Promy Virk

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that pose significant environmental and health concerns attributed to environmental persistence and potential ecotoxicity. The study assessed the protective efficacy of puerarin(Pr), a major isoflavone extracted from Pueraria lobata roots against microplastic toxicity in rats. Male albino rats (n = 42), were exposed to carboxylated polystyrene beads in two sizes, 1µm, and 5 µm for 28 days. Group I was the negative control. Groups III and IV received 1μm and 5 μm PS beads respectively while Group V and VI received the PS beads respectively along with a single oral dose of puerarin (10 mg/kg body weight). Microplastic intoxication with both sizes of PS-MP beads (1 µm and 5 µm) led to oxidative stress. Additionally, a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase was also observed in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the pro-apoptotic proteins. The hepatic expression of p53 was significantly reduced coupled with the suppression of Nrf-2 followed by a downregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. The DNA damage was observable with distinct comets on exposure to both sizes of MPs compared to the control. These results suggest that puerarin at the tested dosage alleviates oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and DNA damage in rats caused by PS-MPs. However, further investigations on different doses and extended exposure duration could establish dose-response correlation and translational significance.

Background: Piroxicam (PX) is an NSAID linked to hepato-renal toxicity. This study evaluated quercetin’s (QUE) protective role against PX-induced damage in pregnant rats. Methods: Pregnant rats (n=40) were divided into four groups (13 days): Control, QUE (75 mg/kg), PX (7 mg/kg i.p.) and QUE+PX. Hepato-renal toxicity was assessed via hematological, biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical (caspase-3, TNF-α, IL-6), oxidative stress markers and DNA fragmentation. Result: PX caused hematological disturbances, elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and kidney markers (creatinine, urea), decreased albumin and tissue damage. Increased MDA and decreased GSH/SOD indicated oxidative stress. Elevated caspase-3, TNF-α and DNA fragmentation confirmed apoptosis. QUE supplementation significantly reversed these alterations. Quercetin effectively ameliorated PX-induced hepato-renal toxicity through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Background: Fruits of Citrullus colocynthis were collected from the central (Riyadh) and the northern (Hail) regions of Saudi Arabia. The total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations of the pulp extract from both regions were determined. The hepatorenal toxicity and the associated hematologic and biochemical changes in male Wistar rats were evaluated in experimental animals. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were assigned to five equal groups. Group 1 as control and fed normal saline. Group 2 and 4 were fed 100 and 300 mg/kg bodyweight of C. colocynthis pulp extract from the central region respectively. Group 3 and 5 were fed 100 and 300 mg/kg bodyweight of C. colocynthis pulp extract from the northern region respectively. Result: The total phenolic and flavonoids contents of the pulp extract from the central and the northern regions were determined. There was a significant increase (p less than 0.05) in the total leucocytes counts in animals fed high doses of C. colocynthis pulp extract from both regions. The total platelets count was significantly increased (p less than 0.05) in groups 4 and 5. There was a significant increase in the serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase. No significant increase in the levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Histologically, livers of the experimental animals showed dilatation of central veins, congestion of sinusoids, cytoplasmic degeneration of hepatocytes and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Kidneys showed dilatation of the glomeruli, severe congestion of kidney tissue with infiltration of inflammatory cells. Histological changes were dependent on the dose.

The extensive application of polystyrene (PS) in the industry and the release of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) in the environmental compartments has raised global concerns. The ability of microbes to utilize PS as a carbon source has been currently established. This study utilized Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 11774) to break down environmentally relevant sized PS-MPs (5 µm) with and without abiotic (thermal and UV radiations) pretreatment for a period of 4 weeks. The biodegradation rate was validated using UV–visible (UV–Vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDX analysis. After 4 weeks, all inoculated PS-MP samples with and without pretreatment showed marked changes in the UV–vis spectra in comparison to the pristine PS-MPs. Additionally, FTIR spectra displayed surface modifications of functional groups in all inoculated samples linked to chain scission/oxidation were highlighted by a notable increase in the carbonyl index during biodegradation. SEM micrographs confirmed the marked fragility of the particles, and a probable oxidation degree was evaluated as an atomic O/C ratio that corroborates the biodegradative potential of B. subtilis . The core finding underscores that B. subtilis can grow on, alter, and use PS as a carbon source, either with or without abiotic pretreatment, emphasizing the role of biological pathways as a sustainable strategy for plastic waste management.

