Plant-ZnO nanoparticles interaction: An approach to improve guinea grass (Panicum maximum) productivity and evaluation of the impacts of its ingestion by freshwater teleost fish

Unraveling the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton convolutum potentials against oxidative and inflammatory stresses in zebrafish

The Red Sea is one of the world's hotspots for biodiversity, and for marine natural products (MNPs) as well. These MNPs attract special interest for their capabilities to combat inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases, being some of the most serious health problems worldwide nowadays. The current study aimed to identify the bioactive ingredients of the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton convolutum, and to assess its protective potentials against oxidative and inflammatory stresses. Coral extract (CE) was analyzed using GC-MS and HPLC. In a protection trial, adult zebrafish were intraperitoneally injected with two doses of crab extract, i.e. 50 and 500 μg/fish in 1 % DMSO as a vehicle, then challenged with 30 μg L-1 of CuSO4 for 48 h. All groups, but the negative control one, were challenged with 30 μg L-1 of CuSO4. Total antioxidant activity, as well as mRNA levels of proinflammatory markers and antioxidant enzyme genes were measured. The results showed richness of S. convolutum extract with various bioactive ingredients, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkanes, fatty acids, sesquiterpenes, and pheromone-like substances. CuSO4 significantly induced the expected signals of inflammatory and oxidative stress, reducing both the antioxidant activity and increasing proinflammatory marker genes. However, CE, especially the low dose, showed significant capability to reduce proinflammatory markers and elevating the total antioxidant activity. Therefore, we concluded that S. convolutum can be a promising source for future efforts of drug discovery and a wide spectrum of pharmaceutical products.

Review on fate, transport, toxicity and health risk of nanoparticles in natural ecosystems: Emerging challenges in the modern age and solutions toward a sustainable environment

In today's era, nanoparticles (NPs) have become an integral part of human life, finding extensive applications in various fields of science, pharmacy, medicine, industry, electronics, and communication. The increasing popularity of NP usage worldwide is a testament to their tremendous potential. However, the widespread deployment of NPs unavoidably leads to their release into the environmental matrices, resulting in persistence in ecosystems and bioaccumulation in organisms. Understanding the environmental behavior of NPs poses a significant challenge due to their nanoscale size. Given the current environmental releases of NPs, known negative consequences, and the limited knowledge available for risk management, comprehending the toxicity of NPs in ecosystems is both awaiting and crucial. The present review aims to unravel the potential environmental influences of nano-scaled materials, and provides in-depth inferences of the current knowledge and understanding in this field. The review comprehensively summarizes the sources, fate, transport, toxicity, health risks, and remediation solutions associated with NP pollution in aquatic and soil ecosystems. Furthermore, it addresses the knowledge gaps and outlines further investigation priorities for the sustainable control of NP pollution in these environments. By gaining a holistic understanding of these aspects, we can work toward ensuring the responsible and sustainable use of NPs in today's fast-growing world.

Impact of nanopollution on plant growth, photosynthesis, toxicity, and metabolism in the agricultural sector: An updated review

Nanotechnology provides distinct benefits to numerous industrial and commercial fields, and has developed into a discipline of intense interest to researchers. Nanoparticles (NPs) have risen to prominence in modern agriculture due to their use in agrochemicals, nanofertilizers, and nanoremediation. However, their potential negative impacts on soil and water ecosystems, as well as plant growth and physiology, have caused concern for researchers and policymakers. Concerns have been expressed regarding the ecological consequences and toxicity effects associated with nanoparticles as a result of their increased production and usage. Moreover, the accumulation of nanoparticles in the environment poses a risk, not only because of the possibility of plant damage but also because nanoparticles may infiltrate the food chain. In this review, we have documented the beneficial and detrimental effects of NPs on seed germination, shoot and root growth, plant biomass, and nutrient assimilation. Nanoparticles exert toxic effects by inducing ROS generation and stimulating cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, thereby leading to cell death in several plant species. We have provided possible mechanisms by which nanoparticles induce toxicity in plants. In addition to the toxic effects of NPs, we highlighted the importance of nanomaterials in the agricultural sector. Thus, understanding the structure, size, and concentration of nanoparticles that will improve plant growth or induce plant cell death is essential. This updated review reveals the multifaceted connection between nanoparticles, soil and water pollution, and plant biology in the context of agriculture.