Journal of King Saud University - Science最新文献

Bridelia retusa is a medicinal plant widely used to treat diabetes by ethnic populations worldwide, has been subjected to GC–MS-based profiling for the bark and fruit and identified 96 phytochemicals using ethyl acetate and methanol solvents. The DPPH antioxidant assay recorded that methanolic fruit extract had a maximum antioxidant activity of 83.01 % (IC_50-103.03 µg/ml). The α-amylase inhibition activity was found maximum in ethyl acetate bark extract with 76.34 % (127.37 µg/ml), while methanolic fruit extract exhibited the highest α-glucosidase inhibition activity with 86.18 % (106.15 µg/ml). Subsequently, we have compared the antidiabetic potential for 3 pharmacologically significant bioactive constituents friedelin, imidazole & sylvestrene through docking and drug likeliness study and found friedelin has a maximum binding affinity with different protein targets followed by sylvestrene and is most suitable candidate for drug development for hyperglycemia. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed friedelin as the most stable binder to anti-diabetic target proteins, with notable structural insights provided by RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and PCA analyses. MM-PBSA calculations emphasized the significance of various energies with the α-amylase-Friedelin complex exhibiting the highest binding energy.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer a promising route for sustainable energy conversion, with natural photosensitizers emerging as attractive alternatives to conventional synthetic dyes due to their abundant resources, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly materials. However, the efficiency of DSSC utilizing natural photosensitizer remains low. In this study, we investigate the utilization of novel natural photosensitizers extracted from gambier leaves, gambier branches, cinnamon, and petiole of tectona leaves, which contain flavonoids/tannins, chlorophyll, and anthocyanins, aiming to achieve high-performance DSSCs. Five different solvents—ethanol, isopropanol, distilled water, methanol, and Zamzam water—are explored to optimize the extraction process of the natural dyes. The doctor blade technique is employed to coat TiO₂ nanomaterials onto ITO glass substrates. UV–Vis spectrophotometry and FTIR spectroscopy are used to characterize the optical properties and structural composition of the dyes, revealing that flavonoid/tannin groups are the primary compounds responsible for light harvesting. The DSSC performance is evaluated under a 30 W lamp, adjusted to light intensity of 10 mW/cm². As a result, the DSSCs using gambier leaf extract as photosensitizer demonstrate the highest recorded efficiency of 4.71 %, with a Jsc of 2.95 mAcm⁻² and a Voc of 0.64 V. These findings contribute to advancing DSSC technology by leveraging the potential of natural photosensitizers for sustainable energy conversion applications.

In this work, samarium doped Ni-Zn catalysts with a composition of Ni_0.9Zn_0.1Sm_yFe_2-yO₄ (y = 0–0.03) are made by inorganic sol–gel auto-combustion (SC) route. These Ni-Zn materials depict the forming of typical cubic crystal structure (Fd3m) and it is affirmed by the X-ray diffraction plots. The existence of cubic, spherical, and aggregated shaped grains with an average grain size that falls in between the range of 188 to 316 nm are confirmed from the FESEM images of prepared materials. According to the photo catalytic water splitting research findings, the total hydrogen yield for the Ni-Zn1, Ni-Zn2, Ni-Zn3, and Ni-Zn4 catalysts after four hours are 16.17, 15.02, 23.47 and 24.99 mmol $g_{cat}^{-1}$. Among all the compositions, the Ni-Zn4 photocatalyst exhibits the maximum photocatalytic performance of 24.99 mmol $g_{cat}^{-1}$. However, the Ni-Zn4 sample also shows the high electro catalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. With their outstanding photo/electro performance, the synthesized Sm-doped Ni-Zn nanoferrites shows great promise as potential candidates for the green hydrogen generation.

Introduction

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex, multisystem autoimmune disorder characterized by extensive inflammation that affects nearly all organ systems in the body. It is primarily mediated by auto-antibodies and immune complexes, and it predominantly affects women more than men. This study employs an in-silico approach to identify key genes potentially involved in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Objectives

To identify key genes potentially involved in SLE pathogenesis using in-silico approach.

Methods

High-throughput sequencing dataset GSE97264, from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, which contains RNA transcriptome data from CD8⁺ T-cells of 18 SLE patients and 14 healthy controls was utilized for the analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the Bioconductor DESeq2 package in R platform. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the ToppGene suite. Motif analysis of the genes’ promoter regions was conducted using HOMER software. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) and Reactome functional interaction (FI) networks were created using Cytoscape plugins StringApp and ReactomeFIViz, and analysed to identify hub genes.

Results

Our analysis identified 931 DEGs, with 577 upregulated and 354 downregulated. GO and pathway enrichment analyses indicated that upregulated genes were associated with immune responses, including cytokine production and receptor activation. Motif analysis identified key regulatory motifs linked to immune regulation in upregulated genes and T-cell activation in downregulated genes. PPI and FI networks analyses revealed 29 cell cycle-associated hub genes, with 10 genes—CDK1, TPX2, BIRC5, CCNA2, BUB1, BUB1B, AURKA, KIF2C, PLK1, and CDCA8—common to both biological networks, suggesting their crucial role in SLE pathogenesis.

Conclusion

This study suggests that dysregulation of the identified 10 genes may impact immune responses and contribute to the autoimmune-like conditions observed in SLE. Several of these genes are also implicated in other autoimmune diseases, highlighting their potential as SLE biomarkers. Despite their known roles in other immune-related diseases involving CD8⁺ T cells, their direct association with SLE had not been previously established. This novel finding underscores the potential of these genes as therapeutic targets and may contribute to the development of diagnostic tools.

The present study has employed an advanced GIS based statistical technique for spatial interpolation of lifetime carcinogenic risk to OCPs in water and sediments from tributaries of River Chenab. The findings revealed that among all detected isomers, DDT exhibited the highest concentrations (mean 14.41 ng/l: range 9.33 – 20.21 ng/l and mean 16.47 ng/l: range 10.55 – 21.24 ng/g) for water and sediment, respectively. Results of OCPs fingerprints revealed the presence of dicofol confirmed fresh input of OCPs isomers along with the DDTs (Dichloro-diphenyl trichloroethane) historical usages in water bodies. The evaluation of ecological risk to benthic organisms’ fish, daphnia and green algae (RQ 2 × 10²) indicated that DDTs (DDD, DDE) pose potential hazardous risks (>1) to fish species across all the studied sites. Moreover, Spatial interpolation of the lifetime carcinogenic risk denoted the sites along downstream zone surpassed the permissible limit. The non-carcinogenic risk (∑HQ) ranged from 2 × 10^-3 – 1.0 with the highest value for DDT, indicating DDT as a potential hazard through oral exposure (∑HQ≥1). In the case of sediments results of SQGQs (Sediment Quality Guideline Quotient) levels for DDE (Dichloro-diphenyldichloromethane) and DDD (Dichloro-diphenyl dichloroethylene) denoted a severe biological risk to ecological integrities. The findings comprehend the more inclusive monitoring of OCPs usage and distribution in the studied region to reduce risks ecological integrities and to promote good health and wellbeing’s.

A variety of highly potent derivatives of 2-pyrazoline-5-one, including chromene-3-carbohydrazide 2, 2-thioxothiazole-5-carbohydrazide 3, 2-oxopyridine-3-carbonitriles (4–6), 3-aryl-2-cyanoacrylohydrazide (7, 8), and 3-amino-5-arylpyrazole-4-carbohydrazide (9, 10), were synthesized as pesticide agents using acetohydrazide 1, a versatile and easily obtainable compound. The compounds structures were entirely ascertained utilizing different spectroscopic methods, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and analysis of elements. In the laboratory, we assessed the impact of nine 2-pyrazoline-5-one derivatives on the fourth larval stage of the cotton leaf worm (Spodoptera littorals), Monacha obstructa, and Tetranychus urticae adults. We used abamectin as the reference compound. The LC₅₀ values of compound 3 for S. littorals, M. obstructa, and T. urticae are 0.90, 0.70, and 0.52 mg a.i./L, respectively. The LC₅₀ values for the same compound for S. littorals, M. obstructa, and T. urticae are 0.80, 0.60, and 0.45 mg a.i./L, respectively. Therefore, it is a remarkably potent compound. Compound 6 exhibited lower levels of danger, as indicated by LC₅₀ values of 1.94, 1.90, and 1.83 mg a.i./L against the three tested pests. Ten days after treatment, all three pests were moderately toxic to the remaining 2-pyrazolin-5-one derivatives, 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7–10. Conversely, the mortality rate of the tested compounds increased when the treated individuals were exposed to high concentrations. These 2-pyrazolin-5-one derivatives are suggested as suitable alternatives and foundational structures for developing novel insecticides.

Objectives

To identify optimal planting time for maximizing growth and flowering, and assess the impacts of various fertilization techniques on plant growth and soil health in chrysanthemum.

