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Glucose is recognized as signaling molecule that regulates growth and development of plants under various environmental cues, but their effect in regulation of copper induced toxicity in plants is not yet investigated. This study revealed the effect of exogenously sourced glucose on Cucumber plants exposed to increasing concentration of copper. Glucose mediated response on growth performance, photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress markers, ion uptake were analyzed in the presence and absence of copper. Glucose alone and in combination with lower concentration of copper improved the growth, photosynthetic performance, and antioxidant capacity of cucumber plants. However, higher concentrations of copper alone showed oxidative damage through increased electrolyte leakage, H 2 O 2 accumulation, lipid peroxidation and reduced uptake of macronutrients. Application of glucose to copper-stressed plants enhanced activities of Rubisco, antioxidant enzymes, proline accumulation and maintained copper level in aerial parts of plants. These enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes, proline accumulation, uptake of NPK and maintained equilibrium of copper in plants, leading to detoxification of copper stress in cucumber plants. This study provides an understanding that exogenous application of glucose can be employed as vital biochemical approach in alleviating copper-induced toxicity and could be utilized as phytoremediation technique for removal of excess transition metal from polluted soil., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The pyrethroid toxicants, fatal at high doses, are found as remnants of crop pesticides and ingredients of commercially available insecticides. The toxic effects of high-content insecticidal pyrethroid formulations are available in 0.05 g, 1.17 g, and 0.04 g pyrethroid-instilled products, namely burning coils, pyrethroid-soaked mats, and liquid formulations of pyrethroids that release pyrethroid vapor/smoke upon heating. They provided 5.46 g/kg, 21.15 g/kg, and 4.24 g/kg of toxicants to the experimental animals over a total of 3 weeks/5 h per os (p.o.) administration, producing necrosis, hyperemia, and fatty changes in the liver; fiber separation in cardiac muscles; atrophy, lymphatic infiltration, blood vessel congestion, and hyperemia in the heart tissues of the experimental animals. The glomerular tuft necrosis, cytoplasmic degeneration of renal tubular cells, necrotic tubules, congestion, and dilatation of blood vessels were observed in the kidney tissue of intoxicated animals. Air-space enlargement, interstitial inflammation, lymphocyte infiltration aggregates, connective tissue infiltration by inflammatory cells, and hyperemia were found in the lung tissues. The pyrethroid toxicants also produced nervous tissue degeneration and decreased neurons in the brain, which were observed through histopathological examinations of the brain, lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver. The protective effects of ascorbic acid (AA/vitamin C) and α-tocopherol (E307/vitamin E) at 100 mg/kg oral doses administered daily for the entire period of the toxicant exposure of three weeks to the experimental mice, aged between 3-4 months and weighing ≈30 g, ameliorated the tissue damage, as observed through the histopathological examinations. The ascorbic acid caused recovery of the liver, kidney, brain, and heart tissue damage, while α-tocopherol was effective at ameliorating the damage in the kidneys and lung tissue compared with the control groups. The high levels of tissue damage recovery suggested a prophylactic effect of the concurrent use of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol for the subjects under the exposure of pyrethroids.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) have been implicated to overcome various abiotic stresses, and low temperature stress poses a serious threat to productivity of various horticultural crops like tomato. Therefore, a study was conducted to unravel the possible role of BRs in conferring alleviation to low temperature stress in Lycopersicon esculentum. Twenty-day-old seedlings of tomato var. S-22 (chilling tolerant) and PKM-1 (chilling sensitive) were sown in earthen pots, and at 40 days stage of growth, plants were exposed to varied levels of low temperatures (10/3, 12/7, 20/14, or 25/18 °C) for 24 h in a growth chamber. At 50 days stage of growth, the foliage of plants were sprayed with 0 or 10(-8) M of BRs (28-homobrassinolide or 24-epibrassinolide), and 60-day-old plants were harvested to assess various physiological and biochemical parameters. Low temperatures induced a significant reduction in growth traits, chlorophyll content, and rate of photosynthesis in both the varieties differentially. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) and leaf proline content also increased substantially in both the varieties with decreasing temperature. On the other hand, treatment of BRs under stress and stress-free conditions significantly increased the aforesaid growth traits and biochemical parameters. Moreover, BRs further accelerated the antioxidative enzymes and proline content, which were already enhanced by the low temperature stress. Out of the two analogues of BRs tested, 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) was found more effective for both the varieties of tomato. EBL was found more potent stress alleviator against low temperature in both varieties of tomato.

