In this study, the side effects of some anti-covid-19 drugs (Favipiravir and Dexamethasone) were evaluated through the pathological, and clinicopathological changes in the tissues of rats. 30 rats were divided into 6 groups (Gp1- control), (Gp2 received 0.54 mg/kg dexamethasone), (Gp3 received 200 mg/kg favipiravir), (Gp4 received 400 mg/kg favipiravir), (Gp5 received 200 mg/kg favipiravir + 0.54 mg/kg dexamethasone) and (Gp6 received 400 mg/kg favipiravir + 0.54 mg/kg dexamethasone). The histopathological and clinical results showed that both favipiravir and dexamethasone-induced lesions in the liver, kidney, and lung as well as increased liver functions (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and C-reactive protein) and kidney functions (Urea and creatinine). Also increased oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde and decreased antioxidants in liver, and kidney tissues. The gene expression in splenic tissues showed an increase in NF-kb, IL6, and TNF when animals were exposed to 400 mg/kg favipiravir. While these genes (NF-kb, IL6, and TNF) decreased when animals received a combination of favipiravir with dexamethasone. In gp3, hydropic degeneration was noted in both the kidney and liver. In Gp4, necrotic changes in the liver, and vacuolation of the renal glomerular tufts were observed. In Gp5, the necrotic hepatic tissues were infiltrated with mononuclear cells, and necrosis and inflammation in renal tubules in the kidney were shown. In gp6, leukocytic infiltration was noted in both the kidney and liver. In conclusion, the anti-Covid-19 drugs could induce pathological changes in the internal organs of the rat.

Escherichia coli (E.coli) infections pose significant health risks to poultry and humans globally. In the face of antibiotic-resistant strains, metal oxide nanoparticles and plant extracts have emerged as promising alternatives. This study evaluated the effectiveness of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) and black elderberry extract (BEE) against E. coli O78 infection in specific pathogen-free chicks. The birds were divided into four groups: a negative control NC, a positive control (PC; challenged with E. coli O78), CuO-NPs treatment post-challenge, and BEE treatment post-challenge. Various parameters, including clinical signs, organ lesions, bacterial load, biochemical markers, and histopathology, were assessed. Both CuO-NPs and BEE demonstrated a reduction in clinical morbidity, organ damage, and E. coli counts compared to the PC. However, BEE exhibited slightly greater efficacy in alleviating liver and kidney dysfunction. Overall, CuO-NPs and BEE hold therapeutic potential against avian colibacillosis, likely acting through antimicrobial and immunomodulatory mechanisms. These findings underscore the potential of bio-based nanoparticles and plant extracts as safer, multi-modal alternatives to antibiotics for avian colibacillosis. Further optimization and mechanistic studies are needed to support their clinical application.

Chronic cadmium exposure is known to be a major health concern due to its nephrotoxic effects. Consequently, this study aimed to assess the potential protective effects of date palm fruit extract (DPFE) against cadmium-induced renal toxicity in male albino rats. A total of 48 rats were divided equally into four groups and subjected to specific treatments. Group I (control given 1 ml distal water orally daily), group II (200 mg DPFE /kg b.wt. orally daily), Group III (5 mg CdCl2/kg b.wt. orally, twice a week), and VI (DPFE and CdCl2). Serum samples were collected after 4 and 8 weeks for biochemical analysis, and kidney tissue specimens were obtained for histopathological examination. The administration of cadmium chloride for 4 and 8 weeks resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in the serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels, indicating kidney dysfunction. Histopathological changes, including vascular lesions, hemorrhage, edema, periglomerular, perivascular and interstitial fibrosis, mononuclear leucocytic cellular infiltration and excessive glomerular and tubular degeneration and necrosis which further confirmed the nephrotoxic effects of cadmium. However, pre-treatment with DPFE exhibited a substantial ameliorative effect against cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity. DPFE supplementation led to a significant reduction in kidney biochemical parameters toward normal levels and improved renal tissue architecture. Our findings indicate that date palm fruit extract has a time-dependant protective effect on kidney function indices and histopathological alterations induced by cadmium, highlighting its potential as a natural medication to mitigate renal damage caused by chronic cadmium exposure.

Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known industrial and environmental pollutant having hazardous and poisonous properties in various forms of kidney impairment. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of palm dates extract (PDE) and olive leaves extract (OLE) against cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced nephrotoxicity. A total of 36 adult male albino rats were divided into six equal groups. Group 1: control group injected with physiological saline, group 2: oral gavage with PDE, group 3: orally administrated with OLE, group 4: injected daily with CdCl2 (3 mg/kg, i.p.). Groups 5 and 6: were orally treated with either PDE or OLE, respectively one hour prior to ip administration of CdCl2. After one-week samples were collected from all groups for serum biochemical analysis of kidney function as well as investigation of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Kidney tissue specimens were obtained for histopathological examination. CdCl2 exposure caused a significant elevation (P<0.05) in serum creatinine, urea, uric acid and MDA levels with marked reduction in CAT, SOD and GPx indicating renal damage. CdCl2 induced severe congestion and vasculitis with marked perivascular edema, inflammation, hemorrhage, glomerular shrinkage, massive degeneration, necrosis and apoptosis in the renal tubular epithelium. PDE and OLE treatment resulted in significant improvement in kidney function and oxidative markers with a marked reduction of MDA level. Histopathological changes were also ameliorated. In conclusion, PDE or OLE treatment significantly reduced the deleterious effects of acute CdCl2 renal damage by reducing oxidative stress as a protective mechanism.

Paclitaxel (PTX) is one of the most commercially and clinically effective chemotherapeutics, but its toxicity causes significant problems with its administration.  Consequently, it was intended in the current research to explore the potential activity of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and propolis against PTX-induced cardiopulmonary damage. Thirty male albino rats were divided equally into six groups: control group; given saline, CoQ10 group; given CoQ10 (100 mg/kg b.wt daily), propolis group; given propolis (200 mg/kg b.wt daily), PTX group; given PTX (7.5 mg/kg b.wt i.p.), CoQ10+PTX group; given CoQ10 (100 mg/kg b.wt daily) before PTX (7.5 mg/kg b.wt) and propolis+PTX group; given propolis (200 mg/kg b.wt) before PTX (7.5 mg/kg b.wt). All treatments were received for 4 weeks. The PTX group had significantly higher serum concentrations of CK-MB and LDH. This result was concomitant with histopathological changes that represented by cardiac necrosis and degeneration together with congestion, edema and hemorrhage in the heart. Lung injury induced by PTX was characterized by perivascular hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltrates, bronchiolestenosis, hyperplasia and/or desquamation of the bronchiolar epithelium, alveolar emphysema, congestion, interstitial edema and fibrinoid necrosis of blood vessels walls. Besides, pulmonary fibrosis was confirmed by Van Gieson stain. Immunohistochemical staining for IL-1β revealed positive immunoexpression in heart and lung tissue. Treatment with CoQ10 and propolis ameliorated the cardiopulmonary toxicity induced by PTX indicated by improved microscopic picture of heart and lungs, serum biochemical parameters and decrease IL-1β immunoreactivity in heart and lung tissues. In conclusion, CoQ10 could be the best choice to counteract the cardiopulmonary toxicity produced by PTX exposure.

Objective: The experiment aimed to determine the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), polymyxin B, and honey on survival rates, hematological parameters, liver and kidney biomarkers, blood glucose levels, serum insulin levels, and histopathology of the liver, kidney, lungs, brain, and pancreas in LPS-challenged mice. Materials and Methods: 50 male Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus), aged 3 weeks, were randomly assigned into 5 groups (10 mice per group): Control group (A), LPS (2 mg/kg bwt/day IP in NS) treated group (B), polymyxin B (1.2 mg/kg bwt/day IM) pre-treated plus LPS (2 mg/kg bwt/day IP in NS) treated group (C), honey (10 gm/kg bwt/day PO) pre-treated plus LPS (2 mg/kg bwt/day IP in NS) treated group (D), both polymyxin B (1.2 mg/kg bwt/day IM) and honey (10 gm/kg bwt/day PO) pre-treated plus LPS (2 mg/kg bwt/day IP in NS) treated group (E). The LPS was administered intraperitoneally (IP) at 80 μg/mice/day, diluting in normal saline. After 16 weeks, the mice were sacrificed, and blood samples and organs (liver, kidney, lung, brain, and pancreas) were collected for laboratory tests. Results: The results revealed that in LPS-treated mice, the mortality rate was the highest, and hemato-biochemical parameters were altered. Histopathological examination in the group treated with LPS showed disarrangement of hepatocytes, cellular infiltrations in the glomerulus, alveolar congestion in the lungs, several nerve fiber degenerations in the brain, and degenerative changes in pancreatic islets. The mortality rate and hemato-biochemical and histopathological changes were restored by the combined treatment of polymyxin B and honey. Conclusion: LPS has detrimental effects on survival rate and hemato-biochemistry, which are lessened by taking honey and polymyxin B supplements. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(2.000): 503-515]

