Plant Tissue Culture V

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 2503

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Guest Editor
Department of Bioresources and Food Science, Institute of Natural Science and Agriculture, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
Interests: plant tissue culture; secondary metabolites; hydroponics; environmental protection
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant tissue culture has led to breakthroughs in understanding and applying the fundamental knowledge gained to harness more benefits from plants. It is an important technique that involves growing the cells, tissues, and organs of plants on artificial media in a controlled environment. Several in vitro culture methods have been used to study and improve our knowledge of basic and advanced areas of plant biology, such as biochemistry, cytology, embryology, molecular biology, and physiology. This Special Issue will cover various aspects of plant tissue culture, such as germplasm conservation, genetic manipulation, morphogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, nutrition, large-scale clonal propagation, and the production of disease-free plants and useful metabolites.

Dr. Iyyakkannu Sivanesan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • plant regeneration
  • shoot proliferation
  • somatic embryogenesis
  • germplasm conservation
  • genetic manipulation
  • clonal propagation
  • bioactive compounds
  • virus-free plants
  • cell suspension culture
  • hairy root culture

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1854 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Saponin-Rich Callus from Saponaria officinalis L. as a Novel Scrub Material with Significant Exfoliating and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
by Ga-Ram Yu, Da-Hoon Kim, Hyuck Kim and Dong-Woo Lim
Plants 2025, 14(10), 1535; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14101535 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 232
Abstract
Saponaria officinalis L., a plant rich in saponins, has long been used as a natural surfactant. It has traditionally been used for its cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties in the treatment of various skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. In this study, we [...] Read more.
Saponaria officinalis L., a plant rich in saponins, has long been used as a natural surfactant. It has traditionally been used for its cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties in the treatment of various skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. In this study, we investigated the potential of S. officinalis callus (SC), mass-produced via plant tissue culture, as a novel exfoliating cosmetic ingredient. The callus was induced using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 2,4-D, and the resulting extract (SCE) was analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), confirming the presence of saponarin—a bioactive compound with known anti-inflammatory properties. In vitro assays demonstrated that SCE significantly suppressed nitric oxide production and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The foaming ability and stability of SC and SCE were also comparable to commercial surfactants. Clinical studies further supported the material’s cosmetic potential: a skin patch test in 30 volunteers revealed no signs of irritation (mean score: 0.28), while a desquamation index assessment in 21 participants showed a significant reduction of 44.07%, confirming its exfoliating efficacy. Taken together, these results suggest that the SC scrub is a safe, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative to synthetic exfoliating agents, offering functional and industrial advantages for cosmetic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tissue Culture V)
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18 pages, 4677 KiB  
Article
CsCBDAS2-Driven Enhancement of Cannabinoid Biosynthetic Genes Using a High-Efficiency Transient Transformation System in Cannabis sativa ‘Cheungsam’
by Sang-Cheol Baek, Sang-Yoon Jeon, Bo-Hyun Byun, Da-Hoon Kim, Ga-Ram Yu, Hyuck Kim and Dong-Woo Lim
Plants 2025, 14(10), 1460; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14101460 - 14 May 2025
Viewed by 211
Abstract
Cannabis sativa produces pharmacologically valuable cannabinoids. In this study, we developed and optimized a transient transformation system using Cannabis sativa ‘Cheungsam’ to facilitate gene functional analysis. Various experimental conditions, including plant developmental stages, light conditions, Agrobacterium strains, tissue types, and physical treatments such [...] Read more.
Cannabis sativa produces pharmacologically valuable cannabinoids. In this study, we developed and optimized a transient transformation system using Cannabis sativa ‘Cheungsam’ to facilitate gene functional analysis. Various experimental conditions, including plant developmental stages, light conditions, Agrobacterium strains, tissue types, and physical treatments such as sonication and vacuum infiltration, were systematically evaluated using GUS histochemical staining and qPCR analysis. Among these, 7-day-old seedlings cultured under dark conditions and transformed with the GV3101 strain exhibited high transformation efficiency. Leaf tissue showed a higher GUS staining proportion and GUS staining area compared to hypocotyl and cotyledon tissues. The application of a combination of sonication and vacuum infiltration techniques resulted in the most intense GUS expression. Using the optimized protocol, we introduced a recombinant vector carrying CsCBDAS2, a key gene in cannabidiol (CBD) biosynthesis. qPCR analysis revealed that CsCBDAS2 overexpression led to significant upregulation of multiple upstream CBD biosynthetic genes (CsOAC, CsGOT, CsPT1, CsPT4, CsCBDAS1, and CsCBDAS2) and the transcription factor (TF) CsWRKY20, suggesting coordinated co-expression and potential involvement of a transcriptional feedback loop. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our transient transformation system and provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of cannabinoid biosynthesis in cannabis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tissue Culture V)
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16 pages, 2602 KiB  
Article
Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antiproliferative Activity of a Callus Culture of Prionosciadium dissectum (Apiaceae)
by Antonio Bernabé-Antonio, Jessica Nayelli Sánchez-Carranza, José Antonio Silva-Guzmán, Antonio Romero-Estrada, Samantha Guadalupe Pérez-Rodríguez, Francisco Cruz-Sosa, Mariana Sánchez-Ramos and Aurelio Nieto-Trujillo
Plants 2025, 14(9), 1394; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14091394 - 6 May 2025
Viewed by 371
Abstract
