Prevelance of Bovine Cysticercosis in Egypt and the Cysticidal Effect of Two Extracts Obtained from Balanites aegyptiaca and Moringa oleifera on Mice Model Affected with T. saginata Cysticerci

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of bovine cysticercosis in both cattle and buffloas, in Egypt and to assess the cysticidal efficacy of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits (B. aegyptiaca) and Moringa oleifera seeds (M. oleifera) extracts in experimentally infected mice. The study detected the level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) to monitor the immune and inflammatory responses of experimentally infected mice. Through meat inspection, a total number of 2125 male bovine, 2 to 5 years old, (1125 cattle and 1000 buffloes) were examined under the authority of Albsatine and Alwaraq official abattoirs in Cairo Governorate, Egypt covering the period extended from March 2022 to April 2023. The overall prevalence of the disease among bovine was 7.8% (6.31% of cattle and 9.5% of buffloes). Besides, B. aegyptiaca and M. oleifera extracts showed cysticidal activity in experimentally infected mice. A decrease in the numbers of cysticerci was found in all treated mice groups, and up to 88% reduction was achieved in the B. aegyptiaca-treated group;higher than that was recorded in both M. oleifera (72.23%) and albendazole-treated ones (80.56%). Postmortem findings proved that M. oleifera and B. aegyptiaca reduced cysticerci numbers comparable to a commercial anthelmintic. The study showed a significant decrease (P 0.001) in TNF-α levels after treatment with Balanites and Moringa extracts, compared with the untreated control and the albendazole-treated groups.

Influence of bioactive sulphated polysaccharide-protein complexes on hepatocarcinogenesis, angiogenesis and immunomodulatory activities

Objective:To explore the in vivo anticancer,anti-angiogenesis and immunomodulatory efficacies of the bioactive polysaccharide isolated from cold aqueous extract of Jania rubens(JCEM) and Pterocladia capillacea(PCEM) as well as hot aqueous extract of Enteromorpha intestinalis(EHEM) against hepatocellular carcinoma rat model(HCC) and to study their chemical composition.Methods:The sugars and amino acids composition of the bioactive polysaccharides of JCEM,PCEM and EHEM were determined using gas liquid chromatography and amino acid analyzer,respectively.These polysaccharide extracts(20 mg/kg b.wt.for 5 weeks) were assessed on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats and α-fetoprotein(AFP),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),glypican-3(GPC-3),hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and Ig G levels were evaluated.Results:The GLC analysis of JCEM,PCEM and EHEM polysaccharide revealed the presence of 10,9 and10 sugars,in addition the amino acid analyser enable identification of 16,15 and 15 amino acids,respectively.These polysaccharide extracts of JCEM,PCEM and EHEM produced significant decrease in serum AFP,CEA,GPC-3,HGF and VEGF compared with untreated HCC group.JCEM,PCEM and EHEM had an immunostimulatory responses by increasing the IgG levels as compared by naive value(1.23,1.53 and 1.17 folds),respectively.The bioactive polysaccharides in HCC induced rats improved the humoral immune response.The photomicrographs of liver tissue sections of the groups of HCC treated with polysaccharide extracts of Jania rubens and Enteromorpha intestinalis showed intact histological structure.Moreover,fractions HE1,HE4,HE7 obtained from polysaccharide of EHEM showed moderate cytotoxic activity against Hep G2 in vitro with IC_(50) 73.1,42.6,76.2 μg/mL.However,fractions of PCEM and JCEM show no or weak cytotoxicity against Hep G2 in vitro where the cytotoxic activity of their crude polysaccharide extract proved synergetic effect.Conclusions:The pronounced antitumor activity of sulphated polysaccharide-protein complexes of JCEM and EHEM is due to direct cytotoxic activity,anti-hepatocarcinogensis,and anti-angiogenesis.In addition,JCEM,PCEM and EHEM had an immunostimulatory response and improved the humoral immune response in HCC induced rats.

Primmorph extracts and mesohyls of marine sponges inhibit proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro

Cancer recurrence and severe side effects of currently being used chemotherapeutic agents reduce their clinical efficacy. Thus, there is a constant need to develop alternative anticancer drugs. Sustainable supply is an important challenge facing marine-based drug discovery. Primmorph, a 3D cell culture system, could provide a sustainable source to produce metabolites for anticancer drugs from marine sponges. In the present work, the anticancer activity of primmorph extracts and mesohyls of Negombata magnifica, Hemimycle arabica, Crella spinulata, and Stylissa carteri sponges was evaluated. Antiproliferative activity was studied in terms of cytotoxicity, colony formation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Migration was assessed by migration assay and matrix metalloproteinase activity. The expression of proliferation and migration-related genes was analyzed using real time PCR. Migration and proliferation activities of HepG2 cells were inhibited by treatment with primmorph extracts and mesohyls of N. magnifica, H. arabica, and C. spinulata. The mesohyl of S. carteri did not show any anticancer activity although the primmorph extract led to cell cycle arrest. Among the selected sponge species, the primmorph extract of C. spinulata was the most promising anticancer agent regarding antiproliferative and antimigratory activities. In addition, primmorph extracts have the advantage of working under welldefined and controlled conditions, which allows the easy application as a bioreactor.

Hepatoprotective activity of Dypsis lutescens against D-galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and its phytoconstituents

Objective:To isolate and identify the polyphenolic constituents of Dypsis lutescens,and evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of the ethanolic extract of Dypsis lutescens leaves.Methods:Hepatoprotective,antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of two doses of Dypsis lutescens ethanolic leaf extract were investigated in five groups of six rats each administered with the ethanolic extract of Dypsis lutescens leaves.Liver function parameters were assessed,histopathological study was carried out,the anti-inflammatory mediators and the antioxidant potential in the liver tissues were evaluated.In addition,the total ethanolic extract of Dypsis lutescens leaves was subjected to different chromatographic separation techniques to yield ten phenolic compounds.The isolated compounds structures were spectroscopically elucidated.Results:Hepatoprotective activity of Dypsis lutescens ethanolic extract was estimated for the first time and showed significant activity against histopathological changes induced by D-galactosamine in liver.The extract improved the liver functions.Compared to the D-galactosamine group,the architecture of the liver in the treated groups was improved in the histopathological examination.These results proved the hepatoprotective activity of Dypsis lutescens and its ability in attenuating liver oxidative damage and inflammation.Phytochemical investigations of the total extract afforded ten compounds from the genus Dypsis.Conclusions:The alcoholic extract of Dypsis lutescens exerted potential hepatoprotective action,maintaining liver health and functions.

Antiviral effect of polyphenol rich plant extracts on herpes simplex virus type 1

Evaluation of the anti-herpetic activity of 25 Egyptian plants extracts was investigated in vitro in this study.The antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus type 1(HSV-1)was done on Vero cell lines by cell viability.Only two plants extracts;namely Euphorbia coopire(Euphorbiaceae)and Morus alba(Moraceae)showed potent anti-herpetic activity and six other extracts showed moderate inhibition.In contrast,a bioassay monitored phytochemical exploration of these two plants led to the isolation of pure flavonoid compounds.The antiviral activity of the isolated compounds was also examined,among which seven pure compounds namely;7-galloyl catechin,gallic acid,kaempferol 3-O-β-(6″-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside,quercetin 3-O-β-(6″-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside,curcumin,quercetin and kaempferol exhibited significant inhibition.