CRISPR-based suppression gene drives represent a promising tool for managing invasive Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) populations in sub-Saharan Africa’s freshwater ecosystems. Introduced through aquaculture, Nile tilapia supports livelihoods but also causes severe biodiversity loss. This review explores the technical feasibility of CRISPR-Cas9 suppression gene drives, specifically homing and Driving-Y drive systems, as species-specific, potentially self-sustaining biocontrol strategies. The theoretical effectiveness of these gene drive systems in reducing invasive Nile tilapia and restoring ecological balance is discussed within a precautionary framework. This study addresses the urgent need to protect native tilapia species, which are listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable by the IUCN. Gene drives have the potential to reduce invasive populations and restore ecological balance. However, their effectiveness can be compromised by extensive hybridization with native Oreochromis species and resistance evolution in genetically diverse populations. Therefore, the ecological, ethical, and socioeconomic risks of gene drive systems were examined in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Cartagena Protocol. Hence, integrating molecular innovations with strong policy frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and comprehensive risk assessment is essential. CRISPR-Cas9 suppression drives deployment requires careful evaluation across ecological, ethical, and governance contexts to safeguard native ichthyofauna.

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism regulating plant development and stress responses. This study evaluates how DNA methylation inhibition affects the phenotype, methylome, and transcriptome during early germination of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Seeds were exposed to 1,000 μM zebularine, a DNA methylation inhibitor, and germinated for up to 24 h. Compared to water-treated controls, inhibitor-treated seeds showed significantly longer radicle length. To understand the molecular basis of these phenotypic changes, we conducted methylome and transcriptome analyses. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing revealed altered methylation patterns, with a slight reduction in CpG methylation (82.0% to 81.5%) and minor increases in CHG and CHH contexts. Transcriptome profiling identified 524 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment indicated marked suppression of genes in the ‘extracellular region’ (GO:0005576) and those linked to ‘alpha-amylase inhibitor activity’ (GO:0015066) and ‘serine-type endopeptidase inhibitor activity’ (GO:0004867). These transcriptomic changes aligned with α-amylase activity assays. In summary, DNA methylation inhibitors as a chemical stress that promotes radicle elongation and enhances metabolic and stress-response gene expression during early barley germination, highlighting the dynamic role of DNA methylation in plant adaptation.

Malaria remains a major global health problem, caused mainly by Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, and is increasingly complicated by the spread of drug resistance and the limited impact of current vaccines. Natural products have played a central role in antimalarial therapy, most notably through the discovery of quinine and artemisinin, and they continue to provide an important source of bioactive chemical scaffolds. This review outlines recent progress in antimalarial drug discovery from natural products, with particular attention to advances in phytochemical isolation, structure-based drug design, and the growing use of computational methods, including molecular modelling, machine learning, and omics-based approaches. The contribution of traditional knowledge to the identification of new chemotypes and potential targets is also discussed. Key challenges, including poor bioavailability, toxicity, regulatory barriers, and pressures on biodiversity, are considered in the context of sustainability, ethical bioprospecting, and international frameworks such as the Nagoya Protocol. Finally, the review discusses practical directions for improving clinical translation, strengthening sustainable supply, and promoting equitable benefit-sharing in the continued search for new antimalarial therapies.

L-Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, precursor of serotonin, melatonin and niacin, has been implicated in glucose metabolism and gut hormone regulation. However, its role in diabetes remains obscure. This pilot study evaluated the effects of L-Tryptophan (Trp) supplementation on glycemic control, intestinal glucose absorption, biochemical markers and tissue histology in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Adult Wistar rats (n = 24) were divided into four groups: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic + Trp (50 mg/kg), and Trp control. Diabetes was induced by STZ (50 mg/kg). Trp was administered orally for 10 days. Blood glucose, serum biochemical parameters, intestinal glucose absorption, and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity were assessed. Qualitative histological analysis of pancreatic and hepatic tissues was performed. Trp treatment in diabetic rats significantly reduced blood glucose and intestinal glucose absorption compared to diabetic controls. Pancreatic and intestinal Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase(NKA) remained statistically insignificant (p > 0.669 and 0.369). Improvements were observed in serum protein and cholesterol levels, pancreatic and hepatic histology as well as pancreatic GLP-1. L-Tryptophan demonstrated improved glycemia, metabolic benefits and tissue integrity in diabetic rats. These findings are preliminary and are interpreted within the limitations of a short duration. Further Mechanistic studies may elucidate Tryptophan-mediated mechanisms to evaluate its relevance in hyperglycemia.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis L.), native to Africa but widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, is increasingly grown in Uganda, and pollination efficiency is critical for fruit set and oil yield. The study assessed the population and sexual diversity of the primary pollinator, Elaeidobius kamerunicus FAUST, in introduced hybrid plantations in Kalangala and natural stands in Bundibugyo. Pollinator weevils were sampled across both wet and dry seasons in 2022 and 2023, and data were analyzed using ANOVA and correlation tests in Minitab 17. Results revealed significant variation between sites, with higher populations in Kalangala (7,503 ± 8.682) compared to Bundibugyo (5,164 ± 5.829). Furthermore, females (6,636 ± 4.646) outnumbered males (6,032 ± 5.028), with a slightly higher concentration of females in the middle section of male inflorescences. Seasonal differences were evident, as the wet season supported slightly higher weevil populations relative to the dry season. Correlation analysis indicated a weak negative relationship between weevil abundance and weather variables, suggesting that cooler conditions suppress population growth. Overall, Uganda provides favorable conditions for pollinator weevil multiplication, particularly under moist climatic regimes, while extensive cold conditions limit population expansion. These findings highlight the importance of pollinator dynamics in sustaining oil palm productivity in diverse agro-ecological regions.

ABSTRACT The rising incidence of cancer, combined with costs, toxicity, and side effects of conventional treatments such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, underscores the need for preventive strategies. Natural phyto-bioactives, have attracted increasing scientific interest due to their diverse biological activities. These phytochemicals in carrots have been studied for their roles in modulating intracellular signalling pathways in vitro and preclinical studies. Carrots contain an abundant spectrum of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, carotenoids, polyacetylenes, ascorbic acid, and dietary fiber. These constituents have been reported to modulate processes such as apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, and pathways involved in cell proliferation in experimental systems. This comprehensive review studies findings from preclinical studies, epidemiological research, and meta-analyses to evaluate the biological activities of carrot bioactives in cancer-relevant biological mechanisms. By examining their ability to modulate molecular pathways involved in tumour invasion and metastasis, this review highlights the potential mechanistic relevance of carrot-derived phytoactive compounds against metastatic cells. Although preclinical studies suggest that these bioactives may influence processes associated with tumour progression, the available evidence is largely derived from in vitro and animal models, and therefore requires validation through translational research and well-designed, large-scale clinical trials. Rather than establishing definitive cancer-preventive or therapeutic effects, current scientific findings support the role of carrot-derived bioactives as promising candidates for further investigation. Advancing research into the underlying molecular mechanisms of carrots may help identify specific phytochemicals that modulate pathways related to tumour invasion and metastasis, therby enabling the development of future cancer prevention strategies.

ABSTRACT Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, driving the continuous search for safer and more effective therapeutic agents. Medicinal plants represent a rich source of bioactive compounds with significant anticancer potential. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of ten selectively chosen medicinal plants – Allium sativum, Solanum nigrum, Curcuma longa, Brassica oleracea, Salvia officinalis, Podophyllum hexandrum, Hedyotis diffusa, Scutellaria barbata, Tinospora cordifolia, and Withania somnifera – based on their traditional use, phytochemical richness, and extensive experimental validation of their anticancer efficacy. The major active constituents, including allicin, syringic acid, curcumin, sulforaphane, rosmarinic acid, podophyllotoxin, anthraquinones, scutellarein, palmatine, and withaferin A, exhibit multifaceted anticancer mechanisms, such as apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of angiogenesis, and the modulation of key signaling pathways including the NF-κB, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK, and p53. These phytoconstituents target diverse cancer types, including breast, colon, lung, gastric, cervical and osteosarcoma models, through molecular mechanisms validated in vitro and in vivo. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of these plants as potential leads for anticancer drug development and emphasizes the need for further translational studies to validate their efficacy, safety, and synergistic potential in clinical settings.

