Explore the vast range of titles available.

In this study, the phytochemical content of Amaranthus lividus extract and its multi-biological activities were investigated. Total protein, phenol, flavonoid, saponin and condensed tannin contents were determined for phytochemical analysis. In addition, GC–MS and HPLC analyzes were carried out for the determination of the active components of the extract. In determining the multi-biological activities, radical scavenging, anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative and anti-microbial activities of the extract were investigated. GC–MS analysis revealed that the leaf extract of A. lividus contains phytol and β-sitosterol as major compounds and the presence of gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, vanillin and kaemferol compounds were determined with HPLC analysis. The radical scavenging effect of A. lividus extract was determined as 75.6% against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 85.2% against superoxide. In anti-bacterial studies, it was determined that A.lividus extract formed different inhibition zones against all tested bacteria. The highest inhibition zone was 14.3 ± 0.7 mm against Bacillus subtilis . In addition, the anti-microbial activity of the extract was demonstrated by molecular docking studies of the binding of gallic acid and phytol to aquaporin and arginase enzyme of bacteria, and the mechanism of anti-microbial activity was explained. A. lividus extract, which provided a 68.59–33.13% reduction in the formation of chromosomal aberrations such as unequal distribution of chromatin, micronucleus formation, fragment, sticky chromosome, bridge and vagrant chromosome, exhibited a strong anti-mutagenic effect. A. lividus extract has a reducing effect on the number of dividing cells and exhibits an anti-proliferative effect of 25.7% compared to the control group. The antiproliferative mechanism of action was investigated by molecular docking and it was determined that the gallic acid and phytol in the extract decreased proliferation by interacting with telomerase. As a result, A.lividus extract consumed as food is a potential natural anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic and anti-proliferative source with its rich phytochemical content.

Uranium is a highly radioactive heavy metal that is toxic to living things. In this study, physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical toxicity caused by uranium and the protective role of sage ( Salvia officinalis L.) leaf extract against this toxicity were investigated with the help of Allium test. Germination percentage, root length, weight gain, mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN) formation, chromosomal aberrations (CAs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and changes in root meristem cells were used as indicators of toxicity. In the experimental stage, a total of six groups, one of which was the control, were formed. Group I was treated with tap water, while group II and III were treated only with sage (190 mg/L and 380 mg/L). Groups IV, V and VI were germinated with uranyl acetate dihydrate (0.1 mg/mL), uranyl acetate dihydrate + 190 mg/L sage and uranyl acetate dihydrate + 380 mg/L sage, respectively. Allium cepa L. bulbs of each group were germinated for 72 h, and at the end of the period, routine preparation techniques were applied and physiological, cytogenetic, biochemical and anatomical analyzes were performed. As a result, uranium application caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in all physiological parameters and MI values. MN, CAs numbers, SOD and CAT enzyme activities and MDA levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) with uranium application. Uranium promoted CAs in the root tip cells in the form of fragment, vagrant chromosome, sticky chromosome, bridge and unequal distribution of chromatin. In addition, it caused anatomical damages such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage and flattened cell nucleus in root tip meristem cells. Sage application together with uranium caused significant (p < 0.05) increases in physiological parameters and MI values and significant decreases in MN, CAs, SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels. In addition, the application of sage resulted in improvement in the severity of anatomical damages induced by uranium. It was determined that the protective role of sage observed for all parameters investigated was even more pronounced at dose of 380 mg/L. The protective role of sage against uranium toxicity is related to its antioxidant activity, and sage has 82.8% metal chelating and 72.9% DPPH removal activity. As a result, uranyl acetate exhibited versatile toxicity in A. cepa , caused cytotoxicity by decreasing the MI rate, and genotoxicity by increasing the frequencies of MN and CAs. And also, Sage acted as a toxicity-reducing agent by displaying a dose-dependent protective role against the toxic effects induced by uranyl acetate.

