Archives of Biological Sciences

Water emulsion of the essential oil of Nepeta rtanjensis Diklić & Milojević: potential use as a bioherbicide

Mladen P. Prijović — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

Essential oils can be used in allelopathic relationships between plants.
The effects of a water emulsion of Nepeta rtanjensis Diklić & Milojević essential oil (NrEO) on seed germination and seedling growth of 5 weed species was examined.
Stellaria media (L.) Vill. was the most sensitive, 0.1% NrEO completely inhibited the germination of Amaranthus retroflexus and Artemisia vulgaris L., and reduced germination of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. to 50%; Cephalaria transsylvanica (L.) Schrad. ex Roem. & Schult was the most tolerant.
The water emulsion of the essential oil of rtanjensis could be developed to control invasive and allergenic weeds.

Abstract: Plant protection with natural products is a new trend in environmentally friendly agriculture. Nepeta rtanjensis Diklić & Milojević is an endemic and critically endangered plant species in Serbia. We explored the phytotoxic potential of a water emulsion of Nepeta rtanjensis essential oil (NrEO) with high amounts of trans,cis-nepetalactone on five weeds. The most sensitive was Stellaria media (L.) Vill., as NrEO (from 0.013% to 0.1%) completely inhibited germination. Germination of Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Artemisia vulgaris L. was completely inhibited at the highest applied concentrations of NrEO (0.1%), while Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. germination was reduced to 48% at the same concentration of NrEO. The most tolerant species was Cephalaria transsylvanica (L.) Schrad. ex Roem. & Schult. as the final germination rate at the highest applied concentration of NrEO (0.1%) was 81%, like the control (82%). To our knowledge, this is the first time the interaction of essential oils on the germination and growth of A. vulgaris and C. transsylvanica is reported. The germination dynamics of S. media in pots with soil were significantly inhibited when the soil was initially treated with the highest applied concentration of the NrEO water emulsion (1%). Spraying S. media seedlings with NrEO significantly inhibited growth parameters (shoot height, shoot fresh weight, and the number of nodes) at the higher applied concentrations of NrEO (0.5% and 1%). Therefore, the water emulsion of the essential oil of N. rtanjensis could be potentially developed for use in the control of invasive and allergenic weeds.

Analgesic and antiinflammatory activities of the aqueous root extract of Algerian Bunium incrassatum

Nacer Amraoui — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

Bunium incrassatum, commonly known as Black Cumin, is a plant that has been traditionally used in various cultures for culinary and medicinal purposes.
The in vitro antioxidant and in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract from the roots of B. incrassatum were examined in mice.
The aqueous extract of B. incrassatum exhibited in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in xylene- and Croton oil-induced ear edema, carrageenan-induced paw edema, and analgesic activity in acetic acid writhing and formalin paw-licking experimental models.
B. incrassatum can be an effective source of compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects.

Abstract: The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, analgesic, and antiinflammatory activities of Bunium incrassatum aqueous extract (BIAE) from roots. Tests of radical scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and induced erythrocyte hemolysis using 2,2′-azo bis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) were used for antioxidant activity evaluation. The antiinflammatory activity was tested in Croton oil- and xylene-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema. The antinociceptive effect was tested with the pain model induced by formalin and acetic acid-induced writhing response. The results revealed that BIAE exhibited a strong protective effect against AAPH-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes. In contrast, in the DPPH test, BIAE showed moderate activity (IC₅₀: 1.07±0.078 mg/mL) compared to BHT. In the antiinflammatory test, oral administration of BIAE (100, 300, and 600 mg/kg) significantly reduced the edema in the three models used. In antinociceptive experiments, the pretreatment with BIAE produced important analgesic activity. Additionally, the pretreatment of mice with BIAE significantly reduced the paw-licking time in the second phase. The results of this study revealed the antioxidant, analgesic, and antiinflammatory potential of BIAE, and demonstrated the importance of B. incrassatum as a source of compounds for therapeutic uses.

