Topical silver nanoparticles reduced with ethylcellulose enhance skin wound healing

OBJECTIVE

Silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs) improve wound healing by promoting skin cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, G-AgNPs could act as drug carriers and wound healers in biomedicine. The current study aimed to improve skin wound healing using natural, safe G-AgNPs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The G-AgNPs were reduced with ethylcellulose (EC) and incorporated into an oil-in-water cream base. The size, charges, and wavelength were used to characterize the prepared G-AgNPs. Further, the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to provide the shape of G-AgNPs. Moreover, the skin wound healing was evaluated with the appropriate histopathological techniques in a mouse model with skin injury to prove the curative effects of G-AgNPs which was conducted for 15 days on 45 adult male albino rats. The effectiveness of G-AgNPs-EC cream for treating surgical skin wounds was assessed by histopathological (HP) examination of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained sections.

RESULTS

The produced G-AgNPs-EC showed a size of 183.9 ± 0.854 nm and a charge of -14.0 ± 0.351 mV. UV-VIS spectra showed a strong absorption of electromagnetic waves in the visible region at 381 nm. Furthermore, the TEM and SEM showed rounded NPs in nano size of the prepared G-AgNPs-EC. The G-AgNPs cream was pivotal in enhancing wounds' healing properties, improving the formation of wound granulation tissue, and enhancing the proliferation of epithelial tissue in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study showed that G-AgNPs-EC is a new skin wound healer that speeds up healing.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles reduced with Trigonella foenum-graecum and their effect on tumor necrosis factor-α in MCF7 cells

OBJECTIVE

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. They have been reported to reduce the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - a proinflammatory cytokine involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis - in cell lines. As patients with breast cancer have been reported to have higher serum TNF levels, we aimed at developing a novel treatment for breast cancer by evaluating the effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract (TFG)-reduced AgNPs on the MCF-7 cell line, which serves as a model of human breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

TFG-capped AgNPs were synthesized using a green reduction method, in which TFG reduced silver nitrate to generate AgNPs-TFG. The particle size, surface charge, ultraviolet (UV)-visible (VIS) spectra, surface morphology, % yield, and in vitro Ag+ release of the formulated AgNPs-TFG were evaluated. Additionally, the prepared NPs were examined for cytotoxicity using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The prepared AgNPs-TFG were uniform, small, discrete, and non-aggregated with a particle size of 22.5±0.75 nm and ζ-potential of -47.45±0.666 mV. The yield of AgNPs-TFG was 224.545±3.9 µM. Furthermore, the AgNP-TFG thin film exhibited a prolonged release of Ag+ in phosphate buffer for up to 11 h. AgNPs-TFG suppressed TNF-α expression at mRNA and protein levels in MCF-7 cells. Additionally, the formulated AgNPs-TFG did not exhibit any toxicity toward MCF-7 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that AgNP-TFG could effectively inhibit TNF-α. These results provide significant insights for developing new therapeutic strategies for cancer and other inflammatory illnesses.

The role of purslane in modulating diverse effects of high fat diet on biochemical, histological, and molecular parameters of rats' liver

Consuming a high-fat diet causes a harmful accumulation of fat in the liver, which may not reverse even after switching to a healthier diet. Different reports dealt with the role of purslane as an extract against high-fat diet; meanwhile, it was necessary to study the potential role of fresh purslane as a hypolipidemic agent. This study is supposed to investigate further the potential mechanism in the hypolipidemic effect of fresh purslane, by measuring cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr). Rats were divided into two main groups: the first one is the normal control group (n=7 rats) and the second group (n=28 rats) received a high fat diet for 28 weeks to induce obesity. Then the high fat diet group was divided into equal four subgroups. As, the positive control group still fed on a high fat diet only. Meanwhile, the other three groups were received high-fat diet supplemented with a different percent of fresh purslane (25, 50 and 75%) respectively. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and samples were collected for molecular, biochemical, and histological studies. Current study reported that, supplementation of fresh purslane especially at a concentration of 75% play an important role against harmful effects of high-fat diet at both cellular and organ level, by increasing CYP7A1 as well as Ldlr mRNA expression. Also, there were an improvement on the tested liver functions, thyroid hormones, and lipid profile. Fresh purslane plays the potential role as a hypolipidemic agent via modulation of both Ldlr and Cyp7A, which will point to use fresh purslane against harmful effects of obesity.