In this study, the multiple toxic effects of potassium bromate were investigated in Allium cepa L., an indicator test material. In addition, the toxicity-reducing effects of grape seed extract (GSE) were tested. The toxicity was investigated by some physiological (germination percentage, root length, weight gain, relative injury rate), cytogenetic [mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN), and chromosomal abnormalities (CAs)], biochemical [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) levels] and anatomical parameters. A. cepa bulbs were divided into 6 groups as control and five treatment groups (Group II: 465 mg/L GSE, Group III: 930 mg/L GSE, Group IV: 100 mg/L potassium bromate, Group V: 100 mg/L potassium bromate + 465 mg/L GSE, Group VI: 100 mg /L potassium bromate + 930 mg/L GSE). The bulbs were germinated for 72 h and at the end of the period the bulbs were subjected to routine preparations and made ready for analysis and measurements. As a result, potassium bromate exposure caused statistically significant (p < 0.05) decreases in all physiological parameter values. Potassium bromate application decreased MI by 41.6%, and increased the MN and CAs frequencies. CAs such as fragment, sticky chromosome, and vagrant chromosome, unequal distribution of chromatin, reverse polarization, nuclear bud and disordered mitosis were induced in root meristem cells. The mechanism of potassium bromate genotoxicity has been associated with DNA-potassium bromate interaction supported by spectral shift. Potassium bromate caused a decrease in GSH levels and an increase in MDA, SOD and CAT levels, thereby disrupting the antioxidant/oxidant balance in root tip cells. GSE administration in two different doses together with potassium bromate reduced the toxic effects and caused improvements in all parameters examined. The most significant reduction in toxicity was in group VI, which received 930 mg/L GSE, and there was an improvement about 18% in MI levels and an improvement about 44% in GSH levels in this group. While GSE application increased physiological parameters and GSH levels, it decreased MDA, SOD, CAT levels, MN and CAs frequencies. As a result, it has been determined that potassium bromate causes multi-directional toxicity at high doses and A. cepa is a very reliable indicator in determining this toxicity. In addition, GSE extract has been found to have a strong role in reducing the toxicity induced by potassium bromate.

In this study, the toxic effects of aflatoxin B 2 (AFB 2 ) on Swiss albino mice and the protective effects of resveratrol were investigated. Physiological (body weight, liver and kidney weight), biochemical (aspartate aminotransferase-AST, alanine transaminase-ALT, blood urea nitrogen-BUN, creatinine, malondialdehyde-MDA and glutathione-GSH) and cytogenetic parameters (micronucleus-MN in buccal epithelium, erythrocyte and leukocyte cells and chromosomal aberrations-CAs) were used to determine the toxic effects. Additionally, scavenging effects of resveratrol against superoxide, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals were also investigated. In experimental period, mice were divided into six groups and the groups were treated with tap water, 10 mg/kg b.w resveratrol, 20 mg/kg b.w resveratrol, 20 µg/kg b.w. AFB 2 , 10 mg/kg b.w resveratrol + 20 µg/kg b.w AFB 2 , 20 mg/kg b.w resveratrol + 20 µg/kg b.w AFB 2 , respectively. As a result, the scavenging effects of resveratrol increased with increasing dose and the superoxide, H 2 O 2 and DPPH radical scavenging activity of resveratrol were 74.9%, 79.1% and 49.2%, respectively. AFB 2 administration caused a significant decrease in physiological parameters, and these decreases regressed in AFB 2  + resveratrol treated groups. Serum ALT and AST activities, BUN and creatinine levels were higher in the AFB 2 treated group compared to the control group and serious abnormalities were found in MDA and GSH levels in the kidney and liver. In the group treated with AFB 2  + 20 mg/kg resveratrol, ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine levels decreased significantly and GSH levels increased compared to only-AFB 2 treated group. AFB 2 triggered MN formation in buccal epithelium, erythrocyte and leukocyte cells and CAs in bone marrow cells. The application of 20 mg/kg resveratrol together with AFB 2 was decreased the MN and CAs frequency. Resveratrol exhibited a recovery effect in the range of 40.9–80.5% against AFB 2 toxicity in all tested parameters. In this study, it was determined that AFB 2 caused serious changes in selected physiological, biochemical and cytogenetic parameters while resveratrol displayed a protective role against these toxic effects.

In this study, the glyphosate toxicity and the toxicity-reducing role of bitter melon extract (Bmex) ( Momordica charantia L.) were investigated in Allium cepa L. test material. The toxicity of glyphosate and protective role of Bmex were investigated with the help of physiological (germination, root elongation and weight gain), cytogenetic (mitotic index-MI, micronucleus-MN and chromosomal abnormalities-CAs), biochemical (malondialdehyde-MDA, superoxide dismutase-SOD and catalase-CAT) and anatomical (root meristem cell damage) parameters. The genotoxicity mechanism of glyphosate was elucidated by spectral analysis. A. cepa bulbs were divided into six groups as one control and five applications. Tap water was applied to the bulbs in the control group for 72 h. Glyphosate (500 mg/L) and two different doses of Bmex (350 and 700 mg/L) were applied to the bulbs in the treatment group for 72 h. At the end of the period, the germinated bulbs were prepared for experimental analyses, measurements and observations by applying routine preparation procedures. As a result, glyphosate administration caused a significant ( p  < 0.05) decrease in all selected physiological parameter values, and significant ( p  < 0.05) increases in the number of cytogenetic parameters (except MI), the levels of biochemical parameters and the severity of anatomical damage. Glyphosate promoted CAs such as fragment, sticky chromosome, bridge and unequal distribution of chromatin in root tip meristem cells. By spectral analysis, it was determined that glyphosate interacts directly with DNA and causes genotoxicity. It also caused anatomical damages such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage, flattened cell nucleus, binuclear cell and irregular vascular tissue in root tip meristem cells. Co-administration of glyphosate with Bmex at two different doses (350 and 700 mg/L) reduced the toxicity of glyphosate and led to significant ( p  < 0.05) improvements in the values of all parameters examined. It was determined that this improvement was even more pronounced at 700 mg/L dose of Bmex. As a result, it was determined that glyphosate herbicide caused multi-dimensional toxicity in A. cepa test material, and Bmex reduced the effects of this toxicity due to its antioxidant properties. Therefore, glyphosate dose ranges need to be reconsidered, especially considering non-target organisms in agricultural applications. In addition, antioxidant products such as Bmex should be included in the daily diet in order to reduce the toxic effects of environmental agents such as pesticides.

In this study, phytochemical fingerprint and biological activities of Punica granatum L. seed extract (Pugex) were investigated. The phytochemical constituents were determined by LC-MS /MS and GC-MS analyses. The biological activity of the extract was investigated by anti-microbial, anti-genotoxic, anti-proliferative, anti-cholinesterase and anti-diabetic activity. All biological activities experimentally demonstrated in vitro were also investigated by molecular docking. The drug-likeness properties of selected phytochemicals were evaluated using the Molinspiration tool. The highest amounts of 2-oxatricyclo[4.3.1.0(3,8)]decane, 2-heptenal, 2-propyl- and 1 H-indene-1-one, gallic acid and ellagic acid were detected as major constituents in LC-MS/MS and GC-MS. Pugex showed a broad spectrum of anti-microbial activity by forming inhibition zones against all tested bacteria, with anti-genotoxic activity ranging from 53.31% to 74.48% against various chromosomal aberrations and anti-proliferative activity by reducing cell proliferation by 15.6%. Pugex inhibited α-glucosidase activity between 30.2% and 61.3% and α-amylase activity between 27.4% and 56.7%. The anti-cholinesterase activity of the seeds, which showed AChE inhibition up to 67.8% and BChE inhibition up to 79.8%, was associated with the essential oils they contained. The biological activities of the seeds were also confirmed by in silico interactions, and possible mechanisms were predicted, and drug likeness data provide preliminary information on the availability of phytochemicals for drugs. Drug-likeness features of the major components—2-Oxatricyclo [4.3.1.0(3,8)]decane, ellagic acid, gallic acid, and pulegone—were investigated. The logP values of all phytochemicals were found to be below 5, indicating compliance with Lipinski’s rule of five and suggesting their potential to cross biological membranes. Furthermore, phytochemicals with a total polar surface area below 140 Å are expected to exhibit improved intestinal absorption. Based on these findings, the phenolic acid derivatives evaluated in this study are anticipated to be well absorbed through the intestinal tract.

