Phenolics from Nigella sativa L. straw: Characterization and insecticidal activity against Agrotis ipsilon (Hüfnagel).

The excessive production of food and agro-waste has become a significant problem for society, the economy, and the environment. To meet the growing demand for food free from harmful synthetic insecticides, a recent study has investigated the potential use of an ethanolic extract obtained from the straw of Nigella sativa L., a byproduct of seed collection, as a bioinsecticide. The study also evaluated its in-vitro and in-silico acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory potential against the Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) moth species, which is known to cause damage to various crops and ornamental plants. The high-performance liquid chromatography examination revealed that the ethanolic N. sativa straw extract contained 18 phenolics, including 3 simple phenols, 8 phenolic acids, and 7 flavonoids. Catechol (330.14 µg/ml), chlorogenic (169.23 µg/ml), and gallic (110.93 µg/ml) acids were the predominant phenolics. On the other hand, catechin (94.07 µg/ml), naringenin (91.99 µg/ml), and rutin (78.16 µg/ml) were the major flavonoids identified in the extract. The insecticidal activity of the extract against the 4th larval instar of A. ipsilon was evaluated using four concentrations (1.25-10 %). The study found that higher extract concentrations led to increased mortality in the larvae. Specifically, the concentration of 10 % resulted in the highest mortality rate of 96.67 %. Lower concentrations of 5 %, 2.5 %, and 1.25 % resulted in mortality rates of 51.11 %, 18.89 %, and 9.17 %, respectively. The extract also showed higher activity against AChE in larval tissue, with an inhibition percentage of 65.2 % after 24 h of treatment. Docking experiments confirmed that ellagic acid and apigenin had higher binding affinity than the control (lanate). These results demonstrate the potential of utilizing agricultural waste like N. sativa straw to create innovative and sustainable bioinsecticides.

The protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine against selenium toxicity and gamma irradiation in rats.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a nutritional supplement and greatly applied as an antioxidant in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the metabolic and antioxidant protective effect of NAC against selenium (Se) toxicity and gamma irradiation in rats by measuring biochemical and molecular parameters. This study was conducted on sixty rats divided into six equal different groups; control, NAC, Rad, Se, Rad + NAC, and Se + NAC groups. Oxidative/nitrosative makers (LPO, NO, and NOS), antioxidants status markers (GSH, GPx, and SOD), liver metabolic markers (LDH, SDH, and ATP), and plasma metabolic markers (Glucose, total cholesterol, and total proteins) were measured using commercial colorimetric kits while plasma corticosterone concentration was measured using commercial ELISA kit. Also, Levels of NR3C1 and Glut-2 genes expression using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction were done. Our results revealed that Se toxicity and gamma irradiation induced significant increases in oxidative/nitrosative stress markers and a significant decrease in antioxidant status markers in the liver and adrenal tissues. Moreover, metabolic disorders were recorded as manifested by elevation of plasma ALT, Albumin, glucose and cholesterol, and decrease in protein levels associated with a significant increase in corticosterone concentration. This was also accompanied by a significant decrease in SDH activity and ATP production in the hepatic tissue. Molecular analysis showed a marked increase in NR3C1 mRNA and decrease in Glut-2 mRNA in liver tissue. However, NAC supplementation attenuated the changes induced by these toxins. Finally, we could conclude that, oral supplementation of NAC can modulate the metabolic disturbances and has protective effects in rats exposed to Se toxicity and gamma irradiation.

Low-Dose Gamma Radiation Modulates Liver and Testis Tissues Response to Acute Whole Body Irradiation.

