Differential induction of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals in agitated micro-shoot cultures of Ajuga integrifolia Buch. Ham. ex D.Don with biotic elicitors.

Ajuga integrifolia Buch. Ham. ex D.Don, a member of Lamiaceae family is pharmaceutically an active perennial herb widely spread in China, Afghanistan and Pakistan Himalayan region. The application of biotic elicitors is a promising approach to cover limitations of in vitro cell technology and challenges faced by pharmaceuticals industry for bulk up production. The current study involved the induction of agitated micro-shoot cultures with the aim to investigate the growth-promoting as well as phytochemicals enhancement role of yeast extract (YE) and pectin (PE). The results showed that both elicitors induced a considerable physiological response. Biomass accumulation was observed maximum (DW: 18.3 g/L) against PE (10 mg/L) compared to YE and control. Eleven secondary phytocompounds were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. PE (50 mg/L) was found to be effective in elicitation of rosmarinic acid (680.20 µg/g), chlorogenic acid (294.12 µg/g), apigenin (579.61 µg/g) and quercetin (596.89 µg/g). However, maximum caffeic acid (359.52 µg/g) and luteolin (546.12 µg/g accumulation was noted in PE (1 mg/L) treatment. Harpagide, aucubin, harpagoside and 8-O-acetyl-harpagoside production was suppressed by both elicitors except for YE (100 mg/L). Catalpol accumulation in micro-shoot cultures was also downregulated except in response to YE (50 and 100 mg/L). Antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity remained higher under PE (50 mg/L) and YE (100 mg/L) respectively. Therefore, results suggested that Ajuga integrifolia micro-shoot cultures treated with yeast extract and pectin might be an efficient bio-factory to produce commercially potent specific secondary metabolites.

Scarlet Flax Linum grandiflorum (L.) In Vitro Cultures as a New Source of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Lignans.

In vitro cultures of scarlet flax (Linum grandiflorum L.), an important ornamental flax, have been established as a new possible valuable resource of lignans and neolignans for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory applications. The callogenic potential at different concentrations of α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and thidiazuron (TDZ), alone or in combinations, was evaluated using both L. grandiflorum hypocotyl and cotyledon explants. A higher callus induction frequency was observed on NAA than TDZ, especially for hypocotyl explants, with a maximum frequency (i.e., 95.2%) on 1.0 mg/L of NAA. The presence of NAA (1.0 mg/L) in conjunction with TDZ tended to increase the frequency of callogenesis relative to TDZ alone, but never reached the values observed with NAA alone, thereby indicating the lack of synergy between these two plant growth regulators (PGRs). Similarly, in terms of biomass, NAA was more effective than TDZ, with a maximum accumulation of biomass registered for medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L of NAA using hypocotyls as initial explants (DW: 13.1 g). However, for biomass, a synergy between the two PGRs was observed, particularly for cotyledon-derived explants and for the lowest concentrations of TDZ. The influence of these two PGRs on callogenesis and biomass is discussed. The HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of lignans (secoisolariciresinol (SECO) and lariciresinol (LARI) and neolignan (dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol [DCA]) naturally accumulated in their glycoside forms. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities performed for both hypocotyl- and cotyledon-derived cultures were also found maximal (DPPH: 89.5%, FRAP 866: µM TEAC, ABTS: 456 µM TEAC) in hypocotyl-derived callus cultures as compared with callus obtained from cotyledon explants. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activities revealed high inhibition (COX-1: 47.4% and COX-2: 51.1%) for extract of hypocotyl-derived callus cultures at 2.5 mg/L TDZ. The anti-inflammatory action against COX-1 and COX-2 was supported by the IC50 values. This report provides a viable approach for enhanced biomass accumulation and efficient production of (neo)lignans in L. grandiflorum callus cultures.

Interactive Effect of Light and CdO Nanoparticles on Dodonaea viscosa Morphological, Antioxidant, and Phytochemical Properties.

