Latest studies indicated that agro-food wastes are considered renewable sources of bioactive compounds. This investigation aimed to utilize natural extracts of citrus peels as antimicrobial and anti-aflatoxigenic agents for food safety. The bioactivity of two citrus peels was assessed by total phenolic, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. Nanoemulsions were manufactured using high-speed homogenization. The mean particle size of the nanoemulsions ranged from 29.41 to 66.41 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.11–0.16. The zeta potential values ranged from −14.27 to −26.74 mV, indicating stability between 81.44% and 99.26%. The orange peel extract showed the highest contents of total phenolic and flavonoids compared to the other extracts and nanoemulsions (39.54 mg GAE/g and 79.54 mg CE/100 g, respectively), which agreed with its potential antioxidant activity performed by DPPH free radical–scavenging and ABTS assays. Chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic, and catechin were the dominant phenolic acids in the extracts and nanoemulsions, while quercitrin, rutin, and hesperidin were the most abundant flavonoids. Limonene was the major volatile component in both oils; however, it was reduced dramatically from 92.52% to 76.62% in orange peel oil and from 91.79 to 79.12% in tangerine peel oil. Consistent with the differences in phenolics, flavonoids, and volatiles between orange and tangerine peel extracts, the antibacterial properties of orange extracts had more potential than tangerine ones. Gram-positive bacteria were more affected by all the examined extracts than Gram-negative ones. The antifungal activity of orange extract and nanoemulsion on seven fungal strains from Aspergillus spp had more potential than tangerine extracts. Additionally, using a simulated media, the orange peel extract and its nanoemulsion had a more anti-aflatoxigenic influence. Molecular docking confirmed the high inhibitory action of flavonoids, especially hesperidin, on the polyketide synthase (−9.3 kcal/mol) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (−10.1 kcal/mol) key enzymes of the aflatoxin biosynthetic mechanism.

In the past three decades, a significant progress has been made in the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers. The incidence of the disease has decreased, but gastric ulcer is still a medical problem. Currently, the available drugs for gastric ulcer treatment have many side effects; therefore, searching for new and safe therapeutic agents is mandatory. The present study aims to investigate the gastroprotective potential of Cornu aspersum (C. aspersum) mucin against gastric ulcers, and the mechanisms related to oxidative stress and inflammation. C. aspersum mucin was collected from 50 snails. The characteristics of C. aspersum mucin (chemical and microbiological) were evaluated. Mice were pretreated with famotidine and C. aspersum mucin (7.5 and 15 ml/kg b.w.) for 5 days, and then gastric ulcers were induced by indomethacin. Macroscopic examination, biochemical estimations, and Quantitative real-time PCR were carried out. Also, histopathological and immunohistopathological examinations were evaluated. We found that the high dose of the mucin significantly decreased the gastric mucosal malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) contents as well as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and nuclear factor kappa β (NF-ҡB) expression, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immunostaining. It also increased the gastric mucosal GSH and catalase contents as well as hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expressions with regressions in gastric mucosal lesions. In conclusion, C. aspersum mucin could be a potential therapeutic candidate to protect against gastric ulceration.

Peptic ulcer syndrome (PUD) has been acknowledged as one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Several reports indicated the ability of plant derived dosages as antiulcer agents. Many prior investigations have implied some biological activities of Lawsonia inermis L. The aim of this current investigation was to estimate the antiulcer capability of Lawsonia inermis L. leaves and its nano formulation against hazardous biochemical and histological changes in aspirin-induced ulcer rats. Methods divided into 6 groups (6 rats/group), Normal control (negative), Group (1) receiving dose of (200 g/kg) Lawsonia inermis L. for 8 weeks, Group (2) receiving (200 g/kg) nano Lawsonia inermis L. leaves for 8 weeks, Group (3) ulcer control group receiving a single dose (500 mg aspirin/kg rat body weight),groups 4& 5 receiving aspirin and either Lawsonia inermis L. leaves or nano Lawsonia inermis L. leaves for 8 weeks. Results: improvements in all the tested parameters as well as hepatic enzymes activities and some blood biochemical parameters. Conclusion Lawsonia inermis L.at the tested dose could prevent ulcer formation in the tested animals that may offer safe and low cost effective treatment for gastric ulcer.