SA-100

This study evaluated the effects of Exiguobacterium aurantiacum SA100 on wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth under varying levels of salinity stress. Results indicated that SA100 significantly enhanced seed germination, root and shoot length, and fresh and dry biomass across salinity levels, particularly at 50 and 100 mM NaCl. Inoculation improved antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, APX, POD, PPO), increased total phenolic content, and reduced oxidative damage by lowering MDA and H2O2 levels under 150 mM salinity. Ionic balance was maintained, with significant increases in K+, Mg++, and Ca++ and a reduction in Na+ accumulation. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of salt‐tolerance genes (NAC7, NHX1, SOS1) and downregulation of stress‐responsive genes (GS1, DREB2, DHN13, WRKY32). Principal component analysis confirmed that SA100 promotes salinity tolerance by modulating both biochemical and molecular responses. These findings suggest E. aurantiacum SA100 as a promising bioinoculant for enhancing wheat resilience under salinity stress.

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to a serious extent. It is a chronic disease that can lead to dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of Sicyos angulatus (SA) extract on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6J obese mice. The mice were divided into vehicle and three SA groups (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight). The mice were fed a HFD with or without SA for 12 weeks. The oral administration of SA reduced body and adipose tissue weight in HFD-fed mice compared to those in the vehicle group (p<0.05). Adipocyte size and inflammation significantly decreased in the SA-administered groups in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, adipocytes larger than 5000 µm² were remarkably reduced by around 50% in the SA-treated groups (p<0.05). In addition, SA contributes towards reducing insulin resistance (measured as the HOMA-IR index) and glucose intolerance in HFD-induced obese mice (p<0.05; Vehicle 21.5±3.1 vs. SA100 4.7±0.4). These beneficial effects of SA on obesity may be linked to the suppression of lipogenesis and stimulating energy metabolism in white adipose tissue and muscle. In white adipose tissue and muscle, the administration of SA activated AMPK pathway, leading to the inhibition of the development of pathophysiological conditions associated with obesity, including lipogenesis and inflammation. These findings suggest that SA may prevent obesity through inhibiting fat accumulation in HFD-induced obese mice. Therefore, SA is able to exert metabolic benefits in the prevention of obesity and insulin resistance.