Vactosertib potently improves anti-tumor properties of 5-FU for colon cancer.

Background: Several studies have shown that the TGF-β signaling pathway plays a critical role in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis. The aim of the current study is to investigate the therapeutic potential of Vactosertib (EW-7197), a selective inhibitor of TGF-β receptor type I, either alone or in combination with the standard first-line chemotherapeutic treatment, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), in CRC progression in both cellular and animal models.

Methods: Real-Time PCR, Zymography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) tissue staining, and Flow cytometry techniques were applied to determine the anti-tumor properties of this novel TGF-β inhibitor in in vitro (CT-26 cell line) and in vivo (inbred BALB/C mice) samples.

Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist, Valsartan, Has Beneficial Effect in Lung Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer Treated with Fluorouracil.

Purpose: Lung metastasis is the main cause of death in patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Angiotensin II has been confirmed to facilitate cancer cell progression and metastasis. In this study, the possible anti-metastatic effects of an angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) antagonist, valsartan, have been investigated in an experimental CRC lung metastasis model.

Metformin inhibits polyphosphate-induced hyper-permeability and inflammation.

Circulating inflammatory factor inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) released from activated platelets could enhance factor XII and bradykinin resulted in increased capillary leakage and vascular permeability. PolyP induce inflammatory responses through mTOR pathway in endothelial cells, which is being reported in several diseases including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, sepsis, and cancer. Systems and molecular biology approaches were used to explore the regulatory role of the AMPK activator, metformin, on polyP-induced hyper-permeability in different organs in three different models of polyP-induced hyper-permeability including local, systemic short- and systemic long-term approaches in murine models.

Rigosertib elicits potent anti-tumor responses in colorectal cancer by inhibiting Ras signaling pathway.

Background: The therapeutic potency of Rigosertib (RGS) in the treatment of the myelodysplastic syndrome has been investigated previously, but little is known about its mechanisms of action.

Methods: The present study integrates systems and molecular biology approaches to investigate the mechanisms of the anti-tumor effects of RGS, either alone or in combination with 5-FU in cellular and animal models of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Results: The effects of RGS were more pronounced in dedifferentiated CRC cell types, compared to cell types that were epithelial-like.

Therapeutic potential of active components of saffron in post-surgical adhesion band formation.

Background: Abdominal adhesions are common and often develop after abdominal surgery. There are currently no useful targeted pharmacotherapies for adhesive disease. Saffron and its active constituents, Crocin and Crocetin, are wildly used in traditional medicine for alleviating the severity of inflammatory or malignant disease.

Metformin improved memory impairment caused by chronic ethanol consumption during adolescent to adult period of rats: Role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Objective: Adolescence is a crucial time for brain maturation. We investigated the protective effects of metformin (Met) on behavioral changes, oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nitrite in adulthood induced by ethanol (Eth) consumption during adolescent to adult period of rats.

Materials And Methods: The adolescence male rats (21 days old) were treated as: 1) Control, 2) Eth (Eth in drinking water (20 %)), 3-5) Eth-Met50, 100 and 150 mg/kg (Eth in drinking water and Met (50, 100, or 150 mg/kg).

Inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta by Tranilast reduces tumor growth and ameliorates fibrosis in colorectal cancer.

Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) is dysregulated in colorectal cancer and there is growing evidence that it is associated with a poor prognosis and chemo-resistance in several malignances, including CRC. In this study we have explored the therapeutic potential of targeting TGF-β using Tranilast in colon cancer. The anti-proliferative activity of Tranilast was evaluated in 2- and 3-dimensional cells.

Angiotensin receptor blocker Losartan inhibits tumor growth of colorectal cancer.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is up-regulated in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and is reported to be associated with poor prognosis and chemo-resistance. Here we explored the therapeutic potential of targeting RAS in CRC using Losartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker. An integrative-systems biology approach was used to explore a proteome-level dataset of a gene signature that is modulated by Losartan.

Beneficial effects of vitamin D on anxiety and depression-like behaviors induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress by suppression of brain oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in rats.

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of vitamin D (Vit D) on anxiety and depression-like behaviors induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress and brain tissue oxidative damage criteria and neuroinflammation in rats. The rats were treated as follows: (1) control, (2) UCMS, (3-5) Vit D 100, 1000, and 10,000 iu + UCMS. Rats were subjected to UCMS for a total of 4 weeks.

The therapeutic potential of losartan in lung metastasis of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer with a high incidence rate. Components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) have been reported to be dysregulated in several malignancies including CRC. Here, we have explored the potential anti-metastatic effects of a RAS inhibitor, losartan, in an experimental model of lung metastasis in CRC.

Therapeutic potential of renin angiotensin system inhibitors in cancer cells metastasis.

Metastasis is a complex process which contributes to the dissemination of cancer cells to other organs and forms new tumor sites. The proliferation of tumor cells is a necessary step for the initiation and progression of cancers and is associated with the formation of new vessels. In the latter stages of metastasis, cancer cells may spread into the extracellular matrix and may form metastatic nodules.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase plays a role in depression- and anxiety-like behaviors chronically induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats: Evidence from inflammation and oxidative stress.

Objective: The effects of aminoguanidine (AG) were investigated in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors.

Materials And Methods: The animals were allocated to five groups (n = 10 in each) and treated by: (1) saline as a control group, (2) LPS 1 mg/kg injected two hours before behavioral tests, (3-5) AG 50, 100 or 150 mg/kg before LPS. The open-field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPT), and forced swimming (FS) tests were performed.

The Cardioprotective Effects of Aminoguanidine on Lipopolysaccharide Induced Inflammation in Rats.

