Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil as a Potential Anti-Acne Topical Nanoemulsion-In Vitro and In Vivo Study.

Antibiotics are often prescribed in acne treatment; however, Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, the two of the major acne-associated bacteria, developed antibiotic resistance. Essential oils (EOs) present a natural, safe, efficacious and multifunctional alternative treatment. This study aimed to assess the potential anti-acne activity of selected seven EOs commonly used in Mediterranean folk medicine. Antimicrobial activity screening of these oils showed oregano to exhibit the strongest antimicrobial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.34 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 0.67 mg/mL against P. acnes; and MIC of 0.67 mg/mL and MBC of 1.34 mg/mL against S. epidermidis. The composition of the most effective EOs (oregano and thyme) was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Monoterpenoid phenols predominated oregano and thyme EO with thymol percentile 99 and 72, respectively. Thymol showed MIC 0.70 mg/mL against both P. acnes and S. epidermidis whereas MBC was 1.40 and 2.80 mg/mL against P. acnes and S. epidermidis, respectively. Moreover, oregano exhibited the strongest anti-biofilm effect against S. epidermidis with MBIC 1.34 mg/mL and killing dynamic time of 12 and 8 h against P. acnes and S. epidermidis, respectively. Oregano, the most effective EO, was formulated and tested as a nanoemulsion in an acne animal mouse model. The formulation showed superior healing and antimicrobial effects compared to the reference antibiotic. Collectively, our data suggested that oregano oil nanoemulsion is a potential natural and effective alternative for treating acne and overcoming the emerging antibiotic resistance.

Liver and ovarian toxicities boosted by bisphenol and gamma radiation in female albino rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a carbon-based synthetic polymer compound, was newly classified as an environmental toxicant and an endocrine-disrupting chemical leading to abnormalities in cell proliferation, apoptosis, or migration that contributes to cancer development and progression. This study aims to evaluate the effect of the elevation of γ- radiation dose and BPA on the liver and ovaries of female rats. In this study, eighty female albino rats (130-150 g) were used in this work. Rats in this experiment received BPA in ethanol (50 mg/kg b. wt.) for 30 days, day after day, and in the irradiated groups, animals were administered BPA and then exposed to γ- radiation in doses (2, 4, and 6 Gy) one shot dose. Several members of the cytochrome family were examined. Exposure to γ-radiation and BPA showed an increase in cytochrome P450 and b5 fold change. Further, BPA and γ-radiation activate α and ß estrogen receptors and also downregulate aromatase (CYT19) fold change. The current results also revealed that BPA and/or γ-radiation regulate the protein expression of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) appeared to be targeted by BPA and γ-radiation and its relative expression was elevated significantly by raising the γ-radiation dose. In conclusion, exposure to BPA, an endocrine-disrupting chemical, leads to marked toxicity. Additionally, toxicity is heightened by increasing the γ-radiation dose, either alone or in combination with BPA.

Protective effect of tomato pomace extract encapsulated in combination with probiotics against indomethacin induced enterocolitis.

Tomato pomace (TP), an antioxidant-rich byproduct, may be suitable for noble applications. The regulation of ROS generation and the anti-inflammatory response can help to prevent ulceration. The purpose of this study was to examine TP for antioxidants, in silico anti-inflammatory properties, and its potential to protect against ulceration and erosion triggered by indomethacin. Tomato pomace extract (TPE) was encapsulated either alone or with probiotics to maximize its potential effect. These microcapsules were investigated in indomethacin-treated rats. TPE demonstrated antioxidant activity as well as high levels of carotenoids (15 mg/g extract) and polyphenols. Because of their binding affinity as well as hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions with the active sites of TNF-α and IL-1ß inflammatory cytokines, ellagic acid and rutin may be implicated in the anti-inflammatory effect of TPE, according to the docking study. TPE microcapsules, either alone or in combination with probiotics, demonstrated a protective effect against enterocolitis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, as evidenced by the decrease in stomach and intestinal MDA, NO, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels and the increase in CAT, SOD, and GSH activities. The produced microcapsules are suggested to be promising candidates for protection against gastric ulcers and erosion.

