-
Toxicology Mar 2024Ricin is a highly toxic plant toxin that can cause multi-organ failure, especially liver dysfunction, and is a potential bioterrorism agent. Despite the serious public...
Ricin is a highly toxic plant toxin that can cause multi-organ failure, especially liver dysfunction, and is a potential bioterrorism agent. Despite the serious public health challenge posed by ricin, effective therapeutic for ricin-induced poisoning is currently unavailable. Therefore, it is important to explore the mechanism of ricin poisoning and develop appropriate treatment protocols accordingly. Previous studies have shown that lipid peroxidation and iron accumulation are associated with ricin poisoning. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of cell death caused by excessive accumulation of lipid peroxide. The role and mechanism of ferroptosis in ricin poisoning are unclear and require further study. We investigated the effect of ferroptosis on ricin-induced liver injury and further elucidated the mechanism. The results showed that ferroptosis occurred in the liver of ricin-intoxicated rats, and Ferrostatin‑1 could ameliorate hepatic ferroptosis and thus liver injury. Ricin induced liver injury by decreasing hepatic reduced glutathione and the protein level of glutathione peroxidase 4 and Solute Carrier Family 7 Member 11, increasing iron, malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial damage, whereas Ferrostatin‑1 pretreatment increased hepatic reduced glutathione and the protein level of glutathione peroxidase 4 and Solute Carrier Family 7 Member 11, decreased iron, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species, and ameliorated mitochondrial damage, thereby alleviated liver injury. These results suggested that ferroptosis exacerbated liver injury after ricin poisoning and that inhibition of ferroptosis may be a novel strategy for the treatment of ricin poisoning.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Ricin; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic; Ferroptosis; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; Reactive Oxygen Species; Foodborne Diseases; Iron; Malondialdehyde; Glutathione; Cyclohexylamines; Phenylenediamines
PubMed: 38437911
DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153767 -
Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi. Journal of... 2024Assuming food poisoning caused by toxic plants, an LC-TOF-MS-based method for the rapid and simultaneous analysis of 16 plant toxins was established. After adding...
Assuming food poisoning caused by toxic plants, an LC-TOF-MS-based method for the rapid and simultaneous analysis of 16 plant toxins was established. After adding water-methanol (1 : 9) and n-hexane, the samples were homogenized and extracted, and then subjected to centrifugal separation. Without any purification procedures, LC-TOF-MS measurements were performed, and qualitative and quantitative analyses using monoisotopic ion [M+H]+ (m/z) were conducted. The addition-recovery test using curry showed that qualitative analysis was possible under a setting with a retention time of ±0.2 minutes or less and mass accuracy of 5 ppm or lower and that quantitative analysis was possible with a recovery rate of 68-142% and a repeatability of 1.4-10.1%. Furthermore, measurements of the amount of plant toxins in the boiled plants and broths of cooked toxic plants demonstrated the transfer of plant toxins to broths. These suggest that in the event of food poisoning, broths may be used as an analysis sample, even when plants are not available.
Topics: Humans; Alkaloids; Cooking; Foodborne Diseases; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Methanol; Toxins, Biological
PubMed: 38432899
DOI: 10.3358/shokueishi.65.7 -
The Science of the Total Environment Apr 2024The present review addresses the significance of lowering pesticide residue levels in food items because of their harmful impacts on human health, wildlife populations,... (Review)
Review
The present review addresses the significance of lowering pesticide residue levels in food items because of their harmful impacts on human health, wildlife populations, and the environment. It draws attention to the possible health risks-acute and chronic poisoning, cancer, unfavorable effects on reproduction, and harm to the brain or immunological systems-that come with pesticide exposure. Numerous traditional and cutting-edge methods, such as washing, blanching, peeling, thermal treatments, alkaline electrolyzed water washing, cold plasma, ultrasonic cleaning, ozone treatment, and enzymatic treatment, have been proposed to reduce pesticide residues in food products. It highlights the necessity of a paradigm change in crop protection and agri-food production on a global scale. It offers opportunities to guarantee food safety through the mitigation of pesticide residues in food. The review concludes that the first step in reducing worries about the negative effects of pesticides is to implement regulatory measures to regulate their use. In order to lower the exposure to dietary pesticides, the present review also emphasizes the significance of precision agricultural practices and integrated pest management techniques. The advanced approaches covered in this review present viable options along with traditional methods and possess the potential to lower pesticide residues in food items without sacrificing quality. It can be concluded from the present review that a paradigm shift towards sustainable agriculture and food production is essential to minimize pesticide residues in food, safeguarding human health, wildlife populations, and the environment. Furthermore, there is a need to refine the conventional methods of pesticide removal from food items along with the development of modern techniques.
