Chenghao Zhu

Malania oleifera, the sole species of its genus, is an endangered tree endemic to the karst regions of China and a valuable woody oil crop. However, deep seed dormancy and slow germination severely limit its propagation and utilization. In this study, freshly harvested mature seeds of M. oleifera were soaked in gibberellic acid (GA₃) solutions at different concentrations. Germination traits and physiological and biochemical parameters were assessed, and transcriptome sequencing was performed to investigate the mechanisms underlying GA₃-promoted seed germination. Soaking seeds in GA₃ for 24 h significantly promoted germination in a concentration-dependent manner. The strongest response occurred at 600 mg·L⁻¹ GA₃, with germination potential and germination percentage reaching 34.2% and 60.0%, respectively. The beneficial effect declined at 800 mg·L⁻¹. Treatment with 600 mg·L⁻¹ GA₃ significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content, indicating that an appropriate GA₃ concentration helped maintain redox balance during germination. Transcriptome analysis identified 7548 and 3571 differentially expressed genes in UT_vs_W24 and W24_vs_GA24, respectively. These results indicated that water soaking initiated germination-related transcriptional changes that were further modified by GA₃ treatment. Functional enrichment analysis showed that transcriptional changes induced by water soaking mainly involved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, secondary metabolism, and responses to stimuli, whereas GA₃ treatment further modulated redox processes, defense responses, plant hormone signal transduction, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Reconstruction of the plant hormone and MAPK signaling pathways showed that GA₃ markedly affected the expression of genes involved in gibberellin, abscisic acid, auxin, and brassinosteroid signaling. GA₃ also regulated the MKK–MPK cascade and downstream transcription factors, including WRKYs. Together, these findings characterize the physiological responses of M. oleifera seeds to GA₃ and reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying GA₃-promoted germination, providing a basis for improving the propagation efficiency of this valuable species.

To examine differences in resource use and functional traits between the narrow-ranged Camellia longzhouensis and its widespread congener Camellia gigantocarpa, we compared their light and CO₂ responses, leaf anatomy, stomatal traits, photosynthetic pigments, and trait correlations under common nursery conditions. In both species, net photosynthetic rate increased rapidly with increasing irradiance and then gradually approached a plateau. The maximum net photosynthetic rate of C. gigantocarpa was significantly higher and was 4.10 times that of C. longzhouensis, whereas apparent quantum yield, light saturation point, light compensation point, and dark respiration rate did not differ significantly between the two species. As intercellular CO₂ concentration increased, net photosynthetic rate increased and then gradually leveled off in both species. Initial carboxylation efficiency was significantly higher in C. gigantocarpa, whereas the other CO₂-response parameters showed no significant differences between species. Leaf thickness and lower epidermal thickness were similar between species, but C. gigantocarpa had a thicker upper epidermis and palisade tissue and a higher palisade-to-spongy tissue thickness ratio, whereas C. longzhouensis had thicker spongy tissue and higher stomatal density. Stomatal length, width, and area did not differ significantly between species. C. gigantocarpa had significantly higher chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents, as well as a higher chlorophyll a-to-b ratio, whereas the ratio of carotenoids to total chlorophyll did not differ significantly between species. Trait correlations indicated coordinated variation among photosynthetic performance, leaf anatomy, stomatal characteristics, and photosynthetic pigments. Overall, the two species exhibited distinct combinations of leaf structural and photosynthetic functional traits under common nursery conditions, providing baseline ecophysiological information on their resource-use differences and for germplasm conservation of C. longzhouensis.

