PurposeIn eye care field, contact lenses (CL) have a great impact on improving vision, but their use can be limited by ocular infection. CL- associated infections can be reduced by good attention to CL storage case practice. CL-care solutions should be able to control microbial growth on CL.The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of CL-care solutions (found in Egyptian market) with some natural compounds in removal and inhibition of bacterial biofilm formed on soft CL.Clinical isolates were recovered from patients having conjunctivitis from Benha University Hospital and identified microbiologically. Quantification of biofilm was done using microtiter plate assay. Three multipurpose CL-care solutions were examined for their ability to remove and inhibit biofilm. Also four natural extracts having antibacterial activity and are safe on eye were tested for their anti-biofilm activity.ResultsThe major bacterial isolates from eye infections were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (36%) and Staphylococcus spp. (37.8%). Only 33.3% of isolates showed ability to produce weak to moderate biofilm. The tested multi-purpose CL-care solutions showed moderate ability to remove preformed biofilm. Among the tested natural compounds, Calendula officinalis and Buddleja salviifolia extracts showed an excellent efficacy in inhibition of biofilm and also removal of preformed biofilm.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that isolates from infected eye and CL-cases showed weak to moderate biofilm formation. Calendula officinalis and Buddleja salviifolia extracts showed excellent effect on inhibition and removal of biofilm, these extracts could be added into CL-care solutions which could markedly reduce eye-infections during CL-wear.

Paclitaxel (taxol) is one of the most powerful anticancer drugs but it possesses toxic effects on male reproductive system. Propolis, from folkloric remedy, have antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anticancer effects. The present study established to examine the protective impact of Propolis against malformation of semen induced by taxol. Twenty‐four male rats equally divided into four groups. Group I (normal control); group II, administrated Propolis alone; group III, taxol‐treated group received taxol; group IV, co‐administered of taxol and Propolis extract. After 4 weeks of treatment, the semen were collected and testis 24 hr after the last treatment. Sperm count, motility, viability and sperm morphology were assayed. Tissue supernatants were isolated for oxidative stress, cell energy parameters and 8‐OHdG. DNA damage was evaluated using Comet assay in testes. Our results confirmed that taxol‐induced significant reduction in sperm count, motility, viability and recorded marked elevation in sperm abnormalities. Also, taxol caused increased in 8‐OHdG and DNA damage versus that recorded in control group. Treatment with Propolis improving semen quality and protected testis from detrimental effects of taxol and minimises its toxicity. In conclusions, Oral administration of Propolis modulates the toxic impact of taxol by amelioration semen quality, diminishing oxidation state, DNA damage and preserving cell energy.

This work was designed to explore the protective role of resveratrol (RES) against sulfoxaflor (Sulfx)‐induced reproductive toxicity in adult male rats. The animals were divided into six groups: Control group, Sulfx treated groups (79.5 and 205 mg/kg/day), RES treated group (20 mg/kg/day), RES + Sulfx treated groups (20 mg/kg Res + 79.5 or 205 mg/kg Sulfx) orally for 28 consecutive days. Testicular samples were collected from all groups at the end of the treatment period. Tissue supernatants were isolated for oxidative stress and cellular energy parameters; tissue samples were prepared for histopathological examination. In addition, caspase‐3 activity was calculated to assess spermatogenesis. Finally, DNA laddering assay was performed to detect DNA fragmentation as a hallmark of apoptosis. Our results showed that Sulfx treatment induced a significant increase in testicular levels of MDA, NOx, GSSG and reduced GSH level and cellular energy parameters in a dose‐dependent manner compared to the control group. The results were confirmed by histopathological study which showed pathological changes in Sulfx treated groups. A significant increase in caspase 3 and DNA fragmentation was also observed. However, concomitant administration of RES to Sulfx ‐treated rats showed significant modulation against Sulfx‐induced reproductive toxicity and attenuated the biochemical, apoptotic and histopathological changes. In conclusion, our results suggest that exposure to Sulfx at the two selected doses induces testicular toxicity and these effects can be ameliorated by supplementation of RES.

Background Paraquat, (PQ), an herbicide that can induce Parkinsonian-like symptoms in rodents and humans. The consumption of phytochemical-rich plants can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of pomegranate seed extract (PSE) and juice (PJ) against PQ-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Methods Mice were assigned into 4 groups; three groups received PQ (10 mg/kg, i.p.) twice a week for 3 weeks. Two of the PQ-induced groups pretreated with either PSE or PJ. Detection of phytochemicals, total phenolics, and total flavonoids in PSE and PJ was performed. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) level was measured in the substantia nigra (SN) by Western blotting technique. Striatal dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes were estimated in the striatum by colorimetric analysis. Striatal pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as DNA fragmentation degree by qualitative DNA fragmentation assay, were evaluated. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was performed for the detection of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-кB) gene expression. Moreover, Western blotting analysis was used for the estimation of the cluster of differentiation 11b (CD11b), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels in the striatum. Results Pretreatment with PSE or PJ increased the levels of TH in the SN as well as DA and its metabolite in the striatum that were reduced by PQ injection. PSE and PJ preadministration improved the PQ-induced oxidative stress via a significant reduction of the MDA level and the augmentation of antioxidant enzyme activities. PSE and PJ also significantly downregulated the striatal NF-кB gene expression, reduced the PQ-enhanced apoptosis, decreased the levels of; pro-inflammatory cytokines, CD11b, and TGF-β coupled with a significant increase of; interleukin-10 (IL-10), GDNF, and ATP levels as compared with PQ-treated mice. Conclusions The current study indicated that PSE and PJ consumption may exhibit protective effects against PQ-induced neurotoxicity in mice.

Moulds are found in many foodstuffs and produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins which are dangerous to the human health and livestock. Aflatoxins (AFs) are the most important mycotoxins affecting the human health and trade in the world. There is an inevitable exposure to AFs in developing countries. The current study aimed to investigate the ameliorative role of turmeric (tur) against AFs toxicity in adult male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) fed on mouldy bread. Twenty-four rats were equally allotted into 4 groups: GpI (control group: fed on dry normal bread), GpII (mouldy bread group: fed on mouldy bread), GpIII (fed on normal bread + 60 mg tur/kg body weight/day), and GpIV (fed on mouldy bread + 60 mg tur/kg body weight/day). Total AFs concentration was measured in mouldy bread, and accordingly the daily dose of AFs was 0.272 mg/kg body weight of rat. After 30 days, the effect of tur on AFs toxicity was evaluated by investigating the activity of aminotransferases, kidney function, lipid profile, and glucose level in serum, as well as genotoxicity and histopathological alterations. Feeding rats with mouldy bread containing AFs led to a significant increase in the activities of serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, the concentrations of serum creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose, as well as genotoxicity in bone marrow cells and histopathological lesions in the liver and kidneys tissues. However, tur supplementation alleviated significantly almost all the above-mentioned harmful effects of AFs.