Search Results (57)

Background: Lycium ruthenicum, commonly known as Black goji berry, is a shrub species native to western China and is rich in bioactive compounds that contribute to its nutritional and health-promoting effects. However, the transcriptional dynamics associated with fruit development and quality formation in black goji berry remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate transcriptional dynamics during fruit development and identify candidate genes associated with sugar accumulation and fruit enlargement. Methods: Fruits were sampled at five developmental stages (S1–S5), and RNA-seq was performed to investigate the alterations in gene expression. Differential expression analysis, temporal expression-pattern analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed, followed by the integration of differential expression, temporal expression patterns, co-expression relationships, and functional annotation. Results: Fruit diameter, fresh weight, and total soluble sugar content increased markedly during the later developmental stages. Differential expression analysis revealed extensive transcriptional changes across successive developmental transitions, while temporal expression-pattern analysis identified distinct increasing and decreasing gene clusters. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were mainly associated with carbohydrate metabolism, sugar transport, hormone-related processes, photosynthesis, and cell-wall modification. WGCNA identified 13 co-expression modules, among which MEyellow and MEbrown showed strong but opposite associations with developmental stage, total soluble sugar content, fruit diameter, and fruit fresh weight. The integrated analysis highlighted several candidate genes associated with sugar metabolism and transport during late fruit development. Conclusions: These findings provide a transcriptomic perspective on the coordinated changes in sugar accumulation and fruit enlargement during L. ruthenicum fruit development. Full article

Proanthocyanidins, a new class of potent antioxidants, are recognized for their strong in vivo activity and occur in high abundance in Lycium ruthenicum. Although the extraction of these compounds from this plant has been extensively investigated, their inherent instability imposes stringent demands on the extraction process. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) have emerged as attractive alternatives for isolating bioactive constituents from plant materials thanks to their favorable biocompatibility, high extraction efficiency, and environmentally benign nature. Therefore, we have developed an efficient and green NADES-assisted ultrasonic extraction method for recovering proanthocyanidins from Lycium ruthenicum. Among the fourteen NADES formulations screened, the choline chloride–glycerol system (1:5 molar ratio, 30% v/v water) afforded the highest extraction yield. Single-factor experiments, combined with response surface methodology, led to the optimal conditions: solid-to-liquid ratio 1:15 g/mL, ultrasonic power 240 W, temperature 40 °C, and time 30 min. Under these conditions, the proanthocyanidin yield reached 12.19%, markedly outperforming that obtained with conventional methanol extraction. Kinetic analysis indicated that the extraction process conformed to the Logistic model, with coefficients of determination (R²) greater than 0.967 across the entire temperature range studied (20–50 °C). In vitro antioxidant assays further revealed that the extract exhibited significant concentration-dependent scavenging activities against •OH, DPPH•, and ABTS⁺• radicals. The IC₅₀ values of proanthocyanidin extracts for •OH, DPPH•, and ABTS⁺• were 0.029 mg/mL, 0.56 μg/mL, and 0.011 mg/mL, respectively. Overall, these results establish a sustainable NADES-based protocol for the extraction of proanthocyanidins from Lycium ruthenicum, and underscore their promise as natural antioxidants for functional food and pharmaceutical uses. Full article

Lyophilized black goji berry powder (LBGBP) cultivated in Serbia was evaluated and optimized as a fortification agent in cookie formulation. Nutritional, chemical, technical and biological characteristics, in vitro release and storage stability were analyzed. LBGBP is characterized by a phenolic-rich profile dominated by acylated anthocyanins, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-O-CA), and spermidine-based phenylamides (S1, S2), which are partially retained in LBGBP-enriched cookies and enhance their functional properties. The substitution of different white flour shares with LBGBP in cookies statistically significantly improved their overall nutritional profile by increasing protein, dietary fiber, minerals and bioactive compounds, concurrently reducing fat, sugar and sodium levels. With the increase in the LBGBP in cookies, total phenolics and total anthocyanin content increased to the levels of 58.09 mg GAE/100 g and 10.12 mg CGE/100 g of cookies, respectively. The overall effect of LBGBP cookie fortification led to softer, more crumbly cookies with significant improvement in antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. The Z-score analysis was chosen to perform multi-criteria cookie formulation optimization with the goal of maximal functional enrichment, with minimal decrease in technological quality. The 10% LBGBP substitution was calculated to produce optimal overall quality, obtaining 65.96% of maximal score in comparison to the control sample of only 32.91%. Full article

