Wafaa Hikal | National Research Centre (original) (raw)

Papers by Wafaa Hikal

Deleted Journal, Dec 31, 2023

Recently, there has been great concern about the levels of oral diseases associated with inapprop... more Recently, there has been great concern about the levels of oral diseases associated with inappropriate and unsanitary oral care methods. In this line, the most serious is the water contamination with pathogenic microbes. Owing to the water microbial contamination of dental units, patients' oral health is threatened as a result of systemic disorders. Patients receiving treatment in dental unit waterlines were found to be affected by dangerous bacteria. Since both clients and dental staff are exposed to aerosols and water from dental equipment, the water should be of great quality. Due to the fact that dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) create a suitable environment for microbial development and the formation of biofilms, the water is often contaminated with a high density of several microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses), causing a health problem for dentists, patients and elderly patients, especially those with immunocompromised. This has fueled interest in presenting the current situation to shed light on (i) the microbial contamination of DUWLs and (ii) the connected Dental unit waterlines and health risks …283 infectious risks. It is essential that an elevated degree of mouth care be combined with adequate water quality and preventive dental units to maintain oral comfort, prevent deterioration, and promote public health. The growing population of individuals with compromised immune systems and the latest technological advancements concerning biofilms, water quality, etc. necessitate the implementation of improved management practices and the application of decontamination protocols for waterlines.

Plants are rich source of natural bioactive phytochemicals. Medicinal plants have ingredients tha... more Plants are rich source of natural bioactive phytochemicals. Medicinal plants have ingredients that can treat a disease or can be used to manufacture useful drugs. Herbal medicines are an important part of culture and traditions all over the world. Present review discusses the reported work on the genus Buddleja, due its chemical components and medicinal uses including structures, origins and the potent biologically active natural products isolated from Genus Buddleja, which is known for having many important pharmacologically active substances. The Genus Buddleja have more than 150 species, many of them are distributed in Mediterranean and Asian regions. Traditionally, species of the genus are reported to be used for healing, treatment of liver diseases, bronchial complaints, preventing several other diseases by exhibiting diuretic properties, sedative functions, analgesic potential, antirheumatic actions, antimicrobial activities, anti-hyperglycemic functions and antioxidant properties. A very small number of common species of the Genus Buddleja have been investigated for their biological potential. So, for purposes of the review are shedding light on the plants of the genus Buddleja being promising plants and conducting further examination, study and investigation of their chemical components and biological efficiency.

Springer eBooks, 2022

This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on electrochemical sensors based... more This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on electrochemical sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on nanostructured carbon material surfaces for electrochemical detection. The combination of polymers and carbon nanomaterials for the development of electrochemical sensors unfolds new research opportunities in this area by virtue of the underlying properties of this class of sensors which include biocompatibility and excellent sensitivity, selectivity and stability. Furthermore, the aim of this review is to highlight recent achievements in analytical applications of these MIP-based electrochemical sensors in nanostructured carbon material for a wide range of sensing technologies.

Noor Publishing eBooks, Mar 28, 2017

Flowers cup-shaped, 6-7 cm long, 5-7 cm wide, San Francisco Botanical Garden Spineless form with ... more Flowers cup-shaped, 6-7 cm long, 5-7 cm wide, San Francisco Botanical Garden Spineless form with fruit Fruit is an edible oblong berry containing many seeds Close-up of seeds Cladodes of spiny form browsed by camel without pre-treatment, Eritrea Removing spines with fire to feed unarmed cladodes to cattle (Abay 2018)   Opuntia ficus-indica Scientific name Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Synonyms Basionym: Cactus ficus-indica L.; Cactus decumanus Willd.; Opuntia albicarpa Scheinvar; Opuntia amyclaea Ten.; Opuntia cordobensis Speg.; Opuntia decumana (Willd.) Haw.; Opuntia ficus-barbarica A. Berger; Opuntia ficus-indica var. gymnocarpa (F.A.C. Weber) Speg.; Opuntia gymnocarpa F.A.C. Weber; Opuntia hispanica Griffiths; Opuntia joconostle F.A.C. Weber ex Diguet; Opuntia maxima Mill.; Opuntia megacantha Salm-Dyck; Opuntia paraguayensis K. Schum. Family/tribe Family: Cactaceae subfamily: Opuntioideae tribe: Opuntieae.

