Ecological characteristics of sugar beet plant and rhizosphere soil in response to high boron stress: A study of the remediation potential.

High boron (B) stress degrades the soil environment and reduces plant productivity. Sugar beet has a high B demand and potential for remediation of B-toxic soils. However, the mechanism regarding the response of sugar beet plants and rhizosphere soil microbiome to high B stress is not clear. In the potted soil experiment, we set different soil effective B environments (0.5, 5, 10, 30, 50, and 100 mg kg-1) to study the growth status of sugar beets under different B concentrations, as well as the characteristics of soil enzyme activity and microbial community changes. The results showed that sugar beet growth was optimal at 5 mg kg-1 of B. Exceeding this concentration the tolerance index decreased. The injury threshold EC20 was reached at an available B concentration of 35.8 mg kg-1. Under the treatment of 100 mg kg-1, the B accumulation of sugar beet reached 0.22 mg plant-1, and the tolerance index was still higher than 60%, which had not yet reached the lethal concentration of sugar beet. The abundance of Acidobacteriota, Chloroflexi and Patescibacteria increased, which was beneficial to the resistance of sugar beet to high B stress. In summary, under high B stress sugar beet had strong tolerance, enhanced capacity for B uptake and enrichment, and changes in soil microbial community structure. This study provides a theoretical basis for clarifying the mechanism of sugar beet resistance to high B stress and soil remediation.

Solanum pseudocapsicum vs Capsicum annum; comparative phenolics profiling using green ultrasonic extraction and UHPLC analysis.

BACKGROUND: Solanum pseudocapsicum (PC) and Capsicum annum (CA) belongs to the family of Solanaceae. CA have been reported a rich source of phenolics whereas, the phenolics content of GA (gallic acid), SC (scopoletin), RA (rosmarinic acid), and RV (resveratrol) are yet to be reported for the PC-fruit. This study comparatively evaluates the phenolics profile for different parts (seeds and skin) and colors (green and red) of the PC- and CA-fruits using the green solvents of ethanol (ET), acetone (AC), water (H2O), and different combinations of these solvents. METHODOLOGY: Ultrasonics extraction (US) and UHPLC analysis were employed for phenolics evaluation. RESULTS: The USMD (method development) revealed the highest extract yield of 62 mg/100 mg for the PC-skin in ET:AC (70:30) solvent whereas, more phenolics (ppm) were observed for PC-seeds in ET:AC (50:50) solvent, particularly the SC (29.46) and GA (16.92). The UHPLCMDMV exhibited significant accuracies (100.70-114.14 %) with r2-values (0.9993-0.9997) in the linearity range of 1-200 ppm. The USMV (method validation) in PC- and CA-fruit parts and colors revealed more extract yields for the red skin part of the PC- (180.5 mg) and CA-fruit (126.2 mg). The phenolics were seen more in the green seeds of the PC-fruit (ppm); SC (276), GA (147.36), RV (28.54), and RA (23.87) followed by the green PC-skin, and red/green CA-seeds. The statistical models of mean differences, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation showed significant differences for the PC-fruit parts (seeds and skin) and colors (red and green) vs extract yield and phenolics content (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: PC-and CA-fruits were successfully evaluated where the seeds for the green fruits exhibited more phenolics amount.

Research on phytotoxicity assessment and photosynthetic characteristics of nicosulfuron residues on Beta vulgaris L.