The aim was to explore the responses of varied doses of manganese in mustard plants and also to test the proposition that salicylic acid induced up-regulation of antioxidant system which protect photosynthetic apparatus. Seeds were sown in pots and allowed to germinate under natural environmental conditions. At 10 days stage, soils in the pots were enriched with different levels (0, 3, 6, or 9 mM) of Mn for three days and allowed to grow till 30 day stage. At 31st day, foliage of plants was sprayed with 10 μM of salicylic acid (SA) and then allowed to grow till 45 days. Then plants were harvested to assess various growth, leaf gas exchange traits and biochemical parameters. Mn-treated plants had diminished growth, water relations and photosynthetic attributes along with carbonic anhydrase activity whereas; the level of lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, accumulation of H2O2 along with proline accumulation and antioxidant enzymes increased in a concentration dependent manner. Follow-up application of SA to the Mn-stressed plants improved growth, water relations and photosynthetic traits, accelerated the activity of antioxidant enzymes and also the accumulation of proline. SA mediated tolerance to Mn-stressed plants could have due to up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes and proline accumulation., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: This study was hypothesized that salicylic acid elevates the level of antioxidant system that will protect plants from the stress generated by nickel and/or salinity., Materials and Methods: Seeds of Brassica juncea were sown in sand amended with NiCl(2) (100 mg kg(-1)) and/or 15-day-old seedlings supplied for 3 days with NaCl (150 mM) and were then, at 20-day stage, sprayed with salicylic acid (10(-5) M) to assess selected morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters at 30-day stage., Results: The combination of Ni and NaCl proved most deleterious and exhibited significant decline in growth, leaf water potential, the level of pigments, and photosynthetic attributes. However, the follow-up treatment with salicylic acid detoxified the stress-generated damages caused by the combination (NiCl(2) and NaCl) and also significantly improved values for the above parameters. The NiCl(2) and/or NaCl increased electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, and H(2)O(2) content but decreased the membrane stability index and activity of nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase. However, the salicylic acid treatment in the presence or absence of the stress improved the activity of nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase. The activity of antioxidative enzymes and the level of proline exhibited a significant increase in response to NiCl(2) and/or NaCl stress and which enhanced further with the spray of salicylic acid., Conclusions: It is concluded that the elevated level of antioxidative enzymes and level of proline might be responsible for minimizing the Ni and/or salinity-induced toxicity in Indian mustard which is manifested in terms of improved growth and photosynthesis.

β-Carotene has been established as a known free radical scavenger with chain-breaking antioxidant properties. It has been documented for the treatment of epileptic convulsions at a 200 mg/kg body weight dose. The reported pathogenesis for epileptic convulsions is oxidative stress. Hence, experimental epileptic convulsions via oxidative stress was induced in albino mice epileptic models (maximal electroshock seizure and pentylenetetrazole [PTZ]). A dose concentration equivalent to 2 mg/kg was efficaciously administered in the form of brain-targeted polysorbate-80-coated poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were prepared by solvent evaporation technique and further characterized for their physical parameters, in-vitro release kinetics, and in-vivo brain release via various standard methods. Normal β-carotene nanoparticles (BCNP) and polysorbate-80-coated β-carotene nanoparticles (P-80-BCNP) of 169.8 ± 4.8 nm and 176.3 ± 3.2 nm in size, respectively, were formulated and characterized. Their zeta potential and polydispersity index were subsequently evaluated after 5 months of storage to confirm stability. In vivo activity results showed that a 2 mg unformulated β-carotene dose was ineffective as an anticonvulsant. However, salutary response was reported from BCNP at the same dose, as the hind limb duration decreased significantly in maximal electroshock seizure to 9.30 ± 0.86 seconds, which further decreased with polysorbate-80 coating to 2.10 ± 1.16 seconds as compared to normal control (15.8 ± 1.49 seconds) and placebo control (16.50 ± 1.43 seconds). In the PTZ model, the duration of general tonic-clonic seizures reduced significantly to 2.90 ± 0.98 seconds by the use of BCNP and was further reduced on P-80-BCNP to 1.20 ± 0.20 seconds as compared to PTZ control and PTZ-placebo control (8.09 ± 0.26 seconds). General tonic-clonic seizures latency was increased significantly to 191.0 ± 9.80 seconds in BCNP and was further increased in P-80-BCNP to 231.0 ± 16.30 seconds, as compared to PTZ (120.10 ± 4.50 seconds) and placebo control (120.30 ± 7.4 seconds). The results of this study demonstrate a plausible novel anticonvulsant activity of β-carotene at a low dose of 2 mg/kg, with brain-targeted nanodelivery, thus increasing its bioavailability and stability.

