Molecular Effects of Biogenic Zinc Nanoparticles on the Growth and Development of Brassica napus L. Revealed by Proteomics and Transcriptomics

Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Potential of Phytogenic Selenium Nanoparticle- and Light Regime-Mediated In Vitro Caralluma tuberculata Callus Culture Extract

In vitro plant cultures have emerged as a viable source, holding auspicious reservoirs for medicinal applications. This study aims to delineate the antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential of phytosynthesized selenium nanoparticle (SeNP)- and light stress-mediated in vitro callus cultures of Caralluma tuberculata extract. The morphophysicochemical characteristics of biogenic SeNPs were assessed through a combination of analytical techniques, including UV-visible spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-rays, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and zeta potential spectroscopy. The antioxidative potential of the callus extract 200 and 800 μg/mL concentrations was assessed through various tests and exhibited pronounced scavenging potential in reducing power (26.29%), ABTS + scavenging (42.51%), hydrogen peroxide inhibition (37.26%), hydroxyl radical scavenging (40.23%), and phosphomolybdate (71.66%), respectively. To inspect the hypoglycemic capacity of the callus extract, various assays consistently demonstrated a dosage-dependent relationship, with higher concentrations of the callus extract exerting a potent inhibitory impact on the catalytic sites of the alpha-amylase (78.24%), alpha-glucosidase (71.55%), antisucrase (59.24%), and antilipase (74.26%) enzyme activities, glucose uptake by yeast cells at 5, 10, and 25 mmol/L glucose solution (72.18, 60.58 and 69.33%), and glucose adsorption capacity at 5, 10, and 25 mmol/L glucose solution (74.37, 83.55, and 86.49%), respectively. The findings of this study propose selenium NPs and light-stress-mediated in vitro callus cultures of C. tuberculata potentially operating as competitive inhibitors. The outcomes of the study were exceptional and hold promising implications for future medicinal applications.

Functional annotation of proteins in Catharanthus roseus shoot cultures under biogenic zinc nanotreatment

Nano-interactions are well known for their positive as well as negative impacts on the morphological and physiological systems of plants. Keeping in mind, the conformational changes in plant proteins as one of the key mechanisms for stress adaptation responses, the current project was designed to explore the effect of glutathione-capped and uncapped zinc nano-entities on Catharanthus roseus shoot cultures. Zinc nanotreatment (0.05 μg/mL) significantly induced ester production in C. roseus shoots as detected by Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry. These nanotreated shoots were further subjected to peptide-centric nano-LC-MS/MS analysis. Mass spectrometry followed by a Heat map revealed a significant effect of zinc nanoparticles on 59 distinct classes of proteins as compared to control. Proteins involved in regulating stress scavenging, transport, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis were robustly altered under capped zinc nanotreatment. UniProt database identified majority of the localization of the abundantly altered protein in cell membranes and chloroplasts. STRING and Cytoscape analysis assessed inter and intra coordination of triosephosphate isomerase with other identified proteins and highlighted its role in the regulation of protein abundance under applied stress. This study highlights the understanding of complex underlying mechanisms and regulatory networks involved in proteomic alterations and interactions within the plant system to cope with the nano-effect.

Proteomic insights to decipher nanoparticle uptake, translocation, and intercellular mechanisms in plants

Advent of proteomic techniques has made it possible to identify a broad spectrum of proteins in living systems. Studying the impact of nanoparticle (NP)-mediated plant protein responses is an emerging field. NPs are continuously being released into the environment and directly or indirectly affect plant's biochemistry. Exposure of plants to NPs, especially crops, poses a significant risk to the food chain, leading to changes in underlying metabolic processes. Once absorbed by plants, NPs interact with cellular proteins, thereby inducing changes in plant protein patterns. Based on the reactivity, properties, and translocation of nanoparticles, NPs can interfere with proteins involved in various cellular processes in plants such as energy regulation, redox metabolism, and cytotoxicity. Such interactions of NPs at the subcellular level enhance ROS scavenging activity, especially under stress conditions. Although higher concentrations of NPs induce ROS production and hinder oxidative mechanisms under stress conditions, NPs also mediate metabolic changes from fermentation to normal cellular processes. Although there has been lots of work conducted to understand the different effects of NPs on plants, the knowledge of proteomic responses of plants toward NPs is still very limited. This review has focused on the multi-omic analysis of NP interaction mechanisms with crop plants mainly centering on the proteomic perspective in response to both stress and non-stressed conditions. Furthermore, NP-specific interaction mechanisms with the biological pathways are discussed in detail.

Antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential of phytogenic cerium oxide nanoparticles

Plants provide humans with more than just food and shelter; they are also a major source of medications. The purpose of this research was to investigate the antioxidant and hypoglycemic potential of green synthesized CeONPs using Mentha royleana leaves extract. The morphological and physicochemical features of CeONPs were evaluated by UV-Visible spectrophotometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-rays and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, Dynamic light scattering, Atomic Force Microscopy, Zeta Potential. The average size range of synthesized CeONPs diameter between 46 and 56 nm, crystalline in shape, with Polydispersity index value of 0.2 and subatomic particles mean diameter was 4.5-9.1 nm. The antioxidant capability of CeONPs was assessed using DPPH, ABTS⁺, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and reducing power tests. The hypoglycemic potential of CeONPs was investigated using alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, glucose absorption by yeast cells, and antisucrase. The effective concentrations were 500 and 1000 µg/ml found good in suppressing radical species. To explore the hypoglycemic potential of CeONPs, alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, glucose absorption by yeast cell, and antisucrase assays were performed. Glucose absorb by yeast cells assay was tested for three distinct glucose concentrations: 5 mmol/L, 10 mmol/L, and 25 mmol/L. Green synthesize CeONPs showed a dose-dependent response, higher concentrations of CeONPs imposed a stronger inhibitory impact on the catalytic site of enzymes. This study suggest that CeONPs could possibly binds to the charge carrying species and act as competitive inhibitor which slow down the enzyme substrate reaction and prevents enzymatic degradation. The study's findings were outstanding, which bodes well for future medicinal applications of CeONPs.

Novel Approaches for Sustainable Horticultural Crop Production: Advances and Prospects

Reduction of plant growth, yield and quality due to diverse environmental constrains along with climate change significantly limit the sustainable production of horticultural crops. In this review, we highlight the prospective impacts that are positive challenges for the application of beneficial microbial endophytes, nanomaterials (NMs), exogenous phytohormones strigolactones (SLs) and new breeding techniques (CRISPR), as well as controlled environment horticulture (CEH) using artificial light in sustainable production of horticultural crops. The benefits of such applications are often evaluated by measuring their impact on the metabolic, morphological and biochemical parameters of a variety of cultures, which typically results in higher yields with efficient use of resources when applied in greenhouse or field conditions. Endophytic microbes that promote plant growth play a key role in the adapting of plants to habitat, thereby improving their yield and prolonging their protection from biotic and abiotic stresses. Focusing on quality control, we considered the effects of the applications of microbial endophytes, a novel class of phytohormones SLs, as well as NMs and CEH using artificial light on horticultural commodities. In addition, the genomic editing of plants using CRISPR, including its role in modulating gene expression/transcription factors in improving crop production and tolerance, was also reviewed.