Examination of Effective Buccal Absorption of Salmon Calcitonin Using Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Conjugated Liposomal Drug Delivery System.

Introduction: The buccal route has been considered an attractive alternative delivery route for injectable formulations. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are gaining increased attention for their cellular uptake and tissue permeation effects. This study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro and ex vivo permeation-enhancing effect of penetratin-conjugated liposomes for salmon calcitonin (sCT) in TR146 human buccal cells and porcine buccal tissues.

Correction: Autophagy induction by leptin contributes to suppression of apoptosis in cancer cells and xenograft model: Involvement of p53/FoxO3A axis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3347.

Complex formulations, simple techniques: Can 3D printing technology be the Midas touch in pharmaceutical industry?

3D printing is a method of rapid prototyping and manufacturing in which materials are deposited onto one another in layers to produce a three-dimensional object. Although 3D printing was developed in the 1980s and the technology has found widespread industrial applications for production from automotive parts to machine tools, its application in pharmaceutical area is still limited. However, the potential of 3D printing in the pharmaceutical industry is now being recognized.

Customized Novel Design of 3D Printed Pregabalin Tablets for Intra-Gastric Floating and Controlled Release Using Fused Deposition Modeling.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been recently employed in the design and formulation of various dosage forms with the aim of on-demand manufacturing and personalized medicine. In this study, we formulated a floating sustained release system using fused deposition modeling (FDM). Filaments were prepared using hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), polyethylene glycol (PEG 400) and pregabalin as the active ingredient.

Ameliorative effect of Alnus japonica ethanol extract on colitis through the inhibition of inflammatory responses and attenuation of intestinal barrier disruption in vivo and in vitro.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and epithelial barrier dysfunction. Alnus japonica Steud. (Betulaceae) has been used in traditional Asian medicine.

Iontophoretic Transdermal Delivery of Human Growth Hormone (hGH) and the Combination Effect of a New Type Microneedle, Tappy Tok Tok.

Transdermal drug administration presents several advantages and it is therefore favorable as an alternative drug delivery route. However, transdermal delivery of biopharmaceutical drugs is made difficult by the skin barrier. Microneedle application and iontophoresis are strategies which can be used to overcome this barrier.

Isoliquiritigenin suppresses tumor necrosis factor-α-induced inflammation via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in intestinal epithelial cells.

Intestinal epithelial cells play an important role in the mucosal immune reaction in inflammatory bowel diseases via the expression of inflammatory mediators, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Isoliquiritigenin (ISL; 4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone) has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in murine macrophage cells. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory properties of ISL in intestinal epithelial cells and determined its mechanism of action.

Heme oxygenase-1 promotes tumor progression and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma cells by inhibiting antitumor immunity.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is upregulated in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cells. However, the role of HO-1 in the metastatic potential of CRC remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the potential of HO-1 to control the antitumor immunity of CRC.

Autophagy induction by leptin contributes to suppression of apoptosis in cancer cells and xenograft model: involvement of p53/FoxO3A axis.

Leptin, a hormone mainly produced from adipose tissue, has been shown to induce proliferation of cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying leptin-induced tumor progression have not been clearly elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the role of autophagy in leptin-induced cancer cell proliferation using human hepatoma (HepG2) and breast cancer cells (MCF-7), and tumor growth in a xenograft model.

PF2405, standardized fraction of Scutellaria baicalensis, ameliorates colitis in vitro and in vivo.

Standardized extraction procedures for herb are as important as their authentication to maintain their quality and ensure their safe use. We had prepared a standardized and purified Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract, PF2405, which was enriched with three major components, baicalein, oroxylin A and wogonin. In the present study, we investigated the potential anti-inflammatory effects of PF2405 in vitro and in two different experimental animal models of inflammatory bowel disease.

Anti-fibrotic effect of PF2401-SF, a standardized fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza, in thioacetamide-induced experimental rats liver fibrosis.

We previously reported the in vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects of PF2401-SF, a standardized fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza, against acute and subacute liver injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PF2401-SF on liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA), a chronic liver injury model (12 weeks) that closely resembles fibrosis and cirrhosis in humans. Hepatoprotective activity was indicated by low serum levels of the markers aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase .

Hirsutenone reduces deterioration of tight junction proteins through EGFR/Akt and ERK1/2 pathway both converging to HO-1 induction.

Oxidative stress-induced disruption of epithelial tight junctions (TJ) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of intestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The current study investigated the protective effect of hirsutenone against disruption of the intestinal barrier in vitro and in a mouse model of colitis. Caco-2 cells were stimulated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BH).

Modulation of Atg5 expression by globular adiponectin contributes to autophagy flux and suppression of ethanol-induced cell death in liver cells.

Globular adiponectin (gAcrp) protects liver cells from ethanol-induced apoptosis via induction of autophagy. However, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. The present study aims to investigate the potential role of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5), an essential Atg for the elongation of autophagosomes, in suppression of ethanol-induced cytotoxicity by gAcrp.

