Extract of Chenopodium album lowers blood pressure in rats through endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the antihypertensive effect of crude extract of Chenopodium album (Ca.Cr), based on its medicinal use in hypertension. METHODS: Ca.Cr and its fractions were tested in-vivo in normotensive anesthetized rats for blood pressure-lowering effect. In-vitro experiments were performed on isolated rat aortae to explore the vascular mechanism(s). RESULTS: In normotensive anesthetized rats, Ca.Cr produced a dose-dependent (1-300mg/kg) fall (30%mmHg) in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Among the fractions, nHexane was the most potent (46% fall). In rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (PE), Ca.Cr and its fractions (except Ca.Aq) produced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, which was partially reversed with endothelium removal and by pretreating intact aortic rings with L-NAME (10µM) and atropine (1µM). This relaxation to Ca.Cr and fractions (nHexane, ethylacetate and chloroform) was also eliminated with indomethacin pretreatment, however, it unmasked a vasoconstriction effect with Ca.Cr only. Surprisingly, the aqueous fraction produced a calcium sensitive strong vasoconstriction instead of vasorelaxation. The crude extract and its fractions (except Ca.Aq) also antagonized vasoconstriction induced with high K+ (80mM), suggesting calcium antagonistic effect. The aqueous fraction produced mild vasorelaxation against high K+. This effect was further confirmed when pretreatment of the aortic rings with different concentrations of crude extract and fractions suppressed CaCl2 concentration response curves, similar to verapamil. In acute toxicity test, Ca.Cr extract was found safe up to 5g/kg body weight in mice. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that crude extract and fractions of C. album produced vasorelaxant effect through muscarinic receptors linked-NO pathway, prostaglandin (endothelium-dependent) and calcium antagonism (endothelium-independent), which explains the blood pressure lowering effect of C. album in rats.

Molecular Characterization of Peronospora variabilis Isolates Infecting Chenopodium quinoa and Chenopodium album in Spain.

Quinoa is an expanding crop in southern Spain. Downy mildew, caused by Peronospora variabilis, is the most important quinoa disease in Spain and worldwide. In Spain, this disease has also been observed on the weed Chenopodium album. The objectives of this study were to unravel the origin of the P. variabilis isolates currently infecting quinoa in southern Spain and to study their genetic diversity. We hypothesized that P. variabilis isolates infecting quinoa in Spain could have been introduced through the seeds of the quinoa varieties currently grown in the country or, alternatively, that these isolates are endemic isolates, originally infecting C. album, that jumped to quinoa. In order to test these hypotheses, we sequenced the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), and cox2 regions of 33 P. variabilis isolates infecting C. quinoa and C. album in southern Spain and analyzed their phylogenetic relationship with isolates present in other countries infecting Chenopodium spp. cox1 gene sequences from all of the Spanish P. variabilis isolates were identical and exhibited nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) compared with a single P. variabilis cox1 sequence found at GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS ribosomal DNA region were not suitable to differentiate isolates according to their geographical origin or host. The cox2 sequences from P. variabilis Spanish isolates collected from C. quinoa and C. album were all identical and had a distinctive SNP in the last of four polymorphic sites that distinguished Spanish isolates from isolates from other countries. These results suggest that P. variabilis infecting quinoa in southern Spain could be native isolates that originally infected C. album.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license.

A Compiled Update on Nutrition, Phytochemicals, Processing Effects, Analytical Testing and Health Effects of Chenopodium album: A Non-Conventional Edible Plant (NCEP).

Bathua (Chenopodium album) is a rich source of extensive-ranging nutrients, including bio-active carbohydrates, flavonoids and phenolics, minerals, and vitamins that translate to countless health benefits such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. Ascaridole, an important phytoconstituent present in aerial parts of the plant, contributes to its anthelmintic property. Even with vast historical use and significant health benefits, its renown has not spread, and utilization has significantly decreased in recent decades. Gradually, the plant has become known under the name of Non-conventional edible plant (NCEP). This compilation is prepared to bring out the plant under the spotlight for further research by foregrounding previous studies on the plant. Scientific research databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online, were used to fetch data on C. album. This review offers over up-to-date knowledge on nutritious values, phytochemical composition, volatile compounds, as well as health benefits of C. album. The ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal uses of the plant in India and other parts of the world are deliberately discussed. Scrutinizing the reported literature on C. album reveals its powerful nutrient composition advantageous in the development of food products. The impact of various cooking and processing methods on the nutritional profile and bioavailability are discussed. The future perspectives with regards to the potential for food and nutraceutical products are critically addressed. This review proves the necessity of breakthrough research to investigate the pharmacology and safety of phytochemicals and nutraceutical development studies on the C. album.

