Explore the vast range of titles available.

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a sensitive technique for gene expression studies. However, choosing the appropriate reference gene is essential to obtain reliable results for RT-qPCR assays. In the present work, the expression of eight candidate reference genes, (elongation factor 1- ), (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase), (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), (polyubiquitin), (actin), ( -tubulin), (adenine phosphoribosyltransferase 1), and (18S ribosomal RNA), was evaluated in samples using two algorithms, geNorm and NormFinder. The samples were classified into groups according to developmental stages, various tissues, stresses (cold, heat, drought, NaCl), and hormone treatments (MeJA, IBA, SA). Suitable combination of reference genes for RT-qPCR normalization should be applied according to different experimental conditions. In this study, , , and genes were verified as the suitable reference genes across all tested samples. To validate the suitability of the reference genes, we evaluated the relative expression of , which is a gene that may be involved in phytosterol synthesis. Our results provide the foundation for gene expression analysis in and other species of Amaranthaceae.

Application of plant growth regulators has become one of the most important means of improving yield and quality of medicinal plants. To understand the molecular basis of phytohormone-regulated oleanolic acid metabolism, RNA-seq was used to analyze global gene expression in Achyranthes bidentata treated with 2.0 mg/L 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1.0 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (6-BA). Compared with untreated controls, the expression levels of 20,896 genes were significantly altered with phytohormone treatment. We found that 13071 (62.5%) unigenes were up-regulated, and a lot of differentially expressed genes involved in hormone or terpenoid biosynthesis, or transcription factors were significantly up-regulated. These results suggest that oleanolic acid biosynthesis induced by NAA and 6-BA occurs due to the expression of key genes involved in jasmonic acid signal transduction. This study is the first to analyze the production and hormonal regulation of medicinal A. bidentata metabolites at the molecular level. The results herein contribute to a better understanding of the regulation of oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins accumulation and define strategies to improve the yield of these useful metabolites.

The yield and quality of the medicinal plant Achyranthes bidentata can be increased when it is replanted into a field cultivated previously with the same crop, however, fundamental aspects of its biology (so-called “replanting benefit”) still remain to be elucidated. miRNAs are sRNA molecules involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in plant biological processes. Here, 267 conserved and 36 novel miRNAs were identified in A. bidentata roots. We compared the miRNA content of the roots (R1) from first-year planting with that of the roots (R2) of second-year replanting, and screened 21 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs. Based on in silico functional analysis, integrated miRNA-mRNA datasets allowed the identification of 10 miRNA-target family modules, which might participate in the benefit. The expression profiles of the miRNA-target modules were potentially correlated with the presence of the replanting benefit. The indication was that the miRNA-responsive continuous monoculture could reprogram miRNA-mRNA expression patterns, which possibly promote the root growth and development, enhance its transport activity and strengthen its tolerance to various stresses, thereby improving A. bidentata productivity as observed in the replanting benefit. Our study provides basic data for further research on the molecular mechanisms of the benefit in A. bidentata .

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is an inflammatory disorder with limited treatment options. Given the key role of oxidative stress in TMJOA progression, targeting this pathway may offer therapeutic benefits. In this study, we isolated and characterized exosome-like nanovesicles from Achyranthes bidentata (ABNVs), a traditional Chinese herb known for its antioxidant properties. ABNVs exhibited an average size of 134.7 nm and a negatively charged surface (-30.32 mV), and were enriched with antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In a rat TMJOA model, ABNVs (1 µg/mL) effectively reduced cartilage degradation, bone damage, and synovial inflammation while maintaining high biocompatibility. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ABNVs suppressed M1 macrophage polarization. In vitro, ABNVs did not impair chondrogenic differentiation but mitigated chondrocyte inflammation. Mechanistically, ABNVs scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced macrophage inflammation through CAT/SOD-mediated ROS clearance and modulation of the JNK/FOXO1 pathway. Additionally, ABNVs indirectly enhanced chondrogenic differentiation by inhibiting M1 macrophage activation. Our findings demonstrate that ABNVs hold promise as a therapeutic strategy for TMJOA by targeting oxidative stress and inflammation via ROS scavenging and JNK/FOXO1 regulation. Graphical Abstract Scheme 1: The mechanism of Achyranthes bidentata-derived nanovesicles (ABNVs) ameliorates TMJOA by ROS scavenging and modulation of inflammatory levels in M1-type macrophages. This results in reduced cartilage matrix degradation and enhanced matrix synthesis in the TMJOA animal model

