This study recommends Carbopol/zinc oxide (ZnO) hybrid nanoparticles gel as an efficient antibacterial agent against different bacterial species. To this end, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using chemical precipitation derived from a zinc acetate solution with ammonium hydroxide as its precipitating agent under the effect of ultrasonic radiation. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were stabilized simultaneously in a freshly prepared Carbopol gel at a pH of 7. The chemical composition, phase identification, particle size and shape, surface charge, pore size distribution, and the BET surface area of the ZnO nanoparticles, as well as the Carbopol/ZnO hybrid Nanoparticles gel, were by XRD, SEM, TEM, AFM, DLS, Zeta potential and BET instruments. The results revealed that the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were well-dispersed in the Carbopol gel network, and have a wurtzite-crystalline phase of spherical shape. Moreover, the Carbopol/ZnO hybrid nanoparticles gel exhibited a particle size distribution between ~9 and ~93 nm, and a surface area of 54.26 m²/g. The synthesized Carbopol/ZnO hybrid nanoparticles gel underwent an antibacterial sensitivity test against gram-negative K. pneumonia (ATCC 13883), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) bacterial strains, and were compared with ampicillin as a reference antibiotic agent. The obtained results demonstrated that the synthesized Carbopol/ZnO hybrid nanoparticles gel exhibited a compatible bioactivity against the different strains of bacteria.

Natural products have been extensively used for treating a wide variety of disorders. In recent times, Brucine (BRU) as one of the natural medications extracted from seeds of nux vomica, was investigated for its anticancer activity. As far as we know, this is the first study on BRU anticancer activity against skin cancer. Thus, the rational of this work was implemented to develop, optimize and characterize the anticancer activity of BRU loaded ethosomal gel. Basically, thin film hydration method was used to formulate BRU ethosomal preparations, by means of Central composite design (CCD), which were operated to construct (3²) factorial design. Two independent variables were designated (phospholipid percentage and ethanol percentage) with three responses (vesicular size, encapsulation efficiency and flux). Based on the desirability function, one formula was selected and incorporated into HPMC gel base to develop BRU loaded ethosomal gel. The fabricated gel was assessed for all physical characterization. In-vitro release investigation, ex-vivo permeation and MTT calorimetric assay were performed. BRU loaded ethosomal gel exhibited acceptable values for the characterization parameters which stand proper for topical application. In-vitro release investigation was efficiently prolonged for 6 h. The flux from BRU loaded ethosome was enhanced screening optimum SSTF value. Finally, in-vitro cytotoxicity study proved that BRU loaded ethosomal gel significantly improved the anticancer activity of the drug against A375 human melanoma cell lines. Substantially, the investigation proposed a strong motivation for further study of the lately developed BRU loaded ethosomal gel as a prospective therapeutic strategy for melanoma treatment.

An overdose of paracetamol is a frequent reason for liver and renal toxicity and possible death and curcumin has hepatoprotective properties against liver damage. The exact mechanism of such protection is not clear. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the molecular levels of the protective effect of curcumin on paracetamol overdose induced hepatic toxicity in rats. Male Wistar rats were allocated into 4 groups. Control group, administered corn oil; curcumin group, administered curcumin (400 mg/kg BW daily intra-gastric) dissolved in corn oil; paracetamol group, administered corn oil with a single dose of paracetamol (500 mg/kg BW intra-gastric) and protective group, administered curcumin with a single dose of paracetamol. Curcumin was administered for 7 successive days, while paracetamol was administered at day six of treatment. Blood and liver tissues were collected for biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular examination. Serum analysis revealed an alteration in parameters of kidney and liver. A decrease in the antioxidant activity of liver was recorded in paracetamol group while curcumin administration restored it. Histopathological findings showed an extensive coagulative necrosis in hepatocytes together with massive neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltration. Immunostaining of liver matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) in paracetamol administered rats showed an increase in MMP-8 expression in the area of coagulative necrosis surrounding the central vein of hepatic lobules. Curcumin administration decreased MMP-8 expression in liver of paracetamol administered rats. Gene expression measurements revealed that paracetamol decreased the expression of antioxidant genes and increased the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and acute phase proteins. Curcumin administration ameliorated paracetamol-induced alterations in genes expression of antioxidant and inflammatory cytokines. The results clarified the strong protective effect of curcumin on paracetamol induced hepatic toxicity in rats at the immunohistochemical and molecular levels.

Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) results in impaired bird growth performance and increased production costs. Nanotechnology application in the poultry industry to control NE outbreaks is still not completely clarified. Therefore, the efficacy of dietary garlic nano-hydrogel (G-NHG) on broilers growth performance, intestinal integrity, economic returns and its potency to alleviate C. perfringens levels using NE challenge model were addressed. A total of 1200 male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were assigned into six groups; four supplemented with 100, 200, 300 or 400 mg of G-NHG/kg diet and co-challenged with C. perfringens at 21, 22 and 23 d of age and two control groups fed basal diet with or without C. perfringens challenge. Over the total growing period, the 400 mg/kg G-NHG group had the most improved body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency regardless of challenge. Parallel with these results, the mRNA expression of genes encoding digestive enzymes (alpha 2A amylase (AMY2A), pancreatic lipase (PNLIP) and cholecystokinin (CCK)) and intestinal barriers (junctional adhesion molecule-2 (JAM-2), occludin and mucin-2 (Muc-2)) were increased in groups fed G-NHG at higher levels to be nearly similar to those in the unchallenged group. At 14 d post challenge, real-time PCR results revealed that inclusion of G-NHG led to a dose-dependently decrease in the C. perfringens population, thereby decreasing the birds’ intestinal lesion score and mortality rates. Using 400 mg/kg of G-NHG remarkably ameliorated the adverse effects of NE caused by C. perfringens challenge, which contributed to better growth performance of challenged birds with rational economic benefits.

Oxidative stress is considered the main etiologic factor involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Integration of nanocarriers for natural therapeutic agents with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential is a novel promising candidate for curing IBD. Herein, the colonic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of different concentrations of quercetin nanoparticles (QT-NPs) were evaluated using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model. Following colitis induction, the efficacy and mechanistic actions of QT-NPs were evaluated by assessing lesion severity, molecular aids controlling oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and histopathological and immunohistochemistry examination of colonic tissues. Administration of QT-NPs, especially at higher concentrations, significantly reduced the disease activity index and values of fecal calprotectin marker compared to the colitic group. Colonic oxidant/antioxidant status (ROS, H₂O₂, MDA, SOD, CAT, GPX and TAC) was restored after treatment with higher concentrations of QT-NPs. Moreover, QT-NPs at levels of 20 mg/kg and, to a lesser extent, 15 mg/kg reduced Nrf2 and HO-1 gene expression, which was in line with decreasing the expression of iNOS and COX2 in colonic tissues. Higher concentrations of QT-NPs greatly downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines; upregulated genes encoding occludin, MUC-2 and JAM; and restored the healthy architectures of colonic tissues. Taken together, these data suggest that QT-NPs could be a promising alternative to current IBD treatments.