---

Abstract Background and purpose: Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins are the most potent toxins that cause the life-threatening botulism syndrome in humans and animals. Researches have shown that the binding domain of the botulinum neurotoxin type E has a high immunogenicity effect that could be used as an efficient recombinant vaccine. The recombinant vaccines are not potent enough to stimulate the immune responses, therefore, the use of biocompatible and safe adjuvants is inevitable. In recent years, there have been many studies on the adjuvanticity effect of nanoparticles and their role as delivery vehicles of recombinant vaccines. This study investigated the vaccine delivery effect of chitosan nanoparticles for administration of a recombinant candidate vaccine against Clostridium botulinum type E. Materials and methods: The expression and purification of botulinum neurotoxin type E was done in E. coli BL21 (DE3). Chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized by ionic gelation method. The protein containing nanoparticles were administered to mice subcutaneously. At the same time, a control group received the candidate vaccine in combination with the Freund adjuvant. Finally, the IgG titers of immunized mice were assayed by ELISA. Results: The recombinant protein was successfully expressed and purified and was subsequently confirmed by western blot analysis. The loading capacity of the recombinant antigen into nanocapsules was calculated as 90%. ELISA results showed an increase in the IgG titer after each administration. Conclusion: The present study shows that the chitosan nanoparticles containing a recombinant vaccine could efficiently stimulate the humoral immune responses.

---

 Background and purpose: This study compared the effects of intraperitoneal injections of ZnO/chitosan nanocomposite and ZnO nanoparticles on histopathology of kidney in thioacetamide-intoxicated rats.
Materials and methods: Twenty-eight male rats were randomly allocated into a healthy control group (negative control), positive control group (thioacetamide-intoxicated rats), thioacetamide-intoxicated + ZnO nanoparticles, and thioacetamide- iontoxicated + ZnO/chitosan nanocomposite. Nephropathy was induced by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (50 mg/kg IP) three times (24h interval). The treatment groups were treated with ZnO nanocomposites (5mg/kg) and ZnO nanoparticles (5mg/kg) intraperitoneally for four weeks. Then, serum BUN and creatinine levels were measured. Afterwards, the rats were euthanized and kidney samples were separated for histological examinations.
Results: There were significant increases in serum BUN and creatinine levels in thioacetamide-intoxicated rats compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, ZnO nanoparticles –treated group was found with significantly higher serum BUN and creatinine levels (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the rats treated with ZnO/chitosan nanocomposites and the positive control group in BUN and creatinine levels (P>0.05). In histological analysis, tubular necrosis and glomerular fibrosis were observed in treatment groups.
Conclusion: This study showed that ZnO nanoparticles can increase nephrotoxicity induced by thioacetamide, but, ZnO/chitosan nanocomposite had no effect on thioacetamide induced nephrotoxicity.
 

---

Background and purpose: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of Physalis alkekengi extract encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles on HT29 cell line.
Materials and methods: The fruits of the P.alkekengi were collected from Kohgiluyeh Boyerahmad province in south-west of Iran and dried in a dark environment. Then, the hydroalcoholic extract of the plant was extracted by percolation and encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles. The toxicity effect of three samples; chitosan alone, chitosan containing the extract and the extract of P.alkekengi was investigated using MTT assay. Finally, Annxin V/propidium iodide (PI) kit was used to study the apoptotic effect of samples.
Results: According to the MTT assay, during 72 hours, the cytotoxicity effect of chitosan nanoparticles of 160 nm containing the extract increased significantly (P< 0.05). Moreover, the apoptosis assay indicated that chitosan nanoparticles containing the extract had more apoptotic effects than the extract alone (71% vs. 43%).
Conclusion: P.alkekengi extract encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles had more anticancer activity compared with that of the extract alone.