Soil salinization is one of the main stress factors limiting plant growth and ecosystem restoration in arid regions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can form common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) that potentially facilitate resource and signal exchange between plants. In this study, we investigated whether such processes associated with AMF connectivity might contribute to salt tolerance in different plant combinations, using Glycyrrhiza inflata and Lycium ruthenicum. However, under salt stress, it remains unclear how different plant combinations (conspecific vs. heterospecific) may differentially benefit from CMN-mediated processes under salt stress, and whether such processes involve coordinated stress signaling and nitrogen transfer. This study used Glycyrrhiza inflata (a leguminous N-fixing plant with a “N-input” strategy) and Lycium ruthenicum (a deep-rooted desert shrub with a “resource-use efficiency” strategy) as materials to construct conspecific and heterospecific plant combinations: G-G (G. inflata-G. inflata), L-L (L. ruthenicum-L. ruthenicum), G-L (G. inflata-L. ruthenicum), and L-G (L. ruthenicum-G. inflata). Four salt stress levels were set (NaCl concentrations of 0, 150, 250, and 350 mmol·L⁻¹), along with AMF inoculation treatments. The study evaluated responses in AMF colonization, nitrogen transfer, biomass, root structure, photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant capacity, osmotic regulation, and hormone levels. The results show that: (1) AMF colonization rates in all inoculated groups significantly decreased with increasing salt concentration, with the G-L combination showing a smaller decline; (2) The G-G combination maintained strong root activity and photosystem stability under high salt stress, exhibiting higher salt tolerance; (3) In conspecific combinations, the JA-Pro signaling pathway was dominant, whereas in heterospecific combinations, the ABA-SOD pathway prevailed, indicating differences in hormone regulation mechanisms among different combinations; (4) ¹⁵N transfer efficiency was significantly higher in conspecific combinations than in heterospecific combinations (p < 0.05), and increasing salt concentrations limited the resource-sharing ability of heterospecific combinations. In summary, our results revealed distinct physiological and hormonal responses in conspecific versus heterospecific plant combinations under salt stress when grown in an AMF-colonized system that permits hyphal connections. These patterns were consistent with a potential role of CMNs in signal coordination and resource sharing, although further experiments with disrupted hyphal connections would be required to confirm this mechanism. Full article

Lycium ruthenicum is a typical desert halophyte with strong stress resistance and high medicinal value in the Tarim Basin. Root endophytic microbes play critical roles in host adaptation, nutrient cycling, and secondary metabolite accumulation. To clarify the diversity patterns of root endophytic bacteria and fungi and their relationships with environmental factors and fruit quality, high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze microbial community characteristics of Lycium ruthenicum collected from different habitats in the Tarim Basin. The results showed that rarefaction curves of alpha diversity indices (Chao1, Shannon, Pielou_e) tended to be saturated, indicating sufficient sequencing depth. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed significant habitat-driven differentiation in both bacterial and fungal community structures. Community composition analysis showed that the relative abundance of dominant taxa at the phylum and genus levels differed significantly among sampling sites. Co-occurrence network analysis indicated that bacterial and fungal networks exhibited high modularity and were dominated by positive synergistic interactions, with Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Sphingomonas, Alternaria, and Fusarium as key hub genera. Moreover, root endophytic communities were significantly correlated with climatic variables, soil physicochemical properties, and fruit quality traits, including anthocyanin (AC), proanthocyanidin (PA), total flavonoids (TF), and total polyphenols (TP). Several keystone microbial genera were closely associated with the accumulation of functional metabolites in fruits. This study reveals the biogeographic distribution and co-occurrence characteristics of root endophytes in Lycium ruthenicum and provides a theoretical basis for understanding microbe–host–environment interactions and the quality improvement of desert medicinal plants. Full article

