Tagetes erecta-Mediated Biosynthesis of Mn3O4 Nanoparticles: Structural, Electrochemical, and Biological Investigations.

Mn3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) find diverse applications in the fields of medicine, biomedicine, biosensors, water treatment and purification, electronics, electrochemistry, and photoelectronics. The production of Mn3O4 NPs was reported earlier through various physical, chemical, and green routes, but no studies have still been performed on their biosynthesis from Tagetes erecta. We synthesized manganese oxide NPs, i.e., (Mn3O4)L and (Mn3O4)P NPs, by utilizing leaves and petals, respectively, of T. erecta as reducing and stabilizing agents. The investigated green path is eco-friendly and does not involve any hazardous raw materials. The structural properties of NPs were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, spectroscopies (Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman, and UV-visible), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The NPs were also evaluated for their electrochemical properties by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD). XRD analysis was performed to verify their tetragonal geometry, and the crystallite size (19.24 nm) of (Mn3O4)P was smaller than that (20.84 nm) of (Mn3O4)L NPs. SEM images displayed a porous and spherical morphology with a diameter of 14-35 nm. FTIR spectra of (Mn3O4)L and (Mn3O4)P displayed Mn-O vibrations at 605.69 and 616.87 cm-1, respectively, and the hydrous nature of the material. Raman spectroscopy revealed the existence of tetrahedral and octahedral units along with A1g, T2g, and Eg active modes of Mn3O4 and 2TO mode. UV-visible analyses of (Mn3O4)L and (Mn3O4)P NPs showed absorption peaks at 272.3 and 268.8 nm, along with band gaps of 4.83 and 5.49 eV, respectively. TGA curves displayed good thermal stabilities up to 600 °C and a loss of moisture content. DSC curves exhibited exothermic/endothermic peaks with glass transition temperatures of 258.9 and 308.7 °C for (Mn3O4)P and (Mn3O4)L, respectively. The CV curves showed redox peaks and confirmed that the electrochemical reaction takes place in the Mn3O4 material. GCD scans revealed the capacitive behavior of NPs and their suitability as electrodes in energy storage devices. However, (Mn3O4)L will act as a good material for energy storage applications as compared to (Mn3O4)P NPs. The synthesized NPs were also tested for their antibacterial efficacy by biofilm inhibition and agar well diffusion methods. The NPs showed higher activities against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) than against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), and (Mn3O4)P was more bioactive than (Mn3O4)L.

Correction: Naomi et al. Elateriospermum tapos Yogurt Supplement in Maternal Obese Dams during Pregnancy Modulates the Body Composition of F1 Generation. Nutrients 2023, 15, 1258.

After a careful and comprehensive review of our data and the figures in our manuscript, we have identified an area where we believe a correction is warranted in order to enhance the clarity and precision of our findings [...].

Correction: Naomi et al. E. tapos Yoghurt-A View from Nutritional Composition and Toxicological Evaluation. Foods 2022, 11, 1903.

(1) In the original publication [...].

Analyzing Active Compounds in Elateriospermum tapos Yogurt for Maternal Obesity: A Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Study.

Maternal obesity, characterized by an elevated body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy, is known to have adverse effects on the offspring. However, a recent study suggests that Elateriospermum tapos (E. tapos) yogurt may hold potential in mitigating excessive weight retention post-pregnancy. Thus, this study aims to employ network pharmacology to explore the pharmacological effects of the bioactive compounds present in E. tapos yogurt against maternal obesity. Initially, a screening process is conducted to identify the bioactive compounds in E. tapos yogurt, followed by the prediction of potential gene targets for these compounds using Swiss Target Prediction and the SuperPred databases. Maternal obesity-associated genes are sourced from the OMIM, DisGeNet, and GeneCards databases. The interaction between the identified compounds and maternal obesity genes is established via protein-protein interaction analysis, gene ontology examination, and KEGG pathway analysis. To validate the results, molecular docking studies are conducted using AutoDock Tools software. The findings reveal that out of the 64 compounds analyzed, three meet the screening criteria, resulting in a total of 380 potential gene targets. Among these targets, 240 are shared with maternal obesity-related genes. Further analysis demonstrates the favorable affinity of these active compounds with key targets, linking them to biological processes involving protein phosphorylation, inflammation, as well as the pathways related to lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, and the other signaling pathways. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the potential pharmacological effects of the bioactive compounds found in E. tapos yogurt against maternal obesity. These findings open avenues for further exploration and potential therapeutic interventions targeting maternal obesity.

The role of Elateriospermum tapos yoghurt in mitigating high-fat dietary cause of maternal obesity-an experimental study.

Maternal obesity is the key predictor for childhood obesity and neurodevelopmental delay in the offspring. Medicinal plants are considered to be the safe and best option, and at the same time, probiotic consumption during pregnancy provides beneficial effects for both the mother and the child. Current research has shown that Elateriospermum tapos (E. tapos) yoghurt is safe to consume and consists of many bioactive compounds that can exert an anti-obesity effect. Thus, this study has been designed to study the role of E. tapos yoghurt in mitigating maternal obesity. In this study, a total of 48 female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to six groups, with eight rats per group, and obesity was induced over 16 weeks with a high-fat diet (HFD) pellet. On the 17th week, the rats were allowed to mate and pregnancy was confirmed through vaginal smear. The obese induced group was further divided into negative and positive control groups, followed by E. tapos yoghurt treatment groups with three different concentrations (5, 50, and 500 mg/kg). The changes in body weight, calorie intake, lipid profile, liver profile, renal profile, and histopathological analysis were measured on postnatal day (PND) 21. The results show that the group with the highest concentration of E. tapos yoghurt (HYT500) supplementation shows gradual reduction in body weight and calorie intake on PND 21 and modulates the lipid level, liver, and renal enzymes to a normal level similar to the normal group. In histological analysis, HYT500 reverses the damage caused by HFD in liver and colon, and reverses the adipocytes' hypertrophy in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue and visceral fat. In conclusion, supplementation of E. tapos yoghurt during the gestational period up to weaning is effective in the gradual weight loss of maternal obese dams from the 500-mg/kg-supplemented group in this study.

The role of lutein-rich purple sweet potato leaf extract on the amelioration of diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced Sprague-Dawley rats.

The objective of this study is to access the effect of purple sweet potato leaf (PSPL) extract on diabetic retinopathy (DR) of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. In this study, rats were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 60 mg/kg STZ, and diabetes was confirmed on day 7. Rats were further divided into a few groups, which were then orally administered with one of the following treatments: 25 mg/kg of gliclazide (D25G), 200 mg/kg of PSPL extract (DT 200), and 400 mg/kg of PSPL extract (DT 400). However, the normal control (NS) and control group for diabetic (DNS) were given normal saline (NS) for 12 weeks. The results show that the treated group demonstrated a reduction in serum oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) levels of DT 200 and DT 400, and an increase in the serum and retinal insulin levels, and restored oxidative stress markers in serum and retina on week 12. The PSPL extract exhibited protective effects in maintaining the kidney, liver, retina, and pancreas architecture in 400 mg/kg compared to the 200 mg/kg treated group and D25G, thereby restoring fully transparent lenses in diabetes-induced rats. In conclusion, 400 mg/kg PSPL is the most effective dose for the amelioration of STZ-induced DR pathology in male SD rats.

The Role of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Obesity and Its Impact on Cognitive Impairments-A Narrative Review.

Obesity is a chronic low-grade inflammatory condition that induces the generation of oxidative stress and inflammation. This oxidative stress and inflammation stimulate brain atrophy and some morphological changes in the brain that eventually result in cognitive impairments. However, there is no exact study that has summarized the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity and its impact on cognitive impairments. Thus, the objective of this review is to recapitulate the current role of oxidative stress and inflammation in cognitive decline based on in vivo evidence. A comprehensive search was performed in Nature, Medline and Ovid, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, and the search was limited to the past 10 years of publication. From the search, we identified 27 articles to be further reviewed. The outcome of this study indicates that a greater amount of fat stored in individual adipocytes in obesity induces the formation of reactive oxygen species and inflammation. This will lead to the generation of oxidative stress, which may cause morphological changes in the brain, suppress the endogenous antioxidant system, and promote neuroinflammation and, eventually, neuronal apoptosis. This will impair the normal function of the brain and specific regions that are involved in learning, as well as memory. This shows that obesity has a strong positive correlation with cognitive impairments. Hence, this review summarizes the mechanism of oxidative stress and inflammation that induce memory loss based on animal model evidence. In conclusion, this review may serve as an insight into therapeutic development focusing on oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways to manage an obesity-induced cognitive decline in the future.

