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The bone, being an essential tissue in the human body, not only protects the organs inside the body but also provides mechanical support, haematopoiesis, mineral storage and mobility. Although bone may regenerate and heal itself, significant bone defects caused by severe trauma, tumour removal, malignancy, or congenital diseases can only be corrected via bone grafting. Bone biomaterials, also known as bone graft alternatives, have seen an increase in demand in recent years. Over 2 million procedures are performed in the United States each year to restore damaged/fractured bones by grafting. The number of patients in China with reduced limb function owing to bone abnormalities has risen to 10 million. Traditional bone defect repair materials include autogenous bone, allogeneic bone, xenogeneic bone, decalcified bone matrix, bioceramics, and metal materials, which are easily available and processed. Calcium silicate (Ca-Si) ceramic is among the most promising bioceramics for these purposes due to their amazing characteristics such as bioactivity, biocompatibility and osteoinductivity. Unfortunately, its high biodegradation rate along with its poor strength represents major limitations that limit its use in clinical applications significantly. In light of the above, this article briefly discussed the different types of bone substitute materials, the properties of Ca-Si ceramic, the advantages, limitations and potential solutions to overcome these drawbacks and its biomedical applications such as orthopedic, dental, wound healing and drug delivery.

Background: This study investigates the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on hippocampal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression and examines whether PPARγ activation mediates the neuroprotective effects of quercetin (QUR). Methods: Sixty adult male rats were included in this study, separated into 12 rats per group as follows: control, CdCl2 (0.5 mg/kg), CdCl2 + PPARγ agonist (Pioglitazone, 10 mg/kg), CdCl2 + QUR (25 mg/kg), and CdCl2 + QUR + PPARγ antagonist (GW9662, 1 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, behavioral memory tests, hippocampal histology, markers of cholinergic function, neuroplasticity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, as well as transcription levels of some genes were carried out. Results: CdCl2 exposure significantly reduced hippocampal PPARγ mRNA and DNA binding potential and nuclear levels. Additionally, CdCl2 impaired spatial, short-term, and recognition memory, decreased granular cell density in the dentate gyrus (DG), and reduced levels of neuroprotective factors, including Nrf2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), acetylcholine (ACh), and several antioxidant enzymes including heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as reduced glutathione (GSH). Conversely, CdCl2 elevated levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), Bax, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and cleaved caspase-3. QUR and Pioglitazone reversed these effects, restoring expression and PPARγ activation, improving memory, and modulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. In contrast, blocking PPARγ with GW9662 negated the neuroprotective effects of QUR, exacerbating oxidative stress and inflammation by reversing all their beneficial effects. Conclusions: Activation of PPARγ by QUR or Pioglitazone offers a promising therapeutic strategy for mitigating CdCl2-induced neurotoxicity.

In the present study a novel biogenic nano-silver doped grapefruit peels biocomposite (GFP@Ag) has been synthesized in a single-step procedure. The GFP@Ag nano-biocomposite was characterized using UV Visible spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (EDS), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Proton nuclear resonance ( 1 HNMR), and N 2 adsorption desorption isotherm (BET). A combined approach of photocatalysis and biosorption is involved for the Toluidine blue O (TO), Crystal violet (CV), and brilliant green (BG) cationic dyes utilizing GFP@Ag biocomposite at pH (4–8). The investigated dye concentration was (100–200 ppm) with contact time (20–120 min) and 0.005 g of GFP@Ag at 25 °C under visible sunlight. The maximum degradation-biosorption capacities were 194.8 mg/g, 390.6 mg/g, and 306 mg/g for TO, CV, and BG, respectively. It was concluded that the TO, CV, and BG experimental data matched the pseudo-2nd -order (PSO) and Langmuir models from the kinetic and isotherm studies, respectively. The GFP@Ag was successfully applied to remove TO, CV, and BG multi systems (binary & tertiary). It was concluded that from the thermodynamics investigation, the current photocatalytic-biosorption processes are spontaneous and endothermic. The investigation was extended to estimate a straightforward and environmentally friendly method of producing silver nanoparticles that was able to overcome the drawbacks of alternative methods. Moreover, the evaluation of the applicability of GFP@Ag for the TO, CV, and BG removal in water samples was obtained. The GFP@Ag can be regenerated after the TO removal. The mechanism of the degradation-biosorption of the pollutants under study is elucidated.

