Prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites of pet dogs in North-Central Algeria.

The prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites in dogs were conducted in Blida, North-Central Algeria. The study was carried out over 131 clinically healthy dogs, from March to June 2019, by coprological methods. Of the 131 collected dogs, 61.07% (n = 80) were found infected by gastrointestinal parasites. Sixty-four dogs were carriers of a single infection with the following parasites Ancylostoma spp (15.27%), Uncinaria spp (14.50%) Toxocara canis (4.58%), Trichuris vulpis (3.82%), Toxascaris leonina (2.29%), Taenia/Echinococcus spp. (2.29%), Mesocestoides spp (0.76%), Cystoisospora spp. (3.05%) and Neospora caninum-like (2.29%). Sixteen dogs harbored mixed infection. Male (OR = 1.18) German shepherds' dogs were more infected (OR = 1.08) by helminthic parasites (OR = 13.64). The frequency of single infections (OR = 6.86) increased with the animal's age (OR = 1.73-3.46). Identifying hookworms, T. canis, and T. vulpis suggests a continuing risk of contamination of pet dogs as a source of human infection with the zoonotic parasites in Blida.

Potential of biologically active plant oils to control mosquito larvae (Culex pipiens, Diptera: Culicidae) from an Egyptian locality.

The insecticidal effect of six commercially available plant oils was tested against 4th larval instars of Culex pipiens. Larvae were originally collected from Meit El-Attar, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, and then reared in the laboratory until F1 generation. The LC50 values were 32.42, 47.17, 71.37, 83.36, 86.06, and 152.94 ppm for fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-grecum), earth almond (Cyperus esculentus), mustard (Brassica compestris), olibanum (Boswellia serrata), rocket (Eruca sativa), and parsley (Carum ptroselinum), respectively. The tested oils altered some biological aspects of C. pipiens, for instance, developmental periods, pupation rates, and adult emergences. The lowest concentrations of olibanum and fenugreek oils caused remarkable prolongation of larval and pupal durations. Data also showed that the increase of concentrations was directly proportional to reduction in pupation rates and adult emergences. Remarkable decrease in pupation rate was achieved by mustard oil at 1000 ppm. Adult emergence was suppressed by earth almond and fenugreek oils at 25 ppm. In addition, the tested plant oils exhibited various morphological abnormalities on larvae, pupae, and adult stages. Consequently, fenugreek was the most potent oil and the major cause of malformation of both larval and pupal stages. Potency of the applied plant oils provided an excellent potential for controlling C. pipiens.

Antioxidant rich medicinal plants as a potential candidate to treat gastric ulcer / Plantas medicinales ricas en antioxidantes como candidatas potenciales para tratar la úlcera gástrica

Oxidative stress is a key cause of gastrointestinal disorders, primarily stomach ulcers. Multiple intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms caused the body to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). The body's antioxidant defense system protects against these reactive species. When the degree of ROS production exceeds the normal range, the body's natural defense system fails to neutralize these dangerous free radicals, necessitating need for an exogenous source of natural antioxidants. Natural herbal remedies have been widely employed as antioxidants to relieve oxidative stress in gastric ulcers. Polyphenols, tannins, essential oils, flavonoids, notably quercetin, carotenoids, vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals are among the molecules of immense interest in bioassays due to their significant antioxidant effects. In the present review, several natural anti-ulcer medicinal plants along with their antioxidative mechanism have been reported. Electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus were explored to identify the antioxidant and gastroprotective potential of all the plants.

El estrés oxidativo es una causa clave de trastornos gastrointestinales, principalmente úlceras estomacales. Múltiples mecanismos intrínsecos y extrínsecos hacen que el cuerpo produzca especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS). El sistema de defensa antioxidante del cuerpo protege contra estas especies reactivas. Cuando el grado de producción de ROS excede el rango normal, el sistema de defensa natural del cuerpo no logra neutralizar estos peligrosos radicales libres, lo que requiere de una fuente exógena de antioxidantes naturales. Los remedios herbales naturales se han empleado ampliamente como antioxidantes para aliviar el estrés oxidativo en las úlceras gástricas. Los polifenoles, los taninos, los aceites esenciales, los flavonoides, en particular la quercetina, los carotenoides, la vitamina C, la vitamina A y los minerales se encuentran entre las moléculas de mayor interés en los bioensayos debido a sus importantes efectos antioxidantes. En la presente revisión se han reportado varias plantas medicinales naturales antiulcerosas junto con su mecanismo antioxidante. Se exploraron bases de datos electrónicas como PubMed, Google Scholar y Scopus para identificar el potencial antioxidante y gastroprotector de todas las plantas.

