Officinalis Plants Research Articles

Characterization, biological activity, and anticancer effect of green-synthesized gold nanoparticles using Nasturtium officinale L.

BackgroundNanostructured materials used have unique properties and many uses in nanotechnology. The most striking of these is using herbal compounds for the green synthesis of nanoparticles. Among the nanoparticle types used for green synthesis, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used for cancer therapy due to their stable structure and non-cytotoxic. Lung cancer is the most common and most dangerous cancer worldwide in terms of survival and prognosis. In this study, Nasturtium officinale (L.) extract (NO), which contains biomolecules with antioxidant and anticancer effects, was used to biosynthesize AuNPs, and after their characterization, the effect of the green-synthesized AuNPs against lung cancer was evaluated in vitro.MethodsUltraviolet‒visible (UV‒Vis) spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), multiple analysis platform (MAP), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy analyses were performed to characterize the AuNPs prepared from the N. officinale plant extract. Moreover, the antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents and DNA interactions were examined. Additionally, A549 lung cancer cells were treated with 2–48 µg/mL Nasturtium officinale gold nanoparticles (NOAuNPs) for 24 and 48 h to determine the effects on cell viability. The toxicity of the synthesized NOAuNPs to lung cancer cells was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-il)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and the anticancer effect of the NOAuNPs was evaluated by apoptosis and cell cycle analyses using flow cytometry.ResultsThe average size of the NPs was 56.4 nm. The intensities of the Au peaks from EDS analysis indicated that the AuNPs were synthesized successfully. Moreover, the in vitro antioxidant activities of the NO and NOAuNPs were evaluated; these materials gave values of 31.78 ± 1.71% and 31.62 ± 0.46%, respectively, in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay at 200 g/mL and values of 25.89 ± 1.90% and 33.81 ± 0.62%, respectively, in the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. The NO and NOAuNPs gave values of 0.389 ± 0.027 and 0.308 ± 0.005, respectively, in the ferrous ion reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAP) assay and values of 0.078 ± 0.009 and 0.172 ± 0.027, respectively, in the copper ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assay. When the DNA cleavage activities of NO and the NOAuNPs were evaluated via hydrolysis, both samples cleaved DNA starting at a concentration of 25 g/mL in the cell culture analysis, while the nanoformulation of the NO components gave greater therapeutic and anticancer effects. We determined that the Au nanoparticles were not toxic to A549 cells. Moreover, after treatment with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), determined by the MTT assay with A549 cells, we found that at 24 and 48 h, while the necrosis rates were high in cells treated with NO, the rates of apoptosis were greater in cells treated with NOAuNPs. Notably, for anticancer treatment, activating apoptotic pathways that do not cause inflammation is preferred. We believe that these results will pave the way for the use of NOAuNPs in in vitro studies of other types of cancer.ConclusionIn this study, AuNPs were successfully synthesized from N. officinale extract. The biosynthesized AuNPs exhibited toxicity to and apoptotic effects on A549 lung cancer cells. Based on these findings, we suggest that green-synthesized AuNPs are promising new therapeutic agents for lung cancer treatment. However, since this was an in vitro study, further research should be performed in in vivo lung cancer models to support our findings and to explain the mechanism of action at the molecular level.

Comparison of the content of active compounds in cell suspensions and aqueous extracts of Rosmarinus officinalis L. with those in the Endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata

The current study was carried out to detect the active compounds in both the aqueous extract of a Rosmarinus officinalis L. plant and the extract of cell suspensions and compare with the extract of the endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata isolated from the leaves of a R. officinalis plant. Callus was induced from the leaves of rosemary plants, and the highest induction of callus formed reached 100% when treated with a concentration of 1-Naphthaleneacetic Acid (NAA)2.0 mg. L-1, compared to the control treatment, which had an induction rate of 0%. the highest fresh weight of callus was 1.628 gm in the presence of NAA. The callus induced in the presence of NAA was charactrized by its fragile texture. cell suspensions were also obtained from it. fungus extract was superior in its content of active compounds to the aqueous extract and cell suspension cultures at 21 days. The total alkaloid content which were 6.65%, phenolic content were 117.25 mg.gm, flavonoid content were 104.35 mg.gm, total terpenoid content was 6.65%, total steroid content was 6.05% and the concentration of rosmaric acid was 154.7%. The results of the current study confirm the single receptor of endophytic fungi isolated from medicinal plants as one of the important sources of effective compounds.

