The sustainable use of diverse plants accustomed by different ethnic groups in Sibi District, Balochistan, Pakistan.

The present study was conducted to analyze the utilization of medicinal plants (traditional as well as cultivated) and there recipes accustomed by different ethnic groups of Sibi District (SD), Balochistan, Pakistan. The study was carried out between 2018 and 2021 by using semi-structured and open-ended questionnaire.. The randomly selected methods applied for this study were mainly based on household surveys walk through and interview with indigenous communityage 40 to 80, a total of 75 plants, belonging to 63 genera and distributed among 33 plant families were recorded. The dominant Plant families were the Fabaceae (12%) of all studied taxa, followed by the Amaranthaceae (7%), Asteraceae (6%), Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae (4% each), Rhamnaceae and Zygophyllaceae (3%). Thirty traditional Food Recipes (TFR) and Traditional Medicinal Recipes (TMR) were novel being first time reported from SD., which are utilized by the local communities in their daily routine. These ethnic TFR and TMR have a tremendous role in preservation and sustainable use of traditional food habits and culture. It was also documented that along with cultivated, the wild edible and medicinal plant preparations play a significant role in in the economic potential and primary health care system of the local communities. The study recommends the specific measures, such as small industries, improved export means, tourism and educational activities, to protect the traditional knowledge and biocultural heritage of the region before its erosion.

Levilactobacillus brevis MZ384011 and Levilactobacillus brevis MW362779 can mitigate lead induced hepato-renal damage by regulating visceral dispersion and fecal excretion.

Heavy metal pollution is a global issue. Current study provides evidence on Pb toxicity ameliorative potential and safe nature of Levilactobacillus brevis MZ384011 (S1) and Levilactobacillus brevis MW362779 (S2), isolated from carnivore gut and human milk, respectively. In a 60-days experiment, the rats were distributed into six groups. G-I, G-V and G-VI were kept on normal diet, while GII-IV were fed on lead nitrate (500 mg/kg) supplemented food, throughout experiment. After confirmation of Pb toxicity in GII-IV at 15th day, S1 was orally administered to G-III and G-V while S2 was given to G-IV and G-VI at a dose of 1 × 109 CFU/animal/day. On day 60 of experiment, positive control (G-II) displayed significant reduction in body weight, total protein, albumin, globulin, mineral profile, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and hematological indices and elevation in leukocyte count, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, uric acid and creatinine along with alterations in hepato-renal architecture. With reference to G-II, the G-III and G-IV displayed significant improvement in all aforementioned parameters, 40-60% reduction in tissue Pb levels (blood, liver, kidney and adipose tissue) and elevation in fecal Pb contents (p = 0.000). The groups V and VI did not show any sign of toxicity. The findings confirm that strains are safe for biological application and can reverse Pb toxicity by facilitating fecal Pb excretion and reducing its systemic dispersal. To best of our information this is the first report on Pb toxicity ameliorative role of Levilactobacillus brevis from human milk, the safest source.

Unveiling the significance of foliar-applied silicon, selenium and phosphorus for the management and remediation of arsenic in two different rice genotypes.

Under paddy soil conditions, rice plants are vulnerable to arsenic (As) accumulation, thus causing potential threat to human health. Here we investigated the influence of foliar-applied phosphorus (P: 10 and 20 mg L-1), silicon (Si: 0.6 and 1.5 g L-1) and selenium (Se: 5 and 10 mg L-1) on As accumulation, morphological and physiological attributes of two contrasting rice genotypes (KSK-133 and Super Basmati) under As stress (25 mg kg-1 as arsenate). Silicon foliar dressing significantly (p < 0.05) reduced grain As uptake (up to 67%) and improved rice growth and chlorophyll content (28-66%) in both rice genotypes over their controls. Phosphorus foliar application resulted in a notable decrease (17%) in grain As uptake of coarse rice genotype (KSK-133), while it slightly increased grain As uptake in the fine one (Super Basmati; 6%) compared to controls. However, foliar-applied Se did not show significant effects on rice plants growth attributes and As uptake in both genotypes. Similarly, biochemical and enzymatic attributes (i.e., lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, peroxidase and catalase) were improved with Si application in rice plants, except for P treatment that was only effective for coarse one. Foliar-applied Si also resulted in reduced cancer risk and hazard quotient (< 0.10) for both rice genotypes. This study advances our understanding on critical role of different foliar-applied nutrients and rice genotypes, which is imperative to develop effective As remediation and management strategies in coarse and fine rice genotypes and protect human health.

