Kaempferol Improves Exercise Performance by Regulating Glucose Uptake, Mitochondrial Biogenesis, and Protein Synthesis via PI3K/AKT and MAPK Signaling Pathways.

Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid with reported bioactivities found in many fruits, vegetables, and medicinal herbs. However, its effects on exercise performance and muscle metabolism remain inconclusive. The present study investigated kaempferol's effects on improving exercise performance and potential mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. The grip strength, exhaustive running time, and distance of mice were increased in the high-dose kaempferol group (p < 0.01). Also, kaempferol reduced fatigue-related biochemical markers and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) related to antioxidant capacity. Kaempferol also increased the glycogen and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content in the liver and skeletal muscle, as well as glucose in the blood. In vitro, kaempferol promoted glucose uptake, protein synthesis, and mitochondrial function and decreased oxidative stress in both 2D and 3D C2C12 myotube cultures. Moreover, kaempferol activated the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways in the C2C12 cells. It also upregulated the key targets of glucose uptake, mitochondrial function, and protein synthesis. These findings suggest that kaempferol improves exercise performance and alleviates physical fatigue by increasing glucose uptake, mitochondrial biogenesis, and protein synthesis and by decreasing ROS. Kaempferol's molecular mechanism may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways.

The Lipophilic Extract from Ginkgo biloba L. Leaves Promotes Glucose Uptake and Alleviates Palmitate-Induced Insulin Resistance in C2C12 Myotubes.

Ginkgo biloba L. (ginkgo) is a widely used medicinal plant around the world. Its leaves, which have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine, are rich in various bioactive components. However, most of the research and applications of ginkgo leaves have focused on terpene trilactones and flavonol glycosides, thereby overlooking the other active components. In this study, a lipophilic extract (GL) was isolated from ginkgo leaves. This extract is abundant in lipids and lipid-like molecules. Then, its effect and potential mechanism on glucose uptake and insulin resistance in C2C12 myotubes were investigated. The results showed that GL significantly enhanced the translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane, which subsequently promoted glucose uptake. Meanwhile, it increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its downstream targets. Both knockdown of AMPK with siRNA and inhibition with AMPK inhibitor compound C reversed these effects. Additionally, GL ameliorated palmitate-induced insulin resistance by enhancing insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, increasing the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), and restoring the translocation of GLUT4 from the cytoplasm to the membrane. However, pretreatment with compound C abolished these beneficial effects of GL. In conclusion, GL enhances basal glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes and improves insulin sensitivity in palmitate-induced insulin resistant myotubes through the AMPK pathway.

Commercial compost amendments inhibit the bioavailability and plant uptake of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in soil-porewater-lettuce systems.

Compost is widely used in agriculture as fertilizer while providing a practical option for solid municipal waste disposal. However, compost may also contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), potentially impacting soils and leading to PFAS entry into food chains and ultimately human exposure risks via dietary intake. This study examined how compost affects the bioavailability and uptake of eight PFAS (two ethers, three fluorotelomer sulfonates, and three perfluorosulfonates) by lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown in commercial organic compost-amended, PFAS spiked soils. After 50 days of greenhouse experiment, PFAS uptake by lettuce decreased (by up to 90.5 %) with the increasing compost amendment ratios (0-20 %, w/w), consistent with their decreased porewater concentrations (by 30.7-86.3 %) in compost-amended soils. Decreased bioavailability of PFAS was evidenced by the increased in-situ soil-porewater distribution coefficients (Kd) (by factors of 1.5-7.0) with increasing compost additions. Significant negative (or positive) correlations (R2 ≥ 0.55) were observed between plant bioaccumulation (or Kd) and soil organic carbon content, suggesting that compost amendment inhibited plant uptake of PFAS mainly by increasing soil organic carbon and enhancing PFAS sorption. However, short-chain PFAS alternatives (e.g., perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA)) were effectively translocated to shoots with translocation factors > 2.9, increasing their risks of contamination in leafy vegetables. Our findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive risk assessment of compost-borne PFAS when using commercial compost products in agricultural lands.

Addressing lanthanum toxicity in plants: Sources, uptake, accumulation, and mitigation strategies.

