Satish Patel

Role of enzymatic free radical scavengers in management of oxidative stress in autoimmune disorders

Autoimmune disorders are distinct with over production and accumulation of free radicals due to its undisclosed genesis. The cause of numerous disorders as cancer, arthritis, psoriasis, diabetes, alzheimers, cardiovascular disease, Parkinsons, respiratory distress syndrome, colitis, crohns, pulmonary fibrosis, obesity and ageing have been associated with immune dysfunction and oxidative stress. In an oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species generally provoke the series of oxidation at cellular level. The buildup of free radicals in turn triggers various inflammatory cells causing release of various inflammatory interleukins, cytokines, chemokines, and tumor necrosis factors which mediate signal transduction and transcription pathways as nuclear factor- kappa B (NF-κB), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). The imbalance could only be combat by supplementing natural defensive antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. The efficiency of these enzymes is enhanced by use of colloidal carriers which include cellular carriers, vesicular and particulate systems like erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, liposomes, transferosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, microspheres, emulsions. Thus this review provides a platform for understanding importance of antioxidant enzymes and its therapeutic applications in treatment of various autoimmune disorders.

Preparation and optimization of chitosan-gelatin films for sustained delivery of lupeol for wound healing

Lupeol entrapped chitosan-gelatin hydrogel (LCGH) films were prepared by solution cast method by blending chitosan and gelatin solution using glycerol as plasticizer, followed by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. LCGH films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), equilibrium water content (EWC), Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and in vitro release studies. SEM confirmed presence of the uniform porous network of both blank and LCGH films. The incorporation of lupeol in hydrogel was confirmed FTIR and DSC. The LCGH film was smooth, flexible, non-brittle and showed excellent swelling ability. EWC (85.40%) and WVTR (2228±31.8) met the condition of ideal wound dressing. The biological activity of lupeol was assessed by antioxidant and antibacterial assay. Antioxidant assay confirmed that lupeol and LCGH film have excellent antioxidant properties by scavenging both radicals at steady increasing rate which increases with time due to steady release of lupeol. Antibacterial activity of lupeol in LCGH film was found to be retained as assessed by disc diffusion method. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay with NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells. The MTT assay showed that the CGH film evidently offered acceptable cell viability and non-toxicity. These observations depicted that chitosan/gelatin hydrogel film can be an ideal delivery system for sustained released of lupeol and LCGH film for enhanced wound healing.

Novel catalase loaded nanocores for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disorder of the digestive tract reported to be primarily caused by oxidative stress. In this study, alginate encapsulated nanoceramic carriers were designed to deliver acid labile antioxidant enzyme catalase orally. Complete system was characterized for size, loading efficiency, in vitro antioxidant assay and in vitro release. The prepared nanoceramic system was found to be spherical with diameter of 925 ± 6.81 nm. The in vitro release data followed the Higuchi model in acidic buffer whereas in alkaline pH sustained and almost first order release of enzyme was observed up to 6 h.

A study on the extracts of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. in treatment of cyclophosphamide induced alopecia

BackgroundAlopecia is a dermatological disorder with psychosocial implications on patients with hair loss. Hair loss is one of the most feared side effects of chemotherapy. Plants have been widely used for hair growth promotion since ancient times in Ayurveda, Chinese and Unani systems of medicine. The effect of extracts of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. in testosterone induced alopecia was reported.ObjectiveIn the present study, the efficacies of the extracts of Cuscuta reflexa in promoting hair growth in cyclophosphamide-induced hair loss have been determined.Materials and methodsThe study was performed by treated with petroleum ether and ethanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa at the dose 250 mg/kg in male swiss albino rats. Cyclophosphamide (125 mg/kg) was used to induce alopecia.ResultsGroups treated with extracts of plant showed hair regrowth. Histopathology and gross morphologic observations for hair regrowth at shaved sites revealed active follicular proliferation.ConclusionsIt concluded that extracts of Cuscuta reflexa shown to be capable of promoting follicular proliferation or preventing hair loss in cyclophosphamide-induced hair fall.

Rationalized Insights on Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Elderly and Women: Special Emphasis on Treatment Strategies

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder distinguished by synovial inflammation followed by destruction of joint. The pathogenesis of arthritis involves immune imbalance of the endogenous system. Causative factors include immune imbalance, oxidative stress, genetics, and environment. Continued effort has been made to treat RA via chemical, enzymatic, genetic, and hormonal approaches. RA has been reported more in the aged and in women. Arthritis necessitates lifelong administration of drugs to maintain quality of life. The major challenges of treatment are the side effects associated with these drugs. Novel approaches and targets have been explored as alternative measures to relieve pain in RA sufferers. Customary treatment strategies have limited therapeutic capability with episodes of associated side effects. Thus, revolutionary advances in novel RA-targeted drug delivery strategies are needed for efficient therapies and to meet the demand for treatment. The current review summarizes the pathogenesis of RA, its causative factors, and therapeutic approaches. These approaches are discussed with regard to mode of action, pharmacokinetics, marketed products, side effects of individual RA drugs, recent developments, modifications in the delivery of various drugs through targeted ligands, novel drug carriers as vesicular, particulate, self assembled, cellular, ceramic systems, and future prospects.

Natural polymer-based hydrogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering

Hydrogels have increased attention in drug-delivery systems and other areas of biomedical engineering. Hydrogels are a remarkable strategy to develop scaffolds for tissue engineering and provide basic knowledge to comprehend cell–scaffold interactions, cellular response, and tissue formation. Hydrogels are hydrophilic, crosslinked three-dimensional polymeric networks that have been widely used as tissue engineering scaffolds due to their good biocompatibility, biomimetic, swellable properties, and enviable physical characteristics that allow permeability for oxygen, nutrients, and water-soluble metabolites. Polymers used in naturally derived hydrogels are often used in tissue engineering as they are either components of natural extracellular matrix or have similar properties. Frequently used polymers in hydrogels are collagen, hyaluronic acid, alginate, chitosan, etc. They are used as scaffolds that give structural integrity to tissue constructs, control drug and protein delivery to tissues, and are used as adhesives between tissue and material surfaces. More research has been focused on the design of biomimetic hydrogels, which aspire to imitate the physicochemical and biological properties of natural materials for tissue engineering for the treatment of skin disorders. This chapter aims to discuss different aspects of hydrogels, particularly natural polymers and their pharmaceutical and biological applications.