Shyam Sunder Rachamalla

Ameliorative Effect of Fisetin on Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats via Modulation of NF-κB Activation and Antioxidant Defence

Nephrotoxicity is a dose-dependent side effect of cisplatin limiting its clinical usage in the field of cancer chemotherapy. Fisetin is a bioactive flavonoid with recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we investigated the potential renoprotective effect and underlying mechanism of fisetin using rat model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The elevation in serum biomarkers of renal damage (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine); degree of histopathological alterations and oxidative stress were significantly restored towards normal in fisetin treated, cisplatin challenged animals. Fisetin treatment also significantly attenuated the cisplatin-induced IκBα degradation and phosphorylation and blocked the NF-κB (p65) nuclear translocation, with subsequent elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, protein expression of iNOS and myeloperoxidase activities. Furthermore, fisetin markedly attenuated the translocation of cytochrome c protein from the mitochondria to the cytosol; decreased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins including Bax, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and p53; and prevented the decline of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. The cisplatin-induced mRNA expression of NOX2/gp91phox and NOX4/RENOX and the NADPH oxidase enzyme activity were also significantly lowered by fisetin treatment. Moreover, the evaluated mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities and mitochondrial antioxidants were restored by fisetin treatment. Estimation of platinum concentration in kidney tissues revealed that fisetin treatment along with cisplatin did not alter the cisplatin uptake in kidney tissues. In conclusion, these findings suggest that fisetin may be used as a promising adjunct candidate for cisplatin use.

Xanthan gum stabilized gold nanoparticles: Characterization, biocompatibility, stability and cytotoxicity

Xanthan gum (XG) has been widely used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In the present study, we explored the potential of XG in the synthesis of gold nanoparticle. XG was used as both reducing and stabilizing agent. The effect of various formulation and process variables such as temperature, reaction time, gum concentration, gum volume and gold concentration, in GNP preparation was determined. The XG stabilized, rubey-red XGNP were obtained with 5 ml of XG aqueous solution (1.5 mg/ml). The optimum temperature was 80°C whereas the reaction time was 3 h. The optimized nanoparticles were also investigated as drug delivery carrier for doxorubicin hydrochloride. DOX loaded gold nanoparticles (DXGP) were characterized by dynamic light scattering, TEM, FTIR, and DSC analysis. The synthesized nanoparticle showed mean particle size of 15-20 nm and zeta potential -29.1 mV. The colloidal stability of DXGP was studied under different conditions of pH, electrolytes and serum. Nanoparticles were found to be stable at pH range between pH 5-9 and NaCl concentration up to 0.5 M. In serum, nanoparticles showed significant stability up to 24h. During toxicity studies, nanoparticles were found biocompatible and non-toxic. Compared with free DOX, DXGP displayed 3 times more cytotoxicity in A549 cells. In conclusion, this study provided an insight to synthesize GNP without using harsh chemicals.

Dendrimer-TPGS mixed micelles for enhanced solubility and cellular toxicity of taxanes

Taxanes are the most effective, efficient and broad spectrum anticancer drugs for the treatment of various cancers. However, poor aqueous solubility is the major problem in their delivery at higher concentrations in cancer cells. In this research work, poor solubility of taxanes is addressed by preparing dendrimer and d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) mixed micelles by taking into consideration the advantages of TPGS such as solubility enhancement and P-glycoprotein inhibition. Dendrimer-TPGS mixed micelles were prepared by solvent casting method. Docetaxel (DTX) and paclitaxel (PTX) were chosen as model drugs representing the group of taxanes. Nanomicelles were characterized by DLS, FTIR, PXRD, in vitro drug release and hemolytic studies. Effects of pH and dendrimer to TPGS ratio on the solubility of taxanes were also studied. Solubility of DTX and PTX were increased by 20.36 and 34.95 folds, respectively, when formulated in dendrimer-TPGS mixed micelles. Drug release studies exhibited better release profile of encapsulated drug at acidic pH which is advantageous in enhanced intracellular drug release in cancer cells. Formulations were found to be biocompatible in hemolytic toxicity assay. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that anticancer activities of both drugs were enhanced after encapsulation in micelles against cancer cells while caused very low toxicity to normal cells. Thus, dendrimer-TPGS mixed micelles are promising alternate for delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs taxanes.

