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Shifts in the microbiome of the intertidal coral Coelastrea aspera (formally known as Goniastrea aspera ) from Phuket, Thailand, were noted over the course of a 4-d period of spring tides. During this time, corals were naturally exposed to high temperatures, intense solar radiation, sub-aerial exposure and tidally induced water fluxes. Analysis of the 16S microbiome highlighted that the corals harbored both ‘core or stable’ communities and those which appeared to be more ‘transient or sporadic.’ Only relatively few microbial associates were classified as core microbes; the majority were transient or sporadic. Such transient associates were likely to have been governed by tidally induced variations in mucus thickness and water fluxes. Here we report strong shifts in the bacterial community of C. aspera over a short temporal scale. However, we also show significant differences in the timing of shifts between the two age groups of corals studied. More rapid changes (within 2 d of sub-aerial exposure) occurred within the 4-yr-old colonies, but a slightly delayed response was observed in the 10-yr-old colonies, whereby the microbial associates only changed after 4 d. We hypothesize that these shifts are age related and could be influenced by the observed baseline differences in the microbiome of the 4- and 10-yr-old corals, bacteria–bacteria interactions, and/or host energetics.

Since ancient times, Achyranthes aspera has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes, including diabetes, in diuretic condition, protecting the brain function and many more. Recent surveys have looked into the components of Achyranthes aspera and their potential health benefits. A compound called 17-pentatriacontanol found in the plants shoots has shown antifungal properties against strains like A. Carenus. Research also suggests that Achyranthes aspera may have seizure reducing properties by enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission in the brain. It has demonstrated inflammatory and anti-cancer effects, especially promising in pancreatic cancer cases where leaf extracts were found effective. The anticancer activity might be linked to inhibiting metalloproteases (MMP 1 and 2) tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP 2) and angiogenic factors like VEGF A and VEGF B. Flavonoids and saponins is assumed to provide this plant the hepatoprotective property. Extensive study has been conducted in the last some decades to demonstrate the pharmacological activity of its extract. Numerous chemical components including triacontanol, nerol, eugenol, oleanoic acid, sterols, and betaine have been identified. Computational docking studies helped predicting the interaction between plant-derived molecule and specific protein targets. The docking studies of molecules from this plant help to target two mutated BRAF and NRAS genes. Utilizing in-silico tools, the plant's bioactive compounds for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer applications are also evaluated. ADMET analysis further supports their drug-like properties and safety profiles. Molecular docking studies reveal that certain saponins from this plant exhibits high binding affinity for COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes, which are key players in inflammatory pathways.

Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Developing effective treatments can make a significant contribution to global health efforts and public health initiatives. To reduce mortality due to snakebite, there is an immediate need to explore novel and effective treatment methodologies. In that context, nanoparticle-based drug delivery is gaining a lot of attention. Hydrophilic nanoparticles are suitable for the delivery of therapeutic peptides, proteins, and antigens. The present investigation is aimed at evaluating the anti-ophidian potential of the methanolic extract of the ethno-medicinal herb (Willd.) loaded within chitosan nanoparticles (CNP-LA), against the Indian cobra ( ) venom enzymes. For this purpose, nanoparticles were prepared using the ionic gelation method to enhance the efficacy of the extract. The physicochemical and structural features of nanoparticles were investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray diffraction XRD) techniques. It was found that CNP-LA has an average size of 260 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.132 (PDI) and zeta potential of 34.7 mV, with an encapsulation efficiency of 92.46%. The release study was performed at pH 5.0 and 7.4. Furthermore, studies indicated that CNP-LA inhibited the phospholipase A2, hemolytic, and caseinolytic activities of venom with the percentage inhibition of 92.5%, 83.9%, and 94.5%, respectively. This is the first report on the application of herbal methanolic extract loaded within chitosan nanoparticles for neutralizing snake venom enzymes with increased efficiency.

