METHODS: Five seagrass species, Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Halophila ovalis, Halophila major, and Halophila spinulosa were collected at an Ulva reticulata-colonized site (MA) shoal and a non-Ulva reticulata-colonized site (MC) shoal at Sungai Pulai estuary, Johor, Malaysia. Morphometry of shoots comprising leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), leaf sheath length (LSL), leaflet length (LTL), leaflet width (LTW), petiole length (PL), space between intra-marginal veins (IV) of leaf, cross vein angle (CVA) of leaf, number of the cross vein (NOC), number of the leaf (NOL) and number of the leaflet (NOLT) were measured on fresh seagrass specimens. Moreover, in-situ water quality and water nutrient content were also recorded. Seagrass extracts in methanol were assessed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical cation scavenging activity (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP).
RESULTS: Seagrasses in the U. reticulata-colonized site (MA) had significantly higher (t-test, p < 0.05) leaf dimensions compared to those at the non-U. reticulata colonized site (MC). Simple broad-leaved seagrass of H. major and H. ovalis were highly sensitive to the colonization of U. reticulata, which resulted in higher morphometric variation (t-test, p < 0.05) including LL, PL, LW, and IV. Concerning the biochemical properties, all the seagrasses at MA recorded significantly higher (t-test, p < 0.05) TPC, TFC, and ABTS and lower DPPH and FRAP activities compared to those at MC. Hydrocharitaceae seagrass experience positive changes in leaf morphology features and metabolite contents when shaded by U. reticulata. Researching the synergistic effect of anthropogenic nutrient loads on the interaction between seagrasses and macroalgae can provide valuable information to decrease the negative effect of macroalgae blooms on seagrasses in the tropical meadow.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A UV-visible spectrophotometer and SEM were used to characterize the green synthesized SeNPs. The anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activities of green synthesized SeNPs were measured using the alphaamylase inhibitory & beta-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assay and the egg albumin, bovine serum albumin, and membrane stabilization assays. A test for the mortality of brine shrimp was used to determine the cytotoxic impact of SeNPs.
RESULTS: A. linearis powder was used for the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles, which exhibited the highest peak at 440 nm when analyzed using a UV-visible spectrophotometer. The In vitro anti-inflammatory effect of synthesized SeNPs was maximally inhibited by 44-83% in the bovine serum albumin assay 54-79% in the egg albumin assay, and 54-86% in the membrane stabilization assay compared with standard. The inhibition percentage of antidiabetic activity was found to be 50-86% in the alphaamylase assay and 49-85% in the beta-glucosidase assay when compared to standards at various concentrations. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity impact shows that 70% of brine shrimp were alive at the maximum fixation of 80 µg/mL.
CONCLUSION: The SeNPs showed concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic action, and the green synthesized SeNPs demonstrated an excellent antiinflammatory and anti-diabetic agent. The brine shrimp lethality assay confirmed the SeNPs' biocompatible nature even at high concentrations with less toxicity. Hence the study may enhance SeNPs in developing inflammation drugs and can also be utilized in diabetes management.