Plant Ingredients Research Articles

Nutritive value of guar and copra meal after fermentation with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the diet of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

Solid-state fermentation increases nutritional bioavailability of plant ingredients by reducing the antinutritional factors and complexity of the nutrients. The present experiment was conducted to replace fish meal (FM) with a mixture (3:1) of yeast fermented guar and copra meal (FGCM) in the diet of Nile tilapia. Five iso-nitrogenous (30% CP) and iso-lipidic (6% CL) diets were formulated replacing FM at 0% (FGCM0), 25% (FGCM 1), 50% (FGCM 2), 75% (FGCM 3), and 100% (FGCM 4) with FGCM mixture. Growth, nutrient utilisation, digestibility, digestive enzyme activity, haematological parameters, and antioxidant capacity were analysed in five treatments after a feeding trial of 75days. Bioprocessing increased the protein and amino acid content and reduced the antinutritional factors in the guar and copra meal. The weight gain was significantly increased in 25% replaced diet. The feed conversion ratio of tilapia fed with FGCM 1 was similar to that of control and significantly lower (P < 0.05) among the treatments. The group fed with FGCM 1 exhibited significantly higher body protein and lipid content. The activity of digestive enzymes and digestibility of nutrients reduced significantly (P < 0.05) with the replacement of fishmeal beyond 25% with the FGCM mixture. Similarly, the antioxidant enzymes and blood parameters were also negatively affected when more than 25% FM was replaced with FGCM mixture. The cubic regression analysis found that 17.45% FM can be replaced with FGCM mixture for optimum weight gain in tilapia.

Emodin Prevented Depression in Chronic Unpredicted Mild Stress-Exposed Rats by Targeting miR-139-5p/5-Lipoxygenase.

BackgroundThe use of medicinal plant ingredients is one of the goals of developing potential drugs for treating depression. Compelling evidence suggests that anti-inflammatory medicines may block the occurrence of depression. We studied the effect of a natural compound, emodin, on the development of psychosocial stress-induced depression and the underlying mechanisms.MethodsChronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) for 7 weeks was performed to replicate psychosocial stress in rats. The sucrose preference test, force swimming test, and open field test were used to evaluate their behaviors. The differentially expressed proteins in the hippocampus were analyzed using proteomics. Nissl staining and Golgi staining were used to detect the loss of neurons and synapses, immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the activation of microglia, and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were also performed.ResultsHippocampal inflammation with up-regulated 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) was observed in the depressed rats after CUMS exposure. The upregulation of 5-LO was caused by decreased miR-139-5p. To observe the effect of emodin, we screened out depression-susceptible (DeS) rats during CUMS and treated them with emodin (80 mg/kg/day). Two weeks later, emodin prevented the depression behaviors in DeS rats along with a series of pathological changes in their hippocampi, such as loss of neurons and spines, microglial activation, increased interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, and the activation of 5-LO. Furthermore, we demonstrated that emodin inhibited its excess inflammatory response, possibly by targeting miR-139-5p/5-LO and modulating glycogen synthase kinase 3β and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2.ConclusionThese results provide important evidence that emodin may be a candidate agent for the treatment of depression and established a key role of miR-139-5p/5-LO in the inflammation of depression.

Plant Ingredient diet supplemented with lecithin as fish meal and fish oil alternative affects growth performance, serum biochemical, lipid metabolism and growth‐related gene expression in Nile tilapia

The current study evaluated the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) with plant ingredients without or with lecithin supplementation on Nile tilapia growth, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, growth- and lipid-metabolism-related gene expression. Fingerlings were assigned to six dietary groups: FM and FO (G1), FM and plant oil (G2), plant protein and plant oil (G3), and the same three treatments but with lecithin supplementation (G4–G6) respectively. Fingerlings in G1 and G2 showed higher body weight than fish in G3 (p > 0.05). Lecithin supplementation improved (p < 0.05) growth, particularly in fish fed plant ingredients (G6). Fish fed different diets showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein concentrations compared with G1. Albumin concentration was significantly reduced in G3 and G6. Partial or complete replacement of FO and FM with plant ingredients, with or without lecithin, significantly modulated (p < 0.05) expression levels of some regulatory genes related to growth and lipid metabolism, with the highest expression in lecithin-supplemented fish. It could be concluded that the complete replacement of FM and FO with plant ingredients (plant protein and oil) non-significantly reduced fish performance. Nevertheless, with lecithin supplementation, Nile tilapia can effectively utilize this plant-based diet as reflected with enhanced growth.

