Role of reactive oxygen species: In the cytotoxicity and apoptosis of colon cancer cell line due to green lead nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are involved in regulating the biology of cancer cell treatment, but their mechanism is not fully understood. We synthesized and characterized new green lead nanoparticles (gPbNPs) by using an extract of Ziziphus spina christi leaves. Its cytotoxic and apoptotic effect on the human colon cancer Cacoa2 cell line was evaluated. The gPbNPs were characterized by using energy dispersive X-rays, scanning electron microscopes, and transmission electron microscopes. The cytotoxic effects of gPbNPs against the human colon cancer Cacoa2 cell line were investigated, as were the possible mechanisms underlying the induction of apoptosis. In this experiment, we observed the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, and the installation of caspase 3/7 was higher in cells at 16 µg/mL of gPbNPs. Moreover, the Bax gene was upregulated and the Bcl2 gene was downregulated, and increased caspase-3/7 activity confirmed the apoptotic effect of gPbNPs in cells. The cytotoxicity test confirmed that gPbNPs were selectively toxic in cancer cells and induced apoptosis by activating bad, bax, caspase-3/7, p27, p53 protein, and proteins involved in apoptosis. Our observation showed that gPbNPs induced cell toxicity, increased generation of intracellular ROS, and gene expression of Bcl2, and Bax, in the Cacoa2 cell line. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that gPbNPs executed toxic effects on the Cacoa2 cell line by activating caspase-3/7 activity

Evaluation of the Varietal Impact of Two Citrus Species on Fluctuations of <i>Tetranychus urticae</i> (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Beneficial Phytoseiid Mites

The activity of Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836, and its predators (Euseius stipulatus Athias-Henriot, 1960, Typhlodromus sp., and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957) on two citrus varieties (Nules (Mandarin) and Valencia late (Orange)) was studied in citrus orchards in Machraa Belksiri at the Gharb region of Morocco in the years 2020–2021. In this trial, during the first year of monitoring, we detected that on the Valencia late variety (Citrus sinensis), the occupancy of leaves by T. urticae was important, with 3200 mobile forms (50%). The predator Typhlodromus sp. presented 1385 (22%), followed by E. stipilatus with 1186 mobile forms (18%), while P. persimilis presented the lowest number with 621 forms (10%). Conversely, on the Nules variety (Citrus Clementina), we found (52%) 2475 forms for the pest T. urticae. E. stipulatis was the most abandoning predator, with 1344 (28%), followed by Typhlodromus sp., with 944 (22%); however, the predator P. persimilis was absent. From our results, it can be concluded that synergistic control by these predators can reduce the rate of T. urticae and constitutes a sustainable alternative method in the absence of chemical control. Regarding the effect of the variety of the different mites studied, the varieties Nules and Valencia late showed no impact on the rates of E. 1tipulates and T. urticae, with relatively similar averages, while on the predator Typhlodromus sp. and P. persimilis, the varietal impact was important

Evaluation of Combining Ability and Heterosis of Popular Restorer and Male Sterile Lines for the Development of Superior Rice Hybrids

Twenty-four hybrids, obtained from a mating design following 6 line × 4 testers, were evaluated to estimate the heterosis, specific, and general combining ability (SCA and GCA) of parents and hybrids to find out suitable general combiner (GC) parents and cross combinations for utilization in the future breeding program. A randomized complete block design with three replications was followed to set the experiment. Data were recorded on grain yield and 13 yield-related agronomic traits. The analysis of variance of all cross combinations had highly significant differences for most of the characters studied, which indicated a wide variation across the genotypes, parents, lines, testers, and crosses. SCA and GCA variances were significant for all studied traits except for the panicle length, indicating that both non-additive and additive gene actions were involved in these traits. The GCA variance/SCA variance for all the traits was 1s, 1 F1, and 3 F1s, respectively. Heterosis and combining ability study revealed that hybrids IR58025A × IR46R and GAN46A × IR46R might be considered preferable hybrid cultivars

Morphological and Biochemical Properties in Fruits of Naturally Grown Cornelian Cherry (<i>Cornus mas</i> L.) Genotypes in Northwest Bosnia and Herzegovina

The cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is considered to be one of those medicinal plants with important nutritional and therapeutic properties. The plant shows resistance against abiotic and biotic stressors in natural growing conditions and could be suitable to use in sustainable fruit production. This study was carried out on 22 local cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) genotypes, which were grown northwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fruits of these 22 genotypes were harvested and analyzed during the ripening period in 2018/2019. Fruit weight, length, and width ranged from 1.38 to 3.01 g, 13.84 to 19.43 mm, and 10.92 to 14.79 mm, respectively. Dry matter content was determined to be the lowest at 11.67% and the highest at 21.89%. The genotypes had vitamin C content between 25.85 and 58.75 mg/100 g. Total phenolic and anthocyanin content were found to be quite variable among genotypes and ranged from 1240 to 6958 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 g fresh weight (FW) and 55.57 to 205.6 mg cyaniding-3-glucoside equivalents (CGE) per 100 g FW, respectively. The content of phosphorus and iron were between 155.52 to 263.06 mg per 100 g and 0.25 to 0.93 mg per 100 g, respectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the first and second components accounted for 44.05% and 60.50% of the total variance, and the major proportion of the first and second components were the morphometric properties and chemical traits of the cornelian cherry fruits. The results revealed that the characterized genotypes could be important for cornelian cherry breeders as ready crossing materials to obtain new cornelian cherry varieties and shows the potential of certain genotypes as a valuable source of natural antioxidants. The results may have served as a guide towards the development of sustainable production programs for cornelian cherries as well