This study aimed to assess the effects of low-temperature stress on two tomato cultivars (S-22 and PKM-1) treated with 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) and selenium (Se) by determining the changes in the proteomics profiles, growth biomarkers, biochemical parameters, and physiological functions. The growth parameters, photosynthetic traits, and activity of nitrate reductase in the S-22 and PKM-1 plants were markedly reduced by exposure to low temperatures. However, the combined application of EBL and Se under different modes significantly enhanced the aforementioned parameters under stress and non-stress conditions. Exposure to low temperatures increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) and the proline content of leaves, which were further enhanced by treatment with Se and EBL in both varieties. This research sheds light on the potential for employing exogenous EBL and Se as crucial biochemical tactics to assist tomato plants in surviving low-temperature stress. Moreover, the differentially expressed proteins that were involved in plant metabolism following the combined application of EBL and Se under low-temperature stress were additionally identified. Functional analysis revealed that the Q54YH4 protein plays an active role against plant stressors. The conserved regions in the protein sequences were analyzed for assessing the reliability of plant responses against the external application of EBL and Se under low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wound refers to a cut or blow that may result in primary or secondary infection or even death, if untreated. In the current study, we have explored the wound-healing properties of lidocaine nanogel, owing to its antioxidant and neutrophilic modulatory potential. Initially, the pre-formulation study was performed and then using central composite design (CCD) fabrication and the characterization of lidocaine-loaded nanoemulsion was carried out. After the preparation of a nanogel of lidocaine-loaded nanoemulsion, it was evaluated on various parameters, such as pH, spreadability, extrudability, drug content, in vitro drug release, dermatokinetic study and in vivo skin safety. Based on the pre-formulation study, the maximum solubility of lidocaine was found in oleic acid (324.41 ± 4.19 mg/mL) and in Tween 20 (192.05 ± 8.25 mg/mL), selected as a suitable emulsifier. The refractive index of the optimized nanoemulsion was found to be 1.35 ± 0.04, the electrokinetic potential was recorded as −15.47 ± 0.95 mV. The pH, spreadability and extrudability of nanogel was found to be 6.87 ± 0.51, 73.32 ± 4.59 gm.cm/sec and 107.41 ± 6.42 gm/cm2, respectively. The percentage of the cumulative drug content and drug release from nanogel was found to be 99.94 ± 1.70% and 93.00 ± 4.67%, respectively. Moreover, dermatokinetic study showed significantly (p < 0.0005) improved drug deposition and the in vivo skin safety study showed no sign of dermal erythematous lesion or any visible damage. Stability studies also testified the secureness of nanogel after storage in a prescribed environmental condition. Thus, this study provides substantial evidence for healing wounds effectively and the further evaluation of the in vivo model. The patent related to this work was published in the Indian Official Journal of the Patent Office (Issue number: 20/2022). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that auxin and nitric oxide have the ability to ameliorate various abiotic stresses in plants individually. However, their interactive effects on the stress generated by salt in plants are not reported yet. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a donor of nitric oxide and IAA (Indole acetic acid) individually and in combination on the photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidative enzyme activities, and plant biomass under salt stress. Twenty-five-day-old plants were exposed to SNP and IAA individually and in combination for 5 days continuously, and it was found that both SNP and IAA showed almost similar response at 30 and 45 days of old plants and increased studied parameters over their respective controls. However, the interactive effect of both SNP and IAA excelled over the individual response of SNP and IAA. On the other hand, the presence of salt in soil significantly decreased the parameters studied. Furthermore, stress generated by NaCl was overcome by the exogenous application of SNP, IAA alone as well as in combination at both the stages of samplings. However, the combination of IAA and SNP was more effective at 45 DAS where the value of plant biomass and photosynthetic efficiency was more in comparison to control plants. The level of antioxidant enzymes and proline was further enhanced by SNP and IAA and maximum values were reported in the plants received both SNP and IAA under NaCl stress. This enhanced antioxidant system and proline accumulation could ameliorate the stress induced by NaCl in plants that was reflected by the improved plant biomass, and photosynthetic efficiency in comparison to control plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, ameliorative capabilities of wuxal amino (bio stimulant) under salt stress has been investigated through adaptive mechanisms and antioxidant potential in