The present study evaluates the antidiabetic effects of aqueous (CPAQ) and methanolic (CPME) extract of Costus pictus D. Don singly and/or in combination with metformin in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. CPAQ and CPME (400 mg/kg dose), metformin (120 mg/kg) and two different combinations of plant extracts and metformin (200 + 60 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg + 60 mg/kg) were orally given to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for 21 days. At 0, 7, 14, and 21 days, body weight and blood glucose levels were measured. After 21 days of treatment, biochemical profiling and histopathology analysis were carried out. CPAQ and CPME, when administrated separately, could decrease blood glucose levels (P ≤ 0.05). CPME showed more promising results (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the diabetic control group. Extracts co-administrated with metformin showed dose-dependent significant recovery of hypoglycemic activity of metformin. Fasting blood glucose levels, body weight, protein, and lipid profile of the treatment group were compared to the diabetic and normal control groups. Animal groups co-administered with CPME and metformin showed more significant effects on the recovery of tissue damages. The synergistic effect of plant extracts with metformin has positive effects on all the parameters and enhanced the efficiency and reduction of blood glucose levels.

During microbial assessment of cow milk cheese products in the city of Ilorin, Nigeria, a Listeria -like isolate was detected that could not be assigned to any known species. Whole-genome sequence analyses against all currently known 26 Listeria species confirmed that this isolate constitutes a new taxon within the genus Listeria , with highest similarity to Listeria costaricensis (average nucleotide identity blast of 82.66%, in silico DNA–DNA hybridization of 28.3%). Phenotypically, it differs from L. costaricensis by the inability to ferment sucrose, l-fucose and starch. The absence of haemolysis and Listeria pathogenic islands suggest that this novel species is not pathogenic for humans and animals. The name Listeria ilorinensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain CLIP 2019/01311^T (=CIP 111875^T=DSM 111566^T).

The Allium cepa assay represents a crucial in vivo model for evaluating the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of substances. This study investigated the cytogenotoxicity of mercury chloride (HgCl₂), a laboratory disinfectant and catalyst, using the Allium cepa assay. Mitotic slides were prepared from onion root tip cells grown on media supplemented with different concentrations of HgCl₂ (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%). The slides were observed to evaluate cytogenotoxicity based on the assessment of the mitotic index, mitotic inhibition, clastogenic effect, and root length. The results showed that the concentrations used are harmful to the cell, leading to adverse impacts on the mitotic index, mitotic inhibition, root growth, and chromosome structure. Different chromosomal aberrations, such as bridge formation, fragmentation fragments, wandering chromosomes, stickiness, binucleate cells, and micronucleus formation, were detected depending on the concentration. Although lower concentrations (0.2–0.4%) had fewer effects on the cells, they still had a significant cytogenotoxic effect (p < 0.05) compared to that of the control (0.0%). The higher the concentration, the greater the effects on clastogenic changes. The abnormalities in both mitotic spread and root growth indicate that mercury chloride is cytotoxic even at low concentrations and can cause mito-depressive effects at higher concentrations. The results of this investigation can be used as a guide to guarantee sufficient safety precautions for people and organs during the regular use of HgCl₂.

In prostate cancer (PC), drugs targeting CYP17A1 have shown great success in regulating PC progression. However, successful drug molecules show adverse side effects and therapeutic resistance in PC. Therefore, we proposed to discover the potent phytochemical-based inhibitor against CYP17A1 using virtual screening. In this study, a phytochemicals library of ∼13800 molecules was selected to screen the best possible inhibitors against CYP17A1. A molecular modelling approach investigated detailed intermolecular interactions, their structural stability, and binding affinity. Further, in vitro and in vivo studies were performed to confirm the anticancer activity of identified potential inhibitor against CYP17A1. Friedelin from Cassia tora (CT) is identified as the best possible inhibitor from the screened library. MD simulation study reveals stable binding of Friedelin to conserved binding pocket of CYP17A1 with higher binding affinity than studied control, that is, Orteronel. Friedelin was tested on hormone-sensitive (22Rv1) and insensitive (DU145) cell lines and the IC₅₀ value was found to be 72.025 and 81.766 µg/ml, respectively. CT extract showed a 25.28% IC₅₀ value against 22Rv1, ∼92.6% increase in late Apoptosis/Necrosis, and three folds decrease in early apoptosis in treated cells compared to untreated cells. Further, animal studies show a marked decrease in prostate weight by 39.6% and prostate index by 36.5%, along with a reduction in serum PSA level by 71.7% and testosterone level by 92.4% compared to the testosterone group, which was further validated with histopathological studies. Thus, we propose Friedelin and CT extract as potential leads, which could be taken further for drug development in PC. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma