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Sulaiman N, Zocchi DM, Borrello MT, Mattalia G, Antoniazzi L, Berlinghof SE, Bewick A, Häfliger I, Schembs M, Torri L, Pieroni A. Traditional Knowledge Evolution over Half of a Century: Local Herbal Resources and Their Changes in the Upper Susa Valley of Northwest Italy. Plants (Basel) 2023; 13:43. [PMID: 38202351 PMCID: PMC10780445 DOI: 10.3390/plants13010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Susa Valley, located in the Italian Western Alps, has served as a meeting point for cultural, spiritual, and commercial exchange for a long period of history. The valley's role as one of the main connecting routes between south and southwestern Europe resulted in its acquisition of a rich traditional ecological knowledge. However, like other Italian mountainous valleys, this valley has suffered from abandonment and depopulation in the past 50 years. Our study aims to investigate the current ethnobotanical medicinal knowledge in the valley and to compare our findings with a study conducted over 50 years ago in the same area. In 2018, we conducted 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews on medicinal plants and food-medicines used in the Susa Valley. We documented 36 species, of which 21 species were used for medical purposes and 15 species were used as food-medicine. The comparison with the previous study on medicinal herbs conducted in 1970 in the valley demonstrated a significant decrease in both the knowledge and use of medicinal plants, which could be attributed to socioeconomic, cultural, and possibly environmental changes that occurred in the past half-century. Our study highlights several promising species for future use as nutraceuticals, food, and medicinal products, such as Taraxacum officinale, Urtica dioica, and Artemisia genipi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naji Sulaiman
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
| | - Dauro M. Zocchi
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Borrello
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, School of Pharmacy, University of Sunderland, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK
| | - Giulia Mattalia
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnología Ambientals (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
- New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY 14058, USA
| | - Luca Antoniazzi
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
| | - S. Elisabeth Berlinghof
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
- Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung (ZALF) e.V., Eberswalder 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Amber Bewick
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
| | - Ivo Häfliger
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
| | - Mia Schembs
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
| | - Luisa Torri
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
| | - Andrea Pieroni
- University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy
- Department of Medical Analysis, Tishk International University, Erbil 44001, Iraq
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Wang J, Zhang H, Hou J, Yang E, Zhao L, Zhou Y, Ma W, Ma D, Li J. Metabolic Profiling and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Melatonin-Induced Secondary Metabolism of Postharvest Goji Berry ( Lycium barbarum L.). Foods 2023; 12:4326. [PMID: 38231790 DOI: 10.3390/foods12234326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Postharvest decay of goji berries, mainly caused by Alternaria alternata, results in significant economic losses. To investigate the effects of melatonin (MLT) on resistance to Alternaria rot in goji berries, the fruits were immersed in the MLT solutions with varying concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 75 μmol L-1) and then inoculated with A. alternata. The results showed that the fruits treated with 50 μmol L-1 MLT exhibited the lowest disease incidence and least lesion diameter. Meanwhile, endogenous MLT in the fruits treated with 50 μmol L-1 MLT showed higher levels than in the control fruits during storage at 4 ± 0.5 °C. Further, the enzymatic activities and expressions of genes encoding peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamate 4-hydroxylase, 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase were induced in the treated fruit during storage. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS revealed that secondary metabolites in the fruits on day 0, in order of highest to lowest levels, were rutin, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, naringenin, quercetin, kaempferol, and protocatechuic acid. MLT-treated fruits exhibited higher levels of secondary metabolites than the control. In conclusion, MLT treatment contributed to controlling the postharvest decay of goji fruit during storage by boosting endogenous MLT levels, thus activating the antioxidant system and secondary metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Storage and Processing of Plant Agro-Products, School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Huaiyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Storage and Processing of Plant Agro-Products, School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Jie Hou
- Key Laboratory of Storage and Processing of Plant Agro-Products, School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Storage and Processing of Plant Agro-Products, School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Lunaike Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Storage and Processing of Plant Agro-Products, School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Yueli Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Storage and Processing of Plant Agro-Products, School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Wenping Ma
- Key Laboratory of Storage and Processing of Plant Agro-Products, School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Danmei Ma
- Key Laboratory of Storage and Processing of Plant Agro-Products, School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Jiayi Li
- Key Laboratory of Storage and Processing of Plant Agro-Products, School of Biological Science and Engineering, North Minzu University, Yinchuan 750021, China
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Labes A. Marine Resources Offer New Compounds and Strategies for the Treatment of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:387. [PMID: 37504918 PMCID: PMC10381745 DOI: 10.3390/md21070387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioprospecting of the marine environment for drug development has gained much attention in recent years owing to its massive chemical and biological diversity. Drugs for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections have become part of the search, mainly with respect to enlarging the number of available antibiotics, with a special focus on multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, being the major causative agents in this field. Marine resources offer novel natural products with distinct biological activities of pharmaceutical importance, having the chance to provide new chemical scaffolds and new modes of action. New studies advance the field by proposing new strategies derived from an ecosystemic understanding for preventive activities against biofilms and new compounds suitable as disinfectants, which sustain the natural flora of the skin. Still, the development of new compounds is often stuck at the discovery level, as marine biotechnology also needs to overcome technological bottlenecks in drug development. This review summarizes its potential and shows these bottlenecks and new approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Labes
- Department of Energy and Biotechnology, Flensburg University of Applied Sciences ZAiT, Kanzleistraße 91-93, D-24943 Flensburg, Germany
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Blocquet M, Guo F, Mendez M, Ward M, Coudert S, Batut S, Hecquet C, Blond N, Fittschen C, Schoemaecker C. Impact of the spectral and spatial properties of natural light on indoor gas-phase chemistry: Experimental and modeling study. Indoor Air 2018; 28:426-440. [PMID: 29377266 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The characteristics of indoor light (intensity, spectral, spatial distribution) originating from outdoors have been studied using experimental and modeling tools. They are influenced by many parameters such as building location, meteorological conditions, and the type of window. They have a direct impact on indoor air quality through a change in chemical processes by varying the photolysis rates of indoor pollutants. Transmittances of different windows have been measured and exhibit different wavelength cutoffs, thus influencing the potential of different species to be photolysed. The spectral distribution of light entering indoors through the windows was measured under different conditions and was found to be weakly dependent on the time of day for indirect cloudy, direct sunshine, partly cloudy conditions contrary to the light intensity, in agreement with calculations of the transmittance as a function of the zenithal angle and the calculated outdoor spectral distribution. The same conclusion can be drawn concerning the position within the room. The impact of these light characteristics on the indoor chemistry has been studied using the INCA-Indoor model by considering the variation in the photolysis rates of key indoor species. Depending on the conditions, photolysis processes can lead to a significant production of radicals and secondary species.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Blocquet
- PC2A, UMR 8522 CNRS/Université Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - F Guo
- CNRS, Laboratoire Image Ville Environnement (LIVE), UMR 7362, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - M Mendez
- Octopus Lab, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - M Ward
- PC2A, UMR 8522 CNRS/Université Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - S Coudert
- PC2A, UMR 8522 CNRS/Université Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - S Batut
- PC2A, UMR 8522 CNRS/Université Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - C Hecquet
- PC2A, UMR 8522 CNRS/Université Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - N Blond
- CNRS, Laboratoire Image Ville Environnement (LIVE), UMR 7362, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - C Fittschen
- PC2A, UMR 8522 CNRS/Université Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - C Schoemaecker
- PC2A, UMR 8522 CNRS/Université Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
