Search Results (4,838)

The accelerating pace of urbanization, both locally and regionally, is undoubtedly one of the main drivers impacting the structure and diversity of vegetation cover. However, the relationship between the diversity and distribution of plant communities and the degree of urbanization remains a topic requiring further research. This contribution aims to reveal the impact of the urbanization gradient on the structure and diversity of wild flora in the urban setting of a Mediterranean city (Témara, Morocco). The study area was subdivided into three sectors according to a decreasing urbanization gradient: the first sector delimits the city center (built-up area exceeding 75%), the second covers an area with a built-up area between 50 and 75%, and the third delimits the city’s peripheral area with a built-up area of less than 50%. Each sector was surveyed using four transects, and each transect was surveyed six times, resulting in 24 surveys covering 260.5 m² per sector. The comparative study of diversity between the three sectors was based on the calculation of alpha diversity (Shannon–Weaver index and Pielou’s evenness index) and beta diversity (Jaccard similarity index). The results showed modest specific similarity among the four transects (mean Jaccard index = 0.385) and greater floristic richness in the peripheral area than in the city center. However, no significant difference (F = 0.675, α = 0.05) was observed in specific diversity among the three sectors. In addition, the therophyte rate calculation revealed significant therophytization in the city center compared with the outskirts. Such findings may lead to a more complete understanding of the processes underlying the relationship between urbanization and plant diversity, which may have implications for the conservation of this diversity in urban settings. Full article

Low-temperature stress significantly limits plant growth, development, and productivity, posing a major environmental constraint. The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is particularly vulnerable to low temperatures, underscoring the crucial need to enhance cold tolerance in potato breeding efforts for sustainable production. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors serve as central regulators of plant developmental processes and stress responses; however, their functional role in cold tolerance in tetraploid potato remains poorly understood. Here, we report a systematic characterization of the bZIP gene family in tetraploid potato and provide preliminary evidence that StbZIP104 enhances plant cold tolerance. A total of 191 StbZIP genes were identified and classified into 11 subfamilies, exhibiting uneven chromosomal distribution and expansion primarily driven by whole-genome and segmental duplication. Promoter cis-element analysis, together with GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, indicated that StbZIP genes are broadly associated with hormone signaling, stress responses, signal transduction, and environmental adaptation. Expression profiling under low-temperature treatment revealed eight cold-inducible StbZIP genes (log₂FC ≥ 1 and FDR < 0.05), among which StbZIP104 was strongly induced (log₂FC ≥ 2) and showed 5.36-fold higher expression in highly cold-resistant cultivars than in cold-sensitive cultivars. Subcellular localization confirmed that StbZIP104 is a nuclear-localized protein. Functional validation confirmed that overexpressing StbZIP104 notably improved cold tolerance in transgenic Samsun NN tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun NN). This was supported by heightened superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities, increased levels of soluble protein and soluble sugars, and decreased malondialdehyde content compared to the wild type under cold stress. This study establishes a basis for the functional characterization of the bZIP gene family in tetraploid potato and serves as a theoretical reference for understanding the mechanisms that govern cold tolerance in this species. Full article

Rubus buergeri Miq., a wild species native to Jeju Island (Republic of Korea), is a relatively understudied plant with potential as a source of bioactive phenolic compounds. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of R. buergeri extract (RBE) and evaluated its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities using a bioactivity-guided fractionation approach. Antioxidant capacity was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays (FRAP), along with total phenolic content determination, while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production and inflammatory gene expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. RBE exhibited high phenolic content and strong antioxidant activity; its ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions demonstrated the greatest antioxidant activities and significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production. Furthermore, RBE suppressed LPS-induced mRNA expression of Nos2, Ptgs2, Tnfa, Il1b, and Il6, indicating coordinated inhibition of inflammatory responses. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) analysis identified ellagic acid, ethyl gallate, and epicatechin as major phenolic constituents, with ellagic acid and ethyl gallate showing stronger inhibitory effects on NO production and inflammatory gene expression than epicatechin. These findings suggest that the phenolic constituents of R. buergeri modulate NO-associated inflammatory responses and support its potential as a source of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals. Full article

