Transcriptomics combined with physiological analysis reveals the mechanism of cadmium uptake and tolerance in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. under cadmium treatment

IntroductionLigusticum chuanxiong Hort. is a widely used medicinal plant, but its growth and quality can be negatively affected by contamination with the heavy metal cadmium (Cd). Despite the importance of understanding how L. chuanxiong responds to Cd stress, but little is currently known about the underlying mechanisms.MethodsTo address this gap, we conducted physiological and transcriptomic analyses on L. chuanxiong plants treated with different concentrations of Cd2+ (0 mg·L−1, 5 mg·L−1, 10 mg·L−1, 20 mg·L−1, and 40 mg·L−1).ResultsOur findings revealed that Cd stress inhibited biomass accumulation and root development while activating the antioxidant system in L. chuanxiong. Root tissues were the primary accumulation site for Cd in this plant species, with Cd being predominantly distributed in the soluble fraction and cell wall. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the downregulation of differential genes involved in photosynthetic pathways under Cd stress. Conversely, the plant hormone signaling pathway and the antioxidant system exhibited positive responses to Cd regulation. Additionally, the expression of differential genes related to cell wall modification was upregulated, indicating potential enhancements in the root cell wall’s ability to sequester Cd. Several differential genes associated with metal transport proteins were also affected by Cd stress, with ATPases, MSR2, and HAM3 playing significant roles in Cd passage from the apoplast to the cell membrane. Furthermore, ABC transport proteins were found to be key players in the intravesicular compartmentalization and efflux of Cd.DiscussionIn conclusion, our study provides preliminary insights into the mechanisms underlying Cd accumulation and tolerance in L. chuanxiong, leveraging both physiological and transcriptomic approaches. The decrease in photosynthetic capacity and the regulation of plant hormone levels appear to be major factors contributing to growth inhibition in response to Cd stress. Moreover, the upregulation of differential genes involved in cell wall modification suggests a potential mechanism for enhancing root cell wall capabilities in isolating and sequestering Cd. The involvement of specific metal transport proteins further highlights their importance in Cd movement within the plant

Effect of interfering TOR signaling pathway on the biosynthesis of terpenoids in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge

The TOR (Target of Rapamycin) signaling pathway, which takes TOR kinase as the core, regulates the absorption, distribution, and recycling of nutrients by integrating metabolic network and other signaling pathways, thus participating in the plant growth-defense trade-off. While terpenoids play an important role in plant growth, development, stress response, and signal transduction. The effect of the TOR signaling pathway on terpenoid biosynthesis in plants has yet to be studied in detail. In this study, the tissue culture seedlings of Salvia miltiorrhiza were treated with the TOR inhibitor AZD8055. The results show that the roots of the control group had begun to grow on the 8th day, while the seedlings treated with AZD8055 had no rooting signs. Combined with the expression changes of genes related to the TOR signaling pathway in the first 8 days, samples on the 3rd, 6th, and 8th days were selected for RNA-Seq analysis. Through RNA-Seq analysis, a total of 50,689 unigenes were obtained from the samples of these three periods, of which 4088 unigenes showed differential expression. The function enrichment and time-series analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that the main influence of the TOR signal pathway on plant growth-related processes was gradually transmitted with treatment time after TOR was inhibited. Pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that the genes in the biosynthesis of terpenoids, such as diterpenoid and carotenoid biosynthetic pathways, could be regulated. Compared with other stages, DEGs related to terpenoid biosynthesis were mainly regulated in the S2 stage. In addition, the genes involved in terpenoid skeleton biosynthesis was also considerably enriched in the S2 stage, according to the results of gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of unigenes. Inhibition of the TOR signaling pathway may affect the biosynthesis of terpenoid signaling molecules, inhibit gibberellin’s biosynthesis, and promote abscisic acid’s biosynthesis. This study has discussed the effect of interfering with the TOR pathway on terpenoid biosynthesis in S. miltiorrhiza from the perspective of omics and provides new insight into the interaction between the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway and the growth-defense trade-off of medicinal plants

Beneficial endophytic fungi improve the yield and quality of Salvia miltiorrhiza by performing different ecological functions

