The Influence of Copper and Zinc on Photosynthesis and Phenolic Levels in Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Borage (Borago officinalis L.), Common Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.).

This work is aimed at relationships which govern zinc and copper uptake by four popular medicinal herbs: basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), borage (Borago officinalis L.), common nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.). They are often grown in soils with significant copper or zinc levels. Herbs were cultivated by a pot method in controlled conditions. Manganese, iron, copper and zinc concentrations were determined by High-Resolution Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The efficiency of photosynthesis was estimated by measuring the chlorophyll content, water use efficiency, net photosynthesis, intercellular CO2, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate. Phenolic compounds were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Analysis of variance showed that herbs grown in soil treated with copper exhibited a lower iron content in roots, while manganese behaved in the opposite way. The only exception was borage, where a decrease in the manganese content in roots was observed. Both copper and zinc supplementations increased the total content of phenolics, while the highest increases were observed for common nettle and basil. Peppermint and borage responded less to supplementation. In the majority of samples, zinc and copper did not significantly affect the photosynthesis. Herbal extracts from common nettle and basil had unique antioxidant properties and may be good free radical scavengers.

Antioxidant Activity and Photosynthesis Efficiency in Melissa officinalis Subjected to Heavy Metals Stress.

The aim of this study was to assess influence of cadmium and zinc treatments on antioxidant activity combined with the photosynthesis efficiency in a popular herb lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). Plants were grown under greenhouse conditions by the pot method. The Mn, Cu, Cd, and Zn contents in soil and plants were measured by HR-CS FAAS. The activity of net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, intercellular CO2, and index of chlorophyll in leaves were determined for all investigated species. Reduction of the net photosynthesis was observed for cultivations subjected to either Zn or Cd treatments. Phenolic contents were determined by the chemical Folin-Ciocalteu method, while enhanced voltammetric analysis was applied to assess the antioxidant properties of plant extracts. Both of these approaches yielded similar results. Herbal extracts had exceptional antioxidant capacities and were good scavengers of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Structural similarity of cadmium and zinc facilitated their mutual structural exchange and prompted substantial expansion of phenolics under the mixed Zn and Cd treatments.

Hysteresis of heavy metals uptake induced in Taraxacum officinale by thiuram.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) yields active substances frequently used in herbal medicinal preparations. Its plantations are exposed to fungal plagues which pose a threat to herbal crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long time effects of a fungicide thiuram on dandelion growth and photosynthesis. Additionally, the manganese, iron, copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead uptake and transport were also investigated. Plants were cultivated under greenhouse conditions by the pot method in a universal flowering soil. The elements content in soil and plants were determined by the HR-CS FAAS spectrometer. Thiuram concentrations were established by the HPLC. Those analyses showed that almost 80% of thiuram decomposed within two weeks of its application. The photosynthesis indicators suggested, that plants were in good conditions and the fungicide supplementation facilitated plant growth. The latter could be prompted by thiuram acting as a sulfur rich chemical micro fertilizer. The hypothesis, that thiuram significantly affects heavy metals interactions in dandelion was proved by the one-way analysis of variance. Notable, metals uptake did not completely recover after fungicide decomposition for all investigated elements except iron We suggest to define this chemically induced, time-dependent heavy metals migrations in the soil-plant system as hysteresis of heavy metals uptake.

A Global Review on Short Peptides: Frontiers and Perspectives.

Peptides are fragments of proteins that carry out biological functions. They act as signaling entities via all domains of life and interfere with protein-protein interactions, which are indispensable in bio-processes. Short peptides include fundamental molecular information for a prelude to the symphony of life. They have aroused considerable interest due to their unique features and great promise in innovative bio-therapies. This work focusing on the current state-of-the-art short peptide-based therapeutical developments is the first global review written by researchers from all continents, as a celebration of 100 years of peptide therapeutics since the commencement of insulin therapy in the 1920s. Peptide "drugs" initially played only the role of hormone analogs to balance disorders. Nowadays, they achieve numerous biomedical tasks, can cross membranes, or reach intracellular targets. The role of peptides in bio-processes can hardly be mimicked by other chemical substances. The article is divided into independent sections, which are related to either the progress in short peptide-based theranostics or the problems posing challenge to bio-medicine. In particular, the SWOT analysis of short peptides, their relevance in therapies of diverse diseases, improvements in (bio)synthesis platforms, advanced nano-supramolecular technologies, aptamers, altered peptide ligands and in silico methodologies to overcome peptide limitations, modern smart bio-functional materials, vaccines, and drug/gene-targeted delivery systems are discussed.

A Supramolecular Approach to Structure-Based Design with A Focus on Synthons Hierarchy in Ornithine-Derived Ligands: Review, Synthesis, Experimental and in Silico Studies.