Methods

The investigation was conducted at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India from 2022 to 2023. The study aimed to investigate the impact of various planting times and fertilization schedules on the yield, quality, and soil health characteristics of chrysanthemum. Different planting times from 15 June to 30 August under organic and inorganic fertilization regimes were evaluated. Data related to vegetative growth, flowering, soil chemical and biological properties were recorded.

Results

Planting on 15 June along with inorganic fertilization resulted in improved vegetative characters like plant height (74.37 cm) and plant spread (30.56 cm), flowering characters like cut flower stem length (64.07 cm), stem strength (10.40°), flower diameter (11.80 cm) and duration of flowering (22.50 days) and soil chemical properties like available N, P, K (326.53, 40.36 and 359.48 kg/ha, respectively). However, planting on June 15 combined with organic fertilization led to enhancement in soil microbiological properties, including bacterial count (138.33 cfu/g soil), fungal count (31.75 cfu/g soil), actinomycetes count (62.46 cfu/g soil), microbial biomass (52.62 µg/g soil) as well as vase life (19.70 days).

Conclusion

In the present study, it was found that planting time and fertilization significantly impacted chrysanthemum growth, yield and soil properties. The 15 June planting with inorganic fertilization boosted growth, yield and macronutrient content, while organic fertilization on the same date enhanced soil microflora. Flowering was influenced by planting time and organic fertilization showed promise as an alternative to chemical fertilization. Optimizing planting schedules and using organic fertilizers would lead to sustainability and offer economically viable alternatives to conventional crop management.

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of Ramucirumab alone and combined with 5-Aza on different cellular targets in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HuH-7). Cells were treated with diverse concentrations of Ramucirumab (50, 100, 150 µg/mL) for 24 h. viability, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant activities, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA fragmentation, and expression of apoptotic genes (Caspases 3, 7, 9, p53, Bax, and Bcl-2) were measured. Results showed that HuH-7 cell viability was reduced in dose-dependent way with Ramucirumab therapy. Both Ramucirumab and 5-Aza elevated ROS, but their combination reduced ROS levels, though still higher than controls. Ramucirumab decreased SOD activity; while 5-Aza increased it. Combined therapy potentially increased SOD and CAT activities. Ramucirumab alone was not responsible to influence GSH levels, but 5-Aza and the combination treatments increased GSH levels. All treatments reduced the JC-1 aggregate/monomer ratio, indicating decreased MMP and potential apoptosis induction. High fragmentated DNA and condensation of chromatin were recorded suggesting apoptosis. Both agents, either as monotherapy or combined therapy, upregulated Caspases 3, 7, and 9, p53, and Bax expression, with variable effects on Bcl-2. In conclusion, Ramucirumab, particularly when co-administered with 5-Aza, effectively reduces viability of cells and prompts apoptosis in HuH-7 cells through increased oxidative stress, disturbance of MMP, and apoptotic pathways activation. The combination treatment shows potential for enhanced therapeutic efficacy against hepatocellular cancer cells.

Climate change; the most concerning issue throughout the globe, is now considered a major cause of heat stress which is deteriorating agricultural crops. A pot experiment was performed to examine the ameliorative role of melatonin foliar spray on growth attributes, physiological attributes and yield and quality attributes of heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive genotypes of tomatoes under heat stress mediated by field environment. The results demonstrated that all the growth parameters of all tomato genotypes such as plant fresh biomass, plant dry biomass, stem girth, leaf area, the number of viable seeds, protein contents as well as physiological attributes including photosynthetic rate, stomatal contents, transpiration rate, chlorophyll contents, water use efficiency (WUE) and synthesis of osmoprotectants including proline and glycine betain (GB) were increased significantly upon foliar application of melatonin @ 25 µM under heat stress except electrolyte leakage (EL), leaf temperature and hydrogen peroxide contents (H₂O₂) which were decreased in all cultivars of tomato either in heat tolerant or in heat sensitive; as compared to their respective control which remained untreated. Similarly, acivity of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants including nitric oxide synthase (NOS), glutathione reductase (GR), nitrate reductase (NR) and glutathione S transferase (GST) were also improved upon melatonin foliar application under heat stress. However, the maximum improvement in all measured attributes was observed in all types of tomato genotypes grown under both control and 25 µM melatonine foliar spray treatment. All these findings proved that melatonin spray is capable to address the deteriorative impact of high temperature on tomato growth.