Search Results (89)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile and neuroprotective potential of extracts from underground and aerial parts of two Carlina species: Carlina acaulis (CA) and Carlina vulgaris (CV). Metabolic profiling performed via UHPLC-UV-MS/MS revealed a distinct chemotaxonomic differentiation between the taxa. C. acaulis was defined as a “phenolic-acid” chemotype dominated by 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (up to 32.11 mg/g in leaves), whereas C. vulgaris was characterized as a “flavonoid” chemotype, distinguished by a unique C-glycoside signature, including carlinoside and schaftoside. A significant aspect of scientific novelty is the first-ever identification of flavonolignans (e.g., salcolin A/B and tricin derivatives) in the roots of both species. In biological assays, the extracts demonstrated a multidirectional neuroprotective mechanism. Good antioxidant properties (DPPH, FRAP assays) were confirmed, particularly in CA leaves and CV inflorescences which revealed 61% of DPPH scavenging, along with the capacity to chelate Fe(II) ions (above 60% for CA inflorescence, CV leaves and CV root), a crucial mechanism in ferroptosis prevention. Furthermore, leaf extracts of both species exhibited effective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) exceeding 50%, showing kinetic selectivity towards BChE inhibition. These results position Carlina species as a promising source of metabolites supporting the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

Sasa quelpaertensis, a multipurpose bamboo plant endemic to Jeju Island in South Korea, is used by the population in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-gastritis, and diuretic activities. Studies have shown the potential of S. quelpaertensis against various diseases; its effects include anticancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antidepressant, immunomodulating, and hepatoprotective effects. Several bioactive phytochemicals, including p-coumaric acid, tricin, naringenin, and vanillic acid, have been identified in S. quelpaertensis, further emphasizing its pharmacological potential. Molecular studies have identified crucial pharmacological targets of S. quelpaertensis, such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. The major challenges are that most pharmacological activities have been observed only in the preclinical stage, and that a compilation of its phytochemicals and pharmacological activities is missing from the literature. The studies with incomplete extract characterization or standardization limit the comparability across studies. Identification of active phytochemicals for specific activities and large-scale clinical trials for the majority of pharmacological effects are suggested. This review not only compiles the phytochemicals and pharmacological properties of S. quelpaertensis but also highlights current gaps and proposes solutions for its development as a therapeutic agent and/or supplement against major diseases. Full article

Drought stress severely restricts plant growth and substantially reduces crop productivity. Although drought-response mechanisms have been extensively characterized within individual plant species, the conserved metabolic strategies shared across species remain insufficiently understood. To elucidate both conserved and species-specific metabolic mechanisms underlying drought adaptation, we performed an integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis in rice, maize, and tomato. Profiling of 543 annotated metabolites revealed strikingly divergent baseline metabolic landscapes: tomato leaves were enriched in triglycerides and anthocyanins, whereas maize and rice accumulated higher levels of glycerophospholipids, tricin-derived flavonoids, and B vitamins. Under drought conditions, these differences were further reflected in the distinct sets of differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) detected in tomato (121), rice (98), and maize (94). Despite these species-specific signatures, we identified a conserved drought-responsive module consisting of five phenolamides that were consistently induced across all three species. Reconstruction of the associated regulatory network uncovered divergent enzymatic control strategies governing phenolamide biosynthesis: the drought-induced BAHD acyltransferases OsPHT4 in rice and SlPHT3 in tomato exhibited broad-spectrum catalytic activities, whereas the maize homolog ZmPHT4 fulfilled a similar biosynthetic role through constitutive, non-drought-inducible activity. Together, this study provides a comprehensive metabolic framework for plant drought response and demonstrates that extensive species-specific metabolic architectures and transcriptional regulatory divergence coexist beneath a conserved core metabolomic response, offering promising targets for the precise genetic enhancement of crop drought tolerance. Full article

