Egyptian propolis extracts have an activity on cryptosporidiosis in rats. Moreover, propolis modulated the immunity in dexamethasone-immunosuppressed rats.

The present study evaluated the effects of dietary onion (Allium cepa)powder and its extracts on growth, blood biochemical parameters, non‐specific immune parameters and potential disease resistance against pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Oreochromis niloticus. Fish formulated diets containing onion powder (1% or 0.5%) or onion alcoholic extracts (1% or 0.5%). At the end of the experiment, the weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly increased than control. Besides, red blood cells (RBCs) and haemoglobin (Hb) showed a significant increase with insignificant changes of leukocytic cells count (WBCs), triglycerides, creatinine and uric acid levels. Results showed significant increase of total protein and albumin, and significant enhancement of innate immune response including serum globulins, serum antiprotease, lysozyme activities, myeloperoxidase content and the phagocytic index compared with the control group. Meanwhile feeding on onion increased superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and glutathione‐S‐transferase but significantly decreased hepatic peroxidase. The cumulative mortality of O. niloticus injected with A. hydrophila exhibited relatively low mortality levels in all onion supplemented groups. The relative per cent survivals were 100%, 100%, 80% and 70% in 1% onion powder, 0.5% powder, 1% extract and 0.5% extract groups, respectively, compared with control (60%). Additionally, there was a significant increase in relative immune gene expressions of interleukin 1‐beta (IL‐1β), and transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) in head kidney tissues of treated groups than the control. These results confirm the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative activities of dietary onion with its beneficial effects on growth performance and disease resistance against A. hydrophila in O. niloticus.

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The present study investigated the protective effects of dietary Allium cepa against Saprolegnia parasitica infections and the amelioration of cadmium-induced immunosuppression in Oreochromis niloticus. Saprolegnia isolates were recovered during an outbreak of saprolegniasis in farmed O. niloticus raised in a poor aquatic environment. Isolates were identified phenotypically as S. parasitica. Results were confirmed further by ITS gene sequencing. Four fish groups were kept in water with cadmium (1.5 mg/L) and fed for 30 days on a diet supplemented with crude or alcoholic extracts of A. cepa using two concentrations (0.5% or 1%). Positive (with Cd) and negative (without Cd) control fish groups were given the basal diet. The 96 h LC50 value of Cd in tilapia was (15.1 mg/L Cd). Fish exposed to Cd showed poor growth performance parameters, abnormal biochemical measurements, impaired immunological responses, and high oxidative stress indicators. Feeding tilapia on A. cepa-supplemented diets enhanced their growth performance (WG, SGR) and improved the nonspecific immune responses (WBCs, total protein, globulins, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, and antiproteases). The inclusion of A. cepa in the diets reduced the oxidative stress (GST, SOD) and significantly decreased fish mortality after the challenge with S. parasitica. Dietary supplementation with A. cepa reduced cadmium accumulation in fish organs and up-regulated IL-1β and IFNɣ levels. The most favorable benefits were obtained by the addition of 0.5% A. cepa extract. Our results highlight the immunostimulatory properties of A. cepa dietary supplementation for farmed tilapia and recommend its use prophylactically to control saprolegniasis and mitigate cadmium adverse effects.

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F oal diarrhea is a worldwide major problem in equines and is reported to be the most common cause of death in young age (Barr, 2018; Haq et al., 2018). The affected animals show diarrhea, inappetance, and poor body condition as major clinical signs. While in some per-acute cases, high fever, leukopenia, increase heart rate, anorexia and septic shock were detected (Haq et al., 2017a). It is recorded that nearly 80% of the foals suffered from diarrhea at least one time during their life (Frederick et al., 2009). A single causative agent is often not found (Schoster et al., 2015). However, coinfection between infectious agents was recorded as being more prevalent and may result in

In this work, it is the first time to study the effect of replacing of Na2O by a fixed amount of Li2O or K2O in soda‐lime‐borate glass on its in vivo biocompatibility. The glass composition was based on xM2O‐20x Na2O20 CaO60 B2O3, (wt %), where, M2OLi2O and K2O, and consequently, samples encoded BN100, BK50, and BL50. The degradation test was carried out in 0.25 M K2HPO4 solution. The in vivo test was performed in the femoral bone defect of Sprague–Dawley adult male rat. Following up bone formation was conducted by the histological analyses and bone formation markers (alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and osteocalcin [OCN]). Furthermore, the glass effect on the liver and kidney functions was addressed in this study using (alanine transaminase [ALT] and aspartate transaminase [AST]) and (urea and creatinine), respectively. The results of the degradation test showed that the glass dissolution rate was increased by incorporating of K2O, and its ion release was occurred by a diffusion‐controlled process. Moreover, in vivo bioactivity test showed that serum activity of ALP, OCN level, and the newly formed bone was higher in BL50‐implanted group than that of BN100 andBK50at 3 w and 6 w post‐surgery. As well as, implantation of all glass samples in the femoral bone defect did not alter the liver and kidney functions. In conclusion, the synthesized borate glass was well served as a controlled delivery system for Li+ ion release, which enhanced bone formation as shown from the bone formation markers (ALP and OCN).

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anti-neoplastic therapy, but its use is limited by its deleterious toxic effects including nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. This work aimed at assessing the potential protective effect of Ceratonia siliqua methanol extract (CME) on DOX-induced nephrotoxicity in 5 groups of Wistar rats. Nephrotoxicity was induced experimentally by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of DOX (15 mg/kg). DOX increased serum creatinine, urea, sodium, and potassium levels. It elevated MDA levels in the renal tissue but decreased the concentration of GSH and the activity of GST, CAT, and SOD. Meanwhile, it decreased the level of immunomodulatory anti-inflammatory mediators: IL-10 and TGF-β, as well as the activity of MPO but increased the level of IL-6, TNF-α, and caspase-3 in the renal tissue. DOX has upregulated COX-2, caspase-9, and Bax gene expression and downregulated the Bcl-2 gene expression. Immunolabeling of renal tubular epithelium in DOX-intoxicated rats was moderate to strong against Bax, COX-2, and NF-kβ and weak against Bcl-2. Treatment with CME significantly restored the levels of kidney function parameters and the levels of oxidative stress markers. It stimulated the production of IL-10 and TGF-β and decreased the level of IL-6 and TNF-α. CME reverted the gene expression of COX-2, caspase-9, and Bax. Microscopically, CME alleviated the DOX-induced renal damage. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 26 compounds in the CME. No signs of acute toxicity were recorded by CME up to 4000 mg/kg b. wt. orally into mice. Finally, CME could effectively alleviate the deleterious effects of DOX on the kidney. The safety of carob extract encourages its use in the preparation of valuable therapeutic agents.