The synergistic effect of Ficus carica nanoparticles and Praziquantel on mice infected by Schistosoma mansoni cercariae.

Bilharzia is a parasitic flatworm that causes schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical illness worldwide. Praziquantel (PZQ) is a commercial single treatment of schistosomiasis so alternative drugs are needed to get rid of its side effects on the liver. The current study aimed to estimate the effective role of Ficus carica nanoparticles (Fc-NPCs), silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPCs) and Ficus carica nanoparticles loaded on silver nanoparticles (Fc-Ag NPCs) on C57BL/6 black female mice infected by Schistosoma mansoni and treated with PZQ treatment.

Therapeutic effect of Momordica charantia on cardiomyopathy in a diabetic maternal rat model.

Myocardial structural and functional abnormalities are hallmarks of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), a chronic consequence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Maternal DM affects and increases the risk of heart defects in diabetic mothers compared with nondiabetic mothers. Momordica charantia exhibits antidiabetic effects due to various bioactive compounds that are phytochemicals, a broad group that includes phenolic compounds, alkaloids, proteins, steroids, inorganic compounds, and lipids.

Fennel seeds extract prevents fructose-induced cardiac dysfunction in a rat model of metabolic syndrome via targeting abdominal obesity, hyperuricemia and NF-κβ inflammatory pathway.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is commonly associated with increased risk of cardiac disease that affects a large number of world populations.

Objective: This research attempted to investigate the efficacy of fennel seeds extract (FSE) in preventing development of cardiac dysfunction in rats on fructose enriched diet for 3 months, as a model of MetS.

Materials & Methods: Thirty adult Wistar male rats (160-170 g) were assigned into 5 groups including control, vehicle, FSE (200 mg/kg BW) and fructose (60%) fed rats with and without FSE.

Ameliorative Effect of Thymoquinone and Thymoquinone Nanoparticles against Diazinon-Induced Hepatic Injury in Rats: A Possible Protection Mechanism.

The health benefits of thymoquinone (TQ) have been a significant focus of numerous studies. However, more research is needed to ascertain whether its nano-form can effectively treat or prevent chronic diseases. In this study, we investigated how thymoquinone and its nanoparticles can mitigate liver damage induced by diazinon in male Wistar rats and explored the intracellular mechanisms involved.

Comparative study between effects of ginkgo biloba extract and extract loaded on gold nanoparticles on hepatotoxicity induced by potassium bromate.

In human organs, potassium bromate (KBrO3) produces toxicity. The main causes of KBrO3 hepatotoxicity are the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage. The purpose of this study is to show how ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) and extract loaded with nanogold particles (GBE@AuNPs) affect hepatotoxicity caused by KBrO3.

Potassium bromate-induced nephrotoxicity and potential curative role of metformin loaded on gold nanoparticles.

Potassium bromate (KBrO) is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a carcinogenic compound, where it causes renal tumors. The present study investigated the potential curative effect of metformin loaded on gold nanoparticles (MET AuNPs) in attenuating KBrO-induced nephrotoxicity. Rats were divided into eight groups (control, MET, AuNPs, MET AuNPs, KBrO, KBrO/MET, KBrO/AuNPS, and KBrO/MET AuNPs).

Genetic variability of and among the Egyptian population.

This study investigated major allelic variants of and in Egyptians, an Arabic population for which there is little information regarding these important pharmacogenes. , , , , and gene copy number variation, as well as and were determined with commercially available TaqMan assays in 145 healthy study participants. The alleles identified suggest that the prevalence of poor metabolizers is low as none were found among the 145 subjects investigated.

Genetic Screening for 35delG Mutation in Egyptian Patients with Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss Scheduled for Cochlear Implantation: A Population-Based Study.

Objectives: The aim of this work was to assess the type and site of the 35delG gene mutation in patients presenting with profound SNHL and scheduled for cochlear implantation. The secondary objectives were to determine their geographical distribution throughout Egypt, screening of the parents for the mutation, and to correlate the type of mutation with clinical severity and outcomes after surgery.

Methods: The study was carried out on 100 consecutive patients scheduled for cochlear implantation.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) leaf extract suppresses hepatotoxicity induced by monosodium glutamate and acrylamide through obstructing apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, and cell cycle arrest.

A large number of plant extracts have demonstrated to provide health benefits and mitigate several disease conditions. However, at the molecular and cellular levels, few studies have been conducted. The present work was designed to study the effect of Myrtus communis leaf extract (ME) (300 mg/kg bw) against hepatotoxicity induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) (100 mg/kg bw), and acrylamide (ACR) (20 mg/kg bw) in male rats and determining its molecular and cellular mechanisms.

