PIPERINE-LOADED CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES: PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION

– HCTN7. Plasma cholesterol level plays an important role in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Piperine, an alkaloid form of black pepper is known to reduce cholesterol uptake. In this paper, piperine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CTS-PIP NPs) were prepared by ionic gelation method. Molecular interactions among the components were confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed spherical-shaped nanoparticles with diameter of <100 nm. CTS-PIP NPs displayed positive ζ-potential(ZP) of about 31.6 mV. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) particle size (PS) distribution analysis indicated the mean particle size of CTS-PIP NPs was 245.9 nm, polydispersity index of 31%

Toxicological Evaluation of Kenaf Seed Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Oil in Male Sprague Dawley Rats

Kenaf seed supercritical carbon dioxide oil (KSO-SFE) is known for its numerous health benefits such as high antioxidant activity, lower plasma cholesterol level, chemopreventive to cervical and colon cancer. As there has been no report of toxicological evaluation, present study was conducted to assess the toxicity effects of KSO-SFE at 500, 1000, 1500 mg/kg body weight/day on male Sprague Dawley rats for 90 days. Parameters measured were body and organs weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, and histopathology of liver and kidneys. Induction with KSO-SFE showed lower creatinine level at all doses when compared with control group. Whereas lower plasma cholesterol level has been observed at 1000 and 1500 mg/kg bw/day, respectively. These slight changes were considered no toxicological significance. No mortality or treatment-related adverse effects in any of the parameters measured throughout the administration period even at the highest dose (1500 mg/kg bw). Based on these results, the no-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for KSO-SFE under the condition of this study corresponds to the highest dose (1500 mg/kg bw/day).

Role for Tetrahydrobiopterin in the Fetoplacental Endothelial Dysfunction in Maternal Supraphysiological Hypercholesterolemia

Maternal physiological hypercholesterolemia occurs during pregnancy, ensuring normal fetal development. In some cases, the maternal plasma cholesterol level increases to above this physiological range, leading to maternal supraphysiological hypercholesterolemia (MSPH). This condition results in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in the fetal and placental vasculature. The fetal and placental endothelial dysfunction is related to alterations in the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway and the arginase/urea pathway and results in reduced NO production. The level of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a cofactor for endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), is reduced in nonpregnant women who have hypercholesterolemia, which favors the generation of the superoxide anion rather than NO (from eNOS), causing endothelial dysfunction. However, it is unknown whether MSPH is associated with changes in the level or metabolism of BH4; as a result, eNOS function is not well understood. This review summarizes the available information on the potential link between MSPH and BH4in causing human fetoplacental vascular endothelial dysfunction, which may be crucial for understanding the deleterious effects of MSPH on fetal growth and development.