Improved bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of tea polyphenols by encapsulation into gelatin nanoparticles

The authors prepared surface modified (with polyelectrolyte layers), tea polyphenols (TPP) encapsulated, gelatin nanoparticles (TPP‐GNP) and characterised them. The size of the spherical nanoparticles was ∼50 nm. Number of polyelectrolyte layers and incubation time influenced the encapsulation efficiency (EE); highest EE was noted in nanoparticles with six polyelectrolyte layers (TPP‐GNP‐6L) incubated for 4 h. TPP released from TPP‐GNP‐6L in simulated biological fluids indicated protection and controlled release of TPP due to encapsulation. Mathematical modelling indicated anomalous type as a predominant mode of TPP release. TPP‐GNP‐6L exhibited enhanced pharmacokinetics in rabbit model compared with free TPP. The area under the concentration‐time curve and mean residence time were significantly higher in TPP‐GNP‐6L compared with free TPP which provide an evidence of higher bioavailability of TPP due to encapsulation. The authors demonstrated that encapsulation of TPP into GNPs favoured slow and sustained release of TPP with improved pharmacokinetics and bioavailability thereby can prolong the action of TPP.Inspec keywords: gelatin, nanoparticles, encapsulation, biomedical materials, nanomedicine, particle size, polymer electrolytes, polymer films, nanofabricationOther keywords: bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, gelatin nanoparticles, surface modified tea polyphenols, polyelectrolyte layers, spherical nanoparticle size, incubation time, encapsulation efficiency, TPP‐GNP‐6L, simulated biological fluids, mathematical modelling, TPP release, rabbit model, concentration‐time curve, mean residence time, time 4 h     

Monodisperse ceria nanospheres: Synthesis,characterization, optical properties,and applications in wastewater treatment

Monodisperse ceria nanospheres have been synthesized by a facile solvothermal method, and their morphology and microstructures have been revealed by a combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopy and N₂ adsorption. It is demonstrated that the as-synthesized powders are highly uniform CeO₂ in spherical shape with cubic fluorite structure. HRTEM and XRD studies show that each ceria nanosphere is composed of dozens of nanocrystals with the average size of 8.5 nm. The direct optical band gap of the ceria nanospheres estimated from the ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrum is 2.7 eV, which is evidently red-shifted with respect to the bulk material (E_g = 3.19 eV); the reduced band gap could be resulted from the high concentration of grain boundaries and defects present in the ceria nanospheres. In addition, the ceria nanospheres exhibit a strong blue luminescence at 504 nm and a broad orange luminescence centered at 645 nm. As a result of the large specific surface area, ceria nanospheres are revealed to be an excellent sorbent for the removal of poisonous pollutants present in water, such as chromium ions and rhodamine B. The removal efficiency of chromium ions is as high as ∼94%.     

Green Synthesis of Silymarin–Chitosan Nanoparticles as a New Nano Formulation with Enhanced Anti-Fibrotic Effects against Liver Fibrosis

Background: Silymarin (SIL) has long been utilized to treat a variety of liver illnesses, but due to its poor water solubility and low membrane permeability, it has a low oral bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic potential. Aim: Design and evaluate hepatic-targeted delivery of safe biocompatible formulated SIL-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (SCNPs) to enhance SIL’s anti-fibrotic effectiveness in rats with CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis. Methods: The SCNPs and chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared by ionotropic gelation technique and are characterized by physicochemical parameters such as particle size, morphology, zeta potential, and in vitro release studies. The therapeutic efficacy of successfully formulated SCNPs and CNPs were subjected to in vivo evaluation studies. Rats were daily administered SIL, SCNPs, and CNPs orally for 30 days. Results: The in vivo study revealed that the synthesized SCNPs demonstrated a significant antifibrotic therapeutic action against CCl₄-induced hepatic injury in rats when compared to treated groups of SIL and CNPs. SCNP-treated rats had a healthy body weight, with normal values for liver weight and liver index, as well as significant improvements in liver functions, inflammatory indicators, antioxidant pathway activation, and lipid peroxidation reduction. The antifibrotic activities of SCNPs were mediated by suppressing the expression of the main fibrosis mediators TGFβR1, COL3A1, and TGFβR2 by boosting the hepatic expression of protective miRNAs; miR-22, miR-29c, and miR-219a, respectively. The anti-fibrotic effects of SCNPs were supported by histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) study. Conclusions: According to the above results, SCNPs might be the best suitable carrier to target liver cells in the treatment of liver fibrosis.     

TMT-HCC: A tool for text mining the biomedical literature for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biomarkers identification

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. New insights into the pathogenesis of this lethal disease are urgently needed. Chromosomal copy number alterations (CNAs) can lead to activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressors in human cancers. Thus, identification of cancer-specific CNAs will not only provide new insight into understanding the molecular basis of tumor genesis but also facilitate the identification of HCC biomarkers using CNA.     

The antioxidant activity of teas measured by the FRAP method adapted to the FIA system: Optimising the conditions using the response surface methodology

This study proposes a FRAP assay adapted to FIA system with a merging zones configuration. The FIA system conditions were optimised with the response surface methodology using the central composite rotatable design. The optimisation parameters studied were: the carrier flow rate, the lengths of the sample and reagent loops, and reactor length. The conditions selected in accordance with the results were: carrier flow rate of 1.00 ml/min, length of the loops 18.2 cm and length of the reaction coil 210.1 cm. The detection and quantification limits were, respectively, 28.6 and 86.8 μmol/l Fe²⁺, and the precision was 1.27%. The proposed method had an analytical frequency of 30 samples/h and about 95% less volume of FRAP reagent was consumed. The FRAP assay adapted to the FIA system under the optimised conditions was utilised to determine the antioxidant activity of tea samples.     

A strategy to improve tool life by controlling cohesive failure in thick TiAlN coating during turning of CGI

The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology - Beside machining condition and parameters, coating properties is one of the main factors affecting tool performance and wear...     

Waves in generalized thermo-viscoelastic infinite continuum with cylindrical cavity due to three-phase-lag time-nonlocal heat transfer

Abstract

Generalized thermoelastic interactions due to three-phase-lag time-nonlocal heat transfer in a Kelvin-Voigt type infinitely extended visco-thermoelastic continuum with cylindrical cavity has been investigated. The two-temperature generalized thermoelasticity theory has also been taken into account. The problem has been solved in the domain of Laplace on the assumption that the surface of the cavity is free from traction and is subjected to a smooth and time-dependent-heating effect. Laplace inversion of the transformed solutions has been carried out numerically. The obtained numerical data for different considerations are plotted in graphs to study the effects of time-nonlocal parameter, two-temperature parameter and visco-thermoelastic relaxation parameter on different thermoelastic quantities of physical interest.     

Hancornia speciosa latex for biomedical applications: physical and chemical properties,biocompatibility assessment and angiogenic activity

The latex obtained from Hancornia speciosa is used in folk medicine for treatment of several diseases, such as acne, warts, diabetes, gastritis and inflammation. In this work, we describe the biocompatibility assessment and angiogenic properties of H. speciosa latex and its potential application in medicine. The physical–chemical characterization was carried out following different methodologies (CHN elemental analyses; thermogravimetric analyses and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The biocompatibility was evaluated through cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests in fibroblast mouse cells and the angiogenic properties were evaluated using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay model. The physical–chemical results showed that the structure of Hancornia speciosa latex biomembrane is very similar to that of Hevea brasiliensis (commercially available product). Moreover, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays showed that H. speciosa latex is biocompatible with life systems and can be a good biomaterial for medical applications. The CAM test showed the efficient ability of H. speciosa latex in neovascularization of tissues. The histological analysis was in accordance with the results obtained in the CAM assay. Our data indicate that the latex obtained from H. speciosa and eluted in water showed significant angiogenic activity without any cytotoxic or genotoxic effects on life systems. The same did not occur with H. speciosa latex stabilized with ammonia. Addition of ammonia does not have significant effects on the structure of biomembranes, but showed a smaller cell survival and a significant genotoxicity effect. This study contributes to the understanding of the potentialities of H. speciosa latex as a source of new phytomedicines.     

Effect of input variability on the quality of laser shock processing

Laser shock processing (LSP) involves high-energy laser radiation combined with suitable overlays to generate high-pressure pulses on the surface of the metal. The stress wave generated due to high pressure pulses propagates into the material causing the surface layer to yield and plastically deform, and thereby, develop a significant residual compressive stress in the surface region of the substrate material. The developed compressive stress field is beneficial to improve surface properties such as fatigue, wear, and corrosion. To improve the understanding of the shock hardening process, investigation into the physical processes involved is necessary. In the first part of this paper, the temporal variation in the pressure intensity and spot size is calculated by using a two-dimensional recoil pressure prediction model. Using an explicit non-linear FEA code, ANSYS LS-DYNA, the deformation behavior and residual stresses in the substrate material are predicted. In the second part, a probabilistic approach to the modeling and analysis of LSP is presented in this paper. Various factors that affect the probabilistic performance of the LSP are grouped into categories and a select number of factors known to be significant, for which the variability could be assessed, are modeled as random variables (such as recoil pressure, laser beam spot size, substrate material properties and others). The potential of the probabilistic approach in predicting the structural integrity of the laser-shocked components is addressed.