Major Classes Of Secondary Metabolites Research Articles

Antibacterial activity of Sarcocephalus latifolius and Acacia sieberiana, and the effect of their association with antibiotics against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Background: Infectious diseases continue to wreak havoc around the world causing directly or indirectly 17 million deaths per year. The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the methanol extracts from the root of Sarcocephalus latifolius and from the leaves of Acacia siberiana, and their ability to potentiate the action of antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: The antibacterial assays were performed using the broth microdilution method, and the extracts were screened for phytochemicals using standard qualitative methods. The effect of Sarcocephalus latifolius root extract on the functioning of H+/ATPases proton pumps of ATCC25923 Staphylococcus aureus was determined using a standard qualitative method. Results: The extracts of Sarcocephalus latifolius and Acacia siberiana had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 16 to 1024 µg/mL and 32 to 1024 µg/mL, respectively, with action spectra of 93.75% and 87.5% against the 16 strains of Staphylococcus aureus tested. The S. latifolius root extract contained alkaloids, phenols, and terpenoids as the main classes of secondary metabolites. In contrast, the A. siberiana leaf extract contained phenols and terpenoids as the major classes of secondary metabolites. The S. latifolius extract enhanced the activity of penicillin against 100% of the isolates tested. On the other hand, the A. siberiana extract enhanced the activity of Cefixime against 85.71% of the isolates tested with a 128-fold increase in activity. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study provide significant data that could potentially support the use of Sarcocephalus latifolius and Acacia siberiana in combating bacterial infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus.

Molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation studies to identify potential terpenes against Internalin A protein of Listeria monocytogenes.

Ever since the outbreak of listeriosis and other related illnesses caused by the dreadful pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, the lives of immunocompromised individuals have been at risk. The main goal of this study is to comprehend the potential of terpenes, a major class of secondary metabolites in inhibiting one of the disease-causing protein Internalin A (InlA) of the pathogen via in silico approaches. The best binding affinity value of -9.5kcal/mol was observed for Bipinnatin and Epispongiadiol according to the molecular docking studies. The compounds were further subjected to ADMET and biological activity estimation which confirmed their good pharmacokinetic properties and antibacterial activity. Molecular dynamic simulation for a timescale of 100ns finally revealed Epispongiadiol to be a promising drug-like compound that could possibly pave the way to the treatment of this disease.

Intercropping of Narrow-Leafed Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Affects the Flavonoid Composition of Both Crops.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a common cereal crop in agricultural production and is often included in legume-cereal intercropping. Flavonoids, a major class of secondary metabolites found in barley, are involved in plant defense and protection. However, the effect of intercropping on barley flavonoids remains unknown. Herein, an intercropping system involving barley and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) was studied. Intercropping increased the level of luteolin in lupin roots. Lupin-barley intercropping considerably increased genistein, rutin, and apigenin in barley shoots. Genistein and apigenin were also detected in intercropped barley roots and rhizosphere soil. The three flavonoids have been reported as defense compounds, suggesting that lupin triggers a defense response in barley to strengthen its survival ability.

Comparative phytochemistry using UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS phenolic compounds profile of the water and aqueous ethanol extracts of Tagetes minuta and their cytotoxicity

The complexity of secondary metabolites in different medicinal plants, including Tagetes minuta, defines the general properties and uses of the plant. Tagetes minuta is reportedly a valuable medicinal plant that has long been used as a spice herb, medicine, a natural herbicide for weeds, and pest control in agriculture. In this study, the secondary metabolite profiles of the water and aqueous ethanol extracts of T. minuta were profiled through identification and quantification using colorimetric assays and a Waters Synapt G2 Quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer (MS) connected to a Waters Acquity ultra-performance liquid chromatograph (UPLC). The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated with 2,2-Azino-di-3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate and ferric reducing antioxidant power, as well as their toxicity on HepG2 (cancerous) and Vero (non-cancerous) cell lines. The major classes of secondary metabolites identified and quantified were phenolic acids (benzoic acids and hydroxycinnamic acids), flavonoids (chalcones, flavonols, flavanols, and flavones), fatty acids, coumarins and furanocoumarins. The bioavailability of these secondary metabolites is influenced by the polarity of the solvent of extraction. Extracts from aqueous ethanol showed higher secondary metabolites, corresponding to antioxidant content and activity as well as cytotoxicity in HepG2 and Vero cells, compared to the water extract. This study presents a comprehensive phytochemical knowledge of secondary metabolites, primarily phenolic compounds, identified in T. minuta, which can pave the way for future studies on the pharmacological importance and standardisation of the medicinal uses of the plant.