Neurodegenerative diseases are caused by the progressive degeneration of neurons and/or their myelin sheaths, ultimately leading to cognitive and motor dysfunction. Due to their complex pathogenesis and the limited efficacy of therapeutic drugs, these diseases have attracted significant attention. Achyranthes aspera , belongs to family Amaranthaceae, has been extensively used in the traditional and folk medicines for the treatment of various ailments. Modern research has revealed that Achyranthes aspera possesses various pharmacological effects, including cardiocerebrovascular protection, immune regulation, antioxidation, and anti-aging. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of Achyranthes aspera have been confirmed by numerous scientific studies. This review focuses on the primary pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Achyranthes aspera in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, as well as their potential application prospects. This review aims to provide insights into the potential clinical applications and research directions of Achyranthes aspera in neurodegenerative diseases.

Rising seawater temperatures pose a significant threat to the persistence of coral reefs. Despite the importance of these systems, major gaps remain in our understanding of how thermal stress and bleaching affect the metabolic networks that underpin holobiont function. We applied gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) metabolomics to detect changes in the intracellular free metabolite pools (polar and semi-polar compounds) of in hospite dinoflagellate symbionts and their coral hosts (and any associated microorganisms) during early- and late-stage thermal bleaching (a reduction of approximately 50 and 70% in symbiont density, respectively). We detected characteristic changes to the metabolite profiles of each symbiotic partner associated with individual cellular responses to thermal, oxidative and osmotic stress, which progressed with the severity of bleaching. Alterations were also indicative of changes to energy-generating and biosynthesis pathways in both partners, with a shift to the increased catabolism of lipid stores. Specifically, in symbiont intracellular metabolite pools, we observed accumulations of multiple free fatty acids, plus the chloroplast-associated antioxidant alpha-tocopherol. In the host, we detected a decline in the abundance of pools of multiple carbohydrates, amino acids and intermediates, in addition to the antioxidant ascorbate. These findings further our understanding of the metabolic changes that occur to symbiont and host (and its associated microorganisms) during thermal bleaching. These findings also provide further insight into the largely undescribed roles of free metabolite pools in cellular homeostasis, signalling and acclimation to thermal stress in the cnidarian–dinoflagellate symbiosis.

An endophytic bacterium, AL2-16, was isolated from Achyranthes aspera L. It was characterized and identified as Serratia sp. AL2-16 and was experimented for the presence of plant growth-promoting properties. AL2-16 produced siderophore in iron-deficient conditions. The quantitative estimation of siderophore production unit of AL2-16 was maximum after 48 hours of incubation (83.488%) in the presence of 1 μM of ferric chloride. The fructose followed by glucose and sucrose were proved to be the best carbon sources resulting in appreciable amount of siderophore production, i.e. 77.223%, 73.584%, and 65.363% respectively. AL2-16 also has the ability to produce indole acetic acid in medium supplemented with l-tryptophan. The highest amount of indole acetic acid, in the presence of 1.0% l-tryptophan, was 123.2 μg/mL after 144 hours. This isolate solubilized inorganic phosphate and also gave positive result for ammonia production. Colonization and pot trial experiments were conducted on A. aspera L. plant. The population of AL2-16 increased from 16.2 × 106 to 11.2 × 108 colony forming unit/g between 3rd and 5th days after inoculation. It significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased shoot length by 95.52%, fresh shoot weight by 602.38%, fresh root weight by 438%, and area of leaves by 127.2% when inoculated with AL2-16, as compared with uninoculated control.

Enzymatic hydrolysates of different food proteins demonstrate health benefits. Search for diet related food protein hydrolysates is therefore of interest within the scope of functional foods. Mungbean is one of the popular foods in India because of rich protein source. In this study, mungbean vicilin protein (MBVP) was enzymatically hydrolysed by alcalase and trypsin under optimal conditions. We have studied the antioxidant, antiproliferative and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of mungbean vicilin protein hydrolysate (MBVPH) vis-a-vis alcalase-generated mungbean vicilin protein hydrolysate (AMBVPH) and trypsin-generated mungbean vicilin protein hydrolysate (TMBVPH). The results showed that MBVPH exhibited higher antioxidant potential, ACE inhibitory and antiproliferative activities than MBVP. The alcalase treated hydrolysate displayed highest ACE inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 0.32 mg protein/ml. The MBVP showed significant antiproliferative activity against both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells at the doses between 0.2-1.0 mg/ml. The data suggested that MBVPH can be utilized as physiologically active functional foods with sufficient antihypertensive activity. The results indicate that mungbean can be utilized as a rich resource of functional foods.

