Impact of manganese mining on potentially toxic elements pollution and bioaccumulation in Spirogyra varians and Hydrilla verticillata in the Xiaojiang River.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the content and potential sources of PTEs (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in water, sediment, and dominant aquatic plants (Hydrilla verticillata and Spirogyra varians) in the Xiaojiang River, located near the Zhaiying manganese mine in Guizhou Province, China. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis were employed to assess PTE distribution and potential sources. Water PTE concentrations complied with the Class II standard (GB3838-2002), indicating no water pollution. However, sediment PTE levels exceeded background values, particularly Mn, which exhibited moderate to strong contamination. Cd also showed moderate contamination, posing a considerable ecological risk. Cd was the main potential pollutant with the highest contribution rate. Mn and Cd were therefore identified as priority pollutants requiring targeted abatement strategies. Mining activities likely represent the primary source, but combined pollution from vehicle traffic and agriculture might also contribute. Hydrilla verticillata demonstrated a higher capacity for PTE enrichment from sediment compared to Spirogyra varians, suggesting its potential for sediment remediation (except for Cu). A significant correlation existed between both plant species and sediment PTE content. PCA supported the association between S. varians and sediment PTEs. Linear regression analyses revealed better correlations between S. varians and sediment Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn (0.77, 0.68, 0.82, and 0.79, respectively). Taken together, these findings suggest that S. varians serves as an effective bioindicator for monitoring sediment contamination with PTEs.

Antibacterial and photocatalytic potential of bioactive compounds extracted from freshwater microalgae species (Spirogyra and Ocillatoria): A comparative analysis.

Water pollution by pathogenic bacteria and organic dyes poses potential health hazards for human and aquatic life. This study aims to explore the potential of bioactive compounds extracted from two microalgae species (Spirogyra and Ocillatoria) for water pollution control. The optimization of the extraction process for bioactive compounds resulted in the highest yield at 25 min for Spirogyra and 30 min for Ocillatotia species. Further, the extracted bioactive compounds were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The bioactive compounds exhibited significant antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Notably, Spirogyra species exhibited a higher zone of inhibition (19.5-20.7 mm) than Ocillatoria species (17.0-18.0 mm) against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. Furthermore, the photocatalytic potential of these bioactive compounds was examined by assessing the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) dyes under different light sources. The findings revealed that Spirogyra species exhibited better photocatalytic activity than Ocillatoria species for MB and CV. For MB, 89.75 %, 77.82 % and 63.54 % were photodegraded when exposed to UV light, sunlight and visible light using Spirogyra extract, compared to 84.90 %, 74.70 % and 58.30 % by Ocillatoria extract. Regarding CV, Spirogyra extract achieved photodegradation efficiency of 88.94 %, 76.59 % and 64.50 % under UV light, sunlight and visible light, higher than 83.60 %, 73.60 % and 57.70 % by Ocillatoria extract. Both Spirogyra and Ocillatoria species demonstrated the best performance for dye photodegradation under UV irradiation, demonstrating great potential for nature-based water treatment.

Multifunctional Spirogyra-hyalina-Mediated Barium Oxide Nanoparticles (BaONPs): Synthesis and Applications.

This research aims to biosynthesize Barium oxide nanoparticles (BaONPs) for biomedical applications, using Spirogyra hyalina as a stabilizing and reducing agent. UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to physiochemically characterize the barium oxide nanoparticles, while antibacterial, minimum inhibitory concentration, antifungal, free radicle scavenging, and anti-inflammatory assay were performed to assess the therapeutic potential of the synthesized BaONPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed bands at 615 and 692 cm-1 that corresponded to the formation of BaONPs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the spherical and flower-shaped morphology of BaONPs having an average diameter of 64.01 ± 2.0 nm. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial growth was halted by the barium nanoparticles, demonstrating their efficacy up to 19.12 ± 0.31 mm against E. coli, 18.83 ± 0.44 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae, 17.31 ± 0.59 mm against P. aeruginosa, 16.56 ± 0.37 mm against S. aureus, and 15.75 ± 0.38 mm against S. epidermidis, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration was 9.0, 6.3, 5.5, 4.5, and 2.0 µg/mL for S. aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli, respectively. BaONPs were not that effective against fungal strains such as Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, and Fusarium proliferatum. The BaONPs exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity through inhibiting cyclooxygenases type 1 (43.12 ± 1.21%) and 2 (41.23 ± 1.56%), and DPPH free radicles up to 43.52 ± 0.29% at 400 µg/mL. In conclusion, the biomolecules derived from Spirogyra hyalina have demonstrated remarkable ability to generate stable nanoparticles, offering promising prospects for their utilization as therapeutic agents and coating materials in various biomedical applications.

Biofabrication of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles from Spirogyra hyalina and Ajuga bracteosa and Their Antibacterial Applications.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted substantial interest due to their superparamagnetic features, biocompatibility, and nontoxicity. The latest progress in the biological production of Fe3O4 NPs by green methods has improved their quality and biological applications significantly. In this study, the fabrication of iron oxide NPs from Spirogyra hyalina and Ajuga bracteosa was conducted via an easy, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective process. The fabricated Fe3O4 NPs were characterized using various analytical methods to study their unique properties. UV-Vis absorption peaks were observed in algal and plant-based Fe3O4 NPs at 289 nm and 306 nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyzed diverse bioactive phytochemicals present in algal and plant extracts that functioned as stabilizing and capping agents in the fabrication of algal and plant-based Fe3O4 NPs. X-ray diffraction of NPs revealed the crystalline nature of both biofabricated Fe3O4 NPs and their small size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that algae and plant-based Fe3O4 NPs are spherical and rod-shaped, averaging 52 nm and 75 nm in size. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that the green-synthesized Fe3O4 NPs require a high mass percentage of iron and oxygen to ensure their synthesis. The fabricated plant-based Fe3O4 NPs exhibited stronger antioxidant properties than algal-based Fe3O4 NPs. The algal-based NPs showed efficient antibacterial potential against E. coli, while the plant-based Fe3O4 NPs displayed a higher zone of inhibition against S. aureus. Moreover, plant-based Fe3O4 NPs exhibited superior scavenging and antibacterial potential compared to the algal-based Fe3O4 NPs. This might be due to the greater number of phytochemicals in plants that surround the NPs during their green fabrication. Hence, the capping of bioactive agents over iron oxide NPs improves antibacterial applications.

Pyrogallol from Spirogyra neglecta Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells via Modulating Akt/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin Signaling Pathway.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an advanced form of prostate cancer associated with poor survival rates. The high proliferation and metastasis rates have made CRPC one of the most challenging types of cancer for medical practitioners and researchers. In this study, the anti-cancer properties and inhibition of CRPC progression by S. neglecta extract and its active constituents were determined using two CRPC cell lines, DU145 and PC3. The ethyl acetate fraction of S. neglecta (SnEA) was obtained using a solvent-partitioned extraction technique. The active constituents of SnEA were then determined using the HPLC technique, which showed that SnEA mainly contained syringic acid, pyrogallol, and p-coumaric acid phenolic compounds. After the determination of cytotoxic properties using the SRB assay, it was found that pyrogallol, but not the other two major compounds of SnEA, displayed promising anti-cancer properties in both CRPC cell lines. SnEA and pyrogallol were then further investigated for their anti-proliferation and apoptotic induction properties using propidium iodide and Annexin V staining. The results showed that SnEA and pyrogallol inhibited both DU145 and PC3 cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and significantly decreased the expression of cell cycle regulator proteins (cyclin D1, cyclin E1, CDK-2, and CDK-4, p < 0.001). SnEA and pyrogallol treatments also promoted apoptosis in both types of CRPC cells through significantly downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins (survivin, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xl, p < 0.001) and upregulating apoptotic proteins (cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP-1, p < 0.001). Mechanistic study demonstrated that SnEA and pyrogallol inactivated the Akt signaling pathway leading to enhancement of the active form of GSK-3ß in CRPC cell lines. Therefore, the phosphorylation of ß-catenin was increased, which caused degradation of the protein, resulting in a downregulation of ß-catenin (unphosphorylated form) transcriptional factor activity. The current results reflect the potential impact of S. neglecta extract and pyrogallol on the management of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant activities of extracts from Spirogyra varians (Hassall) Kuetzing.

