Plant Secondary Metabolites Produced in Response to Abiotic Stresses Has Potential Application in Pharmaceutical Product Development

Stress responses of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to environmentally relevant concentrations of pharmaceutical ibuprofen: Ecological implications

Pharmaceuticals like ibuprofen (IBU) entering marine environments are of great concern due to their increasing consumption and impact on wildlife. No information on IBU toxicity to seagrasses is yet available. Seagrasses form key habitats and are threatened worldwide by multiple stressors. Here, the responses of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to a short-term exposure (12 days) to environmentally realistic IBU concentrations (0.25-2.5-25 µg L-1), both at organism (plant growth) and sub-organism level (oxidative status, photosynthetic efficiency, and specialized metabolites production), were assessed in mesocosm. Chemical analyses to detect the presence of IBU and its metabolites in seawater and plants were also performed. IBU did not affect plant growth but caused physiological alterations which varied in severity depending on its concentration. Concentrations of 0.25 and 2.5 µg L-1 resulted in oxidative stress, but an increased antioxidant enzyme activity enabled plants to tolerate stress. A concentration of 25 µg L-1 caused greater oxidative stress, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and specialized metabolites production, and impaired photosynthetic machinery functioning (particularly PSII). IBU was detected in seawater but not in plants suggesting no bioaccumulation. These findings indicate that C. nodosa could not withstand high IBU stress, and this could reduce its resilience to additional environmental stressors.

Impact of climate change on the yield of medicinal plants in recent years

Climate change significantly impacts the yield and quality of medicinal plants due to alterations in temperature, precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. These changes affect the growth, secondary metabolite production, and geographical distribution of medicinal plants, leading to reduced yields and compromised medicinal properties. Adaptive strategies such as developing climate-resilient plant varieties, sustainable agricultural practices, and enhanced conservation efforts are essential to mitigate these effects. Increased research and collaborative efforts are necessary to safeguard these vital resources for future generations.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticle from flower extract of Dillenia indica and its efficacy as antibacterial and antioxidant

Dillenia indica is a medicinal tree of the Dilleniaceae and its flower extract was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs). The optimal conditions for AgNPs synthesis were as such: 2 mM AgNO3, pH 4.5 and 48-h reaction time. The characteristic band of AgNPs was observed at the wavelength of 435 nm by UV-visible spectroscopic study. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis depicted the involvement of several functional groups of plant extracts in the synthesis of AgNPs. Nanoparticles were mostly spherical shaped and uniformly distributed, when observation was made by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) showed absorption peak approximately at 3 keV thus confirmed the presence of silver metal in AgNP. X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns showed the crystalline nature of the AgNPs. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis exhibited average size of the nanoparticles as 50.17 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) value of 0.298. The zeta potential of nanoparticles was observed as -24.9 mV. To assess antibacterial activity, both AgNPs alone or its combination with the antibiotic were tried against six pathogenic bacteria. The combination of AgNPs with antibiotic was maximum effective against Shigella boydii (16.07 ± 0.35) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.03 ± 0.20). AgNPs alone showed maximum inhibition for both Gram-positive bacteria: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (19.97 ± 0.20 mm) and Enterococcus faecium (19.80 ± 0.15 mm). Maximum inhibition of Enterobactor cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed by antibiotic taken alone. Evaluation through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and DNA nicking assays demonstrated the antioxidant capabilities of the nanoparticles.

Exploring the Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Australian Native Plants Based on their Ethnopharmacological Knowledge

Inflammation represents the inherent protective reaction of the human body to various harmful agents and noxious stimuli. Standard anti-inflammatory therapy including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are associated with several side effects. In the past decades, people rely on medicinal plants for the treatment of inflammation. The traditional utilization of medicinal plants is regarded as a safe, cost-effective, and broadly accepted approach. In this study, anti-inflammatory activity of plants traditionally utilized by the D'harawal people in Australia has been assessed in vitro. Eighty Australian native plants were screened based on the Dharawal Pharmacopeia for their inhibitory effect on the nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and interferon (IFN)-γ stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages for their anti-inflammatory activity. From the eighty ethanolic extracts screened, seventeen displayed potent NO inhibition with an IC50 recorded below 15 μg/mL. The aim of this review was to utilise the ethnopharmacological knowledge and to correlate the anti-inflammatory activity of the seventeen plants with either their known or unknown phytochemicals reported in the literature. In doing so, we have created a snapshot of Australian native plant candidates that warrant further chemical investigation associated with their anti-inflammatory activity.

Process optimization, growth kinetics, and antioxidant activity of germinated buckwheat and amaranth-based yogurt mimic

This study aimed to investigate the integration of cereal and germinated pseudocereals into set-type yogurt mimic, resulting in a novel and nutritious product. Four groups of yogurts mimic, namely CPY-1, CPY-2, CPY-3, and CPY-4, were prepared using different probiotic cultures, including L. acidophilus 21, L. plantarum 14, and L. rhamnosus 296 along with starter cultures. Notably, CPY-2 cultured with L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus and incubated for 12 h exhibited the most desirable attributes. The resulting yogurt demonstrated an acidity of 0.65%, pH of 4.37 and a probiotic count of 6.38 log CFU/mL. The logistic growth model fit revealed maximum growth rates (k, 1/h) and maximum bacterial counts (Nm log CFU/mL) for each CPY variant. The results revealed that CPY-2 significantly improved protein, dietary fiber, phenols and antioxidant capacities compared to the control. Scanning electron microscopy showed more structured and compact casein network in CPY-2, highlighting its superior textural characteristics. Overall, this study demonstrates the incorporation of cereal and germinated pseudocereals into set-type yogurt mimic offers health benefits through increased dietary fiber and β-glucan.

Increase of secondary metabolites in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) leaves by exposure to N2O5 with plasma technology

Exposure to N2O5 generated by plasma technology activates immunity in Arabidopsis through tryptophan metabolites. However, little is known about the effects of N2O5 exposure on other plant species. Sweet basil synthesizes many valuable secondary metabolites in its leaves. Therefore, metabolomic analyses were performed at three different exposure levels [9.7 (Ex1), 19.4 (Ex2) and 29.1 (Ex3) μmol] to assess the effects of N2O5 on basil leaves. As a result, cinnamaldehyde and phenolic acids increased with increasing doses. Certain flavonoids, columbianetin, and caryophyllene oxide increased with lower Ex1 exposure, cineole and methyl eugenol increased with moderate Ex2 exposure and L-glutathione GSH also increased with higher Ex3 exposure. Furthermore, gene expression analysis by quantitative RT-PCR showed that certain genes involved in the syntheses of secondary metabolites and jasmonic acid were significantly up-regulated early after N2O5 exposure. These results suggest that N2O5 exposure increases several valuable secondary metabolites in sweet basil leaves via plant defense responses in a controllable system.

A signaling cascade mediating fruit trait development via phosphorylation-modulated nuclear accumulation of JAZ repressor

It is generally accepted that jasmonate-ZIM domain (JAZ) repressors act to mediate jasmonate (JA) signaling via CORONATINE-INSENSITIVE1 (COI1)-mediated degradation. Here, we report a cryptic signaling cascade where a JAZ repressor, FvJAZ12, mediates multiple signaling inputs via phosphorylation-modulated subcellular translocation rather than the COI1-mediated degradation mechanism in strawberry (Fragaria vesca). FvJAZ12 acts to regulate flavor metabolism and defense response, and was found to be the target of FvMPK6, a mitogen-activated protein kinase that is capable of responding to multiple signal stimuli. FvMPK6 phosphorylates FvJAZ12 at the amino acid residues S179 and T183 adjacent to the PY residues, thereby attenuating its nuclear accumulation and relieving its repression for FvMYC2, which acts to control the expression of lipoxygenase 3 (FvLOX3), an important gene involved in JA biosynthesis and a diverse array of cellular metabolisms. Our data reveal a previously unreported mechanism for JA signaling and decipher a signaling cascade that links multiple signaling inputs with fruit trait development.

Exploring low-dose gamma radiation effects on monoterpene biosynthesis in Thymus vulgaris: insights into plant defense mechanisms

Thymus vulgaris, commonly known as thyme, is a plant renowned for producing monoterpenes. This study aimed to understand the effects of low-dose gamma radiation, specifically in the range of 1-5 Gy, on various traits of Thymus vulgaris, providing context on its importance in agricultural and medicinal applications. The research explored morpho-physiological, biochemical, and gene-expression responses in thyme plants under no gamma- and gamma-ray exposure conditions. The study revealed complex relationships between gamma-ray doses and plant characteristics. In particular, shoot and root lengths initially increased with low doses (1-3 Gy) but decreased at higher doses (5 Gy), suggesting a dose-dependent threshold effect. Similarly, shoot and root fresh weights displayed an initial increase followed by a decline with increasing doses. Biochemical parameters showed dose-dependent responses, with low to moderate doses (1-3 Gy) stimulating enzyme activities and high doses (5 Gy) inhibiting them. Gene expression analysis was focused on the following specific genes: thymol synthase, γ-terpinene synthase, and carvacrol synthase. Low to moderate doses increased the expression of these genes, resulting in increased production of bioactive compounds. However, higher doses had diminished effects or suppressed gene expression. Metabolite analysis demonstrated dose-dependent responses, with moderate doses enhancing secondary metabolite production, while higher doses provided limited benefits. These findings underscore the implications of using gamma radiation to enhance secondary metabolite production in plants and its potential applications in agriculture, medicine, and environmental science. The study emphasizes the potential of gamma radiation as an external stressor to influence plant responses and highlights the importance of understanding such effects in various fields.

Oxidative Stress Response Mechanisms Sustain the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Quercus ilex

The development of new natural antibiotics is considered as the heart of several investigations in the nutraceutical field. In this work, leaves of Quercus ilex L. treated by tropospheric ozone (O3) and nitrogen (N) deposition, exhibited a clear antimicrobial efficacy against five multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial strains (two gram-positive and three gram-negative). Under controlled conditions, it was studied how simulated N deposition influences the response to O3 and the antibacterial and antioxidant activity, and antioxidant performance. The extraction was performed by ultra-pure acetone using two different steps. A higher antioxidant activity was measured in the presence of interaction between O3 and N treatments on Quercus leaves. At the same time, all organic extracts tested have shown bacteriostatic activity against all the tested strains with a MIC comprised between 9 and 4 micrograms/mL, and a higher antioxidant efficacy shown by spectrophotometric assay. Stronger antimicrobial activity was found in the samples treated with O3, whereas N-treated plants exhibited an intermediate antibacterial performance. This performance is related to the stimulation of the non-enzymatic antioxidant system induced by the oxidative stress, which results in an increase in the production of antimicrobial bioactive compounds.

Aptamers for the Delivery of Plant-Based Compounds: A Review

Natural compounds have a high potential for the treatment of various conditions, including infections, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. However, they usually present poor pharmacokinetics, low specificity, and even toxicity, which limits their use. Therefore, targeted drug delivery systems, typically composed of a carrier and a targeting ligand, can enhance natural product selectivity and effectiveness. Notably, aptamers-short RNA or single-stranded DNA molecules-have gained attention as promising ligands in targeted drug delivery since they are simple to synthesize and modify, and they present high tissue permeability, stability, and a wide array of available targets. The combination of natural products, namely plant-based compounds, with a drug delivery system utilizing aptamers as targeting agents represents an emerging strategy that has the potential to broaden its applications. This review discusses the potential of aptamers as targeting agents in the delivery of natural compounds, as well as new trends and developments in their utilization in the field of medicine.

Climate-Affected Australian Tropical Montane Cloud Forest Plants: Metabolomic Profiles, Isolated Phytochemicals, and Bioactivities

The Australian Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA) in northeast Queensland is home to approximately 18 percent of the nation's total vascular plant species. Over the past century, human activity and industrial development have caused global climate changes, posing a severe and irreversible danger to the entire land-based ecosystem, and the WTWHA is no exception. The current average annual temperature of WTWHA in northeast Queensland is 24 °C. However, in the coming years (by 2030), the average annual temperature increase is estimated to be between 0.5 and 1.4 °C compared to the climate observed between 1986 and 2005. Looking further ahead to 2070, the anticipated temperature rise is projected to be between 1.0 and 3.2 °C, with the exact range depending on future emissions. We identified 84 plant species, endemic to tropical montane cloud forests (TMCF) within the WTWHA, which are already experiencing climate change threats. Some of these plants are used in herbal medicines. This study comprehensively reviewed the metabolomics studies conducted on these 84 plant species until now toward understanding their physiological and metabolomics responses to global climate change. This review also discusses the following: (i) recent developments in plant metabolomics studies that can be applied to study and better understand the interactions of wet tropics plants with climatic stress, (ii) medicinal plants and isolated phytochemicals with structural diversity, and (iii) reported biological activities of crude extracts and isolated compounds.

Comprehensive transcriptomic meta-analysis unveils new responsive genes to methyl jasmonate and ethylene in Catharanthusroseus

In Catharanthus roseus, vital plant hormones, namely methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and ethylene, serve as abiotic triggers, playing a crucial role in stimulating the production of specific secondary compounds with anticancer properties. Understanding how plants react to various stresses, stimuli, and the pathways involved in biosynthesis holds significant promise. The application of stressors like ethylene and MeJA induces the plant's defense mechanisms, leading to increased secondary metabolite production. To delve into the essential transcriptomic processes linked to hormonal responses, this study employed an integrated approach combining RNA-Seq data meta-analysis and system biology methodologies. Furthermore, the validity of the meta-analysis findings was confirmed using RT-qPCR. Within the meta-analysis, 903 genes exhibited differential expression (DEGs) when comparing normal conditions to those of the treatment. Subsequent analysis, encompassing gene ontology, KEGG, TF, and motifs, revealed that these DEGs were actively engaged in multiple biological processes, particularly in responding to various stresses and stimuli. Additionally, these genes were notably enriched in diverse biosynthetic pathways, including those related to TIAs, housing valuable medicinal compounds found in this plant. Furthermore, by conducting co-expression network analysis, we identified hub genes within modules associated with stress response and the production of TIAs. Most genes linked to the biosynthesis pathway of TIAs clustered within three specific modules. Noteworthy hub genes, including Helicase ATP-binding domain, hbdA, and ALP1 genes within the blue, turquoise, and green module networks, are presumed to play a role in the TIAs pathway. These identified candidate genes hold potential for forthcoming genetic and metabolic engineering initiatives aimed at augmenting the production of secondary metabolites and medicinal compounds within C. roseus.

Characterization of antifungal properties of avocado leaves and majagua flowers extracts and their potential application to control Alternaria alternata

Plant extracts are used as an alternative to a wide range of foods against different types of fungal pathogens. In the present study, the extracts of avocado leaves (Persea americana) and majagua flowers (Talipariti elatum) were tested according to their antifungal activity against different fungi. The most promising extracts were those of majagua flowers that were applied lyophilized and in aqueous extract, being very effective against Alternaria alternata and reaching a 50 % in vitro reduction. Antifungal properties were also evaluated during infection of apples by A. alternata. A decrease in infection progression was confirmed with up to a 30 % reduction in disease incidence and a 20 % reduction in disease severity. Majagua extracts were also tested combined with edible pectin coatings, greatly increasing their effectiveness up 60 % reduction. Thus, extracts of majagua could provide a feasible alternative to control fungal pathogens during postharvest.

The scent of roses, a bouquet of fragrance diversity

Roses have been domesticated since antiquity for their therapeutic, cosmetic, and ornamental properties. Their floral fragrance has great economic value, which has influenced the production of rose varieties. The production of rose water and essential oil is one of the most lucrative activities, supplying bioactive molecules to the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic industries. In recent years, major advances in molecular genetics, genomic, and biochemical tools have paved the way for the identification of molecules that make up the specific fragrance of various rose cultivars. The aim of this review is to highlight current knowledge on metabolite profiles, and more specifically on fragrance compounds, as well as the specificities and differences between rose species and cultivars belonging to different rose sections and how they contribute to modern roses fragrance.

Rosmarinic Acid Present in Lepechinia floribunda and Lepechinia meyenii as a Potent Inhibitor of the Adenylyl Cyclase gNC1 from Giardia lamblia

Giardiasis is a parasitosis caused by Giardia lamblia with significant epidemiological and clinical importance due to its high prevalence and pathogenicity. The lack of optimal therapies for treating this parasite makes the development of new effective chemical entities an urgent need. In the search for new inhibitors of the adenylyl cyclase gNC1 obtained from G. lamblia, 14 extracts from Argentinian native plants were screened. Lepechinia floribunda and L. meyenii extracts exhibited the highest gNC1 inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 9 and 31 µg/mL, respectively. In silico studies showed rosmarinic acid, a hydroxycinnamic acid present in both mentioned species, to be a promising anti-gNC1 compound. This result was confirmed experimentally, with rosmarinic acid showing an IC50 value of 10.1 µM. Theoretical and experimental findings elucidate the molecular-level mechanism of rosmarinic acid, pinpointing the key interactions stabilizing the compound-enzyme complex and the binding site. These results strongly support that rosmarinic acid is a promising scaffold for developing novel compounds with inhibitory activity against gNC1, which could serve as potential therapeutic agents to treat giardiasis.

In vitro investigation on Pennisetum purpureum leaf extracts grown in Indonesia of phytochemical components, optical characteristics, and antioxidant-antibacterial activities

Medicinal plants hold significant cultural significance and play a crucial role in the advancement of potentially safe drugs for the therapy of disease worldwide. Pennisetum purpureum or elephant grass has been used for traditional medications in Indonesia without understanding the phytochemicals of those plants. Herein, our report revolves around the qualitative and quantitative examination of phytochemical components, optical properties, antioxidants, and antibacterial assessments of solvent fractions derived from Pennisetum purpureum leaf. The Pennisetum purpureum leaf was successfully soaked with ethanol, n-hexane, and chloroform. The study aimed to assess the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total alkaloid content (TAC) within different of extracts. The optical properties of extract were analyzed by absorption light and photoluminescent. Moreover, evaluation of antioxidant activities of extracts through DPPH free radical scavenging and FRAP assays, followed by an evaluation of their effectiveness in antibacterial therapy against different bacterial strains. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical of Pennisetum purpureum presented as highest in ethanol TPC (85.5 mg GAE/g extracts), TFC (87.9 mg QE/g extracts), and TAC (86.2 mg ATE/g extracts) as compared to other solvents extract. Pennisetum purpureum extract had antioxidant capacity against DPPH radical and FRAP assay. Furthermore, each of the samples displayed antibacterial effectiveness that was dependent on the dosage towards different strains of bacteria. Our findings clearly demonstrated that Pennisetum purpureum leaf extracts grown in Indonesia containing alkaloid, flavonoid, glycoside, saponin, steroids, tannin, and terpenoids that support its capability as antioxidant and antibacterial.

Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A New Revolutionization of Modern Healthy Diets and Biomedical Applications

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) have recently emerged as a promising area of research due to their potential health benefits and biomedical applications. Produced by various plant species, these EVs contain diverse bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Increasing in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that PDEVs have inherent pharmacological activities that affect cellular processes, exerting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities, which can potentially contribute to disease therapy and improve human health. Additionally, PDEVs have shown potential as efficient and biocompatible drug delivery vehicles in treating various diseases. However, while PDEVs serve as a potential rising star in modern healthy diets and biomedical applications, further research is needed to address their underlying knowledge gaps, especially the lack of standardized protocols for their isolation, identification, and large-scale production. Furthermore, the safety and efficacy of PDEVs in clinical applications must be thoroughly evaluated. In this review, we concisely discuss current knowledge in the PDEV field, including their characteristics, biomedical applications, and isolation methods, to provide an overview of the current state of PDEV research. Finally, we discuss the challenges regarding the current and prospective issues for PDEVs. This review is expected to provide new insights into healthy diets and biomedical applications of vegetables and fruits, inspiring new advances in natural food-based science and technology.

Plant-Origin Components: New Players to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes intrahospital complications such as pneumonia, liver abscesses, soft tissue infections, urinary infections, bacteraemia, and, in some cases, death. Since this bacterium has a higher frequency than other Gram-negative pathogens, it has become an important pathogen to the health sector. The adaptative genome of Kpn likely facilitates increased survival of the pathogen in diverse situations. Therefore, several studies have been focused on developing new molecules, synergistic formulations, and biomaterials that make it possible to combat and control infections with and dispersion of this pathogen. Note that the uncontrolled antibiotic administration that occurred during the pandemic led to the emergence of new multidrug-resistant strains, and scientists were challenged to overcome them. This review aims to compile the latest information on Kpn that generates intrahospital infections, specifically their pathogenicity-associated factors. Furthermore, it explains the natural-product-based treatments (extracts and essential oils) developed for Kpn infection and dispersion control.

Medicinal Plants against Viral Infections: A Review of Metabolomics Evidence for the Antiviral Properties and Potentials in Plant Sources

Most plants have developed unique mechanisms to cope with harsh environmental conditions to compensate for their lack of mobility. A key part of their coping mechanisms is the synthesis of secondary metabolites. In addition to their role in plants' defense against pathogens, they also possess therapeutic properties against diseases, and their use by humans predates written history. Viruses are a unique class of submicroscopic agents, incapable of independent existence outside a living host. Pathogenic viruses continue to pose a significant threat to global health, leading to innumerable fatalities on a yearly basis. The use of medicinal plants as a natural source of antiviral agents has been widely reported in literature in the past decades. Metabolomics is a powerful research tool for the identification of plant metabolites with antiviral potentials. It can be used to isolate compounds with antiviral capacities in plants and study the biosynthetic pathways involved in viral disease progression. This review discusses the use of medicinal plants as antiviral agents, with a special focus on the metabolomics evidence supporting their efficacy. Suggestions are made for the optimization of various metabolomics methods of characterizing the bioactive compounds in plants and subsequently understanding the mechanisms of their operation.

Regional Variations in Peucedanum japonicum Antioxidants and Phytochemicals

Peucedanum japonicum has long been a staple in East Asian cuisine. In the context of traditional medicine, various members of the Peucedanum genus have been investigated for potential medicinal properties. In laboratory settings, some compounds derived from this plant have shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties-characteristics often associated with potential medicinal applications. This study aimed to determine which part of the P. japonicum plants cultivated on two Korean islands contains the most antioxidant compounds. This determination was made through assessments of total polyphenol content and total flavonoid content, coupled with evaluation of antioxidant activity via DPPH and ABTS assays. The results showed that the aerial parts contain a richer array of bioactive compounds and demonstrate superior antioxidant activity compared to their root counterparts in the plants from both islands. To characterize the phytochemicals underpinning this bioactivity, LC-MS/MS and HPLC analyses were carried out. These methods detected varying amounts of chlorogenic acid, peucedanol 7-O-glucoside, rutin, and peucedanol, with good separation and retention times. This study addresses the lack of research on the antioxidant activity of different parts of P. japonicum. The findings hold significance for traditional medicine, dietary supplements, and the development of functional foods. Understanding antioxidant distribution aids in the development of medicinal and nutritional applications, influences agricultural practices, and contributes to regional biodiversity-conservation efforts. The study's geographical scope provides insights into how location impacts the concentration of bioactive compounds in plants. Overall, the results contribute valuable data for future research in plant biology, biochemistry, and related fields.

Antioxidant Activity Analysis of Native Actinidia arguta Cultivars

Kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta) is a perennial fruit tree belonging to the family Actinidiaceae. Kiwiberries are known to have an extremely high concentration of sugars, phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C, and possess delicious taste and health-promoting properties. Numerous studies have focused on kiwiberry fruits, demonstrating that they possess a higher phytochemical content and greater antioxidant activities than other berry fruits. The purpose of this study was to compare the phytochemical content and antioxidant potential of leaf, stem, root, and fruit extracts from twelve kiwiberry cultivars grown in Wonju, Korea, characterized by a Dwa climate (Köppen climate classification). In most kiwiberry cultivars, the total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) phytochemical content was significantly higher in leaf and stem tissues, while the roots exhibited higher antioxidant activity. In fruit tissues, the TPC and TFC were higher in unripe and ripe kiwiberry fruits, respectively, and antioxidant activity was generally higher in unripe than ripe fruit across most of the cultivars. Based on our results, among the 12 kiwiberry cultivars, cv. Daebo and cv. Saehan have a significantly higher phytochemical content and antioxidant activity in all of the tissue types, thus having potential as a functional food and natural antioxidant.

Effect of Silica Xerogel Functionalization on Intensification of Rindera graeca Transgenic Roots Proliferation and Boosting Naphthoquinone Production

Secondary metabolites derived from plants are recognized as valuable products with several successful applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. The major limitation to the broader implementation of these compounds is their low manufacturing efficiency. Current efforts to overcome unprofitability depend mainly on biotechnological methods, especially through the application of plant in vitro cultures. This concept allows unprecedented bioengineering opportunities for culture system modifications with in situ product removal. The silica-based xerogels can be used as a novel, porous biomaterial characterized by a large surface area and high affinity to lipophilic secondary metabolites produced by plant tissue. This study aimed to investigate the influence of xerogel-based biomaterials functionalized with methyl, hydroxyl, carboxylic, and amine groups on Rindera graeca transgenic root growth and the production of naphthoquinone derivatives. The application of xerogel-based scaffolds functionalized with the methyl group resulted in more than 1.5 times higher biomass proliferation than for reference untreated culture. The naphthoquinone derivatives' production was noted exclusively in culture systems supplemented with xerogel functionalized with methyl and hydroxyl groups. Applying chemically functionalized xerogels as in situ adsorbents allowed for the enhanced growth and productivity of in vitro cultured R. graeca transgenic roots, facilitating product isolation due to their selective and efficient accumulation.

Fostering plant growth performance under drought stress using rhizospheric microbes, their gene editing, and biochar

Stress due to drought lowers crop yield and frequently leads to a rise in food scarcity. Plants' intricate metabolic systems enable them to tolerate drought stress, but they are unable to handle it well. Adding some external, environmentally friendly supplements can boost plant growth and productivity when it comes to drought-stressed plants. In order to prevent the detrimental effects of drought in agricultural regions, environmentally friendly practices must be upheld. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can exhibit beneficial phytostimulation, mineralization, and biocontrol activities under drought stress. The significant impact of the PGPR previously reported has not been accepted as an effective treatment to lessen drought stress. Recent studies have successfully shown that manipulating microbes can be a better option to reduce the severity of drought in plants. In this review, we demonstrate how modifying agents such as biochar, PGPR consortia, PGPR, and mycorrhizal fungi can help overcome drought stress responses in crop plants. This article also discusses CRISPR/Cas9-modifiable genes, increase plant's effectiveness in drought conditions, and increase plant resistance to drought stress. With an eco-friendly approach in mind, there is a need for practical management techniques having potential prospects based on an integrated strategy mediated by CRISPR-Cas9 editing, PGPR, which may alleviate the effects of drought stress in crops and aid in achieving the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs-2030).

Physio-biochemical and metabolomic responses of the woody plant Dalbergia odorifera to salinity and waterlogging

BACKGROUND

Trees have developed a broad spectrum of molecular mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress. Secondary metabolites via phenolic compounds emblematized the hidden bridge among plant kingdom, human health, and oxidative stress. Although studies have demonstrated that abiotic stresses can increase the production of medicinal compounds in plants, research comparing the efficiency of these stresses still needs to be explored. Thus, the present research paper provided an exhaustive comparative metabolomic study in Dalbergia odorifera under salinity (ST) and waterlogging (WL).

RESULTS

High ST reduced D. odorifera's fresh biomass compared to WL. While WL only slightly affected leaf and vein size, ST had a significant negative impact. ST also caused more significant damage to water status and leaflet anatomy than WL. As a result, WL-treated seedlings exhibited better photosynthesis and an up-regulation of nonenzymatic pathways involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species. The metabolomic and physiological responses of D. odorifera under WL and salinity ST stress revealed an accumulation of secondary metabolites by the less aggressive stress (WL) to counterbalance the oxidative stress. Under WL, more metabolites were more regulated compared to ST. ST significantly altered the metabolite profile in D. odorifera leaflets, indicating its sensitivity to salinity. WL synthesized more metabolites involved in phenylpropanoid, flavone, flavonol, flavonoid, and isoflavonoid pathways than ST. Moreover, the down-regulation of L-phenylalanine correlated with increased p-coumarate, caffeate, and ferulate associated with better cell homeostasis and leaf anatomical indexes under WL.

CONCLUSIONS

From a pharmacological and medicinal perspective, WL improved larger phenolics with therapeutic values compared to ST. Therefore, the data showed evidence of the crucial role of medical tree species' adaptability on ROS detoxification under environmental stresses that led to a significant accumulation of secondary metabolites with therapeutic value.

Carvacrol as a Stimulant of the Expression of Key Genes of the Ginsenoside Biosynthesis Pathway and Its Effect on the Production of Ginseng Saponins in Panax quinquefolium Hairy Root Cultures

The accumulation of ginsenosides (triterpenic saponins) was determined in Panax quinquefolium hairy root cultures subjected to an elicitation process using carvacrol at 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 μM concentrations during 24 and 72 h exposure. This study was the first one in which carvacrol was applied as an elicitor. The content of eight ginsenosides, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Rg1, Rg2, and Re, was determined using HPLC analysis. Moreover, the quantitative RT-PCR method was applied to assess the relative expression level of farnesyl diphosphate synthase, squalene synthase, and dammarenediol synthase genes in the studied cultures. The addition of carvacrol (100 μM) was an effective approach to increase the production of ginsenosides. The highest content and productivity of all detected saponins were, respectively, 20.01 mg∙g-1 d.w. and 5.74 mg∙L-1∙day-1 after 72 h elicitation. The production profile of individual metabolites in P. quinquefolium cultures changed under the influence of carvacrol. The biosynthesis of most examined protopanaxadiol derivatives was reduced under carvacrol treatment. In contrast, the levels of ginsenosides belonging to the Rg group increased. The strongest effect of carvacrol was noticed for Re metabolites, achieving a 7.72-fold increase in comparison to the control. Saponin Rg2, not detected in untreated samples, was accumulated after carvacrol stimulation, reaching its maximum concentration after 72 h exposure to 10 μM elicitor.

A Rare Benzothiazole Glucoside as a Derivative of 'Albedo Bluing' Substance in Citrus Fruit and Its Antioxidant Activity

'Albedo bluing' of fruits occurs in many varieties of citrus, resulting in a significant reduction in their commercial value. We first presented a breakthrough method for successfully extracting and purifying the 'albedo bluing' substance (ABS) from citrus fruits, resulting in the attainment of highly purified ABS. Then, HPLC and UPLC-QTOF-MS were used to prove that ABS in the fruits of three citrus varieties (Citrus reticulate Blanco cv. 'Gonggan', 'Orah', and 'Mashuiju') are identical. However, the chemical structure of ABS remains elusive for many reasons. Fortunately, a more stable derivative of ABS (ABS-D) was successfully obtained. Through various analytical techniques such as HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, and chemical shift calculation, ABS-D was identified as 2,4-dihydroxy-6-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)phenyl(5,6-dihydroxy-7-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)methanone, indicating that both ABS and its derivative belong to a rare category of benzothiazole glucosides. Furthermore, both ABS and ABS-D demonstrated potent antioxidant abilities. These findings lay the groundwork for further elucidating the chemical structure of ABS and the causative mechanism of the 'albedo bluing' phenomenon in citrus fruits.

Discovering Nature's shield: Metabolomic insights into green zinc oxide nanoparticles Safeguarding Brassica parachinensis L. from cadmium stress

Heavy metal cadmium (Cd) hinders plants' growth and productivity by causing different morphological and physiological changes. Nanoparticles (NPs) are promising for raising plant yield and reducing Cd toxicity. Nonetheless, the fundamental mechanism of nanoparticle-interfered Cd toxicity in Brassica parachineses L. remains unknown. A novel ZnO nanoparticle (ZnO-NPs) was synthesized using a microalgae strain (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) through a green process and characterized by different standard parameters through TEM, EDX, and XRD. This study examines the effect of different concentrations of ZnO-NPs (50 and 100 mgL-1) in B. parachineses L. under Cd stress through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics profiling. In the presence of Cd toxicity, foliar spraying with ZnO-NPs raised Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mg levels in the roots and/or leaves, improved seedling development, as demonstrated by increased plant height, root length, and shoot and root fresh weight. Furthermore, the ZnO-NPs significantly enhanced the photosynthetic pigments and changed the antioxidant activities of the Cd-treated plants. Based on a metabolomics analysis, 481 untargeted metabolites were accumulated in leaves under normal and Cd-stressed conditions. These metabolites were highly enriched in producing organic acids, amino acids, glycosides, flavonoids, nucleic acids, and vitamin biosynthesis. Surprisingly, ZnO-NPs restored approximately 60% of Cd stress metabolites to normal leaf levels. Our findings suggest that green synthesized ZnO-NPs can balance ions' absorption, modulate the antioxidant activities, and restore more metabolites associated with plant growth to their normal levels under Cd stress. It can be applied as a plant growth regulator to alleviate heavy metal toxicity and improve crop yield in heavy metal-contaminated regions.

