Soltan Ahmad Ebrahimi

Bio: Soltan Ahmad Ebrahimi is an academic researcher from Iran University of Medical Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Molecularly imprinted polymer & Potentiometric sensor. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 13 publications receiving 98 citations. Previous affiliations of Soltan Ahmad Ebrahimi include Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

Antiangiogenic activity of xanthomicrol and calycopterin, two polymethoxylated hydroxyflavones in both in vitro and ex vivo models.

Abstract: Our previous studies had shown xanthomicrol and calycopterin, two plant-derived flavonoids, to have selective antiproliferative activity against some malignant cell lines. The present study is focused on the investigation of antiangiogenic potential of these two flavonoids, using in vitro and ex vivo models. Xanthomicrol and calycopterin were found to have potent inhibitory effects on microvessel outgrowth in the rat aortic ring assay. Xanthomicrol was able to completely block microvessel sprouting at 10 µg/mL, and calycopterin suppressed microvessel outgrowth by 89% at 5 µg/mL. Suramin and thalidomide, used at 20 µg/mL as positive controls, inhibited microvessel formation by 23% and 64%, respectively. The flavones also inhibited endothelial cell tube formation and human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation at 0.5, 5, and 10 µg/mL. In order to delineate the underlying mechanisms of antiangiogenic activity of these flavones, we investigated the influences of xanthomicrol and calycopterin on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) in endothelial cells. These flavones were able to inhibit VEGF expression at 0.5, 5, and 10 µg/mL, but they had little or no effect on b-FGF expression. These findings suggest that xanthomicrol and calycopterin possess potent antiangiogenic activities, which may be due to their inhibitory influences on VEGF expression. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Preparation, characterization, and evaluation of the anticancer activity of artemether-loaded nano-niosomes against breast cancer.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) as a promising nanocarrier to enhance the anticancer activity of artemether. The niosomes were prepared by thin-film hydration method containing a mixture of Span, Tween and cholesterol (Chol) in different molar ratios. All formulations were characterized in terms of size, entrapment efficiency (%EE), release profile and morphology. The optimized niosomal formulation (F7), artemether and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were intratumorally administrated to mice as the nano-niosome group, the free drug group and the control group, respectively (n = 4 per group). Tumor volume was measured during the 12-day experiment, then mice were sacrificed to evaluate the necrosis, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation of tumor tissues by H&E, CD34 and Ki-67 immunostaining, respectively. Both artemether and nano-niosome groups could decrease angiogenesis and proliferation of tumor cells. However, in nano-niosome group superior tumor necrosis and smaller tumor volume were observed compared to both artemether and control groups. The niosomal formulation could be a promising carrier for breast cancer treatment.

Potentiometric Sensing of Lamotrigine Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Abstract: In the present work a novel potentiometric sensor, based on a noncovalent imprinted polymer, was developed for determination of Lamotrigine (LTG). At optimized conditions the electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (30.8 � 1.0 mV decade � 1 ) in a concentration range of 1 � 10 � 6 to 1 � 10 � 3 M with a detection limit of 8 � 10 � 7 mol L � 1 . The potential response of the electrode was constant in the pH range of 1.0–5.0. The electrode demonstrated a response time of ~ 30 s. The selectivity coefficient of the sensor toward a number of different drugs with molecular similarities and some metal ions was evaluated. The electrode was examined for determination of LTG in real samples.

