Gastrointestinal, skin, pulmonary and cardiovascular problems have been reported all over the world on massive scale. The treatment of these problems has become tough due to genetically modified bacterial strains and fungal infections. The present studied was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of Citrullus colocynthis plant extract. The ethanolic extract of dried fruit pulp, seed, and root was evaluated with respect to anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The anti-microbial profile studied against four bacterial strains (2 Gram negative and 2 Gram positive) while anti-fungal profile studied against four fungal species. All the bacterial and fungal strains used in the study showed sensitivities against the respective extracts. The zones of inhibition ranged between 7 mm to 23 mm, and 6 mm to 23 mm in against bacterial and fungal strains, respectively. The extract of seed found to be less effective against both the organisms. It was suggested from our study that the extract of Citrullus colocynthis may be used in medicines to cure bacterial diseases.

Introduction: Cryptosporidiosis has become an issue of great interest being life-threatening among immunocompromised hosts worldwide. This study explored the curative effect of Allium sativum (garlic) and Artemisia herba-alba ethanolic extract versus Nitazoxanide drug on both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed-Cryptosporidium experimentally-infected mice. Methodology: One hundred male Swiss albino mice were divided into the following groups: (GI) non-infected non-treated group, (GII) infected non-treated group, (GIII) garlic treated group, (GIV) A. herba-alba treated group, (GV) Nitazoxanide treated group, each group subdivided into two subgroups (a) Immunocompetent, (b) immunosuppressed. The assessment was performed by parasitological counting of fecal oocysts, histological examination of intestinal tissue, immunological detection of interferon-gamma levels in mice sera, and ultrastructural study by transmission electron microscopy. Results: Garlic and A. herbal-alba extracts showed a decrease in the mean oocyst counts through all days of follow-up. This was associated with significant up-regulation of interferon-gamma cytokine levels in serum and histological improvement in intestinal tissues of mice compared to control groups and the results were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The highest efficacy was obtained by garlic, then by A. herbal-alba extracts followed by Nitazoxanide treated group; where the immunocompetent groups showed better improvement than immunosuppressed ones. Conclusions: Garlic has a perfect effect as a promising therapeutic agent against Cryptosporidiosis and therefore validates their traditional use in parasitic infections. Accordingly, it may offer a good option for cryptosporidium treatment in immunocompromised patients. They could be used as a natural safe product for the preparation of a new therapeutic agent.

Hypericum perforatum, which is known as St. John’s wort (SJW), is a leafy herb that grows in the open areas of the temperate regions throughout the world. Recent research suggests the effectiveness of this plant in treating some diseases, such as cancer, bacterial and viral diseases, and some inflammation-related disorders, and as a neuroprotective agent and an antioxidant. The current study aimed to investigate the Impact of water and alcoholic plant extracts of H. perforatum on histological and some physiological features in the liver of albino rats. 21 male rats were used in the current study. They were divided into groups; each group contains 7 members of animals. The animals were raised a month ago in the animal house before conducting the study to ensure their suitability to the environment of the animal house. Before the start of the study, an appropriate amount of animal blood was obtained through the caudate vein of rats, in order to evaluate the variables of the physiological study before starting treatment with plant extracts. One of the groups (Group 1) was used as a standard control group, receiving only standard water and feed. The other group (Group 2) was treated with St. John's water extract at a concentration of 300 mg/kg/body weight, while the last group (Group 3) was treated with St. John's alcoholic plant extract at a concentration of 300 mg/kg/body weight. Aqueous and alcoholic plant extract were prepared for H. perforatum. Histological slides were prepared from the liver of each group of the study as well as, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were evaluated for the rates in each group. Histological examination shows the presence of necrosis in various stages and the presence of Foamy Cells and the occurrence of infiltration of a number of inflammatory cells within the tissue as well as the occurrence of congestion in the central vein and hemorrhage spread throughout the rest of the tissue. We also note the occurrence of necrosis and desquamation of the central vein lining and infiltration of some inflammatory cells in some areas. The effect of treatments on the aminotransferases (AST, ALT) enzymes and the ALP, where appeared as a significant increase of 0.05 in their concentration when comparing the concentrations of each groups before and after treatment with plant extracts. We can conclude that H. perforatum aqueous and alcoholic plant extract can causes mild damages on liver histological features that can be reflected on livers physiological states generally and on the ALT, AST and ALP enzymes specifically.