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Trichinellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease. The majority of currently available anti-trichinellosis medications exhibit inadequate efficacy. The efficacy of a natively prepared new formulation of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) was evaluated in the treatment of Trichinella spiralis ( T. spiralis ) infection in mice alone and combined with multivitamin-mineral (MM). After investigating the product’s biological and pharmacological characteristics, its therapeutic dose was estimated to be Ag-NPs at 21.5 mg/kg B.W. This dose was orally inoculated to experimentally infected mice at 3–5 days post-inoculation (dpi) against the mature worms, at 8–10 dpi against the newborn larvae, and at 33–35th dpi against the encapsulated larvae. Each treatment’s efficacy was assessed by scarifying control and treated mice 3 days post-treatment. The drug alone or in supplement form has a high trichinocidal effect exceeding that of the reference drug. Early treatment (3–5 dpi) by Ag-NPs or Ag-NPs + MM and albendazole revealed high efficacy against the intestinal stage, reaching 93.3%, 94.7%, and 90.6% for the three treatments, respectively. The materials causing a significant ( P -value < 0.001) decrease in the mean encapsulated larvae reached 86.61%, 89.07%, and 88.84%/gm of muscles using the three treatments, respectively. Moreover, all larvae extracted from Ag-NPs-treated groups failed to induce infection post-inoculation in new mice. Additionally, combining the material with MM proved to overcome the reversible adverse effects of silver material on the estimated redox parameters and liver and kidney biomarkers, denoting its ability to alleviate Ag-NP toxicity. In conclusion, the high trichinocidal effect of Ag-NPs against the adult and encapsulated larvae during a short inoculation period introduced Ag-NPs as an alternative to other nematicidal drugs.

Liver injury is a globally serious problem that may be observed post-chemotherapeutic administration in chronic crises such as tuberculosis (TB). Rifamycin (RIF), particularly, is an indispensable treatment regimen for TB with a significant negative hepatic impact. Therefore, this research aims to assess the restorative role of melatonin (MEL) against rifampicin (RIF)-associated hepatic damage in rats. Moreover, to investigate the ultimate mechanism of the antioxidant potential of MEL with multimodal assessment and in silico molecular conformation. Adult male Wistar albino rats were weighed and divided into four groups of ten rats each. The control group received the vehicle (0.5 ml/day), the RIF-intoxicated group (100 mg/kg/day orally), the MEL-treated group (10 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally), and the Co-administered RIF and MEL group at the same regimen for 21 consecutive days. Blood and hepatic tissue samples were obtained for biochemical, histological, and molecular studies. High in vitro antioxidant scavenging potential of MEL with an IC 50 of 94.66 µg/ml was attained using a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses of MEL indicated the presence of mainly cinnamic acid, m-(trimethyl-silyl ester), in addition to several reactive antioxidant moieties. The plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lipid profiles were significantly reduced in the MEL + RIF co-administered group in contrast to the RIF-treated group ( P < 0.05 ). Moreover, MEL significantly decreased the hepatic oxidative biomarkers malondialdehyde (MDA) and significantly increased the estimated antioxidant enzyme levels ( P < 0.05 ) of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Histological evaluations revealed mild hepatic injuries and inflammatory cellular infiltration in MEL-treated animals. Molecular docking explored the high-affinity interaction of MEL and cinnamic acids with hepatic cytochrome P450 isoform 3A4 (CYP3A4) protein target, confirming their hepatic restorative potential. This study endorses the antioxidant potential role of MEL in RIF-hepatic injury.