Integrated metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of Lonicera japonica flowers for chlorogenic acid, luteolin and endogenous hormone syntheses

The active ingredients of many medicinal plants are the secondary metabolites associated with the growth period. Lonicera japonica Thunb. is an important traditional Chinese medicine, and the flower development stage is an important factor that influences the quality of medicinal ingredients. In this study, transcriptomics and metabolomics were performed to reveal the regulatory mechanism of secondary metabolites during flowering of L. japonica. The results showed that the content of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and luteolin gradually decreased from green bud stage (Sa) to white flower stage (Sc), especially from white flower bud stage (Sb) to Sc. Most of the genes encoding the crucial rate-limiting enzymes, including PAL, C4H, HCT, C3'H, F3'H and FNSII, were down-regulated in three comparisons. Correlation analysis identified some members of the MYB, AP2/ERF, bHLH and NAC transcription factor families that are closely related to CGA and luteolin biosynthesis. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in hormone biosynthesis, signalling pathways and flowering process were analysed in three flower developmental stage.

Metabolomics of early blight (Alternaria solani) susceptible tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) unfolds key biomarker metabolites and involved metabolic pathways

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is among the most important commercial horticultural crops worldwide. The crop quality and production is largely hampered due to the fungal pathogen Alternaria solani causing necrotrophic foliage early blight disease. Crop plants usually respond to the biotic challenges with altered metabolic composition and physiological perturbations. We have deciphered altered metabolite composition, modulated metabolic pathways and identified metabolite biomarkers in A. solani-challenged susceptible tomato variety Kashi Aman using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) based metabolomics. Alteration in the metabolite feature composition of pathogen-challenged (m/z 9405) and non-challenged (m/z 9667) plant leaves including 8487 infection-exclusive and 8742 non-infection exclusive features was observed. Functional annotation revealed putatively annotated metabolites and pathway mapping indicated their enrichment in metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, ubiquinone and terpenoid-quinones, brassinosteroids, steroids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, carotenoids, oxy/sphingolipids and metabolism of biotin and porphyrin. PCA, multivariate PLS-DA and OPLS-DA analysis showed sample discrimination. Significantly up regulated 481 and down regulated 548 metabolite features were identified based on the fold change (threshold ≥ 2.0). OPLS-DA model based on variable importance in projection (VIP scores) and FC threshold (> 2.0) revealed 41 up regulated discriminant metabolite features annotated as sphingosine, fecosterol, melatonin, serotonin, glucose 6-phosphate, zeatin, dihydrozeatin and zeatin-β-D-glucoside. Similarly, 23 down regulated discriminant metabolites included histidinol, 4-aminobutyraldehyde, propanoate, tyramine and linalool. Melatonin and serotonin in the leaves were the two indoleamines being reported for the first time in tomato in response to the early blight pathogen. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-based biomarker analysis identified apigenin-7-glucoside, uridine, adenosyl-homocysteine, cGMP, tyrosine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin (as up regulated) and adenosine, homocyctine and azmaline (as down regulated) biomarkers. These results could aid in the development of metabolite-quantitative trait loci (mQTL). Furthermore, stress-induced biosynthetic pathways may be the potential targets for modifications through breeding programs or genetic engineering for improving crop performance in the fields.

Oxidation of Naringenin, Apigenin, and Genistein by Human Family 1 Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Comparison of Interaction of Apigenin with Human P450 1B1.1 and Scutellaria P450 82D.1

Naringenin, an initial synthesized flavanone in various plant species, is further utilized for production of many biologically active flavonoids, e.g., apigenin, eriodictyol, and genistein, by various plant enzymes including cytochrome P450s (P450s or CYPs). We examined how these flavonoids are oxidized by human P450 family 1 and 2A enzymes. Naringenin was principally oxidized at the 3'-position to form eriodictyol by CYP1 enzymes more efficiently than by CYP2A enzymes, and the resulting eriodictyol was further oxidized to two penta-hydroxylated products. In contrast to plant P450 enzymes, these human P450s did not mediate the desaturation of naringenin and eriodictyol to give apigenin and luteolin, respectively. Apigenin was oxidized at the C3' and C6 positions to form luteolin and scutellarein by these P450s. CYP1B1.1 and 1B1.3 had high activities in apigenin 6-hydroxylation with a homotropic cooperative manner, as has been observed previously in chrysin 6-hydroxylation (Nagayoshi et al., Chem. Res. Toxicol. 2019, 32, 1268-1280). Molecular docking analysis suggested that CYP1B1 had two apigenin binding sites and showed similarities in substrate recognition sites to plant CYP82D.1, one of the enzymes in catalyzing apigenin and chrysin 6-hydroxylations in Scutellaria baicalensis. The present results suggest that human CYP1 enzymes and CYP2A13 in some reactions have important roles in the oxidation of naringenin, eriodictyol, apigenin, and genistein and that human CYP1B1 and Scutellaria CYP82D.1 have similarities in their SRS regions, catalyzing 6-hydroxylation of both apigenin and chrysin.

Physiological and metabolomic analyses reveal that Fe3O4 nanoparticles ameliorate cadmium and arsenic toxicity in Panax notoginseng

Heavy metal(loid)-contaminated available arable land seriously affects crop development and growth. Engineered nanomaterials have great potential in mitigating toxic metal(loid) stress in plants. However, there are few details of nanoparticles (NPs) involved in Panax notoginseng response to cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). Herein, integrating physiological and metabolomic analyses, we investigated the effects of Fe3O4 NPs on plant growth and Cd/As responses in P. notoginseng. Cd/As treatment caused severe growth inhibition. However, foliar application of Fe3O4 NPs increased beneficial elements in the roots and/or leaves, decreased Cd/As content by 10.38% and 20.41% in the roots, reduced membrane damage and regulated antioxidant enzyme activity, thereby alleviating Cd/As-induced growth inhibition, as indicated by increased shoot fresh weight (FW), the rootlet length and root FW by 40.14%, 15.74%, and 46.70% under Cd stress and promoted the shoot FW by 27.00% under As toxicity. Metabolomic analysis showed that 227 and 295 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified, and their accumulation patterns were classified into 8 and 6 clusters in the roots and leaves, respectively. Fe3O4 NPs altered metabolites significantly involved in key pathways, including amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism, thus mediating the trade-off between plant growth and defense under stress. Interestingly, Fe3O4 NPs recovered more Cd/As-induced DAMs to normal levels, further supporting that Fe3O4 NPs positively affected seedling growth under metal(loid)s stress. In addition, Fe3O4 NPs altered terpenoids when the seedlings were subjected to Cd/As stress, thus affecting their potential medicinal value. This study provides insights into using nanoparticles to improve potential active ingredients of medicinal plants in metal(loid)-contaminated areas.

Recent advances in triterpenoid pathway elucidation and engineering

Triterpenoids are among the most assorted class of specialized metabolites found in all the taxa of living organisms. Triterpenoids are the leading active ingredients sourced from plant species and are utilized in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The triterpenoid precursor 2,3-oxidosqualene, which is biosynthesized via the mevalonate (MVA) pathway is structurally diversified by the oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) and other scaffold-decorating enzymes such as cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) and acyltransferases (ATs). A majority of the bioactive triterpenoids are harvested from the native hosts using the traditional methods of extraction and occasionally semi-synthesized. These methods of supply are time-consuming and do not often align with sustainability goals. Recent advancements in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology have shown prospects for the green routes of triterpenoid pathway reconstruction in heterologous hosts such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Nicotiana benthamiana, which appear to be quite promising and might lead to the development of alternative source of triterpenoids. The present review describes the biotechnological strategies used to elucidate complex biosynthetic pathways and to understand their regulation and also discusses how the advances in triterpenoid pathway engineering might aid in the scale-up of triterpenoid production in engineered hosts.

Physiological and omics-based insights for underpinning the molecular regulation of secondary metabolite production in medicinal plants: UV stress resilience

Despite complex phytoconstituents, the commercial potential of medicinal plants under ultraviolet (UV) stress environment hasn't been fully comprehended. Due to sessile nature, these plants are constantly exposed to damaging radiation, which disturbs their natural physiological and biochemical processes. To combat with UV stress, plants synthesized several small organic molecules (natural products of low molecular mass like alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids and phenolics, etc.) known as plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) that come into play to counteract the adverse effect of stress. Plants adapted a stress response by organizing the expression of several genes, enzymes, transcription factors, and proteins involved in the synthesis of chemical substances and by making the signaling cascade (a series of chemical reactions induced by a stimulus within a biological cell) flexible to boost the defensive response. To neutralize UV exposure, secondary metabolites and their signaling network regulate cellular processes at the molecular level. Conventional breeding methods are time-consuming and difficult to reveal the molecular pattern of the stress tolerance medicinal plants. Acquiring in-depth knowledge of the molecular drivers behind the defensive mechanism of medicinal plants against UV radiation would yield advantages (economical and biological) that will bring prosperity to the burgeoning world's population. Thus, this review article emphasized the comprehensive information and clues to identify several potential genes, transcription factors (TFs), proteins, biosynthetic pathways, and biological networks which are involved in resilience mechanism under UV stress in medicinal plants of high-altitudes.

