Self-healing hydrogel based on poly (vinyl alcohol)-poly (lysine)-gum arabic accelerates diabetic wound healing under photothermal sterilization.

Diabetic wounds are a significant clinical challenge. Developing effective antibacterial dressings is crucial for preventing wound ulcers caused by bacterial infections. In this study, a self-healing antibacterial hydrogel (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-polylysine-gum arabic, PLG hydrogels) with near-infrared photothermal response was prepared by linking PVA and a novel polysaccharide-amino acid compound (PG) through borate bonding combined with freeze-thaw cycling. Subsequently, the hydrogel was modified by incorporating inorganic nanoparticles (modified graphene oxide (GM)). The experimental results showed that the PLGM3 hydrogels (PLG@GM hydrogels, 3.0 wt%) could effectively kill bacteria and promote diabetic wound tissue healing under 808-nm near-infrared laser irradiation. Therefore, this hydrogel system provides a new idea for developing novel dressings for treating diabetic wounds.

Nutritional profiling, fiber content and in vitro bioactivities of wheat-based biscuits formulated with novel ingredients.

This study evaluated the nutritional profile and fiber content of innovative formulations of wheat-based biscuits enriched with chia seeds, carob flour and coconut sugar. The in vitro antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities were also investigated to understand the potential health advantages of the incorporation of these new ingredients. The novel biscuits demonstrated significant improvements in protein and mineral content, with increases of 50% and 100% in chia biscuits, and up to 20% and 40% in carob biscuits, respectively. Fiber also notably increased, particularly in samples containing 10% carob flour, which increased four times as compared to wheat-based samples. The new ingredients exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activity, particularly against Yersinia enterocolitica (minimum inhibitory concentration 1.25 mg mL-1 in coconut sugar) and Aspergillus fumigatus (minimum inhibitory concentration/minimum fungicidal concentrations 2.5/5 mg mL-1 in chia seeds). However, the final biscuits only displayed antifungal properties. Carob flour and chia seeds had a remarkably high capacity to inhibit the formation of TBARS and promoted greater antioxidant activity in biscuit formulations, with EC50 values decreasing from 23.25 mg mL-1 (control) to 4.54 mg mL-1 (15% defatted ground chia seeds) and 1.19 mg mL-1 (10% carob flour). Only chia seeds exhibited cellular antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity, attributes that were lost when seeds were added into the biscuits. These findings highlight the potential health benefits of these ingredients, particularly when incorporated in new wheat-based formulations.

Construction of nanoparticles from blueberry anthocyanins-lecithin/gum Arabic improves lipid droplet accumulation and gut microbiota disturbance in HFD-induced obese mice.

The digestive instability of anthocyanins (ACNs) limits their application in food nutrition, especially precision nutrition. Blueberry ACNs-loaded nanoparticles (Lipo/GA-ACNs NPs) were prepared using gum arabic (GA) as the delivery carrier and liposomal vesicles (Lipo) prepared from soy lecithin as the targeting scaffold. The average particle size of the NPs was 99.4 nm, and the polydispersion index (PDI) was 0.46. The results showed that the presence of the Lipo-GA matrix enhanced the NPs' in vitro stability and antioxidant activity. In addition, the in vitro biocompatibility, uptake ability, lipid-lowering activity, and free-radical scavenging ability were improved to a certain extent. In a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model, oral administration of ACNs-LNP (LNP, liver-targeted nanoparticle) showed better effects on body weight, liver injury, and lipid droplet accumulation in the liver than ACNs. In addition, ACNs-LNP also played a role in regulating HFD-induced gut microbiota imbalance. These results provide a promising ACNs delivery strategy with the potential to be developed into a functional food that targets the liver to prevent fatty liver.

Gum Arabic assisted the biomass synthesis of bimetallic silver copper oxide nanoparticles using gamma-rays for improving bacterial and viral wound healing: Promising antimicrobial activity against foot and mouth disease.

