Biosynthesis of copper nanoparticles using Alstonia scholaris leaves and its antimicrobial studies.

The utilization of plants for the production of metallic nanoparticles is gaining significant attention in research. In this study, we conducted phytochemical screening of Alstonia scholaris (A. scholaris) leaves extracts using various solvents, including chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol, and water. Our findings revealed higher proportions of flavonoids and alkaloids in both solvents compared to other phytochemical species. In the methanol, extract proteins, anthraquinone and reducing sugar were not detected. On the other hand, the aqueous extract demonstrated the presence of amino acids, reducing sugar, phenolic compounds, anthraquinone, and saponins. Notably, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts displayed the highest levels of bioactive compounds among all solvents. Intrigued by these results, we proceeded to investigate the antibacterial properties of the leaf extracts against two major bacterial strains, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). All extracts exhibited significant zones of inhibition against both bacterial isolates, with S. aureus showing higher susceptibility compared to E. coli. Notably, the methanol extract displayed the most potent I hibitory effect against all organisms. Inspired by the bioactivity of the methanol extract, we employed it as a plant-based material for the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs). The synthesized Cu-NPs were characterized using Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-visible spectroscopic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed color changes confirmed the successful formation of Cu-NPs, while the FTIR analysis matched previously reported peaks, further verifying the synthesis. The SEM micrographs indicated the irregular shapes of the surface particles. From the result obtained by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis, Cu has the highest relative abundance of 67.41 wt%. Confirming the purity of the Cu-NPs colloid. These findings contribute to the growing field of eco-friendly nanotechnology and emphasize the significance of plant-mediated approaches in nanomaterial synthesis and biomedical applications.

Identification of intracellular activation mechanism of rhamnogalacturonan-I type polysaccharide purified from Panax ginseng leaves in macrophages and roles of component sugar chains on activity.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying intracellular signaling pathways in macrophages in relation to the structural features of rhamnogalacturonan (RG) I-type polysaccharide (PGEP-I) purified from Panax ginseng leaves. For this investigation, we used several specific inhibitors and antibodies against mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Furthermore, we investigated the roles of component sugar chains on immunostimulating activity through a sequential enzymatic and chemical degradation steps. We found that PGEP-I effectively induced the phosphorylation of several MAPK- and NF-κB-related proteins, such as p38, cJun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p65. Particularly, immunocytochemistry analysis confirmed the PGEP-I-induced translocation of p65 into the nucleus. Furthermore, the breakdown of PGEP-I side chains and main chain during sequential enzymatic and chemical degradation reduced the PGEP-I-induced macrophage cytokine secretion activity. IL-6, TNF-α, and NO secreted by macrophages are associated with several signaling pathway proteins such as ERK, JNK, and NF-κB and several PRRs such as dectin-1, CD11b, CD14, TLR2, TLR4, and SR. Thus, these findings suggest that PGEP-I exerts potent macrophage-activating effects, which can be attributed to its typical RG-I structure comprising arabinan, type II arabinogalactan, and rhamnose-galacturonic acid repeating units in the main chain.

[Antidepressant mechanism of Shenling Kaixin Granules based on BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway].

