Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Escherichia coli represent a significant public health concern due to the high virulence and antimicrobial resistance exhibited by these pathogens. This study aimed to analyze the phylogenetic diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains isolated from UTI patients in Algeria, focusing on virulence factors such as extended β-lactamase (ESBL) production, biofilm formation, and hemolytic activity. Phylogenetic grouping of 86 clinical imipenem resistant E. coli isolates showed the prevalence of group B2 (48.9%), followed by groups E (22.1%), unknown (12.8%), A (8.1%), and B1 (4.7%), and Clade I, D, Clade I, or Clade II (1.2%). The highest resistance rates were observed towards amoxicillin (86.04%), ticarcillin (82.55%), piperacillin (73.25%), nitrofurantoin (84.88%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (51.16%). Notably, 69.8% of UPEC strains were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and 23.2% were extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Additionally, 48.9%, 42%, and 71% of strains demonstrated ESBL production, hemolytic activity, and weak biofilm production, respectively. Continuous monitoring and characterization of UPEC strains are essential to track the spread of the most resistant and virulent phylogenetic groups over time, facilitating rapid therapeutic decisions to treat infections and prevent the emergence of new resistant organisms, helping choose the most effective antibiotics and reducing treatment failure.

The antibacterial activity of 18 phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, against organisms of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus vulgaris that are resistant to several drugs was assessed in this study using the agar diffusion method. The strain’s strong resistance was confirmed by antibiotic susceptibility testing, which used fourteen drugs and only found inhibition zones for five of them. Out of the polyphenols, four compounds were effective against P. vulgaris, five against K. pneumoniae, and twelve against E. coli bacteria. The greatest inhibitory zone (18.75 ± 0.25 mm) against E. coli was shown by propyl gallate, an ester of gallic acid. Activity was significantly impacted by structural changes. Propyl substitution increased antibacterial activities across all strains, while methoxy substitution decreased them. The antibacterial effectiveness was reduced by the hydroxylation of flavonoids and the C3–C4 dihydroxylation of cinnamic acid. Propyl gallate primarily had antagonistic effects, while combination experiments demonstrated additive, synergistic, and antagonistic interactions. Propyl gallate (ΔG = −7.5 kcal/mol) exhibited substantial binding affinities with TEM-1 and NDM-1 β-lactamases via hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions, according to molecular docking. These results demonstrate propyl gallate as a viable antibacterial adjuvant option and validate the structure–activity relationship of phenolic compounds.

The Germander (Teucrium polium) is commonly used as a medicinal plant in Algeria against a variety of human diseases. This study aims to investigate the antioxidant, anti-hemolytic and antihyperuricemic effects of the Algerian germander (Teucrium polium L.) extract. T. polium witch was collected from Bordj Bouarreridj, Algeria and extracted with methanol to give the methanolic extract (TPME). The objective of this work is to disassemble, at first, the antioxidant effect of TPME in vivo and in vitro, secondarily to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and finally to study for the first time the hypouricemic activity. The quantification of polyphenols and flavonoids showed that the TPME contains 160.72±0.78 µg EAG/mg of polyphenols and 37.96±0.317 µg EQ/mg of flavonoids. The antioxidant activities were carried out in mice by an in vivo assay, the plasma ability to inhibit DPPH radical and FRAP. TPME showed a protective effect against oxidative stress in erythrocytes. The total antioxidant defence system appears to be enhanced in the plasma, by increased FRAP levels probably due to higher levels of polyphenols in the Teucrium polium extract. The treated group showed an essential activity in the DPPH test compared to Vit C and control groups (28.64±5.84% vs 47.27±6.78% and 21.42±3.89%, respectively). The total antioxidant capacity of plasma and red blood cells was determined using the kinetics of hemolysis by the determination of HT₅₀ (hemolysis half-life). The HT₅₀ which was 179.6±10.53 min for treated group for, 158.2±3.85 for Vit C group and 146.5±1.78 min for the control, respectively. The present work demonstrated that Teucrium polium extract exerts a strong in vivo free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities. These activities are probably related to polyphenols and flavonoids. Hyperuricemia witch is induced by injection of potassium oxonate "PO", the uric acid, urea and creatinine were measured in plasma and supernatant of the liver. To evaluate their hypouricemic effect, TPME was administered intraperitoneally to potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. TPME caused a decrease in plasma uric acid (3.3±0.18 mg/l) compared to control group (1.48±0.07 mg/l), almost the same value of uric acid of "PO" group. For "OP" group, value of uric acid in plasma is increased 4 times (6.33±1.22 mg/l) and almost 2 times for liver supernatant (31.36± 5.4 mg/l), the administration of 10 mg/kg of allopurinol decreased uric acid levels to normal (1.89±0.32 mg /l, 16.36±1.03 mg /l, respectively for plasma and supernatant). The findings data for the supernatant didn’t show any significant decrease in plasma and liver uric acid comparing the urea level of "OP" group (0.48 g/l); we can conclude that the rate of urea and creatinine after treatment with plant extract is normal and that the results of this study indicate the absence of renal damage in mice. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of TPME in vivo The administration of TPME (100 mg/kg body wt.), reduced ear edema induced by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), achieving a low degree of anti-inflammatory activity (%I = 18.46±1.59%), the effect was comparable with that of diclofenac used as a reference drug (%I = 38.84±1.87 %). The histopathological analysis indicated that the treatment with TPME led to a moderate decrease of the inflammatory infiltrate with a persistence of the oedema, against the injection of diclofenac, led to a significant reduction of the leucocytes. These results support the use of this plant in traditional medicine for inflammation disorder.