Background Endophytic fungi can enhance the growth and synthesis of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is frequently employed for treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ailments, with the primary bioactive components being salvianolic acid and tanshinone. However, their levels in cultivated S. miltiorrhiza are inferior to that of the wild herbs, so the production of high-quality medicinal herbs is sharply declining. Consequently, the utilization of beneficial endophytic fungi to improve the yield and quality of S. miltiorrhiza holds great significance for the cultivation of medicinal plants. Methods In this study, nine non-pathogenic, endophytic fungal strains were introduced into sterile S. miltiorrhiza seedlings and cultivated both in vitro and in situ (the greenhouse). The effects of these strains on the growth indices, C and N metabolism, antioxidant activity, photosynthesis, and content of bioactive ingredients in S. miltiorrhiza were then evaluated. Results The results showed that the different genera, species, or strains of endophytic fungi regulated the growth and metabolism of S. miltiorrhiza in unique ways. These endophytic fungi primarily exerted their growth-promoting effects by increasing the net photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, and the activities of sucrose synthase, sucrose phosphate synthase, nitrate reductase, and glutamine synthetase. They also enhanced the adaptability and resistance to environmental stresses by improving the synthesis of osmoregulatory compounds and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. However, their regulatory effects on the growth and development of S. miltiorrhiza were affected by environmental changes. Moreover, the strains that significantly promoted the synthesis and accumulation of phenolic acids inhibited the accumulation of tanshinones components, and vice versa. The endophytic fungal strains Penicillium meloforme DS8, Berkeleyomyces basicola DS10, and Acremonium sclerotigenum DS12 enhanced the bioaccumulation of tanshinones. Fusarium solani DS16 elevated the rosmarinic acid content and yields in S. miltiorrhiza. The strain Penicillium javanicum DS5 improved the contents of dihydrotanshinone, salvianolic acid B, and rosmarinic acid. The strains P. meloforme DS8 and B. basicola DS10 improved resistance. Conclusion Various endophytic fungi affected the quality and yield of S. miltiorrhiza by regulating different physiological and metabolic pathways. This study also provides a novel and effective method to maximize the effects of beneficial endophytic fungi by selecting specific strains to design microbial communities based on the different ecological functions of endophytic fungi under varying environments and for specific production goals

Effects of different harvesting times and processing methods on the quality of cultivated Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don

Abstract Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don is the major source plants of traditional Chinese medicine Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (FCB). Domestication, introduction, and cultivation is an important strategy to alleviate the shortage of endangered medicinal plants of F. cirrhosa. However, until now, the yield and quality changes of FCB in different harvest periods and drying treatments after harvest were not well understood. Therefore, in this paper, we investigated the yield and quality of cultivated F. cirrhosa at different harvest periods and postharvest processing methods. The results showed that dry weight per bulb ranged from 0.8913 to 1.4681 g and reached the highest at the wilting stage. The soluble sugar content ranged from 0.075% to 0.127% and reached the highest at the wilting stage. The content of total alkaloids ranged from 0.088% to 0.218% and reached the highest at the late‐flowering stage. The contents of peimisine, sipeimine, peimine, and peiminine were 0.01178%‐0.02615%, 0%–0.01713%, 0%–0.00745%, and 0%–0.00621% and reached the highest at the late‐flowering period, wilting period, young fruit period, and initial flowering period, respectively. For the two different postharvest processing methods, the contents of total alkaloids and the 16 main characteristic peaks did not exhibit significant differences. Still, the alkaloid contents of the oven drying after washing were slightly higher than the sun drying. In conclusion, the best harvest period is the wilting period of F. cirrhosa, and oven drying after washing is more beneficial to ensure the quality of FCB and improve productivity

Temporal and Spatial Variations in Soil Elemental Stoichiometry Coupled with Alterations in Agricultural Land Use Types in the Taihu Lake Basin

Soil elemental stoichiometry, expressed as the ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), regulates the biogeochemical processes of elements in terrestrial ecosystems. Generally, the soil C:N:P stoichiometry characteristics of agricultural ecosystems may be different from those of natural ecosystems, with distinct temporal and spatial variations along with the alterations of agricultural land use types (LUTs). The balance of soil C, N, and P reflected by their stoichiometry is primarily important to microbial activity and sustainable agricultural development. However, information on soil stoichiometric changes after long-term alterations in land use is still lacking. We characterized the temporal and spatial changes in soil elemental stoichiometry coupled with alterations in agricultural LUTs in the Taihu Lake basin. By using the ArcGIS method and meta-data analysis, our results showed that the C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios of agricultural soil in the Taihu Lake basin were much lower than the well-constrained values based on samples from forest, shrubland, and grassland at a global scale. Generally, these elemental ratios in soils increased from the 1980s to the 2000s, after experiencing changes from agricultural to other land use. The soil C:N:P stoichiometry may have maintained the increasing trend according to the meta-data analysis from the 341 peer-reviewed publications since 2010. Nevertheless, different regions showed inconsistent change patterns, with the Tianmu Mountain area surrounding the downstream of the Taihu Lake basin experiencing a reduction in those ratios. The changes in LUTs and their corresponding management practices were the major drivers shaping the spatial and temporal distributions of soil C:N, C:P, and N:P. Paddy soil generally achieved higher C sequestration potential due to more straw input and a more rapid transfer of straw C into soil C in the upstream of the Taihu Lake basin than other land use types. These results provide valuable information for the agricultural system of intensive cultivation on how their soil elemental stoichiometry characteristics vary temporally and spatially due to the alteration of agricultural land use types