Preparation of Alcoholic Beverages by Tribal Communities in the Indian Himalayan Region: A Review on Traditional and Ethnic Consideration

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the center of the diverse food culture comprising fermented and non-fermented ethnic foods and alcoholic beverages. Diverse tribal communities in IHR (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Laddakh, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura) have been long known for their rich culture and food habits. Having strong ritual importance among the ethnic people of the IHR, alcoholic beverages are being consumed in various cultural, social, and religious events for ages. Consumption of in-house prepared alcoholic beverage is the socio-cultural tradition in India as well as across the globe. The processes and ingredients involved in alcoholic beverage preparations vary with raw material availability in different regions. The majority of the fermented drinks are cereal-based with a significant proportion of various plants and fruits as the main raw material, making a beverage more unique in taste. Some plant ingredients used for traditional alcoholic beverages have potential nutraceutical as well as therapeutic properties that are well documented. These properties could constitute an additional economic value for traditional alcoholic beverages commercialization, which, in turn, could promote the local rural economy. Until now, such beverages have only received marginal attention by ethnobotanists and few studies concern traditional fermented beverages in the IHR. In this view, the current review focused on preparation, diversity, cultural, and economic significance and health benefits of ethnic beverages used by tribal communities in the IHR.

Assessment of Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and Fluoride containing Dentifrice - An In vitro Study

Background: Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) is a medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean region and cultivated around the world. This medicinal plant possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It has been proved that naturally occurring active ingredients of herbal medicinal plants shows least adverse effects and can act as effective oral hygiene aid for the control of common oral diseases without the need for synthetically derived or chemical agents. Hence, the present study invitro was designed to assess the cytotoxic and antioxidant effects of rosemary so that it can be used as an effective plaque control measures against various oral diseases. Materials and Methods: Rosemary leaves were procured from the markets of South India and were powdered to prepare the aqueous and ethanolic plant extract. The plant extracts were then subjected for cytotoxic and antioxidant analysis. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated using Brine shrimp lethality assay and antioxidant effects using DPPH radical scavenging assay. After the evaluation of antioxidant and cytotoxic property, rosemary-based toothpaste using herbal tooth formulation was prepared. Results: The results show that 5,10 and 15µl conc. all the nauplii fishes were alive in rosemary toothpaste whereas 60% of fishes were dead. Rosemary toothpaste have good antioxidant property when compared to fluoride toothpaste. Descriptive statistics were used. Conclusion: From the above findings, rosemary containing dentifrice has very less cytotoxicity and good antioxidant properties when compared with fluoride dentifrice and it can be served as an excellent replacement of several commercially available dentifrices.

An initial evaluation of fishmeal replacement with soy protein sources on growth and immune responses of burbot (Lota lota maculosa)

Burbot (Lota lota maculosa) are the only freshwater member of the cod family (Gadidae) and potentially a new species for aquaculture production. This “freshwater cod” species could provide diversification for freshwater salmonid and other aquaculture operations, given its desirable fillet quality and growth potential. Burbot nutrition research is necessary to further define dietary requirements and the potential of this species to utilize sustainable plant-based proteins. A 91-day feeding trial and subsequent 28-day pathogen challenge was conducted with juvenile burbot (26.8 g mean weight) to assess growth performance, survival, and immune parameters. Dietary treatments included a fishmeal control (CTL), and 25% and 50% fishmeal replacement with soybean meal (SBM) soy protein concentrate (SPC), and bioprocessed soybean meal (BSBM). Growth results indicated a difference in percent gain (PG; P = 0.015) and thermal growth coefficient (TGC; P = 0.014) among dietary treatments, with the fish fed the SBM-25 and CTL performing higher than other diets except for the SPC-25. Analysis of distal intestine samples revealed no discernable differences in lamina propria thickness (P = 0.489) or cellularity (P = 0.944), and the amount of connective tissue of the submucosa was found to be similar (P = 0.988). Immediately following the feeding trial, burbot were challenged with a virulent strain of Aeromonas sp. (A141) while remaining on their respective dietary treatments. At day 28 post-challenge, no diet-related effects were found in cumulative percent mortality (P = 0.170) or serum lysozyme activity (P = 0.715). The respiratory burst activity of isolated head kidney-derived leukocytes did not show treatment differences at pre- and post-challenge sampling (P = 0.857), but activity decreased post-challenge (P < 0.001). Overall, results indicate that 25% FM replacements with SBM and SPC are suitable in burbot diets and long-term feeding of soy-based proteins does not appear to cause distal enteritis, impair disease resistance, or affect innate immune function. Utilizing soy-based protein sources for commercial burbot culture will expand the use of sustainable plant ingredients in aquaculture and provide burbot producers with a cost-effective alternative to high fishmeal feeds.

