Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences最新文献

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Coffee fruit skin waste contains high cellulose leading to difficulty in degrading them naturally which finally creates environmental pollution. This research is aimed at finding out the compatible cellulolytic microbe in degrading cellulose content of coffee fruit skin waste. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Media Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) was used to select cellulolytic fungi. These fungi were tested through a consortium test on media to check out whether the microbial consortium was compatible or not. Furthermore, the ability of microbial consortium in degrading lignocellulose of coffee fruit skin waste was examined. <b>Results:</b> It was found that there were five singular isolates and seven consortium isolates able to degrade cellulose in variative cellulolytic index ranging from 0.43-2.75. In the cellulolytic compatibility test of the seven consortium isolates, there were two compatible consortium isolates with a CCI amount above 1, meanwhile, the consortium test result which was inoculated in PDA media, demonstrated the presence of six consortium isolates of non-synergistic due to the forming of inhibition zone in each isolate. A positive interaction happened between <i>Trichoderma asperellum</i> and <i>Aspergillus japonicus</i> (TA/AJ). Likewise, at the cellulolytic degradation capability test, consortium TA/AJ can degrade cellulose faster compared to using one isolate. <b>Conclusion:</b> The consortium of TA/AJ was the best and proved to be compatible in degrading lignocellulolytic of coffee fruit skin waste.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Catharanthus roseus</i> (L.) G. Don is a medicinal plant known for its therapeutic properties, particularly in cancer treatment and diabetes management. Its morphological characteristics and genetic markers play a crucial role in species identification, conservation and breeding programs. This study aims to evaluate the morphological features and molecular markers of <i>Catharanthus roseus</i> in Southern Vietnam to enhance species characterization and support its medicinal utilization. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The samples of <i>Catharanthus roseus</i> (L.) G. Don were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. To determine the genetic relationship between the samples, using the improved CTAB DNA extraction method. The DNA was amplified by PCR with primers specific to the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene region and finally, the amplified product was sequenced based on the Sanger method. <b>Results:</b> The sequence comparison results of 6 <i>Catharanthus roseus</i> (L.) G. Don samples on the NCBI gene bank showed that the samples were similar to the sequence of <i>Catharanthus roseus</i> species with coefficients ranging from 98.86-100%. The results of the analysis of the pedigree diagram, the sequence of the ITS gene region, have identified a group of genera within the same family. <b>Conclusion:</b> The samples coincided with the species <i>Catharanthus roseus</i> with a high similarity coefficient ranging from 98.86-100%. Future studies should focus on exploring the genetic diversity of <i>Catharanthus roseus</i> across different regions and investigating its bioactive compounds for potential pharmaceutical applications.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental disorder which are characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, catatonic behavior, negative symptoms and cognitive symptoms. Several gene polymorphisms and neurotransmitters have been linked to schizophrenia. This study assessed the correlation between proline level, Kynurenic Acid (KYNA) and glutamate level with cognitive function among schizophrenia patients, contributing to understanding biochemical factors associated with cognitive impairments. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The research was a cross-sectional observational analytic study of 99 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia was diagnosed by SCID-1 questionnaire and the patient's blood was taken to be analyzed in the Biochemical Laboratory of Medical Faculty Andalas University using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to characterize kynurenic acid level, glutamate level and proline level. Data were analyzed using Spearman Correlation in SPSS 25.0, with significance at p<0.05. <b>Results:</b> There were 99 schizophrenia patients; most of them were male (62.6%), age median 37 years old and not married (50.5%). The Microproline Level median among participants was 2.64 μg/mL, the median KYNA level was 14.6 nmol/L and the glutamate level was 10.5 μg/mL. Cognitive function was assessed by Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Digit Span Test and Trail Making Test (TMT) with a score median of 4/5/5/5 (Trial 1/2/3/Recall), 6/2 (forward/backward), 68/37 sec (TMT A/B), respectively. Spearman Correlation showed that microproline has a negative correlation with RAVLT Trial 1 (r = -0.221, p = 0.014), Digit Span Backward (r = -0.181, p = 0.036), TMT A (r = 0.204, p = 0.021) and TMT B (r = 0.185, p = 0.034). In contrast, other neurotransmitters do not correlate with any cognitive tests. <b>Conclusion:</b> Proline may play a role in the pathophysiology of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, highlighting its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions.