Background: Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PAs), as flavonoid compounds with potent antioxidant activity, exhibit significant health-promoting and medicinal properties. Black wolfberry (Lycium ruthenicum Murr.) is renowned for its exceptional anthocyanin content; however, the regulatory mechanisms of anthocyanin biosynthesis remain poorly understood, limiting its biotechnological potential. This study aimed to elucidate the transcriptional regulatory function of LrMYB30 in anthocyanin biosynthesis in black wolfberry. Methods: The regulatory function of LrMYB30 was investigated using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), yeast one-hybrid assays, and dual-luciferase reporter assays in black wolfberry. Results: VIGS demonstrated that silencing LrMYB30 promoted anthocyanin accumulation while reducing PA content, establishing that the LrMYB30 transcription factor as a negative regulator of anthocyanin synthesis. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that LrMYB30 directly binds to and activates the promoter of LrANR, a key structural gene in PA biosynthesis. In contrast, LrMYB30 neither binds to nor suppresses the promoters of the critical anthocyanin biosynthesis genes LrUF3GT and LrDFR. Conclusions: Thus, LrMYB30 redirects the flavonoid metabolic flux from anthocyanin to PA synthesis through transcriptional activation of LrANR during later fruit development, reducing anthocyanin accumulation and delaying coloration. These findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism in black wolfberry pigmentation and maturation, providing genetic targets for molecular breeding of high-anthocyanin cultivars. Full article

Lycium ruthenicum Murr. is a highly nutritional cash crop due to its fruit-abundant anthocyanins. With the development of the fruit, the color changes from green to dark purple and the anthocyanin content gradually increases. But the molecular mechanism of the anthocyanin biosynthesis process in L. ruthenicum fruit is still unclear. Five stages of L. ruthenicum fruit based on the color of the pericarp and flesh (BS1–BS5) were used for metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the pigmentation. At the BS3 stage, the anthocyanin content was significantly increased and reached the highest level at the BS5 stage. A total of 25 DAMs related to flavonoids were identified by metabolomics, presenting a gradual increase with fruit development. Delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside and petunidin-3-O-rutinoside were identified as the main anthocyanins. Transcriptome sequencing and DEG analysis identified the key structural genes and transcription factors related to anthocyanin biosynthesis. Anthocyanin accumulation was driven mainly by the upregulation of six structural genes (F3′5′H, DFR, ANS, and UFGT) and eight key transcription factors from the HB, NAC, WRKY, Tify, AP2/ERF, and bHLH families that were significantly correlated with anthocyanin content in L. ruthenicum fruit. This study reveals key candidate genes in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, providing new insights for improving fruit quality. Full article

Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors play pivotal roles in plant secondary metabolism, influencing the production of bioactive compounds that determine the medicinal value of plants. Despite their significance, a comprehensive genomic overview of bZIPs in non-model medicinal species remains limited. Here, we present the first genome-wide identification and characterization of the bZIP family in Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (black wolfberry), revealing 63 members grouped into 13 subfamilies. These genes showed conserved bZIP domains, distinct exon–intron architectures, and promoter cis-elements related to light, hormones and stress responses. Family expansion occurred through tandem (LrbZIP6-LrbZIP9 cluster) and segmental duplications under purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1). Collinearity analysis revealed closer relationships with Solanaceae species than Arabidopsis thaliana, with LrbZIP10 and LrbZIP11 as conserved orthologs. Expression profiling identified tissue-specific patterns: LrbZIP17 showed broad expression while LrbZIP14 was fruit-specific. qRT-PCR confirmed floral-preferential (LrbZIP1, LrbZIP10, LrbZIP15, LrbZIP17, LrbZIP50) and root-specific (LrbZIP54, LrbZIP55) expression. The co-occurrence of light/hormone-responsive elements and high LrbZIP expression in anthocyanin-rich tissues suggests their regulatory roles in bioactive compound biosynthesis. This study provides foundational genomic resources for understanding L. ruthenicum bZIP evolution and identifies candidate genes for molecular breeding to enhance medicinal compound production. Full article

Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (Black goji), a medicinal and economically valuable crop rich in bioactive compounds, remains genomically understudied despite its expanding cultivation. To overcome limitations of traditional markers in genetic diversity analysis and molecular breeding, we employed specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) to develop genome-wide SNP markers and elucidate the genetic structure of 213 L. ruthenicum accessions from natural and cultivated populations in Alxa, China. We identified 827,630 SLAF tags and 33,121 high-quality SNPs uniformly distributed across 12 chromosomes, establishing the first high-density SNP database for this species. Population genetic analyses revealed three distinct genetic clusters with <60% geographic origin consistency, indicating weakened isolation due to anthropogenic germplasm exchange. The Qinghai Nuomuhong population exhibited the highest genetic diversity (Nei’s index = 0.253; Shannon’s index = 0.352), while low overall polymorphism (average PIC = 0.183) likely reflects SNP biallelic limitations and domestication bottlenecks. Notably, SNP-based clustering showed <40% concordance with phenotypic trait clustering (31 traits), underscoring environmental plasticity as a key driver of morphological variation. This study provides the first genome-wide SNP resource for L. ruthenicum, enabling marker-assisted breeding and highlighting the need for standardized germplasm management to mitigate genetic erosion. Full article

Lycium ruthenicum leaves (LRL), as an agricultural by-product rich in bioactive compounds, can be used as an unconventional feedstuff in animal diets and have the potential to improve animal health. This study investigates the effects of dietary supplementation with graded levels of LRL on rumen fermentation, meat amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and rumen bacterial diversity in sheep. Forty three-month-old male Dorper × Hu crossbred F1 lambs with an initial body weight of 29.58 ± 2.06 kg were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10). Over a continuous 63-day trial period, the lambs were fed diets containing 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% LRL, respectively. At the end of the trial, rumen fluid and longissimus dorsi muscle samples were collected to assess rumen fermentation characteristics, bacterial community structure, and meat quality. The results showed that: (1) The concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) in the rumen were increased in the LRL5% group (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). (2) The relative abundance of the phylum Firmicutes and the genus Ruminococcus increased (p < 0.05), while the relative abundance of the genus Prevotella decreased (p < 0.05) in the LRL5% group. (3) Meat L* increased (p < 0.05), and a* decreased (p < 0.05) in the LRL-supplemented groups. (4) The content of sweet amino acids in meat increased in LRL groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, the contents of non-essential amino acids, sweet amino acids, and total amino acids in meat increased linearly with increasing dietary LRL levels (p < 0.05). (5) Compared with the CON group, the content of C18:0 in meat decreased in the LRL5% group (p < 0.05), while the content of C20:1 increased in the LRL10% group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with LRL can improve meat quality, rumen fermentation, and rumen bacterial community structure in sheep. The recommended dietary inclusion level of LRL ranges from 5% to 15%. Full article

The distinctive geographical environment of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has nurtured a variety of anthocyanin-rich berry plants. This review systematically summarizes the current state of research on anthocyanins obtained from Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (LRAs), Nitraria tangutorun Bobr (NTAs), and Rubus idaeus (RAs) for their potential health benefits and use. The anthocyanins found in these three berries have attracted considerable interest for their significant biological effects, such as their antioxidant, anti-aging, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities, as well as their ability to regulate the gut microbiota and inhibit cancer cells. These anthocyanins have potential applications as natural colorants, packaging materials and smart labels, as well as functional food and health supplements in the food industry. They have diverse molecular architectures with glycosylation and acylation profiles. The structural features of anthocyanins are closely related to their biological activities. This review provides a detailed overview of the chemical structures, synthesis pathways, biological activities, and applications in the food industry of LRAs, NTAs, and RAs. This summary offers a theoretical foundation for exploring plant resources characteristic of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and for the development and utilization of high-value-added functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Full article

