Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (IJEB)

From transcriptional noise to tumor regulators: The role of long non-coding RNAs in thyroid cancer

Ritika Sharma — 2026-04-08

Thyroid cancer incidence has been reported to increase eminently in India in recent years with a significant preponderance in the females, highlighting the urgent need for deeper insights into its molecular mechanisms to improve diagnosis and treatment. While conventional genetic alterations have been widely studied, increasing evidence points to the vital role of non-coding RNAs especially long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathogenesis and progression of thyroid malignancies. These lncRNAs influence various cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion, primarily through interactions with microRNAs, proteins, and DNA. This review focuses on specific lncRNAs SNHG3, LINC00152, LUCAT1, UCA1, FER1L4, FALEC, and LINC01315 that are dysregulated in thyroid cancer. These molecules are involved in critical signaling pathways such as the AKT/mTOR/ERK, TGF-β, and IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathways. Moreover, they function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), binding to and sequestering tumor-suppressive microRNAs, leading to the upregulation of oncogenes. Understanding these mechanisms provides valuable insights into thyroid tumor biology. Targeting these lncRNAs may offer promising therapeutic approaches and enhance the development of molecular markers for prognosis and treatment response. This review aims to highlight the emerging importance of lncRNAs in thyroid cancer and their potential as novel molecular tools in clinical oncology.

Green synthesized silver nanoparticles promote macrophage activation and antibacterial immunity

Marwa Jaaffer — 2026-04-08

Urgently needed new antimicrobial strategies due to antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to develop and evaluate green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with Aloe vera leaf extract as a low-cytotoxic, safe method to boost innate immunity. The nanoparticles were characterized by TEM, showing spherical particles 15–25 nm in size with a zeta potential of −28.6 mV, indicating high colloidal stability. UV–Vis analysis displayed a clear surface plasmon resonance peak at 420 nm. The murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 was used to assess cytocompatibility and immunostimulatory activity through nitric oxide release and cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6) production. Assays for macrophage clearance, minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were conducted to evaluate antibacterial effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The biosynthesized AgNPs maintained macrophage viability, increased pro-inflammatory cytokine and nitric oxide production at non-toxic levels, and exhibited strong antibacterial activity with low MIC and MBC values. Green-synthesized AgNPs can serve as effective, low-toxicity agents combining antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties to help combat antibiotic resistance, as demonstrated by the enhanced bacterial clearance shown by treated macrophages.

MOTS-c and its K14Q variant demonstrate significant lipid-lowering and weight-reducing effects in obese mice

Xinran Wei — 2026-04-08

A 1382A>C substitution in the MOTS-c gene results in a K14Q amino acid replacement. Research on the MOTS-c K14Q variant is still limited, and its role in blood lipid metabolism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of MOTS-c and its K14Q variant on obesity. A diet-induced obesity mouse model was established and treated with injections of either MOTS-c or the K14Q variant. Subsequent analyses examined AMPK (PRKAA1) expression, changes in body weight, and serum lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acids (FFA). Both MOTS-c and the K14Q variant activated AMPK expression and reduced body weight as well as levels of TC, TG, and FFA. However, MOTS-c exhibited a stronger effect on reducing TC and TG, whereas the K14Q variant showed a greater impact on lowering FFA. In conclusion, MOTS-c and its K14Q variant both exert lipid-lowering effects, but their differential impacts on TC, TG, and FFA suggest distinct regulatory roles in blood lipid metabolism.

Cardioprotective effect of aqueous Commiphora myrrha extract against alcoholic cardiomyopathy in rats

Abeer Alahmari — 2026-04-08

This study aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective efficacy of Commiphora myrrha resin in alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) through integrated biochemical, histopathological, and NF-κB-related immunohistochemically assessments. Although ACM is a well-recognized consequence of chronic alcohol consumption, characterized by progressive cardio myocyte degeneration and necrosis, current effective and safe therapeutic strategies remain limited. Moreover, despite accumulating evidence implicating inflammatory signaling pathways—particularly NF-κB—in ACM pathogenesis, the potential modulatory role of C. myrrha resin in this context has not yet been systematically investigated, thereby representing a critical gap in the existing studies. For inducing the ACM rat model, rats were given ethanol for 30 days. Other rats were given distilled water as a negative control, C. myrrha as a positive control, and ethanol plus C. myrrha. The MDA, 4-HNE, MDA, NO, TNF-α, and HSP70 were measured. The histopathological alterations as well as the NF-κβ expression in cardiac tissue were investigated. The data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test. Alcohol increased the level of MDA, 4-HNE, TNF-α, NO, and HSP70, reduced NF-kB expression of the heart, and caused blood vessel congestion, cardiomyocyte necrosis, and myocardial fibrosis. While C. myrrha restored heart integrity and improved cardiac tissue since these compounds can overexpress HSP70 and alter cell cytokine expression. Our findings uniquely suggest a new mechanism by which furano-sesquiterpenoids and triterpenes from C. myrrha possess antioxidant and free radical-neutralizing properties, making them key mediators of protection against myocardial injury and providing scientific support for developing C. myrrha as a nutritional supplement.

