520 nm and 660 nm light-emitting diodes modulates pancreatic development and beta cell functions in zebrafish embryos.

Green and Red LEDs increase insulin production, but their comparative effects on pancreatic and beta cell development are unclear. Zebrafish embryos were divided into three groups: Control (n = 60), Green (G) (n = 60), and Red (R) (n = 60), then irradiated for three days (14 hours/day) with 0.5 W/cm G (λpeak = 520 nm, 180 mA) and R (λpeak = 660 nm, 210 mA).

Synthesis and Structure of Novel Phenothiazine Derivatives, and Compound Prioritization via In Silico Target Search and Screening for Cytotoxic and Cholinesterase Modulatory Activities in Liver Cancer Cells and In Vivo in Zebrafish.

Phenothiazines (PTZ) are antipsychotics known to modulate a variety of neurotransmitter activities that include dopaminergic and cholinergic signaling and have been identified as potential anticancer agents in vitro. However, it is important to also test whether a highly cytotoxic, repurposed, or novel PTZ has low toxicity and neuromodulatory activity in vivo using vertebrate model organisms, such as zebrafish. In this study, we synthesized novel phenothiazines and screened them in vitro in liver cancer and in vivo in zebrafish embryos/larvae.

A chemical probe for BAG1 targets androgen receptor-positive prostate cancer through oxidative stress signaling pathway.

BAG1 is a family of polypeptides with a conserved C-terminal BAG domain that functions as a nucleotide exchange factor for the molecular chaperone HSP70. BAG1 proteins also control several signaling processes including proteostasis, apoptosis, and transcription. The largest isoform, BAG1L, controls the activity of the androgen receptor (AR) and is upregulated in prostate cancer.

In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicity Evaluation of Natural Products with Potential Applications as Biopesticides.

The use of natural products in agriculture as pesticides has been strongly advocated. However, it is necessary to assess their toxicity to ensure their safe use. In the present study, mammalian cell lines and fish models of the zebrafish ( and medaka () have been used to investigate the toxic effects of ten natural products which have potential applications as biopesticides.

Cubosomes: Versatile Nanosized Formulation for Efficient Delivery of Therapeutics.

Cubosomes are bicontinuous cubic phase nanoparticles with a size range from 10-500 nm. They offer various advantages with some limitations at the production level, e.g.

Transfersomes: The Ultra-Deformable Carrier System for Non-Invasive Delivery of Drug.

Vesicular systems have many advantages like prolonging the existence of the drug in the systemic circulation, minimizing the undesirable side-effects and helping the active moieties to reach their target sites using the carriers. However, the main drawback related to transdermal delivery is to cross stratum corneum, which can be overcome by the utilization of novel carrier systems e.g.

Chronic hyperammonemia causes a hypoglutamatergic and hyperGABAergic metabolic state associated with neurobehavioral abnormalities in zebrafish larvae.

Chronic hyperammonemia is a common condition affecting individuals with inherited urea cycle disorders resulting in progressive cognitive impairment and behavioral abnormalities. Altered neurotransmission has been proposed as major source of neuronal dysfunction during chronic hyperammonemia, but the molecular pathomechanism has remained incompletely understood. Here we show that chronic exposure to ammonium acetate induces locomotor dysfunction and abnormal feeding behavior in zebrafish larvae, indicative for an impairment of higher brain functions.

Preliminary studies for the development of intranasal nanoemulsion containing CNS agent: emphasizing the utilization of cut and weigh method.

Context: The selection of excipients and preformulation strategy plays a vital role for the development of nanoemulsion, due to anatomical and physiological challenges posed by nasal cavity.

Objective: This attempt is focused on the selection and optimization of excipients for the development of a nanoemulsion system for intranasal delivery.

Materials And Methods: Excipients were selected on the basis of solubility of active drug, compatibility interactions and nasal irritancy.

A novel sustained release drug-resin complex-based microbeads of ciprofloxacin HCl.

Objective A novel multiparticulate system for the gastro-mucoadhesive delivery of ciprofloxacin HCl (CFN) was developed with the help of ion-exchange resin to deal with urinary tract (UT) infections effectively. Materials and methods An optimized complex (resinate) of CFN with sodium polystyrene sulfonate USP resin was prepared and entrapped within microbeads of sodium alginate and pectin. The developed systems were evaluated for drug entrapment efficiency, percentage of mucoadhesion and in vitro release patterns in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.

Lectin-Conjugated Clarithromycin and Acetohydroxamic Acid-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles: a Novel Approach for Effective Treatment of H. pylori.

Helicobacter pylori infection remains challenging as it mainly colonized beneath the deep gastric mucosa and adheres to epithelial cells of the stomach. Concanavalin-A (Con-A)-conjugated gastro-retentive poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles of acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) and clarithromycin (CLR) were prepared and evaluated under in vitro conditions. Solvent evaporation method was employed for preparation of nanoparticles and characterized for particle size distribution, surface morphology, percent drug entrapment, and in vitro drug release in simulated gastric fluid.

Development and in vitro characterization of a multiparticulate delivery system for acyclovir-resinate complex.

Context: Herpes viruses cause threatening infections in humans and stand second as causative agents for most human viral diseases, after influenza and cold viruses.

Objective: A novel multiparticulate delivery system for acyclovir (ACV), based on ion-exchange resin, was developed to achieve a gastro-mucoadhesive effect in order to effectively combat the herpes simplex virus.

Materials And Methods: A combination of ACV and cholestyramine resin was optimized and further entrapped within sodium alginate and Carbopol microbeads.

Nasal-nanotechnology: revolution for efficient therapeutics delivery.

Context: In recent years, nanotechnology-based delivery systems have gained interest to overcome the problems of restricted absorption of therapeutic agents from the nasal cavity, depending upon the physicochemical properties of the drug and physiological properties of the human nose.

Objective: The well-tolerated and non-invasive nasal drug delivery when combined with the nanotechnology-based novel formulations and carriers, opens the way for the effective systemic and brain targeting delivery of various therapeutic agents. To accomplish competent drug delivery, it is imperative to recognize the interactions among the nanomaterials and the nasal biological environment, targeting cell-surface receptors, drug release, multiple drug administration, stability of therapeutic agents and molecular mechanisms of cell signaling involved in patho-biology of the disease under consideration.