Purpose: To examine the effects of a negatively charged nanostructured curcumin microemulsion in experimental ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats. Methods: Four percent acetic acid was used to induce UC. The animals were treated for seven days and randomly assigned to four groups: normal control (NC), colitis/normal saline (COL/NS), colitis/curcumin (COL/CUR), and colitis/mesalazine (COL/MES). The nanostructured curcumin was formulated with a negative zeta potential (-16.70 ± 1.66 mV). Dosage of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1-β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase), macro and microscopic evaluation of the colon tissue were analyzed. Results: The COL/CUR group had a higher level of antioxidant enzymes compared to the COL/MESgroup. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly lower in the colonic tissue of the COL/CUR group rats, when compared to the COL/NS and COL/MES groups (p < 0.001). The presence of ulcers in the colonic mucosa in rats of the COL/NSgroup was significantly higher than in the COL/MES group (p < 0.001). In the NC and COL/CUR groups, there were no ulcers in the colonic mucosa. Conclusions: The nanostructured microemulsion of curcumin, used orally, positively influenced the results of the treatment of UC in rats. The data also suggests that nanostructured curcumin with negative zeta potential is a promising phytopharmaceutical oral delivery system for UC therapy. Further research needs to be done to better understand the mechanisms of the negatively charged nanostructured curcumin microemulsion in UC therapy.

This study was designed to investigate the pharmacological efficacy of simvastatin against ureteral mucositis cyclophosphamide-induced. Methods: Wistar rats weighing 287±14g were used. A single dose of cyclophosphamide (CYP) 200mg/kg IP + oral simvastatin (10mg/kg) were administered in the (CYP/SIMV) group (n=6), In the group (CYP/SAL) (n=6), saline v.o. was administered. The animals were weighed daily. After 7 days of CYP administration, blood was collected by cardiac puncture under anesthesia. After euthanasia, uterers were collected for histopathology. Serum TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-6 were determined by ELISA. Results: CYP-induced ureteral mucositis in rats resulted in a significant increased level of serum cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6). Simvastatin treated rats showed significant decreased level of inflammatory cytokines. In body weight records, CYP-treated rats showed visible significant body mass loss compared to untreated rats (p<0.05). Edema and inflammatory cells in ureter tissues were reduced after simvastatin treatment, as demonstrated in histological HE staining. Conclusion: In conclusion, our current findings provided scientific evidence that oral simvastatin positively influenced benefits against cyclophosphamide-induced ureter mucositis, which possibly has occurred by inactivating cytokines.

PURPOSE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequent and fatal human cancer with poor diagnosis that accounts for over half a million deaths each year worldwide. Curcumin has a wide range of pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the chemopreventive and therapeutical effect of Curcumin against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC in rats. METHODS: HCC was induced in rats by a single injection of DEN (50 mg/kg) once a week, i.p., for four weeks. Group 1 rats were orally treated with curcumin two weeks prior to DEN injection that continued until the end of the experiment. Group 2 was treated with doxorubicin (0.72 mg/rat) and group 3 with saline. RESULTS: In the current study, a significant decrease in serum biomarkers of liver damage and cancer, including alfa-fetoprotein (AFP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) was observed in curcumin-treated rats when compared to group 2 rats. The counting of red blood cells and leukocytes were significanty lower in doxorubicin group then in curcumin group (p<0.05). The relative weight of liver, a prognostic marker of HCC, was also reduced in curcumin group comparing with controls. No diference was observed comparing with doxo group rats. CONCLUSION: To conclude, our results clearly demonstrated that curcumin have a significant chemopreventive and therapeutical effect against primary liver cancer induced by DEN in rats. It can be suggested that the preventive activity of curcumin against hepatocarcinogenesis may have clinical relevance in further studies. KEY WORDS Hepatocellular carcinoma. Pharmacological treatment. Curcumin. Doxorubicin. Diethylnitrosamine. Rats

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of peritoneal lavage with coconut water in the healing of colonic anastomoses in a model of abdominal sepsis in rats. Methods: Twelve Wistar rats were used. The animals were randomly selected and distributed in 2 groups, with six rats each. Group 1: rats with sepsis + peritoneal lavage with 0.9% saline solution and Group 2: rats with sepsis + peritoneal lavage with coconut water. Induction of abdominal sepsis was performed through the exteriorization of the cecum and ligature. After ligation, 4 perforations and gentle pressure were made in the cecum, allowing the small amount of stool to escape. The cecum was then replaced in the abdominal cavity and the abdominal incision sutured. Six hours after induction of sepsis, under anesthesia in all animals, 2 cm of colon resection and anastomosis were performed. The peritoneal lavage therapy was repeated 3 times, each wash with 5 ml of solution, which remained in the peritoneal cavity for 1 minute and then removed with sterile dry gauze. Coconut water was obtained from Cocus nucifera L specimens, with sterile technique for administration to the animals. Results: In group 2 the bursting pressure of anastomosis was 196.3±17.47 mmHg, significantly higher (p=0.001) than in the saline group, (152.8±12.31 mm/Hg). The peritoneal lavage group with coconut water presented histological scores with a significantly (p<0.001) lower inflammatory process (score 14.8±3.13) compared to the saline group (score 31.7±4.92). The count of colony forming units (CFU) in the peritoneal fluid was significantly lower (p=0.001) in the coconut water group (16.0±7.32 CFU) than in the saline group (83.5±8.62 CFU). Conclusion: The treatment of abdominal sepsis with peritoneal lavage using coconut water positively afluenced the healing of colon anastomosis in rats. It favored the bursting pressure, the reduction of inflammatory process, and bacterial colonization.

Objective: The potential antitumor effects of the levamisole immunomodulatory agent remain uncertain, and its beneficial effects with increased survival in the adjuvant treatment of malignant tumors are controversial. The present study aims to compare the effects of levamisole with cisplatin in the treatment of urethane-induced lung carcinoma in rats. Methods: Wistar rats were allocated into three groups (n = six each). Group A: mice with lung tumor + treatment with levamisole. Group B: mice with lung tumor + cisplatin treatment. Group C: mice with lung tumor + saline treatment. After 12 weeks of the tumor induction process, the results were validated by ex vivo fluorescence imaging, determining the mean fluorescent intensity in the animal’s lungs. Serum dosages of cytokines and alkaline phosphatase were performed. Results: Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) in the lungs (ex vivo) was measured in all animals subjected to urethane effects. In levamisole-treated, the intensity (245 +/- 15) was lower than in cisplatin-treated (277 +/- 28), but the difference was not statistically significant (p<0.05). In those treated with saline, the MFI was 680 +/- 57, significantly higher than in the other groups (p<0.05). Dosages of TNF-α (pg/ml), IL-Iβ (pg/ml), IL-6 (pg/ml) and alkaline phosphatase (mg/dl) were significantly lower in levamisole-treated rats than in rats with cisplatin and saline (p<0.005). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the positive influence of levamisole in treatment of urethane-induced lung tumors in rats.