Solanaceae Research Articles

Lycium barbarum Is a New Host of Botryosphaeria dothidea Associated with Soft Rot Disease in China.

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) is a plant of the Solanaceae family that is cultivated in the Chinese provinces of Xinjiang, Ningxia, Gansu, and Qinghai, and its fruit is used as a traditional Chinese medicine (Yossa Nzeuwa et al. 2019). In July 2019, fruit rot was observed at an incidence of 20 to 25% on the Goji berry at a fruit market in Yinchuan, Ningxia, China. The fruit symptoms began as slightly shriveled areas on fruit peel, with noticeable softening of the infested portion of the tissue, followed by rotting and a sour odor. To isolate the pathogen, ten symptomatic tissues were randomly collected from different boxes, surface-sterilized for 30 s with 75% ethanol, followed by 0.1% mercuric chloride, then rinsed in sterile distilled water three times and plated onto PDA. The plates were incubated at 25°C in the dark for 7 days. Five purified fungal isolates from different fruit were obtained and single-spores. Emergent fungal colonies were white with 1 to 3 mm white margins and abundant aerial hyphae, 1 to 6 mm high, that became dark gray after 4 to 5 days. Conidia were hyaline, unicellular, fusiform, and measured 19.3 to 28.2 μm× 3.8 to 6.4 μm (n=50). All the morphological characteristics were consistent with Botryosphaeria spp. (Slippers et al. 2004). Five representative isolates, BJN1-BJN5, were selected for molecular identification. Total genomic DNA of the isolates was extracted with a Plant/Fungi DNA Isolation Kit. Translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1) gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were amplified with primers EF1-728F/986R (Carbone and Kohn 1999) and ITS1/ITS4, respectively. The sequencing results of the five isolates were consistent, and those of the isolate BJN1 we deposited in the NCBI GeneBank database for EF1 (MK733274) and ITS (MK359291). A BLAST search of the GenBank database indicated that the EF1 and ITS sequences had 100% and 99% similarity, respectively, to B. dothidea ex-type strain (AY236898 and KF766151). A phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum parsimony methods in MEGA11 and BJN1 isolate clustered with the reference sequence of B. dothidea. Pathogenicity tests were performed, inoculating healthy fruit with both mycelial plugs (7 days old) and conidial suspension (1 × 106 conidia/ml), repeated three times. Mycelial plugs of five isolates (BJN1-BJN5) growing on PDA with a colony diameter of 4 mm were placed on the sterilized surface of 20 Goji berry fruit. Sterile PDA plugs were placed on 12 healthy fruit as a control. In a second test, conidial suspensions of five isolates were sprayed on the surface of 20 healthy fruit and sterilized distilled water was used as a control. The inoculated fruits were maintained in an artificial climate chamber at 25°C and 80% to 85% relative humidity with a 12-h photoperiod for 7 days. The development of soft rot, similar to that observed on the original samples, was observed on inoculated fruit while control fruits remained asymptomatic. The pathogen was reisolated from infected fruit and confirmed as B. dothidea based on morphological characteristics and molecular sequences. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. dothidea causing postharvest fruit rot of Goji berry, and this pathogen has been reported to cause fruit rot in Kiwifruit (Li et al. 2016) and Yellowhorn (Liu et al. 2018). This study provides information on a new postharvest fruit rot of Goji berry in China that has the potential to cause economic losses.

Physico-chemical features and functional relevance of tomato rhomboid proteases

In plants, regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) is crucial for proper growth, development, and stress management. Rhomboid proteases (RPs) residing in the membrane play a vital role in orchestrating RIP. Although RPs can be found in most sequenced genomes, tomato rhomboids (SlRPs) have not yet been studied. Using alternative and comprehensive strategies, we found ten SlRPs encoded in the tomato genome. These SlRPs possess signature motifs and transmembrane domains, showing structural similarity to other members of the RP family. Also, SlRPs are genetically related to other known RPs of the Solanaceae family. Seven of the SlRPs retain serine-histidine catalytic dyads, making them proteolytically active, while three iRhoms lack the dyad and other structural motifs. Although SlRPs could have functional redundancy, their distribution and expression pattern indicate tissue specificity and responsiveness to specific external stimuli. The presence of development and stress-response-related cis-elements in the promoters of SlRPs supports this view. Furthermore, our strategically designed substrate-reporter assay shows that SlRPs have proteolytic activity similar to that of known RPs. This study provides a detailed understanding of all SlRPs and their physico-chemical features, shedding light on their involvement in physiological processes.

