Microplastics (MPs) contamination is an emerging issue globally; however, adverse impacts of MPs on soil, plants and microbial activity have not been intensively studied. In this study, the potential effect of different levels of MPs (1.5, 7.5, 15%) has been investigated on soil properties, plant properties (Vicia Faba) and microbial activities through a pot experiment. The effect of biochar (BC: 2%) to mitigate the adverse effects of MP has also been examined. Soil properties (pH, EC, OM, CaCO₃ and some elements) have significantly differed due to contamination of soil by MPs as well as by adding BC to the soil. The pH and CaCO₃ were significantly increased more than in the control, while EC, TDS, available P, Mn and Fe were significantly decreased lower than the control, which implies adsorption on microplastic. Plant properties, such as enzymes, chlorophyll and fresh and dry weight in roots, were adversely affected by MPs contamination; however, BC mitigated this effect, especially with low contamination levels of MPs. The fresh and dry weight of the shoot was not significantly affected by MPs. The cytogenetic analysis showed that the mitotic index was significantly reduced compared to the control (9.39%), while BC increased the mitotic index at 1.5% MPs (7.11%) although it was less than the control. The percentage of abnormalities of V. faba root tip cells under different levels of MPs was significantly increased more than the control; however, BC mitigated this effect, especially at 7.5% MPs. The total count of bacteria and fungi even in soil or in the rhizosphere area did not follow a clear trend; however, the effect of BC was clear in increasing their activities. Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen were also significantly affected by MPs and BC. In this study, the BC level was low, however, it mitigated some adverse effects of MPs, especially at 1.5 and 7.5% of MPs. Thus, the BC could be promising in mitigating the negative impacts of MPs when applied with suitable levels that need more future studies.

The use of insects as a feasible and useful natural product resource is a novel and promising option in alternative medicine. Several components from insects and their larvae have been found to inhibit molecular pathways in different stages of cancer. This study aimed to analyze the effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Vespa orientalis larvae on breast cancer MCF7 cells and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that individual treatment with 5% aqueous or alcoholic larval extract inhibited MCF7 proliferation but had no cytotoxic effect on normal Vero cells. The anticancer effect was mediated through (1) induction of apoptosis, as indicated by increased expression of apoptotic genes (Bax, caspase3, and p53) and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2; (2) suppression of intracellular reactive oxygen species; (3) elevation of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and GPx) and upregulation of the antioxidant regulator Nrf2 and its downstream target HO-1; (4) inhibition of migration as revealed by in vitro wound healing assay and downregulation of the migration-related gene MMP9 and upregulation of the anti-migratory gene TIMP1; and (5) downregulation of inflammation-related genes (NFκB and IL8). The aqueous extract exhibited the best anticancer effect with higher antioxidant activities but lower anti-inflammatory properties than the alcoholic extract. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of several flavonoids and phenolic compounds with highest concentrations for resveratrol and naringenin in aqueous extract and rosmarinic acid in alcoholic extract. This is the first report to explain the intracellular pathway by which flavonoids and phenolic compounds-rich extracts of Vespa orientalis larvae could induce MCF7 cell viability loss through the initiation of apoptosis, activation of antioxidants, and inhibition of migration and inflammation. Therefore, these extracts could be used as adjuvants for anticancer drugs and as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

This study investigates the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO₂) on Vicia faba under salinity stress. Plants were treated with either 10 or 20 ppm nTiO₂ and subjected to two different concentrations of salinity (100 and 200 mM NaCl) as well as the combined effect of nanoparticles and salinity. Salinity induced a reduction in dry weight, increased electron leakage and MDA content, increased chromosomal aberrations and DNA damage, and reduced transcript levels of some stress- and growth-related genes. nTiO₂ treatment increased dry weight in unstressed plants and mitigated the salinity-damaging effect in stressed plants. nTiO₂ application improved cell division, decreased chromosomal aberrations, and reduced DNA damage in plants under saline conditions. The upregulation of antioxidant genes further supports the protective role of nTiO₂ against oxidative stress. Particularly significant was the ability of nTiO₂ to enhance the upregulation of heat shock protein (HSP) genes. These findings underscore the potential of nTiO₂ to reduce the osmotic and toxic effects of salinity-induced stress in plants.

Emamectin benzoate (EMB) is a biopesticide which used in agriculture as an insecticide. It is easier to reach ecologically and affects human health. This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles against EMB-induced hepatotoxicity. Male mice were distributed into four groups: G1: the negative control, G2: EMB group (5 mg/kg diet), G3: EMB with Chitosan, (600 mg/kg diet), and G4: EMB with Chitosan nanoparticles (600 mg/kg diet). The experiment continues for 8 weeks, and the animals were sacrificed, and their organs were removed and immediately weighed after sacrifice. The liver was quickly removed and processed for histopathological and genetic studies. Emamectin benzoate (EMB) treatment induced oxidative stress by increased levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) levels. EMB produced several histopathological changes in the liver. Relative expressions of studied genes elevated in the liver with increase in DNA damage. Co-treatment with chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles reduced EMB related liver toxicity that belong to biochemical, histopathological, gene expression, and DNA damage by increasing antioxidant capacity. This study offers insight into the potential for Chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles as a novel natural material against the oxidative stress induced by EMB.

Cyclosporine A’s (CsA) immunosuppressive effect makes it an ideal drug for organ transplantation. However, CsA’s uses are restricted due to its side effects. We investigated the effects of avocado seed (AvS) powder on CsA-induced nephrotoxicity and immunosuppression in rats. The injection of CsA (5 mg/kg, subcutaneously, for 10 days) increased serum levels of creatinine, uric acid, and urea, and the renal levels of the malondialdehyde. It decreased creatinine clearance and the renal activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase. The administration of CsA also significantly downregulated the renal expression of interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 1 beta, monocyte chemotactic protein 1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 genes, and increased renal DNA damage. Histopathological examination confirmed the biochemical and molecular alterations that accompanied CsA nephrotoxicity. All CsA-induced deleterious effects, except immunosuppression, were ameliorated by feeding rats on a basal diet supplemented with 5% AvS powder for 4 weeks. Importantly, AvS also maximized CsA’s immunosuppressive effect. These findings suggest a potential ameliorative effect of AvS on CsA-induced nephrotoxicity, and AvS enhances CsA’s immunosuppressive effect. Therefore, AvS might be used in combination with CsA in transplantation treatment to relieve the CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.

Previous studies reported disrupted hepatic function and structure following the administration of cyclosporine A (CsA) in humans and animals. Recently, we found that avocado seeds (AvS) ameliorated CsA-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. As a continuation, herein we checked whether AvS could also attenuate CsA-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Subcutaneous injection of CsA (5 mg/kg) for 7 days triggered hepatotoxicity in rats, as indicated by liver dysfunction, redox imbalance, and histopathological changes. Oral administration of 5% AvS powder for 4 weeks ameliorated CsA-induced hepatotoxicity, as evidenced by (1) decreased levels of liver damage parameters (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and bilirubin), (2) resumed redox balance in the liver (reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), (3) downregulated hepatic expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related genes (X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)), and apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Casp3), (4) upregulated expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2, (5) reduced DNA damage, and (6) improved liver histology. These results highlight the ability of AvS to ameliorate CsA-induced hepatotoxicity via the inhibition of oxidative stress and proapoptotic ER stress.