Praziquantel as the gold standard of schistosomiasis control Drug delivery and Nanotechnological strategies

The poor rate of drug discovery for the control of Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) including schistosomiasis has necessitated effective management of existing drugs by modulating their delivery. Nanotechnology-based colloidal drug carriers have been explored to improve the activity and safety profile of drugs for NTDs including parasitic diseases. In developing new drug delivery systems for schistosomiasis, research efforts have focused mainly on Praziquantel (PZQ) as the sole antischistosomal agent in current clinical practice. Carrier systems of the polymer, inorganic and lipid-based type have been investigated for the delivery of PZQ. However, promising results were obtained using lipid-based delivery systems including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and nanoemulsions. Selection of these lipid carrier systems has been based on the lipophilicity of PZQ, controlled drug release, potential increase in its bioavailability by promoting lymphatic absorption to bypass the extensive first pass effect biodistribution to the host liver and enhancement of PZQ interaction with the worm tegument of a similar phospholipid nature.

Evaluation Of Biodegradation Ability Of Bacterial Consortium In Comparison With Combination Of It With Plant Species For Their Phytoremediation Potential

Oil and its derivatives spills have been a major issue across decades due to transport, import, Export and accidents with its wider use in industry and it is difficult to be biodegraded. Many techniques were developed to clean up petroleum contaminated soil, among all of them, the biological treatments are more efficient and economic compared to chemical and physical ones. Bioremediation is applied as a treatment technology that is cost-effective, ecologically friendly and efficient for the decontamination of hydrocarbon pollution. In this study, crude oil contaminated soil samples were collected from oil extraction fields in Libya. The bacterial strains were isolated using selective media (agar containing crude oil). Isolated bacteria were identified using microbial features and selective media and then used in biodegradation experiment of 0.5% and 1% of crude oil contaminated soil. The bacterial concentration was adjusted to 1.5 x 108 scf/ml before supplementing in the soil. Three plants were chosen to perform experiment (Malva punilora, Ricinus communis and Triticum repens) on 0.5% and 1% crude oil contaminated soil. The chosen species were implanted directly in the contaminated soil together with prepared bacterial consortia. Soil sample (triplicate) was taken from each experiment at zero time, after 15 days, and 30 days of experiment, hexane was added to the soil samples and the absorbance was measured using spectrophotometer at 360 nm. As a result, two bacterial strains proved to be oil biodegrades were isolated and identified as Escherichia coli and other bacillus bacteria. The percentage of crude oil removal by bacteria was more than 60% in the soil contaminated by 0.5% of crude oil after 15 and 30 days of experiment, while it was 30% at 1% crude oil contaminated soil after 15 days and increased to be 75% after 30 days of experiment. The experiment included combination between plants and bacteria resulted in the 90% of removal by Triticum repens and bacterial mixture at 0.5 crude oil after 30 days, and 80% of removal for 1% contaminated soil using the same plant. In general, both techniques were effective in crude oil removal. Triticum repens showed good results in crude oil removal. This suggests more field application of this plant on crude oil contaminated oi

Effect Of Thymus Vulgaris, Mentha Piperita And Pelargonium Citrosum Leaf, Syzygium Aromaticum Buds And Citrus Limonoids Peels Extracts As Mosquito Larvicidal And Pupicidal Agent

Mosquito control depends on application of synthetic insecticides. This has been limited due to its harmful effect on human health. This increased needs for botanical origin alternatives as a sustainable and more safe method of mosquito control. The current study aimed to evaluate larvicidal and pupicidal effect of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), peppermint (Mentha piperita) and citronella leaf (Pelargonium citrosum), clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum) and lemon peels (Citrus limonoids) methanolic extracts. Tested plants were extracted and three concentrations of these extracts were prepared (25, 50 and 100 mg/ml) then their larvicidal and pupicidal activities were evaluated against 20 larvae and 20 pupas for each concentration. Mortality rate were calculated after 24 hrs. Adult mosquitoes were identified to genus level. Clove showed the highest larvae mortality rate (100%) for the three tested concentrations, followed by thyme, lemon and peppermint. Citronella had no effect as larvicidal agent. On the other hand, pupicidal activity test of thyme showed the highest results followed by clove. While lemon didn’t show any activity. Mosquito was identified as Culex. The result showed that buds extract of S. aromaticum and leaf extracts of T. vulgaris and peels extract of C. limonoids could serve as potential larvicidal extracts against the Culex mosquito

Physical Properties, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties of Raw South Africa Shea Butter against Samples from Libyan Market

Vigorous research has been conducted into the phenology of the shea tree, its usage and that of the shea butter extracted from the nuts of the shea fruit. Shea butter is the most valuable product in the Shea tree and its use as raw or in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products was expanded in the last years. The aim was to carry out comparative study between imported South African raw Shea Butter, one sample from Poland and samples from Libyan market on their physical properties (organoleptic), thin layer chromatography (TLC) chromatogram, phytochemical screening and diphenylpicrylhydrazil (DPPH) scavenging activity. As well as antimicrobial screening. Organoleptic test was carried out by comparing color and odor. TLC chromatogram was performed by spotting solution of samples in hexane on TLC plate and eluted twice in hexane: ethylacetate 8:2 to get good separation.  Phytochemical screening was performed to determine the presence of carbohydrates (Fehling test), steroids, and triterpens (Salkwiski test).  DPPH assay was carried out by spraying TLC sample spots by 0.2% DPPH methanolic solution. Antimicrobial test was conducted on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Mueller-Hinton agar was used with ciprofolxacin as +ve control and DMSO as–ve control.  As a result, Shea Butter samples showed wide diversity in color and odor which considered normal except two white samples that might undergo refining process, while spreadability and TLC chromatograms were similar. Samples and control showed presence of carbohydrates, steroids and triterpens. Control and samples had DPPH scavenging activity. Shea Butter control and samples had no antimicrobial activities against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.