<i>Portulacaria afra</i> Jacq. is an evergreen succulent shrub or small tree widely used in traditional medicine. The fleshy leaves of <i>P. afra</i> are eaten raw and the plant species is also a valuable stock feed and ornamental plant. The current study was aimed at documenting medicinal and traditional uses of <i>P. afra</i> and its phytochemical and pharmacological properties. Research articles on medicinal uses and ethnopharmacological properties of <i>P. afra</i> were searched from online databases such as SpringerLink^®, PubMed^®, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect^®, Scopus^® and SciELO and also pre-electronic literature obtained from the university library. <i>Portulacaria afra</i> is used as traditional medicine for sores, wounds, skin infections, diabetes, diarrhea, fever, hypertension, kidney ailments, respiratory infections, mouth ulcers, earaches and pain. Chemical compounds identified from <i>P. afra</i> include aliphatic ketones, alkanes, alkenes, aromatic compounds, benzoic acid derivatives, esters, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenanthrenes, phenols, steroids and triterpenoids. <i>Portulacaria afra</i> crude extracts demonstrated analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, glucose utilization, anti-quorum sensing, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, tyrosinase inhibition and cytotoxicity activities. This review highlights the need for detailed ethnopharmacological studies of <i>P. afra</i> focusing on its phytochemical, biological and toxicological properties, <i>in vivo</i> and clinical studies.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Malaria is the most widespread of insect-borne diseases. It remained a public health concern worldwide and particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Every year, malaria causes several thousand deaths and millions of cases, most of them in children under 5 years. This study aimed to highlight the anti-plasmodial properties of <i>Combretum micranthum</i> G.Don and <i>Combretum adenogonium</i> Steud. ex A.Rich., extracts used as antimalarial traditionally. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A phytochemical study of the organic and aqueous extracts from leaves and stem bark powder was applied using colorimetric and spectrometric analysis. The antiplasmodial activity of extracts was assessed <i>in vitro</i> using chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 and chloroquine-resistant Dd2 strains. The dose inducing 50% inhibition of parasite viability was calculated from the sigmoidal dose-response curve. The statistical significance threshold was set at 5%. <b>Results:</b> In 100 mg of extract, the phenolic content was decreased from 47.53 to 20.29 mg GAE, the flavonoid content was from 11.49 to 4.55 mg QE and the flavonol content was from 6.14 to 0.55 mg RE. Interestingly, the aqueous extracts of <i>C. adenogonium</i> and <i>C. micranthum</i>, corresponding to the traditional mode of extraction, were effective against the CQ-sensitive strains 3D7 with IC₅₀ <5 μg/mL and ineffective against the CQ-resistant strains Dd2. Their effects were correlated with phenolics, flavonoids and flavonol contents of extracts. <b>Conclusion:</b> The use of <i>C. adenogonium</i> as a substitute for <i>C. micranthum</i> or a combination of the two plants, could reduce the overexploitation of <i>C. micranthum</i> and promote the ecological management. These results could justify the traditional use of these plants to treat malarial fevers.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Breast tissue may experience structural alterations due to variables including infection, illness, inflammation, or exposure to deleterious compounds, with 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) being a prevalent carcinogen utilized in cancer research. <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> DC and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves possess anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. This study aimed to determine the expression of Her2, Cox-2 and Caspase 3 as markers of breast carcinoma after administration of <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> DC and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This study used 36 rats with 6 groups, namely C0: Normal mice, C: Only DMBA injection, C⁺: DMBA-injected rats+Doxorubicin, P1: DMBA-injected rats+<i>Z. acanthopodium</i> fruit, P2: DMBA-injected rats+100 mg/kg b.wt., of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves and DMBA-injected rats+50 mg/kg b.wt., of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves and 50 mg/kg b.wt., of <i>Z. acanthopodium</i> fruit orally for 30 days then dissected and breast tissue was taken for immunohistochemistry procedures. The non-parametric data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests with a significance level of p<0.05. <b>Results:</b> The DMBA injection into the mammary tissue increases Her2 expression, infiltrates the surrounding tissue, including the stroma and forms a solid tumor mass with ambiguous boundaries. <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> alone reduced damaged tissue, however, their combined action boosted breast tissue Her2 expression but did not lower Cox-2 or Caspase 3 scores. The expression of Cox-2 in group C differed significantly from P1 (p<0.05, p = 0.001). <b>Conclusion:</b> <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> and <i>Moringa oleifera</i> enhanced Caspase 3, which promotes apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Nevertheless, each plant individually diminished Her2 and Cox-2 expression more effectively than the combination.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Ticks are well-known parasites that cause significant adverse effects on goat husbandry. They negatively affect the health of the goat and impair the economic sustainability and productivity of the animal. The present study illustrated the findings on the global research trends of scholarly literature with respect to goat ticks. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A search keyword was done as related to the subject matter of goat ticks. All articles from the year 2024 were removed from the initial sum of 2018 documents in order to allow for the reproducibility of the method. A sum of 2013 documents was retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science Databank for evaluation using bibliometric permutations in RStudio software. After data were obtained from WoS and Scopus, they were then cleaned up and filtered before they were validated for analysis. <b>Results:</b> Research articles on goat ticks had rising research outputs of an annual increase of 7.36%. China led in the rankings with the highest amount of research outputs (n = 183) and citations (n = 3751) globally. The result also revealed the co-authors per document (n = 6.35), single-authored documents (n = 133), average citations per document (n = 18.65) and percentage of international co-authorships (18.43 %), accordingly. South Africa, Ethiopia, Tunisia and Kenya were the only African countries that were ranked among the top-rated 20 nations on goat ticks. <b>Conclusion:</b> The annual increase in research investigations on goat ticks over the seven decades of bibliometric assessments indicates the economic significance of tick-borne disease in goat farming.