Identification of Marker Compounds and In Vitro Toxicity Evaluation of Two Portuguese Asphodelus Leaf Extracts

The leaves of Asphodelus bento-rainhae subsp. bento-rainhae, an endemic Portuguese species, and Asphodelus macrocarpus subsp. macrocarpus have been used as food, and traditionally as medicine, for treating ulcers, urinary tract, and inflammatory disorders. The present study aims to establish the phytochemical profile of the main secondary metabolites, together with the antimicrobial, antioxidant and toxicity assessments of both Asphodelus leaf 70% ethanol extracts. Phytochemical screenings were conducted by the TLC and LC-UV/DAD-ESI/MS chromatographic technique, and quantification of the leading chemical classes was performed by spectrophotometric methods. Liquid-liquid partitions of crude extracts were obtained using ethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and water. For in vitro evaluations of antimicrobial activity, the broth microdilution method, and for the antioxidant activity, the FRAP and DPPH methods were used. Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity were assessed by Ames and MTT tests, respectively. Twelve known compounds including neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, isoorientin, p-coumaric acid, isovitexin, ferulic acid, luteolin, aloe-emodin, diosmetin, chrysophanol, and β-sitosterol were identified as the main marker compounds, and terpenoids and condensed tannins were found to be the major class of secondary metabolites of both medicinal plants. The ethyl ether fractions demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity against all the Gram-positive microorganisms, (MIC value of 62 to 1000 µg/mL), with aloe-emodin as one of the main marker compounds highly active against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC value of 0.8 to 1.6 µg/mL). Ethyl acetate fractions exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 of 800 to 1200 µg/mL, respectively). No cytotoxicity (up to 1000 µg/mL) or genotoxicity/mutagenicity (up to 5 mg/plate, with/without metabolic activation) were detected. The obtained results contribute to the knowledge of the value and safety of the studied species as herbal medicines.

IiUGT71B2 catalyzes lignan glycosylation in Isatis indigotica with substrates specificity

Lignans are a major class of secondary metabolites distributed widely in the plant kingdom that are derived from coupling of phenylpropanoid (C6-C3) units. Most lignans are 8–8'-linked, and are often found in their glycosylated forms, which are catalyzed by UDP-dependent glycosyltransferase (UGT). Up to now, all UGTs involved in lignans biosynthesis are determined with substrate promiscuity. Here, IiUGT71B2 is reported from Isatis indigotica that specific catalyzes 4-O and 4′-O glycosylation of furan (lariciresinol) and dibenzylbutyrolactone (matairesinol) type lignans. Transcriptional profile of IiUGT71B2 indicates its involvement in lignan glycosides biosynthesis, which is co-expressed with other lignan biosynthetic genes, and is consistent with metabolic distribution of lignans in organs and tissues as well. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrate IiUGT71B2 catalyzes the mono- and di- glycosylation of lariciresinol and mono-glycosylation of matairesinol. The ligand docking and site-directed mutagenesis suggest Asn261, Ser289, Ala356, and Tyr395 as key residues, which may determine its catalytic efficiency together with the narrow binding pocket of IiUGT71B2. This study provides insights into lignan metabolism and functional diversity of plant UGTs.

The Assembly-Line Enzymology of Nonribosomal Peptide Biosynthesis.

Peptide natural products constitute a major class of secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms (mostly bacteria and fungi). In the past several decades, researchers have gained extensive knowledge about nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) generated by ribosome-independent systems, namely, NRP synthetases (NRPSs). NRPSs are multifunctional enzymes consisting of semiautonomous domains that form a peptide backbone. Using a thiotemplate mechanism that employs assembly-line logic with multiple modules, NRPSs activate, tether, and modify amino acid building blocks, sequentially elongating the peptide chain before releasing the complete peptide. Adenylation, thiolation, condensation, and thioesterase domains play central roles in these reactions. This chapter focuses on the current understanding of these central domains in NRPS assembly-line enzymology.

Untargeted Metabolomics Sheds Light on the Diversity of Major Classes of Secondary Metabolites in the Malpighiaceae Botanical Family.

Natural products produced by plants are one of the most investigated natural sources, which substantially contributed to the development of the natural products field. Even though these compounds are widely explored, the literature still lacks comprehensive investigations aiming to explore the evolution of secondary metabolites produced by plants, especially if classical methodologies are employed. The development of sensitive hyphenated techniques and computational tools for data processing has enabled the study of large datasets, being valuable assets for chemosystematic studies. Here, we describe a strategy for chemotaxonomic investigations using the Malpighiaceae botanical family as a model. Our workflow was based on MS/MS untargeted metabolomics, spectral searches, and recently described in silico classification tools, which were mapped into the latest molecular phylogeny accepted for this family. The metabolomic analysis revealed that different ionization modes and extraction protocols significantly impacted the chemical profiles, influencing the chemotaxonomic results. Spectral searches within public databases revealed several clades or genera-specific molecular families, being potential chemical markers for these taxa, while the in silico classification tools were able to expand the Malpighiaceae chemical space. The classes putatively annotated were used for ancestral character reconstructions, which recovered several classes of metabolites as homoplasies (i.e., non-exclusive) or synapomorphies (i.e., exclusive) for all sampled clades and genera. Our workflow combines several approaches to perform a comprehensive evolutionary chemical study. We expect it to be used on further chemotaxonomic investigations to expand chemical knowledge and reveal biological insights for compounds classes in different biological groups.

Antibacterial and antibiotic-potentiating activities of nine Cameroonian medicinal plants against multidrug-resistant bacteria expressing active efflux pumps

Background: In the last ten years, the resistance of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria continuously increased. The present study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiotic-potentiating activities of nine Cameroonian medicinal plants: Cucumeropsis mannii, Lagenaria siceraria, Citrullus lanatus, Cucurbita moschata, Salix ledermannii, Gouania longispicata, Psychotria mapourioides, Conyza aethiopica and Conyza sumatrensis against resistant phenotypes. Methods: Liquid broth microdilution method was used for the determination of antibacterial activities, while standard methods were used for phytochemical screening to detect the major classes of secondary metabolites in the extracts. Results: The result of phytochemical screening revealed that the secondary metabolite classes were selectively detected in the extracts. The studied extracts showed antibacterial activities with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 64 to 1024 µg/mL on the tested strains. The Gouanea longispicata extract showed the greatest spectrum of action notably against 86.4% of the bacterial strains tested. The synergistic effects of the extracts and antibiotics observed varied from 20 to 60%. Salix ledermannii leaf extract in combination with cloxacilin and ciprofloxacin, showed the highest synergistic effects (60%) towards the tested pathogens. Conclusion: The present study provides information on the possible use of the tested Cameroonian medicinal plants in the control of bacterial infections, especially those caused by resistant phenotypes. It also indicates that extracts of Gouania longispicata and Salix ledermannii leaves can be used as natural modulators of antibiotic resistance to control MDR bacteria. Keywords. Antibacterial; antibiotic modifying activity; Cameroon; medicinal plants; multi-drug resistance.

Recent advances in the synthesis of natural products containing the phloroglucinol motif.

