Adiponectin: Its role in obesity-associated colon and prostate cancers.

Adipose tissue synthesizes many proteins and hormones collectively called adipokines, which are linked to a number of diseases, including cancer. Low levels of adiponectin are reported to be a risk factor for obesity-related cancers including colorectal and prostate cancers. Accordingly, obesity/lifestyle-related diseases, including certain cancers, may be treated by developing drugs that act specifically on adiponectin levels in circulation.

Novel synthetic curcumin analogs as potent antiangiogenic agents in colorectal cancer.

The transcription factor NF-κB plays a central role in angiogenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Curcumin is a natural dietary product that inhibits NF-κB. The objective of this study is to evaluate the antiangiogenic effects of curcumin and two potent synthetic analogues (EF31 and UBS109) in CRC.

The role of adiponectin in obesity-associated female-specific carcinogenesis.

Adipose tissue is a highly vascularized endocrine organ, and its secretion profiles may vary with obesity. Adiponectin is secreted by adipocytes that make up adipose tissue. Worldwide, obesity has been designated a serious health problem among women and is associated with a variety of metabolic disorders and an increased risk of developing cancer of the cervix, ovaries, uterus (uterine/endometrial), and breast.

Inhibition of NF-κB translocation by curcumin analogs induces G0/G1 arrest and downregulates thymidylate synthase in colorectal cancer.

Cell cycle progression and DNA synthesis are essential steps in cancer cell growth and resistance. Thymidylate synthase (TS) is a therapeutic target for 5FU. Curcumin is a potent inhibitor of NF-κB.

Aquaporins: Their role in gastrointestinal malignancies.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are small (~30 kDa monomers) integral membrane water transport proteins that allow water to flow through cell membranes in reaction to osmotic gradients in cells. In mammals, the family of AQPs has thirteen (AQP0-12) unique members that mediate critical biological functions. Since AQPs can impact cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, their role in various human cancers is well established.

Pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO) of diltiazem hydrochloride: effect of solvents/penetration enhancers on ex vivo permeation.

In the present study, pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO) of diltiazem hydrochloride (DZH) was developed by taking different ratios of organic phase to aqueous phase (1:3, 1:4, and 1:5) with varying concentration of soya lecithin (20, 30, and 40 % w/w) in organic phase (isopropyl myristate, IPM) and pluronic (20, 25, and 30 % w/w) in aqueous phase, respectively, and characterized for in vitro parameters and ex vivo permeation study. The results of in vitro parameters were found to be within permissible limit and all the PLOs were physically stable at refrigeration and ambient temperature. The influence of phase ratio and different concentrations of soya lecithin on DZH release from the PLOs was found to be significant (p < 0.