Search Results (779)

(1) Background: Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), characterized by high toxicity and strong lipophilicity, which promote their bioaccumulation in human tissues. Their detection in breast milk raises concerns about early-life exposure during lactation. Although dietary intake is the primary route of maternal exposure, environmental pathways—including inhalation, dermal absorption, and residential proximity to contaminated sites—may also significantly contribute to the maternal body burden. (2) Methods: This narrative review examined peer-reviewed studies investigating maternal and environmental determinants of dioxin and dl-PCB concentrations in human breast milk. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000–2024), identifying a total of 325 records. Following eligibility screening and full-text assessment, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. (3) Results: The included studies consistently identified key exposure determinants, such as high consumption of animal-based foods (e.g., meat, fish, dairy), living near industrial facilities or waste sites, and maternal characteristics including age, parity, and body mass index (BMI). Substantial geographic variability was observed, with higher concentrations reported in regions affected by industrial activity, military pollution, or inadequate waste management. One longitudinal study from Japan demonstrated a declining trend in dioxin levels in breast milk, suggesting the potential effectiveness of regulatory interventions. (4) Conclusions: These findings highlight that maternal exposure to dioxins is influenced by identifiable environmental and behavioral factors, which can be mitigated through public health policies, targeted dietary guidance, and environmental remediation. Breast milk remains a critical bioindicator of human exposure. Harmonized, long-term research is needed to clarify health implications and minimize contaminant transfer to infants, particularly among vulnerable populations. Full article

Skin disorders are common and often chronic conditions with significant therapeutic challenges. Limitations of conventional treatments, such as adverse effects and antimicrobial resistance, have increased interest in plant-based alternatives. This article presents the phytochemical composition and pharmacological potential of several medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment of skin diseases, including Rubus vulgaris, Plantago major, Artemisia terrae-albae, and Eryngium planum. Based on an analysis of scientific literature, the presence of bioactive compounds—including flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, tannins, and sesquiterpenes—is summarized, along with their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Emphasis is placed on the correlation between traditional ethnomedicinal applications and pharmacological mechanisms. The findings support the potential of these species as sources for dermatological phytotherapeutics. Further research is needed to standardize active constituents, assess safety, and conduct clinical validation. Full article

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is one of the polyphagous pests of several crops and forestry, resistant to numerous conventional chemicals. Due to the negative side effects of harmful chemical pesticides, such as environmental pollution, and risks to human health, the introduction of effective and low-risk alternatives is essential. The promising pesticidal effects of essential oils (EOs) isolated from Artemisia annua have been documented in recent studies. In the present study, the acaricidal effects of an A. annua EO, along with its two dominant monoterpenoids, 1,8-cineole and camphor, were investigated against adults of T. urticae. Artemisia annua EO, 1,8-cineole, and camphor, with 24 h-LC₅₀ values of 0.289, 0.533, and 0.64 µL/L air, respectively, had significant toxicity by fumigation against T. urticae adults. Along with lethality, A. annua EO and monoterpenoids had significant inhibitory effects on the activity of detoxifying enzymes, including α- and β-esterases, glutathione S-transferases, and cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase. According to the findings of the present study, A. annua EO and its two dominant monoterpenoids, 1,8-cineole and camphor, with significant toxicity and inhibitory effects on detoxifying enzymes, can be introduced as available, effective, and eco-friendly acaricides in the management of T. urticae. Full article

The development of non-toxic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for medical and other diverse applications is steadily increasing. However, this study specifically aims to determine the cytotoxic effects of AgNPs synthesized via a green chemistry approach using aqueous-ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Artemisia terrae-albae. The photophysical, morphological, and size distribution characteristics of the synthesized AgNPs are analyzed using UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A modified Allium cepa assay is employed to evaluate biological responses, including root growth, root number, and mitotic index. In this assay, the cell cycles of onion bulbs are synchronized and pre-incubated at 4 °C for 72 h prior to treatment. This study reveals that the AgNPs synthesized from the ethanol extract exhibit notable stability and higher cytotoxicity activity, with a root length of 0.6 ± 0.13 cm, root number of 16 ± 6.88, and mitotic index of 25.0 ± 2.6. These values are significantly more cytogenotoxic than those observed for the ethyl-acetate-derived nanoparticles, which show a root length of 0.8 ± 0.17 cm, root number of 18 ± 6.27, and mitotic index of 36 ± 3.6. These findings highlight the potential of green-synthesized AgNPs as effective cytotoxic agents, especially those obtained from ethanol extract, possibly due to a greater influence of the quantity of diverse phenolic compounds present in the complex mixtures than in the ethyl acetate extract, which otherwise enhanced their morphology, shape, and size. These, overall, contributed to the biological activity. Full article

