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Objective(s): During aging, cerebral structures undergo changes due to oxidative stress. The consumption of some plants seems to improve neurological health. For example, rosemary extract (RE) which is widely used as a flavoring food has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of RE on the changes related to the aging process in the prefrontal cortex (PFC).Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats including young and old were purchased. Each group was divided into two subgroups: vehicle and rosemary (old vehicle (OV), old rosemary (OR), young vehicle (YV), and young rosemary (YR) groups). Then, we examined the number of intact neurons, myelin base protein (MBP), white matter (WM), levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the PFC. Results: The results showed that in the old vehicle rats compared to the young group without treatment, except for the MDA level (which increased), other variables significantly decreased (P≤0.05). Additionally, RE consumption demonstrated a significant elevation of WMA, MBP intensity, number of intact neurons, and GPx activity level, while MDA levels significantly reduced in the treated old rats compared to the old vehicle group (P≤0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the OR and YV groups (P≥0.05). Conclusion: Overall, it seems that RE can protect and improve aging damages in the PFC due to its anti-oxidant properties. So, the use of RE can be a suitable strategy to prevent aging complications in the brain.

Nonessential heavy metals are toxic to human health. In this study, mercury, a hazardous metal, was detected by colorimetric analysis using Murraya koenigii. The eco-friendliness of this method was also emphasized. UV spectrum is a broad peak observed at 200–250 nm in P. guajava leaf extracts. The UV spectrum of green synthesized P. guajava exhibited an absorption band of 418 nm, which confirms the nanoparticle synthesis. FTIR analysis of the vibrational peak around 3307 cm−1 is assigned to ν(O–H) stretching that could possibly emanate from carbohydrates or phenolics. The peaks found around 2917 and 2849 cm−1 are ascribed to the –C-H stretch of the alkyl group, and the peak around 1625 cm−1 is due to the enolic β-diketones or -C = O stretch of carboxylic acids, while the corresponding -C-O stretch is observed around 1375 and 1029 cm−1. The assignment of peaks is similar. It is clear from the SEM image that the constituent parts were non-uniform sphere-shaped, agglomerated, and of an average size of 30.9 nm. XRD analysis was utilized to determine the structural characteristics and crystalline nature of P. guajava. The observed intensity peaks at 32.35°, 36.69°, 39.24°, 44.76°, 59.42°, and 67.35° represent the 2θ values for P. guajava in the diffraction pattern, aligning with the values in the standard database. The synthesized AgNPs tested antibacterial properties against various strains of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli, 25 μg/mL 6.02 ± 0.17 and 100 μg/mL 7.3 ± 0.05, Staphylococcus aureus, 25 μg/mL 05.02 ± 0.07 and 100 μg/mL 11.3 ± 1.12, Streptococcus mutans, 25 μg/mL 04.02 ± 0.19 and 100 μg/mL 11.1 ± 0.11, Enterococcus faecalis, 25 µg/mL 0.8.05 ± 0.11 and 100 µg/mL 11.7 ± 0.02. The short novelty of Psidium guajava (guava) lies in its potential relevance to human health, as it has been found to possess bioactive compounds with various medicinal properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, making it a promising natural resource for therapeutic applications.

Abstract Background Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a respiratory ailment that causes the substitution of healthy lung tissue with scar tissue due to collagen deposition and fibroblast proliferation. The incidence of PF increased with the successive waves of Coronaviruses and other viruses affecting the lungs. Therefore, the priority is moving toward treatment with medicinal plants for their active constituents. Salvia officinalis L. herbal drug (sage, family; Lamiaceae) is characterized by its strong antioxidative activity. This study aims to declare the effect of using sage ethanol extract (SOEE) as a protective agent from PF through an in vivo study on mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced lung fibrosis and in vitro evaluation of its anticancer, antiviral, and antioxidant activities concerning its phytoconstituents. Results Twelve compounds were isolated and identified as apigenin, luteolin, genkwanin, quercetin, hispidulin, luteolin-7-O-β- glucopyranoside, rutin, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid chlorogenic acid, and ellagic acid. The results of antioxidants indicated that SOEE exhibited the greatest efficacy as an antioxidant agent in the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay with inhibitory concentration (IC50) 23.21 ± 1.17 µg/ mL followed by 1864.71 and 1793.80 µM Trolox equivalent/mg extract for ferric ion reducing antioxidant power and 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), respectively. SOEE showed notable cytotoxic activity against A549. Oral administration of SOEE at 69.4 and 173.5 mg/kg.bw afforded a noteworthy protective effect against HgCl2-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Also, lung superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were increased by SOEE. That was in parallel with working to reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA), necrosis factor kappa (NF-κB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels. The lung P53, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, AKT, and vanin-1 gene expression was upregulated in SOEE-treated rats compared to HgCl2-treated rats. Conclusion SOEE reduces acute lung injury and can be used to inhibit the proliferation and migration of lung fibrotic cells. These activities may be related to its high antioxidant activity, which could result from the phenolic constituents. The authors recommended using sage in the treatment of lung diseases to protect from lung fibrosis. Additional animal and human experiments are needed for future research. Graphical abstract

