1. |
- El-Garawani, Islam, et al.
(author)
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The Ameliorative Role of Acacia senegal Gum against the Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity Induced by the Radiographic Contrast Medium (Ioxitalamate) in Albino Rats
- 2021
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In: Antioxidants. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-3921. ; 10:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Arabic gum (Acacia senegal, AG) is proven effective antioxidant and cytoprotective agent. The present study was designed to test this notion by investigating the possible role of AG against the radiographic contrast medium (Ioxitalamate, Telebrix-35®, TBX)-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity. Albino rats were divided into four groups and supplied with either; distilled water, daily 10% (w/v) AG, an intravenous dose of TBX (1600 mg I/kg b.wt) and co-administration of TBX and AG. Rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected to assess the genotoxicity employing the peripheral blood leucocytes fluorescent double staining; namely the acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining and alkaline comet assay. Further, chromosomal analyses were done in bone marrow cells. Serum urea and creatinine levels, in addition to malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels in kidney tissues were measured. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS-MS) was performed to identify the chemical composition of AG extract. Kidney functions, single/double-stranded DNA damage, chromosomal aberrations, mitotic index, MDA and NO levels were significantly (p < 0.001) increased in TBX-treated group compared to the control and AG-treated one. Meanwhile, CAT and GSH activities were significantly diminished and the AG supplementation significantly (p < 0.001) ameliorated these effects compared with the control and AG-treated groups. Five compounds have been identified using GNPS networking including 7,3′,4′-Trihydroxyisoflavone, Noscapine, Tetrahydropapaveroline, Costunolide, Hesperidin. In conclusion, results of the present study suggest that AG exerted a protective role against TBX-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity which may be attributed to the active metabolites in the gum.
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2. |
- Khalifa, Shaden A. M., et al.
(author)
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Comprehensive Overview on Multiple Strategies Fighting COVID-19
- 2020
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In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 17:16
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lately, myriad of novel viruses have emerged causing epidemics such as SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2, leading to high mortality rates worldwide. Thus, these viruses represented a challenging threat to mankind, especially considering the miniscule data available at our disposal regarding these novel viruses. The entire world established coordinative relations in research projects regarding drug and vaccine development on the external range, whereas on the internal range, all countries declared it an emergency case through imposing different restrictions related to their border control, large gatherings, school attendance, and most social activities. Pandemic combating plans prioritized all sectors including normal people, medical staff politicians, and scientists collectively shouldered the burden. Through planning and learning the previous lessons from SARS and MERS, healthcare systems could succeed in combating the viral spread and implications of these new pandemics. Different management strategies including social distance, social awareness and isolation represented successful ways to slow down the spread of the pandemic. Furthermore, pre-preparedness of some countries for emergencies is crucial to minimize the consequences of the crisis.
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3. |
- Samak, Dalia H., et al.
(author)
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Developmental toxicity of carbon nanoparticles during embryogenesis in chicken
- 2020
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In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. - : Springer Nature. - 0944-1344 .- 1614-7499. ; 27:16, s. 19058-19072
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nanoparticles (NPs) are very small particles present in a wide range of materials. There is a dearth of knowledge regarding their potential secondary effects on the health of living organisms and the environment. Increasing research attention, however, has been directed toward determining the effects on humans exposed to NPs in the environment. Although the majority of studies focus on adult animals or populations, embryos of various species are considered more susceptible to environmental effects and pollutants. Hence, research studies dealing mainly with the impacts of NPs on embryogenesis have emerged recently, as this has become a major concern. Chicken embryos occupy a special place among animal models used in toxicity and developmental investigations and have also contributed significantly to the fields of genetics, virology, immunology, cell biology, and cancer. Their rapid development and easy accessibility for experimental observance and manipulation are just a few of the advantages that have made them the vertebrate model of choice for more than two millennia. The early stages of chicken embryogenesis, which are characterized by rapid embryonic growth, provide a sensitive model for studying the possible toxic effects on organ development, body weight, and oxidative stress. The objective of this review was to evaluate the toxicity of various types of carbon black nanomaterials administered at the beginning of embryogenesis in a chicken embryo model. In addition, the effects of diamond and graphene NPs and carbon nanotubes are reviewed.
