Nanoporous aluminum metal–organic framework (Al-MOF) was synthesized via solvothermal methods and employed as a carrier matrix for in vitro drug delivery of Umbelliferon (Um). The encapsulated Um was gradually released over seven days at 37 °C, using simulated body fluid phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4 as the release medium. The drug release profile suggests the potential of Al-MOF nanoparticles as effective drug delivery carriers. Structural and chemical analyses of Um-loaded Al-MOF nanoparticles (Um-Al MOF) were conducted using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to investigate the thermal stability of the Al-MOF nanoparticles, while Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was utilized to assess their morphological features. Um-Al MOF nanoparticles demonstrated notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties compared to Um and Al-MOF nanoparticles individually. Moreover, they exhibited significant enhancement in wound healing in an earthworm model. These findings underscore the potential of Al-MOF nanoparticles as a promising drug delivery system, necessitating further investigations to explore their clinical applicability.
Background Several studies have been reported previously on the bioactivities of different extracts of marine
molluscs. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of S. pharaonis ink as a highly
populated species in the Red Sea. We extracted the flavonoids from the ink and analyzed their composition. Then we evaluated systematically the cytotoxic and antimicrobial properties of this extract. A pharmacokinetic study was also conducted using SwissADME to assess the potential of the identified flavonoids and phenolic compounds from the ink extract to be orally active drug candidates.
Results Cytotoxic activity was evaluated against 5 cell lines (MCF7, Hep G2, A549, and Caco2) at different
concentrations (0.4 μg/mL, 1.6 μg/mL, 6.3 μg/mL, 25 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL). The viability of examined cells was reduced by the extract in a concentration-dependent manner. The highest cytotoxic effect of the extract was recorded against A549 and Hep G2 cancer cell lines cells with IC50 = 2.873 and 7.1 μg/mL respectively. The mechanistic analysis by flow cytometry of this extract on cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction indicated that the extract arrests the cell cycle at the S phase in Hep G2 and MCF7, while in A549 cell arrest was recorded at G1 phase. However, it causes G1 and S phase arrest in Caco2 cancer cell line. Our data showed that the extract has significant antimicrobial activity against all tested human microbial pathogens. However, the best inhibitory effect was observed against Candida albicans ATCC 10,221 with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.95 μg/mL. Pharmacokinetic analysis using Swiss ADME showed that most flavonoids and phenolics compounds have high drug similarity as they satisfy Lipinski’s criteria and have WLOGP values below 5.88 and TPSA below 131.6 Å2.
Conclusion S. pharaonis ink ethanolic extract showed a promising cytotoxic potency against various cell lines and
a remarkable antimicrobial action against different pathogenic microbial strains. S. pharaonis ink is a novel source
of important flavonoids that could be used in the future in different applications as a naturally safe and feasible
alternative of synthetic drugs.
Keywords Flavonoids, Red Sea, Cytotoxicity, Cephalopods, Antimicrobial activity
This study aimed to investigate the histological and histochemical
characterizations of the ink gland of the sea hare “Aplysia argus”.This gland
is composed of two covering epithelium and an inner matrix. The covering
epithelium involved the cubodial facing the mantle cavity and the columnar
facing the mantle shelf. Underneath the covering cuboidal epithelium, there
are bundles of collagenous fibers permeated by two types of granulated
cells. The columnar covering epithelium underlies an adipose connective
tissue that includes dispersed cells between adipocytes. The inner matrix of
the ink gland possesses three types of secretory vesicles; namely, dark-Red,
granulated and transparent. Histochemical investigation indicated that the
granulated cells content included neutral mucopolysaccharides and protein,
while they were devoid of acid mucopolysaccharides. The dark-red vesicles
possess a mixture of acid and neutral mucopolysaccharides; whereas, the
granulated vesicles contain acid mucopolysaccharides only. The dark-red
and granulated vesicles contain protein contents. The histological
characteristics of the ink gland of Aplysia argus corroborated the general
organization of aplysiids. To the best of our knowledge, new data were
added in the current work (for the first time) about the two different types of
granulated cells and adipose connective tissue, in addition to the
investigation of the histochemical contents of granulated cells, secretory
vesicles and dispersed cells.
Schistosomiasis is the second most prevailing parasitic disease worldwide. Although praziquantel is considered
an effective drug in the treatment against schistosomiasis to some extent, there is an emerging drug resistance
that widely recorded. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective and safe anti-schistosomal drugs. In
this study, Cornulaca monacantha (C. monacantha), a sub-saharan plant, was extracted using aqueous ethanol and
characterized by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Major constituents of the extract are
belonging to flavonoids, tannins and phenolic glycosides. Worms’ viability and surface morphology of Schistosoma
mansoni (S. mansoni) adult worms treated with the extract were assessed using in vitro viability assay,
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and histological examination. The extract (80–350 μg/ml) reduced
viability percentage of worms by 40–60% and caused degeneration of both oral and ventral suckers, tegumental,
sub-tegumental and muscular damage. Molecular docking approach was utilized to assess the binding affinities of
the extracted compounds with S. mansoni alpha-carbonic anhydrase (SmCA), an essential tegument protein.
Pharmacokinetic analysis using SwissADME showed that 7 compounds have high drug similarity. This study
confirms the in vitro schistomicidal activity of C. monacantha extract against S. mansoni adult worms and suggests
potential SmCA inhibition.
Repercussion to the rapid increase in population annually and the decline in agricultural fruits and vegetables productivity, we are facing a real danger, especially with the population expected to reach 9.6 billion people by 2050. Fruits are a specialty as one of the most consumed agricultural products due to their richness in fiber, nutrients, salts, vitamins, and antioxidants. Unfortunately, fruits have a short shelf life and rot quickly due to their high percentage of moisture content 75–95%. Postharvest diseases of fruits cause more than 30% loss as the consumer chooses it based on quality, color, texture, lack of decay, and smell. To control post-harvest disease, widespread uncontrolled use of chemical pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, and bactericides before and after harvest has led to the development of diseases with resistant strains and decreased the efficacy of these pesticides. Also, the uses of these toxic chemicals have environmental damage effects and health issues. Recently, nanotechnology has emphasized its role in managing post-harvest disease, especially as an antimicrobial efficient agent, particularly in food processing, storage, and product transportation. Nano-sensors, nanocoating, nano-bubbles, and nano-packing are all efficient figures of nanomaterials in food processing. In this chapter, we will shed light on the strategies of post-harvest disease management, nanotechnology techiest in fruit preservation, and applications of nanotechnology to reduce post-harvest losses on fruit crops, such as citrus fruits, grapes, bananas, mangos, peaches, guava, and others.
The heavy fueled power plants produce solid waste as fly ash which contains heavy and trace elements. In this study the going in accordance with Egypt Vision 2030, effects and benefits in reducing the ash amount for produced MW will be studied, the change in ash contents of rare and heavy elements that can extracted and reused will be determined. As, the reduction in ash amount on the long run as it has a positive effect on the environment. The amount of ash produced will be defined, then the enrichment of its content of heavy and trace elements will studied. The results showed that fly ash amount reduced with application of Egypt’s vision 2030, and it has a valuable content that could be collected, treated and utilized. It was found that the pollution’s indexes of these elements are extremely high, but on the other side ash has an economical value due to its contents of rare and heavy elements that can extracted and reused. Finally, this reduction in the long run has a positive effect on the environment and consequently, to the health.