Background: Pruritus, or itching, is a distressing symptom associated with various dermatological and systemic diseases. L-carnitine (βeta hydroxy-γ-tri methyl amino-butyric acid), is a naturally occurring substance, it controls numerous physiological processes. The present research aims to identify L-carnitine for its anti-pruritic effect via nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. Methods: Chloroquine-induced pruritus serves as an experimental model to investigate possible therapeutic interventions. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of L-carnitine in combating oxidative stress, nitric oxide, and inflammatory cytokines in a chloroquine-induced pruritus model. Results: L-carnitine treatment significantly reduced scratching behavior compared to the disease group (***P < 0.001 vs. chloroquine group), indicating its antipruritic potential. The markers of oxidative stress, GST, GSH, Catalase, and LPO were dysregulated in the disease model, but administration of L-carnitine restored GST, GSH, and Catalase levels and decreased LPO levels (***P < 0.001 vs. chloroquine group), thereby alleviating oxidative stress. L-carnitine also reduced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, suggesting that it modulates nitric oxide signaling pathways involved in pruritus. In addition, L-carnitine lowered levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), inflammatory marker nuclear factor kappa B (p-NFκB) and also reduces an inflammatory enzyme, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), determined by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) (***P < 0.001 vs. chloroquine group). It downregulates nNOS mRNA expression confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Conclusion: These findings highlight the therapeutic effects of L-carnitine in alleviating chloroquine-induced pruritus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important bulbs crops farmed in India is garlic (Allium sativum L.). It is a rich source of bioactive substances that satisfy a person’s daily nutritional demands for well-being. Allicin is the most prominent bioactive compound in garlic that exhibits various pharmacological properties including highly antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, anti-aging, and anti-hyperlipidemic effects. It offers defense against a variety of malignancies such as asthma, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, fever, cough, headache, stomach discomfort, low and high blood sugar, and snakebites can all be treated with garlic. Raw garlic has been proven the ‘Panacea’ for cardiovascular and heart-related diseases since earlier ago. This review emphasizes the biological role of this wonderful medicinal plant in the treatment of various ailments. The medicinal effects of different constituents of this plant have been also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of trash from agricultural waste materials has been acknowledged as a feasible substitute for producing nanoparticles in an economical and sustainable manner. In the present study, an agro-waste Limonia acidissima shell extract was used in synthesizing pure and rare earth (Samarium) doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles. XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, SAED, and UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis examine the crystal structure, surface morphology and size, and optical properties of the prepared nanomaterials. The surface defects and oxygen vacancies were examined from the photoluminescence spectrum (PL). The oxidation state of Zn (2p), O (1 s) and Sm (3 d) was confirmed from XPS studies. The antibacterial performance of pure and doped ZnO NPs was evaluated against two pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus oralis, by agar well diffusion method at different concentrations with amoxicillin as a positive control. Besides, the DPPH radical scavenging activity was calculated as 91.15% (ZW) and 82.15% (ZSW) at 500 μg/mL. These results strongly endorse the potential of Sm-doped ZnO as a new biocidal agent for clinical and healthcare applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is an emerging area of science with diverse implementations, including medicine and drug delivery. Often for drug delivery, nanoparticles and nanocarriers were used. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease with numerous complications, including advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs advance neurodegeneration, obesity, renal dysfunction, retinopathy, and many more. Here, we have used zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesised with Sesbania grandiflora (hummingbird tree). ZnO nanoparticles and S. grandiflora are known for their biocompatibility and medicinal property, such as anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, and anti-oxidant. So, we analysed the anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-AGEs, and cytotoxic effects of green synthesised and characterised ZnO nanoparticles with S. grandiflora (SGZ) and the leaf extract of S. grandiflora. Characterisation results indicated the synthesis of ZnO Nps at maximum concentration; the anti-oxidant assay showed 87.5% free radicle scavenging with DPPH. Additionally, anti-diabetic (72% α-amylase and 65% of α-glucosidase inhibition) and cell viability also exhibited promising results. In conclusion, SGZ can reduce the absorption of carbohydrates from the diet, elevate glucose uptake, and prevent protein glycation. So, it could be a potential tool for treating diabetes, hyperglycemia, and AGE-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): During aging, cerebral structures undergo changes due to oxidative stress. The consumption of some plants seems to improve neurological health. For example, rosemary extract (RE) which is widely used as a flavoring food has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of RE on the changes related to the aging process in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats including young and old were purchased. Each group was divided into two subgroups: vehicle and rosemary (old vehicle (OV), old rosemary (OR), young vehicle (YV), and young rosemary (YR) groups). Then, we examined the number of intact neurons, myelin base protein (MBP), white matter (WM), levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the PFC. Results: The results showed that in the old vehicle rats compared to the young group without treatment, except for the MDA level (which increased), other variables significantly decreased (P≤0.05). Additionally, RE consumption demonstrated a significant elevation of WMA, MBP intensity, number of intact neurons, and GPx activity level, while MDA levels significantly reduced in the treated old rats compared to the old vehicle group (P≤0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the OR and YV groups (P≥0.05). Conclusion: Overall, it seems that RE can protect and improve aging damages in the PFC due to its anti-oxidant properties. So, the use of RE can be a suitable strategy to prevent aging complications in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folic acid (FA) plays an important role in the maintenance of normal neurological functions such as memory and learning function. Neuroinflammation contributes to the progression of cognitive disorders and Alzheimer's disease. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of FA supplementation on cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, and neuro-inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injured rats. For this purpose, the rats were given FA (5–20 mg/kg/day, oral) for 3 weeks. In the third week, LPS (1 mg/kg/day; intraperitoneal injection) was given before the Morris water maze (MWM) and passive avoidance (PA) tests. Finally, the brains were removed for biochemical assessments. In the MWM test, LPS increased the escape latency and traveled distance to find the platform compared to the control group, whereas all doses of FA decreased them compared to the LPS group. The findings of the probe trial showed that FA increased the traveling time and distance in the target area. LPS impaired the performance of the rats in the PA test. FA increased delay and light time while decreasing the frequency of entry and time in the dark region of PA. LPS increased hippocampal levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β. The hippocampal level of malondialdehyde was also increased but thiol content and superoxide dismutase activity were decreased in the LPS group. However, treatment with FA restored the oxidative stress markers along with a reduction in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, FA could ameliorate the memory and learning deficits induced by LPS via normalizing the inflammatory response and oxidative stress markers in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids are a diverse group of naturally occurring plant compounds that are primarily composed of phenols in their free form or glycosides. Flavonoid medicines are primarily composed of 2‐phenyl‐g‐benzopyrone. This family consists of monomeric flavanols, flavanones, anthocyanidins, flavones, isoflavonoids, and flavonols. The study's main objective is to review the newly discovered natural flavones and flavanols, as well as the biological and pharmacological actions of these essential flavonoids. As per the available data, 3‐hydroxy flavone plays a vital role in the prevention of a range of diseases. Research studies have confirmed that 3‐hydroxyflavone has a broad range of pharmacological properties like therapeutic effects against pain, inflammation, oxidative stress; hepatotoxicity, hypertension, ulcerogenesis, allergy, platelet dysfunction, microbes, fungi, viruses, rhinovirus, malaria, and carcinogens. 3‐Hydroxy flavone has limited utility because of their poor solubility and bioavailability. This has led to the search for new drug delivery methods, such as nanoparticles. To get over these problems, it would be preferable to administer 3‐hydroxyflavone via the biocompatible nanoparticles. It is expected that nanoparticles will improve the solubility of 3‐hydroxyflavone, enhance its therapeutic properties and facilitate its transport to the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key summary points: Aim: To evaluate the relationship between frailty, and thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters, and ischemia-modified albumin levels. Findings: Native thiol, total thiol levels, and disulfide–thiol ratios were associated with physical frailty. Message: Thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters can be used to identify physical frailty. Newly developed oxidative stress parameters are required to determine frailty, as indicated by both phenotype and cumulative models. Aim: To evaluate relationship between frailty and oxidative stress through thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters [Native thiol (NT), total thiol (TT), and disulfide levels (D), disulfide–native thiol (D/NT), disulfide–total thiol (D/TT), native thiol–total thiol (NT/TT) ratios, and ischemia-modified albumin levels (IMA)]. Materials and methods: In total, 139 community-dwelling older adults were included. The frailty status, defined by the FRIED frailty index (FFI) and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), and comprehensive geriatric assessment results compared with thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters and ischemia-modified albumin levels. Results: NT and TT levels were significantly lower in the frail group (respectively; p = 0.014, p = 0.020). The FFI scores were correlated with the levels of NT, TT, D/NT, D/TT, and NT/TT (respectively; r = − 0.25, r = − 0.24, r = 0.17, r = 0.17, r = − 0.17). The significant correlation could not be retained with the CFS scores. In ROC analysis, the AUC for NT was calculated as 0.639 in diagnosing frailty according to the FFI (95% CI 0.542–0.737), AUC was 0.638 for TT (95% CI 0.540–0.735), and AUC was 0.610 for NT/TT (95% CI 0.511–0.780). The AUC was calculated as 0.610 for both D/NT and D/TT in diagnosing physical frailty (95% CI 0.511–0.708). Conclusion: Thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters can be a potential biomarker in diagnosing physical frailty. However, further studies are needed for diagnosing frailty defined with cumulative deficit models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Psoriasis is a complex, chronic, immune-mediated, and hereditary skin disease. The present study attempted to determine whether adding CoQ10 to biological therapy can help relieve inflammation in Iraqi patients suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis. Materials & Methods A prospective, double-blind clinical trial took place in the Department of Dermatology at Merjan Teaching Hospital in Babylon, Iraq, over three months from August to November 2021. 30 individuals from 17 to 72 years old with persistent plaque psoriasis who met the criteria for biological therapy were selected by the available sampling method. Participants were allocated into two groups (each 15 members); Group A was treated with Adalimumab + placebo (corn starch), and Group B was treated with Adalimumab + 100mg CoQ10 adjuvant. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was utilized. The sera were utilized to calculate the human superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde via the ELISA technique. Findings When compared to the patients before treatment, the two groups showed a substantial decline (p<0.05) after treatment; However, group B, which added CoQ10 to biological treatment, showed a highly significant decrease (p<0.05) in mean SOD level and MDA after treatment. Furthermore, following twelve weeks of treatment, group B's use of combined adjuvant therapy showed even greater recovery, as indicated by a 79% PIC PASI score improvement instead of a 60% PIC score. Conclusion Daily administration of 100mg CoQ10 supplements to psoriatic subjects for 12 weeks has beneficial effects on reducing oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: One of the most prevalent cancers worldwide is lung cancer with the second top fatality rate. The purpose of this work is to disclose the anti-proliferative ability of hydroalcoholic Ficus benghalensis bark extract against lung cancer cell line (A549). Materials and Methods: Antioxidant property of Ficus benghalensis bark extract was studied using a, a-diphenyl-ß-picrylhydrazyl and Hydrogen Peroxide assays. The investigation of anti-proliferative property of Ficus benghalensis hydroalcoholic bark extract was carried out through tetrazolium salt-based cytotoxicity assay, cell viability assessment using trypan blue dye and morphometric analysis. The cytotoxic potency was analysed by propidium iodide staining, oxidative stress markers determination and expression of apoptotic gene markers such as Bax, c-MYC and PARP. Results: The anti-oxidant assays revealed the great radical scavenging property of Ficus benghalensis bark extract. Ficus benghalensis hydroalcoholic bark extract showed 50.12% inhibition at 50 µg/mL which is also confirmed by viability assay. In morphometric analysis the distortion of cells were noted in treated groups. The nuclear staining and gene expression studies further confirms the anti-cancer activity of Ficus benghalensis hydroalcoholic bark extract. The estimation of release of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation was high in treated groups which also supports the previous results. Conclusion: The study emphasize the anti proliferative and anti oxidant property of Ficus benghalensis hydroalcoholic bark extract against A549 cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) is a member of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon family. It is a member of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon family. It is a mutagenic, carcinogenic, and immunosuppressor agent. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid. It has anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible protective and therapeutic benefits of CBD oil in DMBA-induced leukemia in rats. Method: Experimental animals were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group 1 (normal control) included healthy rats. Group 2 included normal rats that received olive oil. Group 3 included normal rats that received CBD. Group 4 included the DMBA-induced leukemic group. Group 5 (prophylactic group) included rats that received CBD as a prophylaxis before IV injection with DMBA. Group 6 (treated group) included DMBA-induced leukemic rats that received CBD as treatment. Liver functions (total, direct and indirect bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, globulin, and albumin globulin ratio) were measured. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also measured. Total RNA extraction followed by-real time qRT-PCR gene expression of LC3-II, Beclin, mTOR, and P62 was performed. Histopathological examination of liver and spleen tissues was performed. Results: Administration of CBD in groups 5 and 6 resulted in a significant improvement of the levels of liver functions compared to the leukemic untreated rats. Also, the levels of catalase and SOD significantly increased after treatment with CBD compared to the leukemic group. After treatment with CBD in groups 5 and 6, there were downregulations in the expression of all studied genes compared to leukemic untreated rats. Treatment with CBD was more statistically effective than prophylactic use. Conclusion: Administration of CBD resulted in a significant improvement in the biochemical, antioxidant status, morphological, and molecular measures in DMBA-induced leukemia in adult male rats. The therapeutic use was more effective than the prophylactic one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal herbs have been used since the time of the Vedas. The plants have therapeutic qualities in every part. Secondary metabolites of extensive variety are present in medicinal plants and are utilised in the production of medications as well as in the treatment of many different ailments. Withania somnifera is a medicinal plant, have various properties. 'Ashwagandha' is the popular name of Withania somnifera. It is offered as churna, a finely sieved powder that can be combined with ghee, water or honey. It has memory-enhancing, anti-oxidant, anti-stress, anti-venom, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. It is employed to treat a variety of clinical problems. In addition to being used as a suppressant in HIV/AIDS patients, Withania somnifera is used to treat ulcers, emaciation, colds, coughs, diabetes, conjunctivitis, insomnia, senile dementia, epilepsy, leprosy, Parkinson's disease, nervous disorders, rheumatism, arthritis, intestinal infections, bronchitis and asthma. The review article concentrates on the Withania somnifera plant's different pharmacological qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals work to maintain homeostasis in the body, but their excessive production causes damage to the organism. The human body is composed of a variety of cells totaling over 60 trillion cells. Each cell performs different functions and has a unique lifespan. The lifespan of cells is preprogrammed in their genes, and the death of cells that have reached the end of their lifespan is called apoptosis. This is contrary to necrosis, which is the premature death of cells brought about by physical or scientific forces. Each species has its own unique lifespan, which in humans is estimated to be up to 120 years. Elucidating the mechanism of the death of a single cell will lead to a better understanding of human death, and, conversely, the death of a single cell will lead to exploring the mechanisms of life. In this sense, research on active oxygen and free radicals, which are implicated in biological disorders and homeostasis, requires an understanding of both the physicochemical as well as the biochemical aspects. Based on the discussion above, it is clear to see that active oxygen and free radicals have dual functions of both injuring and facilitating homeostasis in living organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three homogeneous fractions, PSP-N-b-1, PSP-N-b-2, and PSP-N-c-1, were obtained from an aqueous extract of Polygonatum using DEAE cellulose column chromatography, CL-6B agarose gel chromatography, and Sephadex G100 chromatography. Their monosaccharide compositions and molecular weights were analyzed. The results revealed that PSP-N-b-1, PSP-N-b-2, and PSP-N-c-1 are primarily composed of six monosaccharides: Man (mannose), GlcA (glucuronic acid), Rha (rhamnose), GalA (galacturonic acid), Glc (glucose), and Ara (arabinose), with molecular weights of 6.3 KDa, 5.78 KDa, and 3.45 KDa, respectively. Furthermore, we observed that Polygonatum polysaccharides exhibited protective effects against CCL4-induced liver damage in HepG2 cells in vitro, operating through both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Our research findings suggest that Polygonatum polysaccharides may emerge as a promising option in the development of hepatoprotective drugs or functional foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research contains synthesis, DNA-interaction analysis, in vitro anti-oxidant evaluation, and antibacterial assay of triazole-azomethine hybrids. Consequently, the synthesized hybrids were subjected to molecular docking (MD), density functional theory (DFT) guided experimental DNA-interaction studies, in vitro DPPH quenching, and bactericidal assay. Subsequently, the screened hybrids displayed higher DNA binding abilities in DNA-interaction studies. Notably, the hybrids bearing 4-hydroxy-), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-), and 4-bromo-) groups displayed higher binding ability in the DNA grooves with respective interaction strengths in the range of 3.43–6.43 × 10–3 M−1 higher than the reference Cis-platin (3.142 × 10–3 M−1) augmented by MD and DFT analysis. Similarly, DFT-guided UV–visible spectroscopy-based anti-oxidant assay revealed potent oxidative nature of the screened hybrids. DPPH free radical scavenging ability in terms of IC50 values falls within a narrow range of 22.30–34.22 μM. The screened hybrids bearing 4-hydroxy-), 3,4-dihydroxy-), and 2,3,4-trihydroxy-) groups display highest DPPH scavenging potential with respective IC50 values of 34.22 μM, 32.11 μM, and 29.30 μM. Moreover, the synthesized hybrids were evaluated against gram-negative and positive bacterial strains, indicating their inhibitory potential as zone of inhibition (ZOI). Briefly, the screened hybrid bearing 2,3,4-trihydroxy-) group displayed ZOI (21 mm) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram-negative strain) higher than Benzylpenicillin (18 mm). The remaining hybrids possess inhibitory potential comparable to the reference. Conversely, the screened hybrids showed varied responses against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive strain), with highest ZOI (16 mm) displayed by the hybrid with 4-hydroxy-) group. Thus, the obtained ZOI suggests the potent hybrids to be explored further as effective motifs against gram-negative and positive bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a major health problem worldwide that hinders normal life. Diabetes is a leading cause of death with high prevalence across the globe. Many drugs are used for the management of type 2 diabetes, unfortunately with some side effects including abdominal pain, kidney, liver, heart complications, and most commonly life-threatening hypoglycemia. Furthermore, these medications mitigate hyperglycemia symptoms and do not address the root cause, which is lipid accumulation in the pancreas, liver, and muscles. Therefore, there is a need for a safe natural product that manages diabetes and reduces obesity with fewer side effects. Shilajit, which is an exudate from many rock layers of mountains, especially the Himalayas, is made up of plant and microbial metabolites, including a mixture of organic humus, humic acid, fulvic acid, and minerals. It was used for many ailments in old traditional medicine and in current human and animal studies, in which its safety and fewer side effects were affirmed. Shilajit has anti-diabetic properties that include anti-hyperglycemia, antiobesity, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, increased metabolism, and important minerals. Anti-hyperglycemia of shilajit could be due to decreasing oxidative stress, decreasing inflammation, and increasing metabolism that leads to the burning of fat and decreasing obesity; all of these are implicated in insulin resistance and diabetes. Other uses of Shilajit include treatment of cancer, allergy, and increased immunity. More clinical studies are required to explore the mechanisms and benefits of Shilajit, as recent research is promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutritive value of mulberry leaves makes it the only food of silkworms (Bombyx mori L.). It is recorded that 6.73 million hectares of area are affected by salinity and sodicity stresses covering various states of the country, which is becoming one of the major threats to popularizing sericulture in India. In the present study, chlorophyll, protein, catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase content of leaves of six mulberry germplasm viz., English Black, Kolitha-3, C776, Rotundiloba, BC259, and S1 grown under coastal saline soils of South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, India was investigated. Results demonstrated a sharp decrease in the chlorophyll (2.35 to1.19 mg.g FW-1) and protein (30.10 to 15.20 mg.g FW-1) contents of leaves of all the mulberry germplasm with increasing soil salinity (1.60 to 22.70 dS.m-1). On the contrary, the number of stress-related antioxidant enzymes like catalase, peroxidases, and superoxide dismutase increased from 1.15 to 5.43, 1.43 to 4.76, and 8.65 to 25.15 g-1 FW.min-1, respectively. Overall, the field study indicated the superiority of Kolitha-3 and C776 grown in Canning (Canning I and II), Basanti, Namkhana, Kakdwip, and Sagar blocks of coastal regions of South 24 Parganas. The study deals with issues of the utilization of scarce land promoting income-generating avenues like sericulture in saline areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease is a complex and progressive form of dementia. Its treatment relies on the behavioral and cognitive symptoms of an individual. Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a primary strategy used for treating Alzheimer's disease. Pyrazoline is a well-recognized nitrogen-containing five-membered heterocyclic skeleton. The unique structure of pyrazoline gives it a spatial configuration that leads to the multiple substitution pattern and advanced pharmacological properties. In an attempt to identify potent acetylcholine (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors, new pyrazoline derivatives (IIIa–IIId) were synthesized using conventional method. The synthesised compounds were purified by column chromatography and were analysed using LCMS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and Mass Spectroscopic HR-MS techniques. The derivatives underwent initial screening for in-vitro antioxidant potential. The most potent compound, IIIa, showed IC50 values of 22.15 and 25.09 nM against AChE and BChE, respectively. Additionally, in-silico screening with AutoDock tools indicated that IIIa had promising binding affinities to the targets, with a binding energy (− 8.9 kcal/mol) comparable to donepezil (− 10.6 kcal/mol). The binding pattern of IIIa to AChE's active site justified its in-vitro inhibitory activity. These findings suggest that compound IIIa has potential as a new therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease and is suitable for pre-clinical evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress and its impact on aging are critical areas of research. Natural anti-oxidants, such as saponins found in Polygonatum sibiricum, hold promise as potential clinical interventions against aging. In this study, we utilized the nematode model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, to investigate the pharmacological effects of Polygonatum sibiricum saponins (PKS) on antioxidation and anti-aging. The results demonstrated a significant anti-aging biological activity associated with PKS. Through experiments involving lifespan and stress, lipofuscin, q-PCR, and ROS measurement, we found that PKS effectively mitigated aging-related processes. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying these anti-aging effects was linked to the SKN-1 signaling pathway. PKS increased the nuclear localization of the SKN-1 transcription factor, leading to the up-regulation of downstream anti-oxidant genes, such as gst-4 and sod-3, and a substantial reduction in intracellular ROS levels within the nematode. In conclusion, our study sheds light on the anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties of PKS in C. elegans. This research not only contributes to understanding the biological mechanisms involved but also highlights the potential therapeutic applications of these natural compounds in combating aging-related processes.

