Eight new polyketide metabolites from the fungus Pestalotiopsis vaccinii endogenous with the mangrove plant Kandelia candel (L.) Druce

Seven new prenylated phenols, vaccinols A–G (1–7), and one new naphthalene derivative, vaccinal A (8), together with five known phenol derivatives (9–13) were isolated from Pestalotiopsis vaccinii (cgmcc3.9199) endogenous with the mangrove plant Kandelia candel (L.) Druce (Rhizophoraceae). The new structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, optical rotation, CD spectra, quantum ECD calculations. Furthermore, the absolute configuration of compound 1 was unambiguously elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis using the Flack parameter. Most new compounds were tested for their antiviral (EV71), cytotoxic, antituberculosis, and anti-inflammatory effects. Among them, compound 8 exhibited in vitro anti-enterovirus 71 (EV71) with IC₅₀ value of 19.2 μM. In addition, 8 showed potent COX-2 inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 1.8 μM.     

Targeting non-structural proteins and 3CLpro in SARS-CoV-2 virus using phytochemicals from medicinal plants - In-silico approach

In the present study, the main protease 3CL^pro and non-structural protein (NSP-12 with co-factors 7 and 8) trimer complex are used to study the protein-drug interactions with the phytochemicals from Ocimum Sanctum, Tinospora Cordifolia, Glycyrrhiza Glabra, and Azadirachta Indica. Which can give insight to be used as potent antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2. Twenty phytochemicals, five from each plant species, known for their wide range of biological activities were chosen from the literature. The in-silico study was carried out using virtual screening tools and the top five, which showed the least binding energies, were selected. Molecular docking tools revealed that gedunin and epoxy azadiradione proved to be excellent inhibitors for 3CL^pro and so did Tinosporide for non-structural-protein complex. Further, the best-hit phytochemicals with respect to structure similarities with FDA drugs and investigatory drugs, were considered for comparative study. Molecular docking was done to check the drug-protein interactions and to check the inhibitory responses of these drugs against the viral protein. The analyses showed that the phytochemicals had similar responses on the protein complex but with exceptionally higher inhibitory responses hence which may be taken for further clinical study.     

Brief survey on phytochemicals to prevent COVID-19

BackgroundThe recent pandemic by COVID-19 is a global threat to human health. The disease is caused by SARS-CoV-2 and the infection rate is increased more quickly than MERS and SARS as their rapid adaptation to varied climatic conditions through rapid mutations. It becomes more severe due to the lack of proper therapeutic drugs, insufficient diagnostic tool, scarcity of appropriate drug, life supporting medical facility and mostly lack of awareness. Therefore, preventive measure is one of the important strategies to control. In this context, herbal medicinal plants received a noticeable attention to treat COVID-19 in Indian subcontinent. Here, 44 Indian traditional plants have been discussed with their novel phytochemicals that prevent the novel corona virus. The basic of SARS-CoV-2, their common way of transmission including their effect on immune and nervous system have been discussed. We have analysed their mechanism of action against COVID-19 following in-silico analysis. Their probable mechanism and therapeutic approaches behind the activity of phytochemicals to stimulate immune response as well as inhibition of viral multiplication discussed rationally. Thus, mixtures of active secondary metabolites/phytochemicals are the only choice to prevent the disease in countries where vaccination will take long time due to overcrowded population density.     

Biogenic Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles on a Green Support as a Reusable Catalyst for the Hydrogenation of Nitroarene and Quinoline

Direct attachment of gold nanoparticles to a green support without the use of an external reducing agent and using it for removing toxic pollutants from wastewater, i. e., reduction of nitroarene to amine, are described. A novel approach involving the reduction of gold by the jute plant (Corchorus genus) stem-based (JPS) support itself to form nanoparticles (AuNPs) to be used as a catalytic system (‘dip-catalyst’) and its catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of series of nitroarenes in aqueous media are presented. AuNPs/JPS catalyst was characterized using SEM, UV-Vis, FTIR, TEM, XPS, and ICP-OES. Confined area elemental mapping exhibits uniform and homogeneous distribution of AuNPs on the support surface. TEM shows multi-faceted AuNPs in the range of 20–30 nm. The reactivity of AuNPs/JPS for the transfer hydrogenation of nitroarene as well as hydrogenation of quinoline under molecular H₂ pressure was evaluated. Sodium borohydride, when used as the hydrogen source, demonstrates a high catalytic efficiency in the transfer hydrogenation reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Quinoline is quantitatively and chemoselectively hydrogenated to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (py-THQ) using molecular hydrogen. Reusability studies show that AuNPs are stable on the support surface and their selectivity is not affected.     

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Zinc Sulfate Impact Physiological Parameters and Boosts Lipid Peroxidation in Soil Grown Coriander Plants (Coriandrum sativum)

The objective of this study was to determine the oxidative stress and the physiological and antioxidant responses of coriander plants (Coriandrum sativum) grown for 58 days in soil with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) at concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg of Zn/kg of soil. The results revealed that all Zn compounds increased the total chlorophyll content (CHLt) by at least 45%, compared to the control group; however, with 400 mg/kg of ZnSO₄, chlorophyll accumulation decreased by 34.6%. Zn determination by induction-plasma-coupled atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES) showed that Zn absorption in roots and shoots occurred in plants exposed to ZnSO₄ at all concentrations, which resulted in high levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Only at 400 mg/kg of ZnSO₄, a 78.6% decrease in the MDA levels was observed. According to the results, the ZnSO₄ treatments were more effective than the ZnO NPs to increase the antioxidant activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidases (POD). The results corroborate that phytotoxicity was higher in plants subjected to ZnSO₄ compared to treatments with ZnO NPs, which suggests that the toxicity was due to Zn accumulation in the tissues by absorbing dissolved Zn⁺⁺ ions.     

