Potential anthelmintic effect of chitosan on Syphacia muris infecting Wistar rats: biochemical, immunological, and histopathological studies.

Natural products extracted from animal sources have many biological activities, such as chitosan, which is being researched for its medicinal or therapeutic potential. Syphacia muris is the most well-known intestinal nematode, infecting laboratory rats and influencing their immune systems. In this study, we looked at the anthelminthic activity of chitosan particles against S. muris infection using biochemical, immunological, and histopathological methods. Chitosan particles were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Rats were separated into four groups, each consisting of seven individuals (n = 7). The first group was the control (non-infected), the second group was infected, and both groups received 0.5 ml of 1% glacial acetic acid orally. The third group was the infected group (treated), and the fourth group (normal) received 0.5 ml of 30 mg/kg/day chitosan dissolved in 1% glacial acetic acid for 14 days using gavage. Liver and kidney parameters, oxidative stress markers, serum levels of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-13, IL-33, and IL-10), as well as immunoglobulins (total IgE and IgG), were assessed. Histological examinations of host tissues (intestine, liver, kidney, and spleen) were also performed. Following chitosan treatment, a significant decrease in worm count (P < 0.05) was indicated; this was associated with an enhancement of biochemical and oxidative stress biomarkers, which were altered due to infection. Moreover, immunological analysis revealed a significant drop in INF-γ, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-33 levels and total immunoglobulins (IgE and IgG) as well as an improvement in rat tissues. Conclusively, this study showed the anthelminthic effect of chitosan against S. muris infection.

In vivo efficacy of silver nanoparticles against Syphacia muris infected laboratory Wistar rats.

Helminth infections are a worldwide problem that affects both humans and animals in developing countries. The common pinworm Syphacia muris frequently infects lab rats and can obstruct the creation of unrelated biological experiments. The objective of this study was to examine the in vivo efficacy of silver nanoparticles against S. muris infected Wistar rats. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction examinations of silver nanoparticles revealed highly pure polycrystals with a mean size of 4 nm. Rats were divided into group I, the control: received distilled water; groups II and III, the treated: received 2, 4 mg/kg b.w. of Ag NPs, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, all rats were euthanized and dissected for collecting worms. The surface topography of the recovered worms was displayed using light and scanning electron microscopy, and their physiological status was determined using oxidative stress biomarkers. The histological changes in the rat liver, kidney, and spleen were also examined. In the current study, Ag NPs administration revealed substantial alterations in worms collected from treated rats, including shrinkage of lips, peeling and rupture of body cuticles, and disruption of surface annulations. Also, induced a significant increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, as well as a decrease in reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels compared to control group. Moreover, sections of treated rats' liver, kidney and spleen displayed normal cellular appearance. In conclusion, this is the first in vivo study to evaluate Ag NPs efficacy against S. muris in laboratory rats without significant toxicity.

Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Produced by Soil Rare Actinomycetes and Their Significant Effect on Aspergillus-derived mycotoxins.

The current investigation addressed the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using newly isolated silver-resistant rare actinomycetes, Glutamicibacter nicotianae SNPRA1 and Leucobacter aridicollis SNPRA2, and investigated their impact on the mycotoxigenic fungi Aspergillus flavus ATCC 11498 and Aspergillus ochraceus ATCC 60532. The formation of AgNPs was evidenced by the reaction's color change to brownish and the appearance of the characteristic surface plasmon resonance. The transmission electron microscopy of biogenic AgNPs produced by G. nicotianae SNPRA1 and L. aridicollis SNPRA2 (designated Gn-AgNPs and La-AgNPs, respectively) revealed the generation of monodispersed spherical nanoparticles with average sizes of 8.48 ± 1.72 nm and 9.67 ± 2.64 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the XRD patterns reflected their crystallinity and the FTIR spectra demonstrated the presence of proteins as capping agents. Both bioinspired AgNPs exhibited a remarkable inhibitory effect on the conidial germination of the investigated mycotoxigenic fungi. The bioinspired AgNPs caused an increase in DNA and protein leakage, suggesting the disruption of membrane permeability and integrity. Interestingly, the biogenic AgNPs completely inhibited the production of total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A at concentrations less than 8 µg/mL. At the same time, cytotoxicity investigations revealed the low toxicity of the biogenic AgNPs against the human skin fibroblast (HSF) cell line. Both biogenic AgNPs exhibited feasible biocompatibility with HSF cells at concentrations up to 10 µg/mL and their IC50 values were 31.78 and 25.83 µg/mL for Gn-AgNPs and La-AgNPs, respectively. The present work sheds light on the antifungal prospect of the biogenic AgNPs produced by rare actinomycetes against mycotoxigenic fungi as promising candidates to combat mycotoxin formation in food chains at nontoxic doses.

