Search Results (8)

Low-molecular-weight polypeptides (<3 kDa) were prepared from Periplaneta americana via enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrafiltration, yielding 3.53 ± 0.01 mg/g of peptide-rich extract. The extract was primarily composed of peptides, proteins, polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids. HPLC-MS analysis identified 1402 peptide sequences, 80.51% of which were below 1000 Da, predominantly consisting of tri-, tetra-, and octapeptides. Monosaccharide profiling detected D-(+)-galactose, and quantitative assays determined the contents of total phenolics (12.28 mg/g), flavonoids (15.50 mg/g), proteins (85.84 mg/g), and total sugars (17.62 mg/g). The biological activities of the extract were systematically evaluated. The peptide fraction inhibited hyaluronidase activity by 58% at 5 mg/mL, suggesting protection of extracellular matrix integrity. In HaCaT keratinocytes, it promoted cell proliferation by 62.6%, accelerated scratch wound closure by 54%, upregulated Wnt-10b and β-catenin expression, and reduced intracellular ROS levels under oxidative stress. In LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, the extract decreased TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β production by 30%, 25%, and 28%, respectively, reduced MDA levels by 35.2%, and enhanced CAT and SOD activities by 12.3% and 60.3%. In vivo, complete closure of full-thickness skin wounds in mice was achieved by day 14. Safety evaluations using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay and human patch tests confirmed the extract to be non-irritating and non-toxic. These findings highlight Periplaneta americana extract as a promising multifunctional bioactive ingredient for cosmetic and dermatological applications. Further studies on its active components, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy are warranted to support its development in skin health and aesthetic medicine. Full article

Our investigation intended to analyze the effects of sulfated polysaccharides from Caulerpa racemosa (SPCr) in attenuating obesity-induced cardiometabolic syndrome via regulating the protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1-asymmetric dimethylarginine-dimethylarginine dimethylamino-hydrolase (PRMT1-DDAH-ADMA) with the mammalian target of rapamycin-Sirtuin 1–5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (mTOR-SIRT1-AMPK) pathways and gut microbiota modulation. This is a follow-up study that used SPs from previous in vitro studies, consisting of 2,3-di-O-methyl-1,4,5-tri-O-acetylarabinitol, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-methyl-D-mannopyranose, and type B ulvanobiuronicacid 3-sulfate. A total of forty rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups: Group A received a standard diet; Group B was provided with a diet enriched in cholesterol and fat (CFED); and Groups C and D were given the CFED along with ad libitum water, and daily oral supplementation of 65 or 130 mg/kg of body weight (BW) of SPCr, respectively. Group D showed the lowest low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, and the highest HDL level compared to the other groups in this study. These results in the group fed high-dose SPCr demonstrated a significant effect compared to the group fed low-dose SPCr (p < 0.0001), as well as in total cholesterol and blood glucose (p < 0.05). Supplementation with SPCr was also observed to have an upregulation effect on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC)-1alpha, interleukin 10, Sirtuin 1, DDAH-II, superoxide dismutase (SOD) cardio, and AMPK, which was also followed by a downregulation of PRMT-1, TNF-α, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, and mTOR. Interestingly, gut microbiota modulation was also observed; feeding the rats with a cholesterol-enriched diet shifted the gut microbiota composition toward the Firmicutes level, lowered the Bacteroidetes level, and increased the Firmicutes level. A dose of 130 mg/kg BW of SPCr is the recommended dose, and investigation still needs to be continued in clinical trials with humans to see its efficacy at an advanced level. Full article

Voids in face-centered cubic (fcc) metals are commonly assumed to form via the aggregation of vacancies; however, the mechanisms of vacancy clustering and diffusion are not fully understood. In this study, we use computational modeling to provide a detailed insight into the structures and formation energies of primary vacancy clusters, mechanisms and barriers for their migration in bulk copper, and how these properties are affected at simple grain boundaries. The calculations were carried out using embedded atom method (EAM) potentials and density functional theory (DFT) and employed the site-occupation disorder code (SOD), the activation relaxation technique nouveau (ARTn) and the knowledge led master code (KLMC). We investigate stable structures and migration paths and barriers for clusters of up to six vacancies. The migration of vacancy clusters occurs via hops of individual constituent vacancies with di-vacancies having a significantly smaller migration barrier than mono-vacancies and other clusters. This barrier is further reduced when di-vacancies interact with grain boundaries. This interaction leads to the formation of self-interstitial atoms and introduces significant changes into the boundary structure. Tetra-, penta-, and hexa-vacancy clusters exhibit increasingly complex migration paths and higher barriers than smaller clusters. Finally, a direct comparison with the DFT results shows that EAM can accurately describe the vacancy-induced relaxation effects in the Cu bulk and in grain boundaries. Significant discrepancies between the two methods were found in structures with a higher number of low-coordinated atoms, such as penta-vacancies and di-vacancy absortion by grain boundary. These results will be useful for modeling the mechanisms of diffusion of complex defect structures and provide further insights into the structural evolution of metal films under thermal and mechanical stress. Full article