The emergence of metallic nanoparticles through green synthesis has garnered significant recognition, shaping global research efforts towards eco-friendly practices, often termed as the green revolution. Specifically, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has made considerable strides in the past decade, becoming a prominent fixture in the realm of science and technology. The study explores the synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Cassia fistula L. flowers extract through chemical co-precipitation (CM_AgNPs) and green methods (CFF_AgNPs). Characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), attenuated total reflectance fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), revealed irregular morphologies with agglomeration, polycrystalline nature, and intrinsic functional groups involved in capping AgNPs. Antioxidant assessment demonstrated superior antioxidative activity (84.48 %) in green-synthesized nanoparticles compared to chemically synthesized ones (75.87 %), and they exhibited dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effects with IC50 values CFF_AgNPs_30.19 μg/mL and CM_AgNPs _34.14 μg/mL respectively. The lower IC50 value of CFF_AgNPs_30.19 μg/mL signifies finer and better activity due to the presence of phytochemicals present in it. Whereas for CM_AgNPs the IC50 value is a 34.14 μg/mL which is solely due to AgNPs. To ensure the promising therapeutic aspects of AgNPs with a careful assessment of their safety profile, cytotoxicity of AgNPs on HEP3B cancer cells was evaluated through MTT assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level measurement. In the in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation, HEP3B demonstrated more pronounced dose-dependent adverse effects upon exposure to CFF_AgNPs compared to CM_AgNPs. This study underscores the bioactive potential of Cassia fistula L. mediated AgNPs, suggesting promising applications in biomedicine with environmental sustainability. The findings contribute to the growing interest in green synthesis methods for metallic nanoparticles and their potential benefits in various fields.