Adult-onset ganglioneuroblastoma of the posterior mediastinum with osseous metastasis

Ganglioneuroblastomas are a member of the neuroblastic family of tumors most commonly seen in children but they may also occur in adults. Ganglioneuroblastomas have metastatic potential and, like other neuroblastic tumors, osseous metastasis is possible. Imaging features of ganglioneuroblastomas tend to be variable. We describe a case of an adult female who developed a ganglioneuroblastoma of the posterior mediastinum that metastasized to the thoracolumbar spine, highlighting rarely documented osseous metastasis.

Neurological complications of brucella spondylitis

Twenty-two patients with brucella spondylitis and neurobrucellosis were studied during a 2-year period. The diagnosis was based on history of exposure, compatible signs and symptoms, high antibody titre and/or positive culture of a clinical specimen(s). Spondylitis was confirmed by plain radiographs, bone scan, CT and in some cases by histology. Neurobrucellosis was confirmed by CSF examination and culture, myelography, NCV, EMG and CT head. The spondylitis was early in 4 cases, chronic active in 12, smouldering "partially healed" in 3 and healed in 3 cases. Of these, 15 patients (68%) had neurological complications of various types. Plain radiographs were not a good index of activity of spondylitis. Tc99 bone scan was not specific and it remained positive long after the completion of therapy. CT was superior in revealing details of bone destruction, soft tissue swelling and entrapment of nerve roots and cord. The 3 modalities were complementary. Spondylitis is commonly associated with neurobrucellosis and symptoms of one may over shadow those of the other and in some cases neurobrucellosis may be subclinical. In all cases of spondylitis, a thorough search for neurobrucellosis should be made and vice versa. Prolonged treatment with a combination of 3 anti-brucella drugs is recommended and prolonged follow-up is necessary.

Brucellar sternoclavicular arthritis, the forgotten complication

Of 511 cases of brucellosis studied between December 1983 and February 1986, four (0.8%) had sternoclavicular (STCL) arthritis. Two were male and two female, and only one was younger than 50 years old. All four cases had significantly high specific IgG antibody titres (1 of 1280), measured by the indirect immunofluorescent (IIF) test, and two had Brucella melitensis isolated from their blood. In two cases, STCL arthritis was the presenting problem, and it was associated in one with ankle arthritis, hepatitis, renal impairment, orogenital ulcers and a haematological picture of myelodysplasia; in the other it was a relapsing STCL arthritis. In the remaining two cases, STCL arthritis was part of an extensive osteoarticular disease, which was associated in one with cachexia, liver cirrhosis, heart failure and prostatitis with urine retention, and in the other with severe thrombocytopenia. Excellent results were obtained from six to eight weeks' therapy with streptomycin, rifampicin and cotrimoxazole or tetracycline.

The high rate of prevalence of CT-detected basal ganglia calcification in neuropsychiatric (CNS) brucellosis

Of 65 cases presenting with neuropsychiatric manifestations of brucellosis (CNS-brucellosis), 9(13.8%) had CT-detected basal ganglia calcification (BGC). Of these, 5 had meningitis and 4 had psychiatric manifestations as presenting features. The diagnosis of brucellosis was made by the finding of consistent history and physical findings and the presence of significantly elevated antibody titres and/or positive culture in the blood and/or CSF. In all the cases, BGC was in the form of punctate hyperdense non-enhancing shadows with average density 44.5-58.4 and maximum density 49-64HU. The calcification was unilateral in 3 cases, bilateral and symmetrical in 4 and bilateral but asymmetrical in 2. None of the cases had other predisposing conditions to BGC and in one of the cases did specific anti-brucella treatment effect a detectable change in the BGC. The finding of CT-detected BGC in patients coming from areas endemic for brucellosis should alert physicians to the possibility of underlying brucellar infection.