Nicosulfuron is a common herbicide used to control weeds in maize fields. In northeast China, sugar beet is often grown as a subsequent crop after maize, and its frequently suffers from soil nicosulfuron residue damage, but the related toxicity evaluation and photosynthetic physiological mechanisms are not clear. Therefore, we experimented to evaluate the impacts of nicosulfuron residues on beet growth, photochemical properties, and antioxidant defense system. The results showed that when the nicosulfuron residue content reached 0.3 µg kg-1, it inhibited the growth of sugar beet. When it reached 36 µg kg-1 (GR50), the growth stagnated. Compared to the control group, a nicosulfuron residue of 36 µg kg-1 significantly decreased beet plant height (70.93 %), leaf area (91.85 %), dry weights of shoot (70.34 %) and root (32.70 %). It also notably reduced the potential photochemical activity (Fv/Fo) by 12.41 %, the light energy absorption performance index (PIabs) by 46.09 %, and light energy absorption (ABS/CSm) by 6.56 %. It decreased the capture (TRo/CSm) by 9.30 % and transferred energy (ETo/CSm) by 16.13 % per unit leaf cross-section while increasing the energy flux of heat dissipation (DIo/CSm) by 22.85 %. This ultimately impaired the photochemical capabilities of PSI and PSII, leading to a reduction in photosynthetic performance. Furthermore, nicosulfuron increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content while decreasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. In conclusion, this research clarified the toxicity risk level, lethal dose, and harm mechanism of the herbicide nicosulfuron residue. It provides a theoretical foundation for the rational use of herbicides in agricultural production and sugar beet planting management.

Characterization, Synthesis, and Biological Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Produced via Green Synthesis Method Using Thymus Vulgaris Aqueous Extract.

Introduction: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been found to exhibit unique properties which show their potential to be used in various therapies. Green synthesis of AgNPs has been progressively gaining acceptance due to its cost-effectiveness and energy-efficient nature. Objective: In the current study, aqueous extract of Thymus vulgaris (T. vulgaris) was used to synthesize the AgNPs using green synthesis techniques followed by checking the effectiveness and various biological activities of these AgNPs. Methods: At first, the plant samples were proceeded for extraction of aqueous extracts followed by chromatography studies to measure the phenolics and flavonoids. The synthesis and characterization of AgNPs were done using green synthesis techniques and were confirmed using Fourier transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), zeta potential, zeta sizer and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. After confirmation of synthesized AgNPs, various biological activities were checked. Results: The chromatography analysis detected nine compounds accounting for 100% of the total amount of plant constituents. The FT-IR, UV-vis spectra, SEM, zeta potential, zeta sizer and XRD analysis confirmed the synthesis of AgNPs and the variety of chemical components present on the surface of synthesized AgNPs in the plant extract. The antioxidant activity of AgNPs showed 92% inhibition at the concentration of at 1000 µg/mL. A greater inhibitory effect in anti-diabetic analysis was observed with synthesized AgNPs as compared to the standard AgNPs. The hemolytic activity was low, but despite low concentrations of hemolysis activity, AgNPs proved not to be toxic or biocompatible. The anti-inflammatory activity of AgNPs was observed by in-vitro and in-vivo approaches in range at various concentrations, while maximum inhibition occurs at 1000 µg (77.31%). Conclusion: Our data showed that the potential biological activities of the bioactive constituents of T. vulgaris can be enhanced through green synthesis of AgNPs from T. vulgaris aqueous extracts. In addition, the current study depicted that AgNPs have good potential to cure different ailments as biogenic nano-medicine.

An IoT-fuzzy intelligent approach for holistic management of COVID-19 patients.

In this study, an internet of things (IoT)-enabled fuzzy intelligent system is introduced for the remote monitoring, diagnosis, and prescription of treatment for patients with COVID-19. The main objective of the present study is to develop an integrated tool that combines IoT and fuzzy logic to provide timely healthcare and diagnosis within a smart framework. This system tracks patients' health by utilizing an Arduino microcontroller, a small and affordable computer that reads data from various sensors, to gather data. Once collected, the data are processed, analyzed, and transmitted to a web page for remote access via an IoT-compatible Wi-Fi module. In cases of emergencies, such as abnormal blood pressure, cardiac issues, glucose levels, or temperature, immediate action can be taken to monitor the health of critical COVID-19 patients in isolation. The system employs fuzzy logic to recommend medical treatments for patients. Sudden changes in these medical conditions are remotely reported through a web page to healthcare providers, relatives, or friends. This intelligent system assists healthcare professionals in making informed decisions based on the patient's condition.

Dietary phosphorus requirement of silver CARP (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fingerlings.

