Total Saponin Content Research Articles

Phytochemical Screening and GC-MS Analysis of Methanolic and Aqueous Extracts of Ocimum kilimandscharicum Leaves.

Kenyans have long utilized Ocimum kilimandscharicum, an East African permanent evergreen plant, to treat measles, stomachaches, diarrhea, mosquito bites (anti-insect), congested chest, cough, and colds. Using conventional qualitative and quantitative techniques, this study was done to identify the secondary metabolites in O. kilimandscharicum leaf extracts. The chemical content of the crude extracts from the leaves of O. kilimandscharicum has also been investigated and characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). By using a 1:20 dilution in methanol, in cold maceration, a fine powder of O. kilimandscharicum was first extracted then filtered and concentrated after 72 h utilizing a rotary evaporator. By using also a 1:20 dilution in water at 80 °C, a fine powder of O. kilimandscharicum was extracted and then filtrated and lyophilized 1 h later. Each extract underwent further gas chromatography-mass spectrometry testing. We found that both extracts contain secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. However, the overall amount of phytochemicals in each solvent varied significantly. Total phenolics contents (TPCs) were 5.6 ± 1.20 and 10.8 ± 1.00 mg, total flavonoid contents (TFCs) were 8.2 ± 0.4 and 39.6 ± 2.2 mg, total tannin contents (TTCs) were 0 ± 0.00 and 10.5 ± 0.4 mg, the total alkaloid content (TAC) was 49.2 ± 0.40%, and the total saponin content (TSC) was 38 ± 2.00%. Additionally the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, revealed a number of high- and low-molecular-weight bioactive molecules at various concentrations for each extract. We also found an inhibitory effect on adhP and chbR gene expression of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella choleraesuius, respectively. Hence, these chemicals could potentially have a biological and pharmacological significance. Therefore, the discovery of many physiologically active chemicals in the leaf extracts of O. kilimandscharicum justifies future biological and pharmaceutical research.

Toxicological Profile and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Mucoadhesive Gel from Residues of Agave sisalana and Punica granatum.

Inflammation is a natural protective reaction of the body against endogenous and exogenous damage, such as tissue injuries, trauma, and infections. Thus, when the response is adequate, inflammation becomes a defense mechanism to repair damaged tissue, whereas when the response is inadequate and persistent, the increase in inflammatory cells, cytosines, and chymosins impair tissue regeneration and promote a response harmful to the organism. One example is chronic tissue inflammation, in which a simple lesion can progress to ulcers and even necrosis. In this situation, the anti-inflammatory medications available in therapy are not always effective. For this reason, the search for new treatments, developed from medicinal plants, has increased. In this direction, the plants Agave sisalana (sisal) and Punica granatum (pomegranate) are rich in saponins, which are secondary metabolites known for their therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. Although Brazil is the world's leading sisal producer, approximately 95% of the leaves are discarded after fiber extraction. Similarly, pomegranate peel waste is abundant in Brazil. To address the need for safe and effective anti-inflammatory treatments, this study aimed to create a topical mucoadhesive gel containing a combination of sisal (RS) and pomegranate residue (PR) extracts. In vitro experiments examined isolated and combined extracts, as well as the resulting formulation, focusing on (1) a phytochemical analysis (total saponin content); (2) cytotoxicity (MTT assay); and (3) a pharmacological assessment of anti-inflammatory activity (phagocytosis, macrophage spreading, and membrane stability). The results revealed saponin concentrations in grams per 100 g of dry extract as follows: SR-29.91 ± 0.33, PR-15.83 ± 0.93, association (A)-22.99 ± 0.01, base gel (G1)-0.00 ± 0.00, and association gel (G2)-0.52 ± 0.05. In MTT tests for isolated extracts, cytotoxicity values (µg/mL) were 3757.00 for SR and 2064.91 for PR. Conversely, A and G2 exhibited no cytotoxicity, with increased cell viability over time. All three anti-inflammatory tests confirmed the presence of this activity in SR, PR, and A. Notably, G2 demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect comparable to dexamethasone. In conclusion, the gel containing SR and PR (i.e., A) holds promise as a novel herbal anti-inflammatory treatment. Its development could yield economic, social, and environmental benefits by utilizing discarded materials in Brazil.

