Search

Mitragyna speciosa (Ms), M. diversifolia (Md), M. hirsuta (Mh) and M. rotundifolia (Mr) were investigated for phytochemicals by GC-MS and GC-FID, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity testing by MTT and comet assay, and biological activity examination through gene expression of human µ, δ, κ, and nociceptin opioid receptors by qRT-PCR. The opioid substances mitragynine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and mitraphylline were found in all studied species, and, for first time, rhynchophylline was found in Mr, and mitraphylline in Md, Mh and Mr. The MTT and comet assays of the ethanol and hexane leaf extracts on PBMCs revealed no cytotoxicity and no significant genotoxicity compared to the negative control, except for the hexane leaf extract of Mh, which caused significant DNA damage. The biological activity of the ethanolic extract of the four species showed a binding affinity to the µ (MOR) receptor revealing a relative gene expression of 89.54 and 50.41 by Ms and Md at 1.92 and 1.133 mg/ml, 32.42 and 19.97 mg/ml by Md and Ms at 3.77 and 1.76 mg/ml. Mr contained the three opioids mentioned plus rhynchophylline and showed low relative µ (MOR) gene expression of 16.89 at 0.189 mg/ml, while as an additional species, Ipomoea aquatica (Ia) showed higher relative µ (MOR) gene expression of 37.75 and 59.76 at 2.878, and 5.813 mg/ml. A combination of Mr and Ia at 1.227, 2.907 and 0.0123, 0.0291 mg/ml extract showed high relative µ (MOR) gene expression at 71.01 and 21.71. These Mitragyna species and the combination (formula details are patent registered), substances and their biological activities can be used for the innovative production of new medicines and further clinical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete plastome size of Citrus hystrix DC. 1813 was 159,893 bp in length and has a typical quadripartite structure. The 87,148-bp-long large single-copy and the 18,763-bp-long small single-copy regions were separated by a pair of inverted repeats (each 26,991 bp). The plastome was predicted to contain 132 genes, of which 87 were CDS, 37 were tRNA, and eight were rRNA genes. The plastome was A/T biassed, and the overall GC content was 38.4%. Using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, the phylogenetic analysis of the complete plastome sequence revealed a close relationship between C. hystrix and C. aurantiifolia, placing them under the same clade as C. micrantha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Plastic pollution is a growing environmental concern, and microplastics are increasingly being detected in wildlife. This study focused on long-tailed macaques living in the Kosumpee Forest Park, Thailand, which are frequently exposed to human activities. We investigated the presence of microplastics in the macaques' feces to understand the extent of contamination and to assess the macaques' potential as bioindicators for environmental pollution. Our findings revealed microplastic contamination in all the sampled macaques. Fibrous particles were the most common type, and blue particles were the most prevalent color. These results highlight the significant impact of human activities, such as agricultural practices and waste management, within the forest park ecosystem. By studying microplastic levels in wildlife, we gain valuable insights into how these pollutants move through the ecosystems shared by animals and humans. This research emphasizes the need for better strategies to reduce plastic pollution and protect both wildlife and human health, contributing to a broader understanding of the environmental risks and solutions. Microplastic pollution is a global concern arising from the extensive production and use of plastics. The prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment is escalating due in large part to the excessive use of plastics in various human-related activities. Consequently, animals are being exposed to MPs through dietary intake, which poses significant health risks to the wild populations. The objective of the study was to assess the concentration of MPs in the feces of wild long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in the Kosumpee Forest Park (KFP) located in Northeast Thailand. KFP is situated in close proximity to the town of Kosum Phisai and experiences considerable human–primate interaction. Fresh fecal drops from 50 adult macaques were collected and sampled. MP presence in the feces was measured using density separation through visual identification under a stereomicroscope. We found a total of 396 MP particles in the feces with an average of 7.9 particles/macaque. Two forms of MPs were found in the macaques' feces including fibers (391 pieces; 98.73%) and asymmetric fragments (5 pieces; 1.27%), with sizes mostly ranging under 1000 µm. The most observed color of MPs was blue (152 pieces; 38.48%). This study highlights the impact of anthropogenic waste and the potential health problems that can be caused to wild animals via microplastic pollution. The results contribute to the ongoing discussions on environmental health within the One Health framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on the population dynamics of Marble Goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata, Bleeker, 1852) was conducted to support the conservation and sustainability in Huai Kho Reservoir. Fishermen were instructed to set fishing nets monthly from January to December 2022. This study successfully collected 284 fish specimens, with lengths ranging from 115 to 236mm and an average length of 162.97± 24.60mm. The total weight ranged from 24 to 236g, with an average weight of 60.87± 31.00g. The growth performance index (ϕ) was calculated to be 3.986 per year, with an asymptotic length (L∞) of 273.00mm, and a growth coefficient (K) of 0.13. The probability of capture was determined to be L25%= 137.18mm, L50%= 144.90mm, and L75%= 163.02mm. The length-weight relationship (LWR) was found to be W= 0.02443L1.61202 (r² = 0.92). The rate of total mortality (Z) was 0.97 per year, natural mortality (M) was 0.26 per year, and fishing mortality (F) was 0.71 per year. The highest recruitment (maximum replacement rate) was observed annually from March to June, ranging from 11.63 to 18.82%. The total steady-state biomass was calculated to be 6.50 tons, with the current exploitation rate (E) rate being 0.73 (E>0.5). The results indicate that the marble goby stock was overexploited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of heavy metals in the environment can adversely impact both the food chain and human