Reproductive interference between alien species in Veronica.

Reproductive interference can lead to the exclusive distribution of species. Reports on reproductive interference between alien species are scarce, although alien species are becoming more abundant and evaluations of the interference between aliens and its influence on community structure are essential. We therefore investigated the presence of interference in two alien species of Veronica, V. cymbalaria and V. persica. Hand-pollination experiments revealed that heterospecific pollen adversely affected both species, but asymmetrically: in V. cymbalaria, it reduced the number of seeds both before and after conspecific pollination, but in V. persica it reduced the number of seeds only when it occurred before conspecific pollination. Field observation suggested that the number of seeds produced by V. cymbalaria was more influenced by the number of conspecific flowers than by the frequency of surrounding V. persica flowers. Pot experiments did not show a negative effect of heterospecific individuals on the reproductive success of focal species in either species. Observations of visiting pollinators revealed no pollinator preference between the plant species. Although we demonstrated asymmetrical reproductive interference between V. cymbalaria and V. persica, its effect in the field seemed limited. An essential factor mitigating the adverse effect of reproductive interference might be a shortage of pollinators that could facilitate interspecific pollination. We predict that further invasion of V. cymbalaria into areas where V. persica prevails is unlikely, although swift displacement of V. cymbalaria by V. persica in areas where V. cymbalaria is already established is also unlikely.

Veronica persica ameliorates acetaminophen-induced murine hepatotoxicity via attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation.

Excess acetaminophen (APAP) commonly causes severe acute liver injury (ALI), characterized by oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory responses, and hepatocyte damage. Veronica persica (VP) is a traditional medicine with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. There is a paucity of information on its medicinal value, especially its potential mechanisms for alleviating ALI. This study aimed to clarify the ameliorative effects and intracellular mechanisms of VP on APAP-induced ALI via attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation. Mice were given VP for 7 days before exposure to APAP (300 mg/kg). The HPLC and radical scavenging assay found that VP contains 12 phenolic acids and 6 flavonoids, as well as show robust antioxidant capacity. In the APAP-induced ALI model, pre-treatment with VP significantly reduces APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by observing improved hepatocyte pathological injury and further confirmed by serum biochemical indicator. Also, the reduction of TUNEL-positive regions and the regulation of Bcl-2-associated X protein indicated that VP attenuates hepatocytotoxicity. Moreover, VP pre-intervention inhibits the formation of liver pro-inflammatory cytokines, the expression of inflammatory response genes, and increases in myeloperoxidase (MPO) in APAP-exposed mice. The elevated reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and decreased oxidative stress markers indicate that VP reduces APAP-promoted oxidative stress. Further study revealed that VP inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB/STAT3 cascade, blocked ERK and JNK phosphorylation, and activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). To sum up, this study demonstrated that VP exists hepatoprotective abilities on APAP-induced ALI, primarily by suppressing the phosphorylation of NF-κB/STAT3 cascade and ERK-JNK and inducing AMPK activation to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation.

Efficacy of Veronica incana for Treating Osteoarthritis Induced by Monosodium Iodoacetate in Rats.

The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and the underlying mechanism of Veronica incana in osteoarthritis (OA) induced by intraarticular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). The selected major four compounds (A-D) of V. incana were found from fractions 3 and 4. Its structure elucidation was determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) data analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data comparison with literature. MIA (50 µL with 80 mg/mL) for the animal experiment was injected into the right knee joint. The V. incana was administered orally every day to rats for 14 days from 7 days after MIA treatment. Finally, we confirmed the four compounds: (A) verproside; (B) catalposide; (C) 6-vanilloylcatapol; and (D) 6-isovanilloylcatapol. When we evaluated the effect of V. incana on the MIA injection-induced knee OA model, there were a noticeable initial decreased in hind paw weight-bearing distribution compared to the Normal group (P < .001), but V. incana supplementation resulted in a significant increase in the weight-bearing distribution to the treated knee (P < .001). Moreover, the V. incana treatment led to a decrease in the levels of liver function enzymes and tissue malondialdehyde (P < .05 and .01). The V. incana significantly suppressed the inflammatory factors through the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway and downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, which are involved in the degradation of the extracellular matrix (P < .01 and .001). In addition, we confirmed the alleviation of cartilage degeneration through tissue stains. In conclusion, this study confirmed the major four compounds of V. incana and suggested that V. incana could serve as an anti-inflammatory candidate agent for patients with OA.

Metriocnemus erythranthei sp. nov. and Limnophyes viribus sp. nov. (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae): leafminers of monkeyflowers, speedwells, and other herbaceous plants, with new observations on the ecology and habitats of other leaf-mining Chironomidae.

In this study, we describe Metriocnemus erythranthei sp. nov. and Limnophyes viribus sp. nov., leafminers of herbaceous wetland plants. The M. erythranthei larva is a true miner entering fresh leaves and excavating the tunnels, and the L. viribus larva inhabits vacated mines of M. erythranthei. M. erythranthei is widespread in North America, with collections from the Pacific coast to Pennsylvania, and L. viribus has been collected from Iowa and Oregon. We also describe the larva of a possible new species associated with these plants, which we refer to as Metriocnemus sp. "Oregon". A key to the known larval stages of North American Metriocnemus is also provided. Along with providing a detailed account of the mining ecology of these new species, we discuss additional observations of mostly Orthocladiinae midges associated with aquatic and terrestrial plants. These include documenting the rearing of Metriocnemus eurynotus (Holmgren, 1883) from larvae feeding on Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) cotyledons, initially as leafminers and later externally. Larvae of M. eurynotus also were found feeding within mines of M. erythranthei on Veronica (Plantaginaceae) and were collected along with M. erythranthei larvae on leaves of Petasites (Asteraceae).

Evolution of plasticity prevents postinvasion extinction of a native forb.

Exotic plant invaders pose a serious threat to native plants. However, despite showing inferior competitive ability and decreased performance, native species often subsist in invaded communities. The decline of native populations is hypothesized to be halted and eventually reversed if adaptive evolutionary changes can keep up with the environmental stress induced by invaders, that is, when population extinction is prevented by evolutionary rescue (ER). Nevertheless, evidence for the role of ER in postinvasion persistence of native flora remains scarce. Here, I explored the population density of a native forb, Veronica chamaedrys, and evaluated the changes in the shade-responsive traits of its populations distributed along the invasion chronosequence of an exotic transformer, Heracleum mantegazzianum, which was replicated in five areas. I found a U-shaped population trajectory that paralleled the evolution of plasticity to shade. Whereas V. chamaedrys genotypes from intact, more open sites exhibited a shade-tolerance strategy (pronounced leaf area/mass ratio), reduced light availability at the invaded sites selected for a shade-avoidance strategy (greater internode elongation). Field experiments subsequently confirmed that the shifts in shade-response strategies were adaptive and secured postinvasion population persistence, as indicated by further modeling. Alternative ecological mechanisms (habitat improvement or arrival of immigrants) were less likely explanations than ER for the observed population rebound, although the contribution of maternal effects cannot be dismissed. These results suggest that V. chamaedrys survived because of adaptive evolutionary changes operating on the same timescale as the invasion-induced stress, but the generality of ER for postinvasion persistence of native plants remains unknown.

Ethanol extract of Veronica persica ameliorates house dust mite-induced asthmatic inflammation by inhibiting STAT-3 and STAT-6 activation.