To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of Shenling Kaixin Granules(SLKX) in treating chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) model rats. Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, Shugan Jieyu Capsules(110 mg·kg~(-1)) group and SLKX low-(90 mg·kg~(-1)), medium-(180 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-dose(360 mg·kg~(-1)) groups. Depression rat model was replicated by CUMS method. After treatment, the behavioral changes of rats were evaluated by sugar preference, open field, elevated cross maze and forced swimming experiments. The contents of interleukin 1 beta(IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) in hippocampal CA1 region were also detected. Pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and Western blot was used to determine the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF), BDNF, phospho-tyrosine kinase receptor(p-TrkB)/TrkB, phospho-cAMP-response element binding protein(p-CREB)/CREB, nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax) and caspase-3 in hippocampal CA1 region. RESULTS:: showed that compared with the control group, the model group had decreased sugar preference, reduced number of entries and time spent in the center of open field and shortened total distance of movement, reduced number of entries and proportion of time spent in open arm, and increased number and time of immobility in forced swimming experiment. Additionally, the serum contents of IL-1ß and TNF-α and the expression of caspase-3 were higher, while the contents of BDNF and 5-HT, the activities of SOD and CAT in hippocampal CA1 region, the expressions of NGF, BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-CREB/CREB, HO-1 and Bcl-2/Bax, and the Nrf2 nuclear translocation were lower in model group than in control group. Compared with the conditions in model group, the sugar preference, the number of entries and time spent in the center of open, total distance of movement, and the number of entries and proportion of time spent in open arm in treatment groups were increased while the number and time of immobility in forced swimming experiment were decreased; the serum contents of IL-1ß and TNF-α and the expression of caspase-3 were down regulated, while the contents of BDNF and 5-HT, the activities of SOD and CAT in hippocampal CA1 region, the expressions of NGF, BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-CREB/CREB, HO-1, Bcl-2/Bax, and Nrf2 nuclear translocation were enhanced. In conclusion, SLKX might regulate the Nrf2 nucleus translocation by activating BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway, lower oxidative stress damage in hippocampus, inhibit caspase-3 activity, and reduce apoptosis of hippocampal nerve cells, thereby playing an antidepressant role.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural multimers induce pseudo-allergic reaction through FcεRI at high doses.

Under acidic and high temperature conditions, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) converted from sugar further produces dimers (Compound II) and trimers (Compound III). The polymers were less reported, and sensitization effect of them was reported in this study. Compounds II and III induced the local and systemic anaphylaxis effect in passive cutaneous anaphylaxis mice model and activated RBL-2H3 cell inducing [Ca2+ ] mobilization, resulting in the release of ß-hexosaminidase and histamine in vitro. The gene knockdown assay figured out that Compounds II and III induced degranulation through FcεRI. Further, Compounds II and III had a certain affinity with FcεRI by cell membrane chromatography and may combine on the "proline sandwich" structure indicated by molecular docking. All above suggested Compounds II and III can induce pseudo-allergic reaction through FcεRI in vivo and in vitro. Our work provides basic research to prove that the newly discovered 5-HMF transformants, Compounds II and III, induce pseudo-allergic reaction in vitro and in vivo through FcεRI, which is different pathway from 5-HMF. In foods with high sugar content, the sensitization of Compounds II and III needs more attention. In high-sugar foods and medicines, especially traditional Chinese medicine injections, the content of transformants needs to be detected.

Effects of cadmium stress on the morphology, physiology, cellular ultrastructure, and BvHIPP24 gene expression of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.).

To clarify the mechanism of the response of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) to cadmium (Cd) stress, this study investigated changes in the phenotype, physiological indexes, and subcellular structure of B. vulgaris under Cd treatment and the transcriptional pattern of the BvHIPP24 gene (a heavy metal-associated isoprenylated plant protein involved in heavy metal detoxification). The plant height and shoot and root growth of B. vulgaris seedlings were inhibited to some extent under 0.5 and 1 mM Cd, with gradually wilting and yellowing of leaves and dark brown roots. When the Cd concentration was increased, malondialdehyde content and the activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase increased differentially. qPCR indicated that the expression of BvHIPP24 was induced by different concentrations of Cd. Although transmission electron microscopy revealed damage to nuclei, mitochondria, and chloroplasts, B. vulgaris exhibited strong adaptability to 0.5 mM Cd according to a comprehensive analysis using the membership function. The results showed that B. vulgaris may reduce cell damage and improve its Cd tolerance by regulating functional gene expression and antioxidant enzymes. This study increases our understanding of the Cd-tolerance mechanism of B. vulgaris and provides insights into the use of B. vulgaris in Cd bioremediation.

Sugar beet is a novel energy crop with superior characteristics for both heavy metal phytoremediation and biomass energy development. This work is the first to investigate both the morphological, physiological, and ultrastructural response of sugar beet to cadmium stress and the induction of a functional metallochaperone gene by cadmium. This study explains the cadmium tolerance mechanism of sugar beet based on a comprehensive evaluation and provides an important theoretical basis for further application of beet in heavy metal bioremediation.

Antidepressant mechanism of Shenling Kaixin Granules based on BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of Shenling Kaixin Granules(SLKX) in treating chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) model rats. Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, Shugan Jieyu Capsules(110 mg·kg~(-1)) group and SLKX low-(90 mg·kg~(-1)), medium-(180 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-dose(360 mg·kg~(-1)) groups. Depression rat model was replicated by CUMS method. After treatment, the behavioral changes of rats were evaluated by sugar preference, open field, elevated cross maze and forced swimming experiments. The contents of interleukin 1 beta(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) in hippocampal CA1 region were also detected. Pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and Western blot was used to determine the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF), BDNF, phospho-tyrosine kinase receptor(p-TrkB)/TrkB, phospho-cAMP-response element binding protein(p-CREB)/CREB, nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax) and caspase-3 in hippocampal CA1 region. RESULTS:: showed that compared with the control group, the model group had decreased sugar preference, reduced number of entries and time spent in the center of open field and shortened total distance of movement, reduced number of entries and proportion of time spent in open arm, and increased number and time of immobility in forced swimming experiment. Additionally, the serum contents of IL-1β and TNF-α and the expression of caspase-3 were higher, while the contents of BDNF and 5-HT, the activities of SOD and CAT in hippocampal CA1 region, the expressions of NGF, BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-CREB/CREB, HO-1 and Bcl-2/Bax, and the Nrf2 nuclear translocation were lower in model group than in control group. Compared with the conditions in model group, the sugar preference, the number of entries and time spent in the center of open, total distance of movement, and the number of entries and proportion of time spent in open arm in treatment groups were increased while the number and time of immobility in forced swimming experiment were decreased; the serum contents of IL-1β and TNF-α and the expression of caspase-3 were down regulated, while the contents of BDNF and 5-HT, the activities of SOD and CAT in hippocampal CA1 region, the expressions of NGF, BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-CREB/CREB, HO-1, Bcl-2/Bax, and Nrf2 nuclear translocation were enhanced. In conclusion, SLKX might regulate the Nrf2 nucleus translocation by activating BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway, lower oxidative stress damage in hippocampus, inhibit caspase-3 activity, and reduce apoptosis of hippocampal nerve cells, thereby playing an antidepressant role.

Synergistic Effects of Silicon and Preservative on Promoting Postharvest Performance of Cut Flowers of Peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.).

As a commercial high-grade cut flower, the marketability of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is limited by its short vase life in water. Si (silicon) is an alternative to improve the postharvest life of cut flowers. However, the effects of the combined application of Si and preservatives on the postharvest performance of cut peony flowers are unknown. In this study, the effects of a Si application and a preservative alone and collegial on the longevity of the vase life, water loss, antioxidant defense system, and stock carbohydrates level of cut flowers of three peony cultivars were investigated. It was observed that Si effectively prolonged the vase life, while the preservative alone, to a lesser extent, but markedly induced an early flowering and a greater flower diameter (flower open degree). The simultaneous use of Si and the preservatives not only showed larger flowers, but also improved the postharvest performance as characterized by an extended vase life and delayed the water loss. In addition, the Si supplementation dramatically intensified the antioxidant defense system (ameliorated antioxidant enzymes and alleviated ROS accumulation) in petals but did not increase the stock carbohydrates (starch and soluble sugars) levels, as compared to the treatment with the preservative alone. We show that a Si supplementation to a preservative is highly recommended for a large-scale use to promote the postharvest performance and competitiveness of marketed cut flowers.

Acidic oligosaccharide sugar chain combined with hyperbaric oxygen delays D-galactose-induced brain senescence in mice via attenuating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

Aging is fundamental to neurodegeneration and dementia. Preventing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are potential methods of delaying the onset of aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases. The acidic oligosaccharide sugar chain (AOSC) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) can increase the expression of antioxidants and have a neuroprotective function. In this study, we investigate the ability of AOSC, HBO, and AOSC + HBO to prevent D-gal-induced brain senescence. The Morris water maze and Y-maze test results showed that all three therapies significantly attenuated D-gal-induced memory disorders. A potential mechanism of this action was decreasing elevated levels of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. The western blot and morphological results showed that all three therapies decreased D-gal-induced neuroinflammation and downregulated inflammatory mediators including the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Taken together, our results indicated that AOSC, HBO, and AOSC + HBO therapies attenuated D-gal-induced brain aging in mice by repressing RAGE/NF-KB-induced inflammation, the activation of astrocytes and microglia, and a decrease in neuronal degeneration. These could be useful therapies for treating age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, HBO combined with AOSC had a better effect than HBO or AOSC alone.

Effects of sugars, fatty acids and amino acids on cytosolic and mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide release from liver cells.

The rates of formation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide at different electron-donating sites in isolated mitochondria are critically dependent on the substrates that are added, through their effects on the reduction level of each site and the components of the protonmotive force. However, in intact cells the acute effects of added substrates on different sites of cytosolic and mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production are unclear. Here we tested the effects of substrate addition on cytosolic and mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide release from intact AML12 liver cells. In 30-min starved cells replete with endogenous substrates, addition of glucose, fructose, palmitate, alanine, leucine or glutamine had no effect on the rate or origin of cellular hydrogen peroxide release. However, following 150-min starvation of the cells to deplete endogenous glycogen (and other substrates), cellular hydrogen peroxide production, particularly from NADPH oxidases (NOXs), was decreased, GSH/GSSH ratio increased, and antioxidant gene expression was unchanged. Addition of glucose or glutamine (but not the other substrates) increased hydrogen peroxide release. There were similar relative increases from each of the three major sites of production: mitochondrial sites IQ and IIIQo, and cytosolic NOXs. Glucose supplementation also restored ATP production and mitochondrial NAD reduction level, suggesting that the increased rates of hydrogen peroxide release from the mitochondrial sites were driven by increases in the protonmotive force and the degree of reduction of the electron transport chain. Long-term (24 h) glucose or glutamine deprivation also diminished hydrogen peroxide release rate, ATP production rate and (for glucose deprivation) NAD reduction level. We conclude that the rates of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production from mitochondrial sites in liver cells are insensitive to extra added substrates when endogenous substrates are not depleted, but these rates are decreased when endogenous substrates are lowered by 150 min of starvation, and can be enhanced by restoring glucose or glutamine supply through improvements in mitochondrial energetic state.

Glyco-Nanoadjuvants: Sugar Structures on Carriers of a Small Molecule TLR7 Ligand Affect Their Immunostimulatory Activities.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that activate innate immunity, and their ligands are promising adjuvants for vaccines and immunotherapies. Small molecule TLR7 ligands are ideal vaccine adjuvants as they induce not only proinflammatory cytokines but also type I interferons. However, their application has only been approved for local administration due to severe systemic immune-related adverse events. In a previous study, we prepared the gold nanoparticles coimmobilized with synthetic small molecule TLR7 ligand, 1V209, and α-mannose (1V209-αMan-GNPs). 1V209-αMan-GNPs were selectively delivered via a cell surface sugar-binding protein, mannose receptor, which enabled selective delivery of TLR7 ligands to immune cells. Besides the mannose receptor, immune cells express various sugar-binding proteins such as macrophage galactose binding lectins and sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins and recognize distinct sugar structures. Hence, in the present study, we investigated whether sugar structures on GNPs affect the efficiency and selectivity of intracellular delivery and subsequent immunostimulatory potencies. Five neutral sugars and two sialosides were selected and each sugar was coimmobilized with 1V209 onto GNPs (1V209-SGNPs) and their innate immunostimulatory potencies were compared to that of 1V209-αMan-GNPs. The in vitro study using mouse bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) demonstrated that α-glucose, α-N-acetylglucosamine, or α-fucose immobilized 1V209-SGNPs increased interleukin-6 and type I interferon release similar to that of 1V209-αMan-GNPs, whereas galacto-type sugar immobilized 1V209-SGNPs predominantly enhanced type I interferon release. In contrast, sialoside immobilized 1V209-SGNPs did not enhance the potency of 1V209. In the in vivo immunization study using ovalbumin as a model antigen, neutral sugar immobilized 1V209-SGNPs induced comparable T helper-1 immune response to that of 1V209-αMan-GNPs and by 10-fold higher than that of sialoside immobilized 1V209-SGNPs. These results indicate that the sugar structures on 1V209-SGNPs affect their immunostimulatory activities, and functionalization of the carrier particles is important to shape immune responses.

