Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Berberine protects against behavioral deficits, memory dysfunction, and callosal demyelination in cuprizone-intoxicated C57BL/6 mice.","authors":"Mohaddeseh Sadat Alavi, Seyede Faeze Hosseini, Amir Afkhami-Goli, Mahsa Aminizade, Emad Mokarramdust, Naghmeh Layegh Khavidaki, Fatemeh Forouzanfar, Hamid Reza Sadeghnia","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.95172.20524","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.95172.20524","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder marked by progressive demyelination and neuroinflammation. Berberine, a plant-derived isoquinoline alkaloid found in Berberis species, has notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate berberine's protective effects against cuprizone intoxication in C57BL/6 mice.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>C57BL/6 mice received a cuprizone-containing diet (0.2% w/w) for five weeks and were concurrently treated with berberine (5 or 10 mg/kg). Body weight, motor coordination, exploratory and locomotor activity, memory function, oxidative stress biomarkers, and inflammatory cytokines were assessed. Histopathological evaluation of myelination was performed using Luxol Fast Blue staining.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Berberine treatment improved exploratory behavior, locomotor activity, and memory function compared with cuprizone-only mice. Oxidative stress analysis showed that berberine significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased total thiol content. Berberine also attenuated cuprizone-induced increases in interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Histological findings indicated that berberine preserved myelin integrity, prevented myelin degradation, and reduced the severity of demyelination in the corpus callosum.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings indicate that berberine confers protective effects against cuprizone-induced behavioral deficits, memory dysfunction, and callosal demyelination in C57BL/6 mice. The neuroprotective actions of berberine appear to be mediated by suppression of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 9","pages":"1398-1405"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13546500/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modular 3D culture platform combining methylcellulose, testicular ECM, and Sertoli cells for <i>in vitro</i> spermatogenesis.","authors":"Narjes Feizollahi, Ehsan Heidarian, Mehdi Forouzesh, Maryam Salem, Soheil Kianirad, Nasrin Ghanami Gashti, Masoome Jabarpour, Rasool Setareyi, Ayob Jabari, Farnaz Khadivi, Morteza Koruji, Mohammad Naji, Mehdi Abbasi","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.93648.20214","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.93648.20214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We aimed to develop and characterize a 3D culture platform combining methylcellulose (MC) with decellularized testicular extracellular matrix (ECM) and Sertoli cell co-culture to support human spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) survival and differentiation.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Human testicular cells were isolated and characterized by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Sheep testicular tissue was decellularized using detergents and characterized by several histology techniques. ECM was solubilized and mixed with MC at various ratios to make hybrid hydrogels. Hydrogels were characterized for pore size, porosity, mechanical properties, gelation kinetics, and degradation kinetics using scanning electron microscopy, rheological analysis, turbidity analysis, and mass loss assays. Human SSCs and Sertoli cells were cultured in 3D hydrogels for four weeks under differentiation conditions. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and gene expression of SSC, meiotic, post-meiotic, and apoptotic markers was evaluated by RT-PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After four weeks of proliferation, PLZF-positive cells increased from 19% to 73%. Decellularization reduced DNA content by 96% while preserving key matrix components. Hybrid hydrogels displayed interconnected porous structures with pore sizes of about 65-181 µm. All functional hydrogels supported cell viability; however, ECM-rich hydrogels significantly up-regulated PRM2 compared to 2D controls, indicating enhanced post-meiotic differentiation. MC-only scaffolds displayed elevated pro-apoptotic BAX expression compared to ECM-rich matrices, suggesting that bioactive ECM ligands confer cytoprotection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The modular MC/ECM hybrid hydrogel provides a tunable, physiologically relevant 3D culture system that is superior to conventional approaches in supporting SSC maintenance and differentiation, offering promise for fertility preservation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 9","pages":"1377-1389"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13546487/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148900524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced bone regeneration and cellular protection from oxidative stress using a vitamin C-based scaffold.","authors":"Paulra Sharmila, Sundaram Ramkumar, Sivagami Sivagami, Sivathanu Suja, Tamilarasan Ramalingam, Pandurengan Kamalarajan, Dharman Govindaraj, Kalaiyarasi Jayaprakash","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2025.90640.19530","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ijbms.2025.90640.19530","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To fabricate and investigate a novel VitC@HAP-HYA nanocomposite scaffold that combines the osteoconductive attributes of hydroxyapatite (HAP), the extracellular matrix-replicating properties of hyaluronic acid (HYA), and the osteoinductive/antioxidant effects of Vitamin C (VitC) for enhanced bone regeneration.