Veronica persica is a flowering plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. Here, we aimed to evaluate the pharmacological activity of the ethanol extract of Veronica persica (EEVP) in an airway inflammation model. We examined airway responsiveness to aerosolized methacholine, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels, and total cell numbers in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Histological analysis of the lung tissue was performed using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichrome, or periodic acid-Schiff staining. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis in the lung and BALF was applied to clarify the changes in immune cell types. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were applied to investigate cytokine levels and gene expression related to airway inflammation. STAT-3/6 phosphorylation was examined in primary bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells using western blot analysis. EEVP significantly suppressed total IgE levels and methacholine-induced increase of Penh value in the HDM-challenged mouse model. EEVP also attenuated the severity of airway remodeling in lung tissues and decreased eosinophil and neutrophil infiltration in the lungs and BALF. EEVP significantly reduced the production of cytokines in BAL and splenocyte culture medium, and the expression of mRNAs related to airway inflammation in the lung tissue. EEVP suppressed IL-4/13-induced STAT-3/6 phosphorylation in the epithelial cells. We showed for the first time that EEVP effectively inhibits eosinophilic airway inflammation by suppressing the expression of inflammatory factors for T cell activation and polarization, and inhibits MCP-1 production of bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells by suppressing STAT-3/6 activation. EEVP may be a potential pharmacological agent to prevent inflammatory airway diseases.

In Vitro Multiplication and NMR Fingerprinting of Rare Veronica caucasica M. Bieb.

Micropropagation of rare Veronica caucasica M. Bieb. was achieved by successful in vitro cultivation of mono-nodal segments on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and then transferring the regenerated plants on hormone free basal MS medium for root development. In vitro multiplicated plants were successively acclimated in a growth chamber and a greenhouse with 92% survival. The number of plastid pigments and the total phenolics content in in vitro cultivated and ex vitro adapted plants were unchanged, and no accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by staining with 3-3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) fingerprinting allowed for the identification of the major alterations in metabolome of V. caucasica plants during the process of ex situ conservation. Iridoid glucosides such as verproside, aucubin and catalpol were characteristic for in vitro cultivated plants, while in ex vitro acclimated plants phenolic acid-protocatechuic acid and caffeic acid appeared dominant. The successful initiation of in vitro and ex vitro cultures is an alternative biotechnological approach for the preservation of V. caucasica and would allow for further studies of the biosynthetic potential of the species and the selection of lines with a high content of pharmaceutically valuable molecules and nutraceuticals.

Pioneering polyploids: the impact of whole-genome duplication on biome shifting in New Zealand Coprosma (Rubiaceae) and Veronica (Plantaginaceae).

The role of whole-genome duplication (WGD) in facilitating shifts into novel biomes remains unknown. Focusing on two diverse woody plant groups in New Zealand, Coprosma (Rubiaceae) and Veronica (Plantaginaceae), we investigate how biome occupancy varies with ploidy level, and test the hypothesis that WGD increases the rate of biome shifting. Ploidy levels and biome occupancy (forest, open and alpine) were determined for indigenous species in both clades. The distribution of low-ploidy (Coprosma: 2x, Veronica: 6x) versus high-ploidy (Coprosma: 4-10x, Veronica: 12-18x) species across biomes was tested statistically. Estimation of the phylogenetic history of biome occupancy and WGD was performed using time-calibrated phylogenies and the R package BioGeoBEARS. Trait-dependent dispersal models were implemented to determine support for an increased rate of biome shifting among high-ploidy lineages. We find support for a greater than random portion of high-ploidy species occupying multiple biomes. We also find strong support for high-ploidy lineages showing a three- to eightfold increase in the rate of biome shifts. These results suggest that WGD promotes ecological expansion into new biomes.

Using target sequence capture to improve the phylogenetic resolution of a rapid radiation in New Zealand Veronica.

