PepT1, a proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter, is crucial for intestinal homeostasis. It is mainly expressed in small intestine enterocytes, facilitating the absorption of di/tri-peptides from dietary proteins. In the colon, PepT1 expression is minimal to prevent excessive responses to proinflammatory peptides from the gut microbiota.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe synthesis of three novel [C,N,N'] Pt(IV) cyclometallated compounds containing hydroxo, dichloroacetato or trifluoroacetato axial ligands is reported. Compound [PtCl(OH){(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (3) was prepared by the oxidative addition of hydrogen peroxide to [C,N,N'] Pt(II) cyclometallated compound [PtCl{(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (1) and further the reaction of compound 3 with dichloroacetate or trifluoroacetate anhydrides led to the formation of the corresponding compounds [PtCl(CHClCOO){(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (4) and [PtCl(CFCOO){(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (5). The properties of the new compounds along with those of the compound [PtCl{(CH)N(CH)NCH(4-FCH)}] (2), including stability in aqueous media, reduction potential using cyclic voltammetry, cytotoxic activity against the HCT116 CRC cell line, DNA interaction, topoisomerase I and cathepsin inhibition, and computational studies involving reduction of the Pt(IV) compounds and molecular docking studies, are presented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUveal melanoma is one of the most common and aggressive intraocular malignancies, and, due to its great capability of metastasize, it constitutes the most incident intraocular tumor in adults. However, to date there is no effective treatment since achieving the inner ocular tissues still constitutes one of the greatest challenges in actual medicine, because of the complex structure and barriers. Uncoated and PEGylated nanostructured lipid carriers were developed to achieve physico-chemical properties (mean particle size, homogeneity, zeta potential, pH and osmolality) compatible for the ophthalmic administration of (S)-(-)-MRJF22, a new custom-synthetized prodrug for the potential treatment of uveal melanoma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
May 2024
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition involving dysregulated immune responses and imbalances in the gut microbiota in genetically susceptible individuals. Current therapies for IBD often have significant side-effects and limited success, prompting the search for novel therapeutic strategies. Microbiome-based approaches aim to restore the gut microbiota balance towards anti-inflammatory and mucosa-healing profiles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThyme oil (THO) possesses excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties which are suitable for skin inflammatory disorders such as acne vulgaris. However, THO is insoluble in water and its components are highly volatile. Therefore, these drawbacks may be overcome by its encapsulation in biodegradable PLGA nanoparticles (THO-NPs) that had been functionalized using several strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: is one of the most prevalent dermal disorders affecting skin health and appearance. To date, there is no effective cure for this pathology, and the majority of marketed formulations eliminate both healthy and pathological microbiota. Therefore, hereby we propose the encapsulation of an antimicrobial natural compound (thymol) loaded into lipid nanostructured systems to be topically used against acne.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRotavirus (RV) infection is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old, resulting in elevated mortality rates in low-income countries. The efficacy of anti-RV vaccines is limited in underdeveloped countries, emphasizing the need for novel strategies to boost immunity and alleviate RV-induced diarrhea. This study explores the effectiveness of interventions involving extracellular vesicles (EVs) from probiotic and commensal in mitigating diarrhea and enhancing immunity in a preclinical model of RV infection in suckling rats.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFColloids Surf B Biointerfaces
February 2024
Thymol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (TH-NPs) were incorporated into different semi-solid formulations using variable gelling agents (carbomer, polysaccharide and poloxamer). The formulations were physicochemically characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. Moreover, stability studies were performed by analyzing the backscattering profile showing that the gels were able to increase the nanoparticles stability at 4 °C.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcne constitutes one of the most prevalent skin disorder affecting both skin and mental health of patients. However, no cure has been developed so far. In this area, Thymol constitutes a potential candidate since it is able to restore the healthy microbiota of the skin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFlavanones are natural compounds that display anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this work was to prepare PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) containing natural flavanones I ((2)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-8-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-il)-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-4-1-Benzopyran-4-one) and II (2)-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4'-methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-8-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-2,3-dihydro-4-1-Benzopyran-4-one) (NP I and NP II, respectively) so as to evaluate their potential for topical anti-inflammatory ocular therapy. An in silico study was carried out using the Molinspiration and PASS Online web platforms before evaluating the in vitro release study and the ex vivo porcine cornea and sclera permeation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrobiota-host communication is primarily achieved by secreted factors that can penetrate the mucosal surface, such as extracellular membrane vesicles (EVs). The EVs released by the gut microbiota have been extensively studied in cellular and experimental models of human diseases. However, little is known about their in vivo effects in early life, specifically regarding immune and intestinal maturation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEssential oils are a complex mixture of aromatic substances whose pharmacological actions, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, have been widely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the anti- and dermal anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils from native and cultivated Ecuadorian plants. Essential oils from , , , and were isolated by hydrodistillation and were characterized physically and chemically.