Objective: The main goal of the study was to find whether pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) extract has any preventive or antioxidant properties against acute uranyl acetate (UA)-induced reproductive cytotoxicity. Material and Methods: Four groups each, including 10 adult male rats, were randomly assigned. (GI): the control group was given 1 ml of purified water orally for 30 days. (GII): Rats were given orally, a single dose of 150 mg/kg b.w. UA (GIII): Rats consumed 40 mg/kg b.w. of pumpkin seed extract (PSE) orally every day for 30 days. (GIV): Rats received a single dose (150 mg/kg b.w.) of UA plus a daily oral dose of PSE (40 mg/kg b.w.) for 30 days. Animal sacrifice was used for oxidative stress and histopathological study. Results: Showed significantly (p &ge; 0.001) elevated malondialdehyde levels in the GII group (6.19 ± 0.4), while GIII and GIV showed no significant differences. Glutathione peroxidase showed a significant (p &ge; 0.001) decrease (2.55 ± 0.2) in the GII group, while in groups (GIII and GIV), it showed a significant (p &ge; 0.001) increase (4.61 ± 0.16, 4.28 ± 0.032), respectively. The histopathological study for GII groups showed sloughing of epithelial cells lining the seminiferous tubules with a decrease in the number of spermatozoa in some tubules. Many sections revealed hyperplasia of the epithelial cells lining the seminiferous tubules with necrosis. The GIII and GIV groups showed normal histological structures with an increase in spermatogenesis in the testes and epididymis tissues. Conclusion: We concluded that UA causes oxidative stress and histopathological alterations in the rat reproductive system. Pumpkin extract plays a role in improving the activity of the reproductive system. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(4.000): 647-653]

Objective: Aspergillosis is a disease that affects several species of birds and causes substantial losses in the poultry business. The purpose of the investigation was to identify the pathogen responsible for a respiratory outbreak among juvenile ducklings. Materials and Methods: An epidemic of Aspergillosis infected a total of 800 Muscovy ducks that were being reared in El-Beheira Governorate. Tissue samples were obtained to isolate suspected fungi from diseased birds and the hatchery environment. In addition, identification and molecular characterization were performed on the obtained fungal isolates. Results: Affected birds displayed acute respiratory manifestations such as difficulty breathing, gasping for air, nasal discharge, and a mortality rate of up to 28.1%. Postmortem examination revealed bronchitis, tracheitis, congested lungs, air sacculitis, severe multifocal granulomatous pneumonia, a congested, enlarged liver, and a congested kidney with nephritis. Mycological examination revealed seven Aspergillus (A.) spp. isolates from ducklings and six from hatcheries. Isolate colonial morphology and microscopical examination were as follows: A. fumigatus, A. niger, Syncephalastrum racemosum, and four untypable isolates. These isolates were further identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the internal transcribed spacers (ITSs) gene was detected. Four representative isolates were submitted for sequencing and further phylogenetic analysis. The source of duckling infection might be linked to the hatchery environment due to the observed similarity of isolates from both affected birds and the hatchery, as evidenced by phylogenetic analysis. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated the significance of appropriate hatchery control in preventing infection in young ducklings. Furthermore, the use of molecular identification techniques would be helpful for tracing the source of infection and rapid diagnosis of Aspergillus in the field. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(4.000): 763-772]