Toxicity, teratogenicity and antibacterial activity of posterior salivary gland (PSG) toxin from the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis (Ehrenberg, 1831)

Brain targeted luteolin-graphene oxide nanoparticle abrogates polyethylene terephthalate induced altered neurological response in zebrafish

BACKGROUND

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a commonly used polymer in various food and plastic bag containers, has raised significant concerns regarding its environmental and human health risks. Despite its prevalent use, the impact of PET exposure on aquatic environments and its potential to induce neurotoxic conditions in species remain poorly understood. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying amelioration through natural product intervention are not well-explored. In light of these gaps, our study aimed to elucidate the neurotoxic effects of PET in zebrafish through waterborne exposure, and to mitigate its neurological impact using luteolin-graphene oxide nanoparticles.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Our investigation revealed that exposure to PET in water triggered adverse effects in zebrafish larvae, particularly in the head region. We observed heightened oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and cell death, accompanied by impaired antioxidant defense enzymes. Furthermore, abnormal levels of acetylcholine esterase and nitric oxide in the zebrafish brain indicated cognitive impairment. To address these issues, we explored the potential neuroprotective effects of luteolin-graphene oxide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles demonstrated efficacy in localizing within the zebrafish brain, enhancing their therapeutic impact against PET exposure. Treatment with luteolin-graphene oxide nanoparticles not only mitigated PET-induced neurological alterations but also exhibited a neuroprotective effect. This was evidenced by the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in the zebrafish brain. Additionally, normalization of locomotory behavior in PET-exposed zebrafish following nanoparticle treatment underscored the potential effectiveness of luteolin-graphene oxide nanoparticles as a treatment against PET-induced neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, our study emphasizes the urgent need to investigate the environmental and health risks associated with PET. We demonstrate the potential of luteolin-graphene oxide nanoparticles as an effective intervention against PET-induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish.

Atractylodin induces oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis and autophagy in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells through inhibition of the P13K/Akt/mTOR pathway

This study aimed to determine the apoptosis and autophagy-inducing mechanism of atractylodin in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The molecular mechanism of anticancer activity of atractylodin was confirmed by assessing the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidants activity, dual staining, and comet assay. Moreover, cleaved caspases 3, 8, and 9, and signaling proteins, such as p53, Bcl-2, and Bax, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin(P13K/Akt/mTOR), LC3I and LC3II, and beclin-1 were analyzed. In MCF-7 cells treated with atractylodin, the concentration-dependent toxicity, increased LPO, increased production of ROS, and decreased activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidasewere observed. In MCF-7 cells, atractylodin administration decreased Bcl-2 expression while activating the expression of p53, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 apoptotic members. Furthermore, atractylodin blocked the P13K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, increased the conversion of LC3I to its lipidated form of LC3II, and increased beclin-1 expression, whereas downregulated the p62 expression in MCF-7 cells. As a result, altering apoptotic and autophagy-related biomarkers, atractylodin triggered apoptosis and autophagy in MCF-7 cells. As a result, atractylodin could be utilized to treat human breast cancer after the proper clinical trial.

Evaluation of antibacterial, teratogenicity and antibiofilm effect of sulfated chitosans extracted from marine waste against microorganism

Biofilms play a key role in infectious diseases, as they may form on the surface and persist after treatment with various antimicrobial agents. The Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. typhimurium, P. aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli most frequently associated with medical devices. Chitosan sulphate from marine litter (SCH-MW) was extracted and the mineral components were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The degree of deacetylation (DA) of SCH was predicted 50% and 33.3% in crab and shrimp waste respectively. The elucidation of the structure of the SCH-MW was portrayed using FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The molecular mass of SCH-MW was determined with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF). The teratogenicity of SCH-MW was characterized by the zebrafish embryo (ZFE) model. Antimicrobial activity of SCH-MW was tested with the agar well diffusion method; the inhibitory effect of SCH-MW on biofilm formation was assessed in 96 flat well polystyrene plates. The result revealed that a low concentration of crab-sulfated chitosan inhibited bacterial growth and significantly reduced the anti-biofilm activity of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria relatively to shrimp. It is potentially against the biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria.

Molluscan Compounds Provide Drug Leads for the Treatment and Prevention of Respiratory Disease

Respiratory diseases place an immense burden on global health and there is a compelling need for the discovery of new compounds for therapeutic development. Here, we identify research priorities by critically reviewing pre-clinical and clinical studies using extracts and compounds derived from molluscs, as well as traditional molluscan medicines, used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. We reviewed 97 biomedical articles demonstrating the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties of >320 molluscan extracts/compounds with direct relevance to respiratory disease, in addition to others with promising bioactivities yet to be tested in the respiratory context. Of pertinent interest are compounds demonstrating biofilm inhibition/disruption and antiviral activity, as well as synergism with approved antimicrobial and chemotherapeutic agents. At least 100 traditional medicines, incorporating over 300 different mollusc species, have been used to treat respiratory-related illness in cultures worldwide for thousands of years. These medicines provide useful clues for the discovery of bioactive components that likely underpin their continued use. There is particular incentive for investigations into anti-inflammatory compounds, given the extensive application of molluscan traditional medicines for symptoms of inflammation, and shells, which are the principal molluscan product used in these preparations. Overall, there is a need to target research toward specific respiratory disease-related hypotheses, purify bioactive compounds and elucidate their chemical structures, and develop an evidence base for the integration of quality-controlled traditional medicines.