Hepatoprotective efficacy of Lagenaria siceraria seeds oil against experimentally carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity.

Background: The liver is crucial for maintaining normal metabolism in the body. Various substances, such as toxic chemicals, drugs, and alcohol, can damage hepatocyte cells, leading to metabolic imbalances. Aim: The experiment aimed to determine the efficacy of Lagenaria siceraria seed oil (LSS) as a hepatoprotective agent against acute hepatotoxicity triggered by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Methods: A total of 20 rats were randomly separated into four groups. The control group: rats received 2 ml of distilled water orally, followed by 1.25 ml of olive oil intraperitoneally (i.p.) after 30 minutes. CCL4 group: rats were given a single intraperitoneal dose of 1.25 ml/kg b.w. of CCl4 in a 1:1 mixture with olive oil. Silymarin group: received 100 mg of silymarin per kg of b.w. diluted in 2 ml of distilled water orally, followed by CCl4 treatment after 30 minutes. LSS oil group: received LSS oil at 3g/kg b.w. orally, followed by CCl4 treatment after 30 minutes. Blood samples were collected to assess liver enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP), proteins and bilirubin fractions, and redox status (catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA)) were assessed in hepatic tissues. Changes in liver histopathological examination were also evaluated. Results: In CCl4-treated rats, there was a significant increase in serum liver marker enzyme activity (ALP, AST, and ALT) along with a significant elevation (p < 0.05) in total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, and direct bilirubin compared to the control rats. However, all these parameters decreased in the CCl4+ Silymarin and CCl4+LSS groups compared to CCl4-treated rats. There was a significant decline in total protein level and serum albumin in all experimental groups compared to the control, while globulin levels significantly increased in all experimental groups. There was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the level of GSH and catalase, with an increase in MDA level in CCl4 rats compared to other rats. Histopathological investigation of the LSS-treated group showed a hepatoprotective effect against CCl4. Conclusion: The study revealed that LSS oil has antioxidant activity against CCl4-induced toxicity.

Prophylactic impacts of Lagenaria siceraria against cardiomyopathy induced by doxorubicin in a rat model.

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic drug applied clinically for the remedy of cancer, but its possibly life-threatening cardiotoxicity effects remain a concern. Aim: After that, this study evaluates the cardioprotective impacts of Lagenaria siceraria (LSS) oil on DOX induced cardiomyopathy in rats. Methods: Wistar male rats (n = 28, weighting 190-210 g) were arbitrarily allocated into four equal groups. Group 1 control group (CTR) received normal saline orally (1 ml/kg); group 2 (DOX) received DOX (10 mg/kg); group 3 (DOLS) received DOX + 3 g of Lagenaria siceraria seeds oil/kg; group 4 (LSSO) received LSSO (3 g/kg) daily for 18 days. The serum samples were collected to determine the creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) isoenzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Troponin I activity. At the same time, the catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were assessed in heart tissues. Additionally, histopathological investigations for the heart tissue were performed. Results: Results revealed no significant change in CK-MB levels between the DOLS group compared to the CTR group (p > 0.05). DOX group confirmed a substantial increase in AST, LDH, and Troponin1 serum levels compared to DOLS and LLSO groups (p < 0.05). The study demonstrated the antioxidant activity of LSS oil against DOX-induced toxicity. The DOX group significantly reduced GSH and catalase levels, with an increase in MDA levels compared to DOLS and LLSO groups. Histopathological analysis showed protective properties of LSS oil against myocardial damage caused by DOX. Conclusion: This study highlights the favorable impacts of LSS oil in mitigating DOX-triggered cardiotoxicity in a rat model.

Ocimum basilicum and Lagenaria siceraria Loaded Lignin Nanoparticles as Versatile Antioxidant, Immune Modulatory, Anti-Efflux, and Antimicrobial Agents for Combating Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Fungi.

