Effect of an Autotaxin Inhibitor, 2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-7-methyl-8-pentylimidazo[1,2-] Pyrimidin-5(8)-one (CBT-295), on Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Chronic Liver Disease and Associated Hepatic Encephalopathy in Rats.

The role of autotaxin (ATX)-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is yet to be explored in the context of liver cirrhosis and associated encephalopathy. Our objective of this study was to evaluate the role of an ATX inhibitor in biliary cirrhosis and associated hepatic encephalopathy in rats. The preliminary investigation revealed significant impairment in liver function, which eventually led to the development of hepatic encephalopathy.

Pharmacological blockade of HDAC6 attenuates cancer progression by inhibiting IL-1β and modulating immunosuppressive response in OSCC.

Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) one of the biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is upregulated in tumor-microenvironment (TME) and associated with poor patient survival. Thus, a novel modulator of IL-1β would be of great therapeutic value for OSCC treatment. Here we report regulation of IL-1β and TME by histone deacetylase-6 (HDAC6)-inhibitor in OSCC.

Development of Benzimidazole-Substituted Spirocyclopropyl Oxindole Derivatives as Cytotoxic Agents: Tubulin Polymerization Inhibition and Apoptosis Inducing Studies.

A series of spirocyclopropyl oxindoles with benzimidazole substitutions was synthesized and tested for their cytotoxicity against selected human cancer cells. Most of the molecules exhibited significant antiproliferative activity with compound 12 p being the most potent. It exhibited significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC value 3.

Anti-rheumatoid arthritis potential of Halodule pinifolia: development, characterization and in vivo evaluation of H. pinifolia-based oral suspension and lipid nano-emulsion.

For treating chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, herbal medicines are preferred due to their evident therapeutic effects and lesser side effects as compared to the long-term used conventional drugs. In this study, the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect of an unexplored marine grass Halodule pinifolia (HP), and a combination of it with Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice; LQ), prepared as a conventional suspension (C1) and a lipid nano-emulsion (C1-N) was evaluated in Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)- and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) models. Formulations C1 and C1-N contained standardized extract HP (100 mg/kg) as major active ingredient and liquorice LQ (50 mg/kg) as both active ingredient (anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer) and sweetening agent.

Development and Validation of a Fluorogenic Probe for Lysosomal Zinc Release.

Zinc homeostasis, which allows optimal zinc utilization in diverse life processes, is responsible for the general well-being of human beings. This paper describes developing and validating an easily accessible indole-containing zinc-specific probe in the cellular milieu. The probe was synthesized from readily available starting materials and was subjected to steady-state fluorescence studies.

Folic acid-chitosan functionalized polymeric nanocarriers to treat colon cancer.

In the present study, polymeric nanoparticles loaded with IRI and quercetin, a p-gp inhibitor, were developed to target folate receptors expressed by colon cancer cells for oral targeted delivery. This work reports the development of PNPs with an entrapment efficiency of 41.26 ± 0.

Benzimidazole derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors: Design, synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity studies.

A new class of benzimidazole derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors has been designed and synthesized in this study. The in vitro anticancer profile of the developed molecules was reconnoitred on selected human cancer cells. The highest cytotoxicity was illustrated by compounds 7n and 7u with IC values ranging from 2.

Enhanced tissue distribution of ritonavir-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers-recommending its dose reduction.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mainly attacks lymphocytes of the human immune system. The untreated infection leads to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ritonavir (RTV) belongs to protease inhibitors (PIs), the crucial contributors of the combination therapy used in the treatment of HIV that is called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Regioselective synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of 3-thiooxindole derivatives: Tubulin polymerization inhibition and apoptosis inducing studies.

Herein, regiospecific nucleophilic ring-opening of spiroaziridine oxindoles has been established to afford 3-substituted-thiooxindole derivatives as anticancer agents. Among the new series, compounds 7d and 9c exhibited promising cytotoxic activity toward HCT-116 cells with IC values of 6.73 ± 0.