Spirogyra varians (Hassall) Kuetzing is one of the edible freshwater filamentous green algae. This alga is commonly used as local food in northern and northeastern Thailand. A study on pharmacological activities of S. varians has not yet been extensively performed. Therefore, this study was established to investigate the anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant activities of the extracts from S. varians. The In vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assay revealed that the propylene glycol extract exhibited the highest α-glucosidase inhibition activity compared to the methanol and ethanol extracts. However, all the extracts possess α-glucosidase inhibition activity less potent than Acarbose, an α-glucosidase inhibitor. The propylene glycol extract showed the highest inhibition of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells compared to the methanol and ethanol extracts. Nevertheless, the inhibition activity of the extracts was less potent than diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug. Whereas, the methanol extract exhibited the highest muscle relaxant activity on frog gastrocnemius compared to the ethanol and propylene glycol extracts. The methanol extract displayed muscle relaxant activity with a similar potent to Indomethacin, a pain relief drug. This study indicates that S. varians can be used as an effective novel natural resource for developing anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and muscle relief agents.

Combined in vitro and in vivo investigation of barite microcrystals in Spirogyra (Zygnematophyceae, Charophyta).

We have investigated the biomineralisation of barite ‒a useful proxy for reconstructing paleoproductivity‒ in a freshwater alga, Spirogyra, by combining in vitro and in vivo approaches to unveil the nature of its barite microcrystals. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) observations on simply dried samples revealed that the number and size of barite crystals were related to the barium concentration in the media. Additionally, their morphology showed a crystallographic face (011), which is not normally observed, suggesting the influence of organic molecules on the growth kinetics. The critical point drying method was used to preserve the internal and external structures of Spirogyra cells for SEM imaging. Crystals were found adjacent to the cytoplasmic membrane, near chloroplasts and fibrillary network. In vivo optical microscopy and Raman tweezer microspectroscopy in living cells showed that barite microcrystals are optically visible and follow cytoplasmic streaming. These results led us to propose that barite formation in Spirogyra occurs in the cytoplasm where barium and sulphate are both available: barium supplied non-selectively through the active transport of the divalent cations needed for actin polymerisation, and sulphate because necessary for amino acid biosynthesis in chloroplasts.

Bioaccumulation of arsenic(V) from wastewater by live and dead Spirogyra sp.

Contaminated water with arsenic causes a negative impact on socioeconomic status in the concerned area. Existing methods are not much adequate, efficient, and appropriate. Bioremediation of heavy metals with microalgae seems to be a promising and holistic approach to counter the pre-existing associated with heavy metal toxicity. A pure culture of live and dead Spirogyra sp. was tested for its ability to adsorb arsenic(V) and modeling of experimental data was used to interpret the mechanism of bioaccumulation. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to explain the sorption of arsenic. The maximum sorption capacity of live Spirogyra sp. was 315 mg/g and dead Spirogyra sp. was 207 mg/g. Mechanism of bioaccumulation for As(V) ions by live and dead Spirogyra sp. were studied using several advanced techniques including Fourier-transform infrared, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscope. The study summarizes, bioaccumulation of AsO4 -3 by live and dead cells of Spirogyra sp. seems to be promising. The pseudo-second-order rate equation described better the kinetics of As(V) adsorption with good correlation coefficients. The results suggested that live Spirogyra sp. was more suitable to remove As(V) as compared to dead Spirogyra sp.

Search for evolutionary roots of land plant arabinogalactan-proteins in charophytes: presence of a rhamnogalactan-protein in Spirogyra pratensis (Zygnematophyceae).