Background: Plants of the genus Nepeta are widely used in ethnomedicine for treating inflammatory disorders due to their rich content of bioactive compounds. This study investigated how extraction temperature specifically affects the bioactive potential of aqueous extracts from wild-grown Nepeta nuda L. Methods: The previously used maceration approach for this plant was applied at 30–60 °C to flowers, leaves, and stems. Phytochemical profiling included spectrophotometric assays, metabolite identification, and quantification. Biological activities reported for this plant were assessed, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiproliferative, and antibacterial capacities. Results: Extraction yield was highest in flowers and leaves, where it increased significantly with rising temperature, while stems were less productive. All plant organs exhibited notable bioactivity falling into two groups: lower temperatures (30 and 40 °C) were optimal for antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, whereas and higher temperatures (50 and 60 °C) enhanced antioxidant potential. The phytochemical composition, evaluated at representative extraction temperatures, revealed differential accumulation of p-coumaric acid and luteolin in all organs at 40 °C, while extraction at 60 °C corresponded to elevated levels of phenolic compounds. Flower extracts were confirmed to have the richest metabolic composition and were therefore subjected to further investigation. Extracts obtained at 40 °C influenced C1q binding, supporting their anti-inflammatory activity, whereas extraction at 60 °C resulted in stronger antiproliferative activity in colon cancer cell line. Antibacterial effects were similar at both temperatures. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of optimizing extraction conditions for future pharmacological applications of N. nuda. Full article

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth. NIN–like protein (NLP) transcription factors play important roles in nitrate signaling and response in plants. However, a comprehensive analysis of the NLP gene family in sorghum is still lacking. In this study, we identified five NLP genes in sorghum, and a high collinearity of NLP was detected in sorghum, rice and maize. N deficiency decreased SbNLP3 and SbNLP4 expression levels in roots, and the expression of SbNLP1 and SbNLP2 declined in roots during nitrate resupply. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that SbNLP1 was mostly detected in nuclei and cytoplasm. Compared with wild–type rice ZH11 plants, SbNLP1 overexpression plants showed improved low nitrogen (LN) tolerance, with longer roots and shoots under LN conditions. Transcriptome analysis between overexpression lines OE1–5 and ZH11 showed that 773 and 967 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in roots and shoots under LN conditions, respectively. In contrast, 674 and 1283 DEGs were identified in roots and shoots under normal nitrogen (NN) conditions, respectively. Thirty–seven N–related DEGs were identified in roots through GO enrichment under LN conditions, and terms of plant hormone signal transduction, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and plant–pathogen interaction were identified through KEGG enrichment. WGCNA analysis also revealed plant hormone signal transduction pathways and plant pathogen interaction pathways in OE1–5 under LN conditions. These results provide a basis for N use efficiency (NUE) improvement in sorghum and functional analysis of SbNLPs. Full article

Soil salinization is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting agricultural production. As an economically important fruit tree worldwide, grapevine generally exhibits weak salt tolerance. Therefore, identifying key stress-tolerance genes is of great significance for improving stress resistance in grapevines. In this study, the transcription factor gene VvWRKY57, which is induced by salt stress, was cloned from the grape cultivar Vitis vinifera ‘Shine Muscat’. Its function under salt stress was systematically evaluated via heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana. The full-length CDS of the VvWRKY57 gene is 915 bp, encoding a protein of 305 amino acids. The protein contains a typical WRKY conserved domain, belongs to group II of the WRKY family, and is localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Expression pattern analysis showed that VvWRKY57 was expressed in roots, stems, and leaves of grapevine. Based on this expression profile, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing VvWRKY57 were generated to further investigate its role in salt tolerance. Subsequent salt tolerance assays revealed that, compared with wild-type plants, the overexpression lines exhibited stronger resistance phenotypes under salt stress. This study demonstrates for the first time that grape-derived VvWRKY57 functions in enhancing salt tolerance in model plants, providing a novel genetic resource and theoretical basis for crop salt-tolerance molecular breeding using this gene. Full article

Myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase (MIPS) catalyzes the first committed step of de novo inositol biosynthesis, yet genetic evidence suggests that Arabidopsis MIPS proteins also have catalysis-independent functions. Although moonlighting proteins are increasingly recognized, their identification and functional dissection in plants remain limited. We asked whether the catalytic outputs of MIPS can be uncoupled from its inositol-independent functions. Here, using an inositol-rescue transcriptomic strategy, we separated catalytic inositol-biosynthetic outputs from inositol-independent functions of MIPS in Arabidopsis seedlings. Exogenous inositol had little effect on the wild type but extensively reprogrammed the mips1 mips3 transcriptome without fully restoring it to the wild type state. The inositol-independent branch was associated mainly with nuclear gene-regulatory processes, with broader implications for development and immunity. By contrast, the catalytic branch was linked primarily to cellular metabolism and structural organization, with broader roles in stress responses and polar growth. These findings support a dual-function model in which Arabidopsis MIPS proteins couple cytosolic inositol biosynthesis with candidate moonlighting functions associated with nuclear gene-regulatory modules. More broadly, this work provides a framework for understanding how metabolic enzymes coordinate development and stress responses, and opens new avenues for exploring how plant gene duplication may foster functional innovation and adaptation to environmental change. Full article

Background/Objectives: The wall-associated kinases (WAKs) and WAK-like proteins (WAKLs) comprise a unique receptor-like kinase subfamily in plants, which have been shown to regulate plant development and defense responses by sensing cell wall-derived components, such as pectin or pectin fragments. In this study, we aimed to characterize the function of WAKL10 in flg22-triggered immunity in Arabidopsis. Methods: Through functional analyses of WAKL genes in Arabidopsis, we identified WAKL10 as the most pronouncedly induced WAKL member in response to flg22 treatment. Gain- and loss-of-function genetic analyses were performed to assess its role in flg22-triggered immune responses, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, and defense gene induction. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing a kinase domain-deleted mutant (WAKL10-ΔK) were generated. Co-immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to examine interactions with FLAGELLIN-SENSITIVE 2 (FLS2) and BRI1-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE 1 (BAK1). Heterologous overexpression of WAKL10 in tomato was also tested for bacterial disease resistance. Results: WAKL10 positively regulates flg22-triggered immune responses. Interestingly, WAKL10-ΔK retains the capacity to potentiate these responses. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that both wild-type WAKL10 and WAKL10-ΔK constitutively associate with FLS2 and BAK1. Overexpression of WAKL10 in tomato confers enhanced bacterial disease resistance. Conclusions: The extracellular domain of WAKL10 promotes FLS2-BAK1 complex formation, thereby contributing to flg22 signaling. This study reveals a new function of WAKLs, distinguished from their proposed role in sensing cell wall components. The functional conservation of WAKL10 suggests its potential application in engineering disease resistance in crop plants. Full article

Fungal and bacterial pathogens significantly impact global crop yields, causing substantial economic losses and food insecurity. While chemical pesticides are effective, their excessive and improper use poses risks to the environment and human health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)—components of innate immunity in plants and animals—are promising candidates for the development of novel, eco-friendly antimicrobials for agriculture and medicine. This study explores the antimicrobial activity of several γ-core peptides derived from defensins of Thinopyrum elongatum, a wild plant species known for its stress resistance. All peptides carried a net positive charge. 3D structural modeling indicated that most peptides adopted an α-helical conformation, with one predicted to form an anti-parallel β-hairpin structure. The conservation of the γ-core peptide sequences across Poaceae defensins was demonstrated, underscoring the importance of these peptide regions in biological functions of defensins. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that all peptides exhibited broad-spectrum activity, with efficacy depending on the peptide’s amino acid sequence, 3D structure, and the pathogen tested. Notably, the peptide with the highest positive charge and β-hairpin structure showed the strongest pathogen inhibition. Additionally, synergistic interactions between some peptides against Fusarium oxysporum, which enhanced their antimicrobial effects, were shown. Our findings highlight the potential of wheatgrass γ-core peptides as templates for developing new peptide-based antimicrobials for agricultural and medical applications. Full article