Anti-inflammatory effects of a naturally lacto-fermented cucumber product on RAW 264.7 macrophages in association with increased functional ingredients

A naturally lacto-fermented cucumber product was developed for use as anti-inflammatory functional foods. To explore the anti-inflammatory characteristics, water (CWE) and ethanol extracts (CEE) from this product were selected to assess their anti-inflammatory potential on RAW 264.7 macrophages in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), using four different inflammatory models. Changes in pro- (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine secretions by treated macrophages were measured using ELISA. The results showed that both CWE and CEE had strong potential to inhibit LPS-stimulated inflammation in macrophages in a repair manner. CWE had a better effect than CEE. The total phenolic, flavonoid and saponin contents in CEE were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with IL-10 (r = 0.384, P = 0.036*) and TNF-α (r = 0.371, P = 0.043*) levels, but slightly correlated with TNF-α/IL-10 secretion ratios (r = −0.184, P = 0.359) by treated RAW 264.7 cells, respectively.

Multi-omics techniques to compare the potential of raw and processed licorice as food supplements for ameliorating chronic fatigue syndrome

Licorice is the dried root or rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., and Glycyrrhiza glabra L., which has attracted considerable interest as a well-known dietary and medicinal plant. Licorice possesses a number of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and antitumor, and is used as a major ingredient in various healthy food products. According to traditional Chinese medicine, raw licorice effectively eliminates heat and detoxifies, and processed licorice is effective in regulating the spleen and qi. Thus, we compared the effectiveness of raw and processed licorice in treating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and found that processed licorice is more effective than raw licorice. The mechanisms underlying the effects of raw and processed licorice in the treatment of CFS were clarified in this study through multi-omics analysis. Results demonstrated that processed licorice increased the expression levels of the pyruvate kinase, acetyl coenzyme A acetyltransferase, and cytochrome P-450 4A2 genes, which in turn promoted glycolytic processes, cholesterol metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism. After processing, licorice's total flavone and saponin content decreased, and the decrease in flavonoid content was more pronounced. This finding is in line with the findings of plant metabolomics, which showed that the content of saponins in the total licorice extract increased, possibly accounting for the majority of the enhanced effects. In conclusion, processed licorice is more suitable as a raw material or ingredient for medicines and functional food for CFS than raw licorice.

Process optimization of microwave-assisted aqueous extraction of tannins and saponins from Malabar Spinach (Basella alba) leaves using ANN-GA and RSM methodology

The effect of microwave-assisted aqueous extraction (MAE) conditions on the recovery and quantification of tannins and saponins from Basella alba leaves has been explored. The experiment was carried out according to the Box-Behnken experimental design of response surface methodology (RSM) with 17 runs. The independent variables of the study were microwave power (100 to 300 W), treatment time (5 to 15 min), and feed/solvent ratio (0.025 to 0.05). The effect of extraction conditions on the response variables, total condensed tannin, total hydrolyzed tannin, and total saponin content, were predicted using RSM and artificial neural network-genetic algorithm (ANN-GA) methodology. The extracted values of total condensed tannin, total hydrolyzed tannin, and total saponin content, using RSM and ANN-GA were compared and evaluated for goodness of fit. The predicted values using RSM and ANN-GA models for total condensed tannin were found to be 0.18 and 0.26 mg TAE g−1, total hydrolyzed tannin were 0.14 and 0.15 mg TAE g−1, and total saponin content were 1.66 and 1.49 mg DE g−1, respectively. When compared to RSM, ANN-GA demonstrated higher value of R2 and lower values of other statistical parameters. Additionally, the predicted value of ANN-GA was more closely aligned with the experimental value.

Nutrient Levels, Bioactive Metabolite Contents, and Antioxidant Capacities of Faba Beans as Affected by Dehulling.