Amniotic membrane extract-loaded double-layered wound dressing: evaluation of gel properties and wound healing.

The conservative single-layered wound dressing system is decomposed when mixed in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution, which means it cannot be used with a temperature-sensitive drug. The goal of this investigation was to make an amniotic membrane extract (AME)-loaded double-layered wound dressing with an improved healing result compared to the conservative single-layered wound dressing systems. The double-layered wound dressing was developed with PVA/sodium alginate using a freeze-melting technique; one layer was PVA layer and the other was the drug-loaded sodium alginate layer.

Globular adiponectin modulates expression of programmed cell death 4 and miR-21 in RAW 264.7 macrophages through the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

MicroRNA-21 and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), a downstream target of miR-21, mediate diverse physiological responses. Here we demonstrate that globular adiponectin (gAcrp) modulates expression of miR-21 and PDCD4 in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

PF2401-SF, standardized fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza shows anti-inflammatory activity in macrophages and acute arthritis in vivo.

Standardization of processing methods for herbs is as important as authentication to maintain their quality and ensure their safe use. We had previously prepared a standardized and purified Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract, PF2401-SF, and showed that it protects against liver injury in vivo, at a greater potency than an ethanol extract. PF2401-SF was enriched with tanshinone I (11.

PF2401-SF, standardized fraction of Salvia miltiorrhiza, induces apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells in vitro and in vivo.

During the course of our attempts to develop a potential herbal medicine, we had previously prepared PF2401-SF, a standardized fraction of S. miltiorrhiza, and reported its hepatoprotective activity in vitro as well as in vivo. Since apoptosis of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a well-accepted anti-fibrotic strategy, in this study, we investigated the direct effect of PF2401-SF on t-HSC/Cl-6 cells in vitro and on CCl₄-induced liver injury in vivo.

Apoptotic effect of propyl gallate in activated rat hepatic stellate cells.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a central role in liver fibrosis. Inhibition of HSC growth and induction of apoptosis have been proposed as therapeutic strategies for the treatment and prevention of liver fibrosis. Propyl gallate (PG) is an antioxidant widely used in processed foods, cosmetics and medicinal preparations.

Involvement of heme oxygenase-1 induction in inhibitory effect of ethyl gallate isolated from Galla Rhois on nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

In the present study, we investigated an anti-inflammatory effect of ethyl gallate (EG) isolated from Galla Rhois as evaluated by inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and a potential role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the inhibition of NO production elicited by EG. Treatment of RAW264.7 macrophages with EG significantly inhibited the production of NO and iNOS expression stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

2',4',6'-Tris(methoxymethoxy) chalcone (TMMC) attenuates the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease involving acinar cell injury and rapid production and release of inflammatory cytokines, which play a dominant role in local pancreatic inflammation and systemic complications. 2',4',6'-Tris (methoxymethoxy) chalcone (TMMC), a synthetic chalcone derivative, displays potent anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether TMMC might affect the severity of AP and pancreatitis-associated lung injury in mice.

Polyozellin blocks tumor necrosis factor α-induced interleukin 8 and matrix metalloproteinase 7 production in the human intestinal epithelial cell line HT-29.

Polyozellin isolated from Polyozellus multiplex (Thelephoraceae) displays potent anti-inflammatory effects in murine macrophages. Here we evaluated whether polyozellin has the potential to ameliorate diseases characterized by mucosal inflammation in intestinal epithelial HT-29 cells. Polyozellin significantly inhibited tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced interleukin-8 secretion and mRNA expression.

2',4',6'-Tris(methoxymethoxy) chalcone induces apoptosis by enhancing Fas-ligand in activated hepatic stellate cells.

Suppression of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and proliferation, and induction of apoptosis in activated HSCs have been proposed as therapeutic strategies for the treatment and prevention of the hepatic fibrosis. We previously showed that 2',4',6'-tris(methoxymethoxy) chalcone (TMMC), a synthesized chalcone derivative, inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-induced HSC proliferation at 5-20 μM. Here, we showed that TMMC induces apoptosis in activated HSCs at higher concentrations (30-50 μM), but is not cytotoxic to primary hepatocytes.

A new diarylheptanoid from the bark of Alnus japonica.

A new diarylheptanoid, epihirsutanonol (1), was isolated from the bark of Alnus japonica, along with two known ones (2 and 3). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic evidence. The new compound 1 showed significant hepatoprotective activity on the basis of t-butylhydroperoxide-induced hepatocyte injury in vitro assay.

2'-Methoxy-4'6'-bis(methoxymethoxy)chalcone inhibits nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Chalcones have anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we synthesized 2'-methoxy-4'6'-bis(methoxymethoxy)chalcone (MBMC) and examined its anti-inflammatory effects. MBMC inhibited nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.

Antibacterial activity of Ecklonia cava against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp.

Ecklonia cava is a brown alga (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) growing on the subtidal rocky shores of Korea. It has antioxidant, antidiarrhea, and anticoagulant effects. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of E.