Biochemical evaluation of possible protective effect of purslane extract in experimentally induced arthritis associated with obesity

Arthritis, a prevalent inflammatory condition, is often linked to obesity as a contributing factor. This study aimed to assess the potential protective effects of purslane extract in male albino rats with induced arthritis and obesity. Fifty rats were randomly assigned to five groups: a control group, an induced arthritis-high-fat diet group, a high-dose purslane extract-supplemented group (300 mg/kg body weight) for 8 weeks, a low-dose purslane extract-supplemented group (150 mg/kg body weight) for 8 weeks, and a metformin-supplemented group. Arthritis was induced in the rats using Complete Freund's Adjuvant. Plasma biomarkers, including Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, C Reactive Protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), Rheumatoid Factor (RF), and Anti-CCP, were assessed in each group. The results revealed a significant improvement in these biomarkers in the high-dose purslane-supplemented group (300 mg/kg body weight) compared to the induced arthritis-high-fat-diet group. This suggests a potential protective role of purslane against arthritis associated with obesity, likely attributed to its lipolytic capacity and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings contribute to our understanding of the interplay between obesity, arthritis, and natural interventions, providing valuable insights for future therapeutic approaches.

Rhamnolipid-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as a Novel Multitarget Candidate against Major Foodborne E. coli Serotypes and Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus

Surface-growing antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are emerging as a global health challenge due to dilemmas in clinical treatment. Furthermore, their pathogenesis, including increasingly serious antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation, makes them challenging to treat by conventional therapy. Therefore, the development of novel antivirulence strategies will undoubtedly provide a path forward in combatting these resistant bacterial infections. In this regard, we developed novel biosurfactant-coated nanoparticles to combine the antiadhesive/antibiofilm properties of rhamnolipid (RHL)-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) with each of the p-coumaric acid (p-CoA) and gallic acid (GA) antimicrobial drugs by using the most available polymer common coatings (PVA) to expand the range of effective antibacterial drugs, as well as a mechanism for their synergistic effect via a simple method of preparation. Mechanistically, the average size of bare Fe3O4 NPs was ~15 nm, while RHL-coated Fe3O4@PVA@p-CoA/GA was about ~254 nm, with a drop in zeta potential from -18.7 mV to -34.3 mV, which helped increase stability. Our data show that RHL-Fe3O4@PVA@p-CoA/GA biosurfactant NPs can remarkably interfere with bacterial growth and significantly inhibited biofilm formation to more than 50% via downregulating IcaABCD and CsgBAC operons, which are responsible for slime layer formation and curli fimbriae production in S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The novelty regarding the activity of RHL-Fe3O4@PVA@p-CoA/GA biosurfactant NPs reveals their potential effect as an alternative multitarget antivirulence candidate to minimize infection severity by inhibiting biofilm development. Therefore, they could be used in antibacterial coatings and wound dressings in the future. IMPORTANCE Antimicrobial resistance poses a great threat and challenge to humanity. Therefore, the search for alternative ways to target and eliminate microbes from plant, animal, and marine microorganisms is one of the world's concerns today. Furthermore, the extraordinary capacity of S. aureus and E. coli to resist standard antibacterial drugs is the dilemma of all currently used remedies. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) have become widespread, leading to no remedies being able to treat these threatening pathogens. The most widely recognized serotypes that cause severe foodborne illness are E. coli O157:H7, O26:H11, and O78:H10, and they display increasing antimicrobial resistance rates. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an effective therapy that has dual action to inhibit biofilm formation and decrease bacterial growth. In this study, the synthesized RHL-Fe3O4@PVA@p-CoA/GA biosurfactant NPs have interesting properties, making them excellent candidates for targeted drug delivery by inhibiting bacterial growth and downregulating biofilm-associated IcaABCD and CsgBAC gene loci.

Advances on Therapeutic Strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease: From Medicinal Plant to Nanotechnology

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic dysfunction of neurons in the brain leading to dementia. It is characterized by gradual mental failure, abnormal cognitive functioning, personality changes, diminished verbal fluency, and speech impairment. It is caused by neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal area of the brain. The number of individuals with AD is growing at a quick rate. The pathology behind AD is the progress of intraneuronal fibrillary tangles, accumulation of amyloid plaque, loss of cholinergic neurons, and decrease in choline acetyltransferase. Unfortunately, AD cannot be cured, but its progression can be delayed. Various FDA-approved inhibitors of cholinesterase enzyme such as rivastigmine, galantamine, donepezil, and NDMA receptor inhibitors (memantine), are available to manage the symptoms of AD. An exhaustive literature survey was carried out using SciFinder’s reports from Alzheimer’s Association, PubMed, and Clinical Trials.org. The literature was explored thoroughly to obtain information on the various available strategies to prevent AD. In the context of the present scenario, several strategies are being tried including the clinical trials for the treatment of AD. We have discussed pathophysiology, various targets, FDA-approved drugs, and various drugs in clinical trials against AD. The goal of this study is to shed light on current developments and treatment options, utilizing phytopharmaceuticals, nanomedicines, nutraceuticals, and gene therapy.

Selenium cleome droserifolia nanoparticles (Se-CNPs) and it's ameliorative effects in experimentally induced diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders with great challenge in its treatment due to its pathological complication. In recent decade, there is extensive use of applying nanotechnology to medicinal plants as a trend in diabetes treatment due to phytochemical constituents. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of selenium cleome droserifolia nanoparticles (Se-CNPs) and/or Galvus met® treatment on streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus in male rats. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided equally into five groups: control group, control diabetic group, diabetic group treated with Se-CNPs, diabetic group treated with Galvus met® and diabetic group treated with Se-CNPs plus Galvus met®. Glucose and insulin levels, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Total Cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerols (TG), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL-c), Very Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and (NEFAs), urea and creatinine were evaluated. Also, histopathological changes in pancreatic tissue were examined. The results showed significant elevation in serum glucose concentration, ALT and AST activities, TG, LDL-c, VLDL-c and Non Esterified Fatty Acids (NEFAs), urea and creatinine levels while a significant decrease in serum insulin and HDL-c concentration in untreated diabetic rats when compared with control. Meanwhile, daily administration of Se-CNPs and/or Galvus met® to diabetic rats showed significant amelioration of these parameters.

Biochemical study on occupational inhalation of benzene vapours in petrol station

inhalation of benzene vapours promote various and dangerous health problems. Fuel station workers are most susceptible to benzene inhalation toxicity. Samples were collected twice, at beginning of the study and 6 months later from 40 fuel station workers from different egyptian governorates and 10 control healthy volunteers. Fuel station workers were sub divided into four groups according to years working in the station. All of them are exposed to benzene vapours and exhausts during their duties, their work shifts were 8 hrs./day. Results indicated that; benzene vapours exposure induced significant increasing in serum Lead and Cadmium and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzyme activity levels. This goes with marked immunologic changes presented by decreases in immunoglobulins; IgA and IgG, along with increases in levels of IgM and IgE. Also, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly increased. Meanwhile, reduction in some other biochemical parameters including; Copper, Zinc and Iron micronutrients, as well as; Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) enzyme levels and Glutathione (GSH) content. Hence, the study inferred that prolonged benzene inhalation can lead to biochemical and immune disorders, probably through potentiating oxidative stress and inflammation pathways.