Toxicity Assessment of Curculigo orchioides Leaf Extract Using Drosophila melanogaster: A Preliminary Study.

Curculigo orchioides is used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicinal systems for various health benefits. However, its toxicological effects are mostly unknown. This study assesses the potential toxicity of aqueous leaf (A.L.) extract of C. orchioides using Drosophila melanogaster as an experimental model. Preliminary phytochemical tests were followed by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) tests to identify the functional group in the A.L. extract of C. orchioides. Drosophila larvae/adults were exposed to varying concentrations of C. orchioides A.L. extract through diet, and developmental, lifespan, reproduction, and locomotory behaviour assays were carried out to assess the C. orchioides toxicity at organismal levels. The cellular toxicity of A.L. extract was examined by analysing the expression of heat shock protein (hsps), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and cell death. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of functional groups indicating the presence of secondary metabolites like saponins, phenolics, and alkaloids. Exposure to A.L. extract during development resulted in reduced emergence and wing malformations in the emerged fly. Furthermore, a significant reduction in reproductive performance and the organism's lifespan was observed when adult flies were exposed to A.L. extract. This study indicates the adverse effect of C. orchioides A.L. extract on Drosophila and raises concerns about the practice of indiscriminate therapeutic use of plant extracts.

Systematic toxicity assessment of CdTe quantum dots in Drosophila melanogaster.

The risk assessment of cadmium (Cd)-based quantum dots (QDs) used for biomedical nanotechnology applications has stern toxicity concerns. Despite cytotoxicity studies of cadmium telluride (CdTe) QDs, the systematic in vivo study focusing on its organismal effects are more relevant to public health. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of chemically synthesized 3-mercapto propionic acid-functionalized CdTe QDs on organisms' survival, development, reproduction, and behaviour using Drosophila melanogaster as a model. The sub-cellular impact on the larval gut was also evaluated. First/third instar larvae or the adult Drosophila were exposed orally to green fluorescence emitting CdTe QDs (0.2-100 µM), and organisms' longevity, emergence, reproductive performance, locomotion, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cell death were assessed. Uptake of semiconductor CdTe QDs was observed as green fluorescence in the gut. A significant decline in percentage survivability up to 80% was evident at high CdTe QDs concentrations (25 and 100 µM). The developmental toxicity was marked by delayed and reduced fly emergence after CdTe exposure. The teratogenic effect was evident with significant wing deformities at 25 and 100 µM concentrations. However, at the reproductive level, adult flies' fecundity, fertility, and hatchability were highly affected even at low concentrations (1 µM). Surprisingly, the climbing ability of Drosophila was unaffected at any of the used CdTe QDs concentrations. In addition to organismal toxicity, the ROS level and cell death were elevated in gut cells, confirming the sub-cellular toxicity of CdTe QDs. Furthermore, we observed a significant rescue in CdTe QDs-associated developmental, reproductive, and survival adversities when organisms were co-exposed with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC, an antioxidant) and CdTe QDs. Overall, our findings indicate that the environmental release of aqueously dispersible CdTe QDs raises a long-lasting health concern on the development, reproduction, and survivability of an organism.

Physicochemical properties and homology studies of the floral meristem identity gene LFY in nonflowering and flowering plants.

In flowering plants, the LEAFY (LFY) gene controls floral meristem activity. In early land plants such as mosses and ferns, it, however, has a minimum role in cell division and development of diploid sporophyte. Homology modeling, an accurate and efficient protein structure prediction method, was used to construct a 3D model of the LEAFY protein in nonflowering and flowering plants. The present study examines the following species: Charophyte green algae, Physcomitrella, Ceratopteris, Picea, and Arabidopsis, as they are the popularly used model organisms for developmental studies. LEAFY protein sequences from the model organisms were aligned by multiple sequence alignment. 3D models of the LEAFY protein from all the model organisms was constructed using the PHYRE2 program with 100% confidence, and the constructed models were evaluated using the MolProbity tool. On the basis of the conserved regions, Charophyte green algae shared 38-46% sequence similarity with Physcomitrella sp., 37-46% similarity with Ceratopteris sp., 33-41% similarity with Picea sp., and 32-38% similarity with Arabidopsis sp. The Motif Finder server identified the protein family domain FLO_LFY and LFY_SAM, whose function is floral meristem development. Secondary structure prediction analysis indicated that the LEAFY protein belongs to the alpha (α) protein class, which is stable against mutation and thus limits structural changes in the LEAFY protein. The study findings reveal two distinct clusters of the LFY gene from the common ancestor green algae. One cluster is present in nonflowering plants that include mosses, pteridophytes, and gymnosperms, and the other cluster is present in flowering plants that include orchids, monocots, dicots, and angiosperms.