Habitat conditions are important factors influencing plant reintroduction outcomes, yet the physiological responses of endangered woody species across contrasting reintroduction habitats remain poorly understood. In this study, seedlings of Malania oleifera reintroduced into limestone (karst) and red-soil habitats were investigated, with naturally reintroduced wild seedlings serving as a reference. Photosynthetic light-response and CO ₂ -response curves, chlorophyll contents, leaf anatomical traits, morphological characteristics, and water-use efficiency (WUE) were measured to compare physiological and morphological variation among contrasting reintroduction habitats. Seedlings from the limestone reintroduction site exhibited higher maximum net photosynthetic rate ( P _max ), light saturation point ( LSP ), and isotope-derived water-use efficiency (WUE) than seedlings from the red-soil reintroduction site, whereas red-soil seedlings showed higher CO ₂ -saturated photosynthetic capacity ( A _max ). Limestone-grown seedlings also contained higher chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll contents than red-soil seedlings but lower levels than wild seedlings. Leaf anatomical traits also varied among habitats, with wild seedlings exhibiting greater palisade tissue thickness (PT) and higher palisade-to-spongy tissue ratios (PT/ST), whereas limestone- and red-soil-reintroduced seedlings showed similar PT/ST values. Seedlings from the limestone reintroduction site showed greater final plant height and basal stem diameter than those from the red-soil reintroduction site and wild reference habitat, whereas crown width did not differ significantly among habitats. Furthermore, isotope-derived WUE values were higher in seedlings from the limestone reintroduction site than in those from the red-soil site. This difference suggests variation in water-use strategies among habitats, although the underlying mechanisms require further investigation. Thus, seedlings from the three habitats exhibited distinct combinations of photosynthetic, morphological, anatomical, and water-use traits. The observed differences represent habitat-associated variation during the investigated period rather than evidence of universal habitat superiority. Because soil type was confounded with site conditions and the study evaluated seedlings during a single sampling period, long-term monitoring across multiple sites is required to further assess the persistence and reintroduction outcomes of this endangered karst tree species.

In this study, three-year-old seed-derived seedlings of Horsfieldia hainanensis Merr. were subjected to 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% shade treatments in a nursery shade-net experiment from October 2025 to June 2026. Each treatment included three replicates, with three seedlings per replicate. The results showed that the light environment significantly affected growth. Seedlings under 0% shade showed severe wilting and mortality; therefore, this treatment was treated as a mortality outcome and excluded from subsequent statistical comparisons, which were conducted among the 25%, 50%, and 75% shade treatments. Within this range, plant height, ground diameter, crown width, leaf traits, and above- and belowground biomass increased with shade level, with the highest values observed under 75% shade. The 75% shade treatment was associated with higher maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax), apparent quantum yield (AQY), initial carboxylation efficiency (α), and CO₂-saturated net photosynthetic rate (Amax), together with lower light compensation point (LCP) and carbon dioxide compensation point (CDCP), indicating improved light- and CO₂-response performance within the tested shade range. Leaf thickness, epidermal thickness, and palisade and spongy parenchyma thicknesses increased with shade level, whereas variation in stomatal traits was mainly reflected in stomatal density. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids increased under stronger shading, showing clear variation in pigment accumulation along the shade gradient. Growth, biomass, photosynthetic capacity, leaf anatomical traits, and pigment contents were positively correlated, whereas the light saturation point (LSP), LCP, carbon dioxide saturation point (CDSP), and CDCP were generally negatively associated with these traits. Among the surviving treatments tested, the 75% shade treatment produced the best seedling performance and may be suitable for nursery cultivation, although further validation at different sites and in different seasons is needed. These findings provide practical guidance for artificial propagation, seedling production, plantation establishment, and light-environment management of this species.

Camellia petelotii (Merr.) Sealy (Jinhuacha, JHC) is a rare plant species native to Guangxi, China, and northern Vietnam, renowned for its significant ornamental, nutritional, and medicinal properties. To date, 177 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from JHC, including Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Steroids, Phenylpropanoids, Essential oils, Alkaloids, and Organic acids. Among these, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Luteolin, Catechin, Oleanolic acid, and Camelliaside A are the primary bioactive compounds. The JHC exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antidepressant, and antitumor properties. Studies have demonstrated that extracts of JHC effectively inhibit pancreatic lipase (PL) and cholesterol esterase (CEase), with median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) values of 320 μg/mL and 200 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the extracts show strong free radical scavenging activity, with 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical clearance rates reaching 84.61% and 95.51%, respectively. Clinical applications indicate that JHC Hypoglycemic Capsules achieve a total effective rate of 93.33% in the adjunctive treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, the quality control markers and the precise mechanisms underlying certain pharmacological effects of JHC remain to be fully elucidated. This paper systematically reviews current advances in the study of the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of JHC, and further proposes future research directions, aiming to provide a scientific foundation for the in-depth investigation of its active constituents and mechanisms of action.