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4. |
- Abd El-Wahed, Aida, et al.
(author)
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Wasp Venom Biochemical Components and Their Potential in Biological Applications and Nanotechnological Interventions
- 2021
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In: Toxins. - : MDPI AG. - 2072-6651. ; 13:3
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Wasps, members of the order Hymenoptera, are distributed in different parts of the world, including Brazil, Thailand, Japan, Korea, and Argentina. The lifestyles of the wasps are solitary and social. Social wasps use venom as a defensive measure to protect their colonies, whereas solitary wasps use their venom to capture prey. Chemically, wasp venom possesses a wide variety of enzymes, proteins, peptides, volatile compounds, and bioactive constituents, which include phospholipase A2, antigen 5, mastoparan, and decoralin. The bioactive constituents have anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the limited quantities of wasp venom and the scarcity of advanced strategies for the synthesis of wasp venom’s bioactive compounds remain a challenge facing the effective usage of wasp venom. Solid-phase peptide synthesis is currently used to prepare wasp venom peptides and their analogs such as mastoparan, anoplin, decoralin, polybia-CP, and polydim-I. The goal of the current review is to highlight the medicinal value of the wasp venom compounds, as well as limitations and possibilities. Wasp venom could be a potential and novel natural source to develop innovative pharmaceuticals and new agents for drug discovery.
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5. |
- Reda, Eman H., et al.
(author)
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Comparative Study on the Essential Oils from Five Wild Egyptian Centaurea Species : Effective Extraction Techniques, Antimicrobial Activity and In-Silico Analyses
- 2021
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In: Antibiotics. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-6382. ; 10:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The genus Centaurea is recognized in folk medicine for anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, antitussive, purgative, astringent, and tonic activities. To study the chemical determinant for antimicrobial activity essential oils (EOs), five Centaurea species were analyzed including: C. scoparia, C. calcitrapa, C. glomerata, C. lipii and C. alexandrina. Conventional hydro-distillation (HD) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), as new green technologies, were compared for the extraction of essential oils. GC/MS analysis identified 120 EOs including mostly terpenoid except from C. lipii and C. alexandrina in which nonterpenoids were the major constituents. Major terpenoids included spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide and alloaromadendrene oxide-2. To probe antibacterial activity, potential EO inhibitors of a bacterial type II DNA topoisomerase, DNA gyrase B were screened via an in silico molecular docking approach. Spathulenol and alloaromadendrene oxide-2 possessed the best binding affinity in the ATP- binding pocket of Gyrase B enzyme. Principal component analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering were used for sample classification and revealed that sesquiterpenes contributed the most for accessions classification. In vitro antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger for all EOs were also evaluated. EOs from C. lipii, C. glomerata and C. calcitrapa exhibited significant MIC against S. aureus with an MIC value of 31.25 µg/mL.
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6. |
- El-Seedi, Hesham, et al.
(author)
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A Spotlight on the Egyptian Honeybee (Apis mellifera lamarckii)
- 2022
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In: Animals. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2615. ; 12:20
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Egypt has an ongoing long history with beekeeping, which started with the ancient Egyptians making various reliefs and inscriptions of beekeeping on their tombs and temples. The Egyptian honeybee (Apis mellifera lamarckii) is an authentic Egyptian honeybee subspecies utilized in apiculture. A. m. lamarckii is a distinct honeybee subspecies that has a particular body color, size, and high levels of hygienic behavior. Additionally, it has distinctive characteristics; including the presence of the half-queens, an excessive number of swarm cells, high adaptability to climatic conditions, good resistance to specific bee diseases, including the Varro disorder, and continuous breeding during the whole year despite low productivity, using very little propolis, and tending to abscond readily. This review discusses the history of beekeeping in Egypt and its current situation in addition to its morphology, genetic analysis, and distinctive characters, and the defensive behaviors of native A. m. lamarckii subspecies.
