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Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential trace element that poses significant toxic effects on fish. This review focuses on hematological and plasma biochemical parameters as key indicators of fish health under Cd exposure. Hematological parameters, such as red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and hematocrit (Ht), were selected for their critical role in oxygen transport and their sensitivity to Cd-induced disruptions, which often result in anemia and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) provide further insights into erythropoiesis and hemoglobin synthesis, both of which are essential for assessing Cd toxicity. Plasma biochemical parameters, including calcium, magnesium, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, and liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), are crucial for understanding ionic balance, metabolic regulation, and organ function, especially in fish exposed to Cd. These biomarkers offer a comprehensive view of the physiological stress and organ damage caused by Cd toxicity. This review synthesizes literature findings on the toxic effects of Cd on these parameters. It also discusses potential mitigation strategies, including dietary supplementation with antioxidants and trace elements, to counteract the harmful effects of Cd exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil contamination with heavy metals is one of the most important challenges related to the protection of water and soil resources. Heavy metals are metals that have a density of more than 5 grams per cubic centimeter. Among heavy metals, cadmium is of special importance due to its high solubility in water and quick and easy absorption by the plant root system. This element has been introduced as the fourth dangerous element for vascular plants (Kok et al., 2010). By accumulating in the root environment, cadmium can cause a decrease in growth, respiration, damage to the mechanisms involved in photosynthesis, and inhibit the activity of enzymes and the lack of nitrogen and phosphorus in the plant. Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a valuable annual medicinal herb suitable for cultivation in many countries, including Iran. Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is considered as a native of both Europe and Asia. Several species around the globe fall under the denomination of "borage". The presence of the highest γ-linolenic acid content in the seeds of borage makes borage distinctively important mainly for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical research. γ-Linolenic acid is an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid which cannot be synthesized in the body and hence falls into the category of essential fatty acids (Evesh et al., 2019). The present study was carried out with the aim of investigating the physiologic and biochemical responses of the medicinal plant Borage (Borago officinalis L.) to cadmium stress. Materials and methods: This experiment was conducted in the form of a completely random design in the greenhouse of Shahid Bahnar University, Bardsir College of Agriculture, Shahid Bahnar University, Kerman, at an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius during the day and 20 degrees Celsius during the night, with a relative humidity of 60%. First, concentrations of cadmium (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160 mg kg-1) were prepared using cadmium chloride (Merck company) and the soil was uniformly contaminated with cadmium. The contaminated soil was incubated under constant humidity and temperature conditions for 30 days and then poured into pots with a capacity of 3 kg of soil. Plant seeds were disinfected with alcohol and 5% sodium hypochlorite solution and immediately washed several times with distilled water. Five seeds were planted in the pots containing the studied treatments and at a depth of 2 to 3 cm. Two months after planting, when the plant was in the 50% flowering stage, the growth and performance characteristics of the plant including the number of flowers, number of leaves, branch length, root length, shoot weight, root weight, flower weight were measured. Some biochemical characteristics (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacyl peroxidase, protein, proline and photosynthetic pigments) were measured. Results and discussion: The studied treatments significantly (p≤0.01) affected the biochemical, physiologic and performance characteristics of European borage. Increasing the concentration of cadmium had an inhibitory effect on the growth parameters of the plant, and this effect was clearly evident in pollution above 80 mg kg-1. Number of flowers, number of leaves, flower weight, root weight, total weight, root length and branch length decreased significantly with increasing cadmium concentration. The flowering of the plant was 71% at the pollution level of 120 mg per kilogram. At this level of pollution, the root weight was reduced by 69.9%. The weight of aerial parts decreased by 59.7% at the pollution level of 160 mg kg-1. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase enzyme increased up to 20 mg kg-1 treatment and after that the activity of ascorbate peroxidase enzyme decreased with the increase of cadmium concentration. Proline concentration increased with increasing cadmium contamination. Photosynthetic pigments also decreased in high concentrations of cadmium. The cause of the adverse effects of cadmium on plants in contaminated soils can be attributed to more absorption of cadmium by the plant and growth disturbance caused by cadmium toxicity in the plant, reduction of growth rate, reduction of water absorption and absorption of other ions affecting the activities plant growth (Veselov et al., 2003), the reduction of cytokinin hormone activity, which has a significant effect on cell proliferation and growth, or the negative effect of cadmium on energy production in mitochondria was attributed (Fotohi et al., 2011). Cadmium causes disturbances in the overall metabolism of cells. (Xie et al., 2021) Cadmium toxicity in plants can lead to negative effects on the photosynthesis process. This action takes place through damage to some photosynthetic enzymes, especially those involved in the Kelvin cycle and chlorophyll biosynthesis (Mishra et al., 2006). Conclusion: The results showed that the yield of European borage was not affected by cadmium up to a concentration of 1.25 mg kg-1. The activity of antioxidant enzymes increased up to the treatment of 20 mg kg-1 and then decreased with increasing cadmium concentration, which indicates oxidative stress. Photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence index decreased with increasing cadmium concentration. Considering the tolerance and resistance of some medicinal plants to the conditions in soils contaminated with heavy metals, it is possible to use the cultivation of some medicinal plants as a solution for the management and exploitation of lands that have medium contamination with heavy metals. Considering the number of flowers, flower durability and high yield, the European borage plant can be a suitable candidate for cultivation in polluted areas, of course, additional studies with the approach of reducing the adverse effects of stress and reducing the concentration of cadmium element in the soil are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal(loid) pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues, threatening all living organisms. Metal(loid) stress adversely impacts plant growth, physiology, and overall productivity. Numerous physicochemical approaches have been developed and employed to counteract and reduce the detrimental effects of metal(loid)s. However, these methods have raised environmental concerns, leading to questions about their appropriateness and efficacy. Consequently, alternative and eco-friendly solutions, such as the application of biochar, have gained prominence. Biochar is a carbon-rich material derived from the pyrolysis and hydrothermal processes of various organic materials. Due to its exceptional physicochemical properties, biochar is believed to enhance soil quality and fertility. Several global studies have underscored the positive role of biochar in reducing the uptake of metal(loid)s by plants in polluted soils. In this article, we explore various facets of plant reactions to metal(loid)s toxicity and attempt to draw links between biochar use and improvements in plant physiology and performance. We also review the effectiveness of biochar in phytoremediation, its influence on nutrient adsorption mechanisms, and its role in assisting plant growth and defense systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAs a non-essential metal, cadmium (Cd) poses a significant threat to food safety and public health. This risk is particularly pronounced for infants and young children due to their high food consumption relative to body weight and immature physiological systems. This review examines the health risks associated with Cd exposure, particularly during the prenatal period through adolescence. It evaluates the prevalence of Cd-rich foods in children’s diets and their intake levels across various countries. The review demonstrates that Cd exposure is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, immune dysfunction, and cardiovascular diseases. It also highlights geographic differences in exposure, with some Asian countries, such as Thailand and China, exhibiting higher overall levels of Cd intake among children compared to other regions. This review presents several recommendations to mitigate Cd intake during early childhood, including reducing the Cd content in food, inhibiting Cd absorption, and promoting its excretion from the body. To minimize the risk of dietary Cd intake in children, it is recommended that stringent regulations of Cd limits in children’s food be implemented, alongside a coordinated multi-stakeholder effort. This review provides important insights into effective public health policy development, laying the foundation for achieving broader public health goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I elucidated the influence of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on wheat cadmium (Cd) tolerance. Research results manifested that Cd stress increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) contents. However, Cd stress decreased AsA/ dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and GSH/oxidised glutathione (GSSG) ratios, and inhibited photosynthetic performance and plant growth. Compared to Cd alone, GABA plus Cd improved wheat Cd tolerance by increasing the activities of above antioxidant enzymes, AsA and GSH contents, and AsA/DHA and GSH/ GSSG ratios. Meanwhile, compared with Cd alone, GABA plus Cd also enhanced the photosynthetic performance by improving chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (Car) contents and Car/Chl ratio, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular carbon dioxide concentration, and Chl fluorescence parameters maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII, photochemical quenching, nonphotochemical quenching and quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry, which further promoted plant height and biomass. Compared to control, GABA alone also improved above indicators. Current results suggested that GABA can be applied as an anti-cadmium agent in wheat production practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils and its accumulation in plant organs have become a global issue due to its harmful effects on human health. The in-situ stabilizing