Increased soil salinity poses serious limitations in crop yield and quality; thus, an attempt was made to explore microbial agents to mitigate the ill effects of salinity in rice. The hypothesis was mapping of microbial induction of stress tolerance in rice. Since the rhizosphere and endosphere are two different functional niches directly affected by salinity, it could be very crucial to evaluate them for salinity alleviation. In this experiment, endophytic and rhizospheric microbes were tested for differences in salinity stress alleviation traits in two rice cultivars, CO51 and PB1. Two endophytic bacteria, Bacillus haynesii 2P2 and Bacillus safensis BTL5, were tested with two rhizospheric bacteria, Brevibacterium frigoritolerans W19 and Pseudomonas fluorescens 1001, under elevated salinity (200 mM NaCl) along with Trichoderma viride as an inoculated check. The pot study indicated towards the presence of variable salinity mitigation mechanisms among these strains. Improvement in the photosynthetic machinery was also recorded. These inoculants were evaluated for the induction of antioxidant enzymes viz. CAT, SOD, PO, PPO, APX, and PAL activity along with the effect on proline levels. Modulation of the expression of salt stress responsive genes OsPIP1, MnSOD1, cAPXa, CATa, SERF, and DHN was assessed. Root architecture parameters viz. cumulative length of total root, projection area, average diameter, surface area, root volume, fractal dimension, number of tips, and forks were studied. Confocal scanning laser microscopy indicated accumulation of Na⁺ in leaves using cell impermeant Sodium Green™, Tetra (Tetramethylammonium) Salt. It was found that each of these parameters were induced differentially by endophytic bacteria, rhizospheric bacteria, and fungus, indicating different paths to complement one ultimate plant function. The biomass accumulation and number of effective tillers were highest in T4 (Bacillus haynesii 2P2) plants in both cultivars and showed the possibility of cultivar specific consortium. These strains and their mechanisms could form the basis for further evaluating microbial strains for climate-resilient agriculture. Full article

Increased oxidative stress has been linked to the pathogenic process of obesity and can trigger inflammation, which is often linked with the risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome (MetS), including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. TetraSOD^®, a natural marine vegan ingredient derived from the microalgae Tetraselmis chuii that is high in the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) has recently demonstrated in vitro increased activity of these key antioxidant enzymes. In the present study, the potential bioactive effects of three dietary dosages of TetraSOD^® in enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms to combat the metabolic disturbances that compose MetS were assessed in rats given a cafeteria (CAF) diet. Chronic supplementation with 0.17, 1.7, and 17 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ of TetraSOD^® for 8 weeks ameliorated the abnormalities associated with MetS, including oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting endogenous antioxidant defence mechanisms in the liver (GPx and GSH), modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in plasma (NOx, oxLDL and IL-10), and regulating genes involved in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory pathways in the liver, mesenteric white adipose tissue (MWAT), thymus, and spleen. Overall, TetraSOD^® appears to be a potential therapeutic option for the management of MetS. Full article