This study provided new insights on the significance of foliar-applied phosphorus, silicon and selenium for the management and remediation of arsenic in fine (Super Basmati) and coarse (KSK-133) rice genotypes. Foliar-applied silicon was the most promising strategy to mitigate arsenic uptake and minimizing health risk in rice grain of both genotypes, while phosphorus was effective only for coarse one, thus showing a genotype dependent response. Interestingly, selenium foliar application had no significant effect on arsenic accumulation in both rice genotypes.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic evaluation of bisphenol S on onion root tips by Allium cepa and comet tests.

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an analog of bisphenol A, which is used as substitute of BPA in many products like airport luggage tags, baby bottles, plastics, and epoxy resins etc. Bisphenol S can cause toxic effects in different organisms, i.e., mice, rat, zebrafish, and C.elegans, etc. Bisphenol S is also known as "endocrine disruptor" due to its ability to mimic the endocrine receptors. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of bisphenol S on meristematic cells present in onion root tips through Allium cepa (A.cepa) and comet tests. Root growth inhibition was evaluated by root growth inhibition assay. Mitotic index (MI) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) were assessed by A.cepa assay. DNA damage was evaluated by comet assay. Root growth of A.cepa was inhibited due to bisphenol S. LC50 value calculated by root growth inhibition assay for bisphenol S was (2.6±0.63, 50 µg/ml). Mitotic index was reduced, and chromosomal aberrations were observed, i.e., stickiness, polyploidy, and disturbed ana-telophase in anaphase and telophase stages of mitosis. In case of comet assay, DNA damage was increased in statistically significant manner (p ≤ 0.05). It was concluded that bisphenol S constitutes cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on A. cepa root meristematic cells. Moreover, it is suggested to explore more toxicity studies of bisphenol S at molecular level.

Potential immune modulatory effect of vitamin D in HIV infection: A review.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble hormone that is majorly involved in the classical function of calcium and phosphorus hemostasis and bone mineralization as well non classical functions of immune modulation in various viral and autoimmune diseases. Both innate and adaptive immunity is aided by vitamin D. Deficiency of vitamin D is not only linked with bone and muscle disorders but it has a critical role in many infectious and noninfectious diseases. A growing body of literature suggests vitamin D deficiency in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. HIV affects 36.7 million people worldwide. Currently a valuation of 0.13 million people are infected with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Pakistan. Various studies showed that hypovitaminosis D may aggravate the disease severity in HIV patients by compromising the immune system. Calcidiol supplementation is credibly a promising adjuvant of combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) for the treatment of HIV by increasing CD4 T-cells and lowering the viral load. This review accentuates vitamin D's functions as an immune modulator in HIV, the effect of hypovitaminosis D in diseases severity, and its supplementation impact on the treatment of HIV infected patients.

Green Synthesis of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles from Berberis balochistanica Stem for Investigating Bioactivities.

Green synthesis of nanomaterials is advancing due to its ease of synthesis, inexpensiveness, nontoxicity and renewability. In the present study, an eco-friendly biogenic method was developed for the green synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) using phytochemically rich Berberis balochistanica stem (BBS) extract. The BBS extract was rich in phenolics, flavonoids and berberine. These phytochemicals successfully reduced and stabilised the NiNO3 (green) into NiONPs (greenish-gray). BBS-NiONPs were confirmed by using UV-visible spectroscopy (peak at 305 nm), X-ray diffraction (size of 31.44 nm), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (identified -OH group and Ni-O formation), energy dispersive spectroscopy (showed specified elemental nature) and scanning electron microscopy (showed rhombohedral agglomerated shape). BBS-NiONPs were exposed to multiple in vitro bioactivities to ascertain their beneficial biological applications. They exhibited strong antioxidant activities: total antioxidant capacity (64.77%) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (71.48%); and cytotoxic potential: Brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay with IC50 (10.40 µg/mL). BBS-NiONPs restricted the bacterial and fungal pathogenic growths at 1000, 500 and 100 µg/mL. Additionally, BBS-NiONPs showed stimulatory efficacy by enhancing seed germination rate and seedling growth at 31.25 and 62.5 µg/mL. In aggregate, BBS extract has a potent antioxidant activity which makes the green biosynthesis of NiONPs easy, economical and safe. The biochemical potential of BBS-NiONPs can be useful in various biomedical and agricultural fields.

