Poisonous Plants Research Articles

Advances in viticulture via smart phenotyping: current progress and future directions in tackling soil copper accumulation

Modern viticulture faces significant challenges including climate change and increasing crop diseases, necessitating sustainable solutions to reduce fungicide use and mitigate soil health risks, particularly from copper accumulation. Advances in plant phenomics are essential for evaluating and tracking phenotypic traits under environmental stress, aiding in selecting resilient vine varieties. However, current methods are limited, hindering effective integration with genomic data for breeding purposes. Remote sensing technologies provide efficient, non-destructive methods for measuring biophysical and biochemical traits of plants, offering detailed insights into their physiological and nutritional state, surpassing traditional methods. Smart phenotyping is essential for selecting crop varieties with desired traits, such as pathogen-resilient vine varieties, tolerant to altered soil fertility including copper toxicity. Identifying plants with typical copper toxicity symptoms under high soil copper levels is straightforward, but it becomes complex with supra-optimal, already toxic, copper levels common in vineyard soils. This can induce multiple stress responses and interferes with nutrient acquisition, leading to ambiguous visual symptoms. Characterizing resilience to copper toxicity in vine plants via smart phenotyping is feasible by relating smart data with physiological assessments, supported by trained professionals who can identify primary stressors. However, complexities increase with more data sources and uncertainties in symptom interpretations. This suggests that artificial intelligence could be valuable in enhancing decision support in viticulture. While smart technologies, powered by artificial intelligence, provide significant benefits in evaluating traits and response times, the uncertainties in interpreting complex symptoms (e.g., copper toxicity) still highlight the need for human oversight in making final decisions.

GC/MS Analysis, Antimicrobial, Fungicidal Activities and Toxicity of Rosmarinus Officinalis Essential Oil Plant from Algeria

GC/MS Analysis, Antimicrobial, Fungicidal Activities and Toxicity of Rosmarinus Officinalis Essential Oil Plant from Algeria

Effects of SNP, MgSO4, and MgO-NPs foliar application on Spinacia oleracea L. growth and physio-biochemical responses under cadmium stress

The effects of foliar application of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO-NPs) on the growth, physiology, and gas exchange parameters of two varieties of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under cadmium (Cd) stress were examined. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 72 pots. Two varieties of S. oleracea (Desi Palak & Lahori Palak) were used. Two concentrations of Cd (0 µM and 150 µM) in the form of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) were used. Two levels of SNP (0 ppm and 100 ppm) and two levels for each form of Mg i.e. MgSO4 and MgO-NPs (0 and 200 ppm) were foliar sprayed on plants in control and Cd stress. Both varieties behaved similarly under Cd stress and caused reductions in growth, physiology, gas exchange, water content parameters and inorganic ion uptake. However, the biochemical parameters like relative membrane permeability (RMP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents were increased. However, all foliar spray treatments increased growth, physiological and gas exchange parameters, water content and inorganic ion uptake. However, this reduced the MDA, RMP, and H2O2 contents. Desi Palak showed the more positive results under foliar application of MgO-NPs. However, Lahori palak showed more positive results under the SNP + MgO-NP treatment. It is concluded that foliar application of SNP, MgSO4 and MgO-NPs could be an innovative approach to alleviated the heavy metals (Cd) toxicity in crop plants.

S-nitrosoglutathione reductase disfavors cadmium tolerance in shoots of Arabidopsis

