The Curcuma longa plant is endowed with multiple traditional and therapeutic utilities and is here explored for its phytochemical constituents and cytotoxic potential. Turmeric rhizomes were extracted from three different solvents and screened for the presence of different phytochemical constituents, observation of which indicated that the polar solvents favoured extraction of greater versatile phytochemical constituents. These extracts were investigated for their cytotoxic potential by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on three different of cell lines including SCC-29B (oral cancer cell line), DU-145 (prostate cancer cell line) and the Vero cell line (healthy cell line/non-cancerous cell line). This assay was performed by taking three extracts from isolated curcuminoids and a pure bioactive compound bisdemethoxycurcumin (BD). Bisdemethoxycurcumin was isolated from curcuminoids and purified by column and thin-layer chromatography, and its structural characterisation was performed with different spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, NMR (¹H Proton and ¹³C Carbon-NMR) and LC-MS. Amongst the extracts, the ethanolic extracts exhibited stronger cytotoxic potential against the oral cancer cell line (SCC-29B) with an IC₅₀value of 11.27 μg/mL, and that this was too low of a cytotoxicity against the Vero cell line. Although, curcuminoids have also shown a comparable cytotoxic potential against SCC-29B (IC₅₀ value 16.79 μg/mL), it was not as potent against the ethanolic extract, and it was even found to be cytotoxic against healthy cell lines at a very low dose. While considering the isolated compound, bisdemethoxycurcumin, it also possessed a cytotoxic potential against the prostate cancer cell line (DU-145) (IC₅₀ value of 93.28 μg/mL), but was quite safe for the healthy cell line in comparison to doxorubicin.

Methotrexate (MTX; 4-amino-10-methylfolic acid) is a folic acid reductase inhibitor used to treat autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer. Testicular toxicity resulting from MTX is a significant side effect that may cause subsequent infertility. The present study was conducted to examine the ameliorating effects of vitamin B17 (VitB17) against testicular toxicity induced by MTX in male rats. A total of 50 male albino rats were equally divided into five groups [control group; vitamin B17 group (VitB17) administered VitB17 only; methotrexate group administered MTX only; cotreated group, (VitB17+MTX) and posttreated group (MTX+VitB17)]. In methotrexate group (MTX), a significant decrease was observed in body weight and the testicular weight, as well as the levels of plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone compared with control. The sperm count, viability, morphology index, total motility, and progressive motility also decreased in MTX rats compared with control. Furthermore, the levels of reduced glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression, in the testicular tissue decreased in MTX compared with control. In addition, MTX caused a significant increase in DNA and tissue damage compared with control. However, VitB17 ameliorated these effects, indicating that it has a preventative and curative effect against MTX-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. The protective effect of VitB17 may be associated to its antioxidant properties as it possibly acts as a free-radical scavenger and lipid peroxidation inhibitor, as well as its protective effect on the levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT.

Background: Vaccination of masses against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is critical to overcome the pandemic and restore normalcy. However, vaccine refusal and hesitancy prevail in many countries. COVID-19 has rapidly spread in Saudi Arabia since 2020. The acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccines has been investigated in adults aged >18 years in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to understand the acceptance and hesitancy of parents to vaccinate children aged <12 years against COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia and identify strategies that can encourage their engagement. Methods: We used an online cross-sectional survey distributed to parents who lived in all regions of Saudi Arabia to investigate parents’ views on the acceptability of a future COVID-19 vaccine for their children aged <12 years. Five hundred parents living in Saudi Arabia completed the survey. Results: The survey indicated that mothers were more enthusiastic about participating in the study than fathers. The participant aged 37.31 ± 8.52 years. A total of 38.6% of participants refused to vaccinate their children. Additionally, 56% were unsure if the vaccine would cause serious side effects in children. A total of 48.8% of parents believed that the Pfizer vaccine was suitable for children, while 64.5% failed to decide whether to administer vaccines to their children. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy remains a major problem worldwide. A lack of scientific evidence on vaccine efficacy, low education level, and reduced level of health education and promotion are the most common factors in parents in Saudi Arabia. However, some participants agreed to receive vaccines only to protect their family members, and due to governmental rules and school mandates. Therefore, vaccine efficacy and safety in children must be clearly communicated to the public. This information would aid in reducing the hesitancy of parents to vaccinate their children against COVID-19.

Toxoplasma gondii causes a global parasitic disease. Therapeutic options for eradicating toxoplasmosis are limited. In this study, ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs were prepared, and their structural and morphological chrematistics were investigated. The XRD pattern revealed that Mg-doped ZnO NPs have weak crystallinity and a small crystallite size. FTIR and XPS analyses confirmed the integration of Mg ions into the ZnO framework, producing the high-purity Mg-doped ZnO nanocomposite. TEM micrographs determined the particle size of un-doped ZnO in the range of 29 nm, reduced to 23 nm with Mg²⁺ replacements. ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs significantly decreased the number of brain cysts (p < 0.05) by 29.30% and 35.08%, respectively, compared to the infected untreated group. The administration of ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs revealed a marked histopathological improvement in the brain, liver, and spleen. Furthermore, ZnO and Mg-doped ZnO NPs reduced P53 expression in the cerebral tissue while inducing CD31 expression, which indicated a protective effect against the infection-induced apoptosis and the restoration of balance between free radicals and antioxidant defense activity. In conclusion, the study proved these nanoparticles have antiparasitic, antiapoptotic, and angiogenetic effects. Being nontoxic compounds, these nanoparticles could be promising adjuvants in treating chronic toxoplasmosis.