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The composite was developed using an in-situ precipitation method. Physicochemical characterisation (FT-IR, XRD, and HR-TEM) was used to validate the composition, crystallinity, and shape. The examination of Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) evaluated bioactivity. The biological assessments used the MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cell line, including MTT and AO/PI tests for biocompatibility, DAPI labelling for cell colonization, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activity to assess early osteogenic differentiation, and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining for biomineralization analysis. Monitoring of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) evaluated its cytoprotective efficacy against oxidative stress.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>FT-IR and XRD analyses confirmed the effective integration of amorphous VitC and HYA into HAP, yielding a stable 120 nm nanocomposite. The SBF study demonstrated fast production of a calcium phosphate layer, indicating elevated bioactivity. In cell culture, VitC@HAP-HYA demonstrated enhanced cell survival and colonization, as well as strong biocompatibility. It markedly improved early-stage osteogenic commitment and late-stage biomineralization compared with HAP and HAP-HYA controls. Moreover, the composite exhibited enhanced cytoprotective properties by inhibiting intracellular ROS in H2O2-treated cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The VitC@HAP-HYA composite effectively combines multifunctional qualities, demonstrating superior bioactivity, increased osteogenic potential, and vital cytoprotective features. These results robustly endorse its potential as a sophisticated framework for bone tissue engineering, including applications such as anti-cancer bone excision repair.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 2","pages":"280-289"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13090954/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147722846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improved bioavailability of raloxifene hydrochloride through nasal administration of poly (methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid) nanoparticles in ovariectomized rats.","authors":"Ladan Dayani, Jaleh Varshosaz, Mohsen Minaiyan","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2025.90740.19566","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ijbms.2025.90740.19566","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To improve the low bioavailability of Raloxifene hydrochloride (RH), which is just 2% through oral administration, an in situ mucoadhesive thermoreversible gel loaded with RH nanoparticles was formulated using Pluronic F127.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Mucoadhesion of the gels was modulated using Carbopol 934, Xanthan gum, and HPMC K4M as mucoadhesive polymers. The formulations containing 18% Pluronic and 0.2% Xanthan gum or 0.5% HPMC were considered as the optimized formulation based on their pH, gelation temperature, mucoadhesive strength, gel strength, viscosity, drug content, histopathological, and pharmacodynamic studies in ovariectomized rats.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The gelation temperatures were 33.63±0.38 °C for Xanthan gum (0.2%) and 37.18±0.71 °C for HPMC (0.5%). Also, the 51758.67±62.17 dyn/cm² mucoadhesive strength was seen in HPMC 0.5% and 14867.33±192.60 dyn/cm² in Xanthan gum 0.2%. The drug released from the gel containing HPMC (0.5%) and Xanthan gum (0.2%) at 180 min was 98.2 ± 0.9% and 92.2 ± 5.6%, respectively. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased in ovariectomized rats treated with oral estradiol valerate (as the standard treatment), and ovariectomized rats received nasal gels containing RH nanoparticles in comparison to the group with no treatment (<i>P</i><0.05). Histopathological results indicated no adverse effects on the nasal mucosa following the administration of RH nanoparticle gels. Also, compared with the untreated drug, the nasal gel of RH nanoparticles showed an AUC0-24 that was 5.5-fold higher, indicating a significant improvement in RH relative bioavailability (<i>P</i><0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results suggest that the thermoreversible nasal gel formulation of RH can be used as a safe drug-delivery system.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 2","pages":"202-211"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13090941/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147722857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An in-depth examination of bone avascular necrosis and early-stage treatment modalities utilizing regenerative medicine.","authors":"Noshad Peyravian, Zahra Pezeshkian, Raziyeh Najafloo, Maziar Malekzadeh Kebria, Shayan Amiri, Hamzeh Mirshekari Jahangiri, Mohammad Javad Hadi, Hamideh Valizadeh, Mehdi Moghtadaei, Peiman Brouki Milan","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.94446.20360","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.94446.20360","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Femoral head avascular necrosis (AVN) represents a debilitating, progressive pathology characterized by ischemic osteocyte loss, impaired osseous remodeling, and subsequent subchondral fracture, frequently resulting in early osteoarthritis among younger patients. Despite an array of clinical interventions, a gold-standard therapy capable of consistently restoring vascular perfusion and structural integrity while avoiding total joint replacement remains unavailable. This review offers a rigorous and focused evaluation of regenerative medicine modalities for early-phase AVN, emphasizing tissue engineering innovations. We develop a conceptual model that links pathophysiological mechanisms (ischemia-driven necrosis) to specific therapeutic targets (angiogenesis, bone formation, and mechanical stability), and evaluate strategies such as stem cell transplantation, growth factor signaling, and advanced 3D scaffolds or hydrogels. Diverging from standard descriptive summaries, we provide a critical analysis of current field-wide challenges, including the limited translational success of animal studies and the lack of standardized clinical guidelines. We conclude that injectable hydrogel platforms, functionalized with progenitor cells or angiogenic signals, offer the most compelling minimally invasive solution, provided that issues regarding mechanical durability and sustained delivery are resolved. Advancing the field will necessitate stage-specific randomized trials and a more precise alignment between experimental models and human clinical reality.