Effect of Matricaria aurea Essential Oils on Biofilm Development, Virulence Factors and Quorum Sensing-Dependent Genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms presents a substantial global public health threat. The increase in pathogens resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics underscores the urgent requirement to explore alternative treatment strategies. This study adopts a novel approach by harnessing natural resources, specifically essential oils (EO), to combat bacterial pathogenicity. The primary aim of this research was to analyze the chemical composition of the aerial part of the Matricaria aurea (M. aureas) EO and evaluate its potential for inhibiting quorum sensing (QS) and disrupting biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis unveiled that α-bisabolol oxide A constituted the predominant portion, comprising 64.8% of the total, with ß-bisabolene at 6.3% and α-farnesene at 4.8% following closely behind. The antibiofilm efficacy was observed at concentrations of 0.3, 0.15, and 0.08 mg/mL, demonstrating negligible effects on cell viability. Furthermore, the EO from M. aurea effectively inhibited the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilms by diminishing aggregation, hydrophobicity, and swarming motility. Significantly, the EO treatment resulted in a conspicuous decrease in the production of pyocyanin, rhamnolipid, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), along with a reduction in the enzymatic activity of protease and chitinase. The EO effectively hindered QS by disrupting QS mechanisms, resulting in a marked decline in the secretion of N-Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules and the expression of phazA1 and aprA genes. This investigation offers compelling evidence supporting the potential of M. aurea EO as a promising therapeutic candidate for addressing infectious diseases induced by biofilm formation.

Interleukin-35 and Thymoquinone nanoparticle-based intervention for liver protection against paracetamol-induced liver injury in rats.

Paracetamol (PAR) is a commonly used antipyretic and analgesic agent, but its excessive usage can induce liver damage and major health consequences. Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is utilized to treat immunological disorders, intestinal illness, arthritis, allergic disease, hepatitis, and cancer. Thymoquinone (THYO) is also effective against a wide range of disorders. Consequently, this study sought out to explore the ameliorative effects of IL-35 and THYO against PAR-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Sixty male rats were separated into six groups (10 rats/group): I control (0.5 mL NaCl, 0.9%/rat via oral gavage); II (IL-35), and III (TYHO) received intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of IL-35 (200 ng/kg) or THYO (0.5 mg/kg), respectively. Group IV (PAR) received 600 mg/kg of PAR orally; V (PAR + IL-35) and VI (PAR + TYHO); rats received 600 mg/kg of PAR orally and i.p injection of IL-35 (200 ng/kg) or THYO (0.5 mg/kg), respectively. Administration of IL-35 or THYO markedly mitigated the increasing in the levels of liver parameters triggered by PAR and noticeable enhancement of antioxidant and immunological markers were observed. Additionally, IL-35 or THYO decreased TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-10, IL-6 and IFN-γ in contrast to the PAR control group. Moreover, levels of Capase-3, and cytochrome C were significantly reduced by THYO or IL35, while, levels of Bcl-2 were markedly increased. Furthermore, significant downregulation of IL1-ß, TNF-α, TGF-ß, and Caspas-3 genes, as well as significant upregulation of Bcl-2 and IL-10 expression were detected. In conclusion, IL-35 and THYO insulated liver from PAR toxicity by mitigating oxidative stress, tissue damage, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Antibacterial Mechanism of Action of Two Types of Honey against Escherichia coli through Interfering with Bacterial Membrane Permeability, Inhibiting Proteins, and Inducing Bacterial DNA Damage.

Honey is a sweet natural food produced by bees from flower nectar or some part of plant secretions that exhibit antimicrobial activity against many microorganisms. It has been used as traditional therapy for skin infections. Antibiotics play an essential role in managing wound infection; however, some pathogenic bacteria have begun to possess resistance against them, which may cause chronic infections and severe adverse effects. This study investigates the antibacterial activities and mechanism of action of Yemeni Sidr honey (SH) and Manuka honey (MH) against Escherichia coli. The inhibitory effects of SH and MH using the disk diffusion method on bacterial growth were remarkable at 700 mg/disk. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were similar for both kinds of honey. However, MH showed a better bactericidal effect (30%) than SH (50%). The antimicrobial mechanism of action showed that SH substantially impacted the bacterial membrane's permeability and increased the potassium and protein leakage rate. On the contrary, MH demonstrated remarkable inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis, while both kinds of honey caused bacterial DNA damage. These data reveal that SH and MH could be used as a remedy for skin infections and might be further developed as a promising dressing for bacterial wound infections.

