Development, characterization, and evaluation of Zn-SA-chitosan bionanoconjugates on wheat seed, experiencing chilling stress during germination.

This study aimed to develop and characterize the chitosan bionanoconjugates (BNCs) loaded with zinc (Zn) and salicylic acid (SA) and test their efficacy on wheat seed exposed to chilling stress. BNCs developed were spherical (480 ± 6.0 nm), porous, and positively charged (+25.2 ± 2.4 mV) with regulated nutrient release properties. They possessed complexation efficiency of 78.4 and 58.9 % for Zn, and SA respectively. BET analysis further confirmed a surface area of 12.04 m2/g. Release kinetics substantiated the release rates of Zn and SA, as 0.579 and 0.559 % per hour, along with a half-life of 119.7 and 124.0 h, respectively. BNCs positively affected the germination potential of wheat seeds under chilling stress as observed by significantly (p < 0.05) reduced mean emergence time (18 %), and increased germination rate (22 %), compared to the control. Higher activities of reserve mobilizing enzymes (α-amylase- 6.5 folds, protease -10.2 folds) as well as faster reserve mobilization of starch (64.4 %) and protein (63.5 %) molecules were also observed. The application further led to increased levels of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and reduced oxidative damage (MDA and H2O2). Thus, it is inferred that the developed BNCs could help substantially improve the germination and reserve mobilization potential, thereby increasing the crop yield.

Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Potential of Ormocarpum cochinchinense (Lour.) Merr. Leaf: An Integrated In vitro and In silico Approach.

Diabetes is a prevalent metabolic disorder associated with various complications. Inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes is an effective strategy for managing non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of Ormocarpum cochinchinense leaf through in vitro and in silico approaches. The methanol extract exhibited the highest phenolic and flavonoid content over solvent extracts aqueous, acetone, hexane, and chloroform, the same has been correlating with strong antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the methanol extract demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, indicating its potential as an antidiabetic agent. Molecular docking analysis identified compounds, including myo-inositol, with favorable binding energies comparable to the standard drug metformin. The selected compounds displayed strong binding affinity towards α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Structural dynamics analysis revealed that myo-inositol formed a more stable complex with the enzymes. These findings suggest that O. cochinchinense leaf possesses antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, making it a potential source for developing therapeutic agents.

Potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for obsessive compulsive disorder: Evidences from clinical studies.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent behavioral disorder with a complex etiology. However, the underlying pathogenic molecular pathways and the associated risk factors are largely obscure. This has hindered both the identification of relevant prognostic biomarkers and the development of effective treatment strategies. Because of the diverse range of clinical manifestations, not all patients benefit from therapies currently practiced in the clinical setting. Nevertheless, several lines of evidence indicate that neurotrophic, neurotransmitter, and oxidative signaling are involved in the pathophysiology of OCD. Based upon evidences from clinical (and pre-clinical studies), the present review paper sets out to decipher the utilities of three parameters (i.e. brain-derived neurotrophic factor; BDNF, noradrenalin-synthesizing enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase; DBH; and oxidative damage marker malondialdehyde; MDA) as diagnostic peripheral biomarkers as well as bio-targets for therapeutic strategies. While the data indicates promising results, there is necessitation for future studies to further confirm and establish these. Further, based again on the available clinical data, we investigated the possibilities of exploiting the etiological links between disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle and insulin signaling, and OCD for the identification of potential anti-OCD ameliorative agents with the ability to elicit multimodal effects, including attenuation of the alterations in BDNF, noradrenergic and redox pathways. In this respect, agomelatine and metformin may represent particularly interesting candidates; however, further clinical studies are warranted to establish these as singular or complementary medications in OCD subjects.

Neuroprotection by agmatine: Possible involvement of the gut microbiome?

Agmatine, an endogenous polyamine derived from L-arginine, elicits tremendous multimodal neuromodulant properties. Alterations in agmatinergic signalling are closely linked to the pathogeneses of several brain disorders. Importantly, exogenous agmatine has been shown to act as a potent neuroprotectant in varied pathologies, including brain ageing and associated comorbidities. The antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, antidepressant and memory-enhancing activities of agmatine may derive from its ability to regulate several cellular pathways; including cell metabolism, survival and differentiation, nitric oxide signalling, protein translation, oxidative homeostasis and neurotransmitter signalling. This review briefly discusses mammalian metabolism of agmatine and then proceeds to summarize our current understanding of neuromodulation and neuroprotection mediated by agmatine. Further, the emerging exciting bidirectional links between agmatine and the resident gut microbiome and their implications for brain pathophysiology and ageing are also discussed.