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 8","pages":"1131-1153"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13527847/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148864936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided cellular therapy: Current applications and future directions in skeletal muscle regeneration.","authors":"Chunfeng Yu, Xueqin Li, Wen Zhao, Lingyan Zhou","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.94824.20458","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.94824.20458","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Skeletal muscle exhibits robust intrinsic regeneration after acute injury, yet severe, chronic, or age-related damage commonly culminates in fibrosis, fatty infiltration, and lasting functional impairment. This review integrates the cellular and molecular biology of successful healing spanning inflammation resolution, satellite-cell activation, fibro-adipogenic progenitor regulation, angiogenesis, and extracellular-matrix remodeling with the key failure modes that cellular therapies seek to overcome. It evaluates an expanding portfolio of platforms (mesenchymal stromal cells, satellite cells, iPSC-derived myogenic progenitors, exosomes, secretome, and biomaterial scaffolds) that act primarily through paracrine, immunomodulatory, and differentiative mechanisms, while acknowledging persistent translational barriers of low engraftment, immunogenicity, and scalability. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is positioned as a pivotal enabling technology: high-frequency B-mode, Doppler, elastography, and contrast-enhanced imaging provide real-time lesion mapping, vascular targeting, injectate tracking, and non-invasive longitudinal biomarkers of perfusion and stiffness. Sonoporation further enhances cell/exosome uptake and homing. Preclinical studies consistently show 2-5-fold gains in retention and functional recovery with ultrasound-guided versus blind delivery; clinical evidence, though still early-phase, reports acceptable safety and modest signals of benefit in sarcopenia, volumetric muscle loss, and Duchenne dystrophy. The review highlights how ultrasound-guided delivery, combined with optimized cellular platforms and biomaterials, addresses key translational barriers and proposes a realistic 2025-2040 roadmap centered on standardization, AI navigation, personalized hypoimmunogenic products, synergistic combinations (cells+biomaterials+sonoporation), and adequately powered RCTs with quantitative imaging endpoints. When these milestones are achieved, ultrasound-guided cellular therapies will offer a transformative solution for conditions in which endogenous repair fails.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 8","pages":"1154-1173"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13527848/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148864955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of NEAT1 attenuates neurotoxicity in 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease.","authors":"Ali Samareh, Mohammad Hadi Nematollahi, Hossein Pourghadamyari, Sanaz Rastegar, Hosseinali Ebrahimi, Morteza Hadizadeh, Hongsheng Wang, Lijun Tao, Hosseinali Sasan, Gholamreza Asadikaram","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.93063.20075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/ijbms.2026.93063.20075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative condition, involves the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and the aggregation of α-synuclein (SNCA); however, the molecular mechanisms of this disorder remain incompletely understood.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study explores the role of the long non-coding RNA NEAT1 in PD by employing CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Deletion of NEAT1 was associated with increased cellular viability, attenuated both cytotoxicity and apoptosis, and elevated total antioxidant capacity (TAC), alongside a marked down-regulation of SNCA expression. Mechanistically, NEAT1 knockout was accompanied by increased hsa-let-7a-5p and decreased miR-506-3p expression, suggesting its function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in miRNA-mediated stress pathways. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels remained unchanged, indicating that NEAT1 may influence neurotoxicity through post-transcriptional mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results suggest NEAT1 is a crucial modulator of neurotoxicity in PD, with its inhibition offering therapeutic promise. Despite the in vitro nature of this study, our findings provide foundational insight into NEAT1's dualistic roles in neurodegeneration and underscore its potential as a therapeutic target in PD.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 6","pages":"915-926"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13480893/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148793192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Involvement of SIRT3 downstream targets ANT1, VDAC, CYPD, and Drp1 in a rat model of hepatic encephalopathy: Therapeutic role of thymoquinone.","authors":"Somayeh Hajipour, Mohammad Amin Dehghani, Alireza Sarkaki, Masoud Mahdavinia, Seyedeh Parisa Navabi","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.93478.20159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22038/ijbms.2026.93478.20159","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a brain disorder linked to hyperammonemia from liver injury. Elevated ammonia levels are known to impair mitochondrial function, the primary energy source for cells. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate energy-related signaling pathways enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis using thymoquinone (TQ) in an HE model.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham, HE (200 mg/kg thioacetamide (TAA) in 2ml saline, administered intraperitoneally (IP) once every 48 hr for 14 consecutive days), and HE + TQ (20 mg/kg, IP, in 2 ml DMSO 5% administered once daily for seven consecutive days). Mitochondrial biomarkers (membrane potential [MMP], oxidative stress), gene expression (AMPK, PGC-1α), and protein expression (AMPK, P-AMPK, SIRT3, ANT1, CYPD, DRP1, VDAC, and P53) were measured in brain tissue. Additionally, electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were obtained from the dentate gyrus (DG).