Aim: This work aims to investigate whether the pre-exposure to low dose/low dose rate (40 mGy, 2.2 mGy/hour) γ-radiation as a priming dose can produce a protective effect against the subsequent high one (4 Gy, .425 Gy/minute). Methods: Rats were divided into Group I (control), Group II (L); exposed to 40 mGy, Group III (H); exposed to 4 Gy, and Group IV (L+H); exposed to 40 mGy 24 hours before the exposure to 4Gy. The molecular and biochemical changes related to oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptosis, and mitochondrial activity in the liver and testis were studied 4 hours after irradiation. Results: Exposure to 40 mGy before 4 Gy induced a significant increase in the levels of Nrf2, Nrf2 mRNA, TAC, and mitochondrial complexes I & II accompanied by a significant decrease in the levels of LPO, 8-OHdG, DNA fragmentation, TNF-α, caspase-3, and caspase-3 mRNA compared with H group. Conclusion: Exposure to low-dose γ-radiation before a high dose provides protective mechanisms that allow the body to survive better after exposure to a subsequent high one via reducing the oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis-induced early after irradiation. However, further studies are required to identify the long-term effects of this low dose.

Effect of Low-Dose Gamma Radiation and Lipoic Acid on High- Radiation-Dose Induced Rat Brain Injuries.

AIM: This work aims to investigate the possible radio-adaptive mechanisms induced by low-dose (LD) whole-body γ-irradiation alone or combined with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) administration in modulating high-dose (HD) head irradiation-induced brain injury in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were irradiated with LD (.25 Gy) 24 hours prior HD (20 Gy), and subjected to ALA (100 mg/kg/day) 5 minutes after HD and continued for 10 days. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and brain samples were dissected for biochemical and histopathological examinations. RESULTS: HD irradiation-induced brain injury as manifested by elevation of oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptotic, and inflammatory markers in brain tissue. Histological examination of brain sections showed marked alterations. However, LD alone or combined with ALA ameliorated the changes induced by HD. CONCLUSION: Under the present experimental conditions, LD whole-body irradiation exhibited neuroprotective activity against detrimental effects of a subsequent HD head irradiation. This effect might be due to the adaptive response induced by LD that activated the anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the affected animals making them able to cope with the subsequent high-dose exposure. However, the combined LD exposure and ALA supplementation produced a further modulating effect in the HD-irradiated rats.

Ameliorative potential of manganese nanoparticles with low-level ionizing radiation against experimentally induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

Nanotechnology is a rich field with infinite possibilities of drug designs for cancer treatment. We aimed to biosynthesize manganese nanoparticles (Mn NPs) using Lactobacillus helveticus to investigate its anticancer synergistic effect with low-dose gamma radiation on HCC-induced rats. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) (20 mg/kg BW, 5 times a week for 6 weeks) induced HCC in rats. Rats received Mn NPs (5 mg/kg BW/day) by gastric gavage over 4 weeks concomitant with single dose of gamma radiation (γ-R) (0.25 Gy). Characterization, cytotoxicity, and anticancer activity of Mn NPs were evaluated. DEN-induced significant liver dysfunction (alanine transaminase activity ALT, total proteins, and albumin levels) associated with significant increase in lipid peroxidation levels with reduction in super oxide dismutase activity. Furthermore, DEN intoxication is sponsored for remarkable increase in levels of Alfa-fetoprotein, tumor necrosis factor α, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta with remarkable decrease in caspase 3 and cytochrome c. Treatment with Mn NPs (4.98-11.58 nm) and single dose gamma radiation evoked significant repair in ALT, total protein, and albumin accompanied with balanced oxidative status, diminished inflammatory biomarkers, angiogenic factor, and growth factor with restoration in apoptotic factors. Mn NPs revealed obvious in vitro cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings were well appreciated with the histopathological study. In conclusion, a new approach of the single or combined use of Mn NPs with low-dose γ-radiation regimens as promising paradigm for HCC treatment is recommended.

The impact of citicoline on brain injury in rats subjected to head irradiation.

Hazard and risk associated with the use of radiotherapy play a crucial role in brain injury with interference via the neuroendocrine activity of the cancer survivors, and there is no effective preventive strategy. We conducted this study to assess the effect of citicoline in biosynthesis variants occurring in the cerebral cortex of rats in response to head γ-irradiation. Bio-analysis includes MDA, 8-OHdG, and NO as oxidation indicators; total antioxidant activity; the inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1ß, and amyloid-ß 42 levels; the caspase-3 cell death marker; IGF-I; serum hormones including GH, ACTH, FSH, and LH; and the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin. We exposed animals to 10 Gy head gamma irradiation followed by citicoline treatment and sustained for 30 days. The animals were sacrificed at the 3rd and 30th day post-irradiation. Citicoline mechanism has been linked to potent radical reduced ability counteracting the oxidative stress-mediated inflammation and apoptosis. Citicoline treatment has normalized the altering recorded in serum hormones associated with a significant modulation in the levels of IGF-1/PI3K/AKT factors. Such improvements have been concomitant with regulated neurotransmitter levels. We could conclude that citicoline may safely be supplemented to avoid both short- and long-term damages to the neuroendocrine disturbances, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis induced by head irradiation.

