Myrtenal exhibits cardioprotective effects by attenuating the pathological progression associated with myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction poses major risks to human health because of their incredibly high rates of morbidity and mortality. Infarctions are more likely to develop as a result of dysregulation of cell death. Myrtenal can be considered for their bioactive beneficial activity in the context of cardiovascular pathologies and, particularly, in the protection toward oxidative stress followed by ischemic injury.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to put limelight on the antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and antibacterial properties of Myrtenal.

METHODS

An in vitro model of oxidative stress-induced injury was entrenched in H9c2 cells using hydrogen peroxide, and the effects of Myrtenal were investigated. The MTT, cellular enzyme level, staining, and flow cytometry analysis were used to examine protective, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects. The gene expressions were detected by qPCR. Antibacterial effect and biofilm formation were also done.

RESULT

The findings revealed that Myrtenal alone had negligible cytotoxic effects and that Myrtenal protects H9c2 against H2 O2 -induced cell death at micromolar concentrations. Myrtenal pre-treatment inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as remarkably decreased the fluorescence intensity of ROS. Additionally, Myrtenal considerably increased the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes while dramatically decreasing the production of MDA and LDH. qPCR demonstrated the downregulation of Cas-9, TNF-α, NF-κB, P53, BAX, iNOS, and IL-6 expression while an upregulation of Bcl-2 expression in Myrtenal pre-treated groups. Myrtenal also holds the magnificent property of inhibiting bacterial growth.

CONCLUSION

Myrtenal ameliorates H2 O2 -induced cardiomyocyte injury and protects cardiomyocyte by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis and may be a promise drug for the treatment of heart diseases.

Protective effect of Pterospermum rubiginosum bark extract on bone mineral density and bone remodelling in estrogen deficient ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats

Osteoporosis is a common metabolic old age disorder characterised by low bone mass content (BMC) and mineral density (BMD) with micro-architectural deterioration of the extracellular matrix, further increasing bone fragility risk. Several traditional remedies, including plant extracts and herbal formulations, are used worldwide by local healers to improve the overall bone health and metabolism as an excellent osteoregenerative agent. Pteropsermum rubiginosum is an underexplored medicinal plant used by tribal peoples of Western Ghats, India, to treat bone fractures and associated inflammation. The proposed study evaluates the elemental profiling and phytochemical characterisation of P. rubiginosum methanolic bark extract (PRME), along with detailed In vitro and In vivo biological investigation in MG-63 cells and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. AAS and ICP-MS analysis showed the presence of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium and exceptional levels of strontium, chromium, and zinc in PRME. The NMR characterisation revealed the presence of vanillic acid, Ergost-4-ene-3-one and catechin. The molecular docking studies revealed the target pockets of isolated compounds and various marker proteins in the bone remodelling cycle. In vitro studies showed a significant hike in ALP and calcium content, along with upregulated mRNA expression of the ALP and COL1, which confirmed the osteoinductive activity of PRME in human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. The in vivo evaluation in ovariectomised (OVX) rats showed remarkable recovery in ALP, collagen and osteocalcin protein after 3 months of PRME treatment. DEXA scanning reports in OVX rats supported the above in vitro and in vivo results, significantly enhancing the BMD and BMC. The results suggest that PRME can induce osteogenic activity and enhance bone formation with an excellent osteoprotective effect against bone loss in OVX animals due to estrogen deficiency.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03942-7.

In silico, anti-inflammatory and acute toxicological evaluation of an indigenous medicinal plant Pterospermum rubiginosum using Sprague-Dawley rats

BACKGROUND

Pterospermum rubiginosum has been traditionally used by the tribal inhabitants of Southern India for treating bone fractures and as a local anti-inflammatory agent; however, experimental evidence to support this traditional usage is lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical characterization, in silico and in vitro anti-inflammatory evaluation, followed by in vivo toxicological screening of P. rubiginosum methanolic bark extract (PRME).

RESULTS

The LCMS evaluation revealed the presence of 80 significant peaks; nearly 50 molecules were identified using the LCMS database. In silico analysis showed notable interactions with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In vitro gene expression study supported the docking results with significant down-regulation of iNOS, IL-6, and IL-10. PRME was administered orally to the SD rats and was found to be non-toxic up to 1000 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. The antioxidant enzymes catalase and sodium dismutase exhibited an increased value in PRME-administered groups, possibly due to the diverse phytochemical combinations in bark extract.