Synthesis of a phenylalanine imprinted polymer for attenuation of phenylalanine absorption via the gut in a murine hyperphenylalaninemia model

Abstract: Polymer technology plays an influential role in biomedical sciences. Molecular imprinting is a technique for preparation of polymers with structure-selective adsorptive properties. High selectivities of these materials have nowadays advanced to the point that they are being utilized for several biomedical applications such as drug delivery. Phenylketonuria is a genetic disease characterized by accumulation of phenylalanine (Phe) in blood with toxic consequences. The aim of the present study is to synthesize a phenylalanine imprinted polymer for attenuation of phenylalanine absorption in the gut in a murine hyperphenylalaninemia model. A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) against Phe and a non-imprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized and their Phe binding properties were studied in Simulated Intestinal Fluid (SIF). Two classes of binding sites were then found in the MIP: high affinity (KD = 62.5 μM) and low affinity (KD = 1 mM). Histological toxicity and LD50 of the MIP, after oral administration to murine hyperphenylalaninemia, were examined prior to investigation of the effects of the imprinted polymer on blood Phe concentrations in animal models. Our findings suggest that the MIP against Phe can decrease the blood Phe concentration in an animal model of hyperphenylalaninemia.

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years 2004-2011.

Abstract: Herein, we present a survey of the literature covering the development of molecular imprinting science and technology over the years 2004-2011. In total, 3779 references to the original papers, rev ...

Inhibition of H1N1 influenza virus infection by zinc oxide nanoparticles: another emerging application of nanomedicine

Abstract: Currently available anti-influenza drugs are often associated with limitations such as toxicity and the appearance of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, there is a pressing need for the development of novel, safe and more efficient antiviral agents. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and PEGylated zinc oxide nanoparticles against H1N1 influenza virus. The nanoparticles were characterized using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, x-ray diffraction analysis, and electron microscopy. MTT assay was applied to assess the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles, and anti-influenza activity was determined by TCID50 and quantitative Real-Time PCR assays. To study the inhibitory impact of nanoparticles on the expression of viral antigens, an indirect immunofluorescence assay was also performed. Post-exposure of influenza virus with PEGylated ZnO-NPs and bare ZnO-NPs at the highest non-toxic concentrations could be led to 2.8 and 1.2 log10 TCID50 reduction in virus titer when compared to the virus control, respectively (P < 0.0001). At the highest non-toxic concentrations, the PEGylated and unPEGylated ZnO-NPs led to inhibition rates of 94.6% and 52.2%, respectively, which were calculated based on the viral loads. There was a substantial decrease in fluorescence emission intensity in viral-infected cell treated with PEGylated ZnO-NPs compared to the positive control. Taken together, our study indicated that PEGylated ZnO-NPs could be a novel, effective, and promising antiviral agent against H1N1 influenza virus infection, and future studies can be designed to explore the exact antiviral mechanism of these nanoparticles.

The Epidemiology of Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease in Japan

Abstract: Rationale: In recent years, the number of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) disease has been expected to be increasing in Japan. The latest epidemiological survey conducted in 2007 using the previous criteria showed that the incidence of PNTM was calculated to be 5.7 cases per 100,000 person-years by comparing the ratio of PNTM and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. Therefore, the precise updated data has been urgently required. Methods: In 2014, questionnaires were sent to 884 Japanese hospitals with respiratory departments certified by the Japanese Respiratory Society to collect the number of newly diagnosed patients from January to March 2014. PNTM disease was diagnosed according to the 2007 ATS/IDSA guideline. The incidence of PNTM was estimated by referring to that of patients with PTB. Results: Of the 884 hospitals, 551 institutions (62.3%) returned questionnaires with information. While the number of newly diagnosed PTB disease during the period is 2327 cases, that of newly diagnosed of PNTM disease is 2652 cases. Since the incidence of PTB disease is 12.9 cases per 100,000 person-years, that of PNTM disease is estimated to be 14.7 cases per 100,000 person-years. Pulmonary MAC comprised 88.8% of PNTM. The incidence of pulmonary M. kansasii disease is 0.6 cases per 100,000 person-years and that of M. abscessus is 0.5 cases per 100,000 person-years. Conclusion: We conducted the first nationwide epidemiological surveillance using the 2007 ATS/IDSA guideline. In Japan, the incidence of PNTM disease is estimated to be 14.7 cases per 100,000 person-years, which exceeds that of PTB disease. In 7 years, the incidence of PNTM disease has increased 2.6 times.