Aeromonas hydrophila is a typical pathogen that causes fish diseases and can easily infect different fish species. This study investigated the antibacterial activity, physicochemical properties and antibacterial mechanism of the BLIS UI-11 produced by Lactobacillus plantarum HYH-11, isolated from traditional kimchi in Hebei, China. It was found that BLIS UI-11 showed excellent inhibitory effect on the growth of A. hydrophila, and it also had a good antibacterial effect on various pathogens such as Vagococcus fluvialis, Listeria monocytogenes, Aeromonas dhakensis, Aeromonas salmonicida, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. By measuring growth kinetics, it was found that the maximum antibacterial activity was reached after 30 h of culture, and both the optical density value at 600 nm (OD₆₀₀₎ and pH basically entered the stable phase after 20 h. Whole-genome analysis and gene cluster prediction identified a RiPP-like biosynthetic gene cluster, which comprises genes encoding precursor peptides, modification enzymes, and transport/immunity components. The molecular weight of the antimicrobial active substance was detected by dialysis and Tricine-SDS-PAGE, and it was shown to be an ultra-small molecular substance (<1 kDa). BLIS UI-11 was sensitive to protease K, but its antibacterial activity remained stable after treatment with acidic environment (pH 3.0–6.0), high-temperature treatment (121 °C for 30 min), and ultraviolet irradiation (4 h). After the sub-live cell assay (PI/SYTO9) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BLIS UI-11 inhibited the growth of bacteria by destroying the cell membrane of A. hydrophila to deform, collapse, and form holes that lead to accounting leakage. The hemolysis assay indicated that BLIS UI-11 exhibited incomplete hemolysis, suggesting its safety for application. The results showed that BLIS UI-11 produced by strain HYH-11 has great potential as an antimicrobial agent against A. hydrophila infection. Full article

The excessive use of synthetic preservatives poses significant threats to food safety and human health. This study systematically investigated the genetic characteristics of the Limosilactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum) z-6 strain, the antibacterial properties of the bacteriocin-like substance (FC) it produces, and its mechanism of action. The results demonstrated that this bacteriocin-like substance exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activity and exceptional stability, maintaining high activity across a broad pH range (4.0–8.0) and withstanding heat treatment at 100 °C and UV irradiation, indicating robust environmental adaptability. Its proteinaceous nature was confirmed by its detection below 1 kDa on Tricine-SDS-PAGE and its inactivation by trypsin and pepsin. The FC showed broad-spectrum inhibition against foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, E. coli, A. baumannii, S. aureus, P. mirabilis and L. monocytogenes. Mechanistic investigation demonstrated that the FC exerts antibacterial effects primarily through membrane disruption, as evidenced by a live-dead staining assay confirming significantly enhanced permeability in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and scanning electron microscopy revealing distinct pore formation on bacterial surfaces. It is speculated that the FC produced by z-6, due to its excellent properties and outstanding antibacterial performance, could potentially serve as a natural biopreservative. Full article

Several factors, including semen quality, can influence fertilisation success. Poor semen parameters may necessitate more frequent inseminations or the removal of males with consistently low fertility. This study evaluated turkey ejaculates (n = 37) with good fertility (GF) and impaired fertility (IF). The analyses included sperm motility parameters (total motility—TMOT, progressive motility—PMOT, curvilinear velocity—VCL, straight-line velocity—VSL, average path velocity—VAP, linearity—LIN, straightness—STR, amplitude of lateral head displacement—ALH, and beat cross frequency—BCF), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and nitric oxide (NO) production, as well as enzymatic and biochemical assays of semen, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) activities, glutathione (GSH) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and zinc (Zn²⁺) concentration. In parallel, the proteomes of seminal plasma and spermatozoa were separated using SDS- and Tricine-PAGE, and selected proteins were identified by nano LC-MS/MS. Spermatozoa derived from IF ejaculates exhibited significantly reduced TMOT (p = 0.002), VCL (p = 0.028), and PMI (p = 0.000), accompanied by elevated STR (p = 0.000) and NO production (p = 0.044). In the seminal plasma of IF males, a significant decrease was noted in SOD (p = 0.000) and GPx (p = 0.001) activities, whereas CAT activity was markedly higher (p = 0.014). Seminal fluid from IF ejaculates was also characterised by increased GSH (p = 0.014) and MDA (p = 0.014) concentrations, accompanied by reduced Zn²⁺ content (p = 0.014). In contrast, IF spermatozoa exhibited elevated SOD activity (p = 0.001), but reduced GPx (p = 0.000) and CAT (p = 0.012) activities. Sperm cells from IF ejaculates also had lower GSH levels (p = 0.000), higher MDA concentrations (p = 0.000), and increased Zn²⁺ content (p = 0.018) compared with those from GF ejaculates. A proteomic analysis revealed differences in fertility-associated proteins: peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) was detected exclusively in GF semen, whereas alpha-enolase (ENO1), fatty acid-binding protein (FABP7), cytoplasmic aspartate aminotransferase (GOT1), and L-lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) were detected only in IF semen. Overall, the results demonstrate that both semen parameters and proteome composition may potentially affect the fertilisation outcomes in turkeys. Full article

