Paola Isabel Angulo-Bejarano

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. is an aromatic medicinal plant, widely used in Mexican folk medicine for the traditional treatment of different diseases, including diabetes. Numerous secondary metabolites related to its medicinal properties have been identified, of which monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, and flavonoids are the most significant. Despite extensive research, transcriptomic evidence supporting secondary metabolite synthesis in A. ludoviciana remains limited. Functional transcriptomics provides the molecular basis for understanding how coordinated gene expression drives metabolite synthesis in A. ludoviciana at a given time and condition. RNA sequencing of A. ludoviciana leaves was performed using a single pooled RNA-seq library as an exploratory functional transcriptomic approach, generating 8.4 GB of transcriptomic data. After de novo filtering and assembly of the raw data, 52,561 transcripts were generated, of which 29,854 (56.79%) were annotated against public databases using Blast2GO. Further KEGG pathway analysis identified transcripts putatively associated with major plant secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways. Gene expression of candidate flavonoid-related genes (CHI, F3'MO, FSI, and F3'OMT) was assessed by qRT-PCR in Artemisia ludoviciana. Samples were collected following water stress, with soil moisture content approximately 25%. Drought conditions significantly reduced relative water content (32.78%), total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. This was accompanied by an increase in hydrogen peroxide accumulation (265%), indicating oxidative stress in the plant. The total phenolic and flavonoid content also decreased under these conditions. However, gene expression analysis showed increased transcript abundance of putative flavonoid-related genes, suggesting an active response of the plant's flavonoid pathway to water stress. Such effects might reflect metabolic constraints and flavonoid turnover under drought stress. This work provides valuable insights into the functional gene annotation, the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites, and the molecular response of A. ludoviciana to drought stress. It serves as a basis for further research into the molecular mechanisms underlying the synthesis and accumulation of bioactive compounds in Artemisia ludoviciana. In addition, it supports the development of strategies to maintain or enhance the species' medicinal properties.

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. is an important aromatic plant widely used in traditional Mexican medicine for its therapeutic potential. Its medicinal activity is attributed to a wide range of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids. However, overexploitation, habitat loss, climate change and plant diseases threaten its natural populations and diversity. Although the species reproduces both sexually and asexually, conventional propagation methods are often slow, limited by environmental factors, and susceptible to pests and pathogens. Therefore, this research aimed to establish a micropropagation protocol for A. ludoviciana and to evaluate the changes in its phenolic composition and antioxidant activity while adapting to ex vitro conditions. Full-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 0.1 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine resulted in the highest number of shoots (3.30 ± 0.34) and shoot length (3.00 ± 0.12 cm). Moreover, 1/2 MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg L⁻¹ indole-3-acetic acid improved the number (14.45 ± 0.56) and quality of roots. Hardening and acclimatization of plantlets showed 100% survival after 10 weeks. Also, the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of A. ludoviciana changed in response to stress derived from growth conditions. The results support the sustainable use and rapid propagation of the species, as well as provide the basis for the study of secondary metabolism in the plant.

Background Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. is an aromatic perennial and medicinal herb, native to North America. The aerial parts of the plant are widely used in traditional Mexican medicine for the treatment of different diseases, including diabetes. Numerous secondary metabolites related to its medicinal properties have been identified, of which monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, and flavonoids are the most significant. Despite the research conducted on A. ludoviciana , there is no transcriptomic data available on the plant to support the synthesis of these compounds in the plant. Results RNA sequencing of A. ludoviciana leaves was conducted to produce 8.4 GB of the plant’s transcriptomic data. After de novo filtering and assembly of the raw data, 52,561 transcripts were generated, of which a total of 29,854 transcripts (56.79%) were annotated against public databases using Blast2GO. Further KEGG pathway analysis led to the mapping of several transcripts associated with the biosynthesis pathways of major plant secondary metabolites. The expression of key flavonoid-related genes ( CHI , F3’MO , FSI , F3’OMT ) was also evaluated in A. ludoviciana after severe water stress conditions. Drought significantly decreased the relative water content (32.78%), total chlorophyll, and carotenoids, while increasing hydrogen peroxide accumulation, showing stress in the plant. The phenol and flavonoid content of the plant also decreased under these conditions. However, the expression of all flavonoid-related genes was upregulated, suggesting an active response of the plant’s flavonoid pathway to water stress and potentially contributing to the plant’s drought tolerance. Conclusions This work provides valuable insights into the functional gene annotation, the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites, and the molecular response of A. ludoviciana to drought stress. This provides the basis for further research into the molecular mechanisms behind the synthesis and accumulation of bioactive compounds in A. ludoviciana , as well as strategies to maintain or enhance the plant’s medicinal properties.