Dragon fruit or pitaya is an incredible functional food that provides nutraceutical benefits owing to its prebiotic activity and has gained attention in recent years owing to its multiple therapeutic values such as anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. It also exhibits wound healing, anti-anemic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and microvascular protective properties. These therapeutic values have been a result of different phytoconstituents such as polyphenols, pigments, flavonoids, fatty acids, terpenoids, steroids, vitamins, sugars, minerals and dietary fibers which can be extracted from peel, seeds and flesh part. This review describes wide range of functional components that the fruit contains; their method of extraction and the therapeutic activities they offer. The anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects of the dragon fruit are attributed to the presence of polyphenols, terpenoids, flavonoids and pigments etc. Its nutraceutical activities are facilitated by the fatty acids, vitamins and sugars; while the anti-diabetic effects are mainly due to presence of flavonoids. Further, flavonoids are also responsible for the hepato-protective and tissue repair activities. The increasing interest of researchers on this fruit may further reveal new therapeutic activities of this extraordinary fruit in coming years.

Paraquat (PQ) an herbicide that is commonly used to remove undesirable grasses. However, PQ also causes cardiac damage through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Didymin (DYD) is a dietary flavone, present in citrus fruits and campanula. DYD displays multiple therapeutic activities i.e., anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and free radical salvaging. Therefore, the present study was planned to explore the ameliorative effect of DYD against PQ instigated cardiac damage. 24 rats were separated into 4 groups, control, PQ administered PQ + DYD co-administered orally and DYD only administered group. PQ intoxication significantly reduced anti-oxidants including (SOD, GST, GSH, CAT, GPx and GSR activities, while increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS levels. PQ intoxication escalated the level of cardiac injury marker i.e., creatine kinase myoglobin binding (CK-MB), troponin, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). PQ also augmented inflammatory markers i.e., (TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, IL-6 levels and COX-2 activity). Moreover, PQ intoxication escalated the apoptotic proteins levels (Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9), while decreasing Bcl-2 level. PQ intoxication also prompted histomorphological anomalies in the heart of rats. Conversely, DYD therapy restored all the anomalies and structural abnormalities owing to its cardioprotective potentials.

Prion diseases, also known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), are protein-based neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) affecting humans and animals. They are characterized by the conformational conversion of the normal cellular prion protein, PrPC, into the pathogenic isoform, PrPSc. Prion diseases are invariably fatal and despite ongoing research, no effective prophylactic or therapeutic avenues are currently available. Anthocyanins (ACNs) are unique flavonoid compounds and interest in their use as potential neuroprotective and/or therapeutic agents against NDs, has increased significantly in recent years. Therefore, we investigated the potential anti-oxidant and anti-prion effects of Oenin and Myrtillin, two of the most common anthocyanins, using the most accepted in the field overexpressing PrPSc in vitro model and a cell free protein aggregation model. Our results, indicate both anthocyanins as strong anti-oxidant compounds, upregulating the expression of genes involved in the anti-oxidant response, and reducing the levels of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), produced due to pathogenic prion infection, through the activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. Importantly, they showcased remarkable anti-prion potential, as they not only caused the clearance of pathogenic PrPSc aggregates, but also completely inhibited the formation of PrPSc fibrils in the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) of patients with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD). Therefore, Oenin and Myrtillin possess pleiotropic effects, suggesting their potential use as promising preventive and/or therapeutic agents in prion diseases and possibly in the spectrum of neurodegenerative proteinopathies.