Although the toxicity of aluminum-based nanoparticles (Al 2 O 3 -NPs) in fish has been widely studied, strategies to mitigate their harmful effects remain limited. Moreover, the modulatory role of Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides (APS) under this toxic stress is still poorly understood, despite the widespread presence of Al 2 O 3 -NPs in aquatic ecosystems and the need for effective mitigation strategies for sustainable aquaculture. In this study , Oreochromis niloticus was exposed to Al 2 O 3 -NPs (10 mg/L) with or without dietary APS (1.5 or 3 mg/kg) for four weeks. A total of 270 fish (initial weight = 25.28 ± 0.086 g) were randomly distributed into six triplicate groups ( n  = 15 per group) as control, APS (1.5 mg/kg–3 mg/kg), Al 2 O 3 -NPs, and two co-treated groups (Al 2 O 3 -NPs + APS). Al 2 O 3 -NPs exposure showed significant effects on growth performance compared to the control group ( P  < 0.05), as shown by the decrease in final weight (FW: -9.4%), weight gain (WG: − 21.4%), specific growth rate (SGR: -17.1%), along with an increase in feed conversion ratio (FCR: + 16.9%). Liver function was severely affected, as evidenced by an increase in ALT levels (+ 39%) and decrease in total protein (− 26.5%) and IgM levels (− 19.3%) ( P  < 0.05). In addition, the expression of antioxidant-related genes, such as CAT and SOD , was downregulated, while the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-β and IL-1β , as well as stress-related gene, such as MT , was upregulated in the liver and gills ( P  < 0.05). Histopathological examination showed noticeable degenerative and necrotic changes in the liver, kidney, muscle, gill, and spleen tissues. Co-treatment with APS, particularly at 3 mg/kg, significantly improved growth parameters (FW, 20.3% increase; WG, 53.1% increase; and SGR, 38.8% increase) ( P  < 0.05), ameliorated hepatic and renal histopathological changes, restored antioxidant gene expression and normalized inflammatory mediators compared with the Al 2 O 3 -NPs-exposed group. Compared with the Al 2 O 3 -NPs–exposed group, the survival rate increased by 5.3%, ALT levels decreased by 60.1%, while total protein and IgM levels increased by 29.6% and 8.9%, respectively. Overall, APS supplementation effectively mitigated Al 2 O 3 -NPs-induced toxicity in O. niloticus by regulating antioxidant capacity, suppressing inflammatory responses, and improving tissue structure, highlighting its potential as an eco-friendly functional food additive to protect fish health under nano-toxic stress .

The current study estimated the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and in vivo anti-arthritic activities of the aqueous ethanolic extract of Ximenia caffra ( X. caffra ) seeds extract. It was hypothesized that X. caffra seeds extract, rich in phytochemicals that could modulate inflammatory pathways and protect joint tissues in an antigen-induced arthritis rat model. The chemical composition of X. caffra seeds extract was examined using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Ximenia caffra seeds extract showed promising in vitro anti-inflammatory activity with an IC 50  = 26.01 ± 0.85 µg/ml. To evaluate in vivo efficacy, antigen-induced arthritis was established in rats using Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA), followed by subcutaneous administration of X. caffra extract at doses of 26, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight, alongside a standard drug control [Methotrexate (MTX), 0.3 mg/kg] in separate groups of animals. Anti-arthritic effects were assessed by measuring joint diameter, arthritic score, body weight, and through histopathological and ultrastructural analyses of joint and muscle tissues as well as osteoclast assessment, cytokine analyses, renal and kidney functions. The optimal dose (26 mg/kg) significantly alleviated arthritis symptoms, restoring joint and muscle morphology toward normal architecture. Ex vivo osteoclast evaluation and flow cytometric apoptosis analysis indicated that X. caffra extract promoted cellular recovery and reduced inflammatory damage. Furthermore, cytokine profiling demonstrated that treatment with X. caffra shifted pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ) toward an anti-inflammatory balance by elevating IL-4 and regulating IgG1a/IgG2a ratios. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that X. caffra seeds extract had potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects by modulating immune responses and preserving joint integrity, suggesting its potential as a natural therapeutic alternative for rheumatoid arthritis management after further validation.