Myocardial dysfunction, a major component of sepsis-induced multiorgan failure, contributes to the production of massive amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Nitric oxide (NO) is known to act as a precursor of free radicals in inflammation. This research was conducted to assess the effect of aminoguanidine (AG) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced heart injury.

Intraperitoneal Administration of Telmisartan Prevents Postsurgical Adhesion Band Formation.

Background: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have a potential role in reducing inflammation and fibrosis. We have integrated systems and molecular biology approaches to investigate the therapeutic potential of ARBs in preventing postsurgical adhesion band formation.

Material And Methods: we have followed the ARRIVE guidelines point by point during experimental studies.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers as therapeutic options in the treatment of renal cancer: A meta-analysis.

Aims: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) which have been used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, have also been shown to have anti-tumor effects against various cancers that include renal cancer. The aim of current paper was to explore the potential clinical impact of ACEI/ARB inhibitors in renal cancer.

Main Methods: We used several databases: EMBASE, PubMed and the Cochrane library, to identify clinical studies that assessed the relationship between ACEIs/ARBs treatment and risk of renal cancer incidence or survival of renal cancer patients.

The effects of PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone on hippocampal cytokines, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, memory impairment, and oxidative stress status in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats.

Objectives: The aim of current study was to evaluate improving effects of pioglitazone as an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cytokines as well as tissue oxidative damage criteria in the hippocampus in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced memory impairment.

Materials And Methods: The rats were classified and treated as follows (10 rats per group): (1) vehicle, (2) vehicle before LPS (1 mg/kg, 120 min before memory tests), (3-5) pioglitazone 10, 20 or 30 mg/kg 30 min before LPS. Finally, the hippocampal tissues were collected for biomedical analyses.

The role of fibromodulin in cancer pathogenesis: implications for diagnosis and therapy.

Fibromodulin (FMOD) is known as one of very important extracellular matrix small leucine-rich proteoglycans. This small leucine-rich proteoglycan has critical roles in the extracellular matrix organization and necessary for repairing of tissue in many organs. Given that the major task of FMOD is the modulation of collagen fibrillogenesis.

Neuroprotective potency of some spice herbs, a literature review.

In recent years, growing attention has been given to traditional medicine. In traditional medicine a large number of plants have been used to cure neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers disease (AD) and other memory related disorders. (), () and () were used traditionally for dietary, food additive, spice and various medicinal purposes.

Crocin as a novel therapeutic agent against colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with high incidence and prevalence worldwide. To investigate the therapeutic potency of crocin, as a pharmacologically active component of saffron, in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice model. Experimental colitis was induced by 7-day administration of DSS dissolved in water at a concentration of 1.

PNU-74654 enhances the antiproliferative effects of 5-FU in breast cancer and antagonizes thrombin-induced cell growth via the Wnt pathway.

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is one of the most common pathways dysregulated in breast cancer, and may, therefore, be a potential-therapeutic target. We have investigated the effects of PNU-74654 in breast cancer, as a Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor, either alone or in combination with fluorouracil (5-FU). PNU-74654 suppressed cell growth at an IC of 122 ± 0.

The effects of aminoguanidine on hippocampal cytokines, amyloid beta, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, memory and oxidative stress status in chronically lipopolysaccharide-treated rats.

Introduction: In the present study, the effects of aminoguanidine (AMG) on hippocampal cytokines, amyloid beta (Aβ), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, oxidative stress status and memory in chronically lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated rats were investigated.

Methods: The rats were divided into five groups and were treated: (1) Control (Saline), (2) LPS (1 mg/kg), (3-5) LPS- AMG50, LPS-AMG100, and LPS-AMG150 (AMG 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg 30 min before LPS injection). The treatment started five weeks prior to the behavioral experiments and continued during the behavioral tests (LPS injection two hours before each behavioral evaluation).

Phytosomal curcumin inhibits tumor growth in colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

Colorectal-cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of death due to cancer, supporting the need for identification of novel anticancer drug to improve the efficacy of current-therapy. There is growing bodies of data showing the antitumor-activity of curcumin, although it is associated with low absorption. The aim of current study was explored the therapeutic-potential of novel phytosomal curcumin as well as its application in combination with 5-Flurouracil (5-FU) in a mouse-model of colitis-associated colon-cancer.

Phytosomal-curcumin antagonizes cell growth and migration, induced by thrombin through AMP-Kinase in breast cancer.

Here we explored the antitumor-activity of novel-formulated-form of curcumin (phytosomal-encapsulated-curcumin) or in combination with 5-FU in breast cancer. The antiproliferative activity was assessed in 2D and 3-dimensional cell-culture-model. The migratory-behaviors of the cells were determined by migration assay.

Stem Cell Therapy: A New Therapeutic Option for Cardiovascular Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases are known as one of major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the many advancement in therapies are associated with cardiovascular diseases, it seems that finding of new therapeutic option is necessary. Cell therapy is one of attractive therapeutic platforms for treatment of a variety of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases.

Hydro-ethanolic Extract of Affects Beta-adrenoceptors of Guinea Pig Tracheal Smooth Muscle.

Thestimulatory effect of the extract of () on β-adrenoceptor of tracheal smooth muscle was examined.To examine β-adrenoceptor stimulatory effect, concentration response curve to isoprenaline was obtained in pre-contracted tracheal smooth muscle in the presence of three concentrations of aqueous-ethanolic extract, propranolol, and saline. Values of EC (the effective concentration of isoprenaline, causing 50% of maximum response) and dose ratio-1(CR-1) were measured.