Search Results (110)

As a Chinese national key protected medicinal fern naturally occurring in forest understories, Cibotium barometz faces severe threats of wild population degradation, while standardized large-scale artificial breeding technology for conservation purposes remains immature. To establish an efficient spore-based conservation propagation system for this endangered forest fern, this study quantified the independent and interactive effects of spore storage temperature, storage duration and sowing density on spore germination, gametophyte growth and sporophyte seedling establishment. Spores were preserved under four gradient temperature treatments with sequential sampling at multiple storage durations, followed by sowing trials with a series of density gradients; germination rate, seedling establishment rate and gametophyte–sporophyte conversion rate were dynamically recorded and statistically analyzed. The results demonstrated that appropriately extended storage significantly shortened the germination phase and simultaneously elevated both spore germination and sporophyte seedling formation rates. Among all temperature treatments, storage at −4 °C achieved the maximum germination and seedling establishment capacity, whereas ultra-low-temperature cryopreservation at −196 °C greatly promoted gametophyte–sporophyte conversion rate. The optimal sowing density balancing growth space and survival rate was determined to be 30 spores per cm². The complete dynamic developmental traits covering the full spore propagation life cycle of C. barometz were systematically summarized in this work. Our findings supply reliable technical parameters to standardize spore breeding protocols, and offer critical support for ex situ conservation, wild forest population restoration and sustainable resource utilization of C. barometz. Full article

Multivariate carbon and oxygen stable isotope analyses combined with chemometric methods were employed to investigate Aquilaria sinensis samples collected from six major regions in China (Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture and Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province; Zhongshan City and Maoming City in Guangdong Province; and Danzhou City and Chengmai County in Hainan Province). Isotopic δ-values were analyzed across different wood parts (longitudinal and north–south orientations), chemical fractions (de-extracted wood and α-cellulose), and geographical origins. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree, and Random Forest were applied to screen and classify the samples. Four discriminant models were successfully established, achieving a maximum accuracy of 85.7% for distinguishing Aquilaria sinensis from different regions, and 88.1% for discrimination at the provincial level. These results demonstrate that stable isotope signatures, when combined with chemometrics, provide a reliable technical approach for the traceability of incense wood and offer a reference framework for verifying the authenticity of Agarwood and related plant-derived materials. Full article

Agarwood is highly valued; however, its formation process is relatively slow. In this study, carbon isotope labeling was used to investigate the effects of girdling on agarwood formation. The starch, soluble sugar, and essential oil contents of the stems above the girdle were higher than those of the stems below the girdle and those of stems without girdling. Carbon isotope labeling revealed that girdling obstructed the transport of non-structural carbohydrates synthesized by the leaves to the stem below the girdle. The concentration of ¹³C in starch, soluble sugars, and essential oils in stems above the girdle was significantly higher than that in stems below the girdle and in stems without girdling. Phenotypic observations revealed that the area of agarwood formation was more extensive in regions closer to the phloem. Slice staining and variations in starch and soluble sugar content showed that starch was converted into soluble sugars during agarwood formation. This study demonstrates that newly synthesized non-structural carbohydrates from leaves following agarwood-inducing treatment contribute as raw materials for agarwood formation. Girdling increases the levels of non-structural carbohydrates in the stem above the girdle, thereby enhancing agarwood formation. Full article

