Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Liver Functions in Albino Mice

BACKGROUND

An alarming number of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have leaked into the environment, endangering the tissues of many living creatures, due to the recent surge in their use in several items. Through intra-peritoneal injection, this research intends to examine the impact of ZnO-NPs on the hepatic and gastrointestinal structures of male albino mice.

METHOD

For seven and 14 days, animals were given 0.1 ml of 100 and 200 mg kg-1 of 50 nm-size ZnO-NPs, respectively. In contrast, those in the control group were given only water and food.

RESULT

The results demonstrated that the treated mice's livers underwent functional changes and histological damage. After seven and 14 days, there was a notable rise in the average levels of the glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase enzymes in comparison to the control group (p≤0.05). Concentration time determines the magnitude of this impact. When enzyme levels vary, it means the liver isn't working properly. Histological changes in the liver, such as necrosis, destruction of hepatocyte membranes, widening of sinusoidal spaces and vacuolation of their cytoplasm, vascular congestion, and an increased number of Kupffer cells, were induced in mice treated with ZnO-NPs at two studied concentrations (100 and 200 mg/kg) for seven and 14 days, respectively. These effects were time-dose-dependent, according to the results of hematoxylin-eosin staining of liver tissue images.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of New Dermaseptin Derivatives against Acinetobacter baumannii

Nosocomial infections represent one of the biggest health problems nowadays. Acinetobacter baumannii is known as an opportunistic pathogen in humans, affecting people with compromised immune systems, and is becoming increasingly important as a hospital-derived infection. It is known that in recent years, more and more bacteria have become multidrug-resistant (MDR) and, for this reason, the development of new drugs is a priority. However, these products must not affect the human body, and therefore, cytotoxicity studies are mandatory. In this context, antimicrobial peptides with potential antibacterial proprieties could be an alternative. In this research, we describe the synthesis and the bioactivity of dermaseptins and their derivatives against Acinetobacter baumannii. The cytotoxicity of these compounds was investigated on the HEp-2 cell line by MTT cell viability assay. Thereafter, we studied the morphological alterations caused by the action of one of the active peptides on the bacterial membrane using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The cytotoxicity of dermaseptins was concentration-dependent at microgram concentrations. It was observed that all tested analogs exhibited antibacterial activity with Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) ranging from 3.125 to 12.5 μg/mL and Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations (MBCs) ranging from 6.25 to 25 μg/mL. Microscopic images obtained by AFM revealed morphological changes on the surface of the treated bacteria caused by K4S4(1-16), as well as significant surface alterations. Overall, these findings demonstrate that dermaseptins might constitute new lead structures for the development of potent antibacterial agents against Acinetobacter baumannii infections.

HPLC-DAD Analysis and Investigation of Biological Properties of the Leaves of Globularia alypum (L.), Infusion Extract

Globularia alypum L. (GA) belonging to the Globulariaceae family is a Mediterranean plant which is widely used in traditional Tunisian medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, anti-arthritic, antiproliferative, antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of aqueous GA leaf extracts (AGAL). Quantitative analyses of the different constituents of extracts were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Spectrophotometric methods and chemical tests were used for antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities. The antiproliferative study was evaluated using colorectal cancer SW620 cells, while the antibacterial assessment and analysis of the antibiofilm effects were determined by the microdilution method and the crystal violet assay, respectively. AGAL extracts presented several components, mainly Nepetin-7-Glucoside and trans-ferrulic acid. The results showed that they had an important antioxidant (IC50 = 0.34; 0.38 and 1.20 mg/mL) and anti-arthritic (IC50 = 2.94 mg/mL) properties, and these effects are displayed in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, this extract demonstrated significant antiproliferative (IC50 = 50 µg/mL), antibacterial (MIC = 6.25 mg/mL and MBC = 6.25 mg/mL), and antibiofilm (59.70% at 25 mg/mL) properties especially against S. aureus. The results achieved confirm the important role of this plant as a source of therapeutic activities.