Molecules, Jul 8, 2022

Isolated from Simmondsia chinensis and Rosmarinus officinalis Cultivated in Northern Egypt: Chemi... more Isolated from Simmondsia chinensis and Rosmarinus officinalis Cultivated in Northern Egypt: Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activity against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst).

Aswan University Journal of Environmental Studies (Print), Feb 2, 2022

Continuous and advanced studies are necessary to explore and meet the continuous need of safe pla... more Continuous and advanced studies are necessary to explore and meet the continuous need of safe plant compounds necessary for pharmaceutical, therapeutic, food and other industries, especially special phytochemicals to be used as herbal and complementary medicine to combat various diseases and disorders. In this review, we highlight the uses of Ricinus communis in traditional medicine for treatment and others since ancient civilizations and its content of chemical compounds with multiple biological and therapeutic effects, including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenes and oils and their uses as anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, insecticide and anti-asthma Anti-ulcers, antimalarials, anti-inflammatories, hepatoprotective, bone regeneration, analgesics and anticonvulsants. It is worth noting that Ricinus communis grows in tropical and subtropical regions widely distributed throughout the world and the active substances are found in various parts of the plant, which necessitated that we focus the light on the plant and its multiple benefits and its rich effective compounds to further clinical, experimental and advanced studies to explore more and verify safety prospects.

Tropical Biomedicine, Dec 30, 2020

Giardiasis is the major water-borne diarrheal disease present worldwide caused by the common inte... more Giardiasis is the major water-borne diarrheal disease present worldwide caused by the common intestinal parasite, Giardia duodenalis. This work aims to investigate the effect of G. duodenalis infection pathogenicity in immunosuppressed animals through histopathological examination. A total of 45 BALB/c mice were divided into four groups; G1 (negative control), G2 (healthy animals exposed to Giardia); G3 (immunosuppressed animals exposed to Giardia), and G4 (non-exposed immunosuppressed animals). Our study revealed that G3 was the most affected group with an infection rate of 100%. The animals showed general weakness, soft stool, and high death rate with severe histopathological changes in the duodenum and mild degenerative changes in hepatic tissues. In G2, the maximal lesions in both duodenum and liver were on the 11 th day. We spotted damage in the villi, edema in the central core, and submucosa, in addition to increased cellular infiltration with inflammation in lamina propria. The presence of the parasites within the villi and the lumen was clear. Most of the hepatocytes revealed hydropic and fatty changes, also dilated congested central veins and edema were observed. G3 changes were more intense than G2 with massive Giardia trophozoites between the intestinal villi, lumen, and extensive fatty liver degeneration. Immune suppression plays a significant role in the severity of injury with the Giardia parasites in duodenum and liver cells.

Insects

Arthropods are reported to serve as vectors of transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to human... more Arthropods are reported to serve as vectors of transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to humans, animals, and the environment. The aims of our study were (i) to identify the external bacteriota of spiders inhabiting a chicken farm and slaughterhouse and (ii) to detect antimicrobial resistance of the isolates. In total, 102 spiders of 14 species were collected from a chicken farm, slaughterhouse, and buildings located in west Slovakia in 2017. Samples were diluted in peptone buffered water, and Tryptone Soya Agar (TSA), Triple Sugar Agar (TSI), Blood Agar (BA), and Anaerobic Agar (AA) were used for inoculation. A total of 28 genera and 56 microbial species were isolated from the samples. The most abundant species were Bacillus pumilus (28 isolates) and B. thuringensis (28 isolates). The least isolated species were Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (one isolate), Kocuria rhizophila (two isolates), Paenibacillus polymyxa (two isolates), and Staphylococcus equorum (two isolates). There were d...

