ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the protective role of chitosannano-carriers loaded with the ethyl acetate extract of a Stenotrophomonas sp. bacteria associated with the Red Sea Sponge Amphimedon ochracea CCl 4 induced hepatic damage in rats using the hepatological parameters. Healthy 80 male SpragueDawley rats weighed 50 -80 gm were used. The animals were randomly divided into eight groups. Serum ALT and AST, albumin, direct buluibin and histopathological examinations were investigated. Liver targeting of the drugs has been achieved after administration of drug loaded spherical particles. This mode of administration of drugs enhanced its overall delivery to the liver via passive targeting. The present study revealed that the treatment with ethyl acetate bacterial extract (10 mg/Kg body weight) protected rats from hepatotoxic action of CCl 4 . Usage of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with the bacterial extract as a drug delivery system has greatly improved the curative effect of bacterial extract. Moreover, histopathological studies showed marked reduction in fatty degeneration and centrizonal necrosis in animals receiving the nano-chitosan loaded with the bacterial extract along with ethanol compared to the control group.

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The aim of the present study is to evaluate the transition metals overload in Abu-Qir Bay in Egypt, as compared to a less polluted area (reference area) through some biomarkers of oxidative stress. Catalase enzyme activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and DNA damage (number of apurinic/apyrimidinic sites) were the tested biomarkers. The levels of iron and copper in Mugil cephalus liver tissues were significantly higher in samples from the polluted area as compared to the reference area: Fe: 407 ± 38 vs. 216 ± 21 lg/g wet wt; p = 0.008, Cu: 54 ± 6 vs. 17.7 ± 4 lg/g wet wt; p = 0.0001. This could account for the observed increase in MDA concentration (15.7 ± 5.7 vs. 2.5 ± 0.5 U/g; p = 0.035), and the elevated number of AP sites (13.9 ± 2.6 vs. 0.37 ± 0.2 AP site/1 · 10 5 bp; p = 0.0001). Similarly, the activity of catalase enzyme responsible for the cellular defense was significantly high (58.3 ± 12.2 vs. 28.4 ± 4.0 U/mg; p = 0.032). The present data indicated a clear relationship between the pollution degree of the above marine environment and both biochemical and molecular responses of the piscine system.

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Sponges are sessile animals and important filter feeders belonging to the phylum Porifera. These organisms have developed efficient defense mechanisms, harboring bacterial communities capable of producing bioactive compounds. These compounds may aid in antibiotic production research since they were shown to be active against bacteria of medical importance. The current study aimed at the isolation and identification of some sponge-associated bacteria and to evaluate their potential as antimicrobial producers. Five Gram-positive bacterial isolates were isolated from the two sponge species; Ircinia echinata and Amphimedon sp., collected from the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea on Egypt (Hurghada).The 5 bacterial isolates were coded as HA1, HA2, HA3, HA4 and HA5, and identified by 16S rDNA analysis as Bacillus sp., Lysinibacillus boronitolerans, Planomicrobium flavidum, Bacillus safensis and Bacillus pumilus; respectively. The bacterial isolates were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity as well as multidrug resistant pathogens. The results revealed that three of the isolates had strong antimicrobial potential towards multidrug resistant bacteria. Meanwhile, two isolates showed no vast antimicrobial potential. These findings suggested that the marine bacteria may represent a promising source of antimicrobial agents, as an important strategy for developing alternative therapies for treating infectious diseases caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

There are numerous studies investigating the effectiveness and potential clinical applications of Spirulina in treating several diseases. So, the present essay was designed to Cultivate Spirulina sp. in three different media; namely (modified commercial low cost Zarrouk medium (MS), Khul medium and Sea Water enriched medium), to compare Biomass concentrations (g/lDW) and optical density (OD) for 20 days, and phytochemical screening (Total phenolic, total flavonoids and Antioxidant activity) of the crude extract of all media with commercial Spirulina (dry product). In addition, examine possible potentials of Spirulina against hepatic intoxication induced by CCl4 in albino male mice. Results revealed that, methanolic extract recorded the highest values in modified Zarrouk's medium (88.98 mg gallic acid equivalent/ml, 78.57 mg Rutin equivalent/ml and 82.04%) in Total phenolic, total flavonoids and Antioxidant activity respectively. Conclusively, Spirulina showed an ameliorating effect of CCl4 induced chromosomal aberrations of bone marrow cells; which proves the protective role of it against the chromosomal damage.

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