Search

Objective(s): Sesame oil is a lipophilic compound and has low aqueous solubility and low oral bioavailability. It is possible to enhance sesame oil solubility in aqueous media by applying the microemulsion system in the form of oil-in-water. In this study, the anti-cholesterol and anti-Apoptotic effects of a new combination of sesame oil and honey in a microemulsion form for cardiac muscle cells Apoptosis treatment were investigated. Materials and Methods: Two different formulations were prepared. Tween 80 was used as the main surfactant in both formulations. In the first formulation, glycerin was applied as co-surfactant. Span 80 was applied as a mixed surfactant in the second formulation. Results: Characterization results showed that the average size of droplets of microemulsion samples were in the range of 16.6±0.1-64.6±0.2 nm with a poly dispersity index (PDI) value of less than 0.5. No turbidity and phase sedimentation were observed in certain samples in a period of 6 months after the preparation, which confirmed the high stability of samples. The in-vivo results in Wistar male rats with heart failure showed that applying sesame oil and honey in the microemulsion form caused a significant reduction in the Apoptosis level. In addition, favorable therapeutic effects for microemulsion administration was observed in comparison to the Atorvastatin drug consumption. Furthermore, the protective effect of microemulsion dosage was more obvious with increasing the oil percentage and adding honey as a hydrophilic additive. Conclusion: Results confirmed that the new formulation containing sesame oil and honey as natural components with nano particle size could be useful for cardiac muscle cells Apoptosis treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, hydrogel-based colloidosome with the shell of CaCO3 microparticles was used to encapsulate caffeine as a model flavour compound. The results of the microscopic evaluation showed that the optimum parameters to fabricate this type of colloidosome were a volume fraction of water equal to 0.2 and a weight of CaCO3 microparticles to the volume of aqueous solution equal to 0.04 g/ml. In these conditions, when CaCO3 particles were dispersed in sunflower oil and then water in oil emulsion was prepared, with adding D-gluconic acid δ-lactone, water droplets containing alginate slowly gelate with the outer layer of CaCO3 particles in micrometer hydrogels without coagulation. CaCO3 microparticles act as both a cross-linker for the alginate and a stabilizer of water in oil emulsion. After leaving for 48 h, the hydrogel colloidosomes sank to the bottom of the container as a result of gravity. In the optimum state, the colloidosomes had maximum stability and uniformity. After 5 h, this colloidosome sample continued the caffeine release in water up to 55% maximally while using mouth conditions for this sample, the release of the loaded caffeine increased 33% and reached to 73%. Kinetics release of caffeine from colloidosome samples was evaluated using the spectrophotometery method and the measurement of the released caffeine concentration. The results of modelling showed that the Korsmeyer-Peppas model is the best model for describing the release behaviour in mouth conditions ( R2 ≥ 0.991), whereas the Kopcha model had the maximum coefficient of determination in conditions without shear ( R2 ≥ 0.968). Overall, release in all colloidosome samples was from the Fickian diffusion type. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite almost the three decades passed since the chemical attacks of Iraqi's army against the Iranian troops, some veterans are still suffering from long-term complications of sulfur mustard (SM) poisoning, including certain skin complaints specially dryness, burning, and pruritus. We thus aimed to evaluate the skin's water and lipid content in patients with a disability of >25% due to complications of SM poisoning and compare them with a matched control group. Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine male participants were included in this study; 43 SM-exposed patients, and 26 normal controls from their close relatives. The water and lipid content was measured in four different locations: Extensor and flexor sides of forearms and lateral and medial sides of legs by the Corneometer CM 820/Sebumeter SM 810. Collected data was analyzed and P ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients and controls was 49.53 ± 11.34 (ranges: 40-71) and 29.08 ± 8.836 (ranges: 15-49 years), respectively. In the veterans group, the main cutaneous complaint was itching and skin dryness. Cherry angioma, dry skin, and pruritus were significantly more common in the SM-exposed cases than in the controls. (P = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.04, respectively). The moisture and lipid content of all areas were lower in the SM-exposed group, but it was only significant in skin sebum of lateral sides of legs (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Exposure to SM could decrease the function of stratum corneum and lipid production as a barrier, even after several years of its exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): In the current study, sunscreen and moisturizing properties of solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN)-safranal formulations were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Series of SLN were prepared using glyceryl monostearate, Tween 80 and different amounts of safranal by high shear homogenization, and ultrasound and high-pressure homogenization (HPH) methods. SLN formulations were characterized for size, zeta potential, morphology, thermal properties, and encapsulation efficacy. The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the products was determined in vitro using transpore tape. The moisturizing activity of the products was also evaluated by corneometer. Results: The SPF of SLN-safranal formulations was increased when the amount of safranal increased. Mean particle size for all formulas was approximately 106 nm by probe sonication and 233 nm using HPH method. The encapsulation efficiency of safranal was around 70% for all SLNsafranal formulations. Conclusion: The results conclude that SLN-safranal formulations were found to be effective for topical delivery of safranal and succeeded in providing appropriate sunscreen properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s) The objective of this study was to prepare, characterize and evaluate the nanoliposomes containing safranal as a natural sunscreen and moisturizer factor. Materials and Methods The experimental formulations included homosalate reference, nanoliposomes containing 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8% safranal and empty liposomes. The liposomes were prepared using