technique, which involves using organic amendments, is commonly employed for removing Cd from agricultural soils. Thus, the current study investigated the effect of vermicompost (VC) on soil properties and plant physio-biochemical attributes, leaf ultrastructure analysis, antioxidant defense mechanisms, and grain yields of two different fragrant rice cultivars, Xiangyaxiangzhan (XGZ) and Meixiangzhan-2 (MXZ-2), under Cdstress conditions. The results showed that Cd toxicity deteriorates soil quality, the plant's photosynthetic apparatus, and the plant's antioxidant defense mechanism. Moreover, under Cd stress, both cultivars produced significantly lower (p < 0.05) rice grain yields compared to non-Cd stress conditions. However, the VC application alleviated the Cd toxicity and improved soil qualitative traits, such as soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Similarly, VC amendments improved leaf physiological activity, photosynthetic apparatus function, antioxidant enzyme activities and its related gene expression under Cd stress These enhancements led to increased grain yields of both fragrant under Cd toxicity. The addition of VC mitigated the adverse effects of Cd on the leaf chloroplast structure by reducing Cd uptake and accumulation in tissues. This helped prevent Cd-induced peroxidation damage to leaf membrane lipids by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). On average across the growth stages, the Pos-Cd + VC3 treatment increased SOD, APX, CAT, and POD activities by122.2 and 112.5%, 118.6, and 120.6%, 44.6 and 40.6%, and 38.6 and 33.2% in MXZ-2 and XGZ, respectively, compared to the plants treated with Pos-Cd treated alone. Enhancements in leaf physiological activity and plant antioxidant enzyme activity strengthen the plant's antioxidant defense mechanism against Cd toxicity. In addition, correlation analysis showed a strong relationship between the leaf net photosynthetic rate and soil chemical attributes, suggesting that improved soil fertility enhances leaf physiological activity and boosts rice grain yields. Of the treatments, Pos-Cd + VC3 proved to be the most effective treatment in terms of enhancing soil health and achieving high fragrant rice yields. Thus, the outcomes of this study show that the addition of VC in Cd-contaminated soils could be useful for sustainable rice production and safe utilization of Cdpolluted soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the therapeutic efficacy of Helianthemum lippii and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) synthesized using a H. lippii extract to alleviate cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Sub-acute toxicity assessments of H. lippii (100 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 4000 mg/kg) and Ag NPs (2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) did not find any significant difference, compared with untreated control rats (n = 3 animals/group). Then, the adult Wistar rats were divided into one control (untreated/unexposed) and six experimental groups (n = 5/group): Ag NPs alone, H. lippii alone, exposure to 50 mg/kg CdCl2 in drinking water for 35 days, exposure to CdCl2 for 35 days followed by treatment with 0.1 mg/kg/day Ag NPs (intraperitoneal injection) and/or 100 mg/kg/day H. lippii by gavage for 15 days. In the CdCl2-exposed group, body weight decreased; urea, creatinine, and uric acid concentrations increased (p < 0.05 vs. control), indicative of nephrotoxicity, antioxidant defenses (SOD, GSH, and CAT) were reduced, and malondialdehyde concentration increased. Moreover, the kidney's architecture in CdCl2-exposed rats was altered: fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, glomerular destruction, and tubular dilatation. Treatment with H. lippii and/or Ag NPs after CdCl2 exposure improved some of the renal function and architecture alterations induced by CdCl2, and also increased body weight. This study underscores the potential therapeutic applications of H. lippii and Ag NPs to decrease oxidative stress and promote xenobiotic detoxification, in line with the growing emphasis on environmentally conscious practices in scientific research and healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of poly-glutamic acid (PGA) on ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) metabolism in leaves of wheat seedlings under cadmium (Cd) stress. The results showed that Cd stress enhanced ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase activities, and increased AsA and GSH contents. Whereas Cd reduced AsA/dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and GSH/oxidised glutathione (GSSG) ratios and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and electrolyte leakage (EL). Meanwhile, Cd stress improved Cd accumulation and nonphotochemical quenching (qN) and decreased soil and plant analyser development (SPAD) value, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), photochemical quenching (qP), quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII), wheat height and dry biomass. Compared to Cd alone, PGA plus Cd stress reinforced AsA and GSH metabolism via the above enzymes and increased AsA and GSH contents and their redox status. PGA plus Cd stress also decreased MDA content and EL. Besides, PGA plus Cd stress decreased Cd accumulation and increased SPAD value, Pn, qN, Fv/Fm, qP, ΦPSII, wheat height and dry biomass. Moreover, PGA alone showed positive effects on the indicators mentioned above. Our results clearly indicated that PGA enhanced wheat Cd tolerance by preventing Cd uptake and enhancing AsA and GSH metabolism. Therefore, PGA can be applied to enhance wheat Cd tolerance in production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionSoil contamination with heavy metals is one of the most important challenges related to the protection of water and soil resources. Heavy metals are metals that have a density of more than 5 grams per cubic centimeter. Among heavy metals, cadmium is of special importance due to its high solubility in water and quick and easy absorption by the plant root system. This element has been introduced as the fourth dangerous element for vascular plants (Kok et al., 2010). By accumulating in the root environment, cadmium can cause a decrease in growth, respiration, damage to the mechanisms involved in photosynthesis, and inhibit the activity of enzymes and the lack of nitrogen and phosphorus in the plant. Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is a valuable annual medicinal herb suitable for cultivation in many countries, including Iran. Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is considered as a native of both Europe and Asia. Several species around the globe fall under the denomination of “borage”. The presence of the highest γ-linolenic acid content in the seeds of borage makes borage distinctively important mainly for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical research. γ-Linolenic acid is an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid which cannot be synthesized in the body and hence falls into the category of essential fatty acids (Evesh et al., 2019). The present study was carried out with the aim of investigating the physiologic and biochemical responses of the medicinal plant Borage (Borago officinalis L.) to cadmium stress. Materials and methodsThis experiment was conducted in the form of a completely random design in the greenhouse of Shahid Bahnar University, Bardsir College of Agriculture, Shahid Bahnar University, Kerman, at an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius during the day and 20 degrees Celsius during the night, with a relative humidity of 60%. First, concentrations of cadmium (0, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160 mg kg-1) were prepared using cadmium chloride (Merck company) and the soil was uniformly contaminated with cadmium. The contaminated soil was incubated under constant humidity and temperature conditions for 30 days and then poured into pots with a capacity of 3 kg of soil. Plant seeds were disinfected with alcohol and 5% sodium hypochlorite solution and immediately washed several times with distilled water. Five seeds were planted in the pots containing the studied treatments and at a depth of 2 to 3 cm. Two months after planting, when the plant was in the 50% flowering stage, the growth and performance characteristics of the plant including the number of flowers, number of leaves, branch length, root length, shoot weight, root weight, flower weight were measured. Some biochemical characteristics (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacyl peroxidase, protein, proline and photosynthetic pigments) were measured. Results and discussionThe studied treatments significantly (p≤0.01) affected the biochemical, physiologic and performance characteristics of European borage. Increasing the concentration of cadmium had an inhibitory effect on the growth parameters of the plant, and this effect was clearly evident in pollution above 80 mg kg-1. Number of flowers, number of leaves, flower weight, root weight, total weight, root length and branch length decreased significantly with increasing cadmium concentration. The flowering of the plant was 71% at the pollution level of 120 mg per kilogram. At this level of pollution, the root weight was reduced by 69.9%. The weight of aerial parts decreased by 59.7% at the pollution level of 160 mg kg-1. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase enzyme increased up to 20 mg kg-1 treatment and after that the activity of ascorbate peroxidase enzyme decreased with the increase of cadmium concentration. Proline concentration increased with increasing cadmium contamination. Photosynthetic pigments also decreased in high concentrations of cadmium. The cause of the adverse effects of cadmium on plants in contaminated soils can be attributed to more absorption of cadmium by the plant and growth disturbance caused by cadmium toxicity in the plant, reduction of growth rate, reduction of water absorption and absorption of other ions affecting the activities plant growth (Veselov et al., 2003), the reduction of cytokinin hormone activity, which has a significant effect on cell proliferation and growth, or the negative effect of cadmium on energy production in mitochondria was attributed (Fotohi et al., 2011). Cadmium causes disturbances in the overall metabolism of cells. (Xie et al., 2021) Cadmium toxicity in plants can lead to negative effects on the photosynthesis process. This action takes place through damage to some photosynthetic enzymes, especially those involved in the Kelvin cycle and chlorophyll biosynthesis (Mishra et al., 2006). ConclusionThe results showed that the yield of European borage was not affected by cadmium up to a concentration of 1.25 mg kg-1. The activity of antioxidant enzymes increased up to the treatment of 20 mg kg-1 and then decreased with increasing cadmium concentration, which indicates oxidative stress. Photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence index decreased with increasing cadmium concentration. Considering the tolerance and resistance of some medicinal plants to the conditions in soils contaminated with heavy metals, it is possible to use the cultivation of some medicinal plants as a solution for the management and exploitation of lands that have medium contamination with heavy metals. Considering the number of flowers, flower durability and high yield, the European borage plant can be a suitable candidate for cultivation in polluted areas, of course, additional studies with the approach of reducing the adverse effects of stress and reducing the concentration of cadmium element in the soil are needed.