Synthesis and Investigation of Tetrahydro-β-carboline Derivatives as Inhibitors of Plant Pathogenic Fungi

A series of tetrahydro-ß-carbolines substituted with an alkyl or acyl side chain was synthesized and screened for its antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi (Bipolaris oryzae, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium semitectum, and Fusarium fujikuroi). The structure activity relationship revealed that the substituent at the piperidine nitrogen plays an important role for increasing antifungal activities. In this series, 2-octyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (3g) displayed potent antifungal activities with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.1 μg/mL, including good inhibitory activity to the radial growth of fungus at a concentration of 100 μg/mL compared to amphotericin B.     

Two Ecdysteroids Isolated from Micropropagated Lychnis flos-cuculi and the Biological Activity of Plant Material

Genetically uniform plant material, derived from Lychnis flos-cuculi propagated in vitro, was used for the isolation of 20-hydroxyecdysone and polypodine B and subjected to an evaluation of the antifungal and antiamoebic activity. The activity of 80% aqueous methanolic extracts, their fractions, and isolated ecdysteroids were studied against pathogenic Acanthamoeba castellani. Additionally, a Microtox^® acute toxicity assay was performed. It was found that an 80% methanolic fraction of root extract exerts the most potent amoebicidal activity at IC₅₀ of 0.06 mg/mL at the 3rd day of treatment. Both ecdysteroids show comparable activity at IC₅₀ of 0.07 mg/mL. The acute toxicity of 80% fractions at similar concentrations is significantly higher than that of 40% fractions. Crude extracts exhibited moderate antifungal activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) within the range of 1.25–2.5 mg/mL. To the best of our knowledge, the present report is the first to show the biological activity of L. flos-cuculi in terms of the antifungal and antiamoebic activities and acute toxicity. It is also the first isolation of the main ecdysteroids from L. flos-cuculi micropropagated, ecdysteroid-rich plant material.     

Laminarin Induces Defense Responses and Efficiently Controls Olive Leaf Spot Disease in Olive

Olive leaf spot (OLS) caused by Fusicladium oleagineum is mainly controlled using copper fungicides. However, the replacement of copper-based products with eco-friendly alternatives is a priority. The use of plant resistance-inducers (PRIs) or biological control agents (BCAs) could contribute in this direction. In this study we investigated the potential use of three PRIs (laminarin, acibenzolar-S-methyl, harpin) and a BCA (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB24) for the management of OLS. The tested products provided control efficacy higher than 68%. In most cases, dual applications provided higher (p < 0.05) control efficacies compared to that achieved by single applications. The highest control efficacy of 100% was achieved by laminarin. Expression analysis of the selected genes by RT-qPCR revealed different kinetics of induction. In laminarin-treated plants, for most of the tested genes a higher induction rate (p < 0.05) was observed at 3 days post application. Pal, Lox, Cuao and Mpol were the genes with the higher inductions in laminarin-treated and artificially inoculated plants. The results of this study are expected to contribute towards a better understanding of PRIs in olive culture and the optimization of OLS control, while they provide evidence for potential contributions in the reduction of copper accumulation in the environment.     

基于非靶向代谢组学的茄梨和红茄梨成熟期果皮代谢产物的差异分析

为了探究西洋梨品种茄梨及其红色芽变红茄梨成熟期果皮代谢产物差异,采用超高效液相色谱-质谱联用技术,对茄梨和红茄梨成熟期果皮进行非靶向代谢组学研究。通过主成分分析和正交偏最小二乘判别分析,构建了多变量统计分析模型,结合模型和变量重要性投影与最大差异倍数值,基于精确质量数、二级碎片以及同位素分布,使用PMDB(Plant Metabolome Database)数据库进行定性,筛选并鉴定出茄梨和红茄梨果皮中显著性变化(P<0.05, VIP(variable importance in project)≥1)的差异代谢物有83种,主要包括酚酸类、黄酮类和氨基酸类物质,涉及类黄酮代谢、氨基酸代谢、苯丙烷类代谢等代谢途径,其中53种物质含量上调,30种物质表达下调。通过KEGG(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes)数据库进一步对差异代谢物质进行通路富集分析,差异代谢物主要分布在20条代谢途径中,P<0.05的代谢途径有6条,分别是类黄酮生物合成、黄酮和黄酮醇生物合成、苯丙烷生物合成、丁酸酯代谢、苯丙氨酸代谢、酪氨酸代谢。这些差异代谢物的变化可能是导致茄梨和红茄梨果皮色泽不同的原因。该研究从植物代谢组学角度初步揭示了茄梨和红茄梨成熟期果皮的代谢产物差异性。     

石化厂区有毒气体泄漏在线监测平台的构建

针对石化厂区在生产过程中可能发生有毒气体泄露带来的生产安全问题,构建了石化厂区有毒气体在线监测平台。该平台是由PC监控中心、网络监控中心、ARM便携式终端、安卓手机客户端组成。实现对石化厂区中有毒气体及环境参数的实时、在线监测和预警,使生产管理人员掌握石化厂区的有毒气体实时动态信息,对可能引发危险事故的因素及时排除,把危险控制在始发阶段,以实现化工生产的安全、持续、高效进行。测试结果表明该平台能实现所设计的各项功能,并具有良好的稳定性、安全性和实用性。