Antifungal activity of oily core PEGylated PLGA nanocapsules loaded with Penicillium oxalicum fungal extract: in vitro, in vivo, and in silico study Engy Elekhnawy, Dalia H. Abdelkader, Duaa Eliwa, Sarah Ibrahim, Moataz A. Shaldam, et al. Microbial Cell Factories, 2026 The rise of difficult-to-treat fungal infections necessitates novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, endophytic fungi were isolated from Acalypha hispida leaves and molecularly identified as Penicillium oxalicum via 18S rRNA sequencing. LC–MS/MS analysis of the fungal extract revealed major bioactive compounds, including linoleic acid, sinapinic acid, alternariol monomethyl ether, ellagic acid, and kaurenic acid. Oily-core poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether-block-poly(lactide- co -glycolide) nanocapsules (PEGylated PLGA NCs) were developed to encapsulate the fungal extract, improving stability and bioavailability. The PEGylated PLGA NCs exhibited controlled particle size, positive surface charge, and spherical morphology. In vitro, the PEGylated PLGA NCs demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida albicans with inhibition zones of 10–14 mm. In vivo, treatment significantly improved histological features of the kidney, liver, and spleen, and reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. In silico studies further confirmed the potential of the major compounds of the fungal extract to inhibit C. albicans aspartic proteinases SAP4-6. These findings suggest that PEGylated PLGA NCs loaded with P. oxalicum extract represent a promising antifungal therapeutic strategy.
Unveiling the potential of spirulina algal extract as promising antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: in vitro and in vivo study Mohamed I. Selim, Tarek El-banna, Fatma Sonbol, Walaa A. Negm, Engy Elekhnawy Microbial Cell Factories, 2025 Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a severe risk to global public health, necessitating the immediate development of novel therapeutic strategies. The current study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the green algae Arthrospira maxima (commercially known as Spirulina) both in vitro and in vivo against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae. In this study, thirty carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates were collected, identified, and then screened for their susceptibility to several antibiotics and carbapenemase production genes using PCR. Both blaKPC and blaOXA-48 genes were the most predominant detected carbapenemase genes in the tested isolates. The phytochemical profiling of A. maxima algal extract was conducted using LC–MS/MS in a positive mode technique. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the algal extract ranged from 500 to 1000 µg/mL. The algal extract also resulted in decreasing the membrane integrity and distortion in the bacterial cells as revealed by scanning electron microscope. The bioactive compounds that were responsible for the antibacterial action were fatty acids, including PUFAs, polysaccharides, glycosides, peptides, flavonoids, phycocyanin, minerals, essential amino acids, and vitamins. Moreover, A. maxima algal extract revealed an antibiofilm activity by crystal violet assay and qRT-PCR. A murine pneumonia model was employed for the in vivo assessment of the antibacterial action of the algal extract. A. maxima showed a promising antibacterial action which was comparable to the action of colistin (standard drug). This was manifested by improving the pulmonary architecture, decreasing the inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis after staining with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome stain. Using immunohistochemical investigations, the percentage of the immunoreactive cells significantly decreased after using monoclonal antibodies of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin six. So, A. maxima may be considered a new candidate for the development of new antibacterial medications. Graphical Abstract
Colo-Protective Effects of Pentoxifylline Alone or in Combination With Mesalamine in Colitis Through Sphingosine Kinase 1/Sphingosine 1 Phosphate, and Zonula Occuldin 1 Pathways: New Molecular Approach Fatemah A. Alherz, Mahmoud S. Abdallah, Esraa M. Mosalam, Mostafa M. Bahaa, Thanaa A. Elmasry, et al. Pharmacology Research and Perspectives, 2025 Multiple signaling pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC), including Sphingosine Kinase 1 (SPHK)/Sphingosine‐1‐Phosphate (S1P), AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/NLR family pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3), zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). We aimed to investigate the Colo protective and anti‐ulcerative effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) in a rat model of UC. Colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of 2 mL of 3% (v/v) acetic acid (AA). Thirty‐five rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 7 each): normal control, colitis, mesalamine, PTX, and a combination of PTX plus mesalamine. Disease activity was assessed using the disease activity index, colon weight and length measurements, histological examination, and immunohistochemical detection of caspase‐3. Colonic tissue homogenates were analyzed for interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), S1P, SPHK, mTOR, heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), AMPK, and STAT3 levels. Gene expression of ZO‐1 and NLRP3 was also evaluated. Intracolonic AA induced marked functional, biochemical, and inflammatory damage to colonic tissue. Treatment with PTX, mesalamine, or their combination significantly attenuated these effects. Specifically, all treatments reduced levels of IL‐6, S1P, SPHK, mTOR, STAT3, NLRP3, and caspase‐3, while increasing levels of ZO‐1, HO‐1, Nrf2, and AMPK. The combination treatment group exhibited near‐complete restoration of normal colonic architecture, characterized by intact crypt morphology and minimal fibrosis in the lamina propria. PTX attenuated inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in colitis, supporting its potential as an adjuvant therapy in UC management.