Peucedanum praeruptorum is increasingly cultivated as wild resources are depleted. However, cultivated plants often contain lower levels of coumarins than wild individuals and may not meet the standards of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. To clarify whether growth year could influence coumarin accumulation, we analyzed P. praeruptorum populations cultivated for 1–3 years using a newly developed 17-coumarin quantification method and conducted transcriptomics to characterize gene expression across growth years. The results suggest that total coumarins and major pyranocoumarins (notably praeruptorin B) increased steadily with growth years, while furanocoumarins and simple coumarins increased initially then declined. Notably, despite substantial intra-population variation in coumarin content, cultivated plants could be classified into two distinct chemotypes: chemotype A (higher praeruptorin A and praeruptorin E, lower praeruptorin B) and chemotype B (lower praeruptorin A and praeruptorin E, higher praeruptorin B, pteryxin, and qianhucoumarin D than chemotype A). Both chemotypes coexisted across all examined populations, with the proportion of chemotype B increasing with growth years. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that 3-year-old plants showed higher expression of pyranocoumarin biosynthetic genes and lower expression of genes associated with simple coumarin and furanocoumarin biosynthesis compared with 1-year-old plants. Differential expression analysis further identified key candidate genes associated with growth years and chemotypes. Together, these results demonstrate that growth year and chemotype synergistically regulate coumarin accumulation in cultivated P. praeruptorum, providing a two-dimensional framework for improving the quality of cultivated medicinal materials. Full article

Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen possesses significant aromatic, medicinal, and timber value, yet its wild populations are critically endangered due to habitat degradation. Breeding programs are urgently needed to address resource shortages, but the suitability of large-scale plantations as alternative genetic resources remains unverified. This study systematically evaluated the genetic diversity of 380 individuals from five populations using 24 polymorphic SSR markers, identifying 278 alleles. The results demonstrated a moderate level of genetic diversity in plantation populations, comparable to wild resources. Additionally, nine phenotypic traits were measured in 70 individuals. Correlation analysis revealed that the heartwood ratio (HWR) was significantly positively correlated with diameter at breast height (DBH) and ground diameter (GD) (p ≤ 0.05). Our association analysis, based on general linear (GLM) and mixed linear models (MLM), revealed two key findings: one locus (96c-345) was significantly associated with diameter traits, and four loci (34a-241, S03-265, JXHT097-252, JXHT136-270) were strongly linked to the HWR (p ≤ 0.01). This research provides initial evidence that plantations are viable substitutes for wild germplasm and establishes a foundation for marker-assisted breeding in this valuable species. Full article

The sustainable cultivation of agarwood, a high-value tree species, is significantly threatened by foliar pests, requiring efficient and accurate monitoring solutions. While deep learning is widely used, mainstream models face inherent limitations: Convolutional Neural Networks have restricted receptive fields and Transformers incur high computational complexity, complicating the balance of accuracy and efficiency for tiny pest detection in complex environments. To address these challenges, a novel Adaptive State-space Convolutional Fusion Network (ASCNet) is proposed. Its core component, the Adaptive State-space Convolutional Fusion Block (ASBlock), integrates the global context modeling of state-space models—which have linear complexity—with the local feature extraction of convolutional networks through a dual-path adaptive fusion mechanism. A Grouped Spatial Shuffle Downsampling (GSD) module replaces standard strided convolutions to preserve fine-grained spatial details during downsampling. For small object detection, a Normalized Wasserstein Distance (NWD)-based loss function mitigates the sensitivity of traditional IoU to minor localization errors. Evaluations on a new agarwood pest dataset show that ASCNet outperforms state-of-the-art detectors (including the YOLO series, RT-DETR, and Gold-YOLO), achieving a maximum mAP@50 of 93.0 ± 0.2% and mAP@50:95 of 71.2 ± 0.3% with high computational efficiency. The results confirm ASCNet as a robust and effective solution for intelligent pest monitoring in high-value crops like agarwood. Full article