Legume dehulling often removes anti-nutrients while improving nutritional quality. However, the process may reduce the levels of other health-promoting metabolites. This study investigated the effect of dehulling on major nutrients, bioactive metabolites, and antioxidant activities using 22 faba bean cultivars typically grown in different parts of the world. The faba bean cultivars differed significantly in all the parameters assessed. Crude fiber (CFC), dietary fiber (DFC), crude protein, and crude fat contents were in the ranges of 5.24-10.56, 16.17-25.15, 19.83-30.90, and 0.79-1.94% in the whole seeds and 0.96-1.59, 4.14-9.50, 22.47-36.61, and 1.13-2.07% in the dehulled seeds, respectively. Moreover, fatty acids including palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid, bioactive metabolites including total phenol (TPC), total saponin (TSC), and total tannin (TTC) contents, and antioxidant activities including ABTS•+-scavenging activity, ferric antioxidant power (FRAP), and DPPH•-scavenging activity also showed significant variations. Dehulling significantly reduced DFC (55.09-79.30%), CFC (69.61-87.52%), and TTC (1.70-66.99%) in all the faba bean cultivars while increasing total protein content (9.31-17.69%). Dehulling also increased the total fat content (3.02-48.13%) in all the cultivars except Giant Three Seeded, a Japanese cultivar, which showed a 12.62% decrease. In contrast, dehulling exhibited varying results on fatty acids, TPC, TSC, and antioxidant activities among the faba bean cultivars. Accordingly, three cultivars: Primus from Hungary, Levens Marschbohne from Germany, and Ascott from France, exhibited simultaneous increases in nutritional levels after dehulling. Domasna-2 from Macedonia, Abawi# 1 from Peru, Seville from the United Kingdom, and Large Mazandran from Iran, on the other hand, exhibited marked reductions in nutritional levels, functional metabolites, and antioxidant activities. In general, our findings indicated that dehulling reduces crude fiber, dietary fiber, and tannin levels while increasing protein and fat contents in faba beans. However, fatty acids, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity may not be equally affected by dehulling and, therefore, specific genotypes should be inspected.

Effects of topping on rhizome, and analysis of chemical composition, antioxidant activity and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition of the aerial parts in Polygonatum cyrtonema.

Polygonatum cyrtonema is a perennial plant, and it has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for food and medicine. The medicinal part of P.cyrtonema is the rhizome; however, the aerial part has not been studied. To understand the effect of the topping of aerial parts on the yield and chemical components of rhizomes, as well as the chemical constituents, antioxidant, and in vitro hypoglycemic activities of the aerial stem, leave, and flower parts of P.cyrtonema, the present study was conducted. The results showed that compared to the control (CK) treatment, the topping of the aerial part increased rhizome weight gain coefficient (3.43) and the total saponin content (37.60 mg/g) significantly (P<0.01) than the CK treatment. The contents of total phenols and total flavonoids in PCL and PCF were significantly (P<0.01) higher than those in rhizomes; however, the polysaccharide content (10.47%) in PCR (whole rhizome) was higher than that in PCS (3.65%), PCL (5.99%), and PCF (4.76%) content. The protein and amino acid contents in PCS, PCL, and PCF were higher than those in rhizomes. The protein and amino acid contents in PCS, PCL, and PCF were higher than those in rhizomes. PCS, PCL, and PCF showed strong antioxidant activity (DPPH, ·OH, ABTS, and FRAP), which were better than traditional medicinal parts (the rhizome).In vitro hypoglycemic results showed that PCS, PCL, and PCF had certain inhibitory activities on α-amylase and α-glucosidase (66.25% and 52.81%), which were close to the hypoglycemic activity of rhizomes (67.96% and 52.22%). The leaf extracts also showed better inhibitory activity. To sum up, the topping measures can improve yield and total saponin content of the rhizomes from P.cyrtonema, which can be applied to improve production. The stems, leaves, and flowers had a much stronger antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities and higher the total polyphenols, flavonoids, proteins, and amino acid content. Therefore, stems, leaves, and flowers of Polygonatum can be fully developed according to different needs. they are typically used in animal feed, food storage and cosmetics.

