Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research : IJPR

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the common neurodegenerative diseases, and there has been an increasing interest in the potential role of intestinal dysbiosis in its pathogenesis and related gastrointestinal complications such as constipation. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of multi-strain probiotics on constipation and motor function in PD patients. METHODS: This study was a blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) that involved 27 PD patients who were diagnosed with constipation according to the ROME IV criteria for functional constipation...

BACKGROUND: Abnormal DNA methylation patterns have been reported in various diseases, including different cancers. CRISPR/Cas9 is a low-cost and highly effective gene editing tool that has lately revolutionized biotechnology. Studies have shown that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can effectively target and correct methylation. OBJECTIVES: Telomerase plays a survival role for cancer cells. It is encoded by the hTERT gene. The effectiveness of CRISPR/Cas9 in targeting hTERT to treat glioma cancer cells was assessed in this study...

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effects of Bacillus coagulans T4 and Lactobacillus paracasei TD3 probiotics on skeletal muscle inflammation and oxidative stress in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS: Probiotics B. coagulans T4, and L. paracasei TD3 were administered to male C57BL/6J mice fed with HFD. The gene expression of macrophage infiltration markers, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress indicators in the muscle tissue was investigated...

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial compounds are used in animal husbandry to prevent and treat bacterial diseases and as illegal growth-promoting agents. Due to the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics, the antibiotic residues in milk can cause allergic reactions and antibiotic resistance. A rapid biochip-based method for the multi-analyte screening of 6 families of antibiotic residues (quinolones, ceftiofur, florfenicol, streptomycin, tylosin, and tetracyclines) in milk was validated based on Commission Decision 2002/657 and the European guidance for screening methods for veterinary medicinal products...

BACKGROUND: The development of platinum-based metal complexes in oncology is limited due to vigorous toxicity and drug resistance. OBJECTIVES: This work aimed to study the cytotoxic activity and apoptosis induction of ruthenium complexes in a B16F10 cell line therapy. METHODS: We prepared a series of innovative Ru(II) complexes [Ru(Tzphen)(bpy)(dcbpy)]+2 (S1), [Ru(dcbpy)2 (Tzphen)]+2 (S2), [Ru(Phen)2 (Tzphen)]+2 (S3), [Ru(Tzphen)(bpy)2 ]+2 (S4), [Ru(dmbpy)2 (Tzphen)]+2 (S5) based on 1,10-phenanthroline ligand containing tetrazole and their anticancer properties investigated by cytotoxicity in vitro, reactive oxygen species, apoptosis with annexin V/PI staining method, autophagy, and cell uptake...

BACKGROUND: The stratum corneum (SC) serves as the primary barrier for permeation in human skin. Penetration enhancers, such as 1,8-cineole, are utilized to enhance the permeation of drugs. Cineole increases the permeation of chemicals through different mechanisms. However, its mechanism, particularly at high concentrations, has not been well-studied and is the subject of the present investigation. OBJECTIVES: In continuation of our previous studies, the present investigation aims to elucidate the mechanism of action and concentration dependency of the effects of 1,8-cineole on the structure, diffusional properties, and partitioning behavior of the SC at high concentrations...

BACKGROUND: Drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) is one of the most common movement disorders in approximately 20 - 35% of patients on antipsychotic medications. Managing the symptoms of DIP is challenging due to the limited number of potentially effective medications. On the other hand, this restricted possible treatment could have numerous side effects that ultimately result in patients stopping the medication all at once. The neuroprotective property of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) emerged as an effective commodity for the additional treatment of psychiatric disorders...

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a chronic disease characterized by the inflammation of the periodontium and leads to progressive damage, such as gingival atrophy, alveolar bone loss, and tooth loss. Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans are bacteria that support the occurrence of periodontitis via the ability to form biofilms or damage the alveolar bone and periodontal ligaments. On the other hand, periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are cells with differentiation capability into osteoblasts or osteoblasts...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) incidence and prevalence are rapidly increasing globally. The combined effects of metformin and quercetin (Que) have yet to be investigated. However, both have demonstrated the potential to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels and treat NAFLD by promoting autophagy. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism of action and assess the role of autophagy in the lipid-lowering effects of Que, both individually and in combination with metformin, in a HepG2 cell model of hepatic steatosis...