The success of innovative drugs depends on an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to their design and development. The supramolecular architecture of living systems is controlled by non-covalent interactions to a very large extent. The latter are prone to extensive cooperation and like a virtuoso play a symphony of life. Thus, the design of effective ligands should be based on thorough knowledge on the interactions at either a molecular or high topological level. In this work, we emphasize the importance of supramolecular structure and ligand-based design keeping the potential of supramolecular H-bonding synthons in focus. In this respect, the relevance of supramolecular chemistry for advanced therapies is appreciated and undisputable. It has developed tools, such as Hirshfeld surface analysis, using a huge data on supramolecular interactions in over one million structures which are deposited in the Cambridge Structure Database (CSD). In particular, molecular interaction surfaces are useful for identification of macromolecular active sites followed by in silico docking experiments. Ornithine-derived compounds are a new, promising class of multi-targeting ligands for innovative therapeutics and cosmeceuticals. In this work, we present the synthesis together with the molecular and supramolecular structure of a novel ornithine derivative, namely N-α,N-δ)-dibenzoyl-(α)-hydroxymethylornithine, 1. It was investigated by modern experimental and in silico methods in detail. The incorporation of an aromatic system into the ornithine core induces stacking interactions, which are vital in biological processes. In particular, rare C=O…π intercontacts have been identified in 1. Supramolecular interactions were analyzed in all structures of ornithine derivatives deposited in the CSD. The influence of substituent was assessed by the Hirshfeld surface analysis. It revealed that the crystal packing is stabilized mainly by H…O, O…H, C…H, Cl (Br, F)…H and O…O interactions. Additionally, π…π, C-H…π and N-O…π interactions were also observed. All relevant H-bond energies were calculated using the Lippincott and Schroeder H-bond model. A library of synthons is provided. In addition, the large synthons (Long-Range Synthon Aufbau Module) were considered. The DFT optimization either in vacuo or in solutio yields very similar molecular species. The major difference with the relevant crystal structure was related to the conformation of terminal benzoyl C15-C20 ring. Furthermore, in silico prediction of the extensive physicochemical ADME profile (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) related to the drug-likeness and medicinal chemistry friendliness revealed that a novel ornithine derivative 1 has the potential to be a new drug candidate. It has shown good in silico absorption and very low toxicity.

Combined cadmium-zinc interactions alter manganese, lead, copper uptake by Melissa officinalis.

Farmland soil typical for the Polish rural environment was used in pot experiment to estimate the impact of cadmium and zinc on the manganese, lead and copper uptake by lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L). Bioavailable and total forms of investigated metals in soil and metal concentrations in plants were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The plant photosynthesis indicators were also examined. Intensification of photosynthesis upon the high zinc and cadmium soil supplementation was observed. This effect was not detected at low metal concentrations. ANOVA proved that cadmium and zinc treatments influenced manganese, lead and copper transfer from soil and their concentration in plants. Zinc uptake and accumulation in either roots or above-ground parts in plant was inversely proportional to cadmium concentration in soil. Manganese concentration in roots decreased upon the soil supplementation with either zinc or cadmium. It suggests that the latter ions are transported via symplastic pathways and compete with manganese for similar transporters. The opposite situation was observed for lead and copper. Soil supplementation with cadmium and zinc affects manganese, lead and copper concentrations and photosynthesis intensity in lemon balm plant. The following combined interactions in either normal or stress conditions are important indicators of the migration pathways.

Associated Effects of Cadmium and Copper Alter the Heavy Metals Uptake by Melissa Officinalis.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a popular herb widely used in medicine. It is often cultivated in soils with substantial heavy metal content. Here we investigate the associated effects of cadmium and copper on the plant growth parameters augmented by the manganese, zinc, and lead uptake indicators. The concentration of all elements in soil and plants was determined by the HR-CS FAAS with the ContrAA 300 Analytik Jena spectrometer. Bioavailable and total forms calculated for all examined metals were augmented by the soil analyses. The index of chlorophyll content in leaves, the activity of net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and intercellular concentration of CO2 were also investigated. Either Cd or Cu acting alone at high concentrations in soil are toxic to plants as indicated by chlorophyll indices and gas exchange parameters. Surprisingly, this effect was not observed when both metals were administered together. The sole cadmium or copper supplementations hampered the plant's growth, lowered the leaf area, and altered the plant's stem elongation. Analysis of variance showed that cadmium and copper treatments of lemon balm significantly influenced manganese, lead, and zinc concentration in roots and above ground parts.

Influence of Digestion Procedure and Residual Carbon on Manganese, Copper, and Zinc Determination in Herbal Matrices by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

Mineralization to the complete oxidation of sample carbon component does not always assure the best analyte recovery. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of silicon in the investigated plant sample and especially in the certified reference material for which Si content is scarcely given by the providers. During mineralization without addition of the hydrofluoric acid, the residual carbon may block silica surfaces and increase availability of an analyte for its spectral determination in the solution. This issue is of particular relevance because standard protocols for digestion of plant matrices often do not support hydrofluoric acid addition. Several procedures recommended for decomposition of herbal plants were applied for the respective certified reference material and examined in detail. Manganese, copper, and zinc contents were analyzed in all samples by the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Additionally, the residual carbon was determined in all mineralizates. Silicon content was analyzed by the X-ray fluorescence method. The best recoveries were observed for samples characterized by relatively high residual carbon.