Impact of Acetyl Acetone on Zinc Uptake and Oxidative Stress in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

The purpose of this research is to determine the impacts of acetyl acetone on zinc uptake and oxidative stress in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings grown in hydroponic solutions. Thirty seedlings of cucumber were collected from Kura local government area Kano, Kano state. Concentrations of Zn2+ in the hydroponics were varied from 0.000 to 0.025 mol dm-3 and of acetyl acetone were also varied from 0.000 to 0.025 mol dm-3. The seedlings were replanted and kept at Department of Agriculture Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil garden. The weight of plants increased significantly (p<0.05) with concentration of Zn2+ in the absence of acetyl acetone and highly insignificantly (p>0.05) with concentration of acetyl acetone in the absence of Zn2+. In the presence of acetyl acetone and Zn2+ plant weight decreased highly insignificant (p>0.05). Leaf fall was observed from plants in all hydroponic, the number of falling leaves was insignificant (p>0.05) with concentration of Zn2+ but it is insignificant (p>0.05) with concentration of acetyl acetone and highly insignificant in the presence of acetyl acetone and Zn2+ (p>0.05). The volume of the solution decreased highly significant (p<0.05) with concentration of Zn2+ and significant with concentration of acetyl acetone (p<0.05) the volume also increased insignificantly in the presence of acetyl acetone and Zn2+ (p>0.05). The pH values of treated hydroponics before replanting and after harvest were insignificant with increased in the concentration of Zn2+ (p>0.05). Both shoot and root zinc accumulated were insignificant at lower concentration of Zn2+ (p>0.05) and significant at higher concentration of Zn2+ (p<0.05). The zinc translocation factor decreased highly insignificantly (p>0.05) at lower concentration of Zn2+ and significant at higher concentration of Zn2+ (p>0.05) in treated plants compared to control. The chlorophyll, carotenoid and proline content varied in the presence and absence of acetyl acetone and or combination of the two, with (p<0.05) or (p>0.05).

Carvacrol Attenuates Hippocampal Neuronal Death after Global Cerebral Ischemia via Inhibition of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7

Over the last two decades, evidence supporting the concept of zinc-induced neuronal death has been introduced, and several intervention strategies have been investigated. Vesicular zinc is released into the synaptic cleft, where it then translocates to the cytoplasm, which leads to the production of reactive oxygen species and neurodegeneration. Carvacrol inhibits transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7), which regulates the homeostasis of extracellular metal ions, such as calcium and zinc. In the present study, we test whether carvacrol displays any neuroprotective effects after global cerebral ischemia (GCI), via a blockade of zinc influx. To test our hypothesis, we used eight-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats, and a GCI model was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (CCAO), accompanied by blood withdrawal from the femoral artery. Ischemic duration was defined as a seven-minute electroencephalographic (EEG) isoelectric period. Carvacrol (50 mg/kg) was injected into the intraperitoneal space once per day for three days after the onset of GCI. The present study found that administration of carvacrol significantly decreased the number of degenerating neurons, microglial activation, oxidative damage, and zinc translocation after GCI, via downregulation of TRPM7 channels. These findings suggest that carvacrol, a TRPM7 inhibitor, may have therapeutic potential after GCI by reducing intracellular zinc translocation.

Acúmulo e translocação de cobre e zinco em plantas de Crambe abyssinica

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica) é uma cultura promissora para a produção de biodiesel. No entanto, não há muita informação disponível sobre as técnicas e pesquisas sobre o melhor desempenho em diferentes regiões para explorar o seu potencial. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de cobre e zinco no acúmulo e distribuição destes elementos nesta planta. O estudo foi realizado em casa de vegetação e constou de dois experimentos independentes, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. Em um deles, os tratamentos consistiram em cinco doses de cobre, ou seja, 0, 10, 15, 20 e 25 mg kg-1 e no outro , cinco doses de zinco, 0, 20, 30, 40 e 50 mg kg-1. Após 100 dias de germinação as plantas foram colhidas e avaliadas os níveis de cobre e zinco em tecidos de plantas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e comparação de médias pelo teste de Tukey a 1 e 5% de significância. Os teores de cobre e zinco aumentaram significativamente na fitomassa do crambe em função da aplicação destes elementos no solo. Os acúmulos de cobre e zinco nas plantas de crambe obedeceram às seguintes ordens, respectivamente: raiz > parte aérea; parte aérea > raiz. O índice de translocação do zinco foi maior que a do cobre nas plantas de crambe.Content and translocation of copper and zinc in plant Crambe abyssinicaAbstract: Crambe is a promising crop for biodiesel production. However, there is no much information available about techniques and research regarding the best performance in different regions to explore its potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of copper and zinc in the accumulation and distribution of these elements in this plant. The study was carried out in a greenhouse and it consisted of two independent experiments in completely randomized design, with three replications. Two metals with five levels were applied: 0, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg∙kg−1 for copper and 0, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg∙kg−1 for zinc. After 100 days of germination the plants were harvested and assessed the levels of copper and zinc in plant tissues. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and comparison of means by Tukey test at 1 and 5% significance. Copper and zinc content increased significantly in the biomass of crambe due to the application of these elements in the soil. Copper and zinc accumulation in crambe plants followed the following orders, respectively: root> shoot; shoot> root. The zinc translocation ratio was higher than that of copper in crambe plants.