Chemo-profiling and exploring therapeutic potential of Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. for managing metabolic related disorders: In-vitro studies, and docking based approach.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. (M. dioica Roxb.) a nutritious and therapeutic property rich crop of Cucurbitaceae plant family. In various folklore medicine including Ayurveda fruits are used to treat several metabolic related disorders i.e., hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity etc. Furthermore, traditionally it is used to treat fever, inflammation, ulcer, skin diseases, haemorrhoids, hypertension and also employed as cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, analgesic, diuretic. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study focuses to explore the therapeutic potential of Momordica dioica Roxb. ex Willd. through in-vitro and in-silico approach for managing hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and related metabolic disorders along with its phytochemical profiling for quality evaluation and validation of traditional claim. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was carried out on hydroalcohol extract of dried leaf and fruit of Momordica dioica. In-vitro antioxidant potential using DPPH and Nitric oxide scavenging assay along with in-vitro enzyme inhibitory potential against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase enzymes was studied. The bioactive metabolites were identified from the most potent bioactive extract by analysis with LC-QTOF-MS and also studied their role to lessen the metabolic related disorder through in-silico approaches. RESULTS: The results confirmed that the fruit extract is more active to possess antioxidant and prominent enzyme inhibition potential compared to the leaf. Sixteen identified metabolites in M. dioica Roxb. fruits may be responsible for the therapeutic potential related to metabolic related disorder. The in-silico study of the identified phytomolecules against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase showed significant docking scores ranging from -9.8 to -5.5, -8.3 to -4.8 and -8.3 to -6 respectively. CONCLUSION: The current study illustrated that M. dioica Roxb., a traditionally important plant is potential against metabolic related disorders. Phytocomponents present in the fruit extract may be responsible for antioxidant as well as the enzymes' inhibitory potential. Thus, fruits of M. dioica Roxb. will be useful as alternative therapeutics for treatment of hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and related metabolic disorders.

Exploration of anti-diabetic activity and metabolite profiling of Bruguiera cylindrica (l.) Bl.-in vivo anti-diabetic activity, exploration of molecular mechanism, and network pharmacological analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The Bruguiera cylindrica L. is a mangrove plant that is typically found in coastal areas of Asia, including India. It has been known for its medicinal properties, which have been utilized for generations. For example, in Thailand, it has been used to treat wounds and diarrhoea, while in India, it has been effective in addressing diabetes, ulcers, and other health issues. This particular study sought to investigate the potential of B. cylindrica bark extract in reducing the symptoms of diabetes in rats. METHODS: In this study, we examined the potential of B. cylindrica bark extract as an inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro. We also evaluated the effects of the extract and Metformin on rats fed high-fat diets and measured their lipid profiles and biochemical parameters. Furthermore, we conducted a network pharmacology analysis to identify proteins and pathways involved in the amelioration of diabetes. RESULTS: Through metabolite profiling, we identified 58 compounds in B. cylindrica hydroalcoholic extract. These compounds include alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, and fatty acids. The extract was found to have a dose-dependent inhibition activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, with IC50 values similar to acarbose. In rats, oral administration of 200-400 mg/kg of B. cylindrica led to reduced blood glucose levels and normalized serum biochemical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Bruguiera cylindrica bark may reduce blood sugar levels in rats with diabetes. The study found metabolites that interact with protein targets associated with different types of diabetes.

Investigation on Anti-diabetic Efficacy of a Cucurbitaceae Food Plant from the North-East Region of India: Exploring the Molecular Mechanism through Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c).

BACKGROUND: The medicinal plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, such as Solena heterophylla Lour. fruits, have significant ethnobotanical value and are readily accessible in North East India. AIMS: We conducted a study on Solena heterophylla Lour. fruits to evaluate their anti-diabetic activity in vivo, standardize their HPTLC, and profile their metabolites using LC-QTOF-MS. We aimed to explore the molecular mechanism behind their effects on oxidative stress and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). METHODS: Firstly, the ethyl acetate fraction of Solena heterophylla Lour. fruits was standardized using Cucurbitacin B as a standard marker by conducting HPTLC evaluation. Next, we delved into analyzing metabolite profiling. In addition, the standardized fraction was utilized in an experimental study to investigate the molecular mechanism of action in an in vivo high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. RESULTS: We have reportedly identified 52 metabolites in the ethyl acetate fraction of Solena heterophylla (EASH). In the in vitro tests, it has been observed that this extract from plants possesses notable inhibitory properties against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Solena heterophylla fruits with high levels of Cucurbitacin B (2.29% w/w) helped lower FBG levels in animals with EASH treatment. EASH treatment reduced HbA1c levels and normalized liver lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme levels. SGOT, SGPT, and SALP serum enzyme levels also returned to normal. CONCLUSION: Based on the current evaluation, it was found that EASH exhibited encouraging hypoglycemic effects in diabetic rats induced by a low dose of STZ and high-fat diet, which warrants further investigation.