Objectives Cancer cells are addressed through conventional chemotherapy, resulting in tumour resistance and systemic toxicities affecting organ functions. Nanoparticle (NPs) represent a promising approach to improve chemotherapeutic efficacy and reduce adverse effects. This study aims to improve hepato-renal function by dichloroacetate nanoparticles (DCA-PNPs) and doxorubicin (Dox) combinatorial treatment in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model. Results Dichloroacetate nanoparticles characterizations showed effective drug encapsulation, optimal particles size, morphology, and distribution. Biochemical analysis showed normalized protein content, improved lipid profile, enhanced liver, kidney functions, antioxidant activity, and decreased oxidative-stress with Dox/DCA-PNPs combination treatment, indicating that NPs-based therapy enhanced therapeutic outcomes and minimized systemic toxicity via mitigated Dox side effects and maintained organ's function. This study elucidates that Dox/DCA-PNPs combination therapy provides a more effective strategy for EAC hepatorenal function improvements. Graphical Abstract

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. The present study is an effort to reveal the antiproliferative and antioxidant actions of mango seed kernel extract (KE), peel extract ( PE ), and their combination ( KEPE ) on mammary tumors induced by 7,12 dimethylbenz[a]anthracene ( DMBA ). Seven groups of adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were prepared, including C : (control), DMBA: (rats were administered with DMBA ), ( DMBA-KE), ( DMBA-PE), and ( DMBA-KEPE ): rats were administered with DMBA and then treated with KE, PE, and (both KE and PE ), respectively, ( KE) and ( PE) : rats were administered with KE and PE , separately. The study focused on the assessment of markers of endocrine derangement [serum 17-β estradiol (E2)], apoptosis [caspase-3 and deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation (DNAF)], and oxidative stress [lipid peroxidation and antioxidants (glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase)]. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3 and estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) in mammary gland tissues (MGTs) were determined, as well as the characterization of mango extracts. The results showed that DMBA administration induced mammary tumors by increasing cell proliferation and evading apoptosis. In addition, DMBA administration caused oxidative stress by the production of reactive oxygen species, which increased lipid peroxidation and decreased cellular antioxidants, allowing cancer to progress. In contrast, treatment with DMBA-KE, DMBA-PE, or DMBA-KEPE diminished mammary tumors induced by DMBA , where they reduced oxidative stress via increased antioxidant parameters including reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, total glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase. Also, different treatments decreased proliferation through the reduction of E2, and ER-α expression levels. However, these treatments increased the apoptosis of unwanted cells as they increased caspase-3 activity and DNAF. All these changes led to the prevention of breast injuries and the reduction of mammary tumors. This demonstrates that the contents of mango extracts, especially phenolics and flavonoids, have an important role in mammary tumor treatment through their potential antioxidant, antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and anti-estrogenic effects. KE and PE administration for 4 weeks had no adverse effects. Conclusion: Each of KE, PE, and KEPE has a therapeutic effect against DMBA-induced mammary tumors via induction of apoptosis and reduction of each of the OS, proliferation, and estrogenic effects. So, they can play an important role in the pharmacological tole.