[Introduction] The study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Lycium ruthenicum polysaccharides (LRPs) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced acute liver injury (ALI). [Method] After LRP was extracted and characterized, a CCl₄-induced cell damage and mouse ALI model was established to evaluate its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities. [Results] The results demonstrated that LRP markedly attenuated hepatocyte necrosis, alleviated cellular edema and degeneration, and preserved nuclear integrity to sustain hepatic function, thereby restoring hepatic architecture. It downregulated serum ALT and AST levels, reduced MDA content in liver tissue, and enhanced SOD activity. Additionally, LRP inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, while upregulating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. [Conclusions] These findings suggest that LRP effectively alleviates CCl₄-induced ALI through both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, demonstrating its potential as a novel liver-protective agent. Full article

Understanding the climate change impacts on the geographical distribution of plant species is vital for biodiversity conservation. Lycium ruthenicum, a second-grade protected plant in China, holds considerable medicinal and ecological value; however, its potential habitat distribution under climate change remains uncertain. By utilizing occurrence records and geographical and environmental data, we optimized a maximum entropy model and evaluated the current and future potential habitat suitability of L. ruthenicum in China. The main results were as follows: (1) The distribution of L. ruthenicum was primarily influenced by the precipitation of the warmest quarter, topsoil base saturation, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the coldest quarter, and minimum temperature of the coldest month. (2) Under the current conditions, the potential suitable area of L. ruthenicum was approximately 2.25 × 10⁶ km² in China, predominantly distributed in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, and Inner Mongolia. (3) An obvious reduction in the predicted suitable area of L. ruthenicum was found under future climate scenarios, with the centroid primarily shifting northeastward. These findings highlight the potential vulnerability of this medicinally and ecologically important species and underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation strategies to ensure its long-term survival. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acute lung injury (ALI) represents a life-threatening respiratory syndrome characterized by dysregulated pulmonary inflammation, alveolar-capillary barrier dysfunction, and gut-lung axis impairment. Although Lycium ruthenicum polysaccharide (LRP) possesses documented anti-inflammatory properties, its role in ALI remains systematically unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of LRP against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Methods: In vitro, A549 cells were subjected to injury induction with 10 μg/mL LPS. In vivo, male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to four groups and, respectively, administered 100 mg/kg LRP, 400 mg/kg LRP, or normal saline for 7 days prior to ALI induction via intratracheal LPS instillation (5 mg/kg). Results: LRP restored viability in LPS-injured A549 cells and attenuated their inflammatory responses. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that high-dose LRP (H-LRP) significantly reduced alveolar collapse and inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) compared to the LPS group. The H-LRP group exhibited marked downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) concomitant with upregulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Intestinal microbiome sequencing confirmed LRP-mediated restoration of gut microbiota homeostasis, evidenced by a 2.2-fold increase in commensal Bacteroides and decreased abundance of pathogenic Escherichia-Shigella. Conclusions: These findings establish LRP as a protective agent against ALI and suggest its potential utility as an adjuvant therapeutic candidate for enhanced pulmonary protection. Full article

Since the onset of industrialization, the safety of arable land has become a pressing global concern, with soil salinization emerging as a critical threat to agricultural productivity and food security. To address this challenge, the cultivation of economically valuable salt-tolerant plants has been proposed as a viable strategy. In the study, we investigated the physiological and molecular responses of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. to varying NaCl concentrations. Results revealed a concentration-dependent dual effect: low NaCl levels significantly promoted seed germination, while high concentrations exerted strong inhibitory effects. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying these divergent responses, a combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics was applied to identify key metabolic pathways and genes. Notably, salt stress enhanced photosynthetic efficiency through coordinated modulation of ribulose 5-phosphate and erythrose-4-phosphate levels, coupled with the upregulation of critical genes encoding RPIA (Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase A) and RuBisCO (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase). Under low salt stress, L. ruthenicum maintained intact cellular membrane structures and minimized oxidative damage, thereby supporting germination and early growth. In contrast, high salinity severely disrupted PS I (Photosynthesis system I) functionality, blocking energy flow into this pathway while simultaneously inducing membrane lipid peroxidation and triggering pronounced cellular degradation. This ultimately suppressed seed germination rates and impaired root elongation. These findings suggested a mechanistic framework for understanding L. ruthenicum adaptation under salt stress and pointed out a new way for breeding salt-tolerant crops and understanding the mechanism. Full article