Empagliflozin protective effects against cisplatin-induced acute nephrotoxicity by interfering with oxidative stress and inflammation in Wistar rats

Cisplatin (Cis) is a platinum-based antineoplastic drug used in various types of cancers. This drug can induce nephrotoxicity as a cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Empagliflozin (Empa) is a newly developed inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) approved as an antidiabetic medication for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition to its blood glucose-lowering effect, Empa has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The current study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Empa on Cis-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups, each of six rats: Sham group (received vehicle for 7 days), Control group (received vehicle for 7 days and Cis injection on day 2), Cis + Empa10 (received 10mg/kg Empa for 7 days and Cis injection on day 2), Cis + Empa30 (received 30mg/kg Empa for 7 days and Cis injection on day 2) and, Empa 30 (received 30mg/kg Empa for 7 days). One day after the last injection in each group, rats were weighed and then sacrificed to analyze the hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters. Cis markedly increased levels of inflammatory parameters such as renal tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Notably, malondialdehyde (MDA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels were enhanced after Cis administration. Also, the chemotherapeutic agent significantly reduced antioxidant indicators such as renal catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GpX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Furthermore, histopathological examinations also revealed severe renal damage following Cis treatment which was improved by Empa administration. Empa treatment at both doses (10 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) reversed Cis-induced changes in all the above renal parameters. In conclusion, Empa has protective effects on Cis-induced nephrotoxicity by inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Paclitaxel-loaded liposome-incorporated chitosan (core)/poly(ε-caprolactone)/chitosan (shell) nanofibers for the treatment of breast cancer

Liposomes and nanofibers have been introduced as effective drug delivery systems of anticancer drugs. The performance of chitosan (core)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/paclitaxel simple nanofibers, chitosan/paclitaxel (core)/PCL/chitosan (shell) nanofibers and paclitaxel-loaded liposome-incorporated chitosan (core)/PCL-chitosan (shell) nanofibers was investigated for the controlled release of paclitaxel and the treatment of breast cancer. The synthesized formulations were characterized using polydispersity index, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The sustained release of paclitaxel from liposome-loaded nanofibers was achieved within 30 days. The release data was best described using Korsmeyer-Peppas pharmacokinetic model. The cell viabilities of synthesized nanofibrous samples were higher than 98 % ± 1 % toward L929 normal cells after 168 h. The maximum cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells was 85 % ± 2.5 % using liposome-loaded core-shell nanofibers. The in vivo results indicated the reduction of tumor weight from 1.35 ± 0.15 g to 0.65 ± 0.05 g using liposome-loaded core-shell nanofibers and its increasing from 1.35 ± 0.15 g to 3.2 ± 0.2 g using pure core-shell nanofibers. The three-stage drug release behavior of paclitaxel-loaded liposome-incorporated core-shell nanofibers and the high in vivo tumor efficiency suggested the development of these formulations for cancer treatment in the future.