BD PuraMatrix peptide hydrogel, a three-dimensional cell culture model of nanofiber scaffold derived from the self-assembling peptide RADA16, has been applied to regenerative tissue repair in order to develop novel nanomedicine systems. In this study with PuraMatrix, self-assembling nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS) and Schwann cells (SCs) were isolated from human fetal sciatic nerves, cultured within SAPNS, and then transplanted into the spinal cord after injury (SCI) in rats. First, the peptide nanofiber scaffold was evaluated via scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. With phase-contrast microscopy, the appearance of representative human fetal SCs encapsulated in PuraMatrix on days 3, 5, and 7 in 12-well plates was revealed. The Schwann cells in PuraMatrix were cultured for 2 days, and the SCs had active proliferative potential. Spinal cord injury was induced by placing a 35-g weight on the dura of T9-T10 segments for 15 min, followed by in vivo treatment with SAPNS and human fetal SCs (100,000 cells/10 μl/injection) grafted into spinal cord 7 days after SCI. After treatment, the recovery of motor function was assessed periodically using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scoring system. Eight weeks after grafting, animals were perfusion fixed, and the survival of implanted cells was analyzed with antibody recognizing SCs. Immunohistochemical analysis of grafted lumber segments at 8 weeks after grafting revealed reduced asterogliosis and considerably increased infiltration of endogenous S100(+) cells into the injury site, suggesting that PuraMatrix may play an important role in the repair observed after SAPNS and human fetal SC transplantation.

No abstract

Aluminum is considered an essential element endowed with toxicity potentials in human and animal. Thus, intoxication with aluminum can lead to oxidative stress, which is associated with oxidative damage to various macromolecules. Moreover, antioxidants from natural sources can play an important role in human health. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Rosa damascena extract against aluminum-induced oxidative stress. In this study, 60 male rats were randomly divided into six groups and then they were given daily aluminum chloride and Rosa damascena extract. After 8 weeks of treatment, the levels of total antioxidant and malondialdehyde, as well as antioxidant enzymes including catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and myeloperoxidase, were measured in all experimental groups in this study. A significant increase was found in the total antioxidant level in the rats treated with aluminum, Rosa damascena extract, and aluminum plus Rosa damascena extract compared with those in the control group. Also, malondialdehyde levels were not significantly different in all the studied groups. Glutathione S-transferase activity levels in rats receiving the Rosa damascena extract as well as rats taking aluminum with Rosa damascena extract increased significantly compared with the ones in the control group. Catalase activity in the aluminum-treated group also increased significantly compared with the rates in the control group (31.34 ± 4.50 U/gHb vs. 14.04 ± 6.17 U/gHb, p = 0.014). Furthermore, myeloperoxidase activity in the aluminum-treated group increased significantly compared with the control group (49.47 ± 5.12 U/L vs. 25.28 ± 2.18 U/L, p < 0.001). The Rosa damascena extract could improve antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative conditions in rats receiving aluminum chloride as evidenced by assays of the ferric reducing ability of plasma and activity of antioxidant enzymes. According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the Rosa damascena extract with its high antioxidant content is able to exert a protective effect against aluminum-induced oxidative stress.

The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effect of aquatic Rosa damascena extract against the oxidative damage induced by aluminum chloride intoxication in Alzheimer’s model of Wister rats. Rats were divided randomly into seven groups (n = 10). Control group received no treatment, sham group received distilled water orally, aluminum group (AL) was administered AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) orally, extract 1 and 2 groups were treated with only aqueous R. damascena extract (DRE) (500 and 1000 mg/kg), and treatment 1 and 2 groups received aqueous R. damascena extract (500 and 1000 mg/kg) and AlCl3 (100 mg/kg) orally. The brain tissues were sampled for histopathological examination, and biochemical analysis was conducted for estimating the enzyme activities of acetylcholinesterase and catalase (CAT), the levels of GSH and MDA, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. According to the results of behavioral tests, AL administration showed a reduction in spatial memory and remarkably increased the time needed for reaching the invisible platform. The administration of Al-induced oxidative stress and an increase of the enzyme activity of AChE. Al administration increased AChE level from 1.176 ± 0.173 to 3.62 ± 0.348, which was a significant rise. However, treating with the extract at the dose of 1000 mg/kg downregulated it to 1.56 ± 0.303. Administration of the R. damascene extract caused an increased level of catalase and glutathione levels in treatment groups, attenuated MDA level, and regulated AChE activity. Our results illustrate that administration of R. damascene extract has a protective effect against the oxidative damage induced by AlCl3 intoxication in Alzheimer’s model.

No abstract