Effects of (-)-sesamin on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells and dopaminergic neuronal cells of Parkinson's disease rat models.

The present study investigated the effects of (-)-sesamin on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity using PC12 cells and dopaminergic neuronal cells of 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In PC12 cells, treatment with (-)-sesamin (25 µM) reduced 6-OHDA (100 µM)-induced cell death and induced transient extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and Bad phosphorylation at Ser112 (BadSer112). In contrast, sustained ERK1/2 phosphorylation, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK1/2) phosphorylation, and cleaved-caspase-3 activity, all of which were induced by 6-OHDA (100 µM), were inhibited by treatment with (-)-sesamin (25 µM).

Comparative efficacy of meloxicam and placebo in vasospasm of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Cerebral vasospasm considered to be a serious cause of morbidity and mortality following subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).Despite several available therapeutic options, current protocols do not prevent major consequences of vasospasm. Inflammation is believed to play an important role in post-haemorrhagic vasospasm.

Gintonin, a novel ginseng-derived lysophosphatidic acid receptor ligand, stimulates neurotransmitter release.

Gintonin is a novel ginseng-derived G protein-coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand. Gintonin elicits an intracellular calcium concentration [Ca(2+)]i transient via activation of LPA receptors and regulates calcium-dependent ion channels and receptors. [Ca(2+)]i elevation by neurotransmitters or depolarization is usually coupled to neurotransmitter release in neuronal cells.

Interrater agreement for two systems used to determine the probability of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Purpose: The interrater reliability of the 4T's method and the HIT expert probability (HEP) score for clinical evaluation of suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) was investigated.

Methods: Patients hospitalized over a three-year period who were tested for HIT via anti-platelet factor 4 (anti-PF4) antigen assay were identified using laboratory data; 127 patient cases met the study inclusion criteria. Nine clinical pharmacists with expertise in HIT management evaluated the 127 cases using two pretest scoring systems: the 4T's score and the HEP score.

Multiple treatments with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine modulate dopamine biosynthesis and neurotoxicity through the protein kinase A-transient extracellular signal-regulated kinase and exchange protein activation by cyclic AMP-sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathways.

Multiple treatments with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA; 20 µM) induce neurite-like outgrowth and reduce dopamine biosynthesis in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC) 12 cells. We therefore investigated the effects of multiple treatments with L-DOPA (MT-LD) on cell survival and death over a duration of 6 days by using PC12 cells and embryonic rat midbrain primary cell cultures. MT-LD (10 and 20 µM) decreased cell viability, and both types of cells advanced to the differentiation process at 4-6 days.

Effects of gypenosides on anxiety disorders in MPTP-lesioned mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Ethanol extract (GP-EX) of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP) ameliorates chronic stress-induced anxiety in mice. The present study investigated the effects of gypenoside-enriched components (GPS), GP-EX and water extract of GP (GP-WX) on MPTP lesion-induced affective disorders in C57BL/6 mice. GPS (50mg/kg) and GP-EX (50mg/kg) for 21 day-treatment period improved the symptom of anxiety disorders in the MPTP-lesioned mouse model of PD with or without L-DOPA treatment, which was examined by the elevated plus-maze and marble burying tests.

Plasma Vitamin D Status and Its Correlation with Risk Factors of Thrombosis, P-selectin and hs-CRP Level in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism; the First Study of Iranian Population.

Low plasma level of vitamin D is linked to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and peripheral vascular diseases. Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide problem that involves Iranian population. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first investigation on venous thromboembolism (VTE) subjects that assessed the correlation of vitamin D level with plasma P-selectin, hs-CRP, and risk factors of thrombosis.

Identification of p-glycoprotein and transport mechanism of Paclitaxel in syncytiotrophoblast cells.

When chemotherapy is administered during pregnancy, it is important to consider the fetus chemotherapy exposure, because it may lead to fetal consequences. Paclitaxel has become widely used in the metastatic and adjuvant settings for woman with cancer including breast and ovarian cancer. Therefore, we attempted to clarify the transport mechanisms of paclitaxel through blood-placenta barrier using rat conditionally immortalized syncytiotrophoblast cell lines (TR-TBTs).

Effect of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy on Coagulation Activity and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Ablation: A Randomized Comparison between Dabigatran and Warfarin.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with inflammatory and hypercoagulability state. Previous studies evaluated the safety and efficacy of dabigatran and warfarin in prevention of thrombothic complications. This study was intended to assess the influence of these drugs on hemostatic and inflammatory markers among patient underwent pulmonary vein ablation.

Didactic Lecture Versus Interactive Workshop for Continuing Pharmacy Education on Reproductive Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Pharmacists are routinely providing reproductive health counseling in community pharmacies, but studies have revealed significant deficits in their competencies. Therefore, continuing pharmacy education (CPE) could be utilized as a valuable modality to upgrade pharmacists' capabilities. A randomized controlled trial was designed to compare the efficacy of CPE meetings (lecture based vs.

Biochemical Evaluation of the Hypoglycemic Effects of Extract and Fraction of Cassia fistula Linn. in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats.

Various extracts of flowers of Cassia fistula Linn (Leguminosae) such as petroleum ether (60-80°), chloroform, acetone, ethanol, aqueous, and crude aqueous extracts and two fractions of ethanol extract were tested for antihyperglycemic activity in glucose-overloaded hyperglycemic rats. The effective antihyperglycemic extracts and fraction were tested for their hypoglycemic activity at two dose levels, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. To confirm their utility in higher models, the effective extracts and fraction of C.

Tussilagone suppresses colon cancer cell proliferation by promoting the degradation of β-catenin.

Abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway frequently induces colon cancer progression. In the present study, we identified tussilagone (TSL), a compound isolated from the flower buds of Tussilago farfara, as an inhibitor on β-catenin dependent Wnt pathway. TSL suppressed β-catenin/T-cell factor transcriptional activity and down-regulated β-catenin level both in cytoplasm and nuclei of HEK293 reporter cells when they were stimulated by Wnt3a or activated by an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3β.

Effect of anionic macromolecules on intestinal permeability of furosemide.

Context: Furosemide is an anionic molecule and has very low absorption in gastro intestinal tract.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of anionic macromolecules on the intestinal permeability of Furosemide.

Materials And Methods: The intestinal permeability of Furosemide was determined using single-pass intestinal perfusion technique in rats.

A bibliometric study of publication patterns in rational use of medicines in Iran.

Background: Inappropriate use of drugs is commonly observed in health care system throughout the world especially in developing countries. The consequences of irrational use of drugs are enormous for patients and communities. Proper interventions would have important financial and public health benefits.

The roles of cyclic AMP-ERK-Bad signaling pathways on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell survival and death in PC12 cells.

The roles of cyclic AMP (cAMP)-ERK1/2-Bad signaling pathways in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cell survival and death were investigated. In PC12 cells, 6-OHDA (10-100μM) concentration-dependently increased the intracellular levels of cAMP mediated by the Ca(2+)-CaMKII-adenylyl cyclase system. 6-OHDA at the non-toxic level (10μM) induced transient ERK1/2 phosphorylation and BadSer112 phosphorylation, which maintained cell survival.

Potential drug-drug interactions at a referral hematology-oncology ward in Iran: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To assess the pattern and probable risk factors for moderate and major drug-drug interactions in a referral hematology-oncology ward in Iran.

Methods: All patients admitted to hematology-oncology ward of Dr. Shariati Hospital during a 6-month period and received at least two anti-cancer or non-anti-cancer medications simultaneously were included.

Anxiolytic effects of herbal ethanol extract from Gynostemma pentaphyllum in mice after exposure to chronic stress.

In this study, the effects of herbal ethanol extracts of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP-EX), on chronic electric footshock (EF) stress-induced anxiety disorders were investigated in mice, which were orally treated with GP-EX (30 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) once a day for 14 days, followed by exposure to EF stress (2 mA, with an interval and duration of 10 s for 3 min). After the final exposure to EF stress, the elevated plus-maze and marble burying tests were performed, and the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, the serum levels of corticosterone, and the expression of c-Fos in the paraventricular nuclei (PVN) were determined. Treatment with GP-EX (30 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) significantly recovered the number of entries into open arms and time spent on open arms, which was reduced by chronic EF stress.

Neurotoxic effects of berberine on long-term L-DOPA administration in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease.

The effects of berberine on long-term administration of L-DOPA in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) were investigated. Rat models of PD were prepared by 6-OHDA lesions in the ipsilateral sides, and then were treated with berberine (5 and 15 mg/kg) and/or L-DOPA (10 mg/kg) once daily for 21 days. Treatments with either concentration of berberine (5 and 15 mg/kg) in 6-OHDA-lesioned groups decreased the numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunopositive neurons in the substantia nigra and the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the striatum as compared to 6-OHDA-lesioned groups.

The decrease of paclitaxel efflux by pretreatment of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α after intracerebral microinjection.

Paclitaxel is highly efficacious in the treatment of patients suffering from a broad spectrum of neoplastic diseases. However, its efficacy against malignant glioma is very moderate. Paclitaxel is known to be a substrate for P-glycoprotein (P-gp), so this transporter may be due to insufficient access of paclitaxel to the brain.

Lyophilized oral sustained release polymeric nanoparticles of nateglinide.

The objective of this study is to formulate lyophilized oral sustained release polymeric nanoparticles of nateglinide in order to decrease dosing frequency, minimize side effects, and increase bioavailability. Nateglinide-loaded poly Ɛ-caprolactone nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation with ultrasonication technique and subjected to various studies for characterization including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy and evaluated for in vitro drug release and pharmacodynamic studies. The influence of increase in polymer concentration, ultrasonication time, and solvent evaporation rate on nanoparticle properties was investigated.

Modulation of PC12 cell viability by forskolin-induced cyclic AMP levels through ERK and JNK pathways: an implication for L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in nigrostriatal dopamine neurons.

The intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) increase in response to cytotoxic concentrations of L-DOPA in PC12 cells, and forskolin that induces intracellular cAMP levels either protects PC12 cells from L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity or enhances cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. This study investigated the effects of cAMP induced by forskolin on cell viability of PC12 cells, relevant to L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in Parkinson's disease therapy. The low levels of forskolin (0.

Three years evaluation of drug shortages from educational pharmacies in tehran.

The effectiveness of any drug supply systems in providing a trustworthy supply of essential drugs is a critical issue. To evaluate this effectiveness, it is necessary to watch over the status of the essential medicines in any country impartially and continuously. Some countries and also the World Health Organization (WHO) have codified a list of minimum medicines needed for a basic health care system and published them in assortments as a list of essential medicines.

Modulatory effects of sesamin on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.

The effects of sesamin on dopamine biosynthesis and L-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells were investigated. Sesamin at concentration ranges of 20-75 μM exhibited a significant increase in intracellular dopamine levels at 24 h: 50 μM sesamin increased dopamine levels to 133% and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity to 128.2% of control levels.

Study of polymorphs of progesterone by novel melt sonocrystallization technique: a technical note.

A large number of pharmaceuticals exhibit polymorphism; 23% steroids, 60% sulfonamides, and 70% of barbiturates have shown this property. In this study, we have investigated and compared a new technique termed as melt sonocrystallization (MSC) with melt and sonocrystallization (SC) for induction of polymorphism in progesterone (PRG). Polymorphs were characterized by DSC, XRD, FT-IR, and FT Raman spectroscopy.

Modeling anhydrobiosis: activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK by dehydration in both human cells and nematodes.

Anhydrobiosis ("life without water") is the state of suspended animation that certain organisms, including some nematodes, tardigrades, and bdelloid rotifers, enter during desiccation. Extreme water loss imposes considerable stress on biomolecules, cells, and tissues, and must require specific sensing and response mechanisms for survival. However, these mechanisms are poorly understood, in part owing to the lack of amenable model systems.