Agarwood from Aquilaria agallocha, known as chim-hyuang in Korea, is widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia and has traditionally been used to treat asthma, pain, and gastrointestinal disorders. As part of our ongoing efforts to identify bioactive metabolites from natural sources, a phytochemical investigation of the EtOAc fraction of A. agallocha extract led to the isolation and identification of four compounds, N-trans-feruloyltyramine (1), (3R,5R)-octahydrocurcumin (2), 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane (3), and trans-caffeoyltyramine (4), via HPLC purification and LC/MS-based analysis. Structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was achieved using NMR spectroscopy, LC/MS, and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESIMS). The absolute configuration of compound 2 was further confirmed by optical rotation and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analyses. All isolated compounds (1–4) were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against tau protein aggregation. Notably, compound 2 exhibited a 43.7% reduction in tau aggregation at 20 μM, without cytotoxicity at the same concentration. These findings indicate that phytochemicals from A. agallocha, particularly the diarylheptanoid compound 2, hold promise as natural lead candidates for the development of therapeutic agents targeting tau protein aggregation. Full article

Fungi in tropical ecosystems remain an understudied yet critical component of climate change mitigation, particularly within the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector. This review highlights their dual role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by regulating carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxides (N₂O) while enhancing long-term carbon sequestration. Mycorrhizal fungi are pivotal in maintaining soil integrity, facilitating nutrient cycling, and amplifying carbon storage capacity through symbiotic mechanisms. We synthesize how fungal symbiotic systems under LULUCF shape ecosystem networks and note that, in pristine ecosystems, these networks are resilient. We introduce the concept of Nature-based Culture (NbC) to describe symbiotic self-cultures sustaining ecosystem stability, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. Case studies demonstrate how the NbC concept is applied in reforestation strategies such as AeroHydro Culture (AHC), the Integrated Mangrove Sowing System (IMSS), and the 4N approach (No Plastic, No Burning, No Chemical Fertilizer, Native Species). These approaches leverage mycorrhizal networks to improve restoration outcomes in peatlands, mangroves, and semi-arid regions while minimizing land disturbance and chemical inputs. Therefore, by bridging fungal ecology with LULUCF policy, this review advocates for a paradigm shift in forest management that integrates fungal symbioses to strengthen carbon storage, ecosystem resilience, and human well-being. Full article

Agarwood, valued for its resin, has long been used in perfumery, incense, and traditional medicine. Its resin is primarily derived from species of Aquilaria and is produced through a still-unknown process in response to biotic or abiotic stress. Concerns regarding agarwood’s sustainability and conservation have emerged because of the substantial loss of natural resources due to overharvesting and illegal trade. To address these concerns, artificial techniques are being used to produce agarwood. The mechanism underlying agarwood production must be elucidated to enhance yield. The authentication of agarwood species is challenging because of morphological similarities between pure and hybrid Aquilaria species. Techniques such as DNA barcoding, molecular marker assessment, and metabolomics can ensure accurate identification, facilitating conservation. Artificial intelligence and machine learning can support this process by enabling rapid, automated identification on the basis of genetic and phytochemical data. Advances in resin induction methods (e.g., fungal inoculation) and chemical induction treatments are improving yield and quality. Endophytic fungi and bacteria promote resin production at minimal harm to the tree. Agarwood’s pharmacological potential—antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects—has driven research into bioactive compounds such as sesquiterpenes and flavonoids for the development of novel drugs. This systematic review synthesized current evidence on species authentication, induction techniques, and pharmacological properties. The findings may guide future research aimed at ensuring sustainable use and enhancing the medicinal value of agarwood. Full article