The Size-Number Trade-Off and Resource Allocation in Saponaria officinalis Under Continuous Pollination

The size-number trade-off in plant reproduction indicates a necessary balance between producing a few large offspring versus many small ones, each with distinct survival and reproductive implications. This trade-off may be particularly important in species that reproduce continuously throughout the growing season, like Saponaria officinalis. Plants must dynamically adjust their resource allocation strategies to optimize reproductive success across multiple reproductive cycles. Although reproductive strategies in plants have been widely studied, little is known about how continuously reproducing species adjust their resource allocation in response to pollinator availability. This study seeks to clarify how Saponaria officinalis allocates resources under continuous pollination and whether this leads to a trade-off between seed number and seed size throughout the growing season. To explore this, my study used 60 plants that were located within a field of 1600 S. officinalis plants at Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS). Plants were divided into control (30) and treatment (30) groups, with treatment plants receiving continuous pollination to simulate constant pollinator availability; and control plants receiving natural open-pollination. During my project, seed pods were categorized as empty or filled, and seeds were counted and weighed to assess reproductive output. I expected to find an increase in reproductive success in the treatment group, with steady production of larger seeds due to increased resource availability from continuous pollination. However, contrary to these expectations, there was no significant difference in seed weight between the treatment and control groups. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms driving reproductive strategies in continuously reproducing species. The insights gained can inform broader ecological theories and have practical applications in conservation and agricultural management, where optimizing reproductive success under varying conditions is essential.

Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of Asparagus officinalis in response to varying levels of salt stress

BackgroundSalt stress is a major abiotic factor that affects the distribution and growth of plants. Asparagus officinalis is primarily resistant to salt stress and is suitable for cultivation in saline-alkali soil.ResultsThe study integrated the morphology, physiological indexes, and transcriptome of A. officinalis exposed to different levels of NaCl, with the aim of understanding its biological processes under salt stress. The findings indicated that exposure to salt stress led to decreases in the height and weight of A. officinalis plants. Additionally, the levels of POD and SOD, as well as the amounts of MDA, proline, and soluble sugars, showed an increase, whereas the chlorophyll content decreased. Analysis of the transcriptome revealed that 6,203 genes that showed differential expression at different salt-stress levels. Various TFs, including FAR1, MYB, NAC, and bHLH, exhibited differential expression under salt stress. KEGG analysis showed that the DEGs were primarily associated with the plant hormone signal transduction and lignin biosynthesis pathways.ConclusionThese discoveries provide a solid foundation for an in-depth exploration of the pivotal genes, including Aux/IAA, TCH4, COMT, and POD, among others, as well as the pathways involved in asparagus’s salt stress responses. Consequently, they have significant implications for the future analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying asparagus’s response to salt stress.

RBOH-dependent signaling is involved in He-Ne laser-induced salt tolerance and production of rosmarinic acid and carnosol in Salvia officinalis

BackgroundIn the past two decades, the impacts of Helium-Neon (He–Ne) laser on stress resistance and secondary metabolism in plants have been studied, but the signaling pathway which by laser regulates this process remains unclear. Therefore, the current study sought to explore the role of RBOH-dependent signaling in He–Ne laser-induced salt tolerance and elicitation of secondary metabolism in Salvia officinalis. Seeds were primed with He–Ne laser (6 J cm− 2) and peroxide hydrogen (H2O2, 5 mM) and 15-old-day plants were exposed to two salinity levels (0, 75 mM NaCl).ResultsSalt stress reduced growth parameters, chlorophyll content and relative water content (RWC) and increased malodialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 contents in leaves of 45-old-day plants. After 48 h of salt exposure, higher transcription levels of RBOH (encoding NADPH oxidase), PAL (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), and RAS (rosmarinic acid synthase) were recorded in leaves of plants grown from seeds primed with He–Ne laser and/or H2O2. Despite laser up-regulated RBOH gene in the early hours of exposing to salinity, H2O2 and MDA contents were lower in leaves of these plants after 30 days. Seed pretreatment with He–Ne laser and/or H2O2 augmented the accumulation of anthocyanins, total phenol, carnasol, and rosmarinic acid and increased total antioxidant capacity under non-saline and more extensively at saline conditions. Indeed, these treatments improved RWC, and K+/Na+ ratio, enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase and proline accumulation, and significantly decreased membrane injury and H2O2 content in leaves of 45-old-day plants under salt stress. However, applying diphenylene iodonium (DPI as an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase) and N, N-dimethyl thiourea (DMTU as a H2O2 scavenger) after laser priming reversed the aforementioned effects which in turn resulted in the loss of laser-induced salt tolerance and secondary metabolism.ConclusionsThese findings for the first time deciphered that laser can induce a transient RBOH-dependent H2O2 burst, which might act as a downstream signal to promote secondary metabolism and salt stress alleviation in S. officinalis plants.