Lignin nanoparticles emerged as a promising alternative for drug delivery systems owing to their biodegradability and bioactive properties. This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of the ethanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum-loaded lignin nanoparticles (OB-LNPs) and Lagenaria siceraria seed oil-loaded lignin nanoparticles (LS-LNPs) to find a solution for antimicrobial resistance. OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs were tested for their antimicrobial potential against Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Microsporum canis. OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs were further tested for their anti-efflux activity against ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella enterica strains and for treating Salmonella infection in a rat model. We also investigated the antifungal efficacy of OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs for treating T. rubrum infection in a guinea pig model. Both OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs showed strong antimicrobial potential against S. Typhimurium and T. rubrum infections. LS-LNPs showed antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica species with a MIC range of 0.5-4 µg/mL and antifungal activity against T. rubrum with a MIC range of 0.125-1 µg/mL. OB-LNPs showed antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica species with a MIC range of 0.5-2 µg/mL and antifungal activity against T. rubrum with a MIC range of 0.25-2 µg/mL. OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs downregulated the expression of ramA and acrB efflux pump genes (fold change values ranged from 0.2989 to 0.5434; 0.4601 to 0.4730 for ramA and 0.3842-0.6199; 0.5035-0.8351 for acrB). Oral administration of OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs in combination with ciprofloxacin had a significant effect on all blood parameters, as well as on liver and kidney function parameters. Oxidative stress mediators, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde were abolished by oral administration of OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs (0.5 mL/rat once daily for 5 days). Interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α were also reduced in comparison with the positive control group and the ciprofloxacin-treated group. Histopathological examination of the liver and intestine of OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs-treated rats revealed an elevation in Salmonella clearance. Treatment of T. rubrum-infected guinea pigs with OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs topically in combination with itraconazole resulted in a reduction in lesion scores, microscopy, and culture results. In conclusion, OB-LNPs and LS-LNPs possess immunomodulatory and antioxidant potential and can be used as naturally derived nanoparticles for drug delivery and treatment of Salmonellosis and dermatophytosis infections.

Chitosan-Loaded Lagenaria siceraria and Thymus vulgaris Potentiate Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Immunomodulatory Activities against Extensive Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches.

Antimicrobial resistance poses considerable issues for current clinical care, so the modified use of antimicrobial agents and public health initiatives, coupled with new antimicrobial approaches, may help to minimize the impact of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in the future. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities of Lagenaria siceraria, Thymus vulgaris, and their chitosan nanocomposites against extensive drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) using both in vitro and in vivo assays. The in vitro antimicrobial susceptibilities of P. aeruginosa and VRSA strains revealed 100% sensitivity to imipenem (100%). All P. aeruginosa strains were resistant to cefoxitin, cefepime, trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole, and fosfomycin. However, S. aureus strains showed a full resistance to cefoxitin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and fosfomycin (100% each). Interestingly, all S. aureus strains were vancomycin-resistant (MIC = 32-512 µg/mL), and 90% of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus strains were XDR. The antimicrobial potential of Lagenaria siceraria and Thymus vulgaris nanocomposites with chitosan nanoparticles demonstrated marked inhibitory activities against XDR P. aeruginosa and VRSA strains with inhibition zones' diameters up to 50 mm and MIC values ranging from 0.125 to 1 µg/mL and 1 to 8 µg/mL, respectively. The results of the in vivo approach in male Sprague Dawley rats revealed that infection with P. aeruginosa and S. aureus displayed significant changes in biochemical, hematological, and histopathological findings compared to the negative control group. These values returned to the normal range after treatment by chitosan nanoparticles, either loaded with Lagenaria siceraria or Thymus vulgaris. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) findings presented significant upregulation of the relative expression of the IL10 gene and downregulation of the IFNG gene throughout the experimental period, especially after treatment with chitosan nanoparticles loaded either with Lagenaria siceraria or Thymus vulgaris in comparison to the positive control groups. In conclusion, this is the first report suggesting the use of Lagenaria siceraria and Thymus vulgaris nanocomposites with chitosan nanoparticles as a promising contender for combating XDR P. aeruginosa and VRSA infections as well as a manager for inflammatory situations and oxidative stress-related disorders.

Evaluation of cefquinome's efficacy in controlling avian colibacillosis and detection of its residues using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cefquinome in treatment and controlling of Escherichia coli experimentally infected broiler chickens, in addition of detection of its residues using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In this study, 150 one-day old Cobb broiler chicks were used. On the 14th day chicks experimentally infected and divided into 3 equal groups (50 each); control group (G1) non-infected, non-treated, (G2) infected with E. coli O78 non treated, (G3) infected with E. coli O78 , cefquinome treated. Cefquinome was administrated 5th day post infection, intramuscularly by a dose of (2 mg/ kg b w.t) for 3 consecutive days. Experimental E. coli infection in broilers induced weakness, loss of appetite, depression, cough and watery diarrhea in addition to a recorded mortality (30%) with reduction in growth performance, erythrogram, total proteins, albumin, antioxidants and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers. In addition, a significant increase in feed conversion rate (FCR), leukocytic count, liver enzymes, kidney functions, total globulins, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and lysozyme activity. Treatment with cefquinome led to decreased mortality rate, improvement in clinical signs, growth performance and modulated most of these altered parameters. Cefquinome's residues was not detected in breast muscles 3rd day and liver and kidneys 7th days post treatment. Therefore, it's recommended that cefquinome is a good choice for controlling of colibacillosis in broilers and its withdrawal time 3 days in breast muscles and 7 days in liver and kidney post treatment.