Background This study aimed to investigate the antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory potential of pumpkin seed oil
in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis by demonstrating its impact on MMP-9 expression and pathogenesis during
the intestinal and muscular phases.
Results In this study, 100 mice were divided into five groups: an infected group, a pumpkin seed oil-treated
group (1.5 mg/kg BW, administered three times per week), an albendazole-treated group, a native control group,
and a pumpkin oil control group. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the pumpkin seed oil revealed
a broad spectrum of biologically active compounds. The pumpkin seed oil treatment led to a significant reduction
in the parasite burden, with a 75% decrease in adult worms and a 66% decrease in encysted larvae. Additionally,
the infected animals treated with pumpkin oil exhibited a marked reduction in intestinal inflammation, characterized
by a progressive increase in goblet cells. The number of encysted larvae in the diaphragm and muscle tissues
was also significantly decreased. Furthermore, pumpkin seed oil treatment significantly reduced MMP-9 levels
in both intestinal and muscular tissues, highlighting its potential to attenuate inflammation.
Conclusion These findings underscore the effectiveness of pumpkin seed oil as anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic
agent.

Introduction:

Trichinellosis, caused by Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis), remains a prevalent parasitic zoonosis. Developing new drugs targeting and understanding the immune response against the infection is imperative. Previous research has inadequately explored the efficacy of crude myrrh extract and myrrh-based silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against trichinellosis, as well as their impact on histopathological, and immunological factors.
Methods: This study evaluated the effects of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using myrrh, crude myrrh extracts, and albendazole on the intestinal phase of T. spiralis. It also examined the associated histopathological changes and alterations in key immunological markers, including Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Five groups of 12 mice were allocated as follows: group 1: non-infected, non-treated (negative control), group 2: infected, non-treated (positive control), group 3: infected and treated with biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (40 μg/mL), group 4: infected and treated with myrrh crude extract (800 mg/kg), and group 5: infected and treated with albendazole (50 mg/kg). Treatment was orally administered starting on the 2nd day post-infection and continued for three successive days. Mice of all groups were euthanized on the 6th day post-infection, and the intestine of each was isolated for parasitological, histopathological, and immunohistochemistry evaluation of MMP-9, as well as assessment of cytokines level (IFN-γ and IL-10 gene expressions) via Real-time PCR technique.
Results: The present study showed a considerable reduction in adult worm count among the treated groups. The mortality rates of adult worms were 88.64% in the silver nanoparticles treated group, 85.17% in the myrrh crude extract group, and 94.07% in the albendazole-treated group. Histopathological examination revealed prominent alterations in the intestine of the infected non-treated mice, which were markedly restored by treatment. Immunohistochemical examination accompanied by significant reduction in MMP-9 expression in the infected mice treated with AgNPs compared to the infected non-treated group, reflecting the role of AgNPs in downgrading the inflammatory reaction in the intestine of infected mice.
Conclusion: Collectively, this study demonstrates the novel antiparasitic potential of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized with myrrh against T. spiralis in infected mice. The treatment was associated with moderate rise in IFN-γ gene expression and IL-10 expression, highlighting its therapeutic efficacy against T. spiralis.

Background This study aimed to investigate the antiparasitic and anti-infammatory potential of pumpkin seed oil

in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis by demonstrating its impact on MMP-9 expression and pathogenesis dur‑

ing the intestinal and muscular phases.

Results In this study, 100 mice were divided into fve groups: an infected group, a pumpkin seed oil-treated

group (1.5 mg/kg BW, administered three times per week), an albendazole-treated group, a native control group,

and a pumpkin oil control group. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the pumpkin seed oil revealed

a broad spectrum of biologically active compounds. The pumpkin seed oil treatment led to a signifcant reduction

in the parasite burden, with a 75% decrease in adult worms and a 66% decrease in encysted larvae. Additionally,

the infected animals treated with pumpkin oil exhibited a marked reduction in intestinal infammation, character‑

ized by a progressive increase in goblet cells. The number of encysted larvae in the diaphragm and muscle tissues

was also signifcantly decreased. Furthermore, pumpkin seed oil treatment signifcantly reduced MMP-9 levels

in both intestinal and muscular tissues, highlighting its potential to attenuate infammation.

Conclusion These fndings underscore the efectiveness of pumpkin seed oil as anti-infammatory and antiparasitic

agent.

Meat products (MPs) are among the most commonly consumed food items in Egypt, and may serve as a potential vehicle for transmission of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) to humans. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in MPs marketed in Sohag Governorate, Egypt, with a particular focus on extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-producing and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), as well as to evaluate their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles. Therefore, a total of 150 MP samples (30 of each burger, kofta, luncheon, minced meat, and sausage) were randomly collected from the stores and supermarkets in Sohag Governorate and subjected to bacteriological examinations. E. coli and K. pneumoniae were detected in 10% and 4% of the samples, respectively. Among the isolates, 66.7% of both E. coli and K. pneumoniae were multi-drug resistant (MDR), and all the isolates had a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index above 0.2. Moreover, 53.3% of E. coli and 33.3% of K. pneumoniae isolates were ESBL-producers, and demonstrated higher levels of co-resistance to non-β-lactam antibiotics, compared to non-ESBL-producers isolates. PCR analysis revealed the presence of resistance and virulence genes in the investigated E. coli isolates (n = 10), including blaCTX-M, blaTEM, dfrA, stx1, and stx2 genes, with 90%, 80%, 90%, 10%, and 20% prevalence, respectively. E. coli isolates carrying stx1 or stx2 gene were found as MDR and ESBL-producing isolates. The concordance between genotypic and phenotypic AMR ranged from 30% to 90% %, indicating varying degrees of correlation. The findings highlight the presence of MDR, ESBL-producing E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and STECs in retail MPs in Sohag Governorate, posing a potential risk to public health. These results underscore the urgent need for improved hygienic measures along the food production chain and stricter regulations on the use of antimicrobials in food animals.