Natural polysaccharide functionalized gold nanoparticles as biocompatible drug delivery carrier

Biocompatibility is one of the major concerns with inorganic nanoparticles for their applications as drug delivery system. Natural compounds such as sugars, hydrocolloids and plant extracts have shown potential for the green synthesis of biocompatible gold nanoparticles. In this study, we report the synthesis of gum karaya (GK) stabilized gold nanoparticles (GKNP) and the application of prepared nanoparticles in the delivery of anticancer drugs. GKNP were characterized using different analytical techniques. GKNP exhibited high biocompatibility during cell survival study against CHO normal ovary cells and A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells and during hemolytic toxicity studies. Gemcitabine hydrochloride (GEM), an anticancer drug, was loaded on the surface of nanoparticles with 19.2% drug loading efficiency. GEM loaded nanoparticles (GEM-GNP) showed better inhibition of growth of cancer cells in anti-proliferation and clonogenic assays than native GEM. This effect was correlated with higher reactive oxygen species generation by GEM-GNP in A549 cells than native GEM. In summary, GK has significant potential in the synthesis of biocompatible gold nanoparticles that could be used as prospective drug delivery carrier for anticancer drugs.

Cardioprotective effect of embelin on isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury in rats: possible involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.

AIMS Preventive and/or therapeutic interventions using natural products for ischemic heart disease have gained considerable attention worldwide. This study investigated the cardioprotective effect and possible mechanism of embelin, a major constituent of Embelia ribes Burm, using isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction model in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rats were pretreated for three days with embelin (50mg/kg, p.o) before inducing myocardial injury by administration of ISO (85 mg/kg) subcutaneously at an interval of 24h for 2 consecutive days. Serum was analyzed for cardiac specific injury biomarkers, lipids and lipoprotein content. Heart tissues were isolated and were used for histopathology, antioxidant and mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activity assays and western blot analysis. KEY FINDINGS Results showed that pretreatment with embelin significantly decreased the elevated levels of serum specific cardiac injury biomarkers (CK-MB, LDH and AST), serum levels of lipids and lipoproteins and histopathological changes when compared to ISO-induced controls. Exploration of the underlying mechanisms of embelin action revealed that embelin pretreatment restored the myocardial mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities (NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase and mitochondrial redox activity), strengthened antioxidant status and attenuated ISO-induced myocardial lipid peroxidation. Immunoblot analysis revealed that embelin interrupted mitochondria dependent apoptotic damage by increasing the myocardial expression of Bcl-2 and downregulating the expression of Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved-caspase-3 & 9 and PARP. Histopathology findings further strengthened the cardioprotective findings of embelin. SIGNIFICANCE Result suggested that embelin may have a potential benefit in preventing ischemic heart disease like myocardial infarction.

Carnosic acid promotes myocardial antioxidant response and prevents isoproterenol-induced myocardial oxidative stress and apoptosis in mice

Carnosic acid is a well-known antioxidant. Recently, it has been identified as modulator of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The effect of carnosic acid in the context of cardiovascular disorders has not been studied. In the present study, we investigated the beneficial effect and the underlying cardioprotective mechanism of carnosic acid by using mouse model of isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial stress. Elevated serum levels of Troponin I, CK-MB, LDH, SGOT and SGPT, and myofibrillar degeneration with necrotic damage, and the presence of epicardial inflammatory infiltrate (H & E staining) confirmed the ISO-induced myocardial stress. Myocardial content of vitamin C, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, NAD(P)H: quinine oxidoreductase 1, superoxide dismutase, catalase, nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and protein expression heme oxygenase-1 were evaluated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and myocardial expression of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9, p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 were investigated to assess the apoptotic cell death. Pretreatment with carnosic acid attenuated ISO-induced elevated serum levels of Troponin I, CK-MB, LDH, SGOT and SGPT, and histopathological alterations in heart. Moreover, carnosic acid enhanced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and up-regulated the phase II/antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, TUNEL assay and apoptosis-related protein analysis indicated that carnosic acid prevented ISO-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Isoproterenol-induced myocardial lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were also significantly decreased by carnosic acid pretreatment. The overall results clearly indicate that therapeutic application of carnosic acid might be beneficial in treating cardiovascular disorders.