Expression patterns and evidence of the expansion of Nicotiana tabacum L. TALE genes in the Solanaceae family

AbstractThe three-amino-acid-loop-extension (TALE) proteins are a class of transcription factors that regulate meristem differentiation during plant growth and development. In this study, we identified a total of 45 members of the tobacco TALE (NtTALE) transcription factor family. Based on domain type, the NtTALE genes were divided into BELL subfamily and KNOX subfamily. Cis-acting element analysis showed that the NtTALE gene promoters had a variety of response elements, including light-responsive elements, hormonal and abiotic stresses responsive elements, plant development related elements. Among the 45 NtTALE genes, the expression patterns of various plant tissues at different stages were different, 10 responded to alkali stress, 19 responded to dehydration treatment, 14 responded to cold stress, two responded to salt stress, and 17 responded to Ralstonia solanacearum infection. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the number of TALE genes in Nicotiana was significantly expanded compared with that in other Solanaceae. The KNOXIII subfamily members (NtTALE29, NtTALE45) were found only in Nicotiana tabacum. This study provides a theoretical basis for further research on the biological function of NtTALE genes.

Health Benefits of the Alkaloids from Lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill): A Comprehensive Review.

Solanum is the largest genus within the Solanaceae family and has garnered considerable attention in chemical and biological investigations over the past 30 years. In this context, lobeira or "fruta-do-lobo" (Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill), a species predominantly found in the Brazilian Cerrado, stands out. Beyond the interesting nutritional composition of the fruits, various parts of the lobeira plant have been used in folk medicine as hypoglycemic, sedative, diuretic, antiepileptic, and antispasmodic agents. These health-beneficial effects have been correlated with various bioactive compounds found in the plant, particularly alkaloids. In this review, we summarize the alkaloid composition of the lobeira plant and its biological activities that have been reported in the scientific literature in the last decades. The compiled data showed that lobeira plants and fruits contain a wide range of alkaloids, with steroidal glycoalkaloid solamargine and solasonine being the major ones. These alkaloids, but not limited to them, contribute to different biological activities verified in alkaloid-rich extracts/fractions from the lobeira, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antigenotoxic, antidiabetic, antinociceptive, and antiparasitic effects. Despite the encouraging results, additional research, especially toxicological, pre-clinical, and clinical trials, is essential to validate these human health benefits and ensure consumers' safety and well-being.

A study on Effect of Ambient Air Pollution from Roadside Traffic on Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Constituents of Solanum tuberosum L.

Solanum tuberosum L. is a useful vegetable crop and a member of the Solanaceae family that yields starch molecules with a high concentration. The analysis of both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical substances was the main focus of the current investigation. We have chosen places with road traffic and without road traffic (control) for the crop comparison analysis. The qualitative phytochemical substances analysed protein, carbohydrate, iodine, phenol, tannin, flavonoids, saponin, glycosides, steroids, terpene, and alkaloids. The complete phenolic content exhibits a total mean value of 0.03712, surpassing the threshold of 0.03176, while the overall flavonoid content shows a total mean value of 0.04696, exceeding the threshold of 0.03764. Crops growing close to busy road traffic had lower phytochemical substances, in terms of quantity and quality. This record demonstrates the detrimental impact of air pollution caused by vehicles on crop vegetation. Crop vegetation differs between control and road traffic sites, according to data on both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical substances.