Charophyte green algae (CGA) are assigned to be the closest relatives of land plants and therefore enlighten processes in the colonization of terrestrial habitats. For the transition from water to land, plants needed significant physiological and structural changes, as well as with regard to cell wall composition. Sequential extraction of cell walls of Nitellopsis obtusa (Charophyceae) and Spirogyra pratensis (Zygnematophyceae) offered a comparative overview on cell wall composition of late branching CGA. Because arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) are considered common for all land plant cell walls, we were interested in whether these special glycoproteins are present in CGA. Therefore, we investigated both species with regard to characteristic features of AGPs. In the cell wall of Nitellopsis, no hydroxyproline was present and no AGP was precipitable with the ß-glucosyl Yariv's reagent (ßGlcY). By contrast, ßGlcY precipitation of the water-soluble cell wall fraction of Spirogyra yielded a glycoprotein fraction rich in hydroxyproline, indicating the presence of AGPs. Putative AGPs in the cell walls of non-conjugating Spirogyra filaments, especially in the area of transverse walls, were detected by staining with ßGlcY. Labelling increased strongly in generative growth stages, especially during zygospore development. Investigations of the fine structure of the glycan part of ßGlcY-precipitated molecules revealed that the galactan backbone resembled that of AGPs with 1,3- 1,6- and 1,3,6-linked Galp moieties. Araf was present only in small amounts and the terminating sugars consisted predominantly of pyranosidic terminal and 1,3-linked rhamnose residues. We introduce the term 'rhamnogalactan-protein' for this special AGP-modification present in S. pratensis.

Potential of live Spirogyra sp. in the bioaccumulation of copper and nickel ions: A study on suitability and sustainability.

AIM: Various industrial and municipal wastes are the major sources of heavy metal contamination in water causing significant environmental issues. Bioremediation is an effective and affordable solution for the removal of metals and metal pollutants from industrial wastewater. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of live and dead Spirogyra sp. for sorption of metals like of Cu2+ and Ni2+ . METHODS AND RESULTS: The live Spirogyra sp. was used for the uptake of Cu2+ and Ni2+ from their aqueous solutions. The equilibrium data were fitted using a Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model; the maximum uptakes for Cu2+ and Ni2+ were 29 and 521 mg g-1 , respectively. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and infrared (IR) spectroscopic studies of Spirogyra sp. and treated Spirogyra sp. with specific metal ions were used to assess the bonding site and extent of sorption mechanism. CONCLUSION: The initial study showed that this biomass takes up a significant amount of metal ions. Compared to the Langmuir model, the Freundlich model showed better sorption process. The pseudo-second-order rate model represented an enhanced kinetics of metal ion adsorption using live Spirogyra sp. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: As bioaccumulation technology is environmental friendly and potentially cost-effective, live Spirogyra sp. is expected to be a good candidate for managing industrial wastewater.

Filamentous green algae Spirogyra regulates methane emissions from eutrophic rivers.

Excessive growth of filamentous green algae in rivers has attracted much attention due to their functional importance to primary production and carbon cycling. However, comprehensive knowledge of how filamentous green algae affect carbon cycling, especially the CH4 emissions from river ecosystems, remains limited. In this study, incubation experiments were conducted to examine the factors regulating CH4 emissions from a eutrophic river with dense growth of filamentous green algae Spirogyra through combinations of biogeochemical, molecular biological, and stable carbon isotope analyses. Results showed that although water dissolved oxygen (DO) in the algae+sediment (A+S) incubation groups increased up to 19 mg L-1, average CH4 flux of the groups was 13.09 µmol m-2 day-1, nearly up to two times higher than that from sediments without algae (S groups). The significant increase of sediment CH4 oxidation potential and methanotroph abundances identified the enhancing sediment CH4 oxidation during Spirogyra bloom. However, the increased water CH4 concentration was consistent with depleted water [Formula: see text] and decreased apparent fractionation factor (αapp), suggesting the important contribution of Spirogyra to the oxic water CH4 production. It can thus be concluded that high DO concentration during the algal bloom promoted the CH4 consumption by enhancing sediment CH4 oxidation, while algal-linked oxic water CH4 production as a major component of water CH4 promoted the CH4 emissions from the river. Our study highlights the regulation of Spirogyra in aquatic CH4 fluxes and will help to estimate accurately CH4 emissions from eutrophic rivers with dense blooms of filamentous green algae. Graphical abstract.