Cadmium nanoparticles (NPs) used in semiconducting devices are photosensitive and optically active. The objective of this study was to investigate the interactive effect of different spectral lights and CdO NPs on morphological, antioxidant, and phytochemical characteristics of Dodonaea viscosa. The plants were grown on media in the presence of green and chemically synthesized CdO NPs and under red, yellow, green, blue, and white light intensities. Results illustrated that plant morphological parameters changed in the presence of different spectral lights and NPs behaved differentially under different spectral lights. Fresh and dry weights of plants decreased in the presence of NPs in the media; however, the concentration and route of synthesis of NPs have a significant effect on these parameters. The same was observed in the case of shoot and root lengths; however, green synthesized NPs were found to be less toxic under different spectral lights. The total antixodant response increased under yellow, blue, and white lights, while the total reducing potential of plant extracts significantly varied depending upon the NP concentration and light spectrum. Different spectral lights significantly influenced the syntheses of phenolics and flavonoids under CdO NP stress and light regimes. It is concluded that toxicity of NPs also depends upon the wavelength of striking light that varies the morphological, biochemical, and antioxidative response of the plants. Furthermore, the white light might have synergistic effects of different wavelengths.

Postponement growth and antioxidative response of Brassica nigra on CuO and ZnO nanoparticles exposure under soil conditions.

Due to unique physiochemical properties, nanoparticles (NPs) have acquired substantial attention in the field of research. However, threats of ecotoxicity and phytotoxicity have limited their biological applications. In this study in vivo experiments were performed to determine the effect of CuO (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg) and ZnO (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) NPs on growth, and antioxidant activities of Brassica nigra. The results showed that CuO NPs did not affect the seed germination while presence of ZnO NPs in the soil generated an inhibitory effect. Both CuO and ZnO NPs positively influenced the growth of stem and other physiological parameters i.e. stem height increased (23%) at 50 mg/kg CuO while root length decreased (up to 44%) with an increase in the concentration of NPs. Phytochemical screening of apical, middle and basal leaves showed elevated phenolic and flavonoid contents in the range of 15.3-59 µg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/mg Dry Weight (DW) and 10-35 µg Querceitin Equivalent (QE)/mg DW, respectively, in NPs-treated plants. Antioxidant activity was higher in CuO NPs-treated plants as compared to ZnO and control plants. Results conclude that CuO and ZnO NPs at low concentrations can be exploited as nanofertilisers in agriculture fields.

Green and Chemical Syntheses of CdO NPs: A Comparative Study for Yield Attributes, Biological Characteristics, and Toxicity Concerns.

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have enormous applications due to their remarkable physical and chemical properties. The synthesis of NPs has been a matter of concern because chemical methods are toxic. On the contrary, biological methods are considered eco-friendly. To compare the toxicity and the environment-friendly nature of the synthesis methodologies, cadmium NPs were synthesized through chemical (Ch) (co-precipitation) and biological (plant extracts as reducing agent) methods. Cadmium nitrate was reduced with NaOH, while in the biological method, the Cd ions were reduced by Artemisia scoparia (As) and Cannabis sativa (Cs) extracts. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the pure single-phase cubic structure of green and chemically synthesized CdO NPs except As-CdO NPs that were crystalline cum amorphous in nature. The size of nanoparticles was 84 nm (Cs-CdO NPs) and 42.2 nm (Ch-CdO NPs). The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images exhibited an irregular disklike morphology of nanoparticles that agglomerated more in the case of green synthesis. The antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of NPs revealed that chemically synthesized NPs have better antimicrobial capability, while the antioxidative activities were better for green-synthesized NPs. However, the low yield, high ion disassociation, and waste (unreacted metal) production in the green synthesis of CdO NPs increase the risk of contamination to biosphere. Both types of NPs did not affect the seed germination of Dodonaea viscosa. However, chemically synthesized NPs were less toxic on plant morphological response. The study concludes that the chemically synthesized CdO NPs have better morphology, significant antimicrobial activity, and less toxicity to plant species compared to green-synthesized NPs. Moreover, during the green synthesis, unreacted metals are drained, which causes contamination to the ecosystem.