Heavy metals including cadmium (Cd) are one of the major persistent and non-biodegradable wastewater pollutants. However, Cd reaches the aquatic ecosystem via industrial and agricultural waste discharges and causes serious deterioration in the welfare status of aquatic animals. The use of feed supplements with immune-stimulants to mitigate the toxic influences of heavy metals including Cd is a much more intriguing point. Thus, the current experiment used the bio-synthetized chitosan nanoparticles derived from Bacillus subtilis (Bs-CNPs) as a feed supplement and evaluated its ameliorative impacts on the growth and welfare status of Cd-intoxicated Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Bifactorial design (3 Bs-CNPs levels × 3 Cd levels) was used in the current study where Nile tilapia fingerlings (58–63 g) were fed on 0.0, 2, and 4 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed alongside with exposing to 0.0, 0.392, and 0.784 mg Cd/L for 60 days to represent nine treatments as follows: T1: control group (no Cd exposure; no Bs-CNPs supplement); T2 and T3: fish were intoxicated with 0.784 and 0.392 mg Cd/L, respectively; T4 and T5: fish fed on 2 and 4 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed, respectively; T6 and T7: fish were fed on 2 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed along with exposure to 0.784 and 0.392 mg Cd/L, respectively; and T8 and T9: fish were fed on 4 g Bs-CNPs/kg feed along with exposure to 0.784 and 0.392 mg Cd/L, respectively. It is noted that the Cd-intoxicated fish exhibited significant retardation in growth performance and digestive enzyme activities with a decline in their survival rate compared to the control group (T1). The results also revealed that exposing fish to Cd toxicity alone with no feed supplement (T2 and T3) experienced abnormal clinical signs and behavioral changes. Compared with the control group (no Cd with no Bs-CNPs), highest values of cortisol, glucose, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, and acetylcholine esterase activity were found in fish fed on the control diet along with exposure to 0.784 mg Cd/L. Higher Cd restudies in liver, intestine, gills, kidney, and muscles tissues were detected in fish exposed to 0.784 mg Cd/L alone and the sequence order of Cd levels in different fish organs is intestine > gills > liver > kidney > muscles. Remarkable pathological alterations in hepatic and intestinal tissues were also observed. On the other hand, feeding Nile tilapia on Bs-CNPs-enriched diets alone with no Cd exposure enhanced their growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and hematological parameters with no Cd residues in fish organs. Interestingly, feeding the Cd-intoxicated fish on diets with Bs-CNPs (4 g/kg feed) returned their growth, digestive enzymes, hematological, and biochemical parameters to approximate those of the control group. Furthermore, these treatments showed histopathological alteration recovery in the intestine and liver tissues is similar to those in the control group (no Cd with no Bs-CNPs). Fish fed on Bs-CNPs levels with no Cd exposure showed no Cd residues in different fish organs. The Cd levels in different organs of fish exposed to 0.392 mg Cd/L along with feeding on Bs-CNPs (4 g/kg feed) were lower than those in Cd-exposed fish treatments. Consequently, the current study evoked that feeding Nile tilapia fingerlings on Bs-CNPs (4 g/kg feed) could enhance their growth performance and protect the fish from the Cd toxicity that may occur in the aquatic ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. This study aims to determine the combined effect of physical activity and the hydroalcoholic extract of palm pollen on the expression of mir-21 and mir-132 in cadmium-induced toxicity in the kidney tissue of male rats. Methods. In this study, 48 adult and healthy male Wistar rats with a weight range of 250 ± 30 grams and 12 weeks of age were randomly divided into 6 groups: 1) control, 2) exercise, 3) cadmium, 4) cadmium + exercise, 5) cadmium + palm 200 + exercise, 6) cadmium + exercise + palm 400. All groups received three milligrams per kilogram of body weight of cadmium chloride daily by gavage, and palm pollen extract was injected intraperitoneally with doses of 200 and 400 mg of body weight. Aerobic training started with rats running on a treadmill at a speed of 27 meters per minute for 16 minutes, and one minute was added to the training every day. Results. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the expression of miR-21 between the groups (P=0.001), with cadmium causing a decrease and aerobic exercise and receiving palm pollen extract leading to a significant increase in the miR-21 gene expression (P=0.005). Also, there is a significant difference in the expression of miR-132 between the groups (P=0.04), indicating that cadmium decreased this variable when compared to the control; however, the combined effect of exercise and palm pollen administration was not statistically significant (P=0.98). Conclusion. Our study showed that performing moderate-intensity regular exercise along with palm pollen in cadmium-treated mice upregulated microRNAs associated with kidney toxicity. Practical Implications. The combined effect of the proposed herbal supplement and physical activity can control the harmful effects of exposure to cadmium on industrial societies and chemical industry workers to some extent.

Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential element in plants and has adverse effects on the growth and development of plants. However, the molecular mechanisms of Cd phytotoxicity, tolerance and accumulation in hyperaccumulators Solanum nigrum L. has not been well understood. Here, physiology, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses were conducted to investigate the influence on the S. nigrum under 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 µM Cd concentrations for 7 days. Pot experiments demonstrated that compared with the control, Cd treatment significantly inhibited the biomass, promoted the Cd accumulation and translocation, and disturbed the balance of mineral nutrient metabolism in S. nigrum, particularly at 100 µM Cd level. Moreover, the photosynthetic pigments contents were severely decreased, while the content of total protein, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), H2O2, and antioxidant enzyme activities generally increased first and then slightly declined with increasing Cd concentrations, in both leaves and roots. Furthermore, combined with the previous transcriptomic data, numerous crucial coding-genes related to mineral nutrients and Cd ion transport, and the antioxidant enzymes biosynthesis were identified, and their expression pattern was regulated under different Cd stress. Simultaneously, metabolomic analyses revealed that Cd treatment significantly changed the expression level of many metabolites related to amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, and nucleotide metabolism. Metabolic pathway analysis also showed that S. nigrum roots activated some differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) involved in energy metabolism, which may enhance the energy supply for detoxification. Importantly, central common metabolism pathways of DEGs and DEMs, including the “TCA cycle”, “glutathione metabolic pathway” and “glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism” were screened using conjoint transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis. Our results provide some novel evidences on the physiological and molecular mechanisms of Cd tolerance in hyperaccumulator S. nigrum plants.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that poses a significant threat to food safety and agricultural production worldwide. Its solubility enables easy entry into plants, leading to reductions in seed germination, growth and crop yield. Thus, it is crucial to discover methods to alleviate the harmful impact of Cd on plant growth. Magnetopriming (MP) is a non-invasive and cost-effective technique that has been proposed to improve plant growth under abiotic stress conditions. The current study investigated the potential of MP to improve the seed germination, early seedling growth and biochemical responses of soybean under Cd toxicity. Soybean seeds were magnetoprimed with static magnetic field (SMF) strength of 200 mT for 1 hour before germination. The unprimed and magnetoprimed seeds were grown under different concentrations of cadmium chloride (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200 and 300 µM CdCl2) in Petri plates for five days in the dark at 25 + 1 °C. The results revealed that Cd toxicity significantly reduced the germination percentage and inhibited the seedling growth parameters and increased oxidative stress, as determined by malondialdehyde (MDA) content in soybean seedlings from unprimed seeds. The inhibitory effect was increased with increasing concentration of Cd. However, MP remarkably increased the germination percentage, seedling growth parameters, activities of total amylase and protease, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and decreased MDA and proline content in germinating soybean seedlings at all concentrations of Cd. These findings suggest that MP can alleviate the adverse effects of Cd stress in soybean seedlings and increase the tolerance index towards Cd toxicity by enhancing the activity of amylotic and proteolytic enzymes and reducing oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is a naturally occurring toxic heavy metal that adversely affects plant germination, growth, and development. While the effects of Cd have been described on many crop species including rice, maize, wheat and barley, few studies are available on cadmium's effect on Tartary buckwheat which is a traditional grain in China. We examined nine genotypes and found that 30 µM of Cd reduced the root length in seedlings by between 4 and 44% and decreased the total biomass by 7 to 31%, compared with Cd-free controls. We identified a significant genotypic variation in sensitivity to Cd stress. Cd treatment decreased the total root length and the emergence and growth of lateral roots, and these changes were significantly greater in the Cd-sensitive genotypes than in tolerant genotypes. Cd resulted in greater wilting and discoloration in sensitive genotypes than in tolerant genotypes and caused more damage to the structure of root and leaf cells. Cd accumulated in the roots and shoots, but the concentrations in the sensitive genotypes were significantly greater than in the more tolerant genotypes. Cd treatment affected nutrient uptake, and the changes in the sensitive genotypes were greater than those in the tolerant genotypes, which could maintain their concentrations closer to the control levels. The induction of SOD, POD, and CAT activities in the roots and shoots was significantly greater in the tolerant genotypes than in the sensitive genotypes. We demonstrated that Cd stress reduced root and shoot growth, decreased plant biomass, disrupted nutrient uptake, altered cell structure, and managed Cd-induced oxidative stress differently in the sensitive and tolerant genotypes of Tartary buckwheat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) exerts a toxic influence on numerous crucial growth and development processes in plants, notably affecting seed germination rate, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, and biomass. While considerable advances in Cd uptake and detoxification of plants have been made, the mechanisms by which plants adapt to and tolerate Cd toxicity remain elusive. This review focuses on the relationship between Cd and plants and the prospects for phytoremediation of Cd pollution. We highlight the following issues: (1) the present state of Cd pollution and its associated hazards, encompassing the sources and distribution of Cd and the risks posed to human health; (2) the mechanisms underlying the uptake and transport of Cd, including the physiological processes associated with the uptake, translocation, and detoxification of Cd, as well as the pertinent gene families implicated in these processes; (3) the detrimental effects of Cd on plants and the mechanisms of detoxification, such as the activation of resistance genes, root chelation, vacuolar compartmentalization, the activation of antioxidant systems and the generation of non-enzymatic antioxidants; (4) the practical application of phytoremediation and the impact of incorporating exogenous substances on the Cd tolerance of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. This study aims to determine the combined effect of physical activity and the hydroalcoholic extract of palm pollen on the expression of mir-21 and mir-132 in cadmium-induced toxicity in the kidney tissue of male rats. Methods. In this study, 48 adult and healthy male Wistar rats with a weight range of 250 ± 30 grams and 12 weeks of age were randomly divided into 6 groups: 1) control, 2) exercise, 3) cadmium, 4) cadmium + exercise, 5) cadmium + palm 200 + exercise, 6) cadmium + exercise + palm 400. All groups received three milligrams per kilogram of body weight of cadmium chloride daily by gavage, and palm pollen extract was injected intraperitoneally with doses of 200 and 400 mg of body weight. Aerobic training started with rats running on a treadmill at a speed of 27 meters per minute for 16 minutes, and one minute was added to the training every day. Results. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the expression of miR-21 between the groups (P=0.001), with cadmium causing a decrease and aerobic exercise and receiving palm pollen extract leading to a significant increase in the miR-21 gene expression (P=0.005). Also, there is a significant difference in the expression of miR-132 between the groups (P=0.04), indicating that cadmium decreased this variable when compared to the control; however, the combined effect of exercise and palm pollen administration was not statistically significant (P=0.98). Conclusion. Our study showed that performing moderate-intensity regular exercise along with palm pollen in cadmium-treated mice upregulated microRNAs associated with kidney toxicity. Practical Implications. The combined effect of the proposed herbal supplement and physical activity can control the harmful effects of exposure to cadmium on industrial societies and chemical industry workers to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advancement in industrialization and to cope with the ever-increasing demand for food, the farmer community is compelled to use various approaches, including the excessive use of phosphatic fertilizers, irrigation with contaminated water, and limited access to alternative inputs. These practices have resulted in cadmium toxicity. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of four organic amendments including press mud, sugar cane bagasse, humic acid, and biochar along with four inorganic amendments including gypsum, CaCl2, iron and silicon nanoparticles in reducing the bioavailability of Cd in soil. The results revealed that the press mud treatment exhibited the highest percentage increase in growth and physiological indices, with a value of 188.63%, followed by sugarcane, humic acid, biochar, Fe, Si NPs, gypsum and CaCl2 with a percentage increase of 162.26%, 141.65%, 93.50%, 81.13%, 71.56%, 59.24%, and 12.14%, respectively. The maximum malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were recorded in the Cd treatment, and a significant inconsistency in antioxidant enzyme activity such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and Proline content was observed between organic and inorganic amendment treatments. Press mud exhibited the lowest Ab-DTPA Cd value, which was 11.96% at 100 ppm, with other treatments ranging between 15.17 and 37.01%. In conclusion, applying the studied amendments demonstrated a potential to decrease Cd bioavailability in the soil, leading to improved photosynthetic pigment levels and reduced Cd uptake by maize plants. Press mud, humic acid, gypsum, and Fe-NPs were identified as particularly effective amendments for reducing cadmium concentrations by binding in soil for reduced transport to maize, alleviating toxicity, and oxidative stress management. Additional research is necessary to determine the ideal concentrations for each treatment and their overall impact on plant growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans and animals. Its adverse effects have been widely associated with mitochondrial alterations. However, there are not many treatments that target mitochondria. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of sulforaphane (SFN) pre-exposure against cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced toxicity and mitochondrial alterations in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), by exploring the role of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS). The results revealed that prior exposure to SFN protected against CdCl2-induced mortality and increased lifespan, body length, and mobility while reducing lipofuscin levels. Furthermore, SFN prevented mitochondrial alterations by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and restoring mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, thereby decreasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The improvement in mitochondrial function was associated with increased mitochondrial mass and the involvement of the daf-16 and skn-1c genes of the IIS signaling pathway. In conclusion, exposure to SFN before exposure to CdCl2 mitigates toxic effects and mitochondrial alterations, possibly by increasing mitochondrial mass, which may be related to the regulation of the IIS pathway. These discoveries open new possibilities for developing therapies to reduce the damage caused by Cd toxicity and oxidative stress in biological systems, highlighting antioxidants with mitochondrial action as promising tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and mitigating its toxicity are pivotal strategies for addressing Cd pollution's threats to agriculture and human health. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) serves as a signaling molecule, playing a crucial role in plant stress defense mechanisms. Nevertheless, a comprehensive assessment of the impact of exogenous H2S on plant growth, antioxidant properties, and gene expression under Cd stress remains lacking. In this meta-analysis, we synthesized 575 observations from 27 articles, revealing that exogenous H2S significantly alleviates Cd-induced growth inhibition in plants. Specifically, it enhances root length (by 8.71%), plant height (by 15.67%), fresh weight (by 15.15%), dry weight (by 22.54%), and chlorophyll content (by 27.99%) under Cd stress conditions. H2S boosts antioxidant enzyme activity, particularly catalase (CAT), by 39.51%, thereby reducing Cd-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Moreover, it impedes Cd translocation from roots to shoots, resulting in a substantial 40.19% reduction in stem Cd content. Additionally, H2S influences gene expression in pathways associated with antioxidant enzymes, metal transport, heavy metal tolerance, H2S biosynthesis, and energy metabolism. However, the efficacy of exogenous H2S in alleviating Cd toxicity varies depending on factors such as plant species, concentration of the H2S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), application method, and cultivation techniques. Notably, NaHS concentrations exceeding 200 μM may adversely affect plants. Overall, our study underscores the role of exogenous H2S in mitigating Cd toxicity and elucidates its mechanism, providing insights for utilizing H2S to combat Cd pollution in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) has garnered significant attention due to reproductive toxicity in inducing ferroptosis. However, the specific mechanisms underlying Cd-induced germ cell ferroptosis remain poorly understood. This study aimed to systematically explore the molecular mechanisms of germ cell ferroptosis by investigating differential changes in transcription factors and proteins in male mice treated orally with CdCl2 (0.5 g/L) reaching postnatal day 60, alongside Leydig cell (TM3) and Sertoli cell (TM4) lines. Results demonstrated that Cd exposure led to increased iron overload and oxidative stress in mouse testes, disrupted intracellular mitochondrial morphology characteristic of ferroptosis. RNA sequencing revealed significant upregulation of Atf3 and Hmox1 in Cd-exposed germ cells, along with increased expression of ATF3 and HO-1. Intervention in ferroptosis or HO-1 effectively rescued cells from Cd-induced mortality by breaking the detrimental cycle between lipid peroxidation and HO-1 activation. Further findings showed that NRF2 and HO-1 expression was notably elevated upon ATF3 overexpression in TM3 and TM4 cells, activating the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway and triggering ferroptosis in testes, whereas NRF2 and HO-1 expression levels were reversed when ATF3 was silenced. This study provides novel insights into ATF3-mediated NRF2/HO-1 signaling in Cd-induced mitochondrial ferroptosis in testes, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying Cd-induced ferroptosis and testicular injury.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils and its accumulation in plant organs have become a global issue due to its harmful effects on human health. The in-situ stabilizing technique, which involves using organic amendments, is commonly employed for removing Cd from agricultural soils. Thus, the current study investigated the effect of vermicompost (VC) on soil properties and plant physio-biochemical attributes, leaf ultrastructure analysis, antioxidant defense mechanisms, and grain yields of two different fragrant rice cultivars, Xiangyaxiangzhan (XGZ) and Meixiangzhan-2 (MXZ-2), under Cd-stress conditions. The results showed that Cd toxicity deteriorates soil quality, the plant’s photosynthetic apparatus, and the plant’s antioxidant defense mechanism. Moreover, under Cd stress, both cultivars produced significantly lower (p

Background: The study examined the impact of varying the concentrations of zinc (Zn) on plant responses, particularly on photosynthetic and oxidative metabolic processes. This investigation aimed to distinguish between the beneficial and harmful effects of Zn on plants, highlighting significant nutrient supply concerns. Methods: The investigation methods were centered around non-invasive methods, such as biophoton emission (delayed fluorescence—DF, ultra-weak bioluminescence—UWLE), fluorescence induction (Fv/Fm) measurements, chlorophyll content estimation (SPAD) and vegetation index (NDVI) determination. Furthermore, the analytical determination of lipid oxidation (MDA level) and antioxidant capacity (FRAP) as well as gene expression studies of the antioxidative enzymes glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and lipoxygenase (LOX) for essential Zn and nonessential cadmium (Cd) were also carried out in order to clarify toxic symptoms through different Zn investigation approaches. Results: It was possible to identify a metabolic enhancement from 1000 µM; however, stress symptoms from the 2000 µM Zn treatment were noted for both the investigated photosynthetic and oxidative processes. The outcomes of this research contribute to the improvement of Zn mineral-supplementation technology, which is essential for maize growth, and the optimization of agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive sulphur fertilisation has been reported to improve the nutrient balance and growth of Cd-exposed plants, but the reasons of this phenomenon and the role of sulphur compounds in the resistance to cadmium are unclear. We investigated sulphur supplementation-induced changes in the surface properties of roots and the level of thiol peptides (PCs) in Cd-stressed Triticum aestivum L. (monocots clade) and Lactuca sativa L. (dicots clade) grown in nutrient solution. The combination of three sulphur (2 mM S—basic level, 6 or 9 mM S—elevated levels) and four cadmium (0, 0.0002, 0.02 or 0.04 mM Cd) concentrations was used. The physicochemical parameters of the roots were determined based on the apparent surface area (Sr), total variable surface charge (Q), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and surface charge density (SCD). In Cd-exposed plants supplied with sulphur, a different character and trend in the physicochemical changes (adsorption and ion exchange) of roots were noted. At the increased sulphur levels, as a rule, the Sr, CEC, Q and SCD values clearly increased in the lettuce but decreased in the wheat in the entire range of the Cd concentrations, except the enhanced Sr of wheat supplied with 6 mM S together with elevated (0.0002 mM) and unchanged (0.02, 0.04 mM Cd) value of this parameter at 9 mM S. This indicates a clade-specific and/or species-specific plant reaction. The 6 mM S appears to be more effective than 9 mM S in alleviation of the cadmium's toxic effects on roots. It was found that at 0.02 and 0.04 mM Cd, the use of 6 mM S limits the Cd accumulation in the roots of both species in comparison with the basic S fertilisation. Moreover, PC accumulation was much more efficient in wheat than in lettuce, and intensive sulphur nutrition generally induced biosynthesis of these chelating compounds. Physicochemical parameters together with quantitative and qualitative assessment of thiol peptides can be important indicators of the efficiency of root system functioning under cadmium stress. The differences between the species and the multidirectional character of the changes are a result of the involvement of a number of multi-level mechanisms engaged in the defence against metal toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants possess intricate defense mechanisms to resist cadmium (Cd) stress, including strategies like metal exclusion, chelation, osmoprotection, and the regulation of photosynthesis, with antioxidants playing a pivotal role. The application of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers are reported to bolster these defenses against Cd stress. Several studies investigated the effects of N or P on Cd stress in non-woody plants and crops. However, the