CONCLUSIONS

PRME administration significantly downregulated the gene expression of inflammatory markers, such as iNOS, IL-6, and IL-10. The molecular docking analysis of iNOS and IL-6 supports the in vitro study. In vivo toxicological study of PRME in SD rats was found to be non-toxic up to a concentration of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 14 days.

Vindoline Exhibits Anti-Diabetic Potential in Insulin-Resistant 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and L6 Skeletal Myoblasts

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) emerged as a major health care concern in modern society, primarily due to lifestyle changes and dietary habits. Obesity-induced insulin resistance is considered as the major pathogenic factor in T2DM. In this study, we investigated the effect of vindoline, an indole alkaloid of Catharanthus roseus on insulin resistance (IR), oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in dexamethasone (IR inducer)-induced dysfunctional 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-glucose-induced insulin-resistant L6-myoblast cells. Results showed that dexamethasone-induced dysfunctional 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with different concentrations of vindoline significantly enhanced basal glucose consumption, accompanied by increased expression of GLUT-4, IRS-1 and adiponectin. Similarly, vindoline-treated insulin-resistant L6 myoblasts exhibited significantly enhanced glycogen content accompanied with upregulation of IRS-1 and GLUT-4. Thus, in vitro studies of vindoline in insulin resistant skeleton muscle and dysfunctional adipocytes confirmed that vindoline treatment significantly mitigated insulin resistance in myotubes and improved functional status of adipocytes. These results demonstrated that vindoline has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent to ameliorate obesity-induced T2DM-associated insulin resistance profile in adipocytes and skeletal muscles.

Lonar Impact Crater, India: the Best-Preserved Terrestrial Hypervelocity Impact Crater in a Basaltic Terrain as a Potential Global Geopark

Lonar Impact Crater is a simple meteorite impact crater carved out on the ~ 65 Ma old Deccan tholeiitic flood basalts. The crater, though scoured in a basaltic terrain, is still preserved in its most pristine form, with a central crater lake. The geomorphology, geochemistry, geochronology, hydrology, geophysical parameters, and structural aspects of Lonar Crater have been explored in detail, but still continue to contribute valid scientific insights into the geology of terrestrial impact craters. Lonar serves as a potential analog site for studying impact cratering on planetary surfaces with basaltic terrains such as the Moon and Mars. Besides being a highly recognizable impact crater in India, the Lonar crater and its hinterland stand out with its archeological relevance and spiritual influence among the people. The numerous temples in and around the crater premises uphold the cultural significance of the region. The crater and adjacent areas are rich in flora and fauna representing a diverse ecosystem in the vastness of the arid Deccan Flood Basalts. Hence, the astrobleme and its surrounding is declared a Ramsar site and is also a protected wildlife sanctuary. The Indian Government has also declared the crater a National Geological Monument as well as an archaeological monument. Furthermore, the astrobleme is a unique site with socio-cultural and economic significance. With these plethoras of importance, combined with the geological and socio-cultural aspects in its hinterland, together with the most acclaimed UNESCO world heritage centers Ajantha and Ellora caves in the neighborhood, it stands as the right candidate for a UNESCO Global Geopark. However, the crater and its ecosystem are not preserved well enough, and the uniqueness of the crater is diminishing. But after selection as a Ramsar site, the area shows increased vegetation growth. The SWOT analysis conducted in this study accounts for Lonar Crater and its adjoining areas as a potential global geopark. Thus, through this study, we try to propagate the vivid and myriad importance of the Lonar crater and the necessity of protecting this geological monument from both anthropogenic and natural processes and to appraise the necessity for nominating this area as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Effective reversal of hyperhydricity leading to efficient micropropagation of Dianthus chinensis L