health. This research investigated cadmium and lead accumulation in water, sediment, and fish in Huai Kho Reservoir, Northeastern Thailand, with samples collected during both the rainy and dry seasons. Moreover, the bioconcentration factor (BCF), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and tolerable daily intake (TDI) were evaluated. Cadmium and lead levels in water and sediment exceeded the standard limits. Cadmium levels ranged from 0.02 to 0.06mg/ L and 0.31 to 0.42mg/ L, respectively, while lead levels ranged from 0.08 to 1.13mg/ kg and 3.63 to 15.28mg/ kg, respectively. Lead exceeded the limits in 18 fish species, while cadmium exceeded them in some species. In both the rainy and dry seasons, cadmium levels peaked in muscle, while lead was at its highest in the digestive tract. The BCF for lead was higher than that for cadmium, although no significant seasonal differences were observed in the accumulation. Even though the TDI assessment didn't exceed standard guidelines, the PERI indicated a high-risk level, emphasizing the need for legal measures regulating the use of heavy metal-containing substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: We have made the first finding of resveratrol in the leaves of C. sumatranum and identified that all Cratoxylum extracts are toxic to cancer cell lines but are only slightly toxic to PBMCs at the cell level and are not harmful to DNA levels. All the studied extracts induced both apoptosis and necrosis in cancer cell lines, as evidenced by a significant decrease in DNA quantity in the S and G2-M phases. C. sumatranum extracts did not induce apoptosis and necrosis in PBMCs and showed a high percentage of cell viability, but the ethanolic extracts of the two subspecies of C. formosum induced apoptosis and necrosis in PBMCs. These data confirmed that the three studied Cratoxylum samples have inhibition activity on the growth of cancer cells and low toxicity to PBMCs. C. sumatranum showed better biological activity than C. formosum leaf extracts, which may be due to the combined activity of substances such as α-amyrin and resveratrol, which are proposed to be of a high quantity and similar function as anti-inflammatory substances. All studied samples deserve clinical trials for further application to plant-derived products, especially C. sumatranum. This knowledge renders the plants more useful for human health than commonly used as vegetables, cooking and traditional medicines. The plants can be used in other modified forms such as functional foods, supplements, drugs and nutraceuticals. Cratoxylum formosum ssp. formosum (Cff), C. formosum ssp. pruniflorum (Cfp), and C. sumatranum (Cs) were investigated for phytochemical analysis. Toxicity testing, programmed cell death, and cell cycle arrest were tested on CHL-1, HCT-116, and HepG2 cancer cell lines, and human normal PBMCs. The results are revealed in the following order. The phytochemical percentages varied in each species, the quantity and concentration of α-amyrin and resveratrol were 0.038 mg/g and 0.955 mg/mL, and 0.064 mg/g and 0.640 mg/mL. The most studied Cratoxylum extracts showed IC50 values in PBMCs and cancer cell lines except for the hexane Cff and ethanol Cfp extracts. All studied extracts did not induce DNA breaks in PBMCs but caused significant DNA breaks in the cancer cell lines. All studied extracts induced both apoptosis and necrosis in cancer cell lines, and the DNA quantity in the S and G2-M phases decreased significantly but did not induce apoptosis and necrosis in PBMCs. Except for the ethanolic extracts of Cff and Cfp that induced PBMCs apoptosis and necrosis, these data confirmed that the three studied Cratoxylum samples have inhibiting properties for the growth of cancer cells and low toxicity to PBMCs. Cs showed more toxicity to cancer cell lines than Cf and cisplatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To extend plant benefits, three different concentrations of five Morinda citrifolia part was investigated on the collagen type II which is the primary collagen in human cartilage through the expression of the genes, COL2A1, COL-II and COLL2 regions in normal human dermal fibroblasts by qRT-PCR method. The results showed that 1) fibroblasts cultured in the presence of M. citrifolia extracts produced many times more collagen type II gene expression than control cells depending on the plant parts and concentrations, 2) the expression levels of the collagen type II gene stimulated by all fruit parts yields the higher percentages than leaves. Next, Morus alba leaf extract at a concentration expected to be a precursor protein source for collagen synthesis, working together with M. citrifolia stimulation, was added to the selected concentration indicating high expression in the M. citrifolia fruit experiments. The result showed various gene expression levels depended on the kind of gene and fruit part. Therefore, M. citrifolia fruits can benefit the creation of collagen type II with or without M. alba. The M. citrifolia fruit can be further benefited in product production for both the elderly and young for maintaining the typical structure and function of the skin, tendon, and bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is ubiquitously distributed and is classified as a re-emerging infectious disease in humans and animals. Many serovars are carried by wildlife; all of them are capable of causing illness in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Leptospirosis in wild long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at Kosumpee Forest Park, Mahasarakham, Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the park. Blood samples were collected via saphenous vein from 30 free-ranging long-tailed macaques. All samples were tested by the microscopic agglutination test. The LipL32 gene was used to detect pathogenic Leptospira in blood samples by conventional polymerase chain reaction. Results: Screening of the 30 wild macaques showed an overall Leptospira seroreactivity of 13.33%. Three of 30 macaques reacted against Leptospira serovar Shermani and one macaque was infected with Leptospira serovar Sejroe. None of the macaques presented clinical signs of leptospirosis. None of the blood samples showed the detection of the LipL32 gene. Conclusions: The results indicate that the long-tailed macaques at Kosumpee Forest Park may act as natural reservoirs for Leptospirosis. Further, the results provide evidence-based information indicating that several pathogenic Leptospira serovars are circulating in the wild macaques in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]