Comprehensive analysis of different solvent extracts of Ferula communis L. fruit reveals phenolic compounds and their biological properties via in vitro and in silico assays.

Although giant fennel is recognized as a "superfood" rich in phytochemicals with antioxidant activity, research into the antibacterial properties of its fruits has been relatively limited, compared to studies involving the root and aerial parts of the plant. In this study, seven solvents-acetone, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, water, and hexane-were used to extract the chemical constituents of the fruit of giant fennel (Ferula communis), a species of flowering plant in the carrot family Apiaceae. Specific attributes of these extracts were investigated using in silico simulations and in vitro bioassays. High-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) identified 15 compounds in giant fennel extract, with p-coumaric acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, sinapic acid, and syringic acid being dominant. Among the solvents tested, ethanol demonstrated superior antioxidant activity and phenolic and flavonoid contents. F. communis extracts showed advanced inhibition of gram-negative pathogens (Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis) and variable antifungal activity against tested strains. Molecular docking simulations assessed the antioxidative, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of F. communis, facilitating innovative therapeutic development through predicted compound-protein interactions. In conclusion, the results validate the ethnomedicinal use and potential of F. communis. This highlights its significance in natural product research and ethnopharmacology.

Nanoparticles-mediated entomotoxicology: lessons from biologica.

Nanotechnology has grown in importance in medicine, manufacturing, and consumer products. Nanoparticles (NPs) are also widely used in the field of insect pest management, where they show a variety of toxicological effects on insects. As a result, the primary goal of this review is to compile and evaluate available information on effects of NPs on insects, by use of a timely, bibliometric analysis. We also discussed the manufacturing capacity of NPs from insect tissues and the toxic effects of NPs on insects. To do so, we searched the Web of Science database for literature from 1995 to 2023 and ran bibliometric analyses with CiteSpace© and Bibliometrix©. The analyses covered 614 journals and identified 1763 relevant documents. We found that accumulation of NPs was one of the top trending topics. China, India, and USA had the most published papers. The most overall reported models of insects were those of Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito), Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquito), Bombyx mori (silk moth), and Anopheles stephensi (Asian malaria mosquito). The application and methods of fabrication of NPs using insect tissues, as well as the mechanism of toxicity of NPs on insects, were also reported. A uniform legal framework is required to allow nanotechnology to fully realize its potential while minimizing harm to living organisms and reducing the release of toxic metalloid nanoparticles into the environment.

An Update on Tamoxifen and the Chemo-Preventive Potential of Vitamin E in Breast Cancer Management.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female cancer in terms of incidence and mortality worldwide. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is a widely prescribed, oral anti-estrogen drug for the hormonal treatment of estrogen-receptor-positive BC, which represents 70% of all BC subtypes. This review assesses the current knowledge on the molecular pharmacology of tamoxifen in terms of its anticancer and chemo-preventive actions. Due to the importance of vitamin E compounds, which are widely taken as a supplementary dietary component, the review focuses only on the potential importance of vitamin E in BC chemo-prevention. The chemo-preventive and onco-protective effects of tamoxifen combined with the potential effects of vitamin E can alter the anticancer actions of tamoxifen. Therefore, methods involving an individually designed, nutritional intervention for patients with BC warrant further consideration. These data are of great importance for tamoxifen chemo-prevention strategies in future epidemiological studies.

Volatile Constituents in Essential Oil from Leaves of Withania adpressa Coss. Ex Exhibit Potent Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties against Clinically-Relevant Pathogens.