A series of novel Di‑tert‑butyl(E)-4‑hydroxy-6-(hydroxyimino)-4-methyl-2-arylcyclohexane-1,3-dicarboxylate derivatives were synthesized in two steps with excellent yields. In the First step, tert‑butylacetoacetate and substituted benzaldehyde were directly condensed using methylamine catalyst in ethanol as a solvent to create substituted 1,3-bis(tert‑butoxycarbonyl)-cyclohexanone. A second stage involved synthesizing BHMAC (Ar = pH and Ar = p-OCH3C6H4) by treating the respective ketones in an ethanol medium with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium acetate trihydrate. NMR, IR, and mass spectroscopy were used to confirm the oxime derivatives. Density functional theory calculations at the DFT/B3LYP level using 6–31G++ (d, p) have been performed to reproduce the structure and geometry in order to understand the electrical behavior of synthesized compounds. Using bovine serum albumin, a protein denaturation test is used to assess anti-inflammatory efficacy. BHMAC demonstrates conventional pharmacological molecules in its notable anti-inflammatory action and has effects that are dependent on concentration. Utilizing the phosphomolybdenum technique, the total antioxidant activity of the 2,4-bis(tert‑butoxycarbonyl)-cyclohexanone oxime (2 a and 2 b) was assessed standard Vitamin C medications .The results revealed that 2 a & 2 b possess significant antioxidant activity Molecular docking experiments indicate that the chemical may interact with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant causing enzymes. Strong binding energies and inhibition constants with cyclooxygenase (PDB: 1PGG) are demonstrated by BHMAC, suggesting that it is a suitable material for investigations pertaining to anti-inflammatory. BHMAC's remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, together with its synthesis and characterization, highlight its potential as a viable candidate for more biomedical research and therapeutic development.

The need to promote functional food with potent antioxidant recipe on our table is another professional challenge now and of the future. This study unveiled the amino acid property and the anti -oxidant profile of functional Ogi derived from B. aeqyptiaca del proteins. The result showed that Arginine (7.50 %) and threonine (4.76 %) were high in DAM-Ogi .Cysteine (1.27 %) in PP-Ogi and histidine (3.50 %) in APCOgi, this is an indications that these samples are good anti -oxidants .The EAA (4.76 %), AAA (10.63 %),BCAA (22.77 %) HAA (46.53 %) and SCAA (3.23 %) were respectively high in PP-Ogi. DPPH (100 %), metal chelation (45 %) and ABTC (34.5 %) were high in DAM-Ogi, Superoxide radical scavenging activity (25 %) and FRAP (60 %) were high in APC sample while DPPH (100 %), metal chelation (44 %) and MDA (100 %) were also high in PP-Ogi. The PP-Ogi sample had better functional potentials, but total anti- oxidant ability (ABTS) was higher in DAM-Ogi sample. The excellent ability of DAM-Ogi and PP- Ogi as a better bio-functional mix, concludes that the use of DAM-Ogi based on process economy and PP-Ogi from B. aeqyptiaca seed could release potent bio -active ingredients that could aid metabolic cells and also quench metabolic free radical when consumed as functional Ogi mix because mixtures of anti- oxidants from plant derived foods are more advantageous than synthetic anti-oxidants.

Objective(s): This study focused on the evaluation of antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of polyherbal extract (PHE), containing Cassia absus (L.), Gymnema sylvestre (R. Br.), Nigella sativa (L.), and Piper nigrum (L.), in alloxan-induced diabetes model.Materials and Methods: In vitro, HPLC characterization, DPPH scavenging assay, and α-amylase inhibition test were conducted. In vivo, acute oral toxicity of PHE was assessed. Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats (n=6) were orally treated with PHE (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/day) and glibenclamide (GLB; 10 mg/kg/day) for six consecutive weeks. Then, biochemical biomarkers, oxidative stress parameters, histopathological examination, and mRNA expression levels (RT-qPCR) were determined.Results: The presence of polyphenols in PHE was confirmed in correlation to marked DPPH scavenging (IC50: 1.60 mg/ml) and α-amylase inhibition (IC50: 0.82 mg/ml). PHE demonstrated no toxicity in rats up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg. In diabetic rats, PHE dose-dependently ameliorated the serum levels of glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), leptin, and glucokinase (GCK). Also, PHE substantially alleviated serum inflammatory markers (TNF-α and CRP) and oxidative stress indicators (MDA, SOD, and CAT) in pancreatic tissues. PHE, particularly at 600 mg/kg, attenuated cellular oxidative stress via modulating the mRNA expression levels of genes regulating MAPK/JNK (Mapk-8, Traf-4, and Traf-6) and Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathways and promoted insulin signaling through up-regulating insulin signaling cascade (Pdx-1, Ins-1, and Ins-2), as compared to GLB. Furthermore, histopathological findings supported the aforementioned results.Conclusion: Our study suggests that polyherbal extract has promising antioxidant and antidiabetic activities by modulating the MAPK/JNK, Nrf-2/Keap-1, and insulin signaling pathways.

Abstract Terminal irrigation drought stress is one of the most drastic abiotic stress to diminish the wheat crop development and grains yield in arid regions of the world. The use of moringa leaf extract (MLE30) via seed priming technique is investigated as an organic and sustainable approach for the mitigation of drought stress along with curtailed seed rate in wheat crop. The study investigated the interaction of organic seed priming: control (dry seeds), hydro-priming, MLE30-priming, seed rate: recommended @ 125 kg ha−1, curtailed @ 25 kg ha−1, and terminal irrigation drought (TID): normal irrigation, mild-TID, severe-TID in wheat crop at agronomic research station, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during the wheat winter season of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023. The application of organic MLE30-priming with curtailed seed rate enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity especially total soluble proteins by 15%, superoxide dismutase by 68%, peroxidase by 16%, catalase by 70%, ascorbic acid by 17% and total protein contents by 91% under severe-TID. Yield and yield-related morphological attributes performed better in MLE30-priming as compared to hydro-priming. An effective trend was observed in the plant's chlorophyll contents, K+, and water use efficiency after being treated with MLE30-priming followed by hydro-priming under curtailed seed rate. The higher benefit–cost ratio and net income return were observed with the application of MLE30-priming with curtailed seed rate under mild-TID and severe-TID. So, it is suggested to adopt the MLE30-priming technique along with a curtailed seed rate for improving the crop establishment, stress regulation, and economic return under limited availability of irrigation water. The project findings recommended that the application of exogenous application of organic MLE30-seed priming favored and compensated the maximum wheat grains production under curtailed seed rate @ 25 kg ha−1 and induced terminal drought stress at flowering and milking conditions.