Covering: June 2009 to 2021Natural products containing a phloroglucinol motif include simple and oligomeric phloroglucinols, polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols, phloroglucinol-terpenes, xanthones, flavonoids, and coumarins. These compounds represent a major class of secondary metabolites which exhibit a wide range of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hypoglycaemic properties. A number of these compounds have been authorized for therapeutic use or are currently being studied in clinical trials. Their structural diversity and utility in both traditional and conventional medicine have made them popular synthetic targets over the years. In this review, we compile and summarise the recent synthetic approaches to the natural products bearing a phloroglucinol motif. Focus has been given on ingenious strategies to functionalize the phloroglucinol moiety at multiple positions. The isolation and bioactivities of the compounds are also provided.

Chemical profiling of Justicia vahlii Roth. (Acanthaceae) using UPLC-QTOF-MS and GC-MS analysis and evaluation of acute oral toxicity, antineuropathic and antioxidant activities

Ethnopharmacological relevanceJusticia vahlii Roth. (Acanthaceae), also called as kodasoori and bhekkar is an annual therophyte erect or decumbent herb used traditionally in toothache, skin diseases (itching, topical inflammation) and for the treatment of various respiratory disorders. Aim of the studyThe current study aimed at exploring pain cessation potential of J. vahlii Roth. via murine model of neuropathic pain and its phytochemical, toxicological and antioxidant profiles. Materials and methodsThe hydro-alcoholic extract of J. vahlii (HAEJv) prepared by maceration technique was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, total bioactive content determination, UPLC-QTOF-MS and GC-MS analysis. Toxicity assessment was carried out by using brine shrimp lethality assay and acute oral toxicity test. Murine model of neuropathic pain was applied to assess the antineuropathic potential of the species. Furthermore effect of the extract on catalase, superoxide oxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and total necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was also studied. In vitro antioxidant profile was explored by using four methods; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), CUPric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. ResultsThe phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids and lignans as the major classes of secondary metabolites. The extract was found rich in total phenolics content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) with identification of total 59 bioactives in UPLC-QTOF-MS and 40 compounds in GC-MS analysis. The extract was found nontoxic up to 4000 mg/kg (p.o.) in mice and no mortality observed in brine shrimp lethality assay. The HAEJv significantly reduced number of acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions at 100 mg/kg (p < 0.01) and 200 mg/kg (p < 0.001) and increased paw withdrawal threshold p < 0.05 at 100 mg/kg and p < 0.001 at 200 mg/kg, and an increase in tail withdrawal latency time p < 0.001 at 200 mg/kg was observed. The extract significantly increased levels of catalase, SOD and GSH while decreased IL-1β and TNF-α levels in sciatic nerve tissue of mice. HAEJv showed highest antioxidant activity through CUPRAC method 121.32 ± 1.22 mg trolox equivalent per gram of dry extract (mg TE/g DE) followed by DPPH 81.334 ± 4.35 mg TE/g DE, FRAP 69.89 ± 3.05 mg TE/g DE and ABTS 38.17 ± 2.12 mg TE/g DE. ConclusionThe current study back the traditional use of J. vahlii in pain cessation through antioxidant based antineuropathic pain activity and revealed the extract non-toxic with number of functional phytoconstituents and warrants further research on isolation of the compounds and sub-acute toxicity studies.

Connecting plant species and natural products from the Canadian prairie ecological zone to biomedical knowledge

Natural products from plants in Canadian ecological zones are understudied. There are, however, sound scientific arguments to justify investigation of natural products from plant species found within these zones. Here, we review a broad range of scientific and local literature describing the features of the Canadian prairie ecological zone and the Asteraceae taxonomical family. Species from Asteraceae are well represented in the prairie ecological system, although very few have been investigated for natural products with biomedical properties. Data from a range of sources that address ecological interactions, abiotic features, and Traditional Knowledge provide a foundation for future scientific studies of plant natural products found within Canadian borders. We draw from discoveries of the Asteraceae family and one of its major classes of secondary metabolites, sesquiterpenes, to stimulate research of Asteraceae species in Canada.

Biological potential of bioactive metabolites derived from fungal endophytes associated with medicinal plants

Endophytes are endosymbiotic fungi or bacteria that invade and colonize the plant tissue without harming their respective host. Since fungal endophytes live inside the host tissues, their effective isolation and identification is an important step. Endophytic fungi produce bioactive metabolites with unique chemical structures, which may help in improving the physiological condition of both the plants and endophytes. Endophytic fungi are a potent source of all major classes of secondary metabolites including terpenoids, non-ribosomal peptides, polyketides, and alkaloids. With the increase in the number of diseases and human health problems, an intensive search for new sources and effective metabolites is now in progress. The bioactive metabolites produced by the fungal endophytes are competent and effective against various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases, immunological disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. The present review summarizes the efficient approaches used for the screening of fungal endophytes, extraction, and purification of bioactive metabolites along with OMICS based study of endophytes. Along with this, the pharmaceutical importance of novel bioactive metabolites and their efficient production from fungal endophytes using various approaches like genetic engineering, use of elicitors, and precursor feeding are also discussed.

Design, formulation and evaluation of Chasmanthera dependens Hochst and Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn based gel for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities

BackgroundThe incidence of pain and inflammation in West Africa and in fact globally, continues to increase at an alarming rate. This research was conducted to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of leaf extracts of Chasmanthera dependens and Chenopodium ambrosioides; formulate and evaluate polyherbal gels from their combination in a bid to providing topical therapeutic solutions to pain and inflammation. MethodsPre-formulation studies (phytochemical analysis, in vitro analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities) were conducted on the methanol leaf extracts of Chasmanthera dependens and Chenopodium ambrosioides. Individual and polyherbal gels were prepared using polymer carbopol 940 (1%) at combination ratios of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0 Chasmanthera:Chenopodium. These herbal gels were evaluated for physical parameters, pH, viscosity, extrudability and spreadability. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of herbal gels were evaluated by their inhibitory activities (percentage inhibition) against COX-2, TNF-α, IL-10, PGE-2 and compared with commercial diclofenac gel. ResultsThe phytochemicals of the two extracts detected gave varied contents of major classes of secondary metabolites. The pre formulation inhibitory studies of the two extracts exhibited dose dependent inhibitory activities against COX-2, TNF-α, IL-10, PGE-2. The physical appearance, homogeneity, and consistency of the herbal formulations were good. The herbal gels were spreadable with good extrudability. The pH of the herbal gels ranged from 4.5 ± 0.4 to 5.2 ± 0.4. The viscosity of the herbal gels ranged between 4.3 ± 0.2 and 4.7 ± 0.4 Pas. The herbal gels exhibited significant differences in inhibitory activities against COX-2, TNF-α, IL-10, PGE-2 when compared with control commercial diclofenac gel. ConclusionThe outcomes, including the inhibition of mediators COX-2, TNF-α, IL-10, PGE-2, confirm the use of the plant extracts under study, the individual and polyherbal gels formulated for the potential topical therapeutic treatment of pain and inflammation.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Tannins Extracted from Salix alba L. Against Different Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacterial Strains

The present study was aimed to extract tannins from methanolic extracts of Salix alba and determination of their antimicrobial potential. Antibacterial activity of tannins extracted from S. alba leaves and stem bark methanolic extracts was determined by using agar well diffusion assay against seven Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains including Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus (1), S. aureus (2), Shigella sonnei, Escherichia coli (1), E. coli (2), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and zone of inhibition was measured in terms of millimeter. The highest inhibition zone was recorded at 17.33 ± 1.15 by using bark tannins (100 mg/ml) against S. aureus (2) after an incubation period of 48 h while no activity was reported against S. sonnei by using leaves tannins. It was observed that the tannins from the bark of the S. alba were more effective to kill all bacterial pathogens and the inhibition percentage increased with increasing the concentration of the tannins. Major classes of secondary metabolites were determined qualitatively and quantitatively. Leaves fraction of S. alba methanolic extract was enriched with Tannins, Quinones, Steroids, Resins, and Phenols while stem bark extracts were embellished with Flavonoids, Tannins, Quinones, and Phenols. Findings from this study will help to develop formulation from S. alba tannins and endorse the ethnopharmacological utilization of the evaluated plant.

