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Nanomedical applications have increased significantly. This work aimed to fabricate and characterize cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoOnps) synthesized biologically via aqueous Alhagi maurorum extract and evaluate their cytotoxic and antimicrobial impacts. Green-synthesized CoOnps were prepared and analyzed using UV–Vis spectrophotometer UV–vis, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy TEM, Energy dispersive X-ray analysis EDAX, Fourier transform infrared, FTIR, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In vitro traits of green-synthesized CoOnps were studied on ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3) using a Sulforhodamine B (SRB) method. The cytotoxic effect and IC50 were estimated. Moreover, concentrations of 10, 30, 40, 70, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 μg/mL CoOnps were applied to investigate their antimicrobial effect against Listeria , Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus as gram +ve pathogenic bacteria, Bifidobacterium bifidum 2203, Bifidobacterium bifidum LMG 10,645, Bifidobacterium breve LMC 017, Bifidobacterium angulatum 2238 and Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 15,707 as probiotics , E. coli as gram −ve bacterial model and yeast strain Candida albicans . CoOnps showed anti-ovarian cancer effects at 24.02 μg/mL. Furthermore, it exerted antimicrobial activity versus Listeria , Streptococcus, S. aureus, and E. coli were 31.66 ± 0.88, 24.33 ± 2.08, 25.66 ± 0.33, and 33.00 ± 6.08; however, they did not suppress the growth of Candida albicans and all tested Bifidobacterial strains up to concentrations of 500 μg/mL with significant difference compared to all concentrations p < 0.05. Green synthesis of CoOnps is a low-cost, eco-friendly and easily prepared method. Its impressive features as cytotoxic SKOV3, a cell line ovarian cancer and antibacterial effect for some gram +ve and −ve bacteria, besides maintaining probiotics, could candidate them as competitive agents for medical, pharmacological, agricultural and food applications.

Diabetic foot ulcers present a formidable challenge due to colonization by biofilm-forming microorganisms, heightened oxidative stress, and continuous wound maceration caused by excessive exudation. To address these issues, we developed a robust, stretchable, electro-conductive, self-healing, antioxidant, and antibiofilm hydrogel. This hydrogel was synthesized through the crosslinking of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CH) with boric acid. To enhance its antimicrobial efficacy, graphene oxide (GO), produced via electrochemical exfoliation in a zinc ion-based electrolyte medium, was incorporated. For optimal antibiofilm performance, GO was functionalized with cranberry (CR) phenolic extracts, forming a graphene oxide-cranberry nanohybrid (GO-CR). The incorporation of GO-CR into the hydrogel significantly improved its stretchability (280% for PVA/CH/GO-CR compared to 200% for PVA/CH). Additionally, the hydrogel demonstrated efficient photothermal conversion under near-infrared (NIR) light, enabling dynamic exudate removal, which is expected to minimize retained exudate between the wound and the dressing, reducing the risk of wound maceration. The hydrogel effectively reduced levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced skin inflammation markers, significantly lowering the expression of NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β by 39.2%, 31.9%, 41%, and 52.3%, respectively. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses further confirmed reduced inflammation and enhanced wound healing. The PVA/CH/GO-CR hydrogel exhibits multifunctional properties that enhance wound healing ulcers. Its superior mechanical, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties and ability to promote angiogenesis make it a promising candidate for effective wound management in diabetic patients.

Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN) , poses a significant threat to pine forests worldwide. This study aimed to isolate bacterial strains from the rhizosphere of healthy and elucidate their biocontrol potential in mitigating PWD through direct nematicidal activity and manipulation of host microbiome. We successfully isolated the rhizobacterium strain DP2-30 from rhizosphere of healthy pine plants, which was identified as on the basis of morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. The fermentation filtrates of strain DP2-30 displayed direct nematicidal activity of >95% (corrected mortality rate) on PWN after 48 hours of treatment. The fermentation broth and filtrates of strain DP2-30 significantly inhibited PWN egg hatching by 49.38% and 43.05%, respectively. Additionally, root drenching of strain DP2-30 fermentation broth significantly reduced PWD severity in pine seedlings (2 years old), with a control effect of 62.50%. Microbiome analyses revealed significant variations in the diversity, structure, and relative abundance of bacterial and fungal communities of pine plants combined treated with DP2-30 and PWN (T2), solely treated with PWN (T1), and control (treated with water). Bacterial phyla, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, and Armatimonadota and fungal phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Mortierellomycota were dominant in the all root and stem samples. The application of DP2-30 significantly increased the relative abundance of the family Rhodanobacteraceae in the roots and stems of pine seedlings. Additionally, intra-kingdom co-occurrence network analysis revealed reduced complexity in the bacterial networks but increased complexity in the fungal networks of treated plants, suggesting enhanced functional redundancy and ecosystem stability. Overall, this study highlights the potential of DP2-30 as an effective biocontrol agent against PWD by directly killing PWN and manipulating the host microbiota.

LCZ696 (valsartan/sacubitril) has the potential to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) according to previous reports. However, the renoprotective mechanism underlying LCZ696 remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism of LCZ696 in DKD in a type 2 diabetic (T2D) rat model. This model was established in this experiment by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for six weeks with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg body weight). Valsartan or LCZ696 was orally administered to T2D animals for eight weeks. HFD/STZ rats showed hyperglycemia, impaired insulin secretion, significant increases in urea, creatinine, cytokines, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), oxidative stress, caspase-3 activity, glomerular and tubular damage, glomerulsclerosis, Bax and caspese-3 expressions along with a significant decline in IL-10, antioxidant markers, and Bcl-2 expression. The administration of LCZ696 to diabetic rats reduced the serum concentrations of glucose, urea, and creatinine. In addition, ELISA results demonstrated that diabetic rats treated with LCZ696 exhibited a reduction in inflammatory (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) and an increase in anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine levels. In addition, a notable decrease in NF-κB and caspase-3 activity was observed. At the level of renal tissue homogenate, diabetic animals treated with LCZ696 demonstrated clear restorations in GSH content and other antioxidant enzyme levels, in addition to a significant decrease in TBARS levels. In addition, LCZ696 inhibited the expression of the Bax and cleaved caspase-3 proteins and enhanced the expression of the Bcl-2 protein. Improvements in histopathological changes in kidney tissues confirmed and significantly supported these biochemical findings. In summary, LCZ696 alleviated DKD with possible mechanisms including inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the progressive loss of renal function and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Despite optimal therapy, many patients progress to ESRD and require dialysis or transplantation. The pathogenesis of CKD involves inflammation, kidney fibrosis, and blunted renal cellular antioxidant capacity. In this review, we have focused on in vitro and in vivo experimental and clinical studies undertaken to investigate the mechanistic pathways by which these compounds exert their effects against the progression of CKD, particularly diabetic nephropathy and kidney fibrosis. The accumulated and collected data from preclinical and clinical studies revealed that these plants/bioactive compounds could activate autophagy, increase mitochondrial bioenergetics and prevent mitochondrial dysfunction, act as modulators of signaling pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and renal fibrosis. The main pathways targeted by these compounds include the canonical nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), canonical transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), autophagy, and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE). This review presented an updated overview of the potential benefits of these antioxidants and new strategies to treat or reduce CKD progression, although the limitations related to the traditional formulation, lack of standardization, side effects, and safety.

This study assessed the impact of dietary Chenopodium album leaf powder on various aspects of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ), including growth performance, hematological and biochemical profiles, antioxidant status, nonspecific immune response, and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted with 180 Nile tilapia fingerlings, with an initial average weight of 11.79 ± 0.23 g, fed diets supplemented with increasing levels of C. album at 0, 10, 20, and 30 g/kg. After feeding, the fish underwent an experimental challenge with the pathogen A. hydrophila . Following the challenge, the fish survival was monitored for 14 days. The results demonstrated that as the level of C. album supplementation increased, there were significant ( p < 0.05) improvements in growth performance and a reduction in the feed conversion ratio (FCR). The hematological and biochemical profiles showed significant ( p < 0.05) enhancements in the groups that received C. album ‐supplemented diets. Additionally, the antioxidant status in the fish serum significantly ( p < 0.05) improved, as evidenced by increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione. The nonspecific immune response, including lysozyme activity, phagocytic activity, and fish survival, also exhibited significant ( p < 0.05) enhancements, particularly in the groups receiving 20–30 g/kg of C. album . Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in serum glucose and cortisol levels in the groups fed with 20–30 g/kg of C. album . In conclusion, C. album supplementation at 20–30 g/kg improved growth, immune response, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia. This diet also reduced stress markers, enhancing overall health.

