Search Results (232)

Phytochemicals represent a vast and diverse group of plant-derived secondary metabolites that serve critical ecological functions while also offering great potential for human health applications. These compounds, including flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids, have evolved as sophisticated defence mechanisms in plants, protecting against pathogens, herbivores, and environmental stressors. In parallel, their pharmacological properties show remarkable efficacy in addressing chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of phytochemical roles in both plant physiology and human therapeutics, examining their structural diversity, biosynthetic pathways, and ecological significance. We explore cutting-edge extraction techniques, bioavailability challenges, and innovative delivery systems like nanoencapsulation that enhance clinical translation. The paper highlights key biomedical applications supported by clinical evidence while addressing the policy and perception barriers that limit their integration into mainstream healthcare. By synthesizing current research with global health perspectives, we underscore the potential of phytochemicals to provide sustainable, accessible solutions to pressing healthcare disparities. Full article

The genus Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae) comprises approximately 125 species of succulents distributed across Madagascar, Africa, Arabia, Australia, Southeast Asia, and tropical America. Traditionally regarded as “miracle plants”, Kalanchoe species are employed for treating inflammatory, infectious, metabolic, and cardiovascular conditions; this is associated with their abundant content of polyphenols, including phenolic acids and flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, rutin, and patuletin. However, robust clinical evidence remains limited. This review integrates pharmacological and bioinformatic perspectives by analyzing more than 70 studies published since 2000 on 15 species, including Bryophyllum. As an in silico complement, the genome of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi was used to predict genes (AUGUSTUS), perform homology searches against Arabidopsis thaliana, and model three key enzymes: CHS, CYP90, and VEP1. The AlphaFold2/ColabFold models showed conserved catalytic motifs, and molecular docking with representative ligands supported the plausibility of biosynthetic pathways for flavonoids, brassinosteroids, and bufadienolides. The available evidence highlights chemopreventive, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities, primarily associated with flavonoids and bufadienolides. Significant gaps remain, such as the lack of gene–metabolite correlations and the absence of standardized clinical trials. Overall, Kalanchoe represents a promising model that requires multi-omics approaches to enhance its phytopharmaceutical potential. Full article

Nymphaea ‘Blue Bird’, a tropical water lily prized for its ornamental appeal, has been less explored as a source of bioactive flavonoids. This study developed an efficient extraction and purification protocol for flavonoids from this plant and compared their distribution and bioactivities across different tissues. Supercritical CO₂ fluid extraction (SFE) proved optimal, yielding 2.56% under conditions of 24.3 MPa, 39 °C, 91 min, and a CO₂ flow rate of 16 L/min. Subsequent purification with HPD500 macroporous resin enhanced flavonoid purity from 3.05% to 11.46%. Among the tissues analyzed, petals contained the highest levels of total flavonoids (6.43 mg/g) and total phenolics (45.71 mg/g), and exhibited the most potent antioxidant (as shown by the lowest EC₅₀ values for ABTS⁺ and DPPH scavenging) and broad-spectrum antibacterial activities (indicated by the lowest MIC and MBC against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans). Antibacterial efficacy was generally superior against Gram-positive bacteria. Widely targeted metabolomics identified 560 metabolites, predominantly flavonols and flavonoids. Principal component and cluster analyses revealed tissue-specific metabolite profiles. KEGG enrichment analysis underscored the significance of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, and key differential metabolites—such as luteolin, myricetin, taxifolin, and quercetin—were strongly correlated with the observed bioactivities. These results highlight N. ‘Blue Bird’ petals as a promising source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobials, providing a scientific basis for their future functional applications. Full article

For centuries, four Rosaceae species—Malus sieboldii, Sorbus commixta, Duchesnea indica, and Prunus sargentii—have been prized for their pharmacological properties. In this study, solvent extracts from the seeds of these species were prepared, and their total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Fe²⁺ chelation tests. Compounds in the extracts were identified through molecular networking with the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform. Among all samples, D. indica extract contained the highest polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations (335.63 ± 0.03 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gram of extract and 230.14 ± 2.90 mg rutin equivalents (RE) per gram of extract, respectively). It also exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, with statistically significant outcomes. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis and molecular networking revealed a diverse metabolite profile corresponding to seven biosynthetic pathways in the extracts. Notably, D. indica extract was rich in shikimates, phenylpropanoids, and ellagic acid derivatives, which have potent antioxidant effects. These results suggest a strong relationship between the extract’s chemical profile and its biological activity, offering promising opportunities to use D. indica seeds as functional ingredients across various fields. 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

