Archachatina marginata, the giant African land snail, is a terrestrial mollusk native to West Africa and commonly found in Nigeria and other tropical regions. Over the years, it has gained popularity not only as a source of protein but also for its slime, which is increasingly utilized in traditional medicine and the cosmetic industry. The slime, a viscous secretion produced by the snail’s foot, is rich in glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, antimicrobial peptides, and antioxidants. Traditionally, it has been applied topically to treat wounds, skin infections, and burns, while its oral use is gaining attention in folk remedies and as a perceived natural health booster. Despite these claims, the scientific evaluation of the safety profile of A. marginata slime, particularly upon oral ingestion, remains limited. This study evaluated the sub-acute oral impact of A. marginata slime extracts on rat hematology, redox status, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.
The grouping of rats (5 animals per group) was random, comprising a control group and treatment groups receiving A. marginata slime extract at doses of 125, 250, or 500 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. A follow-up group received 500 mg/kg and was observed for an additional 14 days post-treatment. Following exposure, animals were euthanized, and blood and key organs were collected for biochemical analysis.
In male rats, the 250 mg/kg dose led to a notable increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH), suggesting that the slime extract may induce oxidative stress at this dosage. Female follow-up group exhibited elevated MDA and CRP (C-reactive protein) levels. Notably, slime extract had no effect on rat hematological profile and plasma levels of Nrf-2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B), and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha). Chemical analysis identified predominant compounds like allantoin and glycolic acid, endorsing the cosmetic potential of the slime.
Overall, these findings contribute to understanding the toxicity and safety profile of A. marginata slime extract in rats.
Ardisia humilis Vahl. belongs to the genus Ardisia, which possesses secondary metabolites. This study investigates the phytoconstituents, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties of different parts of Ardisia humilis Vahl.
Different parts (leaf, stem, seed, flower, and young fruit) of Ardisia humilis Vahl. were extracted using methanol and investigated for the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties in human breast cancer cells (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7/MCF-7). In addition, biochemical profiling was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS). Moreover, molecular docking studies on estrogen receptor alpha (Erα) (PDB ID = 6CBZ) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) (PDB ID = 4PIV) were performed.
The leaf extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 32.869 µg/mL), followed by the stem, seed, young fruit, flower, and old fruit. The highest phenolic content (155.07 mgGAE/g extract) was observed in the leaf extract. The highest total flavonoid content (TFC) was obtained from the stem extract (46.97 mgQE/g extract). A total of 38 compounds were putatively identified across all different parts of Ardisia humilis Vahl. via UPLC-HRMS. In addition, cytotoxicity assays on human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells demonstrated that the seed and leaf extracts significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation by 101.74 and 92.56%, respectively, at 200 µg/mL. Molecular docking revealed that 4',4-dimethylepigallocatechingallate, predominantly found in leaf extract, had the strongest binding affinity to Erαwith a MolDock score of − 145.667 kcal/mol, surpassing the positive control 4-hydroxytamoxifen (− 116.207 kcal/mol). Meanwhile, tiliroside, also identified in the leaf, exhibited the best score docking to FASN with a MolDock score (− 172.372 kcal/mol), outperforming the known inhibitors IPI-9119 and cerulenin.
This study establishes Ardisia humilis Vahl. plant parts as a significant source of antioxidant and anticancer potential. Further studies are warranted to isolate, characterize, and elucidate the bioactive mechanisms through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations.
Stochastic nonlinear Schrödinger-type models play a crucial role in describing wave propagation in complex physical systems influenced by randomness, including optical fibers, plasma environments, and fluid media. Understanding how stochastic perturbations affect soliton dynamics is essential for predicting stability, coherence, and energy transport in such systems.
The present study investigates stochastic soliton behavior governed by the (2+1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE). To derive analytical stochastic wave solutions, the modified extended mapping (MEM) method is employed as an effective and flexible framework for solving nonlinear stochastic partial differential equations. The influence of stochastic perturbations is further analyzed through detailed graphical simulations for varying noise intensities.
