Safety assessment of essential and toxic metals in infant formulas.

The aim of this study was to assess toxic metal (Cd, Pb and Al) contamination and levels of three essential trace elements (Mn, Cr and Co) in 63 infant formulas. In addition, the levels of these metals in the study samples were compared with the acceptable limits of toxic heavy metals and the recommended daily allowances (RDAs) of essential trace elements. According to our results, the toxic metal levels measured in the formulas were within the acceptable limits, with the exception of Al levels in 8 of the 63 samples.

Preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of cyclosporin A-loaded nanodecorated ocular implants for subconjunctival application.

In terms of ocular drug delivery, biodegradable implant systems have several advantages including the ability to provide constant drug concentration at the target site, no necessity for surgical removal, and minimum systemic side effects. Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a neutral, hydrophobic, cyclic peptide of amino acids that frequently used for dry eye disease treatment. The aim of this study was to develop a nanoparticle-loaded implant system for sustained-release CsA delivery following subconjunctival implantation.

Cationic core-shell nanoparticles for intravesical chemotherapy in tumor-induced rat model: safety and efficacy.

Mitomycin C (MMC) has shown potent efficacy against a wide spectrum of cancers and is clinical first choice in superficial bladder tumors. However, intravesical chemotherapy with MMC has been ineffective due to periodical discharge of the bladder and instability of this drug in acidic pH, both resulting in high rate of tumor recurrence and insufficiency to prevent progression. Nanocarriers may be a promising alternative for prolonged, effective and safe intravesical drug delivery due to their favorable size, surface properties and optimum interaction with mucosal layer of the bladder wall.

Antitumoral activity of camptothecin-loaded nanoparticles in 9L rat glioma model.

Camptothecin (CPT), a plant alkaloid, is a potent anticancer drug in cell culture studies but it is clinically inactive due to rapid hydrolysis under physiological conditions. The drug exists in two forms depending on the pH value, an active lactone form at pH below 5 and an inactive carboxylate form at basic pH and this is a reversible reaction. In this study, nanoparticulate delivery systems were developed with either amphiphilic cyclodextrins, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) or poly-ɛ-caprolactone in order to maintain the active lactone form and prevent the drug from hydrolysis.

Alternative oral exemestane formulation: improved dissolution and permeation.

Exemestane (EXE) is an irreversible aromatase inactivator used for the treatment of advanced postmenopausal breast cancer. EXE is orally active but its bioavailability is about 5% due to its low solubility in water and the extensive first pass effect. It is known that cyclodextrin (CD) complexation enhances solubility and oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.

Cationic nanoparticles for cancer therapy.

Importance Of The Field: The lack of selective delivery of therapeutic molecules to cancer cells remains a problem in cancer therapy. As a result of this non-selectivity, cytotoxic agents are delivered to both healthy and cancerous cells, resulting in severe side effects for the patient, eventually causing termination of therapy or ineffective therapy resulting in progression or recurrence of the disease. In this context, cationic polymers with net positive surface charge emerge as a promising option owing to their very strong cellular interaction properties and good cellular uptake.

Comparative evaluation of polymeric and amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanoparticles for effective camptothecin delivery.

Camptothecin (CPT) is a potent anticancer agent. The clinical application of CPT is restricted by poor water solubility and instability under physiological conditions. Solubilization and stabilization of CPT were realized through nanoparticulate systems of amphiphilic cyclodextrins, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) or poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL).

Synthesis and studies on antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities of some 3-(2-thienyl)pyrazoline derivatives.

In this study, the synthesis of twelve 3-(2-thienyl)pyrazoline derivatives are described. The structures of all compounds were confirmed by UV, IR, (1)H-NMR, mass spectral data, and microanalyses. In the pharmacological studies, antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities of these compounds have been screened.

Safety and efficacy of amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrin nanoparticles for paclitaxel delivery.

Paclitaxel is a potent anticancer agent with limited bioavailability due to side-effects associated with solubilizer used in its commercial formulation and the tendency of the drug to precipitate in aqueous media. In this study, paclitaxel was encapsulated in amphiphilic cyclodextrin nanoparticles. Safety of blank nanoparticles was compared against commercial vehicle cremophor:ethanol (50:50 v/v) by hemolysis and cytotoxicity experiments.

Synthesis and studies on antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities of some 3-(2-furyl)-pyrazoline derivatives.

Twelve 1-phenyl-, 1-thiocarbamoyl- and 1-N-substituted thiocarbamoyl-3-(2-furyl)-5-phenyl/(2-furyl)-2-pyrazoline derivatives were synthesized. The chemical structures of the compounds were proved by IR, (1)H NMR, Mass spectrometric data and microanalyses. The antidepressant activities of the compounds were investigated by Porsolt's behavioural despair (forced swimming) test on albino mice.

Sterile, injectable cyclodextrin nanoparticles: effects of gamma irradiation and autoclaving.

Sterility is required as stated by compendial requirements and registration authorities worldwide for an injectable drug carrier system. In this study, injectable nanospheres and nanocapsules prepared from amphiphilic beta-cyclodextrin, beta-CDC6, were assessed for their in vitro properties such as particle size distribution, zeta potential, nanoparticle yield (%), drug entrapment efficiency and in vitro drug release profiles. Different sterilization techniques such as gamma irradiation and autoclaving were evaluated for their feasibility regarding the maintenance of the above mentioned nanoparticle properties after sterilization.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives.

Six new 5-(1-/2-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione, 2-amino-5-(1-/2-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, 5-(1-/2-naphthyloxymethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)-one derivatives have been synthesized from 1-and/or 2-naphthol. The structures of the compounds were confirmed by IR and 1H NMR spectral data and microanalysis. The antimicrobial properties of the compounds were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, C.

The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on serum selenium levels in hemodialysis patients.

Succesful results in the treatment of anemia, one of the main complications of chronic renal failure, can be achieved by the use of recombinant human erythropoietin (RhEPO), which is available almost fifteen years in clinics. On the other hand, as both chronic renal failure and maintenance hemodialysis reduce the levels of trace elements, this study was designed to evaluate the interaction potential of RhEPO with serum concentrations of selenium (Se) during four months. Thirty one adult hemodialysis outpatients participated in the study.

Studies on the formulation and in vitro release of ophthalmic liposomes containing dexamethasone sodium phosphate.

Several liposome formulations containing Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate (DSP) were characterised in this study. For this purpose, phospholipids (gel and liquid types) and charge inducers, with or without cholesterol, were employed as bilayer components. Liquid state (PL 100:SA and PL 100:SA:CHOL) and gel state (PL 90H:SA and PL 90H:SA:CHOL) liposomes were prepared in molar ratios of (7:1:2), (10:1:4), (7:1) and (10:1).