This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-fibrotic activity of vinpocetine in an experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis by bleomycin and in the MRC-5 cell line. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in BALB/c mice by oropharyngeal aspiration of a single dose of bleomycin (5 mg/kg). The remaining induced animals received a daily dose of pirfenidone (as a standard anti-fibrotic drug) (300 mg/kg/PO) and vinpocetine (20 mg/kg/PO) on day 7 of the induction till the end of the experiment (day 21). The results of the experiment revealed that vinpocetine managed to alleviate the fibrotic endpoints by statistically improving (P ≤ 0.05) the weight index, histopathological score, reduced expression of fibrotic-related proteins in immune-stained lung sections, as well as fibrotic markers measured in serum samples. It also alleviated tissue levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators significantly elevated in bleomycin-only induced animals (P ≤ 0.05). Vinpocetine managed to express a remarkable attenuating effect in pulmonary fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro either directly by interfering with the classical TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway or indirectly by upregulating the expression of Nrf2 enhancing the antioxidant system, activating PPAR-γ and downregulating the NLRP3/NF-κB pathway making it a candidate for further clinical investigation in cases of pulmonary fibrosis.

This study explores developing and optimizing a nanoemulsion (NE) system loaded with dipyridamole and roflumilast, aiming to improve skin penetration and retention. The NE formulation was further transformed into a nanoemulgel to enhance its application as a topical treatment for psoriasis. Solubility studies were conducted to select the oil, surfactant, and co-surfactant. Phase diagrams were constructed using the aqueous phase titration method. All the formulations were in nanoscale, and Formula (F2) (which contains oleic acid oil as the oil phase, a mixture of Surfactant Tween 80 and co-surfactant (ethanol) at a ratio of 1:2 in addition to distilled water as an aqueous phase in a ratio of 1:5:4, respectively) was the selected formula depending on the particle size, PDI, and zeta potential. Formula (F2) has the best ratio because it gives the smallest nanoemulsion globule size (particle size average of 167.1 nm), the best homogenicity (lowest PDI of 0.195), and the highest stability (higher zeta potential of −32.22). The selected formula was converted into a nanoemulgel by the addition of 0.5% (w/w) xanthan gum (average particle size of 172.7 nm) and the best homogenicity (lowest PDI of 0.121%) and highest stability (higher zeta potential of −28.31). In conclusion, the selected formula has accepted physical and chemical properties, which enhanced skin penetration.

Anti-angiogenic and Antioxidant Activity of Iraqi Cyperus rotundus Ethanol Extract

Aim: Evaluation of the anti-aging properties of Empagliflozin (EMP) associated with the aging process in mice. Methods: The mice were allocated into four groups: negative control received normal saline without receiving D-galactose (DGA); all the three other groups received DGA (200 mg/kg/day orally) for eight weeks; the second group received normal saline; the third group received vitamin C, the final group received EMP and continued for another eight weeks. Results: Treatment with EMP reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MDA levels significantly compared to induction group (91.7±9.6 ng/ml, 30.6±5.5 pg/ml, and 66.7±8.3 ng/ml vs. 304.0±102.9 ng/ml, 70.2±6.8 pg/ml, and 204.7±56.9 ng/ml; respectively), while levels of GSH-Px were significantly increased (3.3±0.6 ng/ml vs. 0.3±0.2 ng/ml). In addition, EMP increases the level of both COL-1 and COL-3 compared to the induction group (1,783.6±186.9, and 1,583.6±186.9, vs. 885.7±242.5, and 685.7±242.5 pg/ml; respectively). Conclusion: EMP positively affects several aging parameters in mice.

This study assesses the potential positive impact of a 0.05% isoxsuprine ointment on psoriasiform skin inflammation generated by imiquimod in mouse models. Thirty-two male albino mice were allocated into four groups: the control group (which received topical emollients twice daily for 16 days), the induction group (which received imiquimod cream (5%) for 8 days, twice daily followed by petrolatum gel (15%) for another 8 days), and the other two groups, which received imiquimod cream (5%) for 8 days followed by either clobetasol ointment (0.05%) or isoxsuprine ointment (0.05%) twice daily for an additional 8 days. At the end of the experiment, mice were sacrificed by ethical standards, and levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23, and VEGF were measured; PASI and Backer’s score were examined, in addition to the histopathology of skin tissue. Each clobetasol and isoxsuprine group displayed a significant reduction in tissue homogenate levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23, and VEGF, besides increments in IL-10 compared to the induction group. Some markers (IL-17A, IL23, and VEGF) showed no significant difference between clobetasol and the isoxsuprine group. In contrast, the other markers (TNF-α, IL6, and IL10) showed significant differences between clobetasol and isoxsuprine groups. Isoxsuprine ointment showed comparable efficacy to clobetasol ointment in treating imiquimod-induced psoriasiform skin inflammation in mice models, probably due to its possible effect of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities.