Additional Affiliation(s): Updated Affiliation [...].
In the publication [...].
Background: Liver disease is a serious health concern in today's world, posing a challenge to both healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies. Most synthetic drugs and chemicals cause liver damage accounting for approximately 10% of acute hepatitis and 50% of acute liver failure. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the hepato-protective activity of an extract of chicory formulation assisted by silver nanoparticles against carbon tetra chloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in rat's liver. Methods: Rats of the Wistar strain (Rattus norvegicus) were used to test the in vivo hepato-protective efficacy at various doses. Rats were randomly divided into nine groups, each containing six rats. The groups were as follows: first group (control), second group (CCl4), third group, silymarin (20 mg/kg of body weight), fourth group (CCl4+chicory) (1.75 mg/kg of b. wt), fifth group (CCl4 + chicory at the dose of 2.35 mg/kg), sixth group (CCl4 + chicory of 3.25 mg/kg), seventh group (CCl4 +AgNPs 1.75 mg/kg of b. wt.), eighth group (CCl4 + AgNPs 2.35 mg/kg of body weight), and ninth group (CCl4 + AgNPs 3.25 mg/kg of b. wt.). Blood samples were taken 24 h after the last administration (i.e., 30th day). The blood samples were analyzed for different serum enzymes such as ALP (alkaline phosphatase), ALT (alanine transaminase), bilirubin (Blr), triglyceride, and cholesterol. Histology liver sections were performed. Results: Treatment with AgNPs and chicory extract showed significant hepato-protective activity in a dose-dependent manner. In three doses, the chicory extract at a rate of 3.25 mg/kg of body weight significantly reduced elevated levels of biochemical markers in comparison to CCl4-intoxicated rats. Histology of the liver sections from CCl4-treated rats revealed inflammation of hepatocytes, necrosis, cytoplasmic degeneration, vacuolization, and a deformed central vein. The chicory formulation extract exhibited a remarkable recovery percentage in the liver architecture that was higher than the drug (i.e., silymarin). While treatment with AgNPs also repaired the degenerative changes and restored the normal form of the liver, chicory formulation extract possessed more hepato-protective potential as compared to AgNPs by regulating biochemical and histo-pathological parameters. Conclusion: This study can be used as confirmation of the hepato-protective potential of chicory compounds for possible use in the development programs of drugs to treat liver diseases.
The present study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variability for morphological and qualitative traits of Coccinia for development of trait specific lines at ICAR-Central Horticultural Experiment Station (CIAH-RS), Panchmahals (Godhra), Gujarat during 2020-2022. In this study, we evaluated 26 gynoecious accessions to assess the genetic divergence through principal component and cluster analysis. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications under rainfed semi-arid conditions. High values of PCV and GCV were observed for variables such as NFFP (25.13 and 22.20), PL (23.14 and 20.69), FD (24.01 and 21.46), AFW (22.98 and 20.13), NFPY (26.38 and 24.40), FYP (37.57 and 31.29), FY (35.55 and 33.20), AsC (28.65 and 27.73), Ac (24.32 and 21.06), TSS (37.23 and 35.94), DPPHL (20.71 and 20.38), FRAPL (21.08 and 20.92), TPF(20.81 and 20.45) respectively. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for vine length (VL), internodal length (IL), number of female flowers per plant (NFFP), fruit length (FL), peduncle length (PL), fruit diameter (FD), average fruit weight (AFW), number of fruit per plant per year (NFPY), fruit yield per plant (FYP), fruit yield (FY), ascorbic acid (AsC), acidity (Ac), total soluble solids (TSS), total phenols in leaves TPL), total flavonoids in leaves TFL, CUPRAC in leaves (CUPRACL), DPPH in leaves (DPPHL), FRAP in leaves (FRAPL), Total phenols in fruits (TPF), Total flavonoids in fruits (TFF), CUPRAC in fruits (CUPRACF) and DPPH in fruits (DPPHF). The FYP exhibited a significant positive correlation with variables like VL (0.6833), IL (0.2991), NFFP (0.8107), FD (0.5245), AFW (0.6766), NFPY (0.7659), ASC (0.4611), TSS (0.5004) and TPF (0.4281). The estimates of genetic parameters revealed scope for further improvement of fruit yield by selection. Of the eight principal components, PC-I through PC-VIII had eigen values greater than 1 and it accounts 85.02% of the total variation for 26 gynoecious accessions of Ivy gourd. The eigen values of PC-I comprised 5.775% of total variation followed by PC-II (4.250%), PC-III (3.175%), PC-IV (2.588%), PC-V (1.828%), PC-VI (1.447%), PC-VII (1.179%) and PC-VIII (1.013%).The cluster VI and cluster I having highest mean values for most of traits under study. Thus, genotypes from the distinct cluster like cluster VI and I for should be used for selection of parents and varietal improvement for further breeding programme in ivy gourd.
Antioxidants , Cucurbitaceae , Flavonoids , Genetic Variation , Heartburn , Phenols , Plant Breeding
BACKGROUND: Despite the exposure to arid environmental conditions across the globe ultimately hampering the sustainability of the living organism, few plant species are equipped with several unique genotypic, biochemical, and physiological features to counter such harsh conditions. Physiologically, they have evolved with reduced leaf size, spines, waxy cuticles, thick leaves, succulent hydrenchyma, sclerophyll, chloroembryo, and photosynthesis in nonfoliar and other parts. At the biochemical level, they are evolved to perform efficient photosynthesis through Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and C4 pathways with the formation of oxaloacetic acid (Hatch-Slack pathway) instead of the C3 pathway. Additionally, comparative genomics with existing data provides ample evidence of the xerophytic plants' positive selection to adapt to the arid environment. However, adding more high-throughput sequencing of xerophyte plant species is further required for a comparative genomic study toward trait discovery related to survival. Learning from the mechanism to survive in harsh conditions could pave the way to engineer crops for future sustainable agriculture. AIM OF THE REVIEW: The distinct physiology of desert plants allows them to survive in harsh environments. However, the genomic composition also contributes significantly to this and requires great attention. This review emphasizes the physiological and genomic adaptation of desert plants. Other important parameters, such as desert biodiversity and photosynthetic strategy, are also discussed with recent progress in the field. Overall, this review discusses the different features of desert plants, which prepares them for harsh conditions intending to translate knowledge to engineer plant species for sustainable agriculture. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: This review comprehensively presents the physiology, molecular mechanism, and genomics of desert plants aimed towards engineering a sustainable crop.
Biological Evolution , Plants , Plants/metabolism , Photosynthesis , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Genomics
Introduction: Caralluma tuberculata holds significant importance as a medicinal plant due to its abundance of bioactive metabolites, which offer a wide range of therapeutic potentials. However, the sustainable production of this plant is challenged by overexploitation, changes in natural conditions, slow growth rate, and inadequate biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in wild populations. Therefore, the current study was conducted to establish an in vitro based elicitation strategy (nano elicitors and light regimes) for the enhancement of biomass and production of secondary metabolites. Methods: Garlic clove extract was employed as a stabilizing, reducing, or capping agent in the green formulation of Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and various physicochemical characterization analyses such as UV visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) Spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were performed. Furthermore, the effects of phytosynthesized SeNPs at various concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/L on callus proliferation and biosynthesis of medicinal metabolites under different light regimes were investigated. Results and discussion: Cultures grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media containing SeNPs (100 µg/L), in a dark environment for two weeks, and then transferred into normal light, accumulated maximum fresh weight (4,750 mg/L FW), phenolic contents (TPC: 3.91 mg/g DW), flavonoid content (TFC: 2.04 mg/g DW) and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant activity (85%). Maximum superoxide dismutase (SOD: 4.36 U/mg) and peroxide dismutase activity (POD: 3.85 U/mg) were determined in those cultures exposed to SeNPs (100 µg/L) under complete dark conditions. While the callus cultures proliferate on media augmented with SeNPs (200 µg/L) and kept under dark conditions for two weeks and then shifted to normal light conditions exhibited the highest catalase (CAT: 3.25 U/mg) and ascorbate peroxidase (APx: 1.93 U/mg) activities. Furthermore, LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis confirmed the effects of SeNPs and light conditions that elicited the antidiabetic metabolites (cumarins, gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, catechin, querctin and rutin). This protocol can be scaled up for the industrial production of plant biomass and pharmacologically potent metabolites using in vitro callus cultures of C. tuberculata.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. Early and accurate diagnosis of AD is crucial for implementing timely interventions and developing effective therapeutic strategies. Proteome-based biomarkers have emerged as promising tools for AD diagnosis and prognosis due to their ability to reflect disease-specific molecular alterations. There is of great significance for biomarkers in AD diagnosis and management. It emphasizes the limitations of existing diagnostic approaches and the need for reliable and accessible biomarkers. Proteomics, a field that comprehensively analyzes the entire protein complement of cells, tissues, or bio fluids, is presented as a powerful tool for identifying AD biomarkers. There is a diverse range of proteomic approaches employed in AD research, including mass spectrometry, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and protein microarrays. The challenges associated with identifying reliable biomarkers, such as sample heterogeneity and the dynamic nature of the disease. There are well-known proteins implicated in AD pathogenesis, such as amyloid-beta peptides, tau protein, Apo lipoprotein E, and clusterin, as well as inflammatory markers and complement proteins. Validation and clinical utility of proteome-based biomarkers are addressing the challenges involved in validation studies and the diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers. There is great potential in monitoring disease progression and response to treatment, thereby aiding in personalized medicine approaches for AD patients. There is a great role for bioinformatics and data analysis in proteomics for AD biomarker research and the importance of data preprocessing, statistical analysis, pathway analysis, and integration of multi-omics data for a comprehensive understanding of AD pathophysiology. In conclusion, proteome-based biomarkers hold great promise in the field of AD research. They provide valuable insights into disease mechanisms, aid in early diagnosis, and facilitate personalized treatment strategies. However, further research and validation studies are necessary to harness the full potential of proteome-based biomarkers in clinical practice.
Natural products and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs are believed to enhance anticancer treatment efficacy while lowering toxicity. The current study investigates the cytotoxic and apoptogenic effects of Monotheca buxifolia bioactive compounds on HepG2 cell lines. MTT assay was used to assess the effect on the viability of HepG2 cells. Morphological changes were investigated. Annexin-V-FITC/PI was used to demonstrate apoptotic activity. A molecular dynamics simulation study was carried out to investigate the compound binding pattern in the active site of the PPRAδ protein. MTT and annexin V-FITC/PI assays revealed that the isolated compounds lauric acid, oleanolic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate inhibited the growth of hepatocellular cancer cells. The IC50 value for lauric acid was 56.46 ± 1.20 µg/mL, 31.94 ± 1.03 µg/mL for oleanolic acid, and 83.80 ± 2.18 µg/mL for bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Apoptosis was observed in 29.5, 52.1 and 22.4% of HepG2 cells treated with lauric acid, oleanolic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, respectively, after 24 h of treatment. Morphological assays and Hoechst staining microscopy revealed that the treatment caused morphological changes in the cell membrane and nuclear condensation. The high fluctuation indicates that various interactions were highly potent and widely adopted, and vice versa. Oleanolic acid displayed high residue fluctuation, remaining stable in the active site of the PPRAδ protein and involved in various interactions while remaining locally fluctuating in the binding sites of the other two compounds. These findings concluded that lauric acid, oleanolic acid, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate have a significant apoptogenic effect against HepG2 cells in inducing apoptosis. Our findings suggest that these bioactive compounds could be used as adjuvant therapies.
The use of natural products isolated from mushrooms against infection, cancer diseases and other oxidative-stress-related diseases is one of the cornerstones of modern medicine. Therefore, we tried to establish a combination of medicinal mushrooms and nanotechnology possibly with the field of medicine for the development of antibacterial agents against these MDR strains. The aim of the research was to understand the molecular identification, characterization and antibacterial action of Calvatia gigantea and Mycena leaiana. The identification of fruiting body species via morpho-anatomical and molecular methods was necessary to analyze the genetic variability and phylogenetic relationships of mushrooms. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Calvatia from Hunza, Pakistan, exhibited 98% resemblance to the previously discovered Langermannia gigantean (DQ112623) and L. gigantean (LN714562) from northern Europe, and Mycena (Pakistan) showed a 97% similarity to M. leaiana (MF686520) and M. leaiana (MW448623) from the USA. UV-vis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for AgNPs' characterization. The UV-vis absorption peak of 500-600 nm indicates the AgNPs' presence. XRD results determined Calvatia gigantea AgNPs were nanocrystals and Mycena leaiana seems to be amorphous. In addition, SEM results showed the cubic morphology of C. gigantea with a diameter of 65 nm, and the FTIR spectra of fruiting body revealed the presence of functional groups-carboxyl, nitro, and hydroxyl-in AgNPs, which catalyzed the reduction of Ag+ to Ag0. Further antibacterial activity of mushrooms against MDR strains was determined via agar well diffusion assay, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was estimated by qualitative experimentation using the broth dilution method. All experiments were conducted in triplicate. The results showed that the mushroom AgNPs, along with their synergy and nano-composites (with the exception of Ethyl-acetate), were shown to have zones of inhibition from 4 mm to 29 mm against multidrug-resistant pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli. The mushroom composites were active against most of the tested microorganisms whilst the lowest MIC value (10-40 mg/mL) was recorded against MDR strains. Hence, the present study suggested the possibility of employing compounds present in mushrooms for the development of new antibacterial agents, as well as efflux pump inhibitors.
Agaricales , Anti-Infective Agents , Metal Nanoparticles , Silver/pharmacology , Phylogeny , Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Escherichia coli
Insecticides are extensively exploited by humans to destroy the pests one such compound thiamethoxam is widely used over crops to offer control over wide-array of sucking insect pests. The present study unravels the detoxification potential of Pseudomonas putida in thiamethoxam exposed B. juncea seedlings. The thiamethoxam application curtailed the fresh weight, dry weight and seedling length by 106.22%, 80.29% and 116.78% while P. putida revived these growth parameters in thiamethoxam exposed B. juncea seedlings by 59.65%, 72.99% and 164.56% respectively. The exogenous supplementation of P. putida resuscitated the photosynthetic efficiency of B. juncea seedlings exposed to thiamethoxam as total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoid, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents were enhanced by 169.42%, 62.90%, 72.89%, 78.53%, 47.36% and 515.15% respectively in contrast to TMX exposed seedlings. Further, P. putida pre-treatment reinvigorated the osmoprotectant content in B. juncea seedlings grown in thiamethoxam as trehalose, glycine betaine and proline contents were thrusted by 21.20%, 58.98% and 34.26% respectively. The thiamethoxam exposure exorbitated the superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and MDA levels by 223.03%, 130.18% and 74.63% while P. putida supplementation slackened these oxidative burst levels by 41.75%, 3.79% and 29.09% respectively in thiamethoxam treated seedlings. Notably, P. putida inoculation in thiamethoxam exposed seedlings upregulated the enzymatic antioxidant and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities as SOD, CAT and glutathione were enhanced by 163.76%, 99.29% and 114.91% respectively in contrast to thiamethoxam treated seedlings. The gene expression analysis exhibited the negative impact of thiamethoxam on B. juncea seedlings as conferred by upregulation of chlorophyllase by 443.86 folds whereas P. putida application in thiamethoxam exposed seedlings downregulated the chlorophyllase expression by 248.73 folds and upregulated CXE, GST, NADH and POD genes by 0.44, 4.07, 1.43 and 0.98 folds respectively suggesting the molecular-level thiamethoxam detoxification efficiency of P. putida.
Fungi live different lifestyles-including pathogenic and symbiotic-by interacting with living plants. Recently, there has been a substantial increase in the study of phytopathogenic fungi and their interactions with plants. Symbiotic relationships with plants appear to be lagging behind, although progressive. Phytopathogenic fungi cause diseases in plants and put pressure on survival. Plants fight back against such pathogens through complicated self-defense mechanisms. However, phytopathogenic fungi develop virulent responses to overcome plant defense reactions, thus continuing their deteriorative impacts. Symbiotic relationships positively influence both plants and fungi. More interestingly, they also help plants protect themselves from pathogens. In light of the nonstop discovery of novel fungi and their strains, it is imperative to pay more attention to plant-fungi interactions. Both plants and fungi are responsive to environmental changes, therefore construction of their interaction effects has emerged as a new field of study. In this review, we first attempt to highlight the evolutionary aspect of plant-fungi interactions, then the mechanism of plants to avoid the negative impact of pathogenic fungi, and fungal strategies to overcome the plant defensive responses once they have been invaded, and finally the changes of such interactions under the different environmental conditions.
Millets are a rich source of many health-promoting nutrients as well as bioactive compounds such as dietary fibers, antioxidants, macro and micronutrients etc., compared to other staple cereals such as rice, wheat and maize. These nutrients play a central role in the world nutritional security. Despite the inbuilt nutritional benefits, the production of millets has witnessed sharp decline owing to taste preferences, keeping quality and challenges associated with food preparation from millets. To sensitize the consumers about the nutritional benefits of foxtail millet, the present study was planned to formulate and nutritionally evaluate eight diversified foxtail millet-based food products namely rusk, kheer, pinni, sattu, vegetable dalia, cookies, bar and papad by replacing commonly used cereals such as wheat and rice. The products prepared from Foxtail millet were found to have high acceptability with mean score of more than 8.00. These diversified food products showed higher protein content ranging from 10.98 to 16.10 g/100 g, with the highest protein found in Foxtail millet kheer (16.01 g/100 g). The resistant starch content and predicted glycemic index (PGI) of these products ranged between 13.67 to 22.61 g/100 g and 46.12 to 57.55, respectively, with the highest resistant starch (22.61 ± 0.69 g/100 g) and lowest PGI (48.42 ± 0.20) found in millet bar. The high resistant starch and low PGI in foxtail millet products suggest that they could serve as an excellent food source suitable for diabetics. The obtained results suggest that all the Foxtail millet-based value-added products have superior nutrient profile and are highly acceptable than the traditional products. Inclusion of these foods in the diets of the population may help in the prevention of malnutrition and type 2 diabetes.
Due to their role in nutrient transmission, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widespread plant root symbionts. They may improve plant production by altering plant community structure and function. Therefore, a study was conducted in the state of Haryana to analyze the distribution pattern, diversity, and association of different AMF species with oil-yielding plants. The results of the study revealed the percentage of root colonization, sporulation, and diversity of fungal species associated with the selected 30 oil-yielding plants. The percentage root colonization ranged from 0% to 100%, the highest in Helianthus annuus (100.00 ± 0.00) and Zea mays (100.00 ± 0.00) and the least in Citrus aurantium (11.87 ± 1.43). At the same time, there was no root colonization in the Brassicaceae family. The number of AMF spores present in 50 g of soil samples varied from 17.41 ± 5.28 to 497.2 ± 8.38, with maximum spore population in Glycine max (497.2 ± 8.38) and minimum in Brassica napus (17.41 ± 5.28). Besides, the presence of several species of different genera of AMF was reported in all the studied oil-yielding plants, that is, 60 AMF belonging to six genera viz. Acaulospora, Entrophospora, Glomus, Gigaspora, Sclerocystis, and Scutellospora were observed. Overall, this study will promote AMF usage in oil-yielding plants.
Glomeromycota , Mycorrhizae , Plant Roots/microbiology , Spores, Fungal , Zea mays/microbiology , Fungi , Soil Microbiology
Neurodegenerative disorders (ND) are a group of conditions that affect the neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to their degeneration and eventually causing the loss of function in the affected areas. These disorders can be caused by a range of factors, including genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. Major pathological signs of these diseases are protein misfolding, proteosomal dysfunction, aggregation, inadequate degradation, oxidative stress, free radical formation, mitochondrial dysfunctions, impaired bioenergetics, DNA damage, fragmentation of Golgi apparatus neurons, disruption of axonal transport, dysfunction of neurotrophins (NTFs), neuroinflammatory or neuroimmune processes, and neurohumoral symptoms. According to recent studies, defects or imbalances in gut microbiota can directly lead to neurological disorders through the gut-brain axis. Probiotics in ND are recommended to prevent cognitive dysfunction, which is a major symptom of these diseases. Many in vivo and clinical trials have revealed that probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus casei, etc.) are effective candidates against the progression of ND. It has been proven that the inflammatory process and oxidative stress can be modulated by modifying the gut microbiota with the help of probiotics. As a result, this study provides an overview of the available data, bacterial variety, gut-brain axis defects, and probiotics' mode of action in averting ND. A literature search on particular sites, including PubMed, Nature, and Springer Link, has identified articles that might be pertinent to this subject. The search contains the following few groups of terms: (1) Neurodegenerative disorders and Probiotics OR (2) Probiotics and Neurodegenerative disorders. The outcomes of this study aid in elucidating the relationship between the effects of probiotics on different neurodegenerative disorders. This systematic review will assist in discovering new treatments in the future, as probiotics are generally safe and cause mild side effects in some cases in the human body.