Lanthanum (La), the second most abundant rare earth element (REE) is emerging as an environmental issue, with the potential to impact ecosystems and human health. Major sources of soil contamination by La include agricultural, and industrial activities. Lanthanum is non-essential for plant growth but accumulates in various plant parts. The uptake of La by plants is intricately influenced by various factors such as soil pH, redox potential, cation exchange capacity, presence of organic acids and rhizosphere composition. These factors significantly impact the availability and absorption of La ions. Lanthanum impact on plants depends on soil characteristics, cultivated species, developmental stage, La concentration, treatment period, and growth conditions. Excessive La concentrations affect cell division, DNA structure, nutrient uptake, and photosynthesis and induce toxicity symptoms. Plants employ detoxification mechanisms like vacuolar sequestration, osmolyte synthesis, and antioxidant defense system. However, higher concentrations of La can overwhelm these defense mechanisms, leading to adverse effects on plant growth and development. Further, accumulation of La in plants increases the risk for human exposure. Strategies to mitigate La toxicity are, therefore, vital for ecosystem protection. The application of phytoremediation, supplementation, chelation, amendments, and biosorption techniques contributes to the mitigation of La toxicity. This review provides insights into La sources, uptake, toxicity, and alleviation strategies in plants. Identifying research gaps and discussing advancements aims to foster a holistic understanding and develop effective strategies for protecting plant health and ecosystem resilience against La contamination.

Anti-diabetic compounds from Uvaria dulcis Dunal.

Medicinal plants have long been a source of lead compounds for drug discovery. Among these, the Annonaceae family has gained recognition for its potential to yield novel compounds, particularly those that can be used in the development of drugs targeting chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus (DM). We employed various chromatographic methods to isolate bioactive compounds from the roots, leaves, and twigs of Uvaria dulcis Dunal. We used spectroscopic methods to determine the chemical structures of these compounds. We successfully identified twelve known compounds from various parts of U. dulcis: patchoulenon, polygochalcone, 2'3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxydihydrochalcone, 2',3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone, chrysin, techochrysin, 8-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavanone, pinocembrin, 3-farnesylindole, onysilin, cinchonain la, and cinchonain lb. Interestingly, cinchonain la and cinchonain lb exhibited more potent anti-α-glucosidase activity than acarbose (standard drug), with IC50 values of 11.88 ± 1.41 µg/mL and 15.18 ± 1.19 µg/mL, respectively. Cinchonain la inhibited the DPP-IV enzyme, with IC50 value lower than the standard compound (diprotin A) at 81.78 ± 1.42 µg/mL. While 2',3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone show more potent inhibitory effect than standard drug with IC50 value of 8.62 ± 1.19 µg/mL. Additionally, at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, cinchonain lb and 2',3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone promoted glucose uptake in L6 myotubes cells to the same extent as 100 nM insulin. These findings suggest that cinchonain la, cinchonain lb, and 2',3'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone are the U. dulcis-derived bioactive compounds that hold promise as potential structures to use in the development of anti-diabetic drugs.

Response of garlic (Allium sativum L.) to the combined toxicity of microplastics and arsenic.

The extensive utilization of mulch films in agricultural settings, coupled with the persistence of microplastic remnants in soil following the natural degradation of plastics, has given rise to detrimental microplastic impacts on crops. Arsenic (As) contamination in the environment is known to accumulate in crops through aquatic pathways or soil. Garlic (Allium sativum L.), a globally popular crop and seasoning, contains alliin, a precursor of its flavor compounds with medicinal properties. While alliin exhibits antimicrobial and antioxidant effects in garlic, its response to microplastics and arsenic has not been thoroughly investigated, specifically in terms of microplastic or As uptake. This study aimed to explore the impact of varied stress concentrations of microplastics on the toxicity, migration, and accumulation of As compounds. Results demonstrated that polystyrene (PS) fluorescent microspheres, with an 80 nm diameter, could permeate garlic bulbs through the root system, accumulating within vascular tissues and intercellular layers. Low concentrations of PS (10 and 20 mg L-1) and As (2 mg L-1) mitigated the production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzymes in garlic. Conversely, garlic exhibited reduced root vigor, substance uptake, and translocation when treated with elevated As concentrations (4 mg L-1) in conjunction with PS concentrations of 40 and 80 mg L-1. An escalation in PS concentration facilitated As transport into bulbs but led to diminished As accumulation and biomass in the root system. Notably, heightened stress levels weakened garlic's antioxidant defense system, encompassing sulfur allicin and phytochelatin metabolism, crucial for combating the phytotoxicity of PS and As. In summary, PS exerted a detrimental influence on garlic, exacerbating As toxicity. The findings from this study offer insights for subsequent investigations involving Liliaceae plants.