Application of Coating Chitosan Derivatives (N,O–Carboxymethyl Chitosan/Chitosan Oligomer Saccharide) in Combination with Polyvinyl Alcohol Solutions to Preserve Fresh Ngoc Linh Ginseng Quality

The postharvest preservation of Ngoc Linh ginseng (NL ginseng) is essential to retain its quality and sensory values for prolonged storage. In this study, the efficacy of NL ginseng preservation by coating chitosan derivatives in combination with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solutions was investigated under refrigeration conditions (~3 °C; ~40% RH) for 56 days. The effect of the chitosan–based solutions, including N,O–carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC), chitosan oligomer saccharide (COS), or chitosan (CS), and the blend solutions (NOCC–PVA or COS–PVA) on the coated NL ginsengs was observed during storage. The pH values, viscosity, and film-forming capability of the coating solutions were determined, while the visual appearance, morphology, and mechanical properties of the films formed on glass substrates as a ginseng model for coating were also observed. The appearance, skin lightness, weight loss, sensory evaluation, total saponin content (TSC), total polyphenol content (TPC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the coated NL ginsengs were evaluated. The findings showed that the observed values of the coated NL ginsengs were better than those of the non-coated samples, with the exception of the COS–coated samples, which had completely negative results. Furthermore, the NOCC–PVA solution exhibited a better preservation effect compared with the COS–PVA one based on the observed indices, except for TPC and TAC, which were not impacted by the coating. Notably, the optimal preservation time was determined to be 35 days. This study presents promising preservation technology using the coating solution of NOCC–PVA, harnessing the synergistic effect of pH 7.4 and the form–firming capacity, to maintain the shelf life, medicinal content, and sensory attributes of NL ginseng.

Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimizing the Extraction Conditions of Total Saponins from Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms Planted in Southern Vietnam

Aims: This study aimed to optimizing the extraction conditions for total saponins from Polyscias fruticosa using response surface methodology coupled with Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD).&#x0D; Methodology: The optimization process for extraction of saponins from the roots of Polyscias fruticosa was involved in three parameters including extraction temperature, time, and solvent-to-sample ratio. The three levels of independent variables were identified by screening test. The response surface methodology conjugated with Box-Behnken design was then applied to investigate the affinities between the extraction variables and experimental response (extraction yield) which was expressed in terms of mg oleanolic acid equivalents (OAE) per gram of plant extract.&#x0D; Results: Based on the analysis of all integrated data, the optimal extraction conditions were predicted to be temperature of 60.91°C, extraction time of 4.57 hours and solvent/sample ratio of 10.3:1 (mL/g). The highest total saponins content value predicted by response surface methodology was 37.18 mg OAE/g of plant extract which was in close agreement with the corresponding experimental value of total saponins content (37.42 ± 0.26 mg OAE per g of plant extract) (n = 3, p &lt; 0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: The strong correlation between the real and the predicted data indicated that the response model was adequate to reflect the expected optimization.

Incorporation of papaya (Carica papaya L.) leaf extract into cornhusk for glutinous rice snack packaging application

The present work was performed to evaluate the potency of papaya leaf extract (PLE) to improve the characteristics of cornhusk as a packaging material for glutinous rice snack (GRS). Total phenolic, tannin, and saponin contents of PLE were 7.41 ± 0.65 mgTAE/mL, 1.80 ± 0.70 mgTAE/mL, and 11.78 ± 0.36 mgDE/mL, respectively. The presence of bioactive compounds on the surface of GRS was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Characteristic bands for saponin were caused by the stretching vibration of C=O (at 1744 cm-1) as well as C‒O and C‒C vibrations (at 1051 cm-1). Tannin was identified as C‒O asymmetric stretch vibration at 1051 cm-1 and C‒H out of plane vibration at 926 and 866-867 cm-1. The antioxidant activity of PLE was found to be 49.53 ± 2.67%. The reductions of total plate counts (TPC), yeast and mould counts (YMC), and Aspergillus flavus-A. parasiticus counts on PLE-incorporated cornhusks after 24 h were in the range of 0.2 - 1.2 log CFU/cm2, and retained the loads below 2 log CFU/cm2 during 14-d storage. PLE decreased the water vapour transmission rate of the cornhusk due to the particles of the extract adhering to the cornhusk surface, as supported by the result of the scanning electron microscopy of PLE-incorporated cornhusk. The incorporation of PLE also increased elongation without reducing the tensile strength of the cornhusk significantly. There were reductions of TPC, YMC, and Aspergillus flavus-A. parasiticus counts of GRS ranging from 0.4 - 2.3 log CFU/g using PLE-incorporated cornhusks during storage. GRS rancidity was minimised by PLE-incorporated cornhusks. Owing to its bioactive compound, PLE could be incorporated into the cornhusk to improve packaging characteristics and controls microbial contamination of GRS while retarding the rancidity.

Variability in Phytochemical Contents and Biological Activities among Adenophora triphylla Genotypes

Genetic diversity can remarkably impact the quality of derived products. This study focused on Adenophora triphylla, an herbaceous perennial used in East Asian traditional medicine. It is known for its diverse therapeutic effects that are attributed to phytochemicals. However, despite its therapeutic potential, a comprehensive exploration of the influence of genetic diversity on the pharmaceutical properties of various A. triphylla genotypes remains unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we employed DNA barcoding regions (ITS2, matK, and psbA-trnH) to elucidate the genetic diversity among the collected genotypes. The combined application of these barcoding regions is a robust method to identify A. triphylla genotypes. In addition, leaf extracts consistently exhibited higher antioxidant potential than root extracts. Nitric oxide production was strongly inhibited by the leaf extracts of the BG genotype (IC50 = 124.52 ± 12.97 µg/mL), and the leaf extracts (200 µg/mL) of the BT genotype contained significant antimelanogenic properties (IC50 = 181.56 ± 16.17 µg/mL). Various genotypes displayed diverse levels of phytochemical content, and the total saponin content exhibited a strong correlation with various biological activities of A. triphylla, suggesting a genetic influence on their pharmaceutical attributes. These findings highlight the significance of genotype selection for optimizing health benefits and promoting the potential utilization of specific genotypes in various industries, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Total Content of Saponins, Phenols and Flavonoids and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of In Vitro Culture of Allochrusa gypsophiloides (Regel) Schischk Compared to Wild Plants.

Allochrusa gypsophiloides is a rare Central Asian species, a super-producer of triterpene saponins with pharmacological and technical value. In this work, a comparative evaluation of the in vitro culture of adventitious roots (ARs), in vitro adventitious microshoots (ASs), natural roots and aboveground parts of wild plants from Kazakhstan to define the total saponin (TS), phenol (TP) and flavonoid (TF) content, as well as antioxidant (AOA) and antimicrobial activity, is presented for the first time. In the AR culture, growth index (GI), TS, TP and TF were evaluated on days 25, 45 and 60 of cultivation on ½ MS medium without (control) and with auxin application. It was found out that TS and TF were higher in the in vitro AR culture. The amount of TP and TF are higher in the aerial part of vegetative plants with maximum AOA. The concentration of the extract required to inhibit 50% of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical formation (ICO50) in extracts from natural material negatively correlated with TS, TP, TF and in the in vitro AR culture with TF. Control extracts from the in vitro AR culture with high TS levels showed growth-inhibitory activity against S. thermophillus, S. cerevisiae and C. albicans. The influence shares of medium composition factor, cultivation duration factor and their interaction with GI, TS, TP and TF were determined. The in vitro AR culture is promising for obtaining triterpene saponins TSR with high antibacterial and antifungal activity, and the in vitro ASs culture-for shoot multiplication with antioxidant properties.

