Enhancing salt stress tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings: insights from trehalose and mannitol.

Salinity stress, an ever-present challenge in agriculture and environmental sciences, poses a formidable hurdle for plant growth and productivity in saline-prone regions worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effectiveness of trehalose and mannitol induce salt resistance in wheat seedlings. Wheat grains of the commercial variety Sakha 94 were divided into three groups : a group that was pre-soaked in 10 mM trehalose, another group was soaked in 10 mM mannitol, and the last was soaked in distilled water for 1 hour, then the pre soaked grains cultivated in sandy soil, each treatment was divided into two groups, one of which was irrigated with 150 mM NaCl and the other was irrigated with tap water. The results showed that phenols content in wheat seedlings increased and flavonoids reduced due to salt stress. Trehalose and mannitol cause slight increase in total phenols content while total flavonoids were elevated highy in salt-stressed seedlings. Furthermore, Trehalose or mannitol reduced salt-induced lipid peroxidation. Salt stress increases antioxidant enzyme activities of guaiacol peroxidase (G-POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT) in wheat seedlings, while polyphenol oxidase (PPO) unchanged. Trehalose and mannitol treatments caused an increase in APX, and CAT activities, whereas G-POX not altered but PPO activity were decreased under salt stress conditions. Molecular docking confirmed the interaction of Trehalose or mannitol with peroxidase and ascorbic peroxidase enzymes. Phenyl alanine ammonia layase (PAL) activity was increased in salt-stressed seedlings. We can conclude that pre-soaking of wheat grains in 10 mM trehalose or mannitol improves salinity stress tolerance by enhancing antioxidant defense enzyme and/or phenol biosynthesis, with docking identifying interactions with G-POX, CAT, APX, and PPO.

Synthesis, characterization, DNA binding interactions, DFT calculations, and Covid-19 molecular docking of novel bioactive copper(I) complexes developed via unexpected reduction of azo-hydrazo ligands.

In this work, we focused on the 3rd goal of the sustainable development plan: achieving good health and supporting well-being. Two redox-active hydrazo ligands namely, phenylcarbonohydrazonoyldicyanide (PCHD) and pyridin-4-ylcarbonohydrazonoyl-dicyanide (PyCHD), and their copper(I) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The analytical data indicates the formation of copper(I) complexes despite starting with copper(II) perchlorate salt. The 1H-NMR and UV-visible spectral studies in DMSO revealed that PyCHD mainly exists in its azo-form, while PCHD exists in azo ↔ hydrazo equilibrium form, and confirmed the copper(I) oxidation state. XPS, spectral and electrochemistry data indicated the existence of copper(I) valence of both complexes. Cyclic voltammetry of PCHD and its copper(I) complex supported the reduction power of the ligand. The antimicrobial activity, cytotoxicity against the mammalian breast carcinoma cell line (MCF7), and DNA interaction of the compounds are investigated. All compounds showed high antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities, relative to the standard drugs. Upon studying the wheat DNA binding, PCHD and PyCHD were found to bind through external contacts, while both [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O and [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O were intercalated binding. In-silico molecular docking simulations against Estrogen Receptor Alpha Ligand Binding Domain (ID: 6CBZ) were performed on all produced compounds and confirmed the invitro experimentally best anticancer activity of [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O. The molecular docking tests against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (ID: 6 WTT) showed promising activity in the order of total binding energy values: [Cu(PCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > [Cu(PyCHD)2]ClO4.H2O > PCHD > PyCHD.

Potentiating Biosynthesis of Alkaloids and Polyphenolic Substances in Catharanthus roseus Plant Using ĸ-Carrageenan.

Catharanthus roseus is a medicinal plant that produces indole alkaloids, which are utilized in anticancer therapy. Vinblastine and vincristine, two commercially important antineoplastic alkaloids, are mostly found in the leaves of Catharanthus roseus. ĸ-carrageenan has been proven as plant growth promoting substance for a number of medicinal and agricultural plants. Considering the importance of ĸ-carrageenan as a promoter of plant growth and phytochemical constituents, especially alkaloids production in Catharanthus roseus, an experiment was carried out to explore the effect of ĸ-carrageenan on the plant growth, phytochemicals content, pigments content, and production of antitumor alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus after planting. Foliar application of ĸ-carrageenan (at 0, 400, 600 and 800 ppm) significantly improved the performance of Catharanthus roseus. Phytochemical analysis involved determining the amount of total phenolics (TP), flavonoids (F), free amino acids (FAA), alkaloids (TAC) and pigments contents by spectrophotometer, minerals by ICP, amino acids, phenolic compounds and alkaloids (Vincamine, Catharanthine, Vincracine (Vincristine), and vinblastine) analysis uses HPLC. The results indicated that all examined ĸ-carrageenan treatments led to a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in growth parameters compared to the untreated plants. Phytochemical examination indicates that the spray of ĸ-carrageenan at 800 mg L-1 increased the yield of alkaloids (Vincamine, Catharanthine and Vincracine (Vincristine)) by 41.85 µg/g DW, total phenolic compounds by 3948.6 µg gallic/g FW, the content of flavonoids 951.3 µg quercetin /g FW and carotenoids content 32.97 mg/g FW as compared to the control. An amount of 400 ppm ĸ-carrageenan treatment gave the best contents of FAA, Chl a, Chl b and anthocyanin. The element content of K, Ca, Cu, Zn and Se increased by treatments. Amino acids constituents and phenolics compounds contents were altered by ĸ-carrageenan.

