Malnutrition resulting from protein and calorie deficiency continues to be a major concern worldwide especially in developing countries. Specific deficiencies in the protein intake can adversely influence reproductive performance. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of curcumin and curcumin nano-emulsion on protein deficient diet (PDD)-induced testicular atrophy, troubled spermatogenesis and decreased reproductive performance in male rats. Juvenile rats were fed the protein deficient diet (PDD) for 75 days. Starting from day 60 the rats were divided into 4 groups and given the corresponding treatments for the last 15 days orally and daily as follows: 1st group; curcumin group (C) received 50 mg/kg curcumin p.o. 2ndgroup; curcumin nano-form low dose group (NCL) received 2.5 mg/kg nano-curcumin. 3rd group; curcumin nano-form high dose group (NCH) received 5 mg/kg nano-curcumin. 4th group served as malnutrition group (PDD group) receiving the protein deficient diet daily for 75 days and received distilled water ingestions (5 ml/kg p.o) daily for the last 15 days of the experiment. A normal control group was kept under the same conditions for the whole experiment and received normal diet according to nutrition requirement center daily for 75 days and received distilled water ingestions (5 ml/kg p.o) daily for the last 15 days of the experiment. PDD induced significant (P < 0.05) reduction in serum testosterone level, sperm motility, testicular GSH, CAT, SOD, testicular cell energy (ATP, ADP and AMP), essential and non-essential amino acids in seminal plasma, an increase in testicular MDA, NOx, GSSG and 8-OHDG. Data was confirmed by histological examination and revealed pathological alteration in the PDD group. Ingestion of curcumin (50 mg/kg) and curcumin nano-emulsion (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) showed significant (P< 0.05) amelioration effects against PDD-induced disrupted reproductive performance as well as biochemical and pathological alterations and the overall results of the nano-emulsion (5 mg/kg) were comparable to curcumin (50 mg/kg). The present study suggests that administration of curcumin nano-emulsion as a daily supplement would be beneficial in malnutrition- induced troubled male reproductive performance and spermatogenesis cases.

The aim of the current manuscript was to test the applicability of a nanocomposite system of penetration enhancer vesicles (PEVs) within polymeric in situ forming gel network composed of poloxamer and hyaluronic acid for the intranasal delivery of the antiemetic dimenhydrinate (DMH). PEVs were prepared using phospholipids and labrasol/transcutol/PEG 400 as penetration enhancers, and characterized for entrapment efficiency (EE%), particle size, zeta potential and morphology. The nanocomposite in situ forming gel system was characterized for its sol-gel temperature, viscosity and mucoadhesiveness, and was pharmacodynamically tested on a cisplatin induced emesis model in rats in terms of food, water, kaolin intake and stomach weight content. The selected PEVs formula displayed EE% of 83% for DMH, particle size of 121 nm and a surface charge of 0.83 mV. The selected nanocomposite in situ gelling formula showed a viscosity of 2.13 Pa.S, mucoadhesive force of 0.62 N and DMH controlled release over 6 hours. The pharmacodynamic study showed the superiority of the nanocomposite in situ gelling formula; being administered at a lower dose than the oral marketed formula. The described nanocomposite system proved to be successful for the intranasal delivery of DMH, thus presenting a promising delivery modality for similar antiemetics.

Nutraceuticals have recently gained interest owing to their valuable contribution in the treatment of several diseases, with high safety margin and low incidence of side effects. However, their efficacy is limited by some challenges, namely poor solubility, low permeability, and, consequently, low bioavailability. Delivery carriers have proven that they can overcome almost all the aforementioned limitations, leading to improvement in the pharmacological efficacy of nutraceuticals. Among the promising nutraceuticals that have currently evoked considerable interest is mangiferin from mango tree, which is a polyphenol exhibiting many favorable pharmacological actions, but unfortunately suffers from poor aqueous solubility and other limitations that lower its bioavailability and halter its efficacy. This review summarizes the pharmacological actions of mangiferin and provides an insight on how delivery carriers for mangiferin (lipidic, vesicular, polymeric, inorganic, and protein nanoparticles, as well as complexes) can overcome its pharmaceutical challenges, hence reflecting on its improved therapeutic effects in treatment of different diseases.

Acute paracetamol over dose-induced hepatotoxicity is considered an important medical hazard especially among women. Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3 PUFAs) daily doses are nowadays recommended for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is considered a reliable method in analyzing cellular alterations and is now efficiently used to diagnose several diseases and the efficacy of drugs even in the early stages. The aim of our study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Omega-3 PUFAs against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats confirmed through measuring protein alterations in hepatocytes by FTIR. Rats were pretreated with Omega-3 PUFAs (50 and 100 mg/kg) for 21 days prior to oral ingestion of paracetamol. FTIR results revealed that Omega-3 PUFAs (50 mg/kg) limited the toxic effects of paracetamol by restoring the hepatic amide I to amide II ratio. In addition; biochemical analyses demonstrated that serum ALT, AST, Cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and Il-6 levels as well as hepatic TNF-α, MDA, NOx levels were decreased. Besides; serum HDL-cholesterol level and hepatic GSH level were increased. Histopathological examinations of hepatic sections validated the hepatoprotective potential. The overall effect of this dose was comparable to those of the usual recommended hepatoprotective supplement; silymarin. In conclusion; it would be recommended to use Omega-3 PUFAs in low doses on daily bases as a hepatoprotective agent.

Idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the most serious hazards that could be induced due to the misuse of drugs. Diclofenac has long been well-known to prompt such complication. Resveratrol is one of the newest nutraceuticals that has been recently introduced in the medicinal field and proved to be effective in ameliorating many types of drug-induced hepatic injuries. The present study aimed to assess if combining resveratrol with diclofenac would result in hepato-protection and/or synergistic anti-inflammatory effect in an acute carrageenan induced paw edema model in rats. Results revealed that the combination groups showed augmented anti-inflammatory effect represented by decreased levels of interleukin-1β and arachidonic acid. Furthermore; combination groups diminished the inflammation-induced oxidative stress and nitrosative stress as shown in the reduction of GSSG/GSH ratio, MDA and NOX levels. Moreover; combination groups also prevented the elevation in liver enzymes namely AST and ALT. In conclusion we can say that addition of resveratrol to diclofenac tablets could be beneficial for patients suffering from serious liver conditions.

The present study aimed to evaluate the hepato-protective and neuro-protective activity of Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in albino rats induced by methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet. Rats were fed an MCD diet for 8 weeks to induce non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. CoQ10 (10 mg/(kg·day)⁻¹) was orally administered for 2 consecutive weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last dose of the drug, the behavioral test, namely the activity cage test, was performed and the activity counts were recorded. Serum alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total/direct bilirubin, and albumin were valued to assess liver function. Moreover, hepatic cytokines interleukin-6 as well as its modulator nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells were determined. In addition, brain biomarkers, viz ammonia, nitric oxide, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), were measured as they are reliable indices to assess brain damage. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of brain proliferating cell nuclear antigen in brain and liver tissues were also evaluated. Results revealed that MCD-induced NASH showed impairment in the liver functions with an increase in the liver inflammatory markers. Moreover, NASH resulted in pronounced brain dysfunction as evidenced by hyper-locomotor activity, a decrease in the BDNF level, as well as an increase in the brain nitric oxide and ammonia contents. Oral treatment of MCD-diet−fed rats with CoQ10 for 14 days showed a marked improvement in all the assigned parameters. Finally, it can be concluded that CoQ10 has a hepatoprotective and neuroprotective role in MCD-diet−induced NASH in rats.