Effects of growth temperature and nitrogen nutrition on expression of C3-C4 intermediate traits in Chenopodium album.

Proto-Kranz plants represent an initial phase in the evolution from C3 to C3-C4 intermediate to C4 plants. The ecological and adaptive aspects of C3-C4 plants would provide an important clue to understand the evolution of C3-C4 plants. We investigated whether growth temperature and nitrogen (N) nutrition influence the expression of C3-C4 traits in Chenopodium album (proto-Kranz) in comparison with Chenopodium quinoa (C3). Plants were grown during 5 weeks at 20 or 30 °C under standard or low N supply levels (referred to as 20SN, 20LN, 30SN, and 30LN). Net photosynthetic rate and leaf N content were higher in 20SN and 30SN plants than in 20LN and 30LN plants of C. album but did not differ among growth conditions in C. quinoa. The CO2 compensation point (Γ) of C. album was lowest in 30LN plants (36 µmol mol-1), highest in 20SN plants (51 µmol mol-1), and intermediate in 20LN and 30SN plants, whereas Γ of C. quinoa did not differ among the growth conditions (51-52 µmol mol-1). The anatomical structure of leaves was not considerably affected by growth conditions in either species. However, ultrastructural observations in C. album showed that the number of mitochondria per mesophyll or bundle sheath (BS) cell was lower in 20LN and 30LN plants than in 20SN and 30SN plants. Immunohistochemical observations revealed that lower accumulation level of P-protein of glycine decarboxylase (GDC-P) in mesophyll mitochondria than in BS mitochondria is the major factor causing the decrease in Γ values in C. album plants grown under low N supply and high temperature. These results suggest that high growth temperature and low N supply lead to the expression of C3-C4 traits (the reduction of Γ) in the proto-Kranz plants of C. album through the regulation of GDC-P expression.

Genetic variation for tolerance to the downy mildew pathogen Peronospora variabilis in genetic resources of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).

BACKGROUND: Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is an ancient grain crop that is tolerant to abiotic stress and has favorable nutritional properties. Downy mildew is the main disease of quinoa and is caused by infections of the biotrophic oomycete Peronospora variabilis Gaüm. Since the disease causes major yield losses, identifying sources of downy mildew tolerance in genetic resources and understanding its genetic basis are important goals in quinoa breeding. RESULTS: We infected 132 South American genotypes, three Danish cultivars and the weedy relative C. album with a single isolate of P. variabilis under greenhouse conditions and observed a large variation in disease traits like severity of infection, which ranged from 5 to 83%. Linear mixed models revealed a significant effect of genotypes on disease traits with high heritabilities (0.72 to 0.81). Factors like altitude at site of origin or seed saponin content did not correlate with mildew tolerance, but stomatal width was weakly correlated with severity of infection. Despite the strong genotypic effects on mildew tolerance, genome-wide association mapping with 88 genotypes failed to identify significant marker-trait associations indicating a polygenic architecture of mildew tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: The strong genetic effects on mildew tolerance allow to identify genetic resources, which are valuable sources of resistance in future quinoa breeding.

Genetically engineered fusion of allergen and viral-like particle induces a more effective allergen-specific immune response than a combination of them.

Chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) were developed as a candidate for allergen-specific immunotherapy. In this study, hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) that genetically fused to Chenopodium album polcalcin (Che a 3)-derived peptide was expressed in E. coli BL21, purified, and VLP formation was evaluated using native agarose gel electrophoresis (NAGE) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chimeric HBc VLPs were characterized in terms of their reactivity to IgE, the induction of blocking IgG and allergen-specific IgE, basophil-activating capacity, and Th1-type immune responses. Results from IgE reactivity and basophil activation test showed that chimeric HBc VLPs lack IgE-binding capacity and basophil degranulation activity. Although chimeric HBc VLPs induced the highest level of efficient polcalcin-specific IgG antibody in comparison to those induced by recombinant Che a 3 (rChe a 3) mixed either with HBc VLPs or alum, they triggered the lowest level of polcalcin-specific IgE in mice following immunization. Furthermore, in comparison to the other antigens, chimeric HBc VLPs produced a polcalcin-specific Th1 cell response. Taken together, genetically fusion of allergen derivatives to HBc VLPs, in comparison to a mix of them, may be a more effective way to induce appropriate immune responses in allergen-specific immunotherapy. KEY POINTS: • The insertion of allergen-derived peptide into major insertion region (MIR) of hepatitis B virus core (HBc) antigen resulted in nanoparticles displaying allergen-derived peptide upon its expression in prokaryotic host. • The resultant VLPs (chimeric HBc VLPs) did not exhibit IgE reactivity with allergic patients' sera and were not able to degranulate basophils. • Chimeric HBc VLPs dramatically improved protective IgG antibody response compared with those induced by allergen mixed either with HBc VLPs or alum. • Chimeric HBc VLPs induced Th1 responses that were counterparts of Th2 responses (allergic). • Chimeric HBc VLPs increased IgG2a/ IgG1 ratio and the level of IFN-γ compared to those induced by allergen mixed with either HBc VLPs or alum. Graphical Abstract.

Enhanced oxidative stress, damage and inadequate antioxidant defense contributes towards insufficient recovery in water deficit stress and heat stress combination compared to either stresses alone in Chenopodium album (Bathua).

Chenopodium album (common name Bathua) is a widely adapted weed plant facing wide array of temperatures (5-45 °C) during growth and development in North India. Antioxidant defense was studied in C. album leaves under water deficit stress, heat stress, water deficit stress and heat stress combination and water deficit preconditioning followed by heat stress. C. album plants subjected to water deficit stress and heat stress combination showed higher decline in water relations and lesser recovery compared to either stresses alone. Highest H2O2 content, lipid peroxidation and protein damage were observed in plants experiencing water deficit stress and heat stress combination which was coupled with less induction in activities of SOD, CAT and all AsA-GSH cycles enzymes and decline in AsA and GSH pool compared to plants subjected to either stress alone. Water deficit preconditioned C. album plants maintained higher activities of antioxidant defense enzymes and metabolites such as SOD, CAT, POX, DHAR, GSH content and AsA/DHA and GSH/GSSG ratios compared to non-preconditioned plants under heat stress. This is the first holistic report on effect of water deficit stress and heat stress combination and water deficit preconditioning followed by heat stress on ROS, damage and antioxidant defense including enzymes and metabolites in C. album. Water deficit stress and heat stress combination was more detrimental in C. album than either of the stresses alone as decline in water relations and increase in oxidative stress and damage was coupled with a decline in antioxidant defense both in enzymes i.e. SOD, CAT and AsA-GSH cycles enzymes and metabolites i.e. AsA and GSH content. Water deficit preconditioning followed by recovery resulted in induction of co-ordinated antioxidant defense in terms of both enzyme activities and metabolites during subsequent heat stress in C. album. Enhanced CAT activity and higher redox pool played a major role in cross tolerance in water deficit preconditioned C. album plants under heat stress.

Fitness costs associated with multiple resistance to dicamba and atrazine in Chenopodium album.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Detrimental pleiotropic effects of resistance mutation(s) were observed for multiple-resistant phenotypes (resistant to both atrazine and dicamba). The multiple-resistant phenotypes had lower growth rates and less capacity for vegetative growth compared to the phenotypes only resistant to atrazine. The fitness costs that are conferred by herbicide resistance alleles can affect the rate of herbicide resistance evolution within populations. We evaluated the direct fitness costs involved with multiple resistance to dicamba and atrazine (R1 and R2) in Chenopodium album by comparing the performance of multiple-resistant phenotypes to those phenotypes that were only resistant to atrazine (S1 and S2). The R1 and R2 phenotypes were consistently shorter and produced less dry matter than the S1 and S2 phenotypes. The R1 and R2 phenotypes were shown to have lower relative growth rates (RGR) and net assimilation rates (NAR) than the S1 and S2 phenotypes at an early stage of growth. However, there was no significant difference in RGR between the R1 and R2 and, S1 and S2 phenotypes at a later stage of growth, though the R1 and R2 phenotypes still had a lower NAR at this later stage. Further investigations using a neighbouring crop competition approach showed that the R1 and R2 phenotypes were weaker competitors, and exhibited significantly less capacity for vegetative growth compared to the S1 and S2 phenotypes during competition. Overall, the results of this study revealed multiple- resistance to atrazine and dicamba endowed a significant fitness penalty to C. album, and it is possible that the frequency of multiple-resistant individuals would gradually decline once selection pressure from herbicides was discontinued.

