Bismillah Mubeen^1,2,#, Ammarah Hasnain^2,3,#,*, Syed Atif Hasan Naqvi⁴, Fahad Hakim⁵, Syed Sheharyar Hassan Naqvi⁶, Muhammad Zeeshan Hassan⁴, Muhammad Umer Iqbal⁷, Mahmoud Moustafa⁸, Mohammed O. Alshaharni⁸, Mingzheng Duan^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 1941-1971, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064056 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Plants have long served as a cornerstone for drug discovery, offering a vast repertoire of bioactive compounds with proven efficacy in combating oxidative stress, a pivotal driver of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on plant-derived antioxidants, emphasizing their mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and quantitative efficacy validated through standardized assays. Key phytochemicals, including polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) through radical scavenging, enzyme modulation, and gene regulation. For instance, lutein, a carotenoid found in leafy greens, demonstrates potent antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values… More >

FLáVIA ALVES VERZA^1,#,*, GUILHERME CARVALHO DA SILVA^2,#, FELIPE GARCIA NISHIMURA²

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 1819-1834, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.065755 - 18 July 2025

Abstract Cancer remains a major global health burden, with rising incidence and mortality linked to aging populations and increased exposure to genotoxic agents. Oxidative stress plays a critical role in cancer development, progression, and resistance to therapy. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1)-antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway is central to maintaining redox balance by regulating the expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes. Under physiological conditions, this pathway protects cells from oxidative damage, however, sustained activation of NRF2 in cancer, often due to mutations in KEAP1, supports tumor cell survival, More > Graphic Abstract

Qi Guo¹, Jianxiong Xu^2,*, Xuan Cai², Jiaojiao Xie¹, Siqi Wu¹

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.5, pp. 907-924, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.063568 - 27 May 2025

Abstract Objectives: Weaning induces oxidative stress in pigs, increasing the risk of diarrhea and death. Intestinal damage is associated with obstructed intestinal cell cycles. To stop damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) has been widely employed. In this study, we examined changes in the intestinal cyclin of weaning piglets and assessed the impact of NAC on intestinal cell cycle arrest and intracellular signaling pathways. Methods: We conducted two animal experiments. In the first, we divided 12 litters of 120 newborn piglets into two groups: a control group and a weaning group. The… More >

Anton Tkachenko^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.5, pp. 721-741, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.063301 - 27 May 2025

Abstract Ferroptosis is an iron-driven, phospholipid hydroperoxide-mediated cell death, which has recently emerged as an attractive tool in cancer research due to its ability to govern the anti-tumor immune response. A growing research interest in ferroptosis biology has revealed the contribution of this regulated cell death to multiple diseases. In addition to iron, ferroptosis has been reported to be triggered by multiple heavy metals, which sheds light on the novel aspects of heavy metals-induced cytotoxicity. In this review, the ability of zinc, an essential biogenic element with a wide array of biological functions, to modulate ferroptosis… More >

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 >