Precision Regulation and Forecasting of Greenhouse Tomato Growth Conditions Using an Improved GA-BP Model

Tomatoes are annual herbaceous plants of the family Solanaceae. They have very stringent requirements for their growing environment and climate conditions. To precisely control the greenhouse environment for tomato growth, this project designed and implemented a monitoring system utilizing programmable logic controllers and a data acquisition system for monitoring. Sensors are installed at key locations in the greenhouse, such as near the ground, in the plant canopy, and under the roof, to monitor environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration in real time. A three-layer feedforward GA-BP neural network model was established using soil temperature, soil humidity, air humidity, and illumination as predictive parameters. This technology predicts optimal environmental parameters and performs real-time monitoring and intelligent control, overcoming the traditional BP neural network’s drawbacks of slow convergence, susceptibility to disturbance, and poor generalization ability, with the current model’s average prediction error being less than 5%. It provides a theoretical basis and decision support for precision control and related environmental forecasting in agricultural projects. Based on the growth characteristics, physiological and morphological features of tomatoes, and the comprehensive impact of planting conditions, the technology enhances tomato yield and quality while reducing production costs and labor inputs. It mainly includes the establishment of tomato growth models, measurement and control of environmental parameters, and the design and optimization of intelligent decision control systems. Research outcomes in this field are significant for improving agricultural production efficiency, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural development.

Trading acyls and swapping sugars: metabolic innovations in Solanum trichomes.

Solanaceae (nightshade family) species synthesize a remarkable array of clade- and tissue-specific specialized metabolites. Protective acylsugars, one such class of structurally diverse metabolites, are produced by ACYLSUGAR ACYLTRANSFERASE (ASAT) enzymes from sugars and acyl-coenzyme A esters. Published research has revealed trichome acylsugars composed of glucose and sucrose cores in species across the family. In addition, acylsugars have been analyzed across a small fraction of the >1,200 species in the phenotypically megadiverse Solanum genus, with a handful containing inositol and glycosylated inositol cores. The current study sampled several dozen species across subclades of Solanum to get a more detailed view of acylsugar chemodiversity. In depth characterization of acylsugars from the clade II species brinjal eggplant (Solanum melongena) led to the identification of eight unusual structures with inositol or inositol glycoside cores and hydroxyacyl chains. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of 31 additional species in the Solanum genus revealed striking acylsugar diversity, with some traits restricted to specific clades and species. Acylinositols and inositol-based acyldisaccharides were detected throughout much of the genus. In contrast, acylglucoses and acylsucroses were more restricted in distribution. Analysis of tissue-specific transcriptomes and interspecific acylsugar acetylation differences led to the identification of the brinjal eggplant ASAT 3-LIKE 1 (SmASAT3-L1; SMEL4.1_12g015780) enzyme. This enzyme is distinct from previously characterized acylsugar acetyltransferases, which are in the ASAT4 clade, and appears to be a functionally divergent ASAT3. This study provides a foundation for investigating the evolution and function of diverse Solanum acylsugar structures and harnessing this diversity in breeding and synthetic biology.

NIGHTSHADE NECTAR: A MULTIFACETED DIVE INTO MEDICINAL, POLLEN, AND STEM ANATOMIES OF FIVE SOLANACEAE WONDERS

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate anatomy and reproductive biology of five prominent members of the Solanaceae family: Capsicum frutescens L., Solanum lycopersicum L., Solanum torvum Sw., Datura stramonium L., and Solanum melongena L. Through detailed anatomical examinations, including stem structure analyses, and investigations into pollen germination processes, this research elucidates the unique characteristics and adaptations of each species. Additionally, the study provides essential insights into the materials required for free-hand sectioning and pollen viability testing, facilitating further research in plant anatomy and reproductive physiology. With a focus on both morphological and physiological aspects, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of Solanaceae plant species and their ecological significance.

Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic Activity of Datura Stramonium Leaves Extract in Diabetic Swiss Albino Mice

INTRODUCTIONDiabetes mellitus is defined as the increase in blood glucose levels associated with a relative insulin deficiency, insulin resistance or both. Datura stramonium is commonly known as Jimson weed or Datura belongs to family Solanaceae containing different types of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, phenols and glycosides. MATERIAL AND METHODSExtraction was done by maceration process using ethanol as solvent. Swiss albino mice of 20-35 gram were taken as study animal. Diabetes was induced by using Alloxan 20 mg/kg body weight and Glibenclamide 10 mg/kg body weight was used as standard. Ethanolic extract of low dose (50 mg/kg) and high dose (100 mg/kg) were subjected for Anti-diabetic activity. RESULTSThe extract treated 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and standard 10 mg/kg showed highly significant reduction in blood glucose level (BGL) on 21st and 28th day respectively when compared to negative control group. Extract treated 100 mg/kg showed significant improvement on high density lipoprotein when compared to negative control group. Extract treated 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and standard 10 mg/kg showed highly significant improvement in lipid profile when compared to negative control group. Extract treated 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and standard 10 mg/kg showed significant body weight gain when compared to negative control group. Extract treated 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg showed significant improvement in food intake. Extract treated 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg showed highly significant but standard treated 10 mg/kg showed significant improvement in water intake. CONCLUSIONThe present study concludes that the extract possesses potent and significant anti-diabetic activity of Datura stramonium leaves.

A Review on the Chemical Properties, Plant Sources, Anti-shock Effects, Pharmacokinetics, Toxicity, and Clinical Applications of Anisodamine.

Alkaloids are natural products that occur widely in many herbal plants. Anisodamine, widely present in the Solanaceae family, is an alkaloid extracted from the roots of the Anisodus tanguticus Maxim. It is an antagonist to M-choline receptors and exhibits diverse pharmacological effects, such as cholinolytic effect, calcium antagonist effect, anti-oxygenation effect. Anisodamine, a prominent constituent of the tropine alkaloid family, exhibits a range of pharmacological effects akin to those of atropine and scopolamine. owing to its low toxicity and moderate efficacy in clinical to wide applications, especially for varieties of shock treatment. However, there remains a dearth of research regarding the in vivo pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, and toxicity of anisodamine. Consequently, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the anti-shock effects, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic characteristics of anisodamine to increase the understanding of its medicinal value, and provide reference and inspiration for the clinical application and further in-depth research of anisodamine.

Assessing the Efficacy and Biological Benefits of Withanolide-rich Withania somnifera Root Extract

The medicinal plant Withania somnifera, usually referred to as Ashwagandha, is a member of the Solanaceae family. The presence of Withanolides in the roots is responsible for a number of pharmacological effects in Ashwagandha. Withanolides have been demonstrated to be an effective neuronal, immune, anti-stress, and anti-cancer agent. However, Withanolides demonstrated limited permeability, lowering the bioavailability and efficacy of active compounds. The goal of the study was to ascertain the biological efficacy of Ashwagandha Composition, a blend of W. somnifera milk extract and water extract (1:1) with a high concentration of Withanolides (3-5%), at lower dosages with improved bioabsorption compared to pure Ashwagandha Hydro ethanolic extracts fortified with 2.5% withanolides. The W. somnifera Composition was assessed for its bioabsorption and bioefficacy by exploring its intestinal absorption capacity, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition (82%), antioxidant potential (91%), glutathione reduction potential (15.6%), anti-inflammatory activity (87.2%), and anti-cancer activity. Additionally, Ashwagandha Composition was also evaluated for its safety profile. We found W. somnifera Composition (1:1) is more bioavailable and showed higher biological activity than the Ashwagandha Hydro ethanolic extract fortified with 2.5% withanolides (Ashwagandha extract). Hence, the W. somnifera a Composition can be used as a therapeutic medication once its safety concerns are addressed by in vivo trials.