Objectives: Both nano silver and neomycin have wound healing properties. Silver nanoparticles have been used as main compounds for therapeutic drug delivery systems against various ailments. The present study aimed to prepare a neomycin silver nano-composite gel easily, rapidly, and cheaply method to improve wound healing. Methods: Forty-five Wistar rats (150–200 g) divided into nine groups: wound untreated, wound fusidic acid treated, wound neomycin treated, three groups with wound and neomycin silver nano-composite gel at 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 concentrations, respectively, and three groups wound treated silver nano gel at the previous concentrations, respectively. Percentages of wound healing and histopathological examination of the wound area were assessed in all groups. Results: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images demonstrated the spherical shape of neomycin silver nano-composite gel without aggregation but homogenous dispersion in a gel matrix. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed a 4 nm size of nano silver, which agrees with AFM image data analysis but not with TEM image due to the good coating of the gel matrix to silver nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering Zeta potential was −21 mV, illustrating the high bioactivity of the neomycin silver nano-composite. The groups receiving neomycin silver nano-composite gel showed a significantly higher and dose dependent wound healing compared to other treatment groups. Conclusion: The present work confirmed the potential wound healing activity of neomycin silver nano-composite gel compared to either alone.

This study utilized Aspergillus flavus to produce selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) in an environmentally friendly and ecologically sustainable manner, targeting several medicinal applications. These biosynthesized Se-NPs were meticulously characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and UV–visible spectroscopy (UV), revealing their spherical shape and size ranging between 28 and 78 nm. We conducted further testing of Se-NPs to evaluate their potential for biological applications, including antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antibiofilm activities. The results indicate that biosynthesized Se-NPs could be effective against various pathogens, including Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 14028), Bacillus pumilus (ATCC 14884), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Clostridium sporogenes (ATCC 19404), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633). Additionally, the biosynthesized Se-NPs exhibited anticancer activity against three cell lines: pancreatic carcinoma (PANC1), cervical cancer (Hela), and colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), with IC50 values of 177, 208, and 216 μg/mL, respectively. The nanoparticles demonstrated antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HAV, achieving inhibition rates of 66.4% and 15.1%, respectively, at the maximum non-toxic concentration, while also displaying antibiofilm and antioxidant properties. In conclusion, the biosynthesized Se-NPs by A. flavus present a promising avenue for various biomedical applications with safe usage.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are increasingly recognized for their potential in biology due to their excellent drug delivery capabilities and ease of synthesis. To create AuNPs using marine sponge Amphimedon compressa , we used several techniques, including ultraviolet–visible (UV–visible) spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The UV–visible spectroscopy results demonstrated the formation of stable AuNPs at a pH of 7, with a peak absorption at 564 nm. FTIR spectroscopy indicated that secondary metabolites featuring –OH functional groups acted as reducing agents in the production of AuNPs. Morphological analysis showed that the AuNPs were spherical, consistently shaped particles averaging 10–40 nm in diameter, with proven stability over time. The inhibition zones for the bacteria tested with the synthesized AuNPs varied from 26 to 31 mm. Both the AuNPs and the A. compressa extract displayed significant antioxidant activity, achieving DPPH radical scavenging percentages of 70.73% and 85.62%, respectively. In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, the AuNPs showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity, with hemolytic inhibition percentages of 4.8%, 10.2%, 12.8%, 14.9%, 19.5%, and 22.4% at increasing concentrations. Furthermore, both the crude extract and the synthesized AuNPs exhibited adulticidal activity against the house fly ( Musca domestica ) and the mosquito ( Culex pipiens ). The LC 50 and LC 90 values for the crude extract were 34.988 and 62.836 ppm for M. domestica , and 9.258 and 17.399 ppm for C. pipiens . For the AuNPs, the corresponding values were 8.545 and 15.157 ppm for M. domestica , and 7.573 and 14.074 ppm for C. pipiens . Adult mortality caused by the AuNPs extract reached 100.00% for both Musca domestica and Culex pipiens at a concentration of 6 ppm. Overall, M. domestica and C. pipiens were more sensitive to AuNPs than to the crude extract. Both the synthesized AuNPs and the crude extract caused a significant, dose-dependent reduction in fecundity and hatchability in M. domestica and C. pipiens . In conclusion, the marine sponge A. compressa serves as an effective biological source for the synthesis of AuNPs, which demonstrate significant antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-biofilm, and insecticidal activities, highlighting their potential in biomedical and environmental fields.