Glycolipids Derived from the Korean Endemic Plant Aruncus aethusifolius Inducing Glucose Uptake in Mouse Skeletal Muscle C2C12 Cells.

Aruncus spp. has been used as a traditional folk medicine worldwide for its anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and detoxifying properties. The well-known species A. dioicus var. kamtschaticus has long been used for multifunctional purposes in Eastern Asia. Recently, it was reported that its extract has antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects. In this respect, it is likely that other Aruncus spp. possess various biological activities; however, little research has been conducted thus far. The present study aims to biologically identify active compounds against diabetes in the Korean endemic plant A. aethusifolius and evaluate the underlying mechanisms. A. aethusifolius extract enhanced glucose uptake without toxicity to C2C12 cells. A bioassay-guided isolation of A. aethusifolius yielded two pure compounds, and their structures were characterized as glycolipid derivatives, gingerglycolipid A, and (2S)-3-linolenoylglycerol-O-ß-d-galactopyranoside by an interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometric data. Both compounds showed glucose uptake activity, and both compounds increased the phosphorylation levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Gingerglycolipid A docked computationally into the active site of IRS-1, AMPK1, AMPK2, and PPARγ (-5.8, -6.9, -6.8, and -6.8 kcal/mol).

Evaluation of different QuEChERS-based methods for the extraction of 48 wastewater-derived organic contaminants from soil and lettuce root using high-resolution LC-QTOF with MRMHR and SWATH acquisition modes.

The reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture is an important route of introducing a large number of organic contaminants into the agroecosystem. In this study, a modified QuEChERS-based approach was developed for rapid, simple, and simultaneous extraction of 48 organic wastewater-derived contaminants from soil and lettuce root. Twenty-two different (modification) scenarios of the known (or original) QuEChERS method have been tested, in order to obtain best and well-compromised recoveries for all target compounds for soil and roots. Finally, a common method was chosen for both matrices consisting of a single extraction step using EDTA-Mcllvaine buffer and the unbuffered Original QuEChERS salts. Method performance was accomplished by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry on a QToF-MS system using two different acquisition modes, the ultra-fast high-resolution multiple reaction monitoring (MRMHR) mode and the innovative Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Fragment-Ion (SWATH) mode. Performance characterization was evaluated in terms of recovery, linearity, intra-day precision, method detection limits (MDLs), method quantification limits (MQLs), and matrix effect (ME). Recoveries in MRMHR mode ranged from 63 to 111% and 54 to 104% for lettuce root and soil, respectively, for most of compounds in MRMHR mode and from 56 to 121% and 54 to 104% for lettuce root and soil, respectively, for most of compounds in SWATH. Whereas, MQLs ranged from 0.03 to 0.92 ng g-1 in MRMHR and from 0.03 to 82 ng g-1 in SWATH for lettuce root, and from 0.02 to 0.44 ng g-1 in MRMHR and 0.02 to 0.14 ng g-1 in SWATH for soil. The method was then applied to follow the target compounds in soil and lettuce root, where the system lettuce-soil was irrigated with treated wastewater under real greenhouse conditions. Five and 17 compounds were detected in lettuce root and soil, respectively.

Kinetics of Cellular Cobalamin Uptake and Conversion: Comparison of Aquo/Hydroxocobalamin to Cyanocobalamin.

Cyanocobalamin (CNCbl) and aquo/hydroxocobalamin (HOCbl) are the forms of vitamin B12 that are most commonly used for supplementation. They are both converted to methylcobalamin (MeCbl) and 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), which metabolize homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, respectively. Here, we compare the kinetics of uptake and the intracellular transformations of radiolabeled CNCbl vs. HOCbl in HeLa cells. More HOCbl was accumulated over 4-48 h, but further extrapolation indicated similar uptake (>90%) for both vitamin forms. The initially synthesized coenzyme was MeCbl, which noticeably exceeded AdoCbl during 48 h. Yet, the synthesis of AdoCbl accelerated, and the predicted final levels of Cbls were MeCbl ≈ AdoCbl ≈ 40% and HOCbl ≈ 20%. The designed kinetic model revealed the same patterns of the uptake and turnover for CNCbl and HOCbl, apart from two steps. First, the "activating" intracellular processing of the internalized HOCbl was six-fold faster. Second, the detachment rates from the cell surface (when the "excessive" Cbl-molecules were refluxed into the external medium) related as 4:1 for CNCbl vs. HOCbl. This gave a two-fold faster cellular accumulation and processing of HOCbl vs. CNCbl. In medical terms, our data suggest (i) an earlier response to the treatment of Cbl-deficiency with HOCbl, and (ii) the manifestation of a successful treatment initially as a decrease in homocysteine.