Disseminated pelvic hydatidosis presenting as ovarian carcinomatosis: successful post-operative treatment with mebendazole

The case of a female with disseminated pelvic cystic hydatidosis presenting as ovarian carcinomatosis 2.5 years after repeated abdominal paracentesis is reported. The diagnosis was made during surgery and confirmed by serology and histological examination. Over 100 cysts were removed from the abdominal cavity and wall. Innumerable small cysts studded the viscera; these and larger inaccessible ones were untouched. Medical cure in this patient was achieved with a combination of partial resection and special irrigation, broad spectrum antibiotic for coverage of infectious episodes and high dose long term mebendazole therapy for 25 months. The danger of blind aspiration in patients coming from endemic areas is emphasized.

Brucellosis in Kuwait: a clinico-epidemiological study

The 160,000 population in Adan area, Kuwait, is served by Adan Regional Hospital. During the 6 months period mid-December, 1983 to mid-June, 1984, 68 cases of brucellosis were admitted to the hospital, an annual incidence of 85/100,000 population. Of these, 84% were Kuwaitis and Bedouins. The mean age was 32 years, range 12-70 years. The male female ratio was 1.4:1. 55 patients gave histories of consuming raw milk and 4 had close contact with animals. The highest incidence of the disease coincided with the animal delivery season and the desert camping period of Kuwaiti families. It appears that air transmission of contaminated soil is one of the main routes of Brucella infections in Kuwait.

Human cystic hydatid disease: treatment with interrupted courses of mebendazole

Ten patients suffering from intra-abdominal cystic hydatid disease, confirmed by serological tests and CT scan were treated with mebendazole. Each received 1800 mg day-1 either as a continuous therapy for 18 weeks, or as interrupted 6-week courses for a minimum of three courses, with intervals of 19-22 weeks between the courses. One patient dropped out of the study because of the development of jaundice 11 days after initiation of treatment. Nine patients were treated and followed up for the minimum of 20 months; of these, three patients received continuous therapy and six received interrupted therapy. One patient from the continuous therapy group showed progressive regression of his cyst, one showed minimal radiological changes only, while the third patient showed minimal radiological changes plus per-operative evidence of partial destruction of the cyst. Of those treated with interrupted therapy, one patient showed continuous progression in the size of the cyst with the appearance of a new cyst, although there was radiological and operative evidence of partial destruction of the cyst. One patient initially showed regression, but later progression of his cyst, while four patients showed no benefit from the treatment.

Rapid diagnosis of central nervous system brucellosis by ELISA

The diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) brucellosis was made by determining Brucella-specific IgG, IgM and IgA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. A total of 68 CSF specimens including 10 from patients with brucellosis of the nervous system, 4 with Brucella infection but without CNS involvement, 38 with meningitis other than due to Brucella and 16 with no meningitis were studied. Of the 10 CSF specimens from patients with CNS brucellosis, Brucella-specific IgG was detected in all 10, IgM in 7 and IgA in 8. The 10 patients were also seropositive for anti-Brucella IgG and IgM, and 9 were seropositive for IgA. No Brucella-specific IgG, IgM or IgA was detected in the CSF of 4 patients with brucellosis but without CNS involvement, even though the blood of these patients had high titres of anti-Brucella IgG, IgM and IgA. In addition, none of the CSF specimens from the 38 patients with meningitis other than due to Brucella, or from the 16 patients without meningitis, had detectable anti-Brucella antibodies. This study indicates that the Brucella ELISA on CSF is a reliable, rapid, sensitive and specific assay in the diagnosis of CNS brucellosis.

Abdominal hydatid disease: follow-up of mebendazole therapy by CT and ultrasonography

Computed tomography (CT) and Ultrasonography (US) were used for the diagnosis and follow-up of 10 cases of abdominal hydatid disease receiving treatment with Mebendazole because of a relative contraindication to surgery. With the exception of one case, the duration of follow-up varied from 20-36 months. There was an estimated 60% decrease in cyst size in one case, 10% decrease in another, unchanged in six (mostly calcified ones) and 60% increase in one case. CT density measurements of fluid content of the cysts increased in three cases accompanied by increased internal echoes on US in one case. The number and size of daughter cysts were reduced in one case and more calcification was noted in two cases. There was an overall slow and poor response to treatment and four cases eventually had surgery.