Withania adpressa Coss. ex is a plant used in traditional medications. Antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of the essential oil from leaves of Withania adpressa Coss ex. (EOW) were investigated. EOW was extracted using a Clevenger apparatus, and its volatile compounds were characterized by GC-MS. Antioxidant potency was determined using DPPH, FRAP, and TAC assays. Antibacterial effects were determined vs. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumonia; while its antifungal efficacy was determined vs. Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium oxysporum using the disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration bioassays. A chromatographic analysis showed that EOW contained eight phytochemical compounds constituting 99.14% of the total mass of oil. Caryophyllene (24.74%), Longifolene (21.37%), δ-Cadinene (19.08%), and Carene (14.86%) were predominant compounds in EOW. The concentrations required to inhibit 50% of free radical (IC50) values of antioxidant activities of EOW were 0.031 ± 0.006 mg/mL (DPPH), 0.011 ± 0.003 mg/mL (FRAP), and 846.25 ± 1.07 mg AAE/g (TAC). Inhibition zone diameters of EOW vs. bacteria were 18.11 ± 0.5 mm (E. coli), 17.10 ± 0.42 mm (S. aureus), 12.13 ± 0.31 mm (K. pneumoniae), and 11.09 ± 0.47 mm (S. pneumoniae), while MIC values were 51 ± 3, 47 ± 5, 46 ± 3 and 31 ± 1 µg/mL, respectively. Inhibition zone diameters of EOW vs. fungi were 31.32 ± 1.32, 29.00 ± 1.5, 27.63 ± 2.10, and 24.51 ± s1.07 mm for A. flavus, C. albicans, F. oxysporum, and A. niger, respectively. MIC values were 8.41 ± 0.40, 28.04 ± 0.26, 9.05 ± 0.76, and 22.26 ± 0.55 µg/mL, respectively. Importantly, the highest dose of EOW (1 mg/mL) showed negligible (~5%) cytotoxicity against MCF-12, a normal human epithelial cell line derived from the mammary gland, thus underscoring its wide safety and selectivity against tested microbes. To sum it up, EOW has exhibited promising antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which suggests potential to abrogate antibiotic resistance.

Extracts of Brocchia cinerea (Delile) Vis Exhibit In Vivo Wound Healing, Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities, and Other In Vitro Therapeutic Effects.

The plant Brocchia cinerea (Delile) (B. cinerea) has many uses in traditional pharmacology. Aqueous (BCAE) and ethanolic extracts (BCEE) obtained from the aerial parts can be used as an alternative to some synthetic drugs. In vitro, DPPH, FRAP and TAC are three tests used to measure antioxidant efficacy. Antibacterial activities were determined against one Gram positive and two Gram negative strains of bacteria. The analgesic power was evaluated in vivo using the abdominal contortion model in mice, while carrageenan-induced edema in rats was the model chosen for the anti-inflammatory test; wound healing was evaluated in an experimental second degree burn model. The results of the phytochemical analysis showed that BCEE had the greatest content of polyphenols (21.06 mg AGE/g extract), flavonoids (10.43 mg QE/g extract) and tannins (24.05 mg TAE/g extract). HPLC-DAD reveals the high content of gallic acid, quercetin and caffeic acid in extracts. BCEE has a strong antiradical potency against DPPH (IC50 = 0.14 mg/mL) and a medium iron reducing activity (EC50 = 0.24 mg/mL), while BCAE inhibited the growth of the antibiotic resistant bacterium, P. aeruginosa (MIC = 10 mg/mL). BCAE also exhibited significant pharmacological effects and analgesic efficacy (55.81% inhibition 55.64% for the standard used) and the re-epithelialization of wounds, with 96.91% against 98.60% for the standard. These results confirm the validity of the traditional applications of this plant and its potential as a model to develop analogous drugs.

Evaluation of Insecticidal Potentials of Five Plant Extracts against the Stored Grain Pest, Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae).

Plant based insecticides are considered among the most economic and ecofriendly chemicals for the protection of plants and stored grains. The cowpea weevil (Callosbruchus maculatus) causes more than 90% damage to sored grains in three to six months. The current study investigates insecticidal potentials of five selected botanicals: Melia azedarach, Nicotiana rustica, Azadirachta indica, Nicotiana tabacum and Thuja orientalis. They are explored at six different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0%) against C. maculatus and compared to effects of distilled water which is used as a control. Toxicities of 3%(V/V) extracts of N. tabacum, N. rustica, A. indica and T. orientalis against C. maculatus were 100%, 86.11%, 80.56% and 72.22%, respectively. Maximum mortality was caused by N. tabacum and N. rustica (100%), followed by A. indica (82%), whereas minimum mortality was observed in T. orientalis (64%) at 2.5%. Several phytochemicals, alkaloids, saponins, diterphenes, phytosterol, flavonoids and phenols were identified in N. tabacum and N. rustica, while few were present in A. indica. Phytosterol was present in greatest abundance. Saponins were only detected in aqueous extracts of N. rustica and N. tabacum. Taken together, these results indicate the utility of N. tabacum, N. rustica and A. indica as potential botanicals to control pest beetle and cowpea weevil.

Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Antifungal and Insecticidal Activities of Essential Oils Extracted from Jambosa caryophyllus (Thunb.) Nied: Clove Buds.

Jambosa caryophyllus has been used in traditional phytotherapy as a treatment against infections. In the present work, essential oils extracted from clove buds (Jambosa caryophyllus ) (EO-JC) were investigated for their composition, antifungal, and insecticidal properties. Extraction of EO-JC was performed by use of hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus, and the EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antifungal activity of EO-JC was evaluated by the use of solid-state diffusion (disc method) and microdilution to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), against three strains of fungus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium oxysporum. Insecticidal activity of EO-JC against the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, was determined to assess utility of EO-JC to control this pest. Several exposures including inhalation and contact were used to determine lethality, as well as the repulsion test was conducted at concentrations of 4, 8, 16, and 32 µL EO-JC. Characterization of EO-JC by GC/MS revealed 34 compounds accounting for 99.98% of the mass of the extract. The predominant compound was eugenol (26.80%) followed by ß-caryophyllene (16.03%) and eugenyl acetate (5.83%). The antifungal activity of EO-JC on solid media exhibited inhibitions in the range of 49% to 87%, and MIC was between 3.125 and 7.80 µg EO-JC/mL. Insecticidal activity, as determined by the use of the inhalation test, and expressed as the LD50 and LD95 after 96 hours of exposure was 2.32 and 21.92 µL/L air, respectively. In the contact test, a 96-hour exposure resulted in LD50 and LD95 of 5.51 and 11.05 µL/L of air, respectively. EO-JC exhibited insecticidal activity against fungi and pest chickpea weevil.

Apoptosis-mediated anti-proliferative activity of Calligonum comosum against human breast cancer cells, and molecular docking of its major polyphenolics to Caspase-3.

Due to poor diagnosis breast cancer in women has emerged as the most common cause of death disease in developing countries. Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years and can be useful in healthcare, especially in developing countries. Ethanol extracts of leaves of fire bush or arta (Calligonum comosum; EECC), exhibited significant anticancer potencies against two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA 231. These in vitro effects of EECC indicated potential anticancer activities that were determined to be specific since minimal toxicity was recorded against MCF-12, a non-cancerous breast cell line used as a reference. EECC also induced cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 and MDA 231 as revealed by the increased proportions of sub-G1 cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis (FACS), utilizing double staining by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide, revealed that the observed cytotoxic effects were mediated via apoptosis and necrosis. FACS measurement of thegreater in fluorescence intensity, linked with oxidation of DCFH to DCF, revealed that apoptosis was attributable to production of free radicals. EECC-mediated apoptosis was further validated by observation of up-regulation in the "executioner" enzyme, caspase 3. The current findings reveal that EECC exhibits significant, selective cytotoxicity to breast cancer cells, that proceeds via the generation of ROS, which culminates in apoptosis. The anti-proliferative effects of EECC weres further verified by use of a structure-based, virtual screening between its major bioactive polyphenolic constituents and the apoptosis executioner marker enzyme, caspase-3. Based on their glide score values against the active site of caspase 3, some phyto-constituents present in EECC, such as DL-alpha-tocopherol and campesterol, exhibited distinctive, drug-like potential with no predicted toxicity to non-target cells. Taken together, the usefulness of natural phenolic and flavonoid compounds contained in Calligonum comosum were suggested to be potent anticancer agents.

Artichoke Leaf Extract-Mediated Neuroprotection against Effects of Aflatoxin in Male Rats.

Attenuation of adverse effects of aflatoxin (AFB1) in brains of B1 rats by extracts of leaves of artichoke was studied. The active ingredients in extracts of leaves of artichoke, Cynara scolymus L., were determined by HPLC analysis. In the 42-day experiment, rats were exposed to either sterile water, 4% DMSO, 100 mg artichoke leaf extract/kg body mass, 72 µg aflatoxin B1/kg body mass, or AFB1 plus artichoke leaf extract. Neurotoxicity of AFB1 was determined by an increase in profile of lipids, augmentation of plasmatic glucose and concentrations of insulin, oxidative stress, increased activities of cholinergic enzymes, and a decrease in activities of several antioxidant enzymes and pathological changes in brain tissue. Extracts of artichoke leaf significantly reduced adverse effects caused by AFB1, rescuing most of the parameters to values similar to unexposed controls, which demonstrated that adverse, neurotoxic effects caused by aflatoxin B1 could be significantly reduced by simultaneous dietary supplementation with artichoke leaf extract, which itself is not toxic.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antifungal Effects of Essential Oil of Black Caraway (Nigella sativa L.) Seeds against Drug-Resistant Clinically Pathogenic Microorganisms.

