Effect of silver nanoparticles on phenolic compounds production and biological activities in hairy root cultures of Cucumis anguria

The present study describes the elicitor effect of silver ion (Ag+) and biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to enhance the biomass accumulation and phenolic compound production as well as biological activities (antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer) in genetically transformed root (hairy root) cultures of Cucumis anguria. The biomass of hairy root cultures was significantly increased by AgNPs whereas decreased in Ag+ elicitation at 1 and 2 mg/L. AgNPs-elicited hairy roots produced a significantly higher amount of individual phenolic compounds (flavonols, hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids), total phenolic and flavonoid contents than Ag+-elicited hairy roots. Moreover, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities were significantly higher following AgNPs-elicitation compared with that in Ag+-elicited hairy roots. We suggest that AgNPs could be an efficient elicitor in hairy root cultures to increase the phytochemical production

Jasmonic and salicylic acids enhanced phytochemical production and biological activities in cell suspension cultures of spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb)

In vitro cell suspension culture was established for the production of commercially valuable phytochemicals in Momordica dioica. The influence of elicitors in jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) increased their effect on phytochemical production and biomass accumulation in M. dioica. The results indicate that compared with non-elicited cultures, JA- and SA-elicited cell suspension cultures had significantly enhanced phenolic, flavonoid, and carotenoid production, as well as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative activities. Furthermore, elicited cultures produced 22 phenolic compounds, such as flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, and hydroxybenzoic acids. Greater biomass production, phytochemical accumulation, and biological activity occurred in JA- than in SA-elicited cell cultures. This study is the first to successfully establish M. dioica cell suspension cultures for the production of phenolic compounds and carotenoids, as well as for biomass accumulation

Genetics of Congenital Heart Defects: The NKX2-5 Gene, a Key Player

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) represent the biggest fraction of morbid congenital anomalies worldwide. Owing to their complex inheritance patterns and multifactorial etiologies, these defects are difficult to identify before complete manifestation. Research over the past two decades has established firmly the role of genetics in the development of these congenital defects. While syndromic CHDs are more straightforward, non-syndromic CHDs are usually characterized by multiple mutations that affect intricate inter-connected developmental pathways. Knock-out and gene expression studies in mice and other genetic models have been performed to elucidate the roles of these implicated genes. Functional analysis has not been able to resolve the complete picture, as increasingly more downstream effects are continuously being assigned to CHD mutant factors. NKX2-5, a cardiac transcription factor, has received much attention for its role in cardiac dysmorphogenesis. Approximately 50 different mutations in this gene have been identified to date, and only a few have been functionally characterized. The mutant NKX2-5 factor can regulate a number of off-targets downstream to facilitate CHD development. This review summarizes the genetic etiology of congenital heart defects and emphasizes the need for NKX2-5 mutation screening

Synthesis, Bioactivity Evaluation and Application of Plant-Based Nanoparticles

Environmental and biomedical fields have various potential applications for the green synthesis of nanoparticles [...

Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Stride from Research to Clinical Practice

Over 70 different genetic variants with a significant association with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been discovered. Anti-citrullination protein antibodies (ACPA)-positive RA variants are more well-defined than their ACPA-negative counterparts. The human leukocyte antigen, HLA-DRB1 locus remains the prime suspect in anti-citrullination protein antibodies (ACPA)—positive RA. Different HLA-DRB1 alleles are linked to RA susceptibility across different ethnicities. With evolving techniques, like genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays, more non-HLA susceptibility loci have been identified for both types of RA. However, the functional significance of only a handful of these variants is known. Their roles include increasing susceptibility to RA or in determining the speed at which the disease progresses. Additionally, a couple of variations are associated with protection from RA. Defining such clear-cut biological functions can aid in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of RA. Recent research has focused on the implication of microRNAs, with miR-146a widely studied. In addition to disease susceptibility, genetic variations that influence the efficacy and toxicity of anti-RA agents have also been identified. Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene influence the effectiveness of methotrexate, the first line of therapy in RA. Larger studies are, however, needed to identify potential biomarkers for early disease identification and monitoring disease progression

Elicitation Enhanced the Production of Phenolic Compounds and Biological Activities in Hairy Root Cultures of Bitter melon ( Momordica charantia L.)

