Black ginger extract and its active compound, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, increase intestinal drug absorption via efflux drug transporter inhibitions.

Black ginger is used as an herbal medicine for self-care and health promotion. Black ginger extract has been shown to alter the function of transporters in several cell types. This study demonstrates the interaction between the extract and 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (DMF) on drug efflux mediated by breast cancer resistance proteins (BCRP) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in Caco-2 cells and heterologous cell systems [Madin-Darby canine kidney type II (MDCKII) stably transfected with human BCRP (MDCKII/BCRP) or human P-gp (MDCKII/P-gp)].

Topical Film-Forming Chlorhexidine Gluconate Sprays for Antiseptic Application.

Topical film-forming sprays of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG-FFS) were developed for antiseptic application. Various polymers and solvents were studied for their potential as film-forming polymers and solvent systems, respectively. To produce CHG-FFS, the optimal polymer and solvent were selected, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated.

Panduratin A Derivative Protects against Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis of Renal Proximal Tubular Cells and Kidney Injury in Mice.

Background: Panduratin A is a bioactive cyclohexanyl chalcone exhibiting several pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-cancer activities. Recently, the nephroprotective effect of panduratin A in cisplatin (CDDP) treatment was revealed. The present study examined the potential of certain compounds derived from panduratin A to protect against CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Protective Effect of Panduratin A on Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis of Human Renal Proximal Tubular Cells and Acute Kidney Injury in Mice.

Background: Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapy but its main side effect, acute kidney injury, limits its use. Panduratin A, a bioactive compound extracted from Boesenbergia rotunda, shows several biological activities such as anti-oxidative effects. The present study investigated the nephroprotective effect of panduratin A on cisplatin-induced renal injury.

Germacrone Reduces Cisplatin-Induced Toxicity of Renal Proximal Tubular Cells via Inhibition of Organic Cation Transporter.

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy for solid tumors; however, its benefits are limited by serious nephrotoxicity, particularly in proximal tubular cells. The present study investigated the renoprotective effect and mechanisms of germacrone, a bioactive terpenoid compound found in Curcuma species on cisplatin-induced toxicity of renal cells. Germacrone (50 and 100 µM) attenuated apoptosis of human renal proximal tubular cells, RPTEC/TERT1 following treatment with 50 µM cisplatin and for 48 h.

Effects of silymarin-loaded amphiphilic chitosan polymeric micelles on the renal toxicity and anticancer activity of cisplatin.

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of silymarin (SM)-loaded polymeric micelles (PMs) on the renal toxicity and anticancer activity of cisplatin. Amphiphilic chitosan derivatives were employed to develop SM-loaded PMs. The permeation across an intestinal membrane, cytotoxicity, and renal toxicity of cisplatin during the treatment were evaluated.

Drug-free albumin-triggered sensitization of cancer cells to anticancer drugs.

Chemosensitization strategies have been used to sensitize cancer cells to conventional drugs, but their utility is often obstructed by additional off-target toxicity, limited access to intracellular targets and heterogeneous tumor pathogenesis. To address these challenges, we rationally developed a drug-free human serum albumin (HSA)-based therapeutic (KH-1) that functions extracellularly and exhibits pleiotropic effect on multiple intracellular signaling pathways. It is a two-step touch-trigger system that consists of a pretargeting anchor on surface receptor CD20 (anti-CD20 Fab' conjugated with a morpholino oligonucleotide 1) and a CD20 clustering actuator (HSA grafted with multiple copies of complementary morpholino oligonucleotide 2).

Interaction of pharmaceutical excipients with organic cation transporters.

Increasing evidences have shown that many pharmaceutical excipients are not pharmacologically inert but instead have effects on several transport function of uptake and efflux drug transporters. Herein, we investigated whether the excipients frequently used in many drug formulations affect transport function of organic cation transporters (OCTs) that are responsible for elimination of cationic drugs. Our finding revealed that solubilizing agents, Tweens, showed the most significant effect rbOCT1/2-mediated [H]-MPP uptake in heterologous expressing cells.

Fenofibrate reduces cisplatin-induced apoptosis of renal proximal tubular cells via inhibition of JNK and p38 pathways.

Cisplatin is widely used as a standard chemotherapy for solid tumors. The major adverse effect of cisplatin is nephrotoxicity in proximal tubular cells, via oxidative stress, DNA damage, cell apoptosis, and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effect and mechanism of fibrate drugs on cisplatin-induced renal proximal tubular cell death.

Activation of liver X receptors inhibits cadmium-induced apoptosis of human renal proximal tubular cells.

Liver X receptors (LXRs) including LXRα and LXRβ are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors, which are expressed in high metabolic organs such as the liver, kidney, and adipose tissue. LXRs have been shown to act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory in several organs. The present study investigated the effects of LXR activation on cadmium-induced cell death in renal proximal tubular cells.