Uptake, accumulation and metabolism of UV-320 in vegetables and its impact on growth and quality.

UV-320 is classified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) by the European Chemicals Agency and has attracted significant attention due to its presence in the environment. Understanding the uptake, translocation and metabolic patterns of UV-320 in vegetables is essential for assessing their ability to bioaccumulate and potential risks to human health. In this study, we investigated the uptake and translocation of UV-320 in lettuce and radish by hydroponic experiments. The results showed that the root concentration factors (Croot/Csolution, RCF) of lettuce and radish were in the range of 47.9 to 464 mL/g and 194 to 787 mL/g, respectively. The transfer factors (Cshoot/Croot, TF) were observed to be 0.001-0.012 for lettuce and 0.02-0.05 for radish. Additionally, non-targeted screening identified twelve phase I and one phase II metabolites of UV-320 in vegetables, which were confirmed based on their molecular formulas and structures. The metabolic pathways involving oxidation, ketonylation and deamination were proposed in vegetables. Also, we have observed that UV-320 inhibits the growth of vegetables. Meanwhile, we evaluated the health risk of UV-320 in lettuce and radish and found that the consumption of lettuce is relatively safe, while the consumption of radish has a risk of HQ >1 for both adults and children, which should be seriously considered. This study provides valuable insights into the behavior and ecological risks of UV-320 in the environment.

Resveratrol-loaded invasome gel: A promising nanoformulation for treatment of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is a widespread type of cancer representing 30% of all cancer types worldwide. Resveratrol (RSV) is an anticancer drug used for skin cancer treatment. Several limitations of RSV such as poor aqueous solubility, first-pass metabolism, and instability limit their topical use. The study aimed to develop and optimize RSV-loaded invasomes for topical administration as well as assess their efficacy in vivo. The optimized RSV-loaded invasomes showed small particle size (208.7 ± 74 nm), PDI (0.3 ± 0.03), high % entrapment efficiency (77.7 ± 6%), and negative zeta potential (-70.4 ± 10.9 mV). They showed an initial burst effect followed by controlled drug release for 24 h. RSV-loaded invasomal gel revealed the highest skin deposition percentage (65%) in ex vivo rat skin, the highest potency (low IC50 of 6.34 µg/mL), and the highest cellular uptake when tested on squamous cancerous cells (SCCs) when compared to other formulations. The antitumor effect of topical RSV-loaded invasomes was also evaluated in vivo in Ehrlich-induced mice models. The results revealed that RSV-loaded invasomal gel exhibited the smallest tumor volume with no signs of organ toxicity indicating its safety in skin cancer treatment. Upregulation of BAX and Caspase-3 gene levels and downregulation of NF-kB and BCL2 protein levels were demonstrated using RT-PCR and ELISA tests, respectively. Interestingly, the present study is the first to develop RSV-loaded invasomal gel for topical skin cancer treatment. According to our results, invasomes are considered promising lipid-based nanosystems for topical RSV delivery having high skin penetration ability and anticancer effect in the treatment of skin carcinoma.

Cryptochrome PtCPF1 regulates high temperature acclimation of marine diatoms through coordination of iron and phosphorus uptake.

Increasing ocean temperatures threaten the productivity and species composition of marine diatoms. High temperature response and regulation are important for the acclimation of marine diatoms to such environments. However, the molecular mechanisms behind their acclimation to high temperature are still largely unknown. In this study, the abundance of PtCPF1 homologs (a member of the cryptochrome-photolyase family in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum) transcripts in marine phytoplankton is shown to increase with rising temperature based on Tara Oceans datasets. Moreover, the expression of PtCPF1 in P. tricornutum at high temperature (26 °C) was much higher than that at optimum temperature (20 °C). Deletion of PtCPF1 in P. tricornutum disrupted the expression of genes encoding two phytotransferrins (ISIP2A and ISIP1) and two Na+/P co-transporters (PHATRDRAFT_47667 and PHATRDRAFT_40433) at 26 °C. This further impacted the uptake of Fe and P, and eventually caused the arrest of cell division. Gene expression, Fe and P uptake, and cell division were restored by rescue with the native PtCPF1 gene. Furthermore, PtCPF1 interacts with two putative transcription factors (BolA and TF IIA) that potentially regulate the expression of genes encoding phytotransferrins and Na+/P co-transporters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal PtCPF1 as an essential regulator in the acclimation of marine diatoms to high temperature through the coordination of Fe and P uptake. Therefore, these findings help elucidate how marine diatoms acclimate to high temperature.

