سپیده اربابی بیدگلی

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) are one of the most common complications affects up to 80% of future mothers. A phase III randomized clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy of the doxylamine-pyridoxine combination [under the trade names of Diclectin® in Canada]. Doxylamine succinate-pyridoxine hydrochloride sustained release combination has been considered as a safe and well-tolerated formulation by pregnant women. Due to the high prevalence of NVP in Iranian pregnant women, we aimed in this study to formulate this combination.

Direct compression method was used to prepare this formulation. First, tablets containing two active agents were prepared. Eudragit L100 and L10055 were used to coat the tablets. Then the coated tablets, were exposed to acidic conditions to ensure their stability in the stomach environment. All in-vitro evaluations were done. The analysis of the APIs was done using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection, the HPLC method was developed and fully validated.

Based on the dissolution test and release profile, the formulation containing 3.5% croscarmellose in the core and Eudragit L100-55 as coating polymer showed optimum similarity to the famous brand. In the optimized formulation, no significant release was detected in pH equal to stomach and total release happened in the intestine pH, similarity and difference factors for pyridoxine and doxylamine were 78% and 3% ,71% and 4%, respectively.

In this study, a comparable formulation of pyridoxine and doxylamine with famous brand was prepared for the management of NVP.

Nanoparticles have received more and more attention in the vaccine and drug delivery systems field due to their specific properties. In particular, alginate and chitosan have been known as the most promising nano-carries. The present study aimed to develop alginate/chitosan nanoparticles as a carrier of BSA to Study In-vitro release condition.

The nanoparticles were produced by the ionic gelation method in mild conditions and the aqueous environment, which leads to the production of particles with favorable size, shape, high entrapment efficiency, and controlled release characteristics.

The synthesized nanoparticles of 60 nm in diameter and -32mv in zeta potential were considerably unparalleled and characterized by SEM, FTIR, and DSC. Nanoparticles resembled a spherical shell, smooth morphology, and homogeneous structure shown by SEM images. FTIR and DSC analyses confirmed conformational changes. Entrapment efficiency and loading capacity were 92% and 74%, respectively, via indirect method. The In-vitro BSA release profile and mechanism of BSA release from the nanoparticles were studied under simulated physiological conditions for various incubation periods. An initial burst effect revealed the release profile, followed by a continuous and controlled release phase.

Our results indicated the prepared nanoparticles could be appropriate for the convenient delivery of the desired drugs.

 The food and water contamination with heavy metals is increasing due to the environmental pollutions. Heavy metals are the elements with the density of more than 5 g/cm3 and have become a serious problem as a result of the urbanization and industrialization. These toxic metals pollute water, soil, plants, and eventually foodstuffs and our bodies. Several methods exist to remediate heavy metal pollution in waters such as membrane filtration, ion exchange mechanisms, or by precipitation. Yet, these techniques are not cost effective, in some cases, and do produce wastes that need to be properly disposed of. Microbial bioremediation could be an alternative. The use of microbes for remediation of heavy metals has been well studied. Some microorganisms, especially soil bacteria, have the ability to tolerate these contaminants. In addition, certain bacterial strains are capable of binding to heavy metals or transforming them into less toxic forms. Low operating costs, usable in foodstuffs, selective removal for specific toxic metals, minimal use of chemicals (resulting in low sludge production) and high efficiencies at very low levels of heavy metals are some of the advantages of biosorption methods. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of active and passive absorption of heavy metals by a number of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains in laboratory environment and food. 

 Seven LAB isolates including Lacticaseibacillus casei (RTCC 1296-3), Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (RTCC 1293-2), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (RTCC 1290), Limosilactobacillus fermentum (RTCC 1303), Enterococcus faecium (RTCC 2347), Lactobacillus helveticus (RTCC 1304) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (RTCC 1299) were obtained from Razi type culture collection (RTCC), located at Razi vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Iran. All isolates were cultured in MRS (Scharlau, Spain) broth medium, at 37 °C for 24 hours, under anaerobic conditions. Pure cultures were preserved for long term by freezing at -70°C with 20% Glycerol. Heavy metals including Nitrate of Pb (II), Cd (II) and Ni (II) were purchased from Merck (Darmstadt, Germany). All standard solutions were prepared from the stock solutions containing 1000 mgl-1 in distilled water. Other chemicals used in study including Nitric acid (65%) and Hydrogen peroxide (37%), were also purchased from Merck, Germany. This study was conducted in two in- vitro and in-vivo phases; in the in- vitro phase, seven strains of bacteria with probiotic properties (L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, Ent. facium, L. helveticus and L. acidofilous) were screened and then their ability to bind to cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in aqueous solution was investigated. Then, in the in-vivo stage, three probiotic strains that had the highest biosorption efficiency in the previously stage were selected and their effect with a ratio of 1:1:1 and contact time of 15 and 30 minutes on the removal of these toxic metals in coriander, leek and parsley fresh vegetables was evaluated. The residual concentrations of heavy metals in solution were measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS; ELAN DRC-e, PerkinElmer SCIEX, Canada) and Morphology of bacteria cell surfaces incubated with metals were monitored by scanning electron microscopy (JEOL JSM 5400 LV, Japan). 

The results of the in vitro stage showed that the most ability to heavy metals adsorption was related to the Ent. Facium bacterium which were equal to 79.75±0.11, 75.28±0.05 and 83.99±0.10% for Pb, Cd and Ni, respectively.  In general, the removal efficiency of heavy metals by LAB bacteria in the inactive and killed state was significantly higher than the active removal efficiency of these bacteria, so that the highest percentage of passive absorption of lead, cadmium and nickel metals by inactive strains of L. casei, L. plantarum and Ent. Facium were 90.01, 81.98 and 86.56%, respectively. Electron microscopy observations and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed that the majority of these toxic metals significantly damage the surface of living cells by accumulating and binding on the surface of bacterial cells. A combination of three bacterial strains had a synergistic effect on the binding properties of toxic metals compared to the single state of these bacteria, so that in both active and inactive states, 90-99% of heavy metals from edible leafy vegetables were removed in less than 15 minutes. The results of this research generally showed that the binding capacity of dead biomass is significantly high and it is possible to dispose and reuse biomass in case of biological absorption.