Myricetin: a potential plant-derived anticancer bioactive compound-an updated overview

The globe is currently confronting a global fight against the deadliest cancer sickness. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are among cancer treatment options. Still, these treatments can induce patient side effects, including recurrence, multidrug resistance, fever, and weakness. As a result, the scientific community is always working on natural phytochemical substances. Numerous phytochemical compounds, including taxol analogues, vinca alkaloids such as vincristine and vinblastine, and podophyllotoxin analogues, are currently undergoing testing and have shown promising results against a number of the deadliest diseases, as well as considerable advantages due to their safety and low cost. According to research, secondary plant metabolites such as myricetin, a flavonoid in berries, herbs, and walnuts, have emerged as valuable bio-agents for cancer prevention. Myricetin and its derivatives have antiinflammatory, anticancer, apoptosis-inducing, and anticarcinogenic properties and can prevent cancer cell proliferation. Multiple studies have found that myricetin has anticancer characteristics in various malignancies, including colon, breast, prostate, bladder, and pancreatic cancers. Current knowledge of the anticancer effects of myricetin reveals its promise as a potentially bioactive chemical produced from plants for the prevention and treatment of cancer. This review aimed to study the numerous bioactivities, mode of action, and modification of several cellular processes that myricetin possesses to impede the spread of cancer cells. This review also addresses the challenges and future prospects of using myricetin as a anticancer drug.

Unlocking secrets of nature's chemists: Potential of CRISPR/Cas-based tools in plant metabolic engineering for customized nutraceutical and medicinal profiles

Plant species have evolved diverse metabolic pathways to effectively respond to internal and external signals throughout their life cycle, allowing adaptation to their sessile and phototropic nature. These pathways selectively activate specific metabolic processes, producing plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) governed by genetic and environmental factors. Humans have utilized PSM-enriched plant sources for millennia in medicine and nutraceuticals. Recent technological advances have significantly contributed to discovering metabolic pathways and related genes involved in the biosynthesis of specific PSM in different food crops and medicinal plants. Consequently, there is a growing demand for plant materials rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, marketed as "superfoods". To meet the industrial demand for superfoods and therapeutic PSMs, modern methods such as system biology, omics, synthetic biology, and genome editing (GE) play a crucial role in identifying the molecular players, limiting steps, and regulatory circuitry involved in PSM production. Among these methods, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) is the most widely used system for plant GE due to its simple design, flexibility, precision, and multiplexing capabilities. Utilizing the CRISPR-based toolbox for metabolic engineering (ME) offers an ideal solution for developing plants with tailored preventive (nutraceuticals) and curative (therapeutic) metabolic profiles in an ecofriendly way. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the multifactorial regulation of metabolic pathways, the application of CRISPR-based tools for plant ME, and the potential research areas for enhancing plant metabolic profiles.

Non-Targeted Metabolomic Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh: Metabolic Adaptive Responses to Stress Caused by N Starvation

As sessile organisms, plants develop the ability to respond and survive in changing environments. Such adaptive responses maximize phenotypic and metabolic fitness, allowing plants to adjust their growth and development. In this study, we analyzed the metabolic plasticity of Arabidopsis thaliana in response to nitrate deprivation by untargeted metabolomic analysis and using wild-type (WT) genotypes and the loss-of-function nia1/nia2 double mutant. Secondary metabolites were identified using seedlings grown on a hydroponic system supplemented with optimal or limiting concentrations of N (4 or 0.2 mM, respectively) and harvested at 15 and 30 days of age. Then, spectral libraries generated from shoots and roots in both ionization modes (ESI +/-) were compared. Totals of 3407 and 4521 spectral signals (m/z_rt) were obtained in the ESI+ and ESI- modes, respectively. Of these, approximately 50 and 65% were identified as differentially synthetized/accumulated. This led to the presumptive identification of 735 KEGG codes (metabolites) belonging to 79 metabolic pathways. The metabolic responses in the shoots and roots of WT genotypes at 4 mM of N favor the synthesis/accumulation of metabolites strongly related to growth. In contrast, for the nia1/nia2 double mutant (similar as the WT genotype at 0.2 mM N), metabolites identified as differentially synthetized/accumulated help cope with stress, regulating oxidative stress and preventing programmed cell death, meaning that metabolic responses under N starvation compromise growth to prioritize a defensive response.

Insights into cryopreservation, recovery and genetic stability of medicinal plant tissues

Several plant secondary metabolites are used in the production of different pharmaceuticals based on their biological activities. The conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants is important for the industrial production of plant-based medicines. Different cryopreservation methods are used for long-term culture preservation, which allows fast regeneration of the preserved plant material with the maintenance of its primary original traits. These methods could ensure the sustainable indefinite supply of plant tissues for theoretically unlimited periods of time, and have gained considerable attention in recent years. It is important to assess the recovery rate and the genetic stability of the recovered plant tissues after cryopreservation because cryopreservation efficiency differs among plant tissues and species. This review lays particular emphasis on the pharmaceutical applications of plant secondary metabolites that are produced through tissue culture approaches, highlighting the methods used for their cryopreservation, as well as their recovery and genetic stability.

Phytochemicals, Essential Oils Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Astragalus spp., Phlomis olivieri and Daphne mucronata in Habitats of Central Iran

This study evaluated several secondary metabolites, essential oils (EOs) compositions, and antioxidant activity in four medicinal plants that originated in Isfahan rangelands. The species were Astragalus verus, Astragalus adscendens, Daphne mucronata, and Phlomis olivieri. Thirty-two genotypes of these species were evaluated for different biochemical traits. Based on the evaluation of EOs compounds, GC/MS analysis revealed the total number of identified compounds. These compounds were 25, 22, 12, and 22 for A. adscendens, A. verus, D. mucronata, and P. olivieri, respectively. The dominant compounds were phthalate (59.88 %) in A. adscendens, phytol (38.02 %) in A. verus, hexanoic acid (32.05 %) in D. mucronata and β-cubebene (30.94 %) in P. olivieri. Phytochemical analysis showed that D. mucronata, A. adscendens, and P. olivieri had the highest total phenolics content (TPC) (18.24 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight), total flavonoids content (5.57 mg QE/g DW), and total anthocyanins content (0.23 mg/g DW), respectively. The highest total chlorophyll (0.27 mg/g DW), total carotenoids (0.03 mg/g DW), and antioxidant activity (71.36 %) were observed in A. adscendens, A. adscendens and A. verus, respectively. Among all genotypes, the highest TPC (20.1 mg GAE/g DW) was observed in genotype 5 of D. mucronata. This study provided new information on the chemical compounds within the distribution range of these ecologically dominant rangeland species in Isfahan province, Iran. The data revealed that superior genotypes from these species are rich in natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds. Thus, they can be used in ethno pharmacological fields, food, and industrial applications.

Algae-Derived Natural Products in Diabetes and Its Complications-Current Advances and Future Prospects

Diabetes poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Natural products and their derivatives have emerged as promising candidates for diabetes management due to their diverse compositions and pharmacological effects. Algae, in particular, have garnered attention for their potential as a source of bioactive compounds with anti-diabetic properties. This review offers a comprehensive overview of algae-derived natural products for diabetes management, highlighting recent developments and future prospects. It underscores the pivotal role of natural products in diabetes care and delves into the diversity of algae, their bioactive constituents, and underlying mechanisms of efficacy. Noteworthy algal derivatives with substantial potential are briefly elucidated, along with their specific contributions to addressing distinct aspects of diabetes. The challenges and limitations inherent in utilizing algae for therapeutic interventions are examined, accompanied by strategic recommendations for optimizing their effectiveness. By addressing these considerations, this review aims to chart a course for future research in refining algae-based approaches. Leveraging the multifaceted pharmacological activities and chemical components of algae holds significant promise in the pursuit of novel antidiabetic treatments. Through continued research and the fine-tuning of algae-based interventions, the global diabetes burden could be mitigated, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes.