S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) is involved in the response to cadmium (Cd) exposure. In this study, the plants of mutant (gsnor1-3) with lossing-function of- and over-expression (GSNOROE5) of GSNOR were used to clear the role of GSNOR in Cd tolerance. GSNOR activity increased through upregulating the expression of the AtGSNOR gene and protein in Arabidopsis thaliana under Cd stress, which attenuated Cd tolerance. Oxidative damage was more serious in GSNOROE5 and was alleviated in gsnor1-3 under Cd stress, compared with Col-0. Induction of GSNOR facilitated H2O2 accumulation but inhibited catalase (CAT) activity in shoots under Cd stress. This phenotype was eliminated by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT), a CAT inhibitor. In addition, the expressions of AtCAT1 and AtCAT2 were down-regulated with increasing GSNOR activity under Cd stress. This suggested that GSNOR was involved in the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through regulating CAT expression and activity under Cd exposure. Furthermore, Cd tolerance and CAT activity were improved by spraying S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) onto the surface of the leaves. The in vitro activity of CAT increased with GSNO concentration until a GSNO/CAT ratio of 2 was reached. Thus, CAT activity was relative to GSNOR through regulating the expression and S-nitrosylation level of proteins. In summary, the Cd-induced promotion of GSNOR activity aggravated Cd toxicity in plants by mediating H2O2 accumulation controlled by CAT.

Rasacharya Pandit Chivukula Satyanarayanasastry: A proponent of Rasa Chikitsa and a distinguished litterateur who enriched Ayurveda through Telugu literature

Abstract Alchemy has two main aspects: Rasa Chikitsa and Rasa Vada. Rasa Chikitsa refers to the therapeutic application of drugs of metal and mineral origin, animal products, and poisonous plant drugs in Ayurveda. On the other hand, Rasa Vada was a branch of chemistry in the Middle Ages concerned with changing base metals into gold and alchemy, which have been around for centuries. Saint Govinda Bhagavatpada, the mentor of Adi Sankaracharya, was a respected practitioner of Rasa Vada and wrote Rasa Hridaya Tantra, considered a pioneering work on Rasa Sastra. Rasacharya Chivukula Satyanarayana Sastry, from Andhra Pradesh, dedicated his life to mastering these two facets and gained notable recognition as a Rasa Vaidya. He was given the esteemed title of Rasacharya, following the footsteps of the renowned scientist Siddha Nagarjuna. Interestingly, no one else in Andhra Pradesh has been given this honor. However, recent discoveries suggest that Sri Bhudev Mookerji was also honored with the title “Rasacharya” for compiling the monumental publication Rasa Jala Nidhi in five volumes. This comprehensive discussion aims to shine a light on the extraordinary life and significant contributions of Rasacharya Sri Chivukula Satyanarayan Sastry, an outstanding figure in Ayurveda.

Improving the Productivity and Physiological Characteristics of Lettuce Plants Using Spraying Calcium as a Nanofertilizer

Implementing nanofertilizers in cultivation to enhance food security is important and gaining great significance, as they have good properties to improve plant production, phytochemicals, and nutrient efficiency and thereby meet the demands of the increasing world population for food. This work demonstrated the impact of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (Ca-NPs) and Ca bulk at three concentrations (0, 100, and 200 mg L−1) on growth, productivity, photosynthetic pigments, phytochemical content, antioxidant activity enzymes, minerals, toxicity, and genomic DNA of lettuce plants. In this regard, Ca-NPs at a concentration of 200 mg L−1 reinforced the vegetative growth characteristics of lettuce plants, increasing head length by 15.7 and 19.2%, head diameter by 20.3 and 19.9%, head fresh weight by 54.4 and 52.9%, and production per hectare by 54.7 and 52.8% as compared to the control during the two growing seasons. Furthermore, the percentages of total chlorophyll (62.6 and 59.5%), carotenoids (48.4 and 56.5%), total phenolics (63.6 and 65.7%), total indoles (39.4 and 36.4%), vitamin C (39.7 and 39.6%), antioxidant activity (57.8 and 53.7%), nitrogen (70.5 and 67.5%), phosphorus (120 and 110.5%), potassium (33.0 and 33.2%), and calcium (67.14 and 63.2%) were also increased compared with the control during two consecutive growing seasons. Additionally, Ca-NPs and Ca bulk had an impact on the plants’ genomic DNA compared to the control. In addition, lettuce plants treated with Ca-NPs were proven to be nontoxic and safe for humans by using the Microtox 500 analyzer.

PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY IN PASTURE AREAS IMPLANTED WITH GRASSES OF THE GENUS BRACHIARIA IN DIFFERENT RELIEFS

The agricultural sector is essential to the Brazilian economy, contributing 26% of gross revenue in 2021 and 24.8% in 2022. Brazil, the world's largest beef producer, depends on pastures as the main source of feed for its cattle, with Brachiaria grass playing a significant role. role. Inadequate management of these areas often leads to degradation, characterized by the proliferation of weeds, which require intervention. The study was carried out with the objective of carrying out a phytosociological survey in pasture areas at different altitudes to evaluate the floristic composition and identify the forage potential or harmful characteristics of the species present. Phytosociological surveys were carried out in pastures at IFES – Campus Santa Teresa, ES, in two areas with distinct topographic features (hills and plains). The species were identified and classified as palatable, toxic or unpalatable. Sampling occurred during the dry (winter) and rainy (summer) seasons, and species were quantified according to frequency, density and abundance. A total of 47 species distributed in 14 families were identified. The Fabaceae family was the most prevalent, followed by Amaranthaceae and Malvaceae. Alysicarpus vaginalis (IVI 49.06) was dominant in the hillside area (Area A), while Cyperus rotundus (IVI 115.25) stood out in the plain area (Area B). The similarity index between the areas was 26.42%. The study highlighted the diversity of species in Brachiaria pastures, emphasizing the need for targeted management to control unpalatable and toxic plants and, at the same time, optimize forage potential. The low similarity between the areas suggests distinct ecological dynamics.

Rising temperature impacts the trace metal uptake and toxicity in aquatic plants - A case study of Ni and Co in Elodea canadensis Michx.

The global warming and environmental pollution are two crucial contemporary concerns. As both are strongly connected with urbanisation and anthropogenic impact on the environment, they often affect the ecosystem simultaneously. Aquatic habitats are particularly susceptible to thermal and chemical pollution. Temperature influences nearly all physical and chemical features of water bodies and trace metals are known for their toxicity to aquatic organisms. However, effects of multiple stressors, cumulative effects as well as response and possible adaptations of organisms are still open questions. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the combined effect of temperature and two trace metals (Co and Ni) on the metal bioaccumulation and viability of a model aquatic macrophyte Elodea canadensis Michx. We exposed shoots of E. canadensis to three temperatures and four metal concentrations (together and separately) applied at environmentally relevant levels. Shoot growth and metal concentration in plants were measured after 120 h. Moreover, after 24, 72 and 120 h the changes in leaf cell morphology and viability were analysed. The results showed that metal accumulation was dose-dependent and was not affected by temperature. The growth of plants was not affected by temperature nor metals. On the other hand, the exposure to Co and Ni and the elevated temperature negatively affected cell viability of E. canadensis leaves which manifested by increased permeability of plasma membranes and visible necroses. The greatest damaged leaf areas were determined after 120 h in the highest concentration of both metals and the highest temperature which indicates synergistic impact of trace metals and temperature on performance of macrohydrophytes. The observed phenomena suggest that global warming and/or thermal pollution may have implications for the performance of aquatic macrophytes in chemically polluted waters, their ability to spread and colonize polluted habitats and their suitability in phytoremediation.

Utilizing chicken manure incineration ash as a phosphorus and silicon source to mitigate boron absorption in barley grown on boron-contaminated soil

Excessive boron (B) levels in soil can lead to toxicity in plants, impacting their growth and productivity. Effective strategies to reduce B uptake are important for improving crop performance in contaminated soils. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of chicken manure incineration ash (CMA) and triple superphosphate (TSP) on B uptake in barley plants grown in B-contaminated soil. Before the experiment, the chemical composition and molecular structure of CMA were analyzed using XRF, XRD and SEM. The soil was contaminated with 15 mg kg−1 of B, and both TSP and CMA were applied at rates of 40, 80, and 160 mg kg−1 of phosphorus (P). Neither P source had a significant impact on plant dry weight. However, increasing doses of applied TSP and CMA increased plant P concentration while significantly decreasing B concentration. Particularly with CMA applied at 160 mg kg−1 P dose, plant B concentration decreased to the lowest level of 194 mg kg−1. Increasing P doses led to a slight decrease in plant silicon (Si) concentration. The pH of soil samples taken after the experiment slightly increased with CMA treatments compared to TSP. The available P concentration in soils increased with increasing P doses. The available B concentration decreased with increasing P doses, especially reducing to the lowest level of 2.52 mg kg−1 in soils with a 40 mg kg−1 P, CMA. In conclusion, in addition to the effect of P, the molecular structure of P is also important in reducing B uptake in barley.