In this work, gamma irradiation was used to create bimetallic silver­copper oxide nanoparticles (Ag-CuO NPs) in an ecologically acceptable way using gum Arabic (GA) polymer as a capping and reducing agent. Bimetallic Ag-CuO NPs were investigated through UV-Vis. spectroscopy, HR-TEM, SEM, DLS, and XRD examinations. The potency of antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against a few bacterial isolates and Candida sp. had been investigated. Clinical investigations of 30 cows and 20 buffaloes from different sites in Egypt's Sharkia governorate found ulcerative lesions on the mouth and interdigital region. The cytotoxic assay of the generated NPs on BHK-21 was examined. The bimetallic Ag-CuO NPs had an average diameter of 25.58 nm, and the HR-TEM results showed that they were spherical. According to our results, Ag-CuO NPs exhibited the highest antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus (26.5 mm ZOI), K. pneumoniae (26.0 mm ZOI), and C. albicans (28.5 mm ZOI). The growth of biofilms was also successfully inhibited through the application of Ag-CuO NPs by 88.12 % against S. aureus, 87.08 % against C. albicans, and 74.0 % against B. subtilis. The ulcers on the mouth and foot of diseased animals healed in 4-5 days and 1 week, respectively, following topical application of bimetallic Ag-CuO NPs. The results examined the potential protective effects of a dosage of 3.57 µg/mL on cells before viral infection (cell control). According to our research, bimetallic Ag-CuO NPs limit the development of the virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The reduction of a specific FMD virus's cytopathic impact (CPE) on cell development represented the inhibitory effect when compared to identical circumstances without pretreatment with bimetallic Ag-CuO NPs. Their remarkable antibacterial properties at low concentration and continued-phase stability suggest that they may find widespread use in a variety of pharmacological and biological applications, especially in the wound-healing process.

Antibacterial biofilm efficacy of calcium hydroxide loaded on Gum Arabic nanocarrier: an in-vitro study.

BACKGROUND: An innovative intracanal medication formulation was introduced in the current study to improve the calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) therapeutic capability against resistant Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) biofilm. This in-vitro study aimed to prepare, characterize, and evaluate the antibacterial efficiency of Ca(OH)2 loaded on Gum Arabic (GA) nanocarrier (Ca(OH)2-GA NPs) and to compare this efficiency with conventional Ca(OH)2, Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles (NPs), GA, and GA NPs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prepared nanoparticle formulations for the tested medications were characterized using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). 141 human mandibular premolars were selected, and their root canals were prepared. Twenty-one roots were then sectioned into 42 tooth slices. All prepared root canals (n = 120) and teeth slices (n = 42) were divided into six groups according to the intracanal medication used. E. faecalis was inoculated in the samples for 21 days to form biofilms, and then the corresponding medications were applied for 7 days. After medication application, the residual E. faecalis bacteria were assessed using CFU, Q-PCR, and SEM. Additionally, the effect of Ca(OH)2-GA NPs on E. faecalis biofilm genes (agg, ace, and efaA) was investigated using RT-PCR. Data were statistically analyzed at a 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: The synthesis of NPs was confirmed using TEM. The results of the FTIR proved that the Ca(OH)2 was successfully encapsulated in the GA NPs. Ca(OH)2-GA NPs caused a significant reduction in the E. faecalis biofilm gene expression when compared to the control (p < 0.001). There were significant differences in the E. faecalis CFU mean count and CT mean values between the tested groups (p < 0.001) except between the Ca(OH)2 and GA CFU mean count. Ca(OH)2-GA NPs showed the least statistical E. faecalis mean count among other groups. SEM observation showed that E. faecalis biofilm was diminished in all treatment groups, especially in the Ca(OH)2-GA NPS group when compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Ca(OH)2 and GA nanoparticles demonstrate superior anti-E. faecalis activity when compared to their conventional counterparts. Ca(OH)2-GA NPs showed the best antibacterial efficacy in treating E. faecalis biofilm. The tested NP formulations could be considered as promising intracanal medications.

Gum acacia dietary fiber: Significance in immunomodulation, inflammatory diseases, and cancer.

Gum arabic/acacia (GA), derived from Acacia trees, is a versatile natural product offering a broad spectrum of applications. Its rich content of soluble dietary fibers, coupled with a low caloric profile, renders GA a valuable dietary component associated with numerous health benefits. Furthermore, its fermentation by gut microbiota yields short-chain fatty acids, renowned for their positive impact on health. Immunomodulation, a crucially regulated mechanism in the body, serves to fend off pathogenic infections by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, prolonged synthesis of these cytokines can lead to chronic inflammation, tissue damage, and potentially contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify plant-based biomolecules that can effectively reduce inflammation and inhibit inflammation-induced complications or disorders. In this context, edible biomolecules like GA are gaining prominence for their noteworthy immunomodulatory properties. Therefore, in the present review we have explored the role of GA in immunomodulation, inflammation, and inflammation-associated metabolic diseases, and cancer.