This study explored the interactive effects of near-term CO sub(2) increases (40-90 ppm above current ambient) during a simulated bleaching event (34 degree C for 5 d) of Acropora aspera by linking physiology to expression patterns of genes involved in carbon metabolism. Symbiodinium photosynthetic efficiency (F sub(v)/F sub(m)) was significantly depressed by the bleaching event, while elevated pressure of CO sub(2) (pCO sub(2)) slightly mitigated the effects of increased temperature on F sub(v)/F sub( m) during the final 4 d of the recovery period, however, did not affect the loss of symbionts. Elevated pCO sub(2) alone had no effect on F sub( v)/F sub(m) or symbiont density. Expression of targeted Symbiodinium genes involved in carbon metabolism and heat stress response was not significantly altered by either increased temperature and/or CO sub(2). Of the selected host genes, two carbonic anhydrase isoforms (coCA2 and coCA3) exhibited the largest changes, most notably in crossed bleaching and elevated pCO sub(2) treatments. CA2 was significantly down-regulated on day 14 in all treatments, with the greatest decrease in the crossed treatment (relative expression compared to control = 0.16; p < 0.05); CA3 showed a similar trend, with expression levels 0.20-fold of controls on day 14 (p < 0.05) in the elevated temperature/pCO sub(2) treatment. The synergistic effects of ocean acidification and bleaching were evident during this study and demonstrate that increased pCO sub(2) in surface waters will impact corals much sooner than many studies utilising end-of-century pCO sub(2) concentrations would indicate.

Background Increasing rates of change in climate have been observed across the planet and have contributed to the ongoing range shifts observed for many species. Although ecologists are now using a variety of approaches to study how much and through what mechanisms increasing temperature and nutrient pollution may influence the invasions inherent in range shifts, accurate predictions are still lacking. Methods and Results In this study, we conducted a factorial experiment, simultaneously manipulating warming, nitrogen addition and introduction of Pityopsis aspera, to determine how range-shifting species affect a plant community. We quantified the resident community using ordination scores, then used structural equation modeling to examine hypotheses related to how plants respond to a network of experimental treatments and environmental variables. Variation in soil pH explained plant community response to nitrogen addition in the absence of invasion. However, in the presence of invasion, the direct effect of nitrogen on the community was negligible and soil moisture was important for explaining nitrogen effects. We did not find effects of warming on the native plant community in the absence of invasion. In the presence of invasion, however, warming had negative effects on functional richness directly and invasion and herbivory explained the overall positive effect of warming on the plant community. Conclusions and Significance This work highlights the variation in the biotic and abiotic factors responsible for explaining independent and collective climate change effects over a short time scale. Future work should consider the complex and non-additive relationships among factors of climate change and invasion in order to capture more ecologically relevant features of our changing environment.

“Vomiting disease” in ruminants is one of the most economically significant phytotoxicities in South Africa and is caused by chronic ingestion of sesquiterpene lactone compounds present in plants of the Geigeria genus. Affected livestock demonstrate mortality due to actin and myosin damage in the striated musculature; however, a validated parental-exposure laboratory animal model would be useful for further study of the toxicodynamics. We exposed Sprague–Dawley rats to ivalin in a sequential dosing procedure and evaluated clinical signs, mortality, histopathology and muscle ultrastructure. Three of the five exposed rats died acutely, and a maximum likelihood estimate method was used to calculate a Median Lethality (LD50) of 135.4 mg/kg Body Weight (BW). Striated muscle in exposed rats showed only minimal and inconsistent histopathological and ultrastructural changes. Subcutaneous ivalin exposure causes acute mortality with minimal muscle pathology, contrasting with the more protracted muscular disease seen in ruminants after plant ingestion. This suggests toxicity by parenteral exposure is due to another mechanism, most likely mitochondrial energy pathway disturbances. Whilst subcutaneously exposed rats do not appear to provide a suitable model for oral sesquiterpene lactone exposure in ruminants, this study provides a starting dose for further investigation of plant extracts in both species.