Microbial enzymatic activities in soils of Vojvodina, Serbia: insights into the relationship with chemical soil properties

Ana Kuzmanović — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

As a significant source of biodiversity, soil is under immense pressure due to indiscriminate exploitation. Microorganisms, a dominant biogenic component of the pedosphere, promptly respond to changes in the soil, which makes them excellent indicators of its quality. Appropriate microbial enzyme synthesis is usually the first response of the microbial community to changes in the environment.
The relationship between microbial enzymes and the chemical properties of dominant soil types in Vojvodina, Serbia were examined.
Results reveal correlations between specific enzymes and soil chemical properties.
Findings point to the possibility of the application of enzymatic activities in agricultural soil quality monitoring.

Abstract: For an agricultural region such as the Vojvodina Province in northern Serbia, soil quality monitoring is very important. Enzymatic activities are proposed as good indicators as they respond to even the slightest changes in the soil. This study aimed to analyze the enzymatic activity levels across three different soil types in Vojvodina and to examine their connection to soil chemical properties and land use. All soil types (chernozem, vertisol, solonchak) were sampled at nine locations, each with 3 field plots. The activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase, β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, and catalase were measured in samples, as well as the selected chemical properties. Results showed differences in enzymatic activity across different soil types and land use. The most active enzymes in vertisol were acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase; in solonchak, it was alkaline phosphatase; in chernozem, it was dehydrogenase. A high correlation between enzymatic activities and certain soil chemical properties (pH reaction, organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen) was also observed, underlining the existence of a relationship between different soil components. The highest determined correlation was between acid phosphatase and pH (r=-0.7), alkaline phosphatase and total nitrogen (r=0.7), and organic matter (r=0.72); the obtained correlations were found to be statistically significant.

Maternal fish-oil supplementation reduces presenilin 1 level and the amyloid-beta burden in adult 5xFAD offspring without major changes in brain fatty acids

Desanka J. Milanović — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

Early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are critical for delaying its progression.
The 5×FAD (familial AD) mice model develops amyloid pathology very early limiting the window for nutritional intervention.
Maternal supplementation with omega-3-reach fish oil until weaning reduces amyloid burden in adult offspring.
Early and sufficient omega-3 dietary intervention can enhance brain resilience to AD-related pathology.

Abstract: Omega-3 fatty acid interventions show potential benefits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) when initiated during its early stages. This study investigated whether maternal diet supplemented with omega-3-rich fish oil (FO) could delay or reduce amyloid beta (Aβ) formation, a key feature of AD, in 5xFAD transgenic offspring. Dams received FO during mating, pregnancy, and lactation. Brain tissues from female offspring were collected at 2 and 6 months of age. The findings indicated a shift in amyloid precursor protein processing, evidenced by increased soluble amyloid precursor protein α (sAPPα) levels, suggesting a transition from amyloidogenic to non-amyloidogenic pathway. FO influenced the expression of presenilin 1 and 2 but did not impact Aβ levels in 2-month-old mice. However, FO reduced the Aβ burden in the brains of 6-month-old animals. Lipidomic analysis revealed that 5xFAD mice have unimpaired omega-3 acquisition during gestation and lactation in comparison to non-transgenic littermates. However, a response to FO supplementation was found in non-transgenic offspring, indicating that alterations in brain lipids are not the primary mechanism of FO-induced Ab decline in 5xFAD. In conclusion, FO did not prevent or delay amyloid pathology in genetically predisposed animals but did mitigate its progression, suggesting mechanisms that warrant further investigation.

Biodiversity dynamics of terrestrial gastropods in the tropical montane rainforests of Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Dinelka D. Thilakarathne — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

Sri Lanka is home to 253 terrestrial gastropod species with more than 80% endemic species. Research exploring their diversity, distribution, and influencing variables is limited.
This study sampled gastropods in tropical montane rainforests, utilizing 1 m² plots across 60 randomly selected sites.
Of the species recorded, 79% were native, 17% were exotic. Exotic species exhibit broader environmental tolerance compared to natives, allowing them to invade forests.
Native species confined to deep canopy forests are vulnerable to habitat changes. Exotic species that thrive under altered conditions highlight the importance of conserving these forests.

