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Abstract Background Casuarina equisetifolia belongs to the Casuarina species with the most extensive natural distribution, which contain various phytochemicals with potential health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and biological activities of different extracts of Casuarina equisetifolia. Methods The n-hexane extract was analyzed for its unsaponifiable and fatty acid methyl esters fractions, while chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol extracts were studied for their phenolic components. Six different extracts of C. equisetifolia needles were evaluated for their total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. Results The n-hexane extract contained mainly hydrocarbons and fatty acid methyl esters, while ten phenolic compounds were isolated and identified in the chloroform, ethyl acetate, and butanol extracts. The methanolic extract exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content, highest antioxidant activity, and most potent cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines. The ethyl acetate extract showed the most significant inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Conclusion Casuarina equisetifolia extracts showed promising antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. Overall, Casuarina equisetifolia is a versatile tree with a variety of uses, and its plant material can be used for many different purposes.

Background/aim Scientists have proven that the main cause of endodontic diseases and failures is the existence of micro-organisms in the root canals and inside the dentinal tubules. So the aim of the study was to compare the antibacterial effect of Erbium, chromium-doped yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser and diode laser 980 nm alone and in combination with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm and also compare their effect on the morphology and mineral content of root canal dentin by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Materials and methods The specimens used in our study were fifty four extracted human single-rooted teeth. They were collected from the Dental Department of the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Egypt. Mechanical preparation was done to all teeth after their crowns were removed. They were autoclaved, and after that, they were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis for 30 days. Roots were divided into six groups (each=9) according to type of treatment. Group A: 5.25% NaOCl, group B: Er,Cr:YSGG laser, group C: 5.25% NaOCl and Er,Cr:YSGG laser, group D: diode laser 980 nm, group E: 5.25% NaOCl and diode laser 980 nm, in addition to control group: saline. Their antibacterial effect was assessed before and after treatment. Changes in the morphology and mineral content of root canal dentin were assessed by SEM and EDX. Statistical analysis was done. Results Group C had significantly the highest percentage of Enterococcus faecalis reduction (98.95%), followed by group E (98.04%), then group D (95.27%), then group A (94.65%), then group B (92.99%), while the control group had significantly the lowest percentage of Enterococcus faecalis reduction (0.22%). Regarding SEM results, group B and group D exhibited score 1 (88.9%), control group and group C score 3 (77.8%), group A score 4 (88.9%), and group E score 5 (88.9%). Regarding EDX results, group B was significantly the lowest in Ca/P ratio, while there was an insignificant difference between other groups. Conclusions Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and diode laser, when used without 5.25% NaOCl irrigant, produced less morphological changes to dentinal tubules, but when combined with 52.5% NaOCl irrigant, produced more antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis. Lasers alone or combined with 5.25% NaOCl irrigant produced changes in the mineral content of root canal dentin.

Background/aim Laser technology is an essential aid tool for endodontic treatment procedures. The most common type of laser used in the endodontic field was diode laser 980 nm. The present work aimed to assess the morphological variations and chemical changes in root canal dentin treated with diode laser 980 nm in two directions parallel and perpendicular by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Materials and methods Thirty extracted human single-rooted lower premolars teeth with mature apex were chosen from Dental Department of Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Egypt. Their crowns were resected at the cement-enamel junction (CEJ), and their roots were mechanically prepared. The roots were categorized into two groups (each = 15): according to the direction of laser application. In group A the laser was directed parallel to the root canal, while in the group B it was directed perpendicular to the root canal. All groups were analyzed by SEM and EDS examination. Statistical analysis was done by Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests and comparison between two groups was performed by independent t-analysis, while in qualitative data Chi-square test was used. Results The results of group A where the laser was directed parallel to the root canal exhibited score 1 (86.7%) in the coronal section, score 3 (80%) in the middle section, and score 4 (80%) in the apical section. The results of group B where the laser was directed perpendicular to the root canal represented score 1 (86.7%) in the coronal section, score 1 (73.3%) in the middle section, and score 3 (73.3%) in the apical section. Conclusion Diode laser 980 nm in a perpendicular direction to root canal dentin surface produced more morphological changes than when used in a parallel direction, however regarding the chemical changes, there were no chemical changes detected between the two directions.