Effects of the co-exposure of microplastic/nanoplastic and heavy metal on plants: Using CiteSpace, meta-analysis, and machine learning

Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) and heavy metals (HMs) coexist worldwide. Existing studies have reported different or even contradictory toxic effects of co-exposure to MNPs and HMs on plants, which may be related to various influencing factors. In this study, existing publications were searched and analyzed using CiteSpace, meta-analysis, and machine learning. CiteSpace analysis showed that this research field was still in the nascent stage, and hotspots in this field included accumulation, cadmium (Cd), growth, and combined toxicity. Meta-analysis revealed the differential association of seven influencing factors (MNP size, pollutant treatment duration, cultivation media, plant species, MNP type, HM concentration, and MNP concentration) and 8 physiological parameters receiving the most attention. Co-exposure of the two contaminants had stronger toxic effects than HM treatment alone, and phytotoxicity was generally enhanced with increasing concentrations and longer exposure durations, especially when using nanoparticles, hydroponic medium, dicotyledons producing stronger toxic effects than microplastics, soil-based medium, and monocotyledons. Dry and fresh weight analysis showed that co-exposure to MNPs and Cd resulted in significant phytotoxicity in all classifications. Concerning the MNP types, polyolefins partially attenuated plant toxicity, but both modified polystyrene (PS) and biodegradable polymers exacerbated joint phytotoxicity. Finally, machine learning was used to fit and predict plant HM concentrations, showing five classifications with an accuracy over 80 %, implying that the polynomial regression model could be used to predict HM content in plants under complex pollution conditions. Overall, this study identifies current knowledge gaps and provides guidance for future research.

Impact of Salinity Stress on Soybean Growth and Yield under Saturated Soil Culture in Tidal Lands: A Comparative Study of Tolerant Varieties

Salinity stress, intensified by climate change events such as El Niño and drought, presents a significant challenge to soybean production in tidal lands. This study evaluated soybean varieties’ growth, tolerance, and yield under varying salinity conditions within a saturated water cultivation system. The experiment was conducted from February to May 2024 at the IPB Experimental Station in Leuwikopo, Bogor, Indonesia, using soil samples collected from type B tidal lands in Mulyasari Village, Banyuasin, South Sumatra. A completely randomized design (CRD) was employed with three factors and three replications each. The first factor was soybean variety (“Demas-1” and “Detap-1”), the second was soil salinity (0 and 2000 ppm NaCl), and the third was irrigation salinity at different growth stages (control, 2000 ppm NaCl before/during flowering, and 2000 ppm NaCl after flowering). The results demonstrated that the “Demas-1” variety exhibited superior growth characteristics, including higher leaf greenness, dry weight of root nodules, and number of filled pods per plant. Exposure to soil salinity of 2000 ppm NaCl led to a significant reduction in plant height (29.38%), leaf number (38.01%), leaf greenness (28.67%), dry weight (49.90%-60.80%), and filled pods per plant (55.51%), while increasing plant toxicity (108%). Irrigation with 2000 ppm NaCl further exacerbated these negative impacts, resulting in decreased leaf greenness (15.42%-18.06%) and filled pods per plant (17.84%-23.94%). The interaction between soybean variety, soil salinity, and irrigation salinity significantly influenced the number of filled pods per plant. The combination of any soybean variety with 2000 ppm NaCl resulted in a reduction of filled pods per plant. Moreover, applying saline irrigation after flowering to saline soil decreased the number of filled pods per plant by 64.68%. These findings highlight the critical importance of selecting tolerant soybean varieties and implementing effective irrigation management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on soybean production in tidal lands.

