Bioactive Compounds from Vicia sativa L. and Vicia monantha Retz. with Unveiling Antiviral Potentials in Newly Green Synthesized CdO Nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: in the current study, a comparative phytochemical analysis was carried out to explore the phenolic and flavonoid contents in the aerial parts of Vicia sativa L and Vicia monantha Retz growing in cultivated, reclaimed, and desert habitats. METHODS: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect Vicia methanolic extracts' individual phenolic and flavonoid constituents. The first-time synthesis of cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdO NPs) using the aqueous extract of V. monantha has been developed using a green approach. Also, the cytotoxicity of V. monantha extract and CdO NPs was examined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay for unveiling them as anti-HAV and anti-AdV. RESULTS: Our results indicated that in the case of desert habitat, the contents of total phenolics (76.37 mg/g) and total flavonoids (65.23 mg/g) of V. monantha were higher than those of V. sativa (67.35 mg/g and 47.34 mg/g, respectively) and the contents of these secondary metabolites were even increased in V. monantha collected from reclaimed land (phenolics: 119.77 mg/g, flavonoids: 88.61 mg/g). Also, V. monantha surpassed V. sativa in the contents of some individual HPLC constituents, and hence, V. monantha was used to synthesize the green CdO NPs and subsequent antiviral tests. The average size of CdO NPs was determined to be 24.28 nm, and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of CdO NPs clearly showed their spherical form and varying particle sizes, with different diameters in the range of 19-29 nm. MTT assay was positive to the exposure of CdO NPs in the normal cell line, proposing that CdO NPs can reduce cell viability. V. monantha extract showed promising antiviral activity against Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Adenovirus (AdV) with SI of 16.40 and 10.54. On the other hand, CdONPs had poor antiviral activity against HAV with an SI of 4.74 and moderate antiviral activity against AdV with an SI of 10.54. CONCLUSION: V. monantha is now considered a new, valuable natural resource for phenolics and flavonoids, especially when grown in reclaimed soil. The green CdO NPs based on V. monantha extract showed a promising antiviral effect against HAV and AdV.

Pulsed-dye Laser Versus Intralesional Steroid in the Management of Nail Psoriasis: A Randomized, Intra-patient, Comparative, Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Intralesional injection of corticosteroid (ILIS) and pulsed-dye laser (PDL) have been used in nail psoriasis treatment with variable outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the efficacy of ILIS to PDL for the treatment of psoriatic fingernails using a dermoscope in the assessment and follow-up. METHODS: This study included 30 patients with bilateral nail psoriasis. The fingernails of one hand were treated with PDL, whereas ILIS was used to treat the fingernails of the other hand. One psoriatic nail was left alone as a control. Every patient received four treatment sessions once every month. Efficacy was recorded clinically using the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) and by a dermoscope before treatment (baseline) and at eight, 24, and 36 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The assessment by NAPSI revealed improvements of 22.24% and 24.11% occurred in the laser group and the intralesional steroid group, respectively. Also, the dermoscopic assessments revealed an improvement of 18.33% in the laser group versus that of 21.69% in the ILES. No significant difference was found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Both PDL and ILIS are considered safe treatments for nail psoriasis, yielding nearly equal results. The dermoscope is a reliable tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of nail psoriasis treatment.

The Impact and Management of Gynaecomastia in Klinefelter Syndrome.

Gynecomastia is defined as a palpable enlargement of the male breast, secondary to an increase in the glandular and stromal breast tissue. Gynecomastia is encountered in up to 80% of Klinefelter syndrome cases. The pathophysiology involves testosterone/estrogen imbalance. This review article will further explore the pathophysiology of gynecomastia along with the different lines of management.

Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Extract in streptozocin-induced diabetic model.

Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to ameliorate complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study is to compare the effects of the oral curcumin supplement versus parenteral administration of turmeric extract on diabetic complications in a streptozocin (STZ) diabetic model. STZ DM rats received low and high doses turmeric extract intraperitoneally as well as oral curcumin. Curcumin and turmeric extracts significantly reduced blood glucose and creatinine levels, but not urea, and caused an increase in uric acid. Low dose improved liver enzymes, while higher dose and oral administration caused an increase in the ALT and AST. All groups showed an improvement in the serum cholesterol, while the triglycerides were not improved in the high and oral treatment. Histological evaluation showed islet cell protection. High-dose injection showed almost intact renal corpuscles as well as tubular structures with minimal degeneration. Treatment showed limited protection of Liver tissue. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Curcumin has been heavily marketed as a protective agent. The current study shows some potential risk of curcumin use. Oral and injectable curcumin should be used with caution. Turmeric extract and oral curcumin supplement showed protective effects on pancreatic, and renal structure and function. Although both did show some improvement in liver function, higher doses caused disturbance in liver enzymes and did not show histological evidence of liver tissue protection.

Effect of methylene blue-mediated photodynamic therapy for treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is regarded as a treatment option for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of methylene blue (MB)-based PDT in patients suffering from nodular or ulcerative BCCs. This study is a prospective clinical trial with a 6-months follow-up. The study setting is at the Dermatology Clinic at NILES, Cairo University, Egypt. Seventeen patients complaining of nodular BCC (nBCC) and three patients complaining of ulcerative BCC (uBCC) were taken as samples. Methylene blue, the photosensitizer, was prepared in two different formulas: liposomal-loaded MB (LMB) was prepared and formulated in hydrogel (MB 0.2%) to be used topically alone for treating BCCs <2 cm in diameter or to be combined with intralesional injection (ILI) of free MB 2% aqueous solution for treating BCCs ≥2 cm in diameter. A session was performed every 2 weeks until complete response (CR) of the lesion or for a maximum of six sessions. Clinical assessments of clinical improvement, dermatological photography, monthly follow-up visits for 6 months, and skin biopsy after 3 months of follow-up to confirm the response, recurrence, or both in cases in which the clinical evaluation was ambiguous. Seventeen patients of the 20 completed the study, 11 patients achieved CR with very good cosmetic outcome, photosensitizer tolerance, and minimal reported side effects. MB is a cheap promising alternative photosensitizer for PDT of nBCC.