Propolis, a resinous substance produced by bees, has garnered attention for its potential as a natural antithrombotic agent due to its rich composition of bioactive compounds. This review explores the therapeutic effects of propolis, specifically focusing on its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, promote fibrinolysis and regulate hemostatic balance. The study reviews various experimental models and clinical studies that assess the antithrombotic potential of propolis. It was found that propolis exerts significant effects by targeting multiple pathways involved in thrombus formation and clot resolution. Specifically, it inhibits excessive platelet activation, enhances fibrinolysis and maintains hemostatic balance. Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of propolis help reduce oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, both of which are linked to thrombosis. Key findings include the inhibition of platelet aggregation and enhancement of clot breakdown, supporting propolis as a promising natural alternative for thrombotic prevention and management. Propolis demonstrates significant potential as a natural adjunct to conventional antithrombotic therapies. Its multifaceted therapeutic actions, antithrombotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, make it a promising candidate for reducing thrombosis risk. Propolis could become an important addition to current strategies for preventing and managing thrombotic disorders.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i> (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a major pest in conventional chicken farms in Indonesia. The temperature and humidity in the cage should be similar to their habitat. To find bioinsecticidal plants that can be integrated into the chicken house area, this study aims to analyze phytochemical compounds, test toxic effects and repellents of three types of herbal plants, i.e., <i>Lantana camara</i>, <i>Evodia suaveolens</i> and <i>Pluchea indica</i> against adult <i>A. diaperinus</i>. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Toxic and repellent effects of extracts were tested at five concentrations. Toxicity indicators were analyzed based on mortality 2×24 hrs post-exposure. The estimated LC₅₀ of the extracts was calculated from the mortality data at 48 hrs post-exposure. Repellency was observed using a Y-olfactometer tube to obtain the repellency (PR) data percentage. A two-way ANOVA test was conducted to identify significant treatments, using a significance level 0.05. <b>Results:</b> Phytochemical analysis revealed insecticidal compounds in the three leaf extracts. The leaf extracts of <i>E. suaveolens</i>, <i>L. camara</i> and <i>P. indica</i> showed an estimated LC₅₀ value of 24 hrs at concentrations of 86.11, 91.33 and 97.51%, respectively. Extract concentrations affected PR with significant differences (Tukey's range test; p<0.05) and <i>E. suaveolens</i> extract showed the best repellency. <b>Conclusion:</b> All extract sources contain insecticidal compounds, but toxicity and repellency test results show the best LC₅₀ and repellency estimates for <i>E. suaveolens</i> extracts. Thus, <i>E. suaveolens</i> extract has the potential to control and repel the poultry pest <i>A. diaperinus</i> and this plant can be integrated around conventional chicken cages.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Greenhouse tomato production faces various challenges, including soilborne diseases and nutrient limitations, which can impact plant growth and yield. Beneficial rhizobacteria, particularly <i>Pseudomonas</i> spp., have emerged as promising biological solutions for enhancing plant growth and resilience. This study investigates the growth-promoting effects of different <i>Pseudomonas</i> isolates taken from greenhouse soil in Kazakhstan on tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L.) under controlled conditions. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Soil samples were collected from inside (No. 1) and outside (No. 2) of the greenhouse in the Turkestan Region. <i>Pseudomonas</i> isolates were obtained on selective <i>Pseudomonas</i> Agar medium. Four isolates (P1-1, P1-2, P1-3 and P1-4) were selected for further analysis. To evaluate their effects on plant growth, tomato seeds were inoculated with <i>Pseudomonas</i> suspensions at concentrations of 10⁴, 10⁶ and 10⁸ CFU/mL and incubated on Kovrovtsev's medium at 30°C for 14 days. Statistical analysis, including regression analysis, were performed using Excel software at 95% confidence level. <b>Results:</b> The highest root elongation and maximum germination rate were observed at 1×10⁶ and 1×10⁸ CFU/mL, respectively, suggesting these concentrations may be optimal for plant growth. Growth parameters exhibit a positive correlation with isolate concentration, but with varying degrees of response strength. <b>Conclusion:</b> The findings highlight the potential of <i>Pseudomonas</i> isolates as bioinoculants for sustainable greenhouse tomato cultivation, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers and growth stimulants. Further research is needed to optimize application methods and assess the long-term effects on crop productivity and soil health.