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal dietary phosphorus (P) requirement and its effects on growth performance, body composition, mineralization and alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). A total of 360 fish with an average initial weight of 7.0 ± 0.15 g were divided into 18 tanks (70 L capacity each) with a stocking density of 20 fish per tank in triplicate. The fish were fed diets containing six levels of P (3.3, 4.4, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5 and 8.6 g/kg) up to satiation for 90 days twice daily at 09:00 and 16:00. The results showed that fish fed diets containing 6.5 and 7.5 g/kg dietary P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) growth performance in terms of final weight gain, average weight gain (AWG), weight gain% (WG%), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and specific growth rate (SGR) than fish fed other diets. The best value of the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in fish fed the 6.5 g/kg P diet, which was not significantly different from the 7.5 g/kg P diet. Increasing P supplementation above 6.5 g/kg significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the feed intake of silver carp. Whole-body composition analysis indicated that increasing P levels resulted in a decrease (p < 0.05) in crude fat (CF) and an increase (p < 0.05) in crude ash (CA) content, while crude protein (CP) and moisture content remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Fish fed diets containing ≥6.5 g/kg P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Ca content in the whole body, bones and scales compared to those fed diets containing ≤5.5 g/kg P. A similar trend was observed for P and Mg contents in the whole body, bones and scales. The Zn content tended to decrease (p < 0.05) with increasing P supplementation in the whole body and bones, but fish fed diets containing ≥6.5 g/kg P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Zn content compared to fish fed diets containing ≤5.5 g/kg P. The Ca/P ratio was significantly affected by P supplementation. Fish fed diets containing ≥6.5 g/kg P had significantly higher (p < 0.05) Ca and P contents in the serum than fish fed other diets. ALP activity increased (p < 0.05) with increasing P levels up to 6.5 g/kg P and decreased (p < 0.05) thereafter. In conclusion, supplementing P up to 6.35 g/kg is recommended for the optimal growth of silver carp.

Foliar zinc spraying improves assimilative capacity of sugar beet leaves by promoting magnesium and calcium uptake and enhancing photochemical performance.

Sugar beet, a zinc-loving crop, is increasingly limited by zinc deficiency worldwide. Foliar zinc application is an effective and convenient way to supplement zinc fertilizer. However, the regulatory mechanism of foliar zinc spraying on sugar beet leaf photosynthetic characteristics remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of foliar ZnSO4·7H2O application (0, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4%) on the photosynthetic performance of sugar beet leaves under controlled hydroponic conditions. The results indicated that a foliar spray of 0.2% Zn fertilizer was optimal for promoting sugar beet leaf growth. This concentration significantly reduced the leaf shape index of sugar beet, notably increasing leaf area, leaf mass ratio, and specific leaf weight. Foliar spraying of Zn (0.2%) substantially elevated the Zn content in sugar beet leaves, along with calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) contents. Consequently, this led to an increase in the potential photochemical activity of PSII (Fv/Fo) (by 6.74%), net photosynthetic rate (Pn) (11.39%), apparent electron transport rate (ETR) (11.43%), actual photochemical efficiency of PSⅡ (Y (Ⅱ)) (11.46%), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) (15.49%), and total chlorophyll content (25.17%). Ultimately, this increased sugar beet leaf dry matter weight (11.30%). In the cultivation and management of sugar beet, the application of 0.2% Zn fertilizer (2.88 mg plant-1) exhibited the potential to enhance Zn and Mg contents in sugar beet, improve photochemical properties, stimulate leaf growth, and boost light assimilation capacity. Our result suggested the foliar application of Zn might be a useful strategy for sugar beet crop management.

Comparative taxonomical, biological and pharmacological potential of healthy and geminivirus infected leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.: First report.

