Background: Food supplements such as vitamin D3 and omega-3 have a significant role in activating the immune system and impacting the diversity of gut microbiota; thus, controlling the growth of the invading pathogens indirectly. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the direct antimicrobial activity of vitamin D3 and omega 3 alone, combined together, and combined with low concentration of gentamicin or amphotericin B against selected pathogenic microorganisms. Method: Minimum inhibitory concentration of different serial dilutions of vitamin D3 (0.7μg/mL-83.3μg/mL) or omega-3 (0.7mg/mL-100mg/mL) or combined (vitamin D3:1.3μg/mL-83.3μg/mL and omega-3:1.56mg/mL-100mg/mL) with/without antibiotic have been investigated on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans using check board technique. Results: The highest concentration of vitamin D3 (83.3 μg/mL) demonstrated a complete eradication of the tested microorganisms. Conversely, omega-3 had a lower effect on them. The highest concentration of combining vitamin D3 and omega-3 with/without gentamicin resulted in a complete eradication of the S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa with a 6.8 to 7 log reduction. On the other hand, C. albicans was inhibited when using vitamin D3 (83.3 μg/mL) or when this concentration is combined with 83.3 μg/mL vitamin D3 and 100mg/mL of omega-3. However, when these two concentrations were added to amphotericin B the log reduction dropped to 0.45 suggesting antagonistic effect. Conclusion: These findings suggested that, unlike omega 3, vitamin D3 possess good antimicrobial effects against pathogenic microorganisms. The combination of the studied food supplement showed enhanced inhibition at high concentration, while they had antagonistic effect when combined with amphotericin B and applied on C. albicans combined.

Background: Genotoxins are chemicals that can damage DNA or chromosomal architecture, possibly resulting in alterations genetic constituency. Streptozotocin, a monofunctional nitrosourea derivative is often utilized to induce diabetes mellitus in lab animals because of its detrimental effects on pancreatic cells. The purpose of this work is to investigate possible protective agents and clarify our knowledge of the genotoxicity of Streptozotocin. Objective: This study investigates the potential of curcumin, a phytoproduct having anti-genotoxic and anti-diabetic qualities, against streptozotocin-induced chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damage. The study evaluates the possible protective effects of curcumin using a variety of biochemical and molecular biology techniques in murine model. Methods: The experiment involves a control group, the administration of Streptozotocin (Group S) and a curcumin pretreated STZ group (Group SC) in murine models. The effects of curcumin on DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations were assessed and quantified using a variety of techniques, including histopathology, immunofluorescence, evaluation of chromosomal aberrations, detection of Reactive oxygen species, cell viability analysis, and DNA laddering assay. Results: The results demonstrate a significant reduction in DNA damage, chromosomal anomalies, and a decrease in the expression of the p53 protein in the Group SC animals compared to the Group S mice. Conclusion: According to this in vivo study, curcumin may be able to reduce chromosomal aberrations and DNA damage via altering the expression of p53 repair proteins. These results suggest that curcumin has a promising future as a therapeutic agent, especially when it comes to drug-induced toxicity and development of novel therapeutics.

Background and objective: Attention has recently been focused on Nanotechnology against parasitic infections. Using infected mice with Eimeria papillata, this study assessed the hepatoprotective effect of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (BSN) utilizing Azadirachta indica leaf extracts. Materials and Methods: The animals in the first group received only distilled water, while those in the second group were given BSN (0.5 mg/kg). The parasite’s oocysts were infected into the third, fourth, and fifth groups. The fourth and fifth groups were given BSN (0.5 mg/kg) and amprolium (120 mg/kg) for five days, respectively. Results: The oocyst shedding in the fecal matter of mice was reduced after oral administration with BSN. The Eimeria infection induced a significant decrease in the rate of feed consumption to 31.44% which improved after BSN treatment to 45.57%. The infection caused a marked liver injury as indicated by pathological changes as well as a significant increase in liver function parameters (including glutamic-oxalocetic transaminase (AST), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and direct bilirubin), which attenuated after the BSN treatment. Moreover, the Eimeria infection induced a state of disturbance in nutrient homeostasis. Blood glucose and total protein levels were elevated with a concurrent decrease in the level of carbohydrates and soluble proteins in the hepatic tissue. BSN treatment of infected mice with E. papillata showed a great enhancement in nutrient homeostatic status with a reduction in blood glucose level and restoration of the hepatic carbohydrate content. Our study proved that BSN ameliorated oxidative damage during Eimeria infection by increasing the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and decreasing the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Conclusion: Overall, therefore, our results indicate that BSN exhibits a significant in vivo hepatic response against murine coccidiosis.

The concurrent presence of helminthiasis and bacterial diseases imposes a dual burden on economies, worsening the challenges associated with each condition independently. This cohabitation intensifies the economic impact, creating a compounding effect on public health and economic well-being. Phytochemical analysis of Cassia alata extract (CAE) using infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of various functional groups. Assessment of the anthelmintic activity of CAE against mature earth worms demonstrated comparable efficacy to the conventional anthelmintic, albendazole. The optimal dosage of 500 mg/ml induced a rapid onset of paralysis (2.7 ± 0.5 min) and death (20.1 ± 1.7 min), outperforming albendazole (20 mg/mL) in terms of faster paralysis and death times (21.8 ± 1.1 and 30.14 ± 3.2 min, respectively). Structural modifications induced by CAE were observed through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Control worms exhibited normal body architecture, while CAE-treated worms displayed size reduction, uniform body wall shrinkage, and increased cuticular thickness. Similar alterations were observed in albendazole-treated worms. The antibacterial activity of CAE was evaluated through a broth dilution assay, revealing a dose-response effect. At 6.25 mg/ml, CAE exhibited 100% inhibitory action against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Significant differences in bacterial viability were noted at lower concentrations, with no significant variation at 0.3906 mg/ml of CAE. These findings highlight the multifaceted bioactivity of CAE, showcasing its potential as an anthelmintic agent and antimicrobial agent against a spectrum of bacterial strains. The observed structural alterations in treated worms provide insights into the potential mechanisms underlying its anthelmintic effects.