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Molecular diversity of bioactive compounds from horned melon peel: Solvent dynamics, antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in silico interactions with virulence factors
No full textThis study examines chemical composition and the antibacterial properties of various hydro-ethanolic extracts of Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey peel against the multidrug-resistant pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Several pa rameters, including ethanol concentration, extraction time, and ultrasonic power, were used in the ultrasound- assisted extraction of C. metuliferus peel. UHPLC-QToF-MS analysis was used to explore the molecular diversity of bioactive compounds in the sample extracts (25 in total), identifying nine hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives and eleven other compounds. Furthermore, antibacterial activity of these extracts was determined. Four of the tested extracts exhibited promising antibacterial properties, with MIC value 0.25 mg/mL and MBC value 0.5 mg/mL. Molecular docking simulations were employed to identify bioactive compounds within the extracts that target some P. aeruginosa virulence factors, specifically elastase B and lipase A. The results revealed that several compounds, including decaffeoyl-acteoside, as well as derivatives of vanillic and hydroxybenzoic acids, exhibited strong binding affinities to both enzymes, suggesting their promising potential as inhibitors of P. aeruginosa virulence. Furthermore, decaffeoyl-acteoside exhibited high binding affinity for both enzymes, highlighting its potential as a dual-target therapeutic agent. The study effectively leverages solvent dynamics to maximize the extraction and bioactivity of C. metuliferus peel compounds. It provides a clear demonstration of how manipu lating solvent conditions can influence molecular interactions, extraction yield, and the functional properties of bioactive compounds. The obtained results regarding promising antibacterial and virulence-inhibiting qualities support further research into C. metuliferus peel compounds as a natural alternative to traditional antimicrobial treatments
Postnatal overfeeding induces gut microbiota disturbances and impairs GPR43/FIAF/LPL pathway in the rat model of PCOS
No full textWomen with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has high incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liverdisease (MASLD). The development of PCOS-associated MASLD is accelerated by prepubertal obesity, therefore, weanalyzed the impact of postnatal overfeeding-induced obesity on the gut microbiota and hepatic lipid metabolism in thePCOS rat model. Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, where treatment with 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) stimulated hyperandrogenemia (DHT groups), whereas litter size reduction induced early postnatal overfeeding and obesity (SLgroups). The fecal microbiota composition and diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The bacterial metaboliteslevel was measured by mass spectrometry. Hematoxylin–eosin staining, Western blots, and qRT-PCR were used to analyzehepatic lipid metabolism. Our results show that postnatal overfeeding shifted the microbiota composition towards obesityassociated genera, while hyperandrogenemia led to reduced β-diversity and increased abundance of androgen-regulatedgenera. Interaction of treatments reduced α- and β-diversity and decreased the abundance of beneficial butyrate-producinggenera Roseburia, Oscillospira, and Ruminococcus and butyric acid plasma level. Shift in microbiota composition and activity was accompanied by decreased expression of G-protein coupled receptor (GPR) 43, fasting-induced adipocyte factor(FIAF) and increased expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). In accordance with altered GPR43 and FIAF/LPL pathway,increased expression of lipogenic transcription factors was observed in SL-DHT animals, but this did not result in hepaticlipid deposition. Our results demonstrated that postnatal overfeeding contributes to decreased richness and changes in gutmicrobiota composition in the PCOS animal model that is associated with impaired hepatic lipid metabolism, which mayaccelerate development of MASLD.This is accepted manuscript version of the article: Veličković, N., Vratarić, M., Mićić, B., Teofilović A., Radovanović M., Ignjatović S., Gašić U., Djordjevic A., Macut Dj., Vojnović Milutinović D. Postnatal overfeeding induces gut microbiota disturbances and impairs GPR43/FIAF/LPL pathway in the rat model of PCOS. Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 2025. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-025-01103-9
Characterization of cerebellar electrocortical dynamics under ether anesthesia in rats: a preliminary study using linear spectral and non-linear fractal analyses
No full textThe temporal evolution of cerebellar electrocortical activity during emergence from ether anesthesia was investi-gated using both linear and non-linear analytical methods. Adult male rats underwent operative craniotomy and implanta-tion of a 16-channel microelectrode array targeting the paravermal cerebellar cortex. Following a 7-day recovery period, animals were exposed to ether via inhalation, and cerebellar electrocortical signals were recorded using a wireless acquisi-tion system. Data were quantified through relative spectral power (RSP) across defined frequency bands, Higuchi’s fractal dimension (HFD), and the Hurst exponent (H). A transitional phase between anesthetic depths was identified between the 17th and 19th min post-exposure. This period was characterized by a significant increase in RSP within low-frequency bands and a corresponding decrease in high-frequency bands beginning at the 17th min. Additionally, a marked decrease in HFD and an increase in H were observed at the 19th min, followed by a moderate rebound in HFD and a reduction in H. These findings suggest that non-linear dynamic measures, particularly HFD and H, may offer greater temporal preci-sion in identifying the onset of awakening compared to conventional spectral analysis, highlighting their potential utility in monitoring anesthetic depth
Iridoids and phenolics production in Nepeta nuda L.: findings and perspectives
No full textNepeta nuda L. (fam. Lamiaceae) is a perennial medicinal plant species with a wide
geographical distribution in Europe and Asia, growing mainly on forest edges in montane
and subalpine regions (up to 2100 m above sea level). Like most members of this genus,
N. nuda is characterized by the presence of various specialized metabolites, particularly
monoterpenoid iridoids and phenolics, which contribute to its numerous documented
biological activities and potential benefits and applications in the food and
pharmaceutical industries. Non-targeted and targeted metabolomics enabled the
identification and quantification of specialized metabolites in specific plant organs, as
well as in wild and greenhouse-grown N. nuda. Results showed that N. nuda produces
a variety of iridoids, including both aglycones (nepetalactones and their derivatives) and
glycosides (primarily nepetanudoside and 1,5,9-epi-deoxyloganic acid), with the formers
being the dominant components. Among the phenolic compounds, rosmarinic acid and
caffeic acid were the most abundant compounds. Transcriptome analysis of N. nuda
leaves allowed the identification of candidate genes encoding key enzymes of iridoidand rosmarinic acid-related biosynthetic pathways. The expressions of biosynthesisrelated genes were coordinately regulated and correlated well with metabolite levels. A
comprehensive analysis of the metabolic and transcriptomic responses of N. nuda to
waterlogging, hydrogen peroxide elicitation and their mutual effects, revealed increased
levels of iridoids and phenolics and significant up-regulation of certain genes of the
iridoid biosynthetic pathway. The knowledge gained on the mechanisms of stressinduced production of iridoids and phenolics in N. nuda will facilitate manipulation of the
content of these valuable secondary metabolites, paving the way for future
biotechnological applications.Abstract, Proceedings: 4th Conference of Recent Trends in Science, Technology and Innovation; 2025 Mar 19-21; Pokhara, Nepal. Nepal: Pokhara University; 2025. p. 179
Global Roadkill Data: a dataset on terrestrial vertebrate mortality caused by collision with vehicles
No full textRoadkill is widely recognized as one of the primary negative effects of roads on many wildlife species and also has socioeconomic impacts when they result in accidents. A comprehensive dataset of roadkill locations is essential to evaluate the factors contributing to roadkill risk and to enhance our comprehension of its impact on wildlife populations and socioeconomic dimensions. We undertook a compilation of roadkill records, encompassing both published and unpublished data gathered from road surveys or opportunistic sources. GLOBAL ROADKILL DATA includes 208,570 roadkill records of terrestrial vertebrates from 54 countries across six continents, encompassing data collected between 1971 and 2024. This dataset serves to minimise the collection of redundant data and acts as a valuable resource for local and macro scale analysis regarding rates of roadkill, road- and landscape-related features associated with risk of roadkill, vulnerability of species to road traffic, and populations at risk of local extinction. The objective of this dataset is to promote scientific progress in infrastructure ecology and terrestrial vertebrate conservation while limiting the socio-economic costs
Temporal and habitat adaptations in Drosophila subobscura populations: changes in chromosomal inversions