Nanomedicines for targeted delivery of etoposide to non-small cell lung cancer using transferrin functionalized nanoparticles

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death. Clinical applications of anticancer drugs are limited due to non-specificity and systemic toxicity. Transferrin (Tf) receptors have been recognized to be up-regulated in several malignant carcinomas including non-small cell lung cancer. Herein, we investigate the anticancer activity of Tf conjugated and etoposide (ETPS) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (Tf-ESN) against Tf-receptors expressing A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cells. Pharmacokinetic and tissue-distribution profiles of nanoparticles were studied in Balb/c mice. Targeted nanoparticles showed significantly higher anticancer activity of etoposide manifested by anti-proliferation assay, morphological changes and induced apoptosis in A549 cells. In biodistribution studies, Tf-ESN had higher plasma concentration, longer blood circulation and decrease in clearance of encapsulated ETPS than Etosid®, a marketed formulation of etoposide. In conclusion, the promising results of this study suggest that targeting of nanomedicines to Tf-receptors, those that are over expressed in non-small cell lung cancer could increase the therapeutic efficacy of lung cancer therapy.

Development of PEG-PLGA based Intravenous Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) Nanoparticles Intended to Treat Venous Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND Anticoagulant therapy is effective in the treatment of DVT. In this regard, LMWH demonstrated significant promise. It is widely used clinically. The goal of this study was to prepare and evaluate intravenous sustained release stealth nanoparticles encapsulating LMWH using PLGA (polylactidecoglycolide) and different grades of PEG (poly ethylene glycols). METHODS The nanoparticles were prepared using w/o/w solvent evaporation technique. Prepared nanoparticles were evaluated for particle size, encapsulation efficiency, in-vitro drug release, anti-thrombotic activity in venous thrombosis rat model, estimation of aPTT, tissue bio-distribution studies and stability. RESULTS Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies confirmed the formation of smooth spherical particles. FTIR study reveals successful coating of PEG on the nanoparticles. DSC and XRD results demonstrated that drug changed its physical form in the formulation. The encapsulation efficiency was 63-74%. In vitro drug release was 57-75% for 48 hrs. Macrophage uptake of LMWH with pegylated nanoparticles was less compared to conventional PLGA nanoparticles. In vivo drug release was sustained for 48hrs; Optimized formulation exhibited good enhancement in pharmacokinetic parameters when compared to free drug solution. In vivo sustained release was also demonstrated with antithrombotic activity as well aPTT activity. Optimized formulation demonstrated significant stability, excellent antithrombotic activity in venous thrombosis rat model, improved aPTT levels when compared to free drug solution. CONCLUSION An effective stealth LMWH nanoparticle formulation to treat venous thrombosis was successfully developed using w/o/w solvent evaporation technique.

Development of subcutaneous sustained release nanoparticles encapsulating low molecular weight heparin

The objective of the present research work was to prepare and evaluate sustained release subcutaneous (s.c.) nanoparticles of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The nanoparticles were prepared by water-in-oil in-water (w/o/w) emulsion and evaporation method using different grades of polylactide co-glycolide (50:50, 85:15), and different concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%) aqueous solution as surfactant. The fabricated nanoparticles were evaluated for size, shape, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release, and in vivo biological activity (anti-factor Xa activity) using the standard kit. The drug and excipient compatibility was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy; nanoparticles were spherical in shape. The size of prepared nanoparticles was found between 195 nm and 251 nm. The encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles was found between 46% and 70%. In vitro drug, release was about 16-38% for 10 days. In vivo drug, release shows the sustained release of drug for 10 days in rats. FTIR studies indicated that there was no loss in chemical integrity of the drug upon fabrication into nanoparticles. DSC and XRD results demonstrated that the drug was changed from the crystalline form to the amorphous form in the formulation during the fabrication process. The results of this study revealed that the s.c. nanoparticles were suitable candidates for sustained delivery of LMWH.