Molecules

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), ... more The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), are key stored-product pests in Egypt and worldwide. The extensive use of synthetic insecticides has led to adverse effects on the environment, human health, and pest resistance. As a result, environmentally friendly pest management alternatives are desperately required. The botanical oils of jojoba, Simmondsia chinensis (L.), and rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. plants growing in Egypt were extracted, identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and evaluated for their insecticidal activity against S. oryzae and T. castaneum. The main constituents identified in BOs were carvyl acetate (20.73%) and retinol (16.75%) for S. chinensis and camphor (15.57%), coumarin (15.19%), verbenone (14.82%), and 1,8-cineole (6.76%) for R. officinalis. The S. chinensis and R. officinalis BOs caused significant contact toxicities against S. oryzae and T. castaneum adults, providing LC50 v...

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

In recent years, scientists’ interest in agricultural waste has increased, and the waste has beco... more In recent years, scientists’ interest in agricultural waste has increased, and the waste has become attractive to explore and benefit from, rather than being neglected waste. Banana peels have attracted the attention of researchers due to their bioactive chemical components, so we focused on this review article on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of banana peels that can be used as good sources of natural antioxidants and for pharmaceutical purposes in treating various diseases. Banana is an edible fruit belonging to the genus Musa (Musaceae), cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Banana peels are used as supplementary feed for livestock in their cultivation areas. Its massive by-products are an excellent source of high-value raw materials for other industries by recycling agricultural waste. Hence, the goal is to use banana by-products in various food and nonfood applications and sources of natural bioactive compounds. It can be concluded that banana peel can ...

Asian Journal of Research in Biosciences, Jul 2, 2021

Asian Journal of Research in Biosciences, Jun 19, 2021

Open Journal of Ecology, 2021

Nowadays, the fast development of nanobiotechnology, has led to rapid diagnosis of important infe... more Nowadays, the fast development of nanobiotechnology, has led to rapid diagnosis of important infectious diseases such as arboviruses-borne diseases, vector-borne infections and waterborne parasites diseases and others in order to reduce and avoid further dissemination of the infections within the general population. Furthermore, new nanomedicines based on the application of silver and gold nanoparticles which are less toxic, more effective, and that does not generate resistance could help to solve the problems of parasitic disease like leishmaniasis and chagas disease. It turns out that the combination of nanoparticles with antibiotics not only reduces the toxicity of both agents towards human cells but also enhances their ability to destroy bacteria by facilitating the binding of antibiotics to the microbes. Moreover, combining nanoparticles with antimicrobial peptides and essential oils with nanoparticles generates genuine synergy against microbial resistance.

Since ancient times, essential oils have been used for many purposes; the most important uses are... more Since ancient times, essential oils have been used for many purposes; the most important uses are the treatment of disease in various ancient civilizations and cultures around the world and used widely for bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, antiparasitical, insecticidal, medicinal and cosmetic applications, as well as pharmaceutical, agricultural and food industries. Essential oils are natural products obtained from plant raw material by different extraction methods techniques and found in various parts of the plant organs. The mostly essential oils extraction by distillation from aromatic plants, they contain a variety of volatile molecules such as terpenes, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids and other components. Essential oils have the broad range biological activities which are due to the chemical compounds that make up essential oils.

Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocyt... more Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocytosis. The ability of Acanthamoeba to feed on gram-negative bacteria, as well as to harbor potential pathogens suggests that both amoebae and bacteria are involved in complex interactions, which may play important roles in the environment and in human health. We report here the isolation of three Acanthamoeba strains, two are potentially pathogenic and the 3 rd one is potentially nonpathogenic from the Nile River and tap water sources from different localities in greater Cairo, Egypt and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus specific primer. We studied Acanthamoeba species interactions with certain types of pathogenic bacteria isolated from the same water sources, by direct microscopically observation of a simple "agar plate" experimental system and have confirmed the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria, using transmission electron microscopy and tested the abi...

Copyright © 2014 Elena Fasano et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creativ... more Copyright © 2014 Elena Fasano et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Several advantages may derive from the use of dietary supplements containing multiple natural antioxidants and/or anti-inflammatory agents. At present, however, there is scarce information on the properties and potential of combined supplements. To fill the gap, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities exerted by a combination of seven natural components (coenzyme Q10, krill oil, lipoic acid, resveratrol, grape seed oil,

Plants and essential oils are used in traditional medicine against parasitic diseases. This revie... more Plants and essential oils are used in traditional medicine against parasitic diseases. This review highlights their potential of essential oil as a source of new anti-parasitic compounds. In the present scenario of protozoal infections, new drugs are urgently needed to treat and control infections, which affect millions of people each year. In this review, we are focusing on articles related to antiprotozoal essential oils extracted from plants that have been published during the last years. Essential oils could be promising antiprotozoal agents, opening perspectives to the discovery of more effective drugs of vegetal origin for the treatment of diseases caused by protozoa.

Nowadays efforts have been made to determine environmental stresses that most limit productivity ... more Nowadays efforts have been made to determine environmental stresses that most limit productivity and plants yield in arid and semi-arid zones. Water scarcity is increasing due to increasing population pressure and intensive use of natural resources. Cactus is ideal for responding to drought and has successfully grown in inappropriate soils which are inadequate for other crops because it can survive under drought conditions and high temperatures. Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) is an edible cactus plant that grows in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. We can call prickly pear cactus a super-food, cactus is a good source of several important minerals and recognized as valuable sources of nutraceuticals. The great number of potentially active nutrients and their multifunctional properties make cactus pear perfect candidates for the production of health-promoting food and food supplements with particular emphasis in its use as food, forage production and medicine.We can call the...

Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocyt... more Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocytosis. The ability of Acanthamoeba to feed on gram-negative bacteria, as well as to harbor potential pathogens suggests that both amoebae and bacteria are involved in complex interactions, which may play important roles in the environment and in human health. We report here the isolation of three Acanthamoeba strains, two are potentially pathogenic and the 3 one is potentially nonpathogenic from the Nile River and tap water sources from different localities in greater Cairo, Egypt and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus specific primer. We studied Acanthamoeba species interactions with certain types of pathogenic bacteria isolated from the same water sources, by direct microscopically observation of a simple "agar plate" experimental system and have confirmed the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria, using transmission electron microscopy and tested the abilit...

Deleted Journal, Dec 31, 2023

Recently, there has been great concern about the levels of oral diseases associated with inapprop... more Recently, there has been great concern about the levels of oral diseases associated with inappropriate and unsanitary oral care methods. In this line, the most serious is the water contamination with pathogenic microbes. Owing to the water microbial contamination of dental units, patients' oral health is threatened as a result of systemic disorders. Patients receiving treatment in dental unit waterlines were found to be affected by dangerous bacteria. Since both clients and dental staff are exposed to aerosols and water from dental equipment, the water should be of great quality. Due to the fact that dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) create a suitable environment for microbial development and the formation of biofilms, the water is often contaminated with a high density of several microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses), causing a health problem for dentists, patients and elderly patients, especially those with immunocompromised. This has fueled interest in presenting the current situation to shed light on (i) the microbial contamination of DUWLs and (ii) the connected Dental unit waterlines and health risks …283 infectious risks. It is essential that an elevated degree of mouth care be combined with adequate water quality and preventive dental units to maintain oral comfort, prevent deterioration, and promote public health. The growing population of individuals with compromised immune systems and the latest technological advancements concerning biofilms, water quality, etc. necessitate the implementation of improved management practices and the application of decontamination protocols for waterlines.

Plants are rich source of natural bioactive phytochemicals. Medicinal plants have ingredients tha... more Plants are rich source of natural bioactive phytochemicals. Medicinal plants have ingredients that can treat a disease or can be used to manufacture useful drugs. Herbal medicines are an important part of culture and traditions all over the world. Present review discusses the reported work on the genus Buddleja, due its chemical components and medicinal uses including structures, origins and the potent biologically active natural products isolated from Genus Buddleja, which is known for having many important pharmacologically active substances. The Genus Buddleja have more than 150 species, many of them are distributed in Mediterranean and Asian regions. Traditionally, species of the genus are reported to be used for healing, treatment of liver diseases, bronchial complaints, preventing several other diseases by exhibiting diuretic properties, sedative functions, analgesic potential, antirheumatic actions, antimicrobial activities, anti-hyperglycemic functions and antioxidant properties. A very small number of common species of the Genus Buddleja have been investigated for their biological potential. So, for purposes of the review are shedding light on the plants of the genus Buddleja being promising plants and conducting further examination, study and investigation of their chemical components and biological efficiency.