Background: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening condition caused by rapid exposure to high-altitude hypoxia, affecting pulmonary and neurological functions. Tongqiao Jiuxin Oil (TQ), a traditional Chinese medicine formula composed of aromatic and resinous ingredients such as sandalwood, agarwood, frankincense, borneol, and musk, has been widely used in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. Clinical observations suggest its potential efficacy against AMS, yet its pharmacological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methods: The chemical profile of TQ was characterized using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS. Network pharmacology was applied to predict the potential targets and pathways involved in AMS. A rat model of AMS was established by exposing animals to hypobaric hypoxia (~10% oxygen), simulating an altitude of approximately 5500 m. TQ was administered at varying doses. Physiological indices, oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, GSH), histopathological changes, and the expression of hypoxia- and apoptosis-related proteins (HIF-1α, VEGFA, EPO, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3) in lung and brain tissues were assessed. Results: A total of 774 chemical constituents were identified from TQ. Network pharmacology predicted the involvement of multiple targets and pathways. TQ significantly improved arterial oxygenation and reduced histopathological damage in both lung and brain tissues. It enhanced antioxidant activity by elevating SOD and GSH levels and reducing MDA content. Mechanistically, TQ downregulated the expression of HIF-1α, VEGFA, EPO, and pro-apoptotic markers (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, Caspase-3), while upregulated Bcl-2, the anti-apoptotic protein expression. Conclusions: TQ exerts protective effects against AMS-induced tissue injury by improving oxygen homeostasis, alleviating oxidative stress, and modulating hypoxia-related and apoptotic signaling pathways. This study provides pharmacological evidence supporting the potential of TQ as a promising candidate for AMS intervention, as well as the modern research method for multi-component traditional Chinese medicine. Full article

Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg, the exclusive botanical source of Chinese agarwood, holds significant medicinal value. This study investigated the agarwood-inducing potential of a Fusarium strain obtained through prior isolation work. Through integrated morphological characterization and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the strain was conclusively identified as Fusarium equiseti. GC-MS analysis revealed that fungal inoculation induced the synthesis of characteristic sesquiterpenes and aromatic compounds consistent with natural agarwood profiles. Quantitative determination demonstrated progressive accumulation of agarotetrol, a key quality marker, reaching 0.034%, 0.039%, and 0.038% at 2, 4, and 6 months post-inoculation, respectively—significantly exceeding levels from physical wounding (p < 0.05) and PDA control treatments. Histological examination showed characteristic yellow-brown oleoresin deposits concentrated in the inner phloem, mirroring the anatomical features of wild-type agarwood. Critical quality parameters measured in December-harvested samples included ethanol extractives (17.69%), chromone derivatives 2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl) ethyl] chromone, and 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromone (2.13%), all meeting or surpassing the specifications outlined in the National Standard for Agarwood Classification (LY/T 3223-2020). These comprehensive findings establish F. equiseti as a promising microbial agent for sustainable agarwood production in A. sinensis plantations. Full article

Heortia vitessoides Moore (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the dominant outbreak defoliator of Aquilaria sinensis (Myrtales: Thymelaeaceae, the agarwood-producing tree), poses a severe threat to the sustainable development of the agarwood industry. Current research has preliminarily revealed its biological traits and gene functions. However, significant gaps persist in integrating climate adaptation mechanisms, control technologies, and host interaction networks across disciplines. This review systematically synthesizes the multidimensional mechanisms underlying H. vitessoides outbreaks through the logical framework of “Fundamental Biology of Outbreaks—Environmental Drivers—Control Strategies—Molecular Regulation—Host Defense.” First, we integrate the biological characteristics of H. vitessoides with its climatic response patterns, elucidating the ecological pathways through which temperature and humidity drive population outbreaks by regulating development duration and host resource availability. Subsequently, we assess the efficacy and limitations of existing control techniques (e.g., pheromone trapping, Beauveria bassiana application), highlighting the critical bottleneck of insufficient mechanistic understanding at the molecular level. Building on this, we delve into the molecular adaptation mechanisms of H. vitessoides. Specifically, detoxification genes (e.g., HvGSTs1) and temperature stress-responsive genes (e.g., HvCAT, HvGP) synergistically enhance stress tolerance, while chemosensory genes mediate mating and host location behaviors. Concurrently, we reveal the host defense strategy of A. sinensis, involving activation of secondary metabolite defenses via the jasmonic acid signaling pathway and emission of volatile organic compounds that attract natural enemies—an “induced resistance–natural enemy collaboration” mechanism. Finally, we propose future research directions: deep integration of gene editing to validate key targets, multi-omics analysis to decipher the host–pest–natural enemy interaction network, and development of climate–gene–population dynamics models. These approaches aim to achieve precision control by bridging molecular mechanisms with environmental regulation. This review not only provides innovative pathways for managing H. vitessoides but also establishes a paradigm for cross-scale research on pests affecting high-value economic forests. Full article

