The relevance of hormesis at higher levels of biological organization: Hormesis in microorganisms

Hormesis: A General Biological Principle

“…14 Nevertheless, recent studies document hormetic effects of different stressors on assemblages and microbial communities. 1,11,15,16 On the basis of recent scientific advancements in different disciplines, we propose that hormesis should be recognized as a fundamental and highly generalizable biological principle that mediates developmental and adaptive strategies within a well characterized and highly consistent dose-time-response fashion. Its understanding and study can lead to scientific discoveries of novel biological mechanisms, endogenous molecules, and exogenous chemicals as well as to the development of a new generation of chemicals and therapeutic applications against diseases and pests.…”

“…Hormesis can induce resistance of pests to pesticides, promote antidrug resistance in tumor cells and pathogenic microbes, and affect the community composition and evolutionary directions. , For instance, a vast array of studies now shows that fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides produce hormesis in target and nontarget organisms, with low, subtoxic doses being stimulatory, enhancing organismal defense capacities as well as virulence, providing protection against subsequent sublethal exposures to stressors . Thus, hormesis also affects the treatment of bacterial infections with antibiotics, the management of pests of agricultural importance or public health concern, and disease dynamics. , Hormetic responses differ between susceptible and resistant species, ecotypes, genotypes, or even subgroups of the population of the same taxon. , Specifically, the hormetic response of resistant organisms shifts to the right of the dose–response spectrum, with the stimulatory responses occurring at higher doses compared to nonresistant organisms. , Such hormetic responses can lead to alterations in organismic interactions, biological communication, and communities overall, effects that may vary spatially depending on local environmental conditions such as the specific growth substrate and energy available. − Not only does hormesis facilitate the selection of more resistant organisms but also it has trans­generational effects . Despite the widespread documentation of such trans­generational hormetic responses in various organisms and for many stressors, the long-term implications of trans­generational hormetic responses and how they can shape communities remain largely unknown .…”

“…Despite the widespread documentation of such trans­generational hormetic responses in various organisms and for many stressors, the long-term implications of trans­generational hormetic responses and how they can shape communities remain largely unknown . Nevertheless, recent studies document hormetic effects of different stressors on assemblages and microbial communities. ,,, …”

Mandarin essential oil as an antimicrobial in ethanolic fermentation: Effects on Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

“…This phenomenon is extensively documented in micro‐organisms, and has resulted from the application of several stress‐inducing agents, either alone or in mixtures (Agathokleous et al . 2022).…”

A simple judgment method for joint action of antibacterial agents on bacterial resistance

“…found that silver nanoparticle (AgNP) and triclosan at environmentally relevant concentrations could facilitate the conjugative transfer of plasmid-borne ARGs across bacterial genera via regulating the oxidative stress and cell membrane permeability in bacteria [ 10 , 11 ]. Currently, considerable interest has centered on hormesis-based bacterial resistance of single agent, and the potential drug resistance (whether the facilitation of mutation or horizontal gene transfer) has been a significant indicator in the environmental risk evaluation of antibacterial agent [ 12 , 13 ]. However, there is little information regarding how multiple antibacterial agents interplay to induce the emergence and dissemination of ARGs.…”