Effective Immune Functions of Micronutrients against SARS-CoV-2.

The third coronavirus outbreak in the last two decades has caused significant damage to the world's economy and community health. The highly contagious COVID-19 infection has affected millions of people to date and has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. Aside from the highly infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2, the lack of a treatment or vaccine has been the main reason for its spread. Thus, it has become necessary to find alternative methods for controlling SARS-CoV-2. For the present review, we conducted an online search for different available nutrition-based therapies for previously known coronavirus infections and RNA-based virus infections as well as general antiviral therapies. These treatments have promise for combating COVID-19, as various nutrients and minerals play direct and indirect roles in the control and prevention of this newly emerged viral infection. The patients' nutritional status with COVID-19 must be analyzed before administering any treatment, and nutritional supplements should be given to the affected individuals along with routine treatment. We suggest a potential interventional role of nutrients to strengthen the immune system against the emerging infection caused by COVID-19.

Role of growth regulators and plant water extracts on the productivity and water use efficiency of wheat genotypes under limited water supply / Papel dos reguladores de crescimento e dos extratos de plantas sobre a eficiência da produtividade e do uso da água dos genótipos de trigo sob abastecimento de água limitada

Empowerment of wheat genotypes by application of growth regulators, compatible solutes and plant extracts under water restriction is an important strategy for getting sustainable yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of drought stress on the growth and yield of wheat genotypes and also monitor and compare the role of ABA, SA as well as moringa and mulbery leaf water extracts in improving drought tolerance of wheat genotypes. The work was performed at the research area of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. Three wheat cultivars Aas-2011, Faisalabad- 2008 and Triple dwarf-1 were subjected to drought stress (skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage). The wheat genotypes were subjected to treatments viz., T1 i.e. All normal irrigation without application of abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), moringa (MLE) and mulberry leaf water extract (MBLE), T2 i.e. skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage and application of 2µM ABA, T3 i.e. skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage and application of 10 m mol SA, T4 i.e. skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage and application of 15% MLE and T5 i.e. skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage and application of 10% MBLE. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with factorial arrangement and repeated three times. From this study it is concluded that Aas-2011 shown best result under drought condition by applying growth regulators and plant water extracts.

O fortalecimento de genótipos de trigo pela aplicação de reguladores de crescimento, solutos compatíveis e extratos vegetais sob restrição hídrica é uma importante estratégia para obtenção de produção sustentável. Trilha de campo foi realizada na área de pesquisa da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade de Ghazi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Paquistão. Três cultivares de trigo Aas-2011, Faisalabad-2008 e Triple anão-1 foram submetidas a estresse hídrico (pulando a irrigação no estágio de enchimento de grãos). Os genótipos de trigo foram submetidos a tratamentos, T1, ou seja, irrigação normal sem aplicação de ácido abscísico (ABA), ácido salicílico (SA), moringa (MLE) e extrato de água de amoreira (MBLE), T2¬, pular a irrigação em estágio de enchimento de grãos e aplicação de ABA 2µM, T3 ou seja, ignorando a irrigação no estágio de enchimento de grãos e aplicação de 10 m mol SA, T4 ou seja, ignorando a irrigação no estágio de enchimento de grãos e aplicação de 15% MLE e T5 ou seja, ignorando a irrigação no enchimento de grãos estágio e aplicação de 10% MBLE. O experimento foi exposto no delineamento de blocos completos casualizados com arranjo fatorial e repetido três vezes. A partir deste estudo conclui-se que Aas-2011 apresentou melhor resultado sob condição de seca, aplicando reguladores de crescimento e extratos de água de plantas.

Clove oil based co-surfactant free microemulsion of flurbiprofen: Improved solubility with ameliorated drug-induced gastritis.