Traditional diets based on diverse edible plants are increasingly threatened by climate change, which exposes crops to abiotic and biotic stressors such as drought, soil salinity, UV radiation, microorganisms, and insect herbivory. Understanding how these conditions influence both the nutritional and nutraceutical profiles, as well as the availability of key compounds, is essential to preserve their functional value. Piper auritum Kunth, used in Mexican gastronomy, was selected to assess two abiotic stress scenarios: drought stress (DS) and salicylic acid (SA) to simulate plant defense against pathogens and/or predators. We evaluated proximate composition, dietary fiber, total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, low molecular weight carbohydrates (LMWCs), monomeric composition, and essential oil volatiles. Additionally, the simulated gastrointestinal digestion (INFOGEST) with an additional rat small-intestine extract (RSIE) revealed that both SA and DS shifted sugar distribution, especially for soluble and structural pools. SA treatment correlated with synthesis of secondary metabolites, particularly oxygenated and hydrocarbon terpenes. Both abiotic stressors modulated LMWC release during digestion, altering the distribution of sugars such as raffinose and galacturonic acid, with potential prebiotic implications. Essential oil analysis revealed stress-specific shifts in volatile composition, particularly in safrole, β-caryophyllene, and related terpenes. Beyond individual compound changes, the combined evaluation of composition, antioxidant properties, and volatile profile provides a comprehensive view of how abiotic stress can reshape the functional potential of P. auritum. To our knowledge, this is the first report on LMWC relative abundance across INFOGEST stages for a quelite species and on the integrated effect of DS and SA on its chemical profile. These findings highlight the importance of including compound release and functional traits, alongside chemical characterization, in future assessments of traditional plants under climate-related stress to safeguard their contribution to sustainable diets.

Cognitive impairment is anotable complication of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), accompanied by reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain and blood. Anti-diabetic drugs reduce hyperglycemia, yet their effect on cognitive improvement is unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of anti-diabetic drugs regulating BDNF in T2DM through computational and case-control study design. We obtained T2DMproteins viatext-mining to construct a T2DMprotein network. From the T2DMnetwork, the metformin and glimepiride interactomes and their crucial shortest-path-stimulating BDNF were identified. Using qRTPCR, the genes encoding the shortest-path proteins were assessed in four groups (untreated-T2DM, metformin-treated, glimepiride-treated, and healthy controls). Finally, ELISA was used to assess serum BDNF levels to validate drug efficacy. As a result of this investigation, aT2DMnetwork was constructed with 3683 text-mined proteins. Then, the T2DMnetwork was explored to generate a metformin and glimepiride interactome that establishes the critical shortest-path for BDNF stimulation. Metformin stimulates BDNF via APP binding to the PRKAB1 receptor. Whereas, glimepiride increases BDNF by binding to KCNJ11 via AP2M1 and ESR1 proteins. Both drug shortest-path encoding genes differed significantly between the groups. Unlike metformin, BDNF gene and protein expression rise significantly with glimepiride. Overall, glimepiride can effectively increase BDNF, which could benefit T2DM patients with cognitive deterioration.

