Selenium improved arsenic toxicity tolerance in two bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties by modulating growth, ion uptake, photosynthesis, and antioxidant profile.

Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.); an important spice crop of the region is a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants having many health benefits. Many biotic and abiotic factors contribute towards growth and yield losses of this crop. Arsenic (As) toxicity is a global issue, but it is particularly critical in developing countries. The current study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of selenium (Se) in mitigating the toxic effects of As in two varieties (HSP-181 A and PS09979325) of Capsicum annuum L. Different concentrations of As (0, 50, and 100 µM) and Se (0, 5, and 10 µM) were tested using 14 days old seedlings of C. annuum L. The As stress caused a significant (P ≤ 0.001) reduction in growth, uptake of nutrients, and eco-physiological attributes in both varieties however, the response was specific. While the overproduction of osmo-protectants and antioxidants intensified the symptoms of oxidative stress. The maximum reduction in shoot length (45%), fresh weight (29%), and dry weight (36%) was observed in under 100 µM As stress. The organic acids exudation from the roots of both cultivars were significantly increased with the increase in As toxicity. The Se treatment significantly (p ≤ 0.001) improved growth, nutrient uptake, gas exchange attributes, antioxidant production, while decreased oxidative stress indicators, and As uptake in the roots and shoots of all the subjects under investigation. It is concluded from the results of this study that Se application increased photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant activity while decreasing As levels, organic acid exudation, and oxidative stress indicators in plants. Overall, the var. PS09979325 performed better and may be a good candidate for future pepper breeding program.

Genome-wide association studies of salinity tolerance in local aman rice.

The present study aimed to identify and characterize new sources of salt tolerance among 94 rice varieties from varied geographic origins. The genotypes were divided into five groups based on their morphological characteristics at both vegetative and reproductive stages using salinity scores from the Standard Evaluation System (SES). The experiment was designed as per CRD (Completely Randomized Design) with 2 sets of salinity treatments for 8 dS/meter and 12 dS/meter, respectively compared with one non-salinized control set. Using a Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) meter, assessments of the apparent chlorophyll content (greenness) of the genotypes were done to comprehend the mechanism underlying their salt tolerance.  To evaluate molecular genetic diversity, a panel of 1 K RiCA SNP markers was employed. Utilizing TASSEL 5.0 software, 598 filtered SNPs were used for molecular analysis. Whole-genome association studies (GWAS) were also used to investigate panicle number per plant (pn, tiller number per plant (till), SPAD value (spad), sterility (percent) (str), plant height (ph) and panicle length (pl. It is noteworthy that these characteristics oversee conveying the visible signs of salt damage in rice. Based on genotype data, diversity analysis divided the germplasm groups into four distinct clusters (I, II, III and IV). For the traits studied, thirteen significant marker-trait associations were discovered. According to the phenotypic screening, seven germplasm genotypes namely Koijuri, Asha, Kajal, Kaliboro, Hanumanjata, Akundi and Dular, are highly tolerant to salinity stress. The greenness of these genotypes was found to be more stable over time, indicating that these genotypes are more resistant to stress. Regarding their tolerance levels, the GWAS analysis produced comparable results, supporting that salinity-tolerant genotypes having minor alleles in significant SNP positions showed more greenness during the stress period. The Manhattan plot demonstrated that at the designated significant SNP position, the highly tolerant genotypes shared common alleles. These genotypes could therefore be seen as important genomic resources for accelerating the development and release of rice varieties that are tolerant to salinity.

Determination of histological and genotoxic parameters of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus exposed to lead (Pb).

This study investigates the hazardous effects of lead on the histological and genotoxic parameters of the fish, Oreochromis niloticus. Present work was conducted in a series of three steps. In first step, acute toxicity, LC50 and lethal lead concentration were measured using Probit analysis method. LC50 value and lethal concentration for O. niloticus was measured as 77.673 mgL-1 and 150.924 mgL-1, respectively. In second step, histological changes were assessed by preparing slides of tissues of the gills, liver and kidney of both control and Pb-stressed O. niloticus and examining the respective tissues under the light microscope. The inferences showed significant histological alterations (p<0.05) in the gills of Pb-exposed fish including necrosis, edema, vascular congestion, shortening and curling and lifting of the epithelium of secondary lamella in gills. The cellular degeneration and dilation of sinusoids in liver and loss of hemopoietic tissue, necrosis and edema in kidney was observed. Histomorphometry of the liver showed a decrease in diameter of the central vein and hepatocyte along with an increase in width of sinusoids. The histomorphometry of kidney showed an increase in the diameter of renal corpuscle, glomerulus, proximal and distal convoluted tubules. The nuclear anomalies were studied in the RBCs of fish. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test was conducted to compare nuclear abnormalities and the frequency of micronuclei among the control and lead-treated fish groups. Results declared an increased micronucleus, notched and de-shaped nuclei frequency, in RBCs of fish exposed to lead as compared to control group.