Background One significant abiotic stressor that harms sesame productivity globally is drought. This investigation used six sesame genotypes to measure variance in many variables under irrigated and terminal drought stress environments. Growth characteristics (plant height, fruiting zone length, branches’ number), yield-related parameters (capsules’ number per plant, capsule’s length, 1000 seeds’ weight, seed yield per plant, and seed yield per feddan) and physiological characters (relative water content, chlorophyll A content, chlorophyll B content, chlorophyll A + B content, and proline concentration) of sesame were measured. Six drought indices (geometric mean productivity (GMP), mean productivity (MP), stress tolerance index (STI), tolerance index (TOL), stress susceptibility index (SSI) and, yield stability index (YSI)) were derived using seed yield per feddan. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of drought stress on the physiological and yield-related characteristics of the sesame genotypes and to find the qualities that were most helpful in selecting drought-resistant genotypes. Results The analysis of variance revealed significant differences in genotypes and water depletion ratios, as well as their interactions, for all growth variables, except the interaction between genotypes and water depletion ratios for plant height and relative water content. Line 13 (H. 102) had the highest branches’ number (6.85), capsules’ number per plant (239.33) and capsule’s length (3.35 cm) attributes under normal circumstances. Line 31 (H. 68) produced the maximum yield per plant (33.45 g) and feddan (679.83) and had the highest weight of 1000 seeds (3.9 g) under normal circumstances. Under the level (80% water depletion ratio), H. 68 had the highest amounts of chlorophyll A (5.73) and chlorophyll A + B (17.37) whereas H. 102 exhibited the highest concentration of chlorophyll B (5.73). The genotype H. 68 of sesame was found to have the greatest MP (650.35), GMP (649.32) and YI (1.16) indices followed by genotype H. 102. The Shandaweell 3 genotype resulted in the lowest SSI (36.92) and TOL (0.55) indices. Line 26 (H132) exhibited the highest average YSI values. Conclusions These data revealed that genotypes H. 102, H. 68 and Shandaweell 3 are the most drought-tolerant among the genotypes utilized in this study. These results may contribute to developing effective breeding techniques for drought-stressed sesame in the future.

Background Mycosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) offers a safe, eco-friendly, and promising alternative technique for large-scale manufacturing. Our study might be the first report that uses mycelial filtrate of an endophytic fungus, Aspergillus flavipes , for SNPs production under optimal conditions as an antimicrobial agent against clinical multidrug-resistant (MDR) wound pathogens. Results In the present study, among four different endophytic fungi isolated from leaves of Lycium shawii , the only one isolate that has the ability to mycosynthesize SNPs has been identified for the first time as Aspergillus flavipes AUMC 15772 and deposited in Genebank under the accession number OP521771. One variable at a time (OVAT) and Plackett Burman design (PBD) were conducted for enhancing the production of mycosynthesized SNPs (Myco-SNPs) through optimization using five independent variables. The overall optimal variables for increasing the mycosynthesis of SNPs from mycelial filtrate of A. flavipes as a novel endophytic fungus were a silver nitrate concentration of 2 mM, a pH of 7.0, an incubation time of 5 days, and a mycelial filtrate concentration of 30% in dark conditions. UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray spectroscopy (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Selected-Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) patterns were used to characterize Myco-SNPs, which showed the peak of absorbance at 420 nm, and FTIR showed the bands at 3426.44, 2923.30, 1681.85, 1552.64, and 1023.02 cm-1, respectively, which illustrated the presence of polyphenols, hydroxyl, alkene, nitro compounds, and aliphatic amines, respectively. The XRD pattern revealed the formation of Myco-SNPs with good crystal quality at 2θ = 34.23° and 38.18°. The TEM image and SAED pattern show the spherical crystalline shape of Myco-SNPs with an average size of 6.9232 nm. High antibacterial activity of Myco-SNPs was recorded against MDR wound pathogens as studied by minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 8 to 32 µg/mL, time kill kinetics, and post-agent effects. Also, in vitro cell tests indicated that Myco-SNPs support the cell viability of human skin fibroblast cells as a nontoxic compound. Conclusion The obtained results revealed the successful production of Myco-SNPs using the mycelial filtrate of A. flavipes, which may be a promising nontoxic alternative candidate for combating MDR wound pathogens.