Groundwater contamination by heavy metals (HMs) released by weathering and mineral dissolution of granite, gneisses, ultramafic, and basaltic rock composition causes human health concerns worldwide. This paper evaluated the heavy metals (HMs) concentrations and physicochemical variables of groundwater around enriched chromite mines of Malakand, Pakistan, with particular emphasis on water quality, hydro-geochemistry, spatial distribution, geochemical speciation, and human health impacts. To better understand the groundwater hydrogeochemical profile and HMs enrichment, groundwater samples were collected from the mining region (n = 35), non-mining region (n = 20), and chromite mines water (n = 5) and then analyzed using ICPMS (Agilent 7500 ICPMS). The ranges of concentrations in the mining, non-mining, and chromite mines water were 0.02-4.5, 0.02-2.3, and 5.8-6.0 mg/L for CR, 0.4-3.8, 0.05-3.6, and 3.2-5.8 mg/L for Ni, and 0.05-0.8, 0.05-0.8, and 0.6-1.2 mg/L for Mn. Geochemical speciation of groundwater variables such as OH-, H+, Cr+2, Cr+3, Cr+6, Ni+2, Mn+2, and Mn+3 was assessed by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Geochemical speciation determined the mobilization, reactivity, and toxicity of HMs in complex groundwater systems. Groundwater facies showed 45% CaHCO3, 30% NaHCO3, 23.4% NaCl, and 1.6% Ca-Mg-Cl water types. The noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk of HMs outlined via hazard quotient (HQ) and total hazard indices (THI) showed the following order: Ni > Cr > Mn. Thus, the HHRA model suggested that children are more vulnerable to HMs toxicity than adults. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA) showed three distinct clusters, namely the least, moderately, and severely polluted clusters, which determined the severity of HMs contamination to be 66.67% overall. The PCAMLR and PMF receptor model suggested geogenic (minerals prospects), anthropogenic (industrial waste and chromite mining practices), and mixed (geogenic and anthropogenic) sources for groundwater contamination. The mineral phases of groundwater suggested saturation and undersaturation. Nemerow's pollution index (NPI) values determined the unsuitability of groundwater for domestic purposes. The EC, turbidity, PO4-3, Na+, Mg+2, Ca+2, Cr, Ni, and Mn exceeded the guidelines suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). The HMs contamination and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health impacts of HMs showed that the groundwater is extremely unfit for drinking, agriculture, and domestic demands. Therefore, groundwater wells around the mining region need remedial measures. Thus, to overcome the enrichment of HMs in groundwater sources, sustainable management plans are needed to reduce health risks and ensure health safety.
Groundwater , Metals, Heavy , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Adult , Child , Humans , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Geographic Information Systems , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Water Quality , Groundwater/chemistry , Minerals/analysis , Risk Assessment , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis
Cannabis sativa is a medicinal plant that has been known for years and is used as an Ayurvedic medicine. This plant has great potential in treating various types of brain diseases. Phytochemicals present in this plant act as antioxidants by maintaining synaptic plasticity and preventing neuronal loss. Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are both beneficial in treating Alzheimer's disease by increasing the solubility of Aß42 amyloid and Tau aggregation. Apart from these therapeutic effects, there are certain unknown functions of these phytochemicals in Alzheimer's disease that we want to elucidate through this study. In this research, our approach is to analyze the effect of phytochemicals in Cannabis sativa on multiple culprit enzymes in Alzheimer's disease, such as AChE (Acetylcholinesterase), BChE (Butyrylcholinesterase), γ-secretase, and BACE-1. In this study, the compounds were selected by Lipinski's rule, ADMET, and ProTox based on toxicity. Molecular docking between the selected compounds (THCV, Cannabinol C2, and Cannabidiorcol) and enzymes mentioned above was obtained by various software programs including AutoDock Vina 4.2, AutoDock, and iGEMDOCK. In comparison to Donepezil (BA = -8.4 kcal/mol, Ki = 1.46 mM), Rivastigmine (BA = -7.0 kcal/mol, Ki = 0.02 mM), and Galantamine (BA = -7.1, Ki = 2.1 mM), Cannabidiorcol (BA = -9.4 kcal/mol, Ki = 4.61 mM) shows significant inhibition of AChE. On the other hand, Cannabinol C2 (BA = -9.2 kcal/mol, Ki = 4.32 mM) significantly inhibits Butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in comparison to Memantine (BA = -6.8 kcal/mol, Ki = 0.54 mM). This study sheds new light and opens new avenues for elucidating the role of bioactive compounds present in Cannabis sativa in treating Alzheimer's disease.