Cu transport and complexation by the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum: Implications for trace metal complexation kinetics in the surface ocean.

Elucidating whether dissolved Cu uptake is kinetically or thermodynamically controlled, and the effects of speciation on Cu transport by phytoplankton will allow better modeling of the fate and impact of dissolved Cu in the ocean. To address these questions, we performed Cu physiological and physicochemical experiments using the model diatom, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, grown in natural North Atlantic seawater (0.44 nM Cu). Using competitive ligand equilibration-cathodic stripping voltammetry (CLE-CSV), we measured two organic ligand types released by P. tricornutum to bind Cu (L1 and L2) at concentrations of ~0.35 nM L1 and 1.3 nM L2. We also established the presence of two putative Cu-binding sites at the cell surface of P. tricornutum (S1 and S2) with log K differing by ~5 orders of magnitude (i.e., 12.9 vs. 8.1) and cell surface densities by 9-fold. Only the high-affinity binding sites, S1, exhibit reductase activity. Using voltammetric kinetic measurements and a theoretical kinetic model, we calculated the forward and dissociation rate constants of L1 and S1. Complementary 67Cu uptake experiments identified a high- and a low-affinity Cu uptake system in P. tricornutum, with half-saturation constant (Km) of 154 nM and 2.63 µM dissolved Cu, respectively. In the P. tricornutum genome, we identified a putative high-affinity Cu transporter (PtCTR49224) and a putative ZIP-like, low-affinity Cu transporter (PtZIP49400). PtCTR49224 has high homology to Homo sapiens hCTR1, which depending on the accessibility to extracellular reducing agents, the hCTR1 itself is involved in the reduction of Cu2+ to Cu+ before internalization. We combined these physiological and physicochemical data to calculate the rate constants for the internalization of Cu, and established that while the high-affinity Cu uptake system (S1) is borderline between a kinetically or thermodynamically controlled system, the low-affinity Cu transporters, S2, is thermodynamically-controlled. We revised the inverse relationship between the concentrations of inorganic complexes of essential metals (i.e., Ni, Fe, Co, Zn, Cd, Mn and Cu) in the mixed layer and the formation rate constant of metal transporters in phytoplankton, highlighting the link between the chemical properties of phytoplankton metal transporters and the availability and speciation of trace metals in the surface ocean.

Elucidating phosphorus removal dynamics in a denitrifying woodchip bioreactor.

Denitrifying woodchip bioreactors (DBRs) are an established nitrate mitigation technology, but uncertainty remains on their viability for phosphorus (P) removal due to inconsistent source-sink behaviour in field trials. We investigated whether iron (Fe) redox cycling could be the missing link needed to explain P dynamics in these systems. A pilot-scale DBR (Aotearoa New Zealand) was monitored for the first two drainage seasons (2017-2018), with supplemental in-field measurements of reduced solutes (Fe2+, HS-/H2S) and their conjugate oxidised species (Fe3+/SO42-) made in 2021 to constrain within-reactor redox gradients. Consistent with thermodynamics, the dissolution of Fe3+(s) to Fe2+(aq) within the DBR sequentially followed O2, NO3- and MnO2(s) reduction, but occurred before SO42- reduction. Monitoring of inlet and outlet chemistry revealed tight coupling between Fe and P (inlet R2 0.94, outlet R2 0.85), but distinct dynamics between drainage seasons. In season one, outlet P exceeded inlet P (net P source), and coincided with elevated outlet Fe2+, but at ⁓50 % lower P concentrations relative to inlet Fe:P ratios. In season 2 the reactor became a net P sink, coinciding with declining outlet Fe2+ concentrations (indicating exhaustion of Fe3+(s) hydroxides and associated P). In order to characterize P removal under varying source dynamics (i.e. inflows vs in-situ P releases), we used the inlet Fe vs P relationship to estimate P binding to colloidal Fe (hydr)oxide surfaces under oxic conditions, and the outlet Fe2+ concentration to estimate in-situ P releases associated with Fe (hydr)oxide reduction. Inferred P-removal rates were highest early in season 1 (k = 0.60 g P m3 d-1; 75-100 % removal), declining significantly thereafter (k = 0.01 ± 0.02 g P m3 d-1; ca. 3-67 % removal). These calculations suggest that microbiological P removal in DBRs can occur at comparable magnitudes to nitrate removal by denitrification, depending mainly on P availability and hydraulic retention efficiency.

