Leishmaniasis is a group of infectious and noncontagious severe parasitic diseases, caused by protozoans of the Leishmania genus. Natural products characterize a rich source of prospective chemical entities for the development of new effective drugs for neglected diseases. Scientific evaluation of medicinal plants has made it possible to use some metabolites from flavonoids and polyphenols compounds for the treatment of parasitic diseases. Therefore, we aimed in the present study to evaluate the protective effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) biosynthesized using Fig and Olive extracts (NFO) against Cutaneous leishmaniasis in female Balb/c mice. A total of 70 mice were used and divided into seven groups. Treatment was initiated when local lesions were apparent, we found that Fig and Olive extracts were found to be a good source for the synthesis of (Ag-NPs), their formation was confirmed by color change and stability in solution. Nanoparticles biosynthesized using Fig and Olive extracts induced a reduction in the average size of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions compared with the untreated mice. Moreover, nanoparticles treatment decreased oxidative stress (LPO, NO), down-regulation gene expression levels (TNF-α, IL-1β, and BAX), and this antileishmanial activity of nanoparticles was associated with enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. In addition, histopathological evaluation proved the antileishmanial activity of nanoparticles compared with the positive control.Therefore, we aimed in the present study to evaluate the protective effect of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized using Fig and Olive extracts against cutaneous lesions induced by Leishmania major infection through their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities, and faster clinical efficacy than standard pentavalent antimonial treatment.

Background/Objectives: Nanoparticles derived from medicinal plants are gaining attention for their diverse biological activities and potential therapeutic applications. Methods: This study explored the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral, and antimicrobial properties of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous leaf and root extracts of Saussurea costus (S. costus). The physicochemical characterizations of both biosynthesized AgNPs using the aqueous leaf extract (L-AgNPs) and root extract (R-AgNPs) were examined using UV spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity measured using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays showed that AgNPs, particularly from roots, had higher activity than aqueous extracts, attributed to phenolic compounds acting as capping and antioxidant agents. Results: Enzyme inhibition studies indicated that AgNPs exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting COX-1, 5-LOX, and secreted PLA₂ enzymes by over 99% at 120 µg/mL, comparable to standard drugs. The anti-tumoral effects were evaluated on the human cancer cell lines HCT-116, LoVo, and MDA-MB-231, with AgNPs inhibiting cell proliferation dose-dependently and IC₅₀ values between 42 and 60 µg/mL, demonstrating greater potency than extracts. The AgNPs also showed enhanced antimicrobial activities against various microbial strains, with IC₅₀ values as low as 14 µg/mL, which could be linked to nanoparticle interactions with microbial cell membranes, causing structural damage and cell death. Conclusions: These findings suggest that S. costus-derived AgNPs are promising natural, biodegradable agents for various biological applications and potential new therapeutic agents, necessitating further research to explore their mechanisms and applications.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is an important foodborne parasite worldwide, with fresh produce and contaminated irrigation water as major transmission vehicles.

Toxoplasma gondii , an opportunistic protozoan, is widely prevalent and poses potential health risks. Its treatment remains challenging with several side effects, urging the exploration of new, safe, and efficient drugs. We aimed to explore the therapeutic efficacy of the medicinal plant Garcinia cambogia (GC) against both acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. Sixty Swiss albino mice were allocated into five groups: I (healthy), II (model), III (spiramycin [SPM] treated, IV (GC treated), and V (SPM + GC treated). Each group is further divided into two subgroups receiving treatment at 4 and 42 days postinfection (dpi) for acute and chronic infection, respectively. To determine the properties of the GC active compounds, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), guttiferone‐E, guttiferone‐J, compared to SPM against the selective T . gondii ROP18 transferase target regarding its binding affinities, and estimated inhibition constant, Lipinski’s RO5 filter analyses and computational QSARs/ADMET predictive characteristics were used. The groups were evaluated parasitologically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically for Iba‐1 expression. The best treatment outcome was observed in the SPM + GC–treated groups in both acute and chronic infections, with inhibition percentages of 89% and 78%, respectively, and preservation of neuronal integrity, as evidenced by the lowest Iba1 expression levels. Moreover, the docked ROP18‐HCA revealed an additional, critical, and novel ligand‐binding site for ROP18, which is essential for the virulence and pathogenesis of Toxoplasma . G. cambogia ’s stability of intermolecular binding activities, potency, and conformations makes it an effective, safe, and promising remedy for treating toxoplasmosis, especially in combination with SPM.