Nigella sativa (NS) is a plant that has long been utilized in traditional medicine as a treatment for certain diseases. The aim of this work was to valorize the essential oil (EO) of this species by phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial and antioxidant evaluation. EO was extracted by hydrodistillation from the seeds of Nigella sativa (EO-NS). Phytochemical content of EO-NS was evaluated by use of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Antioxidant ability was in vitro determined by use of three assays: 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing power (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) relative to two synthetic antioxidants: BHT and quercetin. Antimicrobial effect was evaluated against four clinically important bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC 6633; Escherichia coli, K12; Bacillus subtilis, DSM 6333; and Proteus mirabilis, ATCC 29906) and against four fungal strains (Candida albicans, ATCC 10231; Aspergillus niger, MTCC 282; Aspergillus flavus, MTCC 9606; and Fusarium oxysporum, MTCC 9913). Fifteen constituents that accounted for the majority of the mass of the EO-NS were identified and quantified by use of GC-MSMS. The main component was O-cymene (37.82%), followed by carvacrol (17.68%), α-pinene (10.09%), trans-sabinene hydrate (9.90%), and 4-terpineol (7.15%). EO-NS exhibited significant antioxidant activity with IC50, EC50, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of 0.017 ± 0.0002, 0.1196 ± 0.012, and 114.059 ± 0.97 mg EAA/g, respectively. Additionally, EO-NS exhibited promising antibacterial activity on all strains under investigation, especially on E. coli K12 resulting in inhibition diameter of 38.67 ± 0.58 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.34 ± 0.00 µg/mL. Also, EO-NS had significant antifungal efficacy, with a percentage of inhibition of 67.45 ± 2.31% and MIC of 2.69 ± 0.00 µg/mL against F. oxysporum, MTCC 9913 and with a diameter of inhibition 42 ± 0.00 mm and MIC of 0.67 ± 0.00 µg/mL against C. albicans. To minimize development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, EO-NS can be utilized as a natural, alternative to synthetic antibiotics and antioxidants to treat free radicals implicated in microbial infection-related inflammatory reactions.

Best available technique for the recovery of marine benthic communities in a gravel shore after the oil spill: A mesocosm-based sediment triad assessment.

Ecotoxicological effects of spilled oils are well documented, but study of recovery of marine benthic communities is limited. Long-term recovery of hard bottom communities during physical and biological remediations after a spill was monitored. A 60-day experiment was conducted using a mesocosm with monitoring of eight endpoints by use of the sediment quality triad (SQT). First, physical treatment of hot water + high pressure flushing maximally removed residual oils (max=93%), showing the greatest recovery among SQT variables (mean=72%). Physical cleanup generally involved adverse effects such as depression of the microphytobenthic community during the initial period. Next, biological treatments, such as fertilizer, emulsifier, enzyme and augmentation of the microbes, all facilitated removal of oil (max=66%) enhancing ecological recovery. Analysis of the microbiome confirmed that oil-degrading bacteria, such as Dietzia sp. and Rosevarius sp. were present. A mixed bioremediation, including fertilizer + multi-enzyme + microbes (FMeM) maximized efficacy of remediation as indicated by SQT parameters (mean=47%). Natural attenuation with "no treatment" showed comparable recovery to other remediations. Considering economic availability, environmental performance, and technical applicability, of currently available techniques, combined treatments of physical removal via hand wiping followed by FMeM could be most effective for recovery of the rocky shore benthic community.

A novel passive sampling and sequential extraction approach to investigate desorption kinetics of emerging organic contaminants at the sediment-water interface.