fusion method and homogenization. Homosalate reference was prepared according to FDA standard. Sun protection factors (SPF) of the formulations were determined by two in vitro methods; diluted solution transmittance method and transpore tape method. Studies of in vitro penetration of the formulations across mouse skin were carried out with diffusion cells. The percentage of safranal penetrated and retained in the skin was determined for the formulations up to 24 hr. The amount of the moisture contents of the skin before application and after 30- minute, 1, 3 and 5 hr post-application of the formulations were measured in human volunteers using Corneometer. Results The results indicated that, the SPF of liposomes containing 8% safranal (Lip-Safranal 8%) was significantly higher than 8% homosalate reference. The proportion of Lip-Safranal 1% that penetrated the skin was low. There was no significant difference between the skin moisture contents after application of Lip-Safranal 1 and 4% and empty liposomes during the 7 hr post-application period. Conclusion These results showed that in equal concentrations, Lip-Safranal could act as a better antisolar agent compared to homosalate and have no moisturizing effect in 1 and 4% concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to prepare, characterize, and in vitro and in vivo evaluate a novel nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) formulation containing two fractions of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) extract for the treatment of hyperpigmentation., Methods: Two fractions, one enriched with glabridin (FEG) and the other enriched with liquiritin (FEL), were obtained by partitioning the methanol (MeOH) extract of licorice roots with ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and partitioning the EtOAc fraction with butanol (n-BuOH) and water. The quantities of glabridin (Glab) and liquiritin (LQ) in the fractions were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). FEG and FEL were loaded in different NLC formulations, and surface characterization and long-term stability were studied using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The best formulation was chosen for further surface characterization, including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Fouriertransform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Moreover, entrapment efficiency percentage (EE%), in vitro drug release, in vivo skin penetration, cytotoxicity on B16F10 melanoma cells, effect on melanin production, and anti- tyrosinase activity were tested for the selected formulation., Results: Based on HPLC results, FEG contained 34.501 mg/g of Glab, and FEL contained 31.714 mg/g of LQ. Among 20 different formulations, NLC 20 (LG-NLCs) showed desirable DLS results with a Z-average size of 185.3 ± 1.08 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.229 ± 0.35, and zeta potential of -16.2 ± 1.13 mV. It indicated good spherical shape, high EE% (79.01% for Glab and 69.27% for LQ), two-stage release pattern (an initial burst release followed by sustained release), efficient in vivo skin penetration, and strong anti-tyrosinase activity. LG-NLCs had acceptable physiochemical stability for up to 9 months and were non-cytotoxic., Conclusion: The LG-NLC formulation has revealed desirable surface characterization, good physiochemical stability, efficient drug release pattern and in vivo penetration, and high EE%. Therefore, it can be a suitable nanosystem for the delivery of licorice extract in the treatment of hyperpigmentation., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the conjugation of anti-HER2-Affibody to cisplatin PEGylated liposome can efficiently enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of the targeted liposome., Methods: First, Affibody molecules were incubated with Mal-PEG2000-DSPE micelle to afford formation of a maleimide-mediated thioether coupling to the COOH-terminal cysteine of Affibody. Cisplatin-loaded liposomes composed of hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine/ cholesterol/mPEG2000-DSPE (56.5:38.5:5 molar ratio) (150 mM) were prepared and characterized by their physicochemical properties. Affibody-conjugated micelles were then transferred into preformed liposomes by means of post insertion. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of Affibody-targeted (affisome) and nontargeted liposomes were tested in HER2(+) SK-BR-3, and the in vivo therapeutic activity was evaluated in TUBO breast cancer models., Results: Anti-HER2 affisome demonstrated a higher amount of platinum intracellularly, and affected HER2(+)-SK-BR-3 cell death was at lower concentrations compared with its liposome counterparts. Further, cisplatin-affisome showed greater therapeutic efficiency than nontargeted liposome in HER2(+)-TUBO models. Equally promising, the affisome-treated mice did extend the survival of animals by several days and even left one tumor-free survivor., Conclusions: Affibody-targeting endowed cisplatin liposomes with significantly enhanced, albeit modest, therapeutic activity in HER2-overexpressing tumor model; however, further values are yet to be determined to advance clinical translation of these targeted nanoparticulates.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of saffron as a natural sunscreen and moisturizer. The pollens of the saffron were dried and powdered in a grinder. The experimental formulations included a homosalate (8%) lotion reference, lotions with 2, 4 and 8% of grinded saffron, and the control lotion base without saffron. The lotions containing saffron were prepared like homosalate lotion reference according to FDA. The sun protection factors (SPFs) of the formulations were determined by an in vitro spectrophotometry method. The moisture contents of the skin before application and after 30 min and 3, 5 and 7 h post-application of the formulations were measured in human volunteers using Corneometer. The results indicated that, there was no significant difference between the SPF values of the 4% saffron lotion and the homosalate lotion reference. However, the SPF of 8% saffron lotion was significantly more than that of homosalate lotion reference. These results showed that in equal concentrations saffron lotion could act as a better antisolar agent compared to homosalate. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in skin moisture saffron lotions and the control lotion without saffron during the 7 h post-application period. Saffron can be used as a natural UV absorbing agent. The 4% saffron lotion showed an SPF value equivalent to the 8% homosalate lotion reference by an in vitro method. There were no significant differences of skin moisture contents after application of the saffron lotions and the control base lotion without saffron.