Abstract Background The most common species in the Satureja genus is Satureja montana (family Lamiaceae). The present work aims to use the molecular docking study to predict the isolated constituents against an immune system immunomodulator and tested alcoholic extract as an in-vitro immunomodulatory agent. Methods All isolated compound's structures were determined using various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant profiles were studied for an alcoholic extract of the plant; the molecular docking study was performed for the isolated compounds (1–4). Results In this work, four recognized compounds were extracted from the ethyl acetate fraction of S. montana (Sm) methanolic extract and identified as two triterpenes ursolic acid (1) and oleanolic acid (2), one phenolic acid as ellagic acid (3), and one flavonoidal compound as isoscutellarein (4). The total alcoholic extract exhibited good in vitro anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptotic activity. Its IC50 was 10.12 compared to 15.1 μg/ml of standard celecoxib. It also showed potent antioxidant activity with IC50 10.4, 11.3, 14.6, and 22.3 IU/ml for SOD, MDA, catalase, and TAC, respectively. According to the drug similarity and ADMET tests, their ligands may have favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics with minimal carcinogenic influence. The molecular docking study was performed for the isolated compounds (1–4). Conclusions The alcoholic extract of the plant showed promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties. The theoretical studies for the isolated compounds showed promising binding affinity against all the examined enzymes.

This study shows that salt type and pH affect the removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water through flocculation and electro-enhanced flocculation. PFOA concentrations decreased by approximately 80% with 20 mM Fe[Cl.sub.3] and initial pH = 3-10. Electro-enhanced flocculation at pH = 3 reduced PFOA concentrations in water by approximately 70% with Ca[Cl.sub.2] and KCl, and by 50% with NaCl. At alkaline pH, PFOA removal was approximately 20% with Ca[Cl.sub.2] and KCl. PFOA removal was negligible without salts or with Al[Cl.sub.3], and with NaCl at alkaline pH. Differences in PFOA removal are likely due to the settling behaviour of the cation-PFOA complexes formed. Key words: electro-enhanced flocculation, flocculation, interfacial tension, perfluorooctanoic acid, separation. Cette etude montre que le type de sel et le pH influent sur l'elimination de l'acide perfluorooctanoique (APFO) de l'eau par floculation et floculation electro-intensifiee. Les concentrations d'APFO ont diminue d'environ 80 % avec 20 mmol de Fe[Cl.sub.3] et un pH initial de 3-10. La floculation electro-intensifiee a pH = 3 a reduit les concentrations d'APFO dans l'eau d'environ 70 % avec le Ca[Cl.sub.2] et le KCl et de 50 % avec le NaCl. A un pH alcalin, l'elimination de l'APFO etait d'environ 20 % avec Ca[Cl.sub.2] et KCl. L'elimination de l'APFO etait negligeable sans sels ou avec l'Al[Cl.sub.3], et avec le NaCl a pH alcalin. Les differences dans l'elimination de l'APFO sont probablement attribuables au comportement de decantation des complexes cations-APFO formes. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: floculation electro-intensifiee, floculation, tension interfaciale, acide perfluorooctanoique, separation., 1. Introduction Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; Fig. 1) is a carcinogenic perfluorinated amphiphilic carboxylic acid and it is extremely persistent in the environment. PFOA has been detected in the blood of [...]

Fruits and vegetables are an integral part of our diet attributed to their appealing taste, flavor, and health-promoting characteristics. However, due to their high-water activity, they are susceptible to microbial spoilage and diseases at any step in the food supply chain, from pre-harvest treatment to post-harvest storage and transportation. As a result, food researchers and engineers are developing innovative technologies that can be used to reduce the loss of fruits and vegetables on-farm and during postharvest processing. The purpose of this study was to gather and discuss the scientific data on the disease-suppressive activity of nanoparticles against plant pathogens. The progress and limitations of innovative approaches for improving nanoparticles' efficiency and dependability have been studied to develop effective substitutes for synthetic chemical fungicides and pesticides, in managing disease in fruits and vegetables. The findings of this study strongly suggests that nanotechnology has the required ability for disease suppression in fruits and vegetables. Applications of specific nanoparticles under specified conditions can enhance nutrition delivery to plants, provide better antibacterial and disease suppression activity. Nanoparticles can also lessen the quantity of agrichemicals/metals released into the environment as compared to standard formulations, which is one of the most impressive advances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation of the lipid constituents of the aerial parts of Phyllanthus atropurpureus resulted in isolation and identification of the fatty acid mixture which consists of eight acids with linolenic acid as major and the unsaponifiable fraction that contain a series of hydrocabons, sterols, in addition to one triterpene (α-amyrin). The acetone insoluble fraction was found to contain two fatty alcohols and three n-hydrocabons in which the n-eicosane is the most abundant (44.16%). The flavonoidal constituents were isolated from ethyl acetate and butanol fractions which were identified as: luteolin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol 3-O-(p-coumaroylglucoside), kaempferitrin, luteolin and kaempferol. Evaluation of different extracts as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChI), established the chloroform fraction as a promising inhibitor of the enzyme. The antioxidant testing with DPPH radical revealed the potential of precipitate from MeOH extract as a radical scavenger.

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