tomato plants. In the experiment, two different concentrations (2 cm L-1 and 3 cm L-1) of wuxal amino through foliar application and soil irrigation were applied to the salt (150 mM) treated tomato plants and then morphological traits, photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes, secondary metabolites, oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activity were assessed at 60 days after planting. The results revealed that salt stress decreased the growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars and soluble protein whereas, content of proline, ascorbic acid, total phenols, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and the activity of antioxidant enzymes activity increased under salt stress. Moreover, Wuxal amino application through foliar or soil to salt stressed plants improved morphological traits, photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes, total phenol and antioxidant enzymes activity. Interestingly, the deleterious impact of salinity on tomato plants were significantly reduced and it can be evident from reduced MDA and H 2 O 2 levels. These responses varied with the mode (foliar or soil) of application of Wuxal amino under different concentrations (2 cm L-1 and 3 cm L-1). It was concluded that application of Wuxal amino (2 cm L-1, foliar) and (3 cm L-1; soil) proved best and could be commercially used as eco-friendly tool for the protection of tomato plants grown under salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the silicon (Si) mediated responses in different cultivars of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) and to evaluate if Si could be used as an essential, beneficial, or quasi-essential element for growth and development of these cultivars. Surface sterilized seeds were sown in pots and allowed to germinate under natural environmental conditions. At 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 days after germination, a range of Si concentrations (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mM) was administered to the soil and at 30 days post germination the plants were sampled to assess growth and development, leaf gas exchange traits and plant biochemical parameters, including activities of carbonic anhydrase, catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and protein and proline content. The results demonstrate a dual response to Si concentration: 0.8 mM of Si significantly increased plant growth and development (length of root and shoot, fresh and dry biomass, and leaf area) and photosynthetic efficiency, and enhanced the antioxidant response in T-59 over all the other cultivars tested, whereas, 1.6 mM of Si significantly reduced the above parameters. It is therefore concluded that low levels of Si could be used as a quasi-essential element for enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant response ofBrassica junceaplants; however, the response is cultivar specific and concentration dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

24-Epibrassinolide (EBL) and Selenium (Se) individually confer tolerance to various abiotic stresses, but their interactive effect in the regulation of copper (Cu) homeostasis in plants exposed to toxic levels of Cu is poorly investigated. This study provides an insight into the effects of EBL (foliar) and/or Se (through sand) on Brassica juncea plants exposed to toxic levels of Cu. The combined effect of EBL and Se on compartmentalization of Cu, oxidative stress markers, photosynthetic machinery and biochemical traits in B. juncea were analyzed. Application of EBL and Se through different mode modulated the compartmentalization of Cu in different parts of plants, enhanced the photosynthetic traits, and activities of various antioxidant enzymes and proline accumulation in B. juncea under excess copper levels. These enhanced levels of antioxidant enzymes, proline (osmolyte) accumulation triggered by combination of EBL and Se could have conferred tolerance to the B. juncea plants under toxic level of copper and also maintained Cu homeostasis in various parts of plants. This study indicates that combination of EBL and Se through different mode is an operative approach for Cu detoxification in plants and could be exploited for removal of excess copper from polluted soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to provide an insight into the effect of Se (through soil) induced changes in Brassica juncea plants in the presence and absence of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL; foliar). The Se treatments showed dual response, 10 μM of Se significantly increased growth, water relations, photosynthetic attributes along with carbonic anhydrase activity whereas its higher concentrations proved inhibitory in concentration dependent manner. The follow-up application of EBL to the Se stressed plants improved growth, water relations, photosynthesis and simultaneously enhanced the various antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase with the excess accumulation of proline. In addition to this, 10 μM Se increases the efficacy of 10 −8 M of EBL and both in combination showed maximum increase for the growth and photosynthetic traits of plants. On the other hand, the elevated level of antioxidant enzymes as well as proline