We assessed the potential negative effects of bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics on the AMD cybrid cell lines (K, U and J haplogroups). AMD cybrid cells were created and cultured in 96-well plates and treated with tetracycline (TETRA) and ciprofloxacin (CPFX) for 24 h. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔψM), cellular metabolism and ratio of apoptotic cells were measured using H2DCFDA, JC1, MTT and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Expression of genes of antioxidant enzymes, and pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic pathways were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Higher ROS levels were found in U haplogroup cybrids when treated with CPFX 60 µg/mL concentrations, lower ΔψM of all haplogroups by CPFX 120 µg/mL, diminished cellular metabolism in all cybrids with CPFX 120 µg/mL, and higher ratio of dead cells in K and J cybrids. CPFX 120 µg/mL induced overexpression of IL-33, CASP-3 and CASP-9 in all cybrids, upregulation of TGF-β1 and SOD2 in U and J cybrids, respectively, along with decreased expression of IL-6 in J cybrids. TETRA 120 µg/mL induced decreased ROS levels in U and J cybrids, increased cellular metabolism of treated U cybrids, higher ratio of dead cells in K and J cybrids and declined ΔψM via all TETRA concentrations in all haplogroups. TETRA 120 µg/mL caused upregulation of IL-6 and CASP-3 genes in all cybrids, higher CASP-7 gene expression in K and U cybrids and downregulation of the SOD3 gene in K and U cybrids. Clinically relevant dosages of ciprofloxacin and tetracycline have potential adverse impacts on AMD cybrids possessing K, J and U mtDNA haplogroups in vitro. Full article

Asarum sieboldii Miq. is a leading economic crop and a traditional medicinal herb in China. Leaf-blade and petiole are the only aerial tissues of A. sieboldii during the vegetative growth, playing a vital role in the accumulation and transportation of biomass energy. They also act as critical indicators of drought in agricultural management, especially for crops having underground stems. During drought, variations in the morphology and gene expression of the leaves and petioles are used to control agricultural irrigation and production. Besides, such stress can also alter the differential gene expression in these tissues. However, little is known about the drought-tolerant character of the aerial parts of A. sieboldii. In this study, we examined the physiological, biochemical and transcriptomic responses to the drought stress in the leaf blades and petioles of A. sieboldii. The molecular mechanism, involving in drought stress response, was elucidated by constructing the cDNA libraries and performing transcriptomic sequencing. Under drought stress, a total of 2912 and 2887 unigenes were differentially expressed in the leaf blade and petiole, respectively. The detection of many transcription factors and functional genes demonstrated that multiple regulatory pathways were involved in drought tolerance. In response to drought, the leaf blade and petiole displayed a general physiological character, a higher SOD and POD activity, a higher MDA content and lower chlorophyll content. Three unigenes encoding POD were up-regulated, which can improve POD activity. Essential oil in petiole was extracted. The relative contents of methyleugenol and safrole in essential oil were increased from 0.01% to 0.05%, and 3.89% to 16.97%, respectively, while myristicin slightly reduced from 24.87% to 21.52%. Additionally, an IGS unigene, involved in eugenol biobiosynthesis, was found up-regulated under drought stress, which was predicated to be responsible for the accumulation of methyleugenol and safrole. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were characterized in of A. sieboldii, and a total of 5466 SSRs were identified. Among them, mono-nucleotides were the most abundant repeat units, accounting for 44.09% followed by tri-, tetra-, penta and hexa-nucleotide repeats. Overall, the present work provides a valuable resource for the population genetics studies of A. sieboldii. Besides, it provides much genomic information for the functional dissection of the drought-resistance in A. sieboldii, which will be useful to understand the bio-regulatory mechanisms linked with drought-tolerance to enhance its yield. Full article

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] contamination has become an emergent concern in China. Previous field investigations have found that hybrid Napier grass is widely distributed in Cr(VI) contaminated areas. This study investigated the phytoremediation potential and biochemical response of hybrid Napier grass (Pennisetum americanus L. × Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) grown in soil contaminated with Cr(VI) (0, 20, 40, and 60 mg kg⁻¹) with and without Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) (4 mM) application. The results indicated that root length, shoot height, dry weight, leaf area, chlorophyll, and photosystem II (PSII) parameters viz.; apparent electron transport rate (ETR), effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSⅡ), maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), potential activity of PSII (Fv/Fo), photochemical quenching (qP), and non-photochemical quenching (qN) decreased with the increasing Cr(VI) concentration. EDTA application further aggravated reduction of dry biomass and photosystem II. The concentration and the accumulation of Cr in shoot and root, and both the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and transfer factor (TF) increased with increasing Cr(VI) concentrations and further enhanced with EDTA application. Though the Cr(VI) and Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) stress reduced tolerance, but, even at highest Cr(VI) concentration, plant could exhibited strong resistance, as evidenced by increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities. Hybrid Napier grass, due to its BAF > 1 and a TF < 1, would be applicable for Cr phytostabilization. Moreover, limiting metal transport to aerial parts of plant would prevent animal’s ingestion, restrict soil mobility, and consequently reduce transmission across the food chain. Full article