1
|
Ren X, Chen H, Wang H, Wang Y, Huang C, Pan H. Advances in the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Nelumbo nucifera gaertn. Extract nuciferine. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 331:118262. [PMID: 38670406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGIC RELEVANCE The leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Are recorded in the earliest written documentation of traditional Chinese medicinal as "Ben Cao Gang Mu", a medicinal herb for blood clotting, dysentery and dizziness. Nuciferine, one of N. nucifera Gaertn. leaf extracts, has been shown to possess several pharmacological properties, including but not limited to ameliorating hyperlipidemia, stimulating insulin secretion, inducing vasodilation, reducing blood pressure, and demonstrating anti-arrhythmic properties. AIM OF THE STUDY In light of the latest research findings on nuciferine, this article provides a comprehensive overview of its chemical properties, pharmacological activities, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms. It aims to serve as a dependable reference for further investigations into the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of nuciferine. MATERIALS AND METHODS Use Google Scholar, Scifinder, PubMed, Springer, Elsevier, Wiley, Web of Science and other online database search to collect the literature on extraction, separation, structural analysis and pharmacological activity of nuciferine published before November 2023. The key words are "extraction", "isolation", "purification" and "pharmacological action" and "nuciferine". RESULTS Nuciferine has been widely used in the treatment of ameliorating hyperlipidemia and lose weight, Nuciferine is a monomeric aporphine alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the plant Nymphaea caerulea and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Nuciferine has pharmacological activities such as relaxing smooth muscles, improving hyperlipidemia, stimulating insulin secretion, vasodilation, inducing hypotension, antiarrhythmic effects, and antimicrobial and anti-HIV activities. These pharmacological properties lay a foundation for the treatment of tumors, inflammation, hyperglycemia, lipid-lowering and weight-loss, oxidative stress and other diseases with nuciferine. CONCLUSION Nuciferine has been clinically used to treat hyperlipidemia and aid in weight loss due to its effects on lipid levels, insulin secretion, vasodilation, blood pressure reduction, anti-tumor properties, and immune enhancement. However, other potential benefits of nuciferine have not yet been fully explored in clinical practice. Future research should delve deeper into its molecular structure, toxicity, side effects, and clinical pharmacology to uncover its full range of effects and pave the way for its safe and expanded clinical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinshui Ren
- Collaborative Research Center, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Chen
- Collaborative Research Center, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibo Wang
- Collaborative Research Center, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Wang
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China; School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuanjun Huang
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China; School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongzhi Pan
- The Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, 201318, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gao X, Mao H, Zhao L, Li X, Liao Y, Li W, Li H, Chen Y. Nuciferine Protects Cochlear Hair Cells from Ferroptosis through Inhibiting NCOA4-Mediated Ferritinophagy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:714. [PMID: 38929153 PMCID: PMC11201048 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin is a widely used antineoplastic drug for treating various types of cancers. However, it can cause severe side effects, such as bilateral and irreversible hearing loss, which significantly impacts quality of life. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Here, we investigated the effects of nuciferine, a natural active ingredient isolated from lotus species, on the ferroptosis of cochlear hair cells. Firstly, our results demonstrated that nuciferine can protect hair cells against RSL3-induced and cisplatin-induced damage. Secondly, nuciferine treatment reduced ferrous iron (Fe2+) overload in cochlear hair cells via inhibiting NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy. Inhibition of ferritinophagy by knocking down Ncoa4 alleviated cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Importantly, nuciferine treatment mitigated cochlear hair cell loss and damage to ribbon synapse, and improved mouse hearing function in an acute cisplatin-induced hearing loss model. Our findings highlight the role of NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and provide evidence for nuciferine as a promising protective agent for treating cisplatin-induced hearing loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xian Gao
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Huanyu Mao
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Liping Zhao
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xiang Li
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yaqi Liao
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Third People’s Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Wenyan Li
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Shanghai 200031, China
- The Institutes of Brain Science, The Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Huawei Li
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Shanghai 200031, China
- The Institutes of Brain Science, The Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yan Chen
- ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200031, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine, Shanghai 200031, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hung TW, Hsieh YH, Lee HL, Ting YH, Lin CL, Chao WW. Renoprotective effect of rosmarinic acid by inhibition of indoxyl sulfate-induced renal interstitial fibrosis via the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 135:112314. [PMID: 38788450 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
