Alaa Moustafa Hassan El-Bitar

Verified @azhar.edu.eg

Faculty of Science - Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt.
Assistant Professor

https://researchid.co/elbitar

Scopus Publications

Scholar Citations

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Scopus Publications

Zeolite intervention counteracts hepato-nephrotoxicity changes and regenerates insulin release in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Hussein A. Sultan, Mahmoud Ashry, Alaa M.H. El-Bitar, and Mohsen A. Moustafa
Medknow
Background and objective Natural products from various sources tend to be potential candidates for drug discovery. Natural and synthetic zeolites are potentially useful biopharmaceuticals and bio-tools due to their unique and outstanding physical and chemical properties; therefore, this study aimed to estimate the hepatorenal preventive and insulin release restoration efficiencies of zeolite (natural and synthetic) in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods Post inductions of hyperglycemia with a single (ip) dose of STZ (55 mg/kg), the rats were arranged into four groups (8 rats each): (I) normal control group, (II) STZ-diabetic rats, (III) STZ-diabetic rats treated orally with natural zeolite (300 mg/kg/day), and IV) STZ-diabetic rats treated with synthetic zeolite (300 mg/kg/day). Results and conclusion After 6 weeks of treatment of diabetic animals, both zeolite types markedly exhibited antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepato-nephroprotective, and antioxidative stress effects that were monitored from the significant reduction in glucose, ALAT, ASAT, urea, creatinine, MDA, and NO values concomitant with a significant rise in insulin, GSH, SOD and CAT values, close to the corresponding values of normal ones. Also, both zeolites succeeded to modulate STZ-induced histological distortion. In conclusion, both zeolites exhibited multi-health benefits with promising potential against STZ-induced diabetes. This effect may be attributed to the antioxidant and free radical scavenging mechanisms of zeolites that were evidenced by hepatorenal protective activities.

Total And Mitochondrial Cell Free DNA Quantification in Day 5 Embryos Culture Media Reflect Embryos Quality
Mohammed H. Sheaba, Ali G. Gadel-Rab, Alaa M.H. EL-Bitar, and Moustafa Sarhan
Egypts Presidential Specialized Council for Education and Scientific Research
Background: In vitro fertilization (IVF) technology still uses the morphological criteria as the main approach for selecting embryos of a certain quality, embryo fragmentation, blastomere size and cleavage rate. This group of tools is routinely used to grade cleavage stages of human embryos. As a result of blastomere fragmentation, cell free mitochondrial DNA (cf mtDNA) is released into the embryo culture medium. Our study aims to confirm the presence of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in embryos culture media by detecting a specific gene using PCR and to evaluate the correlation between two kinds of cf DNA (total cfDNA and cf mtDNA) content in blastocyst stage (Day 5 embryos) culture media and embryo grading. Subject and Method: 40 spent culture media samples are collected; each blastocyst was morphologically graded. cfDNA is extracted from embryo culture media. Quality of cfDNA is checked by conventional PCR with specific primer then visualized by agarose gel. The cf mtDNA is profiled by isothermal PCR. Results: Purified cfDNA from embryo culture media could be used to amplify specific genes by PCR. Further studies indicated that insignificant interdependent relationship is found when correlating the total cfDNA amount on day 5 and embryo grading. Similarly, the significant interdependent relationship is found when correlating cf mtDNA amount on day 5 and embryo grade. Notably, a significant correlation is noticed between cf mtDNA amount and blastocyst formation. Conclusion: We confirmed the presence of cfDNA in embryo’s culture media and noticed a significant correlation between the quality and embryos secrotome cf mtDNA levels.