relationship between N, P application, and Cd stress resistance in valuable timber trees remains largely unexplored. This study delves into the Cd tolerance mechanisms of Phoebe zhennan, a forest tree species, under various treatments: Cd exposure alone, combined Cd stress with either N or P and Cd stress with both N and P application. Our results revealed that the P application enhanced root biomass and facilitated the translocation of essential nutrients like K, Mn, and Zn. Conversely, N application, especially under Cd stress, significantly inhibited plant growth, with marked reductions in leaf and stem biomass. Additionally, while the application of P resulted in reduced antioxidant enzyme levels, the combined application of N and P markedly amplified the activities of peroxidase by 266.36%, superoxide dismutase by 168.44%, and ascorbate peroxidase by 26.58% under Cd stress. This indicates an amplified capacity of the plant to neutralize reactive oxygen species. The combined treatment also led to effective regulation of nutrient and Cd distribution in roots, shoots, and leaves, illustrating a synergistic effect in mitigating toxic impact of N. The study also highlights a significant alteration in photosynthetic activities under different treatments. The N addition generally reduced chlorophyll content by over 50%, while P and NP treatments enhanced transpiration rates by up to 58.02%. Our findings suggest P and NP fertilization can manage Cd toxicity by facilitating antioxidant production, osmoprotectant, and root development, thus enhancing Cd tolerance processes, and providing novel strategies for managing Cd contamination in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starry flounders (Platichthys stellatus) (average weight—114.69 ± 13 g, length—19.0 ± 0.21 cm) underwent a 4-week exposure to varying dietary cadmium (Cd) concentrations: 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg. Bioaccumulation patterns were revealed in the intestine, kidney, liver, and gills in descending order of accumulation. Significant declines in growth indicators—body weight gain (BWG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed efficiency ratio percentage (FER)—were evident at 80 mg Cd/kg for 2 weeks and beyond 60 mg Cd/kg for 4 weeks. Hematological parameters, including red blood cell (RBC) count, hematocrit (Ht), and hemoglobin (Hb), remarkably reduced at 80 mg Cd/kg for both 2 and 4 weeks. The total plasma protein reduced significantly after exposure to Cd for 2 and 4 weeks, alongside increased glucose levels, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT). Considerable increases in antioxidant responses—superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione (GSH) levels—were observed after exposure to Cd for 2 and 4 weeks. P. stellatus exhibits a high accumulation of dietary Cd in specific tissues. Moreover, concentrations above 60 mg Cd/kg adversely affected the growth performance, hematological parameters, plasma components, and antioxidant responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been utilized as a probiotic in aqua-feeds to promote growth and alleviate the stress in aquatic animals. On the other hand, cadmium (Cd) toxicity causes serious retardation of growth and welfare status of aquatic animals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective role of dietary yeast in mitigating the waterborne Cd toxicity effects on the growth, haemato-biochemical, stress biomarkers, and histopathological investigations of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). In a 3 × 3 factorial design, the acclimated fish (20–24 g) were randomly distributed into nine treatments in triplicates where they were fed on 0.0% (control), 0.5%, and 1.0% of yeast along with exposure to 0.0, 1.0, and 2.0 mg Cd/L for 60 days. All growth parameters and mRNA expressions of IGF-1 and GH genes as well as haematological parameters were markedly increased with the increase of dietary yeast levels; meanwhile these variables were significantly retarded with Cd exposure. Contradictory effects on the above-mentioned variables were observed with Cd toxicity. In contrast, blood cortisol, glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, in addition to DNA fragments % were noticeably increased with Cd toxicity especially at the treatment of 2.0 mg Cd/L, while decreasing with increasing dietary yeast levels. Compared with the control fish group, Cd concentrations in the gill, liver, and muscle tissues of gilthead seabream were higher in Cd-exposed treatments, especially at the treatment of 2.0 mg Cd/L. Deposition of Cd in fish liver was higher than that in gill tissues but lowest Cd residue was observed in muscle tissues. No significant changes in Cd residues in fish organs were observed in yeast-fed fish with no Cd exposure. The Cd exposure negatively affected histological status of gill, liver, and kidney tissues of S. aurata; while feeding Cd-exposed fish on yeast diets lowered the Cd residues in fish organs and recovered the adverse effects of Cd toxicity. Hence, this study recommends the addition of bakery yeast (1.0%) to fish diets to improve the performance, overall welfare, and histopathological status of gilthead seabream, S. aurata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is a threatening heavy metal pollutant to aquatic organisms. The hepatopancreas plays a crucial role in combating environmental stress and enhancing the immune defense of aquatic species. The exact mechanism behind the damage induced by Cadmium in the hepatopancreas of Fenneropenaeus merguiensis is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms of Cadmium's impact on the hepatopancreas of F. merguiensis through physiological, histological, and transcriptomic analyses. After 72 h of F. merguiensis exposure to the 0.5 mg/L concentration of cadmium results in the reduction of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, coupled with an increase in hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels, which leads to damage in both the gills and hepatopancreas. This causes severe histological changes in the gills and hepatopancreas of F. merguiensis, characterized by irregularities in the gill filaments and ruptures in the basal membrane of the hepatopancreas. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of F. merguiensis revealed the upregulation of several genes associated with pathways related to metabolism (ko01100), antigen processing and presentation (ko04612), and cell apoptosis (ko04215), indicating adaptive response mechanisms to Cadmium exposure. Transcriptomic analysis also showed that Cadmium exposure induced the expression of genes related to detoxification and apoptosis, such as heat shock proteins, metallothionein, and Caspase-3, suggesting adverse effects on the normal physiological functions of F. merguiensis. Our study provides comprehensive insights into the toxicological mechanisms and impacts of Cadmium on F. merguiensis.

Introduction: This study explores the therapeutic potential of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) synthesized using a Helianthemum lippii extract in mitigating cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Given the increasing environmental and health concerns associated with cadmium exposure, novel and eco-friendly therapeutic strategies are essential.Methods: Ag NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectrometry, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy with scanning electron microscopy, confirming their formation with a cubic crystal structure and particle sizes ranging from 4.81 to 12.84 nm. A sub-acute toxicity study of Ag NPs (2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) was conducted, showing no significant difference compared to untreated control rats (n = 3 animals/group). Subsequently, adult Wistar rats (n = 5/group) were divided into a control group and three experimental groups: Ag NPs alone, exposure to 50 mg/kg CdCl2 in drinking water for 35 days, and CdCl2 exposure followed by 0.1 mg/kg/day Ag NPs intraperitoneally for 15 days.Results: In the CdCl2-exposed group, there was a significant decrease in body weight and increases in alanine and aspartate transaminase levels (p < 0.05 vs. control), indicating hepatotoxicity. Additionally, antioxidant defenses were decreased, and malondialdehyde levels were elevated. Liver histology revealed portal fibrosis, inflammation, necrosis, sinusoid and hepatic vein dilation, and cytoplasmic vacuolations. Treatment with Ag NPs post-CdCl2 exposure mitigated several adverse effects on liver function and architecture and improved body weight.Discussion: This study demonstrates the efficacy of Ag NPs synthesized via a green method in reducing cadmium-induced liver damage. These findings support the potential of Ag NPs in therapeutic applications and highlight the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly nanoparticle synthesis methods. By addressing both toxicity concerns and therapeutic efficacy, this research aligns with the growing emphasis on environmentally conscious practices in scientific research and healthcare.

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential trace element that poses significant toxic effects on fish. This review focuses on hematological and plasma biochemical parameters as key indicators of fish health under Cd exposure. Hematological parameters, such as red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and hematocrit (Ht), were selected for their critical role in oxygen transport and their sensitivity to Cd-induced disruptions, which often result in anemia and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) provide further insights into erythropoiesis and hemoglobin synthesis, both of which are essential for assessing Cd toxicity. Plasma biochemical parameters, including calcium, magnesium, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, and liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), are crucial for understanding ionic balance, metabolic regulation, and organ function, especially in fish exposed to Cd. These biomarkers offer a comprehensive view of the physiological stress and organ damage caused by Cd toxicity. This review synthesizes literature findings on the toxic effects of Cd on these parameters. It also discusses potential mitigation strategies, including dietary supplementation with antioxidants and trace elements, to counteract the harmful effects of Cd exposure.