Gum Arabic polysaccharide embedded L-cysteine capped copper oxide nanocarriers selectively inhibit fluconazole-resistant C. albicans biofilm and remove the toxic dye from wastewater.

Copper oxide nanocarriers have attracted increasing interest in the scientific community, including antimicrobial applications. Candida biofilm developed causes serious clinical problems, leading to drug failure caused by its inherent drug tolerance. Nanocarriers are a good alternative approach to solving this challenge because of their excellent penetration power inside biofilms. Hence, main objectives of this research were to prepare gum arabic-embedded L-cysteine-capped copper oxide nanocarriers (GCCuO NCs) and tested against C. albicans and explore another application. To achieve the main research objectives, GCCuO NCs were synthesized and investigated for antibiofilm potency against C. albicans. Various methods were employed to measure antibiofilm potency such as biofilm assay etc., of NCs. The nano size of GCCuO NCs is advantageous for augmenting penetration power and retention into biofilms. GCCuO NCs at 100 µg/mL exhibited significant antibiofilm activity against the C. albicans DAY185 by switching of yeast-to-hyphae and gene perturbation. The level of CR dye adsorption was 58.96 % using 30 µg/mL of NCs. Based on effective C. albicans biofilm inhibition and CR dye adsorption capacity of NCs, it can be suggested that present research work opens an innovative path to treat biofilm-associated fungal infections, and these NCs can be used for environmental remedies.

Effect of increasing dietary fermentable fiber on diet nutrient digestibility and estimation of endogenous phosphorus losses in growing pigs.

Fermentable fiber may increase endogenous losses of phosphorus (EPL) and amino acids (AA), thereby reducing apparent nutrient digestibility. Acacia gum with medium-to-high fermentability and low viscosity was increasingly included in diets to investigate its effect on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, gross energy (GE), and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in growing pigs. A control diet (49% cornstarch; 18% bovine plasma protein) was formulated to measure basal EPL. Three additional diets were formulated to include 2.5%, 5.0%, or 7.5% acacia gum at the expense of cornstarch. Diets contained 16.1% to 17.4% CP and 0.31% to 0.33% total P (DM-basis). The four diets were fed to eight ileal-cannulated barrows (initial BW, 54.6 kg) for four 9 d periods in a double 4 × 4 Latin square. Apparent hindgut fermentation (AHF) was calculated as ATTD minus AID. Feeding increasing acacia gum quadratically affected (P < 0.05) AID of DM, GE, linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM, crude protein (CP), GE, digestible (DE) and predicted net energy (NE) value of diets, and linearly increased (P < 0.001) AHF of DM and GE. Increasing acacia gum did not affect AID and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and AA. Basal EPL was 377 mg/kg DM intake (DMI) and increasing acacia gum linearly increased (P < 0.05) total tract EPL. Increasing acacia gum linearly decreased (P < 0.05) diet ATTD of P, and STTD of P based on either the calculated EPL or NRC (2012) recommended value (190 mg P/kg DMI). Increasing acacia gum did not affect AID and ATTD of Ca of diets. In conclusion, feeding increasing dietary fermentable, low-viscous acacia gum decreased diet AID and ATTD of DM and GE, but did not affect AID or SID of CP and AA. Increasing acacia gum decreased ATTD of P, which might have been due to increased specific endogenous losses of P in the total tract of growing pigs.

Fermentable fiber may increase endogenous losses of phosphorus (EPL) and amino acids (AA), thereby reducing nutrient digestibility. This study assessed effects of feeding increasing acacia gum with medium-to-high fermentability and low viscosity. Eight barrows cannulated at the terminal ileum were fed a control diet to measure basal endogenous P losses and three diets including 2.5%, 5.0%, or 7.5% acacia gum. Increasing acacia gum quadratically decreased diet ileal digestibility of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE), linearly decreased diet total tract digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP), GE, and linearly increased hindgut fermentation of DM and GE. Increasing acacia gum linearly increased total tract endogenous P losses. Increasing acacia gum linearly decreased diet total tract digestibility of P, and standardized total tract digestibility of P calculated based on the calculated endogenous P losses or table values (NRC, 2012; 190 mg P/kg DMI). In conclusion, increasing dietary fermentable, low-viscous acacia gum decreased diet ileal and total tract digestibility of DM and GE, but did not affect ileal digestibility of CP and most AA. Increasing acacia gum inclusion reduced total tract digestibility of P, which might have been due to increased specific endogenous losses of P in the total tract of growing pigs.