The MEM method yields a rich family of exact stochastic solutions, including bright solitons, dark solitons, singular soliton structures, singular periodic waves, and solutions represented through Jacobi and Weierstrass elliptic functions. Graphical analyses reveal how different stochastic perturbation levels significantly modify wave profiles, influencing amplitude, localization, and stability. Increased noise intensity is shown to deform soliton structures and affect their propagation characteristics.
The findings demonstrate the robustness, efficiency, and adaptability of the modified extended mapping method for analyzing stochastic nonlinear wave models. The results also highlight the crucial role of stochastic effects in shaping soliton morphology and stability in higher-dimensional NLSE systems, offering valuable insights for applications in optical communication, nonlinear physics, and stochastic dynamical systems.
Q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets (Q-ROFS) have been widely employed in decision-making problems due to their strong ability to handle uncertainty, indecision, and imprecision. Consequently, several q-rung orthopair fuzzy correlation measures (Q-ROFCM) have been developed and applied in various decision-making contexts. However, many existing correlation measures exhibit inherent limitations, which reduce their effectiveness in addressing practical, real-world problems.
In this study, a novel q-rung orthopair fuzzy correlation coefficient (Q-ROFCC) based on Spearman’s correlation scheme is proposed to overcome the shortcomings of existing approaches. The fundamental mathematical properties of the proposed correlation measure are rigorously analyzed to ensure compliance with the standard axioms of correlation coefficients. Furthermore, the proposed method is incorporated into a multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) framework.
The results demonstrate that the proposed Spearman-based Q-ROFCM technique is reliable, effective, and accurate when compared with existing methods. Its applicability is illustrated through a vehicle selection problem, where the most suitable alternative is identified based on optimal performance and user satisfaction. Comparative analysis confirms the superiority of the proposed approach over Pearson-based Q-ROFCM approaches.
The proposed Q-ROFCM technique provides a robust and efficient alternative for solving MADM problems under uncertainty. Owing to its improved performance and practical applicability, the method is well suited for real-life decision-making scenarios.
This study aimed to accurately estimate the growth of Coptodon zillii by comparatively evaluating six nonlinear growth models using the corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), ΔAIC (difference in AICc between each model and the best model), and AIC weights to evaluate relative model support.
Model selection revealed that the optimal growth function differed by sex, confirming clear sexual dimorphism. The "vbt0p" model is the best fit for males, females, and combined sexes. The nonlinear mixed-effects model showed strong overall support with perfect AIC weights. Models such as Gompertz and Logistic had moderate support, while the Schnute model consistently performed poorly.
Findings highlight the importance of sex-specific growth considerations for sustainable fisheries management in Lake Nasser.
Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are extensively used in restorative dentistry owing to their biocompatibility, sustained fluoride release, and chemical bonding to tooth hard tissues. Nonetheless, their mechanical durability and antimicrobial effectiveness remain suboptimal, particularly in caries-prone areas. Recently, natural bioactive additives such as Salvadora persica (miswak) have attracted interest as potential enhancers of GIC properties. This systematic review investigates the impact of miswak-modified GIC on antimicrobial activity and physicomechanical characteristics, aiming to identify optimal extract types and concentrations for clinical applications.
Main text.
A comprehensive literature search was performed in March 2025 across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and OpenGrey, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Inclusion criteria encompassed in vitro and in vivo studies comparing miswak-modified with conventional GICs, focusing on antimicrobial efficacy, compressive strength, surface hardness, and fluoride release. Risk of bias was evaluated using the modified CONSORT checklist and ROB2 tool for in vitro and in vivo studies, respectively. Seven studies met eligibility criteria. Miswak addition consistently enhanced antimicrobial effects against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus spp., and other cariogenic bacteria, with ethanol-based extracts yielding superior inhibition zones. The body of evidence comprised five in vitro studies and two randomized controlled clinical trials. Mechanical outcomes varied with concentration: Low doses (1–2%) preserved compressive and tensile strength, whereas higher doses diminished these properties. Surface hardness was increased with ethanol extract formulations. Fluoride release was reported to rise at specific miswak concentrations in one study.
Incorporating miswak extract into GIC has promising potential to improve antimicrobial properties without compromising, and occasionally enhancing, mechanical performance. These findings suggest promising preliminary evidence for miswak as a biocompatible, plant-derived additive in glass ionomer cement; however, the available evidence is predominantly laboratory-based and requires further validation through well-designed clinical trials.
