Biology subjects

Fahim, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Fahim, M..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Zhi-Shi-Huang-Wu slows Parkinson's disease progression in transgenic C. elegans models

Parkinsons disease (PD) is the second most progressive degenerative disorder of the brain due to dopaminergic (DA) neuron degenerations and alpha-synuclein (-Syn) accumulations. At present, the disease has no effective treatment. Therefore, the current study objective is to identify a novel anti-PD formula (Zhi-Shi-Huang-Wu Formula, F-2) computed at 8:4:2:1 ratio from HSP 70 promoter activators Valeriana jatamansi (V), Acori talarinowii (A), Scutellaria baicalensis (S), Fructus Schisandrae (F). Traditionally, V is used to cure memory impairments, A treats mental disorders, and chronic mild stress, S for neuroprotection, and F showed multiple therapeutic actions to treat insomnia. This study investigated the neuroprotective potential of the V, A, S, F, formula F-2 and its underlying molecular mechanisms in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans models. A, S, F, and F-2 successfully restored 6-hydroxydopamine intoxicated DA neuron degenerations, reduced food-sensing behavior disabilities, and attenuated -Syn aggregations. Moreover, activates the lipid deposition and proteasome expressions to confirm -Syn degradations at the cellular level. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oxidative stress, and A, S, F, and F-2 repressed ROS and raised SOD-3 expressions. Overall, these data indicate that V, A, S, F combined into F-2 (22.3%) are more effective against PD progression-like symptom than individual drugs V (0.7%), A (11.4%), S (9.6%), and F (12.6%). These improved neuroprotective actions of F-2 possibly due to following the antioxidative pathway. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=144 SRC="FIGDIR/small/709540v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (47K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a6f1f7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@157a270org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@69a238org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1194b5e_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Zhi-Shi-Wu-Huang attenuates amyloid beta toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans Alzheimer's disease models via modulating insulin DAF-16 signaling pathway

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder primarily caused by Amyloid-beta (A{beta}) toxicity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel, effective, and safe drugs to treat AD. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history of use in protecting against memory impairments. Recently, TCM has attracted growing attention from researchers as a source of potent neuroprotective compounds. In this study, we focus on four TCM herbs with multiple therapeutic properties: Valeriana jatamansi (V; 20 mg/mL), Acori tatarinowii (A; 10 mg/mL), Fructus Schisandrae (F; 5 mg/mL), and Scutellaria baicalensis (S; 2.5 mg/mL). The aim is to develop a neuroprotective anti-AD formulation, named "Zhi-Shi-Wu-Huang" derived from V, A, F, and S, and evaluate its efficacy in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans models of AD. These four TCM herbs are among the most potent activators of the HSP-70 promoter, promoting the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), which helps prevent protein misfolding and aggregation. Additionally, V, A, F, S, and the Zhi-Shi-Wu-Huang formula were found to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and enhance the expression of superoxide dismutase-3 (sod-3) and chymotrypsin-like proteasomes. Our findings demonstrate that both the individual extracts (V, A, F, S) and the Zhi-Shi-Wu-Huang formulation significantly reduce A{beta}-induced toxicity in transgenic worms by activating the insulin/DAF-16 signaling pathway.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Think Before You List: Integrative Systematics of an 'Endemic and Critically Endangered' Butterfly in the Sundarbans

Accurate species delineation is fundamental to understanding evolutionary relationships and guiding effective conservation measures. While the IUCN Red List serves as a critical conservation tool, its reliability hinges on precise systematic species identification and comprehensive distribution data. However, taxonomic inconsistencies remain a major challenge, particularly for poorly studied taxa in complex ecoregions like the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Here, we investigated the taxonomic identity of the Sundarbans Crow, Euploea crameri nicevillei (Moore, 1890), which is considered the only endemic and critically endangered butterfly of Bangladesh, reported only from the Sundarbans mangroves. The taxonomic status of this butterfly has long been debated, with authors regarding it as a morph of Euploea core (Cramer, 1780), while others designated it as a distinct subspecies of E. crameri (Lucas, 1853). Thus, we applied an integrative taxonomic approach incorporating morphological and molecular evidence with field observations and found that the E. crameri nicevillei is conspecific with the E. core. Based on its distinctive external wing morphology and geographic distribution, we recognize it as a valid subspecies of that, E. core nicevillei (Moore, 1890), stat. nov. Furthermore, this subspecies has a wider geographical range than previously assumed. These results suggest that its earlier designation as endemic and critically endangered was premature, emphasizing the importance of rigorous integrative systematics and the need to reassess its conservation status in Bangladesh.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2025

Metagenomic exploration of the bacteriome reveals natural Wolbachia infections in yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti and Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus

BackgroundDengue and associated complications are spreading to non-endemic regions of Pakistan. Vector control, the foremost and widely adopted strategy for managing dengue has been implemented through various measures in Pakistan. Biological control through the use of Wolbachia, a bacterium naturally present in various insect genera, including Aedes, has demonstrated promising results globally. In this study we collected Aedes species and investigated their microbiomes with a particular focus on identifying the endosymbiont Wolbachia. MethodsMosquitoes were collected via Gravitraps in the Peshawar region of northwest Pakistan. The identity of the mosquitoes was initially confirmed through morphological characters followed by molecular identification using species-specific Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) primers. The DNA from female Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus was further subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing. The hypervariable regions V3/V4 of 16S rRNA were used for sequencing using the paired-end Illumina MiSeq platform. ResultsThe phylogenetic analysis of the COI gene in our samples demonstrated similarity to Aedes species previously documented in Pakistan. In comparative analysis of their microbiomes, Ae. albopictus was found to harbor 921 bacterial species, while Ae. aegypti only had 239 species. The metagenomic analysis revealed Wolbachia pipientis infection in Ae. aegypti while co-infection of Wolbachia pipientis and Wolbachia bourtzisii was detected in Ae. albopictus microbiota. ConclusionBoth Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus are present in Peshawar region of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province of Pakistan. Comparative analysis of the bacteriome showed higher bacterial diversity for Ae. albopictus as compared to Ae. aegypti. The investigation revealed Wolbachia infection in both Aedes mosquitoes species.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Direct lineage conversion of postnatal mouse cortical astrocytes to oligodendrocyte lineage cells

Oligodendrocyte lineage cells (OLCs) are lost in many CNS diseases. Here, we investigate the generation of new OLCs via ectopic expression of Sox10, Olig2 or Nkx6.2 in mouse postnatal astrocytes. Using stringent analyses including, Aldh1l1-astrocyte fate mapping and live cell imaging we confirm that Sox10 and Olig2, but not Nkx6.2, convert Aldh1l1pos astrocytes to induced OLCs (iOLCs). With single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) we uncover the molecular signatures of iOLCs. Transcriptomic analysis of Sox10- and control cultures over time reveals a clear trajectory from astrocytes to iOLCs. Finally, perturbation models CellOracle and Fatecode support the idea that Sox10 drives cells towards a terminal iOLC fate. Altogether, this multidimensional analysis shows bonafide conversion of astrocytes to iOLCs using Sox10 or Olig2 and provides a foundation for astrocyte DLR strategies to promote OLC repair.

developmental biology↗