Biosynthesis of Novel Tellurium Nanorods by Gayadomonas sp. TNPM15 Isolated from Mangrove Sediments and Assessment of Their Impact on Spore Germination and Ultrastructure of Phytopathogenic Fungi.

The biosynthesis of nanoparticles using green technology is emerging as a cost-efficient, eco-friendly and risk-free strategy in nanotechnology. Recently, tellurium nanoparticles (TeNPs) have attracted growing attention due to their unique properties in biomedicine, electronics, and other industrial applications. The current investigation addresses the green synthesis of TeNPs using a newly isolated mangrove-associated bacterium, Gayadomonas sp. TNPM15, and their impact on the phytopathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata. The biogenic TeNPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The results of TEM revealed the intracellular biosynthesis of rod-shaped nanostructures with a diameter range from 15 to 23 nm and different lengths reaching up to 243 nm. Furthermore, the successful formation of tellurium nanorods was verified by SEM-EDX, and the XRD pattern revealed their crystallinity. In addition, the FTIR spectrum provided evidence for the presence of proteinaceous capping agents. The bioinspired TeNPs exhibited obvious inhibitory effect on the spores of both investigated phytopathogens accomplished with prominent ultrastructure alternations, as evidenced by TEM observations. The biogenic TeNPs impeded spore germination of F. oxysporum and A. alternata completely at 48.1 and 27.6 µg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, an increase in DNA and protein leakage was observed upon exposure of fungal spores to the biogenic TeNPs, indicating the disruption of membrane permeability and integrity. Besides their potent influence on fungal spores, the biogenic TeNPs demonstrated remarkable inhibitory effects on the production of various plant cell wall-degrading enzymes. Moreover, the cytotoxicity investigations revealed the biocompatibility of the as-prepared biogenic TeNPs and their low toxicity against the human skin fibroblast (HSF) cell line. The biogenic TeNPs showed no significant cytotoxic effect towards HSF cells at concentrations up to 80 µg/mL, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 125 µg/mL. The present work spotlights the antifungal potential of the biogenic TeNPs produced by marine bacterium against phytopathogenic fungi as a promising candidate to combat fungal infections.

Biological Extraction, HPLC Quantification and Medical Applications of Astaxanthin Extracted from Crawfish "Procambarus clarkii" Exoskeleton By-Product.

The main challenge of astaxanthin extraction is to provide an eco-friendly method of extraction instead of chemical methods that harm human health. This study provided an eco-friendly method for astaxanthin extraction using two bacterial and fungal probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus lactis, Candida utilis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively) and determined the astaxanthin concentration by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The results showed that the highest concentration was obtained by S. cerevisiae (45.69 µg/g). Several biological tests were done on the exoskeleton containing astaxanthin of crawfish. Antifungal activity was effective against C. utilis (inhibition zone is 12.3 ± 0.5 mm). The scavenging percentage of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH scavenging percentage) was 72.1% at 1000 µg/mL concentration of exoskeleton containing astaxanthin. The Hemolysis inhibition percentage was 65% at the same concentration used previously. Furthermore, the IC50 value of human liver cancer cell line (HepG2), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCT), and breast cancer cell line MCF-7 were 24 µg/mL, 11 µg/mL, and 9.5 µg/mL, respectively. The least cell viability percentage was 19% (using breast cancer cell line (MCF-7)) at 100 µg/mL of exoskeleton containing astaxanthin. Thus, using microorganisms can be an alternative and promising way of astaxanthin extraction. Furthermore, purification of extracted astaxanthin is essential for medical applications.