Research Paper Saussurea Costus Extract Has Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Hormonal Effects Against Testicular Toxicity Induced by Oxaliplatin in Male Albino Rats
Mahmoud Ashry, , Doaa Galal ELSahra, Khaled G. Abdel-Wahhab, Mahenor E. Abdelsalam, Hagar H. Mourad, Alaa M.H. El-Bitar, Heba F. Gomaa, , ,et al.
Negah Scientific Publisher
Background: Testicular dysfunction is one of the common side effects that results from the treatment with oxaliplatin® as a chemotherapy drug, and pharmaceutical search for agents to relieve the side effects are underway. The current study explored the possible ameliorative and regenerative effects of Costus ethanolic extract against testicular degeneration in male rats induced by oxaliplatin. Methods: Male Wistar albino rats weighing 150-200g were divided into four groups of 10 rats each as follows: group-1 control rats; group-2 rats treated orally with the extract at 50 mg/kg/day for six weeks; group-3 rats injected oxaliplatin intraperitoneally at 10 mg/kg/week for six successive weeks; group-4 rats were injected intraperitoneally with oxaliplatin at 10 mg/kg/week combined with a daily oral dose of the Costus extract for six weeks. Results: Data from the current study revealed that the extract lowered the toxic effect of oxaliplatin on the testicular tissue samples. This was evident by the significant rise in the serum of total & free testosterone and CD4 cells, and the levels of GSH, SOD and CAT activities in the testis coupled with a marked reduction of serum TNF-α and IL-1β and testis MDA, nitric oxide levels and DNA fragmentation. Also, the extract promoted the regeneration of the histopathological structure of the testis. Conclusion: This study proposes a novel therapeutic application for the Costus extract as a therapeutic agent against testicular toxicity induced by oxaliplatin treatment through its promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Evaluation of bioactive phytochemical characterization, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antihemolytic properties of some seaweeds collected from red sea coast, egypt
Mohammed I. Elkhateeb et al.
Egypts Presidential Specialized Council for Education and Scientific Research
1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt. 2 Center of Excellence for Drug Preclinical studies (CE-DPS), Pharmaceutical and Fermentation Industry Development Center, City of Scientific Research & Technological Applications, Alexandria, Egypt. 3 Bio-screening and Preclinical Trial Lab, Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. 4 Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. * Corresponding Author: m_taha@azhar.edu.eg

Virucidal activity of oriental hornet Vespa orientalis venom against hepatitis C virus
Moustafa Sarhan, Alaa M. H. El-Bitar, Amaal Mohammadein, Mohammed Elshehaby, and Hak Hotta
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major worldwide health problem that can cause liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The clinical treatment of HCV infection mainly relies on the use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that are usually expensive and have side effects. Therefore, achieving the discovery of more successful agents is always urgent. In this context, antiviral compounds that inhibit viral infections and disease progression with important therapeutic activities have been identified in animal venoms including arthropod toxins. This indicates that arthropod venoms represent a good natural source of promising candidates for new antivirals. Methods The antiviral activity of the wasp venom (WV), isolated from the Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis), was assessed using cell culture technique with human hepatocellular carcinoma-derived cell line (Huh7it-1) and the recombinant strain of HCV genotype 2a (JFH1). Results The results revealed that WV inhibited HCV infectivity with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 10 ng/mL, while the 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) was 11,000 ng/mL. Time of addition experiment showed that the WV blocked HCV attachment/entry to the cells probably through virucidal effect. On the other hand, the venom showed no inhibitory effect on HCV replication. Conclusion WV can inhibit the entry stage of HCV infection at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Therefore, it could be considered a potential candidate for characterization of natural anti-HCV agents targeting the entry step.

Synthetic zeolite supplementation as a potential candidate for the therapy of diabetic syndrome
Hussein A. Sultan, Mahmoud Ashry, Alaa M.H. El-Bi, Noha N. Yassen, Mahenor E. Abdelsa, and Mohssen A. Moustaf
Science Alert

Potent virucidal activity of honeybee “Apis mellifera” venom against Hepatitis C Virus
Moustafa Sarhan, Alaa M.H. El-Bitar, and Hak Hotta
Elsevier BV
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global viral widespread without an available vaccine to prevent infection. HCV infection can cause serious liver diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Current treatment of HCV infection depends on the FDA approved direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) which have side effects and expensive. Thus, development of a novel, more efficient, along with affordable pricing anti-HCV agents is still required. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the antiviral effects of bee venom (BV) from the honeybee Apis mellifera on the HCV replication life cycle. The crude venom and its components were examined for their anti-HCV activities using Huh7it-1 cultured cells and the JFH1 strain of HCV genotype 2a. Results revealed that BV inhibited HCV infection with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.05 ng/ml, while the 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) being 20,000 ng/ml. The venom directly blocked HCV/cell entry by acting on virus particles in a dose dependent manner, whereas no interference on the host cells. Furthermore, venom showed no inhibitory effect on HCV replication and release. Interestingly, none of the main BV components including the mast cell degranulating peptide (MCD), Apamin, or the small peptides Melittin (MLT) showed anti-HCV activity up to 5 μg/ml. In conclusion, these results suggest that BV has a direct virucidal activity against HCV and may exert its antiviral effect through a non-common peptide(s) or toxin complex within the crude venom. Therefore, the crude BV can be considered as a promising candidate for characterization and development of new and natural anti-HCV therapeutic agents.