Enhancing antibacterial activity through green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with salvia officinalis extracts

This study aimed to test the effectiveness of water-based extracts and green-synthesized silver nanoparticle extracts from the Salvia officinalis plant in killing bacteria. We used the agar well diffusion method to see how well these extracts could fight against both Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). To understand the properties of the nanoparticles, we analyzed them using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that both types of extracts were effective against the bacteria, with performance similar to the antibiotic chloramphenicol used as a benchmark. An interesting finding was that combining the plant extracts with the antibiotic or the silver nanoparticle extract with the antibiotic significantly enhanced the ability to stop bacterial growth in all tested strains. The Gram-positive bacteria were more affected than the Gram-negative ones, suggesting a potential way to overcome bacterial resistance.

Identification and Characterization of Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex from Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Semarang Regency, Indonesia

The Ralstonia solanacearum species complex is a highly destructive plant pathogen with a remarkably broad range of hosts, and ongoing discoveries continue to expand its host list. In May 2023, a new type of bacterial wilt affecting ginger (Z. officinale) crops in Semarang Regency, Central Java was reported. Early symptoms included sudden withering of leaves in adult plants followed by complete wilting and darkening of the vasculature, ultimately leading to plant death. This research specifically investigates the spread of Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex within ginger cultivation in Semarang Regency. Twenty bacterial isolates were collected from soil and diseased Z. officinale plants at twenty different locations. Physiological and biochemical analyses confirmed that the causative agent for Z. officinale bacterial wilt was Ralstonia solanacearum belonging to biovar 3 and 4. The study also revealed that the distribution of this pathogen remains focused in the Banyubiru and Sumowono sub-districts. These findings will enhance our understanding of how Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex spreads among ginger crops and its impact on them.

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant properties of alcoholic extract and antibacterial activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L., Leaves

Antibiotic resistance is increasing due to the increased use of antibiotics. The emergence of new antibacterial drugs with fewer side effects than antibiotics is an issue. The medicinal plant rosemary is widely used in traditional medicine. In this study, an ethanol extract from the leaves of this plant was tested against the most common hospital-acquired infections. The following study aimed to ascertain the phytochemicals, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities of commercial rosemary flavonoids in leaf extract used on major hospital pathogens through disc diffusion and MIC tests. The Rosmarinus officinalis plant was used in this experimental study to evaluate its antimicrobial efficacy against pathogens by disc diffusion and MIC tests. The leaves of this plant were extracted in ethanol at concentrations of 200, 100, 50, and 25 mg/ml and evaluated for their antimicrobial effect against several pathogenic strains. In addition, the optical density in the spectrophotometer (620 nm) was used to calculate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. In this investigation, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli were all sensitive to the effects of the ethanolic extract of rosemary leaves at a concentration of 200 mg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of E. coli and P. aeruginosa in this extract changed from 25 mg/ml to 100 mg/ml concentration, while the other types of bacteria required only 200 and 100 mg/ml. These findings imply that high concentrations of rosemary extract inhibited all species, including E. coli, S. aureus, P. Aeruginosa, and E. faecalis.

NMR Metabolomics of Arctium lappa L., Taraxacum officinale and Melissa officinalis: A Comparison of Spontaneous and Organic Ecotypes.

