There is potential for a novel iodixanol-magnetic nanoparticle conjugate to be used in cineradiography. Further investigations need to be performed to study its performance in vitro and in vivo.

Background: CC-Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5) and Chemokine C-X-C-Motif Receptor 4 (CXCR4) are expressed in various tissues, and they are potential molecules involved in multiple pathways. CCR5 and CXCR4 targets are associated with immune regulation in patients in multiple tissues and numerous clinical conditions. The study was performed searching for a novel therapy for immune regulation on these CCR5 and CXCR4 receptors with rose extract. Methods: The crushed red rose extract was prepared, and it was processed for analysis. The HUVEC cells were obtained for seeding in the cell culture. The cells were tested in normal physiological conditions and varying degrees of hypoxia. The cells were treated with extract for 72 hours, and the resultant secreted supernatants were analyzed for expression of CCR5 and CXCR4 by the Elisa technique. Results: The CCR5 levels were significantly elevated at normoxia compared to untreated controls. The surge of CCR5 was persistent in 12% hypoxia, and at higher degrees of hypoxia, the levels were mildly lower than the untreated levels. The CXCR4 levels were not changed in normoxia, and even with significant hypoxia, the levels were similar or mildly reduced compared to untreated values. Conclusion: The rose extract has the potentials to induce the secretion of soluble CCR5 from the HUVEC cells, and it can prevent the reduction of soluble CXCR4 levels during the hypoxic challenge of the endothelial cells. This in-turn can modulate the receptor levels on the endothelial cells, which has clinical applications.

Background and Aims:To study the effect of rose extract on CD4 T lymphocytes, and assess the cytokines response after cell treatment. In our previous study on endothelial cells, the rose extract reduced the secretion of inflammatory markers significantly. Methods:The red rose extract used in this study was prepared and stored until use at -20 degree C. T cells were seeded in 96-well plates at 313500 cells/well in 100microl of cell culture medium in duplicate, one half of the wells were used for biomarkers screening in the culture medium, and the other half for cytotoxicity assay. 24h after plating, the cells were treated in duplicate with 100microl of red rose extract diluted at 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.01% and 0.005% (v/v) in cell culture medium or with culture medium only as control for 72h. Some other wells were for untreated cells, and cells treated with rose extract at 0.005% for 48h incubation time. After 48h and 72h, the corresponding wells were used for the cytotoxicity assay and from the duplicate wells, the cell culture media were collected and stored at -80degree C until the biomarkers screening assay. Results:Cytotoxicity assay revealed insignificant changes. IFN-gamma, MCP-1, GRO, RANTES and TIMP, Angiopoietin 1 and MMP-9 were elevated. Except MMP-9 which had fold changes >2 other cytokines were minimally elevated at various concentrations and timing of rose extract treatment. None of the cytokines were less than 0.8 fold. Conclusions:Unlike in the endothelial cells, there is mild elevation in few inflammatory markers on T lymphocytes treatment by rose extract. Further studies need to be performed to estimate the clinical relevance.

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Introduction: Inflammation is common in clinical practice and often results in significant complications. The study was performed in search of a novel anti-inflammatory agent for inflammation modulation which would be useful for cardiovascular disorders and various clinical scenarios. Methods: A crushed red rose extract was prepared from the petals, and it was processed for analysis. The extract was tested on HUVEC cells at various concentrations. By microscopic analysis of cells, a safe concentration was identified, and the levels below the safe limit were tested at 72 hours and seven days for selected cytokines secretion. Results: Majority of the tested Inflammatory cytokine secretion was reduced by the treatment of red rose extract on the cells. VEGF and angiogenic cytokine levels were reduced, but VEGF-R levels were maintained after the cell treatment. Below the safe concentration limit of the extract there were only minimal changes in the cytokines levels tested at various dilutions of the extract.The study results show a significant reduction in the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines by red rose extract. The effects of rose extract inhibited major inflammatory cytokines like IL-1, IL-2, RANTES, IGF-1, IL-8 etc. MCP 3 (CCL7) and PDGF BB levels were less than 10% of the baseline values. There was also a tendency in fall at 72 hours, and thereafter a rise at 7 day levels observed in the values of some cytokines. Conclusion: There is potential for a red rose extract treatment in the regulation of inflammatory cytokines secretion. Further studies need to be performed to identify the benefits and side effects profile.