Abstract: Sri Lanka is home to 253 terrestrial gastropod species, most of which are endemic. However, limited research has explored the diversity, distribution, and influencing variables of these gastropods. This study sampled gastropods in tropical montane rainforests by establishing 10-50 1-m² sampling plots across 60 randomly selected sites. Among the 46 recorded species, 79% were native, and 17% were exotic. Species representative of the five endemic genera to the island and two endemic semi-slug species were recorded from these forests. Native gastropod species were primarily found in forest interiors, while exotic species inhabited forest buffer regions. The distribution of most native species is influenced by elevation, air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and soil pH, while elevation and rainfall play a significant role in the distribution of most exotics. Exotics display broader environmental tolerance compared to natives, enabling exotics to invade the forests. The restricted habitat of many native species within deep canopy forests makes them highly vulnerable to habitat change, whereas exotics thrive under altered conditions.

Impact of different zinc concentrations on growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrient acquisition traits of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) grown under salinity stress

Rakibul Hasan Md. Rabbi — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

Tomato is an important crop whose growth, yield, protein content, vitamin C content, and nutritional traits are hindered by salinity.
A pot experiment was conducted using a BARI Tomato-15 variety to examine the salinity stress mitigating effect of zinc.
Soil application of zinc under salinity stress improved the nutritional value of tomato, its growth, yield, protein, and vitamin C contents.
The results of this study may be useful in reducing salinity stress-induced growth and yield reduction, nutritional value degradation of different crops like tomatoes in saline areas in coastal belts, and maximizing their potential as agricultural lands.

Abstract: Salinity stress affects plant growth, development, nutrient uptake, and yield. Applications of micronutrients, specifically zinc (Zn), can mitigate the harmful consequences of salt stress. During the winter season of 2022, an experiment was conducted in the net house of BINA substation Satkhira, Bangladesh, to examine the impact of different Zn concentrations (5 and 10 kg ha^-1) on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrient acquisition abilities under different salt stress (SS) conditions (SS0.5%, SS1.0%, and SS1.5% NaCl). The result of the study showed that different stress conditions lowered the plant height, the number of branches per plant, flower clusters, and fruits per plant, plant yield, vitamin C, protein and lycopene contents, and the acquisition of different nutrients, i.e., nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). The application of 10 kg Zn ha^-1(Zn10) increased all previously mentioned parameters in both saline and usual conditions. On the other hand, a decrease in the amount of Na in fruit was observed when Zn application was increased from 5 to 10 kg ha^-1. Plant Na/K ratios were consequently lowest at the highest Zn concentration. Therefore, the findings indicate that Zn application improves tomato growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrient acquisition traits by mitigating the negative impacts of saline environments.

Molecular weights and optimum temperature and pH for pepsin activity of three sciaenid finfish species from the Gulf of California

Martin Perez-Velazquez — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

Byproducts from the processing of finfish from fisheries and aquaculture are often discarded. However, the enzymatic content of viscera has potential biotechnological and industrial applications.
The molecular weights and optimum temperature and pH for pepsin activity from the sciaenids Cynoscion othonopterus, Cynoscion xanthulus, and Cynoscion parvipinnis were determined.
Pepsins from the three species compare closely with pepsins from other fish in terms of molecular weight, with some variations in temperature and pH optima.
Pepsins from othonopterus, C. xanthulus, and C. parvipinnis may have similar applications as other fish pepsins.

Abstract: By-products from finfish processing from fisheries and aquaculture are often discarded. However, the enzymatic content of viscera has potential biotechnological and industrial applications. Such is the case for the sciaenids Cynoscion othonopterus, Cynoscion xanthulus, and Cynoscion parvipinnis, which are food and game fishes from the Gulf of California and whose viscera are commonly discarded after fish dressing. In this study, optimum temperature and pH for activity, as well as molecular weights of pepsin from the stomach of C. othonopterus, C. xanthulus, and C. parvipinnis were evaluated for the first time. Pepsin molecular weights were 30, 32.1, and 32.3 kDa, respectively. The highest activity of pepsin against hemoglobin was recorded between 40 and 45ºC for C. othonopterus and C. xanthulus and at 40°C for C. parvipinnis. The optimum pH was 2.0 for the three sciaenids. Biochemical characteristics were comparable to pepsins from other marine and freshwater fish species, so they could likely be used in some processes using this enzyme, like collagen extraction, fish silage production, or fish processing, among others.