This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of carbaryl at environmentally relevant concentrations on the non-target organism Allium cepa L. and to investigate the potential protective effects of Cassia angustifolia Vahl. (Senna) leaf extract (Ca-ex) against this toxicity. Germination parameters, mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN), chromosomal aberrations (CAs), comet assays, and spectral shift analyses were employed to assess both toxic and protective effects. Oxidative stress parameters were also investigated. A plant-based bioassay was conducted using root tips and leaves of A. cepa . Exposure to 0.3 µg/L carbaryl resulted in a 41% reduction in germination, a 22% decrease in cell proliferation, and significant increases in DNA fragmentation, MN, CAs, and anatomical damage. Both the decrease in MI rates and the significant increase in MN frequency indicate the cytotoxic effect of carbaryl. In the groups in which Ca-ex was administered together with carbaryl, MI rates increased again and MN frequency decreased, and these findings indicate the protective effect of Ca-ex. Exposure to carbaryl resulted in a significant decrease in chlorophyll levels and a significant increase in malondialdehyde, proline, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels. Administration of Ca-ex in combination with carbaryl improved the oxidative stress parameter levels. The mitigating effect of the extract is likely associated with its phenolic content, and LC–MS/MS analysis identified quercetin, p-coumaric acid, and ferulic acid as major components. While the findings provide promising evidence that C. angustifolia extract can mitigate carbaryl-induced toxicity in A. cepa , it is important to highlight that this study primarily focused on the protective effects in a non-target plant model. Future investigations should aim to explore the compatibility of such extracts with pesticide formulations, their effects on target pests, and their regulatory and economic feasibility in agricultural systems.

In this study, toxicity caused by 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w doses of Paraquat herbicide in Swiss albino mice was investigated. Body weight, liver and kidney organ weights, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme activities, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in liver and kidney, micronucleus (MN) formation in buccal mucosal epithelium, erythrocyte and leukocyte cells and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in bone marrow cells, viability of liver and kidney cells were investigated. Four groups were randomly formed from male Swiss albino mice (one control and three treatment groups). The control group mice were provided tap water and the mice in the treatment groups were treated orally with three different doses of Paraquat (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w) in the drinking water for 28 days. At the end of the application, all mice were sacrificed and routine preparation procedures were carried out to examine physiological, biochemical, oxidative stress and genetic parameters. Paraquat administration decreased physiological parameters (body, liver and kidney organ weights), and increased biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine and MDA). GSH levels were decreased depending on the dose. Kidney and liver damage were confirmed by the trypan blue test. Paraquat administration promoted MN formation in buccal mucosal epithelium, erythrocyte and leukocyte cells depending on the dose. The highest MN frequency was observed in leukocyte cells exposed to a dose of 200 mg/kg b.w of Paraquat. Deteriorations in DNA integrity as a result of MN formations were supported by the comet assay. In addition, Paraquat promoted CAs such as break, fragment, acentric, dicentric, gap and ring in bone marrow cells. Break damage was the most common among these damages. These observed genotoxic effects occured as a result of the interaction of DNA and DNA-related proteins with Paraquat. Molecular docking studies showed that Paraquat binds to histone H4 protein with high affinity and has a high intercalation potential. As a result, Paraquat herbicide caused a significant toxicity by changing physiological, biochemical, oxidative stress and genetic parameters of Swiss albino mice depending on the application dose.