In the present research project, the first report on comparative analysis of the taxonomical, biological and pharmacological potential of healthy and geminivirus infected Hibiscus rosa sinensis (L.) leaves of the family Malvaceae was done by using different micro and macroscopic techniques. First of all, leaves were characterized for Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV) and its associated betasatellite (Cotton leaf curl Multan Betasatellite; CLCuMB). Different morphological parameters like shape and size of stem, leaves, seeds and roots, presence and absence of ligule, distance between nodes and internodes and type of inflorescence etc. were analyzed. CLCuMuV infected H. rosa-sinensis revealed systematic symptoms of infection like chlorosis of leaves, stunted growth, decrease in size of roots, shoots and distortion etc. Anatomical investigation was performed under light ad scanning electron microscope. Different anatomical features like length and shape of guard cells, subsidiary cells, presence or absence of stomata, secretory ducts and trichomes were examined. In both plant samples anomocytic types of stomata and elongated, non-glandular and pointed tip trichomes were present, but the size (especially length and width) of trichomes and other cells like epidermal, subsidiary, and guard cells were highest in virus infected plants likened to healthy one. In the antibacterial activity, the maximum antibacterial potentail was seen in methanolic extract of K. pneumonea while antifungal activity was shown by methanolic extract of A. solani. Plants interact with different biological entities according to environmental conditions continuously and evolved. These types of interactions induce changes positively and negatively on plant metabolism and metabolites production. Many plant viruses also attacked various host plants consequently alter their secondary metabolism. To overcome such virus infected plants produces many important and different types of secondary plant metabolites as a defense response. Subsequent analysis of this n-hexane plant extract using Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy technique revealed that Hibiscus eluted contained 10 main compounds in Healthy sample and 13 compounds in infected one. Presence of essential secondary metabolites were also analyzed by FTIR analysis. The present study provides a comprehensive and novel review on taxonomy (morphology, anatomy) and antimicrobial potential of both healthy and geminivirus infected H. rosa-sinensis.

Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway inhibitors, glycyrrhizic acid, solanine, polyphyllin I, crocin, hypericin, tubeimoside-1, diosmin, and rutin in medicinal plants have better binding affinities and anticancer properties: Molecular docking and ADMET study.

Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway plays a role in cancer development, organogenesis, and embryogenesis. The abnormal activation promotes cancer stem cell renewal, proliferation, and differentiation. In the present study, molecular docking simulation and ADMET studies were carried out on selected bioactive compounds in search of ß-catenin protein inhibitors for drug discovery against cancer. Blind docking simulation was performed using PyRx software on Autodock Vina. ß-catenin protein (PDB ID: 1jdh) and 313 bioactive compounds (from PubChem database) with selected standard anticancer drugs were used for molecular docking. The ADMET properties of the best-performing compounds were calculated using SwissADME and pkCMS web servers. The results obtained from the molecular docking study showed that glycyrrhizic acid, solanine, polyphyllin I, crocin, hypericin, tubeimoside-1, diosmin, and rutin had the best binding interactions with ß-catenin protein based on their binding affinities. Glycyrrhizic acid and solanine had the same and lowest binding energy of -8.5 kcal/mol. This was followed by polyphyllin I with -8.4 kcal/mol, and crocin, hypericin, and tubeimoside-1 which all had a binding energy of 8.1 kcal/mol. Other top-performing compounds include diosmin and rutin with binding energy of -8.0 kcal/mol. The ADMET study revealed that the following compounds glycyrrhizic acid, solanine, polyphyllin I, crocin, hypericin, tubeimoside-1, diosmin, rutin, and baicalin all violated Lipinski's rule of 5 which implies poor oral bioavailability. However, based on the binding energy score, it was suggested that these pharmacologically active compounds are potential molecules to be tested against cancer.

"Exogenous boron alleviates salt stress in cotton by maintaining cell wall structure and ion homeostasis".

Salt stress is considered one of the major abiotic stresses that impair agricultural production, while boron (B) is indispensable for plant cell composition and has also been found to alleviate salt stress. However, the regulatory mechanism of how B improves salt resistance via cell wall modification remains unknown. The present study primarily focused on investigating the mechanisms of B-mediated alleviation of salt stress in terms of osmotic substances, cell wall structure and components and ion homeostasis. The results showed that salt stress hindered plant biomass and root growth in cotton. Moreover, salt stress disrupted the morphology of the root cell wall as evidenced by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analysis. The presence of B effectively alleviated these adverse effects, promoting the accumulation of proline, soluble protein, and soluble sugar, while reducing the content of Na+ and Cl- and augmenting the content of K+ and Ca2+ in the roots. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrated a decline in the crystallinity of roots cellulose. Boron supply also reduced the contents of chelated pectin and alkali-soluble pectin. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis further affirmed that exogenous B led to a decline in cellulose accumulation. In conclusion, B offered a promising strategy for mitigating the adverse impact of salt stress and enhancing plant growth by countering osmotic and ionic stresses and modifying root cell wall components. This study may provide invaluable insights into the role of B in ameliorating the effects of salt stress on plants, which could have implications for sustainable agriculture.