Background/Objectives: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) is a highly important medicinal plant that is widely used in China owing to its active ingredients. Its main active components are flavonoids, including liquiritigenin, liquiritin and licochalcone A. The hairy roots (HRs) induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes are a commonly used chassis in synthetic biology to enhance the production of active compounds in medicinal plants. Methods: A biosynthesis system to acquire the active ingredients of G. glabra was established using an HR culture system. It employed a transcriptome analysis to identify the change in gene expression following treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Results: After 28 days of suspension culture, the biomass of HRs increased by approximately 34.5-fold and reached 1.83 g/100 mL flask. Treatment with MeJA significantly increased the contents of liquiritigenin, liquiritin, and glabridin in the HRs. The transcriptome data indicated that MeJA activated the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway genes in the HRs, which was largely consistent with the qRT-PCR results. Furthermore, the overexpression of the GgCHS6 gene substantially increased the content of flavonoids in HRs. Conclusions: Collectively, this study established an HR system to biosynthesize the active ingredients of G. glabra using metabolic engineering and genetic engineering techniques and provides several valuable candidate genes for further functional study. Full article

With the development of microbial fertilizers, efforts have been made to enrich the strain resources of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in maize and to compare the growth-promoting effects of synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) with those of single strains. To achieve this, phenotypic measurements and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were performed on maize roots treated with SynComs and single-strain bacterial suspensions, aiming to investigate the regulatory influence of PGPR on differential gene expression and key metabolic pathways in maize roots. In this study, 59 PGPR strains were selected, representing genera including Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia sp., Curtobacterium pusillum, Acidovorax, Sphingobium, Mitsuaria, Bacterium, Rhodanobacter, Variovorax, Ralstonia, Brevibacillus, Terrabacter, Flavobacterium, Comamonadaceae, Achromobacter, Paraburkholderia, and Massilia. Based on the growth-promoting effects observed in pot experiments, optimal bacterial strains were selected according to the principles of functional complementarity and functional superposition to construct the SynCom. The selected strains included Burkholderia sp. A2, Pseudomonas sp. C9, Curtobacterium pusillum E2, and Bacillus velezensis F3. The results demonstrated that individual strains exerted measurable growth-promoting effects on seedlings; however, the growth-promoting capability of the SynCom was significantly stronger than that of single strains. The synthetic microbial community ALL group markedly increased root length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, number of branches, and number of root tips in maize seedlings. RNA-seq analysis of maize roots treated with the SynCom (ALL group) was conducted in comparison with CK, A2, C9, E2, and F3 treatment groups. A total of 5245 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, of which only 133 were common across treatments. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that DEGs were enriched in multiple biological processes, including cellular amide biosynthetic and metabolic processes, flavonoid biosynthetic and metabolic processes, carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and translation. The majority of enriched pathways were associated with primary and secondary metabolism, indicating that these bacterial strains promote plant growth by modulating a wide range of metabolic pathways in plant cells. Overall, this study provides a molecular framework for understanding the mechanisms underlying the growth-promoting effects of SynComs on maize roots and offers valuable insights for future research aimed at identifying key regulatory genes. Full article

While stamen-focused research has predominantly examined flowering ornamental species, the tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms governing anthocyanin biosynthesis in potato stamens remain poorly understood. To characterize the tissue-specific regulatory mechanisms controlling anthocyanin biosynthesis in potato reproductive and storage organs, this investigation employed the red stamen mutant line ‘BF1811-8’ and the commercial cultivar ‘Atlantic’ as experimental models. Anthocyanin composition and quantification were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while RNA-sequencing coupled with quantitative real-time PCR validation enabled comprehensive analysis of differential gene expression patterns within the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. Biochemical analysis revealed complete absence of anthocyanins across all examined tissues in ‘Atlantic’, whereas ‘BF1811-8’ exhibited tissue-specific anthocyanin profiles: stamens accumulated delphinidin and pelargonidin, while tuber skin and flesh primarily contained pelargonidin and peonidin. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes identified significant representation within secondary metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, and pigmentation processes. The transcription factors StMYB4 and StMYBA1 demonstrated positive regulatory roles in anthocyanin biosynthesis within tuber flesh and skin, respectively, while exhibiting coordinated expression with structural genes including CHS, DFR, ANS, and GST. Notably, StbHLH94 showed stamen-specific regulatory activity and demonstrated transcriptional co-regulation with 3GT. These findings provide crucial insights into the tissue-specific regulatory architecture governing potato anthocyanin biosynthesis, establishing a foundation for elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying tissue-specific pigmentation and advancing functional cultivar development. Full article