Amylase-assisted extraction alters nutritional and physicochemical properties of polysaccharides and saponins isolated from Ganoderma spp.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of amylase in hydrolyzing complex carbohydrates of different parts of Ganoderma spp. The aqueous extracts of the Ganoderma samples were analyzed for their selected nutritional composition and physicochemical properties. The purified extracts were also structurally characterized. The aqueous canopy extracts of red–purple Ganoderma had a notably higher total sugar and saponin content than their stalks, but not for the black-type Ganoderma. The enzymatic extraction effectively improved the extraction yields, whereas the amounts of sugars and saponins in some extracts were increased after the enzymatic treatment. The results also showed that only those enzyme-treated cultivated black Ganoderma canopy had increased total sugar and total saponin content. The antioxidant activities of all stalk extracts were higher than the canopy extracts. Their emulsifying properties were comparable with lecithin due to their high saponin content. Therefore, these extracts are new natural emulsifiers.

Isolating, Identifying, and Analyzing the Biological Characteristics of Pathogens Causing Postharvest Disease in Fresh Radix Astragali

Radix Astragali (RA) is the root of Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus (Bunge) P.K. Hsiao. In order to determine targeted and effective methods for treating mold infections in fresh RA, pathogenic fungi were isolated and identified using morphology and molecular biology techniques, and factors affecting the growth of the pathogenic fungi, such as temperature, pH, light, and carbon and nitrogen sources, were analyzed. Changes in the main active ingredients of RA, such as carbohydrates, flavonoids, and saponins, were detected before and after infection with pathogenic fungi. The results showed that Penicillium polonicum, Trichothecium roseum, and Fusarium equiseti were the main pathogens causing postharvest disease in fresh RA. The optimum growth temperature for the three pathogens was 25 °C; P. polonicum was able to grow at an alkaline pH of 8–9, while T. roseum and F. equiseti grew better and had higher levels of sporulation under acidic conditions with pH values of 5–6. Different carbon and nitrogen sources had different effects on mycelium growth and sporulation. Darkness was favorable for the growth and sporulation of the three pathogens. Compared with healthy RA, the total carbohydrate, flavonoid, and saponin contents of the RA samples infected with the three fungi decreased. This study provides a theoretical basis for the scientific and precise control of RA postharvest disease during storage by targeting different pathogens and their growth conditions.

Nutritional and phytochemical screening of Moringa oleifera leaf powder in aqueous and ethanol extract

ABSTRACT Moringa oleifera has gained tremendous popularity in recent time due to its unlimited nutraceutical and functional properties. Present study was intended to investigate bioactive compounds present in Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MoLP). Moringa leaves were plucked, dried, ground, and were preliminarily analyzed for their proximate composition and mineral profile. Standard tests were conducted to evaluate flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, proteins, amino acids, fats, and oils. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total saponins content (TSC), total tannins content (TTC), FRAP assay, and DPPH radical scavenging property was also analyzed. Phytochemical investigation of Moringa oleifera leaf powder and its extract depicted the existence of rich bioactive compounds including amino acids, phenols, flavonoids, and saponins. The study illustrated that the phytochemicals in Moringa oleifera exhibit higher antioxidant activity against free radicals, revealing its strong nutritional worth.

The Optimization of Medium Conditions and Auxins in the Induction of Adventitious Roots of Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana L.) and Their Phytochemical Constituents.

Pokeweed, Phytolacca americana L., is considered a widely spreading invasive plant, while saponin contents accumulated in the roots have pharmaceutical uses, such as rheumatism treatments and anti-inflammation. Adventitious root cultures are an important source of diverse secondary metabolites, which have significant applications in various fields. This study focused on the optimization of parameters for root induction using different medium states and treatments with auxins on a pokeweed leaf. Semisolid and liquid MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) media were supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA) at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/L. Root growth parameters, e.g., induction percentage, root numbers, length, and weight, were measured to determine the adventitious root induction efficiency. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total saponin content, and antioxidant activity were recorded. Results showed that adventitious roots induced in semisolid MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L NAA exhibited a high density of lateral roots. Appropriate medium state and auxin for adventitious root induction in pokeweed were determined as semisolid medium supplemented with 2 mg/L NAA. Considering phytochemicals, adventitious roots induced in liquid medium containing 0.5-1 mg/L NAA had the highest yield extract percentage. Additionally, adventitious roots cultivated in a liquid medium enriched with 1 mg/L NAA exhibited the highest phenolic and saponin contents. A principal component analysis (PCA) biplot and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) heatmap demonstrated different response patterns between semisolid and liquid media applied with NAA. The results of the semisolid media were grouped together due to high expression levels of the root induction parameters, while elevated phytochemical values were observed in the liquid media treatments. The results suggested two different media that provide the highest adventitious root induction efficiency and the greatest phytochemical contents: semisolid medium with 2 mg/L NAA and liquid medium with 1 mg/L NAA, respectively. These culture media can be applied to optimize adventitious root culture of pokeweed and in vitro phytochemical production.

