several important phenolic compounds. This study provides a scientific basis for the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potentials of Sedum adenotrichum in paracetamol-induced toxicity in rabbits. Methanolic extract of Sedum adenotrichum along with paracetamol was administered orally to rabbits alone or in combination with paracetamol for 2 weeks. Results showed that paracetamol-induced toxicity was correlated with a significant change in biochemical, hematological parameters, and loss in body weight of rabbits, and the curative effect of SA methanolic extract was found. Liver and kidney histological studies showed significant induced toxicity of paracetamol and correspondence restoration power of SA methanolic extract. The levels of reduced glutathione, radical scavenging activity, and lipid peroxidation in the liver were restored to normal by the methanolic extract of SA. This study confirmed the protective effect of SA methanolic extract against hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity caused by paracetamol. Biochemical analysis of the methanolic extract of SA confirmed the presence of bioactive phenolic compounds which have hepatic and nephroprotective potentials.

Temporal analysis of paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity

Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity (APAP) causes severe damage that may be irreversible. Understanding the evolution of liver injury caused by overdose of the drug is important to assist in the treatment. In the present study, we evaluated the acute intoxication by APAP (500 mg/kg) in periods of 3 and 12 hours in C57BL/6 mice through biochemical, histological, inflammatory parameters, and the redox status. The results showed that in the 3-hour period there was an increase in creatinine dosage and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) compared to the control group. In the period of 12 hours after APAP intoxication all parameters evaluated were altered; there was an increase of ALT, AST, and necrosis, besides the increase of redox status biomarkers as carbonylated protein, TBARS, and MMP-9. We also observed activation of the inflammasome pathway as well as a reduction in the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes with a decrease in binucleated liver cells. In cytochrome gene expression, the mRNA level increased in CYP2E1 isoenzyme and reduced CYP1A2 expression. This study indicated that early treatment is necessary to mitigate APAP-induced acute liver injury, and alternative therapies capable of controlling the progression of intoxication in the liver are needed.

Novel carvedilol-loaded pro-phytomicelles: formulation, characterization and enhanced protective efficacy against acetaminophen-inducedliverinjury in mice

The work describes a novel, small-molecule phytochemicals as nanomaterials based pro-micelles (pro-phytomicelles) drug delivery system, for oral delivery of carvedilol (CAR). This novel nanoformulation of CAR, named CAR pro-phytomicelles, was prepared with rebaudioside A (RA) and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DG) as mixed nanomaterials. The formulation was optimized, leading to a 502-fold increase in solubility of CAR in water as a result of encapsulation within mixed phytomicelles based on DG and RA. CAR pro-phytomicelles samples could be instantly dissolved into aqueous media to formulate clear phytomicelle solutions with CAR encapsulation efficiency of 99.67 ± 0.02 %, and small micelle size of 15.62 ± 0.27 nm. CAR pro-phytomicelles exhibited good storage stability, rapid in vitro release in simulated intestinal fluid, and improved in vitro antioxidant activity. CAR pro-phytomicelles had good biocompatibility. Protective efficacy evaluation revealed that acetaminophen overdose could induce high mortality and severe liver injury in mice, while CAR pro-phytomicelle treatment exhibited significant protective effect against acetaminophen overdose. This protective efficacy was due to a mechanism that involved the regulation of high-mobility group box 1 and its signaling-related proinflammatory cytokines. These results show that pro-phytomicelles could provide a new concept and promising therapeutics as nanomedicines for improving the activities of CAR against acetaminophen-induced liver injury.

Novel luteolin@pro-phytomicelles: In vitro characterization and in vivo evaluation of protection against drug-induced hepatotoxicity

A novel nanoformulation with the small molecule phytochemical dipotassium glycyrrhizinate as a nanomaterial was developed for the oral delivery of luteolin (Lut), a widely used phytochemical, but it suffered from poor water solubility and low oral bioavailability. This novel nanoformulation, named Lut@pro-phytomicelles, can be fabricated with a simple process. Lut@pro-phytomicelles can instantly dissolve into aqueous mediums and formulate through self-assembly a clear phytomicelle solution with a Lut encapsulation efficiency of 99.16 ± 0.90%, a small micelle size of 30.32 ± 0.12 nm, and a narrow polydispersity index of 0.138 ± 0.024. The optimized formulation demonstrated that Lut had solubility in up to 50 mg/ml of water as a result of its encapsulation within DG phytomicelles. Lut@pro-phytomicelles exhibited excellent characteristics, including good storage stability, a fast in vitro release profile, improvement in in vitro antioxidant activity, and high safety potential. In the oral bioavailability evaluation, a shorter Tmax, increased Cmax, and improved AUC0-t were obtained with Lut@pro-phytomicelles when compared to bare Lut. The distribution evaluation further showed that Lut@pro-phytomicelles could effectively increase the concentrations of Lut in all the tested organs and gastrointestinal segments. In the protection efficacy evaluation, 100 mg/kg Lut@pro-phytomicelles demonstrated strong effects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. The mechanisms of inhibiting high-mobility group box 1 signaling and suppressing oxidative stress were involved in this strong treatment effect. These results showed that simple but novel Lut@pro-phytomicelles provided a new, promising nano-delivery system for Lut with a significantly improved in vivo profile.

Novel pterostilbene-loaded pro-phytomicelles: preclinical pharmacokinetics, distribution, and treatment efficacy against acetaminophen-induced liver injury

A novel pro-phytomicelle formulation with small molecule phytochemicals as nanomaterials was developed for the oral delivery of pterostilbene (PTE).

Enhanced therapeutic efficacy of a novel self-micellizing nanoformulation-loading fisetin against acetaminophen-induced liver injury

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of using dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DG) as a nanocarrier-loading fisetin (FIT) with strengthened treatment efficacies against liver injury induced by acetaminophen overdose. Methods: DG-FIT was prepared, and its efficacy against liver injury induced by acetaminophen overdose was evaluated. Results: DG-FIT was successfully fabricated with excellent physicochemical properties. DG-FIT could be easily dissolved in water to form a clear micelle solution with high FIT encapsulation efficiency. FIT in DG-FIT exhibited a dramatically improved aqueous solubility. DG-FIT improved intestinal permeation. Regarding in vivo efficacies, DG-FIT exhibited significant effect against acetaminophen overdose by suppressing oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines involved. Conclusion: DG-FIT formulation possibly represents a promising method for strengthening the efficacy of FIT against acetaminophen-induced liver injury.

Research Progress on the Antiviral Activity of Glycyrrhizin and its Derivatives in Liquorice

Liquorice is a traditional medicine. Triterpenoids such as glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid are the main active constituents of liquorice. Studies have revealed that these compounds exert inhibitory effects on several viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The main mechanisms of action of these compounds include inhibition of virus replication, direct inactivation of viruses, inhibition of inflammation mediated by HMGB1/TLR4, inhibition of β-chemokines, reduction in the binding of HMGB1 to DNA to weaken the activity of viruses, and inhibition of reactive oxygen species formation. We herein review the research progress on the antiviral effects of glycyrrhizin and its derivatives. In addition, we emphasise the significance of exploring unknown antiviral mechanisms, structural modifications, and drug combinations in future studies.