For sustainable development, better performance, and less gas pollution during rumen fermentation, there is a need to find a green and safe feed additive for ruminants. Cysteamine (CS) is a biological compound naturally produced in mammalian cells. It is widely used as a growth promoter in ruminants because of its ability to control hormone secretions. It mainly controls the circulating concentration of somatostatin and enhances growth hormone production, leading to improved growth performance. CS modulates the rumen fermentation process in a way beneficial for the animals and environment, leading to less methane production and nutrients loss. Another beneficial effect of using CS is that it improves the availability of nutrients to the animals and enhances their absorption. CS also works as an antioxidant and protects the cells from oxidative damage. In addition, CS has no adverse effects on bacterial and fungal alpha diversity in ruminants. Dietary supplementation of CS enhances the population of beneficial microorganisms. Still, no data is available on the use of CS on reproductive performance in ruminants, so there is a need to evaluate the effects of using CS in breeding animals for an extended period. In this review, the action mode of CS was updated according to recently published data to highlight the beneficial effects of using CS in ruminants.

This study aims to investigate selected medicinal plants’ anti-oxidative and antihyperglycemic activities to develop an effective remedy for lowering blood glucose levels and/or reducing diabetes complications. Thai medicinal plants, reported to have blood sugar-lowering effects, were selected for the study: Coccinia grandis, Gymnema inodorum, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, and Zingiber officinale. Each species was extracted by Soxhlet’s extraction using ethanol as solvent. The ethanolic crude extract of each species was then evaluated for its phytochemicals, anti-oxidant, and antihyperglycemic activities. The results showed that the extract of Z. officinale gave the highest values of total phenolic and total flavonoid content (167.95 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g and 81.70 mg CE/g, respectively). Anti-oxidant activity was determined using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. Among the ethanolic extracts, Z. officinale exhibited the highest anti-oxidant activity with IC50 values of 19.16 and 8.53 µg/mL, respectively. The antihyperglycemic activity was assessed using α-glucosidase inhibitory and glucose consumption activities. M. alba and G. pentaphyllum demonstrated the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity among the ethanolic extracts, with IC50 values of 134.40 and 329.97 µg/mL, respectively. Z. officinale and H. sabdariffa showed the highest percentage of glucose consumption activity in induced insulin-resistant HepG2 cells at a concentration of 50 µg/mL with 145.16 and 107.03%, respectively. The results from α-glucosidase inhibitory and glucose consumption activities were developed as an effective antihyperglycemic remedy. Among the remedies tested, the R1 remedy exhibited the highest potential for reducing blood glucose levels, with an IC50 value of 122.10 µg/mL. Therefore, the R1 remedy should be further studied for its effects on animals.

Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF) is a naturally fermented product used to treat indigestion and increase stomach activity in traditional medicine. This study examined the ability of the hydrothermal extract of MMF to scavenge free radicals corresponding to biological oxidative stresses, further protecting essential biomolecules. The anti-inflammatory effects of MMF were evaluated in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages and zebrafish. In addition, the effects of MMF on the body mass index (BMI) and cholesterol accumulation in adult zebrafish fed a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for three weeks were examined. MMF prevented the DNA and lipid damage caused by oxidative stress, inhibited LDL oxidation, and reduced the expression of cytokines and related proteins (MAPK and NFκB), with prominent anti-oxidative pathway (NRF2-HO-1) activation properties. LPS-induced NO production was reduced, and the increase in BMI and TC caused by the HCD diet was suppressed by MMF in zebrafish embryos or adult zebrafish. The bioactive aglycone of quercetin may be contributing to the mechanisms of systemic effects. MMF has excellent antioxidant properties and is useful for improving inflammation status and metabolic profile, thus highlighting its potential as a healthy, functional food.