Sustainable and energy-efficient photocatalytic degradation of textile dye assisted by ecofriendly synthesized silver nanoparticles.

In this study, we have touched on two goals of sustainable development, namely, the provision of clean water and sanitation and clean energy at acceptable prices, hoping for good health for all ages. A green economical method was used to prepare silver nanoparticles from chitosan biopolymer. AgNPs were fully characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, HR-TEM, and EDX analysis. Different concentrations (0.02-0.18 g/L) of the nanoparticles were integrated into a mixture of heterogeneous nano photocatalysts TiO2 and ZnO (1:1 weight ratio) under UV irradiation for the photocatalytic degradation of Acid Red 37 textile dye to obtain clean water. The kinetic description of the performed photocatalytic process was presented assuming a pseudo-first-order reaction. The data revealed that increasing the concentration of AgNPs in the catalytic mixture showed a high apparent rate constant (kapp) accompanied by an increase in the apparent quantum yield (%Qapp), followed by dye destruction after a very short time (t0.5 = 3 min). Since the photocatalytic degradation process consumes electrical energy, the electrical energy per order (EE/O) was calculated, showing a low value of 20 kWh/m3/order, using 0.18 g/L AgNPs, indicating that the elicited photocatalytic degradation method is a sustainable one for the mineralization of the targeted dye.

A novel terpolymer nanocomposite (carboxymethyl ß-cyclodextrin-nano chitosan-glutaraldehyde) for the potential removal of a textile dye acid red 37 from water.

Carboxymethyl ß-cyclodextrin-nanochitosan-glutaraldehyde (CM-ßCD:nChi:Glu) terpolymer was prepared as a nano-adsorbent for the removal of the anionic textile dye, acid red 37. The terpolymer nanocomposite formation and characterization were clarified by FTIR, XRD, scanning electron microscopy, TEM, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area (BET-SSA), and zeta potential. The removal of the textile dye was investigated by using the batch adsorption method, investigating the effect of pH, dye concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time, and temperature. The results revealed that the maximum removal efficiency of 102.2 mg/L of the dye is about 99.67% under pH 6.0, the optimal contact time is 5 min, and the adsorbent dosage is 0.5 g/L. At 29°C; the adsorption capacity increased from 81.29 to 332.60 mg/g when the initial concentration of the dye was increased from 40.97 to 212.20 mg/L. Adsorption kinetics fitted well with the pseudo-second-order model with a good correlation (R 2 = 0.9998). The Langmuir isotherm model can best describe the adsorption isotherm model. Based on the experimental results, the CM-ßCD:nChi:Glu terpolymer has a promising potential as an efficient novel adsorbent for the removal of textile dye acid red 37 from contaminated water. This study's preparation techniques and demonstrated mechanisms offer valuable insights into the adsorbent-adsorbate interactions mechanism, analysis, challenges, and future directions of beta-cyclodextrin/chitosan-based adsorbents in wastewater treatment.

Synthesis of a Novel Unexpected Cu(II)-Thiazolidine Complex-X-ray Structure, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, and Biological Studies.