In this study, 14 palynological samples and nine AMS ¹⁴C dating samples were collected from two representative black soil profiles in the Xingkai Lake Plain to examine climate changes and their impacts on environmental evolution since the Holocene. The systematic identification, analysis, and research of palynological data reveal that the black soil profiles in the Xingkai Lake Plain can be categorized into the following three distinct palynological assemblage zones: the lower zone (11.7–7.5 ka BP) is characterized by Pinus-Laevgatomonoleti-Amaranthaceae-Artemisia, having a cold, dry climate; the middle zone (7.5–2.5 ka BP) features Quercus-Juglans-Polygonum-Cyperaceae, with a warm and humid climate; and the upper zone (2.5 ka BP to present) consists of Pinus-Quercus-Betula, indicating a cold and dry climate. Furthermore, field lithostratigraphic observations of the two black soil profiles suggest that late Pleistocene loessial clay serves as the parent material in this region. Quaternary geology, section lithology, palynology, and AMS ¹⁴C dating results indicate that a significant portion of black soil in the Xingkai Lake Plain was primarily formed during the Great Warm Period following the middle Holocene. These insights not only enhance our understanding of Holocene climate dynamics in Northeast China but also provide a substantial scientific foundation for further studies on related topics. Full article

Today’s primary challenges include identifying efficient, affordable, and environmentally sustainable substances to serve as raw materials in industrial, agricultural, and medicinal applications. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and biological properties (namely antioxidant and allelopathic activities) of the methanolic extract derived from the above-ground portions of Artemisia judaica collected in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. GC-MS was used to evaluate the chemical composition of the methanolic extract derived from Artemisia judaica. GC-MS analysis revealed a total of 22 volatile compounds in the extract. The most prominent compounds identified were 2-ethylhexanoic acid, 5-hydroxy-6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2,7-dimethoxynaphtho-quinone, and piperitone. The extract demonstrated strong antioxidant activity in both the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, comparable to the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid. The IC₅₀ value for the extract was 31.82 mg/mL in the DPPH assay and 39.93 mg/mL in the ABTS testing. Additionally, the extract exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of seed germination, root growth, and shoot growth of the weed Chenopodium murale in allelopathic bioassays. The most significant suppression was observed in shoot growth with an IC₅₀ value of 45.90 mg/mL, which was lower than the IC₅₀ values for root development and seed germination of C. murale, recorded at 56.16 mg/mL and 88.80 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the findings indicated that methanolic extracts had significant lethal toxic effects on the life cycle of Aedes aegypti. Future research will focus on extracting uncontaminated substances and evaluating the biological effects of each specific constituent. Full article

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by autoimmune dysregulation, elevated autoantibody production, and persistent inflammation, predisposing patients to atherosclerosis (AS). Atherogenesis is dependent on lipid homeostasis and inflammatory processes, with the formation of lipid-laden, macrophage-derived foam cells (MDFC) essential for atherosclerotic lesion progression. Elevated cholesterol levels within lipid rafts trigger heightened pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages via Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). Artesunate (ART), an artemisinin derivative sourced from Artemisia annua, exhibits therapeutic potential in modulating inflammation and autoimmune conditions. Nonetheless, its impact and mechanisms in SLE-associated AS (SLE-AS) remain largely unexplored. Our investigation demonstrated that ART could effectively ameliorate lupus-like symptoms and atherosclerotic plaque development in SLE-AS mice. Moreover, ART enhanced cholesterol efflux from MDFC by upregulating ABCA1, ABCG1, and SR-B1 both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, ART reduced cholesterol accumulation in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), thereby diminishing TLR9 recruitment to lipid rafts. ART also suppressed TLR9 expression and its downstream effectors in the kidney and aorta of SLE-AS mice, attenuating the TLR9-mediated inflammatory cascade in CPG2395 (ODN2395)-stimulated macrophages. Through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation, PPARγ was identified as a pivotal downstream mediator of ART in macrophages. Depleting PPARγ levels reduced the expression of ABCA1, ABCG1, and SR-B1 in macrophages, consequently impeding cholesterol efflux. In conclusion, these findings suggest that ART ameliorates SLE-AS by restoring cholesterol homeostasis through the PPARγ-ABCA1/ABCG1/SR-B1 pathway and suppressing lipid raft-driven TLR9/MyD88 inflammation. Full article