Ethnobotany of spice plants in Namo Rambe village, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Ethnobotany is a science that studies the relationships between humans, both tribes and social groups, and their interactions with plants. Spices are defined as spices derived from plants or herbs, both fresh and dried, which are aromatic and can be used as seasonings, flavor enhancers, fragrances and food preservatives. This research was conducted in Namo Rambe Village, Pancur Batu District, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. Sampling was carried out using observation and interview methods and then analyzed descriptively by paying attention to the UVS (Use Value Species), FUV (Family use-value) and FL % (Fidelity level) values. Based on the results of interviews with 40 respondents, 25 types of spices consisting of 13 families were obtained. The highest UVS value for Z. officinale is 0.375, meaning Z. officinale has a significant role in people’s lives and is often used in various aspects of daily life. The lowest UVS index is 0.025%. found in 6 plant species, meaning these plant types are not often used in everyday life. The highest FUV index is 0.18 for spices from the Poaceae family, which means that plant types from the Poaceae family are often used by people in everyday life and the lowest is 0.03 for the Solanaceae family, which means that plant types from the Solanaceae family are not often used by people in their daily life. everyday life. The highest FL index (%) in spice plants is 32.5% in Z. officinale plants, meaning that this type of plant is most widely used by people for food, drinks, medicines and the lowest FL index (%) in T. indica plants, A. schoenoprasum, C. frutencens, A. cardamomum, K. galangal, P. ningrum, M. fragrans amounted to 2.5%, which means that people do not use many of these types of plants as medicinal ingredients.

Comparative metabolomics combined with genome sequencing provides insights into novel wolfberry-specific metabolites and their formation mechanisms.

Wolfberry (Lycium, of the family Solanaceae) has special nutritional benefits due to its valuable metabolites. Here, 16 wolfberry-specific metabolites were identified by comparing the metabolome of wolfberry with those of six species, including maize, rice, wheat, soybean, tomato and grape. The copy numbers of the riboflavin and phenyllactate degradation genes riboflavin kinase (RFK) and phenyllactate UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT1) were lower in wolfberry than in other species, while the copy number of the phenyllactate synthesis gene hydroxyphenyl-pyruvate reductase (HPPR) was higher in wolfberry, suggesting that the copy number variation of these genes among species may be the main reason for the specific accumulation of riboflavin and phenyllactate in wolfberry. Moreover, the metabolome-based neighbor-joining tree revealed distinct clustering of monocots and dicots, suggesting that metabolites could reflect the evolutionary relationship among those species. Taken together, we identified 16 specific metabolites in wolfberry and provided new insight into the accumulation mechanism of species-specific metabolites at the genomic level.

First report of the Horse nettle virus infecting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in the United States.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), a member of the Solanaceae family, represents one of the most extensively cultivated vegetable species worldwide and traces its origin to western South America (Caruso et al. 2022). In a field survey conducted in 2023 in Bixby, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, distinct symptoms were noted in two plants: one exhibited mottling and cupping of leaves and brown discoloration on leaves, petioles, and stems, while the other displayed a downward curling of leaves. Leaf samples from both symptomatic tomato plants (labelled as K4 and K5) were collected, and total RNA was extracted individually via the TRI Reagent® method (Molecular Research Center Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA). Subsequently, the RNA samples were pooled and subjected to high-throughput sequencing (HTS) on the NextSeq 500/550 high-output kit v2.5 (Illumina, U.S.A.) at the genomic facility, Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK). Total read count of 8,227,020 (average length =150.5 bp) was obtained, trimmed, and de novo assembled using CLC Genomics Workbench v22.0.1 (QIAGEN) and used for BLASTn and BLASTx analysis. Two contigs: 6,375 bp (average coverage 2,915.92, read count 142,538) and 3,564 bp (average coverage 3,035.91, read count 82,370) from the pooled sample showed 88.6% and 96.7% nucleotide identities with RNA 1 (OP292294) and RNA 2 (OP292295) of Horse nettle virus A (HNA-A) isolate MD-1, respectively. Sequences of both partial contigs (RNA 1, accession no. PP063196) and RNA 2, accession no. PP063197) were submitted to GenBank. The HTS data did not reveal any other viral or viroid sequences in these two tomato samples. To further confirm the presence of HNV-A, total RNA from K4 and K5 samples was tested individually by RT-PCR using HNV specific primers (Supplementary Table 1) based on the two partial contig sequences. The expected PCR products (491 bp and 451 bp) were obtained only from the K4 sample and none from the K5 sample. PCR products were extracted from an agarose gel, cloned into the pGEM®-T Easy vector (Promega), and transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α cells (New England Bio Labs). Two clones for each PCR product were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. Nucleotide sequence comparisons and BLASTn analysis of 491 bp and 451 bp showed 86% and 97% nucleotide identity with RNA 1 and RNA 2 of HNV-A isolate MD-1 (OP292294 and OP292295), respectively. Additionally, eight more leaf samples from eight different symptomatic tomato plants were collected in the same field and tested by RT-PCR as described above. All eight samples were positive by RT-PCR, but no PCR band was obtained in the total RNA from a healthy tomato leaf used as a control. Sequences from the PCR products were identical to the obtained HTS sequences. Our results confirmed for the first time that HNV-A can infect tomatoes. Currently, HNV-A has been reported to only infect a single weed (Horse nettle, Solanum carolinense) (Zhou et al. 2023). The identification of HNV-A in tomatoes in Oklahoma suggests a potential host shift is of concern for local growers as well as tomato growers worldwide. This shift underscores the urgency for an in-depth investigation into the transmission and host specificity of HNV-A. This is the first report in the United States and the world that HNV-A could infect tomatoes naturally in a grower field.