This study investigates the main insects and endophytic fungi that promote the formation of agarwood in Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng. and elucidates the effects and mechanisms of different ‘insect + fungus’ combinations on agarwood formation. The results showed that 16 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from A. sinensis. Fusarium solani, Penicillium chrysogenum, Fusarium equiseti, and Phaeoacremonium alvesii were identified as dominant fungi promoting agarwood formation, while Nadezhdiella cantori was recognized as the dominant insect facilitating this process. The optimal ‘insect + fungus’ combination was Nadezhdiella cantori + Fusarium equiseti. The average agarotetrol contents were 0.046% and 0.054% in February and June, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in cold drilling, fungal-only, and insect-only treatments. RNA sequencing revealed 23,801 differentially expressed unigenes in cjYB1Z4 (optimal combination) versus control BMZ. Upregulated unigenes were enriched in isoflavone biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, and sesquiterpenoid and triterpene biosynthesis. Fifty sesquiterpene-related differential unigenes encoded seven key enzymes in the MVA pathway, seven key enzymes in the MEP pathway, and seven terpene synthases. Co-expression network analysis indicated that transcription factors (e.g., WRKY33, ABF, WRKY2) potentially regulate agarwood sesquiterpene formation. This work elucidates preliminary effects and molecular mechanisms of insect- and fungi-induced agarwood formation in A. sinensis, advancing agarwood induction technology. Full article

Aquisinenins G–I (1–3), three new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone-sesquiterpene hybrids, were isolated from the ethanol extract of Hainan agarwood derived from Aquilaria sinensis. Spectroscopic techniques, such as ¹D and ²D NMR and HRESIMS, were used to determine their structures. Experimental and computed ECD data were compared to confirm their absolute configurations. Compounds 1–3 are uncommon dimeric derivatives of 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone-sesquiterpene, characterized by the fusion of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone with agarofuran or agarospirane-type sesquiterpene units by an ester linkage. Compound 1 inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, showing an IC₅₀ value of 22.31 ± 0.42 μM. The neuroprotective effects of compounds 1 and 3 against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis were assessed in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Compound 1 demonstrated cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values of 72.37 ± 0.20 μM against K562 and 61.47 ± 0.22 μM against BEL-7402, while compounds 2 and 3 showed cytotoxicity across all five tested human cancer cell lines. Full article

Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Spreng. is an economically important tree specie that produces agarwood, a valuable medicinal and aromatic resin, when injured. However, its large-scale cultivation has led to confusion regarding its resources and genetic backgrounds, hindering the conservation and management of A. sinensis accessions. This study systematically developed and validated simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers by using whole-genome resequencing (WGR) data from 60 A. sinensis accessions to elucidate their genetic diversity and population structure. A total of 56,657 SSR sequences (24,430 loci) were identified, which were dominated with dinucleotide repeat motifs (73.59%). After stringent quality control, 46 high-quality SSR loci were obtained, and 93 primer pairs were designed for amplification validation. Ultimately, 20 primer pairs with stable amplification and high polymorphism were selected, of which 11 exhibited high polymorphism (polymorphic information content: 0.554–0.688). These 20 primer pairs identified a total of 121 alleles, with an average of 6 alleles per locus. These primers successfully classified 149 A. sinensis accessions into three subpopulations, achieving a discrimination rate of 95.97%. The analysis of molecular variance revealed that genetic variation within the individuals accounted for 84% of the total variation. This study establishes a rapid and efficient SSR-based method by leveraging resequencing data for large-scale marker discovery in A. sinensis. It further provides a robust technical framework for the conservation and sustainable utilization of this valuable species. Full article