Herbs are valued for their antioxidant richness and traditional use in cuisine and medicine. This study analysed wild herbs (e.g., Achillea, Lamium) and cultivated spices (Salvia, Artemisia) for their bioactive compounds. It was found that antioxidant profiles varied notably among species, even within the same family. Helichrysum italicum and Salvia officinalis had the highest polyphenol levels, while Achillea millefolium and Ocimum basilicum had the lowest. Total polyphenols did not always correlate with antioxidant activity. For instance, Petroselinum hortense and Salvia rosmarinus showed high antioxidant activity despite low polyphenol levels, whereas Levisticum officinale and Artemisia dracunculus combined both. Mentha spicata, M. x citrata, Origanum vulgare, and S. officinalis were rich in carotenoids, while H. italicum showed high α-carotene but low levels of other carotenoids. Most Lamiaceae accumulated a high amount of chlorophylls and polyphenols. Cultivated herbs like M. spicata, M. x citrata, and S. officinalis exhibited stronger and more diverse properties than wild species. It can be concluded that taxonomy alone does not predict antioxidant potential. The differences observed may be attributed to species-specific metabolic pathways, ecological adaptations, or environmental factors influencing phytochemical expression. These findings highlight the importance of conducting species-level screenings in the search for plant-derived antioxidants with potential therapeutic applications. Full article

Information on the effects of differences in root and soil properties on Saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) is crucial for estimating rainfall infiltration and evaluating sustainable ecological development. This study selected typical grass shrub composite plots widely distributed in hilly and gully areas of the Loess Plateau: Caragana korshinskii, Caragana korshinskii and Agropyron cristatum (fibrous root), and Caragana korshinskii and Artemisia gmelinii (taproot). Samples were collected at different distances from the base of the shrub (0 cm, 50 cm), with a sampling depth of 0–30 cm. The constant head method is used to measure the K_s. The K_s decreased with increasing soil depth. Due to the influence of shrub growth, there was significant spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of K_s at different positions from the base of the shrub. Compared to the sample location situated 50 cm from the base of the shrub, it was observed that in a single shrub plot, the K_s at the base were higher, while in a grass shrub composite plot, the K_s at the base were lower. Root length density, >0.25 mm aggregates, and organic matter were the main driving factors affecting K_s. The empirical equation established by using principal component analysis to reduce the dimensions of these three factors and calculate the comprehensive score was more accurate than the empirical equation established by previous researchers, who considered only root or soil properties. Root length density and organic matter had significant indirect effects on K_s, reaching 52.87% and 78.19% of the direct effects, respectively. Overall, the composite plot of taproot herbaceous and shrub (Caragana korshinskii and Artemisia gmelinii) had the highest K_s, which was 82.98 cm·d⁻¹. The ability of taproot herbaceous plants to improve K_s was higher than that of fibrous root herbaceous plants. The research results have certain significance in revealing the influence mechanism of the grass shrub composite on K_s. Full article

This study investigates the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities of Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) and Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood) extracts, along with their role in the green synthesis of gold (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Bioreduction was achieved using aqueous and ethanolic extracts (100 mg/mL), enabling solvent-dependent comparisons. Nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and zeta potential analysis. Each technique revealed complementary aspects of nanoparticle morphology, size, and stability, with UV–Vis indicating aggregation states and DLS confirming solvent-related size variation even at 3–5% ethanol. Gold nanoparticles synthesized from Dandelion showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, while silver nanoparticles from both plants were effective against Escherichia coli. Cytotoxicity assays indicated that silver nanoparticles obtained from ethanolic Dandelion extract containing 3% ethanol in aqueous solution (AgNPsE_ETOH3%-D) significantly reduced LoVo (p = 4.58 × 10⁻³) and MDA-MB-231 (p = 7.20 × 10⁻⁵) cell viability, with high selectivity indices (SI), suggesting low toxicity toward normal cells. Gold nanoparticles synthesized from aqueous Dandelion extract (AuNPsEaq-D) also showed favorable SI values (2.16 for LoVo and 8.41 for MDA-MB-231). Although some formulations demonstrated lower selectivity (SI < 1.5), the findings support the therapeutic potential of these biogenic nanoparticles. Further in vivo studies and pharmacokinetic evaluations are required to validate their clinical applicability. Full article