Officinal plants are a source of metabolites whose chemical composition depends on pedoclimatic conditions. In this study, the NMR-based approach was applied to investigate the impacts of different altitudes and agronomical practices (Land, Mountain Spontaneous, and Organically Grown Ecotypes, namely LSE, MSE, and OE, respectively) on the metabolite profiles of Burdock root, Dandelion root and aerial part, and Lemon balm aerial part. Sugars, amino acids, organic acids, polyphenols, fatty acids, and other metabolites were identified and quantified in all samples. Some metabolites turned out to be tissue-specific markers. Arginine was found in roots, whereas myo-inositol, galactose, glyceroyldigalactose moiety, pheophytin, and chlorophyll were identified in aerial parts. Caftaric and chicoric acids, 3,5 di-caffeoylquinic acid, and chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids were detected in Dandelion, Burdock and Lemon balm, respectively. The metabolite amount changed significantly according to crop, tissue type, and ecotype. All ecotypes of Burdock had the highest contents of amino acids and the lowest contents of organic acids, whereas an opposite trend was observed in Lemon balm. Dandelion parts contained high levels of carbohydrates, except for the MSE aerial part, which showed the highest content of organic acids. The results provided insights into the chemistry of officinal plants, thus supporting nutraceutical-phytopharmaceutical research.

Enhancing potassium assimilation in soil for Zingiber officinale plant by rhizosphere bacterial isolate and optimization studies by response surface modeling

Rhizosphere bacteria have always proven their worth towards their associated plant in their defense mechanism and nutritional functions. This study was made to understand the impact of rhizosphere-associated bacterial isolate PGK01 in complimenting associated Zingiber officinale plants in their potassium nutritional requirements. The screening of the isolate suggested that it can solubilize potassium, which the plant shall use for its nutritional purposes. Molecular sequencing suggested that the strain belonged to Bacillus subtilis, whose sequence has been submitted to NCBI under the accession number OQ652138. In-situ analysis of the effect of bacteria on the growth parameters and yield of the plant indicated that in the presence of microbe, plants tend to grow more when compared to without the organism. The optimization studies conducted by response surface modeling suggested that only half of the potassium fertilizer is necessary when a plant is grown in the presence of isolate compared to the conventional method. The adequacy of the statistical model was verified by analyzing the Sequential Model Sum of Squares and Cook’s distance diagnostic, wherein the observation proved the significance of the mathematical model.

Influence of Soil Salinity on the Chemical Composition of Essential Oil of Rosmarinus officinalis in Syria

This work aimed to investigate salinity influence on the biosynthesis of essential oil and its constituents in Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), and to optimize yield by modulating environmental factors (soil). Four groups of Rosmarinus officinalis plants were cultivated, each containing four samples, over a four-month period from May to September (2011). The irrigation solutions utilized a salinity gradient ranging from 25mM to 100 mM, with each group being irrigated separately on average every three days. The fourth group irrigated with distilled water served as a control. Essential oils were extracted from both cultivated and wild groups, in both fresh and dried states. Eight samples were collected from various regions in Syria, including Salkhad, Swieda, Sheikh Badr, Tartous, Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Damascus (cultivated samples), and Kalamoon. The highest quantities of oil were extracted from samples in the Sweida and Kalamoon regions. Rosemary leave essential oil contains numerous chemical constituents in proportions depending on the plant's origin. The GC-MS data revealed an elevated concentration of oxygenated compounds, such as camphor, borneol, and verbenone, in the cultivated samples. Additionally, the results demonstrated that soil salinity within permissible limits could enhance production and improve the essential oil yield of the plant.

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.

Elevated Altitude and Limestone Soil Promoted Fungal Diversity in Rhizosphere Soil of Sophora japonica

Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in mediating material transformation and nutrient cycling. However, little attention has been paid to the relationships between microbial communities and altitude and lithology in karst regions. Sophora japonica cv. Jinhuai is an officinal plant cultivated in karst areas, and there is a correlation between the dynamics of microbial community and ecological factors. This study examined the diversity of microbial communities in the rhizosphere of S. japonica under different lithologies and altitudes in karst regions of northern Guangxi, China using high-throughput sequencing technology. It was found that the bacterial community consisted of 37 phyla, including Proteobacteria. The fungal community mainly comprised 15 phyla, including Ascomycota. The fungal Shannon and Chao1 indices increased with altitude, while the bacterial Shannon index decreased. The fungal Shannon indices in limestone soil were higher than those in dolomite. The soil’s microbial Shannon and Chao1 indices were positively affected by pH, while the available phosphorus and potassium had the opposite effect. Research shows that altitude, lithology, pH, and available phosphorus were the crucial factors influencing the rhizosphere soil microbial community. This study provides references for understanding the relationship between plants and microorganisms and the microbial distribution strategy of rocky desertification habitats in the future.