could have conferred tolerance to the Se-stressed plants resulting in improved growth, water relations and photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in minute concentrations serves as a signaling molecule for processes involved in the growth and development of plants. The present study aimed to explore the role of seed treatment with H2O2on growth biomarkers, photosynthetic traits, activities of carbonic anhydrase, and various antioxidant enzymes in 45-day-old plants of mung bean (Vigna radiataL. Wilczek) cv. SML-668 under non-stress conditions. The seeds were soaked in 0, 0.01, 0.1, or 0.5 mM H2O2for 2, 4, or 8 h, and then inoculated withRhizobium, sown in sandy loam soil, and allowed to grow for 45 days. The plants that developed from the H2O2-treated seeds demonstrated improved growth and photosynthetic attributes, enhanced activity of various antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase), and higher accumulation of proline than plants from non-treated seeds. The H2O2-triggered upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and proline (osmolyte) could have resulted in the observed improvement of growth and development. Out of the three concentrations of H2O2tested, seed soaking with 0.1 mM for 4 h proved to be the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to establish relationship between boron induced oxidative stress and antioxidant system in Vigna radiata plants and also to investigate whether brassinosteroids will enhance the level of antioxidant system that could confer tolerance to the plants from the boron induced oxidative stress. The mung bean (V. radiata cv. T-44) plants were administered with 0.50, 1.0 and 2.0mM boron at 6d stage for 7d along with nutrient solution. At 13d stage, the seedlings were sprayed with deionized water (control) or 10−8 M of 28-homobrassinolide and plants were harvested at 21d stage to assess growth, leaf gas-exchange traits and biochemical parameters. The boron treatments diminished growth, water relations and photosynthetic attributes along with nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase activity in the concentration dependent manner whereas, it enhanced lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, accumulation of H2O2 as well as proline, and various antioxidant enzymes in the leaves of mung bean which were more pronounced at higher concentrations of boron. However, the follow-up application of 28-homobrassinolide to the boron stressed plants improved growth, water relations and photosynthesis and further enhanced the various antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and content of proline. The elevated level of antioxidant enzymes as well as proline could have conferred tolerance to the B-stressed plants resulting in improved growth, water relations and photosynthetic attributes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was designed to assess the combined effect of both aluminium and salt stress on the processes and molecules pertinent to these stresses and to establish relationship between these two stresses on the basis of photosynthetic attributes and antioxidant enzymes in wheat cultivars. Seven different varieties of wheat grown under environmentally controlled conditions. At 10 days stage of growth, plants were treated with NaCl (100 or 150 mM) and/or Al (05 or 10 mM) through soil. At 30 days stage, treatment of Al and salt stress alone showed the similar deteriorating response in terms of photosynthetic traits and LWP whereas, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, H2O2content along with enzymes of antioxidant and proline content varied in different varieties of wheat. Moreover, the combination of Al and salt stress further increased the antioxidant enzymes and proline accumulation. However, salt stress restrict the uptake of Al by roots in significant manner under combine treatment of Al and salt stress. The pattern of tolerance was observed on the basis of enhanced antioxidant system and proline accumulation and cultivar LOK-1 and 502 showed maximum and minimum tolerance respectively against the combination of salt and aluminium stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The plants of Vigna radiata c.v. T-44 were supplemented with 28-homobrassinolide (HBL) both in the presence or absence of high temperature and/or NaCl and were sampled, 18 days after sowing (DAS). The plants exposed to high temperature and/or NaCl exhibited a significant decline in growth, photosynthetic parameters and a maximum quantum yield of PSII. However, the follow up treatment with HBL detoxified the stress generated by high temperature and/or NaCl and significantly improved the values for the above parameters. The high temperature and/or NaCl increased electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation, and decreased the membrane stability index (MSI) and leaf water potential (ψ). However, HBL treatment, in the absence of stress, improved the MSI and leaf water potential (ψ) but could not influence electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation. The antioxidative enzymes and the level of proline exhibited a significant increase in the response to HBL as well as to high temperature and/or NaCl stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]