María Belén Rocco, Clara Requena D’Alessio, Valeria Giselle Sánchez, Horacio Eduardo Romeo, María Laura Barreiro Arcos^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 629-646, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062525 - 30 April 2025

Abstract Introduction: Hyperthyroidism is known to affect various physiological systems, including the immune system. Thyroid hormones (THs) play a crucial role in regulating immune function, and alterations in THs levels can lead to immune dysregulation. Objective: Currently, we aimed to elucidate the effects of hyperthyroidism on immune function in BALB/c mice, with a focus on anatomical and histological changes in lymphoid organs, the immune response to mitogenic stimulation, mitochondrial dynamics, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Methods: Hyperthyroidism was induced in BALB/c mice by administering thyroxine (T4; 14 mg/L) in their drinking water for 30 days. Thyroid… More >

Maryam¹, Mohamed M. El-Mogy², Muhammad Faheem Jan³, Iram Naz¹, Ishtiaq Ahmad^4,*, Riaz Ahmad⁵, Muhammad Tanveer Altaf⁶

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 623-640, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.063763 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Various environmental stressors, such as salinity, heat, drought, and metals, present significant obstacles to crop productivity. This study delves into the adverse effects of metals, specifically focusing on cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) on plants. It explores the sources of these metals, examining both natural occurrences and human-induced activities, and investigates the mechanisms through which plants absorb them. Metal pollution, in particular, negatively affects plant and microbiome well-being, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that harm essential macromolecules. Traditional stress-resistant plant varieties necessitate substantial development, leading… More >

Chang Wang^1,2,#, Zhi Zhang^1,#, Wei Sun¹, Quan Quan³, Wenshuang Hou³, Chenghao Jin^1,3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 465-482, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062155 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Objectives: Epibrassinolide (EBR) is a steroid hormone with anti-tumor properties. Nevertheless, its potential to inhibit gastric cancer (GC) cells remains unknown. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of EBR on GC cells and to investigate the specific mechanism of EBR. Methods: A cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was utilized to determine cell survival rates. The investigation of apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was performed using flow cytometry. To detect cell migration, a wound-healing assay was performed on AGS cells. Furthermore, western blotting assay was utilized to determine… More >

Cheng Sun^1,3, Chen Zhao^2,3, Guohua Wang^2,3, Qianwen Mao^2,3, Rong Han^2,3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.2, pp. 455-479, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061462 - 06 March 2025

Abstract Enhanced UV-B radiation represents a major environmental factor impacting global cereal production. Researchers have explored various approaches to reduce the detrimental impact of UV-B radiation on crops. Recently, engineered nanoparticles, particularly cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂-NPs), have attracted widespread interest for their ability to boost plant tolerance to a range of abiotic stresses. This study investigates how CeO₂-NPs application affects the morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and transcriptomics profiles of wheat seedling roots subjected to enhanced UV-B stress. The findings demonstrate that CeO₂-NPs notably promoted root length, fresh and dry weights, and root activity (p < 0.05) under enhanced UV-B… More >

EDMUND CHEUNG SO^1,2,#, LOUIS W. C. CHOW^3,#, CHIN-MIN CHUANG⁴, CING YU CHEN^5,6, CHENG-HSUN WU⁷, LIAN-RU SHIAO⁸, TING-TSZ OU⁹, KAR-LOK WONG¹⁰, YUK-MAN LEUNG^8,*, YI-PING HUANG^8,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.2, pp. 397-406, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.052743 - 16 January 2025

Abstract Objectives: Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter (MCU) provides a Ca²⁺ influx pathway from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix and a moderate mitochondrial Ca²⁺ rise stimulates ATP production and cell growth. MCU is highly expressed in various cancer cells including breast cancer cells, thereby increasing the capacity of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake, ATP production, and cancer cell proliferation. The objective of this study was to examine MCU inhibition as an anti-cancer mechanism. Methods: The effects of MCU-i4, a newly developed MCU inhibitor, on cell viability, apoptosis, cytosolic Ca²⁺, mitochondrial Ca²⁺ and potential, glycolytic rate, generation of ATP, and reactive oxygen species,… More >

