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Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a slowly progressing cancer of the blood cells that originates in the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells. It is caused by the reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, which results in the formation of a chimeric chromosome referred to as the ‘Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome’. As per GLOBOCAN 2020, leukemia is the tenth most frequently occurring cancer across the world with an overall mortality rate of 3.1%. Among all the countries, India is ranked third in the incidence as well as mortality associated with leukemia. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the standard treatment drugs for CML. However, around 30% of CML patients have been observed to develop resistance against imatinib because of the reduced intracellular availability of the drug. Therefore, the present study was designed to enhance the imatinib import through the use of MayBridge fragment (MBF) compounds. Here we used the previously developed imatinib-resistant leukemia cells (K562-R) for further study. The gene expression analysis revealed that the effect of MBF compounds on imatinib treatment was probably due to the change in the expression of import transporters (OATP1A2 and OCT1). The metabolite profiling carried out by LC-MS/MS confirmed that the intracellular concentration of imatinib did increase in K562-R cells when treated with either of the MBFs and imatinib together in comparison to imatinib treatment alone. These results imply that MBF1 and MBF4 used in this study enhance the imatinib import in K562-R cells by altering the expression of membrane transporters in a better way.

The genus Dermatocarpon (Verrucariaceae) is a rock-inhabiting lichen, mostly grows along the edges of lakes, rivers, streams, and watercourses. Dermatocarpon species are widely distributed from the tropics to the polar regions. In present study, D. miniatum samples were collected from the Indian Himalayas; the mycobiont and their photobionts are identified using morphological and molecular methods. The ITS rDNA markers was amplified for the DNA extracted from cultured photobiont isolates and mycobiont. The light and confocal laser scanning microscope were used for morphological evaluation of the photobionts. The nuclear ITS rDNA gene of the mycobionts and photobionts were sequenced to confirm identity. The phylogenetic trees of mycobionts and photobionts were constructed using the Maximum likelihood method that revealed an evolutionary affinity of lichen D. miniatum and photobiont Diplosphaera chodatii with similar taxa. The D. chodatii (Trebouxiophyceae) was associated with all samples of D. miniatum. This study concludes that Diplosphaera chodatii is the primary photobiont associated with D. miniatum. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study of diversity for the photobiont associated with D. miniatum from India.

Legume lectins are carbohydrate-binding protein and widely distributed in a variety of species of leguminous plants and have drawn increased attention toward cancer. Nowadays, the lectins have been studied for the screening of potential biomarkers which increased its importance in cancer research. Few plant lectins have been shown to destroy cancer cells, suggesting that lectins may have biological potential in cancer treatments. In this review, we present a focused outline of legume lectins in descriptive their complex anti-cancer mechanisms on the bases of their properties of recognition and interacting specifically with carbohydrates binding sites. Existing reports suggested the binding of lectins to cancerous cells with their cell surface markers speculated by histochemistry in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we illuminate the use of legume lectins as a natural source for diagnostics and therapeutics purpose against cancer.

Microorganisms including actinomycetes, archaea, bacteria, fungi, yeast, and micro algae are the auspicious source of vital bioactive compounds. In this review, the existing state of the art re-garding antimicrobial molecules from microorganisms has been summarized. The potential an-timicrobial compounds from actinomycetes, particularly Streptomyces sp.; archaea; fungi including endophytic and marine-derived fungi, mushroom; yeast, and microalgae were briefly described. Furthermore, this review briefly summarized the activity and mode of action of bacteriocins, a ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides product of Eurotium sp., Streptomyces parvulus, S. thermophiles, Lactococcus lactis, etc. Bacteriocins have inherent properties such as targeting multi-ple-drug resistant pathogens, which allows them to be considered next-generation antibiotics. Similarly, Glarea lozoyensis derived antifungal lipohexpeptides i.e., pneumocandins, inhibits 1,3-β-glucan synthase of the fungal cell wall and acts as a precursor for the synthesis of caspo-fungin, is also elaborated. In conclusion, this review highlights the possibility of using microor-ganisms as an antimicrobial resource for biotechnological, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical ap-plications. However, more investigations are still required to separate, purify, and characterize these bioactive compounds and transfer these primary drugs into clinically approved antibiotics.

Oxidative stress originates from an elevated intracellular level of free oxygen radicals that cause lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, DNA hydroxylation, and apoptosis, ultimately impairing cell viability. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which further helps to prevent cellular damage. Medicinal plants, fruits, and spices are the primary sources of antioxidants from time immemorial. In contrast to plants, microorganisms can be used as a source of antioxidants with the advantage of fast growth under controlled conditions. Further, microbe-based antioxidants are nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, and biodegradable as compared to synthetic antioxidants. The present review aims to summarize the current state of the research on the antioxidant activity of microorganisms including actinomycetes, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, microalgae, and yeast, which produce a variety of antioxidant compounds, i.e., carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamins, and sterol, etc. Special emphasis is given to the mechanisms and signaling pathways followed by antioxidants to scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), especially for those antioxidant compounds that have been scarcely investigated so far.