We previously reported that rosmarinic acid (RA) ameliorated renal fibrosis in a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) murine model of chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to determine whether RA attenuates indoxyl sulfate (IS)-induced renal fibrosis by regulating the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β/Smad circuit. We discovered the NLRP3 inflammasome was activated in the IS treatment group and downregulated in the RA-treated group in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the downstream effectors of the NLRP3 inflammasome, cleaved-caspase-1 and cleaved-IL-1β showed similar trends in different groups. Moreover, RA administration significantly decreased the ROS levels of reactive oxygen species in IS-treated cells. Our data showed that RA treatment significantly inhibited Smad-2/3 phosphorylation. Notably, the effects of RA on NLRP3 inflammasome/IL-1β/Smad and fibrosis signaling were reversed by the siRNA-mediated knockdown of NLRP3 or caspase-1 in NRK-52E cells. In vivo, we demonstrated that expression levels of NLRP3, c-caspase-1, c-IL-1β, collagen I, fibronectin and α-SMA, and TGF- β 1 were downregulated after treatment of UUO mice with RA or RA + MCC950. Our findings suggested RA and MCC950 synergistically inhibited UUO-induced NLRP3 signaling activation, revealing their renoprotective properties and the potential for combinatory treatment of renal fibrosis and chronic kidney inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tung-Wei Hung
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsien Hsieh
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Lin Lee
- School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan; Deptartment of Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Ting
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Chu-Liang Lin
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Wan Chao
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Kainan University, Taoyuan 33857, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xie W, Chen S, Wang W, Qin X, Kong C, Wang D. Nuciferine reduces vascular leakage and improves cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7086. [PMID: 38528077 PMCID: PMC10963720 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57595-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The destruction of the microvascular structure and function can seriously affect the survival and prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Nuciferine has a potentially beneficial effect in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, albeit its role in microvascular structure and function during AMI remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and the related mechanisms of nuciferine in microvascular injury during AMI. Cardiac functions and pathological examination were conducted in vivo to investigate the effect of nuciferine on AMI. The effect of nuciferine on permeability and adherens junctions in endothelial cells was evaluated in vitro, and the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/AKT pathway (in the presence or absence of PI3K inhibitors) was also analyzed. In vivo results indicated that nuciferine inhibited ischemia-induced cardiomyocyte damage and vascular leakage and improved cardiac function. In addition, the in vitro results revealed that nuciferine could effectively inhibit oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) stimulated breakdown of the structure and function of human coronary microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs). Moreover, nuciferine could significantly increase the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Finally, the inhibitor wortmannin could reverse the protective effect of nuciferine on HCMECs. Nuciferine inhibited AMI-induced microvascular injury by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway and protecting the endothelial barrier function in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xie
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Cardiothoracic Vascular Disease, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shumin Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenzhe Wang
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Cardiothoracic Vascular Disease, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xichun Qin
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Cardiothoracic Vascular Disease, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chuiyu Kong
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
- Institute of Cardiothoracic Vascular Disease, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Dongjin Wang
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
- Institute of Cardiothoracic Vascular Disease, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li J, Dong S, Quan S, Ding S, Zhou X, Yu Y, Wu Y, Huang W, Shi Q, Li Q. Nuciferine reduces inflammation induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 125:155312. [PMID: 38232541 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral ischemia has the characteristics of high incidence, mortality, and disability, which seriously damages people's health. Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is the key pathological injury of this disease. However, there is a lack of drugs that can reduce cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in clinical practice. At present, a few studies have provided some evidence that nuciferine can reduce cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, but its specific mechanism of action is still unclear, and further research is still needed. OBJECTIVE In this study, PC12 cells and SD rats were used to construct OGD/R and MCAO/R models, respectively. Combined with bioinformatics methods and experimental verification methods, the purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic and comprehensive study on the effect and mechanism of nuciferine on reducing inflammation induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. RESULTS Nuciferine can improve the cell viability of PC12 cells induced by OGD/R, reduce apoptosis, and reduce the expression of inflammation-related proteins; it can also improve the cognitive and motor dysfunction of MCAO/R-induced rats by behavioral tests, reduce the area of cerebral infarction, reduce the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 in serum and the expression of inflammation-related proteins in brain tissue. CONCLUSION Nuciferine can reduce the inflammatory level of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo and in vitro models by acting on the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, and has the potential to be developed as a drug for the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuze Dong