Environmental toxicants, oxidative stress and health adversities: interventions of phytochemicals.

OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is the most common factor mediating environmental chemical-induced health adversities. Recently, an exponential rise in the use of phytochemicals as an alternative therapeutics against oxidative stress-mediated diseases has been documented. Due to their free radical quenching property, plant-derived natural products have gained substantial attention as a therapeutic agent in environmental toxicology. The present review aimed to describe the therapeutic role of phytochemicals in mitigating environmental toxicant-mediated sub-cellular and organ toxicities via controlling cellular antioxidant response. METHODS: The present review has covered the recently related studies, mainly focussing on the free radical scavenging role of phytochemicals in environmental toxicology. KEY FINDINGS: In vitro and in vivo studies have reported that supplementation of antioxidant-rich compounds can ameliorate the toxicant-induced oxidative stress, thereby improving the health conditions. Improving the cellular antioxidant pool has been considered as a mode of action of phytochemicals. However, the other cellular targets of phytochemicals remain uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing the therapeutic value of phytochemicals to mitigate the chemical-induced toxicity is an initial stage; mechanistic understanding needs to decipher for development as therapeutics. Moreover, examining the efficacy of phytochemicals against mixer toxicity and identifying the bioactive molecule are major challenges in the field.

Understanding Beta-Lactam-Induced Lysis at the Single-Cell Level.

Mechanical rupture, or lysis, of the cytoplasmic membrane is a common cell death pathway in bacteria occurring in response to ß-lactam antibiotics. A better understanding of the cellular design principles governing the susceptibility and response of individual cells to lysis could indicate methods of potentiating ß-lactam antibiotics and clarify relevant aspects of cellular physiology. Here, we take a single-cell approach to bacterial cell lysis to examine three cellular features-turgor pressure, mechanosensitive channels, and cell shape changes-that are expected to modulate lysis. We develop a mechanical model of bacterial cell lysis and experimentally analyze the dynamics of lysis in hundreds of single Escherichia coli cells. We find that turgor pressure is the only factor, of these three cellular features, which robustly modulates lysis. We show that mechanosensitive channels do not modulate lysis due to insufficiently fast solute outflow, and that cell shape changes result in more severe cellular lesions but do not influence the dynamics of lysis. These results inform a single-cell view of bacterial cell lysis and underscore approaches of combatting antibiotic tolerance to ß-lactams aimed at targeting cellular turgor.

In vitro spore germination and phytoremediation of Hg and Pb using gametophytes of Pityrogramma calomelanos.

Few pteridophytes have proven the capacity to accumulate and remediate heavy metals from contaminated soils. Pityrogramma calomelanos, a non-seasonal fast-growing, a cosmopolitan fern, is a good indicator of environmental conditions, was used in the present study. The life cycle of ferns alternates with haploid gametophyte and diploid sporophyte. The present study was undertaken to access the effect of mercury, in form of mercury (II) chloride [(HgCl2)] and lead as lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2] in developmental studies using in vitro spore germination. Periodic recording of the germination, protonemal growth, rhizoid formation and differentiation of sex organs in different concentrations of heavy metals were conducted for a period of 6 weeks. It was found that the percentage of spore germination and the number of protonemal cells reduced significantly causing developmental defects in the presence of HgCl2 as compared to Pb(NO3)2 (p < 0.0001). A significant decrease in the number of archegonial count and chlorophyll content was observed in different concentrations of the heavy metals tested. Gametophytes of P. calomelanos recorded lead uptake of 646.51 ± 0.93 mg/kg in treatments of 25 ppm of lead and high mercury accumulation up to 1,885 ± 1.98 mg/kg at 10 ppm of mercury, indicating successful uptake of heavy metals. Novelty statement: Pityrogramma calomelanos is gaining interest amongst pteridologists upon proving its exclusive capacity of phytoremediation. It is superior in comparison to the most popular, patented fern Pteris vittata. Our study demonstrates the effective use of the promising fern in its simplest, nonvascular form of gametophytes as a phytoremediation agent in controlled conditions.