Multifaceted roles of zinc nanoparticles in alleviating heavy metal toxicity in plants: a comprehensive review and future perspectives.

Heavy metal (HM) toxicity is a serious concern across the globe owing to their harmful impacts on plants, animals, and humans. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have gained appreciable attention in mitigating the adverse effects of abiotic stresses. The exogenous application of ZnO-NPs induces tolerance against HMs by improving plant physiological, metabolic, and molecular responses. They also interact with potential osmolytes and phyto-hormones to regulate the plant performance under HM stress. Moreover, ZnO-NPs also work synergistically with microbes and gene expression which helps to withstand HM toxicity. Additionally, ZnO-NPs also restrict the uptake and accumulation of HMs in plants which improves the plant performance. This review highlights the promising role of ZnO-NPs in mitigating the adverse impacts of HMs in plants. In this review, we explained the different mechanisms mediated by ZnO-NPs to counter the toxic effects of HMs. We also discussed the interactions of ZnO-NPs with osmolytes, phytohormones, and microbes in mitigating the toxic effects of HMs in plants. This review will help to learn more about the role of ZnO-NPs to mitigate HM toxicity in plants. Therefore, it will provide new insights to ensure sustainable and safer production with ZnO-NPs in HM-polluted soils.

Characterization and Greenhouse Trial of Zn Bio-Chelates Derived from Spent Coffee Grounds

The conversion of spent coffee grounds (SCG) into hydrochars has been the subject of extensive research in recent years, aimed at evaluating their potential for biofortifying foods and mitigating the plant toxicity linked to SCG. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical characterization and the impact of incorporating both activated (ASCG and AH160) and functionalized SCG (ASCG-Zn), as well as SCG-derived hydrochars (AH160-Zn), on cucumber yield and plant zinc content. The following physicochemical properties were analyzed: specific surface area, pH and electrical conductivity, polyphenols, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The by-products activated and functionalized with zinc were applied to cucumber crops grown in a greenhouse across multiple harvests. The activation of both SCG and H160 reduced the specific surface area of the particles. However, when these by-products were functionalized, their Zn content increased significantly, up to 7400 ppm. Concerning polyphenol content, the activated products showed levels ranging from 3.5 to 4.9 mg GAE/g. Regarding cumulative production, the treatments that showed the highest yields were the by-products activated and functionalized with Zn reaching 25 kg. Incorporating these by-products notably raised the Zn content in cucumbers, reaching 0.1 mg Zn per 100 g of fresh weight. The activated by-products demonstrated the highest Zn utilization efficiency.

Unveiling symbiotic bacterial communities in insects feeding on the latex-rich plant Ficus microcarpa.

The diversity and health of insects that feed on plants are closely related to their mutualistic symbionts and host plants. These symbiotic partners significantly influence various metabolic activities in these insects. However, the symbiotic bacterial community of toxic plant feeders still needs further characterisation. This study aims to unravel bacterial communities associated with the different species of insect representing three insect orders: Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, and Lepidoptera, along with their predicted functional role, which exclusively feeds on latex-rich plant species Ficus microcarpa. By using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing, the analysis was able to define the major alignment of the bacterial population, primarily comprising Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, and Acidobacteriota. Significant differences in symbiotic organisms between three insect groups were discovered by the study: hemipterans had Burkholderia and Buchnera, and lepidopterans had Acinetobacter. At the same time, Pseudomonas was detected in high abundance in both lepidopteran and thysanopteran insects. Furthermore, these symbionts exhibit consistent core functions, potentially explaining how different insects can consume the same host plant. The identified core functions of symbionts open avenues for innovative approaches in utilising these relationships to develop environment-friendly solutions for pest control, with broader implications for agriculture and environmental conservation.

