Unraveling the impact of nanopollution on plant metabolism and ecosystem dynamics.

Nanopollution (NPOs), a burgeoning consequence of the widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs) across diverse industrial and consumer domains, has emerged as a critical environmental issue. While extensive research has scrutinized the repercussions of NPs pollution on ecosystems and human health, scant attention has been directed towards unraveling its implications for plant life. This comprehensive review aims to bridge this gap by delving into the nuanced interplay between NPOs and plant metabolism, encompassing both primary and secondary processes. Our exploration encompasses an in-depth analysis of the intricate mechanisms governing the interaction between plants and NPs. This involves a thorough examination of how physicochemical properties such as size, shape, and surface characteristics influence the uptake and translocation of NPs within plant tissues. The impact of NPOs on primary metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient uptake, and water transport. Additionally, this study explored the multifaceted alterations in secondary metabolism, shedding light on the synthesis and modulation of secondary metabolites in response to NPs exposure. In assessing the consequences of NPOs for plant life, we scrutinize the potential implications for plant growth, development, and environmental interactions. The intricate relationships revealed in this review underscore the need for a holistic understanding of the plant-NPs dynamics. As NPs become increasingly prevalent in ecosystems, this investigation establishes a fundamental guide that underscores the importance of additional research to shape sustainable environmental management strategies and address the extensive effects of NPs on the development of plant life and environmental interactions.

Conservation linkages of endangered medicinal plant and exploration of phytochemicals, pharmaceutical screening and in silico validation against diabetics using in vivo wild and in vitro regenerated plant Boucerosia diffusa Wight.

Boucerosia diffusa Wight. is an important endangered medicinal plant belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae. In this study, an efficient protocol has been developed for B. diffusa using nodal explants for callus induction and direct organogenesis. The optimal callus induction (83.7%) was observed on 0.6 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in Murashige and Skoog medium. The shoot regeneration was observed on different concentrations and combinations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2,4-D using shoot induction (88.5%) was observed on 0.5 mg/L BAP and 0.6 mg/L 2,4-D. Maximum root induction frequency (85.6%) was obtained on 0.6 mg/L α-naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA) and 0.5 mg/L BAP. The fully developed plants were acclimatized (98.86% survival rate) and transferred to natural photoperiod conditions. The phytochemical and pharmacological activity was determined in in vitro-regenerated plants (IRP) and was compared to in vivo wild plants (IWP). The primary and the secondary metabolite contents of bioactive compounds were significantly higher in the methanolic extract of IRP. A comparative antioxidant activity study shows IRP exhibited better scavenging activity. The antidiabetic activity of α- amylase (IC50 - 71.56 ± 15.4 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 - 82.94 ± 12.84 µg/mL) inhibitor activity also exhibited maximum in methanolic extract of IRP. Furthermore, chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria, IRP methanolic extracts showed a maximum zone of inhibition (75 µg/mL) observed against Salmonella typhi (23.5 ± 0.5 mm) compared to the IWP. Molecular docking analysis of B. diffusa inhibition of antidiabetic activity showed better affinity in ß-Sitosterol. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03645-5.

Organosulfur Compound Identified from Striga angustifolia (D. Don) C.J. Saldanha Inhibits Lung Cancer Growth and Induces Apoptosis via p53/mTOR Signaling Pathway.

The Striga angustifolia (D. Don) C.J. Saldanha was used as an Ayurvedic and homeopathic medicine for cancer by the tribal peoples of the Maruthamalai Hills, Coimbatore, India. Hence, the traditional use that has been proven to be effective lacks convincing scientific references. This present study was conducted to investigate the presence of potentially bioactive compounds from S. angustifolia and provides a scientific basis for the ethnobotanical utility. The organosulfur compound 5,5'-dithiobis(1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole) (COMP1) was isolated from S. angustifolia extracts, and the structures of COMP1 were elucidated and characterized by using 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and single crystal X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Our findings showed that COMP1 significantly reduced cell proliferation of breast and lung cancer cells, but not that of non-malignant epithelial cells. Further analysis revealed that COMP1 promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, COMP1 facilitates p53 activity and inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, thereby inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of lung cancer cells by inhibiting cell growth. Our findings suggest that COMP1 may serve as a potential drug for lung cancer through the regulation of p53/mTOR pathways.

Exploration of phytochemicals and probing potential effects of Priva cordifolia active extract on PACAP 38 and its nociceptor in the human trigeminovascular system.

Several tribal medicinal systems assert anti-migraine and common headache-remedying properties in all parts of Priva cordifolia (L.f.) Druce. Therefore, there are no clear scientific references to the validated traditional use of this plant. The present study provides a scientific basis for the ethnobotanical utility of P. cordifolia whose whole-plant extracts were evaluated against target proteins (PACAP 38 and PAC1-R) that cause migraine. Understanding the polarity-based distribution and oxidative stress scavenging ability was reported higher in ethyl acetate extracts due to the moderate distribution of secondary metabolites. Based on the preliminary analysis anti-migraine activity in the wet and dry lab experiments was compared with a commercial drug Sumatriptan. The GC-MS analysis revealed that two lead volatile compounds Bicyclo(3.2.1)oct-3-en-2-one,3,8-Dihydroxy-1-methoxy-7-(7-methoxy-1,3- and -Hexyl-2-nitrocyclohexane, present in the ethyl acetate extract showed favourable in silico anti-migraine efficiency. Notably, the ex-vivo results also showed considerable downregulation of the extract-induced mRNA expression of PACAP38. The conclusion of our study justifies that P. cordifolia has valuable plant metabolites that portray it as an efficient anti-oxidant and anti-migraine source. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03462-w.