The light microscopy and ultrastructural characteristics of Myxobolus naffari (Myxosporea, Myxobolidae) infecting the Nile carp Labeo niloticus (Cyprinidae) and its histological impact

During a survey of myxosporean parasites infecting freshwater fishes from the River Nile at Giza Governorates, Egypt between March and September 2016, nine out of 30 specimens of the Nile carp Labeo niloticus (Cyprinidae) were found to be naturally infected with Myxobolus naffari (Myxobolidae). Small macroscopic plasmodia appeared embedded in the host gill tissue accompanied with fusion of the gill epithelia, and atrophy was observed at the site of infection. The host reaction was manifested by the encapsulation of the plasmodia with a thick layer of connective tissue. The plasmodia appeared as white, elongated rods between gill filaments with an intensity ranging from three to eight cysts/fish. The average dimensions of plasmodia were 1.2­2.0 (1.8 ± 0.2) mm long × 0.4­0.7 (0.6 ± 0.2) mm wide. The spores were oval, reaching 9.56­11.2 (10.2 ± 0.2) µm long and 6.5­7.7 (7.0 ± 0.4) µm wide with two equal-sized polar capsules regularly arranged at the anterior pole of each spore. They were 4.51­5.5 (5.1 ± 0.4) µm in length and 1.5­2.0 (1.7 ± 0.2) µm in width. Histological, semi-thin sections were taken through parasite plasmodia and transmission electron microscopic examination of ultrathin sections was performed to describe the developmental stages of the recorded parasite within the host fish.

Effect of non target snails on some biological of Lymnaea natalensis snails and their infection to Fasciola gigantica.

The influence of non-target freshwater snails (Melanoides tuberculata and Planorbis planorbis) on the capacity of Fasciola egg production F. gigantica miracidia to infect Lymnaea natalensis and their effect on mortality and growth rates showed that the snails exhibited a competitive ability against L. natalensis. The mortality rate existed in mixed cultures with snails was greatly increased, and increased with increase of snails number. The egg production and growth rate were negatively affected by the presence of M. tuberculata and P. planorbis which was more pronounced when snails were at higher ratio lL: 10D. Also, the snails showed significant degree of reduction in infection rate of L. natalensis with F. gigantica miracidia.

Biological and biochemical studies on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, treated with low concentrations of certain molluscicides (synthetic and of plant origin).

The effect of low concentrations of different synthetic and natural mollusciciding agents may introduce to fresh water environment on reproduction and biochemical aspects of Biomphalaria alexandrina was studied. Different mollusciciding agents (copper sulphate, Bayluscide, Uccmaluscide, Agave filifera & A. attenuate) inhibited egg production, induced marked increased the percent of abnormal laid eggs and induced marked reduction in their hatchability. The maximal reductions in egg hatchability resulted with Bayluscide (0.0%) and Uccmaluscide (18%), A. filifera (21%) and A. attenuata (15%). All the antimolluscal materials caused a successful killing effect against miracidia and cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. CuSo4, Bayluscide and Uccmaluscide killed 40% of the exposed miracidia and 50% of cercariae after an hour exposure. The plants sublethal concentration killed 100% of cercariae and miracidia after 6 hours exposure. Water leaving behaviour among the exposed snails was noticed especially during the first three weeks, showing maximal percentage (60%) after one week of exposure to Bayluscide. A general decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) especially with Bayluscide (48.4%) and in acetylcholine esterase activity in the haemolymph especially on applying plant molluscicide A. filifera (50.8%) was noticed. Transaminases showed marked elevations in activities during the 1st three weeks, then began to drop (ASAT: 61.5%, with Bayluscide & ALAT: 50.8% with Uccmaluscide). The results reflect the effect of the metabolic disorders on life, egg laying, egg hatchability, hepatic cells damages, lack of smooth transmission at nerve junction, loss of muscular coordination and convulsions, then snails' death.