Because they may demonstrate characteristics of the environment where a body has been laying prior to the discovery, flies are insects of forensic interest. We investigated the fly abundance and the effect of location in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on fly species diversity that attack decomposing human and animal remains. Using baited traps deployed in each location, we collected 3,697 flies of seven species belonging to three families. Chrysomya albiceps Wiedmann represented 60.86% of the collected flies, whereas Musca domestica L. represented 25.8%; the other species made up < 6% each. To facilitate species identification by DNA barcoding, we sequenced a 710-bp “Folmer region” of cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene for 22 samples from collection sites distributed through entire Saudi Arabia. The COI sequences from Musca albina Wiedmann, Musca lucidula Loew, Musca calleva Walker, Musca sorbens Wiedmann, and Physiphora alceae Preyssler were obtained for the first time. This primary study indicates that even when Folmer primers were widely used in DNA barcoding, the Folmer’s region is not adequate when discriminating between Musca species, and sequencing the whole COI or other genes is required for forensic purpose.

Hepatotoxicity is one of the significant side effects of chronic diabetes mellitus (DM) besides nephrotoxicity and pancreatitis. The management of this disease is much dependent on the restoration of the liver to its maximum functionality, as it is the central metabolic organ that gets severely affected during chronic diabetes. The present study investigates if the silver nanoparticles decorated with curcumin (AgNP-Cur) can enhance the efficacy of metformin (a conventional antidiabetic drug) by countering the drug-induced hepatoxicity. Swiss albino rats were categorized into six treatment groups (n = 6): control (group I without any treatment), the remaining five groups (group II, IV, V, VI) were DM-induced by streptozocin. Group II was untreated diabetic positive control, whereas groups III was administered with AgNP-cur (5 mg/kg). Diabetic group IV treated with metformin while V and VI were treated with metformin in a combination of the two doses of NPs (5 and 10 mg/kg) according to the treatment schedule. Biochemical and histological analysis of blood and liver samples were conducted after the treatment. The groups V and VI treated with the combination exhibited remarkable improvement in fasting glucose, lipid profile (HDL and cholesterol), liver function tests (AST, ALT), toxicity markers (GGT, GST and LDH), and redox markers (GSH, MDA and CAT) in comparison to group II in most of the parameters. Histological evaluation and comet assay further consolidate these biochemical results, pleading the restoration of the cellular structure of the target tissues and their nuclear DNA. Therefore, the present study shows that the NPs can enhance the anti-diabetic action by suppression of the drug-mediated hepatoxicity via relieving from oxidative stress, toxic burden and inflammation.

Background: This study investigated selenium nanoparticles’ protective effects (SE-NPs) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatic injury in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into four groups (n = 8). Group 1 rats received the vehicle solution only. Group 2 received a single intraperitoneal injection of 1 mL/kg CCl₄ in liquid paraffin (1:1 v/v). Group 3 was treated with SE-NPs (2.5 mg/kg) twice a week for three weeks before receiving CCl₄ challenge. Oxidative stress, liver function, liver histopathology and serum lipid levels were evaluated. Results: Plasma concentrations of aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA) and the toxicity marker, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were significantly elevated in rats treated with CCl₄ compared to the controls. CCl₄ also caused a significant decline in liver glutathione (GSH) concentration. SE-NP pretreatment significantly improved the level of AST, urea, creatinine, MDA, LDH, and GSH in the CCl₄-injected rats towards the control levels. Conclusions: SE-NPs restored both liver function and hepatic structure in CCl₄ treated rats. SE-NPs exhibit an ability to counter markers of liver injury induced by CCl₄ and restore oxidative stability to lipid profiles and liver structure and function.