This study characterized leaf extracts of Cymbopogon flexuosus (Ryukyu Lemongrass Corporation, Okinawa, Japan) and evaluated the bioaccessibility and bioactivities of phenolic compounds following a simulated in vitro gastrointestinal model of digestion (in vitro GID) of plant material. Undigested (controls, AqC, EtC) and digested aqueous (AqD) and ethanolic (EtD) extracts were analyzed. Control extracts contained higher total phenolics and flavonoids than digested ones, with EtC showing the highest values. UHPLC-QToF-MS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer) identified 32 compounds, including phenolic acids, flavone aglycones, C-glycosides, and derivatives. Hydroxybenzoic acids, coumaric acid, caffeic esters, flavones, tricin derivatives, vitexin, and isoorientin exhibited reduced recovery, while coumaric acid hexoside, ferulic acid hexoside, and isoschaftoside/schaftoside exceeded 100% recovery, suggesting release from the matrix. Some compounds were absent from AqD, and many were found in the pellet, indicating potential colonic metabolism. Antioxidant activity (DPPH, reducing power, β-carotene/linoleic acid) was stronger in controls but always weaker than BHT/ascorbic acid. Extracts mildly inhibited α-amylase but more strongly inhibited α-glucosidase as shown with applied enzyme inhibition assays, especially EtD (76.93% at a concentration of 10 mg/mL), which showed stronger activity than controls but remained below acarbose (87.74% at 1 mg/mL). All extracts promoted HaCaT keratinocyte growth and reduced HCT-116 colon cancer cell viability at 250 µg/mL, with the strongest effects in AqC and AqD. Overall, GID decreased antioxidant activity but enhanced antidiabetic potential, confirming the safety and selective anticancer effects of C. flexuosus extracts. Full article

Rich natural sources of the flavone tricin (5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′,5′-dimethoxyflavone; systematic IUPAC name: 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) are actively sought since this compound is endowed with a broad spectrum of biological activities and its dietary supplementation has been considered as a colon cancer chemoprotectant and for the treatment of human intestinal polyps. This paper describes a straightforward procedure for the high-yield isolation of flavonoids and tricin from aerial parts of Huperzia brevifolia (Hook. & Grev.) Holub, which grows on the paramos of Southern Ecuador. Compared to existing procedures, this method requires limited organic solvent and no chromatographic separation. In brief, the selective separation of the metabolites expressed in H. brevifolia was achieved by exploiting their different chemical properties under basic or acidic conditions. The identity of isolated tricin was firmly established by 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The contents of the total flavonoid fraction (TFF) and tricin in dried aerial parts of H. brevifolia were determined to be 4.48% w/w (44.8 mg/g) and 3.89% w/w (38.9 mg/g), respectively, using HPLC-DAD analysis. On the other hand, unoptimized crystallization of TFF delivered pure tricin in a 0.66% (w/w) yield relative to TFF, which corresponded to 2.96% w/w (29.6 mg/g) of dried aerial parts. This concentration of tricin is thus one of the highest in any plant species and makes H. brevifolia a valuable source of the flavone for preclinical trials and dietary supplementation for colon health. Full article

Background: Adverse environmental conditions and an ever-increasing world population require devising and designing a roadmap for the next generation of wheat crops for high productivity and resilience to climate change. As such, a fundamental understanding of wheat metabolism and molecular descriptors of wheat seed potentials and quality is a sine qua non step. Objectives: In this study we investigated the seed metabolomes of five wheat cultivars to identify differential metabolic profiles and cultivar-related metabolic markers. Methods: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) combined with computational strategies and functional analyses was applied. Metabolites were extracted using methanol, and samples were analysed on an LC-MS/MS system. Results: The results revealed that the extracted wheat cultivar seed metabolomes spanned a broad range of metabolite classes, including alkaloids, sugars, phenolics, amino acids, hormones, TCA compounds and lipids. Furthermore, the results also revealed key metabolic markers differentiating the wheat cultivars from one another, such as lipids (i.e., MGMG and 13-HODE) and flavonoids (i.e., rutin, tricin and vitexin), amongst many others. Conclusions: Such insights are important in assessing seed quality as well as in the selection of markers for seed nutrient and quality trait improvement in wheat breeding programmes. As such, this work generates novel actionable knowledge, a comprehensive metabolomic landscape of wheat seeds and potential markers for cultivar differentiation and quality assessment, which is essential for sustainable and improved wheat production. Thus, the study contributes towards the realisation of sustainable food security, an urgent call for action in a global partnership, as articulated in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly zero hunger. Full article

Background/Objectives: Listeria monocytogenes is a major foodborne pathogen responsible for listeriosis, a serious illness with high morbidity and mortality, particularly in vulnerable populations. Its persistence in food processing environments and resistance to conventional preservation methods pose significant food safety challenges. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) offer a promising natural alternative due to their antimicrobial properties, especially through the production of bacteriocins. This study investigates the competitive interactions between Lactococcus lactis and L. monocytogenes under co-culture conditions, with a focus on changes in their secretomes to better understand how LAB-derived bacteriocins can help mitigate the Listeria burden. Methods: Proteomic approaches, including Tricine-SDS-PAGE, two-dimensional electrophoresis, and shotgun proteomics, were employed to analyze the molecular adaptations of both species in response to bacterial competition. Results: Our results reveal a significant increase in the secretion of enolase by L. monocytogenes when in competition with L. lactis, suggesting its role as a stress-responsive moonlighting protein involved in adhesion, immune evasion, and biofilm formation. Concurrently, L. lactis exhibited a shift in the production of its bacteriocin, nisin, favoring the expression of Nisin Z—a variant with improved solubility and diffusion properties. This differential regulation indicates that bacteriocin production is modulated by bacterial competition, likely as a defensive response to the presence of pathogens. Conclusions: These findings highlight the dynamic interplay between LAB and L. monocytogenes, underscoring the potential of LAB-derived bacteriocins as natural biopreservatives. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying microbial competition could enhance food safety strategies, particularly in dairy products, by reducing reliance on chemical preservatives and mitigating the risk of L. monocytogenes contamination. Full article

Background: Sugarcane is an important sugar crop. Sugarcane stems are mainly used for sugar extraction, while leaves can only be burned as waste. However, sugarcane leaves can also produce a large number of secondary metabolites, and these metabolites have significant nutritional and pharmacological value. At present, there are few studies on sugarcane compounds. Methods: Therefore, the stems and leaves of three sugarcane varieties (Yacheng 89-159, Dianzhe 01-58, ROC22) were selected as experimental materials, and the compounds of stems and leaves of different sugarcane were studied using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Metabolomics analysis detected 1197 metabolites that could be broadly divided into 11 categories. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis identified metabolites that were differentially abundant across groups (stems and leaves within and across the three varieties). Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and lipids were the main differential metabolites. Notably, tricin-4′-O-(guaiacylglycerol)ether-7-O-glucoside, quercetin-3,4-O-di-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-(6′′-O-malony)glucoside were significantly higher in the stems than in the leaves across all three varieties. The content of methylenesuccinic acid was higher in the leaves of Dianzhe 01-58 and ROC22. In the comparative analysis of the top 20 differential metabolites among different varieties, it was found that the metabolite content of stems and leaves of Yacheng 89-9 and ROC22 was significantly higher than that of Dianzhe 01-58. Next, KEGG analysis showed that these differential metabolites were mainly enriched in pathways related to flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, and isoflavonoid biosynthesis, as well as starch and sucrose metabolism. Leaves also had significantly fewer metabolites involved in starch and sucrose metabolism than stems did. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study provides a scientific basis for utilization of sugarcane compounds, laying a theoretical foundation for further processing of sugarcane by-products into higher-value materials. Full article

Panax quinquefolius is a globally valued medicinal plant rich in bioactive flavonoids, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying their biosynthesis remain poorly understood. In this study, we integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to investigate tissue-specific flavonoid accumulation and regulatory networks in roots, leaves, and flowers. Metabolomic profiling identified 141 flavonoid metabolites, with flavones, flavonols, and C-glycosylflavones predominantly enriched in aerial tissues (leaves and flowers), while specific glycosides like tricin 7-O-acetylglucoside showed root-specific accumulation. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 15,551–18,946 DEGs across tissues, and the reliability of the transcriptomic data was validated by qRT-PCR. KEGG and GO annotation analyses suggested that these DEGs may play a crucial role in the biosynthesis and metabolism of secondary metabolites. From the DEGs, UGTs and MYB TFs were identified and subjected to correlation analysis. Functional validation through in vitro enzymatic assays confirmed that PqUGT71A1 catalyzes apigenin and naringenin glycosylation at the 7-OH position. Additionally, subcellular localization and yeast one-hybrid assays demonstrated that PqMYB7 and PqMYB13 interact with the PqUGT71A1 promoter and activate its expression.. This study unveils the spatial dynamics of flavonoid metabolism in P. quinquefolius and establishes a MYB-UGT regulatory axis, providing critical insights for metabolic engineering and bioactive compound optimization in medicinal plants. Full article