Topics: Humans; Pesticide Residues; Food Contamination; Pesticides; Food Safety; Pest Control
PubMed: 38432369
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171382 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024Kashmir Himalaya hosts the most diverse and rich flora in the world, which serves as grazing land for millions of small ruminants in the area. While most plant species...
Kashmir Himalaya hosts the most diverse and rich flora in the world, which serves as grazing land for millions of small ruminants in the area. While most plant species are beneficial, some can be poisonous, causing economic losses and animal health issues for livestock. Consequently, this study is the first comprehensive report on the traditional phyto-toxicological knowledge in District Muzaffarabad and the assessment of its authenticity through experimental studies in rats. The data regarding traditional knowledge was gathered from 70 key respondents through semi-structured interviews, which was quantitatively analyzed and authenticated through plant extract testing on Wistar female rats and comparison with published resources. A total of 46 poisonous plant species belonging to 23 families and 38 genera were reported to be poisonous in the study area. Results revealed that leaves were the most toxic plant parts (24 species, 52.1%), followed by the whole plant (18 species, 39.1%), stem (17 species, 36.9%), and seeds (10 species, 21.7%). At the organ level, liver as most susceptible affected by 13 species (28.2%), followed by the gastrointestinal tract (15 species, 32.6%), nervous system (13 species, 8.2%), dermis (8 species, 17.3%), renal (7 species, 15.2%), respiratory (4 species, 8.7%), cardiovascular system (3 species, 6.5%), and reproductive system (2 species, 4.3%). The poisonous plant species with high Relative frequency citation (RFC) and fidelity level (FL) were (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100) (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100), and (RFC, 0.6; FL, 100). Experimental assessment of acute toxicity assay in rats revealed that was the most toxic plant with LD of (4,000 mg/kg), trailed by (4,200 mg/kg), (4,500 mg/kg), and (4,700 mg/kg); however, other plants showed moderate to mild toxicity. The major clinical observations were anorexia, piloerection, dyspnea, salivation, tachypnea, constipation, diarrhea, tremor, itchiness, and dullness. This study showed that numerous poisonous plants pose a significant risk to the livestock industry within Himalayan territory, leading to substantial economic losses. Consequently, it is of utmost importance to conduct further comprehensive studies on the phytotoxicity of plants.
PubMed: 38420196
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1328133 -
Critical Reviews in Toxicology Feb 2024Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are one type of phytotoxins distributed in various plants, including many medicinal herbs. Many organs might suffer injuries from the... (Review)
Review
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are one type of phytotoxins distributed in various plants, including many medicinal herbs. Many organs might suffer injuries from the intake of PAs, and the liver is the most susceptible one. The diagnosis, toxicological mechanism, and detoxification of PAs-induced hepatotoxicity have been studied for several decades, which is of great significance for its prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. When the liver was exposed to PAs, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) loss, hemorrhage, liver parenchymal cells death, nodular regeneration, Kupffer cells activation, and fibrogenesis occurred. These pathological changes classified the PAs-induced liver injury as acute, sub-acute, and chronic type. PAs metabolic activation, mitochondria injury, glutathione (GSH) depletion, inflammation, and LSECs damage-induced activation of the coagulation system were well recognized to play critical roles in the pathological process of PAs-induced hepatotoxicity. A lot of natural compounds like glycyrrhizic acid, (-)-epicatechin, quercetin, baicalein, chlorogenic acid, and so on were demonstrated to be effective in alleviating PAs-induced liver injury, which rendered them huge potential to be developed into therapeutic drugs for PAs poisoning in clinics. This review presents updated information about the diagnosis, toxicological mechanism, and detoxification studies on PAs-induced hepatotoxicity.
Topics: Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids; Plants, Medicinal; Endothelial Cells; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic; Glutathione; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38411492
DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2024.2310597 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Nowadays, unprecedented health challenges are urging novel solutions to address antimicrobial resistance as multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, yeasts and moulds...
