Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is rapidly increasing worldwide, and the identification of new antimicrobial agents with innovative mechanisms of action is urgently required. Medicinal plants that have been utilised for centuries with minor side effects may hold great promise as sources of effective antimicrobial products. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is an excellent live infection model for the discovery and development of new antimicrobial compounds. However, while C. elegans has widely been utilised to explore the effectiveness and toxicity of synthetic antibiotics, it has not been used to a comparable extent for the analysis of natural products. By screening the PubMed database, we identified articles reporting the use of the C. elegans model for the identification of natural products endowed with antibacterial and antifungal potential, and we critically analysed their results. The studies discussed here provide important information regarding “in vivo” antimicrobial effectiveness and toxicity of natural products, as evaluated prior to testing in conventional vertebrate models, thereby supporting the relevance of C. elegans as a highly proficient model for their identification and functional assessment. However, their critical evaluation also underlines that the characterisation of active phytochemicals and of their chemical structure, and the unravelling of their mechanisms of action represent decisive challenges for future research in this area.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a major public health issue affecting maternal well-being and infant development. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of PPD among Saudi women. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, and EBSCOHost was conducted for studies published up to 31 March 2025. Statistical analysis was performed using R software (v4.4.2) with a random effects model. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool. Results: A total of 32 studies published between 2014 and 2024, including 10,975 women with a mean age of 30.38 ± 6.22 years, were analyzed. Prevalence of PPD varied based on the cutoff scores of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): 18% (95% CI: 10–27%) at EPDS ≥ 14, 30% (95% CI: 21–38%) at EPDS ≥ 13, 59% (95% CI: 33–85%) at EPDS ≥ 12, and 45% (95% CI: 28–62%) at EPDS ≥ 10. Across studies, 32 significant risk factors for PPD were identified. The most frequently reported included lack of social support, delivery method, young maternal age, and personal or family history of depression. In the meta-analysis, three factors showed statistically significant associations with postpartum depression: limited family support (p < 0.00001), poor spouse support (p < 0.00001), and unplanned pregnancy (p = 0.04). Conclusions: PPD is highly prevalent among Saudi women, with marked regional disparities. These findings highlight the need for tailored mental health strategies and region-specific interventions.

The global aging population highlights the need for effective anti-aging treatments. Natural products show promise, but thorough evaluation requires in vivo models due to the complexity of aging. Ethical concerns are driving a shift from traditional models like rabbits and mice to alternatives such as Caenorhabditis elegans. This microscopic nematode, with its short life cycle, genetic similarities to humans, and cost-effectiveness, is ideal for testing anti-aging compounds. We review studies using C. elegans to assess natural products, suggesting it could serve as a primary model for -evaluating the safety and efficacy of plant-derived anti-aging compounds.

Acne Vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder driven by a combination of microbial colonization, immune dysregulation, and disruption of the epidermal barrier. Although isotretinoin remains the most effective treatment, the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory effects are incompletely understood. This study integrates transcriptomic meta-analysis and computational drug screening to identify novel therapeutic targets and candidate compounds for acne management. Three publicly available GEO datasets (GSE6475, GSE10433, GSE11792) were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with isotretinoin response. Among these, Spectrin beta, non-erythrocytic 1 (SPTBN1) and Signal-induced proliferation-associated 1-like protein 1 (SIPA1L1) emerged as consistently regulated genes with known roles in cytoskeletal organization and immune signaling, respectively. To assess the druggability of these targets, molecular docking was conducted using gentamicin and natural compounds derived from Cymbopogon winterianus, including citronellol, citral, citronellal, and geraniol. Gentamicin demonstrated the strongest binding affinity to SIPA1L1 (−8.6 kcal/mol) and SPTBN1 (−5.9 kcal/mol), forming multiple hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts. Subsequent 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations confirmed the stability of the gentamicin–protein complexes, as evidenced by favorable RMSD, RMSF, and energy profiles. Interaction energy decomposition revealed strong contributions from electrostatic and van der Waals forces. These findings highlight the potential of gentamicin, and possibly structurally related natural compounds, as modulators of host inflammatory pathways implicated in acne. The study further underscores the utility of integrating transcriptomics, molecular docking, and MD simulation for early-phase therapeutic discovery targeting inflammation and barrier dysfunction in dermatological diseases.

INPLASY202550064 The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression among Saudi Arabian Women – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Keywords: Prevalence, Risk factors, Postpartum depression…

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections, with antibiotic-resistant strains causing potentially life-threatening diseases. This study explored the antimicrobial potential of Acacia ehrenbergiana (Hayne) and Prosopis juliflora using a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in vivo model infected with methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) S. aureus strains. Methods: Wild-type C. elegans were exposed to MSSA strain ATCC 25923 and MRSA strains ATCC BF195 and ATCC BC 3820 using an agar-based killing assay. The impact of ethanol extracts from A. ehrenbergiana and P. juliflora on the survival of infected C. elegans was assessed by analyzing the survival rates of infected and non-infected worms. The effects of the plant extracts on C. elegans feeding rate and colonization of MSSA and MRSA in the worm's gut were also examined. Additionally, in vitro assays were conducted to assess the bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic effects of the plant extracts. Results: Exposure to MSSA and MRSA strains significantly reduced C. elegans lifespan, with a mean time to death (TD_mean) of 72 ± 1.3 h. Treatment with 100–500 μg/ml of either plant extract increased C. elegans survival by 65–70%. The extracts did not affect C. elegans pharyngeal pumping. Colony-forming Unit (CFU) assays showed a significant reduction in MSSA and MRSA colonization in the worm intestine with P. juliflora, but not A. ehrenbergiana extracts. In vitro Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assays indicated that neither extract had direct bactericidal activity, suggesting the observed reduction in bacterial infection in worms was likely due to enhanced host immune response rather than direct antibacterial effects. Conclusion: These findings suggest that A. ehrenbergiana and P. juliflora extracts enhance C. elegans survival upon infection through indirect mechanisms, possibly involving immune system activation. This study highlights the potential of these extracts as antibacterial agents against MSSA and MRSA strains.