Phytobioactive compounds as therapeutic agents for human diseases: A review.

Phytobioactive compounds are plant secondary metabolites and bioactive compounds abundantly present in medicinal plants and have remarkable therapeutic potential. Oxidative stress and antibiotic resistance are major causes of present-day ailments such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and inflammation. The data for this review were collected from Google Scholar, PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and Science Direct by using keywords: "Medicinal plants, Phytobioactive compounds, Polyphenols, Alkaloids, Carotenoids etc." Several studies have reported the pharmacological and therapeutic potential of the phytobioactives. Polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenes, and polysaccharides isolated from medicinal plants showed remarkable antioxidant, anticancer, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and antidiabetic activities. This literature review was planned to provide comprehensive insight into the biopharmacological and therapeutic potential of phytobioactive compounds. The techniques used for the extraction and isolation of phytobioactive compounds, and bioassays required for their biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities, have been discussed. Characterization techniques for the structural elucidation of phytobioactive compounds such as HPLC, TLC, FTIR, GC-MS/MS, and NMR have also been discussed. This review concludes that phytobioactive compounds may be used as potential alternative to synthetic compounds as therapeutic agents for the treatment of various diseases.

Synergistic Antibacterial Screening of Cymbopogon citratus and Azadirachta indica: Phytochemical Profiling and Antioxidant and Hemolytic Activities.