PREMISE: Recent, rapid radiations present a challenge for phylogenetic reconstruction. Fast successive speciation events typically lead to low sequence divergence and poorly resolved relationships with standard phylogenetic markers. Target sequence capture of many independent nuclear loci has the potential to improve phylogenetic resolution for rapid radiations. METHODS: Here we applied target sequence capture with 353 protein-coding genes (Angiosperms353 bait kit) to Veronica sect. Hebe (common name hebe) to determine its utility for improving the phylogenetic resolution of rapid radiations. Veronica section Hebe originated 5-10 million years ago in New Zealand, forming a monophyletic radiation of ca 130 extant species. RESULTS: We obtained approximately 150 kbp of 353 protein-coding exons and an additional 200 kbp of flanking noncoding sequences for each of 77 hebe and two outgroup species. When comparing coding, noncoding, and combined data sets, we found that the latter provided the best overall phylogenetic resolution. While some deep nodes in the radiation remained unresolved, our phylogeny provided broad and often improved support for subclades identified by both morphology and standard markers in previous studies. Gene-tree discordance was nonetheless widespread, indicating that additional methods are needed to disentangle fully the history of the radiation. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenomic target capture data sets both increase phylogenetic signal and deliver new insights into the complex evolutionary history of rapid radiations as compared with traditional markers. Improving methods to resolve remaining discordance among loci from target sequence capture is now important to facilitate the further study of rapid radiations.

Antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of Vernonia cinerea against Xanthomonas oryzae and identification of their compounds using in silico techniques.

Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) disease is an extremely ruinous disease in rice, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Although various chemicals are available to manage BLB, they are toxic to the environment as well as humans. Hence there is a need to develop new pesticides as alternatives to hazardous chemicals. Therefore, a study was carried out to discover new potent natural pesticides against Xoo from different solvent extracts of Vernonia cinerea. Among all the fractions, the methanolic extract showed the highest inhibition zone. Further, to gain mechanistic insight of inhibitory action, 40 molecules of methanolic extracts were subjected for in silico study against two enzymes D-alanine-D-alanine ligase (Ddl) and Peptide deformylase (PDF). In silico study showed Rutin and Methanone, [1,4-dimethyl-7-(1- methylethyl)-2- azulenyl]phenyl have a good binding affinity with Ddl while Phenol, 2,4-bis(1-phenylethyl)- and 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester showed an excellent binding affinity to PDF. Finally, the system biology approach was applied to understand the agrochemical's effect in the cell system of bacteria against both the enzymes. Conclusively, these four-hit compounds may have strong potential against Xoo and can be used as biopesticides in the future.

The protective effect of Veronica ciliata Fisch. Extracts on relieving oxidative stress-induced liver injury via activating AMPK/p62/Nrf2 pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Veronica ciliata Fisch. existed in various Tibetan medicine prescriptions, which was recorded to treat liver diseases in the Tibetan medicine roll of Chinese materia medica. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The current study aimed to examine the effect of active constituents from V.ciliata relieving oxidative stress-mediated liver injury and clarify the underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) induced liver injury in mice model was established to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of ethyl acetate extract of V. ciliata (EAFVC). Serum and liver indicators, as well as the histopathological change of liver were examined. Next, the constituents of EAFVC were separated and characterized by high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) and Ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS), respectively. Based on the above, the antioxidant activity of EAFVC and two fractions was evaluated using 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoli- ne-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging assays. The hepatoprotective activity of EAFVC and its fractions/compounds attenuating ethanol-induced hepatocyte damage in BRL-3A cells was evaluated using the MTT method. The effect of the fraction and compounds with the strongest protective activity on ethanol-induced cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and glutathione (GSH) depletion was investigated. mRNA expression of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor of κB (NF-κB), as well as their downstream target genes, was determined by RT-qPCR. Finally, the potential mechanism of fraction 1 and luteolin on the AMPK/p62/Nrf2 signal pathway was studied using western blotting. RESULTS: Firstly, EAFVC could relieve liver impairment induced by t-BHP in mice. Next, fraction 1 enriched with polyphenolic compounds and luteolin derived from EAFVC were screened to yield the highest hepatoprotective activity against ethanol-induced hepatocyte damage. Further study demonstrated that fraction 1 and luteolin relieved BRL-3A cells damage by decreasing the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, ROS accumulation, as well as the depletion of GSH. Also, we determined that fraction 1 and luteolin suppressed inflammation and apoptosis of BRL-3A cells. The mechanistic studies indicated that fraction 1 could attenuate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis by activating AMPK phosphorylation, which promotes autophagy associated protein expression (LC3-B, Beclin1 and p62) as well as promote phosphorylation of p62 -dependent autophagic degradation of Keap1, to induce Nrf2 dissociation from Keap1 and translocate to nuclear. Nrf2 in the nuclear activate cytoprotective related genes to exert hepatoprotective function. Finally, we found that luteolin activated the protein expression of p-AMPK, p-p62, p62, Nrf2, and its downstream target genes. CONCLUSIONS: This study clarified that fraction 1 enriched phenolic compounds could attenuate ethanol-induced liver injury in BRL-3A cells via activating AMPK/p62/Nrf2 pathway. Luteolin could serve as the major bioactive component in the therapeutic effect of fraction 1. These active constituents in V. ciliata could be used as the potential drugs targeted activation of AMPK or p62 for relieving oxidative stress-mediated liver disorders.

