Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes dementia among older adults, increasing the global burden of dementia. Therefore, this study investigates the potential neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anticancer effects of chamomile essential oil (CCO) in Alzheimer’s disease. CCO’s main volatile compounds (VOCs) were α-bisabolol, camazulene, and bisabolol oxide A, representing 81 % of all VOCs. CCO scavenged 93 % of DPPH free radicals and inhibited the pathogenic bacteria, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi, besides reducing 89 % of brain cancer cell lines (U87). Eighty albino rats were randomized into four groups: standard control, Alzheimer’s disease group caused by AlCl3, and treated groups. The results indicated that the mean value of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), amyloid precursor protein (APP), amyloid beta (Aβ), caspase-3, & B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was significantly elevated due to the harmful effect of AlCl3; however, CCO downregulated these values, and this effect was attributed to the considerable volatile compounds and phenolic compounds content. Additionally, CCO rats showed a significant increment in noradrenergic (NE), dopaminergic (DO), and serotoninergic systems with relative increases of 50, 50, and 14 % compared to diseased rats. The brain histology of CCO-treated rats showed a significant reduction in neuronal degeneration and improved brain changes, and its histology was close to that of the control brain. The results indicated that CCO offers a new strategy that could be used as an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent for AD due to its considerable contents of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Background: Exosomes have recently attracted significant attention for their potential in drug delivery. Plant-derived exosomes, in particular, may serve as direct anticancer agents due to their unique characteristics, including immunogenicity, biocompatibility, safety, cell-free nature, and nanoscale structure. Methods: This study characterizes Persea americana (avocado)-derived exosomes, exploring their anticancer properties, proteomic profile, and therapeutic potential. Results: Isolated exosomes exhibited a diameter of 99.58 ± 5.09 nm (non-loaded) and 151.2 ± 6.36 nm (doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded), with zeta potentials of −17 mV and −28 mV, respectively. Proteomic analysis identified 47 proteins, including conserved exosome markers (GAPDH, tubulin) and stress-response proteins (defensin, endochitinase). Functional enrichment revealed roles in photosynthesis, glycolysis, ATP synthesis, and transmembrane transport, supported by protein–protein interaction networks highlighting energy metabolism and cellular trafficking. DOX encapsulation efficiency was 18%, with sustained release (44.4% at 24 h). In vitro assays demonstrated reduced viability in breast cancer (MCF-7, T47D, 4T1) and endothelial (C166) cells, enhanced synergistically by DOX (Av+DOX). Gene expression analysis revealed cell-specific modulation: Av+DOX upregulated TP53 and STAT in T47D but suppressed both in 4T1/C166, suggesting context-dependent mechanisms. Conclusions: These findings underscore avocado exosomes as promising nanovehicles for drug delivery, combining biocompatibility, metabolic functionality, and tunable cytotoxicity. Their plant-derived origin offers a scalable, low-cost alternative to mammalian exosomes, with potential applications in oncology and targeted therapy. Further optimization of loading efficiency and in vivo validation are warranted to advance translational prospects.

The search for novel natural resources, such as extracts from algae and plant for use as reductants and capping agents for the synthesis of nanoparticles, may be appealing to medicine and nanotechnology. This study aimed to use Malva parviflora fruit extract as a novel source for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and to evaluate their characterization. The results of biosynthesized AgNP characterization using multiple techniques, such as UV–Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR analysis, and zeta potential (ZP), demonstrated that M. parviflora AgNPs exhibit a peak at 477 nm; possess needle-like and nanorod morphology with diameters ranging from 156.08 to 258.41 nm; contain –OH, C=O, C-C stretching from phenyl groups, and carbohydrates, pyranoid ring, and amide functional groups; and have a zeta potential of −21.2 mV. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the M. parviflora AgNPs was assessed against two multidrug-resistant strains, including Staphylococcus aureus MRSA and Escherichia coli ESBL, with inhibition zones of 20.33 ± 0.88 mm and 13.33 ± 0.33 mm, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 1.56 µg/mL for both. SEM revealed structural damage to the treated bacterial cells, and RAPD-PCR confirmed these genetic alterations. Additionally, M. parviflora AgNPs showed antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 0.68 mg/mL), 69% protein denaturation inhibition, and cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells at concentrations above 100 µg/mL. These findings suggest that M. parviflora-based AgNPs are safe and effective for antimicrobial and biomedical applications, such as coatings for implanted medical devices, to prevent biofilm formation and facilitate drug delivery.