BACKGROUND: Spirulina is a cyanobacteria species containing various bioactive compounds. Spirulina is a known source of nutrients in some traditional diets. Different activities have been reported for various extracts of S. platensis . OBJECTIVES: In this study, the polysaccharide content of culture media and biomass extract of one species of Spirulina was partially purified, and its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated. METHODS: Spirulina platensis PCST5 was cultured in a sterile Zarouk medium at 27°C and 16/8h of light/ dark exposure cycle for 25 days...

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a metabolic, endocrine hormone regulating insulin sensitivity, energy expenditure, and lipid metabolism. It has significant potential as a therapeutic drug for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, the clinical efficacy of FGF21 analogs is limited due to their instability and short half-life. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have been recognized as effective medications for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity over the past two decades...

BACKGROUND: The available drugs for the treatment of leishmaniasis are highly toxic and extremely expensive, with low efficiency; therefore, the development of effective therapeutic compounds is essential. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to explore the antileishmanial effects of ethyl acetate extract, methanol extract, and fractions 1-4 (F1-F4) of Ferula tabasensis , alone or in combination with shark cartilage extract (ShCE), on L. major in vitro. METHODS: In this study, ethyl acetate, methanol, and n-hexane extracts were extracted from the aerial roots of F...

BACKGROUND: Gestodene (GEST) is widely used in female contraception. It is currently being used as an oral contraceptive. However, unfortunately, oral contraceptives are often associated with several bothersome side effects and poor compliance. Therefore, a sustained delivery system for GEST to overcome these shortcomings is highly desirable. OBJECTIVES: The present study successfully developed a kind of novel dissolving microneedles (DMNs) with a potential for sustained release and a minimally invasive intradermal treatment of GEST...

BACKGROUND: Naringenin (Nar) has anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. Arginine-glycine- aspartate (RGD) is a tripeptidic sequence used as an integrin ligand and targeting system for delivering chemotherapeutic agents to cancer cells. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the inhibitory effects of Nar and ketoprofen-RGD on leukemia and ovarian cancer cells (K562 and SKOV3) were explored for the first time, focusing on their proliferation activity and their anti-inflammatory capacity...

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation has become an effective method for treating neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of 3-N-butylphthalide (NBP) on the neuronal differentiation of BMSCs and its potential mechanism. METHODS: In this study, a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to detect cell proliferation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was conducted to detect the apoptosis of BMSCs...

BACKGROUND: The solubility of drugs in water and organic solvents is a crucial factor in numerous pharmaceutical processes. In recent years, a new type of solvent called deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has been developed as a useful solvent for drugs. Choline chloride-glycerol/urea (ChCl-G/U) systems are DESs recognized as a novel category of environmentally friendly solvents. One recent application of this type of DES in water is the solubilization of drugs. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the solubility of certain drugs in ChCl-G/U...

Polyamines prolong longevity due to their role in cell proliferation and are regarded as an essential group of anti-aging substances that reduce the risk of cardiovascular, neurological, and chronic inflammatory illnesses, as well as cancer. Because of its importance in growth and tissue regeneration, discovering polyamine-rich sources has gotten a lot of interest. Given the role of polyamines in controlling plant growth and physiological changes in the spring after cold winter stress, high polyamine concentrations in quickly growing plant tissues such as flowers, blossoms, and germs are possible...

BACKGROUND: Expression of the miR-34 family, including miR-34a/b/c, has been reported to inhibit the progression of several cancer types by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. OBJECTIVES: We attempted to investigate the effect of SW480 cell transfection with miR-34c-5p mimics on cell proliferation. METHODS: To do this, SW480 colon cancer cell line was transfected with miR-34c-5p mimics, scramble sequence, and the vehicle in PBS mock, and then cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay...

BACKGROUND: Amphotericin B (AmB) is the first-line drug to treat invasive fungal infections. However, its delivery to the body and clinical use faces many challenges because of its poor solubility, poor pharmacokinetics, and severe nephrotoxicity. OBJECTIVES: Due to the necessity for designing safer and more effective nanocarriers for AmB and the importance of preclinical pharmacokinetic studies in evaluating these novel drug delivery systems, the present study was framed to explore the influence of rat strain on the pharmacokinetic profile of this drug...

Since December 2019, the world has been grappling with an ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Various virus variants have emerged over the past two years, each posing a greater threat than its predecessors. The recent appearance of the omicron variant (B.1.1.529) has raised significant alarm within the field of epidemiology due to its highly contagious nature and rapid transmission rate. The omicron variant possessed mutations in the key receptor-binding domain (RBD) region, the S region, and these modifications have shown a notable impact on the strain's susceptibility to neutralizing antibodies...