The insecticidal activity of four medicinal plants against the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

BACKGROUND: The larvae of Lucilia sericata induce myiasis and transmit mycobacterial infections to humans and animals. Consequently, the blowfly should be controlled for human welfare and economic reasons. METHODS: The insecticidal effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), celery (Apium graveolens), radish (Raphanus sativus), and mustard (Brassica compestris) against the third larval instars of L. sericata was evaluated, for the first time, through ingestion assays. The effect of sublethal concentrations on certain biological aspects, such as the pupation rates and adult emergence, was revealed. RESULTS: The LC(50) values were 2.81, 4.60, 6.93, and 7.92% for fenugreek, celery, radish, and mustard, respectively. The adverse effects on larval treatment also included the survival of pupae and adults. The pupation rate was strongly decreased after treatment with 16% fenugreek and celery. Moreover, adult emergence was suppressed after treatment of larvae with 8% mustard, 12% radish, and 16% fenugreek and celery oils. The number of emerged males exceeded the number of females, which could lead to population decline. Morphologic abnormalities of larvae, pupae, and adults were recorded after treatment with all tested oils. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that oils may represent new and safe potential insecticides for the control of blowflies.

Potential of biologically active plant oils to control mosquito larvae (Culex pipiens, Diptera: Culicidae) from an egyptian locality

The insecticidal effect of six commercially available plant oils was tested against 4th larval instars of Culex pipiens. Larvae were originally collected from Meit El-Attar, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, and then reared in the laboratory until F1 generation. The LC50 values were 32.42, 47.17, 71.37, 83.36, 86.06, and 152.94 ppm for fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-grecum), earth almond (Cyperus esculentus), mustard (Brassica compestris), olibanum (Boswellia serrata), rocket (Eruca sativa), and parsley (Carum ptroselinum), respectively. The tested oils altered some biological aspects of C. pipiens, for instance, developmental periods, pupation rates, and adult emergences. The lowest concentrations of olibanum and fenugreek oils caused remarkable prolongation of larval and pupal durations. Data also showed that the increase of concentrations was directly proportional to reduction in pupation rates and adult emergences. Remarkable decrease in pupation rate was achieved by mustard oil at 1000 ppm. Adult emergence was suppressed by earth almond and fenugreek oils at 25 ppm. In addition, the tested plant oils exhibited various morphological abnormalities on larvae, pupae, and adult stages. Consequently, fenugreek was the most potent oil and the major cause of malformation of both larval and pupal stages. Potency of the applied plant oils provided an excellent potential for controlling C. pipiens.

O efeito inseticida de seis óleos de plantas comercialmente disponíveis foi testado contra larvas de 4ºinstar de Culex pipiens. Larvas foram coletadas originalmente de Meit El-Attar, Qalyubia Governorate, Egito e então cultivadas no laboratório até a geração F1. Os valores LC50 foram 32,42, 47,17, 71,37, 83,36, 86,06 e 152,94 ppm para o feno grego (Trigonella foenum-grecum), amêndoa da terra (Cyperus esculentus), mostarda (Brassica compestris), olíbano (Boswellia serrata), rocket (Eruca sativa) e salsa (Carum ptroselium), respectivamente. Os óleos testados alteraram alguns aspectos biológicos do C. pipiens, por exemplo os períodos de desenvolvimento, estados de crisálida, e emergências de adultos. As concentrações mais baixas de óleo de olíbano e feno grego causaram extraordinário prolongamento da duração larval e pupal. Dados também mostraram que o aumento das concentrações foi diretamente proporcional à redução no estado de crisálida e emergências dos adultos. Notável decréscimo no estado de crisálida foi conseguido com o óleo de mostarda a 1000 ppm. Emergência de adulto foi diminuída no óleo de amêndoa da terra e feno grego a 25 ppm. Além do mais, os óleos de plantas testados, exibiram várias anormalidades morfológicas nas larvas, pupas e estádios adultos. Consequentemente, o óleo de feno grego foi o óleo mais potente e o maior causador de malformação em ambos estádios larval e pupal. Potencial dos óleos de plantas aplicados mostraram excelente resultado no controle do C. pipiens.