Traditionally, medicinal plants have served as the main resource for treating various human health conditions. Prionosciadium dissectum is a plant used in traditional medicine in the southern region of Jalisco, Mexico, to treat inflammatory respiratory problems. However, this species has not undergone pharmacological [...] Read more.
Traditionally, medicinal plants have served as the main resource for treating various human health conditions. Prionosciadium dissectum is a plant used in traditional medicine in the southern region of Jalisco, Mexico, to treat inflammatory respiratory problems. However, this species has not undergone pharmacological or biotechnological studies that validate these popular uses. The aim of this study was to induce calluses on P. dissectum leaves and then evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activity of their extracts. The best callus induction was obtained using Murashige and Skoog (MS) culture medium with 1 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1 mg/L kinetin (KIN). Extracts of hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol were obtained from the dry biomass, and the highest yield was obtained with methanol. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts were quantified. The methanolic extract showed 26.5 ± 0.4 mg equivalents of gallic acid/g extract, while, for antioxidant activity, it demonstrated IC50 values of 49.4 ± 0.2 and 10.0 ± 0.0 μg/mL for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ((2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) (ABTS), respectively. Regarding anti-inflammatory potential, the extracts did not significantly affect cell viability in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In contrast, it was clear that all extracts significantly decreased nitric oxide (NO) production at concentrations of 5–40 µg/mL. Additionally, extracts evaluated in human cancer cell lines only had a significant inhibitory effect at 100 µg/mL after 48 h, mainly with dichloromethane extract. This first biotechnological study indicates that P. dissectum cell cultures may produce compounds that favor the biological activities evaluated; however, it is necessary to carry out more in-depth evaluations of its extracts. This study is the basis for future research to enable the sustainable use of this valuable resource. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tissue Culture V)
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14 pages, 2950 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Cannabis sativa L. Callus Extract as a Novel Cosmetic Ingredient with Dual Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects
by Ga-Ram Yu, Da-Hoon Kim, Hyuck Kim and Dong-Woo Lim
Plants 2025, 14(7), 1148; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071148 - 7 Apr 2025
Viewed by 624
Abstract
The plant callus culture technique is an emerging source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Callus-derived extracts contain high concentrations of secondary metabolites with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties when elicited. Cannabis sativa L. has been used for its [...] Read more.
The plant callus culture technique is an emerging source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Callus-derived extracts contain high concentrations of secondary metabolites with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties when elicited. Cannabis sativa L. has been used for its medicinal effects; however, the potential of its C. sativa callus extract (CCE) for cosmetic applications remains unexplored. Callus from C. sativa was induced in vitro using a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with Thidiazuron (TDZ) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The extract was analyzed for its bioactive composition using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production, DAF-2 fluorescence intensity, released cytokine levels, and protein expression of inflammatory mediators via ELISA, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays. CCE demonstrated significant radical scavenging activity. CCE effectively suppressed LPS-induced NO production and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Western blot analysis revealed that CCE inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation while upregulating NRF2-mediated antioxidant responses. Furthermore, HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of cannabinoids, which could potentially be associated with the modulation of inflammatory pathways through the endocannabinoid system. This study provides evidence that CCE possesses notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a promising ingredient for cosmetic formulations targeting oxidative stress and inflammatory skin conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tissue Culture V)
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15 pages, 35428 KiB  
Article
Low Caffeine Concentrations Induce Callus and Direct Organogenesis in Tissue Cultures of Ornithogalum dubium
by Carloalberto Petti
Plants 2025, 14(7), 1127; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071127 - 5 Apr 2025
Viewed by 492
Abstract
Caffeine is a nitrogenous base that naturally occurs in coffee (Cafea arabica), tea (Thea sinensis), and cocoa (Theobroma cacao). Chemically, caffeine is 1,3,5-trimethylxanthine, a purine analogue. Due to significant human consumption, caffeine effects have been widely studied. [...] Read more.
Caffeine is a nitrogenous base that naturally occurs in coffee (Cafea arabica), tea (Thea sinensis), and cocoa (Theobroma cacao). Chemically, caffeine is 1,3,5-trimethylxanthine, a purine analogue. Due to significant human consumption, caffeine effects have been widely studied. Being a natural xanthine derivative, the key degradative enzyme is xanthine oxidase, converting caffeine into 1-methyluric acid. Ecologically, caffeine is believed to act as a repellent molecule against insect feeding behavior. Caffeine’s chemical similarity to purines and plant hormones motivated this study, establishing the potential for cellular de-differentiation and re-differentiation. For this, a highly hormone-responsive plant species, Ornithogalum dubium, was used. As caffeine has been shown to induce endoreplication, the potential for new germlines in O. dubium is attractive. Using tissue culture, a range of caffeine concentrations were used (0.0125 mg/L to 2.0 mg/L) without additional hormones. A significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed for intermediate concentrations of 0.0125, 0.025, and 0.05 mg/L when compared to the control (no hormones). The highest rates of callus induction were obtained at a concentration of 0.025 mg/mL. Higher concentrations were phytotoxic (1.0 mg/L or greater). To conclude, caffeine-regenerated plants were not dissimilar to those obtained from canonical hormones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Tissue Culture V)
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