Cereal crops are important staple foods, and their defense metabolites hold significant research importance. In this study, we employed LC-MS-based untargeted and widely-targeted metabolomics to profile the leaf metabolome of nine cereal species, including rice, wheat, maize, barley, sorghum, common oat, foxtail millet, broomcorn millet, and adlay. A total of 9869 features were detected, among them, 1131 were annotated, encompassing 18 classes such as flavonoids, lipids, and alkaloids. Results revealed that 531 metabolites were detected in all species, while each cereal crop possessed 4 to 12 unique metabolites. Focusing on defense metabolites, we identified eight benzoxazinoids uniquely present in maize, wheat, and adlay. Hierarchical clustering based on metabolite abundance divided all metabolites into nine clusters, and subsequent pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the stress-related flavonoid biosynthesis pathway was enriched in multiple clusters. Further analysis showed that four downstream compounds of HBOA (2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one) in the benzoxazinoid biosynthesis pathway were enriched in maize. Wheat uniquely accumulated the 4′-methylated product of tricin, trimethoxytricetin, whereas adlay accumulated the tricin precursor tricetin in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. In summary, this study elucidates the metabolic diversity in defense metabolites among various cereal crops, providing valuable background information for the improvement of stress resistance in cereal crops. Full article

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis), as a type of warm-water reptile, could be induced to massive death by sharp temperature decline. Hence, the mechanism of spleen tissue responding to cold stress in the P. sinensis was investigated. The present results showed that the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity declined from 4 to 16 days post-cold-stress (dps), while the catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities increased, from 4 to 8 dps in the 14 °C (T14) and 7 °C (T7) stress groups. The spleen transcriptome in the T7 group and the control group (CG) at 4 dps obtained 2625 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 1462 upregulated and 1663 downregulated genes. The DEGs were enriched mainly in the pathways “intestinal immune network for IgA production” (Pigr, Il15ra, Tnfrsf17, Aicda, and Cd28), “toll-like receptor signaling pathway” (Mapk10, Tlr2, Tlr5, Tlr7, and Tlr8), and “cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction” (Cx3cl1, Cx3cr1, Cxcl14, Cxcr3, and Cxcr4). The metabolomic data showed that esculentic acid, tyrosol, diosgenin, heptadecanoic acid, and 7-ketodeoxycholic acid were obviously increased, while baccatin III, taurohyocholate, parthenolide, enterolactone, and tricin were decreased, in the CG vs. T7 comparison. Integrated analysis of the two omics revealed that “glycine, serine and threonine metabolism”, “FoxO signaling pathway”, and “neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction” were the main pathways responding to the cold stress. Overall, this work found that low temperature remarkably influenced the antioxidant enzyme activities, gene expression pattern, and metabolite profile in the spleen, indicating that immunity might be weakened by cold stress in P. sinensis. Full article

Global wheat and maize production, which reached two billion tonnes in 2021, generates significant agricultural waste with largely untapped potential. This study investigates the bioactive properties of ethanol extracts from wheat and maize harvest residues, their ethyl acetate fractions, and their principal compounds. In vitro assays (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and TRC) revealed variable antioxidant capacities among the samples, with ferulic acid demonstrating the strongest free-radical scavenging and reducing effects, often surpassing those of standard antioxidant controls. Enzyme inhibition assays identified the flavonoid tricin as the most effective inhibitor of α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase, while the flavonolignan mixture of salcolins A and B showed the highest inhibitory activity against α-amylase and tyrosinase. Antimicrobial testing using the broth microdilution method resulted in minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 31.25 µg/mL to >1000 µg/mL. Gram-positive bacteria showed the highest susceptibility, Candida albicans exhibited variable sensitivity, and Gram-negative bacteria were resistant in the tested concentration range. Bioactivity increased in the order of extracts, fractions, and then individual compounds. These findings suggest that wheat and maize residues possess notable bioactive properties, highlighting their potential as sources of valuable and pharmacologically active compounds. Full article