Salvia aethiopis L. is a medicinal and aromatic species of growing scientific interest due to its biological potential. The study aimed to develop an efficient in vitro micropropagation protocol and to evaluate the antioxidant and anticancer activity of aqueous extracts derived from the three different aerial plant parts—flowers, leaves and stems—of the in vitro-cultivated plants and compare them with those of the wild-growing plants. Optimal parameters for the micropropagation of the species were established, yielding 80% field survival and flowering in the second year. The highest total polyphenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity were recorded in the flower extract from wild plants—14,681 ± 211 mg GAE/100 g, 2317 ± 77 mg RE/100 g and 4563 ± 280 µmol TE/g, respectively. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of key bioactive compounds, including rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and apigenin. The anticancer potential of the different extracts was assessed against human cervical, mammary and colorectal cell lines. The extracts exhibited significant antiproliferative activity, with HT-29 colorectal carcinoma cells being the most sensitive. Flower extracts of wild plants showed the strongest cytotoxic effects with IC₅₀ values at 72 h being lower than 100 μg/mL for all cancer cell lines. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analyses indicated that the observed extract-induced anticancer effects were associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, cell cycle alterations, modulation of autophagy, and induction of apoptotic and necrotic cancer cell death. These findings highlight the potential of extracts of S. aethiopis for anticancer therapy. Full article

Globba bicolor Gagnep., an ornamental ginger of cultural importance in Thailand’s “Tak Bat Dok Mai” festival, faces conservation challenges due to climate change and slow natural propagation. Limited understanding of its cultivation and chemical composition further constrains sustainable utilization. This study provides the first integrated investigation of micropropagation using rhizome-derived explants under various combinations of exogenous hormones, acclimatization strategies, and comparative phytochemical profiling between wild and in vitro-propagated plants. An optimized clonal regeneration system was established from plantlets, with Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.0 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and 0.5 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), yielding the highest multiplication (9.10 shoots/explant and 12.40 roots/explant) after eight weeks of cultivation. During acclimatization, sand substrate proved superior, facilitating a 90% survival rate and enhanced physiological vigor. Comparative analysis revealed that while wild plants possessed significantly higher total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid (TFC) contents and antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) than their in vitro counterparts, both sources maintained a rich diversity of chemical constituents. HPLC analysis identified cinnamic acid, rutin, and quercetin as major metabolites, while GC–MS detected 90 volatile compounds, with β-caryophyllene and β-pinene as predominant constituents. Notably, rhizomes of wild plants exhibited particularly high-value detections. To provide a rapid and non-destructive approach for linking chemical composition with antioxidant activity, FTIR-based chemometric models were applied, demonstrating high predictive accuracy (R²–cv = 0.9712–0.9862). These results provide a scientific foundation for the conservation and sustainable commercial utilization of G. bicolor as a potential source of bioactive natural products. Full article

To extend shelf life and enjoy the aroma and bioactive properties of wild nettle all year long, a drying operation is needed. This research aimed to compare conventional drying with modern drying technology using ultrasound to investigate intensification of the process together with the quality of sensitive leafy herbs. The kinetic, energy, and selected quality attributes typical for dry products of plant origin were analyzed: color, water activity, and polyphenol retention. Drying tests on wild nettle were carried out at two temperatures of 50 and 70 °C, with and without airborne ultrasound (100 and 200 W). The results showed that the application of ultrasound contributed to higher drying rates throughout the moisture content range compared to convective drying at the same air temperature. The higher the ultrasound power, the higher the increase in drying rate and shorter drying time, confirming intensification of moisture diffusion due to ultrasound assistance. The higher temperature and ultrasound level strongly influenced the final appearance and antioxidant properties of dry nettle, leading to color change (dE00 = 8.2) and polyphenol degradation (36%). However, all of the analyzed drying variants reduced the risk of microbial development (a_w = 0.444). In conclusion, ultrasound can be effectively applied to intensify the drying of nettle leaves by providing more favorable drying conditions, including a 53% reduction in drying time and a drying rate more than twice as fast as that of convective drying. Full article

The role of endogenous salicylic acid (SA), a major signaling molecule, was addressed in relation to the waterlogging (WL) stress response, including redox homeostasis and senescence. Wild-type and salicylate hydroxylase-expressing (NahG) tobacco plants were studied to reveal the stress-related effects of the transgene, which is known to deplete the endogenous SA pool. In control conditions, SA levels of the top leaves of NahG plants were moderately lower than those of wild-type, while SA was considerably reduced in the bottom leaves. WL conditions triggered a rise in H₂O₂ concentrations in young leaves, which was exaggerated in NahG plants, pointing to a mitigating effect of SA against the stress-associated oxidative burden. The NahG transgenic leaves displayed lower protein levels than their wild-type counterparts, indicating a role of SA in protein retention. In non-stressed NahG plants, young (top) leaves showed an increased level of protein nitration. WL treatment triggered decreased protein contents in the leaves of both genotypes. This coincided with the high H₂O₂ content of old leaves exceeding that of young leaves in most cases. The expression of the senescence marker gene Cysteine protease 1 was upregulated in WL-stressed bottom leaves. According to this marker, senescence progressed faster in NahG leaves. Links between SA, protein nitration, and leaf senescence were discussed. Additionally, a stimulating effect of the NahG transgene was confirmed on adventitious roots (AR) formation, which may have helped root functions and thus probably contributed to maintaining the growth of the WL-stressed plants. Our results have implications for how endogenous SA levels influence plants in a WL stress situation. According to our findings, the depletion of SA may trigger protein loss and tyrosine nitration, but at the same time accelerates AR formation in WL-stressed tobacco. Full article