Strategies for livestock wastewater treatment and optimised nutrient recovery using microalgal-based technologies.

Global sustainable development faces several challenges in addressing the needs of a growing population. Regarding food industries, the heightening pressure to meet these needs has resulted in increased waste generation. Thus, recognising these wastes as valuable resources is crucial to integrating sustainable models into current production systems. For instance, the current 24 billion tons of nutrient-rich livestock wastewater (LW) generated yearly could be recovered and valorised via biological uptake through microalgal biomass. Microalgae-based livestock wastewater treatment (MbLWT) has emerged as an effective technology for nutrient recovery, specifically targeting carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. However, the viability and efficacy of these systems rely on the characteristics of LW, including organic matter and ammonium concentration, content of suspended solids, and microbial load. Thus, this systematic literature review aims to provide guidance towards implementing an integral MbLWT system for nutrient control and recovery, discussing several pre-treatments used in literature to overcome the challenges regarding LW as a suitable media for microalgae cultivation.

Elucidation the mechanism of the active ingredient imperatorin promoting drug absorption in cell model.

Imperatorin (IMP) is the main bioactive furanocoumarin of Angelicae dahuricae radix, which is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of IMP in promoting absorption and the possible mechanism on the compatible drugs of Angelicae dahuricae radix. The influence of IMP on drugs' intestinal absorption was conducted by the Caco-2 cell model. The mechanism was studied by investigating the transcellular transport mode of IMP and its influence on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux, protein expression of P-gp and tight junction, and cell membrane potential. The result showed IMP promoted the uptake of osthole, daidzein, ferulic acid, and puerarin and improved the transport of ferulic acid and puerarin in Caco-2 cells. The absorption-promoting mechanism of IMP might involve the reduction of the cell membrane potential, decrease of P-gp-mediated drug efflux and inhibition of the P-gp expression level in the cellular pathway, and the loosening of the tight junction protein by the downregulation of the expression levels of occludin and claudin-1 in the paracellular pathway. This study provides new insights into the understanding of the improved bioavailability of Angelicae dahuricae radix with its compatible drugs.

OsbZIP1 regulates phosphorus uptake and nitrogen utilization, contributing to improved yield.

Increasing nutrient uptake and use efficiency in plants can contribute to improved crop yields and reduce the demand for fertilizers in crop production. In this study, we characterized a rice mutant, 88n which showed long roots under low nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) conditions. Low expression levels of N transporter genes were observed in 88n root, and total N concentration in 88n shoots were decreased, however, C concentrations and shoot dry weight in 88n were comparable to that in WT. Therefore, 88n showed high nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE). mRNA accumulation of Pi transporter genes was higher in 88n roots, and Pi concentration and uptake activity were higher in 88n than in WT. Therefore, 88n also showed high phosphorus uptake efficiency (PUpE). Molecular genetic analysis revealed that the causal gene of 88n phenotypes was OsbZIP1, a monocot-specific ortholog of the A. thaliana bZIP transcription factor HY5. Similar to the hy5 mutant, chlorophyll content in roots was decreased and root angle was shallower in 88n than in WT. Finally, we tested the yield of 88n in paddy fields over 3 years because 88n mutant plants showed higher PUpE and NUtE activity and different root architecture at the seedling stage. 88n showed large panicles and increased panicle weight/plant. Taken together, a mutation in OsbZIP1 could contribute to improved crop yields.

Moderate salinity and high ammonium/nitrate ratio enhance early growth in "summer wonder" lettuce cultivar.