Effective biological control of southern blight of Dendrobium officinale by Streptomyces sp. MEPF0303

Southern blight is a common and devastating disease adversely affecting the yield and quality of cultivated Dendrobium officinale plants. The pathogens responsible for this disease are Sclerotium delphinii and S. rolfsii, although S. delphinii is more pathogenic than S. rolfsii. Plant endophytes are potential sources of biological control agents. In this study, 18 microbial strains were isolated from wild Dendrobium shixingense plants (e.g., Streptomyces, Bacillus, and Trichoderma), among which strain MEPF0303 significantly inhibited S. delphinii mycelial growth. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence, this strain was identified as Streptomyces sp. In addition, the volatile organic compounds and cell-free supernatant of MEPF0303 had significant inhibitory effects on S. delphinii growth. Moreover, MEPF0303 effectively controlled southern blight of D. officinale. A total of 1,797 differentially expressed genes were identified by a comparative transcriptome analysis of S. delphinii mycelia treated with MEPF0303 and the untreated control mycelia. Strain MEPF0303 significantly altered the expression of genes related to cell membrane morphological development and integrity, pathogenicity, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress responses. Furthermore, the transcriptome sequencing results were validated by analyzing gene expression via a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The study results showed that MEPF0303 can inhibit the growth and pathogenicity of S. delphinii, with potential implications for the biological control of southern blight of D. officinale.

Foliar applied potassium nanoparticles (K-NPs) and potassium sulfate on growth, physiological, and phytochemical parameters in Melissa officinalis L. under salt stress.

Salinity stress significantly constrains agricultural productivity and vegetation decline worldwide, particularly in Iran. Potassium, the second most prevalent nutrient in plants, is well known to be essential for cell metabolism. Here, the effects of potassium fertilizer in two biogenic nanoparticles (K-NPs) and conventional (potassium sulfate) forms (0.1 mg/ml) on Melissa officinalis L. under salinity (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM) were investigated. The results demonstrated that stress markers (electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide) increased as salinity levels increased. Plant growth parameters (shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root) and physiological and photosynthetic parameters (stomatal conductance, relative water content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosynthetic pigments) were reduced in salinized plants. The highest reduction in fresh weight root, dry weight root, fresh weight shoot, dry weight shoot, root length, and shoot length was recorded under 150 mM NaCl by 30.2%, 51.6%, 30.5%, 24.7%, 26.4%, and 21%, respectively. In contrast, bulk potassium sulfate and K-NPs increased these parameters. Furthermore, K-NPs improved M. officinalis tolerance to NaCl toxicity by enhancing the content of osmolytes such as proline, soluble sugars, and antioxidant enzymes, improving antioxidant contents such as phenols, tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids; increasing total protein; and lowering stress markers in plant tissues. Given the results of the physiological, biochemical, and phytochemical parameters obtained from this study, it can be stated that K-NPs, in comparison to the conventional form of potassium fertilizer, exhibit a greater potential to mitigate damages caused by salinity stress in M. officinalis plants.

Effect of synthetic fertilization dose on the diameter increase, height and mortality of Cinchona officinalis L. (Rubiaceae)

Cinchona officinalis, is a South American tree species, commonly used for medicine, and is currently threatened by agricultural expansion and cattle ranching. The objective was to determine the effect of chemical fertilization on the nursery growth to increase growth potential and survival of C. officinalis. A completely randomized design with six treatments and three replicates was used; 20 C. officinalis plants were used per replicate. Two months after transplanting the C. officinalis seedlings to the polyethylene bags, inorganic fertilizer (YaraMila® HYDRAN) was applied. Monthly evaluations were carried out and the number of dead plants, plant height, diameter and number of leaves were recorded. The highest mortality rate was recorded when fertilizer was applied (73%) while in the non-fertilized treatment mortality reached 36%. Regarding the increase in height, diameter and number of leaves in all cases, the best results were obtained in the fertilized treatments, exceeding by 85, 70 and 17% (respectively) those obtained in the treatment to which fertilization was not applied. This study shows the effects that the application of fertilizers to C. officinalis plants at the nursery level can have on growth and mortality variables, the results suggest the use of this product for a sustainable and large-scale production of this species taking into consideration the appropriate dosage.