Champereia manillana (Bl.) Merr. var. longistaminea is an evergreen small tree. It belongs to the genus Champereia Griff. (Opiliaceae), and its tender leaves or flower buds can be eaten. It also has important medicinal and nutritional values. Wild populations of C. manillana are small and has a phenomenon of deforestation. Market development is hindered by propagation constraints, including low seed germination rates and poor rooting of cuttings. Standardized cultivation protocols are currently lacking. This paper systematically reviews the current status of propagation and cultivation research on C. manillana and analyzed the primary challenges. Recent research indicated that seed germination obstacles had been preliminarily overcome, and 50% shading was identified as the optimal cultivation condition. However, challenges remain, including slow growth, lack of standardized water and fertilizer management, and unclear molecular mechanisms regulating development. Future research should focus on improving vegetative propagation efficiency, elucidating growth mechanisms via multi-omics, and establishing standardized cultivation protocols from breeding to harvest. These strategies are essential for the sustainable utilization of C. manillana resources.

As endemic or regionally distinctive taxa in China, Ottelia species exhibit notable ecological adaptability as well as potential nutritional and medicinal value. Nevertheless, a comprehensive characterization and comparative analysis of the chemical constituents across this genus remain lacking, particularly for O. acuminata var. jingxiensis, O. fengshanensis, and O. guanyangensis. This knowledge gap has hindered the systematic exploitation and value-added utilization of Ottelia resources. In the present study, five Ottelia taxa—O. acuminata, O. acuminata var. jingxiensis, O. fengshanensis, O. guanyangensis, and O. alismoides—were investigated. By integrating widely targeted metabolomics, network pharmacology, and in vitro experimental validation, we identified Rivularin, Tenaxin I, Sinensetin, 8-Methoxyapigenin, Chrysoeriol, Hispidulin, Genkwanin, 5,2′-Dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone, Kumatakenin, and Pectolinarigenin as key antioxidant constituents in the Genus Ottelia. Network-based analyses further indicated that these compounds predominantly act on PTGS1/2 and AR, and may mediate antioxidant activity primarily through the PI3K–Akt signaling pathway and pathways associated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance. Collectively, these findings provide a scientific basis for the further development, functional evaluation, and sustainable utilization of the Genus Ottelia.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe and progressive cardiopulmonary disorder with limited treatment options. Camellia petelotii (Merr.) Sealy (CP) contains multiple flavonoids and other phytochemicals, but its active compounds and molecular mechanisms in PAH remain unclear. Active compounds of CP were screened by comprehensive literature mining and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) evaluation. PAH-related hub targets were identified from transcriptomic data using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), machine learning, and external validation. Functional enrichment, immune infiltration, and single-cell RNA-sequencing analyses were performed to characterize their biological roles and cellular localization. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations assessed compound–target interactions. The effects of CP were further evaluated in hypoxia-induced rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (RPASMCs). Five core bioactive compounds were identified, among which luteolin and quercetin were prioritized for further analysis. HSP90AA1 and ROCK2 were screened as hub targets. Bioinformatic analyses suggested that these targets were mainly associated with the “Lipid and atherosclerosis” pathway, metabolic reprogramming, and modulation of the immune microenvironment. Single-cell analysis showed broad expression of HSP90AA1 and enrichment of ROCK2 in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations supported stable binding of luteolin to HSP90AA1. In vitro, CP extract inhibited hypoxia-induced hyperproliferation of RPASMCs and reduced HSP90AA1 protein expression. HSP90AA1 may represent a candidate molecular mediator of CP in PAH, and CP inhibited hypoxia-induced RPASMC proliferation in association with downregulation of HSP90AA1.

The depletion of wild Glycyrrhiza resources has made artificial cultivation essential; however, soil salinization severely limits the yield and quality of G. uralensis . Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) exhibit promising potential in phytoremediation, yet their regulatory mechanisms under salt stress remain unclear. In this study, Glycyrrhiza uralensis was used to investigate the effects of salt stress and the modulating effects of ZnO NPs. Our results showed that ZnO NPs application enhanced salt accumulation in Glycyrrhiza uralensis while maintaining photosynthetic performance and root growth. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that salt stress disrupted phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways, leading to detectable alterations in root metabolic profiles. Moreover, ZnO NPs modulated root metabolite accumulation and related gene expression, which further affected root metabolites and activated plant defense systems, contributing to enhanced root system adaptation and overall plant resilience under salt stress. These findings suggest that ZnO NPs treatment is associated with improved salt stress performance in G. uralensis under the present experimental conditions. This study provides insights into the potential application of ZnO nanoparticles in improving salt tolerance, thereby offering a promising strategy for the sustainable cultivation of Glycyrrhiza uralensis in saline-alkali soils.