Degradation of metronidazole by Bi3O4Br/MIL-88B(Fe) Z-scheme heterojunction: Performance and mechanisms.

Helicobacter pylori antimicrobial resistance and CYP2C19 genotypes in a paediatric cohort with initial eradication failure: A study from Henan, China (2019-2024).

Starch-coated metal-organic framework for controlled metronidazole delivery: Antibacterial performance and cytocompatibility assessment.

ObjectivesThe use of titanium platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) as a sustained drug delivery system (SDDS) has been limited. Hence present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy, drug kinetics and growth factor release of T-PRF injected with amoxicillin+clavulanic acid (amoxiclav gel), metronidazole (MTZ) and neem (NE) gels separately.Materials and Methods12 Healthy volunteers were recruited for this in vitro analysis. Drug kinetics were monitored at 0, 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed at 48 hours post inoculation in culture plates and growth factor release was measured at 3, 7 and 10 days. Kruskal–Wallis test, Dunn’s Post hoc test, Bonferroni’s correction and Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare the drug release over time frames, inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) and growth factor release were expressed in (mean and standard deviations) millimetres, pico g/mL and nano g/mL.ResultsIn terms of drug kinetics, both T-PRF clots and collagen sponges when injected with antibiotic/ herbal gels individually there was a sustained drug release up to 72 hours and there was a greater release observed in collagen sponge. IZDs were recorded for T-PRF injected with amoxiclav/MTZ/NE gel for anti-microbial efficacy. Growth factor release was also observed for T-PRF plain and T-PRF injected with gels, with levels were numerically higher in T-PRF plain.ConclusionWithin the limitations of the study T-PRF demonstrated sustained drug release with superior antibacterial activity. Growth factor release was not compromised, aiding in the preservation of regenerative capacity. Therefore, T-PRF can be used as a SDDS.

Metronidazole (MTZ), a widely used antiamoebic and antibacterial drug, has been linked to male reproductive damage. The aim of this study was to investigate Olea europaea L. and Equisetum arvense L. ethanol extracts for the protection against testicular toxicity and male infertility caused by MTZ, and to characterize the underlying mechanisms. Forty-two male rats were divided into six groups. The animals in group 1 served as the controls and received a daily oral dose (1 mL) of the vehicle. The animals in group 2 received metronidazole at doses of 400 mg/kg. Group 3 was treated with E. arvense extract at doses of 100 mg/kg. Group 4 was treated with O. europaea leaf extract at doses of 400 mg/kg. Group 5 was treated with metronidazole and E. arvense extract at doses of 400 and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Group 6 was treated with metronidazole with O. europaea leaf extract at doses of 400 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. The rats were given a daily oral dose of different treatments for 60 days, after which the animals were euthanized to study the histopathological and molecular changes in the testis and the sperm count in the epididymis. The testosterone levels, MDA levels, and GSH contents were also assessed in the rats in all groups. The findings revealed that the MTZ treatment caused a substantial increase in MDA levels and upregulated the NBN gene expression relative to the control. Moreover, the MTZ treatment produced significant reductions in the sperm count and viability, testosterone levels, and GSH content, and downregulated the INSL-3, STAR, HSD-3β, and CYP11A1 gene expression compared to the control. The adverse effects in testicular tissue were significantly reduced in rats given the O. europaea leaves and E. arvense treatment. The findings may show that MTZ can enhance testicular toxicity and infertility, but both plant extracts can prevent these harmful consequences.

