Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic component, has inspired considerable interest for its extensive physiological activities. However, the poor solubility of resveratrol circumscribes its therapeutic applications. The purpose of this study was to optimize and prepare resveratrol nanosuspensions using the antisolvent precipitation method. The effects of crucial formulation and process variables (drug concentration, stabilizer, and surfactant contents) on particle size were investigated by utilizing a three-factor three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) to perform this experiment. Different mathematical polynomial models were used to identify the impact of selected parameters and to evaluate their interrelationship for predictive formulation purposes. The optimal formulation consisted of drug 29.2 (mg/ml), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K17 0.38%, and F188 3.63%, respectively. The morphology of nanosuspensions was found to be near-spherical shaped by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis confirmed that the nanoparticles were in the amorphous state. Furthermore, in comparison to raw material, resveratrol nanosuspensions showed significantly enhanced saturation solubility and accelerated dissolution rate resulting from the decrease in particle size and the amorphous status of nanoparticles. Meanwhile, resveratrol nanosuspensions exhibited the similar antioxidant potency to that of raw resveratrol. The in vivo pharmacokinetic study revealed that the C max and AUC0→∞ values of nanosuspension were approximately 3.35- and 1.27-fold greater than those of reference preparation, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that this study provides a beneficial approach to address the poor solubility issue of the resveratrol and affords a rational strategy to widen the application range of this interesting substance.

BackgroundThis study investigated the distribution and features of natural killer T (NKT) cells in the peripheral blood of diabetic patients, and their regulatory roles on vascular endothelial cells.Material/MethodsPeripheral lymphocytes were isolated from diabetic patients. NKT cell distribution, proportion, and surface and intracellular markers were detected with flow cytometry. Peripheral blood-derived NKT cells were isolated and co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Proliferation and migration of HUVECs were assessed with the CCK-8 assay and the Transwell chamber assay.ResultsThe ratios of CD3-CD56+ NK and CD3+CD56+ NKT cells in the peripheral blood of patients with type II diabetes were significantly elevated. The expression levels of NKp30, NKG2D, and NKp44 on the surface were increased in the CD3+CD56+ NKT cells, while the expression levels of NKG2A and 158b were significantly downregulated. The expression level of granzymes in the peripheral blood-derived NKT cells were not changed in patients with type II diabetes, but the expression levels of IFNγ and IL-4 were significantly increased. However, after co-culture with NKT cells derived from the peripheral blood of diabetic patients, the proliferation and migration of HUVECs were significantly inhibited, and was restored by treatment with IL-4 antibody. In addition, the IL-4 stimulus inhibited the proliferation and migration of HUVECs.ConclusionsPeripheral blood NKT cells are increased and activated in diabetes. NKT cells inhibit the proliferation and migration of HUVECs by secreting IL-4, thereby inducing vascular injuries.

Ionic liquids (ILs) as “green solvents” provided an effective and efficient procedure for Knoevenagel condensation reactions. It is applicable for a large range of aldehydes, ketones with active methylene compounds. ILs can significantly promote the reaction rates. High yields and selectivity of products have been observed. ILs can be recycled and reused. In this paper, the recent achievements of Knoevenagel condensation reactions promoted by ILs are reviewed.

There is increasing interest in the application of ionic liquids for the pretreatment and fractionation of lignocelluloses. In this study, a series of functional acidic ionic liquids (ILs) with various heterocyclic organic cations were synthesized. Corn stalks were successfully fractionated into lignin, hemicelluloses, and cellulose when ultrasonically pretreated with ILs at 70 °C for 3 h, and subsequently treated with alkaline extraction. High yields of IL-isolated lignin (18.3% to 19.6%) and (8.3% to 14.6%) were obtained using ILs in the absence and presence of water, respectively. The yield of cellulose ranged from 40.0 to 77.0% from IL treatments, whereas the yield of hemicelluloses ranged from 1.1% to 17.3%. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the isolated cellulose residual produced 89.2% to 94.9% reducing sugar with 77.8% to 86.1% glucose, which corresponded to 80.5% to 91.4% enzymatic conversion of cellulose. Syringol and vanillin were found as the main lignin degradation products.