Effects of silymarin and mesenchymal stem cells on hematological and some biochemical changes induced by gamma radiation in albino rats.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of silymarin and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to ameliorate the damage caused by gamma radiation. MSCs were given by intravenous injection to male rats (1.4 × 10 cells), 1 day next to gamma radiation (4Gy).

Baker's Yeast Induces Apoptotic Effects and Histopathological Changes on Skin Tumors in Mice.

The current study investigates the apoptotic effect of Baker's yeast () on chemically-induced skin cancer in mice. Intra-tumoral treatment with yeast caused: increases in Ca in skin homogenate, modulated the intrinsic/extrinsic pathways by downregulating Bcl-2 and FasL, upregulating Bax, and increased the expression of cytochrome-c and caspases 9, 8, and 3. Histopathological changes were detected, including mild dysplasia, atypia, tumor regression, and absence of basaloid cell proliferation.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate protects against diabetic cardiomyopathy through modulating the cardiometabolic risk factors, oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death and fibrosis in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats.

The potential protective effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on type 2 diabetes-induced heart injury was investigated. A rat model of diabetes was achieved by injection of nicotinamide (100mg/kg, i.p), 20min before the administration of streptozotocin (55mg/kg, i.

Medullary sponge kidney presenting in a neonate with distal renal tubular acidosis and failure to thrive: a case report.

Introduction: Medullary sponge kidney is a congenital anomaly characterized by diffuse ectasy of the collecting tubules of one or both kidneys. It is usually diagnosed in the second or third decade of life.

Case Presentation: Distal renal tubular acidosis is commonly observed in patients with medullary sponge kidney.

Evaluation of androgen receptor gene as a candidate gene in female androgenetic alopecia.

Background: Genetic polymorphisms of the androgen receptor (AR) gene have been studied in male androgenetic alopecia (AGA); however, little is known about gene polymorphism and female AGA.

Aim: To evaluate the AR gene as a candidate gene for female AGA.

Methods: Thirty premenopausal Egyptian female patients with AGA (mean age, 32.

Melatonin reduces oxidant damage and promotes mitochondrial respiration: implications for aging.

Melatonin has a number of properties as a consequence of which it could be beneficial to animals as they age. Of particular interest are its ubiquitous actions as a direct and indirect antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Besides directly detoxifying a variety of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, at least one product that is formed as a result of these interactions is also a potent free radical scavenger.

Chemical and physical properties and potential mechanisms: melatonin as a broad spectrum antioxidant and free radical scavenger.

Melatonin was found to be a potent free radical scavenger in 1993. Since then over 800 publications have directly or indirectly confirmed this observation. Melatonin scavenges a variety of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species including hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, singlet oxygen, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite anion.

Effect of Norplant implants on the pituitary-adrenal axis function and reserve capacity.

The present work investigated the effects of Norplant implants on the pituitary-adrenal function among 15 users of Norplant implants prior to and 6 months after insertion of the implants. Serum cortisol levels and their diurnal variations, ACTH and 24-h urinary 17-ketosteroids, ketogenic steroids, 17-hydroxy steroids, and creatinine, were measured. Also, a dynamic test (the 5-h Synacthen depot = ACTH stimulation test) was done before and 6 months after implants insertion.

Broncho-alveolar lavage in chronic upper respiratory tract infections.

The relationship between upper and lower respiratory tract infections has been demonstrated previously, although the effect of chronic infection of one tract on the other has not been well studied. This work analyses the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid of patients with chronic purulent rhino-sinusitis and reveals an increase in total and neutrophil cell counts as well as an increase in immuno-globulin A levels. The associated increase in the neutrophil nitro-blue tetrazolium dye reduction test positivity provides evidence for increased phagocytosis to compensate for the increased contamination of the lower respiratory tract.

Orodental, ear and eye anomalies in Egyptian Brachmann de Lange syndrome cases.

The Brachmann de Lange syndrome (BDLS), first described in its full clinical presentation by Brachmann (1916) and Cornelia de Lange (1933) is a multi-system syndrome involving congenital malformations, growth retardation and neurodevelopmental delay. We describe here twelve Egyptian cases with this syndrome with emphasis on the orodental, ear and eye abnormalities and their relation to the severity of expreseion of the disorder. The crodental anomalies were high arched palate, Iong philtrum, micrognathia, macrostomia hypoplasia of upper anterior teceth, fissured tongue macroglossia.

Abdominal ultrasound in Noonan syndrome: a study of 44 patients.

Noonan syndrome affects approximately 1 in 1500 live births. Affected individuals may have characteristic phenotypic features some of which are shared with Turner syndrome, although in Noonan syndrome the karyotype is normal, unlike the 45X karyotype of Turner syndrome. Renal anomalies have been described in both syndromes and in Turner syndrome they are both common and frequently severe.