Ameliorating potency of Chenopodium album Linn. and vitamin C against mercuric chloride-induced oxidative stress in testes of Sprague Dawley rats.

BACKGROUND: Mercury has been documented as an industrial risk that posed a serious danger to human health. Mercury exposure results in oxidative stress that may lead to the pathogenesis of male reproductive dysfunction. The present study investigated the ameliorating potential of Chenopodium album L. and vitamin C against mercuric chloride-induced oxidative deterioration of reproductive functions in adult male rats. METHODS: Group 1 (control) received saline. Group 2 received Mercury (0.15 mg/kg b.w, i.p) dissolved in distilled water. Groups 3 and 4 were given oral gavage of vitamin C (200 mg/kg b.w) and the ethanolic extract of C. album (200 mg/kg b.w) respectively, along with Mercury (0.15 mg/kg b.w, i.p). Group 5 was treated only with C. album (200 mg/kg b.w). After 30 days of the treatment, the rats were dissected and their testicular tissue and the cauda epididymis were used for biochemical analysis while blood plasma was used for protein determination. RESULTS: The applied dose-treatment of Mercury-induced oxidative stress in the testis and cauda epididymis tissues of the rats was apparent by a noteworthy decrease in total protein, CAT, SOD, POD, and GST values while there was increase in ROS and TBARS levels. Furthermore, Mercury decreases daily sperm production and enhanced sperm DNA damage as noticeable by an increase in the head and tail length of comets and decrease in intact DNA. There was no significant effect on the body weight and the weight of the reproductive tissues. Treatment with C. album significantly ameliorated the total protein, ROS, and TBARS content. Similarly, the level of CAT, SOD, POD, and GST was significantly improved and the daily sperm production was significantly increased. Furthermore, C. album administration significantly protected Mercury-induced sperm DNA damage. The results of the extract treatment group were compared with those of vitamin C in detoxifying the oxidative stress and restoring the sperm parameters. CONCLUSION: C. album showed protection against Mercury-induced oxidative stress by ameliorating antioxidant enzyme activity, daily sperm production, and DNA damage in rat testes. This suggests that C. album could be beneficial against toxicity induced by an environmental toxicant.

Evaluation of bioactivity of aqueous extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis, Saraca asoca, and Chenopodium album against immature forms of Aedes aegypti.

BACKGROUND: Increasing rate of vector transmission of dengue has led to the exponential rise in the mortality and morbidity scales in the past five years. There are various natural and synthetic chemical agents available commercially as potent larvicides, but they are either highly toxic, difficult to obtain, have a high manufacturing cost, or show cross-resistance, hence do not suffice as ideal larvicides. The objective was to screen aqueous extracts of Bougainvillea spectabilis (B. spectabilis), Saraca asoca (S.asoca), and Chenopodium album (C. album) for larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti (A. aegypti). METHODS: The larvae were exposed to increasing concentrations of aqueous extracts of B. spectabilis, S. asoca, and C. album under controlled laboratory environment. The mortality was checked after 24 hours, results were statistically analyzed, and LC50 and LC90 were determined. RESULTS: B. spectabilis and S. asoca were found effective as larvicides against A. aegypti with LC50 values of 0.22% and 0.26%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extracts of B . spectabilis and S. asoca are efficient larvicides against A . aegypti and can be used as effective, accessible, and eco-friendly control options for management of A. aegypti, the vector of dengue/chikungunya.

Essential oil composition and in vitro antibacterial activity of Chenopodium album subsp. striatum.

