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Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Thymus praecox subsp. skorpilii var. skorpilii (syn. Thymus praecox subsp. jankae (Celak.) Jalas) is consumed as a Turkish folk medicine for the treatment of spasm, sore throat and shortness of breath, also having strong antioxidant activity and the leaves of the plant have been utilized for the treatment of diabetes as the decoction in Turkey. Aim of the study In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of antidiabetic action of Thymus praecox subsp. skorpilii var. skorpilii methanolic extract (TPSE) on streptozotocin (STZ)/nicotinamide (NA)-induced type 2 diabetic rats. Materials and methods Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups; control, diabetes, TPSE (100 mg/kg b.w, p.o.) and metformin group (400 mg/kg b.w, p.o.). Diabetes was established in all groups except control group by 55 mg/kg STZ (i.p.) for once 15 min after 100 mg/kg NA injection. 3 days after STZ/NA injection, treatments were administered for three weeks and then rats were decapitated; tissue and blood samples were obtained for measuring the level of glucose transporters (both GLUTs and sodium glucose co-transporters (SGLTs)), enzymes related to glucose (Hexokinase (HK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), α-glucosidase) and lipid metabolism (Acetyl-coenzyme carboxylase (ACC)), AST, ALT, creatinine, insulin, anti-inflammatory (IL-10) and inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) cytokines, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Histopathological alterations of the pancreas were examined. Results After three weeks of treatment, TPSE has exhibited a significant reduction of plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines. Besides, TPSE treatment elevated plasma insulin levels and normalized blood glucose levels. Moreover, it improved the values of AMPK in liver and GLP-1 in pancreas. Increased α-glucosidase, PEPCK, GLUT-2 and SGLTs levels with the induction of diabetes considerably lowered with TPSE treatment. Especially on SGLT-2, TPSE achieved a more prominent decrease. After the atrophy in Langerhans islets due to diabetes induction, treatment was found to prevent the damage of islets. Conclusions Based on the findings presented here, it has been concluded that TPSE has marked antidiabetic effects through various pathways on STZ/NA-induced diabetic rats and it may potentially be used as an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Further research on isolation of the bioactive components is underway. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progesterone-loaded poly(lactic) acid fibrous polymeric patches were produced using electrospinning and pressurized gyration for intra-vaginal application to prevent preterm birth. The patches were intravaginally inserted into rats in the final week of their pregnancy, equivalent to the third trimester of human pregnancy. Maintenance tocolysis with progesterone-loaded patches was elucidated by recording the contractile response of uterine smooth muscle to noradrenaline in pregnant rats. Both progesterone-loaded patches indicated similar results from release and thermal studies, however, patches obtained by electrospinning had smaller average diameters and more uniform dispersion compared to pressurized gyration. Patches obtained by pressurized gyration had better results in production yield and tensile strength than electrospinning; thereby pressurized gyration is better suited for scaled-up production. The patches did not affect cell attachment, viability, and proliferation on Vero cells negatively. Consequently, progesterone-loaded patches are a novel and successful treatment strategy for preventing preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• All nanofibres were produced by a portable electrohydrodynamic gun. • SEM, FTIR, drug release, cell culture, and animal studies have been performed. • All fibre samples can safely be applied on wound site without risk of cytotoxicity. • GEL-BC-Gb group showed a better recovery than GEL-BC-Met group in the animal tests. • Met and Gb in a sustained release form has high potential for diabetic wound healing. Wound dressings made from natural polymers are an important aspect of biomaterials. Protein-based materials are less likely to instigate an immunogenic response and have the capacity to degrade in vivo , also without triggering an inflammatory response. Therefore, gelatin (GEL) was chosen and combined with bacterial cellulose (BC) to produce nanofibres and the potential of an all-natural polymer construct was determined. GEL and BC were successfully electrospun with metformin (Met) and glybenclamide (Gb) using a portable, point of need electrospinning set up. The virgin fibre group exhibited a significant effect on the proliferation of L929 (mouse fibroblast) cells but all fibre samples can safely be applied on wound site without risk of cytotoxicity. According to the results obtained by animal tests, the GEL-BC-Gb group showed better recovery than the GEL-BC-Met group. Diabetic wounds treated with GEL-BC-Met were characterized by moderate re-epithelialization and partially organized granulation tissue. Moderate to complete re-epithelialization and well-formed granulation tissue were observed in diabetic wounds treated with GEL-BC-Gb. The histologic scores obtained on day 14 confirmed that the GEL-BC-Gb group played a stronger wound-healing role compared to the GEL-BC-Met group. The highest decrease of TNF-α level was observed in the GEL-BC-Gb group at the end of the experiment but there is no significant difference between drug-loaded fibre groups. Therefore, topical administration of Met and Gb in a sustained release form has a high potential for diabetic wound healing with high bioavailability and fewer systemic side effects but Gb showed better improvement according to the results of the animal tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The characterization of electrospun Achillea lycaonica-loaded PLA fibers was described. • SEM, FTIR, DSC, tensile, drug release and cell culture tests of fibers were performed. • Achillea lycaonica-loaded fibers increased the viability of NIH/3T3 cells. • Samples have proper tensile strength and exhibit controlled release. • Achillea lycaonica-loaded fibers do not have a risk of melting on the human body. The use of natural compounds such as biocompatible and non-toxic plant extracts, without undesired side effects, in tissue engineering applications, is highly preferred compared to chemical drugs. In this study, the characterization and performance of electrospun Achillea lycaonica-loaded (0.125, 0.250 and 0.500, wt%) poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (8%, w/v) nanofibrous