Manganese: From Soil to Human Health—A Comprehensive Overview of Its Biological and Environmental Significance

Background: Manganese is an essential micronutrient that plays a pivotal role in environmental systems, plant physiology, and human health. This review comprehensively examines the manganese cycle in the environment, its absorption and transport mechanisms in plants, and the implications of manganese exposure to human health. Objectives: The objectives of this review are to (i) analyze the environmental cycling of manganese and its bioavailability, (ii) evaluate the role of manganese in plant metabolism and disease resistance, and (iii) assess the impact of manganese toxicity and deficiency on human health. Conclusion: This review highlights that while manganese is crucial for photosynthesis, enzyme activation, and resistance to plant diseases, both its deficiency and toxicity can have severe consequences. In plants, manganese deficiency can lead to impaired growth and reduced crop yields, while toxicity, particularly in acidic soils, can inhibit photosynthesis and stunt development. In humans, manganese is necessary for various physiological processes, but overexposure, especially in occupational settings, can result in neurodegenerative conditions such as manganism. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of managing manganese levels in agriculture and industry to optimize its benefits while minimizing health risks. A multidisciplinary approach is advocated to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure public health safety.

Unveiling the Behavior of an Endangered Facultative Cuprophyte Coincya Species in an Abandoned Copper Mine (Southeast Portugal).

Plant-soil interactions of endangered species with a high-priority conservation status are important to define in situ and ex situ conservation and restoration projects. The threatened endemic Coincya transtagana, thriving in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, can grow in metalliferous soils. The main goal of this study was to investigate the behavior of this species in soils rich in potentially toxic elements in the abandoned Aparis Cu mine. Soil samples were characterized for physicochemical properties and multielemental composition, as well as biological activity, through an analysis of enzymatic activities. Plant biomass was assessed, and multielemental analysis of the plants was also performed. The mine soils had slightly basic pH values and were non-saline and poor in mineral N-NH4, with medium-to-high organic matter concentration and medium cation-exchange capacity. In these soils, dehydrogenase had the highest activity, whereas protease had the lowest activity. The total concentrations of Cu (1.3-5.9 g/kg) and As (37.9-118 mg/kg) in soils were very high, and the available fraction of Cu in the soil also had high concentration values (49-491 mg/kg). Moreover, this study shows for the first time that C. transtagana had high uptake and translocation capacities from roots to shoots for Cu, Ni, and Cr. Although Cu in the plants' aerial parts (40-286 mg/kg) was considered excessive/toxic, no signs of plant toxicity disorders or P uptake reduction were detected. This preliminary study revealed that C. transtagana is Cu-tolerant, and it could be used for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements, while also contributing to its conservation.

Calcium oxide nanoparticles ameliorate cadmium toxicity in alfalfa seedlings by depriving its bioaccumulation, enhancing photosystem II functionality and antioxidant gene expression