Flurbiprofen, an NSAID, is a water insoluble drug that is also notorious for gastric irritation and inflammation. This study was aimed at using a natural gastrprotective oil as the internal phase to develop flurbiprofen micro emulsion (ME) to improve it solubility and ameliorate its gastric side effects. Upon screening of ME components for drug solubility, clove oil, tween 80 and transcutol were identified as the oil, surfactant and co surfactant, respectively, with higher flurbiprofen solubility. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams revealed that the ME made with surfactant only and without co-surfactant displayed the similar ME region as made with the mixture of surfactant and co-surfactant. Furthermore, drug loaded oil was also used to draw pseudo-ternary phase diagram and a very little decrease in the ME region was observed. Therefore, co-surfactant free flurbiprofen loaded ME was developed to avoid side effects associated with the use of excessive surfactant quantities. ME were found to possess size in the range of 11-41 nm with PDI <0.5 and a slightly negative charge. Conductivity, pH and refractive indices of the selected MEs were well in the range. Drug release studies indicated maximum drug release from MEs within 5 min. Analysis of the gastric mucosa of rats after oral administration of drug solution and drug loaded ME confirmed that clove oil based ME provided significant protection against the NSAIDs induced gastric damage.

Characterizing bread wheat genotypes of Pakistani origin for grain zinc biofortification potential.

BACKGROUND: Zinc (Zn) is essential for all life forms and its deficiency is a major issue of malnutrition in humans. This study was carried out to characterize 28 wheat genotypes of Pakistani origin for grain zinc biofortification potential, genetic diversity and relatedness. RESULTS: There was low genetic differentiation among the tested genotypes. However, they differed greatly in yield-related traits, grain mineral (Zn, calcium (Ca) and protein) concentrations and Zn bioavailability. Zinc application increased the concentration of Zn in wheat grain (32.1%), embryo (19.8%), aleurone (47%) and endosperm (23.7%), with an increase in bioavailable Zn (22.2%) and a reduction in phytate concentration (6.8%). Application of Zn also enhanced grain protein and Ca concentrations. Among wheat genotypes, Blue Silver had the highest concentration of Zn in grain, embryo, aleurone and endosperm, with high bioavailable Zn, while Kohinoor-83 had low phytate concentration. CONCLUSION: Wheat genotypes of Pakistan are genetically less diverse owing to continuous focus on the development of high-yielding varieties only. Therefore genetically diverse wheat genotypes with high endospermic Zn concentration and better grain yield should be used in breeding programs approaches, aiming at improving Zn bioavailability. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chitosan-immobilized pectinolytics with novel catalytic features and fruit juice clarification potentialities.

Biological macromolecules are primarily composed of complex polysaccharides that strengthen microbial growth for the production of industrially relevant enzymes. The presence of polysaccharides in the form of the disrupted cell wall and cell materials are among major challenges in the fruit juice industry. The breakdown of such biological macromolecules including cellulose and pectin is vital for the juices processing. In this background, pectinolytic enzymes including polygalacturonase (PG), pectin lyase (PL), and pectin methylesterase (PME) were isolated from Aspergillus ornatus, statistically optimized and purified via ammonium sulfate fractionation (ASF), dialysis, and Sephadex G-100 gel permeation chromatography. After passing through Sephadex G-100 column, PG, PL, and PME were 2.60-fold, 3.30-fold, and 4.52-fold purified with specific activities of 475.2U/mg, 557.1U/mg, and 205.7U/mg. The active PG, PL, and PME, each separately, were surface immobilized using various concentrations of chitosan and dextran polyaldehyde as a macromolecular crosslinking agent. Prior to exploit for juice clarification purposes, various parameters including pH, thermal and Michaelis-Menten kinetic constants of purified and chitosan-immobilized fractions were investigated. A considerable improvement in the pH and thermal profiles was recorded after immobilization. However, the negligible difference between the Km and Vmax values of purified free and chitosan-immobilized fractions revealed that the conformational flexibility of pectinolytics was retained as such. A significant color and turbidity reductions were recorded after 60min treatment with CTS-PG, followed by CTS-PME, and CTS-PL. It can be concluded that the clarification of apples, mango, peach, and apricot juices was greatly affected by CTS-PG, CTS-PME, and CTS-PL treatments rendering them as potential candidatures for food industry applications.

The Prokinetic, Laxative, and Antidiarrheal Effects of Morus nigra: Possible Muscarinic, Ca(2+) Channel Blocking, and Antimuscarinic Mechanisms.