Pharmacological blockade of HDAC3 accelerates diabetic wound healing by regulating macrophage activation.

Aims: Here, we report the effect of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) inhibition associated with macrophage activation, IL-1β expression, angiogenesis and wound healing in diabetic mice.

Main Methods: To determine the expression of HDAC3 in diabetic mice wounds, hyperglycemia was induced in C57BL/6 mice with streptozotocin followed by induction of 6 mm wounds. To understand the effect of HDAC3 selective inhibitor, BG45, wound tissues were isolated for analysing M1/M2 markers expression, immune cells infiltration, angiogenesis and healing factors expression.

Triazolo-linked benzimidazoles as tubulin polymerization inhibitors and DNA intercalators: Design, synthesis, cytotoxicity, and docking studies.

A simple "click" protocol was employed in the quest of synthesizing 1,2,3-triazole-linked benzimidazoles as promising anticancer agents on various human cancer cell lines such as A549, HCT116, SK-Mel-28, HT-29, and MCF-7. Compound 12j demonstrated significant cytotoxic potential towards SK-Mel-28 cancer cells (IC : 4.17 ± 0.

Solid-state emitting twisted π-conjugate as AIE-active DSE-gen: anticancer properties against FaDu and 4T1 with biocompatibility and bioimaging.

Dual-state emissive fluorogens (DSE-gens) are currently defining their importance as a transpiring tool in biological and biomedical applications. This work focuses on designing and synthesizing indole-anthracene-based solid-state emitting twisted π-conjugates using a metal-free protocol to achieve AIE-active DSE-gens, expanding their scope in biological applications. Special effort has been made to introduce proficient and photo/thermostable DSE-gens that inhibit cancer but not normal cells.

Selective inhibition of PKR by C16 accelerates diabetic wound healing by inhibiting NALP3 expression in mice.

Objective And Design: To understand the expression of dsRNA-dependent protein kinase R (PKR) in impaired diabetic wounds, hyperglycemia was induced in C57/BL6 mice with streptozotocin. Murine macrophage cell line, Raw 264.7, stimulated with high glucose and LPS was used to mimic diabetic wound environment in in-vitro.

HDAC5 RNA interference ameliorates acute renal injury by upregulating KLF2 and inhibiting NALP3 expression in a mouse model of oxalate nephropathy.

Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NALP3) are important regulators of macrophage activation in the context of various pathological conditions. NALP3 also plays an important role in the maturation of IL-1 β which is central to the pathogenesis of acute oxalate nephropathy. The functional role of KLF2 and regulation of both KLF2 and NALP3 in the pathogenesis of acute oxalate nephropathy is comparably less studied.

Inhibition of Autotaxin Ameliorates LPA-Mediated Neuroinflammation and Alleviates Neurological Dysfunction in Acute Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Growing evidence suggests an essential role of neuroinflammation in behavioral abnormalities associated with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Here, we report the involvement of autotaxin-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling in HE's pathogenesis. We demonstrate that the autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor PF-8380 attenuates neuroinflammation and improves neurological dysfunction in the mouse model of HE.

RIPK3-MLKL signaling activates mitochondrial CaMKII and drives intrarenal extracellular matrix production during CKD.

Intrarenal extracellular matrix production or kidney fibrosis is a prevalent feature of all forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) is believed to be a major driver of extracellular matrix production. Nevertheless, anti-TGFβ therapies have consistently failed to reduce extracellular matrix production in CKD patients indicating the need for novel therapeutic strategies.

Estrogenic Activity of Tetrazole Derivatives Bearing Bisphenol Structures: Computational Studies, Synthesis, and In Vitro Assessment.

The classification of bisphenol A (BPA) as an industrial endocrine disruptor has led to a ban of this ubiquitous critical starting material from food and medical applications. Thus, scientists worldwide are researching to develop non-ER binding starting compounds to fulfill unmet market needs. In line with this trending research topic, the current paper highlights the development of tetrazole derivatives bearing a bisphenol structure (TbB) as a novel weak binder or potential inactive to the estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR).

