Complete Sequences of Organelle Genomes from the Medicinal Plant Rhazya Stricta (Apocynaceae) and Contrasting Patterns of Mitochondrial Genome Evolution Across Asterids

Rhazya stricta is native to arid regions in South Asia and the Middle East and is used extensively in folk medicine to treat a wide range of diseases. In addition to generating genomic resources for this medicinally important plant, analyses of the complete plastid and mitochondrial genomes and a nuclear transcriptome from Rhazya provide insights into inter-compartmental transfers between genomes and the patterns of evolution among eight asterid mitochondrial genomes. Results: The 154,841 bp plastid genome is highly conserved with gene content and order identical to the ancestral organization of angiosperms. The 548,608 bp mitochondrial genome exhibits a number of phenomena including the presence of recombinogenic repeats that generate a multipartite organization, transferred DNA from the plastid and nuclear genomes, and bidirectional DNA transfers between the mitochondrion and the nucleus. The mitochondrial genes sdh3 and rps14 have been transferred to the nucleus and have acquired targeting presequences. In the case of rps14, two copies are present in the nucleus; only one has a mitochondrial targeting presequence and may be functional. Phylogenetic analyses of both nuclear and mitochondrial copies of rps14 across angiosperms suggests Rhazya has experienced a single transfer of this gene to the nucleus, followed by a duplication event. Furthermore, the phylogenetic distribution of gene losses and the high level of sequence divergence in targeting presequences suggest multiple, independent transfers of both sdh3 and rps14 across asterids. Comparative analyses of mitochondrial genomes of eight sequenced asterids indicates a complicated evolutionary history in this large angiosperm clade with considerable diversity in genome organization and size, repeat, gene and intron content, and amount of foreign DNA from the plastid and nuclear genomes. Conclusions: Organelle genomes of Rhazya stricta provide valuable information for improving the understanding of mitochondrial genome evolution among angiosperms. The genomic data have enabled a rigorous examination of the gene transfer events. Rhazya is unique among the eight sequenced asterids in the types of events that have shaped the evolution of its mitochondrial genome. Furthermore, the organelle genomes of R. stricta provide valuable genomic resources for utilizing this important medicinal plant in biotechnology applications.King Abdulaziz UniversityIntegrative Biolog

Investigating the metagenomics of the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of the desert plant Senna italica and their role as plant growth promoting factors

Natural microbial communities associated with desert plants are found in soils that face nutrient deficiencies and extreme environments, including salinity and drought. In this study, 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing was used to screen and identify bacterial assemblies associated with the desert plant Senna italica, obtained from diverse soil samples located in the Asfan region, northeast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Several studies found Senna italica as a valuable medicinal plant for treating different diseases; however, a few studies were done on its association with bacterial communities under drought conditions. This study aimed to identify bacterial communities present in the drought soil environment of the Senna italica plants. To approach our goals, we applied metagenomic techniques, discovering a new bacterial strain beneficial for biotechnological applications. Our results showed that the analysis of the 16S rRNA sequences at the taxonomic phylum level detected 15 phyla of bacterial populations in the soil samples. The most prevalent was kept for further research. Our findings demonstrated that rhizospheric bacteria may be used as indicators of plant growth rate and survival ability in hostile environments. Studying the soil microbiome's taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity will facilitate identifying new candidates for biological agents that can be used to improve agricultural and industrial processes

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compounds Extracted from Plant <i>Rhazya stricta</i> Using Various Solvents

Worldwide, human beings have traditionally employed many folkloric herbal resources as complementary and alternative remedies, and these remedies have played a pivotal role in modern medicines for many decades, as scientists have used them to develop drugs. We studied the effects of employing solvents with varying polarity on the yields of phytochemical components extracted from the plant Rhazya stricta. We used chloroform–methanol (1:1), methanol, ethanol, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate as extraction solvents. The results showed that the efficiencies of the solvents at extracting phytochemical compounds were in this order: chloroform–methanol R. stricta extract. Furthermore, compared with the other solvents, the chloroform–methanol extraction led to the highest yield (47.55%) and to more phytochemical substances being extracted. The aim of this study is to investigate the phytochemical compounds extracted from R. stricta with different solvents that have different polarities

Antibacterial activities of Rhazya stricta leaf extracts against multidrug-resistant human pathogens

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics, first a major concern in the 1960s, has re-emerged worldwide over the last 20 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations have, therefore, declared ‘war’ against human microbial pathogens, particularly hospital-acquired infections, and have made drug discovery a top priority for these diseases. Because these bacteria are refractory to conventional chemotherapy, medicinal and herbal plants used in various countries should be assessed for their therapeutic potential; these valuable bio-resources are a reservoir of complex bioactive molecules. Earlier studies from our laboratory on Rhazya stricta, a native herbal shrub of Asia, have shown that this plant has a number of therapeutic properties. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activities of various concentrations of five solvent extracts (aqueous alkaloid, aqueous non-alkaloid, organic alkaloid, organic non-alkaloid and whole aqueous extracts) derived from R. stricta leaves against several multidrug-resistant, human-pathogenic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-positive Escherichia coli. In vitro, molecular and electron microscopy analyses conclusively demonstrated the antimicrobial effects of these extracts against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The organic alkaloid extract was the most effective against E. coli and MRSA, resulting in cell membrane disruption visible with transmission electron microscopy. In the near future, we intend to further focus and delineate the molecular mechanism-of-action for specific alkaloids of R. stricta, particularly against MRSA