Background Streptococcus pyogenes  causes diverse infections, including pharyngitis and invasive diseases. Emerging resistance to β-lactams and macrolide poses a significant public health threat in developing countries. This study examines the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility, and  emm  types of  S. pyogenes  strains isolated from hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Methods A total of 4,062 clinical samples, including throat swabs, blood, pus, and biopsies, were collected from eight hospitals.  S. pyogenes  was isolated and identified using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility tests and Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) were investigated using the disc diffusion method and Epsilometer test (E-test), respectively. PCR and DNA sequencing were used to determine the emm  typing of the isolates. Results Of the 4,062 samples, 471 were positive for  S. pyogenes  (11.5%). The most common  emm  types identified were emm 12 (16%), emm 4 (13%), and emm 1 (12%). Isolates from the throat samples predominantly yielded emm 1. However, emm 12 was most common in biopsy and blood samples, and emm 4 was frequently isolated from pus. High resistance to erythromycin (8%) and tetracycline (8%) and no resistance to meropenem, vancomycin, and teicoplanin were recorded. Penicillin resistance ranged from 0.6% to 7.2%, with MIC distribution between 0.07–2.9 mg/L. Factors including low financial status (AOR = 3.18, 95% CI = 1.60–6.32, P  =  0.05 ), self-medication with unprescribed antibiotics (AOR = 5.45, 95% CI = 2.60–11.22, P  =  0.04 ), and presence of comorbidities (AOR = 9.13, 95% CI = 2.54–26.54, P  =  0.03 ) were significantly associated with increased risk of infection. Conclusion The  emm  typing results revealed significant genetic diversity among  S. pyogenes  isolates, with emm 12, emm 4, and emm 1 being the most prevalent types in KP. This diversity, along with the observed antibiotic resistance patterns, underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and targeted treatment strategies to effectively manage S. pyogenes  infections in the region. Graphical Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with organic selenium (OR-Se) and/or vitamins C and E on the rectal temperature (Rectal-T), growth performance, carcase yield, intestinal morphology, plasma thyroid hormone levels, and antioxidant status of broilers reared in hot environmental conditions. Under heat stress conditions (29.4 to 33.6 °C), 360 Arbour Acres chicks were fed in a (2 × 3) factorial design with two dietary levels of organic selenium (0 and 0.6 mg/kg) and three dietary levels of a mix of vitamins C and E (0, 200 and 250 mg/kg). Chicks were randomly assigned to six treatments (T) with three replicates of 20 birds each: the 1st group (T1): basal diet with no supplementation (control group); the 2nd group (T2): basal diet supplemented with 0.6 mg OR-Se/kg; the 3rd group (T3): basal diet with a mixture of vitamins C and E, 200 mg of each/kg diet (Vita-Mix A); the 4th group (T4): basal diet with a mixture of vitamins C and E, 250 mg of each/kg diet (Vita-Mix B); the 5th group (T5): basal diet with (Vita-Mix A) + 0.6 mg OR-Se/kg diet; the 6th group (T6): basal diet with Vita-Mix B and 0.6 mg OR-Se/kg diet for a five-week feeding period. Results showed that chicks fed diets supplemented with OR-Se and/or vitamins (C, E) had lower (p < 0.01) rectal-T, growth performance indicators (except feed intake). Also, compared to un-supplemented birds, the carcase yield, digestibility of ether extract, and antioxidant indices were significantly improved. In conclusion, dietary 0.6 mg OR-Se/kg and/or a mixture of vitamins C and E (both at 200 or 250 mg/kg) improved growth performance, carcase yield, nutrient digestibility, and antioxidant capacity under heat-stress conditions. In addition to the previously mentioned results, it would be more reliable when applied to a large number of chicks to ensure data robustness and reliability for productive performance indices.HighlightsAdding 0.06 mg of organic selenium plus a mixture of vitamins C and E to the broiler’s diet (per 1 kg diet) improved growth performance.Including 0.6 mg of organic selenium plus a mixture of vitamins C and E (per 1 kg diet) in the broiler led to a better average feed conversion ratio throughout the rearing period and boosted the FCR of broiler chicks.Vita-Mix plus organic selenium supplementation led to better antioxidant status (GSH-px, SOD, and MDA) of broiler chicks.