This review summarises the wide range of toxicological effects of cadmium on various fish species and certain mammals. Large amount of cadmium is released into the aquatic environment through different anthropogenic activities and threatens the aquatic life. Therefore, study of toxic effects of cadmium in fish and its possible effects in human is very important. Several studies has shown accumulation and distribution of cadmium in fish tissue, damages tissue structure and function and causes several adverse effects on cardiovascular system, immune system, nervous system and reproductive regulatory system. Histopathological effects of cadmium include multi-organ tissue injury. Significant alterations occur in biochemical and haematological parameters of blood in cadmium exposed fish. Residues of cadmium have been reported from gill, liver, kidney, muscle and other tissues. Therefore, the toxic effects of cadmium on fish occur with multiple tissue system. In mammals, cadmium act as a multi-organ toxin. It also effects the DNA replication and repair at cellular level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cadmium (Cd) toxicity significantly hindered horticultural plant growth and development. • Phytohormones mitigate Cd toxicity in plants. • Phytohormones regulate antioxidant defense system in plants. • Phytohormones upregulate secondary metabolites production in plants. Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic heavy metal (HM) that poses significant threats to the growth and development of horticultural plants. The accumulation of Cd in plants can occur through root uptake or foliar absorption, leading to disturbances in various physiological and biochemical functions. Cd toxicity manifests in horticultural plants through several symptoms, including inhibited growth, chlorosis, necrosis, impaired photosynthesis, and disruptions in nutrient uptake and metabolism. Cd toxicity disrupt crucial metabolic function in plants including oxidative damage, DNA damage, and altering antioxidant enzyme activity. To mitigate the toxic effects of Cd in horticultural plants, a comprehensive approach is required. This approach encompasses various strategies, including effective management practices, utilization of phytohormones and traditional plant growth regulators, and the cultivation of Cd-tolerant cultivars. Implementing these measures has demonstrated promising outcomes in reducing Cd toxicity in horticultural plants. This review sheds light on the potential roles of different stress mitigants in alleviating Cd toxicity in horticultural plants. By employing these strategies, researchers and practitioners can contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient horticultural systems, ensuring the health and productivity of plants in the presence of Cd contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is omnipresent trace element in environmental that is unessential in plants. Cd levels rise because of anthropogenic activity such as the combustion of fossil fuels, phosphate fertilizer manufacturing, mineral fertilizers, batteries technology. It is extremely toxic metal and reduces plant growth. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations (5/10/20/40 ppm) of Cd on germination of seeds and physiological effects in early developmental stage of tomato Solanum lycopersicum Lam. seedlings. 20 ppm (80%) and 40 ppm (83.3%) Cd concentrations caused significantly decrease in germination percentage. All Cd treatments were resulted with decrease in Vigor Index, especially in 20 ppm (42% decrease compared to control). Application of 5 ppm Cd caused decreases in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in seedlings. Finally, significant decrease in protein content of 5 ppm, 10 ppm and 20 ppm treated seedlings were determined compared to control. As a conclusion, Cd negatively affected germination and physiological parameters of tomato in early developmental stage. Overall, these results indicate that Cd affects different physiologic processes and pathways according to concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study investigated the role of synthesized selenium nanoparticles from Spirulina platensis extract (SP-SeNPs) on Pacific whiteleg shrimps' (Litopenaeus vannamei) growth performance, as well as the potential role in alleviating the negative impacts of cadmium (Cd) toxicity. Based on the detected growth performance parameters, digestive enzyme activities, and biochemical components of shrimps after 56 days of the experiment, SP-SeNPs at 0.5 mg/kg were recommended. Moreover, the antioxidative status and histological investigation of shrimp tissues after exposure to Cd for 10 days indicated that SP-SeNPs could mitigate the pathological alternations induced with Cd toxicity. The findings of this study highlight the utility of nanotechnology for the enhanced production of Pacific white shrimps which could be utilized as one of the main sources for the animal proteins needed for human consumption. Shrimp culture is quite important and popular across the world. This study aimed to evaluate the growth-promoting potential of synthesized selenium nanoparticles from Spirulina platensis extract (SP-SeNPs) as a food source for Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). However, pollution is considered a significant element affecting shrimp health and development. The effectiveness of SP-SeNPs in alleviating the negative effects of cadmium toxicity was also evaluated. Firstly, the shrimps (about 120 individuals with 6.0 ± 0.12 g of initial weight) were divided randomly into four groups in triplicates (30 shrimps/ treatment). The control group (SP-SeNPs—0 mg/kg diet) and three treatments were fed dietary SP-SeNPs (0.250, 0.50, and 1.0 mg/kg diet) for 56 days. Growth performance, digestive enzymes activities (protease, amylase, and lipase), and other biochemical components (total protein, lipid, amino acids, and carbohydrate) were evaluated. After 56 days of growth, another 150 adult shrimps were used under laboratory conditions to determine median lethal concentration of cadmium (96 h LC50), and 30 individuals were treated with cadmium (1/2 of LC50, 0.2 mg L−1) for 10 days only. Tissue samples were collected for measuring catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, cadmium bioaccumulation, and histopathological investigation. The results illustrated that the application of SP-SeNPs as feed additives at varying levels significantly improved growth performance (high weight gain, specific growth rate, and low feed conversion rates) relative to the control group. Furthermore, dietary SP-SeNPs enhanced digestive enzyme activities and the concentrations of biochemical components more than the control group. Upon concurrent exposure to cadmium, the antioxidative status was significantly enhanced, and histopathological alterations were mitigated. In conclusion, this study recommended supplementation of SP-SeNPs at 0.50 mg/kg diet to enhance optimal growth rate, digestive enzyme activities, levels of antioxidants in Litopenaeus vannamei, and mitigate the pathological alternations induced with Cd toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of untreated wastewater for vegetable production in peri-urban areas enters into the food chain leading to compromised human health. The present study was planned to evaluate the potential of cadmium (Cd) tolerant bacterial strains in combination with foliar application of Jasmonic acid (JA) under Cd stress. The Cd tolerant bacterial strains were isolated from wastewater and characterized for the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS), siderophore, and indole acdetic acid (IAA) under in vitro studies. The four most efficient strains SS5, SS7, SS8, and SS10 were selected based on growth-promoting traits and further evaluated with different levels of JA (20 µmol L-1 and 40 µmol L-1) in jar trial. Cauliflower (hyperaccumulator) was used as a test crop with Cd levels (0 and 150 mg kg-1). Our results depicted that the use of consortium (SS7+SS8) along with a foliar application of JA (40 µmol L-1) significantly improved shoot dry weight (15.5%), root dry weight (28.4%), shoot length (23.7%), root length (37%), superoxide dismutase (29.8%), peroxidase dismutase (29.7%), catalase (31.7%) and POX (29.2%). However, 29 and 26% reduction in Cd concentration in shoots and roots was observed, respectively. It was concluded that the Klebsiella strains SS7 and SS8 with foliar application of JA is a potential biofertilizer and a phyto-stabilizer for metal-contaminated soils and recommended to reduce the Cd toxicity among crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the therapeutic efficacy of Helianthemum lippii and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) synthesized using a H. lippii extract to alleviate cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Sub-acute toxicity assessments of H. lippii (100 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 4000 mg/kg) and Ag NPs (2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) did not find any significant difference, compared with untreated control rats (n = 3 animals/group). Then, the adult Wistar rats were divided into one control (untreated/unexposed) and six experimental groups (n = 5/group): Ag NPs alone, H. lippii alone, exposure to 50 mg/kg CdCl2 in drinking water for 35 days, exposure to CdCl2 for 35 days followed by treatment with 0.1 mg/kg/day Ag NPs (intraperitoneal injection) and/or 100 mg/kg/day H. lippii by gavage for 15 days. In the CdCl2-exposed group, body weight decreased; urea, creatinine, and uric acid concentrations increased (p < 0.05 vs. control), indicative of nephrotoxicity, antioxidant defenses (SOD, GSH, and CAT) were reduced, and malondialdehyde concentration increased. Moreover, the kidney’s architecture in CdCl2-exposed rats was altered: fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, glomerular destruction, and tubular dilatation. Treatment with H. lippii and/or Ag NPs after CdCl2 exposure improved some of the renal function and architecture alterations induced by CdCl2, and also increased body weight. This study underscores the potential therapeutic applications of H. lippii and Ag NPs to decrease oxidative stress and promote xenobiotic detoxification, in line with the growing emphasis on environmentally conscious practices in scientific research and healthcare.

