Jai Narain Vyas University

Diabetes often leads to neurodegenerative complications that complicate treatment. Exploring dietary components with neuroprotective properties could offer new therapeutic avenues. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of β-sitosterol against diabetes-associated neurodegenerative complications using a combined in silico and in vivo approach. β-Sitosterol exhibited significant neuroprotective effects in a diabetic neuropathy model. Compared to sitagliptin, β-sitosterol demonstrated stronger binding affinities to DPP4, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase, along with more stable molecular dynamics profiles. In vivo, β-sitosterol treatment markedly improved glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and antioxidant capacity. Histological analysis revealed reduced neurodegenerative changes and enhanced neuronal integrity in the cortex and hippocampus. These findings suggest β-sitosterol as a promising therapeutic agent for managing diabetic neurodegeneration, warranting further research and potential clinical application.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology to convert biomass and organic waste into electricity, offering an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Recent innovations in nanotechnology have significantly enhanced the performance and efficiency of MFCs by improving electron transfer rates, expanding surface areas, and optimizing the properties of anode and cathode materials. This review provides a detailed assessment of the fundamental and functional components of MFCs. These components include the anode, which facilitates the oxidation of organic matter, and the cathode, where the reduction of oxygen or other electron acceptors occurs. Another critical component is the proton exchange membrane (PEM), which allows the transfer of protons from the anode to the cathode while preventing oxygen from diffusing into the anode chamber. In addition to discussing these key elements, the article explores the role of various microorganisms involved in MFCs. These microorganisms, which include both naturally occurring species and genetically engineered strains, play a vital role in facilitating extracellular electron transfer (EET), a process that enables the conversion of chemical energy stored in organic compounds into electrical energy. We analyze different biomass pretreatment strategies, such as physical, chemical, and biological approaches, that enhance the breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass to improve energy output. Furthermore, the review highlights optimization techniques for improving biomass-powered MFC performance, such as electrode modification, pH control, and organic loading rate management. The application potential of MFCs is extensively discussed, covering bioremediation, wastewater treatment, biosensors, and power generation, with a particular focus on MFC-based biosensors for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. Despite their immense potential, challenges such as low power output, biofouling, and high operational costs hinder large-scale commercialization. To address these issues, we propose innovative strategies, including the integration of nanomaterials, electroactive microorganisms, and advanced membrane designs, to enhance the efficiency and reliability of MFCs. We conclude that nanotechnology-enabled MFCs, combined with engineered microbes and optimized system designs, hold immense potential for revolutionizing sustainable energy generation and biosensing applications, paving the way for a cleaner and more efficient future.

The current study was carried out to explore the neuroprotective efficacy of the synthesized compound 2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-4H-chromen-4-one 5 (2BDC45) in diabetes-associated neurodegeneration through in silico and in vivo assessments. In silico exploration of molecular docking showed a significant binding energies of -8.5, -9.3, and -7.4 kcal/mol for 2BDC45 against the target enzymes, i.e., acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and DPP-4, respectively. These findings were further confirmed through 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations, assessing parameters like RMSD, RMSF, SASA, MMPBSA, and PCA. Treatment with 2BDC45 exhibited the neuroprotective changes in the hippocampus and cortex regions of type 2 diabetes-associated neurodegenerations. Consequently, histopathological analysis of these brain regions, supported by molecular biological analyses of key genes such as GLUT-3, GSK, MAP, and PPARγ corroborated the neuroprotection. The lipid profile, HOMA, and antioxidants exhibited notable changes by the interference of the treatments. The treatments shown significant ameliorations in glucose metabolism by following the expressions of GLUT-3 and GSK, while MAP kinase and PPARγ showed significant restorations in the cortex and hippocampus. In conclusion, it can be implied the test flavone derivative has the capacity to amplify neural plasticity by following the scavenging of free radicals, improved glucose metabolism, and targeted genes expression.