Forms of organic contaminants is an important driver of bioavailable fraction and desorption kinetics of pollutants binding to sediments. To determine fluxes and resupply of nine environmentally-relevant antipsychotic drugs, which are emerging pollutants that can have adverse effects on aquatic organisms, interface passive samplers of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) were deployed for 21 days, in situ at the sediment-water interface in submerged sandy riverbank sediments. At each deployment time, samples of sediment were collected and subjected to consecutive extraction of pore water, as well as rapidly-desorbing (labile), stable-desorbing, and bound residue fractions. Concentrations of antipsychotic drugs decreased with sediment depth with the greatest concentrations observed in the top 2 cm. Positive fluxes of antipsychotic drugs were observed from sediment to surface water. The dynamic fraction transfer model indicated that the labile fraction can be resupplied with a lag time (> 21 d). When results were further interpreted using the DGT-induced fluxes in soils and sediments (DIFS) model, partial resupply of antipsychotic drugs from sediment particles to porewater was demonstrated. Desorption occurred within the entirety of the observed 15 cm depth of sediment. Fastest rates of resupply were found for carbamazepine and lamotrigine. Size of the labile pool estimated by the DIFS model did not fully explain the observed resupply, while a first-order three-compartment kinetic model for the fast-desorbing fraction can be used to supplement DIFS predictions with estimations of labile pool size.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Insecticidal Properties of a Chemically Characterized Essential Oil from the Leaves of Dittrichia viscosa L.

Since some synthetic insecticides cause damage to human health, compounds in plants can be viable alternatives to conventional synthetic pesticides. Dittrichia viscosa L. is a perennial Mediterranean plant known to possess biological activities, including insecticidal properties. The chemical composition of an essential oil (EOD) from D. viscosa, as well as its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insecticidal effects on the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus) were determined. Forty-one volatile compounds were identified in EOD, which accounted for 97.5% of its constituents. Bornyl acetate (41%) was a major compound, followed by borneol (9.3%), α-amorphene (6.6%), and caryophyllene oxide (5.7%). EOD exhibited significant antioxidant activity in all tests performed, with an IC50 of 1.30 ± 0.05 mg/mL in the DPPH test and an EC50 equal to 36.0 ± 2.5 mg/mL in the FRAP assay. In the phosphor-molybdenum test, EOD results ranged from 39.81 ± 0.7 to 192.1 ± 0.8 mg AAE/g E. EOD was active on E. coli (9.5 ± 0.5 mm), S. aureus (31.0 ± 1.5 mm), C. albicans (20.4 ± 0.5 mm), and S. cerevisiae (28.0 ± 1.0 mm), with MICs ranging from 0.1 mg/mL to 3.3 mg/mL. We found that 1 µL of EOD caused 97.5 ± 5.0% insect mortality after 96 h in the inhalation test and 60.0 ± 8.3% in the ingestion assay. The median lethal concentration (LC50) was 7.8 ± 0.3 µL EO/L, while the effective concentration in the ingestion test (LC50) was 15.0 ± 2.1 µL EO/L. We found that 20 µL of EOD caused a reduction of more than 91% of C. maculatus laid eggs.

Effects of in situ experimental selenium exposure on finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus) gut microbiome.

Selenium (Se) is an environmental contaminant of global concern that can cause adverse effects in fish at elevated levels. Fish gut microbiome play essential roles in gastrointestinal function and host health and can be perturbed by environmental contaminants, including metals and metalloids. Here, an in-situ Se exposure of female finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus) using mesocosms was conducted to determine the impacts of Se accumulation on the gut microbiome and morphometric endpoints. Prior to this study, the gut microbiome of finescale dace, a widespread Cyprinid throughout North America, had not been characterized. Exposure to Se caused a hormetic response of alpha diversity of the gut microbiome, with greater diversity at the lesser concentration of 1.6 µg Se/L, relative to that of fish exposed to the greater concentration of 5.6 µg Se/L. Select gut microbiome taxa of fish were differentially abundant between aqueous exposure concentrations and significantly correlated with liver-somatic index (LSI). The potential effects of gut microbiome dysbiosis on condition of wild fish might be a consideration when assessing adverse effects of Se in aquatic environments. More research regarding effects of Se on field-collected fish gut microbiome and the potential adverse effects or benefits on the host is warranted.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used as Therapeutic Agents to Manage Diseases of Humans.