Oxidative stress is an elevated intracellular level of free oxygen radicals that cause lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, DNA hydroxylation, and apoptosis, ultimately negotiating cells viability. Antioxidants can scavenge such free radicals, thus reducing the oxidative stress and eventually prevent cellular damage. Medicinal plants, fruits, and spices remain the prioritized sources of antioxidants and antimicrobial properties since the time immemorial, but in contrast to plants, microorganisms can be grown at a faster rate under controlled conditions. They are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and biodegradable as compared to synthetic antioxidants. Microorganisms including actinomycetes, archaea, bacteria, protozoa, yeast, and fungi are auspicious source of vital bioactive compounds. The list comprises ample of bioactive components from microorganisms. One of them is bacteriocins, which are ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides product of Eurotium sp., Streptomyces parvulus, S. thermophiles, Lactococcus lactis, etc. It has a great potential as next-generation antibiotics targeting the multiple-drug resistant pathogens. Pneumocandins are antifungal lipohexapeptides derived from the fungus Glarea lozoyensis, and inhibit 1,3-β-glucan synthase of the fungal cell wall and act as a precursor for the synthesis of caspofungin. It is widely used against invasive fungal infections and has been recently approved by the FDA. Taxol (paclitaxel), a chemotherapeutic drug derived from the bark of Taxus brevifolia can also be produced by endophytic fungi Taxomyces andreanae and Nodulisporium sylviforme. It is known to inhibit several fungi such as Pythium, Aphanomyces and Phytophthora. Hispidin and its derivate isolated from P. hispidus, reduce inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, obstruct the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, and also decrease the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in macrophages. Astaxanthin, known as an “aquatic” carotenoid produced by H. pluvialis, also has excellent ROS quenching activity. This study mainly focuses on fascinating antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that have been scarcely investigated in microorganisms and discuss the promise and challenges of microorganisms as providers of health benefits.

Arctic region is at the forefront of climate crisis; this is where the planet is warming maximally and the effects of climate change are most obvious. In this review, we introduce the topic in broader perspective by discussing first on why Arctic biodiversity matters, and scientific evidences for a changing Arctic biodiversity due to climate change. The Arctic then dwells into the current status of Arctic biodiversity covering species diversity and its conservation status with an emphasis on species important for bioprospecting. Subsequently, threats to Arctic biodiversity will be reviewed including climate change, shipping, oil exploration, overfishing, and overharvesting. This essay would then further deliberate why Arctic matters to India in particular. Himadri—Indian research station at Svalbard, Norway—will be briefed followed by an overview of Svalbard Global Seed Vault and why signing a pact with this international facility would benefit the country. The essay concludes with final thoughts and way forward including strategies to minimize Arctic biodiversity loss, UN SDGs (Ssustainable Ddevelopment Ggoals), and climate action.

Microalgae biomass have been used as a source of nutrient-rich food, feed, and health-promoting compounds. Among the several commercially available microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis is the most abundant source of natural astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4′-dione), which is considered as “super antioxidant.” Therefore natural astaxanthin produced by H. pluvialis has a higher antioxidant capacity than the synthetic sources, which reduces oxidative stress and free radicals and helps the human body to maintain a healthy state. However, H. pluvialis contains astaxanthin inside the cells, which need to be extracted using nontoxic extraction technologies for different application. Among the different available extraction technologies, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a modern technology with increasing applications in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sector. The most frequently employed supercritical solvent in food and natural product processing is carbon dioxide (CO2) due to its low critical temperature and pressure while considered as nontoxic extraction solvent. Therefore, nowadays, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) is considered as a new substitute for complete extraction of natural compounds from different matrices. However, the extraction efficiency and purity of astaxanthin in the extract are influenced by different operative conditions such as the extraction pressure, temperature, time, and use of cosolvent. Hence the optimum operative condition of SC-CO2 extraction could enhance the extraction yields of astaxanthin and of its purity the extract. Therefore present chapter summarizes the effects of several extraction parameters on SC-CO2 extraction of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis, which could serve as benchmark for future development of SC-CO2 extraction technology and its commercial implementation in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sector.

Due to re-emerging infections and multiple drug-resistant pathogens, scientists initiated the investigation of marine microbes for their anti-infective characteristics. About 70% of the Earth’s surface gets cover by the ocean, which is a vast habitat for marine microbes, and out of those few microbial classes endure only in the sea. The benefit with the marine microbes is that it fits in the traditional pharmaceutical “model,” so there is no need for the extra effort for drug extraction from them. The marine microbes secrete the secondary metabolites, having a variety of bioactivities. In the 1950s, two drugs (Ara-C as anticancer and Ara-A as antiviral) isolated from a shallow-water sponge of the Florida coast launched in the market for the first time opened the gate for the marine microbes as the promising source of new drugs. The marine microbes also produce nutritional supplements, for example, marine alga secretes the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is an essential unsaturated fatty acid of breast milk, and, nowadays, this is used in the formula milk of infants. The ocean should be explored more in search of novel marine drugs because the preclinical marine pharmacology pipeline is found to be very productive.

Lichens are the symbiotic association of green algae (phycobiont) or blue-green algae (cyanobiont) with fungus (mycobiont). Lichen-forming fungi consist of about 20,000 species, whereas the known photobionts are only about 156 species from 56 genera. A confounding reason for this disparity in the species richness is that most of the lichenologists are mycologists and their focus is on the mycobionts rather than photobionts. Therefore, mycobionts are comparatively well-characterized while the real diversity of photobionts remain elusive. Diversity and phylogeny of major photobiont lineages described till date are comprehensively covered in this systematic review, along with the data on ecology, patterns of phylogeography, and evolution. Current understanding of photobionts described from the Indian subcontinent is summarized revealing significant knowledge gaps in this field. Given that photobionts have relatively simple morphology and morphological plasticity, the relevance of DNA sequence-based molecular systematics for photobiont characterization is highlighted, and other challenges in photobiont research are discussed.