Nanqi Zhang

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. is a traditional medicinal and edible plant abundant in bioactive constituents which has been proven to exert prominent intestinal protective effects. Schisandrol A (SA) is one of the lignan components with a relatively high content in this plant. This study aims to evaluate the intestinal protective effects of schisandrol A (SA) in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury mouse model. An LPS-induced mouse model was established and treated with SA in different groups, and oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, apoptosis, NF-κB signaling pathway proteins, and tight junction proteins were examined. Meanwhile, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and serum metabolomics were employed to evaluate alterations in the gut microbiota and host serum biochemical profiles. The results showed that SA significantly alleviated LPS-induced intestinal injury. SA attenuated oxidative stress, upregulated the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and reduced the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. In addition, SA inhibited apoptosis and the activation of the NF-κB pathway, while upregulating the expression of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that SA reversed the LPS-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. Serum metabolomics indicated that SA exerted its intestinal protective effects by targeting and modulating several core host serum biochemical pathways. In conclusion, SA reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, restores the intestinal barrier, reshapes the gut microbiota, improves disturbed serum biochemical profiles, and inhibits the activation of the NF-κB pathway, thereby effectively ameliorating intestinal injury in mice.

Background: This study investigates the core molecular mechanisms by which the rootstock of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus ( E.sessiliflorus ) regulates the stem growth of Eleutherococcus senticosus ( E.senticosus ), using E.senticosus as the scion. Methods: Grafted plants with E.sessiliflorus as the rootstock served as the primary research subjects, while self-rooted E.senticosus plants were utilized as controls. An integrated approach, combining physiological and biochemical assays, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, was employed to analyze the mechanisms, with verification by qRT-PCR. Results: Physiological and biochemical analyses showed that self-grafting had no significant effect on E. senticosus stems. By contrast, cross-root grafting did not significantly alter moisture content, total ash, or extractive content. However, it significantly enhanced nutrient accumulation and antioxidant defense capacity in the stems, thereby promoting secondary metabolite accumulation. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses further revealed that grafting significantly regulates the biosynthesis pathways of unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids. Differential expression of key enzymes, such as SCD, FAD2, icd, and PK, facilitates metabolic specialization and collaborative adaptation between rootstock and scion. Conclusions: This study elucidates potential core targets and molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of grafting on E.senticosus , providing valuable theoretical references and research directions for variety improvement, high-quality cultivation, and the sustainable utilization of rare medicinal plant resources of E.senticosus .

Phenolic acids are the major bioactive compounds in Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt; however, the regulatory roles of NAC transcription factors (TFs) in their biosynthesis remain unclear. Here, we performed a genome-wide identification and characterization of the NAC family in P. frutescens and explored their involvement in phenolic acid production. A total of 108 PfNAC genes were identified and classified into 17 subfamilies. Expression and promoter analyses suggested potential roles in secondary metabolism. PfNAC29 is located in the plasma membrane and necleus, while PfNAC40 and PfNAC80 are located in the nucleus.Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that these TFs bind to the CATGTG motif in the PfC4H promoter and activate its transcription. Overexpression in transgenic hairy roots significantly increased rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid accumulation, accompanied by upregulation of key biosynthetic genes. These results indicate that PfNAC29, PfNAC40, and PfNAC80 act as positive regulators of phenolic acid biosynthesis and provide promising targets for metabolic engineering in medicinal plants.

Ginseng is widely regarded as the “King of Herbs” in traditional Chinese medicine. In recent years, escalating global warming and intensified human activities have led to a continuous rise in environmental temperatures, posing a significant threat to ginseng cultivation in China. Therefore, understanding how high-temperature stress affects the photosynthetic performance of ginseng is essential for developing efficient and sustainable cultivation practices. In this study, four temperature regimes were established to systematically investigate the impact of elevated temperatures on the photosynthetic system of ginseng leaves: 25/16 °C (CK), 30/20 °C, 35/24 °C, and 40/28 °C (day/night). The results demonstrated that high-temperature stress significantly inhibited photosynthesis. Specifically, the activities of key chlorophyll biosynthesis enzymes—porphobilinogen deaminase and delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase—were markedly reduced, resulting in the accumulation of critical intermediates in the chlorophyll pathway, including protoporphyrinIX, Mg-protoporphyrinIX, and protochlorophyll. Chlorophyll synthesis was severely impaired as a result. Consequently, the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids declined by 25.38%, 12.52%, and 54.63%, respectively, indicating substantial disruption of the photosynthetic pigment system. Anatomical observations revealed that high-temperatures induced stomatal closure, impairing stomata exchange and further reducing photosynthetic efficiency. Moreover, chloroplast ultrastructure was severely compromised, characterized by excessive accumulation of osmiophilic granules, disorganized and loosely stacked thylakoid membranes, and impaired capacity for light energy capture and conversion. This study provides theoretical insights into the response mechanisms of ginseng leaf photosynthesis under heat stress and establishes a scientific basis for enhancing thermotolerance through breeding programs and improved cultivation management strategies.