Springer eBooks, 2022

This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on electrochemical sensors based... more This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on electrochemical sensors based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on nanostructured carbon material surfaces for electrochemical detection. The combination of polymers and carbon nanomaterials for the development of electrochemical sensors unfolds new research opportunities in this area by virtue of the underlying properties of this class of sensors which include biocompatibility and excellent sensitivity, selectivity and stability. Furthermore, the aim of this review is to highlight recent achievements in analytical applications of these MIP-based electrochemical sensors in nanostructured carbon material for a wide range of sensing technologies.

Noor Publishing eBooks, Mar 28, 2017

Flowers cup-shaped, 6-7 cm long, 5-7 cm wide, San Francisco Botanical Garden Spineless form with ... more Flowers cup-shaped, 6-7 cm long, 5-7 cm wide, San Francisco Botanical Garden Spineless form with fruit Fruit is an edible oblong berry containing many seeds Close-up of seeds Cladodes of spiny form browsed by camel without pre-treatment, Eritrea Removing spines with fire to feed unarmed cladodes to cattle (Abay 2018)   Opuntia ficus-indica Scientific name Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. Synonyms Basionym: Cactus ficus-indica L.; Cactus decumanus Willd.; Opuntia albicarpa Scheinvar; Opuntia amyclaea Ten.; Opuntia cordobensis Speg.; Opuntia decumana (Willd.) Haw.; Opuntia ficus-barbarica A. Berger; Opuntia ficus-indica var. gymnocarpa (F.A.C. Weber) Speg.; Opuntia gymnocarpa F.A.C. Weber; Opuntia hispanica Griffiths; Opuntia joconostle F.A.C. Weber ex Diguet; Opuntia maxima Mill.; Opuntia megacantha Salm-Dyck; Opuntia paraguayensis K. Schum. Family/tribe Family: Cactaceae subfamily: Opuntioideae tribe: Opuntieae.

Molecules, Jul 8, 2022

Isolated from Simmondsia chinensis and Rosmarinus officinalis Cultivated in Northern Egypt: Chemi... more Isolated from Simmondsia chinensis and Rosmarinus officinalis Cultivated in Northern Egypt: Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activity against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst).

Aswan University Journal of Environmental Studies (Print), Feb 2, 2022

Continuous and advanced studies are necessary to explore and meet the continuous need of safe pla... more Continuous and advanced studies are necessary to explore and meet the continuous need of safe plant compounds necessary for pharmaceutical, therapeutic, food and other industries, especially special phytochemicals to be used as herbal and complementary medicine to combat various diseases and disorders. In this review, we highlight the uses of Ricinus communis in traditional medicine for treatment and others since ancient civilizations and its content of chemical compounds with multiple biological and therapeutic effects, including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenes and oils and their uses as anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, insecticide and anti-asthma Anti-ulcers, antimalarials, anti-inflammatories, hepatoprotective, bone regeneration, analgesics and anticonvulsants. It is worth noting that Ricinus communis grows in tropical and subtropical regions widely distributed throughout the world and the active substances are found in various parts of the plant, which necessitated that we focus the light on the plant and its multiple benefits and its rich effective compounds to further clinical, experimental and advanced studies to explore more and verify safety prospects.