Hepatic P53 upregulation and the genotoxic potential of acesulfame-K treatment in rats with a special emphasis on in vitro lymphocyte and macrophage activity testing.

Acesulfame-k (Ace-k) is a widely used artificial sweetener in various products, and long-term cumulative and multisource exposure is possible despite inadequate toxicological data confirming its safety. Ninety male rats were divided into two main groups according to their body weight into immature and mature rats. Each group was subdivided into 3 subgroups: control untreated, 30 and 90 mg/kg b. w of Ace-k via gastric intubation. The treatment was performed daily 5 days per week for 12 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected for in vitro testing of lymphocyte proliferation rate, comet assay, and macrophage activity about nitric oxide (NO) production. In addition, the collection of liver specimens was performed for P53 gene expression and histopathological evaluation. The results revealed that Ace-k induced modulation in lymphocyte proliferation rate and affected the production of NO by macrophages while increasing in tail moment in a dose-dependent manner that varied among different age groups. The upregulation of P53 in the liver was correlated with increased polyploidization and necro apoptotic reaction and various histopathological hepatic alterations. The present data revealed that chronic treatment of rats with Ace-k affects lymphocyte proliferation and macrophage activity in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the genotoxic and hepatotoxic potential of Ace-k were confirmed.

Modulation efficiency of clove oil nano-emulsion against genotoxic, oxidative stress, and histological injuries induced via titanium dioxide nanoparticles in mice.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) have found wide applications in medical and industrial fields. However, the toxic effect of various tissues is still under study. In this study, we evaluated the toxic effect of TiO2-NP on stomach, liver, and kidney tissues and the amelioration effect of clove oil nanoemulsion (CLV-NE) against DNA damage, oxidative stress, pathological changes, and the apoptotic effect of TiO2-NPs. Four groups of male mice were subjected to oral treatment for five consecutive days including, the control group, the group treated with TiO2-NPs (50 mg/kg), the group treated with (CLV-NE) (5% of the MTD), and the group treated with TiO2-NPs plus CLV-NE. The results revealed that the treatment with TiO2-NPs significantly caused DNA damage in the liver, stomach, and kidney tissues due to increased ROS as indicated by the reduction of the antioxidant activity of SOD and Gpx and increased MDA level. Further, abnormal histological signs and apoptotic effect confirmed by the significant elevation of p53 expression were reported after TiO2-NPs administration. The present data reported a significant improvement in the previous parameters after treatment with CLV-NE. These results showed the collaborative effect of the oils and the extra role of nanoemulsion in enhancing antioxidant effectiveness that enhances its disperse-ability and further promotes its controlled release. One could conclude that CLV-NE is safe and can be used as a powerful antioxidative agent to assess the toxic effects of the acute use of TiO2-NPs.

Profiling of two Lampranthus species using LC-ESI/MS with evidence of their hepatoprotective activity.

Lampranthus glaucus and Lampranthus glaucoides are only reported to have significant cytotoxic activity against certain cancer cell lines with phytochemical investigation of their petroleum ether and the ethyl acetate extracts. Further investigation was suggested concerning their hepatoprotective activity and relating it to the metabolic profile of their defatted methanol extracts using LC-ESI/MS analysis. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated through assessment of three liver parameters as well as liver histopathological examination in thioacetamide-induced hepatotoxicity model. Sixty-eight and 26 phytochemicals were tentatively identified in L. glaucoides and L. glaucus, respectively, with phenolic compounds as the major class. Both plants showed significant inhibition of serum GPT and GOT levels, inhibition of tissue IL-1ß and TNF-α levels and inhibition of tissue NF-κß and caspase-3 gene expression proving hepatoprotective action. Liver treated with L. glaucoides showed lesion scoring range between negative to mild, whereas L. glaucus showed a range between mild to moderate.

Chicken Astro virus (CAstV): Isolation and characterization of new strains in broiler flocks with poor performance.

