Changing in the production of anticancer drugs (vinblastine and vincristine) in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don by potassium and ascorbic acid treatments

Catharanthus roseus seedling was treated with different concentrations (1.5, 3.16, 15, and 30 mmol) and forms (K₂SO₄ and KNO₃) of potassium (K⁺) via Hoagland’s nutrient solution. Ascorbic acid (AsA) was sprayed twice (plant days 68 and 78) with different concentrations (750 and 1 500 mg/L) on the leaves. Vinblastine, vincristine, tryptophan contents, D4H and DAT genes expression, peroxidase activity, and H₂O₂ content of leaves were measured. Potassium in KNO₃ form increased vinblastine (60%) and vincristine (50%), compared to 30% and 20% using K₂SO₄. Vinblastine and vincristine inhibit microtubule assembly and ultimately metaphase-arrested caused by the polymerisation. The genes expression was higher 3 times in KNO₃ and 2.5 times in K₂SO₄ in excess of K⁺. Foliar application of 750 mg/L AsA led to an increase in vinblastine (20%) and vincristine (16%). Both concentrations of AsA had the same additional effect on the expression of D4H and DAT about 30% and 60%, respectively, compared to the control plant. Tryptophan decreased 2.5 times in excess of K⁺ and 35% due to the exterior of AsA. H₂O₂ decreased while peroxidase activity increased along with AsA treatment. A positive interaction existed between the K⁺ and AsA on the amount of vinblastine, vincristine, tryptophan, and gene expression.

In vitro growth and content of vincristine and vinblastine of Catharanthus roseus L. hairy roots in response to precursors and elicitors

Catharanthus roseus L. is a medicinal plant that produces numerous indole terpenoid alkaloids, including vincristine and vinblastine, which are used for cancer treatment. The effect of specified precursors (L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine) and elicitors (chitosan, methyl jasmonate) on C. roseus hairy roots (CHR) growth has been examined in order to increase the content of vincristine and vinblastine. Our results showed that CHR generated by an Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain isolated in Vietnam was capable of producing both vincristine and vinblastine when subjected to precursors, but only vinblastine when exposed to elicitors. However, both precursors and elicitors were evaluated to have an effect on increasing the accumulation of TIAs in CHR. In particular, the use of elicitors required more time to find the appropriate induction conditions, while the use of precursors gave outstanding efficiency in the treatment with 1 µM phenylalanine. The greatest yields of vincristine (51.99 µg g-1 DW) and vinblastine (699.92 µg g-1 DW) were obtained in the 7th week (with 0.306 g DW biomass). This result is the first time we might boost the levels of vincristine and vinblastine in our CHR clone generated by the Vietnam strain of A. rhizogenes.

Fractals as Julia Sets of Complex Sine Function via Fixed Point Iterations

We explore some new variants of the Julia set by developing the escape criteria for a function sin(zn)+az+c, where a,c∈C, n≥2, and z is a complex variable, utilizing four distinct fixed point iterative methods. Furthermore, we examine the impact of parameters on the deviation of dynamics, color, and appearance of fractals. Some of these fractals represent the stunning art on glass, and Rangoli (made in different parts of India, especially during the festive season) which are useful in interior decoration. Some fractals are similar to beautiful objects found in our surroundings like flowers (to be specific Hibiscus and Catharanthus Roseus), and ants.

Analysing the phytochemistry and anti-oxidant property of fabricated silver nanoparticles using Catharanthus roseus leaf extract

A green rapid biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Catharanthus roseus leaf extract was performed. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Visible, Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The reduction of silver ions to AgNPs using C. roseus extract was completed within 240 mins. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) at 442 nm using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer and it is characterized by XRD, Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The morphological studies revealed the spherical shape of the particles with sizes ranging from 16-35 nm and Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrum confirmed the presence of silver along with other elements in the plants metabolite. The extracellular AgNPs synthesis by aqueous leaf extract demonstrates ultra-fast, simple and inexpensive method comparable to other methods. The antioxidant assay of the synthesized AgNPs indicated that they have a strong antioxidant property as compared to the control. Since these compounds are also safe to use and discharged into the environment, the green AgNPs could be considered as an innovative alternative approach for biomedical and nanoscience based industries.

Isolation of Novel Vincristine and Vinblastine Producing Streptomyces Species from Catharanthus Roseus Rhizospheric Soil

Microorganisms could be used as efficient tools to protect high value therapeutic plants against overexploitation and climate change. This work aimed to isolate alkaloids producing endophytic and rhizospheric soil actinomycetes and fungi of Catharanthus roseus. From a total of eleven actinomycetes and eight fungi strains isolated by dilution and plate methods, six telluric actinomycetes were revealed to produce alkaloids according to the precipitation test of their extracts. Revelation by Thin Layer Chromatography method using vinblastine and vincristine standards on the basis of frontal reference values showed that the strain SC8 and the vinblastine, the strain SC7 and the vincristine displayed the same frontal references (0,89 and 0,88, respectively). Whole genome sequencing method showed that both strains belong to the genus Streptomyces with novel species.Moreover, metabolic pathways analysis from their genomes allowed to detect three enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoid backbone leading to that of terpenoid indole alkaloids.