Abstract Background In tropical countries like India, amoebic liver abscesses (ALA) account for almost two-thirds of the reported cases of liver abscess. This study aims to compare the efficacy, tolerability, and patient satisfaction scores of three leading nitroimidazole derivatives: metronidazole (MNZ), tinidazole (TIN), and secnidazole (SEC) against amoebic liver abscesses. Material and methods This is a single-center, triple-arm randomized controlled trial study in which patients diagnosed with ALA were randomized into three treatment groups: metronidazole (MEN), tinidazole (TIN), and secnidazole (SEC). The primary outcomes observed in this study were the resolution of symptoms and signs, including fever, abdominal pain, right hypochondrium tenderness, and leukocytosis. Drug-related side effects, patient satisfaction scores, and complications like rupture of abscess, atelectasis, or pleural effusion were secondary outcomes of the study. Results A total of 150 patients were randomized equally into three MEN, TIN, and SEC groups. Drug-related side effects were reported as minimal with TNZ, while MNZ had maximum side effects and tolerability issues ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion Compared to MNZ and SEC, TNZ exhibits a rapid clinical response, an early resolution of pain and fever, good tolerance with minimal side effects, and high patient satisfaction scores. Although SEC’s side effects were similar to MNZ, TIN consistently showed superior safety and efficacy compared to both. Trial registration CTRI No CTRI/2022/01/039430

Construction of cobalt-embedded magnetic yolk-shell magic cube nanoreactors for metronidazole wastewater purification.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a significant global disease. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and potential protective effects of Equisetum arvense L. (horsetail) ethanol extract and Olea europaea L. (olive leaves) aqueous extract against metronidazole (MTZ)-induced pancreatic damage in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into six groups: Group I (control) received saline; Group II (Metronidazole) received only MTZ (400 mg/kg). Group III (Equisetum arvense group) received E. arvense 100 mg/kg. Group IV (Olea europaea) received 400 mg/kg of O. europaea. Group V (MTZ + E. arvense) received both MTZ (400 mg/kg) and E. arvense (100 mg/kg). Group VI (MTZ + O. europaea) received MTZ (400 mg/kg) and O. europaea (400 mg/kg). All treatments were delivered daily via the oral route. After 60 days, serum amylase, lipase, protease, and glucose levels, oxidative parameters “malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), mRNA relative expression of pancreatic Pik3ca (phosphatidylinosi-tol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha), AKT (AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1), Nrf-2 (Nuclear factor, erythroid 2-like 2), TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha), and IL-1β (interleukin-1 beta genes, an apoptotic marker “caspase-3,” and histopathological changes were estimated. Results: HPLC analysis revealed that horsetail extract contained caffeic acid, catechin, rutin, and kaempferol, while olive leaf extract was dominated by oleuropein. MTZ administration significantly elevated serum levels of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, and protease) and glucose and increased oxidative stress markers, such as MDA, while reducing catalase (CAT) activity. Co-treatment with MTZ and horsetail, or MTZ and olive extracts, mitigated these effects, especially horsetail, which restored CAT levels and reduced MDA concentrations. qPCR analysis showed MTZ upregulated inflammatory genes (TNFα, IL-1β) and downregulated antioxidant and survival-related genes (Pik3ca, AKT, Nrf-2). Horsetail co-treatment significantly reversed these gene expression patterns. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed MTZ-induced pancreatic tissue degeneration and increased cleaved caspase-3 expression, both of which were notably alleviated by horsetail extract. Conclusions: These findings highlight the superior protective efficacy of Equisetum arvense over Olea europaea in ameliorating MTZ-induced pancreatic toxicity, potentially through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.

Metronidazole (MTZ) is frequently used in both human and veterinary medicine to treat infections caused by certain protozoa and anaerobic bacteria. This study investigates the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of MTZ for available species in the literature by utilizing a linear, allometric, minimal physiologically-based PK (mPBPK) model. High quality PK data for intravenous (IV, n = 13) and oral (PO, n = 10) single doses were collected. Reported clearances (CL) and volumes of distribution (VSS) were highly correlated (R2 = 0.957, 0.969) with body weights (BW) with allometric power coefficients of 0.97 and 0.87. A mPBPK model with one perfusion-limited tissue compartment was used to evaluate MTZ PK using anatomical and physiological parameters for each species. The mPBPK model adequately captured the IV PK profiles when using species-specific CL values and a generalized tissue:plasma partition coefficient (Kp = 0.792 (CV 2.76%)) except for sheep and goats that had very low Kp values. The IV and PO profiles were best fitted jointly with shared physiological parameters and species-specific clearances, Kp values (range 0.55 to 1.44, mean 0.86), and bioavailability (F 0.32 - 1.00, mean 0.73). Overall, successfully integrating allometric scaling into a mPBPK model for diverse species revealed very consistent disposition of MTZ with generally BW-proportional CL values, reasonably conserved Kp values, and a moderate range of absorption rates and high bioavailability.