Background Trichinella spiralis , a globally widespread zoonotic parasite, poses significant health and economic burdens due to its complex life cycle and the scarcity of effective, multi-stage treatments. Methods This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a novel curcumin-olive oil nanocomposite (CO-NC) against three critical stages of T. spiralis infection in a murine model: adult worms (3–5 days post-inoculation, dpi), newborn larvae (8–10 dpi), and encapsulated larvae (33–35 dpi). CO-NC exhibited potent, stage-specific, and dose-dependent antiparasitic activity. Results Remarkably, a 100 mg/kg dose achieved complete eradication of both newborn and encapsulated larvae, mirroring the efficacy of the current standard treatment, albendazole (50 mg/kg). This high dose also significantly reduced adult worm burdens by 91.6%. Even at a lower dose of 50 mg/kg, CO-NC demonstrated substantial activity, reducing adult worms and encapsulated larvae by 55.2% and 43.8%, respectively. Beyond its direct antiparasitic effects, CO-NC (100 mg/kg) significantly mitigated infection-induced oxidative stress by restoring key redox markers in muscle and intestinal tissues, including xanthine oxidase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, complementary in vitro studies revealed superior anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties of CO-NC compared to crude curcumin and standard reference compounds at their respective IC 50 values. Conclusions These findings highlight CO-NC as a promising multi-faceted therapeutic candidate for trichinellosis, offering potent antiparasitic efficacy comparable to albendazole alongside valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. This integrated approach underscores the potential of CO-NC as an innovative and comprehensive solution for the challenges posed by T. spiralis infections.

This study investigated, for the first time, the potential role of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and APS nanoparticles on testicular blood flow (TBF) and semen quality in Ossimi rams. Fifteen sexually mature Ossimi rams were allocated randomly into two treated groups that orally administered either nano APS (2 g/ram/day; n  = 5) or APS (20 g/ram/day; n  = 5) for four weeks and a control group ( n  = 5). The nano-emulsion was prepared by adding corn oil to the APS solution, sonicated, centrifuged at 20,000 rpm, then washed 3–4 times, and vacuum dried overnight at 40 °C. The antioxidant activity of APS and APS nano-emulsion was evaluated in vitro. Blood collection and ultrasonographic assessment of the testes and supratesticular arteries (STAs) were conducted immediately before treatment (W0) and once weekly for 6 successive weeks after APS and nano APS administration (W1-W6). Serum testosterone (T) and estradiol (E 2 ) concentrations were determined by ELISA kits, while nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured spectrophotometrically. Moreover, semen collection and evaluation of some sperm parameters were performed once a week. Results revealed decreases ( P  < 0.05) in the Doppler indices (resistive index; RI, pulsatility index; PI, and systolic/diastolic; S/D) of the testicular arteries at most time points of the study in the nano APS and APS groups. Pixel intensity (PIX) and integrated density (IND) of testicular parenchyma were significantly reduced (P ˂ 0.05) in the treated groups compared to the control one. T, E 2 , NO, and TAC concentrations increased ( P  < 0.05) in the treated groups compared to the control one. Increases ( P  < 0.05) were noticed in the mass motility, progressive motility %, live sperm %, and membrane integrity % in nano APS and APS groups, compared to the control. Rams in the nano APS group had significantly higher ( P  < 0.05) sperm cell concentration than the control one. In conclusion, this study extrapolated that the dietary administration of APS and its nanoparticles can improve TBF, testicular echotexture, sperm characteristics, and the concentration of serum T, E 2 , NO, and TAC with a more significant effect in the APS nanoparticles compared with APS. So, it could be recommended as a dietary supplementation (2 g/ram/day) for enhancing the reproductive performance of rams.