Plant-Derived Smoke Solution Alleviates Cellular Oxidative Stress Caused by Arsenic and Mercury by Modulating the Cellular Antioxidative Defense System in Wheat

Heavy metal stress is a significant factor in diminishing crop yield. Plant-derived smoke (PDS) has been used as a growth promoter and abiotic stress alleviator for the last two decades. Although the roles of PDS have been determined in various plants, its role in ameliorating heavy metal stress in wheat has not been reported so far. Therefore, the present work was conducted to investigate the effect of smoke solution extracted from a wild lemongrass Cymbopogon jwarancusa (C. jwarncusa) on physiological and biochemical features of wheat under arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) stress. The results showed that higher concentrations of As and Hg pose inhibitory effects on wheat seed germination and seedling growth, including shoot/root length and shoot/root fresh weight. Photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids, were significantly decreased under As and Hg stress. Importantly, the levels of H2O2, lipid peroxidation, and TBARS were increased in wheat seedlings. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as CAT, was decreased by As and Hg stress, while the levels of SOD, POD, and APX antioxidant enzymes were increased in root and shoot. Interestingly, the application of PDS (2000 ppm), individually or in combination with either As or Hg stress, enhanced wheat seed germination rate, shoot/root length, and shoot/root fresh weight. However, the levels of H2O2, lipid peroxidation, and TBARS were decreased. Similarly, the levels of SOD, POD, and APX were decreased by PDS under As and Hg stress, while the level of CAT was enhanced by PDS under As and Hg stress. Interestingly, the levels of chlorophyll a and b, and total carotenoids were increased with the application of PDS under As and Hg stress. It is concluded that PDS has the capability to alleviate the phytotoxic effects of As and Hg stress in wheat by modulating the antioxidative defense system and could be an economical solution to reduce the heavy metal stress in crops

Prodigiosins from a marine sponge-associated actinomycete attenuate HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesion via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Gastric ulcer is sores that form in the stomach mucosal layer because of erosion caused by high acid secretion and excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Prodigiosins (PdGs) are red-pigmented secondary metabolites produced by bacteria, including actinomycetes. Butylcycloheptylprodigiosin (1) and undecylprodigiosin (2) were identified and isolated from a crude extract of the actinomycete RA2 isolated from the Red Sea Sponge Spheciospongia mastoidea. Chemical structure of 1 and 2 was determined by NMR and mass spectroscopy. Although their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are known, their effect on gastric lesion is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate gastroprotective effects of PdGs against HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesion in rats. Oral pretreatment with PdGs (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) attenuated severity of HCl/ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury, as evidenced by decreases in gastric lesion index scores, ulceration area, histopathologic abnormality, and neutrophil infiltration. These effects were comparable to those of omeprazole, a standard anti-gastric ulcer agent. HCl/ethanol-induced gastric erosions was associated with tremendous increases in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, and pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators (myeloperoxidase, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cyclooxygenase-2), and with significant decreases in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities. However, PdGs ameliorated gastric inflammation and oxidative stress by downregulating nuclear factor kappa B and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and upregulating heme oxygenase-1 expression. PdGs prevented gastric mucosal apoptosis by downregulating Bax and caspase-3 expression and upregulating Bcl-2 expression, thereby increasing prostaglandin E2 production. Our results suggested that PdGs exerted gastroprotective effects by decreasing the levels of inflammatory mediators, apoptotic markers, and antioxidants

Field Study and Chemical Analysis of Plant Waste in the Fez-Meknes Region, Morocco

Throughout the entire world, the biomass plant remains an important source of renewable energy. However, in Morocco, the energy recovery of this biomass is little or badly exploited compared to other solar, hydraulic, and wind resources. The aim of this study is to know the extent to which Moroccan companies are involved in the valorization of green waste and to identify among the latter those that have great energy and industrial value. The field investigation was carried out with the use of a questionnaire to different sectors of activity. The chemical analyses of the waste samples were carried out by different methods: Van Soest to investigate the fiber content, dinitrosalicylic acid and phenol-sulfuric acid to determine sugars, while the Folin&ndash;Ciocalteu method was employed for the determination of phenolic compounds. These are the ASTM standard methods to determine elemental, proximate composition, and calorific value (CV). The results of this survey showed that solid vegetable waste is diverse and represents 68.4% of the total green waste, of which 98% is not treated. Moreover, the chemical analysis displayed that forestry waste (FW), extracted parts wastes (EPW), and unused parts wastes (UPW) of medicinal and aromatic plants have high contents of cellulose (respectively 34.75, 48.44, and 54.19%) and hemicelluloses (28.44, 27.19 and 28.50%) and containing low amounts of lignin and phenolic compounds compared to olive waste (OW), olive pomace (OP), and household waste (HW). Almost all biomass wastes, except HW, have a low moisture (&lt;12%), ash content less than 5.1%, a significant percentage of C and H, and CV between 14.5 and 21.6 MJ/Kg. The PCA analysis showed a discrepancy in terms of components between the set formed by FW, UPW, and EPW with other solid waste. In conclusion, FW, UPW, and EPW, specially can be potentially energetic biomass and valorized together in the form of a mixture