Despite significant progress in early detection and treatment, a few aggressive breast cancers still exhibit resistance to therapy. This study aimed to identify a therapeutic target for radioresistant breast cancer (RRbc) through a protein network from breast cancer genes and to evaluate potent phytochemicals against the identified target. Our approach includes the integration of differential expression genes from expression datasets to create a protein network and to use survival analysis to identify the crucial RRbc protein in order to discover a therapeutic target. Next, the phytochemicals sourced from brown algae were screened through molecular docking, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, MM-GBSA, and quantum mechanics against the identified target. As a result of our protein network investigation, the proto-oncogene c-KIT (KIT) protein was identified as a potent radioresistant breast cancer target. Further, phytochemical screening establishes that nahocol-A1 from brown algae has high binding characteristics (−8.56 kcal/mol) against the KIT protein. Then, quantum chemical analysis of nahocol-A1 provided insights into its electronic properties favorable for protein binding. Also, MD simulation comprehends the conformational stability of the KIT–nahocol-A1 complex. Overall, our findings suggest nahocol-A1 could serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for radioresistant breast cancer.

The negative impact on worldwide social well-being by the increasing rate of psychiatric diseases has led to a continuous new drug search. Even though the current therapeutic options exert their activity on multiple neurological targets, these have various adverse effects, causing treatment abandonment. Recent research has shown that Coriandrum sativum offers a rich source of metabolites, mainly terpenes and flavonoids, as useful agents against central nervous system disorders, with remarkable in vitro and in vivo activities on models related to these pathologies. Furthermore, studies have revealed that some compounds exhibit a chemical interaction with γ-aminobutyric acid, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, which are key components in the pathophysiology associated with psychiatric and neurological diseases. The current clinical evaluations of standardized extracts of C. sativum are scarce; however, one or more of its compounds represents an area of opportunity to test the efficacy of the plant as an anxiolytic, antidepressant, antiepileptic, or sleep enhancer. For this, the aim of the review was based on the pharmacological activities offered by the compounds identified and isolated from coriander and the processes involved in achieving their effect. In addition, lines of technological research, like molecular docking and nanoparticles, are proposed for the future development of phytomedicines, based on the bioactive molecules of C. sativum, for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders addressed in the present study.

Worldwide, the effects of metal and metalloid toxicity are increasing, mainly due to anthropogenic causes. Soil contamination ranks among the most important factors, since it affects crop yield, and the metals/metalloids can enter the food chain and undergo biomagnification, having concomitant effects on human health and alterations to the environment. Plants have developed complex mechanisms to overcome these biotic and abiotic stresses during evolution. Metals and metalloids exert several effects on plants generated by elements such as Zn, Cu, Al, Pb, Cd, and As, among others. The main strategies involve hyperaccumulation, tolerance, exclusion, and chelation with organic molecules. Recent studies in the omics era have increased knowledge on the plant genome and transcriptome plasticity to defend against these stimuli. The aim of the present review is to summarize relevant findings on the mechanisms by which plants take up, accumulate, transport, tolerate, and respond to this metal/metalloid stress. We also address some of the potential applications of biotechnology to improve plant tolerance or increase accumulation.

Galphimia glauca (Cav.) Kuntze is an important endemic plant species, which possesses many medicinal properties and has been used in the Mexican traditional medicine for its sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, antiasthmatic and antiallergic properties. The therapeutic properties of this plant are mainly due to the presence of diverse bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, and phenolics. Several triterpenoids and flavonoids compounds have been isolated and identified. Modern studies have demonstrated many biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, gastroenteritis, antimalarial and cytotoxic activities. Nevertheless, many studies are restricted to the crude extract, and many bioactive compounds are yet to be identified and validated according to its traditional use. However, its commercial exploitation and use are highly limited due to the non-availability of enough plant material and lack of knowledge about its agronomical practices. Moreover, the misinterpretation and mislabeling of closely related species of the genus Galphimia Cav. as G. glauca or G. gracilis is a common problem for its rigorous scientific study and commercial exploitation. The present review provides comprehensive knowledge based on the available scientific literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review on G. glauca. This comprehensive information will certainly provide a guide for the better understanding and utilization of G. glauca for its scientific and industrial exploitation.