Inhibition of Ralstonia solanacearum by Warburgia ugandensis stem bark and leaf crude extracts obtained using organic solvents

Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne bacterial pathogen that poses significant threat to the Solanaceae family and other crops. It causes widespread bacterial wilt, a devastating disease that affects the plant's water transport system, leading to wilting and death. Numerous chemical agents and treatment methods have been employed in attempts to control R. solanacearum, but are ineffective. The study aimed to determine the in vitro efficacy of W. ugandensis stem bark and leaf crude extracts against R. solanacearum. W. ugandensis stem bark and leaf crude extracts were obtained using organic solvents viz. methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane and hexane. In vitro, antagonistic activities against R. solanacearum of all organic crude extracts of W. ugandensis were determined by standard agar well diffusion assay on Kelman’s 2, 3, 5- triphenyl tetrazolium chloride medium in triplicates. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used in the statistical analysis of the mean diameter inhibition zones. All the organic solvents crude extracts of W. ugandensis were inhibitive against R. solanacearum. However, the stem bark crude extracts exhibited significantly higher efficacy against R. solanacearum compared to the leaf crude extracts. The crude extracts were subjected to a serial dilution to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). W. ugandensis stem bark dichloromethane crude extracts had the lowest MIC of 1 mg/ml. W. ugandensis stem bark dichloromethane crude extracts were most effective against R. solanacearum. Further research is important to determine the bioactive compounds against R. solanacearum in W. ugandensis stem bark dichloromethane crude extracts.

A Review on the Traditional Applications, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of the Genus Physochlaina G. Don.

Physochlaina is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae and consists of 10 species distributed in various Asian countries. The species of the genus have been traditionally used to cure a variety of illnesses due to their highly valuable medicinal properties, including cancer, asthma, cough, weakness, stomachache, diarrhea, swelling, spasms, toothache, boils, ulcers, rheumatic pain, chronic bronchitis, gastric problems, abdominal pain, palpitation, and insomnia. The species have gained significant attention due to their remarkable ethnopharmacological and ethnomedicinal significance. The researchers have isolated so far 71 biologically active secondary metabolites from different Physochlaina species, which include flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, phenolic acids, iridoids, and sterols. These compounds exhibit diverse biological activities, such as antibacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and anticancer properties. The present review has been compiled with the intention of providing a comprehensive overview of the botany, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemical profile, and biological activities of the genus Physochlaina for future exploration of plant-based drugs and therapeutic approaches. The present review contributes to understanding the significant pharmacological potential of Physochlaina species and unraveling their chemical composition, highlighting their relevance in developing therapeutic agents. Till date, numerous pharmacological properties and isolated phytochemicals of Physochlaina species that support the species traditional and ethnobotanical history have been documented in a number of scientific publications. However, greater emphasis should be paid to in vivo investigations on various extracts and their phytoconstituents as well as mechanistic analysis to help drug developers better understand how to use Physochlaina species as significant therapeutic resources for herbal formulations using various techniques.