Nowadays, unprecedented health challenges are urging novel solutions to address antimicrobial resistance as multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, yeasts and moulds are emerging. Such microorganisms can cause food and feed spoilage, food poisoning and even more severe diseases, resulting in human death. In order to overcome this phenomenon, it is essential to identify novel antimicrobials that are naturally occurring, biologically effective and increasingly safe for human use. The development of gemmotherapy extracts (GTEs) using plant parts such as buds and young shoots has emerged as a novel approach to treat/prevent human conditions due to their associated antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and/or antimicrobial properties that all require careful evaluations. Seven GTEs obtained from plant species like the olive ( L.), almond ( L.), black mulberry ( L.), walnut ( L.), blackberry ( L.), blackcurrant ( L.) and bilberry ( L.) were tested for their antimicrobial efficiency via agar diffusion and microbroth dilution methods. The antimicrobial activity was assessed for eight bacterial (, , subsp. , , , , and ), five moulds (, , , , ) and one yeast strain (). The agar diffusion method revealed the blackberry GTE as the most effective since it inhibited the growth of three bacterial, four moulds and one yeast species, having considered the total number of affected microorganism species. Next to the blackberry, the olive GTE appeared to be the second most efficient, suppressing five bacterial strains but no moulds or yeasts. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were then determined for each GTE and the microorganisms tested. Noticeably, the olive GTE appeared to feature the strongest bacteriostatic and bactericidal outcome, displaying specificity for , and . The other GTEs, such as blueberry, walnut, black mulberry and almond (the list indicates relative strength), were more effective at suppressing microbial growth than inducing microbial death. However, some species specificities were also evident, while the blackcurrant GTE had no significant antimicrobial activity. Having seen the antimicrobial properties of the analysed GTEs, especially the olive and black mulberry GTEs, these could be envisioned as potential antimicrobials that might enhance antibiotic therapies efficiency, while the blackberry GTE would act as an antifungal agent. Some of the GTE mixtures analysed have shown interesting antimicrobial synergies, and all the antimicrobial effects observed argue for extending these studies to include pathological microorganisms.
PubMed: 38391567
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020181 -
Journal of Environmental Management Mar 2024Chemical-based peticides are having negative impacts on both the healths of human beings and plants as well. The World Health Organisation (WHO), reported that each... (Review)
Review
Chemical-based peticides are having negative impacts on both the healths of human beings and plants as well. The World Health Organisation (WHO), reported that each year, >25 million individuals in poor nations are having acute pesticide poisoning cases along with 20,000 fatal injuries at global level. Normally, only ∼0.1% of the pesticide reaches to the intended targets, and rest amount is expected to come into the food chain/environment for a longer period of time. Therefore, it is crucial to reduce the amounts of pesticides present in the soil. Physical or chemical treatments are either expensive or incapable to do so. Hence, pesticide detoxification can be achieved through bioremediation/biotechnologies, including nano-based methodologies, integrated approaches etc. These are relatively affordable, efficient and environmentally sound methods. Therefore, alternate strategies like as advanced biotechnological tools like as CRISPR Cas system, RNAi and genetic engineering for development of insects and pest resistant plants which are directly involved in the development of disease- and pest-resistant plants and indirectly reduce the use of pesticides. Omics tools and multi omics approaches like metagenomics, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics for the efficient functional gene mining and their validation for bioremediation of pesticides also discussed from the literatures. Overall, the review focuses on the most recent advancements in bioremediation methods to lessen the effects of pesticides along with the role of microorganisms in pesticides elimination. Further, pesticide detection is also a big challenge which can be done by using HPLC, GC, SERS, and LSPR ELISA etc. which have also been described in this review.
Topics: Humans; Pesticides; Plants; Metabolomics
PubMed: 38387349
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120326 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Mar 2024Leucaena leucocephala poisoning is reported in horses in different Brazilian regions. The poisoning occurred one month after the horses were introduced into paddocks...
Leucaena leucocephala poisoning is reported in horses in different Brazilian regions. The poisoning occurred one month after the horses were introduced into paddocks invaded by the plant or after 10 days of consuming cut Leucaena administered as the only food. Affected horses showed moderate to severe hair loss on the mane and tail, orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with marked follicular telogenization, and hyperplasia of thyroid follicular cells. Mimosin concentration in leaves (5.5 mg/g) was determined by a new HLPC-UV method which is also reported.
Topics: Mimosine; Brazil; Fabaceae; Hair; Plants
PubMed: 38382883
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107655 -
Microbiology Spectrum Apr 2024Fruit bodies (sporocarps) of wild mushrooms growing in natural environments play a substantial role in the preservation of microbial communities, for example, clinical...