Yuriy E. Kolupaev^1,2,*, Tetiana O. Yastreb^1,*, Alexander P. Dmitriev³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.12, pp. 3151-3195, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057922 - 31 December 2024

Abstract Stomatal closure, which serves to limit water loss, represents one of the most rapid and critical reactions of plants, occurring not only in response to drought but also to a range of other stressors, including salinity, extreme temperatures, heavy metals, gaseous toxicants, and pathogen infection. ABA is considered to be the main regulator of stomatal movements in plants under abiotic stress. In the last two decades, however, the list of plant hormones and other physiologically active substances that affect stomatal status has expanded considerably. It is believed that stomata are regulated by a complex multicomponent… More >

YAN-NAN LI^1,#, YUN-HONG XIU^2,#, YAN-JUN TANG³, JING-LONG CAO¹, WEN-SHUANG HOU¹, AN-QI WANG¹, TIAN-ZHU LI^4,*, CHENG-HAO JIN^1,3,5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.7, pp. 1055-1069, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050515 - 03 July 2024

Abstract Objectives: Sciadopitysin (SP) is a flavonoid in Ginkgo biloba that exhibits various pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate its antitumor effects and the underlying molecular mechanism of SP in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Methods: Network pharmacology was used for target prediction analysis. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to test the cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to test the cell cycle distribution, apoptosis status, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Transwell and wound-healing assay was used to test the migration effect of SP on HepG2 cells. Western Blot assay was used to… More > Graphic Abstract

CARLOS ALBERTO-SILVA^*, BRENDA RUFINO DA SILVA

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.6, pp. 897-904, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.050443 - 10 June 2024

Abstract Venom snake-derived peptides have multiple biochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological profiles, allowing for the discovery of new medicinal products and therapeutic applications. This review specifically examines the fundamental elements of neuroprotection offered by different oligopeptides derived from snake venom. It also includes a brief evaluation of short peptides that are being considered as potential therapeutic agents. Proline-rich peptides and tryptophyllin family peptides isolated from the crude venom of Viperidae family snakes, specifically Bothrops atrox, Bothrops jararaca, and Bothrops moojeni, have been shown to have pro-survival properties, the ability to reduce oxidative stress, and the ability to promote cell viability More >

JINGLONG CAO^1,#, SHUMEI LI^2,#, TONG ZHANG^1,#, JIAN LIU¹, WENSHUANG HOU¹, ANQI WANG¹, CHANG WANG^3,4,*, CHENGHAO JIN^1,3,5,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.2, pp. 313-325, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.043474 - 23 February 2024

Abstract Background: Valtrate (Val) was extracted from the Valeriana jatamansi Jones plant, had good antitumor activity. However, its precise molecular mechanism in cancer cells was still unclear. This study investigated the effect of Val on gastric cancer (GC) cells and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods: Cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay. Cell cycle, apoptosis, and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were analyzed by flow cytometry. The migration effect of Val on AGS cells was analyzed by transwell and wound-healing assay. The expression levels of proteins were analyzed by western blot. Results: The cell viability assay results demonstrated… More > Graphic Abstract

Ahmed Hassan Abdou^1,*, Omar Abdullah Alkhateeb², Hossam Eldin Hamed Mansour³, Hesham S. Ghazzawy⁴, Muayad Saud Albadrani⁵, Nadi Awad Al-harbi⁶, Wasimah B. Al-Shammari⁷, Khaled Abdelaal^8,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.92, No.12, pp. 3305-3321, 2023, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2023.044780 - 28 December 2023

Abstract Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) play an important role in improving agricultural production under several abiotic stress factors. PGPB can be used to increase crop growth and development through hormonal balance and increase nutrient uptake. The positive effect of PGPB may be due to its pivotal role in morphophysiological and biochemical characteristics like leaf number, leaf area, and stem length. Furthermore, relative water content, chlorophyll content, carotenoids, antioxidant enzymes, and plant hormones were improved with PGPB treatment. Crop yield and yield components were also increased with PGPB treatment in numerous crops. The anatomical structure of plant… More >