Comprehensive Review on the Role of Plant Protein As a Possible Meat Analogue: Framing the Future of Meat.

Animal proteins from meat and goods derived from meat have recently been one of the primary concerns in the quest for sustainable food production. According to this perspective, there are exciting opportunities to reformulate more sustainably produced meat products that may also have health benefits by partially replacing meat with nonmeat substances high in protein. Considering these pre-existing conditions, this review critically summarizes recent findings on extenders from a variety of sources, including pulses, plant-based ingredients, plant byproducts, and unconventional sources. It views these findings as a valuable opportunity to improve the technological profile and functional quality of meat, with a focus on their ability to affect the sustainability of meat products. As a result, meat substitutes like plant-based meat analogues (PBMAs), meat made from fungi, and cultured meat are being offered to encourage sustainability.

Marine-Derived Compounds Applied in Cardiovascular Diseases: Submerged Medicinal Industry.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the most impactful illnesses globally. Currently, the available therapeutic option has several side effects, including hypotension, bradycardia, arrhythmia, and alteration in different ion concentrations. Recently, bioactive compounds from natural sources, including plants, microorganisms, and marine creatures, have gained a lot of interest. Marine sources serve as reservoirs for new bioactive metabolites with various pharmacological activities. The marine-derived compound such as omega-3 acid ethyl esters, xyloketal B, asperlin, and saringosterol showed promising results in several CVDs. The present review focuses on marine-derived compounds' cardioprotective potential for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, and atherosclerosis. In addition to therapeutic alternatives, the current use of marine-derived components, the future trajectory, and restrictions are also reviewed.

Influence of processing on bioactive compounds, Type-II diabetes related enzyme regulation potential and antiurolithiatic potential of underutilized legume Macrotyloma uniflorum.

The hydro-alcoholic extract of raw and processed Macrotyloma uniflorum seeds, an underutilized food legume was analysed for its bioactive compounds, Type-II diabetes enzyme regulation and antiurolithiatic potential. The study aimed to establish and promote the introduction of these new grains and enlarge the market of novel functional foods. The seed extract had phenolic content of 35.6 and 30.4 mg GAE/g dm, for PAIYUR-2 and GPM-6 respectively. Chlorogenic, coumaric, vanillic and ellagic were the major and, sinapic and syringic were limiting phenolic acids. The raw seeds extract exhibited ferric ion reducing potential (1125 and 1236 mmol Fe II/mg extract dm), free radical inhibition (EC50, 3.58 and 3.78 g dm/g DPPH), hydroxyl ion inhibition (46.71 and 45.44%) and superoxide ion inhibition (36.93 and 33.37%) for PAIYUR-2 and GPM-6 respectively. Further, considerable α-amylase (49.34 & 45.89%) and α-glucosidase (62.72 & 60.33%) inhibition potentials were observed along with antiurolithiatic activity of 48.12 and 46.31% in PAIYUR-2 and GPM-6 respectively. Although, processing had significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on grain quality but still the significant (p ≤ 0.05) functional properties were retained. This proves the grain utility as a functional food in maintaining human health.

Influence of cooking methods on antinutritional factors, oligosaccharides and protein quality of underutilized legume Macrotyloma uniflorum.

Macrotyloma uniflorum is a salubrious but underutilized legume mainly consumed in semi-arid zones of Africa, Australia and India. Various antinutritional factors- phytates, oxalates and oligosaccharides- has limited its consumption. Current work describes the influence of various thermal processing technologies - autoclaving, microwave, micronization and extrusion- on antinutritional profile, phenolic acid profile and protein digestibility of two selected varieties. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in antinutritional content was observed for horse gram grains processed using various thermal technologies. Among all processing technologies extrusion caused marked degradation in antinutritional components. The reduction in oxalic acid, trypsin inhibitor, phytates and tannins ranged from 33 to 87 %, 77-82%, 33-60% and 51-66% respectively. Further, the decline in content of various oligosaccharides viz. raffinose, stachyose and verbascose varied from 36 to 61 %, 25-49% and 30-74% respectively for both the varieties. Although extrusion caused significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in the essential amino acid index and protein efficiency ratio, simultaneous increased was observed in biological value. The processing had significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on grain antinutritional content and also retained its substantial functional properties. This establishes the utility of grain and promote the introduction of these new grains and enlarge the market of novel healthy foods.

Influence of processing methodology on phenolic acid content, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of Macrotyloma uniflorum.

Study was conducted to determine the influence of different cooking methods namely pressure, flaking, infra-red, microwave and extrusion processing on rate of oxidative stability, fatty acid profile and functional properties of horse gram. The rate of auto-oxidation was significantly (p < 0.05) affected during storage and found maximum at 0.00 aw and minimum at 0.33 aw for both varieties namely GPM-6 and PAIYUR-2. The extrusion processed grains were more susceptible to auto-oxidation. The iron content of grain increased significantly (p < 0.05) during extrusion (1.22 ± 0.50 to 1.65 ± 0.15 mg 100 g-1 for PAIYUR-2 and 1.19 ± 0.45 to 1.59 ± 0.12 mg 100 g-1 for GPM-6). Whereas, tocopherol content decreased during extrusion (8.05 ± 0.15 to 2.28 ± 0.23 mg 100 g-1 for PAIYUR-2 and 6.48 ± 0.46 to 1.68 ± 0.15 mg 100 g-1 for GPM-6). Ellagic (12.36 ± 0.35 and 10.71 ± 0.29 mg 100 g-1), vanillic (15.20 ± 0.23 and 12.48 ± 0.18 mg 100 g-1), and coumaric acid (14.68 ± 0.71 and 8.97 ± 0.66 mg 100 g-1) were the major phenolic acids whereas, linoleic (35.53 ± 0.30 and 35.46 ± 0.19%), palmitic (26.08 ± 0.26 and 25.97 ± 0.33%), and linolenic acid (13.44 ± 0.18 and 10.13 ± 0.21%) were the major fatty acids present in raw grain for PAIYUR-2 and GPM-6 respectively. Phenolic and fatty acids were significantly (p < 0.05) affected during processing. The oxidative stability of microwave processed grains was maximum whereas, extrusion processed grains showed minimum oxidative stability during storage. Study explicitly describes that native grains and the grains which did not undergo destruction of naturally present cellular structure, were less prone to oxidation. The oxidation rate of grains was found dependent on composition, processing and storage environment of grains. Hence, all these factors need to be considered to ensure the stability of processed food during storage.

Engineering properties of horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) varieties as a function of moisture content and structure of grain.

The study was conducted to determine the engineering properties of horse gram varieties namely GPM-6, PAYIUR-2, and BHK as a function of moisture content in range of 10-30%. The average length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, arithmetic mean diameter, thousand kernel weight, sphericity, porosity and angle of repose ranged from 5.43 to 6.53 mm, 3.96 to 4.48 mm, 2.21 to 2.99 mm, 3.62 to 4.41 mm, 3.86 to 4.64 mm, 30.32 to 49.11 g, 63.56 to 72.66%, 35.20 to 38.76% and 22.72° to 29.86° respectively as the moisture content of the grain increased from 10.08 to 29.98%. The bulk density and true density of the grain decreased from initial range of 810-901 to 734-801 kg m-3 and 1250-1426 to 1168-1308 kg m-3. The volume, porosity and terminal velocity of the grain increased linearly with increase in moisture content. The coefficient of friction also showed positive correlation for all surface materials, the highest increase was found for plywood in all varieties of horse gram seeds. Dehulling properties of the grain found to be significantly affected by the change in moisture content. The overall dehulling ranged from 53.44 to 61.21% for GPM-6 and 55.58 to 61.06% for PAYIUR-2 variety of horse gram. Textural properties of the grains were also found to be significantly affected by the change in moisture content from 10 to 30%. The data generated in this study will be highly useful in optimization of post-harvest processing operations as well as to design and develop related processing equipment for horse gram.