Because its impact in plant development and growth and its interaction with Na+ and Cl-, the supply of different N-forms to crops can be an easy-to-use tool with effective results on salinity tolerance. Here the effect of four N-NO3-/N-NH4+ ratios (mM; 2/0, 1.6/0.4, 0.4/1.6, 0/2) on adaptation to salt conditions (15 mM NaCl in a first experiment and 40 mM NaCl in a second experiment) was studied in young lettuce (cv "Summer wonder") plants. The experiments were carried out in greenhouse and under hydroponics conditions. The results show that this cultivar tolerates and adapts to moderate salinity by deploying several structural and physiological mechanisms; (i) increasing allocation of biomass to the root, (ii) increasing root Na+ uptake and storing it in the shoot and root tissues, (iii) increasing intrinsic water use efficiency and (iv) increasing root N and P uptake. The beneficial effect of salt exposure on growth was greater when the predominant N-form was N-NO3-. These plants with higher tissue N-NO3- concentration, decreased Cl- uptake and shoot and root Cl- concentration. Regardless of salt conditions, plants with a high proportion of N-NH4+ (1.6 mM) and a low proportion of N-NO3- (0.4 mM) had a greater growth and nitrogen use efficiency, that was associated with the improved uptake of nutrients, and the maintenance of water status.

Nickel uptake in leafy greens from contaminated soil: an investigation into phytoavailability and health risk assessment using in vitro digestion model.

Nickel (Ni) is a toxic metal that not only pollutes the environment but also causes harmful impacts on plant growth and human health. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the relationship between the phytoavailability of Ni in soil and its accumulation in edible and non-edible parts of vegetables. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate Ni uptake in three different leafy vegetables, spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), grown in soil artificially contaminated with Ni at three different treatment levels (100 mg kg-1, 200 mg kg-1, and 300 mg kg-1). The potential dietary toxicity of these vegetables in humans was examined by using an in vitro digestion model. The lowest and highest chlorophyll contents were detected in lettuce at 300 mg kg-1 of Ni concentration and in control plants of spinach. Their values were 34.16 ± 3.01 (SPAD unit) and 53 ± 3.7673 (SPAD unit), respectively. Among the three vegetables, lettuce and spinach at 300 mg kg-1 exhibited the highest accumulation of Ni, with 43 mg kg-1 in edible parts and 182 mg kg-1 in non-edible parts. Furthermore, health risk index (HRI) values were found to be > 1 for lettuce and fenugreek at Ni concentrations of 200 and 300 mg kg-1 for both children and adults. The average bioaccessibility of Ni in lettuce, fenugreek, and spinach during the gastrointestinal phase was 32-23%, 24-10%, and 45-37%, respectively, at a Ni concentration of 300 mg kg-1. All three vegetables grown on Ni-contaminated soil may potentially contribute to food chain toxicity. The HRI values being > 1 suggest that these vegetables are unsafe for consumption. Monitoring of Ni concentration in leafy vegetables is essential to minimize human health risks associated with food chain contamination.

The effects of different doses of lanthanum-modified bentonite in combination with a submerged macrophyte (Vallisneria denseserrulata) on phosphorus inactivation and macrophyte growth: A mesocosm study.

The combination of chemical phosphorus (P) inactivation and submerged macrophyte transplantation has been widely used in lake restoration as it yields stronger effects than when applying either method alone. However, the dose effect of chemical materials on P inactivation when used in combination with submerged macrophytes and the influences of the chemicals used on the submerged macrophytes growth remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated P inactivation in both the water column and the sediment, and the responses of submerged macrophytes to Lanthanum modified bentonite (LMB) in an outdoor mesocosm experiment where Vallisneria denseserrulata were transplanted into all mesocosms and LMB was added at four dosage levels, respectively: control (LMB-free), low dosage (570 g m-2), middle dosage (1140 g m-2), and high dosage (2280 g m-2). The results showed that the combination of LMB dosage and V. denseserrulata reduced TP in the water column by 32%-38% compared to V. denseserrulata alone, while no significant difference was observed among the three LMB treatments. Porewater soluble reactive P, two-dimensional diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT)-labile P concentrations, and P transformation in the 0-1 cm sediment layer exhibited similar trends along the LMB dosage gradient. Besides, LMB inhibited plant growth and reduced the uptake of mineral elements (i.e., calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium) in a dosage-dependent manner with LMB. LMB may reduce plant growth by creating a P deficiency risk for new ramets and by interfering with the uptake of mineral elements. Considering both the dose effect of LMB on P inactivation and negative effect on macrophyte growth, we suggest a "small dosage, frequent application" method for LMB application to be used in lake restoration aiming to recover submerged macrophytes and clear water conditions.