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7. |
- El-Seedi, Hesham R., et al.
(author)
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Anti-schistosomiasis triterpene glycoside from the Egyptian medicinal plant Asparagus stipularis
- 2011
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In: REV BRAS FARMACOGN. - : SOC BRASILEIRA FARMACOGNOSIA. - 0102-695X. ; 22:2, s. 314-318
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bioassay-guided isolation using an in vitro assay testing for anti-schistosomiasis yielded a novel triterpene saponin, asparagalin A, from the n-butanol extract of the roots of Asparagus stipularis Forssk., Asparagaceae. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformations. Administration of asparagalin A resulted in a retardation of worm growth and locomotion at the first day and showed a significant activity of egg-laying suppression at 200 mu g/mL concentration.
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8. |
- El-Seedi, Hesham R., et al.
(author)
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Plant extracts and compounds for combating schistosomiasis
- 2023
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In: Phytochemistry Reviews. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1568-7767 .- 1572-980X. ; 22:6, s. 1691-1806
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Schistosomiasis is a vector-borne water-based disease caused by Schistosoma blood flukes. It mostly affects people in low-income regions, 90% of reported cases being in developing countries. Schistosoma has a complex lifecycle, alternately infecting mammalian hosts and snails. The snails hosting the parasite are the most viable targets. Selective preparations for reducing the parasite pool in snails and infected water are required as current molluscicides are also nontoxic to other organisms, including fish, and thus affect food supplies in infected areas. Plants (e.g. Annona crassiflora Mart., A. muricata L., and A. montana Macfad.) are attractive potential sources as alternative molluscicides and novel entity to treat the disease owned to their diverse biologically potent compounds including; saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and tannins. Additionally, they can be locally cultivated, providing income for farmers and reducing treatment costs. Here, we review plants, plant extracts and isolated compounds that have shown activities against the host snails or Schistosoma in various parts of its life cycle. Plants have a lot of potential and will continue to contribute feasible, effective medicines and/or pesticides; more research is warranted to fully explore their future applications.
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9. |
- El-Seedi, Hesham R., et al.
(author)
-
Plant extracts and compounds for combating schistosomiasis
- 2023
-
In: Phytochemistry Reviews. - : Springer. - 1568-7767 .- 1572-980X. ; 22:6, s. 1691-1806
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Schistosomiasis is a vector-borne water-based disease caused by Schistosoma blood flukes. It mostly affects people in low-income regions, 90% of reported cases being in developing countries. Schistosoma has a complex lifecycle, alternately infecting mammalian hosts and snails. The snails hosting the parasite are the most viable targets. Selective preparations for reducing the parasite pool in snails and infected water are required as current molluscicides are also nontoxic to other organisms, including fish, and thus affect food supplies in infected areas. Plants (e.g. Annona crassiflora Mart., A. muricata L., and A. montana Macfad.) are attractive potential sources as alternative molluscicides and novel entity to treat the disease owned to their diverse biologically potent compounds including; saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and tannins. Additionally, they can be locally cultivated, providing income for farmers and reducing treatment costs. Here, we review plants, plant extracts and isolated compounds that have shown activities against the host snails or Schistosoma in various parts of its life cycle. Plants have a lot of potential and will continue to contribute feasible, effective medicines and/or pesticides; more research is warranted to fully explore their future applications.
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10. |
- El-Seedi, Hesham R., et al.
(author)
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Recent insights into the biosynthesis and biological activities of natural xanthones
- 2010
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In: Current Medicinal Chemistry. - : Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.. - 0929-8673 .- 1875-533X. ; 17:9, s. 854-901
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the complex biosynthetic pathways and diverse biological activities of naturally occurring xanthones. The biosynthesis section covers studies published from 1989 to 2008 on xanthone production in plants and fungi, while the bioactivity review presents tabulated activities of more than 250 xanthones described in studies published from 2001 to 2008, together with structural information and indications of their wide-ranging potential uses as pharmacological tools. A large number of relevant papers have been published on these subjects (128 cited here), illustrating the diversity of the xanthones and their possible uses.
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