Synergistic effect of doxycycline and aqueous extract of irradiated khella on structure of nanobacteria isolated from kidney stones: In vitro and in vivo studies.

Kidney stones have been associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney diseases, end-stage renal failure. This study is devoted to isolate nanobacteria from patients with active urolithiasis and investigate the in vitro and in vivo antinanobacterial activity of some antibiotics alone or in combination with extracts of irradiated herbs from certain medicinal plants. Nanobacteria were detected using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy, protein electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and DNA profile. The antimicrobial susceptibility of some biofilm-producing nanobacterial isolates was evaluated. The effect of medicinal plant extracts on growth was tested. A combination treatment between the most potent extracts and antibiotics was tested on biofilm production, protein profile, release of 260 nm absorbing material, protein content, and ultrastructure of the strongest biofilm producers. In vivo study of nanobacteria and its treatment by the most potent agents was evaluated on male rats. Renal function was measured in serum; histological examination and oxidative stress parameters were determined in kidney tissues. Results showed that streptomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, and water extracts of irradiated khella at 6 kGy had antinanobacterial activity. Meanwhile, the synergistic effect of the aqueous extract of irradiated Khella and doxycycline showed higher inhibition activity on microbial growth and biofilm production. They affected dramatically the strength of its cell membrane and subsequently its ultrastructure. Moreover, these results are confirmed by ameliorations in renal function and histological alterations. It could be concluded that the combination of DO and an aqueous extract of irradiated khella has an antinephrotoxic effect against nanobacteria-induced renal toxicity.

Assessment of exopolysaccharides, bacteriocins and in vitro and in vivo hypocholesterolemic potential of some Egyptian Lactobacillus spp.

Lactobacilli probiotics have been suggested to reduce cholesterol with low side effects to host. Bacteriocins and exopolysaccharides (EPSs) production are two meaningful examples of functional applications of lactobacilli in the food industry. Eight Lactobacillus strains were isolated from some Egyptian fermented food and tested for their probiotic properties. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition by thin layer chromatography showed the presence of glucose, galactose and unknown sugar. The main functional groups of EPSs were elucidated by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Their fermentation cultures displayed powerful antioxidant activities extending from 97.5 to 99%, 40-75% for their EPSs and free cells, respectively, and exhibited in vitro cholesterol downgrading from 48 to 82% and 72 to 91% after 48 and 120 h, respectively. Their EPSs showed good anticancer activities against carcinoma cells with low IC50 values for HCT-116, PC-3 and HepG-2 cells. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous reports on the potential of Lactobacillus EPSs activity against PC-3. The selected strains, L. plantarum KU985433 and L. rhamnosus KU985436 produced two different bacteriocins as detected by gel permeation chromatography with good antimicrobial activities. In vivo study demonstrated that feeding Westar rats with fermented milk exhibited greater cholesterol, LDL and blood triglyceride reduction for both strains. Whereas, HDL was increased by about 43 and 38%, respectively, and the atherogenic indices decreased.