High-fructose corn syrup-55 (HFCS-55) is a common sweetener in the food industry. Recently, we have investigated and published the effects of uncontrolled long-term oral ingestion of 55-HFCS compared to sucrose on primary ovarian insufficiency in female rats. This study aimed to compare the effects of short-term controlled HFCS-55 administration with sucrose and its possible effects on the uterine and ovarian tissue of female rats compared to the long-term model.

According to OECD guideline (No. 407), 15 female rats were divided into three groups. The control group received distilled water; the second group received sucrose 75%; the third group received HFCS-55; 1ml/100 g body weight, for 28 days by gavage. The pattern of energy intake, weight, behavioral changes, and indicators of biochemical and histopathology were evaluated on day 29.

There were no reports of death, or changes in energy intake, weight, and behavior. Out of lipid profile and biochemical factors, serum levels of uric acid and HDL in the HFCS-55 and sucrose groups were significantly reduced compared to the control. In the HFCS-55 group, cell apoptosis was recorded in the uterine tissue (similar to the 90-day study), and ovarian tissue congestion was reported like in the 90-day study.

Results of our study compared to the 90-day study, indicate the vulnerability of the uterine and ovarian tissues caused by fructose. The possible damage risk of HFCS-55 on the uterus and ovary of women needs further epidemiological studies.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes various infections in susceptible individuals who are resistant to antibiotics, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. This study aimed to investigate the adjuvant effect of selenium Nanoparticles (SeNPs) for the purpose of developing an effective vaccine to prevent and reduce the complications of MRSA.

Autolysin recombinant protein, expressed by IPGD and purified by Ni-NTA chromatography was used to develop the vaccine. Together with alum adjuvant, SeNPs produced in two synthetic and biogenic forms were used as a co-adjuvant to increase the vaccine’s efficacy. Four groups of BALB/c mice were subcutaneously injected with three doses of different vaccine combinations. In order to evaluate humoral immunity, the ELISA test was used to measure total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a levels. The 30-day survival rate of experimental mice was recorded after they were exposed to a bacterial challenge test of MRSA (1.5 ×108 CFU).

In both groups receiving autolysin recombinant protein with synthetic SeNPs and with biogenic SeNPs, total IgG were higher than the control group. Compared to the control group, IgG1 and IgG2a increased more in the two previously mentioned groups. After the bacterial challenge test, the survival rate of vaccinated mice was higher than that of the control group.

The results showed that, as a co-adjuvant, synthetic and biogenic SeNPs in combination with autolysin recombinant protein could improve the humoral immune system against MRSA.

We aimed in this study to evaluate the acute and repeated dose toxicity of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff (Kelussia) identified as a rare medicinal plant species which grows in western parts of Iran with potential nutraceutical applications.

To determine the clinical, hematological, biochemical, necropsy and histopathological effects of the herb’s essential oil, aerial parts of this plant were collected from Shahrekord in spring 2019. After careful evaluation and issuing the Herbarium Code Number, herb’s dry powder was provided and the essential oil was prepared by Clevenger apparatus. Acute and repeated dose toxicity tests were performed by OECD 423 and 407 guidelines through intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections to female rats.

Acute test didn’t show any sign of toxicity in doses up to 2000 mg/kg and in delayed acute toxicity assessment no sign of toxic reaction was recorded. In repeated dose test all animals in two different dose groups (5 and 50 mg/kg) survived healthy according to the clinical, biochemical, hematological, necropsy and histopathological studies. Significant weight increase in high dose group (50 mg /kg/day) was accompanied with hepatotoxic reactions compared to vehicle control group (distilled water). Low dose group (5 mg/kg /day) showed significant biochemical changes in relevant nephrotoxicity related biomarkers which were not accompanied with histopathological evidence.

The results of this study showed that oral long term administration of Kelussia essential oil could be considered as a safe herbal remedy in doses up to 5 mcg/kg/day for human medical and nutritional purposes.

Although initial studies on Elaeagnus Angustifolia L. Fruit Extract (Senjed) Nanocapsule showed its efficacy in osteoporosis in rat model as well as its significant role in elevating the serum calcium levels, there is no study on its possible genotixic potentials which is necessary for developing all nanopharmaceuticals.

This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxicity of Senjed nanocapsule using Ames and Micronucleus tests as two necessary steps for developing it as a new nanopharmaceutical.

Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and TA98 strains were used for Mutagenicity and antimutagenicity assays by counting the number of colonies in the sample plates, negative and positive control plates. Micronucleus (MN) test was performed in male and female rats after oral administration of 1000 µg/kg/day of senjed nanocapsule and lymphocyte separation from the spleen of animals.

Observations from Ames test didn't indicate any mutagenic effect for this nanocapsule, moreover the anti-mutagenicity of the extract in both strains of salmonella typhimurium (P < 0.001) showed a concentration dependent antimutagenic properties of this nanocapsule in the presence of sodium Azide but in vivo micronucleus test showed a significant increase in the number of MN, Nucleoplasmic Bridges (NPB) and Nuclear Bud formation (NBUD) compared to the control group in both genders (P < 0.001).

Based of the possible clinical values of this future nanopharmaceutical, it seems necessary to continue its in vivo genotoxicity assessments in lower doses after revising the composition of nanocarriers and before starting any clinical evaluation.