Trichomes—microscopic appendages on the plant epidermis—play vital roles as both protective barriers and specialized biosynthetic factories. Acting as the first line of defense against environmental stressors, they also produce a wide range of pharmaceutically valuable secondary metabolites. This mini-review highlights recent advances in understanding the development, structure, and function of trichomes, with a focus on glandular secretory trichomes (GSTs) in key species such as Artemisia annua and Solanum lycopersicum. We explore how insights from these systems are driving innovation in plant synthetic biology, including modular genetic engineering and metabolic channeling strategies. These breakthroughs are paving the way for scalable, plant-based platforms to produce high-value compounds. By integrating molecular mechanisms with emerging technologies, this review outlines a forward-looking framework for leveraging trichomes in sustainable agriculture, natural product discovery, and next-generation biomanufacturing. Full article

Accurate plant species identification in desert grasslands using hyperspectral data is a critical prerequisite for large-scale, high-precision grassland monitoring and management. However, due to prolonged overgrazing and the inherent ecological vulnerability of the environment, sericite–Artemisia desert grassland has experienced significant ecological degradation. Therefore, in this study, we obtained spectral images of the grassland in April 2022 using a Soc710 VP imaging spectrometer (Surface Optics Corporation, San Diego, CA, USA), which were classified into three levels (low, medium, and high) based on the level of participation of Seriphidium transiliense (Poljakov) Poljakov and Ceratocarpus arenarius L. in the community. The optimal index factor (OIF) was employed to synthesize feature band images, which were subsequently used as input for the DeepLabv3p, PSPNet, and UNet deep learning models in order to assess the influence of species participation on classification accuracy. The results indicated that species participation significantly impacted spectral information extraction and model classification performance. Higher participation enhanced the scattering of reflectivity in the canopy structure of S. transiliense, while the light saturation effect of C. arenarius was induced by its short stature. Band combinations—such as Blue, Red Edge, and NIR (BREN) and Red, Red Edge, and NIR (RREN)—exhibited strong capabilities in capturing structural vegetation information. The identification model performances were optimal, with a high level of S. transiliense participation and with DeepLabv3p, PSPNet, and UNet achieving an overall accuracy (OA) of 97.86%, 96.51%, and 98.20%. Among the tested models, UNet exhibited the highest classification accuracy and robustness with small sample datasets, effectively differentiating between S. transiliense, C. arenarius, and bare ground. However, when C. arenarius was the primary target species, the model’s performance declined as its participation levels increased, exhibiting significant omission errors for S. transiliense, whose producer’s accuracy (PA) decreased by 45.91%. The findings of this study provide effective technical means and theoretical support for the identification of plant species and ecological monitoring in sericite–Artemisia desert grasslands. Full article

This study was conducted through in vivo and in vitro experiments and aimed to reveal the regulatory effect of water extract of Artemisia annua L. (WEAA) on the antioxidant function of mutton sheep and the underlying mechanism. In the in vivo experiment, 32 Dorper × Han female sheep (3 months old; avg. body weight: 24 ± 0.09 kg) were allocated to four groups (eight lambs/group) and fed a diet containing 0, 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg WEAA, respectively. In the in vitro experiments, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were cultured with different doses of WEAA (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 µg/mL) to determine the optimal concentration, followed by a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with four treatment groups (six replicates per treatment group): the ML385(−)/WEAA(−) group, the ML385(−)/WEAA(+) group, the ML385(+)/WEAA(−) group, and the ML385(+)/WEAA(+) group. The results showed that WEAA supplementation dose-dependently increased serum, liver and spleen tissue total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activity while reducing malondialdehyde level (p < 0.05). Moreover, WEAA supplementation significantly upregulated the liver and spleen expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, superoxide dismutase 2, GSH-Px, CAT and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (p < 0.05) while significantly downregulating the kelch-like ECH associated protein 1 expression in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05), thereby activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway with the peak effect observed in the 1000 mg/kg WEAA group. Additionally, supplementation with 100 µg/mL of WEAA had significant antioxidation activity in the culture medium of PBLs. Its action mechanism involved the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway; specifically, WEAA exerted its antioxidant effect by upregulating the gene expression related to the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. In conclusion, WEAA enhances sheep’s antioxidant capacity by up-regulating Keap1/Nrf2 pathway genes and boosting antioxidant enzyme activity. The results provided experimental support for the potential application of WEAA in intensive mutton sheep farming. Full article

