Journal of Experimental and Molecular Biology

SENOLYTIC EFFECTS OF BETAINE AMELIORATES DNA DAMAGES AND PHOTOAGEING IN FIBROBLAST CELLS- AN INVITRO STUDY

Angel Reena George — 2026-09-30

Ageing is the sequential deterioration of biological functions indispensable for persistence and reproduction. When deterioration reigns above synthesis, the organism ages; UV-induced photoageing is one of the causes of DNA damages leading to premature ageing and there is increased demand for use of phytochemicals as protective agents as senescence inhibitors. Several phytochemicals are being under active research for senolytic effects. In the present study, we focussed to identify the senolytic effects of betaine in UV induced experimental ageing models. L929 cells were subjected to UV treatment to mimic photoageing and the cells were treated with varying concentrations of betaine from 6.25 to 100 μg.mL-1. The impact of betaine on UV exposed cells was determined by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation using 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) staining. Comet assay and galactosidase staining was done to analyse the extent of DNA damages and senescence respectively. Betaine-associated protection against UV photoaged L929 cells was evident with concomitant increase in cell viability and significant restoration of cellular morphology. With UV exposure, ROS generation was found to be increased and was reduced in betaine co-treated groups. Betaine significantly reduced UV induced DNA damage as evident from decreased tail length in cotreated groups compared to the increased tail length in UV irradiated groups. X gal staining confirmed the senolytic effects of betaine. The experimental results validate that betaine can curb both oxidative and DNA damages triggered by UV rays proving the potential anti-ageing properties as well as its prospective uses in therapeutic and cosmetic settings.

EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED DIETARY LEVELS OF RICE MILLING WASTES

Peter-Damian Chukwunomso Jiwuba — 2026-09-30

This study evaluated the performance and nutrient digestibility of West African dwarf goats (WADG) fed dietary levels of rice milling waste (RMW). Twenty-four West African dwarf bucks (average weight 5.49 kg and aged 6–8 months) were used for the study. Four experimental diets were formulated and designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4. T1 was the control and contained 0% of RMW while T2 contained 10%, T3 20% and T4 30% of RMW. The experimental goats were randomly assigned to four the dietary treatments: T1, T2, T3 and T4 in a completely randomized design. The trial lasted 90 days. Nutrient intake, body weight changes, haematology, serum biochemistry and nutrient digestibility were studied. Supplement dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T3, while DMI as a percentage of body weight was higher in T1 and T4. Crude protein intake was lower (p<0.05) in T4. Neutral detergent fibre intake was higher (p<0.05) in T4. Acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin intakes were high (p<0.05) in T3 and T4. Daily weight gain was highest (p<0.05) in T2. The feed conversion ratio were better (p<0.05) in T1, T2 and T3. Packed cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin concentration were improved (p<0.05) in T1 and T2, while haemoglobin, red blood cell count, and mean cell volume were lower (p<0.05) in T4. Crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin digestibility were high (p<0.05) in T1. The study concludes that rice milling waste can be incorporated into the diets of WAD goats at levels up to 30% without adverse effects on performance, or digestibility. Better results in weight gain, feed conversion, haematology and nutrient utilization were observed at 10% inclusion and hence recommended for enhanced goat production.

MELATONIN ATTENUATES ALCOHOL-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS AND DUODENAL INJURY IN WISTAR RATS

Edobor Obayuwana — 2026-09-30

Long-term alcohol intake can damage the lining of the small intestine by increasing harmful oxidative processes. Melatonin is a naturally produced substance in the body known for its strong protective and antioxidant properties. This study examined whether melatonin could protect the duodenum against alcohol-induced injury in adult rats. Twenty rats were divided into four groups and treated for twenty-eight days with alcohol, melatonin, both substances together, or neither. Changes in body weight, antioxidant activity, lipid damage, and duodenal tissue structure were assessed. Alcohol exposure reduced weight gain, weakened antioxidant defenses, increased lipid damage, and caused marked injury to the duodenal lining. Treatment with melatonin significantly improved weight gain, restored antioxidant balance, reduced tissue damage, and preserved normal duodenal structure. Melatonin alone produced no harmful effects. These findings show that melatonin effectively protects the duodenum from alcohol-induced damage by reducing oxidative stress.

CARBOHYDRATE OXIDASE GENE EXPRESSION IN SUNFLOWER DURING OROBANCHE CUMANA INFECTION

Duca Maria — 2026-09-30

Carbohydrate oxidases (SCO) represent a class of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and in the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a key molecule in redox signaling and in the activation of plant defense responses. In this study, the transcriptional responses of the SCO gene were analyzed in three sunflower genotypes exhibiting contrasting reactions to O. cumana infestation, using a controlled artificial infestation system. The resulting expression profiles were correlated with the resistance or susceptibility phenotypes of the analyzed genotypes. The results revealed significant transcriptional differences among genotypes. Resistant genotypes showed an early and tightly regulated induction of SCO expression during the pre-attachment phase, followed by moderate and sustained activation associated with effective restriction of parasite establishment. In contrast, the susceptible genotype Performer exhibited a delayed and unbalanced response, insufficient to prevent successful infestation.

MICROBIAL VALORIZATION OF NICOTINE AND TOBACCO WASTE FOR BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS RECOVERY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Iustin Tiberius Munteanu — 2026-09-30

The tobacco industry produces thousands of tons of toxic waste annually, containing nicotine at concentrations ranging from 3% to 6% (w/w). Traditional waste management approaches entail high costs and negative impacts on the environment and human health. Microbial biotechnology may be used for the simultaneous detoxification of nicotine and recovery of bioactive compounds from tobacco waste (TW). The systematic review is based on the guidelines established by PRISMA 2020 and seeks to find data on bacteria-based approaches to TW valorization, structured around the PICO framework. The literature search was conducted between April and June 2026 across Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), PubMed, and Google Scholar, supplemented by reports from World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and Grand View Research. Following duplicate removal and screening of 201 studies, 13 research articles and 7 organizational reports met the inclusion criteria. Of the 13 studies, 7 focused on NDM strains, 4 on nicotine-tolerant non-NDMs, and 2 on co-culture systems. Functional pyridines were the most frequently recovered compounds, with pharmaceutical applications being the predominant target sector. The findings confirm that microbial valorization of TW aligns well with circular economy principles. Nevertheless, some limitations must be acknowledged: the screening process was conducted by a single author, and the considerable heterogeneity of experimental conditions across the included studies precluded a quantitative meta-analysis, making a narrative synthesis the only viable approach. Future research should prioritize scale-up studies and safety validation of the produced compounds.