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to survey medicinal plants used in phytotherapy in the Fez-Boulemane region, Morocco. METHODS: A comprehensive ethnobotanical survey was conducted using a questionnaire to collect data from thirty herbalists on medicinal plants used for therapeutic purposes in the Fez-Boulemane region, Morocco. RESULTS: The mean age of herbalists interviewed was 52.13 years. Forty percent of the herbalists were illiterate, and 73% referred to the experiences of their parents as knowledge of the properties and uses of medicinal plants. One hundred and eight medicinal plants belonging to 51 botanical families were recommended by herbalists in the region of Fez-Boulemane, Morocco, for treatment. According to the respondents, Lawsonia inermis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Lavandula coronopifolia L. were the most used plants with the percentage of 13%, 12%, and 11%, respectively. Most plants had been involved in the treatment of digestive disorders (25%) and osteoarticular diseases (24%). Some (7.4%) of the plants mentioned in our survey were potentially toxic. CONCLUSION: It was learned that irrational use of toxic plants and unknown compositions of recipes are recommended to consumers. As a result, particular attention should be paid to risks related to plants used in traditional treatment without scientific validation. It is envisaged that increasing awareness, by conducting educational campaigns and transferring evidence-based scientific knowledge, on traditional treatments among the local population is expected to have beneficial impacts on health and disease management.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Chemically-Characterized Essential Oil from Artemisia aragonensis Lam. against Drug-Resistant Microbes.

This study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of essential oil extracted from Artemisia aragonensis Lam. (EOA). Hydrodistillation was employed to extract EOA. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses (GC-MS) were used to determine the phytochemical composition of EOA. Antioxidant potential was examined in vitro by use of three tests: 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH), ferric reducing activity power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity assay (TAC). Agar diffusion and microdilution bioassays were used to assess antimicrobial activity. GC/MS and GC-FID detected 34 constituents in the studied EOA. The major component was Camphor (24.97%) followed by Borneol (13.20%), 1,8 Cineol (10.88%), and Artemisia alcohol (10.20%). EOA exhibited significant antioxidant activity as measured by DPPH and FRAP assays, with IC50 and EC50 values of 0.034 ± 0.004 and 0.118 ± 0.008 mg/mL, respectively. EOA exhibited total antioxidant capacity of 7.299 ± 1.774 mg EAA/g. EOA exhibited potent antibacterial activity as judged by the low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values against selected clinically-important pathogenic bacteria. MIC values of 6.568 ± 1.033, 5.971 ± 1.033, 7.164 ± 0.0 and 5.375 ± 0.0 µg/mL were observed against S. aureus, B. subtills, E. coli 97 and E. coli 57, respectively. EOA displayed significant antifungal activity against four strains of fungi: F. oxysporum, C. albicans, A. flavus and A. niger with values of 21.50 ± 0.43, 5.31 ± 0.10, 21.50 ± 0.46 and 5.30 ± 0.036 µg/mL, respectively. The results of the current study highlight the importance of EOA as an alternative source of natural antioxidant and antibacterial drugs to combat antibiotic-resistant microbes and free radicals implicated in the inflammatory responses accompanying microbial infection.

Effects of acute exposure to microcystins on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA), -gonad (HPG) and -thyroid (HPT) axes of female rats.

Microcystins (MCs) are common, well-known cyanobacterial toxins that can affect health of humans. Recently, it has been reported that MCs affect endocrine functions. In the present study, for the first time, histopathology, concentrations of hormones and transcription of genes along the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA), hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes were examined in rats exposed to microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Female, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed acutely to MC-LR by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection at doses of 0.5, 0.75, or 1 median lethal dose (LD50), i.e. 36.5, 54.75, or 73 µg MC-LR/kg body mass (bm) then euthanized 24 hours after exposure. Acute exposure to MC-LR significantly increased relative mass of adrenal in a dose-dependent manner, but relative mass of hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary and thyroid were not significantly different from respective mass in controls. However, damage to all these tissues was observed by histology. Along the HPA axis, lesser concentrations of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) were observed in blood serum of exposed individuals, relative to controls. For the HPG axis, concentrations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and estradiol (E2) were significantly less in rats treated with MC-LR, but greater concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (T) were observed. Along the HPT axis, MC-LR caused greater concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), but lesser concentrations of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), free tetra-iodothyronine (fT4) and tri-iodothyronine (fT3). Significant positive/negative correlations of concentrations of hormones were observed among the HPA, HPG and HPT axes. In addition, profiles of transcription of genes for synthesis of hormones along the endocrine axes and nuclear hormone receptors in adrenal, ovary and thyroid were significantly altered. Therefore, these results suggested that MC-LR affected HPA, HPG and HPT axes and exerted endocrine-disrupting effects. Effects of MC-LR on crosstalk among these three axes need further studies.

Challenges of using blooms of Microcystis spp. in animal feeds: A comprehensive review of nutritional, toxicological and microbial health evaluation.