The effective reversion of hyperhydricity (HH) in Dianthus chinensis L. facilitated efficient in vitro production of hyperhydricity-free plantlets. Under routine sub-culture practice, the problem of HH arises after third sub-culture in agar (0.85%) gelled Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.5 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA). To confirm the role of ethylene on hyperhydricity induction, an ethylene releasing compound ethephon (5 µM) was used in combination with 2.5 µM BA and demonstrated 100% HH with reduced stomatal aperture. Supplementation of 10 µM silver nitrate (AgNO3) to 2.5 µM BA containing medium resulted HH reversion with reduced shoot number (19.0); however, addition of 5 µM cobalt chloride (CoCl2) produced highest microshoots (202.0). The combination effect of AgNO3 (10 µM), CoCl2 (5 µM), and BA (2.5 µM) showed complete HH reversion and upheld normal microshoots (55.0) with reduced relative water content (78.3%). The Ag and Co salts regulate ethylene biosynthesis and thereby 50% reductions in H2O2 content characterized by formation of green healthy shoots with proper stomatal morphology. The gene expression profile of 1-Amminocyclopropane-1-carboxylase synthase (ACS1) and 1-Amminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO1) showed reduced expression after the retroversion of microshoots in anti-ethylene reversion medium compared to hyperhydric shoot. In vitro raised shoots were rooted (93.3%) ex vitro by 10 mM IBA treatment and 92.2% plants were survived. The genetic stability of micropropagated plants were analyzed and proved that addition of low levels of heavy metal salt in the medium does not cause any variation in banding pattern. The protocol forwards a novel method to revert HH of in vitro cultures by adopting intermittent exposure of anti-ethylene compounds added in the medium and the procedure can be applied to many other plants facing similar HH problems.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-021-02645-7.

Influence of polyamines on hyperhydricity reversion and its associated mechanism during micropropagation of China pink (Dianthus chinensis L.)

Hyperhydricity (HH) is a physiological disorder that frequently occurs in plant tissue cultures, affecting healthy growth and development of clonal plants. The primary cultures raised in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 µM N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) produced normal microshoot (6.3 shoots/ culture) with least HH. However, the third subculture onwards, HH becomes a major problem. The role of ethylene on HH induction through stomatal closure mechanism were proved by the supplementation of ethephon (5 µM) in the culture medium containing 2.5 µM BA. In the present study, the application of polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, or spermine) to minimize the HH was examined. Supplementation of 5 µM spermine in MS medium significantly reduced the percentage of HH to 0.33%, in contrast to control (100%), while a maximum number of healthy reverted shoots (11.0) were observed in 5 µM spermidine treatment. The addition of polyamines effectively reduced H₂O₂ content (50%) characterized by increased chlorophyll content with proper stomatal morphology. The relative gene expression profile of ethylene biosynthesis genes, 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylase synthase (ACS1) and 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO1) at 5 µM spermine added medium was 1.09 and 1.3 over normal (1) or HH cultures (1.93 and 2.53) respectively, and thus directed restoration of normal morphology of shoots. The present finding in brief, forward a novel method to regulate HH in terms of endogenous ethylene by adopting polyamines exposure and the procedure can be applied to many other plants facing similar HH problems.

The effect of silver nitrate on micropropagation of Moringa oleifera Lam. an important vegetable crop of tropics with substantial nutritional value

An improved micropropagation protocol facilitating continuous multiplication of elite germplasm of Moringa oleifera has been developed. Initial culture of nodal explant in MS medium supplemented with 2.5 µM BA resulted in the formation of 12.5 shoots per explant with high frequency of leaf fall (84.3%). To confirm whether the leaf fall is due to accumulation of ethylene in the culture vessel, effect of ethylene releasing agent CEPA in the medium was tested. In order to reduce leaf fall and improve multiplication, varying concentration of anti-ethylene agent, AgNO₃ was incorporated in the medium. Addition of 2.5 μM AgNO₃ in combination with 2.5 μM BA produced maximum number of shoots (17.6) including shoots originated from the base of the explant and shoots from the axillary buds of the primary shoots, where significant reduction in leaf fall (20.6%) was noticed. This enabled sustained multiplication of M. oleifera through continuous subculture without adversely affecting shoot number or shoot quality in terms of shoot length. Microshoots obtained from fourth subculture onwards were used for ex vitro rooting and found that by treating 50 µM NAA for 30 s, maximum numbers of microshoots (83.3%) were rooted. Rooted plants were acclimatized, survived and were successfully transferred to field. Genetic fidelity analysis using 10 ISSR primers revealed more than 95% monomorphic bands among plants raised in MS medium containing low concentration (2.5 µM) of AgNO₃ and BA (2.5 µM). The addition of AgNO₃ in the medium sustained in vitro growth and effectively prevented leaf fall compared to control, thus demonstrating efficient micropropagation of M. oleifera.