Selenium improves the medicinal safety and quality of Bletilla striata by promoting the fixation of cadmium in root: Pot and field experiments

Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution poses a considerable threat to the safe production of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China. The tubers of Bletilla striata, a precious TCM, are widely used to treat various ailments. However, the medicinal safety and quality of tubers are significantly affected by high Cd accumulation. While selenium (Se) is known to reduce Cd concentration in traditional crops, its impact on Cd content in medicinal parts and overall quality remains underexplored. To bridge the gap, a pot experiment and field validation were conducted to determine the effectiveness of foliar Se application. The results revealed that Se effectively counteracted Cd damage. Compared to Cd treatment alone, Se at 1.5 mg L−1 significantly decreased Cd content by 46.33 %, increased the biomass by 21.48 %, and raised the total phenolic, flavonoid, saponin, and polysaccharide contents by 46.31 %, 30.46 %, 27.08 %, and 29.01 %, respectively, in tubers. Furthermore, this study explored the mechanism of Se action. Se facilitated Cd accumulation in root cell walls and soluble fractions, enhanced the synthesis of phytochelatins (PC), and stored them in the form of PC-Cd complexes. These findings have profound implications for the cultivation of TCM, ensuring its safety, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Evaluating biological ethnopharmaceutical activities of fruit and root extracts of Solanum incanum L.

Solanum incanum L. is a plant that belongs to the Solanaceae family, growing in tropical climates all over the world. Despite the extensive use of the root and fruit sap extract of S. incanum in the agricultural and ethnopharmaceutical industries in Africa, there is minimal scientific documentation regarding its pesticide bioactive phytochemicals and efficacy. The study investigated the photochemical content (phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and alkaloids) of the methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane crude extracts of the root and fruit of S. incanum. The potential radical scavenging, (antioxidant), cytotoxicity, and efficacy activities of all crude extracts were examined using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), propidium iodide (PI) and aphid leaf dip (ALD) assays respectively. The total phenolic, alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid and saponin content were highest in the methanol fruit (MFE), (3.49 ± 1.16 mg GAE/100 mg), steroidal fruit (SAE), (0.14±0.06 mg ATP/100 mg, hexane fruit (HFE), 3.62±1.23 mg QCT/100 mg, hexane root (Hroot), (1.19±0.47 mg LIN/100 mg and saponin (3.74±1.17 mg/100 mg). The aqueous extract of the ethyl acetate fruit had the highest antioxidant activity with an IC50 of 35.53±0.53 μg·mL-1 (p &lt; 0.05) The methanol fruit and steroidal alkaloid extracts exhibited potent cytotoxicity against Vero cells demonstrating the highest cell mortality rate of 98% and 70% respectively at 100 μg·mL-1. Melphalan which was used as a positive control had a mortality rate of 75% cell at 100 μg/mL concentration. The methanol fruit extract exhibited the highest efficacy against the cabbage aphids with an LD50 of 13.16±3.78 μg·mL-1 (p &lt; 0.05). The results indicated that the fruit and root of S. incanum have a variety of phytochemicals that may be considered for use as antioxidants and/or pesticides. By exhibiting the most potent cytotoxic activity against Vero cells, S. incanum roots have the greatest potential for the discovery of cytotoxic compounds necessary to develop anticancer drugs. The extracts with high potent efficacy against cabbage aphids need to be investigated further as pesticides to benefit the disadvantaged communities in the Southern African region. Key words: Antioxidant, cytotoxicity, lethal dose, mortality rate, phytochemicals, quantitative analysis