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shengli Quan
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuxian Ding
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuebin Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ye Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yarong Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenhai Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiyuan Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Qin Li
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 182 of Tian mu shan Road, XiHU District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China; Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Drug Research of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tuzimski T, Petruczynik A. New trends in the practical use of isoquinoline alkaloids as potential drugs applicated in infectious and non-infectious diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115704. [PMID: 37862968 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last years, traditional natural products have been the center of attention for the scientific community and exploration of their therapeutic abilities is proceeding permanently. Isoquinoline alkaloids have always attracted scientific interest due to either their positive or negative effects on human organism. The present review describes research on isoquinoline alkaloids isolated from different plant species. Alkaloids are one of the most important classes of plant derived compounds among these isoquinoline alkaloids possess varied biological activities such as anticancer, antineurodegenerative diseases, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and many others. The use of plants against different disorders is entrenched in traditional medicine around the globe. Recent progress in modern therapeutics has stimulated the use of natural products worldwide for various ailments and diseases. The review provides a collection of information on the capabilities of some isoquinoline alkaloids, its potential for the treatment of various diseases and is designed to be a guide for future research on different biologically active isoquinoline alkaloids and plant species containing them. The authors are aware that they were not able to cover the whole area of the topic related to biological activity of isoquinoline alkaloids. This review is intended to suggest directions for further research and can also help other researchers in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Tuzimski
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Anna Petruczynik
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sun J, Luo S, Deng J, Yang H. Phytochemicals in Chronic Disease Prevention. Nutrients 2023; 15:4933. [PMID: 38068791 PMCID: PMC10708514 DOI: 10.3390/nu15234933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic diseases, also known as noncommunicable diseases (NCD), are characterized by long durations and a slow progression of the associated medical conditions [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Sun
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Shuwei Luo
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jianjun Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetable Biobreeding, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China;
| | - Haixia Yang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Xue X, Zhao A, Wang Y, Ren H, Su W, Li Y, Shi M, Liu L, Li D. Metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses for characterizing the alkaloid metabolism of Chinese jujube and sour jujube fruits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1267758. [PMID: 37790781 PMCID: PMC10544937 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1267758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Jujube is an important economic forest tree whose fruit is rich in alkaloids. Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) and sour jujube (Ziziphus spinosa Hu.) are the two most important species of the jujube genus. However, the mechanisms underlying the synthesis and metabolism of alkaloids in jujube fruits remain poorly understood. Methods In this study, the fruits of Ziziphus jujuba 'Hupingzao' and Ziziphus spinosa 'Taigusuanzao' in different harvest stages were used as test materials, we first integrated widely targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses to elucidate the metabolism of alkaloids of jujube fruits. Results In the metabolomics analysis, 44 alkaloid metabolites were identified in 4 samples, 3 of which were unique to sour jujube fruit. The differential alkaloid metabolites (DAMs) were more accumulated in sour jujube than in Chinese jujube; further, they were more accumulated in the white ripening stage than in the red stage. DAMs were annotated to 12 metabolic pathways. Additionally, transcriptomics data revealed 259 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in alkaloid synthesis and metabolism. By mapping the regulatory networks of DAMs and DEGs, we screened out important metabolites and 11 candidate genes. Discussion This study preliminarily elucidated the molecular mechanism of jujube alkaloid synthesis. The candidate genes regulated the synthesis of key alkaloid metabolites, but the specific regulation mechanism is unclear. Taken together, our results provide insights into the metabolic networks of alkaloid synthesis in Chinese jujube and sour jujube fruits at different harvest stages, thereby providing a theoretical reference for further research on the regulatory mechanism of jujube alkaloids and their development and utilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dengke Li
- Pomology Institute, Shanxi Agricultural University, Shanxi Key Laboratory of Germplasm Improvement and Utilization in Pomology, Taiyuan, China
| |
Collapse
|