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic pollutant that poses significant risks to living organisms and the environment, as it is absorbed by the plant roots and accumulates in different parts of crop during its production. A promising sustainable strategy to counteract these threats to use calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO-NPs) as soil supplements in fodder crops. This approach has shown notable morpho-physiological and biochemical improvements under metal toxicity conditions. However, the specific mechanisms driving Cd tolerance, particularly at physio-biochemical level and antioxidant related genes expression in fodder crops including alfalfa remain unexplored. CaO-NPs supplementation can trigger various signaling pathways that lead to enhance the photosynthetic pigments formation, stomatal conductance, CO2 assimilation rate and quantum yield of photosystem II. In this study, we evaluated various doses of CaO-NPs (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1) for their efficacy in reducing Cd bioavailability and toxicity in alfalfa plants. Our results demonstrated that Ca2+ and Cd2+, which share the same ionic radius, compete for ion transport through channels. The small size and high availability of CaO-NPs facilitate their rapid translocation within plant tissues, reducing metal uptake by 61 % in shoots and 30 % in roots. Notably, application of CaO-NPs at 100 mg kg−1 significantly increased shoot length (44 %) and root lengths (35 %) as compared to Cd-treated control plants. The highest dose of CaO-NPs also improved photosynthetic efficiency and gas exchange attributes including (gs, Tr, Pn and Ci) by 66 %, 27 %, 33 % and Ci 21 %, respectively, compared with the Cd treated control. Moreover, CaO-NPs (at 100 mg kg−1) alleviated metal-induced oxidative stress by boosting antioxidant enzyme activity like SOD (25 %) POD (42 %), CAT (72 %) and APX (87 %) and diminishing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production when compared with sole Cd treatment. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that CaO-NPs positively impacted stomatal conductance and mitigated Cd toxicity in leaf ultrastructure. Additionally, the highest dose of CaO-NPs markedly upregulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes, MsCu/Zn SOD, MtPOD, MtCAT, and MtAPX in roots and shoots by 0.67 and 1.03 fold-change (FC), 0.61 and 0.53 FC, 0.54 and 0.88 FC, and 0.46 and 0.66 FC, respectively. In conclusion, CaO-NPs demonstrate significant potential for environmentally friendly mitigation of Cd stress in alfalfa by reducing its uptake, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture.

Epidemiological characteristics and toxicant type of acute poisoning cases in China, 2016-2022

Objective: To analyze the acute poison epidemic and provide evidence for developing prevention and control strategies for acute poisoning. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on acute poisoning cases collected from 2016 to 2022 in a health emergency information platform for acute poisoning accidents. The cases were grouped according to the distribution of poisoning occurrence time, geographic distribution, demographic distribution, types of toxicants, poisoning causes, and outcomes. Data were organized and analyzed using Excel 2016 and R 4.2.3. Results: A total of 95 754 acute poisoning cases were included in this study. The primary toxicants were pesticides, drugs, and industrial/household chemicals, accounting for 30.4%, 22.4%, and 20.4% of the total cases, respectively. Acute poisoning occurred throughout the year, with the highest frequency from June to August, accounting for 31.9%. The seasonal distribution varied among different types of toxicants. Except for plant poisoning, which showed a bimodal distribution, the other poisonings showed an unimodal distribution. There was a strong seasonality in fungal poisoning, which peaked in July. There was an obvious seasonality in animal poisoning, with a peak in August. The proportion of biological poisonings in the southwest region was higher than in other regions, including plants, animals, and fungi. There were more females than males, and their education level was mainly junior high school and below (35.2%). The main occupation was farmers (34.2%), and the main causes of poisoning were accidents and suicides. The case fatality rate of all poisoning cases was 1.24%. Pesticide poisoning was the most common type, and chlorfenapyr (11.68%), Diquat (7.23%), and paraquat (7.05%) ranked as the top three toxicants. Conclusions: The occurrence of acute poisoning has an obvious seasonal trend, and the toxicant spectrum of different regions and populations is different. A comprehensive poisoning surveillance system can provide a better understanding of the occurrence of poisonings, and facilitate the formulation of more scientifically precise poisoning prevention and control strategies.

Mexican calea (Calea zacatechichi Schltdl.) interferes with cholinergic and dopaminergic pathways and causes neuroglial toxicity