Current studies were performed to investigate the phytochemistry, synergistic antibacterial, antioxidant, and hemolytic activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (EA and WA) and Cymbopogon citratus (EC and WC) leaves. Fourier transform infrared data verified the existence of alcoholic, carboxylic, aldehydic, phenyl, and bromo moieties in plant leaves. The ethanolic extracts (EA and EC) were significantly richer in phenolics and flavonoids as compared to the aqueous extracts (WA and WC). The ethanolic extract of C. citratus (EC) contained higher concentrations of caffeic acid (1.432 mg/g), synapic acid (6.743 mg/g), and benzoic acid (7.431 mg/g) as compared to all other extracts, whereas chlorogenic acid (0.311 mg/g) was present only in the aqueous extract of A. indica (WA). Food preservative properties of C. citratus can be due to the presence of benzoic acid (7.431 mg/g). -Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated the presence of 36 and 23 compounds in A. indica and C. citratus leaves, respectively. Inductively coupled plasma analysis was used to determine the concentration of 26 metals (Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, V, Zn, Zr, Ti); the metal concentrations were higher in aqueous extracts as compared to the ethanolic extracts. The extracts were generally richer in calcium (3000-7858 ppm), potassium (13662-53,750 ppm), and sodium (3181-8445 ppm) and hence can be used in food supplements as a source of these metals. Antioxidant potential (DDPH method) of C. citratus ethanolic extract was the highest (74.50 ± 0.66%), whereas it was the lowest (32.22 ± 0.28%) for the aqueous extract of A. indica. Synergistic inhibition of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) was observed when the aqueous extracts of both the plants were mixed together in certain ratios (v/v). The highest antibacterial potential was exhibited by the pure extract of C. citratus, which was even higher than that of the standard drug (ciprofloxacin). The plant extracts and their mixtures were more active against S. aureus as compared to E. coli. No toxic hemolytic effects were observed for the investigated extracts indicating their safe medicinal uses for human beings.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of fenugreek flavonoids and its geographical-based comparative evaluation using green UHPLC-DAD analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study, for the first time, reports a simultaneous determination of flavonoids; rutin (RT), quercetin (QT), luteolin (LT), and kaempferol (KF) in different origins of fenugreek seeds samples (N = 45) using a green UHPLC-DAD analysis METHODOLOGY: Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was employed to extract fenugreek flavonoids using different polarity solvents of n-hexane (n-hex), dichloromethane (DCM), and methanol (MeOH) RESULTS: The extract yield on an individual basis was observed in the range of 1.03-17.29 mg, with the highest yield (mg/sample) for the Egyptian sample (17.29 mg). The highest total extract yield (mg/origin) was observed for the Iranian sample (82.28 ±â€¯5.38). The solvent with the highest extract yield (mg) was n-hex 169.35 ±â€¯13.47, followed by MeOH 114.39 ±â€¯12.27. The validated green UHPLC-DAD method resulted in a short runtime (9 min) with an accuracy of 97.86(±12.32)-101.37(±5.91), r2-values = 0.993-0.999, LOD = 2.09-4.48 ppm, and LOQ = 6.33-13.57 ppm for flavonoids analysis within the linearity range of 1-500 ppm. The general yield for flavonoids exhibited a descending order (ppm): RT (2924.55 ±â€¯143.84) > QT (457.05 ±â€¯34.07) > LT (82.37 ±â€¯3.27) > KF (4.54 ±â€¯0.00). The yield (ppm) for the flavonoids was more in MeOH solvent (3424.81 ±â€¯235.44) constructing a descending order of MeOH > n-hex > DCM. For an individual flavonoid yield; MeOH was seen with an order of RT > QT > LT, n-hex (LT > QT), and DCM (RT > LT > QT). The statistical analysis of PCA (principle component analysis) revealed a widespread distribution of flavonoids in fenugreek seeds with a variance of 35.93% (PC1). Moreover, flavonoids extraction was prone to the nature and specificity of the solvent used (PC2: 33.34%) rather than the amount of the extract yield (P = 0.00). The K-mean cluster analysis showed the origins with higher flavonoids yield in appropriate solvent as I3M (Indian accession # 3 MeOH extract) with more QT amount, IR2M (Iranian accession # 2 MeOH extract) with more LT amount along with I2M (Indian accession # 2 MeOH extract) and Q2M (Qassim Saudi Arabia accession # 2 MeOH extract) containing high amount of RT. The outcomes are supported by KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) and Bartlett's test value of 0.56 with X2-value of 191.87 (P = 0.00) CONCLUSION: The samples were effectively evaluated and standardized in terms of flavonoid amount suggesting a significant variation in fenugreek quality.

Insights into physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying efficient utilization of boron in different boron efficient Beta vulgaris L. varieties.

Boron (B) deficiency and consequent limitation of plant yield and quality, particularly of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) has emerged as a maior problem,which is exacerbating due to cultivar dependent variability in B deficiency tolerance. Pertinently, the current study was designed to elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms of B deficiency tolerance of sugar beet varieties KWS1197 (B-efficient variety) and KWS0143 (B-inefficient variety). A hydroponic experiment was conducted employing two B levels B0.1 (0.1 µM L-1 H3BO3, deficiency) and B50 (50 µM L-1 H3BO3, adequacy). Boron deficiency greatly inhibited root elongation and dry matter accumulation; however, formation of lateral roots stimulated and average root diameter was increased. Results exhibited that by up-regulating the expression of NIP5-1, NIP6-1, and BOR2, and suppressing the expression of BOR4, cultivar KWS1197, in contrast to KWS0143, managed to transfer sufficient amount of B to the aboveground plant parts, facilitating its effective absorption and utilization. Accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also mellowed in KWS1197, as well as the oxidative damage to root cells via preservation of the antioxidant enzyme system. Additionally, the expression of essential enzymes for biosynthesis of phytohormone (PYR/PYL) and lignin (COMT, POX, and CCoAOMT) were found to be highly up-regulated in KWS1197. Deductively, through effective B absorption and transportation, balanced nutrient accumulation, and an activated antioxidant enzyme system, B-efficient cultivars may cope with B deficiency while retaining a superior cellular structure to enable root development.

Characterization of Bioactive Compounds and Novel Proteins Derived from Promising Source Citrullus colocynthis along with In-Vitro and In-Vivo Activities.

Herbal products are preferable to synthetic medicines, and the use of traditional medicines is increasing day-by-day. The current study was designed to evaluate the potentials of bioactive compounds from Citrullus colocynthis by performing FTIR, HPLC, and GC-MS analyses, which explore the good concentration of the secondary metabolites, such as gallic acid (74.854 ppm), vanillic acid (122.616 ppm), and ferulic acid (101.045 ppm) with considerable bioactivities. Antimicrobial protein was estimated by performing SDS-PAGE, ranging from 15 to 70 kDa in all protein fractions. The current study also checked the cytotoxicity of the bioactive compounds in the active fraction of C. colocynthis, and to perform this activity, the groups of rats were arranged with 16 rats randomly divided into four groups (three experimental and one control) by administering various dosage of methanolic fractions in dose-dependent manner. Histopathology was conducted on the livers of the rats after 15 days of sacrifice under deep anesthesia. In liver cell slides examined at the maximum dose of 600 mg/kg, minimal morphological changes, such as slight ballooning, nuclear variation, vacuolar degeneration, and hydropic degeneration, were observed. Furthermore, the in silico analysis identified bioactive compounds as potential drug candidates.

The critical role of the phytosterols in modulating tumor microenvironment via multiple signaling: A comprehensive molecular approach.

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and its cases are rapidly increasing every year. Several factors contribute to the development of tumorigenesis. including radiation, dietary lifestyle, smoking, environmental, and genetic factors. The cell cycle is regulated by a variety of molecular signaling proteins. However, when the proteins involved in the cell cycle regulation are altered, cellular growth and proliferation are significantly affected. Natural products provide an important source of new drug development for a variety of ailments. including cancer. Phytosterols (PSs) are an important class of natural compounds reported for numerous pharmacological activities, including cancer. Various PSs, such as ergosterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol, withaferin A, etc., have been reported for their anti-cancer activities against a variety of cancer by modulating the tumor microenvironment via molecular signaling pathways discussed within the article. These signaling pathways are associated with the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, growth factors, chemokines, and pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes. These mediators and their upstream signaling are very active within the variety of tumors and by modulating these signalings, thus PS exhibits promising anti-cancer activities. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy as well the safety of the phytosterols.

Evaluation of whitening and antimicrobial activity of two strains of Bletilla striata WT and HL20.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bletilla striata (Thunb.) Reixchb.f. is a perennial herb of the Orchid-aceae Bletilla and have various ethnopharmacological uses. As a traditional astringent hemostatic Chinese herbal medicine, B. striata has been widely used in the treatment of 127 different kinds of hemorrhagic diseases. Moreover, B. striata has been a beauty medicine since ancient times, with the first ancient records dating back to 2000 years ago, traditionally used to removing freckle and smooth the skin. Because of the high content of polysaccharides, which is considered the primary active substance of B. striata and having anti-aging, whitening, and anti-oxidation functions, this is also widely used in the cosmetics industry. AIM: We screened the germplasm resources of B. striata in the early stage and the superior HL20 strain was obtained. Our research aims to analyze and compare the whitening and antimicrobial activities of different extracts (aqueous extract, ethanol extract, and aqueous extract from ethanol extract filter residue) of the selected superior varieties (HL20) and the control (WT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: L-tyrosine and L-dopa were used as substrates to establish a tyrosinase inhibition system with arbutin as the positive control and the whitening activity was measured by the inhibition rate of TYR-M and TYR-D. Besides, an in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed to assess the antimicrobial activity of the B. striata extracts. In a nutshell, the method of punching diffusion was used to thoroughly examine the effects of three extracts from two strains on the antimicrobial activity of five types of microorganism in cosmetics microbiological testing products. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of different extracts were also assessed. RESULTS: Results showed that the whitening and antimicrobial properties of the HL20 strain were found to be more potent than those of the WT strain. Compared with the other two extraction methods, the aqueous extract from ethanol extract filter residue of B. striata exhibited better inhibition of tyrosinase activity. The antimicrobial assay manifested that only the ethanol extract of B. striata had an inhibitory effect and had a potent antimicrobial impact on E. faecalis. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we evaluated the pharmacological activity of the pre-selected excellent variety (HL20) in terms of whitening and antimicrobial activity. Our results reveal that the selected strain (HL20) has certain advantages over the control (WT). These characteristics make it a candidate additive for whitening cosmetics. Our study also provides a further contribution to the product application of B. striata in cosmetics and antimicrobial agents and the selected HL20 also lays a foundation for the breeding of superior B. striata varieties.