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our findings indicate that TQ was associated with a significant increase in MMP and a concomitant decrease in mitochondrial oxidative stress. Furthermore, TQ appeared to augment the AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling pathway, and was associated with the reversal of HE-induced down-regulation of ANT1 and VDAC, as well as up-regulation of CYPD, DRP1, and P53. Besides, TQ treatment was also linked to increased power recorded in the EEG from the DG region of the rat hippocampus.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling pathway appears to function as a key energy sensor that may help revitalize the metabolic machinery in mitochondria, potentially facilitating metabolic exchanges and energy production, particularly in response to neurodegenerative diseases such as HE.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 6","pages":"952-960"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13480707/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148793229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond bioactivity: Chitosan macromolecular coatings on titanium surfaces drive osseointegration and immune suppression through targeted epigenetic regulation.","authors":"Rayshmi Balaji, Mahendirakumar Nagarajan, Vijitha Dayasekaran, Sriram Kaliamoorthy, Kavitha Jayavel","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.92524.19981","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.92524.19981","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To address titanium (Ti) implant failures caused by inadequate osseointegration and persistent inflammation by developing a novel dual-action coating. This coating utilizes a chitosan (CH) matrix to deliver epigenetic pharmaceuticals, 5-azacytidine (AZ) and trichostatin A (TR), onto Ti surfaces (AZ/TR-CH@TI).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Coating morphology and successful drug integration were validated via FTIR and SEM. Drug release kinetics were evaluated in physiological (pH 7.4) and inflammatory (pH 5.5) conditions over 48 hr. In vitro assessments utilizing MG63 osteoblast-like cells evaluated biocompatibility, anti-inflammatory responses, and osteogenic differentiation using real-time gene expression analysis, functional assays (alkaline phosphatase, Alizarin red), and immunofluorescence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The composite exhibited an intelligent, pH-responsive controlled drug release. AZ/TR-CH@TI significantly enhanced biocompatibility, achieving 124.6% cell proliferation and 89.3% wound closure compared to uncoated controls. Gene expression analysis demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects, with TNF-α and IL-6 reduced to 0.31- and 0.35-fold, respectively. Concurrently, it augmented osteogenesis, up-regulating RUNX2 (2.60-fold), BMP2 (4.87-fold), and type-1 collagen (4.15-fold). Assays unequivocally validated comprehensive osteogenic differentiation and significant mineralization.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This macromolecular epigenetic drug-loaded CH coating effectively mitigates inflammation while simultaneously stimulating bone formation. The AZ/TR-CH@TI system presents a highly promising therapeutic approach to improve Ti osseointegration for clinical orthopaedic and dental applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 7","pages":"1066-1078"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13531676/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148874015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nerolidol attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice: Modulation of collagen type I, apoptotic and endothelial gene expression.","authors":"Bushra Sadaf, Muhammad Naveed Mushtaq, Waqas Younis, Benu George, Irfan Anjum, Abdul Aleem","doi":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.92642.20001","DOIUrl":"10.22038/ijbms.2026.92642.20001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Cardiac hypertrophy is a major pathological feature of cardiovascular disease worldwide. The beneficial effects of terpenes on cardiovascular diseases are well known. In the current study, the cardioprotective effects of nerolidol (NRD), a sesquiterpene alcohol, were evaluated using an isoproterenol (ISO) induced cardiac hypertrophy mice model.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study was performed by using the chronic subcutaneous infusion model of ISO. Male mice were administered NRD (100 mg/kg) orally for 7 days. On the 8^th day with the continuation of NRD dosing, mice received subcutaneous (SC) with ISO (10 mg/kg) for the next 14 days. Cardiac functions, including ejection fraction, cardiac output, and fractional shortening were evaluated by trans-thoracic echocardiography, one day after the final treatment. Then, animals were euthanized and hearts were isolated. The mRNA and protein expressions of cardiac hypertrophy, apoptosis, and fibrosis markers in mice hearts were determined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed an increased heart-to-body weight ratio. NRD reduced cardiac hypertrophy by down-regulating the hypertrophic (ANP), apoptotic (Bax/Bcl-2), and fibrotic (Col1a1) markers and prevented cardiac remodeling by up-regulating expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-xL) protein compared to ISO-treated mice. Combining PCR and western blotting data results demonstrated that NRD reverted the ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings suggest that NRD prevents ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy possibly by elevating the levels of eNOS and Bcl-xL and reducing expression of hypertrophic, apoptotic, and fibrotic markers. Thus, NRD may be used to treat ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy.</p>","PeriodicalId":14495,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences","volume":"29 7","pages":"1100-1106"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13532052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148874098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}