Dynamic Clustering Regulates Activity of Mechanosensitive Membrane Channels.

Experiments have suggested that bacterial mechanosensitive channels separate into 2D clusters, the role of which is unclear. By developing a coarse-grained computer model we find that clustering promotes the channel closure, which is highly dependent on the channel concentration and membrane stress. This behaviour yields a tightly regulated gating system, whereby at high tensions channels gate individually, and at lower tensions the channels spontaneously aggregate and inactivate. We implement this positive feedback into the model for cell volume regulation, and find that the channel clustering protects the cell against excessive loss of cytoplasmic content.

Spontaneous Cr(VI) and Cd(II) biosorption potential of native pinnae tissue of Pteris vittata L., a tropical invasive pteridophyte.

Heavy metal pollution is a prevalent and critical environmental concern. Its rampancy is attributed to indiscriminate anthropogenic activities. Several technologies including biosorption have been continuously researched upon to overcome the limitations of the conventional method of treatments in removal of heavy metals. Biosorption technology involves the application of a biomass in its nonliving form. Pteris vittata L., a pteridophyte, considered as an invasive weed was investigated in the present study as a potential decontaminant of toxic metals, Cr(VI) and Cd(II). The adsorption capacity of the biosorbent for Cr(VI) and Cd(II) under equilibrium conditions was investigated. The morphology, elemental composition, functional groups, and thermal stability of the biosorbent before and after metal loading were evaluated. At 303 K and an equilibrium time of 120 min, the maximum loading of Cr(VI) on the biosorbent was estimated to be 166.7 mg/g at pH 2 and Cd(II) to be 31.3 mg/g at pH 6. Isotherm models, kinetic studies, and thermodynamic studies indicated the mechanisms, chemisorption, ion exchange and intraparticle diffusion, controlling the Cr(VI) and Cd(II) uptake, respectively. The interactive effect of multi-metal ions in binary component systems was synergistic for Cd(II) uptake. The results validate the toxic metal removal potency of the biosorbent.

Gamma radiation-induced in vitro hormetic apogamy in the fern Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) link.

Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link, popularly known as "Silver fern" has significant importance as a medicinal plant used traditionally for its astringent, analgesic, anti-haemorrhagic, anti-hypertensive, anti-pyretic and anthelminthic properties. This fern demonstrates an increased morphogenetic potential towards sporophyte formation, upon exposure to low doses of gamma radiation. Young sporophytic leaf crosier cultures were established in vitro on agar based Knop's media with and without 20 g/l sucrose. The cultures were subjected to 60Co radiations in the range of 2.5-100 Gy. Apospory (production of gametophytes on sporophytic tissue without spores) was observed on leaf tissue cultured on Knops media with and without sucrose in P. calomelanos, at the end of 60 days. 5 Gy treated explants showed high number of aposporous gametophytes and was comparable to the control. Other tested doses reduced the aposporous gametophyte production significantly. In the second phase of the experimentation, the cultures were retained on the gametophyte induction media for a period of 4 weeks. Aposporous gametophytes were observed to proliferate with occasional development of antheridia. At the end of 4 weeks, morphogenetic development on the gametophytic tissue resulted in a significantly higher number of apogamous sporophytes (production of sporophytes without fusion of gametes) were obtained on 5 Gy treated tissue as compared to control and all the other treated explants. Apogamous sporophytes thus produced were successfully grown in the greenhouse and transferred to the field. Thus the use of gamma radiation in vitro not only reduced the need for sucrose for induction of apospory in P.calomelanos, it also exhibited hormesis at 5 Gy for improved sporophyte production.