Natural Alternative Sweeteners and Diabetes Management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The goal of this review is to discuss the data on natural alternative sweeteners and their effects on glucose homeostasis and other metabolic parameters within the past five years. We sought to answer whether common natural alternative sweeteners have a positive or negative effect on glucose control in both human and animal models, and whether the data supports their widespread use as a tool to help reduce the prevalence of diabetes and associated comorbid conditions. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies suggest that natural alternative sweeteners may reduce hyperglycemia, improve lipid metabolism, and have antioxidant effects particularly in those that have baseline diabetes. Diabetes and metabolic syndrome have become a global healthcare crisis and the sugar overconsumption plays a major role. The use of artificial sweeteners has become more prevalent to improve insulin resistance in those with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, although the evidence does not support this result. There are however some promising data to suggest that natural alternative sweeteners may be a better alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners.

The Growth Differentiation Factor 11 is Involved in Skin Fibroblast Ageing and is Induced by a Preparation of Peptides and Sugars Derived from Plant Cell Cultures.

Ageing is a complex and progressive phenomenon, during which the accumulation of morphological and chemical changes seriously compromises the capacity of the cells to proliferate and fulfil their biological tasks. The increase in the average age of the world population, associated with a higher occurrence of age-related diseases, is prompting scientific research to look for new strategies and molecular targets that may help in alleviating age-related phenotypes. Growth factors, responsible for modulating several aging markers in many tissues and organs, represent valuable targets to fight age-associated dysfunctions. The growth differentiation factor GDF11, a TGF-ß family member, has been associated with the maintenance of youth phenotypes in different human tissues and organs, and in the skin has been related to an inhibition of the inflammatory response. We investigated the role of GDF11 in skin dermal fibroblasts, and we observed that its expression and activity were reduced in fibroblasts deriving from adult donors compared to neonatal ones. The main effect of GDF11 was the induction of collagen I and III, in both neonatal and adult fibroblasts, by triggering Smad signalling in a TGF-ß-like fashion. Moreover, by analysing a number of plant extracts having GDF11 inducing activity, we found that a peptide/sugar preparation, obtained from Lotus japonicus somatic embryo cultures, was capable of restoring GDF11 expression in older fibroblasts and to activate the synthesis of collagen I, collagen III and periostin, an important protein involved in collagen assembly.

[Chemotactic response of ginseng endophyte to ginseng root exudates].

The ginseng endophytic bacteria F1 is a potential biocontrol agent for ginseng bacterial soft rot. In this paper,the chemotactic response of ginseng endophytic bacteria F1 on 8 kinds of sugar and amino acids was detected by capillary method to explore its biocontrol mechanism. The chemotactic response of F1 strain to 4 kinds of better chemotaxis substances such as glucose,glycine,L-rhamnoseand L-glutamic acid under parameters( concentration,time,temperature and pH) was studied. The results showed that under the same experimental conditions( incubation temperature 25 ℃,incubation time 60 min,chemotaxis concentration 1 mg·L~(-1)),ginseng endophytic bacteria F1 showed different degrees of response to the eight substances tested. The phenomenon of positive chemotaxis of the measured sugars and amino acids was obvious,and the chemotactic response to total ginsenosides was low. The degree of chemotaxis response is positively correlated with the chemotaxis index within a certain range of parameters,but as the temperature,p H,time,concentration and other factors continue to increase,the chemotaxis effect decreases,and F1 optimizes the chemotaxis of the four substances. The parameters are as follows: glucose: 25 ℃,10 mg·L~(-1),45 min,pH 7; glycine: 30 ℃,10 mg·L~(-1),75 min,pH7; L-rhamnose: 30 ℃,1 mg·L~(-1),30 min,pH 6; L-glutamic acid: 25 ℃,0. 1 mg·L~(-1),45 min,pH 8. The chemotactic response is more sensitive to low concentrations of chemotactic substances.

A chemical genetic screen reveals that iminosugar inhibitors of plant glucosylceramide synthase inhibit root growth in Arabidopsis and cereals.

