The Human Host Defense Peptide LL-37 Overexpressed in Lung Cell Lines by Methanolic Extract of Valeriana officinalis

Abstract The present study investigated the effects of valerian methanolic extract and valerenic acid on the expression of LL-37 gene and protein in A549 and MRC5 line cells. After preparing Valerian seeds, sowing them in March 2020, and harvesting the rhizome in October 2020, the extract was prepared from the valerian rhizome by maceration method. Valerian acid content was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Two cell lines (A549 and MRC-5) were used to study the effects of valerian extract, and the MTT test was used to evaluate cell viability. The expression of LL-37 mRNA and protein was assessed by Real-Time PCR and western blot, respectively. In vivo safety assessments and histopathological analysis were also conducted. Data was analyzed by Graphpad Prism 8 software. Valerian methanolic extract and valerenic acid upregulated the LL-37 mRNA and protein expression in both treated cell lines. Valerenic acid showed a greater effect on upregulating LL-37 expression than valerian methanolic extract. A549 cells were more sensitive to valerian methanolic extract compared to MRC5 cells, and its cell viability was reduced. Furthermore, liver and kidney-related safety assessments showed that valerian methanolic extract had no toxic effects. In general, it was concluded that the methanolic extract of valerian as well as the resulting valerenic acid as the most important component of the extract has the ability to upregulate LL-37expression. Therefore, methanolic extract of valerian and valerenic acid can be considered for improving the immune system.

Beneficial role of methyl jasmonate on morphological, physiological and phytochemical responses of Calendula officinalis L. under Chromium toxicity.

Contamination of soil with chromium (Cr) is a rising problem in terms of agricultural sustainability and food safety. Here, the effects of methyl jasmonate (MJ; 0, 5, and 10 µM) on alleviating Cr stress (0, 100, and 200 µM) were surveyed in pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). The results showed that Cr stress significantly reduced photosynthetic pigments and leaf accumulation of total soluble sugars, total starch, and mineral nutrients and, consequently, lowered the height and biomass of pot marigold plants. Chromium toxicity also increased the leaf levels of oxidative stress markers and induced oxidative stress, which was associated with damage to bio-membranes and increased levels of malondialdehyde. However, MJ supplementation reduced the leaf accumulation of Cr, increased the content of photosynthetic pigments, and improved the performance of the photosynthetic machinery in Cr-stressed plants. MJ supplementation boosted the antioxidant defense system by upregulating antioxidant enzymes, glyoxalase enzymes, and the ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) pool redox, which significantly diminished Cr-induced oxidative stress. Hence, MJ supplementation might be a practicable approach for reducing Cr absorption and its negative impacts on pot marigold plants growing under Cr-contaminated conditions. Clinical trials registration Not applicable.

Effects of silicon and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on arsenic accumulation, phytochelatin metabolism, and antioxidant system by rice under arsenic toxicity.

Arsenic (As) is known to be one of the most toxic metalloids for humans and plants; however, little is known about the use of silicon (Si) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) in reducing As toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The experiment was conducted to examine the effects of Si-NPs (50 and 100 mg/L), TiO2-NPs (25 and 50 mg/L) and As (50 µM) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant defense system, glyoxalase system, expression of Si/As transporters, and genes involved in As sequestration in rice under hydroponic conditions. The results revealed that Si- and TiO2-NPs by upregulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes and glyoxalase cycle reduced hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal, malondialdehyde, and electrolyte leakage, and thus protected the photosynthetic apparatus and improved plant growth under As stress. By increasing the expression of GSH1, PCS, and ABC1 genes, Si- and TiO2-NPs increased leaf and root accumulation of glutathione and phytochelatins and sequestered As in vacuoles, which protected plant cells from As toxicity. Si-NPs diminished As uptake and increased Si uptake in As-exposed rice plants by modulating the expression of Si/As transporters (Lsi1, Lsi2, and Lsi6). The results depicted that 100 mg/L Si-NPs treatment had the highest positive effect on plant growth and tolerance under As stress compared to other treatments. In general, Si- and TiO2-NPs augmented the growth of rice under As stress through different strategies, which can be used to design effective fertilizers to enhance the crop growth and yield in areas contaminated with toxic metals.

Phytotoxicity of green synthesized silver nanoparticles on Camelina sativa L.

Due to the increased production and release of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the environment, the concerns about the possibility of toxicity and oxidative damage to plant ecosystems should be considered. In the present study, the effects of different concentrations of AgNPs (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/L) synthesized using the extract of camelina (Camelina sativa) leaves on the growth and the biochemical traits of camelina seedlings were investigated. The results showed that AgNPs significantly increased Ag accumulation in the roots and shoots which decreased the growth and photosynthetic pigments of camelina seedlings. The highest decrease in the height and total dry weight was observed by 53.1 and 61.8% under 4 g/L AgNPs, respectively over control plants. AgNPs application over 2 g/L enhanced the accumulation of proline, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal, and up-regulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase) and glyoxalase (glyoxalase I and II) system which indicates oxidative stress induction in camelina seedlings. Moreover, AgNPs reduced ASA and GSH contents and increased DHA and GSSG contents, hence disrupting the redox balance. These results showed that AgNPs at 4 g/L had the most toxic effects on the camelina growth. Therefore, increasing oxidative stress markers and the activity of antioxidant enzymes and enzymes involved in glyoxalase system indicated the oxidative stress induced by AgNPs treatments over 2 g/L as well as the induction of antioxidant defense systems to combat AgNPs-induced oxidative stress.