Morphometric characteristics of spiny-cheek crayfish Faxonius limosus (Rafinesque, 1817) from the Danube River on the territory of Serbia

Rajko L. Roljić — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

The spiny cheek crayfish, Faxonius limosus, is one of the most invasive alien species in Europe. The first record in Serbia was reported 20 years ago.
This research aimed to better describe the morphometric characteristics of this species in the Serbian part of the Danube River.
F. limosus specimens were measured to describe their general body shape in more detail using linear and geometric morphometric methods.
The presented results contribute to a better understanding of the invasive spiny cheek crayfish in the recipient habitat.

Abstract: Twenty-three morphometric characteristics of spiny-cheek crayfish Faxonus limosus from Danube, Serbia, were analyzed to describe the general body shape. Forty-eight specimens were caught in May 2022 and January 2023 and measured for morphometric variation. Also, the values of two crayfish condition indices, Fulton’s condition factor (FCF) and crayfish constant (CC), were determined. Most of the analyzed characteristics were moderately variable (CV 10-30%). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the morphological measurements. All the variables make similar contributions to the variance of the first principal component. The highest contributions are from variables CEF and ARL.ARW, CPH, ABH, CPW, and ROW significantly contributed to the second principal component variance. The population of spiny-cheek crayfish at the investigated site has a relatively stable age structure.

A first look at mitochondrial genetic diversity in Miniopterus schreibersii in Serbia

Branka Bajić — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

Miniopterus schreibersii genetic diversity across its distribution has been explored using mitochondrial and nuclear markers, but without representation from Serbia.
The mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 (HV1) gene fragment was screened to assess the genetic diversity of Serbian schreibersii and its relatedness to European and Asia Minor samples.
Nine haplotypes, including 6 new ones, were found, indicating connectivity with Europe and Anatolia. The haplotype network suggested a single refugium origin and sudden population expansion.
The genetic data for the Balkan region enhance our understanding of schreibersii population structure and support a previous hypothesis about its Anatolian origin.

Abstract: Schreiber’s bent-winged bat Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera) is a widespread, cave-dwelling, regionally migrating species whose genetic diversity was studied throughout its distribution area using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Previous studies revealed little to no structuring of populations and established Anatolia to be a single refugium during the last glacial maximum. The Balkans were well covered in these studies but usually lacked samples from Serbia. We sequenced the mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 (HV1) gene in M. schreibersii collected at seven sites in Serbia to assess their genetic relatedness to other European and Asia Minor populations and check whether the Balkans exhibit a higher genetic diversity than Western Europe due to its closeness to Anatolia. We recorded nine haplotypes from Serbia, six of which had not been previously reported, with a haplotype diversity of 0.585. The remaining three were shared with individuals from Portugal, Greece, and Turkey. A single most common haplotype was present throughout the species distribution range, pointing to a well-connected population and as indicated by the shape of the haplotype network, a common origin, and a sudden population expansion. Results complement existing data on M. schreibersii having a non-structured population, adding valuable new data from the Balkans supporting the previous hypothesis about its Anatolian origin.

The effect of prothrombin, the precursor of thrombin, on the proliferation and migration of colorectal cancer cells

Marija Cumbo — 2024-04-24

Paper description:

Thrombin influences cancer growth and progression. Although its precursor, prothrombin, is predominantly expressed in the liver, thrombin can be present in the tumor microenvironment.
We examined the expression of prothrombin in selected colorectal cancer cell lines and its effect on these cells by treating them with different prothrombin concentrations and monitoring cell proliferation and migration.
All analyzed cell lines expressed prothrombin, with prothrombin exerting an effect on cell proliferation and migration.
Prothrombin could impact colon cancer development. Further research into prothrombin’s potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker is proposed.

Abstract: Thrombotic disorders are some of the main comorbidities in cancer patients. So far, research has indicated that thrombin, a key regulator of hemostasis, contributes to cancer progression. However, data on its origin in tumor microenvironments remain elusive. Based on previous research, we analyzed the RNA and protein expression of prothrombin, a precursor of thrombin, in selected colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. Since the effect of prothrombin in cancer development has not been previously reported, we treated the cells for 24 h and 48 h with different prothrombin concentrations and assessed the effect on cell proliferation and migration. Our results show that the tested CRC cell lines expressed prothrombin and that prothrombin inhibited proliferation and migration. The presented results suggest that prothrombin may contribute to CRC etiopathology and could serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. The mechanisms underlying prothrombin expression in cancer cells, potential prothrombin activation, and the underlying processes driving the described effects warrant further investigation.