Tropical Biomedicine, Dec 30, 2020

Giardiasis is the major water-borne diarrheal disease present worldwide caused by the common inte... more Giardiasis is the major water-borne diarrheal disease present worldwide caused by the common intestinal parasite, Giardia duodenalis. This work aims to investigate the effect of G. duodenalis infection pathogenicity in immunosuppressed animals through histopathological examination. A total of 45 BALB/c mice were divided into four groups; G1 (negative control), G2 (healthy animals exposed to Giardia); G3 (immunosuppressed animals exposed to Giardia), and G4 (non-exposed immunosuppressed animals). Our study revealed that G3 was the most affected group with an infection rate of 100%. The animals showed general weakness, soft stool, and high death rate with severe histopathological changes in the duodenum and mild degenerative changes in hepatic tissues. In G2, the maximal lesions in both duodenum and liver were on the 11 th day. We spotted damage in the villi, edema in the central core, and submucosa, in addition to increased cellular infiltration with inflammation in lamina propria. The presence of the parasites within the villi and the lumen was clear. Most of the hepatocytes revealed hydropic and fatty changes, also dilated congested central veins and edema were observed. G3 changes were more intense than G2 with massive Giardia trophozoites between the intestinal villi, lumen, and extensive fatty liver degeneration. Immune suppression plays a significant role in the severity of injury with the Giardia parasites in duodenum and liver cells.

Insects

Arthropods are reported to serve as vectors of transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to human... more Arthropods are reported to serve as vectors of transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to humans, animals, and the environment. The aims of our study were (i) to identify the external bacteriota of spiders inhabiting a chicken farm and slaughterhouse and (ii) to detect antimicrobial resistance of the isolates. In total, 102 spiders of 14 species were collected from a chicken farm, slaughterhouse, and buildings located in west Slovakia in 2017. Samples were diluted in peptone buffered water, and Tryptone Soya Agar (TSA), Triple Sugar Agar (TSI), Blood Agar (BA), and Anaerobic Agar (AA) were used for inoculation. A total of 28 genera and 56 microbial species were isolated from the samples. The most abundant species were Bacillus pumilus (28 isolates) and B. thuringensis (28 isolates). The least isolated species were Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (one isolate), Kocuria rhizophila (two isolates), Paenibacillus polymyxa (two isolates), and Staphylococcus equorum (two isolates). There were d...

Molecules

The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), ... more The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), are key stored-product pests in Egypt and worldwide. The extensive use of synthetic insecticides has led to adverse effects on the environment, human health, and pest resistance. As a result, environmentally friendly pest management alternatives are desperately required. The botanical oils of jojoba, Simmondsia chinensis (L.), and rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis L. plants growing in Egypt were extracted, identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and evaluated for their insecticidal activity against S. oryzae and T. castaneum. The main constituents identified in BOs were carvyl acetate (20.73%) and retinol (16.75%) for S. chinensis and camphor (15.57%), coumarin (15.19%), verbenone (14.82%), and 1,8-cineole (6.76%) for R. officinalis. The S. chinensis and R. officinalis BOs caused significant contact toxicities against S. oryzae and T. castaneum adults, providing LC50 v...

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

In recent years, scientists’ interest in agricultural waste has increased, and the waste has beco... more In recent years, scientists’ interest in agricultural waste has increased, and the waste has become attractive to explore and benefit from, rather than being neglected waste. Banana peels have attracted the attention of researchers due to their bioactive chemical components, so we focused on this review article on the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of banana peels that can be used as good sources of natural antioxidants and for pharmaceutical purposes in treating various diseases. Banana is an edible fruit belonging to the genus Musa (Musaceae), cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Banana peels are used as supplementary feed for livestock in their cultivation areas. Its massive by-products are an excellent source of high-value raw materials for other industries by recycling agricultural waste. Hence, the goal is to use banana by-products in various food and nonfood applications and sources of natural bioactive compounds. It can be concluded that banana peel can ...

Asian Journal of Research in Biosciences, Jul 2, 2021

Asian Journal of Research in Biosciences, Jun 19, 2021

Open Journal of Ecology, 2021

Nowadays, the fast development of nanobiotechnology, has led to rapid diagnosis of important infe... more Nowadays, the fast development of nanobiotechnology, has led to rapid diagnosis of important infectious diseases such as arboviruses-borne diseases, vector-borne infections and waterborne parasites diseases and others in order to reduce and avoid further dissemination of the infections within the general population. Furthermore, new nanomedicines based on the application of silver and gold nanoparticles which are less toxic, more effective, and that does not generate resistance could help to solve the problems of parasitic disease like leishmaniasis and chagas disease. It turns out that the combination of nanoparticles with antibiotics not only reduces the toxicity of both agents towards human cells but also enhances their ability to destroy bacteria by facilitating the binding of antibiotics to the microbes. Moreover, combining nanoparticles with antimicrobial peptides and essential oils with nanoparticles generates genuine synergy against microbial resistance.