Quality evaluation of different black rice varieties of northeastern region of India.

INTRODUCTION: Black rice (Oryza sativa L.), which is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, is indigenous to Northeast India, specifically Manipur, and traditionally consumed for its protective effects on human health. Due to its economic value, it is crucial to evaluate the quality of different black rice varieties to authenticate their therapeutic and nutritional properties. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the quality of pre- and post-marketed black rice samples by a validated high-performance thin layer chromatography method and determine variations of total phenolics and total flavonoids with antioxidant potential. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ferulic acid, gallic acid, quercetin, and caffeic acid contents of three black rice varieties-Poireiton, Amubi, and Sempak-along with two marketed samples of Amubi from Manipur, India, were quantified based on standards. Antioxidant potential was measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl hydrate free radical scavenging assay. RESULTS: The highest and lowest relative biomarker contents were found in hydroalcoholic extracts of Amubi [caffeic acid (1.43% w/w), ferulic acid (1.15% w/w), quercetin (0.6% w/w), and gallic acid (0.39% w/w)] and the marketed sample Var. Amubi from Kakching District, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient of antioxidant potential with phenolic and flavonoid content showed a moderate to strong correlation for all samples. CONCLUSION: This validated, rapid, accurate standardization method for black rice varieties will be beneficial for the quality evaluation of black rice and its derived products. It will also be helpful to authenticate the nutritional benefits for the consumers.

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-Quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling, quality evaluation, and marker analysis of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague by high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague (Apiaceae), commonly known as "Ajwain" is distributed throughout India. Ajwain fruits contain fiber, carbohydrates, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. The fruits also yield a small amount of essential oil, with Thymol as the principal constituent. Ajwain has various pharmacological activities like anti-leishmanial, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antispasmodic, nematocidal, and anthelmintic. The fruits are of high therapeutic value; thus, it becomes quite essential to evaluate the quality of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague to authenticate and ensure its therapeutic and nutritional properties. The ethyl acetate fraction of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague fruits exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content values of 149.55 ± 1.19 mg rutin equivalent and 682.85 ± 3.68 mg gallic acid equivalent, respectively. Metabolite profiling of the ethyl acetate fraction using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry analysis resulted in identifying 19 phytomolecules. A validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography method was developed to quantify standard phytomolecules in the ethyl acetate fraction. The highest and lowest percentages of phytomarker were found to be caffeic acid (5.51% ± 0.16% w/w) and gallic acid (1.29% ± 0.09% w/w), respectively. This validated rapid, accurate, and precise method for standardization of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague will be beneficial for its quality evaluation as well as the derived products.

In vitro cell composition identification of wood decay fungi by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Decay pathogens follow dissimilar metabolic mechanisms to cause irreversible damage to woody tissues. The objective of this study is to perform inter- and intra-species microbial cell structural comparison using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Representative fungi species, causing brown rot and white rot, namely, Postia placenta and Trametes versicolor, respectively, were cultured in laboratory conditions. In vitro spectral measurements were performed at periodic two week intervals of fungal growth. The study shows structural differences for both species of fungi. The prominent presence of protein amide, carbohydrate and carboxyl bands was of interest. Spectral deconvolution of the infrared broadband around approximately 3300 cm-1 produced peaks at four different wavenumbers. The hydrogen bond energy obtained at the four wavenumbers, from deconvolution, varied from approximately 41 kJ mol-1 to approximately 7 kJ mol-1, indicating the presence of strong and weak forces in microbial cell structure. The hydrogen bond distance, obtained at the deconvoluted wavenumbers, varied between 2.7 Å-2.8 Å, indicating the presence of short and long-distance forces within microbial cells. Microscopic observation showed mycelium colonization, hyphal tip and lateral branching.

