Breaking the Dose Myth: How Plants and Cells Thrive Under Mild Stress

Hormesis is a dose-response phenomenon in which high dosages cause inhibition and low doses cause stimulation. The hormetic model's demonstration of the biological reaction's difference between the low and high dose zones has sparked a great deal of research interest in the biological mechanisms underlying the response. As a result, a lot of research has been done on the biological mechanisms and a substantial body of work has been done to document these processes. In toxicology, "hormesis" refers to a dose-response relationship that exhibits a biphasic pattern, where high doses produce inhibitory or toxic effects, and low doses yield stimulating or beneficial effects. After an initial disruption of homeostasis, the cell's or organism's response to a low dose of the toxin is seen. Various methods are often used to describe specific types of hormetic responses, such as "adaptive stress response" and "preconditioning".

An idea in evolutionary theory

A key idea in evolutionary theory is hormesis. All life on Earth has evolved in challenging conditions from the beginning to the present, where cells are frequently exposed to harmful chemicals and free radicals. Organisms have developed advanced coping mechanisms to manage environmental threats, aiming to prevent extinction. These adaptive responses often revolve around pathways triggered by transcription factors. These factors control the activation of genes that produce cytoprotective proteins, as well as other essential proteins like kinases, ion channels and deacetylases.

Hormetic stress resistance proteins

Hormetic stress resistance proteins can be categorized into several major groups, including growth factors such as insulin-like growth factors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutases and glutathione peroxidase and protein chaperones.

Hormetic effects of chemicals and radiation on plants

Since the concept of hormesis emerged, the hormetic effects of chemicals and radiation on plants are also studied. However, when it came to the effects of environmental influences on plants, this understanding was lacking. While there was evidence suggesting that certain environmental factors like nitrogen deposition, ozone and sulfur dioxide could trigger hormesis in plants through the accumulation of Stimulation at low doses and inhibition at high doses, hormesis was not widely acknowledged for a significant period.

Responses of plants

Certain plants exhibit promotive effects on seed germination and early seedling growth when exposed to low concentrations of natural extracts. However, higher concentrations tend to suppress growth. This dose-dependent response indicates that while beneficial compounds in Moringa extract, such as vitamins, minerals and growth hormones, can enhance plant growth at lower levels, they may become detrimental at higher levels, possibly due to phytotoxic effects.

At optimal concentrations, these bioactive compounds promote metabolic activities, enhance nutrient absorption, and stimulate growth regulating pathways, leading to improved germination and seedling vigor. However, at elevated concentrations, the same compounds may overwhelm the plant's physiological systems, causing oxidative stress, disrupting cellular homeostasis and impairing normal growth processes. This delicate balance underscores the importance of precise dosage in utilizing Moringa extract for agricultural purposes, ensuring that its application maximizes benefits while avoiding potential negative impacts on plant health.

At lower concentrations, Neem extract could potentially enhance the total germination percentage of Indian mustard seeds, thereby promoting seedling establishment and overall crop vigor. However, caution should be exercised when applying higher concentrations to prevent potential inhibition of germination and adverse effects on seedling development. The study emphasizes the significance of Neem extract concentration in influencing the germination process of Indian mustard seeds. By leveraging this understanding, agricultural practices can be refined to maximize seed germination efficiency and overall crop productivity. Further research could explore optimal application rates and timing of Neem extract to achieve sustainable agricultural outcomes.

Impact of nitrogen deposition in hormesis

The concept of hormesis was suggested as a possible plant response to ozone. Additionally, the World Health Organization indirectly suggested the presence of hormetic effects in a chapter discussing the impacts of nitrogen deposition, indicating that nitrogen deposition inhibits it at higher levels but enhances growth at lower levels.

The traditional notion that biological responses involve a mix of threshold and linear processes is challenged by compelling evidence supporting non-linear biological and physiological processes, either generated internally or arising from disruption of homeostasis by external agents.