Heavy Metals Assessment in Water, Sediments, Algae and Two Fish Species from River Swat, Pakistan.

The heavy metals were studied in water, sediments, algae, and various tissues of Glyptosternon reticulatum and Cyprinus carpio from River Swat, Pakistan, using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni were higher in water at sewage site compared to upstream and downstream sites. In sediments, the Ni and Cd were not detected whereas Cu, Pb and Zn were higher at downstream followed by sewage and upstream sites. The Ni and Zn in algae were higher at upstream and sewage sites compared to downstream site whereas Pb and Cd were higher at upstream site compared to sewage and downstream sites and Cu was found same at all the three sites. The heavy metals (Zn > Cu > Pb and Ni) in tissues (liver > gills > skin > muscles) of G. reticulatum was higher than in C. carpio. This study recommends the proper monitoring of River Swat in order to save its water and inhabitant aquatic life.

Isotope Composition of Nitrogen and Stoichiometric Ratios of Elements in Biomass of Spirogyra in Lake Baikal.

Using stable isotope analysis of nitrogen, for the first time the hypothesis on different sources of inorganic nutrients for two groups of littoral algae in Lake Baikal was confirmed. Strongly attached filamentous algae of genus Ulothrix, which developed in the wave-braking zone at depth 0.5 m, and loosely attached filamentous algae of genus Spirogyra, which developed in deeper layers 3.0-5.0 m in a low-turbulence zone, get inorganic nutrients presumably from surface discharge and groundwater inputs, respectively. Besides, stoichiometric ratios C:N and N:P in biomass of the algae indicated that growth of Spirogyra in Lake Baikal was likely limited by nitrogen, while growth of Ulothrix was limited by phosphorus.

Heat stress response in the closest algal relatives of land plants reveals conserved stress signaling circuits.

All land plants (embryophytes) share a common ancestor that likely evolved from a filamentous freshwater alga. Elucidating the transition from algae to embryophytes - and the eventual conquering of Earth's surface - is one of the most fundamental questions in plant evolutionary biology. Here, we investigated one of the organismal properties that might have enabled this transition: resistance to drastic temperature shifts. We explored the effect of heat stress in Mougeotia and Spirogyra, two representatives of Zygnematophyceae - the closest known algal sister lineage to land plants. Heat stress induced pronounced phenotypic alterations in their plastids, and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy-based profiling of 565 transitions for the analysis of main central metabolites revealed significant shifts in 43 compounds. We also analyzed the global differential gene expression responses triggered by heat, generating 92.8 Gbp of sequence data and assembling a combined set of 8905 well-expressed genes. Each organism had its own distinct gene expression profile; less than one-half of their shared genes showed concordant gene expression trends. We nevertheless detected common signature responses to heat such as elevated transcript levels for molecular chaperones, thylakoid components, and - corroborating our metabolomic data - amino acid metabolism. We also uncovered the heat-stress responsiveness of genes for phosphorelay-based signal transduction that links environmental cues, calcium signatures and plastid biology. Our data allow us to infer the molecular heat stress response that the earliest land plants might have used when facing the rapidly shifting temperature conditions of the terrestrial habitat.

Chemical Composition, Algicidal, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Activities of the Essential Oils of Taiwania flousiana Gaussen.