Protective effects of n-Butanol extract and iridoid glycosides of Veronica ciliata Fisch. Against ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Veronica ciliata Fisch. is a traditional medical herb that present in more than 100 types of Tibetan medicine prescriptions, most of which are used for liver disease therapy. Iridoid glycosides have been identified as the major active components of V.ciliata with a variety of biological activities. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to explore the protective effect and potential mechanism of n-Butanol extract (BE) and iridoid glycosides (IG) from V.ciliata against ɑ-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced hepatotoxicity and cholestasis in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were intragastrically (i.g.) given BE and IG at different dose or positive control ursodeoxycholic acid (UCDA) once a day for 14 consecutive days, and were treated with ANIT to cause liver injury on day 12th. Serum levels of hepatic injury markers and cholestasis indicators, liver index and liver histopathology were measured to evaluate the effect of BE and IG on liver injury caused by ANIT. The protein levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Na+/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), bile salt export pump (BSEP), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), and the levels of oxidative stress indicators in liver tissue were investigated to reveal the underlying protective mechanisms of BE and IG against ANIT-induced hepatotoxicity and cholestasis. RESULTS: The n-Butanol extract (BE) and iridoid glycosides (IG) isolated from V.ciliata significantly decreased serum level of cholestatic liver injury markers aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bile acid (TBA), total bilirubin (TBIL), and direct bilirubin (DBIL) in ANIT-treated mice. Histopathology of the liver tissue showed that pathological damages were relieved upon BE and IG treatment. Meanwhile, the results indicated BE and IG notably restored relative liver weights, inhibited oxidative stress induced by ANIT through increasing hepatic level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and decreasing hepatic content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Western blot revealed that BE and IG inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory factors TGF-α, IL-6 and NF-κB. Furthermore, the decreased protein expression of bile acid transporters NTCP, BSEP, MRP2 were upregulated by BE and IG in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The results have demonstrated that BE and IG exhibited a dose-dependently protective effect against ANIT-induced liver injury with acute intrahepatic cholestasis in mice, which might be related to the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory response and bile acid transport. In addition, these findings pointed out that iridoid glycosides as main active components of V.ciliata play a critical role in hepatoprotective effect of V.ciliata.

Genetic similarities versus morphological resemblance: Unraveling a polyploid complex in a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot.

The Balkan Peninsula is recognized as one of the hotspots of biodiversity in Europe. This area has shown since the Last Glacial Maximum appropriate conditions for species diversification and hybridization, which has led to the existence of numerous taxonomically unresolved entities. Here, we focus on the Western Balkans and explore the genetic structure and relationships among species belonging to the V. austriaca - V. orbiculata diploid-polyploid complex, including populations showing intermediate morphologies. A combination of nuclear markers (microsatellites), plastid DNA regions (trnH-psbA, ycf6-psbM) and ploidy level estimations using flow cytometry are employed to assess the genetic structure and evolutionary dynamics of this polyploid complex. To reconstruct the evolutionary history, an approximate Bayesian computation approach is combined with projections of the species distribution models onto the climatic scenarios of the Mid-Holocene (6 ka BP) and Last Glacial Maximum (22 ka BP). Four main groups were found: one well-established entity within the diploid level, V. dalmatica, a second diploid-tetraploid group which corresponds to V. orbiculata, a hexaploid cluster harboring V. austriaca subsp. jacquinii individuals, and an enigmatic tetraploid group. According to the molecular data obtained, this latter cluster represents an allopolyploid cryptic lineage −with V. orbiculata and V. dalmatica as putative parents− morphologically similar to V. orbiculata, but genetically more related to V. austriaca subsp. jacquinii. Veronica dalmatica and this "uncertain tetraploid" group are involved in the formation of the hexaploid taxon V. austriaca subsp. jacquinii, with the possibility of recent gene flow among different cytotypes. The present study supports a scenario of diversification from a diploid common ancestor leading to two different but interrelated lineages. The first one would correspond with the diploid V. orbiculata plus tetraploid individuals of this species arising through allo- and autopolyploidization, and the second one would involve all ploidy levels with allopolyploidization being prevalent.