The objective of this study was to identify the bioactive compounds of essential oil and evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil extracted from Chenopodium album subsp. striatum against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains (MDR) which were isolated from clinical specimens by conventional methods. Furthermore, eight different Gram-negative and Gram-positive multidrug-resistant bacterial strains were used to investigate the antibacterial potential of the essential oil. The antibacterial activity was tested using MIC and MBC microdilution method, well and disc diffusion in different concentration. The hydro-distillation of aerial parts powder yield was 0.466% (v/w). Essential oil showed bactericidal activity against both MDR Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains. MIC and MBC results were ranged from 0.31 to 2.5 and 0.62 to 5.0 mg/mL. The inhibition zones in well-diffusion method were ranged from 7 ± 0.6 mm to 15 ± 1.0 mm. Disc diffusion method was ranged from 7 ± 0.0 mm to 16 ± 0.6 mm depending on the type of bacteria strain and essential oil concentration. Essential oil of Ch. album had the greatest potential to be considered as an antibacterial agent against MDR bacteria strain. This potential was due to different biological and bioactive compounds like phytol, linalool, α-terpineol and linolenic acid in the plant.

Evaluation of anthelmintic antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Chenopodium album.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Chenopodium album against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and some pathogenic microbes. A worm motility inhibition assay was used for in vitro study, and a faecal egg count reduction assay was used for an in vivo study. Various concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 µg/ml of the extract were subjected to antimicrobial screening by disc diffusion method against four selected bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas multocida and Escherichia coli) and two fungal (Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans) strains in order to estimate the medicinal potential of the herb. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), riboflavin photo-oxidation, deoxyribose, lipid peroxidation assays were used for antioxidant activity. The extracts exhibited dose- and time-dependent anthelmintic effects on the Haemonchus contortus as compared to levamisole. The extract showed maximum inhibitory effect against S. aureus (28 ± 0.14 mm), while as mild inhibitory effect was observed against E. coli among the selected microbial strains. The effect produced by the different extract concentrations was comparable with the standard antibacterial agent streptomycin sulphate and antifungal agent nystatin, which were used as effective positive control in the study. The antioxidant activity showed that the extracts exhibited scavenging effect in concentration-dependent manner on superoxide anion radicals and hydroxyl radicals leading to the conclusion that the plant has broad spectrum anthelmintic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and could be a potential alternative for treating various diseases.

Do selenium hyperaccumulators affect selenium speciation in neighboring plants and soil? An X-Ray Microprobe Analysis.

Neighbors of Se hyperaccumulators Stanleya pinnata and Astragalus bisulcatus were found earlier to have elevated Se levels. Here we investigate whether Se hyperaccumulators affect Se localization and speciation in surrounding soil and neighboring plants. X-ray fluorescence mapping and X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy were used to analyze Se localization and speciation in leaves of Artemisia ludoviciana, Symphyotrichum ericoides and Chenopodium album growing next to Se hyperaccumulators or non-accumulators at a seleniferous site. Regardless of neighbors, A. ludoviciana, S. ericoides and C. album accumulated predominantly (73-92%) reduced selenocompounds with XANES spectra similar to the C-Se-C compounds selenomethionine and methyl-selenocysteine. Preliminary data indicate that the largest Se fraction (65-75%), both in soil next to hyperaccumulator S. pinnata and next to nonaccumulator species was reduced Se with spectra similar to C-Se-C standards. These same C-Se-C forms are found in hyperaccumulators. Thus, hyperaccumulator litter may be a source of organic soil Se, but soil microorganisms may also contribute. These findings are relevant for phytoremediation and biofortification since organic Se is more readily accumulated by plants, and more effective for dietary Se supplementation.

Cysteine-2 and Cys30 are essential for chlorophyll-binding activity of the water-soluble chlorophyll-binding protein (WSCP) of Chenopodium album.

Chenopodium album has a non-photosynthetic chlorophyll protein known as the water-soluble chlorophyll (Chl)-binding protein (WSCP). The C. album WSCP (CaWSCP) is able to photoconvert the chlorin skeleton of Chl a into a bacteriochlorin-like skeleton. Reducing reagents such as ß-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol inhibit photoconversion, indicating that S-S bridge(s) in CaWSCP are quite important for it. Recently, we found that the mature region of CaWSCP contains five cysteine residues; Cys2, Cys30, Cys48, Cys63, and Cys144. To identify which cysteine residues are involved in the photoconversion, we generated five mutants (C2S, C30S, C48S, C63S, and C144S) by site-directed mutagenesis. Interestingly, C48S, C63S, and C144S mutants showed the same Chl-binding activity and photoconvertibility as those of the recombinant wild-type CaWSCP-His, while the C2S and C30S mutants completely lost Chl-binding activity. Our findings indicated that the S-S bridge between Cys2 and Cys30 in each CaWSCP subunit is essential for Chl-binding activity.