Glycyrrhizic Acid: A Natural Plant Ingredient as a Drug Candidate to Treat COVID-19.

The total number of cumulative cases and deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is still increasing worldwide. Although many countries have actively implemented vaccination strategies to curb the epidemic, there is no specific efficient therapeutic drug for this virus to effectively reduce deaths. Therefore, the underappreciated macromolecular compounds have become the spotlight of research. Furthermore, the medicinal compounds in plants that provide myriad possibilities to treat human diseases have become of utmost importance. Experience indicates that Traditional Chinese medicine effectively treats SARS and has been used for treating patients with COVID-19 in China. As one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies, licorice is used for treating patients with all stages of COVID-19. Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), the main active compound in licorice, has been proven effective in killing the SARS virus. Meanwhile, as a natural plant molecule, GA can also directly target important protein structures of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we summarized the immune synergy of GA and its potential role in treating COVID-19 complications. Besides, we reviewed its anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system and its positive effects in cooperation with various drugs to fight against COVID-19 and its comorbidities. The purpose of this review is to elucidate and suggest that GA can be used as a potential drug during COVID-19 treatment.

Toward environmentally sustainable aquafeeds

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector and currently supplies almost 50% of fish for human consumption worldwide. There are significant barriers to the continued growth of industrial aquaculture, including high production costs and harmful environmental impacts associated with the production of aquaculture feed. Most commercial aquaculture feeds are based on fish meal, fish oil, and terrestrial plant ingredients, which contain indigestible forms of phosphorus. Phosphorus loading from aquaculture effluent can lead to eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. Formulating fish feeds using ingredients that contain highly bioavailable forms of phosphorus in nutritionally appropriate quantities will reduce phosphorus loading. Using both in vivo and in vitro experiments, we examined the digestibility of phosphorus in three experimental tilapia feeds supplemented with two freshwater microalgae (Spirulina sp., Chlorella sp.) and one marine microalga, Schizochytrium sp., relative to a reference diet containing fish meal and fish oil. We also calculated a phosphorus budget to quantify metabolic phosphorus waste outputs. The marine Schizochytrium-supplemented diet had the highest phosphorus digestibility and the lowest solid phosphorus discharge compared to the reference diet and the other experimental diets. The Schizochytrium ingredient also had the highest phosphorus digestibility among the three microalgae tested in vitro experiments. These results suggest that Schizochytrium sp. is a highly digestible source of phosphorus and findings on metabolic phosphorus waste outputs have implications for the formulation of sustainable diets for tilapia. Further research must examine the economic feasibility and environmental impacts of producing Schizochytrium sp. as an aquafeed ingredient.

Beyond staple crops: exploring the use of ‘invisible’ plant ingredients in Minoan cuisine through starch grain analysis on ceramic vessels

Beyond staple crops: exploring the use of ‘invisible’ plant ingredients in Minoan cuisine through starch grain analysis on ceramic vessels

A systematic review of pharmacological activities, toxicological mechanisms and pharmacokinetic studies on Aconitum alkaloids.

The tubers and roots of Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) are widely used as heart medicine or analgesic agents for the treatment of coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis and neuropathic pain since ancient times. As a type of natural products mainly extracted from Aconitum plants, Aconitum alkaloids have complex chemical structures and exert remarkable biological activity, which are mainly responsible for significant effects of Aconitum plants. The present review is to summarize the progress of the pharmacological, toxicological, and pharmacokinetic studies of Aconitum alkaloids, so as to provide evidence for better clinical application. Research data concerning pharmacological, toxicological and pharmacokinetic studies of Aconitum alkaloids were collected from different scientific databases (PubMed, CNKI, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and Web of Science) using the phrase Aconitum alkaloids, as well as generic synonyms. Aconitum alkaloids are both bioactive compounds and toxic ingredients in Aconitum plants. They produce a wide range of pharmacological activities, including protecting the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and immune system and anti-cancer effects. Notably, Aconitum alkaloids also exert strong cardiac toxicity, neurotoxicity and liver toxicity, which are supported by clinical studies. Finally, pharmacokinetic studies indicated that cytochrome P450 proteins (CYPs) and efflux transporters (ETs) are closely related to the low bioavailability of Aconitum alkaloids and play an important role in their metabolism and detoxification in vivo.