Phytochemical screening and &lt;i&gt;in vivo&lt;/i&gt; evaluation of antiulcer properties of secondary metabolites in aqueous extracts of &lt;i&gt;Ficus. thonningii&lt;/i&gt; Blume tested on Wistar rats

Peptic ulcer is an important public health problem affecting about 10% of the world’s population. The treatment of this disease is usually long, expensive and less accessibility and affordability of the modern medications by the poor local population. Peptic ulcer represents about 31.65% of cases of consultation in the gastroenterology services in Cameroon. The constraints to have medication have diverted poor patients to rely on traditional medicine for their health problems. The objective of this study was to identify the major classes of secondary metabolites to evaluate in vivo the anti-ulcer activity of the aqueous extracts of Ficus. thonningii on Wistar rats. The experimental model used to induce the gastric ulcers was absolute ethanol 100%. Thirty rats were used for the preventive and curative activity respectively represented in six groups: one group without treatment, three pretreated groups with the extract at (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg), a group receiving a pretreatment with the reference drug omeprazole (20 mg/kg) and another receiving a pretreatment with distilled water (control). Antacid activity was investigated through the determination of the FDA minimal buffer capacity. The phytochemical screening of the extract of the bark showed the presence of the saponins, quinones, coumarins, catechic tannins, phlobotanins, anthocyanin, polyphenols, flavonoïds and betacyanes. Investigation of the in vitro antacid activity of F. thonningii Blume stem bark hydro-ethanolic extract showed that the plant did not possess antacid activity with a 1.18 ± 0.11 minimum buffer capacities after 10 minutes of exposure. In the preventive anti-ulcer study, the percentage protection of the mucous membrane was of 29.80% with 125 mg/kg, 44.27% with 250 mg/kg and 81.18% with 500 mg/kg. This study showed that the hydroethanolic extract of the mixture of the dried bark of Ficus thonningii Blume had a promising gastro-protective activity both preventively and curatively and at 500 mg/kg. The administration of this extract at concentration up to 2000 mg/kg could have a potential effect of vascular protection and hepatic protection.Keywords: Ficus thonningii stem bark hydro-ethanolic extract, gastric ulcer, antacid, gastro-protective, Wistar rat.

Genetic regulation of scytonemin and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) biosynthesis in cyanobacteria

Scytonemin and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are important novel secondary metabolites synthesized by cyanobacteria to protect themselves from lethal ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Scytonemin, the extracellular polysaccharide sheath pigment is found in several cyanobacterial species and is a lipid-soluble dimeric pigment consisting of phenolic and indolic subunits linked through an olefinic carbon atom. Structure of MAAs consists of aminocyclohexenone or an aminocyclohexinimine chrompohore conjugated with the nitrogen substituent of an amino acid or its amino alcohol. MAAs are small, colorless water soluble compounds. These UV screening compounds are highly photostable photoprotectant and also serve as potent antioxidants. Multiple environmental signals influence scytonemin and MAAs synthesis and regulation of induction of these UV screening compounds is a part of complex stress response pathway. Hence, proper understanding of genetic regulation and biosynthesis of these microbial sunscreens would not only provide scientific insight in a major class of secondary metabolites but will also help in commercial production of these new age ecofriendly sunscreens.

QTL Mapping of Seed Glucosinolate Content Responsible for Environment in Brassica napus.