Morus nigra Linn. (black mulberry) is used in gastrointestinal ailments. This study demonstrates gut modulatory properties of M. nigra. The prokinetic, laxative, and antidiarrheal activities of M. nigra were assessed in mice, while isolated rabbit jejunum and guinea-pig ileum were used to explore insight into mechanism(s). At 30 and 70 mg/kg, the crude extract of M. nigra (Mn.Cr) exhibited atropine-sensitive prokinetic and laxative effects, similar to carbachol (CCh). While at higher doses (100, 300, and 500 mg/kg), Mn.Cr offered protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea. In rabbit jejunum, Mn.Cr and its chloroform fraction inhibited CCh-induced contractions more potently compared with high K(+) (80 mm). Conversely, petroleum fraction was more potent against high-K(+) -induced contractions. At 0.01 mg/mL, Mn.Cr caused a parallel shift in acetylcholine concentration-response curves (CRCs) followed by a non-parallel shift at 0.03 mg/mL, similar to dicyclomine. At further tested concentrations, Mn.Cr (0.1 and 0.3 mg/mL) and petroleum fraction suppressed Ca(2+) CRCs, similar to verapamil. In guinea-pig ileum, Mn.Cr, its aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited atropine-sensitive gut stimulant activity along with additional uncharacterized excitatory response in the aqueous fraction only. These results suggest that black mulberry possesses prokinetic, laxative, and antidiarrheal effects, putatively mediated through cholinomimetic, antimuscarinic, and Ca(2+) antagonist mechanisms, respectively. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Studies on prokinetic, laxative and spasmodic activities of Phyllanthus emblica in experimental animals.

This study was aimed to provide pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Phyllanthus emblica fruit in indigestion and constipation using the in-vivo and in-vitro assays. The crude extract of the dried fruits of Phyllanthus emblica (Pe.Cr) and its fractions were tested positive for alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenes, flavonoids, sterols and coumarins. Pe.Cr at the doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg exhibited the prokinetic and laxative activities in mice, which were found partially sensitive to atropine. In isolated guinea-pig ileum and rabbit jejunum, the crude extract and its aqueous fraction (Pe.Aq) caused concentration-dependent and partially atropine-sensitive stimulatory effects followed by relaxation at higher tested concentrations, being more efficacious in guinea pig, while more potent in rabbit tissues. The petroleum fraction (0.003-0.1 mg/mL) exhibited fully atropine-sensitive contractions in both guinea-pig and rabbit tissues. However, the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions (0.003-1.0 mg/mL) showed only spasmolytic activity when studied in spontaneously contracting rabbit jejunum. This study showed that the Phyllanthus emblica possesses prokinetic and laxative activities in mice along with spasmodic effect in the isolated tissues of guinea pig and rabbit, mediated partially through activation of muscarinic receptors; thus, this study provides a rationale for the medicinal use of Phyllanthus emblica fruits in indigestion and constipation.

Biosorption of copper by yeast, Loddermyces elongisporus, isolated from industrial effluents: its potential use in wastewater treatment.

The present study is aimed at assessing the ability of metal resistant yeast, Loddermyces elongisporus, to uptake metal from liquid medium. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Cu(2+) against Loddermyces elongisporus ranged between 2.2-2.3 mg/l. The yeast could also tolerate Zn(2+) (2.9 mg/l), Hg(2+) (2.4 mg/l), Ni(2+) (2.2 mg/l), Cr(6+) (2.0 mg/l), Pb(2+) (1.1 mg/l), and Cd(2+) (0.8 mg/l). The yeast isolate showed typical growth curves but lag and log phases extended in the presence of copper. Yeast isolate showed optimum growth at 30 degrees C and pH 8. Metal processing ability of the isolate was determined in a medium containing 0.1 mg/l of Cu(2+). Loddermyces elongisporus could reduce Cu(2+) 15%, 26%, 39%, 50%, 60%, 67%, 75% and 81% from the medium after 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 48, 72 and 96 hours, respectively. L. elongisporus could also efficiently remove 80% copper from the medium after 96 h and was able to remove Cu(2+) 60% and 77% from the wastewater after 4 and 8 d, respectively. The metal binding ability suggests possibility of using this yeast strain for removal of copper from metal contaminated wastewater.