Down-regulation of β-defensins, an immuno-linked gene in quinalphos-exposed birds

Arjun Kafle — 2026-04-08

Quinalphos, an organophosphate pesticide, is widely used in agriculture to mitigate pest load and poses risks to non-target species, including poultry. The sublethal and immunotoxic effects of quinalphos on indigenous Kamrupa chickens, vital for Northeast India’s rural economy, are poorly understood. In this study an attempt has been made to study the acute toxicity and immunosuppressive effects of quinalphos in Kamrupa chickens. Twenty birds were divided into control (n=10) and treatment groups (n=10), with the latter receiving a single oral LD50 dose (22.5 mg/kg body weight) in corn oil via oral gavage. Birds in the treatment group exhibited rapid onset of neurological symptoms, excessive salivation, reduced feed intake, diarrhoea, and 50% mortality within 36 hours. Massive reduction in lymphocyte counts with elevated haemoglobin; total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, and heterophil percentage were evident in haematological findings. Serum biochemistry showed increased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and uric acid, and reduced cholinesterase activity. Histopathological findings showed hepatic, renal, and neural degeneration. Gene expression studies showed significant downregulation of β-defensin genes (AvBD1, AvBD6, AvBD7). These findings highlight the need for low-dose or safer pest-control alternatives to protect poultry and the environment as a whole.

Antidiabetic activity of Abroma augustum (L.) L.f. and Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. extracts benchmarked through phytochemicals, enzyme inhibition and glucose

Takhelchangbam Ibeeka Sharma — 2026-04-08

The rising global burden of diabetes mellitus and the limitations of conventional therapies necessitate the exploration of safer, effective plant-based alternatives. Although Abroma augustum (L.) L.f. and Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. are traditionally used in Nagaland for diabetes management, scientific validation regarding their specific enzyme inhibition mechanisms and safety profiles remains limited. This study systematically evaluated their antidiabetic potential through phytochemical profiling, antioxidant activity, enzyme kinetics, and glucose uptake assays. Quantitative analysis revealed that 80% ethanol extracts were richer in bioactive constituents, particularly phenols and flavonoids, compared to aqueous extracts. Cajanus cajan consistently demonstrated superior antioxidant activity and potent, competitive inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) compared to A. augustum. Furthermore, C. cajan exhibited significantly higher glucose uptake (147.75%) in HepG2 cells. Cytotoxicity assessment in VERO cells indicated that while C. cajan (IC₅₀ 139.98 µg/mL) was relatively safe, A. augustum (IC₅₀ 115.79 µg/mL) possessed higher cytotoxicity. These findings scientifically validate the antidiabetic potential of A. augustum and C. cajan, supporting their traditional use and warranting further investigation for antidiabetic drug development.

Weed to wonder: antioxidant and antibacterial investigation of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Heena choudhary — 2026-04-08

The overuse of modern synthetic pesticides for controlling insect-pest and plant diseases has led to environmental pollution, health risks, and the development of resistant bacterial strains, creating an urgent need for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Parthenium hysterophorus, a widely distributed invasive weed, is known for its harmful effects but also contains bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids. This study explores its potential as a natural source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents to address crop protection challenges. Aqueous leaf and flower extracts were analyzed for phytochemicals and bioactivity. Qualitative and quantitative profiling confirmed a high level of phenolics (13.5±9.49 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (22.60±0.52 mg QE/g), tannins (11.26±1.70 mg TAE/g), and alkaloids (717.27±211mg/g) in leaf extracts. Antioxidant evaluation revealed strong radical scavenging activity, with leaf extracts exhibiting lower IC₅₀ values in DPPH (604.88 μg/mL) and ABTS (644.9 μg/mL) assays compared to flower (1,028.74 μg/mL and 900 μg/mL, respectively). Reducing power was higher in leaves (256.92 mg AAE/g) than flowers (210.30 mg AAE/g). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed a strong broad peak at 4000–400 cm⁻¹, corresponding to O–H stretching, which is characteristic of phenolic and alcoholic compounds, and Gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) exhibited the Dimethyl sulfone as a major bioactive compound in both leaf (24.31%) and flower (32.83%) extracts. Antibacterial activity assessed by agar well diffusion demonstrated significant inhibition against Pectobacterium carotovorum (18 mm at 60 mg/mL) and Ralstonia solanacearum (11mm at 60 mg/mL), outperforming flower extracts. These findings highlight P. hysterophorus as a rich source of bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant and antibacterial properties, supporting its transformation from an invasive weed into a sustainable biocontrol agent for eco-friendly crop protection.

Editorial Board

CSIR NIScPR — 2026-04-08

IJEB