Oral metronidazole (MTZ) is a widely used drug in the 5-nitroimidazole class effective against various anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. It has long been thought to cause a disulfiram-like reaction (DLR) when combined with alcohol, believed to result from inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase, leading to acetaldehyde accumulation and symptoms such as nausea, flushing, vomiting, and tachycardia. To assess the validity of this association, we reviewed the English-language literature in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from 1/1/1970-11/22/2024, using the broad search term "disulfiram-like reaction." Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. While all four case reports and one older clinical trial reported a potential link between some oral 5-nitroimidazoles and DLR, 3 clinical trials, one cross-sectional chart review, and 2 experimental animal studies did not. Thus, the available evidence does not strongly support a clinically significant interaction between alcohol and oral MTZ, calling into question the need for strict alcohol abstinence during treatment.

The development of advanced semiconductor-based catalysts for the rapid degradation of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants in water remains a critical challenge in environmental science. In this study, we present the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic performance of zinc oxide (ZnO) microtetrapods decorated with plasmonic Ag nanoparticles. These microtetrapods have been designed to enhance piezo-, photo-, and piezo-photocatalytic degradation of metronidazole (MNZ), a persistent antibiotic contaminant. ZnO microtetrapods were synthesized by high-temperature pyrolysis and using atmospheric-pressure microwave nitrogen plasma, followed by photochemical deposition of Ag nanoparticles at various precursor concentrations (0–1 mmol AgNO3). The structural integrity of the samples was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, while the morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). Additionally, spectroscopic analysis, including Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, was conducted to verify the successful formation of heterostructures with adjustable surface loading of Ag. It has been shown that ZnO microtetrapods decorated with plasmonic Ag nanoparticles exhibit Raman-active properties. A systematic evaluation under photocatalytic, piezocatalytic, and combined piezo-photocatalytic conditions revealed a pronounced volcano-type dependence of catalytic activity on Ag content, with the 0.75 mmol composition exhibiting optimal performance. In the presence of both light irradiation and ultrasonication, the optimized Ag/ZnO composite exhibited 93% degradation of MNZ within a span of 5 min, accompanied by an apparent rate constant of 0.56 min−1. This value stands as a significant improvement, surpassing the degradation rate of pristine ZnO by over 24-fold. The collective identification of defect modulation, plasmon-induced charge separation, and piezoelectric polarization as the predominant mechanisms driving enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation is a significant advancement in the field. These findings underscore the synergistic interplay between plasmonic and piezoelectric effects in oxide-based heterostructures and present a promising strategy for the efficient removal of recalcitrant water pollutants using multi-field activated catalysis.

Metronidazole and Giardia: In vitro viability assay under microaerobic conditions indicates a multifactorial basis for metronidazole treatment failure.

Combination therapy of green synthesized copper nanoparticle and metronidazole showed promising efficacy against Giardia lamblia infection.

Highly efficient antibiotic decontamination and biotoxicity elimination with activity-stability considerations via encapsulated catalyst induced peroxymonosulfate activation.

Dermal disposition characterization and development of a retrospective level A in vitro-in vivo relationship for topical metronidazole products.

In this work, Gelatin-PEG (polyethylene glycol) composite hydrogels are investigated as vaginal drug delivery vehicles, taking advantage of PEG's improved solubility and stability as well as Gelatin's biocompatibility and biodegradability. Using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent, hydrogels were created in different ratios (20:0, 19:1, 18:2, 17:3, 16:4). Metronidazole (MZ) was added for its antibacterial properties against E. coli. The hydrogels' in vitro metronidazole (MZ) release behaviour was closely studied. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of the MZ-loaded hydrogels was assessed against E. coli, a bacterium commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Swelling, humidity, UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, TGA, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and haemolysis tests were used for characterisation. The results showed stability, controlled swelling, thermal stability, excellent antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility. The ratio of 16:4 demonstrated the best capacity for swelling. These results establish Gelatin-PEG hydrogels as potentially effective drug delivery systems for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis and other medical conditions.