Verminoside from Pseudolysimachion rotundum var. subintegrum sensitizes cisplatin-resistant cancer cells and suppresses metastatic growth of human breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and is associated with a high mortality rate. The majority of deaths resulting from breast cancer are attributable to metastatic growth; in addition, chemoresistance is a major concern in the treatment of patients with breast cancer. However, limited drugs are available for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. In this study, the chemoadjuvant effects of a methanolic extract from the leaves of Pseudolysimachion rotundum var. subintegrum (NC13) and an active component isolated from the plant, verminoside (Vms), were evaluated. Furthermore, their potent anti-metastatic activities were validated in vitro and in vivo in animal models. The anti-metastatic and chemosensitizing activities of NC13 and Vms on cisplatin treatment were found to be partly mediated by suppression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells. Collectively, our results implied that NC13 and its bioactive component Vms could be developed as effective chemoadjuvants in combination with conventional therapeutics.

Veronica austriaca L. Extract and Arbutin Expand Mature Double TNF-α/IFN-γ Neutrophils in Murine Bone Marrow Pool.

Plants from the Veronica genus are used across the world as traditional remedies. In the present study, extracts from the aerial part of the scarcely investigated Veronica austriaca L., collected from two habitats in Bulgaria-the Balkan Mountains (Vau-1) and the Rhodopi Mountains (Vau-2), were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The secondary metabolite, arbutin, was identified as a major constituent in both extracts, and further quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while catalpol, aucubin and verbascoside were detected at lower amounts. The effect of the extracts and of pure arbutin on the survival of neutrophils isolated from murine bone marrow (BM) were determined by colorimetric assay. The production of cytokines-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ was evaluated by flowcytometry. While Vau-1 inhibited neutrophil vitality in a dose-dependent manner, arbutin stimulated the survival of neutrophils at lower concentrations, and inhibited cell density at higher concentrations. The Vau-1 increased the level of intracellular TNF-α, while Vau-2 and arbutin failed to do so, and expanded the frequency of mature double TNF-α+/IFN-γhi neutrophils within the BM pool.

Phenols and γ-Lactams from the Aerial Part of Pseudolysimachion linariifolium subsp. dilatatum.

Linariifolioside II (1) and (2S)-2-hydroxy-5-oxoproline methyl ester (2), two new compounds along with 13 known compounds were obtained from the aerial part of Pseudolysimachion linariifolium Holub subsp. dilatatum (Nakai & Kitag.) D.Y. Hong. Their chemical structures were revealed mainly through NMR and MS data. The absolute configuration of 2 was deduced by comparing its experimental CD with the calculated ECD spectra. At a concentration of 1 mm, total antioxidant capacities of compounds 1-15 were measured using a rapid ABTS method in vitro. Compounds 1, 3-5, and 11-14 exhibited approximately equal antioxidant capacity to that of vitamin C (Vc).