Study on fresh processing key technology and quality influence of Cut Ophiopogonis Radix based on multi-index evaluation.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the fresh processing technology of Cut Ophiopogonis Radix using a multi-index evaluation. This study comprehensively evaluated the fresh processing technology of sliced Cut Ophiopogonis Radix by investigating the cutting methods, cutting thickness, and drying conditions, and referring to The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition. The appearance traits, internal quality (extract, total saponins, total flavonoids, total polysaccharides), and drying efficiency were used as evaluation indexes. The physical attributes of Cut Ophiopogonis Radix were found to vary based on the processing techniques employed. The shape, surface characteristics, texture, and color were observed to differ across the different methods. Notably, the apparent quality of Cut Ophiopogonis Radix was superior in samples processed using A1B1C1, A1B2C2, and A3B1C3 techniques. Drying time and energy consumption of Cut Ophiopogonis Radix produced by the A1B2C2 and A2B1C2 processes were less than those of other treatments, making them the optimal process for fresh processing Cut Ophiopogonis Radix. The impact of the cutting method and thickness on the extract was found to be statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). However, the drying method was observed to have a significant impact on the extract (P < 0.05). The cutting method, Cut thickness, and drying method did not affect the total saponin content (P > 0.05), but they had significant effects on the total polysaccharide and flavonoid contents (P < 0.01). Total polysaccharides were most affected by the cutting method, while total flavonoids were most affected by the drying condition. Based on the characteristics and internal quality, the fresh processing technology for Cut Ophiopogonis Radix was determined: fresh Ophiopogonis Radix was sliced to a thickness of 2-4 mm and dried at 55°C or a low temperature. The feasibility of Cut Ophiopogonis Radix is improved through its fresh processing. According to the evaluation indices, it is recommended to utilize the novel processing technique involving "fresh Ophiopogonis Radix" with fresh cuts, a cut thickness ranging from 2 to 4 mm, and drying at a temperature of 55℃ or through low-temperature drying. The Cut Ophiopogonis Radix exhibited favorable appearance and internal characteristics, thereby furnishing a scientific basis and innovative insights for the production of ophiopogon decoction slices.

Modules in robust but low-efficiency phyllosphere fungal networks drive saponin accumulation in leaves of different Panax species

BackgroundThe phyllosphere mycobiome plays a crucial role in plant fitness and ecosystem functions. The complex microbial ecological networks (MEN) formed by these fungi remain poorly understood, particularly with regard to their organization strategy and their contributions to plant secondary metabolites such as saponin.ResultsIn this study, we constructed six MENs from leaf epiphytic and endophytic mycobiomes of three Panax species distributed in the northeast and southwest ends of mainland China. Hub nodes were absent in these MENs, which were significantly more complex, robust, and less efficient compared to random graphs (P < 0.05), indicating a hub-independent high-robustness strategy to maintain structural homeostasis. The important roles of specific MEN modules in shaping leaf saponin profiles of each Panax species were proved by multiple machine learning algorithms. Positive regulation modules (PRMs) of total saponin content were further identified, which exhibited more deterministic ecological assembly and comprised of highly connected nodes as well as higher proportion of plant-associated fungal guilds compared to other network members, indicating their tight links with host plant. The significant and direct effects (P < 0.05) of PRMs on total saponin accumulation were validated by well-fitted structural equation models (χ2 < 0.3, P > 0.5). Taxonomic analysis revealed that Pleosporales and Chaetothyriales were significantly overrepresented by positive regulation taxa (PRT) of total saponin content (FDR < 0.05). Across PRT identified in three Panax species, Epicoccum and Coniothyrium were conservatively present, while species-specific taxa such as Agaricales were also found, indicating the conservatism and specificity of plant-fungi interactions associated with leaf saponin accumulation in Panax genus.ConclusionsThese findings provide a foundation for understanding mechanisms maintaining the steady state of phyllosphere mycobiome in healthy plant, and offer clues for engineering phyllosphere mycobiome to improve the accumulation of bioactive secondary metabolites on the basis of network modules.