A biogenesis construction of CuO@MWCNT via Chenopodium album extract: an effective electrocatalyst for synaptic plasticity neurodegenerative drug pollutant detection.

Clioquinol (CLQ) is one of the most toxic halogenated neurodegenerative drugs, and its synaptic plasticity effect directly affects human health and the environment. Cupric oxide (CuO) is an ideal electrocatalyst owing to its earth-abundance, non-toxic nature, and cost-effectiveness. Since phenolate oxygen and pyridine nitrogen in CLQ act as an electron donor and pave the way for detection with Cu2+ ions in the CuO. Designing the architecture of CuO with a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) is a sensible strategy to improve the electrochemical activity of the developed sensor. Inspired by the bio-synthesis and green processing, we have demonstrated the in-situ synthesis of CuO nanosphere-decorated MWCNT by Chenopodium album leaf extract through a sonochemical approach and explored its electrochemical sensing performance toward CLQ. The physical comprehensive characterization of prepared nanocomposite was investigated by various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. For comparison studies, the CuO nanosphere was prepared by the same preparation process without MWCNT. Based on the physical characterization outcomes, the morphological nature of CuO was observed to be a sphere-like structure, which was decorated on the MWCNT with an average crystallite size of 16 nm (± 1 nm). Based on the electrochemical studies, the fabricated nanocomposite exhibits a wider linear range of 0.025-1375 µM, with a minimum detection limit of 4.59 nM L-1 toward CLQ. The viability examination on the biological matrix obtained considerable spike recoveries.

Investigation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Chenopodium album extracts and their effects on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats.

This study aims to examine the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the aerial parts of Chenopodium album extracts (CAE) prepared with different solvents, and how C. album ethanol extract protects them against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. Extracts of C. album aerial parts were obtained from ethanol, water, methanol, chloroform, and hexane solvents. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were used and gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity was utilized as a model. The water extract of C. album exhibited no antimicrobial effect, whereas the methanol one created the highest zone diameter on Bacillus cereus (26 mm). The methanol extract displayed the highest activity in DPPH and ABTS. The ethanol extract yielded the highest reducing power in the CUPRAC. The water extract had the highest reducing power in the FRAP. Concerning gentamicin-induced renal damage, creatinine and urea levels in the blood were statistically higher in the gentamicin-C. album group compared to the other groups (p < .05). Urea and creatinine levels of the gentamicin-C. album group dropped significantly, indicating that the C. album was effective against renal damage. The sections from kidney tissues in the gentamicin + C. album group mostly exhibited mild glomerular congestion. Hyaline cast, cytoplasmic vacuolization, necrosis, and apoptosis were not observed. Thanks to C. album treatment, the gentamicin + C. album suffered less histopathological damage than the gentamicin group did. The results of the present study suggest that CAE can be used as a supportive treatment in people undergoing treatment for nephrotoxicity.

Structure, development, and the salt response of salt bladders in Chenopodium album L.

Salt bladders are specialized epidermal structures that halophytes use to store and excrete excess salt. However, the cell wall composition during salt bladder development is unclear, and the functions of salt bladders in a few wild plants remain unexplored. Therefore, the present study examined salt bladder development, cell wall composition, and their roles under salt stress by employing bladder-brushed and unbrushed Chenopodium album plants. We found that the bladder cell of C. album was connected to the epidermal cells through a rectangular stalk cell and developed from the shoot tip and the young leaves. The polysaccharides of salt bladder cell wall showed dynamic distribution at different stages of development. Moreover, salt bladders affected Na+ and K+ accumulation, increased reactive oxygen species scavenging, and improved the osmoregulation and photosynthetic efficiency in leaves, subsequently enhancing the salt tolerance of plants. The findings strengthen our knowledge of the physiological mechanisms of the accessory structures in desert plants, which can be used as a reference for further research at the molecular level.

Genetic diversity, antimicrobial, nutritional, and phytochemical properties of Chenopodium album: A comprehensive review.