A new cytotoxic and antioxidant amentoflavone monoglucoside from Cycas revoluta thunb growing in Egypt Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2016
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Corrigendum to “Potential cardioprotective effects of Amentoflavone in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice”[Biomed. Pharmacother. 154 (2022) 113643] FA Alherz, TA El-Masry, WA Negm, AH El-Kadem Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 119429 , 2026 2026
Molecular identification and biological activity of a red sea bacterial isolate MM Matar, YN Elkholy, WA Negm, HH Elfeky, MA Yassien BMC microbiology , 2026 2026
Corrigendum to “Pentoxifylline and berberine mitigate diclofenac-induced acute nephrotoxicity in male rats via modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress”[Biomed … M Alorabi, S Cavalu, HM Al-Kuraishy, AI Al-Gareeb, G Mostafa-Hedeab, ... Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 119133 , 2026 2026
Antifungal activity of oily core PEGylated PLGA nanocapsules loaded with Penicillium oxalicum fungal extract: in vitro, in vivo, and in silico study E Elekhnawy, DH Abdelkader, D Eliwa, S Ibrahim, MA Shaldam, ... Microbial Cell Factories 25, 37 , 2026 2026
Antiparasitic and antimicrobial activity of Ipomoea palmata against Toxoplasma gondii and Staphylococcus aureus : correlation with major phenolics identified by … A Mira, TM Aljarba, FM Abdel Bar, R Ahmed, WA Negm, E Elekhnawy, ... Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology 53 (1), 194-206 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Toward plant-based therapeutics: Unravelling the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiquorum-sensing actions of Acacia saligna extract M Balaha, WA Negm, E Elekhnawy, RM Aldossari, AH Aodah, A Alam, ... Microbial Pathogenesis, 108238 , 2025 2025
Targeting ferroptosis and oxidative stress: Ipomoea pes-caprae-synthesized selenium nanoparticles accelerate healing in infected wounds via Nrf2/HO-1 activation WA Negm, E Elekhnawy, DA Habib, SM El-masry, HM ElBedaiwy, ... Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 107694 , 2025 2025
A Comparative Study on the Ameliorating Role of Flavonoids Rich Fraction and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Multiple Sclerosis Rat Model Targeting PINK-1/PARKIN R Ismail, A Azzam, W Negm, O Salem, E Basha, R Barhoma, H Ibrahim, ... Egyptian Journal of Histology 48 (3), 1046-1063 , 2025 2025
Investigating the Efficacy of Amoxicillin-Broccoli Combination in Combating Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection H Mosaad, E Elekhnawy, WA Negm, SS Younis, M El-Aasr Current Microbiology 82 (8), 338 , 2025 2025
Integrating network pharmacology and in vivo pharmacological validation to explore the gastroprotective mechanism of Sotetsuflavone against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer … MM El Tabaa, ME El Harty, M Mohsen, E Rashad, WA Negm, ... The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 142, 109934 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Colo‐protective effects of pentoxifylline alone or in combination with mesalamine in colitis through Sphingosine Kinase 1/Sphingosine 1 phosphate, and Zonula Occuldin 1 … FA Alherz, MS Abdallah, EM Mosalam, MM Bahaa, TA Elmasry, ... Pharmacology Research & Perspectives 13 (3), e70115 , 2025 2025 Citations: 4
Antioxidant and antiapoptotic impacts of the land snail Helix aspersa extracts on aged male rats, Rattus norvegicus HH Abdel-Azeem, HEA Mansour, MM Mahfouz, WA Negm, S Mahgoub, ... The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology 86 (1), 31 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of metformin as an adjunctive therapy in Parkinson’s disease HA AlRasheed, MM Bahaa, TA Elmasry, EI Elberri, FA Kotkata, ... Frontiers in Pharmacology 16, 1497261 , 2025 2025 Citations: 13