Propolis is a naturally occurring substance with beneficial properties; bees produce it from various plant sources, and it is an anti-inflammatory and therapeutic resinous substance. This study aimed to enhance the biological features of propolis extract by loading it onto active film. Firstly, extraction was performed using three solvent systems, and their total phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity was measured. Propolis ethanol extract (EEP) was evaluated for phenolic fraction content and then chosen to prepare a chitosan-loaded emulsion with several concentrations. The antibacterial, anti-mycotic, and anti-mycotoxigenic properties of the extract and nanoemulsion were assessed. PPE’s cytotoxicity and nanoemulsion were evaluated using brine shrimp and cell line assays. Results indicate higher phenolic (322.57 ± 4.28 mg GAE/g DW), flavonoid (257.64 ± 5.27 mg QE/g DW), and antioxidant activity of the EEP. The phenolic fraction is distinguished by 18 phenolic acids with high p-hydroxybenzoic content (171.75 ± 1.64 µg/g) and 12 flavonoid compounds with high pinocembrin and quercetin content (695.91 ± 1.76 and 532.35 ± 1.88 µg/g, respectively). Phenolic acid derivatives (3,4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-Dihydroxyphenol acetate, and di-methoxy cinnamic) are also found. Concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 ng EEP loaded on chitosan nanoemulsion reflect significant antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and toxigenic fungi, particularly Fusarium. Among the four EEP-loaded concentrations, the nanoemulsion with 150 ng showed outstanding features. Using a simulated medium, 150 and 200 ng of EEP-loaded chitosan nanoemulsion concentrations can stop zearalenone production in Fusarium media with complete fungi inhibition. Also, it reduced aflatoxins production in Aspergillus media, with fungal inhibition (up to 47.18%). These results recommended the EEP-chitosan application for pharmaceutics and medical use as a comprehensive wound healing agent.

Ant venom shows antimicrobial, anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory activities, both in vitro and in vivo. Our recent studies have confirmed the role of samsum ant venom (SAV) as a powerful antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate whether SAV as a potential treatment for CCl4-induced acute liver toxicity in an animal (rat) model. Thirty-two rats were assigned into four groups; the first one served as the control. The second group received a single dose of 1 ml/kg CCl4 in a 1:1 ratio with olive oil through an intraperitoneal injection. The third group received a single dose of 1 ml/kg CCl4 and then treated with SAV at a dose of 100 μg SAV twice a week for three weeks. The fourth group received a dose of 100 μg SAV only twice a week for three weeks. ELISA, RT-PCR and histopathological examinations were applied. Results showed that antioxidant enzymes were significantly reduced in the diseased animals. SAV was found to significantly restore the oxidative stability in diseased animals. ELISA estimation and RT-PCR analysis also showed significant upregulation of both nuclear factor (κB) NF-κB and inhibitor (κB) IκB, respectively, in the diseased animals compared to the normal ones. The expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and pro-apoptotic receptor (Fas) were also significantly up-regulated in the diseased rats. Interestingly, SAV was found to significantly restore NF-κB, IκB and TNF-α in the diseased rats to the normal values. As a result, liver enzymes, serum proteins and lipid concentrations were significantly improved by SAV in CCl4-animals in comparison with the control ones. Moreover, SAV obviously improved the hepatic tissues of the same group was. SAV treatment restores the normal biochemical and oxidative stability by improving the TNF-α/NF-κB mediated inflammation in CCL4-treated rats.

Photocatalytic NO removal is usually accompanied by the generation of NO₂, an intermediate with a higher toxicity than NO. Therefore, it is critically important to develop new photocatalysts capable of NO selective conversion. Herein, we report on the synergistic roles of cyano and hydroxyl functional groups in photocatalytic NO removal. According to the results, the NO₂ production efficiencies on cyano/hydroxyl-group-modified g-C₃N₄ (DCN-O-R) was limited to 4.8%, which was lower than that of cyano-group-modified g-C₃N₄ (DCN, 38.6%) and pure g-C₃N₄ (CN, 50.0%). Meanwhile, the photocatalytic NO conversion efficiency over DCN-O-R was higher than that of DCN and g-C₃N₄. It was found that the insertion of cyano groups favorably changes the energy band of g-C₃N₄ towards the generation of •O₂⁻. NO can only be oxidized to NO₂ by the photogenerated holes. When NO₂ is adsorbed on the surface of hydroxyl groups, it can be further oxidized to the product NO₃⁻ by •O₂⁻. The synergistic effect of bifunctional groups regulates the conversion pathway from NO→NO₂ to NO→NO₂→NO₃⁻. This work provides a strategy to abate toxic intermediates during the NO removal process, underlining the importance of surface/interface molecular engineering in regulating catalytic reaction pathways.