Ameliorative effect of Arabic gum Acacia and mori extracts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: implications of Cas-3 and TGF-ß.

OBJECTIVE: Arabic gum Acacia (AG) is rich in fiber which improves lipid metabolism besides its antioxidant effect. Folium mori (FM) is a widely used herb due to its immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. In the current study, we explore the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, as well as antioxidant activities of AG and FM in Streptozotocin (STZ), induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: STZ diabetic rats were orally administrated with metformin and/or a combination of AG and FM for 4 weeks. Glycemic levels, Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and creatinine were determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also evaluated. Gene expression and profile as well as immunohistopathological were also evaluated. RESULTS: The results elicited no toxicological profile of both AG and FM. Plasma glucose level was decreased starting from 1st week to 4th week; besides, there was an improvement in glycated hemoglobin, insulin, and fructosamine. Liver and kidney damage markers were decreased in both AG and FM-treated rats. A significant increase in the antioxidant defense system and a decrease in oxidative stress markers were also observed. Gene expression analysis in brain tissues revealed a significant decrease in Interleukin beta 1 (IL-ß1), Caspase 3 (Cas-3), and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß). CONCLUSIONS: Oral treatment of metformin with AG and FM in STZ-injected rats could ameliorate protective pathways and can be one of the promising oral anti-diabetic herbal agents.

Gum Acacia attenuates cisplatin toxic effect spermatogenesis dysfunction and infertility in rats.

This study aimed to investigate the potential benefits Gum Arabic/Acacia senegal (GA) in mitigating the harmful effects of cisplatin (CP) on spermatogenesis and testicular health in male adult rats. A total of forty albino rats were used in the study and divided into four groups; control, GA, CP, and Co-treated group, which received both CP and GA concurrently. The results revealed that CP caused a significant increase in oxidative stress and a decrease in antioxidant activities (CAT, SOD, and GSH), which disturbed the testicular machinery. This caused significant histological and ultrastructural damage to the testicular structure, including atrophied seminiferous tubules with severely reduced germinal epithelium. Additionally, CP caused a decrease in reproductive hormones (testosterone and LH), a decline in nucleic proliferation PCNA immunoexpression, and an increase in cytoplasmic apoptotic Caspase-3 protein expression in testicular tissue, when compared to the control and GA groups. Moreover, the CP treatment impaired spermatogenesis and decreased sperm number and motility with abnormal morphology. However, co-administration of GA with CP mitigated the dysfunction in spermatogenesis and reversed testicular damage caused by CP through significantly (P < 0.01) reducing oxidative stress (MDA) and increasing the activities of CAT, SOD, and GSH. Additionally, co-administration of GA elevated the levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone in blood sera, significantly (P < 0.01) improved the histometric measurements of seminiferous tubules diameter, their epithelial height, Johnsen's score of spermatogenesis, 4-level histological grading scale Cosentino's score, immunohistochemical expression of nucleic PCNA, and cytoplasmic Caspase-3 proteins. Furthermore, TEM examination confirmed the synergistic effect of GA in restoring the germinal epithelial cells ultrastructure, the elongated and transverse sections of spermatozoa in the lumen, and the interstitial tissue. All of these effects resulted in a significant improvement in sperm quality in the Co-treated animals compared with the CP group, as well as, a significant decline in the morphological abnormalities of sperm in Co-treated rats compared to those in the CP group. GA is a valuable agent for ameliorating chemotherapy-related infertility.

Dietary Lactobacillus helveticus and Gum Arabic improves growth indices, digestive enzyme activities, intestinal microbiota, innate immunological parameters, antioxidant capacity, and disease resistance in common carp.