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Ishizuka Y, Tokumura M, Mizukoshi A, Noguchi M, Yanagisawa Y. Measurement of secondary products during oxidation reactions of terpenes and ozone based on the PTR-MS analysis: effects of coexistent carbonyl compounds. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2010; 7:3853-70. [PMID: 21139865 PMCID: PMC2996213 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7113853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2010] [Revised: 10/09/2010] [Accepted: 10/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Continuous measurements using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) can be used to describe the production processes of secondary products during ozone induced oxidation of terpenes. Terpenes are emitted from woody building materials, and ozone is generated from ozone air purifiers and copy machines in indoor environments. Carbonyl compounds (CCs) are emitted by human activities such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Moreover, CCs are generated during ozone oxidation of terpenes. Therefore, coexistent CCs should affect the ozone oxidation. This study has focused on the measurement of secondary products during the ozone oxidation of terpenes based on the use of PTR-MS analysis and effects of coexistent CCs on oxidized products. Experiments were performed in a fluoroplastic bag containing α-pinene or limonene as terpenes, ozone and acetaldehyde or formaldehyde as coexistent CCs adjusted to predetermined concentrations. Continuous measurements by PTR-MS were conducted after mixing of terpenes, ozone and CCs, and time changes of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations were monitored. Results showed that, high-molecular weight intermediates disappeared gradually with elapsed time, though the production of high-molecular weight intermediates was observed at the beginning. This phenomenon suggested that the ozone oxidation of terpenes generated ultrafine particles. Coexistent CCs affected the ozone oxidation of α-pinene more than limonene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Ishizuka
- Department of Environment Systems, Institute of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa-no-ha 5-1-5, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8563, Japan; E-Mails: (Y.I.); (A.M.); (M.N.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Masahiro Tokumura
- Department of Environment Systems, Institute of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa-no-ha 5-1-5, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8563, Japan; E-Mails: (Y.I.); (A.M.); (M.N.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Atsushi Mizukoshi
- Department of Environment Systems, Institute of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa-no-ha 5-1-5, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8563, Japan; E-Mails: (Y.I.); (A.M.); (M.N.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Miyuki Noguchi
- Department of Environment Systems, Institute of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa-no-ha 5-1-5, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8563, Japan; E-Mails: (Y.I.); (A.M.); (M.N.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Yukio Yanagisawa
- Department of Environment Systems, Institute of Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa-no-ha 5-1-5, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-8563, Japan; E-Mails: (Y.I.); (A.M.); (M.N.); (Y.Y.)
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Gerson EA, Kelsey RG, St Clair JB. Genetic variation of piperidine alkaloids in Pinus ponderosa: a common garden study. Ann Bot 2009; 103:447-57. [PMID: 19010800 PMCID: PMC2707323 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcn228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2008] [Revised: 09/16/2008] [Accepted: 10/15/2008] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Previous measurements of conifer alkaloids have revealed significant variation attributable to many sources, environmental and genetic. The present study takes a complementary and intensive, common garden approach to examine genetic variation in Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa alkaloid production. Additionally, this study investigates the potential trade-off between seedling growth and alkaloid production, and associations between topographic/climatic variables and alkaloid production. METHODS Piperidine alkaloids were quantified in foliage of 501 nursery seedlings grown from seed sources in west-central Washington, Oregon and California, roughly covering the western half of the native range of ponderosa pine. A nested mixed model was used to test differences among broad-scale regions and among families within regions. Alkaloid concentrations were regressed on seedling growth measurements to test metabolite allocation theory. Likewise, climate characteristics at the seed sources were also considered as explanatory variables. KEY RESULTS Quantitative variation from seedling to seedling was high, and regional variation exceeded variation among families. Regions along the western margin of the species range exhibited the highest alkaloid concentrations, while those further east had relatively low alkaloid levels. Qualitative variation in alkaloid profiles was low. All measures of seedling growth related negatively to alkaloid concentrations on a natural log scale; however, coefficients of determination were low. At best, annual height increment explained 19.4 % of the variation in ln(total alkaloids). Among the climate variables, temperature range showed a negative, linear association that explained 41.8 % of the variation. CONCLUSIONS Given the wide geographic scope of the seed sources and the uniformity of resources in the seedlings' environment, observed differences in alkaloid concentrations are evidence for genetic regulation of alkaloid secondary metabolism in ponderosa pine. The theoretical trade-off with seedling growth appeared to be real, however slight. The climate variables provided little evidence for adaptive alkaloid variation, especially within regions.
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