No full textIn insects, chromosomal inversion polymorphism has been related with different adaptations, including global warming. Regarding this environmental change, Drosophila subobscura stands out as a useful model species due to its rich inversion polymorphism covering the whole karyotype. The main aims of this research were to analyze the differentiation of this polymorphism in Jastrebac Mt. (Serbia) depending on the different habitats (beech and oak forests) and over time. These latter changes were studied in relation to climatic variables (mean, minimum and maximum temperatures, humidity and rainfall). Microdifferentiation was observed between beech and oak forests, mainly for the A and O chromosomes. However, the changes over time turned out to be larger than those due to habitat. In Jastrebac Mt., temperatures increased over time, with this increase being significant for mean and minimum one. The Multidimensional Scaling analysys showed a relation between chromosomal inversions and temperatures (mainly minimum) in Jastrebac Mt. and other Serbian populations of D. subobscura. In beech forest of Jastrebac Mt., the Chromosomal Thermal Index increased over time from 1990 to 1994, but showing a possible stabilization in 2023. This result was observed in other studied Serbian populations. Although those are preliminary results, it might hypothesize that there may be a threshold for the action of natural selection, increasing 'warm' adaptive inversions and decreasing 'cold' ones. The possible reasons for this hypothesis are also discussed
De Novo Transcriptome Assembly of Nepeta nervosa Royle & Bentham. Leaf Tissue
No full textAssembled transcriptome from paired-end RNA sequencing of Nepeta nervosa L. leaf tissue using Illumina NovaSeq 6000, in FASTA format. The transcripts/unigens had a mean GC content of 40.91%, an average contig length of 807.26 bp, a median contig length of 422.0 bp, and an N50 of 1 473 bp. Nepeta nervosa transcriptome data are a part of phyloNEPETOME data platform
Untargeted metabolomics reveales the chemistry behind the differential pigmentation of Centaurium pulchellum flowers
No full textPlants display remarkable diversity in petal color which is related to the biosynthesis and accumulation of various pigments. Natural populations of Centaurium pulchellum (Sw.) Druce (Gentianaceae) are mainly composed of pink-flowers-bearing individuals (pCp), but those with white flowers (wCp) can sporadically be observed. Existence of such a phenotypic variability in annual C. pulchellum, recommended this species as a suitable platform for investigating the chemical and molecular basis of flower pigmentation. We previously recognized anthocyanins as the major contributors to the pink color of petals, and presumed the existence of co-pigmentation effects with other groups of compounds. The aim of this study was to comparatively examine the detailed phytochemical composition of methanol-soluble metabolites in pCp and wCp individuals, and identify compounds potentially acting as co-pigments with anthocyanins. Using the advanced UHPLC/Orbitrap-MS technique in negative ionization mode, a total of 116 different metabolites were identified and categorized into ten structural groups, of which there were 3 organic acids, 4 hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, 7 hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, 7 iridoid glycosides, 18 secoiridoid glycosides, 21 xanthone glycosides, 18 xanthone aglycones, 23 flavonoid glycosides, 12 flavonoid aglycones and 3 non-classified compounds. Relative quantitative data were subjected to statistical analysis, and were visualized using PCA, HCA, and correlation plots. Results indicate that anthocyanins, flavonoids, and xanthones, most likely, jointly participate in determination of the C. pulchellum petal color. Besides containing lower amounts of anthocyanins, petals of wCp individuals also display differential profiles of other groups of phenolics when compared to the pCp ones.Book of abstracts: The 6th International conference on natural product utilization: from plants to pharmacy shelf; 2025 May 27-30; Bansko, Bulgaria. 2025; p. 296
Valorization of Solanum melongena L. crop by-products: Phenolic composition and in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial properties
No full textThis study explored the phenolic composition and bioactive properties of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) aerial parts. HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis allowed identifying chlorogenic acid derivatives as the predominant phenolic compounds, accounting for 53% of the phenolic fraction, followed by O-glycosylated kaempferol and quercetin. The extract displayed antioxidant activity in physiologically relevant in vitro assays and a significant α-glucosidase inhibitory capacity that far exceeded that of the standard drug acarbose. It also inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), suggesting its potential to mitigate diabetes-related complications. Furthermore, the extract showed a modest pancreatic lipase inhibitory effect and capacity to suppress interleukin 6 production. Selective cytotoxicity against human gastric and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines and strong antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens were observed. These findings suggest that eggplant crop by-products could be a sustainable source of active compounds with potential applications in food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical formulations for managing type 2 diabetes and other oxidative stress-mediated conditions, opening up new avenues for research and product development