Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Pistacia terebinthus extract: Comprehensive evaluation of antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer effects.

In recent years, because of the various functions associated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in manufacturing, different ways for their synthesis have been established. The antioxidant and antibacterial effects of terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus) have been proven. In this study, for the first time, using the extract of terebinth, we have synthesized AgNPs using a green method. Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) spectroscopy analyses were applied to evaluate and verify the formation of NPs, and the antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer activity of synthesized AgNPs was also studied. The highest absorption was obtained 24 h following the synthesis at 420 nm because of the Ag + to Ag0 reduction. The functional groups stabilizing activity was obtained by FTIR. Moreover, size and surface morphology were assessed by FE-SEM. The present research showed the AgNPs had spherical shape and had a 32 nm diameter. The face-centered cubic construction of AgNPs was evaluated through XRD method with peaks at 2θ = 37°, 49°, 63°, and 76° (related to the planes of silver 111, 200, 220, 311), respectively. Antimicrobial assessment revealed that the biosynthesized AgNPs had a great antimicrobial activity in response to Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Suppression of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was determined to be associated with dosage. In addition, a high anticancer activity, against MCF-7 cell line, was observed for the 25 µg/mL concentration of the AgNPs. Altogether, these results show that biogenic AgNPs can be functioned as beneficial medicinal compounds.

Anti Leishmanial Effect of Plantago psyllium (Ovate) and White Vinegar on Leishmania major Lesion in BALB/c Mice.

Background: Leishmania major is the etiologic agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran, and glucantime injection is currently used for its treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-leishmanial effect of topical Plantago psyllium and white vinegar in L. major infected BALB/c mice. Methods: Thirty infected mice were divided into five groups as follows: Group 1: treated with the combination of ovata powder and white vinegar, Group 2: treated with glucantime, Group 3: treated with white vinegar, Group 4: treated with the combination of ovata powder and water, and Group 5: without any treatment. All the groups were treated for 18 days. Lesion size was measured, and final smears were prepared for microscopic examination. Results: The findings indicated that the difference in the mean areas of the ulcers in all the groups before and after treatment was not significant, except for the second (glucantime) and third (vinegar) groups. Also, the results showed that in the first, second, third, and fourth group, 6 (60%), 4 (80%), 3 (60%), and 2 (40%) mice were healed, respectively. However, ulcers remained in all the five mice of the control group. Conclusion: The combination of ovata powder and white vinegar has been traditionally used to treat leishmanial lesions in Iran. It seems the most anti-leishmanial effect is related to vinegar and supported by Plantago. The route of treatment with this combination is very simple and painless in comparison with injection. Thus, further studies on this issue could help to design more effective and easy-to-use drugs.

Green tea intake and its effect on laboratory parameters and disease symptoms in hospitalised patients with Covid 19: a structured protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The current randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to assess the effect of green tea intake on disease symptoms and laboratory parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and complete blood count (CBC) in patients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19 infection. TRIAL DESIGN: Randomized, double-blinded, parallel (1:1 ratio) clinical trial exploratory study PARTICIPANTS: We will recruit patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to Yasuj Shahid Jalil Hospital in Yasuj City, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. Participants' inclusion criteria are as follows: Inclusion Criteria Patients aged ≥18 years COVID-19 diagnosis according to real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Exclusion Criteria Pregnancy or lactation Disseminated intravascular coagulation or any other types of coagulopathy Severe congestive kidney failure Having a history of participating in a clinical trial during the last 30 days INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Intervention: Two capsules containing 450 mg green tea extract along with routine treatment for COVID-19 patients in the intervention group. Two capsules containing placebo plus routine treatment for patients with COVID-19 infection. Capsules will be taken twice a day, after lunch and dinner, for 14 days. MAIN OUTCOMES: Changes in disease symptoms and laboratory parameters including CRP, ESR, and CBC after 14 days of the intervention compared to control group. RANDOMISATION: Eligible patients will be randomly assigned into the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Randomization will be performed based on 8 permuted blocks with block sizes of 10, and patients in the intervention and control groups will be matched according to sex and age categories. Randomization will be done using computer-generated random numbers ( Randomization.com ) BLINDING (MASKING): The appearance of placebo and green tea capsules will be similar in terms of shape and color, and they will be packed in the same bags that will be prepared by the company. Also, the researcher and all participants will not be aware of the divisions until the end of the study. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMISED (SAMPLE SIZE): The total sample was determined based on CRP MCID in which high CRP levels were considered >2.6 mg/L. Accordingly, a total sample size of 37 patients for each intervention group was required. TRIAL STATUS: The protocol is Version 1.0, on June 5, 2021. Recruitment will start on July 11, 2021, which is anticipated to be completed by September 21, 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20150711023153N3 ( https://www.irct.ir/trial/55948 ) retrospectively registered on June 4, 2021 FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting was eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Active immunization using exotoxin A confers protection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in a mouse burn model.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important cause of nosocomial infection and may lead to septicemia and death. We evaluated the immunogenicity of semi-purified exotoxin A from the bacterium in a mouse burn model. METHODS: The toxoid was prepared from exotoxin A taken from toxigenic strains of P. aeruginosa (PA 103). 50 mice were immunized with the toxoid, burned with hot metal and infected with 1 x 10(8) CFU of toxigenic strains of P. aeruginosa (experimental group); 25 non-immunized mice were also burned and infected (control group). The mortality rate and presence of any exotoxin and P. aeruginosa in the sera, liver and spleen were determined. RESULTS: In the experimental group, 2 mice died before the burns were administered and were excluded from the study. The remainder (48 mice) were challenged with a lethal dose of P. aeruginosa and followed for 70 days. 3 of these mice died. Neither P. aeruginosa nor exotoxin A was not detected in the liver, spleen or sera of the surviving mice. The protective efficacy of toxoid vaccination was therefore 93.8%. In the control group, all mice died from bacteremia and septicemia, most (80%) within 6 days, and P. aeruginosa and exotoxin A were isolated from sera, spleen and liver. CONCLUSION: Active immunization of mice using a semi-purified exotoxin A derived from P. aeruginosa was 93.8% effective at protecting mice from subsequent P. aeruginosa infections in a mouse burn model.