Chenopodium album L., is a medicinal plant widely cultivated in Europe, North America, Iran, South Africa, Australia, South America, and Asia. This species is commonly used in folk medicine to treat many diseases such as cancer, viral infections, parasitic diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, as well as bacterial and fungal infections. The present review was carried out to highlight previous studies on C. album, including its botanical description, geographical distribution, genetic diversity, ecological variability, ethnomedicinal use, bioactive compounds, pharmacological properties, and toxicology. The data collected on C. album was generated using various scientific research databases such as SciFinder, PubMed, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, and Wiley Online. In this review, the data presented focus on C. album to elucidate its ethnomedicinal use, pharmacological activities, and chemical composition in order to investigate the possible therapeutic pathways of the plant. Analysis of the findings showed that C. album has a capital power in various therapeutic uses such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, antipruritic, anticancer, antiulcer, antirheumatic, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory as well as other biological functions. Indeed, data on the chemical composition of the extracts and essential oils of this plant revealed its richness in secondary metabolites. The results of this paper prove that the pharmacological properties of C. album confirm its traditional importance in the international traditional pharmacopeia. This species notably exhibits various biological activities; antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects. However, toxicological investigations and pharmacokinetic validation are necessary in order to identify a possible toxicity of this plant for future clinical trials and to validate its bioavailability.

Interspecies Recombination-Led Speciation of a Novel Geminivirus in Pakistan.

Recombination between isolates of different virus species has been known to be one of the sources of speciation. Weeds serve as mixing vessels for begomoviruses, infecting a wide range of economically important plants, thereby facilitating recombination. Chenopodium album is an economically important weed spread worldwide. Here, we present the molecular characterization of a novel recombinant begomovirus identified from C. album in Lahore, Pakistan. The complete DNA- A genome of the virus associated with the leaf distortion occurred in the infected C. album plants was cloned and sequenced. DNA sequence analysis showed that the nucleotide sequence of the virus shared 93% identity with those of the rose leaf curl virus and the duranta leaf curl virus. Interestingly, this newly identified virus is composed of open reading frames (ORFs) from different origins. Phylogenetic networks and complementary recombination detection methods revealed extensive recombination among the sequences. The infectious clone of the newly detected virus was found to be fully infectious in C. album and Nicotiana benthamiana as the viral DNA was successfully reconstituted from systemically infected tissues of inoculated plants, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Our study reveals a new speciation of an emergent ssDNA plant virus associated with C. album through recombination and therefore, proposed the tentative name 'Chenopodium leaf distortion virus' (CLDV).

Investigation of Selected Medicinal Plants for Their Anti-Obesity Properties.

Objectives: Obesity, which is a risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, is caused serious health problems and economic costs on a global scale. Nowadays, pancreatic lipase inhibitors that cause inhibition of lipid digestion and lipid absorption are one of the limited treatment approaches for obesity. Plant-derived secondary metabolites can be used for treating obesity. The aim of this study was to research the antiobesity potential of Amaranthus albus L. (Amaranthaceae), Helichrysum compactum Boiss. (Asteraceae), Chenopodium album L. (Chenopodiaceae), and Agrimonia eupatoria L. (Rosaceae). Materials and Methods: To detect the antiobesity potentials of the plants, in vitro lipase inhibitory activity studies by spectroscopic method and quantitative analysis studies of some anti-obesity effective secondary metabolites by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) technique were carried out. Results: In vitro lipase inhibitory studies showed that all plant extracts possess lipase inhibitory effect, and the highest lipase inhibitory potential was observed for H. compactum (IC50: 45.70 µg/mL ± 2.3618). According to HPLC analyses, p-coumaric acid (0.27 mg/g) in A. albus; benzoic acid (0.33 mg/g) in C. album; vanillic acid (7.32 mg/g), syringaldehyde (14.97 mg/g), quercetin (4.66 mg/g), p-coumaric acid (0.71 mg/g), and benzoic acid (3.43 mg/g) in H. compactum; p-coumaric acid (0.71 mg/g) and benzoic acid (3.43 mg/g) in A. eupatoria were detected. Conclusion: In conclusion, H. compactum is the most remarkable natural source for the study. The fact remains that all plants may be promising candidates for treating obesity.