Chicken astroviruses (CAstV) were associated with retarded growth, enteritis, kidney diseases, and white chick syndrome. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of CAstV infection on growth, performance, and gross and histopathological picture of commercial chicken flocks suffering increased culling rate and decreased performance. Samples were collected for virus isolation, identification, and sequencing on day one, 15 days, and 30 days of age. Body weight, feed conversion rate, and mortality rates were determined. A gross examination was performed, and tissue samples from the liver, intestine, kidneys, heart, and lungs were kept in formalin for histopathological evaluation. Embryos inoculated with CAstV revealed dwarfism, and edema. The cytopathic effect on CAstV inoculated cells included aggregation,, and sloughing. The isolated Egyptian isolates shared the highest nucleotide homology (93%) with the Korean isolate Kr/ADL102655-1/2010 and showed the most distant relation to the Indian isolate Indovax/APF/1319 with 82-83% homology. Body weight exhibited significant reduction with a decrease in feed conversion rate in CAstV infected flocks. Gross examination of CAstV-infected chickens revealed white feathered chicks on day one, and poor body condition in older chickens as well as swollen kidneys. Histopathological examination of CAstV-infected birds showed mild proventriculitis, shortening of intestinal villi, enteritis, focal hepatocellular necrosis, pericarditis, myocarditis, and proliferative response in lung tissue. Kidneys showed interstitial nephritis, urate deposition, and glomerular hypercellularity. CAstV is a chicken pathogen that could be related to decreased performance, and screening of flocks for CAstV might be an essential step for breeders.

Systemic Neutralizing Antibodies and Local Immune Responses Are Critical for the Control of SARS-CoV-2.

Antibody measurements are primarily used to evaluate experimental and approved COVID-19 vaccines, which is unilateral considering our immune responses' complex nature. Previously, we showed that nanoparticle plasmid DNA adjuvant system, QAC, and MVA based vaccines were immunogenic against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report on the protective efficacy of systemic humoral and mucosal cell-mediated immune responses in transgenic mice models against SARS-CoV-2 following nanoparticle immunization. Parenteral, intramuscular administration of QAC-based plasmid DNA vaccine-encoding SARS-CoV-2 S and N led to the induction of significant serum neutralizing humoral responses, which reduced viral burden in the lungs and prevented viral dissemination to the brain. In contrast, the mucosal, intranasal administration of a heterologous vaccine elicited significant mucosal cell-mediated immune responses in the lungs that limited lung viral replication. The presented results demonstrate that serum neutralizing humoral and local lung T-cell immune responses are critical for the control of SARS-CoV-2 replication.

Electroacupuncture anesthesia for laparotomy in goats.

Background: The objective of the study to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture during laparotomy in goats. Aim: To study the abdominal anesthesia in goats by electroacupuncture using the physiological variables, vital parameters, hematological, biochemical, cortisol hormone, pain threshold, and wound healing for laparotomy in goats. Methods: Fifteen healthy adult bucks were used to receive electroacupuncture in 10 newly selected acupoints. The data (M ± SD) were assessed at intervals (0 minutes) before induction (control group), (5 minutes), (10 minutes), (15 minutes), and (20 minutes) during induction, (30 minutes), (45 minutes), and (60 minutes) throughout surgery and (24 hours) after surgery, cortisol levels in serum at (0), (24 hours), and (72 hours) throughout laparotomy. Results: The goats of the study showed improvement in the rates of eyelid closure, head, and neck relaxation, rumen motility, and tympany which were graded into mild (+), moderate (++), and severe (+++) degrees. The respiratory rates, body temperatures, and capillary fill times were not significantly different. The total mean of hematocrit was (19.9 ± 2.68), the total mean of hemoglobin was (9.9 ± 0.94), the total mean of red blood cells was (7.9 ± 0.8), the total mean of platelets was (244,861.3 ± 138,444.8) and the total mean of SPO2 was (70.5 ± 4.6). ALT and AST showed no significance. The significant mean cortisol level was (2.6 ± 2.01) and the significant mean pain threshold level was (0.02 ± 0.03). The results proved that electroacupuncture had a lot of significant parameters. The wound healing was improved by early epithelization and immature granulation tissue (at 7 days). Thick keratinized epithelization and collagen deposition in the dermal tissue with enhanced angiogenesis (at 14 days). Mild restoration of skin and the dermal tissue was well-organized (at 21 days). Besides, well-formed scar tissue covering a highly cellular organized dermal tissue (at 28 days). Conclusions: Electroacupuncture had been considered a powerful anesthetic for abdominal surgery in goats. Moreover, wound healing proved excellent and better healing.

