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Properties of aminoclay complexes and biologically active substances
Dušek, Jakub ; Pekař, Miloslav (referee) ; Mravec, Filip (advisor)
This paper builds on previous research of aminoclay complexes in undergraduate studies. Theoretical part deals with study of current problems of aminoclay complexes with bioactive substances and the choice of substances for complexing with aminoclay. The experimental part consists of preparation of aminoclay complexes with selected bioactive agents at various concentrations. Verification of binding of bioactive agents to the aminoclay matrix was performed by Elemental Analysis (EA) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). For finding of the bound amount of bioactive substance were used the Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC®) and analysis of the cytotoxic properties of the formed complexes by used by the MTT assay. The main motivation of this study is to create new complexes with improved characteristics that would replace existing forms of substances used in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.
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Curcumin in the treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury
Kloudová, Anna ; Machová Urdzíková, Lucia (advisor) ; Martončíková, Marcela (referee)
Spinal cord injury is a very significant clinical as well as social problem with extensive consequences, affecting the patient and also his/her family. Great efforts have been devoted to searching for an effective treatment, which would improve their situation. This thesis evaluated the effects of the natural compound curcumin on spinal cord injury using an experimental balloon compression model. Male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups following the lesion induction, namely vehicle- or curcumin-treated. The behavioral recovery was evaluated using a set of locomotor and sensory tests and a histological and imunohistochemical analysis was performed. The qPCR method was used to observe the expression of some genes related to regeneration and immune response. It was demonstrated that curcumin improved locomotor recovery after the spinal cord injury, particularly in the early stages. Morphometric analysis of the gray and white matter sparing didn't confirm any differences between the two groups. Nevertheless, the glial scar formation was significantly reduced around the central part of the lesion in the curcumin treated group and also the NF-κB activity was substantially inhibited. The gene expression analysis demontrated downregulation of Gfap and Rantes genes and upregulation of the Irf5 gene...
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Some aspects of molecular mechanisms of xenobiotics' hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotection : Modulatory roles of natural polyphenols
Lekic, Nataša ; Farghali, Hassan (advisor) ; Kršiak, Miloslav (referee) ; Brůha, Radan (referee)
Background & Aims: Oxidative stress and apoptosis are proposed mechanisms of cellular injury in studies of xenobiotic hepatotoxicity. The aim of this work is to find early signal markers of drug-induced injury of the liver by focusing on select antioxidant/oxidant and apoptotic genes. As well, to address the relationship between conventional liver dysfunction markers and the measured mRNA and protein expressions in the D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide and tert-butylhydroperoxide hepatotoxicity models. Furthermore, potential hepatoprotective capabilities of antioxidant polyphenols quercetin and curcumin were evaluated in relation to its modulation of the oxidative stress and apoptotic parameters in the given xenobiotic hepatotoxicity models. Methods: Biochemical markers testing the hepatic function included aminotransferases (ALT, AST) and bilirubin. Measurements of TBARS and conjugated dienes were used to assess lipoperoxidation. Plasma levels of catalase and reduced glutathione were used as indicators of the oxidative status of the cell. Real time PCR was used to analyse the mRNA expressions of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx-1), caspase 3 (Casp3), BH3 interacting domain death agonist (Bid) and Bcl-2...
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Use of some exotic natural extracts in cosmetics
Phan, Huong Tra ; Němcová, Andrea (referee) ; Márová, Ivana (advisor)
The objective of this bachelor thesis was a general characterization of the antioxidant effect of exotic plants and their extracts. The selected plants were Zingiber officinale, Turmeric longa and Momordica charantia. Theoretical part focuses on antioxidative properties, genereal characteristics of selected plants and description of the methods applied in the experimental part. In the experimental part, content of the antioxidant activity, polyphenols, flavonoids were characterized by spectrophotometry. Major active ingredient (curcumin, gingerol) and other substances like tocopherol were determined by HPLC/UV-VIS. Finally, potential practical use of these active substances in the field of cosmetics including skin hydration measurement was tested.
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Analysis of some biologicaly active components in natural plant extracts
Kováčová, Ivana ; Márová, Ivana (referee) ; Němcová, Andrea (advisor)
This thesis is focused on the study of the effectiveness of active ingredients from natural extracts such as milk thistle and turmeric. The thesis describes the use of modern methods of analysis and identification of active substances located in plants of milk thistle and turmeric. In the experimental part of thesis, which was preceded by a literature search focused on the biological effects of active substances in the chosen natural extracts, the extracts were characterized according to group characteristics (total assessment of polyphenols and flavonoids, assessment of antioxidant activity, and assessment of vitamin C volume and tocopherol). The next part is focused on the study of the encapsulation of natural active substances into the organic particles: liposomes. Silymarin and curcumin were encapsulated as active substances. The idea of a plant with a single active ingredient is usually erroneous. Plants usually contain hundreds of components which cooperate on a given effect. Therefore, the majority of herbalists believe that a simple plant is an active ingredient. However, some plants are known to be containing a particular active phytochemical. For instance, plants such as the milk thistle, turmeric, or a ginkgo are great examples of the plant containing a particular active phytochemical. In these cases, the active compound is disproportionately more effective than the plant itself. Encapsulation efficiency of active ingredients of Silymarin and curcumin was determined by HPLC/PDA. The aim of the analysis was to observe the behavior of elements during the incubation in surrounding of gastric juice model, and the stability while maintaining the particles in model food.
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