Zootherapy as traditional therapeutic strategy in the Cholistan desert of Bahawalpur-Pakistan.

The use of traditional medicines has tremendously increased over the past few decades. Approximately 80% of the world's population relies on traditional medicines for their primary healthcare needs because of their cost effectiveness and efficiency with no or minimal side effects. Zootherapy refers to the use of medicines that are prepared or derived from animals or from their products. The current study documented the folk knowledge related to the practice of various animal-derived products and ethnozoological based drugs used as medicines by the residents of the Cholistan desert of Bahawalpur (Pakistan). In this regard 46 knowledgeable and reliable elderly people, hakims and spiritual healers ranging from 35-60 years of age having knowledge related to zootherapy were included in the current study. A field survey from February 2006 to November 2007 was conducted by interviewing the selected respondents through a structured questionnaire. They provided knowledge regarding the use of animals and their derived products in traditional medicine. The zootherapeutic knowledge was based on both domestic animals as well as wild animals. A total of 20 animal species were included in the study, among which nine animals were domestic while 11 were wild animals. Among selected animals, nine were mammals, four birds, four reptiles and three insects. It was reported that camel was the most commonly used (n = 32 respondents) among mammals while Pigeon (n = 39 respondents), Spiny-tailed lizard (n = 41 respondents) and Indian honey bee (n = 27 respondents) among birds, reptiles and insects, respectively, have significant use for the treatment of different diseases. Based on this communication we could recommend that this type of abandoned knowledge should be considered for the management and conservation of faunistic resources. However, the advantageous role of animals and their products was reported but more extensive research is required to explore the bioactive constituents in the raw material of these animals responsible for their beneficial effects.

High boron stress leads to sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) toxicity by disrupting photosystem â ¡.

This sugar beet acts as a soil remediator in areas where there are high levels of boron (B) in the soil, since it has a high requirement of boron (B) for growth, and has strong resistance to high B levels. Although B toxicity in different plants has been widely researched, little is known about the response of photosystem II (PSII) activity in sugar beet leaves to B toxicity at present. To clarify the growth and photosynthetic physiological response of sugar beet to B toxicity, the effects of different concentrations of H3BO3 (0.05, 1.5, 2.5,3.5 mM) on the growth, photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant defense system of sugar beet seedlings were investigated by hydroponic experiments. In the present study, high B stress inhibited the growth of sugar beet and significantly decreased the biomass of the plants. There was a remarkable increase in the accumulation of B in the shoots, which affected photosynthesis and decreased the photosynthetic pigments. As B toxicity increased, leaf PSII activities and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) showed a tendency to decrease; at the same time, the photosynthetic performance index based on absorbed light energy (PIABS) decreased as well. Meanwhile, the energy allocation parameters of the PSII reaction center were changed, the light energy utilization capacity and the energy used for electron transfer were reduced and the thermal dissipation was increased at the same time. Furthermore, B toxicity decreased catalase (CAT) activity, increased peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. According to the results obtained in this study, high B concentrations reduced the rate of photosynthesis and fluorescence, thus weakened antioxidant defense systems, and therefore inhibited the growth of sugar beet plants. Thus, in high B areas, sugar beet possesses excellent tolerance to high B levels and has a high B translocation capacity, so it can be used as a phytoremediation tool. This study provides a basis for the feasibility of sugar beet resistant to high B environments.