Screening models combining maternal characteristics and multiple markers for the early prediction of preeclampsia in pregnancy: a nested case–control study

To identify maternal laboratory markers to predict the risk of preeclampsia (PE) in different stages of pregnancy, we analysed 67, 25, and 73, pregnancies developing PE at 11–13, 16–20, and 24–28 wks, respectively. Routine laboratory markers were measured in whole blood or serum and binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive models. At 11–13 wks of gestation, patients who went on to develop PE showed significantly higher concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, α-L-fucosidase, 5′-nucleotidase, glutamyl transpeptidase, cholinesterase, and uric acid; plateletcrit was also higher. At 16–20 wks, inhibin A concentration and plateletcrit were significantly elevated. At 24–28 wks, platelets, plateletcrit, and glucose concentration were significantly elevated. Logistic regression analysis showed that an elevation in 5′-nucleotidase was independently associated with PE at 11–13 wks. The combination of inhibin A, diastolic blood pressure, and body mass index was a significant predictor for PE at 16–20 wks, while the combination of glucose and systolic blood pressure was a significant predictor for PE at 24–28 wks. In conclusion, when combined with maternal characteristics, the measurement of 5′-nucleotidase, inhibin A, and glucose levels, represents a potentially valuable risk assessment for PE.Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Preeclampsia (PE) may be viewed as a spectrum of disorders with a severity that is reflected in the levels of specific biomarkers. Consequently, there is a clear need for additional biomarkers that can be used to stratify pregnancies as high or low risk soon after conception. What do the results of this study add? At 11–13 wks of gestation, maternal assays for platelets, plateletcrit, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, α-L-fucosidase, 5′-nucleotidase, glutamyl transpeptidase, cholinesterase, and uric acid, demonstrated significantly higher values in patients with PE when compared with normal controls. Furthermore, assay results for inhibin A and platelets showed increased values at 16–20 wks of gestation. Assays performed at 24–28 wks of gestation revealed elevated levels of platelets, plateletcrit, and glucose. Our analysis indicated that increases in the levels of 5′-nucleotidase, inhibin A, and glucose, are effective and significant biomarkers that could be used in combination with maternal characteristics to screen for PE at 11–13, 16–20, and 24–28 wks of gestation, respectively. These findings provide a new basis for our understanding of the aetiology underlying PE. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Further studies that consider the entire population are now needed and should include the investigation of laboratory markers across different stages of pregnancy. Long-term follow up would also be necessary if we are to explore the full role of laboratory markers in the pathophysiology of PE

A Systematic Review on Traditional Uses, Sources, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, and Toxicity of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus

Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (known as chuanbeimu in Chinese, FCB) is a famous folk medicine which has been widely used to relieve cough and eliminate phlegm for thousands of years in China. The medicine originates from dried bulbs of six species of Fritillaria which are distributed in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. Increasing attention has been paid to FCB because of its excellent medicinal value such as being antitussive, expectorant, analgesic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative. During the past years, a large number of research studies have been conducted to investigate the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of FCB. A range of compounds have been isolated and identified from FCB, including alkaloids, saponins, nucleosides, organic acids, terpenoids, and sterols. Among them, alkaloids as the main active ingredient have been illustrated to exert significant therapeutic effects on many diseases such as cancer, acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes. Due to the excellent medical value and low toxicity, FCB has a huge market all over the world and triggers a growing enthusiasm among researchers. However, there is still a lack of systematic review. Hence, in this work, we reviewed the FCB-based articles published in Sci Finder, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI, and other databases in the recent years. The traditional uses, sources, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of FCB were discussed in the review, which aims to provide a reference for further development and utilization of FCB

Effect of tartary buckwheat, rutin, and quercetin on lipid metabolism in rats during high dietary fat intake

