Scientifica最新文献

Musa sapientum L., commonly known as the banana flower (BF), is used as a galactagogue in Thai traditional medicine. This study aimed to assess the galactagogue potential of microencapsulated extracts from the BF and its impact on serum prolactin level, α-lactalbumin (LALBA), and aquaporin (AQP) protein levels in the mammary glands of lactating rats. Milk production was determined by measuring pup weight during the suckling period. The control group was administered distilled water orally, whereas Group II was administered domperidone at doses of 2.7 mg/kg. Groups III and IV were orally administered BF at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, from the 3^rd day to the 12^th day postpartum. On the 12^th day, blood samples and mammary gland tissues were collected for analysis. Protein levels of AQP-1, AQP-3, AQP-5, LALBA, and serum prolactin were assessed. Additionally, a histopathological examination of the mammary glands was performed. BF doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg were found to increase milk production, pup weight, serum prolactin levels, and protein levels of AQP-1, AQP-3, and AQP-5 compared to the control group. Transverse sections of the mammary glands from rats treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg exhibited a marked increase in milk secretion within the alveoli. These findings suggest that BF possesses significant galactagogue activity.

Background: The discovery of alternative therapies for illnesses due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is emerging as a global health crisis. This study aimed to assess the antibacterial efficacy of Allanblackia gabonensis extracts, both alone and in conjunction with antibiotics, against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods: The extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis using both qualitative and quantitative standard tests. The microdilution assay was used to evaluate the antibacterial properties and antibiotic resistance-modifying potential of the extracts. The interaction effect between the antibiotics and extracts was determined by checkerboard assay. Catalase activity and lipid peroxidation were assessed by measuring the foam height and malondialdehyde concentration, respectively.

Results: The extracts exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 16 to 2048 μg/mL. The hexane extracts of the leaves (HLE) and bark (HBE) displayed the highest antibacterial activity, with MIC ≤ 32  μg/mL against at least two investigated isolates. Furthermore, HLE decreased catalase activity and increased lipid peroxidation in P. aeruginosa D130. The extracts at their sub-inhibitory concentration (MIC/8) enhanced the activity of antibiotics, mainly aminoglycosides (amikacin, streptomycin, and gentamicin), by 2- to 256-fold against selected MDR P. aeruginosa. Among these extracts, the hexane and methanol bark extracts exhibited synergy (∑FIC ≤ 0.5)) in combination with these antibiotics. All examined extracts contained alkaloids, phenols, and triterpenes. Moreover, dichloromethane/methanol and methanol leaf extracts presented the highest phenolic content.

Conclusion: Overall, the leaf and bark hexane extracts of A. gabonensis could serve as candidates for the discovery of new antibiotics, while its bark extracts might be used in conjunction with antibiotics to manage infections involving multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa.

Soil salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses that significantly limits agricultural productivity, particularly in hot arid and semiarid areas. In such areas, crops are also subjected to high irradiance, which may exacerbate the physiological stress. The conventional chemical and cultural practices have proved ineffective in achieving the sustainable production of crops under these combined stress conditions. Humic acid has been reported to enhance tolerance of plants to salinity; most of the studies emphasize the generalized physiological responses but with the least information on photosynthetic and nutrient uptake efficiency of potato plants under field conditions characterized by both salinity and high irradiance. The present two-year investigation aimed to assess the effects of varying humic acid application rates on the growth, fluorescence, yield, and nutrient uptake of potato cv. Santana. The trial was carried out using a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement of treatments. Humic acid was soil-dressed at three rates (1000, 1500, and 2000 kg ha^-1) and assessed at two different periods (65 and 85 days after sowing), with an untreated control for comparison. The significant (p ≤ 0.01) improvements in plant growth, fluorescence, yield, and nutrient uptake were observed with increasing humic acid application rates. However, the highest increases in plant height (89%), number of stems plant^-1 (95%), number of branches plant^-1 (49%), number of leaves plant^-1 (75%), leaf area index (220%), quantum yield of photosystem II (Φ_II; 130%), chlorophyll content (65%), number of tubers plant^-1 (115%), average tuber weight (34%), total tuber yield (60%), marketable yield (47%), plant N uptake (36.7%), plant P uptake (73%), N uptake efficiency (50.5%), P uptake efficiency (182% times), and decreased nonphotochemical quenching (Φ_NPQ; 75%) and nonregulatory energy dissipation (Φ_NO; 39%) were achieved with the highest application rates of humic acid (2000 kg·ha^-1) compared to the control. In conclusion, the use of humic acid at 2000 kg·ha^-1 substantially improved potato growth, yield, photosynthetic efficiency, and nutrient uptake, proving it a promising strategy for sustainable cultivation.