Cowpeas are prone to abiotic (heat and drought) and biotic (pathogens and insect pests) stresses, with the former representing the predominant challenge, causing poor growth and reduced yield globally under changing climatic conditions. Cowpea can synthesize phytochemicals to respond to these stresses; however, there is limited information on the impact of weather on phytochemical biosynthesis in the cowpea phyllosphere. Phytochemical profiles were determined via chromatographic and spectrophotometric analyses of leaf samples from six cowpea varieties grown during 2020–2021. A total of 10 fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and 62 diverse metabolites were identified across varieties and seasons, with higher levels in 2020 under elevated temperatures and rainfall. The Queen Anne (QA) variety exhibited the maximum concentration of elaidic oleic acid (cis + trans), behenate, lignocerate, methyl laurate, and methyl palmitate (with the highest concentration at 258.415 µg/mL), and the Whippoorwill Steele’s Black (WP) variety predominantly exhibited diverse phytochemicals with high peak areas during 2020, including phenolic acids, phytohormones, alkaloids, flavonoids, and amino acids. While higher overall increases were observed in 2020, some compounds and varieties peaked in 2021, including FAMEs in the Colossus (CL) variety and other phytochemicals in QA. Flavonoid, flavone, and flavonol biosynthesis; phenylalanine metabolism; and tyrosine metabolism were significantly affected, leading to the accumulation of metabolites. Understanding plant–climate interactions will help farmers with variety selection and planting decisions. This study suggests that further research on the temperature mechanism for the biosynthetic pathways of these metabolites in the screened cowpea varieties is required. Full article

Background: Fruit skin color is a key determinant of grape quality and market value, primarily governed by anthocyanin biosynthesis. Methods: In this study, we explored the molecular basis of skin color variation in the grape cultivar Zaoheibao and its bud mutant, which displays a striking shift from purple-black to yellow-green. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed extensive reprogramming of the flavonoid pathway in the mutant. Results: Metabolite profiling identified 233 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), with a drastic reduction in anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin- and peonidin-derivatives, together with altered levels of flavonols and flavonoid glycosides. Transcriptome analysis detected 4036 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with key anthocyanin biosynthetic genes (DFR, ANS, UFGT, GST) and MYB significantly downregulated. Multi-omics integration confirmed consistent enrichment of flavonoid-related pathways, while correlation network analysis highlighted strong associations between MYB regulators, structural genes, and anthocyanin-type metabolites. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that suppression of a MYB-centered regulatory module underlies the loss of pigmentation in the bud mutant, providing new insights into the molecular regulation of grape skin coloration and a theoretical basis for grape breeding and quality improvement. Full article

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides in agricultural, horticultural, and urban environments. However, its residue accumulation and oxidative damage pose serious threats to crop health and food safety. In this study, we evaluated the potential of epigallocatechin gallate, a natural polyphenol derived from tea, to alleviate glyphosate-induced stress in melon (Cucumis melo L.). LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that EGCG significantly reduced glyphosate residues in plant tissues. Transcriptome analysis indicated that glyphosate induced extensive transcriptional reprogramming, activating genes involved in detoxification and antioxidant defense. Co-treatment with glyphosate and EGCG partially mitigated this stress response and redirected gene expression toward secondary metabolic pathways, particularly flavonoid and phenylalanine biosynthesis. Under herbicide stress, EGCG restored the transcription of key flavonoid biosynthetic genes, including PAL, C4H, CHI, and OMT. Meanwhile, EGCG also modulated the expression of APX, SOD, and GST, suggesting a selective effect on antioxidant systems. Co-expression network analysis identified key hub genes associated with oxidative stress and flavonoid metabolism. These findings demonstrate the dual regulatory role of EGCG in suppressing acute oxidative stress while enhancing metabolic adaptability, highlighting its potential as a natural additive for reducing herbicide residues in fruit crops. Full article

Secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins, are crucial for human health, agriculture, and ecosystem functioning. Their synthesis is often species-specific, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The increasing demand for these compounds across various industries highlights the need for advancements in plant breeding and biotechnological approaches. Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) have emerged as a powerful tool for precise genome editing, offering significant potential for enhancing the synthesis of secondary metabolites in plants. However, while plant genome editing technologies have advanced significantly, the application of TALENs in improving secondary metabolite production and expanding genetic diversity remains underexplored. Therefore, this review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of TALEN-mediated genome editing in plants, focusing on their role in enhancing secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways and improving genetic diversity. The mechanisms underlying TALENs are examined, including their ability to target specific genes involved in the synthesis of bioactive compounds, highlighting comparisons with other genome editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9. This review further highlights key applications in medicinal plants, particularly the modification of pathways responsible for alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, the role of TALENs in inducing genetic variation, improving stress tolerance, and facilitating hybridization in plant breeding programs is highlighted. Recent advances, challenges, and limitations associated with using TALENs for enhancing secondary metabolite production are critically evaluated. In this review, gaps in current research are identified, particularly regarding the integration of TALENs with multi-omics technologies and synthetic biology approaches. The findings suggest that while underutilized, TALENs offer sustainable strategies for producing high-value secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. Future research should focus on optimizing TALEN systems for commercial applications and integrating them with advanced biotechnological platforms to enhance the yield and resilience of medicinal plants. Full article

The color of flowers constitutes one of the most significant ornamental characteristics in roses. Red pigmentation in rose flowers is generally controlled by the biosynthetic pathway of anthocyanins. In this study, the red petals from the rose cultivar ‘Silk Road’ (SR) and the white petals from its color mutant ‘Arctic Road’ (AR) were investigated. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were utilized to identify the crucial genes and metabolites associated with the biosynthesis of flavonoids. A total of 479 flavonoid- related metabolites and 39,201 genes were detected in the rose petals. Comparative analyses revealed significant differences in 277 metabolites and 2556 genes between the blooming flowers of AR and SR. The contents of 11 anthocyanins, 11 proanthocyanidins, as well as the expression levels of CHS, ANS, 3GT, COMT, and CCoAOMT differ significantly between the two cultivars, which may contribute to the formation of white petals in AR. Additionally, 5 GSTs, 4 ABCCs, and 8 MATEs were found to be downregulated in AR, potentially resulting in reduced sequestration of anthocyanins in petal vacuoles. Through comprehensive data analyses, the correlations between genes and metabolites associated with anthocyanin variation in rose petals were identified. The MYB gene (Chr1g0360311) may serve as a key regulator in anthocyanin biosynthesis. This study offers new perspectives on the specific genes and metabolites regulating petal pigmentation, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying flavonoid synthesis in roses. The candidate key genes associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis and sequestration could serve as important genetic resources for developing ornamental plant varieties with specific pigmentation traits. Full article

Anthocyanins are key pigments responsible for apple fruit coloration, influencing not only its appearance and marketability but also contributing significantly to its nutritional and health benefits. In their natural state, anthocyanins are chemically unstable. However, glycosylation modifies them into anthocyanin derivatives known as anthocyanin glycosides, which exhibit markedly enhanced stability and improved water solubility. As a result, most naturally occurring anthocyanins exist in the form of anthocyanin glycosides. The biosynthesis of anthocyanins involves a series of structural genes within the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways (including PAL, C4H, 4CL, CHS, CHI, F3H, DFR, ANS/LDOX, and UFGT). The MYB–bHLH–WD40 transcriptional complex serves as the core regulatory mechanism controlling anthocyanin synthesis, with additional transcription factors also playing important roles. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the structural characteristics, biosynthetic pathways, molecular regulatory mechanisms, and environmental factors affecting anthocyanin accumulation in apples. These insights are important both for consumer health and for breeding apple cultivars with enhanced anthocyanin content. Full article

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds have a great diversity of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, which is associated with the regulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway. We investigated this association in developing seeds (20 and 30 days after anthesis, DAA) from six chickpea genotypes (two kabuli and four desi). They were used to evaluate total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity (AC), and the relative expression of MYB transcription factors (CaMYB39, MYB111-like, and CaMYB92) and phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes (PAL, CHI, and CHS). TP, TF, and the AC increased significantly during seed development, and the highest values were observed in desi genotypes. The AC correlated with the levels of TP, TF, and the flavonols myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin. The levels of the phenolic compounds and the AC also correlated positively with the expression of MYB transcription factors and phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes. The expression of CaMYB39 correlated significantly with that of PAL, CHS, and CHI, indicating the potential use of this MYB factor to improve the content of phenylpropanoids. The desi genotype with black seeds (ICC 4418) showed the highest levels of gene expression, TP, TF, and AC, suggesting it can be used to produce chickpeas with enhanced nutraceutical properties. Full article