Smp76, a Scorpine-Like Peptide Isolated from the Venom of the Scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus, with a Potent Antiviral Activity Against Hepatitis C Virus and Dengue Virus
Alaa M. H. El-Bitar, Moustafa Sarhan, Mohamed A. Abdel-Rahman, Veronica Quintero-Hernandez, Chie Aoki-Utsubo, Mohsen A. Moustafa, Lourival D. Possani, and Hak Hotta
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Growing global viral infections have been a serious public health problem in recent years. This current situation emphasizes the importance of developing more therapeutic antiviral compounds. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and dengue virus (DENV) belong to the Flaviviridae family and are an increasing global health threat. Our previous study reported that the crude venom of Scorpio maurus palmatus possessed anti-HCV and anti-DENV activities in vitro. We report here the characterization of a natural antiviral peptide (scorpion-like peptide Smp76) that prevents HCV and DENV infection. Smp76 was purified from S. m. palmatus venom and contains 76 amino acids with six residues of cysteine. Smp76 antiviral activity was evaluated using a cell culture technique utilizing Huh7it-1, Vero/SLAM, HCV (JFH1, genotype 2a) and DENV (Trinidad 1751, type 2). A potential antiviral activity of Smp76 was detected in culture cells with an approximate IC50 of 0.01 μg/ml. Moreover, Smp76 prevents HCV infection and suppresses secondary infection, by inactivating extra-cellular infectious particles without affecting viral replication. Interestingly, Smp76 is neither toxic nor hemolytic in vitro at a concentration 1000-fold higher than that required for antiviral activity. Conclusively, this report highlights novel anti-HCV and anti-DENV activities of Smp76, which may lay the foundation for developing a new therapeutic intervention against these flaviviruses.

Virocidal activity of Egyptian scorpion venoms against hepatitis C virus Hepatitis viruses
Alaa MH El-Bitar, Moustafa MH Sarhan, Chie Aoki, Yusuke Takahara, Mari Komoto, Lin Deng, Mohsen A Moustafa, and Hak Hotta
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major global health problem, causing chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Development of well-tolerated regimens with high cure rates and fewer side effects is still much needed. Recently, natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are attracting more attention as biological compounds and can be a good template to develop therapeutic agents, including antiviral agents against a variety of viruses. Various AMPs have been characterized from the venom of different venomous animals including scorpions.MethodsThe possible antiviral activities of crude venoms obtained from five Egyptian scorpion species (Leiurus quinquestriatus, Androctonus amoreuxi, A. australis, A. bicolor and Scorpio maurus palmatus) were evaluated by a cell culture method using Huh7.5 cells and the J6/JFH1-P47 strain of HCV. Time-of-addition experiments and inactivation of enzymatic activities of the venoms were carried out to determine the characteristics of the anti-HCV activities.ResultsS. maurus palmatus and A. australis venoms showed anti-HCV activities, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) being 6.3 ± 1.6 and 88.3 ± 5.8 μg/ml, respectively. S. maurus palmatus venom (30 μg/ml) impaired HCV infectivity in culture medium, but not inside the cells, through virocidal effect. The anti-HCV activity of this venom was not inhibited by a metalloprotease inhibitor or heating at 60°C. The antiviral activity was directed preferentially against HCV.ConclusionsS. maurus palmatus venom is considered as a good natural source for characterization and development of novel anti-HCV agents targeting the entry step. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing antiviral activities of Egyptian scorpion venoms against HCV, and may open a new approach towards discovering antiviral compounds derived from scorpion venoms.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Zeolite intervention counteracts hepato-nephrotoxicity changes and regenerates insulin release in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
HA Sultan, M Ashry, AMH El-Bitar, MA Moustafa
Egyptian Pharmaceutical Journal 23 (1), 64-72 2024