Since ancient times, essential oils have been used for many purposes; the most important uses are... more Since ancient times, essential oils have been used for many purposes; the most important uses are the treatment of disease in various ancient civilizations and cultures around the world and used widely for bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, antiparasitical, insecticidal, medicinal and cosmetic applications, as well as pharmaceutical, agricultural and food industries. Essential oils are natural products obtained from plant raw material by different extraction methods techniques and found in various parts of the plant organs. The mostly essential oils extraction by distillation from aromatic plants, they contain a variety of volatile molecules such as terpenes, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids and other components. Essential oils have the broad range biological activities which are due to the chemical compounds that make up essential oils.

Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocyt... more Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocytosis. The ability of Acanthamoeba to feed on gram-negative bacteria, as well as to harbor potential pathogens suggests that both amoebae and bacteria are involved in complex interactions, which may play important roles in the environment and in human health. We report here the isolation of three Acanthamoeba strains, two are potentially pathogenic and the 3 rd one is potentially nonpathogenic from the Nile River and tap water sources from different localities in greater Cairo, Egypt and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus specific primer. We studied Acanthamoeba species interactions with certain types of pathogenic bacteria isolated from the same water sources, by direct microscopically observation of a simple "agar plate" experimental system and have confirmed the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria, using transmission electron microscopy and tested the abi...

Copyright © 2014 Elena Fasano et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creativ... more Copyright © 2014 Elena Fasano et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Several advantages may derive from the use of dietary supplements containing multiple natural antioxidants and/or anti-inflammatory agents. At present, however, there is scarce information on the properties and potential of combined supplements. To fill the gap, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities exerted by a combination of seven natural components (coenzyme Q10, krill oil, lipoic acid, resveratrol, grape seed oil,

Plants and essential oils are used in traditional medicine against parasitic diseases. This revie... more Plants and essential oils are used in traditional medicine against parasitic diseases. This review highlights their potential of essential oil as a source of new anti-parasitic compounds. In the present scenario of protozoal infections, new drugs are urgently needed to treat and control infections, which affect millions of people each year. In this review, we are focusing on articles related to antiprotozoal essential oils extracted from plants that have been published during the last years. Essential oils could be promising antiprotozoal agents, opening perspectives to the discovery of more effective drugs of vegetal origin for the treatment of diseases caused by protozoa.

Nowadays efforts have been made to determine environmental stresses that most limit productivity ... more Nowadays efforts have been made to determine environmental stresses that most limit productivity and plants yield in arid and semi-arid zones. Water scarcity is increasing due to increasing population pressure and intensive use of natural resources. Cactus is ideal for responding to drought and has successfully grown in inappropriate soils which are inadequate for other crops because it can survive under drought conditions and high temperatures. Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) is an edible cactus plant that grows in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. We can call prickly pear cactus a super-food, cactus is a good source of several important minerals and recognized as valuable sources of nutraceuticals. The great number of potentially active nutrients and their multifunctional properties make cactus pear perfect candidates for the production of health-promoting food and food supplements with particular emphasis in its use as food, forage production and medicine.We can call the...

Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocyt... more Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous widely distributed in different water sources feed mainly by phagocytosis. The ability of Acanthamoeba to feed on gram-negative bacteria, as well as to harbor potential pathogens suggests that both amoebae and bacteria are involved in complex interactions, which may play important roles in the environment and in human health. We report here the isolation of three Acanthamoeba strains, two are potentially pathogenic and the 3 one is potentially nonpathogenic from the Nile River and tap water sources from different localities in greater Cairo, Egypt and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using genus specific primer. We studied Acanthamoeba species interactions with certain types of pathogenic bacteria isolated from the same water sources, by direct microscopically observation of a simple "agar plate" experimental system and have confirmed the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria, using transmission electron microscopy and tested the abilit...