Machine learning-enhanced electrochemical sensing platform for simultaneous detection of multiple antibiotics in food samples.

Enhanced sulfite activation via piezoelectric BaTiO3 for efficient antibiotic degradation.

Antibiotic resistance significantly impacts the success of Helicobacter pylori eradication. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic resistance patterns among a Chinese Yi ethnic population. Gastric biopsy specimens were collected from Chinese Yi patients undergoing endoscopy at 2 hospitals for H. pylori isolation and pathological assessment. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed for amoxicillin (AML), tetracycline (TET), clarithromycin (CLR), metronidazole (MTZ), levofloxacin (LEV), rifampicin (RIF), and furazolidone (FZD) using Etest or disk diffusion. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were used to identify factors associated with antimicrobial resistance. From 501 gastric specimens, 262 H. pylori strains were isolated (52.3% culture rate). Of the 262 H. pylori-positive patients (110 men and 152 women, mean age 40.7 years), endoscopic findings revealed that 129 (49.2%) had chronic atrophic gastritis, 40 (15.3%) had peptic ulcers, and 2 (0.8%) had gastric malignancy. Pathological analysis revealed a high prevalence of moderate-to-severe chronic gastric atrophy (75.6%), intestinal metaplasia (14.7%), and dysplasia (0.8%). The overall resistance rates were the following: AML (0.0%), TET (0.4%), CLR (22.9%), MTZ (86.3%), LEV (39.7%), RIF (52.7%), and FZD (0.0%). Multi-drug resistance was observed in 32.1% of the strains. Age (for CLR, MTZ, and LEV) and female gender (for MTZ) were independent factors associated with antimicrobial resistance. Chronic gastric atrophy is highly prevalent among Yi patients, emphasizing the need for endoscopic screening and prompt H. pylori eradication to prevent gastric cancer. Due to high resistance, CLR, MTZ, and LEV should not be used empirically. In contrast, TET, AML, and FZD show negligible resistance, treatment regimens based on these antibiotics are likely to be effective.

The antibiotic resistance rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has increased year by year with the widespread use of antibiotics, resulting in reduced efficacy of eradication therapy and increased recurrence rate. We conducted a survey on H. pylori resistance in the South area of Sichuan province to provide guidance for front-line treatments of H. pylori in this area. Helicobacter pylori strains were isolated from gastric mucosa specimens obtained from patients with suspected H. pylori infection from the South area of Sichuan province. Antibiotic susceptibility of the strains was determined by disk diffusion method. Among 373 patients, 323 were from southern Sichuan. H. pylori strains were isolated and cultured from gastric mucosa samples of 304 patients, resulting in an isolation and culture success rate of 81.50%. Metronidazole (MNZ) is the antibiotic with the highest drug resistance rate in the South area of Sichuan province, with a drug resistance rate as high as 98.68%. The resistance rates of amoxicillin and furazolidone were very low, accounting for 0.29% and 0.99%, respectively. However, tetracycline showed no resistance. Single antibiotic resistance accounted for 35.67%, while the resistance to 2 antibiotics was dual resistance, accounting for 34.67%. Dual drug resistance was mainly MNZ and levofloxacin, followed by MNZ and clarithromycin (CLA). MNZ, levofloxacin, and CLA should be used cautiously in H. pylori eradication therapy in the South area of Sichuan province. If the cultivation results and drug sensitivity test results of the H. pylori strain cannot be obtained, it is recommended to adopt an empirical treatment plan, using the pairwise combinations of amoxicillin, tetracycline, and FZD, especially the combination of amoxicillin and tetracycline.