Ozone Treatment as an Approach to Induce Specialized Compounds in Melissa officinalis Plants.

Plants are constantly subjected to environmental changes that deeply affect their metabolism, leading to the inhibition or synthesis of "specialized" compounds, small organic molecules that play a fundamental role in adaptative responses. In this work, Melissa officinalis L. (an aromatic plant broadly cultivated due to the large amounts of secondary metabolites) plants were exposed to realistic ozone (O3) dosages (80 ppb, 5 h day-1) for 35 consecutive days with the aim to evaluate its potential use as elicitor of specialized metabolite production. Ozone induced stomatal dysfunction throughout the whole experiment, associated with a low photosynthetic performance, a decrease in the potential energy conversion activity of PSII, and an alteration in the total chlorophyll content (-35, -36, -10, and -17% as average compared to the controls, respectively). The production of hydrogen peroxide at 7 days from the beginning of exposure (+47%) resulted in lipid peroxidation and visible injuries. This result suggests metabolic disturbance within the cell and a concomitant alteration in cell homeostasis, probably due to a limited activation of antioxidative mechanisms. Moderate accumulated doses of O3 triggered the accumulation of hydroxycinnamic acids and the up-regulation of the genes encoding enzymes involved in rosmarinic acid, phenylpropanoid, and flavonoid biosynthesis. While high accumulated doses of O3 significantly enhanced the content of hydroxybenzoic acid and flavanone glycosides. Our study shows that the application of O3 at the investigated concentration for a limited period (such as two/three weeks) may become a useful tool to stimulate bioactive compounds production in M. officinalis.

Effect of foliar spraying with some Micro-elements on the chemical composition and essential oil of Hyssop( Hyssopus officinalis) plant

Effect of foliar spraying with some Micro-elements on the chemical composition and essential oil of Hyssop( Hyssopus officinalis) plant

Insights into the Belowground Biodiversity and Soil Nutrient Status of an Organic Apple Orchard as Affected by Living Mulches

The impact of living mulches established with three officinal plants (Alchemilla vulgaris, Fragaria vesca and Mentha x piperita) on the soil bacterial microbiome and activity, the nematodes population, and the nutrient status of an organic apple orchard was assessed. The composition and diversity of the bacterial communities were differentially modified by living mulches. The activity of the bacterial microbiome associated with F. vesca was higher and utilized more C sources in comparison to other treatments. The combined analysis of the core bacterial microbiome and metabolic activity pointed to a potential effect of F. vesca on different levels of the soil’s trophic network. The living mulches did not affect the overall number of nematodes, but in some cases, they modified the structure of the population: F. vesca induced the highest share of bacteria feeders and the lowest number of herbivores and fungal feeders. The living mulches modified the availability of some nutrients and the pH. Multivariate analysis of the whole dataset showed several potential inter-dependencies between the assessed parameters that are worthy of further study. In conclusion, the introduction of multifunctional living mulches based on officinal plants induced changes to the soil’s genetic and functional biodiversity and chemical properties. These modifications could deliver ecosystem services particularly relevant to organic apple orchards.

Tailoring the Structural and Optical Properties of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Prepared by an Ecofriendly Green Route Using Plant Extracts.

The present study explores an environmentally friendly green approach to obtain cerium oxide nanoparticles via a biomediated route using Mellisa officinalis and Hypericum perforatum plant extracts as reducing agents. The as-prepared nanoparticles were studied for their structural and morphological characteristics using XRD diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, Raman, fluorescence and electronic absorption spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XRD pattern has shown the centered fluorite crystal structure of cerium oxide nanoparticles with average crystallite size below 10 nm. These observations were in agreement with the STEM data. The cubic fluorite structure of the cerium oxide nanoparticles was confirmed by the vibrational mode around 462 cm-1 due to the Ce-08 unit. The optical band gap was estimated from UV-Vis reflectance spectra, which was found to decrease from 3.24 eV to 2.98 eV. A higher specific area was determined for the sample using M. officinalis aqueous extract. The EDX data indicated that only cerium and oxygen are present in the green synthesized nanoparticles.