Surface treated Pteris vittata L. pinnae powder used as an efficient biosorbent of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) from aqueous solution.

Biosorption is a surface-dependent phenomenon. Surface modifications by chemical treatment methods could either improve or reduce the biosorption capacity of potential biosorbents. In the present work, pristine Pteris vittata L. pinnae (PPV) powder was treated separately with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and nitric acid (HNO3). The pristine and treated biosorbents were used to assess the biosorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) as a function of pH. Kinetics and adsorption isotherms were studied. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope combined with energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX) spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the biosorbents before and after chemical treatments. The possible functional groups contributing to the metal sorption were identified. Results revealed favorable biosorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) described by pseudo-second order kinetics. NaOH-treated P. vittata (NPV) showed higher biosorption capacity for Pb(II) and Cd(II) compared to that of PPV. ATR-FTIR studies indicated that -OH, -COOH, and -NH2 groups were mainly involved in Cr(VI) and -OH in Pb(II) and Cd(II) biosorption. The enhanced efficiency of NPV and CaCl2 treated P. vittata (CPV) in the uptake of Pb(II) and Cd(II) compared to PPV can be associated with their altered physicochemical characters.

Use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for enhanced lipid production in micro-algae based biofuels.

Microalgae are an alternative source for renewable energy to overcome the energy crises caused by exhaustion of fuel reserves. Algal biofuel technology demands a cost effective strategy for net profitable productivity. Inconsistent illumination intensities hinder microalgal growth. The light-utilizing efficiency of the cells is critical. Light scarcity leads to low production and high intensities cause photo-inhibition. We report effective usage of LEDs of different band wavelengths on the growth of microalgae in a closed, controlled environment to generate biomass and lipid yields. Among the different intensity and wavelengths tested. The light intensities of 500lx of blue-red combination gave maximum biomass in terms of cell density. LED of red light 220lx wavelength doubled the lipid dry weight from 30% (w/w) in white light to 60% (w/w). Thin layer lipid chromatogram demonstrated a dense and prominent spot of triacylglycerols in the red light, 220lx grown cultures. The FTIR profile indicates that different wavelength exposure did not alter the functional groups or change the chemical composition of the extracted lipids ensuring the quality of the product. We reiterate the fact that combination of red and blue LEDs is favoured over white light illumination for generation of biomass. In addition, we report an exciting finding of exposure to LEDs of red wavelength post-biomass generation lead to enhanced lipid production. This simple process doubled the lipid content harvested in 20days culture period.

Dynamics of Escherichia coli's passive response to a sudden decrease in external osmolarity.

For most cells, a sudden decrease in external osmolarity results in fast water influx that can burst the cell. To survive, cells rely on the passive response of mechanosensitive channels, which open under increased membrane tension and allow the release of cytoplasmic solutes and water. Although the gating and the molecular structure of mechanosensitive channels found in Escherichia coli have been extensively studied, the overall dynamics of the whole cellular response remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize E. coli's passive response to a sudden hypoosmotic shock (downshock) on a single-cell level. We show that initial fast volume expansion is followed by a slow volume recovery that can end below the initial value. Similar response patterns were observed at downshocks of a wide range of magnitudes. Although wild-type cells adapted to osmotic downshocks and resumed growing, cells of a double-mutant ([Formula: see text]) strain expanded, but failed to fully recover, often lysing or not resuming growth at high osmotic downshocks. We propose a theoretical model to explain our observations by simulating mechanosensitive channels opening, and subsequent solute efflux and water flux. The model illustrates how solute efflux, driven by mechanical pressure and solute chemical potential, competes with water influx to reduce cellular osmotic pressure and allow volume recovery. Our work highlights the vital role of mechanosensation in bacterial survival.