Background & objective: Diabetes mellitus is a global health issue caused by chronic hyperglycemia. Although various therapeutic options are available, each carries potential side effects, prompting growing interest in exploring natural compounds as alternative treatments. Quercetin, a flavonoid known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is suspected to play a role in glucose regulation, although its molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to analyze the in vivo effects of quercetin on the phenotype of Drosophila melanogaster and to validate its potential mechanism through an in silico molecular docking approach, focusing on its interaction with diabetes-related enzyme targets.

Methods: Phenotypic evaluation included measurements of body morphology, locomotor activity, survival rate, and hemolymph glucose levels. Molecular analyses were conducted using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), while molecular docking studies were performed to assess quercetin's interaction with the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4).

Results: Quercetin significantly reduced hemolymph glucose levels in both larvae (p < 0.0001) and adult flies (p < 0.001) within the concentration range of 1-10 μm without affecting adult flies' locomotor activity or survival. Additionally, quercetin enhanced the expression of genes involved in metabolic and stress response and improved growth parameters and motor activity in larvae subjected to a high-sugar diet. Molecular docking studies revealed that quercetin has a high affinity for DPP4, supporting its proposed hypoglycemic mechanism.

Conclusion: This study provides both phenotypic and molecular evidence that quercetin exerts hypoglycemic effects in D. melanogaster, potentially mediated through DPP4 inhibition and modulation of metabolic and stress-response pathways. These findings offer new insight into the mechanisms of quercetin in glucose regulation.

Indigenous Australians possess vast ethnopharmacological knowledge of native flora and have been using it for millennia. In a collaborative initiative to document and scientifically validate this knowledge, the Tropical Indigenous Ethnobotany Centre, Australian Tropical Herbarium and the James Cook University have been working closely with traditional custodians from the Iningai community near Barcaldine, Queensland. This study aimed to evaluate crude leaf extracts from eight medicinal plant species traditionally used by the Iningai people, focusing on their phytochemical profile, antioxidant potential, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids and terpenoids. Antioxidant activity, assessed via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, showed moderate to strong activity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 37.37 ± 1.01 μg/mL to 206.50 ± 2.44 μg/mL. Cell viability assay using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) showed that Pittosporum angustifolium exhibited the highest cytotoxicity, resulting 73.97% cell death, suggesting potential toxicity to human cells. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PBMCs. Seven of the eight plant extracts significantly suppressed the release of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin (IL)-23. Overall, this study provides scientific validation for the traditional use of these eight medicinal plants by the Iningai people. The identification of key phytochemicals, antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory properties supports their ethnopharmacological relevance. Further investigation is warranted to isolate and characterise the active compounds from the most promising species for potential development into novel therapeutic agents.

The main issue driving this research is the need to develop sustainable packaging materials that can replace conventional nonbiodegradable plastics. Traditional biodegradable foams often exhibit inadequate mechanical and thermal properties, which limit their practical use in food packaging. The study explores sustainable packaging alternatives using agricultural waste like sugarcane bagasse and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a binder, aiming to improve structural integrity, reduce water absorption, and optimize performance, while also addressing the growing environmental demand for renewable and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Various physical properties were assessed, including moisture content, density, thickness, water absorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphology. The results indicated that the biofoam density ranged from 0.2282 to 0.2952 g/cm³, and thickness values were between 2.82 and 2.92 mm. Water absorption increased significantly after 2 min of immersion, while XRD analysis indicated a reduction in crystallinity with higher PVA concentrations. The morphology of the biofoam, including the shape, size, and distribution of pores, was influenced by the addition of PVA. A lower concentration of PVA led to an increase in the size of the pore holes. Among the formulations tested, the treatment with 35 g PVA (Formula 1) is recommended due to its superior mechanical strength, optimal density, and improved water resistance.

Diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by hyperglycemia, poses significant global health concern. Despite the availability of several antidiabetic drugs, the search for new therapeutic agents with fewer side effects and better efficacy continues. Phanera strychnifolia (Craib) K. W. Jiang, S. R. Gu, & T. Y. Tu, a medicinal plant traditionally used in Southeast Asia, has gained attention for its bioactive components. Two major compounds isolated, namely, 3,5,7-trihydroxychromone-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and 3,5,7,3',5'-pentahydroxy-flavanonol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, have shown promise as antihyperglycemic agents in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. It had been demonstrating antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of its aqueous extract in both in vivo and in vitro studies with limited information regarding their antihyperglycemic effect on insulin secretion and glucose transporter expression. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of P. strychnifolia extracts on blood glucose levels in diabetic rats and to investigate the expression of glucose transporter proteins (GLUT2 and GLUT4) and insulin production in relevant tissues to elucidate the mechanisms of improved glucose uptake and utilization. The antidiabetic effect of P. strychnifolia was determined by histological staining and immunocytochemical localization of insulin, GLUT2, and GLUT4 in pancreatic islets and the heart. Additionally, toxicity assessment was conducted over a 63-day administration by observing biochemical parameters and histological changes. P. strychnifolia demonstrates nontoxic characteristics, as evidenced by the absence of mortality and clinical toxicity signs at the 400 mg/kg dose after 63 days of treatment. In diabetic rats, administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg of P. strychnifolia for 14 days significantly reduced blood glucose levels by approximately 45.65% and 41.01%, respectively, compared to the diabetic control group. Both doses effectively reduced lipid droplets in the liver, indicating decreased tissue injury. P. strychnifolia demonstrates significant antihyperglycemic activity and beneficial effects on insulin and glucose transporter protein expression in diabetic rats, with no observed toxicity. These findings suggest its potential as a therapeutic agent for diabetes management.