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrefoil factor 3 (TFF3) plays a key role in the maintenance and repair of intestinal mucosa. TFF3 expression is upregulated by the microbiota through TLR2. At the posttranscriptional level, TFF3 is downregulated by miR-7-5p.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtracellular matrix components of bacterial biofilms include biopolymers such as polysaccharides, nucleic acids and proteins. Similar to polysaccharides, the secretion of adhesins and other matrix proteins can be regulated by the second messenger cyclic diguanylate (cdG). We have performed quantitative proteomics to determine the extracellular protein contents of a strain expressing high cdG intracellular levels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe poor water solubility of apremilast (APR) is the main impediment to the penetration of the drug through the skin barrier. The objective of this study was to evaluate the permeability of APR in different solutions enriched with penetration promoters in ex vivo samples of human skin, and additionally assess its tolerance in vivo. To this end, APR solutions with 5% promoter were developed, and the drug's ability to penetrate human abdominal skin samples was evaluated; the coefficients of permeability, cumulated amounts permeated, and flow were some of the parameters evaluated; likewise, the in vitro and in vivo tolerance of the solutions was evaluated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGut bacteria release extracellular vesicles (BEVs) as an intercellular communication mechanism that primes the host innate immune system. BEVs from activate dendritic cells (DCs) and subsequent T-cell responses in a strain-specific manner. The specific immunomodulatory effects were, in part, mediated by differential regulation of miRNAs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Acne is a common skin disorder that involves an infection inside the hair follicle, which is usually treated with antibiotics, resulting in unbalanced skin microbiota and microbial resistance. For this reason, we developed polymeric nanoparticles encapsulating thymol, a natural active compound with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In this work, optimization physicochemical characterization, biopharmaceutical behavior and therapeutic efficacy of this novel nanostructured system were assessed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Extracell Vesicles
November 2021
The intestine is fundamental in controlling human health. Intestinal epithelial and immune cells are continuously exposed to millions of microbes that greatly impact on intestinal epithelial barrier and immune function. This microbial community, known as gut microbiota, is now recognized as an important partner of the human being that actively contribute to essential functions of the intestine but also of distal organs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDry eye disease (DED) is a high prevalent multifactorial disease characterized by a lack of homeostasis of the tear film which causes ocular surface inflammation, soreness, and visual disturbance. Conventional ophthalmic treatments present limitations such as low bioavailability and side effects. Lactoferrin (LF) constitutes a promising therapeutic tool, but its poor aqueous stability and high nasolacrimal duct drainage hinder its potential efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOcular inflammation is one of the most common comorbidities associated to ophthalmic surgeries and disorders. Since conventional topical ophthalmic treatments present disadvantages such as low bioavailability and relevant side effects, natural alternatives constitute an unmet medical need. In this sense, lactoferrin, a high molecular weight protein, is a promising alternative against inflammation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present work is focused on the development of novel surface-functionalized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles loaded with thymol (TH-NPs) for topical administration enhancing thymol anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and wound healing activities against acne. TH-NPs were prepared by solvent evaporation method using different surface functionalization strategies and obtaining suitable physicochemical parameters and a good short-term stability at 4 °C. Moreover, TH-NPs skin penetration and antioxidant activity were assessed in ex vivo pig skin models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere are a large number of remedies in traditional medicine focused on relieving pain and inflammation. Flavanones have been a potential source in the search for leading compounds and biologically active components, and they have been the focus of much research and development in recent years. is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of kidney diseases, bladder infections, and diabetes mellitus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCommunication between cells is crucial to preserve body homeostasis and health. Tightly controlled intercellular dialog is particularly relevant in the gut, where cells of the intestinal mucosa are constantly exposed to millions of microbes that have great impact on intestinal homeostasis by controlling barrier and immune functions. Recent knowledge involves extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators of such communication by transferring messenger bioactive molecules including proteins, lipids, and miRNAs between cells and tissues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn recent years the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) of Gram-positive bacteria in host-microbe cross-talk has become increasingly appreciated, although the knowledge of their biogenesis, release and host-uptake is still limited. The aim of this study was to characterize the EVs released by the dairy isolate Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BGAN8 and to gain an insight into the putative mechanism of EVs uptake by intestinal epithelial cells. The cryo-TEM observation undoubtedly demonstrated the release of EVs (20 to 140 nm) from the surface of BGAN8, with exopolysaccharides seems to be part of EVs surface.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFColloids Surf B Biointerfaces
January 2021
Conjugation of cytostatic drugs to nanomaterials seeks to improve their low bioavailability and selectivity to overcome the important associated side effects. In this work, we aimed to synthesize water-soluble gold nanoparticles as transporters for synthetic cyclic peptides with a potential anticancer activity but with a limited bioavailability. The highly water-soluble nanoparticles (2.
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