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe use of “Mexican calea” (Calea zacatechichi Schltdl.) in ritualistic ceremonies, due to its dream-inducing effects, was until recently limited to indigenous communities in Mexico. However, the plant has recently gained popularity in Western societies being commonly used in recreational settings. Despite the traditional and recreational uses, mechanisms underlying its reported oneirogenic effects remain unknown, with no data available on its neurotoxic profile. Aim of the studyThe scarcity of toxicological data and the unknown role of major neurotransmitter systems in the dream-inducing properties of the plant prompted us to investigate which neurotransmitters might be affected upon its consumption, as well as the potential cytotoxic effects on neurons and microglial cells. Furthermore, we aimed to explore a relationship between the recorded effects and specific constituents. Materials and methodsEffects on cholinergic and monoaminergic pathways were investigated using enzymatic assays, with the latter also being conducted in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells along with the impact on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Investigation of the neurotoxic profile was approached in neuronal SH-SY5Y and microglial BV-2 cells, evaluating effects on metabolic performance and membrane integrity using MTT and LDH leakage assays, respectively. Potential interference with oxidative stress was monitored by assessing free radical's levels, as well as 5-lipoxygenase mediated lipid peroxidation. Phenolic constituents were identified through HPLC-DAD-ESI(Ion Trap)MSn analysis. ResultsBased on the significant inhibition upon acetylcholinesterase (p < 0.05) and tyrosinase (IC50 = 60.87 ± 7.3 μg/mL; p < 0.05), the aqueous extract obtained from the aerial parts of C. zacatechichi interferes with the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems, but has no impact against monoamine oxidase A. Additionally, a notable cytotoxic effect was observed in SH-SY5Y and BV-2 cells at concentrations as low as 125 and 500 μg/mL (p < 0.05), respectively, LDH leakage suggesting apoptosis may occur at these concentrations, with necroptosis observed at higher ones. Despite the neurocytotoxic profile, these effects appear to be independent of radical stress, as the C. zacatechichi extract scavenged nitric oxide and superoxide radicals at concentrations as low as 62.5 μg/mL, significantly inhibiting also 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 = 72.60 ± 7.3 μg/mL; p < 0.05). Qualitative and quantitative analysis using HPLC-DAD-ESI(Ion Trap)MSn enabled the identification of 28 constituents, with 24 of them being previously unreported in this species. These include a series of dicaffeoylquinic, caffeoylpentoside, and feruloylquinic acids, along with 8 flavonols not previously known to occur in the species, mainly 3-O-monoglycosylated derivatives of quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin. ConclusionsOur findings regarding the neuroglial toxicity elicited by C. zacatechichi emphasize the necessity for a thorough elucidation of the plant's toxicity profile. Additionally, evidence is provided that the aerial parts of the plant inhibit both acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase, potentially linking its psychopharmacological effects to the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems, with an apparent contribution from specific phenolic constituents previously unknown to occur in the species. Collectively, our results lay the groundwork for a regulatory framework on the consumption of C. zacatechichi in recreational settings and contribute to elucidating previous contradictory findings regarding the mechanisms underlying the dream-inducing effects of the plant.

Effectiveness of constructed wetland technology-treated industrial wastewater on the spinach (Spinacia oleracea) health risks and biochar efficiency.

In peri-urban areas, use of industrial wastewater for irrigation is a common practice. Industrial wastewater contains cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, and other elements that deteriorate food quality and affect human health. Biochar has been proven to remediate heavy metal contaminated soil by reducing their mobility and bioavailability. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of different levels of biochar on spinach growth with low heavy metal concentration and to minimize associated health issues. The experiment lasted two months and the treatments: Control (tap water), untreated and treated industrial wastewater and both in combination with biochar (0.5% and 1%) were applied in completely randomized design. Findings suggested that treated industrial wastewater with 1% biochar resulted in maximum plant height, shoot weight, chlorophyll contents (SPAD value), photosynthetic and transpiration rate. Biochar significantly reduced heavy metal mobility in soil due to its porous structure, high pH, higher CEC, and variety of surface functional groups. The cumulative hazard index (HI), hazard quotient, cancer risk, and total cancer risk (TCR) were calculated using method provided by US-EPA for each metal. All treatments had HI values of < 1, however applying 1% biochar significantly reduced the HI values to 2.00E-01 and 2.88E-01 in adults and children, respectively. TCR for all treatments was < 1, while treated industrial wastewater and biochar (1%) has significantly reduced to 1.55E-02 and 1.91E-03 for adults and children, respectively. Thus, it was determined that irrigation with industrial effluents caused toxicity in vegetables, which had a negative impact on human health. Biochar effectively mitigated metal toxicity in both soil and spinach plants that resulted in reduced health/cancer risk.