Assaying for antiviral activity of the folkloric medicinal desert plant Rhazya stricta on coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

AbstractThe emergence of superbugs and resistant pathogens poses a challenge in scientific and medical research as they threaten public health worldwide. Many herbal natural products currently used in therapies have been suggested to exert antimicrobial, antiviral and even virucidal activities against a vast majority of impervious pathogens. Rhazya stricta, a folk medicinal desert plant from Saudi Arabia was recently revealed to exhibit bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms. The pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a threat to public health worldwide. Hence, we examined the antiviral activity of R. stricta against the virus. The R. stricta water extract was prepared at the traditional dose. The antagonistic effects of this extract against pathogens have been proven in previous studies, and those against SARS-CoV-2 were shown in the present study. Therefore, we explored the effects of the plant extracts and fractions against the virus for future drug development. All plant extracts showed antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 in the Vero E6 cell lines. Non-alkaloids showed the strongest effect against the virus, followed by weak base alkaloids and finally strong base alkaloids. A cytotoxicity assay was performed to explore the safest dose with the strongest antiviral effects. The non-alkaloid extract derived from R. stricta leaves is a promising antiviral candidate for the development of potential drugs with appropriate activity against COVID-19 and other life-threatening diseases

Enzymatic Synthesis of Glucose Fatty Acid Esters Using SCOs as Acyl Group-Donors and Their Biological Activities

Sugar fatty acid esters, especially glucose fatty acid esters (GEs), have broad applications in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In this research, the fatty acid moieties derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids containing single-cell oils (SCOs) (i.e., those produced from Cunninghamella echinulata, Umbelopsis isabellina and Nannochloropsis gaditana, as well as from olive oil and an eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) concentrate) were converted into GEs by enzymatic synthesis, using lipases as biocatalysts. The GE synthesis was monitored using thin-layer chromatography, FTIR and in situ NMR. It was found that GE synthesis carried out using immobilized Candida antarctica B lipase was very effective, reaching total conversion of reactants. It was shown that EPA-GEs were very effective against several pathogenic bacteria and their activity can be attributed to their high EPA content. Furthermore, C. echinulata-GEs were more effective against pathogens compared with U. isabellina-GEs, probably due to the presence of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) in the lipids of C. echinulata, which is known for its antimicrobial activity, in higher concentrations. C. echinulata-GEs also showed strong insecticidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae, followed by EPA-GEs, olive oil-GEs and N. gaditana-GEs. All synthesized GEs induced apoptosis of the SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell line, with the apoptotic rate increasing significantly after 48 h. A higher percentage of apoptosis was observed in the cells treated with EPA-GEs, followed by C. echinulata-GEs, U. isabellina-GEs and olive oil-GEs. We conclude that SCOs can be used in the synthesis of GEs with interesting biological properties

Prevalence and determinants of eczema among females aged 21 to 32 years in Jeddah city – Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic an inflammatory skin disease with early onset and with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 20%. Although the pathogenesis of the disorder is not completely understood, it appears to result from the complex interplay between defects in skin barrier function, environmental and infectious agents, and immune abnormalities. Aim: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of Eczema among Saudi female aged 21 to 32 years old in Jeddah city. Methods: A cross sectional study involved 190 female students from IbnSina National College for Allied Health Sciences in Jeddah city were chosen by convenient sampling. Data were collected by Interview questionnaire (ISAAC: Core Questionnaire for Asthma, Rhinitis and Eczema) after getting their consent. SPSS used for data entry and analysis. Results: Prevalence of eczema among medical college females was 16.6%, Eczema was similar in Saudi and Non-Saudi females (13.97% and 12.66% respectively, P = 0.545). Eczema was associated with eye allergy (34.2%) with statistical significance P = 0.003. Eczema was associated family members history with statistical significance P = 0.012. There was not statistical significant relationship between eczema and education level, parental jobs, drugs chest and nose allergy. Conclusion: Prevalence of eczema among female medical students was 16.6%. Eczema was significantly associated with eye allergy and Family history of skin allergy was risk factor of eczema

High-quality draft genome sequence of Flavobacterium suncheonense GH29-5(T) (DSM 17707(T)) isolated from greenhouse soil in South Korea, and emended description of Flavobacterium suncheonense GH29-5(T).

Flavobacterium suncheonense is a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes. Strain GH29-5(T) (DSM 17707(T)) was isolated from greenhouse soil in Suncheon, South Korea. F. suncheonense GH29-5(T) is part of the G enomic E ncyclopedia of B acteria and A rchaea project. The 2,880,663&nbsp;bp long draft genome consists of 54 scaffolds with 2739 protein-coding genes and 82 RNA genes. The genome of strain GH29-5(T) has 117 genes encoding peptidases but a small number of genes encoding carbohydrate active enzymes (51 CAZymes). Metallo and serine peptidases were found most frequently. Among CAZymes, eight glycoside hydrolase families, nine glycosyl transferase families, two carbohydrate binding module families and four carbohydrate esterase families were identified. Suprisingly, polysaccharides utilization loci (PULs) were not found in strain GH29-5(T). Based on the coherent physiological and genomic characteristics we suggest that F. suncheonense GH29-5(T) feeds rather on proteins than saccharides and lipids