The present study aimed at determining the effects of Lactobacillus helveticus (LH), Gum Arabic (GA; natural prebiotic), and their combination as synbiotic on growth performance, digestive enzymes activity, gut microbiota, innate immunity status, antioxidant capacity, and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophyla in common carp, Cyprinus carpio for 8 weeks. For this, 735 common carp juveniles (Mean ± standard deviation; 22.51 ± 0.40 g) were fed with 7 different diets including basal diet (C), LH1 (1 × 107 CFU/g), LH2 (1 × 109 CFU/g), GA1 (0.5%), GA2 (1%), LH1+GA1 (1 × 107 CFU/g + 0.5%), and LH2+GA2 (1 × 109 CFU/g + 1%) for 8 weeks. Dietary supplementation with GA and/or LH significantly increased growth performance, WBC, serum total immunoglobulin, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, skin mucus lysozyme and total immunoglobulin and intestinal lactic acid bacteria. Whereas there were significant improvements in various parameters tested in different treatments, the highest improvement in growth performance, WBC, monocyte/neutrophil percentages, serum lysozyme, alternative complement, glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde, skin mucosal alkaline phosphatase, protease, and immunoglobulin, intestinal total bacterial count, protease and amylase activities were observed in the synbiotic treatments, particularly LH1+GA1. After an experimental infection with Aeromonas hydrophila, all experimental treatments exhibited significantly higher survival, compared to the control treatment. The highest survival was related to the synbiotic (particularly LH1+GA1), followed by prebiotic, and probiotic treatments. Overall, synbiotic containing 1 × 107 CFU/g LH + 0.5% GA can improve growth rate and feed efficiency in common carp. Moreover, the synbiotic can improve the antioxidant/innate immune systems and dominate lactic acid bacteria in the fish intestine that may be the reasons of the highest resistance against A. hydrophila infection.

Upregulation of miR-33 and miR-155 by gum acacia mitigates hyperlipidaemia and inflammation but not weight increase induced by Western diet ingestion in mice.

OBJECTIVE: This study, for the first time, investigates the effect of gum acacia (GA) on the expression of miR-33 and miR-155 and its association with the obesity and inflammation induced by Western diet (WD) consumption in mice. METHODS: Animals were divided into: normal diet (ND) group, WD group, GA group and GA + WD group. RESULTS: The WD group exhibited higher total body, liver, visceral fat weights, blood total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels compared to ND group. The liver tissues showed severe inflammation and degeneration with higher hepatic TNF-α level. Interestingly, GA + WD group showed a decrease in the biochemical parameters and hepatic TNF-α level but had no effect on the weight increase. It also showed a significant upregulation of miR-33 and miR-155 compared to WD group. CONCLUSIONS: GA mitigated the hyperlipidaemia and inflammation but not weight increase induced by WD ingestion via upregulation of miR-33 and miR-155 while reducing TNF-α level.

Gum Arabic protects the rat heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways.

Gum Arabic (GA) is a plant exudate with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. GA has shown promise in protection from and treatment of kidney failure, however, its role in the protection of the heart from ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) has not been investigated. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Gum Arabic (GA) in the protection of the heart against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Langendorff-perfused Wistar rat hearts were divided into seven groups. One group which was subjected to I/R with no other treatment served as the control group. The second group was subjected to buffer perfusion with no ischemia (sham group). The third group was perfused with GA in the absence of ischemia (sham + GA). The rest of the hearts were isolated from rats that had been treated with GA for 4 or 2 weeks in the drinking water, or GA that had been infused intravenously 2 h before sacrifice or added to perfusion buffer at reperfusion. Hemodynamics data were digitally computed; infarct size was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and cardiomyocyte injury was assessed by quantifying creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes. The total oxidants (TOS) and antioxidants (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels were estimated by ELISA. GA treatment for 2 weeks, 4 weeks or 2 hours before sacrifice resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in cardiac hemodynamics and reduction in infarct size and cardiac enzyme levels compared to respective controls. However, GA administration at the time of reperfusion did not protect the hearts against I/R injury. Furthermore, GA treatment decreased the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. The levels of TOS in the effluent were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and SOD levels were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by GA administration. GA protected the heart against I/R injury when administered for 2 or 4 weeks or when infused 2 hours before sacrifice. GA treatment decreased the total oxidants levels, the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 protein levels and increases SOD and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 protein levels.

Evaluation of gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) as a natural prebiotic to improve growth performance and health status of broiler chickens.