First report of a rust disease of Lycium chinense caused by Puccinia tumidipes in Korea.

Lycium chinense Mill is a deciduous broad-leaved shrub belonging to the Solanaceae family and, is widely distributed throughout Korea. This plant is native to, or cultivated for various oriental medicinal purposes in, multiple regions of Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan (Lee 1982; Kim et al. 1994). Eleven Puccinia species have been reported to infect Lycium species (Otálora et al. 2018). In May and October 2022, symptoms of rust disease caused by Puccinia sp. were observed on almost all the leaves of about 60 sprawling stems of L. chinense plants on the seashore of Jeju island, Korea (33°14'15.0835″N, 126°30'53.40E). Brownish red (uredinium) or blackish brown (telium) pustules were observed on upper and lower surfaces of infected leaves. These symptoms were observed on about 40 L. chinense plants, barely growing between rocks on the seashore of Ulsan Metropolitan City, and on the about 20 L. chinense plants on a small home garden of Jindo-gun, Korea, in June and October 2023, respectively. Uredinia were amphigenous, individually scattered, but sometimes formed groups of two or three on leaves and sepals, ferruginous, pulverulent, and surrounded by a ruptured epidermis, often developing into blackish telia. Urediniospores were either ellipsoid or ovoid, approximately 29.3-34.9 × 17-24.3 μm, with yellowish walls, 1-2 μm thick. The germ pores were bizonate, and each band contained four pores covered by low papillae. Blackish-brown telia were observed on both leaf surfaces. Teliospores were broadly ellipsoidal, and rounded at the apex and towards the base. They were measured approximately 37.1-53.4 × 25-34.5 μm. The walls were light chestnut-brown and 2-3.7 μm thick, apically up to 5-9 μm thick. The swollen pedicel was persistent, basal, hyaline, smooth, and similar in length to the spores (Fig. 1). These morphological characteristics were similar to those of P. tumidipes, as described by Otálora et al. (2018). The representative specimens were preserved at the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency Herbarium (PQK220531, -230605, and -231026). The fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) and cytochrome oxidase subunit 3(CO3) regions were amplified from the total DNA of the isolates, using the primer pairs ITS5, ITS4, CO3F1, and CO3R1 for phylogenetic analysis (White et al. 1990; Vialle et al. 2009). PCR products were sequenced (Celemics, Seoul, Korea), and deposited in GenBank (Accession numbers are shown in Fig. 2.). The combined ITS2 and CO3 sequences were grouped with those of other isolates of P. tumidipes in the phylogenetic tree (Fig. 2). In November 2022, three pathogenicity tests were conducted using a urediniospore suspension made with the PQK220531 isolate in sterile distilled water. The suspension was smeared onto the upper surface of healthy L. chinense leaves. The three inoculated plants were kept in the dark at saturated moisture levels for 24 hours and placed in an isolated glasshouse together with the three control plants. After two weeks, uredinia of P. tumidipes were observed on the leaves of the inoculated plants, but not on the control plants. Although no spermogonial or aecial stage has been observed in Korea, our study has proven that P. tumidipes is the causal fungus of rust disease in L. chinense. This result is also the first discovery of the New-World P. tumidipes in Asia, showing this fungus is not limitedly distributed in America and suggesting further surveys be done on its exact geographical distribution.

Wetland vegetation composition and ecology of Lake Abaya in southern Ethiopia.

Wetland vegetation and ecology of Lake Abaya in the southern Ethiopia was studied to determine floristic composition, plant community type and vegetation ecology. A total of 102 plots were laid along transects that were set up preferentially across areas where there were rapid changes in vegetation or marked environmental gradients to collect data on estimate of percentage aerial cover of plant species and environmental variables. Vegetation data was analyzed by agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis using similarity ratio as a resemblance index and Ward's linkage method. Multivariate data analysis was performed using appropriate packages in R version 2.14.0. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to explore the relationship between the species composition and environmental variables. The environmental data included in the CCA were determined using stepwise backward and forward selection of variables by ANOVA test. Statistical measurement regarding species diversity, richness and evenness of the plant community types was carried out by using Shannon-Wiener diversity indices. A total of 92 plant species belonging to 66 genera and 34 families were identified. Families Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Cyperaceae, Solanaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Amaranthaceae account for about 56.99% of the total proportion. Based on the cluster analysis, five plant community types were identified. The most important factors influencing the plant species composition and pattern of wetland plant communities were water drainage, water depth, land use, slope, altitude, and hydrogeomorphology. Therefore, these factors should be considered in future management and protection under the circumstance of climate change and human activities.