A meta-analysis on the nutritional value of insects in aquafeeds

A major challenge for development of sustainable aquafeeds is its dependence on fish meal and fish oil. Similarly, it is unwanted to include more plant ingredients which adds more pressure on resources like arable land, freshwater and fertilisers. New ingredients that do not require these resources but rather refine and valorise organic side streams, like insects, are being developed. Increasing evidence indicates that using insect ingredients in aquafeeds are a sustainable alternative and considerable progress has been made on this topic in the past years. The aim of this chapter is to present a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the data available on the impact of insects in aquafeeds. Systematic search, collection and selection of relevant literature from databases such as Web of Science and NCBI was performed. The literature search enabled 91 scientific papers from peer-reviewed journals, comprising a dataset of 415 experimental diets, including 35 different aquatic species and 14 insect species to be included in this meta-analysis, covering what we consider a close to complete representation of credible publications on this topic. Information on aquatic species, insect species, dietary composition (amino acids, fatty acids, proximate composition) and performance outputs (growth performance indicators and nutrient digestibility) were included in the construction of the dataset. Regression models and principal component analyses were performed on the meta-data. The results from the meta-analysis revealed a great degree of variation in the maximum threshold for insect inclusion in aquafeeds (from 4 to 37%) based on subgroups of trophic level of aquatic species, insect species used, statistical method and the output parameter. Overall, a maximum threshold of 25-30% inclusion of insects in aquafeeds for uncompromised performance is suggested. Reduction in protein digestibility, imbalanced amino acid profile and increasing levels of saturated fatty acid were identified as major factors limiting higher inclusion of insects in aquafeeds.

Characterization of a New Full-Thickness In Vitro Skin Model.

Since 30 years, bioengineering allowed to reconstruct human tissues using normal human cells. Skin is one of the first organ to be reconstructed thanks to the development of specific cell culture media and supports favoring the culture of human skin cells, such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, or melanocytes. Skin models have evolved from epidermis to complex models including a dermis. The purpose of the present study was to design a reconstructed full-thickness (FT) skin suitable to perform in vitro testing of both molecules and plant extracts. First, we reconstructed epidermis with normal human keratinocytes displaying the expected multilayered morphology and expressing specific epidermal proteins (e-cadherin, claudin-1, p63, Ki67, Keratin 10, filaggrin, and loricrin). Then, a dermal equivalent was developed using a collagen matrix allowing the growth of fibroblasts. The functionality of the dermis was demonstrated by the measurement of skin parameters such as rigidity or elasticity with Ballistometer® and other parameters such as the contraction over time and the expression of dermal proteins. The combination of these two compartments (dermis and epidermis) allowed to reconstruct an FT model. This study model allowed to study the communication between compartments and with the establishment of a dermoepidermal junction showing the expression of specific proteins (collagen XVII, laminin, and collagen IV). Impact statement The objective of our research project was to design a three-dimensional human full-thickness (FT) skin suitable to perform in vitro testing of molecules and plant ingredients. The combination of these two reconstructed compartments (dermis and epidermis) allowed to reconstruct an FT model. This study model allowed to study the communication between compartments and with the establishment of a dermoepidermal junction showing the expression of specific proteins (collagen XVII, laminin, and collagen IV). This in vitro model can be use by cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries to study the effect of chemical or natural compounds on the skin.

Effect of GM maize on metabolism and performance of chicken

Effect of GM maize on metabolism and performance of chicken

Effects of vitamin D3 supplementation in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles fed diets high in plant based feedstuffs

Modern aquaculture feeds tend to contain lower levels of fish based ingredients, while increasing the content of plant ingredients. However, this may alter the vitamin profile of the feeds, leading to unbalanced vitamin supply. Requirements for several vitamins have been established for species such as carps and salmonids, but adequate levels for gilthead sea bream are yet unknown.Vitamin D is mainly involved in Ca homeostasis by regulating Ca uptake and liberation from bone intervening in bone remodeling. Fish are unable to synthesize vitamin D and so require absorbing it directly from the diet, thus, it is considered essential for fish. A practical plant-based diet containing 10% fish meal and 6% fish oil containing five levels of vitamin D3 (0.15, 0.43, 0.50, 0.55 and 0.65 mg kg−1 or 5.8, 17.0, 20.0, 22.0 and 26.0 IU g−1) were formulated to identify the optimum levels for gilthead seabream juveniles. Feeding juveniles of gilthead seabream with a range of vitamin D3 levels between 5.8 and 26.0 IU g−1 for 70 days did not markedly alter growth. Increase dietary vitamin D3 significantly raised the liver contents in vitamin D3 in a dose-dependent manner following a potential regression. Increased dietary vitamin D3 levels up to 11.6 IU g−1 may reduce the incidence of skeletal anomalies, particularly caudal and maxillary anomalies, whereas further elevation of dietary vitamin D3 levels increased the concentration of vitamin D3 in liver as well as skeletal anomalies in association to the up-regulation of alp and bmp2 gene expression. The occurrence of myocarditis signs in fish fed vitamin D3 levels of 20.0 IU g−1 or more denote the toxic effects of these dietary levels. These results, together with the increased occurrence of skeletal anomalies in seabream fed the highest dietary vitamin D3 levels, suggest initial signs of hypervitaminosis D. Thus, the recommended level for vitamin D3 for gilthead seabream juveniles fed diets containing high levels of plant ingredients was suggested to be 11.6 IU g−1.

