Tallaga cheese is the most popular type of white soft cheese in Egypt. Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen that poses a threat to the health of almost every age group, with a particular emphasis on neonates and infants. Essential oils (EOs), such as olive oil and thyme oil, exhibit a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect. However, few studies have investigated the antibacterial activity of these EOs and their formulated nanoemulsions (NEs)—olive oil nano-emulsions (ONE) and thyme oil nano-emulsions (TNE)—on C. sakazakii in cheese to date. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of these EOs and their NEs on the development of C. sakazakii during the processing and storage of Tallaga cheese. Additionally, the organoleptic properties of the resulting cheese were evaluated. Herein, ONE and TNE were prepared and characterized using a zetasizer and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of EOs and NEs were determined using well diffusion assay. Fresh buffalo's milk for the elaboration of Tallaga cheese was inoculated with C. sakazakii at a concentration of 6 log CFU/mL, along with the addition of MICs of either EOs or NEs. The obtained results showed that the MICs were 15 mg/mL (v/v) for either olive oil, thyme oil, ONE and TNE with diameter inhibition zones of 10.3 ± 0.5, 13.3 ± 1.7, 12.3 ± 0.5, and 16 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. In addition, NEs exhibited high antibacterial activities against C. sakazakii in comparison to pure EOs. Particularly, the strongest antibacterial effect toward C. sakazakii was reported with TNE during manufacturing and storage of Tallaga cheese. Overall, these results suggest that thyme and its NEs have the potential to prevent bacterial contamination by C. sakazakii in the dairy industry.

Sarcoptic mange, commonly known as scabies, is a highly contagious skin condition caused by the burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei (Astigmata: Sarcoptinae). This parasitic disease significantly impacts livestock and human health, particularly in underserved regions. Current treatments rely on synthetic acaricides like permethrin and ivermectin, which suffer from limitations such as toxicity, resistance development, and environmental contamination. Essential oils from Apiaceae plants represent a promising natural alternative. This study reviewed 122 volatile constituents from Apiaceae plants and conducted comprehensive in silico analyses to identify potential antiparasitic agents. Geraniol emerged as a potent acaricidal candidate due to its strong binding affinity to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (docking score: − 7.85 kcal/mol). In vitro testing revealed geraniol achieved a 100% mite mortality rate at concentrations as low as 6.25% within 15 min (LT₅₀ = 9.5 min). In vivo studies using scabies-infected rabbits demonstrated that geraniol-treated animals exhibited complete clinical recovery by two weeks post-treatment, with disappearance of crusts, itching, and skin thickening. Histopathological examination showed near-complete skin regeneration with minimal inflammatory infiltrates, in contrast to control groups which exhibited severe lesions and active mite presence. Furthermore, geraniol-treated rabbits displayed new hair growth and improved general condition, with no observed adverse effects. These findings highlight geraniol’s potential as a safe, effective, and eco-friendly treatment for scabies, offering a 100% improvement in clinical and histological recovery within two weeks. Further research should focus on optimizing delivery systems and evaluating its efficacy in human clinical trials.

This study assessed the neuroprotective potential of empagliflozin (EMPA) as antidiabetic drug on glucose metabolism,
comparing it to rivastigmine (RIVA) as standard treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and their combination. Male rats were
sorted into five groups. Group I served as the control, while groups II, III, IV, and V received the scopolamine plus heavy metal
mixture for AD induction. Groups III and IV were administered RIVA and EMPA, respectively, and group V received both
treatments. Cognitive function was evaluated behaviorally. Subsequently, glucose levels, acetylcholinesterase, oxidative stress,
and inflammatory markers were assessed. Alongside the brain histopathological changes, the expression of phosphorylated tau
protein was assessed. Moreover, glycolytic enzymes and glucose transporters were assessed using PCR analysis. The findings
were attributed to a notable suppressive impact of EMPA on lipid peroxidation, acetylcholinesterase, glucose levels, phosphorylated
tau protein, pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and neuropathological changes, while enhancing antioxidant and
interleukin‐10 levels. It also improves glucose metabolism. The findings suggest that EMPA may be a viable candidate for future
therapeutic exploration in AD, which has a multifaceted mechanism of action encompassing anti‐neuroinflammation, antioxidant
stress, and enhanced glucose metabolism, as well as decreased acetylcholinesterase activity and phosphorylated tau
protein levels. Interestingly, combined treatment showed a superior effect than EMPA alone.

One of the major consequences of diabetes mellitus that has gained attention due to its rising incidence is cognitive impairment. Recent research suggested that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors can mitigate memory impairment linked to Alzheimer's disease and are now being explored for their cognitive benefits. However, their mechanisms were not thoroughly studied. This research investigates the hypothesis of the neuroprotective effect of empagliflozin administration against scopolamine-heavy metal mixture (SCO + HMM)-treated Alzheimer's rat models in comparison with memantine as a reference drug and the impact of their combination. Yet, the neuroprotective effects of memantine and empagliflozin combination against cognitive impairment have not been previously explored. This study employed adult male albino rats categorized into five groups. The impact of empagliflozin, memantine, and their concomitant administration on cognitive performance was assessed in a scopolamine and heavy metal mixture-treated Alzheimer's disease model in rats. The assessment of rats' cognitive behavior, memory, and spatial learning was conducted, followed by an evaluation of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), beta-secretase (BACE-1), oxidative stress (OS), and inflammatory marker activity. And, a western blot analysis was conducted to detect phosphorylated 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Hippocampal and cerebellar histopathology were thoroughly examined, in addition to the expressions of amyloid β (Aβ). The current data demonstrate the involvement of the pAMPK/mTOR/HO-1 signaling pathway in empagliflozin neuroprotection against SCO + HMM-induced AD. In addition, it reduces AD hallmarks (Aβ and BACE1), neuro-inflammation, and oxidative stress sequelae, and enhances neurogenesis and synaptic density via BDNF. This study proposes that EMPA, especially when co-administered with other conventional anti-Alzheimer therapy, may be formulated into an innovative therapeutic strategy for the enhancement of cognitive impairments associated with neurodegenerative disorders.