Tartary buckwheat is rich in flavonoids. However, the health-promoting effect of these flavonoids has not been adequately studied. In the present study, we investigated the impact of rutin, quercetin, and Tartary buckwheat on the lipid metabolism of rats on a high-fat diet. Quercetin could significantly reduce body weight, serum triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, TNF-α, insulin, and ameliorate glucose tolerance. It was surprising that Tartary buckwheat significantly increased the weight of the rats. Rutin, quercetin, and Tartary buckwheat tended to decreased fat deposition in the liver of rats but have little effect on short-chain fatty acid production. The changes in the structure and diversity of the microbiota were found to be modulated by these diets. It was concluded that quercetin could attenuate high-fat diet-induced obesity, rutin, quercetin, and Tartary buckwheat can shape the specific structure of gut microbiota. Mechanism of Tartary buckwheat on lipid metabolism needs further systematic research

Chemical Composition of Plant Residues Regulates Soil Organic Carbon Turnover in Typical Soils with Contrasting Textures in Northeast China Plain

Soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover plays a pivotal role in achieving C neutrality, promoting C retention and increasing soil fertility. Residue biochemistry and soil texture essentially determine SOC distribution (including CO2 mineralization and stock in soil) in farmland. However, less is known about allocation of residue-C with contrasting biochemistry and the fate of residue-C in soil under two different textures. This study was conducted in a 61-day aerobic incubation with two Black soils with distinct texture (clay loam vs. sandy loam) in Northeast China. Chemical composition of seven residue parts (soybean roots, leaves, and stems and maize roots, leaves and top and bottom stem parts) was characterized using solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results showed that leaves of both two crops contained significantly higher nitrogen (N), carbonyl and aryl concentrations and lower carbon (C) and lignin concentrations than other parts, resulted in faster decomposition in soils, especially in the clay loam. Stems contained higher O-alkyl and di-O-alkyl concentrations, C/N and lignin/N, while roots contained higher aromaticity. Maize top stem parts with larger slow C pool and longer half-life had higher contribution to SOC accumulation than other parts. Soil textures also induced great impact on SOC turnover. The clay loam favored SOC sequestration due to significantly longer half-life of slow C pool than the sandy loam. Generally, the alkyl/O-alkyl ratio showed the most significant correlation with SOC, CO2 emission and soil biochemical factors in the clay loam; whereas in sandy loam, the lignin/N was the pivotal indicator for SOC accumulation. This study provides insights into the differences in chemical composition among various residue parts, and highlights the significant effects of both residue chemical composition and soil texture on residue decomposition and SOC accumulation

Table_1_Transcriptomics combined with physiological analysis reveals the mechanism of cadmium uptake and tolerance in Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. under cadmium treatment.docx

IntroductionLigusticum chuanxiong Hort. is a widely used medicinal plant, but its growth and quality can be negatively affected by contamination with the heavy metal cadmium (Cd). Despite the importance of understanding how L. chuanxiong responds to Cd stress, but little is currently known about the underlying mechanisms.MethodsTo address this gap, we conducted physiological and transcriptomic analyses on L. chuanxiong plants treated with different concentrations of Cd2+ (0 mg·L−1, 5 mg·L−1, 10 mg·L−1, 20 mg·L−1, and 40 mg·L−1).ResultsOur findings revealed that Cd stress inhibited biomass accumulation and root development while activating the antioxidant system in L. chuanxiong. Root tissues were the primary accumulation site for Cd in this plant species, with Cd being predominantly distributed in the soluble fraction and cell wall. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated the downregulation of differential genes involved in photosynthetic pathways under Cd stress. Conversely, the plant hormone signaling pathway and the antioxidant system exhibited positive responses to Cd regulation. Additionally, the expression of differential genes related to cell wall modification was upregulated, indicating potential enhancements in the root cell wall’s ability to sequester Cd. Several differential genes associated with metal transport proteins were also affected by Cd stress, with ATPases, MSR2, and HAM3 playing significant roles in Cd passage from the apoplast to the cell membrane. Furthermore, ABC transport proteins were found to be key players in the intravesicular compartmentalization and efflux of Cd.DiscussionIn conclusion, our study provides preliminary insights into the mechanisms underlying Cd accumulation and tolerance in L. chuanxiong, leveraging both physiological and transcriptomic approaches. The decrease in photosynthetic capacity and the regulation of plant hormone levels appear to be major factors contributing to growth inhibition in response to Cd stress. Moreover, the upregulation of differential genes involved in cell wall modification suggests a potential mechanism for enhancing root cell wall capabilities in isolating and sequestering Cd. The involvement of specific metal transport proteins further highlights their importance in Cd movement within the plant.</p