Iminosugars are carbohydrate mimics that are useful as molecular probes to dissect metabolism in plants. To analyse the effects of iminosugar derivatives on germination and seedling growth, we screened a library of 390 N-substituted iminosugar analogues against Arabidopsis and the small cereal Eragrostis tef (Tef). The most potent compound identified in both systems, N-5-(adamantane-1-yl-ethoxy)pentyl- L-ido-deoxynojirimycin (L-ido-AEP-DNJ), inhibited root growth in agar plate assays by 92% and 96% in Arabidopsis and Tef respectively, at 10 µM concentration. Phenocopying the effect of L-ido-AEP-DNJ with the commercial inhibitor (PDMP) implicated glucosylceramide synthase as the target responsible for root growth inhibition. L-ido-AEP-DNJ was twenty-fold more potent than PDMP. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of ceramide:glucosylceramide ratios in inhibitor-treated Arabidopsis seedlings showed a decrease in the relative quantity of the latter, confirming that glucosylceramide synthesis is perturbed in inhibitor-treated plants. Bioinformatic analysis of glucosylceramide synthase indicates gene conservation across higher plants. Previous T-DNA insertional inactivation of glucosylceramide synthase in Arabidopsis caused seedling lethality, indicating a role in growth and development. The compounds identified herein represent chemical alternatives that can overcome issues caused by genetic intervention. These inhibitors offer the potential to dissect the roles of glucosylceramides in polyploid crop species.

Effect of drought stress on metabolite adjustments in drought tolerant and sensitive thyme.

Drought is one of the most important threats to plants and agriculture; therefore, understanding of the mechanism of drought tolerance is crucial for breeding of drought tolerant plants. Here, we assessed effects of four levels of drought (90%, 55%, 40% and 25% FC) on some physiological criteria and metabolite adjustment of two different drought-responsive thyme plants (Thymus vulgaris as drought sensitive and T. Kotschyanus as drought tolerant species), using 1H-NMR. Among three physiological parameters and 18 identified metabolites, species × treatment effects were significant (P ≤ 0.01) for leaf temperature, acetic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, fructose, sucrose and serine. RWC, chlorophyll and carotenoids content, glucose, alanine and choline were affected by simple effects of species and treatment. Correlation analysis revealed that there is a different correlation between physiological parameters and metabolites in both species. This analysis also revealed that, by ignoring the correlation between malic acid and succinic acid in T. vulgaris, there was no significant correlation between TCA intermediate in both species. According to results, sugars, amino acid and energy metabolism were affected by drought and, among them, TCA intermediates had more alternation in two studied species so, this cycle and its intermediates probably have more prominent role than other identified metabolites in the induction of drought tolerance.

Pollen trapping and sugar syrup feeding of honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) enhance pollen collection of less preferred flowers.

Pear (Pyrus bretschneideri) is characterized by being self-incompatible and dependent on cross-pollination to set fruit. Honeybee (Apis mellifera) is considered the most important pollinator of pear. Nevertheless, limited pollen transfer has been cited as the main cause of poor fruit set in many pear orchards. Here, we tested the following hypotheses: (i) colony manipulations increase the pollen collection tendency of honeybees and (ii) the proportion of pollen loads being returned to the hive is from the target plant. The technique reliably and rapidly estimates the pollination of honeybees tested under different colony manipulations: (1) using pollen trapping (PT); (2) PT with sugar syrup feeding (SS) (PTSS); (3) SS alone and (4) control without PT and SS. The results clearly show that the pollen collection of honeybees during the experiment was significantly affected (P < 0.05) by colony manipulations. The mean amount of pollen harvested daily was higher for PTSS (19.4 g) and PT (16.4 g) than for SS (12.85 g) and control (8.7 g) colonies. Therefore, PTSS was the most effective treatment for increasing pear pollen collection; other treatments such as PT and SS could also be useful. This study was important for determining how the behavior of honeybee colonies is shaped through colony manipulation to enhance pollen collection of less preferred pear flowers, which is critical when pollination is required.

Acylsugar amount and fatty acid profile differentially suppress oviposition by western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, on tomato and interspecific hybrid flowers.