Modulating effect of tiron on the capability of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in the brain of rats exposed to radiation or manganese toxicity.

The brain is an important organ rich in mitochondria and more susceptible to oxidative stress. Tiron (sodium 4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonate) is a potent antioxidant. This study aims to evaluate the effect of tiron on the impairment of brain mitochondria induced by exposure to radiation or manganese (Mn) toxicity. We assessed the capability of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) through determination of mitochondrial redox state, the activity of electron transport chain (ETC), and Krebs cycle as well as the level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Rats were exposed to 7 Gy of γ-rays or injected i.p. with manganese chloride (100 mg/kg), then treated with tiron (471 mg/kg) for 7 days. The results showed that tiron treatment revealed positive modulation on the mitochondrial redox state manifested by a marked decrease of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total nitrate/nitrite (NOx) associated with a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH) content, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Moreover, tiron can increase the activity of ETC through preventing the depletion in the activity of mitochondrial complexes (I, II, III, and IV), an elevation of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and cytochrome c (Cyt-c) levels. Additionally, tiron showed a noticeable increase in mitochondrial aconitase (mt-aconitase) activity as the major component of Krebs cycle to maintain a high level of ATP production. Tiron also can restore mitochondrial metal homeostasis through positive changes in the levels of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), Mn, and copper (Cu). It can be concluded that tiron may be used as a good mitigating agent to attenuate the harmful effects on the brain through the inhibition of mitochondrial injury post-exposure to radiation or Mn toxicity.

Ameliorative effect of selenium nanoparticles and fish oil on cisplatin and gamma irradiation-induced nephrotoxicity in male albino rats.

Cisplatin (CP) is a major antineoplastic drug for the treatment of solid tumors, however, its clinical utility is limited by nephrotoxicity. Also, radiotherapy is an important treatment modality for many malignancies. The present studies were performed to test whether fish oil (FO) and/or selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) administration have an ameliorative effect on CP and γ-irradiation induced nephrotoxicity. FO and/or SeNPs were administered to male albino rats daily for 12 days before being intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of CP (10 mg/kg body weight) and whole body exposed to a single dose of γ-radiation (0.7 Gy). Biochemical analysis and histopathological examination were performed. Pretreatment with FO and/or SeNPs before the administration of CP and exposure to γ-radiation significantly reduced CP- and γ-radiation-induced high levels of serum urea and creatinine and renal tumor necrosis factor-α, caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2, also they significantly prevented renal total antioxidant capacity levels decrease and ameliorated the levels of most studied trace elements. The histopathological results supported the biochemical findings of this study. The administration of FO and/or SeNPs might be useful for preventing nephrotoxicity which can be caused by CP and radiotherapy during the treatment of various malignancies.

Detection of Salmonella species in chicken carcasses using genus specific primer belong to invA gene in Sohag city, Egypt.

AIM: This study aimed to detect Salmonella species found as contaminants in chicken carcass (thigh, breast, wings, liver, and gizzard). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 75 chicken samples including thigh, breast, wings, liver, and gizzard (15 of each) were collected from different markets in Sohag city for detection of Salmonella species by culture methods, biochemical tests, serology, and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The overall incidence of Salmonella contamination of 75 examined samples was found to be 6.6% with the higher percentage of Salmonella being isolated from liver samples (13.3%) followed by thigh, wings, gizzard (6.6%) while breast show negative result. CONCLUSION: Results in this study indicate that contamination of chicken carcass with Salmonella needs strict hygienic measures to prevent their transmission to human.