Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of the petroleum ether extract of the root of Anacyclus pyrethrum on Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model in Wistar rats. Methods: The composition of the petroleum ether extract of A. pyrethrum was first analyzed using GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY ((GC-MS)). Subsequently, the anticonvulsant activities of these extracts (70 and 140 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) were evaluated on PTZ-induced seizures in rats. The protection rate against induced seizures, latency, and duration of seizures, as well as neurological symptoms, were assessed and compared to those protected by phenobarbital. Results: GC/MS analysis of the petroleum ether extract showed that the main components were octadecadienoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, diheptylcyclopropene, naphthalene, and methyl stearate. The extract (70 and 140 mg/kg) was found to provide significant protection against PTZ-induced seizures. Moreover, compared to the negative control, the extracts increased the latency of induced-convulsion and reduced the duration of epilepsy. Interestingly, the extracts showed a reduction in neurological symptoms and the severity of seizures compared to the negative control. All of these outcomes manifested in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: The petroleum ether extract of A. pyrethrum may produce anticonvulsant effects by reducing the duration of seizures and delaying the latency of seizures induced by PTZ.

Water contamination due to the wide variety of pesticides used in agriculture is a global environmental pollution problem. In order to reach at sub-mgL-1 levels of detection, an efficient extraction technique is required. A simple, fast and economical method, dispersive liquid-liquid micro extraction (DLLME), followed by GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY was assessed for determining endosulfan in water samples. Experimental parameters which control the performance of DLLME, such as extraction and disperser solvents type and their volumes, temperature, and salt addition were studied by experimental design. The main factors affecting the extraction efficiency, volumes of disperser and extraction solvents, were optimized by response surface method. Under optimum conditions, the method was linear over the range 0.1-50 mg/L. The enrichment factor and extraction recovery were 163.4 and 63.73, respectively. Correlation coefficient and limit of detection (LODs) are 0.9996, 20 ng/L, respectively.

Background: Oxytetracycline (OTC) is a widely-used antibiotic; metabolism studies indicate only partial assimilation of it inside the body. Traditional wastewater treatment plants cannot remove OTC, and this results in the release of considerable amounts of the drug into aquatic environments. There is much concern over the role of residual antibiotics in the development of new generations of bacteria with modified resistance to the antibiotics. The present work investigated the possibility of OTC sorption on river sediments. Methods: Seven sediment samples were collected from various locations and depths of the Passaic River in New Jersey. The texture, clay, extractable iron, and organic matter contents of the sediments were determined. Pyrolysis-GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS spectrometric (Py (GC-MS)) analysis indicated the presence of 3 categories of organic materials: petroleum hydrocarbons, anthropogenic, and plant residual materials. The sediment samples were equilibrated with OTC solutions for 24 hours followed by centrifugation and syringe filtration. The residual OTC contents were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Results: It appeared that 35%-60% fractions of OTC were retained by the sediments. The sorption capacity values of the sediments were correlated with clay content, organic matter content, and available iron. A poor correlation was found between adsorption capacity and clay content in the presence of organic matter and iron. Meanwhile, a relatively strong correlation was found between adsorption capacity with the iron, R2 = 0. 7499, and organic matter contents of the sediments, R2 = 0. 7899. Thus, the sorption of OTC on sediments is governed by all constituents. Conclusion: It was concluded that the antibiotic-sediment interaction is controlled mainly by the organic matter and iron contents.

Centella asiaticais a herbaceous plant and known as pegaga in Malaysia. It was commonly used as a healing agent and constituent to improve mental ability because contains polyphenols and triterpenes. Malathion is an insecticide that helped to increase value and yields of Centella. asiatica by control the damage caused by crop pests. Study was done in MARDI Serdang to measure malathion residue in Centella. asiatica with different treatment methods using (GC-MS). Six plots were randomly selected and samples were taken a day before, a day, three days and five days after the application of malathion. The samples were divided into treated (soaked in tap water and salted water), and untreated groups. The sample was extracted through the liquid-liquid extraction and underwent a clean-up process by a silica gel. The residues were found in; three samples treated with salt water (A1=19.78 mg/kg, C1=8.53 mg/kg and E1=0.99 mg/kg), one sample treated with tap water (E1=0.44 mg/kg) and two unwashed samples (E1=0.0053 mg/kg and F1=0.0077 mg/kg). Therefore the safest way to consume is by soaked with tap water compared with soaked in salt water and unwashed. However the malathion residue found were below the Maximum Residue Limits set up by US EPA.