Sea-buckthorn flavonoids (SFs) have been used as functional food components for their bioactive potential in preventing metabolic complications caused by diet, such as obesity and inflammation. However, the protective effect of SFs on cognitive functions is not fully clear. In this study, a high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD)-induced obese mice model was treated with SFs for 14 weeks. It was found that the oral SF administration (0.06% and 0.31% w/w, mixed in diet) significantly reduced bodyweight gain and insulin resistance in the HFFD-fed mice. SFs significantly prevented HFFD-induced neuronal loss and memory impairment in behavioral tests. Additionally, SFs also suppressed the HFFD-induced synaptic dysfunction and neuronal damages by increasing the protein expressions of PSD-95. Furthermore, SF treatment activated the ERK/CREB/BDNF and IRS-1/AKT pathways and inactivated the NF-κB signaling and its downstream inflammatory mediator expressions. In conclusion, SFs are a potential nutraceutical to prevent high-energy density diet-induced cognitive impairments, which could be possibly explained by their mediating effects on insulin signaling and inflammatory responses in the brain.

cement industry-derived pollutants appear to play multiple roles in stimulating abiotic stress responses in plants. Cement dust deposition on agriculture fields can affect soils, photosynthesis, transpiration and respiration of plants. Here, we characterised the acute physiological responses of Malus × domestica leaves to different cement dust concentrations. The cement dust was sprinkled over plants daily for 2 months at 10 and 20 g/plant, with 0 g/plant serving as the control. Leaf physiological responses revealed significant increases in oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity levels. Additionally, ascorbic acid, soluble sugar, free amino acid, and pigment levels decreased after exposure to cement dust. Macroscopic morphometric parameters, such as weight, dry matter content, and lengths and widths of leaves and buds, were significantly reduced in the cement-treated groups. A histological analysis of leaves and buds revealed decreased cellular areas, cellular damage, and abridged leaf thickness, while an ion leakage assay confirmed the negative effects on tissue integrity. These results provide evidence that cement dust is a hazardous pollutant that induces abiotic stress responses and has degradative effects on leaf health, pigment and biochemical metabolite levels, and anatomical features. Studies to determine the elemental residues of cement dust present in edible plant parts and the adverse impacts of their consumption on human health are strongly recommended. Anthropogenic processes involved in rapid industrialisation and mechanisation are polluting the earth 1 by releasing significant amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. Harmful gases and other wastes, such as dust and heavy metals, are also emitted into the atmosphere regularly, resulting in substantial negative effects on human health, plant development, agriculture output, and natural ecosystems 2,3. The addition of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere at the global level has contributed to climate change and increased the severity of stresses affecting living organisms 4. For example, poor air quality is harmful to plants, because they directly interact with the atmosphere and are, generally, immobile 5. The poor air quality associated with the cement manufacturing industry is receiving attention owing to its increased concentration of particulate matter, which causes major damage to leaves and hinders the growth and development of horticultural plants 6,7. Cement manufacturing processes generate a tremendous amount of dust particulates (coarse and fine), which decrease the surrounding air quality. Their emission of considerable amounts of toxic gases and particulate matters into the atmosphere is causing significant air pollution 8. Cement contains oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, which damage vegetation by affecting their gas exchange processes 9,10. Cement dust deposits on plants interfere with the biosynthesis of chlorophyll and damage leaf cells, resulting in a reduction in photosynthesis 11-13. In some cases, the dust deposition st...

In the external coincidence model, internal and external molecular signals, provided by the circadian clock and sunlight, respectively, are required to induce flowering. Salicylic acid (SA) applications during floral induction have multiple effects. In the current study, Malus × domestica plants were exposed to SA during the flower-induction stage to analyze the effect on various health markers and flowering. A total of 56 equal-sized Fuji/M9 trees that were about 7 years old were randomly divided into two groups. The first group (SA-treated) was sprayed with 4 mM SA solution, while the second group was sprayed with distilled water which served as control (CK). The SA applications increased various leaf pigments. Abiotic stress markers were increased in CK during the flower-induction stage. In the SA-treated group, non-enzymatic antioxidants increased, whereas in the control group, enzymatic antioxidants increased during the flower-induction stage. Histo-morphometric properties of leaves were significantly improved in the SA-treated group. The relative expression of the mRNA levels of MdMED80, −81, −3, and −41 were significantly increased in SA-treated leaves, leading to an early and increased flowering phenotype. Thus, SA increased leaf expansion and health-related marker levels, which lead to early induction of flowering in M. domestica. Overall, our work established a role for leaf health assessments in the regulation of flowering in M. domestica.

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Berries play an important role in antioxidant protection, prevention and treatment of diseases of the human body, so many types of berries are widely used both in food and other industries.   The purpose of this article is to study the chemical composition of berries of various species growing on the territory of Kazakhstan.   The article presents the results of the organoleptic evaluation of berries, in a comparative aspect, the mineral and carbohydrate composition is studied, and the antioxidant activity of various types of berries is determined. The studies used generally accepted organoleptic, chemical and analytical methods. The results of the experiments performed will be used in the development of requirements for raw materials for processing, namely, berries of Kazakhstan production during freeze-drying.