Acanthopanax sessiliflorus leaves (ASLs) are a kind of medicine food homology plant that can produce secondary metabolites with high antioxidant activity, such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. Such plants are increasingly being recommended as natural dietary supplements to inhibit oxidative stress. In this study, the UHPLC‐Q‐Exactive Orbitrap MS technology was employed to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses on the chemical components of the ethanol extract (ASLE) and water extract(ASLW) of ASL. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of ASLE and ASLW were determined using colorimetric methods. Antioxidant activity was assessed by various in vitro assays such as 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'‐Azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS ⁺ ), and ferric reducing power. The results indicated that 103 compounds were identified in ASLs, including triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, etc. Moreover, the contents of chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and chiisanoside were relatively high in ASLs. Finally, ASLE and ASLW exhibited high levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and in vitro antioxidant activity. In summary, ASL is rich in antioxidant‐active compounds, such as chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and hyperoside, and exhibits significant free radical scavenging activity. It holds potential for development as a novel natural antioxidant, with promising prospects in the fields of functional foods and pharmaceutical applications.

Acanthopanax senticosus (A. senticosus) is a member of Acanthopanax Miq. and is used in traditional Chinese medicine, and it has been found that grafting technology can be used to alter plant metabolite composition and transcriptome characteristics. In this study, shoots of A. senticosus were grafted onto the rootstocks of the vigorous Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (A. sessiliflorus) to improve its varietal characteristics. In order to investigate the changes in metabolites and transcriptional patterns in grafted A. senticosus leaves (GSCL), fresh leaves were collected from 2-year-old grafted A. senticosus scions, while self-rooted seedling A. senticosus leaves (SCL) were used as controls to analyse the transcriptome and metabolome. Metabolic profiles and gene expression patterns were further identified and correlated in special metabolite target pathways. The content of chlorogenic acid and triterpenoids in the GSCL was higher than in the control, while the quercetin content was lower. All these metabolic changes were associated with changes in the expression pattern of transcripts. Our results revealed the transcriptome and metabolome characteristics of GSCL. This may help to improve leaf quality in A. senticosus cultivation, suggesting that it is feasible to improve the medicinal quality of GSCL through asexual propagation, but the long-term effects need further investigation. In conclusion, this dataset provides a useful resource for future studies on the effects of grafting on medicinal plants.

Grafting is a widely used technique, and graft compatibility between the rootstock and scion is a prerequisite for grafting. To date, the underlying reasons for the success of healing after heterografting remain largely unknown. Here, using Acanthopanax senticosus (A. senticosus) grafted onto more vigorously grown Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (A. sessiliflorus) rootstocks, and self-grafting A. senticosus as controls, anatomical analysis was used to conduct studies on the healing process of grafted plants and transcriptome analysis was also performed on the healing union at 16 days after grafting (DAGs). In total, 10,215 significantly differentially expressed genes were detected between the transcriptomes of heterografts and homografts at 16 DAGs. Go and KEGG analyses showed that a number of metabolic, physiological and hormonal responses are involved in the healing process of heterografted seedlings, including metabolic processes, cellular processes, responses to stimulus, plant hormone signal transduction, the plant–pathogen interaction, the MAPK signaling pathway of the plant, transcription factors and defense responses. This study advances our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the grafting healing process in heterografts and provides a useful reference for elucidating the molecular mechanism of the healing process in homografted and heterografted systems and the candidate genes for functional analysis.