Ellagic acid regulates hyperglycemic state through modulation of pancreatic IL-6 and TNF- α immunoexpression

BackgroundType 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder. Although therapeutic pharmaceutical agents continue to advance, herbal medicines are potential complementary treatments for the promotion of glucose homeostasis, with minimal adverse effects. Conventionally, ellagic acid (EA) has been utilized for the therapy of a range of pathologies owing to its anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic actions.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to determine the activity of EA on serum α-amylase and lipase titers, and on pancreatic tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations using the streptozocin-induced T2DM rodent model.MethodsEA extract synthesized from fresh strawberry fruit was employed for therapy. 50 adults male Wistar rats were randomized into either control, EA, diabetic, co-treated or post- treated cohorts.ResultsEA diminished fasting blood glucose levels, altered lipase, amylase, IL-6, PCNA and TNF- α expression and enhanced islet cell renewal, insulin, and immunoreactivities.ConclusionInflammatory indicators are elevated in the presence of T2DM. Extract of EA has overall tissue reparative and safeguarding properties, as indicated by the augmented β- cell population and enhanced glucose homeostasis. Thus, EA may be an innovative treatment approach for the maintenance of normoglycemia in individuals with T2DM.     

A high-fat diet rich in corn oil exaggerates the infarct size and memory impairment in rats with cerebral ischemia and is associated with suppressing osteopontin and Akt,and activating GS3Kβ, iNOS,and NF-κB

Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry - The increase in osteopontin (OPN) levels after stroke induces neural protection by activating Akt signaling and inhibiting GS3Kβ, iNOS, and NF-κB....     

Clinical significance of plasma MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 levels as biomarkers for tumor expression in breast cancer patients in Egypt

Matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) are involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix in normal physiological processes as well as in disease processes, such as cancer metastasis. We conducted this work to study the role of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in breast cancer by measuring their plasma concentrations before and after surgery. Also, to examine if their levels can reflect the stage of disease and prognosis. Forty-eight breast cancer patients and 13 patients with benign breast diseases were included in the study. MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels were measured by ELISA and semi-quantitative real-time PCR. MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in plasma were determined by ELISA immediately before surgery and during 6 to 12 months after curative surgery. We observed a significant increase in the level of MMP-9 mRNA expression in breast cancer patients in comparison to their normal breast tissues and to tissues of benign breast disease. In all TNM tumor stages, the plasma levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased significantly before curative surgery in the studied patients with breast carcinoma and decreased significantly after surgery. Both MMP-2 and MMP-9 may be used as a possible marker for follow-up or as a marker that reflects the response of the disease to treatment.

     

Gastroretentive Matrix Tablets of Boswellia Oleogum Resin: Preparation,Optimization, <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Evaluation,and Cytoprotective Effect on Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rabbits

Currently available anti-ulcer drugs suffer from serious side effects which limited their uses and prompted the need to search for a safe and efficient new anti-ulcer agent. Boswellia gum resin (BR) emerged as a safe, efficient, natural, and economic potential cytoprotective agent. Thus, it is of medical importance to develop gastroretentive (GR) formulations of BR to enhance its bioavailability and anti-ulcer efficacy. Early attempts involved the use of organic solvents and non-applicability to large-scale production. In this study, different tablet formulations were prepared by simple direct compression combining floating and bioadhesion mechanisms employing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC), pectin (PC), and/or carbopol (CP) as bioadhesive polymers and sodium bicarbonate (SB) as a gas former. The prepared tablets were subjected for assessment of swelling, floating, bioadhesion, and drug release in 0.1 N HCl. The optimized GR formulation was examined for its protective effect on the gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin in albino rabbits compared with lactose tablets. The obtained results disclosed that swelling, floating, bioadhesion, and drug release of the GR tablets of BR depend mainly on the nature of the matrix and the ratio of polymer combinations. Moreover, a combination of SCMC-CP in a ratio of 2:1 (SCP21) exhibited desirable floating, bioadhesion, swelling, and extended drug release. Also, a 6-h pretreatment with SCP21 tablets decreased the severity of inflammation and number of bleeding spots among ulcer-induced rabbits in comparison to those treated with lactose tablets.     

Immunomodulation by maternal autoantibodies of the fetal serotoninergic 5-HT<Subscript>4</Subscript>receptor and its consequences in early BALB/c mouse embryonic development

Background  

The presence of functional 5-HT₄ receptors in human and its involvement in neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) have prompted us to study the receptor expression and role during embryogenesis. Earlier we managed to demonstrate that female BALB/c mice immunized against the second extracellular loop (SEL) of the 5-HT₄ receptor gave birth to pups with heart block. To explain this phenomenon we investigated the expression of 5-HT₄ receptors during mouse embryogenesis. At the same time we looked whether the consequence of 5-HT₄ receptor immunomodulation observed earlier is in relation to receptor expression.     

Punicalagin Targets Atherosclerosis: Gene Expression Profiling of THP-1 Macrophages Treated with Punicalagin and Molecular Docking

Atherosclerosis is an important cause of cardiovascular disorders worldwide. Natural botanical drugs have attracted attention due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiatherogenic properties in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Punicalagin is the major bioactive component of pomegranate peel, and has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti proliferation, and anticancer properties. To explore its antiatherogenic properties at a molecular level, we investigated the genome-wide expression changes that occur in differentiated THP1 cells following treatment with a non-toxic dose of punicalagin. We also conducted a molecular docking simulation study to identify the molecular targets of punicalagin.     

Heavy metals resistant plasmid-mediated utilization of solar by Pseudomonas aeruginosa AA301

Solar-degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, were isolated from Egyptian soil by Mineral Salt Medium (MSM) supplemented with Solar (motor fuel) from different oil-contaminated sites in Sohag province. The strain AA301 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed appreciable growth in MSM medium containing high concentrations of Solar ranging from 0.5 to 3% (v/v), with optimum concentration at 1.5%. Solar was used as a sole carbon source and a source of energy by the bacterium. The ability to degrade Solar was found to be associated with a single 60-kb plasmid designated pSOL15. The plasmid-cured variant, which was obtained by culturing in LB broth with kanamycin, lost the plasmid indicative the ability to degrade Solar must depend on this plasmid. The wild type isolate, Pseudomonas aeruginosa AA301 and transformant strain, have maximum growth (OD600 = approximately 2) on Solar, however the plasmid-cured variant did not have any significant growth on Solar. Moreover, resistance to a wide range of heavy metals such as Mn2+, Hg2+, Mg2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ was also 60-kb plasmid-mediated. Therefore, the strain AA301 could be good candidate for remediation of some heavy metals and oil hydrocarbons in heavily polluted sites.     

Setting the biological time in central and peripheral clocks during ontogenesis

In mammals, the principal circadian clock within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) entrains the phase of clocks in numerous peripheral tissues and controls the rhythmicity in various body functions. During ontogenesis, the molecular mechanism responsible for generating circadian rhythmicity develops gradually from the prenatal to the postnatal period. In the beginning, the maternal signals set the phase of the newly developing fetal and early postnatal clocks, whereas the external light-dark cycle starts to entrain the clocks only later. This minireview discusses the complexity of signaling pathways from mothers and the outside world to the fetal and newborn animals' circadian clocks.