An unexpected trinuclear Cu(II)-thiazolidine complex has been synthesized by mixing CuCl2·2H2O with the Schiff base ligand, 1-(((4,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazono)methyl)phenol L, in ethanol. Unexpectedly, the reaction proceeded via the hydrolysis of the Schiff base L, followed by cyclization to afford 3-methyl-5,6-dihydrothiazolo[3,2-c][1,2,3]triazole (La), then complexation with the Cu(II) salt, forming the trinuclear [Cu3(La)4(Cl)6] complex. The complex was characterized by means of FTIR spectra, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. In the trinuclear [Cu3(La)4(Cl)6] complex, there are two crystallographically independent hexa- and penta-coordinated Cu(II) sites, where the thiazolidine ligand La units act as a monodentate ligand and a linker between the Cu(II) centers. The crystal packing of the [Cu3(La)4(Cl)6] complex is primarily affected by the weak non-covalent C-H∙∙∙Cl interactions. In accordance with Hirshfeld surface analysis, the Cl∙∙∙H, H∙∙∙H, S∙∙∙H, and N∙∙∙H percentages are 31.9%, 27.2%, 13.5%, and 9.9%, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the oxidation state of copper as Cu(II), as well as the presence of two different coordination environments around copper centers. The complex showed interesting antibacterial activity against the Gram-positive bacteria S. subtilis, with MIC = 9.7 µg/mL compared to MIC = 4.8 µg/mL for the control, gentamycin. Moreover, the Cu(II) complex showed an equal MIC (312.5 µg/mL) against C. albicans compared to ketoconazole. It also exhibits a very promising inhibitory activity against colon carcinoma (IC50 = 3.75 ± 0.43 µg/mL).

Synthesis, spectroscopic, and computational studies on molecular charge-transfer complex of 2-((2-hydroxybenzylidene) amino)-2-(hydroxymethyl) propane-1, 3-diol with chloranilic acid: Potential antiviral activity simulation of CT-complex against SARS-CoV-2.

An innovative charge-transfer complex between the Schiff base 2-((2-hydroxybenzylidene) amino)-2-(hydroxymethyl) propane-1,3-diol [SAL-THAM] and the π-acceptor, chloranilic acid (CLA) within the mole ratio (1:1) was synthesized and characterized aiming to investigate its electronic transition spectra in acetonitrile (ACN), methanol (MeOH) and ethanol (EtOH) solutions. Applying Job`s method in the three solvents supported the 1:1 (CLA: SAL-THAM) mole ratio complex formation. The formation of stable CT- complex was shown by the highest values of charge-transfer complex formation constants, KCT, calculated using minimum-maximum absorbance method, with the sequence, acetonitrile > ethanol > methanol DFT study on the synthesized CT complex was applied based on the B3LYP method to evaluate the optimized structure and extract geometrical and reactivity parameters. Based on TD-DFT theory, the electronic properties, 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and UV-Vis spectra of the studied system in different solvents showing good agreement with the experimental studies. MEP map described the possibility of hydrogen bonding and charge transfer in the studied system. Finally, a computational approach for screening the antiviral activity of CT - complex towards SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus protease via molecular docking simulation was conducted and confirmed with molecular dynamic (MD) simulation.

Spectral, electrochemical, thermal, DNA binding ability, antioxidant and antibacterial studies of novel Ru(III) Schiff base complexes.

Four new air stable low spin Ru(III) complexes of the type [Ru(L(1-4))(H2O)2]Cl have been synthesized, where L=dianion of the tetradentate Schiff base ligands namely N,N'bis(salicylaldehyde)4,5-dimethy-l,2-phenylendiammine (L(1)H2), N,N'bis(salicylaldehyde)4,5-dichloro 1,2-phenylendiammine (L(2)H2), N,N'bis(o-vanillin)4,5-dimethy-1,2-phenylendiammine (L(3)H2) and N,N'bis(o-vanillin)4,5-dichloro-1,2-phenylendiammine (L(4)H2). The complexes have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility and electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Elemental analyses and spectroscopic data have been showed that, the stoichiometries of complexes were 1:1 with an octahedral geometry for all the complexes. Thermal analysis measurements indicated that the complexes have good thermal stability. The redox behavior of the complexes has been investigated by the cyclic voltammetric technique. The interaction of these complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was explored by different techniques which revealed that the complexes could bind to CT-DNA through an intercalative mode. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of the Ru(III) complexes against superoxide and hydroxyl radicals was evaluated by using spectrophotometer methods in vitro. The experiments on antioxidant activity show that the complexes were found to possess potent antioxidant activity. Additionally, as a potential application the antibacterial activity of the complexes was assessed by testing their effect on the growth of various strains of bacteria.

Regulation of vascular calcification in atherosclerosis.

Over a century ago it was recognized that the vessel wall is a predominant site for ectopic calcification which is a hallmark of clinically significant atherosclerotic lesions. Old observational studies, which characterized vascular calcification as osteogenesis, and recent identification of common molecular mechanisms in bone and vascular calcification have led to the new recognition that atherosclerotic calcification is an actively regulated process similar to osteogenesis and distinct from a metastatic passive mineralization. Since the atherosclerotic lesion is composed of a multitude of cells and inflammatory mediators, elucidation of the role of these components in induction and acceleration of calcification is of fundamental importance in better understanding its pathogenesis and identifying possible interventional targets. This article will focus on four important mediators of vascular calcification: 1) calcifying vascular cells, 2) oxidized lipids, 3) cytokines, and 4) leptin.