Protective Effects of Flavone from Tamarix aphylla against CCl4-Induced Liver Injury in Mice Mediated by Suppression of Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Angiogenesis

The current study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the beneficial effects of 3,5-dihydroxy-4′,7-dimethoxyflavone isolated from Tamarix aphylla L. against liver injury in mice. Liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) at a dose of 0.4 mL/kg mixed in olive oil at ratio (1:4) twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks. The administration of CCl4 caused significant histopathological changes in liver tissues while the pre-treatment with the flavone at dose of 10 and 25 mg/kg ameliorated the observed liver damages. Also, it markedly reduced hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level as well as increased the activities of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) compared with their recorded levels in CCl4 model group. Moreover, the immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated the enhancement in the protein level of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) while the protein levels of cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 (caspase-3), Bcl-2-associated x protein (Bax), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and CD31 were suppressed following the flavone treatement. These results suggest that the flavone can inhibit liver injury induced in mice owning to its impact on the oxidation, apoptotic and angiogenesis mechanisms. Further pharmacological investigations are essential to determine the effectiveness of the flavone in human

Melittin Exerts Beneficial Effects on Paraquat-Induced Lung Injuries in Mice by Modifying Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

Melittin (MEL) is a 26-amino acid peptide with numerous biological activities. Paraquat (PQ) is one of the most widely used herbicides, although it is extremely toxic to humans. To date, PQ poisoning has no effective treatment, and therefore the current study aimed to assess for the first time the possible effects of MEL on PQ-induced lung injuries in mice. Mice received a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of PQ (30 mg/kg), followed by IP treatment with MEL (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) twice per week for four consecutive weeks. Histological alterations, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the lungs were studied. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining indicated that MEL markedly reduced lung injuries induced by PQ. Furthermore, treatment with MEL increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in lung tissue homogenates. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining showed that B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and survivin expressions were upregulated after MEL treatment, while Ki-67 expression was downregulated. The high dose of MEL was more effective than the low dose in all experiments. In summary, MEL efficiently reduced PQ-induced lung injuries in mice. Specific pharmacological examinations are required to determine the effectiveness of MEL in cases of human PQ poisoning

Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vivo Anti-Cancer Activity of New Metal Complexes Derived from Isatin-N(4)antipyrinethiosemicarbazone Ligand Against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells

The current study aimed to synthesize new metal coordination complexes with potential biomedical applications. Metal complexes were prepared via the reaction of isatin-N(4)anti- pyrinethiosemicarbazone ligand 1 with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), and Fe(III) ions. The obtained metal complexes 2–12 were characterized using elemental, spectral (1H-NMR, EPR, Mass, IR, UV-Vis) and thermal (TGA) techniques, as well as magnetic moment and molar conductance measurements. In addition, their geometries were studied using EPR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. To evaluate the in vivo anti-cancer activities of these complexes, the ligand 1 and its metal complexes 2, 7 and 9 were tested against solid tumors. The solid tumors were induced by subcutaneous (SC) injection of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in mice. The impact of the selected complexes on the reduction of tumor volume was determined. Also, the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cysteine aspartyl-specific protease-7 (caspase-7) in tumor and liver tissues of mice bearing EAC tumor were determined. Moreover, their effects on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin, and glucose levels were measured. The results revealed that the tested compounds, especially complex 9, reduced tumor volume, inhibited the expression of VEGF, and induced the expression of caspase-7. Additionally, they restored the levels of ALT, AST, albumin, and glucose close to their normal levels. Taken together, our newly synthesized metal complexes are promising anti-cancer agents against solid tumors induced by EAC cells as supported by the inhibition of VEGF and induction of caspase-7

Fabrication of photo-electrochemical biosensors for ultrasensitive screening of mono-bioactive molecules: the effect of geometrical structures and crystal surfaces

The controlled design of biosensors based on the photo-electrochemical technique with high selectivity, sensitivity, and rapid response for monitoring of mono-bioactive molecules, particularly dopamine (DA) levels in neuronal cells is highly necessary for clinical diagnosis. Hierarchical carbon-, nitrogen-doped (CN) nickel oxide spear thistle (ST) flowers associated in single-heads (S), and symmetric and asymmetric-double heads (D and A, respectively) that are tightly connected through a micrometric dipole-like rod or trunk were fabricated by using a simple synthetic protocol. The CN-ST flower heads were decorated with dense nano-tubular like hedgehog needle skins in vertical alignments. These designated architectures are key features for creating biosensor surface electrodes for photo-electrochemical, ultrasensitive screening of mono-bioactive molecules. The exceptional electrode designs produced numerous catalytically active sites, large surface area, and high electron-transfer mobility. The active coating of carbon–nitrogen nanospheres significantly enhanced the photo-electrocatalytic activity of the prepared biosensor electrodes and prevented leakage of photocatalytic activity under long-term exposure to irradiation. Among all photo-electrochemical assays, the biosensors showed significant sensitivity and selectivity for DA in the presence of interfering molecules such as ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), adrenaline (A), and noradrenaline (NA). The photo-electrochemical property of the CN-SST-{110} crystal surface electrode showed significant sensing performance for DA in terms of unimpeded diffusion pathways, a wide concentration-detection range, and a low detection limit, even in the presence of potentially interfering molecules compared with other electrode-modified CN-DST-{111} and CN-AST-{101} crystal surfaces. Furthermore, the CN-SST photo-biosensor electrode shows potential in the selective and sensitive determination of DA in real samples, such as human serum and secreted DA from living cells. This finding indicates that the hierarchical ST biosensor may enable analytical discrimination and monitoring of DA and can be employed for clinical diagnosis application