Phenols fragment of Veronica ciliata Fisch. ameliorate free radical-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by mediating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Veronica ciliata Fisch. is used in numerous of Tibetan medicine prescriptions because of its hepatoprotective effect. AIMS OF THIS STUDY: Here, we aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect and mechanism of phenolic fraction (PF) of V. ciliata Fisch. on liver injury induced by free radical. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BRL 3A cells were pre-treated with PF and luteolin (Lut) following tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) treatment. The cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, cell cycle and autophagy were analyzed. Apoptotic, inflammatory, and autophagy,- related proteins were analyzed using Western blotting. The combination of molecular docking and drug affinity targeting experiments (DARTS) were first utilized to analysis the target protein of Lut. RESULTS: PF effectively suppressed t-BHP-induced apoptosis caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, which were associated with inhibiting ROS generation. Further investigation indicated that PF significantly suppressed apoptosis, inflammation, and autophagy by regulating the expression of related proteins. The results of molecular docking and drug affinity targeting experiments (DARTS) revealed that PI3K was the target protein of PF and Lut. Further studies have shown that PF relieved liver injury induced by t-BHP via suppressing phosphorylated expression of PI3K. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that PF effectively protect against hepatotoxicity induced by t-BHP through inhibiting the abnormal activation of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and highlight the health benefits of PF regarding oxidative stress, proving it to be an important source of bioactive compounds associated with Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles with Veronica multifida and their antibiofilm activity.

In the present study, Veronica multifida leaf extract and zinc acetate dihydrate were utilized to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) eco-friendly and cost-effectively under different physical conditions. Soxhlet extractor was used for the preparation of aqueous plant extract. UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible) spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to characterize the ZnO NPs. UV-Vis spectrophotometer in the range of 200-800 nm was used to get information about the formation of ZnO NPs at different pH and temperatures. FTIR spectrum revealed the presence of functional groups in ZnO NPs. XRD, scanning electron microscope, and TEM analyses confirmed the crystal structure and average size of ZnO NPs. The antimicrobial activities of ZnO NPs were tested on microorganisms, that is, Escherichia coli ATCC 43895, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium. Moreover, antibiofilm activity of ZnO NPs was performed against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus ATCC 29213. ZnO NPs have shown effective antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against tested microorganisms. The results elucidated that eco-friendly and cost-effectively produced ZnO NPs could be used as coating materials and in a wide range of industrial applications, such as pharmaceutical industries and cosmetics.

Contrasting Water Quality Treatments Result in Structural and Functional Changes to Wetland Plant-Associated Microbial Communities in Lab-Scale Mesocosms.

The impact of contrasting water quality treatments on wetland plant-associated microbial communities was investigated in this study using 12 lab-scale wetland mesocosms (subsurface flow design) planted with reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) or water speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica) over a 13-week period. Mesocosms received water collected from two sites along the Grand River (Ontario, Canada) designated as having either high or poor water quality according to Grand River Conservation Authority classifications. All mesocosms were established using sediment collected from the high water quality site and received water from this source pre-treatment. Resulting changes to microbial community structure were assessed using PCR-denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (DGGE) on microbial 16S rDNA sequences extracted from rhizoplane, rhizosphere, and water samples before and after exposure to water quality treatments. Functional community changes were determined using Biolog™ EcoPlates which assess community-level carbon source utilization profiles. Wetland mesocosm removal of inorganic nutrients (N, P) and fecal coliforms was also determined, and compared among treatments. Treatment-specific effects were assessed using a repeated measures restricted maximum likelihood (REML) analysis. Structural and functional characteristics of rhizoplane microbial communities were significantly influenced by the interaction between plant species and water treatment (P = 0.04, P = 0.01). Plant species-specific effects were observed for rhizosphere structural diversity (P = 0.01) and wetland water community metabolic diversity (P = 0.03). The effect of water treatment alone was significant for structural diversity measurements in wetland water communities (P = 0.03). The effect of plant species, water quality treatment, and the interaction between the two is dependent on the microhabitat type (rhizoplane, rhizosphere, or water). Rhizoplane communities appear to be more sensitive to water quality-specific environmental changes and may be a good candidate for microbial community-based monitoring of wetland ecosystems.