Effects of a Combination of Lysolecithin, Synthetic Emulsifier, and Monoglycerides on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, and Selected Carcass Traits in Broilers Fed Low-Energy Diets.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing a combination of lysolecithin, synthetic emulsifier, and monoglycerides (LEX) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and selected carcass traits in broilers fed low-energy diets without added oil. Three hundred one-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (40.3 ± 3.3 g) were assigned to two dietary treatments with six replicates of 25 birds each and were fed a control low-energy diet without added oil supplemented with 0 and 250 g/t of LEX for 30 days. Growth performance was measured and recorded throughout the study. At slaughter, 60 birds per treatment were used to assess the effect of LEX on the carcass traits. Final average body weight and feed conversion ratio were improved (p < 0.05) in LEX treated birds compared to control. LEX supplementation was linked to higher (p < 0.05) carcass weight and yield and to lower (p < 0.05) abdominal fat and liver weight. Moisture content was higher (p < 0.05) in ground deboned broilers from LEX treatment. Villus height was increased (p < 0.05), and crypt depth reduced (p < 0.05) in the jejunum of birds treated with LEX. This study demonstrates that supplementation of LEX to a low-energy diet without added oil improved performance, carcass weight and yield, reduced abdominal fat deposition, and improved intestinal morphology in broiler chickens.

Characterization of stirred yoghurt enriched with probiotics and beetroot and its therapeutic potential in experimental type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Type-2 diabetes is the most prevalent metabolic disease, which calls for researchers to find many natural products that are effective in fighting diabetes and its complications. METHODS: Stirred yoghurt samples were prepared, enriched with probiotics, and fortified with either 1% or 2% of the fine powder of beetroots. The chemical, physical, sensorial, and microbial properties of the yoghurt samples were studied over a 15-day storage period. The total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, antioxidant activity as well as the reducing power of the dried beetroot and the yoghurt samples were assessed.The prepared yoghurt samples were evaluated in type 2 diabetic rats. RESULTS: Fortification with beetroot led to an increase of the total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and the probiotic counts in the prepared yoghurt. The intervention with the prepared yoghurt samples resulted in an increase in the number of beneficial bacteria in diabetic rats’ feces, hypoglycemic effect, and suppression in the elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that stirred yoghurt enriched with probiotics and fortified with beetroot have therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes.

Anticancer activity of milk fat rich in conjugated linoleic acid against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in female Swiss albino mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The major conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have anticancer effect, especially breast cancer cells, inhibits cell growth and induces cell death. Also, CLA has several health benefits in vivo, including antiatherogenesis, antiobesity, and modulation of immune function. The present study aimed to assess the safety and anticancer effects of milk fat CLA against in vivo Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in female Swiss albino mice. This was based on acute toxicity study, detection of the tumor growth, life span of EAC bearing hosts, and simultaneous alterations in the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty adult female mice were equally divided into five groups. Groups (1-2) were normal controls, and Groups (3-5) were tumor transplanted mice (TTM) inoculated intraperitoneally with EAC cells (2×106/0.2 mL). Group (3) was (TTM positive control). Group (4) TTM fed orally on balanced diet supplemented with milk fat CLA (40 mg CLA/kg body weight). Group (5) TTM fed orally on balanced diet supplemented with the same level of CLA 28 days before tumor cells inoculation. Blood samples and specimens from liver and kidney were collected from each group. The effect of milk fat CLA on the growth of tumor, life span of TTM, and simultaneous alterations in the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological profiles were examined. RESULTS: For CLA treated TTM, significant decrease in tumor weight, ascetic volume, viable Ehrlich cells accompanied with increase in life span were observed. Hematological and biochemical profiles reverted to more or less normal levels and histopathology showed minimal effects. CONCLUSION: The present study proved the safety and anticancer efficiency of milk fat CLA and provides a scientific basis for its medicinal use as anticancer attributable to the additive or synergistic effects of its isomers.