Fruit bodies (sporocarps) of wild mushrooms growing in natural environments play a substantial role in the preservation of microbial communities, for example, clinical and food-poisoning bacteria. However, the role of wild mushrooms as natural reservoirs of plant pathogenic bacteria remains almost entirely unknown. Furthermore, bacterial transmission from a mushroom species to agricultural plants has rarely been recorded in the literature. In September 2021, a creamy-white Gram-negative bacterial strain was isolated from the sporocarp of (slippery jack) growing in Bermuda grass () lawn in Southern Iran. A similar strain was isolated from the same fungus in the same area in September 2022. Both strains were identified as based on phenotypic features as well as phylogeny of 16S rRNA and three housekeeping genes. The strains were not only pathogenic on white button mushrooms () but also induced hypersensitive reaction (HR) on tobacco and common bean leaves and caused soft rot on a set of diverse plant species, that is, chili pepper, common bean pod, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, gladiolus, narcissus, onion, potato, spring onion, okra, kohlrabi, mango, and watermelon. Isolation of plant pathogenic strains from sporocarp of in two consecutive years in the same area could be indicative of the role of this fungus in the preservation of the bacterium in the natural environment. associated with naturally growing could potentially invade neighboring agricultural crops, for example, vegetables and ornamentals. The potential role of wild mushrooms as natural reservoirs of phytopathogenic bacteria is further discussed.IMPORTANCEThe bacterial genus contains biologically heterogeneous strains that can be isolated from diverse habitats, that is, soil, water, diseased plant material, and clinical specimens. In this study, two Gram-negative pectinolytic bacterial strains were isolated from the sporocarps of in September 2021 and 2022. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that both strains belonged to the complex species , while the pathovar status of the strains remained undetermined. Biological investigations accomplished with pathogenicity and host range assays showed that strains isolated from in two consecutive years were pathogenic on a set of diverse plant species ranging from ornamentals to both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous vegetables. Thus, could be considered an infectious pathogen capable of being transmitted from wild mushrooms to annual crops. Our results raise a hypothesis that wild mushrooms could be considered as potential reservoirs for phytopathogenic .
Topics: Burkholderia gladioli; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Agaricus; Burkholderia; Vegetables; Basidiomycota
PubMed: 38380912
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03395-23 -
The Analyst Mar 2024Mesoporous FeO-loaded silver nanocomposites (FeO@Ag) were simply fabricated as bi-functional nanozymes for the catalysis-based detection and removal of Hg ions. It was...
Mesoporous FeO-loaded silver nanocomposites (FeO@Ag) were simply fabricated as bi-functional nanozymes for the catalysis-based detection and removal of Hg ions. It was found that the as-prepared magnetic FeO@Ag could display peroxidase-like catalysis activity that could be rationally enhanced in the presence of Hg ions. To our surprise, the shell of the Ag element may decrease the catalysis of the FeO to some degree. However, the Ag particles could serve as the probes for specifically recognizing Hg ions and trigger increased catalysis through the formation of Ag-Hg alloys, with a decreased signal background. A high-throughput colorimetric analytical method was thereby developed based on the FeO@Ag catalysis for probing Hg ions in the muscles of fish by using 96-well plates, at linear Hg concentrations ranging from 0.010 to 2.5 mg kg. Moreover, the developed colorimetric analytical method was applied to evaluate Hg levels in muscle samples of different kinds of fish. Unexpectedly, an obvious difference of Hg levels in muscles of four kinds of fish was discovered, with the order of snakehead () > largemouth bass () > crucian carp () > silver carp (), where the carnivorous fish showed higher Hg levels than the omnivorous or plant-based ones. Moreover, the as-fabricated FeO@Ag adsorbents with their large specific surface area and high environmental robustness could exhibit efficient Hg adsorption with capacities of up to 397.60 mg g. A removal efficiency of 99.40% can also be expected for Hg ions from wastewater, with the magnet-aided recycling of FeO@Ag adsorbents. Such an FeO@Ag-based colorimetric analysis and removal strategy for Hg ions should find wide applications in the fields of aquatic food safety, environmental monitoring, and clinical diagnostics of Hg-poisoning diseases.
Topics: Animals; Mercury; Colorimetry; Nanocomposites; Carps; Ions
PubMed: 38380690
DOI: 10.1039/d4an00052h