Background This study aimed to investigate the antiparasitic and anti-infammatory potential of pumpkin seed oil

in mice infected with Trichinella spiralis by demonstrating its impact on MMP-9 expression and pathogenesis dur‑

ing the intestinal and muscular phases.

Results In this study, 100 mice were divided into fve groups: an infected group, a pumpkin seed oil-treated

group (1.5 mg/kg BW, administered three times per week), an albendazole-treated group, a native control group,

and a pumpkin oil control group. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the pumpkin seed oil revealed

a broad spectrum of biologically active compounds. The pumpkin seed oil treatment led to a signifcant reduction

in the parasite burden, with a 75% decrease in adult worms and a 66% decrease in encysted larvae. Additionally,

the infected animals treated with pumpkin oil exhibited a marked reduction in intestinal infammation, character‑

ized by a progressive increase in goblet cells. The number of encysted larvae in the diaphragm and muscle tissues

was also signifcantly decreased. Furthermore, pumpkin seed oil treatment signifcantly reduced MMP-9 levels

in both intestinal and muscular tissues, highlighting its potential to attenuate infammation.

Conclusion These fndings underscore the efectiveness of pumpkin seed oil as anti-infammatory and antiparasitic

agent.

Introduction/Background

Parkinson’s disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disease, is still lacking an effective treatment that can stop dopaminergic cell loss in substantia nigra and alter disease progression. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective efficacy of lithium chloride in a rotenone-induced rat model of Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned into 4 groups: control, rotenone-, rotenone and lithium chloride- and lithium chloride-treated groups. Rotenone (2 mg/kg b.w.) and lithium chloride (60 mg/kg b.w.) were, respectively, administered subcutaneously and orally five times a week for 5 weeks. At the end of each treatment, the neuroprotective efficacy of lithium chloride against rotenone-induced derangements was evaluated by some behavioral tests, biochemical analysis, gel electrophoresis, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Rotenone significantly resulted in neurobehavioral deficits, gastrointestinal dysfunction, decreased activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, depleted glutathione, and increased levels of malondialdehyde. It also caused DNA fragmentation and loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra and decreased striatal tyrosine hydroxylase staining intensity. Concomitant treatment of rats with rotenone and lithium chloride significantly improved behavioral impairment and markedly alleviated gastrointestinal dysfunction. It also increased catalase activity and decreased malondialdehyde levels, indicating antioxidant effects. Moreover, it decreased DNA fragmentation, rescued dopaminergic neurons, and increased tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the striatum compared to the rotenone-treated group.

Conclusion

Lithium chloride rescued dopaminergic neurons in a rotenone model of PD, possibly through the improvement of behavioral deficits, decreasing oxidative stress, and reducing DNA damage.

Background: Chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation are key drivers of diabetes complications. Rivaroxaban (RX) and sitagliptin (SITA) are established therapies for thromboembolism and glycemic control, respectively. This study evaluated the novel therapeutic potential of nano-rivaroxaban (NRX) alone and in combination with sitagliptin (SITA) in mitigating inflammation and restoring immune balance in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats using a single injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Animals were divided into five groups: control, STZ-diabetic, RX-treated (5 mg/kg), NRX-treated (5 mg/kg), and NRX+SITA-treated (5 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg). After 4 weeks of treatment, blood glucose, coagulation markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-35, TGF-β1, IL-10) were analyzed. Histopathological examination of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and spleen was conducted. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess hepatic NF-κB expression. Results: STZ significantly elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-35, TGF-β1, IL-10), along with increased hepatic NF-κB expression and histopathological abnormalities in immune organs. NRX significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines, improved histopathological changes in organs, and decreased hepatic NF-κB expression. The combination therapy (NRX + SITA) achieved superior immune modulation, with enhanced cytokine profile restoration, reduced hepatic NF-κB expression, and near-complete histopathological normalization. Conclusions: This study underscores the promise of combining nanoparticle-based drug delivery with established therapies like sitagliptin to achieve superior immune modulation and inflammation control, presenting a potential therapeutic strategy for managing diabetes complications.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic medication for treating malignancies, although its cardiotoxicity limits its use. There is growing evidence that alteration of the mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamic processes accompanied by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and alteration of calcium Ca²⁺ homeostasis are potential underlying mechanisms of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC). Metformin (Met) is an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator that has antioxidant properties and cardioprotective effects. The purpose of the study is to assess Met's possible cardioprotective benefits against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The study included 32 adult male rats. They were randomly divided into four groups: administered saline, DOX, Met, or DOX combined with Met respectively. Heart tissues were used for biochemical assays that measured oxidative stress markers, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), mitochondrial dynamics markers, optic atrophy-1(OPA-1) and dynamin-1-like protein (Drp1), calcineurin and caspase-3. Serum levels of myocardial injury markers, cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were also measured. The results revealed that DOX intoxication was associated with a significant increase in the levels of serum cTn-I and AST, increased cardiac MDA level, increased cardiac Drp1, calcineurin, and caspase-3 expressions, as well as reduced cardiac GSH level and cardiac OPA-1 expression. On the other hand, Met treatment significantly reduced DIC by decreasing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and improving mitochondrial and calcium balance. Finally, this study shows that Met may be able to protect the heart from damage caused by DOX by working as an antioxidant and anti-apoptotic agent and keeping the balance of calcium and mitochondria.