Population divergence in heat and drought responses of a coastal plant: from metabolic phenotypes to plant morphology and growth

Studying intraspecific variation in multistress responses is central for predicting and managing the population dynamics of wild plant species under rapid global change. Yet, it remains a challenging goal in this field to integrate knowledge on the complex biochemical underpinnings for the targeted 'non-model' species. Here, we studied divergence in combined drought and heat responses among Northern and Southern European populations of the dune plant Cakile maritima, by combining comprehensive plant phenotyping with metabolic profiling via FT-ICR-MS and UPLC-TQ-MS/MS. We observed pronounced constitutive divergence in growth phenology, leaf functional traits, and defence chemistry (glucosinolates and alkaloids) among population origins. Most importantly, the magnitude of growth reduction under drought was partly weaker in southern plants and associated with divergence in plastic growth responses (leaf abscission) and the modulation of primary and specialized metabolites with known central functions not only in plant abiotic but also in biotic stress responses. Our study indicates that divergent selection has shaped the constitutive and drought-/heat-induced expression of numerous morphological and biochemical functional traits to mediate higher abiotic stress resistance in southern Cakile populations, and highlights that metabolomics can be a powerful tool to explore the underlying mechanisms of local adaptation in 'non-model' species.

Flavonoid profile of Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. Under short-term heat stress revealed by integrated metabolome, transcriptome, and biochemical analyses

Global warming severely threatens plant growth, and could lead to yield reduction. Although findings suggest that flavonoids play important roles in biological process in plants, their response to heat stress in Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. remains unclear. Here, we aimed to examine the flavonoid profile of A. roxburghii under heat stress and assess the effect of exogenous application of quercetin on heat stress tolerance. Metabolome analysis showed that quercetin, tricetin, isorhamnetin, scutellarein, and 4',7-Isoflavandiol were the main upregulated flavonoids in A. roxburghii, based on variable importance in the projection >1 and with fold change >2. Determination of the concentrations of the flavonoids using a standard curve revealed that quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin contents increased by 8.24-, 7.55-, and 5.01-fold, respectively, during heat stress, whereas rutin concentration decreased from 83.04 to 80.89 mg/kg (dry weight). Additionally, transcriptome analysis indicated increased expression of several genes in flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase. Moreover, exogenous application of quercetin improved the antioxidant capacity and physiological parameters, including photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content, of A. roxburghii under heat stress. Overall, the flavonoid profile of A. roxburghii under short-term heat stress was characterized based on integrated metabolomic, transcriptomic, and biochemical analyses, providing new insights for improving the biological value of A. roxburghii.

Secondary metabolites responses of plants exposed to ozone: an update

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a secondary pollutant that causes oxidative stress in plants due to the generation of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). Phenylpropanoid metabolism is induced as a usual response to stress in plants, and induction of key enzyme activities and accumulation of secondary metabolites occur, upon O3 exposure to provide resistance or tolerance. The phenylpropanoid, isoprenoid, and alkaloid pathways are the major secondary metabolic pathways from which plant defense metabolites emerge. Chronic exposure to O3 significantly accelerates the direction of carbon flows toward secondary metabolic pathways, resulting in a resource shift in favor of the synthesis of secondary products. Furthermore, since different cellular compartments have different levels of ROS sensitivity and metabolite sets, intracellular compartmentation of secondary antioxidative metabolites may play a role in O3-induced ROS detoxification. Plants' responses to resource partitioning often result in a trade-off between growth and defense under O3 stress. These metabolic adjustments help the plants to cope with the stress as well as for achieving new homeostasis. In this review, we discuss secondary metabolic pathways in response to O3 in plant species including crops, trees, and medicinal plants; and how the presence of this stressor affects their role as ROS scavengers and structural defense. Furthermore, we discussed how O3 affects key physiological traits in plants, foliar chemistry, and volatile emission, which affects plant-plant competition (allelopathy), and plant-insect interactions, along with an emphasis on soil dynamics, which affect the composition of soil communities via changing root exudation, litter decomposition, and other related processes.

Modulation of feed digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, energy utilisation and serum biochemical indices by dietary Ligularia virgaurea supplementation in Tibetan sheep

Ligularia virgaurea is the most widely functional native herbage in the alpine meadow pastures of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and has multiple pharmacological and biological activities. The effect of L. virgaurea as a dietary component on the digestion and metabolism of sheep was evaluated by conducting feeding trials in metabolic cages. Thirty-two Tibetan yearling rams (29 ± 1.56 kg BW) were randomly allotted to four groups included in a completely randomised design with eight animals per treatment. Sheep were fed a basal diet (freshly native pasture) without the addition of L. virgaurea (control) or with the addition of L. virgaurea (100, 200, or 300 mg/kg BW per day) for 45 days. Addition of L. virgaurea to the diet of Tibetan sheep was found to influence the average daily gain (quadratic [Q], P < 0.001), feed conversion ratio (Q, P = 0.002), CH4 emissions (linear [L], P = 0.029), DM (Q, P = 0.012), neutral detergent fibre (Q, P = 0.017), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (Q, P = 0.027), and ether extract (EE) intake (Q, P = 0.026). Apparently, different levels of L. virgaurea affected the digestibility coefficients of DM, ADF, and EE (L, P > 0.05; Q, P < 0.05). The nitrogen (N) intake (Q, P = 0.001), retained nitrogen (Q, P < 0.001), and N utilisation efficiency (L, P > 0.05; Q, P ≤ 0.001) were also affected by the dietary inclusion of L. virgaurea. Effects of L. virgaurea feeding were also witnessed on methane energy (CH4-E) (L, P = 0.029), gross energy (GE) (Q, P = 0.013), digestible energy (DE) (Q, P = 0.015), and metabolisable energy (ME) intake (Q, P = 0.015). Energy utilisation efficiency expressed as a proportion of GE intake (DE/GE intake, ME/GE intake, ME/DE intake, FE/GE intake, and CH4-E/GE intake) manifested quadratic changes (P < 0.05) with the increase in the L. virgaurea supplementation level. The addition of L. virgaurea increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (Q, P = 0.026) and glutathione peroxidase activity (Q, P = 0.039) in the serum. Overall, the greatest improvement of feed digestibility, N retention, energy utilisation, and antioxidant capacity of Tibetan sheep was yielded by the inclusion of 200 mg/kg BW per day of L. virgaurea. Therefore, the addition of an appropriate amount of L. virgaurea to the diet of Tibetan sheep is safe and natural, and may enhance the sustainability of small ruminant production systems in QTP areas.

Comparative Analysis and Identification of Terpene Synthase Genes in Convallaria keiskei Leaf, Flower and Root Using RNA-Sequencing Profiling

The 'Lilly of the Valley' species, Convallaria, is renowned for its fragrant white flowers and distinctive fresh and green floral scent, attributed to a rich composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of this floral scent remain poorly understood due to a lack of transcriptomic data. In this study, we conducted the first comparative transcriptome analysis of C. keiskei, encompassing the leaf, flower, and root tissues. Our aim was to investigate the terpene synthase (TPS) genes and differential gene expression (DEG) patterns associated with essential oil biosynthesis. Through de novo assembly, we generated a substantial number of unigenes, with the highest count in the root (146,550), followed by the flower (116,434) and the leaf (72,044). Among the identified unigenes, we focused on fifteen putative ckTPS genes, which are involved in the synthesis of mono- and sesquiterpenes, the key aromatic compounds responsible for the essential oil biosynthesis in C. keiskei. The expression of these genes was validated using quantitative PCR analysis. Both DEG and qPCR analyses revealed the presence of ckTPS genes in the flower transcriptome, responsible for the synthesis of various compounds such as geraniol, germacrene, kaurene, linalool, nerolidol, trans-ocimene and valencene. The leaf transcriptome exhibited genes related to the biosynthesis of kaurene and trans-ocimene. In the root, the identified unigenes were associated with synthesizing kaurene, trans-ocimene and valencene. Both analyses indicated that the genes involved in mono- and sesquiterpene biosynthesis are more highly expressed in the flower compared to the leaf and root. This comprehensive study provides valuable resources for future investigations aiming to unravel the essential oil-biosynthesis-related genes in the Convallaria genus.

Phenolic mapping and associated antioxidant activities through the annual growth cycle of sugar maple leaves

Concentrations of antioxidant components (analyzed by HPLC-UV) and antioxidant attributes (assayed by radical scavenging and non-radical redox potential methods) of sugar maple leaves (SML) from different harvesting times were investigated. Moreover, measurements of colorimetry, SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy-based characterization of leaves composition, throughout the growth cycle, were performed. Results showed that the antioxidant activities of SML are strongly correlated with phenolic contents and significantly (p < 0.05) varied with harvesting time where minimum amount of total phenolics (105.67 ± 13.16 mg GAE/g DM) and total flavonoids (3.27 ± 0.26 mg CTE/g DM) were found to be concentrated in Fall leaves. The absorption bands obtained from FTIR spectra revealed the presence of functional groups that have great significance towards the antioxidant activity of SML. Principal component analysis revealed that biosynthesis of maximum phenolic compounds in SML mostly occurs during the leaf expansion and growth phases. The obtained data provided a better understanding towards the effect of harvesting time on the phenolic mapping of SML in favor of its valorization into functional food ingredients.

A Multi-Approach Study of Phytochemicals and Their Effects on Oxidative Stress and Enzymatic Activity of Essential Oil and Crude Extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosmarinus officinalis or Rosemary is a highly valued medicinal vegetal, owing to its notable antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. In the current work, we aimed to identify the chemical components of the essential oil (EO) of R. officinalis and evaluate its biological properties using an in vitro approach. High performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-TOF-MS) was utilized to analyze of the hydro-methanolic extract (HME), while gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was considered during the analysis of the EO’s chemical composition. The antioxidant abilities of HME and the EO were assessed using diverse tests (DPPH, ABTS, GOR, CUPRAC, and FRAP). The anti-enzymatic properties were tested by the inhibition of cholinesterases, α-glucosidase, and tyrosinase enzyme. The HPLC-TOF-MS displayed the existence of flavonoids like luteolin glucuronide I and II, and a few known hydroxycinnamic acids. The EO contained three major components, namely, eucalyptol (28.7%), camphor (16.7%), and borneol (13.5%). The HME had a high total polyphenol content, as determined by the Folin–Ciocalteau method (335.37 ± 9.33 µg of gallic acid eq·mg−1). Notably, the analysis of the bioactivities of the HME and EO revealed comparatively that they possessed higher radical scavenging capacity in the DPPH, ABTS, and galvinoxyl assays, while EO exhibited a higher capacity for enzyme inhibition. Overall, our findings suggest that both the EO and HME extract of Algerian’s R. officinalis holds great usefulness in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields due to its elevated polyphenol content and potent bioactivities.

Lipids and volatile organic compounds in sesame seeds and their relationships with environmental temperature-induced stress

Sesame seeds contain several lipids and fragrances that offer health benefits. However, no studies have reported a relationship between the lipids or flavor compounds of sesame seeds and environmental factors. In this study, we aimed to identify this relationship by analyzing the contents of lipidic and flavor compounds in fifteen genotypes of sesame seeds grown in two cultivation regions (Jeonju and Miryang) and years (2018 and 2019). Herein, 17 lipids and 62 flavor compounds were detected. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that the cultivation year had a larger influence on the contents of lipidic and flavor compounds than the cultivation region and genotype. Furthermore, heat stress due to high cultivation temperature in 2018 caused the accumulation of sugar and secondary metabolites, increased flavor-related substances, and inhibited the degradation of fatty acids. Our study is the first to demonstrate the metabolic changes in lipids and flavor components of sesame in response to environmental temperature changes affected by different cultivation years. Therefore, this study provides guidance for the cultivation of commercially advantageous sesame seeds in improving the quality of sesame seeds and their products.

Comparative analysis of flavonoids, polyphenols and volatiles in roots, stems and leaves of five mangroves

Mangrove plants contain a variety of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, polyphenols, and volatiles, which are important for their survival and adaptation to the coastal environment, as well as for producing bioactive compounds. To reveal differences in these compounds among five mangrove species' leaf, root, and stem, the total contents of flavonoids and polyphenols, types and contents of volatiles were determined, analyzed and compared. The results showed that Avicennia marina leaves contained the highest levels of flavonoids and phenolics. In mangrove parts, flavonoids are usually higher than phenolic compounds. A total of 532 compounds were detected by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method in the leaf, root, and stem parts of five mangrove species. These were grouped into 18 classes, including alcohols, aldehydes, alkaloids, alkanes, etc. The number of volatile compounds in A. ilicifolius (176) and B. gymnorrhiza (172) was lower than in the other three species. The number of volatile compounds and their relative contents differed among all three parts of five mangrove species, where the mangrove species factor had a greater impact than the part factor. A total of 71 common compounds occurring in more than two species or parts were analyzed by a PLS-DA model. One-way ANOVA revealed 18 differential compounds among mangrove species and nine differential compounds among parts. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis showed that both unique and common compounds significantly differed in composition and concentration between species and parts. In general, A. ilicifolius and B. gymnorrhiza differed significantly from the other species in terms of compound content, while the leaves differed significantly from the other parts. VIP screening and pathway enrichment analysis were performed on 17 common compounds closely related to mangrove species or parts. These compounds were mainly involved in terpenoid pathways such as C10 isoprenoids and C15 isoprenoids and fatty alcohols. The correlation analysis showed that the content of flavonoids/phenolics, the number of compounds, and the content of some common compounds in mangroves were correlated with their salt and waterlogging tolerance levels. These findings will help in the development of genetic varieties and medicinal utilization of mangrove plants.

Heterogeneous nutrient supply modulates root exudation and accumulation of medicinally valuable compounds in Artemisia annua and Hypericum perforatum

Plants have evolved complex mechanisms to adapt to nutrient-deficient environments, including stimulating lateral root proliferation into local soil patches with high nutrient content in response to heterogeneous nutrient distribution. Despite the widespread occurrence of this phenomenon in soil, the effect of heterogeneous nutrient distribution on the accumulation of secondary compounds in plant biomass and their exudation by roots remains largely unknown. This study aims to fill this critical knowledge gap by investigating how deficiency and unequal distributions of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and iron (Fe) affect plant growth and accumulation of the antimalarial drug artemisinin (AN) in leaves and roots of Artemisia annua, as well as AN exudation by roots. Heterogeneous N and P supplies strongly increased root exudation of AN in half of a split-root system exposed to nutrient deficiency. By contrast, exposure to a homogeneous nitrate and phosphate deficiency did not modulate root exudation of AN. This indicates that a combination of local and systemic signals, reflecting low and high nutritional statuses, respectively, were required to enhance AN exudation. This exudation response was independent of the regulation of root hair formation, which was predominantly modulated by the local signal. In contrast to the heterogeneous supply of N and P, heterogeneous Fe supply did not modulate AN root exudation but increased AN accumulation in locally Fe-deficient roots. No modulation of nutrient supply significantly changed the accumulation of AN in A. annua leaves. The impact of a heterogeneous nitrate supply on growth and phytochemical composition was also investigated in Hypericum perforatum plants. Unlike in A. annue, the uneven N supply did not significantly influence the exudation of secondary compounds in the roots of H. perforatum. However, it did enhance the accumulation of several biologically active compounds, such as hypericin, catechin, and rutin isomers, in the leaves of H. perforatum. We propose that the capacity of plants to induce the accumulation and/or differential exudation of secondary compounds under heterogeneous nutrient supply is both species- and compound-specific. The ability to differentially exude AN may contribute to A. annua's adaptation to nutrient disturbances and modulate allelopathic and symbiotic interactions in the rhizosphere.

Salt-Induced Stress Impacts the Phytochemical Composition and Aromatic Profile of Three Types of Basil in a Genotype-Dependent Mode

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is among the most widely used aromatic plants of Lamiaceae, often grown in areas where salinity is an adverse factor. Most studies on the effect of salinity on basil focused on the influence of salt stress on productive traits, while few reported on how it affects the phytochemical composition and the aroma profile. Three basil cultivars (Dark Opal, Italiano Classico, and Purple Ruffles) were grown hydroponically for 34 days with two nutrient solutions that differed in NaCl concentration [no NaCl (Control) and 60 mM NaCl]. Yield, secondary metabolite concentration (β-carotene and lutein), antioxidant activity [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reduction antioxidant power (FRAP)], and aroma profile based on composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were appraised in response to salinity applications. Salt stress significantly reduced fresh yield in Italiano Classico and Dark Opal by 43.34 and 31.69%, respectively, while no effect was observed in Purple Ruffles. Furthermore, the salt-stress treatment increased β-carotene and lutein concentrations, DPPH, and FRAP activities, and the total nitrogen content of the latter cultivar. CG-MS analysis revealed significant differences in VOCs composition of the basil cultivars, with Italiano Classico and Dark Opal characterized by the predominance of linalool (average 37.52%), which, however, was negatively affected by salinity. In Purple Ruffles, the predominant VOC compound, estragole (79.50%), was not affected by the deleterious effects of NaCl-induced stress.