In current work, we studied hairy root induction in Trigonella foenum graecum, which is an important medicinal plant, and examined the impact of different elicitors on some phytochemical characteristics and metabolites production in hairy root cultures. Accordingly, some factors such as five strain types of Agrobacterium rhizogenes (1724, 15834, A4, A13 and MSU) and three different explants, namely leaf, cotyledon and hypocotyl were studied. The results showed that different A. rhizogenes strains exhibited different infection efficiency. MSU and 15834 had highest efficiency of hairy root induction than other strains. Also, hairy root induction frequency in leaf explants was higher than in other explants. Salicylic acid (SA), nitric oxide (NO), CaCl2 and penconazole (PEN) were used in elicitation process. Hairy roots were treated with SA (0.1 and 0.5 mM), NO (10 and 50 µM), CaCl2 (5 and 10 mM) and PEN (5 and 10 mg/L). Applied elicitors enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities and reduced oxidative stress markers; this observation might be ascribed to regulation of the oxidative status of the elicited cells. Significant increase of antioxidant metabolites (total phenol, flavonoid and anthocyanin) in PEN-treated hairy roots was associated to phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, indicating an up-regulation of phenylpropanoid/flavonoid metabolism. PEN and CaCl2 treatment enhanced steroidal sapogenin in hairy root cultures. These results suggested that use of elicitors can enhance the production of secondary metabolites in transformed hairy roots. Among the elicitors applied, CaCl2 and PEN were the most effective in increasing secondary metabolite production in transformed hairy roots of T. foenum graecum.

Harmful algal bloom (HAB) is an unresolved existing problem worldwide. Here, we reported a novel algicidal bacterium, Pseudomonas fragi YB2, capable of lysing multiple algal species. To Chlorella vulgaris, YB2 exhibited a maximum algicidal rate of 95.02 % at 120 h. The uniqueness of YB2 lies in its ability to self-produce three algicidal compounds: 2-methyl-1, 3-cyclohexanedione (2-MECHD), N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine, and cyclo (Pro-Leu). The algicidal properties of 2-MECHD have not been previously reported. YB2 significantly affected the chloroplast and mitochondrion, thus decreasing in chlorophyll a by 4.74 times for 120 h and succinate dehydrogenase activity by 103 times for 36 h. These physiological damages disrupted reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ homeostasis at the cellular level, increasing cytosolic superoxide dismutase (23 %), catalase (35 %), and Ca2+ influx. Additionally, the disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis rarely reported in algicidal bacteria-algae interaction was observed using the non-invasive micro-test technology. We proposed a putative algicidal mechanism based on the algicidal outcomes and physiological algicidal effects and explored the potential of YB2 through an algicidal simulation test. Overall, this study is the first to report the algicidal bacterium P. fragi and identify a novel algicidal compound, 2-MECHD, providing new insights and a potent microbial resource for the biocontrol of HAB.

The levels of soils pollutants such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) have significantly increased recently resulting in ecological disturbances and threatening crop production. Various amendments have been employed to enhance the tolerance of crops to withstand Cd and Pb stresses. However, the role of combined application of potassium (K) and of salicylic acid (SA) for Cd and Pb stress mitigation and phytoremediation by quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) has not been comprehended well. In the present study, the effect of 10 mM K and 0.1 mM SA was tested on the quinoa plants subjected to 250 μM Pb and/or 100 μM Cd. The Pb and Cd treatments were applied separately or together. Phytotoxicity induced by Pb and Cd resulted in drastic decrease (>60%) in chlorophyll contents, stomatal conductance, and plant biomass. The collective treatment of Pb and Cd induced an increase in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (13-fold) and lipid peroxidation (16-fold) that resulted in a 61% reduction in membrane stability. The application of 10 mM K and/or 0.1 mM SA was remarkable in mitigating the adverse effect of Pb and Cd. The reduction in plant biomass was 17% when 10 mM K and 0.1 mM SA were applied together under the combined treatment of both the metals. The simultaneous application of K and SA effectively mitigated oxidative stress by enhancing the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase by 12, 10, 7 and 10-folds respectively. The positive effect of K and SA on these attributes resulted in a remarkable reduction in metal accumulation and translocation and lipid peroxidation. The stressed plants supplemented with K and SA exhibited a significant improvement in the membrane stability index, chlorophyll content, and stomatal conductance. This study concluded that the combined application of K and SA could be a good approach for reducing Pb and Cd phytotoxicity in quinoa and enhancing their phytostabilization potential in the contaminated soils.

Diabetes mellitus, characterized by dysregulated glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and the formation of advanced glycation end products, poses a significant global health burden. In this study, we explored the potential of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) seeds, known for their abundant phytochemical composition, as a natural remedy for diabetes and its associated damage. High-performance liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis revealed a remarkable phenolic richness in sorghum grains, including gallic acid, quercetin, and the predominant procyanidin B-1, with ecotype-specific variations in flavonoid distribution. Elemental analysis by ICP showed an abundance of macro-elements (Ca, K, Mg), trace elements (Fe, Mn, Si, Zn), and ultra-trace elements (B, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Se, V) essential for human health, supporting its therapeutic and nutritional potential. Additionally, the results demonstrated variable total phenolic contents (188-297 mg GAE/g dE) and total flavonoid contents (66-78 mg QE/g dE), with corresponding differences in antioxidant activities across the five ecotypes. Treatment with sorghum seed extract (SE1) significantly reduced oxidative stress markers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA)by 40% and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by 63%, in diabetic mice, compared to untreated diabetic controls. Moreover, sorghum extracts exhibited a remarkable increase in antioxidant enzyme activities, including a 50% increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and a 60% increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, indicating their potential to bolster antioxidant defenses against diabetes-induced oxidative stress. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of sorghum seeds in diabetes management and prevention, paving the way for the development of functional foods with enhanced health benefits.

In the context of climate change, methods to improve the resistance of coniferous trees to biotic and abiotic stress are in great demand. The common plant response to exposure to vastly different stressors is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) followed by activation of the defensive antioxidant system. We aimed to evaluate whether seed treatment with physical stressors can activate the activity of antioxidant enzymes and radical scavenging activity in young Picea abies (L.) H. Karst seedlings. For this, we applied seed treatment with cold plasma (CP) and electromagnetic field (EMF) and compared the response in ten different half-sib families of Norway spruce. The impact of the treatments with CP (1 min-CP1; 2 min-CP2) and EMF (2 min) on one-year-old and two-year-old P. abies seedlings was determined by the emergence rate, parameters of growth, and spectrophotometric assessment of antioxidant capacity (enzyme activity; DPPH and ABTS scavenging) in needles. The results indicated that the impact of seed treatment is strongly dependent on the genetic family. In the 577 half-sib family, the activity of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX), and glutathione reductase (GR) increased after EMF-treatment in one-year-old seedlings, while similar effects in 477 half-sib family were induced by CP2 treatment. In two-year-old seedlings, CP1-treatment increased CAT, APX, POX, GR, SOD, DPPH, and ABTS activity in the 457 half-sib family. However, no significant impact of the treatment with CP1 was determined in one-year-old seedlings in this family. The application of novel technologies and the consideration of the combinatory impact of genetic and physical factors could have the potential to improve the accumulation of compounds that play an essential role in the defense mechanisms of P. abies. Nevertheless, for different resistance and responses to stressors of plants, their genetic properties play an essential role. A comprehensive analysis of interactions among the stress factors (CP and EMF), genetic properties, and changes induced in the antioxidant system can be of importance both for the practical application of seed treatment in forestry and for understanding fundamental adaptation mechanisms in conifers.

In this paper, we demonstrated the biological effects of acute low-dose neutrons on the whole body of rats and investigated the impact of that level of neutron dose to induce an in vivo radio-adaptive response. To understand the radio-adaptive response, the examined animals were exposed to acute neutron radiation doses of 5 and 10 mSv, followed by a 50 mSv challenge dose after 14 days. After irradiation, all groups receiving single and double doses were kept in cages for one day before sampling. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) method was used to estimate the radiation-induced radicals in the blood, and some hematological parameters and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were determined. A comet assay was performed beside some of the antioxidant enzymes [catalase enzyme (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH)]. Seven groups of adult male rats were classified according to their dose of neutron exposure. Measurements of all studied markers are taken one week after harvesting, except for hematological markers, within 2 h. The results indicated lower production of antioxidant enzymes (CAT by 1.18-5.83%, SOD by 1.47-17.8%, and GSH by 11.3-82.1%). Additionally, there was an increase in red cell distribution width (RDW) (from 4.61 to 25.19%) and in comet assay parameters such as Tail Length, (from 6.16 to 10.81 µm), Tail Moment, (from 1.17 to 2.46 µm), and percentage of DNA in tail length (DNA%) (from 9.58 to 17.32%) in all groups exposed to acute doses of radiation ranging from 5 to 50 mSv, respectively. This emphasizes the ascending harmful effect with the increased acute thermal neutron doses. The values of the introduced factor of radio adaptive response for all markers under study reveal that the lower priming dose promotes a higher adaptation response and vice versa. Ultimately, the results indicate significant variations in DNA%, SOD enzyme levels, EPR intensity, total Hb concentration, and RDWs, suggesting their potential use as biomarkers for acute thermal neutron dosimetry. Further research is necessary to validate these measurements as biodosimetry for radiation exposure, including investigations involving the response impact of RAR with varied challenge doses and post-irradiation behavior.