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) have been bred to exude higher amounts or different types of the specialized plant metabolites, acylsugars, from type IV trichomes. Acylsugars are known to deter several herbivorous insect pests, including the western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande); however, all previous studies investigated the effect of acylsugars on leaves, or acylsugar extracts obtained from leaves. In spite of the WFT predilection for flowers, there is a gap in knowledge about flower defenses against thrips damage. This is especially important in light of their capacity to acquire and inoculate viruses in the genus Orthotospovirus, such as Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV), in flowers. Therefore, we turned our attention to assessing thrips oviposition differences on flowers of 14 entries, including 8 interspecific hybrids, 5 tomato lines bred for specific acylsugar-related characteristics (type IV trichome densities, acylsugar amount, sugar moiety and fatty acid profile), and a fresh market tomato hybrid, Mt. Spring, which only produces trace amounts of acylsugars. Our results show that the density of the acylsugar droplet bearing type IV trichomes is greatest on sepals, relative to other flower structures, and accordingly, WFT avoids oviposition on sepals in favor of trichome-sparse petals. In concordance with past studies, acylsugar amount was the most important acylsugar-related characteristic suppressing WFT oviposition. Certain acylsugar fatty acids, specifically i-C5, i-C9 and i-C11, were also significantly associated with changes in WFT oviposition. These results support continued breeding efforts to increase acylsugar amounts and explore modifications of fatty acid profile and their roles in deterring thrips oviposition. The finding that acylsugar production occurs and reduces thrips oviposition in tomato flowers will be important in efforts to use acylsugar-mediated resistance to reduce incidence of orthotospoviruses such as TSWV in tomato by deterring virus transmission and development of thrips vector populations in the crop.

Impaired Taste Associative Memory and Memory Enhancement by Feeding Omija in Parkinson's Disease Fly Model.

Neurodegeneration can result in memory loss in the central nervous system (CNS) and impairment of taste and smell in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The neurodegeneration seen in Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by functional loss of dopaminergic neurons. Recent studies have also found a role for dopaminergic neurons in regulating taste memory rewards in insects. To investigate how taste memories and sugar sensitivity can be affected in PD, we utilized the DJ-1ß mutant fruit fly, DJ-1ßex54 , as a PD model. We performed binary choice feeding assays, electrophysiology and taste-mediated memory tests to explore the function of the DJ-1ß gene in terms of sugar sensitivity as well as associative taste memory. We found that PD flies exhibited an impaired ability to discriminate sucrose across a range of sugar concentrations, with normal responses at only very high concentrations of sugar. They also showed an impairment in associative taste memory. We highlight that the taste impairment and memory defect in DJ-1ßex54 can be recovered by the expression of wild-type DJ-1ß gene in the dopaminergic neurons. We also emphasized the role of dopaminergic neurons in restoring taste memory function. This impaired memory property of DJ-1ßex54 flies also allows them to be used as a model system for finding supplementary dietary foods that can improve memory function. Here we provide evidence that the associative taste memory of both control and DJ-1ßex54 flies can be enhanced with dietary supplementation of the medicinal plant, omija.

Total synthesis, structural elucidation and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation of 2-deoxy-3,6-anhydro hexofuranoside derivatives isolated from Sauropus rostratus.

The first total synthesis of four 2-deoxy-3,6-anhydro hexofuranoside derivatives, namely sauropunols (A-D), isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal plant Sauropus rostratus was accomplished. Structures of sauropunols A and B were clearly elucidated and reassigned. The anti-inflammatory activities of sauropunols (A-D) as well as the synthetic intermediates were evaluated, which is valuable for further structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on this class of natural products.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Interactions of Combined Model Systems of Phenolics in the Presence of Sugars.

The aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity of model systems of phenolics (individual and combinations) without and with the addition of sugars (sucrose or trehalose). Also, the synergistic or antagonistic effects of the phenolics in all model systems were evaluated. The results for the antioxidant activity were obtained by three assays, ABTS+', DPPH' and FRAP. ABTS" and DPPH' assay showed that quercetin and gallic acid had the same antioxidant activity, higher than catechin. When the FRAP assay was applied, the order of increasing of antioxidant activity was quercetin < gallic acid < catechin. The highest synergistic effect was achieved in the model system of catechin, quercetin and gallic acid. Addition of sugars, sucrose and trehalose, influenced both antioxidant activity and synergistic effect of phenolics in the model systems. The highest synergistic effect in the model systems with sucrose addition was observed with catechin, quercetin and gallic acid, while in samples with trehalose, the highest synergistic effect was in combination with catechin and gallic acid. Interactions of phenolics and phenolics/sugars caused changes in antioxidant activity as well as synergistic effects.