ABSTRACT Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism among women of reproductive age. In recent years, the active components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have demonstrated significant potential in treating PCOS because of their unique pharmacological effects and fewer adverse reactions. Using keywords such as ‘polycystic ovary syndrome,’ ‘traditional Chinese medicine,’ and ‘blood-activating components,’ relevant content was searched across Chinese and English databases, including ‘CNKI, PubMed, VIP, and Web of Science.’ Published research papers on in vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies investigating the therapeutic effects of active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine on PCOS were included as part of the selection criteria. TCM often utilizes compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, saponins, and terpenoids as active ingredients. These components exert therapeutic effects on PCOS by alleviating inflammatory responses, modulating the structure of the gut microbiota and so on. The multitarget and holistic regulatory advantages of TCM offer promising prospects and significant implications for the treatment of PCOS. It can serve as an important complementary and alternative therapy, working synergistically with Western medicine to provide PCOS patients with more comprehensive, personalized, and fundamental treatment options.

This study elucidated the growth and reproductive characteristics of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in the lower Yellow River. A relationship equation between length (L) and weight (W) was established as W = 2.0 × 10−5 × L3.0037, with maximum limit body length (L∞) and maximum limit body weight (W∞) identified as 790.35 mm and 9086.54 g, respectively. The maximum growth rate of weight peaked when the age reached 4.785a. Female populations reached initial sexual maturity at a body weight and length of 1871.28 g and 450.57 mm, while male populations reached it at 1673.55 g and 434.13 mm. Comparison with H. molitrix populations in other river basins in China revealed that individuals in the lower Yellow River exhibited smaller maximum lengths, indicating a trend toward miniaturization. Furthermore, the suitable breeding period of H. molitrix population in the lower Yellow River lasted only approximately one month, shorter than that observed in the Yangtze River, with sexually mature individuals attaining smaller sizes than those in the Yangtze River. This study provides crucial insights into the growth and reproductive patterns of H. molitrix in the lower Yellow River, offering important ecological information for the sustainable management of fishery resources and contributing to the understanding of how environmental conditions influence fish populations in this region.

The comparative characterization of the complete mitogenome of three subspecies of the genus Rucervus duvaucelii revealed close genetic relationship among Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii, Rucervus duvaucelii branderi and Rucervus duvaucelii ranjitsinhii. Three mitogenome of Rucervus duvaucelii branderi were sequenced by next generation sequencing without the use of mitogenome-specific primers and measured 16407 bp, 16412 bp and 16361 bp. These three sequences of Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii (n = 3) were compared with seven previously reported Rucervus mitogenomes derived by Sanger sequencing using specific primers. The length of coding genes (CGs) in all the three subspecies ranged from 11461 bp to 11403 bp accounting for 69.77-69.85% of the mitogenome. The A + T content of the 13 CGs in the mitogenome were comparable among the three subspecies. All transfer RNA gene sequences formed secondary cloverleaf structures except trn Ser2 and G + C content of the tRNA genes varied from 20.3% (trn Arg ) to 45.2% (trn Asn ). Two hepta nucleotide motifs (‘ttttccc’ and ‘gtacata’) were observed in the control region. The atp8 gene presented the highest evolutionary rate, with a dN/dS ratio of (0.348) whereas cox1 exhibited the lowest (0.0106). The phylogenetic tree highlighted the evolutionary significance of the genus Rucervus and all the ten whole mitochondrial genome sequences were clustered together.