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Drinking water quality plays a remarkable role in human infections and diseases. This study used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques to detect bacterial pathogens. In addition, a physicochemical analysis was performed on drinking water samples from several sources. A total of 123 drinking water samples were collected from different areas in the Jazan region in Saudi Arabia: ground water (40 samples), bottled water (15 samples), tap water (52 samples), and water purification shops (16 samples). To isolate the bacterial pathogens, the water samples were spread on Nutrient and MacConkey agar media, and the grown pathogens were then identified by the 16S ribosomal RNA technique. In 87 (70.7%) of the 123 drinking water samples, there was no pathogen growth on the two-culture medium. However, 36 (29.3%) of the samples were found to be contaminated with bacteria. The physicochemical analysis indicated that the water samples were within the Saudi drinking water standards. The bacteria were resistant to Cefotaxime, Cefotaxime/Clavulanic acid, Erythromycin, Penicillin G, Rifampin and Sulfamethoxazole–Trimethoprim, respectively. The findings suggest that in Jazan, bottled water is a safer source of potable water than tap water. The contamination in the water may be occurring at the reservoirs rather than the water sources.

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Purpose: To investigate the possible occurrence of some selected pharmaceutical compounds in the groundwater of Jazan area, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Water samples from 46 wells were collected from different sites covering Jazan area of Saudi Arabia between February and March 2017. These samples were first analyzed to investigate the presence of eleven drugs mostly used in the study area. Thereafter, samples were subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) by direct injection and external standard calibration. Results: Despite the low detection limit (0.001-0.02 µg/L) applied to the investigated compounds with a variety chemical groups (acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, ibuprofen, metronidazole, caffeine, olmesartan, omeprazole, nifedipine, diclofenac sodium, glibenclamide and loratidine), none of these compounds was detected in any of the analyzed samples. Conclusion: The main source of environmental contamination with pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) is wastewater. The results obtained reveal the absence of groundwater contamination by these compounds in Jazan area. However, further extended investigations and monitoring are recommended.

Recent studies have highlighted the necessity to thoroughly evaluate medicinal plants due to their therapeutic potential. The current study delves into the phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity, and hepatoprotective effect of Andrographis paniculata. The investigation specifically targets its effectiveness in mitigating liver dysfunction induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Wistar albino rats, aiming to uncover its promising role as a natural remedy for liver-related ailments. A. paniculata leaf extract was screened for phytoconstituents and antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects in Wistar albino rats against CCl4-induced liver dysfunction. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds in all extracts. The phenolic concentration ranged from 10.23 to 19.52 mg gallic acid per gram of the sample, while the highest flavonoid concentration was found in the ethanol fraction (8.27 mg rutin equivalents per gram). The antioxidant activity varied from 10.23 to 62.23. GC-MS analysis identified several phytochemicals including octadecanoic acid, stigmasterol, phenanthrenecarboxylic acid, and others. Effects of the ethanol extract of A. paniculata were evaluated in four groups of animals. Biochemical estimations of serum glutamine oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamine pyruvate transaminase, and serum bilirubin were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the CCl4-treated group. Treatment with 300 mg/kg b.w. of the ethanol extract of A. paniculata significantly (p < 0.05) decreased these serum enzymes. Lipid peroxidation levels in carbon tetrachloride-treated animals showed a substantial (p < 0.05) rise when compared to untreated animals, while the lipid peroxidation levels were considerably (p < 0.05) reduced after treatment with ethanol extract at 300 mg/kg b.w. Liver biochemical catalase activities were significantly reduced in the carbon tetrachloride-treated animals. The results of this study conclusively demonstrate that A. paniculata extracts are a rich source of phytochemicals and possess significant antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and hepatoprotective properties.

Caffeine is a well-known central nervous system stimulant, which can cause anxiety, insomnia and nervousness. Domestic wastes of caffeinated drinks, beverages and chocolates are the major sources for entry of caffeine in the environmental system. Caffeine has been widely detected in natural water resources. The current study describes a method for efficient removal of caffeine from aqueous solution by a laboratory scale dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in open air. Caffeine concentrations in various sample solutions were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the degradation products were identified by directly injecting the sample to mass spectrometer. The consequences of varied parameters such as input power, initial concentration and initial pH of the solution on the degradation of caffeine were investigated. Removal efficiency of caffeine from aqueous solution was 72.6% and 96.6% for the initial concentrations of 100 and 1 µg/mL, respectively, at initial pH 7 after 4 min treatment in DBD plasma system with 60 W input powers. Caffeine removal efficiency was less in acidic solutions (initial pH 4), and insignificant degradation was observed in alkaline solutions (initial pH 10). Furthermore, the degradation of caffeine was also enhanced by increasing the input power in DBD system. The DBD system used in this study has been considered to be fast, effective and economical. It was operated at atmospheric condition in open air without using catalyst, expensive gases or organic solvents, and significant degradation of caffeine was achieved in a short (4 min) treatment time.

The present study evaluated the potential antibacterial activity of Artemisia absinthium L. and Artemisia herba-alba Asso. extracts through different organic and aqueous solvents. The tested bacteria were pathogenic types; Listeriamonocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus. There were different affinities for the studied organic solvents besides aqueous one. The comparative study was accomplished with comparing to the morphological, anatomical and palynological characters. The similarity parameter is obtained. ANOVA test analyzed MIC values for both plant extracts. Pearson Correlation Coefficients were determined for all both plant traits. MIC and MBC values were confirmed on using butanol and diethyl ether extracts besides butanol and chloroform extracts for Artemisia absinthium L. and Artemisia hera alba Asso against tested pathogenic bacteria respectively as an alternative natural antibacterial inhibitor agent.