Microcystis spp., are Gram-negative, oxygenic, photosynthetic prokaryotes which use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and minerals into organic compounds and biomass. Eutrophication, rising CO2 concentrations and global warming are increasing Microcystis blooms globally. Due to its high availability and protein content, Microcystis biomass has been suggested as a protein source for animal feeds. This would reduce dependency on soybean and other agricultural crops and could make use of "waste" biomass when Microcystis scums and blooms are harvested. Besides proteins, Microcystis contain further nutrients including lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. However, Microcystis produce cyanobacterial toxins, including microcystins (MCs) and other bioactive metabolites, which present health hazards. In this review, challenges of using Microcystis blooms in feeds are identified. First, nutritional and toxicological (nutri-toxicogical) data, including toxicity of Microcystis to mollusks, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, mammals and birds, is reviewed. Inclusion of Microcystis in diets caused greater mortality, lesser growth, cachexia, histopathological changes and oxidative stress in liver, kidney, gill, intestine and spleen of several fish species. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of MCs in muscle of fish fed Microcystis might exceed the provisional tolerable daily intake (TDI) for humans, 0.04 µg/kg body mass (bm)/day, as established by the World Health Organization (WHO), and is thus not safe. Muscle of fish fed M. aeruginosa is of low nutritional value and exhibits poor palatability/taste. Microcystis also causes hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity to mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians, mammals and birds. Microbial pathogens can also occur in blooms of Microcystis. Thus, cyanotoxins/xenobiotics/pathogens in Microcystis biomass should be removed/degraded/inactivated sufficiently to assure safety for use of the biomass as a primary/main/supplemental ingredient in animal feed. As an ameliorative measure, antidotes/detoxicants can be used to avoid/reduce the toxic effects. Before using Microcystis in feed ingredients/supplements, further screening for health protection and cost control is required.

Composition characterization and biotransformation of dissolved, particulate and algae organic phosphorus in eutrophic lakes.

Characteristics and transformation of organic phosphorus in water are vital to biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus and support of blooms of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria. Using solution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), combined with field surveys and lab analyses, composition and structural characteristics of dissolved phosphorus (DP), particulate phosphorus (PP) and organic P in algae were studied in two eutrophic lakes in China, Tai Lake and Chao Lake. Factors influencing migration and transformation of these constituents in lake ecosystems were also investigated. A method was developed to extract, flocculate and concentrate DP and PP from lake water samples. Results showed that orthophosphate (Ortho-P) constituted 32.4%-81.3% of DP and 43.7%-54.9% of PP, respectively; while monoester phosphorus (Mono-P) was 13.2%-54.0% of DP and 32.9%-43.7% of PP, respectively. Phosphorus in algae was mostly organic P, especially Mono-P, which was ≥50% of TP. Environmental factors and water quality parameters such as temperature (T), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, secchi depth (SD), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (CODcr), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), affected the absolute and relative concentrations of various P components in the two lakes. Increased temperature promoted bioavailable P (Ortho-P and Mono-P) release to the lake waters. The results can provide an important theoretical basis for the mutual conversion process of organic P components between various media in the lake water environment.

A novel Mg(OH)2 binding layer-based DGT technique for measuring phosphorus in water and sediment.

Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) have gained wide attention for in situ measurement of reactive phosphorus species (PO4) in natural water, sediments and potentially soils. In this study, a novel Mg(OH)2 binding gel was formed using magnesium hydroxide obtained by in situ hydration of calcined magnesium oxide. Laboratory scale experiments showed that the novel Mg(OH)2 gel had a homogeneous dispersion of fine particles of Mg(OH)2 with a particle size of 2-5 µm. With 10 mL of 2.0 mol L-1 NaOH as the eluting agent, the optimal elution efficiency of PO4 on the Mg(OH)2 gel was 72 ± 5%. There were linear relationships between the accumulated PO4 mass and the applied PO4 concentration (0.1 to 20 mg P per L), time (0 to 24 h) and temperature (22 to 40 °C). The capacity of the Mg(OH)2 binding layer was determined to be 99.5 µg P per disc. Tests in synthetic seawater, Chaohu Lake and Yihai Pond confirmed that Mg(OH)2-DGT was able to accurately measure phosphorus up to 10 days. This was indicated by the good agreements between the concentrations measured by DGT (CDGT) technology and by an ex situ chemical method in solution (Csoln), with a CDGT/Csoln ratio between 0.91 and 1.09.