Native and invasive plants of the riverain region undergo a range of environmental stresses that result in excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a relatively stable and quickly quantifiable way among different ROS. The herbaceous species including Artemisia princeps, Sicyos angulatus, and Solidago altissima were selected. The H₂O₂ and photosynthetic pigment of leaves were measured, soil samples were analyzed to quantify macronutrients such as total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and soil moisture, and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was also recorded at different observed sites of Arakawa Tarouemon, Japan. The H₂O₂ concentration of S. altissima significantly increased with high soil moisture content, whereas A. Princeps and S. angulatus significantly decreased with high soil moisture. In each species, H₂O₂ was negatively correlated with chlorophyll a (chl a) and chlorophyll b (chl a). When comparing different parameters involving TN, TP, PPFD, and soil moisture content with H₂O₂ utilizing the general additive model (GAM), only soil moisture content is significantly correlated with H₂O₂. Hence, this study suggests that H₂O₂ would be an effective biomarker for quantifying environmental stress within a short time, which can be applied for riparian native and invasive plant species vegetation regulation. Full article

To investigate the remediation efficiency of different plant species on cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil, this study conducted a pot experiment with two woody species (Populu adenopoda and Salix babylonica) and two herbaceous species (Artemisia argyi and Amaranthus hypochondriacus). Soils were collected from an abandoned coal mine and adjacent pristine natural areas within the dam-adjacent section of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area to establish three soil treatment groups: unpolluted soil (T1, 0.18 mg·kg⁻¹ Cd), a 1:1 mixture of contaminated and unpolluted soil (T2, 0.35 mg·kg⁻¹ Cd), and contaminated coal mine soil (T3, 0.54 mg·kg⁻¹ Cd). This study aimed to investigate the growth status of plants, Cd accumulation and translocation characteristics, and the relationship between them and soil environmental factors. Woody plants exhibited significant advantages in aboveground biomass accumulation. Under T3 treatment, the Cd extraction amount of S. babylonica (224.93 mg) increased by about 36 times compared to T1, and the extraction efficiency (6.42%) was significantly higher than other species. Among the herbaceous species, A. argyi showed the maximum Cd extraction amount (66.26 mg) and extraction efficiency (3.11%) during T2 treatment. While A. hypochondriacus exhibited a trend of increasing extraction amount but decreasing extraction efficiency with increasing concentration. With the exception of S. babylonica under T1 treatment (BCF = 0.78), the bioconcentration factor was greater than 1 in both woody (BCF = 1.39–6.42) and herbaceous species (BCF = 1.39–3.11). However, herbaceous plants demonstrated significantly higher translocation factors (TF = 1.58–3.43) compared to woody species (TF = 0.31–0.87). There was a significant negative correlation between aboveground phosphorus (P) content and root Cd (p < 0.05), while underground nitrogen (N) content was positively correlated to aboveground Cd content (p < 0.05). Soil total N and available P were significantly positively correlated with plant Cd absorption, whereas total potassium (K) showed a negative correlation. This study demonstrated that woody plants can achieve long-term remediation through biomass advantages, while herbaceous plants, with their high transfer efficiency, are suitable for short-term rotation. In the future, it is suggested to conduct a mixed planting model of woody and herbaceous plants to remediate Cd-contaminated soils in the tailing areas of reservoir areas. This would synergistically leverage the dual advantages of root retention and aboveground removal, enhancing remediation efficiency. Concurrent optimization of soil nutrient management would further improve the Cd remediation efficiency of plants. Full article