Freshwater scarcity and the rising global demand for sustainable desalination have intensified the search for low-cost, eco-friendly technologies. This study presents a novel bio-desalination approach using the dried biomass of the cyanobacterium Nostoc spongiaeforme FACHB-130 and hydrothermally pretreated powder of Mentha piperita L., applied individually and in combination for the treatment of raw Red Sea water. Comprehensive biomass characterization using FTIR, SEM, and EDX confirmed the presence of abundant functional groups, high surface porosity, and active adsorption sites responsible for ion binding. The effects of biomass dose, contact time, and repeated batch runs were investigated, supported by adsorption kinetics and isotherm modeling. The hybrid cyanobacteria–plant system exhibited superior desalination performance, achieving cumulative reductions of 20.6% (EC), 24.7% (TDS), and 34.5% (Cl⁻). Adsorption data followed pseudo-first-order with TDS removal approach and pseudo-second-order kinetics for Cl− ions and fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm, indicating heterogeneous multilayer biosorption. The enhanced performance was attributed to the synergistic interaction between the biopolymeric matrix of N. spongiaeforme and the porous, chemically active surface of M. piperita. Overall, this study introduces a sustainable and energy-efficient bio-desalination strategy that can serve as a pretreatment step for seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO), potentially reducing membrane fouling and operational costs. The results obtained indicated that these biomasses provide an eco-friendly alternative sorbent biomaterial for salinity removal from real seawater.
Nonlinear wave equations in higher dimensions play a crucial role in describing complex behaviors in dispersive media such as optics, plasma, and fluid dynamics. However, deriving exact solutions for generalized multi-dimensional models remains difficult due to the strong coupling between nonlinearity and dispersion.
In this work, we apply the Improved Modified Extended Tanh Method (IMETM) to a generalized (3+1)-dimensional nonlinear dispersive equation. Using a traveling wave transformation, the original partial differential equation is reduced to an ordinary differential equation. A polynomial ansatz combined with the balancing principle is introduced, and the resulting nonlinear algebraic systems are solved with symbolic computation software.
This procedure generates diverse classes of analytical solutions, including bright and dark solitons, singular solutions, exponential forms, and periodic structures. Graphical simulations are provided to illustrate their qualitative behaviors, showing stability and structural richness across different parameter settings. The results highlight the efficiency of IMETM in capturing a broad spectrum of nonlinear wave patterns.
The findings extend the available set of exact soliton solutions for high-dimensional nonlinear evolution equations and enhance understanding of dispersive wave propagation. The IMETM framework demonstrates both robustness and adaptability, making it a valuable tool for studying more general nonlinear systems, including those involving fractional-order terms, stochastic effects, or hybrid analytical–numerical approaches.
Globularia alypum L. is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat skin diseases and abscesses; however, there is no scientific evidence indicating the main organ of this plant responsible for its biological activity.
The present study aimed to assess the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory activity (AIA) of various parts (leaves, flowers, stems, and roots) of Globularia alypum L. collected from three regions in Tunisia. Additionally, hydrogels were formulated using aqueous leaf extracts to evaluate their rheological properties and the retention of bioactive compounds. Antioxidant capacity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, and AIA was determined using the enzyme lipoxygenase-5 (LOX-5).
High levels of total phenolic content (TPC) were detected in both the leaf and flower extracts, with 451.97 ± 11.24 and 421.95 ± 15.38 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry material (mg GAE/g DM). The leaf extract exhibited a high total flavonoid content (TFC), with a concentration of 35.17 ± 0.82 mg catechin equivalents per gram of dry material (mg EQ/g DM) and showed the strongest antioxidant activity, with an inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) was 0.149 mg/mL) and a significant LOX-5 inhibition (IC50 = 0.15 mg/mL). Hydrogels made with aqueous extracts from leaves retained 57% of polyphenols and maintained 58.6% of antioxidant activities. A rheological analysis of these hydrogels confirmed that the gel formulations are suitable for skincare applications, highlighting their potential for dermatological and anti-inflammatory treatments.
This comparative study offers a scientific basis for the traditional use of this local plant's leaves, emphasising their potential as natural antioxidants and sources of bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties.
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