One step assay of the four plant ingredients in Yangxue Anshen syrup by HPLC method

Objective To establish a HPLC method for simultaneous determination of quercitrin, luteoloside, rutin and 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside in Yangxue Anshen syrup. Methods Waters symmetry C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) was used with 0.1% acetic acid (A) and methanol (B) as the mobile phase. Gradient elution was performed at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, 0-15 min, 95%-90%A; 15-35 min, 90%-70%A; 35-55 min, 70%-60%A; 55-85 min, 60%-50%A; 85-95 min, 10%A. The detection wavelengths were 256 nm and 320 nm. Column temperature was 30 ℃ and the injection volume was 10 μl. Results Quercitrin, luteoloside, rutin and 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside showed good linear relationship within the range of 10-300, 5.0-150.0, 5.0-150.0, 20.0-600.0 µg/ml(r≥0.9989), respectively. The average recovery was (96.75±1.41)%, (99.61±1.01)%, (97.18±1.96)% and(99.12±0.97)% (n=6), respectively. Conclusion The established method is simple, accurate and stable, which can be used for the simultaneous determination of 4 components in Yangxue Anshen syrup.

BIOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND SCIENTIFIC VALIDATION STUDIES OF AN HERBAL NUTRACEUTICAL (IN PRESS)

The search for pioneering nutraceuticals from plants is genuine and crucial. Based on the literature review as per Ayurvedic texts, four common plants Capparis spinosa L. (flower buds), Caesalpinia bonducella L.(seeds), Luffa acutangula L.(fruits) and Cassia occidentalis L. (aerial parts) were selected to develop nutraceuticals and were standardized. Based on the nutraceutical and pharmacological efficacies of the individual plant drugs selected, three different herbal nutraceutical formulations were prepared. Nutraceuticals before and after lyophilization were subjected to standardization studies. Nutraceutical formulation 3 developed was found to be best due to its high nutraceutical values when compared to others. Results depicted that up to the dose level of 2000 mg/kg.bw (acute oral toxicity), 1000 mg/kg.bw (sub-acute oral toxicity), it doesn’t produced any lethality in the experimental animals. To conclude that the selected herbal formulation developed from selected plant ingredients was found to possess distinct nutraceutical values. The present work contributes for the development of human healthcare through nutraceutical product with remarkable medicinal properties in herbal way.

Innovative vegetables-processed cheese: I. Physicochemical, rheological and sensory characteristics

The food industries have a high demand for new products that meet consumer needs for a healthy lifestyle, where functional food enriched using the plant ingredients plays an important role. So, this study aimed to improve the public healthful characteristics of processed cheese and to examine the impact of fortification with different vegetables powder blend (mushroom, potato, squash, carrot, green bean, green pea, celery, leek, dill and parsley) on processed cheese using four formulations 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10% ratios. Changes in physic-chemical compositional characterizations of formulated processed cheese (FPC) were checked at fresh and during refrigerated storage (5±1 °C) for three months to assess their chemical, rheological, textural and organoleptic properties. The obtained results of FPC samples have higher in dry matter, protein, fiber and carbohydrates compared to the control cheese. The addition of these plants is acceptable to the consumer and can contribute to the development a novel and safe processed cheese types without affecting the overall acceptability, proved to have excellent compositional and functional properties, where the ratios of 5 and 7.5% recorded the best FPC samples.

Inhibition of human sperm motility and capacitation by ziram is mediated by decreasing tyrosine protein kinase

Many endocrine disruptors may interfere with sperm motility, hyperactivation, and capacitation, thereby leading to male infertility. In the current study, we screened 14 endocrine disruptors, including plant ingredients, cigarette ingredients, minerals, insecticides and fungicides, plastics, and plasticizers, to inhibit human sperm motility and forward motility. Only ziram, a dithiocarbamate fungicide, can effectively inhibit sperm motility, forward motility, hyperactivation, capacitation, and spontaneous acrosome reaction of normal human spermatozoa. Its half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were less than 4 μM. Ziram also inhibited sperm motility and forward motility of asthenozoospermia spermatozoa and IC50 values were about 6–8 μM. In addition, ziram inhibited normal sperm motility, calcium influx, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial membrane potential at 2.5 and/or 5 μM, with IC50 values ​​exceeding 100 μM, although it did not affect sperm DNA fragmentation up to 5 μM. Ziram-mediated inhibition of sperm motility and forward motility was irreversible. Forskolin, 8Br-cAMP, pentoxifylline, progesterone, vitamin E, and A23187 cannot prevent ziram-mediated inhibition of sperm motility and forward motility. Further studies have shown that ziram inhibited the level of tyrosine protein kinase with an IC50 value of about 10 μM, without affecting p21-activated kinase 4, and it caused damage to the mitochondrial structure of normal spermatozoa at 2.5 and 5 μM. In conclusion, ziram irreversibly inhibits human sperm motility, forward motility, and capacitation by reducing the level of tyrosine protein kinase and damaging the ultrastructure of mitochondria.

A Timely Review of Cross-Kingdom Regulation of Plant-Derived MicroRNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to a class of non-coding RNAs that suppress gene expression by complementary oligonucleotide binding to the sites in target messenger RNAs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that miRNAs play crucial role in virtually all cellular processes of both plants and animals, such as cell growth, cell division, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. The study of rice MIR168a has demonstrated for the first time that exogenous plant MIR168a influences cholesterol transport in mice by inhibiting low-density lipoprotein receptor adapter protein 1 expression. Inspired by this finding, the cross-kingdom regulation of plant-derived miRNAs has drawn a lot of attention because of its capability to provide novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of miRNA deregulation-related diseases. Notably, unlike mRNA, some plant miRNAs are robust because of their 3′ end modification, high G, C content, and the protection by microvesicles, miRNAs protein cofactors or plant ingredients. The stability of these small molecules guarantees the reliability of plant miRNAs in clinical application. Although the function of endogenous miRNAs has been widely investigated, the cross-kingdom regulation of plant-derived miRNAs is still in its infancy. Herein, this review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the anti-virus, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, immune modulation, and intestinal function regulation effects of plant-derived miRNAs in mammals. It is expected that exploring the versatile role of plant-derived miRNAs may lay the foundation for further study and application of these newly recognized, non-toxic, and inexpensive plant active ingredients.

Phytochemical Screening and in-vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial Activities of Echinops amplexicaulis, Ruta chalepensis and Salix subserrata Against Selected Pathogenic Bacterial Strains in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia.

BackgroundAlthough traditional healers in Ethiopia have a long history of using medicinal plants to treat diseases in animals and humans, studies on the antibacterial activities and potential bioactive ingredients of most medicinal plants have been insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the in-vitro antibacterial activities and to screen phytochemical constituents of selected medicinal plants against reference bacterial strains.MethodsThe fresh and healthy roots of Echinops amplexicaulis, fruits of Ruta chalepensis, and leaves of Salix subserrata were collected from West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Agar well diffusion and agar dilution methods were used to evaluate antibacterial activities and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). All the crude plant extracts were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at concentrations of 100, 50, and 25 mg/mL in each triplet (3x). MIC of crude extracts ranging from 1.5625 to 12.50 mg/mL was applied to all bacterial strains. The positive control was ciprofloxacin disk (5 μg) and the negative control was 5% dimethyl sulfoxide. The presence of secondary metabolites of each crude extract was screened. The group means comparisons were done using one-way ANOVA and results were presented as mean ± standard deviation.ResultsAlthough all selected plant extracts had shown antibacterial activities, methanol extracts had a greater zone of inhibition against all reference bacterial strains when compared to petroleum ether extracts. The growth of P. aeruginosa was inhibited at a minimum concentration of both methanol and petroleum extracts (1.5625 mg/mL) when compared to the remaining bacterial strains. Phytochemical screening showed that saponins and alkaloids were found in all crude plant extracts, while phytosterol was meager.ConclusionThis study revealed that all tested plants had significant secondary metabolites and antibacterial activities against reference bacterial strains.