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Clinoptilolite zeolite was functionalized with green MgO nanoplatelets utilizing the extract of green tea leaves in the presence of sonication irradiation forming green nanocomposite (MgO(NP)/Clino). The MgO(NP)/Clino was evaluated as an enhanced adsorbent for three types of quinolones antibiotics (levofloxacin (LF), ciprofloxacin (CF), and pefloxacin (PF)). The maximum MgO(NP)/Clino uptake capacities for LF (169.4 mg/g), CF (196 mg/g), and PF (185.18 mg/g) was higher than both clinoptilolite and MgO components. The kinetic behaviors of LF, CF, and PF adsorption follow the Pseudo-First order model with equilibration intervals of 240 min (LF), 240 min (CF), and 180 min (LF). The equilibrium investigation suggests Langmuir isotherm properties of monolayer and homogenous uptake processes for LF, CF, and PF. The Gaussian energies of LF (6.65 kJ/mol), CF (6.3 kJ/mol), and PF (7.4 kJ/mol) related to physical, spontaneous, and exothermic adsorption mechanisms considering the thermodynamic parameters. The MgO(NP)/Clino achieved remarkable capacities for LF, CF, and PF antibiotics either in the co-presence of anions (SO42-, PO43-, and NO3−) or metal cations (Cd2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+). The recyclability assessment of MgO(NP)/Clino emphasized its high stability considering the five studied cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perinatal exposure to nicotine imbalances the redox status in newborns. This study investigated the effect of Anethum graveolens (dill) extract on oxidative stress and tissue injury in the liver and kidney of mice newborns exposed to nicotine perinatally. Pregnant mice received nicotine (0.25 mg/kg) on gestational day 12 to day 5 after birth and/or A. graveolens extract on gestational day 1 to day 15 after birth. Newborn mice exposed to nicotine showed multiple histopathological alterations in the kidney and liver, including inflammatory cell infiltration and degenerative changes. Nicotine exposure increased hepatic and renal reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (p < 0.001), and decreased antioxidant defenses (p < 0.001). A. graveolens supplementation significantly prevented liver and kidney injury, suppressed ROS generation (p < 0.001), lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001) and inflammatory response (p < 0.001), and enhanced antioxidant defenses. In addition, A. graveolens upregulated hepatic and renal Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and increased HO-1 activity in normal and nicotine-exposed mice. In conclusion, A. graveolens protects against perinatal nicotine-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and tissue injury in the liver and kidney of newborn mice. A. graveolens upregulated hepatic and renal Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and enhanced antioxidant defenses in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation with WP could enhance the liver functions of diabetic rats. A total of 45 male rats were assigned into a control group (C), a diabetic group (DM) and a diabetic group orally supplemented with WP (DMWP) at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. WP was found to decrease the expression levels of Flavin monooxygenase 2 gene in the WP supplemented group of rats in comparison to the non-supplemented ones. A significant restoration of the expression level of interferon-γ was observed in DMWP rats in comparison to the control ones. Additionally, WP supplementation was found to significantly restore the levels of both Akt1 and Fas in the WP supplemented group in comparison to both the control group and the non-supplemented diabetic group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with WP enhances the liver functions in the diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tobacco use is a major global health issue linked to psychiatric illnesses and high mortality rates. Nicotine, the primary compound absorbed during smoking, causes harm to various organs, particularly the brain. The current study examined the modulatory effect of Teucrium polium extract (TPE) on nicotine-induced biochemical and histological changes in the brains of mice., Methods: Twenty-four mice were divided into four groups and were treated for three weeks. Group one was the control; Group two received 100 mg/kg TPE orally; Group three was subcutaneously injected with 2.5 mg/kg nicotine, and Group four received both nicotine and TPE., Results: The brain tissue of the nicotine-induced group showed histopathological alterations and oxidative stress as indicated by increased lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels concomitant with decreased glutathione content and superoxide dismutase activity. DNA fragmentation was also detected by comet assay. Treatment with TPE significantly decreased oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation while increasing antioxidant biomarkers. Histopathological changes were also diminished., Conclusion: Through the antioxidant activity of TPE, it protected against nicotine-induced neurotoxicity in mice by impacting oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, and brain histopathological changes., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

A total number of 360 laying Japanese quail (8 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 12 groups. Birds in all groups had nearly the same average initial body weight. A factorial arrangement (4 × 3) was performed including four levels of dietary cadmium (Cd) as cadmium chloride (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg diet) and three levels of feed additives (without, 300 mg/kg ascorbic acid and 1.50% natural clay). Results revealed that Cd contaminated feed caused significant (p < 0.01) retardation in body weight, lower egg number and egg mass and worse feed conversion. On the other hand, the addition of ascorbic acid or natural clay to quail diets caused a significant (p < 0.01) improvement in all studied traits. With respect to the interaction among Cd and the experimental additives, results showed that within each Cd level, ascorbic acid or clay supplementation recorded the highest body weight, egg number, egg weight and mass in addition to improved feed conversion. Cadmium levels decreased (p < 0.05) blood total protein, albumen and A/G ratio. Both 300 mg ascorbic acid and 1.50% clay increased (p < 0.05) blood total protein and albumen compared to non-supplemented groups. It could be concluded that the consumption of polluted diets Cd causes deleterious effects on the productive performance of laying Japanese quail. The addition of ascorbic acid or natural clay to the diets causes beneficial effects on productive performance traits, improves egg quality criteria and diminishes the toxic effects of Cd., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest, financial, or otherwise, is declared by the authors.