Diosmin Attenuates Methotrexate-Induced Hepatic, Renal, and Cardiac Injury: A Biochemical and Histopathological Study in Mice

The current study was designed to investigate the beneficial role of diosmin, a biologically active flavonoid, against methotrexate- (MTX-) induced hepatic, renal, and cardiac injuries in mice. Male Swiss albino mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of MTX (at 20 mg/kg, body weight) either alone or in combination with oral diosmin (at 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight, for 10 days). Serum was used to evaluate tissue injury markers, while hepatic, renal, and cardiac tissue samples were obtained for determination of antioxidant activity as well as histopathological examination. Diosmin treatment ameliorated the MTX-induced elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, urea, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinases as well as plasma proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1-beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). Additionally, both diosmin doses significantly reduced tissue levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide and increased those of glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, compared to the MTX-intoxicated group. Histopathological examination showed that diosmin significantly minimized the MTX-induced histological alterations and nearly restored the normal architecture of hepatic, renal, and cardiac tissues. Based on these findings, diosmin may be a promising agent for protection against MTX-induced cytotoxicity in patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases

Нормирование медицинского имущества как звено логистической цепи снабжения вооруженных сил

ОБОРУДОВАНИЕ, АППАРАТУРА, ИНСТРУМЕНТЫМЕДИЦИНСКОЕ ОБОРУДОВАНИЕ ДОЛГОВРЕМЕННОГО ПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯВОЕННАЯ МЕДИЦИНАВОЕННОСЛУЖАЩИЕЛОГИСТИЧЕСКИЕ МОДЕЛИЛЕКАРСТВЕННОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ СИСТЕМ

Insights into the role of natural products in the control of the honey bee gut parasite (Nosema spp.)

The honey bee is an important economic insect due to its role in pollinating many agricultural plants. Unfortunately, bees are susceptible to many pathogens, including pests, parasites, bacteria, and viruses, most of which exert a destructive impact on thousands of colonies. The occurrence of resistance to the therapeutic substances used against these organisms is rising, and the residue from these chemicals may accumulate in honey bee products, subsequently affecting the human health. There is current advice to avoid the use of antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and other drugs in bees, and therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative strategies for the treatment of bee diseases. In this context, the impact of nosema diseases (nosemosis) on bee health and the negative insults of existing drugs are discussed. Moreover, attempts to combat nosema through the use of alternative compounds, including essential oils, plant extracts, and microbes in vitro and in vivo, are documented.Plan of High end Foreign Experts of the Ministry of Science and Technology | Ref. G2022016009

Cyanobacteria—From the Oceans to the Potential Biotechnological and Biomedical Applications

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotic organisms which represent a significantsource of novel, bioactive, secondary metabolites, and they are also considered an abundant source ofbioactive compounds/drugs, such as dolastatin, cryptophycin 1, curacin toyocamycin, phytoalexin,cyanovirin-N and phycocyanin. Some of these compounds have displayed promising results insuccessful Phase I, II, III and IV clinical trials. Additionally, the cyanobacterial compounds applied tomedical research have demonstrated an exciting future with great potential to be developed into newmedicines. Most of these compounds have exhibited strong pharmacological activities, includingneurotoxicity, cytotoxicity and antiviral activity against HCMV, HSV-1, HHV-6 and HIV-1, so thesemetabolites could be promising candidates for COVID-19 treatment. Therefore, the effective large-scale production of natural marine products through synthesis is important for resolving the existingissues associated with chemical isolation, including small yields, and may be necessary to betterinvestigate their biological activities. Herein, we highlight the total synthesized and stereochemicaldeterminations of the cyanobacterial bioactive compounds. Furthermore, this review primarilyfocuses on the biotechnological applications of cyanobacteria, including applications as cosmetics,food supplements, and the nanobiotechnological applications of cyanobacterial bioactive compoundsin potential medicinal applications for various human diseases are discussed.Stockholm UniversityPeer Reviewe

Beyond the pandemic : COVID-19 pandemic changed the face of life

Funding Information: This work was supported by the Swedish Research Council Vetenskapsr?det (VR grant 2016?05885). Funding Information: Acknowledgments: H.R. El-Seedi is very grateful to the Swedish Research links grant VR 2016– 05885 and the Department of Molecular Biosciences, Wenner-Grens Institute, Stockholm University, Sweden, for the financial support. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the au-thors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious challenge for societies around the globe as entire populations have fallen victim to the infectious spread and have taken up social distancing. In many countries, people have had to self-isolate and to be confined to their homes for several weeks to months to prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing measures have had both negative and positive impacts on various aspects of economies, lifestyles, education, transportation, food supply, health, social life, and mental wellbeing. On other hands, due to reduced population movements and the decline in human activities, gas emissions decreased and the ozone layer improved; this had a positive impact on Earth’s weather and environment. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on human activities and positive impacts on nature. This study discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on different life aspects including the economy, social life, health, education, and the environment.publishersversionPeer reviewe