Analysis of Pathogens of Urinary Tract Infections Associated with Indwelling Double-J Stents and Their Susceptibility to Globularia alypum

Ureteral double-J stents are frequently used to prevent urinary obstruction. They can develop bacterial colonization and encrustation, which leads to persistent infections that seldom respond to antibiotic treatment. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the local spectrum of bacterial pathogens and their susceptibility to natural compounds. A total of 59 double-J ureteral stents from 59 consecutive patients were examined. The samples were inoculated on agar culture mediums. Extracts of Globularia alypum L. were evaluated for their antibacterial activity with the diffusion and broth dilution methods; for antibiofilm activity, the crystal violet assay was used. The identification and the quantification of the different constituents of extracts were determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Bacterial growth was found in three patients (5.1%). Enterococcus faecalis (1.7%), Acinetobacter baumanii (1.7%), and Pseudomonas putida (1.7%) strains were more commonly detected. They were resistant to several common antibiotics. All extracts presented several components, mainly nepetin-7-glucoside and trans-ferulic-acid, and they had antibacterial activity (MIC = 6.25 mg/mL and MBC = 6.25 mg/mL), and antibiofilm (59.70% at 25 mg/mL) properties, especially against Acinetobacter baumanii. The results achieved confirm the important role of this plant as a source of therapeutic activities.

Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Antibacterial, and Antibiofilm Effects of Globularia alypum (L.) Leaves

Globularia alypum L. (GA) is a Mediterranean plant of the Globulariaceae family which is widely used in traditional Tunisian medicine. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities, and the antiproliferative potential of different extracts of this plant. The identification and the quantification of the different constituents of extracts were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activities were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods and chemical tests. The antiproliferative study was based on the use of colorectal cancer SW620 cells, including an antibacterial assessment with the microdilution method and analysis of the antibiofilm effects via the crystal violet assay. All extracts presented several components, mainly sesquiterpenes, hydrocarbon, and oxygenated monoterpenes. The results revealed that the maceration extract had the most important antioxidant effect (IC₅₀ = 0.04 and 0.15 mg/mL), followed by the sonication extract (IC₅₀ = 0.18 and 0.28 mg/mL). However, the sonication extract demonstrated significant antiproliferative (IC₅₀ = 20 µg/mL), antibacterial (MIC = 6.25 mg/mLand MBC > 25 mg/mL), and antibiofilm (35.78% at 25 mg/mL) properties against S. aureus. The results achieved confirm the important role of this plant as a source of therapeutic activities.

Phytochemical profile, cytotoxic, antioxidant, and allelopathic potentials of aqueous leaf extracts of Olea europaea

Although bioactivities of Olea europaea (OE) have been widely described, most of them were related to its methanolic extracts or its essential oils, While data related to aqueous extracts still very scarce. Thus, in this study, the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, the cytotoxic potential, and the allelopathic potential of aqueous leaf extracts from two varieties of Olea europaea were investigated and compared. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify and quantify the constituents of the tested plants, and spectrophotometric methods to evaluate antioxidant activities. The cytotoxic potential was investigated using murine oligodendrocytes (158N) while germination seeds' test was used for allelopathic activity. HPLC analysis showed the presence of 10 phenolic compounds in both extracts. Chemlali variety showed the highest antioxidant and allelopathic activities. Regarding the cytotoxicity effect, a significant increase in cell viability was observed with both of our extracts compared to untreated cells. These results confirm that aqueous extracts from OE produce a range of substances with potential antioxidant, antifungal, and allelopathic effects without toxic effects. Thus, they could be used as an alternative of chemical compounds.

Phytochemical Analysis and Assessment of Biological Properties of Essential Oils Obtained from Thyme and Rosmarinus Species

BACKGROUND

The plant species Thymus algeriensis (TA); Thymus capitatus (TC) and Rosmarinus officinalis (RO), are widely used in traditional medicine in Tunisia. The bioactivities of their essential oils have also been reported previously. The main objective of this work was to assess the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, cytotoxic potential and the antibacterial, antifungal, of the essential oil (EO) of these plants.

METHODS

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify and quantify the constituents of the tested EO. Chemical tests, and spectrophotometric methods were used for antioxidant activities and for the screening and quantification of phytochemicals. The cytotoxic potential of the EO was checked using HCT 116 cultures. The extracts were evaluated for their antibacterial potential by the microdilution method. Antifungal activities were tested using the Poisoned food technique against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus.

RESULTS

The EO of tested plants presented several components, mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The results revealed that T. capitatus EO is not toxic compared to the other tested samples. Phenolic compounds were detected and this EO showed excellent antioxidant activity presenting dosedependent relationship. Regarding antimicrobial activity, T. capitatus EO, also had the highest inhibition against all tested bacteria and fungi.

CONCLUSION

This study showed the importance of the bioactivities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and safety potential) of EOs of the plant species TC, RO, and TA used in traditional medicine.