Background: Human diseases remain a major global health challenge, requiring effective therapeutic strategies. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in clinical settings. Many natural compounds, such as flavonoids from TCM, exhibit diverse pharmacological activities. Alpinetin and pinocembrin are structurally related flavonoids. Alpinetin is derived from Zingiberaceae plants, and pinocembrin is extracted from wild marjoram (origanum vulgare) or other natural sources. They possess a wide range of pharmacological activities or biological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, liver and kidney protection, cardiovascular protection, and antibacterial activities. Methods: The present comparative review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, using four major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library), as well as CNKI without language restrictions. Results: Pharmacokinetic studies reveal distinct absorption, metabolism, and excretion profiles. Alpinetin and pinocembrin undergo glucuronidation and interact with cytochrome P450 enzymes and transporters. However, alpinetin has demonstrated approximately 1.5-fold higher plasma exposure and slower clearance compared to pinocembrin. Mechanistically, alpinetin exerted therapeutic effects through modulation of the NF-κB/MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and PPAR-γ signaling pathways, resulting in a 2- to 3-fold reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, pinocembrin exerted protective activity through the inhibition of HMGB1/TLR4 signaling, regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress, and activation of Nrf2/HO-1, leading to a 1.8-fold increase in antioxidant enzyme activity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were reduced by 2- to 4-fold against Gram-positive bacteria compared to alpinetin. Conclusions: These findings highlight the pharmacological potential of alpinetin and pinocembrin as promising candidates for the development of novel anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, liver and kidney protection, cardiovascular protection, and antibacterial agents. However, research on the pharmacological actions of alpinetin and pinocembrin is still in the preclinical stage. Further research is required to validate their efficacy in clinical settings, especially for translation to clinical studies. This is critical to translating these natural flavonoids into effective therapeutic agents while addressing the regulatory challenges and pathways associated with botanical drugs in human diseases. Full article

The family Asphodelaceae, particularly the genera Asphodelus L. and Asphodeline Rchb., includes Mediterranean wild plants of ecological, agronomic, and phytochemical importance. Yet, their applied scientific studies remain fragmented and lack synthesis. This study provides the first bibliometric analysis of applied agronomic, ecological, and phytochemical research on these genera, integrating a transparent and reproducible framework. Publications indexed in the Scopus database from 1987 to 2026 were systematically screened. A sensitivity analysis of the search string progressively reduced the corpus from 1797 taxonomy-only records to 149 after applying intervention, outcomes, and exclusion criteria, of which 64 studies met the final inclusion criteria (43% inclusion rate). Bibliometric analysis was performed using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. The final dataset spans 57 sources, with 265 contributing authors, an average of 4.95 authors per paper, and an international collaboration rate of 22.15%, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the field. Scientific production shows a gradual increase over time, with peaks after 2019, although citation impact remains uneven (mean 15.23 citations per document) and concentrated in a few highly cited studies. Research is geographically clustered along a Mediterranean–South Asian axis, with Italy emerging as the main hub of citation impact and collaboration. Keyword analysis identifies four main thematic clusters, revealing a progressive shift from early ecological and weed–crop interaction studies toward phytochemistry, plant extracts, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. Despite this growth, substantial gaps persist in agronomy, domestication, and large-scale cultivation, limiting the translation of these species into viable crops. The present analysis is therefore motivated by the need to clarify the current level of scientific knowledge on these species and to assess their potential for future domestication. In this context, identifying research gaps is essential not only for guiding interdisciplinary studies but also for supporting the development of value chains and processing pathways aimed at the sustainable valorisation of these underexplored Mediterranean species. Full article