Background: The increase in antimicrobial resistance has become a worldwide health emergency, rendering most conventional antibiotics ineffective and encouraging the research into alternative therapeutic methods.

Methods: The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Althaea officinalis flower extracts was investigated in this research with specific focus on the deep eutectic solvent-mediated extraction method. Deep eutectic solvent was synthesized using ammonium acetate and lactic acid in different molar ratios and utilized as a sustainable extraction solvent under ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions. Deep eutectic solvent-based extraction was optimized to produce high amounts of bioactive compounds, and extracts obtained were compared with aqueous and methanolic solvents. Total phenolic content, antimicrobial activity against standard bacterial and fungal strains, as well as azole-resistant and azole-sensitive clinical isolates of Candida albicans, were measured. Antioxidant capacity was calculated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay.

Results: Deep eutectic solvent-based extract was superior in extraction with greater total phenolic content (8.9 ± 0.4) and improved antimicrobial and antioxidant activity compared to the conventional extracts. Particularly, the deep eutectic solvent extract exhibited noteworthy inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative standard strains of bacteria, as well as standard and clinical yeast fungi. The biocompatibility of the deep eutectic solvent extract was assured by cytotoxicity analyses against 3T3 fibroblast cells.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that DES-based extraction serves as a green and effective method for isolating bioactive compounds from Althaea officinalis. This procedure deserves its potential use in the synthesis of novel antimicrobial agents.

The fruit of Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd), widely consumed as a vegetable, possesses notable health benefits. This study investigated the chemical and biological profiles of the Saudi cultivar through quantitative bioactive analysis, GC-MS characterization, and in vitro evaluation of antioxidant, antibacterial, and enzyme inhibition activities. The 80% hydroethanolic extract (HEELS) exhibited a rich phytochemical profile, with the highest total tannin content (97.66 ± 3.33 mg/g). GC-MS identified 55 compounds, including fatty acids, esters, sterols, and triterpenoids. HEELS displayed potent antioxidant activity, particularly in the FRAP assay (582 ± 1.18 mg AAE/g DE), and strong urease inhibition (91.8 ± 0.45%). Antibacterial assays showed the highest activity (12-mm inhibition zone) against Staphylococcus epidermidis at 150 mg/mL. Molecular docking revealed significant interactions with α-amylase, urease, and tyrosinase. These results suggest HEELS as a potential therapeutic agent, warranting further pharmacological and toxicological evaluation to confirm safety and efficacy for clinical applications.

Climate change presents a significant threat to global agriculture by increasing abiotic stresses that negatively impact crop yields. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), a cool-season crop, is particularly vulnerable to heat stress, which accelerates metabolism and increases respiration rates beyond photosynthetic capacity, ultimately leading to growth and yield reduction. In hydroponic systems, elevated temperatures further impair plant development by altering nutrient solubility and availability, resulting in deficiencies. Microbial bioinoculants offer a sustainable and ecofriendly strategy to mitigate heat stress and enhance plant performance in crop production. Actinobacteria, in particular, are recognized for their plant growth-promoting properties. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Streptomyces thermocarboxydus S3 in enhancing hydroponic lettuce growth under heat stress conditions. Inoculation with S. thermocarboxydus S3 significantly improved key growth parameters, including fresh weight, dry weight, number of leaves, and chlorophyll content. The strain also induced the accumulation of osmoprotective compounds, such as proline and total soluble sugar (TSS), contributing to cellular protection under thermal stress Additionally, S. thermocarboxydus S3 reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels, indicating a potential role in oxidative stress mitigation and activation of plant defense responses. Root colonization assays confirmed the strain's ability to establish itself in the lettuce roots, supporting its applicability for long-term application. These findings highlight S. thermocarboxydus S3 as a promising bioinoculant for promoting hydroponic lettuce growth under heat stress, offering a sustainable approach to crop production in the context of changing climate.