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Background: The study investigates the antioxidant properties of Catharanthus roseus, focusing on identifying its antioxidant compounds and chemical constituents. We compare antioxidant activities across its root, stem, flower, and leaf and examine the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS)–generating enzymes by the plant's phytocompounds. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis that included proximate analysis, mineral content assessment, and in vitro antioxidant characterization of various plant parts—root, stem, flower, and leaf. The levels of bioactive phytochemicals in both ethanol and mixed‐solvent extracts of Catharanthus roseus were quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD). Additionally, we performed molecular docking studies to explore the interactions of quantified phytocompounds. Results: HPLC‐DAD analysis quantified catechin hydrate, catechol, (−) epicatechin, rutin hydrate, trans‐cinnamic acid, quercetin, vanillic acid, kaempferol, and trans‐ferulic acid in Catharanthus roseus. Despite the ethanol extract having higher total antioxidant properties and flavonoid content, the mixed‐solvent extract exhibited higher EC50 for reducing power and lower IC50 for ABTS, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and metal chelating activities. Molecular docking studies indicated that compounds such as catechin, rutin, epicatechin, quercetin, and kaempferol significantly inhibit the ROS‐generating enzyme microsomal prostaglandin E synthase 1 (mPGES‐1). Conclusions: The mixed‐solvent extract had higher levels of catechin hydrate, rutin hydrate, trans‐ferulic acid, and vanillic acid, whereas the ethanol extract contained more (−) epicatechin, catechol, kaempferol, quercetin, and trans‐cinnamic acid. While the extracts displayed antioxidant activity, the phytoconstituents also inhibited ROS‐generating mPGES‐1. These results identify key compounds with potential for developing new chemotherapeutic agents against ROS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Neuronal-origin HuD (ELAVL4) is an RNA binding protein overexpressed in neuroblastoma (NB) and certain other cancers. The RNA targets of this RNA binding protein in neuroblastoma cells and their role in promoting cancer survival have been unexplored. In the study of modulators of mTORC1 activity under the conditions of optimal cell growth and starvation, the role of HuD and its two substrates were studied. Methods RNA immunoprecipitation/sequencing (RIP-SEQ) coupled with quantitative real-time PCR were used to identify substrates of HuD in NB cells. Validation of the two RNA targets of HuD was via reverse capture of HuD by synthetic RNA oligoes from cell lysates and binding of RNA to recombinant forms of HuD in the cell and outside of the cell. Further analysis was via RNA transcriptome analysis of HuD silencing in the test cells. Results In response to stress, HuD was found to dampen mTORC1 activity and allow the cell to upregulate its autophagy levels by suppressing mTORC1 activity. Among mRNA substrates regulated cell-wide by HuD, GRB-10 and ARL6IP1 were found to carry out critical functions for survival of the cells under stress. GRB-10 was involved in blocking mTORC1 activity by disrupting Raptor-mTOR kinase interaction. Reduced mTORC1 activity allowed lifting of autophagy levels in the cells required for increased survival. In addition, ARL6IP1, an apoptotic regulator in the ER membrane, was found to promote cell survival by negative regulation of apoptosis. As a therapeutic target, knockdown of HuD in two xenograft models of NB led to a block in tumor growth, confirming its importance for viability of the tumor cells. Cell-wide RNA messages of these two HuD substrates and HuD and mTORC1 marker of activity significantly correlated in NB patient populations and in mouse xenografts. Conclusions HuD is seen as a novel means of promoting stress survival in this cancer type by downregulating mTORC1 activity and negatively regulating apoptosis.

In MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma (NB), we noticed that the single compound treatment with the HDAC inhibitor vorinostat led to a reprogramming of the glycolytic pathway in these cells. This reprogramming was upregulation of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), allowing the cells to generate ATP, albeit at a reduced rate. This behavior was dependent on reduced levels of MYCN and a corresponding increase in the levels of PPARD transcription factors. By integrating metabolic and functional studies in NB cells and mouse xenografts, we demonstrate a compensatory upregulation of FAO/OXPHOS metabolism that promotes resistance to HDAC inhibitors. From the additional compounds that could reverse this metabolic reprogramming, the mTORC1 inhibitor sirolimus was selected. Besides both a block of glycolysis and OXPHOS, the HDAC/mTORC1 inhibitor combination produced significantly higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the treated cells and in xenograft tumor samples, also a consequence of increased glycolytic block. The lead compounds were also tested for changes in the message levels of the glycolytic enzymes and their pathway activity, and HK2 and GPI glycolytic enzymes were most affected at their RNA message level. This combination was seen with no overall toxicity in treated mice in terms of weight loss or liver/kidney function.

The study is aimed at estimating the possibility of using pomegranate peel extracts as a natural food preservative which was investigated in fish samples. All the extracts (cold water, hot water, and 70% methanol) have been tested against five bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhi, Bacillus megaterium, and Bacillus subtilis) using the agar disc diffusion method. Hot water extract showed the best result against B. megaterium. The zone of inhibition (ZOI) for hot water extract as crude was taken 20 μl/disc was 25 mm. Total antioxidant activity and total phenolic content (TPC) were determined for different extracts. The results of a test for TPC showed that 70% methanolic extract (MeOH) and cold water extract, respectively, comprised 263.59 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and 197.99 mg GAE/g of total phenolics. In addition, MeOH had a total antioxidant activity of 67.55 ± 5.58 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g while hot water extract had a total antioxidant activity of 66.86 ± 3.55 mg AAE/g. The extracts were applied to Ompok pabda fish, and the fish were preserved in prepared extracts for 24 hours in the open air. Total volatile nitrogen (TVN) and sensory parameters were evaluated at regular intervals of 0, 4, 12, 18, and 24 hours. The TVN value of the prepared extracts was found in order of hot water> MeOH> cold water. Fish preserved in hot water extract was in the acceptable range even after 24 hours. Methanol extract and hot water yielded superior outcomes in preserving the fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the context of zoonosis, Bangladesh's small‐scale dairying is yet to frame satisfactory levels due to poor biosecurity practices. Objectives: This study intended to reveal the degree of knowledge, attitudes and biosecurity practices among Sylhet district, Bangladesh's small‐scale dairy farmers. We also focused on the association between biosecurity practices and the incidence of non‐specific enteritis in humans. Methods: A questionnaire‐based survey was conducted on the farmers' KAP via personal interviews of 15 farmers from the randomly selected fifteen small‐scale dairy farms. The questionnaire was developed with 6 questions for knowledge, 6 questions for attitude and 12 questions for the practice of biosecurity measures. Alongside that, data on the number of non‐specific enteritis cases experienced by the farmers or their family members were also recorded. Spearman correlation was used to find out the correlation among KAP variables and between practice scores and non‐specific enteritis incidences. Results: We found an insignificant (p > 0.05) influence of demographic characteristics over knowledge, attitude and biosecurity practices. Significant (p < 0.05) and strong correlations were found in knowledge–attitude (r = 0.65), knowledge–practice (r = 0.71) and attitude–practice (r = 0.64). Incidences of non‐specific enteritis and biosecurity measures' practice were also strongly correlated (r = −0.9232) and statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study suggests that increasing knowledge and developing a good attitude are necessary to increase the adaptation of biosecurity measures as three of these factors are correlated. Moreover, farm biosecurity measures are closely related to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]