Phytochemicals as weapons against drug resistance

Phytochemicals are plant-based products with high medicinal value. These metabolites effectively target disease-causing microbes. Drug-resistant pathogens have developed mechanisms to sustain themselves even with inhibitors. Drug resistance has emerged as a global giant, causing all available treatment options to fail. The solution to this problem is in the phytochemicals of plants with antibacterial and drug resistance modulation properties. Phytochemicals might be able to get rid of efflux pumps, drug-modulating enzymes, resistance genes, quorum sensing, and biofilm, all of which cause pathogens to be resistant to drugs. Moreover, anti-obesogenic and cardioprotective properties are also observed in phytochemicals. Additionally, studies show the success of phytochemical-based nanoparticles in drug resistance regulation. This review emphasizes phytochemicals' different mechanisms of action and their derivatives in curbing drug-resistant pathogens and cancer cells

DNA Damage in Working Individuals Occupationally Exposed to Cooking Oil Fumes Using Peripheral Blood Comet Assay

Cooking oil fumes (COFs) endorses major genetic changes in human health by endorsing physical stress, which plays an important role in producing physiological and genetic alterations. COFs combined with smoking habits provide a significant risk that exacerbates genetic changes.  The DNA damage was assessed in the current investigation utilizing a blood cell comet test on 30  desk job employees of companies who were occupationally exposed to COFs and 30 healthy persons. Only the experimental individuals were categorized as smokers or nonsmokers depending on the duration of their exposure. The Student's t-test was used to assess the data statistically. The DNA damage percentage of smoking experimental was observed to be 10.2±0.3% that is much elevated to the 7.1±0.2% in control smokers participants of 31-35 years of age. The investigation's findings showed that there was copious DNA damage among the workers. Office workers who smoke cigarettes collectively cause more DNA damage than they prevent.&nbsp

Sustainable Management of Exotic Fish Biodiversity in Karnataka: Status, Challenges, and Threats

Fish biodiversity, a significant part of the aquatic ecosystem, has been studied widely in India. However, the distribution and diversity of fish species have not been well-researched at the state and/or regional levels. Karnataka is bestowed with 8% of the country’s water resources, which are under extreme pressure because of unregulated population growth, biological invasion, and developmental requirements. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, India has been introducing alien species to its water bodies. Currently, 13.6% of the fish diversity in India is exotic and has been established voluntarily or involuntarily for various purposes. The establishment of invasive alien fishes negatively influences native fish communities around the globe. In general, most publications present the latest status of ichthyofauna in several regions of Karnataka; however, there is no up-to-date documentation on strategic environmental developments and unforeseen challenges, such as invasive alien species (IAS). This study reconstructs existing knowledge while analytically reviewing challenges, potential management techniques, advancements, and the impacts of climate change and disseminates the data necessary for the comprehension of the biological invasion of IAS

Sustainable Management of Exotic Fish Biodiversity in Karnataka: Status, Challenges, and Threats

Fish biodiversity, a significant part of the aquatic ecosystem, has been studied widely in India. However, the distribution and diversity of fish species have not been well-researched at the state and/or regional levels. Karnataka is bestowed with 8% of the country’s water resources, which are under extreme pressure because of unregulated population growth, biological invasion, and developmental requirements. Since the middle of the nineteenth century, India has been introducing alien species to its water bodies. Currently, 13.6% of the fish diversity in India is exotic and has been established voluntarily or involuntarily for various purposes. The establishment of invasive alien fishes negatively influences native fish communities around the globe. In general, most publications present the latest status of ichthyofauna in several regions of Karnataka; however, there is no up-to-date documentation on strategic environmental developments and unforeseen challenges, such as invasive alien species (IAS). This study reconstructs existing knowledge while analytically reviewing challenges, potential management techniques, advancements, and the impacts of climate change and disseminates the data necessary for the comprehension of the biological invasion of IAS

A Minireview on Medicinal Benefits of Melaleuca viminalis and Tabebuia rosea

From plants, novel chemotherapy medicines can be derived. Ancient medicinal herbs were used to heal illness, and prevent epidemics. Tropical and subtropical Central and South American tree Tabebuia rosea is grown globally. For centuries, the tree's anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, immune-boosting, and antioxidant qualities have treated numerous maladies. Little, bushy Callistemon (Melaleuca viminalis) has lanceolate leaves and hairy blooms. It features crimson "bottlebrush" inflorescences, thicker, leatherier leaves, and darker, fissured bark. This Callistemon species sheds seeds annually, unlike others. Spring and summer bottlebrushes develop multi-flower spikes. Flower pollen grows on a fine, multi-coloured thread. Filaments and pollen can tint flower spikes golden, although yellow is more typical. Each flower produces a woody fruit with many small seeds that lasts for years. Callistemon leaves are antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-platelet aggregation. Hence, this article briefly addresses the two medicinal plants (Melaleuca viminalis and Tabebuia rosea) in Bengaluru's Agara lake

Carbon di-sulfide (CS2) induced chromosomal alterations and apoptosis in circulated blood lymphocytes of personnel working in viscose industry