Human NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase1 (HNQO1) is a two-electron reductase antioxidant enzyme whose expression is driven by the NRF2 transcription factor highly active in the prooxidant milieu found in human malignancies. The resulting abundance of NQO1 expression (up to 200-fold) in cancers and a barely detectable expression in body tissues makes it a selective marker of neoplasms. NQO1 can catalyze the repeated futile redox cycling of certain natural and synthetic quinones to their hydroxyquinones, consuming NADPH and generating rapid bursts of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and H2O2. A greater level of this quinone bioactivation due to elevated NQO1 content has been recognized as a tumor-specific therapeutic strategy, which, however, has not been clinically exploited. We review here the natural and new quinones activated by NQO1, the catalytic inhibitors, and the ensuing cell death mechanisms. Further, the cancer-selective expression of NQO1 has opened excellent opportunities for distinguishing cancer cells/tissues from their normal counterparts. Given this diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic importance, we and others have engineered a large number of specific NQO1 turn-on small molecule probes that remain latent but release intense fluorescence groups at near-infrared and other wavelengths, following enzymatic cleavage in cancer cells and tumor masses. This sensitive visualization/quantitation and powerful imaging technology based on NQO1 expression offers promise for guided cancer surgery, and the reagents suggest a theranostic potential for NQO1-targeted chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Trigonella foenum-graecum, commonly known as fenugreek and it is used as a spice. It has antioxidant, anti-diabetic, antilipedemic and other pharmocological properties.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to detect the cardio protective activity of Trigonelline (TG) a bioactive compound of Trigonella foenum-graecum (TF) in alcohol intoxicated rats.
METHODS: The young wistar strain albino rats are divided in to 5 groups and treatment was given as per the experimental protocol. Antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels are estimated in cardiac tissue of all experimental groups. Cardiac markers creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), troponin-T (TT), troponin-I (TI), myoglobin (MG) and serum markers alanine transaminase (AAT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are estimated. Free radical scavenging activities like 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical are estimated in ethanolic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum.
RESULTS: SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GSH activities are depleted and MDA, CK-MB, TT, TI, MG and AAT, AST, ALP activities are elevated in alcohol intoxicated rats. Trigonelline supplementation to alcoholic rats for 30 days elevated antioxidant enzymes, depleted MDA, cardiac markers and serum markers in alcohol intoxicated rats. Free radical scavenging assay also reported that Trigonella foenum-graecum possess free radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, our histopathological evidence also proved that TG protected the cardiac tissue from alcohol induced toxicity in all the experimental rats.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study concluded that TG may be useful to the alcoholic and myocardial infarction subjects.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a type of plastic largely used for packing food and beverages. Unfortunately, it includes a major portion of the plastic distributed through aquatic systems wherever systematic collection and recycling are lacking. Although PET is known to be non-toxic, it is not obvious whether the nanoparticles (NPs) formed due to their degradation have any direct/indirect effect on aquatic organisms. In order to study the effects on aquatic environment, fresh water algae Chlorella vulgaris was subjected to incremental concentrations of the NPs. We observed a concentration and duration of exposure dependent decrease in algal growth rate along with reduced total chlorophyll content. Scanning electron microscopy revealed deformities in cell shape and the uptake of Propidium Iodide suggested membrane damage in response to NP exposure. Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species level was also found significantly higher, evidenced by Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining. Activity of antioxidant enzymes Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD) and Catalase (CAT) were significantly higher in the NP exposed groups suggesting the cellular response to regain homeostasis. Further, expression levels of the genes psaB, psbC, and rbcL associated with photosynthesis increased above two fold with respect to the control inferring the possibility of damage to photosynthesis and the initial molecular responses to circumvent the situation. In short, our studies provide evidence for oxidative stress mediated cellular damages in Chlorella vulgaris exposed to NPs of PET.

Hypochlorous acid HOCl is an effective disinfectant with a broad spectrum and high rate of microbicidal action. Its use for air treatment can be an effective tool for the prevention and therapy of infectious diseases. In this work, the in vivo study was conducted on 110 Wistar Han rats (12 and 72 weeks old) on the effect of a single inhalation of air containing gaseous HOCl on the activity of antioxidant system enzymes. For this, a special installation was designed to uniformly maintain the concentration of HOCl in the air and regulate it over a wide range. Inhalation exposure was carried out for 4 h at total chlorine concentrations in the air of approximately 2.0 mg/m3 and 5.0 mg/m3, after which the animals were observed for 14 days. The effect of inhalation on the antioxidant system activity varied significantly in animals of different ages. Catalase activity in young rats increased approximately 2-fold on days 1-2 after inhalation, regardless of the HOCl concentration, while in old animals a sharp dose-dependent decrease was initially observed. The glutathione peroxidase activity in animals of both ages increased upon inhalation of air with 5.0 mg/m3 HOCl, and in old animals this was more pronounced; when the HOCl concentration decreased to 2.0 mg/m3, this indicator increased slightly in old rats and remained virtually unchanged in young ones. The glutathione reductase activity when exposed to 2.0 mg/m3 HOCl did not change for both age groups, and with increasing HOCl concentration it increased by 1.5-2.0 times in all animals.