The two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae, is regarded as one of the most dangerous pests responsible for great losses in most of agricultural crops. It is a persistent pest in Saudi Arabia, especially in greenhouses where T. urticae is primarily controlled by chemical pesticides. The main problem for the two-spotted spider mites is its high resistance to pesticides and high fertility rate. In the long term, chemical pesticides cause health problems and economic losses, so it was necessary to search for a safe alternative method for human health and the environment. One of these alternative methods was the selection of plant varieties resistant to the TSSM, in addition to biological control that includes mites or predatory insects and entomopathogenic fungi. The growth, reproduction, and life-table parameters of T. urticae were examined in a laboratory setting with a 16L:8D photoperiod at 28±1°C and 65±5% RH, in the presence of three major members of Family: Solanaceae tomato, eggplant, and pepper. Pepper was shown to be less conducive to T. urticae growth and reproduction compared to eggplant and tomato. Tetranychus urticae proceeded through all five stages of its life cycle (egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult) on tested solanaceous plants, and these plants significantly influenced its growth, reproduction, and Life-table parameters. Additionally, entomopathogenic fungi have been used against insects that have proven highly effective in controlling and reducing the density of two-spotted spider mites. Eight fungi were isolated from 80 insect and mite samples collected from several Saudi Arabia regions. Analysis of the 18S rRNA sequences revealed that the fungal strains identified as Beauveria bassiana, Fusarium sp. F. equiseti, F. oxysporium, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis1, S. brevicaulis2, Aspergillus sclerotiorum , and Penicillium citrinum. The ability of isolated fungi to secrete enzymes degrading the two-spotted spider mite cuticle, namely lipase, protease, and chitinase, were studied.

An endophytic symbiont P. aeruginosa-producing anticandidal siderophore was recovered from mangrove leaves for the first time. Production was optimal in a succinate medium supplemented with 0.4% citric acid and 15 µM iron at pH 7 and 35 °C after 60 h of fermentation. UV spectra of the acidic preparation after purification with Amberlite XAD-4 resin gave a peak at 400 nm, while the neutralized form gave a peak at 360 nm. A prominent peak with RP-HPLC was obtained at RT 18.95 min, confirming its homogeneity. It was pH stable at 5.0–9.5 and thermally stable at elevated temperatures, which encourages the possibility of its application in extreme environments. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) against Candida spp. Were in the range of 128 µg/mL and lower. It enhanced the intracellular iron accumulation with 3.2–4.2-fold (as judged by atomic absorption spectrometry) with a subsequent increase in the intracellular antioxidative enzymes SOD and CAT. Furthermore, the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration due to cellular lipid peroxidation increased to 3.8-fold and 7.3-fold in C. albicans and C. tropicalis, respectively. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) confirmed cellular damage in the form of roughness, malformation, and production of defensive exopolysaccharides and/or proteins after exposure to siderophore. In conclusion, this anticandidal siderophore may be a promising biocontrol, nonpolluting agent against waterborne pathogens and pathogens of the skin. It indirectly kills Candida spp. by ferroptosis and mediation of hyperaccumulation of iron rather than directly attacking the cell targets, which triggers the activation of antioxidative enzymes.

L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) functions as a chemotherapeutic enzyme with antitumor properties. It facilitates the degradation of L-asparagine (L-ASN), a vital amino acid required for the proliferation of tumor cells. In this study, we have isolated 177 L-ASNase-producing strains from the aquatic environment of the Arabian–Persian Gulf. The most potent isolate, ASP-J1-4, was an endophyte recovered from the seablite Suaeda maritima and was molecularly identified as B. xiamenensis (accession number PQ593941). The enzyme purified through DEAE-Sepharose displayed a molecular weight of 37 kDa based on the SDS-PAGE profile and lacked detectable L-glutaminase (L-GTNase) activity. Optimal enzyme activity was at 40 °C and pH 9.0, with stability at pH 7–9. The maximum stimulation effect was found in the presence of Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, and Na⁺ ions, respectively. The enzyme demonstrated a V_max of 35.71 U/mL and a K_m of 0.15 mM. Interestingly, ASP-J1-4 L-ASNase showed a dose-dependent inhibition against human colon carcinoma (HCT-116) and cervical Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 15.42 µg/mL and 12.13 µg/mL, respectively. These findings collectively suggest a biocompatible, efficient, and robust enzyme for potential applications in tumor therapy after validation of in vivo studies and clinical trials. This study introduces the first deep screening program for L-ASNase-producing bacteria harboring in the Arabian–Persian Gulf region. In addition, it launches B. xiamenensis and other species as new sources of L-ASNase.