ABSTRACT Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) is an important vegetable and also medicinal crop which produces the bioactive compounds for various biological activities with potential uses in human health. The present investigation relates to elicitors of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) to enhance biomass accumulation and phenolic compound production in hairy root cultures of M. charantia. Hairy root cultures were elicited with JA and SA at 0, 25, 50 and 100 μM concentrations respectively. The adding of elicitation to the hairy root cultures on the 15th day of culture and the roots were harvested on day 25. Cultures supplemented with 100 μM JA and SA enhanced the phenolic compounds significantly compared to that of non-elicited hairy root cultures. The biomass of hairy root culture significantly increased by SA whereas decreased in JA elicitation at 100 μM. JA and SA-elicited hairy root cultures significantly produced a higher amount of phenolic compounds (12811.23 and 11939.37µg/g), total phenolic (4.1 and 3.7 mg/g) and flavonoid (3.5 and 3.2 mg/g) contents than non-elicited hairy root cultures (10964.25 µg/g, 2.8 and 2.5 mg/g). JA and SA-elicited hairy root cultures were significantly higher antioxidant activity of DPPH (84 and 78%), reducing potential (0.53 and 0.48), phosphomolybdenum (3.6 and 3.2 mg/g) and ferrous ion chelating assays (80 and 74%) than non-elicited hairy root cultures. The higher antimicrobial and anticancer activity were exhibited in JA and SA-elicited than non-elicited hairy root cultures. This protocol can be developed for the production of phenolic compounds from JA and SA-elicited hairy root cultures

In Vitro Larvicidal and Antioxidant Activity of Dihydrophenanthroline-3-carbonitriles

Many naturally occurring and synthetic compounds containing dihydrocyanopyridine and cyanopyran moiety show pharmacological properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the larvicidal and antioxidant potential of dihydrophenanthroline-3-carbonitrile derivatives 4a–f. A novel series of 2-amino-10-chloro-4,12-diphenyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[j][1,7]phenanthroline-3-carbonitrile derivatives were synthesized by reacting different substituted acridine chalcones through Michel addition. The compounds were synthesized in excellent yields and the structures were corroborated on the basis of FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and ESI Mass analysis data. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was studied by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay method. From the antioxidant assay, the compound 4c was reported with profound antioxidant potential

Impact of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on Enhancement of Bioactive Compounds Using Cell Suspension Cultures of <i>Gymnema sylvestre</i> (Retz.) R. Br

Gymnema sylvestre is a plant that is enriched in bioactive compounds. In particular, gymnemic acids (GA) and phenolic compounds (PC) are pharmaceutically important. There is a commercial demand for naturally occurring bioactive compounds, but their availability is limited due to geographical and seasonal variations. The elicitation approach can enhance the biosynthesis of phytochemicals during in vitro culture of G. sylvestre. Here, to further improve gymnemic acid II (GA II) and phenolic compounds (PC) production by G. sylvestre, cell suspension cultures (CSC), which has attracted attention for the production of essential phytochemicals, was explored using copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs). Callus was obtained on MS medium containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, kinetin, phytoagar, and sucrose. Agar-free MS medium was used to initiate CSC, which was treated with three concentrations of CuO NPs (1, 3 or 5 mg/L). Treatment for 48 h with 3 mg/L CuO NPs resulted in the greatest yields of GA II, total phenolics, and flavonoids. The cultures also displayed pronounced antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. The use of CuO NPs (3 mg/L) significantly increased the production of GA II (nine-fold) and PC compared to unamended CSC. We propose that CSC and use of nanoparticles (NPs) as a new generation of elicitors, offer a suitable prospect for the production of bioactive compounds