Pulicaria crispa mitigates nephrotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats via regulation oxidative, inflammatory, tubular and glomerular indices

Inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress and genetic disturbance in rheumatoid arthritis rats supported by alfalfa seeds metabolomic constituents via blocking interleukin-1receptor

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by aggressive cartilage and bone erosion. This work aimed to evaluate the metabolomic profile of Medicago sativa L. (MS) (alfalfa) seeds and explore its therapeutic impact against RA in rats. Arthritis was induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and its severity was assessed by the arthritis index. Treatment with MS seeds butanol fraction and interlukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) were evaluated through measuring interlukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) type 1 gene expression, interlukin-1 beta (IL-1β), oxidative stress markers, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), caspase-3 (Cas-3), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), DNA fragmentation, and chromosomal damage. Total phenolics/ flavonoids content in the ethyl acetate, butanol fraction and crude extract of MS seeds were estimated. The major identified compounds were Quercetin, Trans-taxifolin, Gallic acid, 7,4'-Dihydroxyflavone, Cinnamic acid, Kudzusaponin SA4, Isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-2'',3'',4''-triacetylglucopyranoside, Apigenin, 5,7,4'-Trihydroxy-3'-methoxyflavone, Desmethylxanthohumol, Pantothenic acid, Soyasapogenol E, Malvidin, Helilandin B, Stigmasterol, and Wairol. Treatment with MS seeds butanol fraction and IL-1RA enhanced all the biochemical parameters and the histopathological features of the ankle joint. In conclusion, Trans-taxifolin was isolated for the first time from the genus Medicago. MS butanol fraction seeds extract and IL-1 RA were considered as anti-rheumatic agents.

Biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Bacillus paramycoides for In Vitro Biological Activities and In Vivo Assessment Against Hepatorenal Injury Induced by CCl4 in Rats

Recently, impressive developments in the field of nanotechnology have been achieved. The study aimed to synthetize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) from locally isolated terrestrial Bacillus paramycoides (MCCC 1A04098) bacteria and assess its role as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer agent. The antioxidant activity was done using the percentage of DPPH scavenging method. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Candida albicans. The anti-proliferation assay against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines was estimated by neutral red assay. The apoptotic effect of ZnONP was measured by flow cytometry. The in vivo evaluation was carried out against hepatorenal injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats comparing with silymarin as a reference drug. The oxidative stress markers, liver and kidney function enzyme indices, lipid profile, and the histological features of the liver and kidney were also examined. ZnONPs revealed antioxidant and antibacterial effects. It also exerted cytotoxic and apoptotic effect in a dose dependent manner without any toxicity on normal cell line. ZnONPs improved all the biochemical parameters under investigation to varying degrees, and the histological pictures of the liver and kidney confirmed the results. In conclusion, ZnONPs were successfully synthesized from the terrestrial Bacillus paramycoides and recorded in vitro antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial effects as well as in vivo anti-hepatorenal toxicity effects.

An Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical Analysis, Antimicrobial and Biological Studies of Pulicaria crispa as a Graze Promising Shrub

Due to the global issue of antimicrobial resistance, one of the most significant challenges in microbiological research is to develop a replacement antibiotic with minimal adverse effects. The wild shrub Pulicaria crispa (gethgath) has been traditionally used for camel and ruminant grazing. While prior research has demonstrated its antimicrobial properties against human diseases, no investigations have been conducted on its efficacy against animal pathogens. The objective of this study is to explore the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activity of Pulicaria crispa aqueous and solvent extracts against a range of standard and animal pathogens. All of the extracts demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, containing bioactive compounds. Notably, the ethyl acetate extract of P. crispa exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The chloroform fraction displayed the highest antioxidant activity. Additionally, the ethyl acetate fraction showed promising anticancer activity against breast (MCF-7) and lung (A549) cancer cells. These findings confirm that Pulicaria crispa is a valuable shrub with potential applications as a natural alternative for antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer treatments in both human and veterinary medicine.

Investigating the Potential Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Anti-MERS-CoV Activities of Yellow Necklacepod among Three Selected Medicinal Plants: Extraction, Isolation, Identification, In Vitro, Modes of Action, and Molecular Docking Studies

The anti-MERS-CoV activities of three medicinal plants (Azadirachta indica, Artemisia judaica, and Sophora tomentosa) were evaluated. The highest viral inhibition percentage (96%) was recorded for S. tomentosa. Moreover, the mode of action for both S. tomentosa and A. judaica showed 99.5% and 92% inhibition, respectively, with virucidal as the main mode of action. Furthermore, the anti-MERS-CoV and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities of S. tomentosa were measured. Notably, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of S. tomentosa was very high (100%) and anti-MERS-CoV inhibition was slightly lower (96%). Therefore, the phytochemical investigation of the very promising S. tomentosa L. led to the isolation and structural identification of nine compounds (1−9). Then, both the CC50 and IC50 values for the isolated compounds against SARS-CoV-2 were measured. Compound 4 (genistein 4’-methyl ether) achieved superior anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with an IC50 value of 2.13 µm. Interestingly, the mode of action of S. tomentosa against SARS-CoV-2 showed that both virucidal and adsorption mechanisms were very effective. Additionally, the IC50 values of S. tomentosa against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV were found to be 1.01 and 3.11 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, all the isolated compounds were subjected to two separate molecular docking studies against the spike (S) and main protease (Mpr°) receptors of SARS-CoV-2.

Alloimperatorin from Ammi majus fruits mitigates Piroxicam-provoked gastric ulcer and hepatorenal toxicity in rats via suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis

Introduction: Fruits of Ammi majus, commonly called bishop's weed, contain a significant amount of furanocoumarins. Alloimperatorin (Allo, 6) was isolated from the free coumarin fraction of fruits, beside 8-hydroxypsoralen (1), methoxsalen (2), heraclin (3), isoimperatorin (4), imperatorin (5), isoheraclenin (7) and heraclenin hydrate (8). Piroxicam (Px) is a widely used pain-relieving drug that demonstrated side effects, including gastric ulceration and hepatorenal toxicity.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the protective potential of Alloimperatorin against Px-induced gastric ulceration and hepatorenal toxicity.Material & Methods: Rats were divided into four groups: Negative control, Px-induced rats, Allo + Px co-treated group, and Pc + Px co-treated group. Allo (25 mg/kg body weight) and Pc (25 mg/kg body weight) treatments were received 5 days before and 4 days after Px intoxication for 4 days (50 mg/kg body weight). Serum prostaglandin E2 (PG-E2) and liver and kidney functions were measured. Oxidative stress markers were evaluated in the three tissues. Histopathological features and caspase-3 immunoexpression were monitoredResults & Discussion: Px triggered gastric ulceration, increased indices of liver and kidney functions, decreased PG-E2 levels, provoked oxidative stress, and activated caspase-3 immunoexpression. Co-treatment with Allo demonstrated protective activities.Conclusion: Alloimperatorin exhibited anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities.