Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology - Volume 10, Issue 6, 2009

The binding of superquencher molecular beacon (SQMB) probes to human single-stranded cellular miRNA- 122 targets was detected in various single live cells with femtosecond laser microscopy. For delivery of the SQMBprobes, 3D-nanoprocessing of single cells with sub-15 femtosecond 85 MHz near-infrared laser pulses was applied. Transient nanopores were formed by focusing the laser beam for some milliseconds on the Read More

Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO), which have a neutral chemistry, are extensively being used as tools for selective inhibition of gene expression in cell culture models and are currently in human clinical trials. Unlike phosphorothioates (PS ODN) and other charged oligonucleotides, little is known about the uptake characteristics of neutral oligomers. The purpose of this study was to understand the ki Read More

We present the strong fluorescence effect, a new 392 nm emission peak appearing after binding of a naphtolurea inhibitor XIIa to the enzyme epoxide hydrolase (EH), along with the quenching of the EH tryptophan fluorescence. We have studied the quenching of the 392-nm peak (attributed to XIIa bound inside the active center of the enzyme) of the mixture EH+XIIa by various strong transparent inhibitors (compe Read More

A method for generating poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and polycaprolactone biodegradable particles of different size and shape using a jet generated in an electric field is elucidated. These particles are suitable for use as drug carriers and the method can be developed into a mass production route. The effect of different parameters such as applied voltage, collecting distance, flow rate and polymer concentration on inducing s Read More

The purpose of this study was to dramatically enhance the solubility (> 400 fold) and stability of a therapeutic protein (Fibroblast Growth Factor 20) and to perform detailed biophysical characterization for the optimization of its formulation. The solubility of FGF-20 strongly depends on pH, arginine concentration and anions present in a buffer system. In the absence and presence of arginine, solubility was higher at lower pH Read More

Tryparedoxin peroxidase (TryP) is a key enzyme of the trypanothione-dependent metabolism for removal of oxidative stress in leishmania. These enzymes function as antioxidants through their peroxidase and peroxynitrite reductase activities. Inhibitors of this enzyme are presumed to be antilesihmania drugs and structural studies are prerequisite of rational drug design. We have constructed three dimensional structure of Read More

Solid tumors have several barriers that may limit drug penetration and provide inherent mechanisms of resistance. Therefore, the evaluation of antineoplastic agents should base on tumor drug exposure and antitumor activity. Owing to selective access to the extracellular space of the tumor, which acts as target site for most antineoplastic drugs, monitoring drug disposition and corresponding antitumor activity, microdialysis( Read More

Natural products from plants are of major pharmaceutical and therapeutic importance, several of which are often obtained from the underground parts of the concerned plants. Deviation from standard rules in modern medicines, where instead of a single isolated fraction, a group of naturally occurring components exerts the desired therapeutic effect, was noted in case of Picroliv or Kutkin of Picrorhiza kurroa. “Picroliv” mainl Read More