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are a major class of secondary metabolites. The content of seed GSL is largely regulated by environments in rapeseed (Brassica napus). However, the genetic control of seed GSL content responsible for environment in B. napus has been poorly understood. In the current study, a doubled haploid (DH) population from a cross between winter and semi-winter lines of rapeseed was grown in two distinct eco-environments, Germany and China, to evaluate the eco-environment effect and dissect the quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for environment for seed GSL in rapeseed. The deviation value of GSL content between eco-environments (GSLE) was calculated for each line in the DH population and the QTLs for GSLE were detected. GSLE ranged from −46.90 to 36.13 μmol g−1 meal in the DH population, suggesting the prominent eco-environmental effects for seed GSL in rapeseed. Four QTLs for GSLE were identified on chromosomes A04, A06, and A09 explaining 4.70∼9.93% of the phenotypic variation. Comparison of QTLs of seed GSL content between different eco-environments found three QTLs for GSL on A02 from 37.6 to 45.4 cM, A04 from 0 to 17.2 cM, and A09 from 67.0 to 98.6 cM exhibited significant difference of QTL effect between the German and Chinese eco-environments (P < 0.01), indicating the environment sensibility of these loci on seed GSL content. Moreover, flowering time (FT), an important environment adaptation trait in plant, was also investigated in this study. Comparative QTL analysis among GSLE, GSL, and FT revealed that three regions on chromosomes A02, A04, and A09 not only exhibited significant differences in QTL effect between Germany and China, but also co-located with the QTL intervals of GSLE and FT. Our results revealed that most of the GSL loci can influence GSL accumulation under different eco-environments, whereas the three QTL intervals on A02, A04, and A09 might be sensitive to the eco-environments for seed GSL content.

Light enhanced the biosynthesis of terpenoid indole alkaloids to meet the opening of cotyledons in process of photomorphogenesis of Catharanthus roseus

Light-induced photomorphogenesis is vital for plant growth and development. It was reported that secondary metabolites played an effective role during plant growth and tightly regulated by ambient light condition. However, the dynamic changes and possible functions of these compounds during photomorphogenesis were rarely reported. As one major class of secondary metabolites, terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) dominate defense function and medicinal value in Catharanthus roseus. Here, the TIAs accumulations and their biosynthetic pathway gene expressions in light- and dark-grown seedlings were compared. Our results showed that the presence of light successfully induced seedling photomorphogenesis, including opened apical hook, inhibited hypocotyl elongation, opened and expanded cotyledons, and well developed roots. Generally, the contents of photosynthetic pigments and the ratio of chlorophyll a to b in cotyledons were continuously enhanced during this phase. Furthermore, light quickly activated the transcriptional expressions of the TIAs pathway enzymes and TIAs accumulations, namely tabersonine, catharanthine, vindoline, vinblastine and vincristine. Interestingly, these TIAs simultaneously peaked in the 3rd day after the cotyledons emerged out of growth substrate (DACE), exactly meeting the morphology of cotyledons opening. We propose that TIAs might play important roles for the cotyledons acclimatization to environmental illumination. Through scanning the absorption spectrums, TIAs showed strong absorptions in ultraviolet light. So we supposed that enhanced TIAs biosynthesis during photomorphogenesis might act as protective compounds to help the tender seedlings survive excessive light radiation.

TERPENOIDS AS SOURCE OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY COMPOUNDS

ABSTRACTTerpenoids accounts for the major class of secondary metabolites produced by plants. It shows defense activity against environmental stress and helpto heal injuries. Medicinal plants are rich in monoterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, tetraterpenes, and ceramide. A number oftherapeutic applications such as antibacterial, antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory activity have been identified. Terpenoids are compoundssimilar to terpenes derived from 5-carbon monomer isoprene units. The review puts and detail insight on different class of compounds isolated fromnatural source from 2000 to 2016 showing anti-inflammatory potential of pharmacologically interesting agent and their mechanism of action.Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Mechanism of action, Natural source, Plant, Terpenoid, Bioactive compound.