Gum Arabic (GA) is a natural product containing soluble fiber that is indigestible in the gastrointestinal tract and has been used as a traditional medicine to treat many diseases such as intestinal inflammation, kidney disease, and liver disorders, which may be reflected in the improved performance of broiler chickens when used. Therefore, the main objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of GA on the performance, immune system, visceral organs, functional tests, and histological changes of the ileum, liver, and kidneys of broilers. A total of 432 1-day-old male broilers were allocated to six dietary treatments (0.0, 0.12, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0% GA) for 35 days. Performance, internal organs, and blood biochemical indices were measured. Morphology and histometry of the intestine were also performed. Meanwhile, tissues of the ileum, liver, and kidney were examined and evaluated microscopically to observe histological changes. All levels of GA (0.12 to 1.0%) had a positive effect on growth performance and feed conversion ratio. In addition, GA had no effect on the relative weight of lymphoid and visceral organs, except for a linear response in the bursa and liver. The levels of GA (0.12 and 0.25%) showed the potential to decrease serum uric acid, creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase. The remarkable increase in small intestinal morphology of chickens fed GA and an increase in all histometric values of the ileum. All histological changes in the intestine, liver, and kidneys improved in chickens fed the basal diet containing 0.12 to 0.50% GA. These results provide useful evidence for the potential use of GA powder (Acacia senegal) as a natural prebiotic to improve performance and intestinal, liver, and kidney health in broiler chickens.

The effect of gum Arabic supplementation on cathelicidin expression in monocyte derived macrophages in mice.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important effectors of the innate defense system. Cathelicidins, (CRAMP in mouse/rat, LL-37 in human) is one of the two major classes of AMPs in humans. The upregulation of LL-37 synthesis is a novel non-antibiotic approach to prevent or treat infectious diseases. Butyrate was found to induce Cathelicidin expression. Gum Arabic (GA), an exudate from Acacia senegaltree, is known for its prebiotic effects. Fermentation of GA by colonic bacteria increases serum butyrate concentrations. This study was conducted to investigate if GA supplementation can increase Cathelicidin expression in macrophages. METHODS: The study was an in-vivo experiment in mice. Thirty mice were randomly divided into three groups, ten mice per group. The two intervention groups received GA dissolved in drinking water in two different concentrations (15% w/v and 30% w/v) for 28 days. The third group served as a control. Blood was collected on Day 29 to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) which were cultured to obtain monocyte derived macrophages (MDMs). The transcription level of CRAMP was determined in MDMsby qPCR. RESULTS: We detected a significant increase (p = 0.023) in CRAMP expression in MDMs following 28 days of 15% GA supplementation, compared to the control group, but there was no significant change in the group on 30% GA supplementation (p = 0.055). CONCLUSION: GAsupplementation can induce Cathelicidin expression in MDMs and the effect is dose dependent.

Method to prepare aqueous propolis dispersions based on phase separation.

Propolis has many benefits for human health. To facilitate its oral consumption, we designed propolis-in-water dispersions to be used as nutraceuticals. Propolis was first dissolved either in ethanol or in a hydroalcoholic solution. Water being a non-solvent for propolis, its addition produced propolis precipitation. We explored the ternary phase diagram of water, propolis and ethanol to identify the line separating the one phase region where propolis is fully dissolved, and the two-phase region where a concentrated propolis solution coexists with a dilute one. Droplets rich in propolis were produced during the phase separation process under mechanical stirring induced by a rotor-stator device or a microfluidizer, and they were stabilized using gum Arabic as an emulsifier. Ethanol was finally removed by distillation under reduced pressure. Propolis dispersions in the micron and submicron size range could be obtained. They contained between 1.75 and 10.5 wt% polyphenols relative to the total mass.

Ameliorating effect of gum arabic on the liver tissues of the uremic rats; A biochemical and histological study.