Immuno-Pathophysiological Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Efficacy of Natural and Synthetic Zeolite in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
M Ashry, AMH El-Bitar, HA Sultan, DG El-Sahra, KG Abdel-Wahhab, ...
2023

Total and mitochondrial cell free DNA quantification in day 5 embryos culture media reflects embryos quality
MS Mohammed H. Sheaba, Ali G. Gadel-Rab, Alaa M.H. EL-Bitar
The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine 89 (1), 4346- 4352 2022

Saussurea costus extract has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormonal effects against testicular toxicity induced by oxaliplatin in male albino rats
M Ashry, D Galal ELSahra, KG Abdel-Wahhab, ME Abdelsalam, ...
Iranian Journal of Toxicology 16 (2), 83-90 2022

Virucidal activity of oriental hornet Vespa orientalis venom against hepatitis C virus
M Sarhan, AMH El-Bitar, A Mohammadein, M Elshehaby, H Hotta
Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 27, e20210039 2021

Synthetic Zeolite Supplementation as a Potential Candidate for the Therapy of Diabetic Syndrome.
M Ashry
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences: PJBS 24 (10), 1067-1076 2021

Evaluation of bioactive phytochemical characterization, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antihemolytic properties of some seaweeds collected from Red Sea coast, Egypt
SRSAMAA Mohammed I. Elkhateeb,*, Alaa M. H. El-Bitar
Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries 25 (4), 417 – 436 2021

Synthetic Zeolite Supplementation as a Potential Candidate for the Therapy of Diabetic Syndrome
MEAMAM Hussein A. Sultan, Mahmoud Ashry, Alaa M.H. El-Bitar, Noha N.Yassen
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 24 (10), 1067-1076 2021

Potent virucidal activity of honeybee “Apis mellifera” venom against Hepatitis C Virus
M Sarhan, AMH El-Bitar, H Hotta
Toxicon 188, 55-64 2020

Smp76, a Scorpine-Like Peptide Isolated from the Venom of the Scorpion Scorpio maurus palmatus, with a Potent Antiviral Activity Against Hepatitis C Virus and
AMH El-Bitar, M Sarhan, MA Abdel-Rahman, V Quintero-Hernandez, ...
International journal of peptide research and therapeutics 26, 811-821 2020

Antiviral Activity of Egyptian Snake, Cerastes vipera Venom Against Hepatitis C Virus
AMH El-Bitar
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, G. Microbiology 10 (2), 51-64 2018

Antiviral agent
ポッサニモハメドアーメドアブデル－ラーマン博堀田ムスタファエム．サルハンアーメドアラー ...
JP Patent WO2017126340A1 2017

Virocidal activity of Egyptian scorpion venoms against hepatitis C virus
AMH El-Bitar, MMH Sarhan, C Aoki, Y Takahara, M Komoto, L Deng, ...
Virology journal 12, 1-9 2015

Seasonal Variations of Some Heavy Metals in Water, Sediments and Fish Samples Collected from the River Nile, Egypt
MAMT AGM Osman, KY Abuel-Fadl, AM Elbtar
Environmental Research Journal 6 (5), 321-328 2012

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
MI Elkhateeb, AMH El-Bitar, SR Saleh, AMA Abdelreheem

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Virocidal activity of Egyptian scorpion venoms against hepatitis C virus
AMH El-Bitar, MMH Sarhan, C Aoki, Y Takahara, M Komoto, L Deng, ...
Virology journal 12, 1-9 2015
Citations: 43

Potent virucidal activity of honeybee “Apis mellifera” venom against Hepatitis C Virus
M Sarhan, AMH El-Bitar, H Hotta
Toxicon 188, 55-64 2020
Citations: 19

Synthetic Zeolite Supplementation as a Potential Candidate for the Therapy of Diabetic Syndrome.
M Ashry
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences: PJBS 24 (10), 1067-1076 2021
Citations: 4