Physicochemical and ecotoxicological approaches for Moknine Continental Sebkha in Tunisia.

Degradation of water quality is an emerging issue in many developing countries. In this context, industrial and domestic effluents heavily contaminate the coast of Moknine Continental Sebkha in Tunisia. The present study aimed to biomonitor the seawater quality of the Moknine Continental Sebkha coast using physicochemical and ecotoxicological approaches.

Evaluating the effect of dermaseptin S4 and its derivatives on multidrug-resistant bacterial strains and on the colon cancer cell line SW620.

Dermaseptins are peptides found in the skin secretions of Phyllomedusinae frogs. These peptides exert a lytic action on various microorganisms and have no considerable hemolytic effect except dermaseptin S4 (DS4) which exhibits a powerful cytotoxic effect. Therefore, we synthesized several analogs of DS4 in an attempt to find molecules with a weak hemolytic effect and significant bioactivities.

Partial characterization and antitumor activity of a polysaccharide isolated from watermelon rinds.

As a health-beneficial fruit, watermelon is widely consumed by people around the world. However, components responsible for the health benefits are not yet determined. As watermelon contains a large amount of polysaccharides, these carbohydrates might play an important role in the health benefits.

Human urine contamination with environmental pollutants: simultaneous determination using UPLC-MS/MS.

Paraben derivatives are widely used as an antifungal, antimicrobial preservative in cosmetic products, pharmaceuticals, and food. These molecules are called endocrine disruptors (EDCs). The exposure of the human body to paraben derivatives needs further study and for this purpose 200 urine samples were collected from Tunisian men and women aged between 5 and 90 years to determine three paraben derivatives: methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP) and propylparaben (PP) using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS).

Preliminary evaluation of plasticizer and BPA in Tunisian cosmetics and investigation of hazards on human skin cells.

In this study, 18 plasticizer (phthalates, adipates, sebacates, and others) and BPA residues in some cosmetic samples collected from Tunisian market are evaluated by micro-matrix solid-phase dispersion combined with GC-MS. In parallel, the impact of these molecules and the cosmetics in the human epithelial cell lines is investigated. The cytotoxic activity of cosmetic extracts is evaluated in vitro against B16 and Hep-2 human skin cell lines using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay.

Dermaseptins as potential antirabies compounds.

Over the last 20 years, natural peptides playing a key role in defense mechanisms and innate immunity have been isolated from unicellular organisms. Amphibian skin secretes dermaseptins, 24-34 amino acids in length that have a wide antimicrobial spectrum incorporating yeast, fungi, protozoa, bacteria and enveloped viruses. The anti-rabies virus (RABV) activity of dermaseptins S3 (30aa) and S4 (28aa) from Phyllomedusa sauvagei has been investigated, and further dissected its molecular basis by comparing punctual mutation or deletion of S4 analogues.

Spermicidal activity of dermaseptins.

Objective: The present study was undertaken to elucidate the spermicidal efficacy of two synthetic antimicrobial peptides, dermaseptin (DS1 and DS4).

Methods: Twenty samples of fresh semen were obtained from patients aged between 23 and 35 years. The ability of DS to kill sperm was evaluated by the Sander-Cramer test under in vitro conditions.

The antimicrobial peptide dermaseptin S4 inhibits HIV-1 infectivity in vitro.

Most of HIV-1 infections are acquired through sexual contact. In the absence of a preventive vaccine, the development of topical microbicides that can block infection at the mucosal tissues is needed. Dermaseptin S4 (DS4) is an antimicrobial peptide derived from amphibian skin, which displays a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria, yeast, filamentous fungi, and herpes simplex virus type 1.