Phytochemical component and toxicological evaluation of purple sweet potato leaf extract in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

This study assessed the toxicity of lutein-rich purple sweet potato leaf (PSPL) extract in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods and study design: A total of 54 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. For the acute toxicity study, three rats in the acute control group were fed 2,000 mg/kg of PSPL for 14 days. The subacute toxicity study included six rats each in four groups administered 50, 250, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg for 28 days and observed for further 14 days without treatment in the subacute control and subacute satellite groups. Changes in body weight; blood biochemistry; hematological parameters; relative organ weight; and histological sections of the heart, kidney, liver, pancreas, aorta, and retina were observed for signs of toxicity. Results: The gradual increase in weekly body weight, normal level full blood count, normal liver and kidney profile, relative organ weight, and histological sections of all stained organ tissue in the treated group compared with the acute, subacute, and satellite control groups demonstrated the absence of signs of toxicity. Conclusion: Lutein-rich PSPL extract shows no signs of toxicity up to 2,000 mg/kg/day.

The Potential Chemopreventive Effect of Andrographis paniculata on 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine and High-Fat-Diet-Induced Colorectal Cancer in Sprague Dawley Rats.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is responsible for a notable rise in the overall mortality rate. Obesity is found to be one of the main factors behind CRC development. Andrographis paniculata is a herbaceous plant famous for its medicinal properties, particularly in Southeast Asia for its anti-cancer properties. This study examines the chemopreventive impact of A. paniculata ethanolic extract (APEE) against a high-fat diet and 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced colon cancer in Sprague Dawley rats. Sprague Dawley rats were administered 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (40 mg/kg, i.p. once a week for 10 weeks) and a high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks to induce colorectal cancer. APEE was administered at 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg for 20 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood serum and organs were collected. DMH/HFD-induced rats had abnormal crypts and more aberrant crypt foci (ACF). APEE at a dose of 500 mg/kg improved the dysplastic state of the colon tissue and caused a 32% reduction in the total ACF. HFD increased adipocyte cell size, while 500 mg/kg APEE reduced it. HFD and DMH/HFD rats had elevated serum insulin and leptin levels. Moreover, UHPLC-QTOF-MS analysis revealed that APEE was rich in anti-cancer phytochemicals. This finding suggests that APEE has anti-cancer potential against HFD/DMH-induced CRC and anti-adipogenic and anti-obesity properties.

Elateriospermum tapos Yogurt Supplement in Maternal Obese Dams during Pregnancy Modulates the Body Composition of F1 Generation.

Maternal obesity is a key predictor of childhood obesity and a determining factor for a child's body composition. Thus, any form of maternal nutrition during the gestational period plays a vital role in influencing the growth of the fetus. Elateriospermum tapos (E. tapos) yogurt has been found to comprise many bioactive compounds such as tannins, saponins, α-linolenic acid, and 5'-methoxy-bilobate with apocynoside I that could cross the placenta and exhibit an anti-obesity effect. As such, this study aimed to investigate the role of maternal E. tapos yogurt supplementation on offspring body composition. In this study, 48 female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were induced with obesity using a high-fat diet (HFD) and were allowed to breed. Upon confirmation of pregnancy, treatment was initiated with E. tapos yogurt on the obese dams up to postnatal day 21. The weaning offspring were then designated into six groups according to their dam's group (n = 8) as follows; normal food and saline (NS), HFD and saline (HS), HFD and yogurt (HY), HFD and 5 mg/kg of E. tapos yogurt (HYT5), HFD and 50 mg/kg of E. tapos yogurt (HYT50), and HFD and 500 mg/kg of E. tapos yogurt (HYT500). The body weight of the offspring was accessed every 3 days up to PND 21. All the offspring were euthanized on PND 21 for tissue harvesting and blood sample collection. The results showed that both male and female offspring of obese dams treated with E. tapos yogurt showed growth patterns similar to NS and reduced levels of triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, LDL, non-HDL, and leptin. Liver enzymes such as ALT, ALP, AST, GGT, and globulin, and renal markers such as sodium, potassium, chloride, urea, and creatinine levels significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the offspring of E. tapos yogurt-treated obese dams with the normal histological architecture of the liver, kidney, colon, RpWAT, and visceral tissue that is comparable to NS. In toto, E. tapos yogurt supplementation of obese dams exerted an anti-obesity effect by preventing intergenerational obesity by reversing HFD-induced damage in the fat tissue of the offspring.