The potential neuroprotective effects of Spirulina platensis in a valproic acid-induced experimental model of autism in the siblings of albino rats: targeting PIk3/AKT … R Ismail, WA Negm, EH Basha, FH Rizk, NGM Attallah, N Altwaijry, ... Nutritional Neuroscience 28 (4), 448-470 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Promising protective treatment potential of endophytic bacterium Rhizobium aegyptiacum for ulcerative colitis in rats E Elekhnawy, D Eliwa, S Mahgoub, S Magdeldin, E Moglad, S Ibrahim, ... Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B 26 (3), 286-301 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
A novel combination therapy using Dapagliflozin and Cycas media extract in experimentally induced diabetic wounds by targeting novel pathways in wound healing NA Ashour, TA El-Masry, NA El-Mahdy, AE Khodier, KE Elmorshedy, ... International Immunopharmacology 144, 113618 , 2025 2025
Unveiling the potential of spirulina algal extract as promising antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae : in vitro and … MI Selim, T El-Banna, F Sonbol, WA Negm, E Elekhnawy Microbial Cell Factories 24 (1), 7 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Antibacterial activity of cinnamon essential oils: mechanisms and applications E Elekhnawy, OM Al-Fakhrany, WA Negm, A Zayed Cinnamon, 329-349 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Studying the effects of secondary metabolites isolated from Cycas thouarsii R.Br. leaves on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (vol 52, pg 103, 2023) B Alotaibi, TA El-Masry, E Elekhnawy, FA Mokhtar, HM El-Seadawy, ... ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 52 (1), 130-130 , 2024 2024
Fenofibrate as an adjunct therapy for ulcerative colitis: targeting inflammation via SIRT1, NLRP3, and AMPK pathways: a randomized controlled pilot study SJ Alarfaj, MM Bahaa, TA Elmasry, EI Elberri, E El-Khateeb, AO Hamouda, ... Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 5239-5253 , 2024 2024 Citations: 13
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
In Vivo and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles against Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates NGM Attallah, E Elekhnawy, WA Negm, IA Hussein, FA Mokhtar, ... Pharmaceuticals 15 (2), 194 , 2022 2022 Citations: 100
Metformin role in Parkinson’s disease: a double-sword effect M Alrouji, HM Al-Kuraishy, AI Al-Gareeb, NA Ashour, MS Jabir, WA Negm, ... Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry 479 (4), 975-991 , 2024 2024 Citations: 98
The wound healing effect of botanicals and pure natural substances used in in vivo models SA El-Sherbeni, WA Negm Inflammopharmacology 31 (2), 755-772 , 2023 2023 Citations: 92
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Potential Delivery Carrier: Green Synthesis by Aspergillus niger Endophytic Fungus, Characterization, and In Vitro/In Vivo Antibacterial … DH Abdelkader, WA Negm, E Elekhnawy, D Eliwa, BN Aldosari, ... Pharmaceuticals 15 (9), 1057 , 2022 2022 Citations: 92
Combination of vitamin C and curcumin safeguards against methotrexate-induced acute liver injury in mice by synergistic antioxidant effects D Hasan Khudhair, AI Al-Gareeb, HM Al-Kuraishy, AH El-Kadem, ... Frontiers in medicine 9, 866343 , 2022 2022 Citations: 72
Pentoxifylline and berberine mitigate diclofenac-induced acute nephrotoxicity in male rats via modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress M Alorabi, S Cavalu, HM Al-Kuraishy, AI Al-Gareeb, G Mostafa-Hedeab, ... Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 152, 113225 , 2022 2022 Citations: 71