Aluminum (Al) is an important factor in the environment as it is used in agriculture and several industries leading to hazardous effects via oxidative stress. Bromelain is a cheap extract from the byproduct waste of Ananas comosus stem. It has been used in several biological and therapeutic applications. So, this study was undertaken to assess the hepatoprotective potential of bromelain versus oxidative stress induced by aluminum chloride in rats. Results revealed that administration of AlCl3 reduced the body and liver weights and increased Al concentration in the blood and liver tissue. Also, AlCl3 caused valuable changes in hematological parameters and increased TBARS and H2O2 concentrations in rat liver. Enzymatic (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, and GST) and nonenzymatic (GSH) antioxidants and protein content were significantly decreased. Furthermore, alterations in liver biomarkers such as bilirubin level and enzyme activities in both serum and liver homogenate (LDH, ALP, AST, and ALT) were detected. AlCl3 also caused inflammation as indicated by upregulation of the inflammation-related genes [interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β)], tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9), and downregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2) expression. In addition, histopathological examination showed significant variations in the liver that confirms the biochemical results. Otherwise, bromelain intake alone slumped lipid peroxidation and gotten better antioxidant status significantly. Moreover, supplementation with bromelain before AlCl3 intoxication restores enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants as well as biochemical indices and tissue architecture with respect to the AlCl3 group. In conclusion, bromelain proved its remarkable protective power to abolish AlCl3 toxicity. So, it might represent a new strategy in the therapy of metal toxicity by its antioxidant capacity.

Dietary macronutrients are essential for metabolic regulation and insulin function. The present study examined the effects of different high-fat diets (HFDs) and high-carbohydrate diets (HCDs) on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome indices in healthy adult male Wistar albino rats. Forty-two rats were distributed into six groups (n = 7), which were fed the following for 22 weeks: (1) a control diet; (2) a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet (HCD-LFD); (3) high-saturated-fat, low-carbohydrate diet (HSF-LCD); (4) a high-monounsaturated-fat diet (HMUSF); (5) a high medium-chain fat diet (HMCF); and a (6) a high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet (HCHF). In comparison to the control, the body weight increased in all the groups. The HSF-LCD group showed the highest levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, hepatic enzyme, insulin resistance, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance. A liver histology analysis of the HSF-LCD group showed macrovesicular hepatic steatosis associated with large hepatic vacuolation. Additionally, it showed marked periportal fibrosis, especially around the blood vessels and blood capillaries. The lowest levels of fasting glycemia, insulin, and HOMA-IR were observed in the HCHF group. In conclusion, these findings show that dietary saturated fat and cholesterol are principal components in the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats, while fiber showed the greatest improvement in glycemic control.

Bioactive compounds are responsible for biological activities in honey. The botanical and regional sources of honey contribute to the variable concentration of bioactive compounds. This paper reports the analysis of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, vitamin C, total phenolic contents (TPC), radical scavenging activity (RSA), and sugars of five honey samples (Talh, Athel, Sidr, Spring flower, and Langnese) from the ingenious Hail region (Saudi Arabia) using HPLC-RID and DAD. Talh has the highest TPC level of 26.9 mg GAE/100 g, whereas Spring flower has the lowest level of 8.2 mg GAE/100 g. Quercetin levels in all samples ranged from 0.28 to 2.68 mg GAE/100 g. Gallic acid, a phenolic compound, was found in three samples of honey at concentrations ranging from 0.81–1.08 mg/100 g. DPPH radical scavenging activity (RSA) of Talh and Sidr honey sample are found to be high as compared to other samples. The Sidr honey sample had the highest vitamin C content, 2.59 mg/100 g. Fructose and glucose sugar concentrations ranged from 28.35–37.81 g/100 g and 20.21–32.28 g/100 g, respectively, with a higher fructose ratio. Sucrose was not found in any of the five samples. These findings point to the high quality of honey produced in Saudi Arabia’s ingenious Hail province, and therefore may contribute in therapeutic use of these types of honey, such as in complementary and alternative medicine.