Background: Anchusa azurea Mill. (AA) is a medicinal plant largely used traditionally in folk medicine in Algeria; it is locally named hamham. It is effective in the treatment of various diseases. Objectives: The aim of the present study is to determine the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti- hemolytic effects of phenolic fractions from Anchusa azurea Mill. Methods: In this study, various extracts from Anchusa azurea Mill. (AA) using solvents with increasing polarity were prepared. The quantification of polyphenols and flavonoids was determined. The anti-radical activity of the different extracts was evaluated using DPPH and by measuring the inhibition of the oxidative degradation of β-carotene. The In-vitro antihemolytic effect of the plant extracts is determined (CrE, ChE, AcE, and AqE). For each extract, four concentrations were tested: 10.59, 21.18, 42.37, 84.74 μg/ml. Vitamin C is used as a standard. The free-radical attack was measured by measuring the HT₅₀ (Half-Hemolysis Time). The anti-inflammatory effect using PMA on mice of the methanolic extract (CrE) was evaluated. Results: The quantification of polyphenols and flavonoids showed that ethyl acetate extract (AcE) contains a higher amount of polyphenols. However, chloroform extract (ChE) presents a higher amount of flavonoids. AcE showed an important scavenging activity using the DPPH radical (IC₅₀= 68.35 μg/ml). The results showed that AcE also exhibited a significant inhibition effect on the oxidation of β-carotene/linoleic acid (84.33 %). All extracts increased the HT50 values (Half-Hemolysis Time) in a dose-dependent manner. The three highest concentrations (21.18, 42.37, and 84.74 μg / ml) of ChE caused a very significant delay (p ≤ 0.001) of hemolysis compared to the negative control and the positive control “VIT C”. The anti-inflammatory effect of using PMA on mice showed that the methanolic extract (CrE) of AA reduced the weight of the ear edema. Conclusion: This plant has a strong pharmacological power, which supports its traditional medicinal use.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common foodborne pathogen, posing significant concern due to the emergence of its multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. The aim of this study was to assess the antibiotic resistance profiles in S. aureus isolated from raw poultry, the associated resistance genes, and their ability to form biofilms. S. aureus was isolated and identified using conventional microbiological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were assessed using the disk diffusion method, and biofilm-forming ability was evaluated using the microtiter plate assay. The presence of antimicrobial resistance genes was determined by PCR. A total of 45 isolates were isolated. High resistance rates were observed against penicillin (88.9%), tetracycline (86.7%) and doxycycline (66.7%). Of the isolates, 71.1% were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms, and 60% exhibited a multiple antibiotic resistance index greater than 0.2. PCR analysis revealed the presence of the resistance genes blaZ (86.7%), mecA (27.3%), tet(M) (46.2%), tet(K) (35.9%), tet(S) (59%), erm(B) (51.9%), and erm(C) (59.3%). A total of 44 isolates were biofilm producers: 46.7% were weak producers, 46.7% were moderate producers, and 4.4% were strong producers. These findings highlight a significant public health concern, emphasizing the need for stringent hygiene practices and continuous monitoring to limit the spread of resistant pathogens through the food chain.

Background. Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health challenge, complicating the management of infections. Aminoglycosides are increasingly associated with resistance, raising the risk of clinical complications and mortality in severe infections. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiological profile of 135 aminoglycoside-resistant clinical strains collected in Setif between 2021 and 2023. Methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed according to EUCAST guidelines, and phenotypic assays were conducted to assess key virulence traits, including biofilm formation and enzyme production. Results. Aminoglycoside resistance was more frequently observed in female patients (55.6%) and was found to be predominant among adults (68.1%). Urinary tract infections represented the main clinical presentation (76.3%), with Escherichia coli being the most common isolate (40.7%). High resistance rates were detected for amoxicillin (83%), amoxicillin–clavulanic acid (80%), cephalexin (74.8%), cefixime (71.1%), trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (74.8%), and gentamicin (72.6%). Conversely, chloramphenicol (53.3%), imipenem (47.4%), amikacin (47.4%), and piperacillin–tazobactam (31.1%) remained comparatively more effective. Multidrug resistance involving seven antibiotics occurred in 25.6% of isolates, with notable cross-resistance patterns between gentamicin and β-lactam antibiotics (5 out of 22). Genotypic analysis showed that 43% of isolates carried at least one β-lactamase gene, whereas 9.6% harbored a qnr determinant. Regarding virulence factors, isolates with low biofilm-forming ability were found to be the most common (62.96%). Conclusion. In conclusion, this study revealed substantial variations in aminoglycoside resistance in Setif, shaped by demographic, clinical, and bacteriological factors.