Safety and immunogenicity evaluation of inactivated whole-virus-SARS-COV-2 as emerging vaccine development in Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Current worldwide pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with high numbers of mortality rates and huge economic problems require an urgent demand for safe and effective vaccine development. Inactivated SARS-CoV2 vaccine with alum. Hydroxide can play an important role in reducing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, vaccine efficacy was evaluated through the detection of the neutralizing antibodies that protect mice from challenge with SARS-CoV 2 3 weeks after the second dose. We conclude that the vaccine described here has safety and desirable properties, and our data support further development and plans for clinical trials. METHODS: Characterized SARS-COV-2 strain, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 isolates (SARS-CoV-2/human/EGY/Egy-SERVAC/2020) with accession numbers; MT981440; MT981439; MT981441; MT974071; MT974069; and MW250352 at GenBank were isolated from Egyptian patients SARS-CoV-2-positive. Development of inactivated vaccine was carried out in a BSL-3 facilities and the immunogenicity was determined in mice at two doses (55 and 100 µg per dose). RESULTS: The distinct cytopathic effect induced by SARS-COV-2 propagation on Vero cell monolayers and the viral particles were identified as Coronaviridae by transmission electron microscopy and RT-PCR on infected cells cultures. Immunogenicity of the developed vaccine indicated the high antigen-binding and neutralizing antibody titers, regardless of the dose concentration, with excellent safety profiles and no deaths or clinical symptoms in mice groups. The efficacy of the inactivated vaccine formulation was tested by the wild virus challenge of the vaccinated mice and viral replication detection in lung tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccinated mice recorded complete protection from challenge infection via inhibition of SARS-COV-2 replication in the lung tissues of mice following virus challenge, regardless of the level of serum neutralizing antibodies. This finding will support future trials for the evaluation of an applicable SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate.

Fortified vegetarian milk for prevention of metabolic syndrome in rats: impact on hepatic and vascular complications.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized as a gathering of various metabolic disorders, for example, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The present research was conducted to prepare fortified almond milk as functional beverages and evaluate their protective effect against MetS and associated hepatic and vascular complications. Three beverages (I, II, and III) were prepared by fortification almond milk with carrot juice or powder of quinoa seeds and carrot juice or oat powder and banana juice. The sensory attributes, physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds (total phenolic, beta-carotene, tocopherols) and B-complex vitamins were determined in the beverages. In-vitro antioxidant activity of the beverages was assessed. MetS was induced in rats via feeding on high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHF). The biochemical (lipid profile, oxidative stress, liver, and kidney functions), nutritional and histopathological parameters were assessed in rats. The beverage I recorded the highest sensory attributes' scores. The physicochemical properties of the beverages revealed that acidity and viscosity of all beverages ranged from 4.55 to 4.88 and from 40 to 59, respectively. The beverage I showed the highest content of alpha-tocopherol (14.994 µg/g) and beta-carotene (104.541 µg/g), while the beverage II showed the highest content of gamma-tocopherol (0.557 µg/g), folic acid (0.806 µg/g), and total phenols (147.43 µg GAE/g). The results of animals revealed that the beverage II was the most promising in attenuation levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, malondialdehyde, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Also, the beverage II was the superior in the protection of the liver and heart tissues as reflected by the histopathological examination findings. So, it can be concluded that the newly prepared almond milk with quinoa seeds and carrot juice could be used as an effective functional beverage for the prevention of MetS and its complications.