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activities of New Schiff Base Compound and Its Lanthanide Complexes.

The thermal condensation of 3-(2-Furyl)acrolein with 2-Amino-6-ethoxybenzothiazole generated a new Schiff base, (1E,2E)-N-(6-ethoxybenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(furan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-imine (L), with general formula of C16H14N2O2S. Also, a series of lanthanide complexes of gadolinium, samarium, and neodymium (La-Lc) were synthesized utilizing acetonitrile as the solvent and triethylamine as a buffer and catalyst. Based on elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, and FTIR analysis, all of the Bis-(1E,2E)-N-(6-ethoxybenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-3-(furan-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-iminetri-nitratolanthanide(III) complexes with the general formula [LnL2(NO3)3]·H2O are solids with a 2:1 molar ratio (ligand: metal). Based on conductivity estimates, they are nonelectrolytes and monoatomic paramagnetic according to the magnetic moment measurements, and one mole of lattice water was found after thermal gravimetric measurements and FTIR analysis. Therefore, the lanthanide complexes show a ten-coordination structure with a deformed bicapped square antiprismatic. The Schiff base and its complexes were screened for their antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. Their antimicrobial and antifungal activities were strong, and they also produced good antioxidant and antitumor effects.

A Comparison of the Gene Expression Profiles of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease between Animal Models of a High-Fat Diet and Methionine-Choline-Deficient Diet.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) embraces several forms of liver disorders involving fat disposition in hepatocytes ranging from simple steatosis to the severe stage, namely, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Recently, several experimental in vivo animal models for NAFLD/NASH have been established. However, no reproducible experimental animal model displays the full spectrum of pathophysiological, histological, molecular, and clinical features associated with human NAFLD/NASH progression. Although methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet and high-fat diet (HFD) models can mimic histological and metabolic abnormalities of human disease, respectively, the molecular signaling pathways are extremely important for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease. This review aimed to assess the differences in gene expression patterns and NAFLD/NASH progression pathways among the most common dietary animal models, i.e., HFD- and MCD diet-fed animals. Studies showed that the HFD and MCD diet could induce either up- or downregulation of the expression of genes and proteins that are involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrogenesis pathways. Interestingly, the MCD diet model could spontaneously develop liver fibrosis within two to four weeks and has significant effects on the expression of genes that encode proteins and enzymes involved in the liver fibrogenesis pathway. However, such effects in the HFD model were found to occur after 24 weeks with insulin resistance but appear to cause less severe fibrosis. In conclusion, assessing the abnormal gene expression patterns caused by different diet types provides valuable information regarding the molecular mechanisms of NAFLD/NASH and predicts the clinical progression of the disease. However, expression profiling studies concerning genetic variants involved in the development and progression of NAFLD/NASH should be conducted.

Phyllanthus Niruri Standardized Extract Alleviates the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Decreases Atherosclerotic Risk in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the major global health issues, strongly correlated with insulin resistance, obesity and oxidative stress. The current study aimed to evaluate anti-NAFLD effects of three different extracts of Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri). NAFLD was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats using a special high-fat diet (HFD). A 50% methanolic extract (50% ME) exhibited the highest inhibitory effect against NAFLD progression. It significantly reduced hepatomegaly (16%) and visceral fat weight (22%), decreased NAFLD score, prevented fibrosis, and reduced serum total cholesterol (TC) (48%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (65%), free fatty acids (FFAs) (25%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (45%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (38%), insulin concentration (67%), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (73%), serum atherogenic ratios TC/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (29%), LDL/HDL (66%) and (TC-HDL)/HDL (64%), hepatic content of cholesterol (43%), triglyceride (29%) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (40%) compared to a non-treated HFD group. In vitro, 50% ME of P. niruri inhibited α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase enzymes and cholesterol micellization. It also had higher total phenolic and total flavonoid contents compared to other extracts. Ellagic acid and phyllanthin were identified as major compounds. These results suggest that P. niruri could be further developed as a novel natural hepatoprotective agent against NAFLD and atherosclerosis.

