Popova, I. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2026

Toxic Effects of Solanum sisymbriifolium Extracts on Meloidogyne hapla and Meloidogyne chitwoodi

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are among the most destructive agricultural pests worldwide, causing significant economic losses across diverse cropping systems. Soil fumigation, the most common management strategy, is costly, detrimental to soil health, and increasingly restricted due to environmental and regulatory concerns. As a result, there is a critical need for alternative, sustainable approaches for PPN control. Solanum sisymbriifolium is resistant to several Meloidogyne species and represents a promising source of natural nematicidal compounds. In this study, we evaluated the effects of S. sisymbriifolium extracts on Meloidogyne chitwoodi and M. hapla, two economically important nematodes. Compounds were extracted using solvents of increasing polarity and then reconstituted in water. The water-solubilized extracts were then used in bioassays to assess their effects on nematode egg hatching, egg viability, and second-stage juvenile (J2) survival. Egg hatching and J2 viability of both Meloidogyne species were consistently affected by compounds in the 1-butanol fraction. Further characterization of these compounds may enable the development of novel, environmentally sustainable alternatives to conventional nematode management strategies.

Plant Biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Aβ-induced NOX2 activation underlies oxidative stress leading to brain hypometabolism and hyperactivity in Alzheimer's disease

A predominant trigger and driver of sporadic Alzheimers disease (AD) is the synergy of brain oxidative stress and glucose hypometabolism starting at early preclinical stages. Oxidative stress damages macromolecules, while glucose hypometabolism impairs cellular energy supply and antioxidant defense. However, the exact cause of AD-associated glucose hypometabolism and its network consequences has remained unknown. Here we report NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) activation as the main initiating mechanism behind A{beta}1-42-related glucose hypometabolism and network dysfunction. We utilize a combination of electrophysiology with real-time recordings of metabolic transients both ex- and in-vivo to show that A{beta}1-42 induces oxidative stress and acutely reduces cellular glucose consumption followed by long-lasting network hyperactivity and abnormalities in the animal behavioral profile. Critically, all of these pathological changes were prevented by the novel bioavailable NOX2 antagonist GSK2795039. Our data provide the first direct experimental evidence for causes and consequences of AD-related brain glucose hypometabolism, and suggest that targeting NOX2-mediated oxidative stress is a promising approach to both the prevention and treatment of AD. Single sentence summaryBeta-amyloid induces brain hypometabolism, network hyperactivity, and behavioral changes via NADPH oxidase-mediated oxidative stress, suggesting a novel therapeutic target for Alzheimers disease treatment.

neuroscience↗