Taiwania flousiana (T. flousiana) Gaussen is a precious wood in the family Taxodiaceae. This study investigated the chemical components of the essential oil from the stem bark of T. flousiana and its algicidal, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Sixty-nine compounds representing 89.70% of the stem bark essential oil were identified by GC-MS. The essential oil showed strong anti-algae, anti-bacteria, and anti-fungus activities against the tested species, and antioxidant activities. The IC50 values of the essential oil against chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the total chlorophyll of Spirogyra communis (a species of algae), 24-96 h after the treatment, ranged from 31.77 to 84.92 µg/mL, while the IC50 values of butachlor ranged from 40.24 to 58.09 µg/mL. Ultrastructure changes revealed by the transmission electron microscopy indicated that the main algicidal action sites were the chloroplast and cell wall. The essential oil showed antifungal activities on Rhizoctonia solani (EC50 = 287.94 µg/mL) and Colletotrichum gloeosporioiles (EC50 = 378.90 µg/mL). It also showed bactericidal activities on Ralstonia solanacearum and Staphylococcus aureus, with zones of inhibition (ZOIs) being 18.66 and 16.75 mm, respectively at 40 µg/disk. Additionally, the essential oil possessed antioxidant activity estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method (IC50 = 33.51 µg/mL; IC50 value of the positive control ascorbic acid was 7.98 µg/mL). Thus, the essential oil of this plant might be used as a possible source of natural bioactive molecules in agrochemical industry as well as in food and cosmetic industries.

Distribution and evolution of the serine/aspartate racemase family in plants.

Previous studies have shown that several d-amino acids are widely present in plants, and serine racemase (SerR), which synthesizes d-serine in vivo, has already been identified from three plant species. However, the full picture of the d-amino acid synthesis pathway in plants is not well understood. To clarify the distribution of amino acid racemases in plants, we have cloned, expressed and characterized eight SerR homologous genes from five plant species, including green alga. These SerR homologs exhibited racemase activity towards serine or aspartate and were identified on the basis of their maximum activity as SerR or aspartate racemase (AspR). The plant AspR gene is identified for the first time from Medicago truncatula, Manihot esculenta, Solanum lycopersicum, Sphagnum girgensohnii and Spirogyra pratensis. In addition to the AspR gene, three SerR genes are identified in the former three species. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that SerR and AspR are widely distributed in plants and form a serine/aspartate racemase family cluster. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of plant AspRs was more than 100 times higher than that of plant SerRs, suggesting that d-aspartate, as well as d-serine, can be synthesized in vivo by AspR. The amino acid sequence alignment and comparison of the chromosomal gene arrangement have revealed that plant AspR genes independently evolved from SerR in each ancestral lineage of plant species by gene duplication and acquisition of two serine residues at position 150 to 152.

Spirogyra neglecta Aqueous Extract Attenuates LPS-Induced Renal Inflammation.

Spirogyra neglecta (SN), commonly named "Tao" in Thai, is a genus of filamentous green macroalgae. SN contains polyphenols such as isoquercetin, catechin, hydroquinone and kaempferol. These constituents exhibit beneficial effects including anti-oxidant, anti-gastric ulcer, anti-hyperglycaemia and anti-hyperlipidaemia in both in vitro and in vivo models. Whether SN extract (SNE) has an anti-inflammatory effect in vivo remains unclear. This study examined the effect of SNE on renal function and renal organic transport in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal inflammation in rats. Rats were randomised and divided into normal saline (NS), NS supplemented with 1000 mg/kg body weight (BW) of SNE (NS + SNE), intraperitoneally injected with 12 mg/kg BW of LPS and LPS treated with 1000 mg/kg BW of SNE (LPS + SNE). Biochemical parameters in serum and urine, lipid peroxidation concentration, kidney function and renal organic anion and cation transports were determined. LPS-injected rats developed renal injury and inflammation by increasing urine microalbumin, total malondialdehyde (MDA) and inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß protein expression, respectively. In addition, uptake of renal organic anion, [3H]-oestrone sulphate (ES), was reduced in LPS-injected rats together with increased expression of organic anion transporter 3 (Oat3). However, the renal injury and inflammation, as well as impaired Oat3 function and protein expression, were restored in LPS + SNE rats. Accordingly, SNE could be developed as nutraceutical product to prevent inflammation-induced nephrotoxicity.

Identification of 13 Spirogyra species (Zygnemataceae) by traits of sexual reproduction induced under laboratory culture conditions.

The genus Spirogyra is abundant in freshwater habitats worldwide, and comprises approximately 380 species. Species assignment is often difficult because identification is based on the characteristics of sexual reproduction in wild-collected samples and spores produced in the field or laboratory culture. We developed an identification procedure based on an improved methodology for inducing sexual conjugation in laboratory-cultivated filaments. We tested the modified procedure on 52 newly established and genetically different strains collected from diverse localities in Japan. We induced conjugation or aplanospore formation under controlled laboratory conditions in 15 of the 52 strains, which allowed us to identify 13 species. Two of the thirteen species were assignable to a related but taxonomically uncertain genus, Temnogyra, based on the unique characteristics of sexual reproduction. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the two Temnogyra species are included in a large clade comprising many species of Spirogyra. Thus, separation of Temnogyra from Spirogyra may be untenable, much as the separation of Sirogonium from Spirogyra is not supported by molecular analyses.

Nutraceutical profile and evidence of alleviation of oxidative stress by Spirogyra porticalis (Muell.) Cleve inhabiting the high altitude Trans-Himalayan Region.

The high altitude trans-Himalayan region indeed is hostile domain for survival. Algae inhabiting  this  hostile terrain have evolutionarily developed mechanisms to produce unique adaptogenic molecules against climatic stressors. The present study has focused on the high altitude alga Spirogyra porticalis (Muell.) Cleve- a filamentous Charophyte, and reports the estimation of amino acids (AAs), fatty acids (FAs), vitamins and their efficacy against oxidative stress. Reverse phase-HPLC, GC-FID and rapid resolution-LC/tandem mass spectrometry were used for analysis of AAs, FAs and vitamins. Analysis of the alga  revealed the presence of 19 AAs (239.51 ± 8.57 to 13102.40 ± 11.08 µg/g), dominated by alanine, proline and lysine. Enriched phenylalanine, cysteine-HCl and high lysine:arginine ratio could also have beneficial impact against hypoxia -induced cognitive impairment. A total of 9 FAs were detected (0.43 ± 0.00% to 34.76 ± 0.52%). Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated FAs were found to be dominant. The alga showed the presence of 8 vitamins within the range of 39.654 ± 3.198 to 5468.184 ± 106.859 µg/Kg, wherein Vitamin B5, B3 and B2 were dominant. 600 µg/ml of methanolic extract showed recovery of GSH and trolox equivalent antioxidants in rat blood/hemolysate, while 400 µg/ml of extract showed revival in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The present study concludes that the alga S. porticalis has immense potential to counter oxidative stress as a nutraceutical supplement.

Red And far-red regulation of filament movement correlates with the expression of phytochrome and FHY1 genes in Spirogyra varians (Zygnematales, Streptophyta)1.

Spirogyra filaments show unique photomovement that differs in response to blue, red, and far-red light. Phototropins involved in the blue-light movement have been characterized together with downstream signaling components, but the photoreceptors and mechanical effectors of red- and far-red light movement are not yet characterized. The filaments of Spirogyra varians slowly bent and aggregated to form a tangled mass in red light. In far-red light, the filaments unbent, stretched rapidly, and separated from each other. Mannitol and/or sorbitol treatment significantly inhibited this far-red light movement suggesting that turgor pressure is the driving force of this movement. The bending and aggregating movements of filaments in red light were not affected by osmotic change. Three phytochrome homologues isolated from S. varians showed unique phylogenetic characteristics. Two canonical phytochromes, named SvPHY1 and SvPHY2, and a noncanonical phytochrome named SvPHYX2. SvPHY1 is the first PHY1 family phytochrome reported in zygnematalean algae. The gene involved in the transport of phytochromes into the nucleus was characterized, and its expression in response to red and far-red light was measured using quantitative PCR. Our results suggest that the phytochromes and the genes involved in the transport system into the nucleus are well conserved in S. varians.