Cadmium (Cd) is a naturally occurring toxic heavy metal that adversely affects plant germination, growth, and development. While the effects of Cd have been described on many crop species including rice, maize, wheat and barley, few studies are available on cadmium’s effect on Tartary buckwheat which is a traditional grain in China. We examined nine genotypes and found that 30 µM of Cd reduced the root length in seedlings by between 4 and 44% and decreased the total biomass by 7 to 31%, compared with Cd-free controls. We identified a significant genotypic variation in sensitivity to Cd stress. Cd treatment decreased the total root length and the emergence and growth of lateral roots, and these changes were significantly greater in the Cd-sensitive genotypes than in tolerant genotypes. Cd resulted in greater wilting and discoloration in sensitive genotypes than in tolerant genotypes and caused more damage to the structure of root and leaf cells. Cd accumulated in the roots and shoots, but the concentrations in the sensitive genotypes were significantly greater than in the more tolerant genotypes. Cd treatment affected nutrient uptake, and the changes in the sensitive genotypes were greater than those in the tolerant genotypes, which could maintain their concentrations closer to the control levels. The induction of SOD, POD, and CAT activities in the roots and shoots was significantly greater in the tolerant genotypes than in the sensitive genotypes. We demonstrated that Cd stress reduced root and shoot growth, decreased plant biomass, disrupted nutrient uptake, altered cell structure, and managed Cd-induced oxidative stress differently in the sensitive and tolerant genotypes of Tartary buckwheat.

Cadmium (Cd) exerts a toxic influence on numerous crucial growth and development processes in plants, notably affecting seed germination rate, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, and biomass. While considerable advances in Cd uptake and detoxification of plants have been made, the mechanisms by which plants adapt to and tolerate Cd toxicity remain elusive. This review focuses on the relationship between Cd and plants and the prospects for phytoremediation of Cd pollution. We highlight the following issues: (1) the present state of Cd pollution and its associated hazards, encompassing the sources and distribution of Cd and the risks posed to human health; (2) the mechanisms underlying the uptake and transport of Cd, including the physiological processes associated with the uptake, translocation, and detoxification of Cd, as well as the pertinent gene families implicated in these processes; (3) the detrimental effects of Cd on plants and the mechanisms of detoxification, such as the activation of resistance genes, root chelation, vacuolar compartmentalization, the activation of antioxidant systems and the generation of non-enzymatic antioxidants; (4) the practical application of phytoremediation and the impact of incorporating exogenous substances on the Cd tolerance of plants.

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is highly toxic to humans and animals. Its adverse effects have been widely associated with mitochondrial alterations. However, there are not many treatments that target mitochondria. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of sulforaphane (SFN) pre-exposure against cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced toxicity and mitochondrial alterations in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), by exploring the role of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway (IIS). The results revealed that prior exposure to SFN protected against CdCl2-induced mortality and increased lifespan, body length, and mobility while reducing lipofuscin levels. Furthermore, SFN prevented mitochondrial alterations by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and restoring mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, thereby decreasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The improvement in mitochondrial function was associated with increased mitochondrial mass and the involvement of the daf-16 and skn-1c genes of the IIS signaling pathway. In conclusion, exposure to SFN before exposure to CdCl2 mitigates toxic effects and mitochondrial alterations, possibly by increasing mitochondrial mass, which may be related to the regulation of the IIS pathway. These discoveries open new possibilities for developing therapies to reduce the damage caused by Cd toxicity and oxidative stress in biological systems, highlighting antioxidants with mitochondrial action as promising tools.

The uncontrolled discharge of industrial wastewater leads to a significant cadmium (Cd) accumulation in waste activated sludge (WAS), posing a serious threat to the steady operation of the anaerobic digestion (AD) system in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Therefore, developing a viable approach to cope with the adverse effects of high-concentration Cd on the AD system is urgently required. This study aims to investigate the potential of using anionic polyacrylamide (APAM), a commonly used agent in WWTPs, to mitigate the adverse effects of Cd in a toxic amount (i.e., 5.0 mg per g total suspended solids (TSS)) on AD of WAS. The results showed that the effectiveness of higher APAM on Cd toxicity alleviation was less than that of lower APAM at the studied level (i.e., the effectiveness order was 1.5 mg APAM per g TSS > 3.0 mg APAM per g TSS > 6.0 mg APAM per g TSS). The moderate supplement of APAM (i.e., 1.5 mg per g TSS) recovered the accumulative methane yield from 190.5 ± 3.6 to 228.9 ± 4.1 mL per g volatile solids by promoting solubilization, hydrolysis, and acidification processes related to methane production. The application of APAM also increased the abundance of key microbes in the AD system, especially Methanolinea among methanogens and Caldilineaceae among hydrolyzers. Furthermore, APAM facilitated the key enzyme activities involved in AD processes and reduced reactive oxygen species (induced by Cd) production via adsorption/enmeshment of Cd by APAM. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using moderate APAM to mitigate Cd toxicity during AD, providing a promising solution for controlling Cd or other heavy metal toxicity in WWTPs.

Heavy metal pollution has significant toxicity to plants, so it is necessary to take measures to reduce the toxicity of heavy metals, especially cadmium (Cd). While engineered nanomaterials provide great benefits in environmental remediation, and nano-silicon dioxide (nSiO2) has been considered as a potential new safer agrochemical for establishing plant resistance to Cd stress recently, but the systematically studies remain limited, especially in bitter gourd. The current study was conducted to study the mitigation effects and potential mechanism of exogenous nSiO2 upon Cd toxicity in bitter gourd seedlings. Generally, the application of nSiO2 reduced Cd concentrations in stems and roots. It mitigated Cd-induced root length, plant height, leaf area, and biomass inhibition in all tissues, with the mitigation effect of root length being the most obvious then followed by root dry weight (DW). In addition, exogenous nSiO2 affected the plant mineral elements' balance, by stimulating leaf/root Zn, leaf/root Na, and Mg content, and depressing Cu, leaf Fe, leaf/root Ca, and stem Na content, in comparison with Cd treatment alone. Moreover, the supplementation of nSiO2 counteracted the changes of certain antioxidase induced by Cd, such as enhanced Cd depressed stem superoxide dismutase (SOD), and stem/root ascorbate peroxidase (APX), meanwhile reduced Cd elevated leaf SOD and peroxidase (POD) activities. In addition, exogenous nSiO2 obviously depressed the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) induced by Cd stress. The results clearly showed that the mitigated Cd toxicity by nSiO2 addition was interrelated to the reduced MDA content and Cd concentration, balanced mineral element content and certain antioxidase activities, suggesting that nSiO2 might play a vital role in providing tolerance against Cd stress in bitter gourd seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]