Chemotherapeutic potentials of the stem bark of Balanite aegyptiaca (L.) Delile: an antiangiogenic, antitumor and antioxidant agent.

BACKGROUND: Balanite aegyptiaca (L.) Delile, is a plant with extensive medicinal properties. Its stem bark is traditionally known for its spasmolytic and antiepileptic properties and used to treat yellow fever, jaundice and syphilis. Angiogenesis (sprouting of new blood vessels) is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. The goal of this study is investigate the antiangiogenic, cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity as well as antitumor in vivo properties of B. aegyptiaca stem bark extracts. METHOD: The dried powder of stem bark was extracted sequentially with n-hexane, chloroform, methanol and water. Rat aorta ring assay (RARA) was used as a platform to screen for antiangiogenic affect. The most active extract was subjected to further confirmatory antiangiogenic tests i.e. cell migration, tube formation and VEGF inhibition and finally evaluated for its in vivo antitumor efficacy in nude mice. The cytotoxicity of extracts on four cancer cell lines (HCT-116, K562, U937 and MCF-7) and one normal cells line (HUVEC) was evaluated. To assess the antioxidant activity screening, four methods were used, (DPPH•) and ABTS radical scavenging activity, as well as total flavonoids and phenolic contents. RESULTS: Methanol extract of B. aegyptiaca stem bark (MBA) showed the highest antiangiogenic, antioxidant and anticancer properties. It was found selectively cytotoxic to leukemia cell lines as well as breast cancer cell line MCF-7. (MBA) thus exhibited antiangiogenic in ex-vivo rat aorta ring model; it was found to excel its antiangiogenic effect via inhibition of the key growth factor (VEGF) as well as to halt HUVEC cell migration and tube formation, furthermore animals bearing colon cancer treated with (MBA) showed significant reduction in tumor growth. CONCLUSION: Different extracts of B. aegyptiaca stem bark showed various anticancer and antiangiogenic properties. MBA demonstrated potent antiangiogenic, antioxidant and antitumor in vivo. The outcome of this study suggests the potential of stem bark of the B. aegyptiaca for developing chemotherapeutic agent against solid tumor as well as leukemia.

Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L): from traditional uses to pharmacological activities / Fruta de la estrella (Averrhoa carambola L): desde los usos tradicionales a las actividades farmacológicas

Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae), commonly known as star fruit bears a great significance in traditional medicine. Traditionally, A. carambola was used in ailments such as arthralgia, chronic headache, boils and pyodermas, colds, cough, epistaxis, spermatorrhea, fever, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, malaria, malarial splenomegaly, oliguria, postpartum edema, sore throat, subcalorism and traumatic injury. Pharmacological investigations on A. carambola have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumor and anti-ulcer activities. In addition, the plant possesses hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, negative inotropic and chronotropic effects. Phytochemical investigations have shown the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids. This review is an effort to update the pharmacological activities and clinical studies on A. carambola.

Averrhoa carambola L. (Familia: Oxalidaceae), comúnmente conocida como fruta de la estrella tiene una gran importancia en la medicina tradicional. La Medicina Tradicional reporta el uso de A. carambola en dolencias tales como: artralgia, dolor de cabeza crónico, forúnculos y piodermas, resfriados, tos, epistaxis, espermatorrea, fiebre, intoxicación alimentaria, gastroenteritis, malaria, paludismo, esplenomegalia malárica, oliguria, edema post-parto, dolor de garganta , subcalorismo y lesiones traumáticas. Investigaciones farmacológicas en A. carambola han demostrado efectos anti-inflamatorios, antimicrobianos, antitumorales, antifúngicas, y actividades anti-úlcera, hipocolesterolémico, hipoglucemiante, hipotensor, nefrotóxicos, y efectos neurotóxicos y cronotrópicos negativos. Proyecciones preliminares fitoquímicas han demostrado la presencia de saponinas, taninos, alcaloides y flavonoides. Esta revisión constituye un esfuerzo para actualizar las actividades farmacológicas y estudios clínicos sobre A. carambola.