Multidrug resistance has become a global health problem associated with high morbidity and mortality. Antimicrobial peptides have been acknowledged as potential leads for prospective anti-infectives. Owing to their scavenging lifestyle, Corvus splendens is thought to have developed robust immunity to pathogens found in their diet, implying that they have evolved mechanisms to resist infection. In the current study, the transcriptome of C. splendens was sequenced, and de novo assembled to identify the presence of antimicrobial peptide genes. 72.09 million high-quality clean reads were obtained which were then de novo assembled into 3,43,503 transcripts and 74,958 unigenes. About 37,559 unigenes were successfully annotated using SwissProt, Pfam, GO, and KEGG databases. A search against APD3, CAMP R3 and LAMP databases identified 63 AMP candidates belonging to more than 20 diverse families and functional classes. mRNA of AvBD-2, AvBD-13 and CATH-2 were found to be differentially expressed between the three tested crows as well as among the tissues. We also characterized Corvus Cathelicidin 2 (CATH-2) to gain knowledge of its antimicrobial mechanisms. The CD spectroscopy of synthesized mature Corvus CATH-2 peptide displayed an amphipathic α-helical structure. Though the synthetic CATH-2 caused hemolysis of human RBC, it also exhibited antimicrobial activity against E. coli , S. aureus , and B. cereus . Docking simulation results revealed that this peptide could bind to the LPS binding site of MD-2, which may prevent LPS from entering the MD-2 binding pocket, and trigger TLR4 signaling pathway. The Corvus CATH-2 characterized in this study could aid in the development of novel therapeutics.

Fusarium root rot caused by the Fusarium species complex significantly affects the yield and quality of Angelica sinensis, a valuable medicinal herb. Traditional management primarily relies on chemical fungicides, which have led to pathogen resistance, environmental hazards, and concerns regarding public health and the active components in A. sinensis. This study explores the efficacy of a novel plant-derived biopesticide Shi Chuang Zhi Feng Ning (T1; SCZFN), alongside Bacillus subtilis wettable powder (T2) and a chemical fungicide (T3), in controlling root rot and understanding their impacts on the rhizosphere microbial community and root metabolome. Results of the field experiment demonstrated that treatments T1 and T3 achieved control efficiencies of 73.17% and 75.45%, respectively, significantly outperforming T2 (39.99%) and the control. High-throughput sequencing revealed that all treatments altered the diversity and structure of microbial communities, with T1 and T2 reducing the abundance of taxa linked to root rot, such as Muribaculaceae spp., Humicola spp., Fusarium spp., and Mycochlamys spp. Treatment T1 notably enhanced beneficial bacterial taxa, including Acidobacteria spp., Nitrospira spp., and Pedosphaeraceae spp., involved in carbon cycling and plant growth promotion. Metabolomic analysis identified 39, 105, and 45 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) across the treatments, demonstrating T1’s potential to modulate the root metabolome effectively. Further, a correlation analysis demonstrated a stronger correlation between distinct microorganisms with significant influence and DEMs of T1 treatment compared to other treatments. These findings underscore biopesticide SCZFN’s role in enhancing plant health and disease suppression in A. sinensis, providing insights into its biocontrol mechanisms and supporting the development of sustainable disease management strategies in its cultivation.