Circulated blood lymphocytes (PBL) of 41 workers occupationally exposed to Carbon di-sulfide (CS2) exposed from viscose industry were investigated to collect data on the effects and to find a possible relationship between in-vivo CS2 induced apoptosis and genotoxic effects. The subjects were divided into three groups: 41 subjects exposed to CS2 together with various confounding factors, another 41subjects inhabitants of Viscose industry partially exposed to CS2 in longperiods. The results were compared with 41 control subjects without known occupational exposure. Ambient air concentrations of CS2 were measured in different work places. Measures of genotoxicity included the determination of the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations (CA), sister-chromatid exchange (SCE), HPRT mutations (variant frequency, VF) and the measurement of UV-induced unscheduled DNA-repair synthesis (UDS). The percentages of premature centromere division (PCD) and of cells with a high frequency of SCE (HF/SCE) were also scored. Apoptosis and cell proliferation were determined by flow cytometry. In both CS2 exposed groups, the apoptotic activity and the CA levels in PBLs were significantly higher than in controls. The CA was mostly breaks of the chromatid type. In the second group, which was partially exposed to CS2, CA were slightly lower in comparison with group I fully exposed to CS2 and other confounding factors, which may be attributed to a different rate of elimination of damaged lymphocytes as a consequence of CS2 induced apoptotic activity. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that exposure to CS2 induces apoptosis and CA, indicating an excess cancer risk among subjects occupationally exposed to CS2. The results also emphasize the importance of the measurement of occupationally exposed pollutants, such as CS2, in order to avoid genotoxic effects in the workers also habit of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption among the viscose workers had a synergistic effect on inducing cancer risk

DNA damage in viscose factory workers occupationally exposed to carbon di-sulfide using buccal cell comet assay

Aim: The most important industrial use of carbon disulfide (CS2 ) has been in the fabrication of regenerated cellulose rayon by the viscose process and cellophane. CS 2 leads to increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in workers with occupational exposure to CS 2 . Methods: In the present study, the DNA damage was analyzed by using buccal cell comet assay for 30 viscose plant workers who are occupationally exposed to CS 2 and 30 healthy individuals. Both groups were classified as smokers and non-smokers and only the experimental subjects were classified based on the exposure period. The data were analyzed statistically by the Student′s t-test. Results: The results of this study showed increased levels of DNA damage among viscose plant workers. Conclusion: The habit of cigarette smoking among the viscose workers had a synergistic effect on inducing DNA damage

DNA damage in viscose factory workers occupationally exposed to carbon di-sulfide using buccal cell comet assay

e most important industrial use of carbon disulfide (CS2) has been in the fabrication of regenerated cellulose rayon by the viscose process and cellophane. CS2 leads to increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations in workers with occupational exposure to CS2. Methods: In the present study, the DNA damage was analyzed by using buccal cell comet assay for 30 viscose plant workers who are occupationally exposed to CS2 and 30 healthy individuals. Both groups were classified as smokers and non-smokers and only the experimental subjects were classified based on the exposure period. The data were analyzed statistically by the Students t-test. Results: The results of this study showed increased levels of DNA damage among viscose plant workers. Conclusion: The habit of cigarette smoking among the viscose workers had a synergistic effect on inducing DNA damage

Biodiversity and Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge of North-East India: Navigating Climate Change Impacts on Medicinal Plants for Conservation and Advancement -

The northeastern region of India holds the sixth position among the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots, covering approximately 8% of the nation's total land area, which amounts to 262,060 square kilometers. Situated in the eastern Himalayas, any alterations in this biodiversity-rich area can have significant and far-reaching consequences. Indigenous tribes of this region believe in the remarkable healing properties of certain medicinal plants, and within its diverse population of around 225 communities, each tribal and sub-tribal group possesses distinct traditional knowledge. Capturing and harnessing this indigenous wisdom by scientists and researchers could unlock new avenues for progress, particularly within the pharmaceutical sector. Climate change stands as one of the paramount global environmental challenges. Predictions indicate that by the close of the 21st century, the Earth's average temperature might rise by anywhere between 0.3 to 4.8 °C, accompanied by a potential sea level increase of 26 to 82 cm. These climate shifts could have adverse effects on the abundance and accessibility of medicinal plants, potentially leading to species extinction. Moreover, the impact of climate change could extend beyond availability to also encompass alterations in the pharmacological properties of various plants, particularly those found in alpine environments. This discussion underscores the importance of existing knowledge, critical analyses, challenges, opportunities, and the immense value of medicinal plants. It emphasizes the intersection of changing climate and the vulnerability of medicinal plant resources, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of these effects in the context of the North Eastern region of India. To address these challenges, there is a pressing need for in-depth research on the geographical distribution of plant communities and strategies to enhance the secondary synthesis of critically endangered medicinal plants under the current climate change scenarios

Birds as Indicators of Active Restoration in the Western Ghats

The birds present in an area help in the up-grading the normal biodiversity. They portray the regular environmental factors of that particular area. They have always been considered as natural indicators of environmental change. They help in seed scattering, which aids in the germination of new trees that assist us with looking into the botanical variety of a specific region. Assuming we change the infertile grounds into forested regions by establishing trees, the birds are the initial ones to arrive at and occupy the area. The animals, especially the birds, are threatened by the changing environmental conditions. Moreover, they are the initial ones to get impacted. The birds select their habitats depending on their size, how they build their homes, and food propensities. Due to land use by humans, the habitat occupied by birds is subjected to fragmentation. The bird populations start getting isolated. In these isolated populations, many genetic changes take place that changes the wild gene pool into something different. This review paper deals with how effective birds are as indicators of restoration and the need to conserve the biodiversity of the Western Ghats