Terminal irrigation drought stress is one of the most drastic abiotic stress to diminish the wheat crop development and grains yield in arid regions of the world. The use of moringa leaf extract (MLE30) via seed priming technique is investigated as an organic and sustainable approach for the mitigation of drought stress along with curtailed seed rate in wheat crop. The study investigated the interaction of organic seed priming: control (dry seeds), hydro-priming, MLE30-priming, seed rate: recommended @ 125 kg ha−1, curtailed @ 25 kg ha−1, and terminal irrigation drought (TID): normal irrigation, mild-TID, severe-TID in wheat crop at agronomic research station, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during the wheat winter season of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023. The application of organic MLE30-priming with curtailed seed rate enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity especially total soluble proteins by 15%, superoxide dismutase by 68%, peroxidase by 16%, catalase by 70%, ascorbic acid by 17% and total protein contents by 91% under severe-TID. Yield and yield-related morphological attributes performed better in MLE30-priming as compared to hydro-priming. An effective trend was observed in the plant's chlorophyll contents, K+, and water use efficiency after being treated with MLE30-priming followed by hydro-priming under curtailed seed rate. The higher benefit–cost ratio and net income return were observed with the application of MLE30-priming with curtailed seed rate under mild-TID and severe-TID. So, it is suggested to adopt the MLE30-priming technique along with a curtailed seed rate for improving the crop establishment, stress regulation, and economic return under limited availability of irrigation water. The project findings recommended that the application of exogenous application of organic MLE30-seed priming favored and compensated the maximum wheat grains production under curtailed seed rate @ 25 kg ha−1 and induced terminal drought stress at flowering and milking conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For sustainable development, better performance, and less gas pollution during rumen fermentation, there is a need to find a green and safe feed additive for ruminants. Cysteamine (CS) is a biological compound naturally produced in mammalian cells. It is widely used as a growth promoter in ruminants because of its ability to control hormone secretions. It mainly controls the circulating concentration of somatostatin and enhances growth hormone production, leading to improved growth performance. CS modulates the rumen fermentation process in a way beneficial for the animals and environment, leading to less methane production and nutrients loss. Another beneficial effect of using CS is that it improves the availability of nutrients to the animals and enhances their absorption. CS also works as an antioxidant and protects the cells from oxidative damage. In addition, CS has no adverse effects on bacterial and fungal alpha diversity in ruminants. Dietary supplementation of CS enhances the population of beneficial microorganisms. Still, no data is available on the use of CS on reproductive performance in ruminants, so there is a need to evaluate the effects of using CS in breeding animals for an extended period. In this review, the action mode of CS was updated according to recently published data to highlight the beneficial effects of using CS in ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): This study focused on the evaluation of antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of polyherbal extract (PHE), containing Cassia absus (L.), Gymnema sylvestre (R. Br.), Nigella sativa (L.), and Piper nigrum (L.), in alloxan-induced diabetes model. Materials and Methods: In vitro, HPLC characterization, DPPH scavenging assay, and α-amylase inhibition test were conducted. In vivo, acute oral toxicity of PHE was assessed. Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats (n=6) were orally treated with PHE (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg/day) and glibenclamide (GLB; 10 mg/kg/day) for six consecutive weeks. Then, biochemical biomarkers, oxidative stress parameters, histopathological examination, and mRNA expression levels (RT-qPCR) were determined. Results: The presence of polyphenols in PHE was confirmed in correlation to marked DPPH scavenging (IC50: 1.60 mg/ml) and α-amylase inhibition (IC50: 0.82 mg/ml). PHE demonstrated no toxicity in rats up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg. In diabetic rats, PHE dose-dependently ameliorated the serum levels of glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), leptin, and glucokinase (GCK). Also, PHE substantially alleviated serum inflammatory markers (TNF-a and CRP) and oxidative stress indicators (MDA, SOD, and CAT) in pancreatic tissues. PHE, particularly at 600 mg/kg, attenuated cellular oxidative stress via modulating the mRNA expression levels of genes regulating MAPK/JNK (Mapk-8, Traf-4, and Traf-6) and Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathways and promoted insulin signaling through upregulating insulin signaling cascade (Pdx-1, Ins-1, and Ins-2), as compared to GLB. Furthermore, histopathological findings supported the aforementioned results. Conclusion: Our study suggests that polyherbal extract has promising antioxidant and antidiabetic activities by modulating the MAPK/JNK, Nrf-2/Keap-1, and insulin signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated for the first time the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of crude polysaccharide (PSHT) extracted from green marine algae Halimeda tuna. PSHT exhibited anti-oxidant activity in vitro through scavenging 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl free radical, reducing Fe3+/ferricyanide complex, and inhibiting nitric oxide. PSHT maintained the erythrocyte membrane integrity and prevented hemolysis. Our results also showed that PSHT exerted a significant anti-edematic effect in vivo by decreasing advanced oxidation protein products and malondialdehyde levels and increasing the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in rat's paw model and erythrocytes. Interestingly, PSHT increased the viability of murine RAW264.7 macrophages and exerted an anti-inflammatory effect on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells by decreasing pro-inflammatory molecule levels, including nitric oxide, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Our findings indicate that PSHT could be used as a potential immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-hemolytic, and anti-oxidant agent. These results could be explained by the computational findings showing that polysaccharide building blocks bound both cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and TNF-α with acceptable affinities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This review analyzed the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic globally and in India and the measures to counter its effect using natural and innate immune booster molecules. The study focuses on two phases: the first focuses on the magnitude, and the second on the effect of antioxidants (natural compounds) on SARS-CoV-2. Methods: The magnitude of the prevalence, mortality, and comorbidities was acquired from the World Health Organization (WHO) report, media, a report from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), newspapers, and the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC). Research articles from PubMed as well as other sites/journals and databases were accessed to gather literature on the effect of antioxidants. Results: In the elderly and any chronic diseases, the declined level of antioxidant molecules enhanced the reactive oxygen species, which in turn deprived the immune system. Conclusion: Innate antioxidant proteins like sirtuin and sestrin play a vital role in enhancing immunity. Herbal products and holistic approaches can also be alternative solutions for everyday life to boost the immune system by improving the redox balance in COVID-19 attack. This review analyzed the counteractive effect of alternative therapy to boost the immune system against the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is the most prevalent mental disorder, affecting more than 300 million adults worldwide each year, which can lead to serious economic and social problems. Antidepressants are usually the first-line treatment for depression, however, traditional antidepressants on the market have the disadvantage of low remission rates and may cause side effects to patients, therefore, the current focus in the field of depression is to develop novel therapeutic agents with high remission rates and few side effects. In this context, the antidepressant effects of natural compounds have received attention. Baicalin (baicalein-7-O-glucuronide) and its aglycone baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone) are flavonoid compounds extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis. Although lacking the support of clinical data, they have been shown to have significantly promising antidepressant activity in many preclinical studies through various rodent models of depression. This paper reviews the antidepressant effects of baicalin and baicalein in experimental animal models, with emphasis on summarizing the molecular mechanisms of their antidepressant effects including regulation of the HPA axis, inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, reduction of neuronal apoptosis and promotion of neurogenesis, as well as amelioration of mitochondrial dysfunction. Controlled clinical trials should be conducted in the future to examine the effects of baicalin and baicalein on depression in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is escalating evidence suggesting the beneficial effects of ellagic acid (EA) on the cardiovascular system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of EA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) against high glucose (HG)- induced endothelial dysfunction and to study the potential roles of adropin and nitric oxide (NO) in this regard. Materials and Methods: The experimental groups consisted of normal and HG (30 mM, 48 hr)-treated HUVECs incubated without or with 5 or 10 µM of EA (6 groups of at least 6 replicates, each). The cell count and viability were studied. Moreover, the markers of the redox state, including malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase enzymes, and ferric reducing anti-oxidant power (FRAP), were assayed. The levels of adropin and eNOS gene expression were also studied using RT-qPCR. Results: A high concentration of glucose reduced cell count and caused lipid peroxidation, reduced anti-oxidant capacity of the cells, decreased NO levels, and downregulated the expression of NOS3 (encoding eNOS) and ENHO (encoding adropin) genes. Ellagic acid reversed all these effects. Conclusion: These results suggest a significant protective effect for EA against HG-induced injury in HUVECs. The improved redox state and upregulation of NOS3 and ENHO genes seem to play critical roles in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of bioactive substances from seaweeds has grown as a result of their capacity to promote human disease resistance and enhance human health. Secondary metabolites from brown marine algae could serve as a good source of phytochemicals with rich anti-oxidant ability, as most of the ailments are associated with free radicals. This research is focused on looking into the brown algal species Sargassum myriocystum belonging to the class Phaeophyceae, which has not been investigated for the presence of different bioactive compounds. The efficient extraction of and the qualitative analysis of the phytochemical compounds were performed and characterized. Moreover, the characteristic functional and bioactive molecules in the extract at optimum conditions were evaluated which showed the presence of various bioactive compounds. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the extract indicated the potential reduction of free radicals and inflammatory mediators by the seaweed extract. The inhibition of digestive enzymes including α-amylase and α-glucosidase exhibited promising anti-diabetic potential and the antimicrobial property against some gram negative, gram positive bacteria and fungus was evaluated which inhibited the growth of microbes. Hence, the present study may provide the platform for utilizing bioactive compounds from brown seaweed as a promising therapeutic agent from natural source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]