Halodule pinifolia (Seagrass) attenuated lipopolysaccharide-, carrageenan-, and crystal-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines: mechanism and chemistry.

Objectives: The study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effect, underlying mechanism, and chemistry of Halodule pinifolia extract.

Methods: The ethyl acetate (EHP) and methanol (MHP) extracts of Halodule pinifolia were screened for pro-inflammatory cytokine inhibition effect under various in vitro (LPSand crystal-induced inflammation) and in vivo models (LPS-induced endotoxaemia model, carrageenan-induced paw oedema model, and oxalate-induced renal nephropathy model of inflammation). The effect of EHP on the expression of inflammatory markers using western blot analysis (in vitro) was investigated.

HDAC6 inhibitor accelerates wound healing by inhibiting tubulin mediated IL-1β secretion in diabetic mice.

Delayed wound healing in diabetes is characterized by sustained activation of inflammasome and increased expression of IL-1β in macrophages. Identification and validation of novel pathways to regulate IL-1β expression will provide therapeutic targets for diabetic wounds. Here we report sustained over-expression of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) in wounds of diabetic mice and its role in delayed wound healing.

New synthetic coumarinolignans as attenuators of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-induced sepsis and carrageenan-induced paw oedema models.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore the inhibition efficacy of new synthetic coumarinolignans (SCLs) against the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in two in vivo models of inflammation.

Methods: Four SCLs 1-4 were screened for their pro-inflammatory cytokine inhibitory potential through oral administration at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight in lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse endotoxaemia and carrageenan-induced mouse paw oedema models. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα and IL-6) in blood and paw tissue samples were estimated using ELISA.

l-Proline-based-cyclic dipeptides from Pseudomonas sp. (ABS-36) inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and alleviate crystal-induced renal injury in mice.

Study on the constituents of bioactive culture broth extract (CBE) of Pseudomonas sp. (ABS-36) explored the secretion of an array of cyclic dipeptides (CDPs) and twenty of them had been isolated and reported in the present paper. Six major CDPs [(cyclo(Leu-Pro) (1), cyclo(Val-Pro) (2), cyclo(Leu-hydroxy-Pro) (9), cyclo(Pro-Tyr) (10), cyclo(Pro-Ala) (11) and cyclo(Gly-Pro) (12)] exhibited pan cytokine inhibition effect by inhibiting key pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 tested under various cell based assays.

Reprint of "Dual blockade of the pro-inflammatory chemokine CCL2 and the homeostatic chemokine CXCL12 is as effective as high dose cyclophosphamide in murine proliferative lupus nephritis".

Induction therapy of proliferative lupus nephritis still requires the use of unselective immunosuppressive drugs with significant toxicities. In search of more specific drugs with equal efficacy but fewer side effects we considered blocking pro-inflammatory chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) and homeostatic chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12), which both contribute to the onset and progression of proliferative lupus nephritis yet through different mechanisms. We hypothesized that dual antagonism could be as potent on lupus nephritis as the unselective immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide (CYC).

Zein Microneedles for Transcutaneous Vaccine Delivery: Fabrication, Characterization, and in Vivo Evaluation Using Ovalbumin as the Model Antigen.

Transcutaneous antigen administration provides an alternative to invasive syringe injections. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of fabrication and antigen delivery using microneedles made from corn protein, zein. Micromolding technique was used to cast cone-shaped zein microneedles (ZMNs).

Effective melanoma cancer suppression by iontophoretic co-delivery of STAT3 siRNA and imatinib using gold nanoparticles.

Co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents improve anti-tumor efficacy and reduce cancer resistance. Here, we report development of layer-by-layer assembled gold nanoparticles (LbL-AuNP) containing anti-STAT3 siRNA and imatinib mesylate (IM) to treat melanoma. The combination treatment with STAT3 siRNA and IM in B16F10 melanoma cells showed greater suppression of STAT3 protein, decreased cell viability and increased apoptotic events compared with LbL-AuNP containing either STAT3 siRNA or IM.