Elucidation of the Metabolite Profile of Yucca gigantea and Assessment of Its Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities NGM Attallah, SA El-Sherbeni, AH El-Kadem, E Elekhnawy, TA El-Masry, ... Molecules 27 (4), 1329 , 2022 2022 Citations: 68
Gentiopicroside PLGA nanospheres: fabrication, in vitro characterization, antimicrobial action, and in vivo effect for enhancing wound healing in diabetic rats M Almukainzi, T A El-Masry, W A Negm, E Elekhnawy, A Saleh, ... International Journal of Nanomedicine, 1203-1225 , 2022 2022 Citations: 63
Antibacterial activity of nano zinc oxide green-synthesised from Gardenia thailandica triveng. Leaves against Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates: in vitro … B Alotaibi, WA Negm, E Elekhnawy, TA El-Masry, ME Elharty, A Saleh, ... Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology 50 (1), 96-106 , 2022 2022 Citations: 62
Bilosomes as nanoplatform for oral delivery and modulated in vivo antimicrobial activity of lycopene R Binsuwaidan, AA Sultan, WA Negm, NGM Attallah, MJ Alqahtani, ... Pharmaceuticals 15 (9), 1043 , 2022 2022 Citations: 62
Fucoidan mitigates gastric ulcer injury through managing inflammation, oxidative stress, and NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis HM Selim, WA Negm, MF Hawwal, IA Hussein, E Elekhnawy, R Ulber, ... International immunopharmacology 120, 110335 , 2023 2023 Citations: 61
The role of berberine in Covid-19: potential adjunct therapy AO Babalghith, HM Al-Kuraishy, AI Al-Gareeb, M De Waard, ... Inflammopharmacology 30 (6), 2003-2016 , 2022 2022 Citations: 59
Silver Nanoparticles Prepared Using Encephalartos laurentianus De Wild Leaf Extract Have Inhibitory Activity against Candida albicans Clinical Isolates FA Alherz, WA Negm, E Elekhnawy, TA El-Masry, EM Haggag, ... Journal of Fungi 8 (10), 1005 , 2022 2022 Citations: 56
Anti-Biofilm and Antibacterial Activities of Cycas media R. Br Secondary Metabolites: In Silico, In Vitro, and In Vivo Approaches NGM Attallah, OM Al-Fakhrany, E Elekhnawy, IA Hussein, MA Shaldam, ... Antibiotics 11 (8), 993 , 2022 2022 Citations: 56
Co-delivery of gentiopicroside and thymoquinone using electrospun m-PEG/PVP nanofibers: In-vitro and In vivo studies for antibacterial wound dressing in diabetic rats M Almukainzi, TA El-Masry, WA Negm, E Elekhnawy, A Saleh, AE Sayed, ... International journal of pharmaceutics 625, 122106 , 2022 2022 Citations: 55
Wound-Healing Potential of Rhoifolin-Rich Fraction Isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis Roots Supported by Enhancing Re-Epithelization, Angiogenesis, Anti … WA Negm, AH El-Kadem, E Elekhnawy, NGM Attallah, GA Al-Hamoud, ... Pharmaceuticals 15 (2), 178 , 2022 2022 Citations: 54
Antimicrobial Activity of Brassica rapa L. Flowers Extract on Gastrointestinal Tract Infections and Antiulcer Potential Against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in … B Alotaibi, FA Mokhtar, TA El-Masry, E Elekhnawy, SA Mostafa, ... Journal of Inflammation Research, 7411-7430 , 2021 2021 Citations: 54
Histological assessment, anti-quorum sensing, and anti-biofilm activities of Dioon spinulosum extract: in vitro and in vivo approach E Elekhnawy, WA Negm, M El-Aasr, AA Kamer, M Alqarni, GES Batiha, ... Scientific Reports 12 (1), 180 , 2022 2022 Citations: 52
Antibacterial, Immunomodulatory, and Lung Protective Effects of Boswellia dalzielii Oleoresin Ethanol Extract in Pulmonary Diseases: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies B Alotaibi, WA Negm, E Elekhnawy, TA El-Masry, WS Elseady, A Saleh, ... Antibiotics 10 (12), 1444 , 2021 2021 Citations: 51
Investigation of the Antibacterial Activity and Efflux Pump Inhibitory Effect of Cycas thouarsii R.Br. Extract against Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates WA Negm, M El-Aasr, AA Kamer, E Elekhnawy Pharmaceuticals 14 (8), 756 , 2021 2021 Citations: 51