BACKGROUND: Gum Arabic (GA) has a protective role against experimental nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. This study explores the possible ameliorating effect of Gum Arabic on the liver tissues of the uremic rats. MATERIALS & METHODS: 50 adult male albino rats were divided into 5 groups; Group I, (negative control). Group II: two flank incisions were made and the kidneys were kindly manipulated. Group III: the rats have received a daily oral dose of GA. Group IV: subtotal nephrectomy in the left kidney was done followed by total nephrectomy on the right kidney 1 week later to induce uremia. Group V: the rats received GA one day after the second operation and daily for 5 weeks. At the end of the work, the rats were sacrificed, blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. The abdomen was opened and the liver was dissected for light, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: The biochemical results were increased in the uremic group, but greatly improved after GA administration. Light and electron studies showed histopathological changes of the liver tissues in the uremic group, which was improved after GA administration and confirmed by the morphometric measures. CONCLUSION: GA ameliorates the histopathological changes of the liver tissues caused by uremic toxins and has a protective effect against the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Gum Arabic in combination with IFN-γ promotes the M1 polarization in macrophage.

Gum Arabic, a mixture of polysaccharide and glycoprotein, is used as an emulsifying stabilizer in the food industry. It might have immunomodulatory effects. We hypothesized that the combination of IFN-γ and Gum Arabic promotes the production of pro-inflammatory factors in RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment of RAW 264.7 cells with the combination of 3% Gum Arabic and 40 ng/mL IFN-γ resulted in a drastic increase (320%) in nitric oxide production compared with that induced by IFN-γ alone. PGE-2 was produced after the cells were treated with 3% Gum Arabic and 40 ng/mL IFN-γ for 6 h. Gum Arabic and IFN-γ increased the production of iNOS and COX-2 proteins, and triggered TNF-α release. Apart from TNF-α, the release of both G-CSF and IL-6 increased by more than 100 times. The release of IL-3, RANTES, and IL-10 increased by more than ten times. Gum Arabic and IFN-γ also increased the secretion of IL-10, IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-13, KC, IL-5, IL-4, IL-12, Eotaxin, IL-9, MCP-1, and ROS. Cytokines associated with M1 polarization of macrophages such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-12, NO, and ROS were induced by Gum Arabic and IFN-γ. Our findings help to explore the inflammatory reaction caused by Gum Arabic in cosmetics.

Chitosan-gum arabic embedded alizarin nanocarriers inhibit biofilm formation of multispecies microorganisms.

Biofilm formation by microorganisms is a serious clinical problem that leads to drug failure. Nanocarriers (NCs) have shown good potential for controlling drug-resistant biofilms, although the effective penetration and retention of NCs in biofilms is still a big task. The issue was overcome by selecting alizarin as a natural antibiofilm agent, but its low water solubility restricts its further use. Thus, in present study, chitosan-gum arabic-coated liposomes-alizarin nanocarriers (CGL-Alz NCs) were synthesized using an ionotropic gelation method to improve drug release and penetration of alizarin inside biofilm cells. CGL-Alz NCs acted against biofilms caused by Candida albicans or Staphylococcus aureus and improved penetration of alizarin inside biofilms exerting long-term antibiofilm effects caused by sustained release of alizarin from NCs. Furthermore, significant biofilm and hyphae reduction was observed at a 5 µg/mL concentration of NCs. This research work opens a new avenue of an innovative strategy to treat biofilm-associated multispecies infections.

Broad Spectrum Anti-Bacterial Activity and Non-Selective Toxicity of Gum Arabic Silver Nanoparticles.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most commercialized nanomaterials and presumed to be biocompatible based on the biological effects of the bulk material. However, their physico-chemical properties differ significantly to the bulk materials and are associated with unique biological properties. The study investigated the antimicrobial and cytotoxicity effects of AgNPs synthesized using gum arabic (GA), sodium borohydride (NaBH4), and their combination as reducing agents. The AgNPs were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The anti-bacterial activity was assessed using agar well diffusion and microdilution assays, and the cytotoxicity effects on Caco-2, HT-29 and KMST-6 cells using MTT assay. The GA-synthesized AgNPs (GA-AgNPs) demonstrated higher bactericidal activity against all bacteria, and non-selective cytotoxicity towards normal and cancer cells. AgNPs reduced by NaBH4 (C-AgNPs) and the combination of GA and NaBH4 (GAC-AgNPs) had insignificant anti-bacterial activity and cytotoxicity at ≥50 µg/mL. The study showed that despite the notion that AgNPs are safe and biocompatible, their toxicity cannot be overruled and that their toxicity can be channeled by using biocompatible polymers, thereby providing a therapeutic window at concentrations that are least harmful to mammalian cells but toxic to bacteria.