Terahertz magneto-plasmonics using cobalt subwavelength aperture arrays.

We characterize the terahertz (THz) magneto-plasmonic response of a cobalt-based periodic aperture array. The bare cobalt surface allows for low loss propagation of surface plasmon-polaritons, as evidenced by comparing the reflection from aperture arrays coated with Au and with Co. When an external magnetic field is applied in a polar Kerr geometry, we observe a maximum polarization rotation of ~0.6° and an ellipticity of ~0.35° from the Co-based array. These values are larger than expected based on existing models that include only interband transitions in ferromagnetic metals. We discuss possible reasons for the difference between experiment and theory.

Direct observation of Anderson localization in plasmonic terahertz devices.

We present the first experimental observation of Anderson localization in the terahertz frequency range using plasmonic structures. To accomplish this goal, we designed THz waveguides consisting of a one-dimensional array of rectangular apertures that were fabricated in a freestanding metal foil. Disorder is introduced into the waveguide by offsetting the position of each aperture by a random distance within a prescribed range. For example, for a waveguide with apertures spaced by 250 µm in a periodic waveguide, 10% disorder would correspond to the apertures being shifted by a random value between ±25 µm along the waveguide axis. We find that for disorder levels below 25%, there is only an increase in the propagation loss along the device. However, for two specific waveguides with 25% disorder, we observe a spatially localized mode that lies just within the stop band of the device and exhibits a double-sided exponential spatial decay away from the maximum.

Plasmonic waveguides based on symmetric and asymmetric T-shaped structures.

We describe the fabrication and characterization of plasmonic waveguides based on a periodic one-dimensional array of symmetric and asymmetric T-shaped structures. The devices are fabricated in a polymer resin using conventional 3D printing and subsequently overcoated with ~500 nm of Au. Using terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy, we systematically measure the guided-wave transmission properties of the devices as a function of the different geometrical parameters. Through these measurements, we find that the resonance frequency associated with the lowest order mode depends primarily on the structure height and the cap width and appears to be independent of its lateral width. We also perform numerical simulations using the same geometrical parameters and find excellent agreement between experiment and simulation. We fabricate a waveguide in which the lateral width of the T-shaped structures is tapered in a linear fashion. While the spectrum of this device is similar to one without tapering, we observe relatively little reduction in the mode size, even as the structure width is reduced by a factor of eight.

Terahertz plasmonic waveguides created via 3D printing.

We demonstrate that 3D printing, commonly associated with the manufacture of large objects, allows for the fabrication of high quality terahertz (THz) plasmonic structures. Using a commercial 3D printer, we print a variety of structures that include abrupt out-of-plane bends and continuously varying bends. The waveguides are initially printed in a polymer resin and then sputter deposited with ~500 nm of Au. This thickness of Au is sufficient to support low loss propagation of surface plasmon-polaritons with minimal impact from the underlying layer, thereby demonstrating a useful approach for fabricating a broad range of plasmonic structures that incorporate complex geometries. Using THz time-domain spectroscopy, we measure the guided-wave properties of these devices. We find that the propagation properties of the guided-wave modes are similar to those obtained in similar conventional metal-based waveguides, albeit with slightly higher loss. This additional loss is attributed to roughness associated with limitations that currently exist in commercial 3D printers.

Foraminifera as indicators of marine pollutant contamination on the inner continental shelf of southern Brazil.

Analyses of living foraminiferal and environmental parameters near an outfall at Mar Grosso Beach (Laguna, SC, Brazil) demonstrate its usefulness as indicators of domestic sewage pollution. The low species diversity may be due to sand accumulation in the central part. Higher diversity was noted closer to the mouth of Laguna estuarine system where reduced salinity and higher temperatures indicate freshwater influence, suggesting a relationship between increased diversity and greater availability of terrestrial food. On the basis of foraminiferal diversity and average coliform count the higher values are closer to the mouth of the estuarine system and under the influence of the outfall. Due to the effect of local hydrodynamics, the particulate organic waste derived from the outfall does not settle down locally, and thus, do not accumulate nearby. Our hypothesis is that the fine material derived from the outfall is accumulating on the southwestern and northwestern parts of the beach.