Physalin H, physalin B, and isophysalin B suppress the quorum-sensing function of Staphylococcus aureus by binding to AgrA.

The virulence of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), depends on the expression of toxins and virulence factors controlled by the quorum-sensing (QS) system, encoded on the virulence accessory gene regulator (agr) locus. The aim of this study was to identify a phytochemical that inhibits Agr-QS function and to elucidate its mechanism. We screened 577 compounds and identified physalin H, physalin B, and isophysalin B--phytochemicals belonging to physalins found in plants of the Solanaceae family--as novel Agr-QS modulators. Biological analyses and in vitro protein-DNA binding assays suggested that these physalins suppress gene expression related to the Agr-QS system by inhibiting binding of the key response regulator AgrA to the agr promoters, reducing the function of hemolytic toxins downstream of these genes in MRSA. Furthermore, although physalin F suppressed gene expression in the Agr-QS system, its anti-hemolytic activity was lower than that of physalins H, B, and isophysalin B. Conversely, five physalins isolated from the same plant with the ability to suppress Agr-QS did not reduce bacterial Agr-QS activity but inhibited AgrA binding to DNA in vitro. A docking simulation revealed that physalin interacts with the DNA-binding site of AgrA in three docking states. The carbonyl oxygens at C-1 and C-18 of physalins, which can suppress Agr-QS, were directed to residues N201 and R198 of AgrA, respectively, whereas these carbonyl oxygens of physalins, without Agr-QS suppression activity, were oriented in different directions. Next, 100-ns molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the hydrogen bond formed between the carbonyl oxygen at C-15 of physalins and L186 of AgrA functions as an anchor, sustaining the interaction between the carbonyl oxygen at C-1 of physalins and N201 of AgrA. Thus, these results suggest that physalin H, physalin B, and isophysalin B inhibit the interaction of AgrA with the agr promoters by binding to the DNA-binding site of AgrA, suppressing the Agr-QS function of S. aureus. Physalins that suppress the Agr-QS function are proposed as potential lead compounds in the anti-virulence strategy for MRSA infections.

Quechers Extraction Followed by HPLC Estimation of Steroidal Glycoalkaloids viz, α-Chaconine and α-Solanine in Different Solanaceae Family Vegetable Varieties

Glycoalkaloids are the alkaloid derived chemical constituents naturally produced in various plants species especially Solanaceae family. These chemical constituents protect the plant against predators as well as pathogens. The consumption of high dose of glycoalkaloids was toxic to humans. This study was purposeful to evaluate steroidal glycoalkaloids viz., α-chaconine and α-solanine quantity in different Solanaceae family vegetable varieties. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) extraction using acetonitrile as extracting solvent was used for extracting steroidal glycoalkaloids in vegetable samples. In the optimized conditions, the standard chromatogram shows clear resolution of α-chaconine and α-solanine. The analytes were identified at 3.15 min for α-chaconine and 4.88 min for α-solanine. The optimized HPLC (High pressure liquid chromatography) method was validated. The method optimized using acetonitrile and 1.0 mM ammonium acetate buffer at pH 4.2 in 65:45 (v/v) as mobile phase at 0.6 mL/min, μBondapak C18 (10 μm, 4.6x250 mm) column as stationary phase and UV detection is selected at 218 nm. Findings suggest that this method was simple and convenient for the estimation of glycoalkaloids in vegetables. The glycoalkaloids was achieved under the acceptable levels of less than 200 mg/kg as prescribed by USFDA and German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment.