Morin hydrate

Stress during prenatal period can affect the young ones, increasing the risk of aberrations in gut-brain of neonates during critical developmental periods and serves as a risk factor for postnatal pathologies. Compelling data from animal studies has shown that gestational stress-induced hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, marked by excessive corticosterone (CORT) release, underlies profound and lasting developmental deficits in the offspring. It is well-established that stress during the gestational period disrupts gut and brain homeostasis in the F1 generation of Wistar rats. However, morin (3, 5, 7, 2', 4'-pentahydroxyflavone), a plant flavonoid, exerts neuroprotective and antioxidant potential which could be beneficial in management of prenatal stress (PNS). Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the mitigatory potential of morin against the detrimental effects of prenatal stress, including the early onset of apoptosis in the gut and brain of the F1 offspring. Morin treatment to the stressed dams significantly improved HPA axis mediated oxidative stress and gut & brain barrier permeabilities. Furthermore, morin, due to its redox balancing and anti-inflammatory properties, prevented early onset of apoptosis, maintained the histoarchitecture and functions of gut & brain in F1 progeny. These findings provide a favourable research basis that morin administration during gestational period can significantly help in regulation of stress induced transgenerational gut-brain axis pathologies.

Eucommia ulmoides (EU), an endemic Chinese plant, faces challenges of weak germplasm resources and low genetic diversity. Carbon ion beam irradiation (CIBI) was used to develop a novel EU variety with enhanced traits, particularly in leaf composition. The new variety exhibited elongated leaves with distinct pigmentation and increased anthocyanin accumulation. Metabolomic profiling identified 688 polyphenols, with 314 significantly altered, including upregulated antioxidants like morin and Chrysin-7-O-glucoside. Anthocyanin and carotenoid analyses revealed unique compounds, such as Cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside and lutein caprate. TCMSP database analysis identified 48 bioactive compounds, 23 with high oral bioavailability, supporting antioxidant and lipid-regulating effects. This study highlights the novel EU variety's potential as a sustainable functional food source, expanding its applications beyond bark utilization.