Benzimidazole Bearing Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives Act as Potent α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors; Synthesis, Bioactivity Screening and Molecular Docking Study.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most chronic metabolic diseases. In the past few years, our research group has synthesized and evaluated libraries of heterocyclic analogs against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes and found encouraging results. The current study comprises the evaluation of benzimidazole-bearing thiosemicarbazone as antidiabetic agents. A library of fifteen derivatives (7-21) was synthesized, characterized via different spectroscopic techniques such as HREI-MS, NMR, and screened against α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. All derivatives exhibited excellent to good biological inhibitory potentials. Derivatives 19 (IC50 = 1.30 ± 0.20 µM and 1.20 ± 0.20 µM) and 20 (IC50 = 1.60 ± 0.20 µM and 1.10 ± 0.01 µM) were found to be the most potent among the series when compared with standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 11.29 ± 0.07 and 11.12 ± 0.15 µM, respectively). These derivatives may potentially serve as the lead candidates for the development of new therapeutic representatives. The structure-activity relationship was carried out for all molecules which are mainly based upon the pattern of substituent/s on phenyl rings. Moreover, in silico docking studies were carried out to investigate the active binding mode of selected derivatives with the target enzymes.

Aconitum lycoctonum L. (Ranunculaceae) mediated biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles as potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antidiabetic agents.

In this study, a polar extract of Aconitum lycoctonum L. was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), followed by their characterization using different techniques and evaluation of their potential as antioxidants, amylase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents. The formation of AgNPs was detected by a color change, from transparent to dark brown, within 15 min and a surface resonance peak at 460 nm in the UV-visible spectrum. The FTIR spectra confirmed the involvement of various biomolecules in the synthesis of AgNPs. The average diameter of these spherical AgNPs was 67 nm, as shown by the scanning electron micrograph. The inhibition zones showed that the synthesized nanoparticles inhibited the growth of Gram-positive and negative bacteria. FRAP and DPPH assays were used to demonstrate the antioxidant potential of AgNPs. The highest value of FRAP (50.47% AAE/mL) was detected at a concentration of 90 ppm and a DPPH scavenging activity of 69.63% GAE was detected at a concentration of 20 µg/mL of the synthesized AgNPs. 500 µg/mL of the synthesized AgNPs were quite efficient in causing 91.78% denaturation of ovalbumin. The AgNPs mediated by A. lycoctonum also showed an inhibitory effect on α-amylase. Therefore, AgNPs synthesized from A. lycoctonum may serve as potential candidates for antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic agents.

Anti-Alzheimer's disease potential of Arabian coffee versus Date palm seed extract in male rats.

Coffee is among the most commonly consumed beverage all over the world. Studies have increasingly suggested caffeine and coffee as effective therapeutic interventions against Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have therefore utilized the aluminum chloride rat model for AD to compare the influence of moderately caffeinated (Arabian) and decaffeinated (Date palm seed) coffee on cognitive impairment and pathological events in AD. AD rats given Arabian or Date palm seed coffee were protected against memory impairment and had lower serum levels of the abnormal protein (amyloid-beta; Aß1-42), the central pathogenic contributor to AD, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß). Interestingly, Date palm seed (decaffeinated) coffee seems to provide more pronounced protection against AD than Arabian (moderately caffeinated) coffee as evidenced by the greater decrease in serum Aß levels. These results suggest a surprising therapeutic potential of moderate caffeine intake in Arabian coffee to ameliorate AD through decreasing serum Aß levels. However, Date palm seed (decaffeinated) coffee, rich in flavonoids, appears to provide a better AD-modifying ability through a direct reduction of Aß production. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Consumption of moderately caffeinated Arabian coffee attenuated AD-induced cognitive impairment via its anti-amyloidogenic potential, decreasing Aß levels. Moreover, intake of decaffeinated Date seed extract, rich in flavonoids, exerted a superior anti-AD potential through a direct reduction of Aß production. Both of them were also safe and maintained hepatic and renal functions in a rat model of AlCl3 -induced AD. Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm current results and to recommend the regular drinking of Arabian coffee or Date seed extract as a protective approach to delay AD progression in vulnerable individuals or in early disease stages.