Contamination by fungi and the toxins they secrete is a worldwide health concern. One such toxin is zearalenone (Zea), which is structurally similar to the hormone estrogen, interferes with its action on the reproductive system, and is therefore classified as an endocrine disruptor. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of hispidin and magnesium nanoparticles (MgONPs) against zearalenone-induced myotoxicity, which causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats. A three-month exposure study was performed using female Wistar rats (n = 42) with an average weight of 100–150 g. The animals were divided into six groups (I to VI) of seven rats each. Group I was administered distilled water as a negative control. Group II was exposed to Zea 0.1 mg/kg b.w. through gavage daily. Group III was treated with 0.1 mg/kg of hispidin through gavage daily. Group IV was given 150 µg/mL MgONPs orally each day. Group V was treated with Zea 0.1 mg/kg b.w. + 0.1 mg/kg hispidin orally each day. Group VI was treated with Zea 0.1 mg/kg b.w. and the combination treatment of 0.1 mg/kg hispidin + 150 µg/mL MgONPs through gavage every day. The effectiveness of hispidin and MgONPs against Zea toxicity was evaluated in terms of ovarian histological changes, gene expression, oxidative stress biomarkers, biochemical variables, and hormone levels. The findings showed that exposure to Zea promotes PCOS in rats, with Zea-treated rats displaying hyper-ovulation with large cysts; elevated testosterone, luteinizing hormone, insulin, and glucose; and reduced sex hormone-binding globulin. In addition, qRT-PCR for aromatase (Cyp19α1) showed it to be downregulated. Treatment with hispidin improved the histopathological and hormonal situation and rescued expression of Cyp19α. Our data indicate the potential therapeutic effects of hispidin against Zea-induced Fungal Toxicity.

As the human population continues to escalate, its requirement for clean water is also increasing. This has resulted in an increased dependency on wastewater effluent to maintain the base flow of urban streams, especially in water-stressed regions. The present study reports the synthesis of AgNPs with green credentials using an aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds. The observance of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with UV–Vis spectrophotometry confirmed the presence of spherical/oblong particles with a mean diameter of 43.8 nm and low polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.391 measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and DLS (dynamic light scattering) technique, respectively. The elemental map of AgNPs was demonstrated with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and the constituent functional groups were identified by the FTIR spectra, which were similar to the bulk seed extract with a slight shift in the pattern. The emission spectrum of nanoparticles was recorded for the excitation wavelength of 349 using fluorescence microscopy and the crystalline structure was assessed using X-ray diffraction. The potential wastewater remedial efficacy of the synthesized AgNPs was evaluated based on the water quality parameters (pH, EC, BOD, COD) of the sewage effluent collected from a local Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). Furthermore, the photo degradative efficacy was investigated using the degradation percentage of Crystal Violet (CV) dye, which was recorded as 94.5% after 20 min. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the NPs versus bulk seed extract was assessed against two bacterial strains, Escheria coli and Staphylococcus aureus, using the disc diffusion method. The AgNPs showed a profound modulatory effect on the water quality parameters, coupled with marked antimicrobial and photodegradative activity. Thus, the biogenically synthesized AgNPs offer a prospective potential for use in wastewater remediation strategies.

Context and objective: A novel method of fabricating probiotic nanowhiskers—using pure cheese as a source of probiotics, sans metal/chemical surfactants—is reported in the present study. Materials and methods: This was followed by an extensive characterization; FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, particle size measurements, and transmission electron microscopy. Thermal analysis via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and n screening of the volatile compounds via gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to assess the purity of the nano-crystalline whiskers. Additionally, the anti-oxidant status and the metal-chelating effect of the nanowhiskers was evaluated in Wistar rats exposed to cadmium chloride hydrate (70 ppm) for 35 days. Group I was the positive control and groups II and III were exposed to Cd, with group III being treated with the cheese nanowhiskers (100 mL/L) in drinking water. Results: The nanoparticles were 112 nm in size (PDI 0.484) with the illustrated whisker/elongated shape being crystalline in nature. Lipid peroxidation was significantly enhanced followed by a marked bioaccumulation of Cd in the target organs. Discussion: Co-treatment with cheese nanowhiskers led to a marked reversal in the Cd-induced modulations in the endpoints evaluated. Conclusions: It is suggested that a dietary intervention in the form of a nano-probiotic supplement such as cheese is a prospective remedy for heavy metal toxicity/oxidative damage, being safe and efficacious.