Determining the effects of pollution in a water source on life is critical for the balance of nature. The aim of this study was to determine heavy metal pollution in Gelevera Stream and its effect on Allium cepa, an agricultural organism. Germination percentage, root elongation and weight gain were used as physiological parameters, mitotic index (MI), micronucleus (MN), chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) were used as cytogenetic parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) were used as biochemical parameters and meristematic cell damage was used as anatomical parameters. The amount of DNA damage was assessed using the comet test. Four stations, namely A1, A2, A3 and A4, were identified in Gelevera stream to determine heavy metal pollution in water. ICP-MS was used to measure the heavy metals in water samples that were taken from each station. In the water samples taken from each station, bulbs were germinated for 72 h and the collected root samples were used in the analysis. As a result, the highest heavy metal pollution was measured in water samples collected from stations A4 > A3 > A2 > A1. Concentrations of elements such as Al, Hg, Ba, Ti, Ti, RB Cd, Mn, Sr, U and Co measured in water samples collected from station A4 were found to be above the reference values set by the Turkish Standards Institution (TSI), European Union (EU) and World Health Organization (WHO). The germination parameters of bulbs exposed to Gelevera stream water decreased. In Group V germinated with river water sample, in which the most pollution was detected, germination decreased by 45%, root length decreased by about 3.0 times and weight decreased by about 4.8 times. In Group III, Group IV and Group V, which were germinated with water samples collected from stations A2, A3 and A4 where heavy metal pollution was high, statistically significant ( p  < 0.05) decreases in MI and DNA percentages were found. Compared to Group I (control), MI decreased by 0.54% in Group II, 1.25% in Group III and 1.77% in Group V. In addition, statistically significant changes ( p  < 0.05) were found in MN and CAs frequency, MDA levels, proline levels and SOD and CAT enzyme activities of these groups. Different kinds of CAs and anatomical damage in root meristem cells were encouraged by heavy metal ions in Gelevera stream water. As heavy metal pollution increased, comet test findings indicated a decrease in the amount of head DNA and an increase in the percentage of tail DNA. As a result, it was determined that there is heavy metal pollution in Gelevera stream originating from different sources and far above the reference values, which promotes multifaceted toxicity in A. cepa , a non-target eukaryotic organism.

The increasing widespread use of lithium, which is preferred as an energy source in batteries produced for electric vehicles and in many electronic vehicles such as computers and mobile phones, has made it an important environmental pollutant. In this study, the toxicity profile of lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3 ) was investigated with the Allium test, which is a bio-indicator test. Dose-related toxic effects were investigated using Li 2 CO 3 at doses of 25 mg/L, 50 mg/L, and 100 mg/L. The toxicity profile was determined by examining physiological, cytotoxic, genotoxic, biochemical and anatomical effects. Physiological effects of Li 2 CO 3 were determined by root length, injury rate, germination percentage and weight gain while cytotoxic effects were determined by mitotic index (MI) ratio and genotoxic effects were determined by micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs). The effect of Li 2 CO 3 on antioxidant and oxidant dynamics was determined by examining glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and anatomical changes were investigated in the sections of root meristematic tissues. As a result, Li 2 CO 3 exhibited a dose-dependent regression in germination-related parameters. This regression is directly related to the MI and 100 mg/L Li 2 CO 3 reduced MI by 38% compared to the control group. MN and CAs were observed at high rates in the groups treated with Li 2 CO 3 . Fragments were found with the highest rate among CAs. Other damages were bridge, unequal distribution of chromatin, sticky chromosome, vagrant chromosome, irregular mitosis, reverse polarization and multipolar anaphase. The genotoxic effects were associated with Li 2 CO 3 -DNA interactions determined by molecular docking. The toxic effects of Li 2 CO 3 are directly related to the deterioration of the antioxidant/oxidant balance in the cells. While MDA, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, increased by 59.1% in the group administered 100 mg/L Li 2 CO 3 , GSH, which has an important role in cell defense, decreased by 60.8%. Significant changes were also detected in the activities of SOD and CAT, two important enzymes in antioxidant defense, compared to the control. These toxic effects, which developed in the cells belonging to the lithium-treated groups, were also reflected in the tissue anatomy, and anatomical changes such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage, flattened cell nucleus, thickening of the cortex cell wall and unclear vascular tissue were observed in the anatomical sections. The frequency of these changes also increased depending on the Li 2 CO 3 dose. As a result, Li 2 CO 3 , which is one of the lithium compounds, and has become an important contaminant in the environment with increasing technological developments, caused a combined and versatile toxicity in Allium cepa L. meristematic cells, especially by causing deterioration in antioxidant/oxidant dynamics.