mats for skin tissue engineering were investigated. SEM, FTIR, DSC, and tensile strength test of the electrospun nanofibers have been investigated. Drug releasing test and cell culture study were also carried out. Achillea lycaonica-loaded nanofibrous mats in 0.250 (wt%) and 0.500 (wt%) demonstrated excellent cell compatibility and increased the viability of NIH/3T3 (mouse embryo fibroblast) cells within 72 h. According to the results, Achillea lycaonica-loaded PLA nanofibers have proper tensile strength and controlled release. The working temperature range enlarged for the composites having higher plant extract content. Consequently, Achillea lycaonica-loaded nanofibrous mats have a great potential in skin tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Teucrium polium (TP) methanolic extract, which has antidiabetic activity and protects the β-cells of the pancreas, was loaded in polyethylene oxide/sodium alginate nanofibers by electrospinning and administered sublingually to evaluate their effectiveness in type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by cell culture and in vivo studies. The gene expressions of insulin, glucokinase, GLUT-1, and GLUT-2 improved in TP-loaded nanofibers (TPF) on human beta cells 1.1B4 and rat beta cells BRIN-BD11. Fast-dissolving (<120 s) sublingual TPF exhibited better sustainable anti-diabetic activity than the suspension form, even in the twenty times lower dosage in streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced T2DM rats. The levels of GLP-1, GLUT-2, SGLT-2, PPAR-γ, insulin, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were improved. TP and TPF treatments ameliorated morphological changes in the liver, pancreas, and kidney. The fiber diameter increased, tensile strength decreased, and the working temperature range enlarged by loading TP in fibers. Thus, TPF has proven to be a novel supportive treatment approach for T2DM with the features of being non-toxic, easy to use, and effective. [Display omitted] • Teucrium polium (TP) extract was loaded in nanofibers (TPF) by electrospinning. • Sublingually administered TPF showed ultra-fast drug release on diabetic rats. • TPF showed antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced T2DM. • TPF improved the expressions of GLP-1, GLUT-2, PPAR-γ, Insulin, and TNF-α on rats. • The regeneration effect of TPF on liver, pancreas, and kidney was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies claim that Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) overlap in several common pathological pathways which from neuronal damage to impaired memory performance. It is known that the use of Rosa canina L. (R. canina) as medicine in folk medicine dates back to ancient times and is used in the treatment of nervous diseases in Persian medicine. However, the effect of R. canina on diabetes-related cognitive decline and memory impairment has not yet been studied. We evaluated the impact of T2DM on AD-like alterations and examined the molecular mechanism of a possible effect of R. canina on cognitive alterations in diabetic rats. R. canina ethanol extract was obtained by maceration method. This study was performed with male Sprague-Dawley rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks, low-dose streptozotocin (STZ; 35 mg/kg IP) injection for 4 weeks, and R. canina (250 mg/kg; per oral) and metformin (400 mg/kg; per oral) administration for 4 weeks. The weight and blood glucose of rats were measured weekly. To evaluate glucose tolerance area under the curve (AUC) was calculated by performing an oral glucose tolerance test. Then the rats were subjected to behavioural tests, and their hippocampus and cortex tissues were obtained for biochemical and morphological analyses. R. canina could manage glucose responsiveness by reducing post-prandial blood glucose levels, preventing weight loss, and raising serum insulin levels in T2DM-induced rats. Behavioural tests showed that R. canina significantly improves diabetes-related cognitive decline in recall and long-term memory. Treatment with R. canina significantly reversed HFD/STZ-induced increases in insulin, amyloid-β, amyloid precursor protein levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Furthermore, histological analyzes revealed the protection of R. canina against neuronal disruption in the cortical and hippocampal CA3 region caused by chronic hyperglycemia. Analyzed collectively, these results suggest that R. canina can correct T2DM-related cognitive decline may be attributed to insulin pathway modulation, prevention of amyloid deposition, and increased cholinergic transmission. [Display omitted] • R. canina (RC) improves T2DM-related cognitive decline in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic rats. • RC reduces post-prandial blood glucose levels and raises serum insulin levels. • RC improves diabetes-related cognitive decline in recall and long-term memory. • RC decreases amyloid-β, APP, and AChE levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. • RC protects against neuronal disruption in the cortical and hippocampal CA3 region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-drug delivery systems were constructed through coaxial techniques, which were convenient for the model drugs used the present work. This study aimed to fabricate core-shell electrospun nanofibrous membranes displaying simultaneous cell proliferation and antibacterial activity. For that purpose, phenytoin (Ph), a well-known proliferative agent, was loaded into a polycaprolactone (PCL) shell membrane, and as-prepared silver-chitosan nanoparticles (Ag-CS NPs), as biocidal agents, were embedded in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) core layer. The morphology, chemical composition, mechanical and thermal properties of the nanofibrous membranes were characterized by FESEM/STEM, FTIR and DSC. The coaxial PVA-Ag CS NPs/PCL-Ph nanofibers (NFs) showed more controlled Ph release than PVA/PCL-Ph NFs. There was notable improvement in the morphology, thermal, mechanical, antibacterial properties and cytobiocompatibility of the fibers upon incorporation of Ph and Ag-CS NPs. The proposed core-shell PVA/PCL NFs represent promising scaffolds for tissue regeneration and wound healing by the effective dual delivery of phenytoin and Ag-CS NPs. [Display omitted] • Electrospinning process was employed to produce core-shell PVA/PCL nanofibers. • Core-shell PVA/PCL nanofibers incorporating phenytoin and Ag-chitosan nanoparticles • The incorporated drugs improved the thermal and mechanical properties of the fibers. • Phenytoin released in a sustained manner by a Fickian diffusion (n value ˂ 0.5) • The proposed core-shell nanofibers offered promising cytobiocompatible platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]