The family Amaranthaceae comprises more than 175 genera and 2,000 species of herbs, shrubs, subshrubs and small trees. It is a widespread and cosmopolitan family that can be found from the tropics to cool temperate regions. Some of the Amaranthaceae plants have economic importance and are used as herbal medicines or vegetables in various parts of the globe. The phytochemical profile of Amaranthaceae plants comprises essential oils, betalains, phenolic compounds and terpenoids. This review focuses on distribution, structure and pharmacological properties of triterpene saponins present in Amaranthaceae plants. These include oleanane-, ursane- and lupane-type of compounds possessing a very broad array of structures. Different pattern of triterpene saponin occurrence was characterised in almost 30 species belonging to Amaranthaceae family, i.e. Achyranthes bidendata Blume , Achyranthes faureri Léveille. & Vahiot. , Amaranthus caudatus L. , Amaranthus cruentus L., Amaranthus hypochondriacus L., Alternanthera philoxeroides Griseb., Alternanthera repens L., Anabasis articulata Moq, Anabasis setifera Moq, Atriplex glauca L., Atriplex semibaccata R. Br., Bassia muricata L., Beta vulgaris var. vulgaris L., Gomphrena globosa Spreng., Celosia argentea L., Celosia cristata L., Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium foliosum L., Chenopodium quinoa Willd., Climacoptera obtusifolia L., Kochia scoparia L., Pfaffia glomerata Speng. , Pfaffia paniculata Mart., Salicornia bigelovii Torr., Salicornia europaea L., Salicornia herbacea L. The bioactivity of saponin mixtures or individual saponins in vitro and in vivo include cytotoxic, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, antiosteoporosis, antiviral, antifungal as well as anthelmintic actions. Herbal and edible Amaranthaceae plants can be considered as promising and highly available sources of biologically active triterpene saponins.

LC–MS analyses of saponin fractions of Achyranthes roots in the Japanese market revealed that there were three patterns for the saponin fraction of their water extracts, i.e., the saponins with a sugar moiety at position 28 [achyranthosides B ( 3 ), C ( 4 ) and D ( 5 )] were the major constituents, the saponins without sugar moiety at position 28 [betavulgarosides II ( 10 ) and IV ( 11 )] were the major constituents, and mixtures of these saponins. In a decoction prepared from the sample which contained 10 and 11 as the major saponins, their amounts were largely decreased compared with those of the water extract. As large amounts of these saponins were found in the precipitates formed by heating of the water extract, these saponins were seemed to precipitate out under heating. When hot water was used for the extraction, 3 , 4 and 5 were detected even from the samples whose water extract did not contain these saponins. This was attributed to inhibition of endogenous esterase which hydrolyzes the ester linkage at position 28. When saponins were extracted with reagent grade 1-butanol, in addition to the decrease of the amounts of highly polar saponins, oxidative decarboxylation of 3 and 10 occurred resulting in formation of achyranthoside E ( 6 ) and spinacoside D ( 12 ), respectively. As these changes were not observed with HPLC grade 1-butanol, which contain not more than 5 ppm of peroxide impurities, the change was attributable to the peroxide impurities contained in the reagent grade 1-butanol.

Key message The transcriptome profiling in replanting roots revealed that expression pattern changes of key genes promoted important metabolism pathways, antioxidant and pathogen defense systems, adjusted phytohormone signaling and inhibited lignin biosynthesis. The yield of the medicinal plant Achyranthes bidentata could be significantly increased when replanted into a field cultivated previously for the same crop, but the biological basis of this so-called “replanting benefit” is unknown. Here, the RNA-seq technique was used to identify candidate genes responsible for the benefit. The analysis of RNA-seq libraries prepared from mRNA extracted from the roots of first year planting (normal growth, NG) and second year replanting (consecutive monoculture, CM) yielded about 40.22 GB sequencing data. After de novo assembly, 87,256 unigenes were generated with an average length of 1060 bp. Among these unigenes, 55,604 were annotated with public databases, and 52,346 encoding sequences and 2881 transcription factors were identified. A contrast between the NG and CM libraries resulted in a set of 3899 differentially transcribed genes (DTGs). The DTGs related to the replanting benefit and their expression profiles were further analyzed by bioinformatics and qRT-PCR approaches. The major differences between the NG and CM transcriptomes included genes encoding products involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, glutathione metabolism and antioxidant defense, in aspects of the plant/pathogen interaction, phytohormone signaling and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The indication was that replanting material enjoyed a stronger level of defense systems, a balance regulation of hormone signals and a suppression of lignin formation, thereby promoting root growth and development. The study provides considerable significant insights for a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of the replanting benefit and suggests their possible application in developing methods to reinforce the effects in medicinal plants.

Achyranthes bidentata, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has garnered significant attentions due to its diverse bioactivities and substantial market potential. Recent advancements in phytochemical and pharmacological research have identified polysaccharides as some of its primary bioactive constituents. These polysaccharides demonstrate a wide range of biological effects both in vitro and in vivo, such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporotic, and gut microbiota-regulating properties. This review comprehensively examines the extraction and purification techniques, structural features, modifications, pharmacological effects, and structure–activity relationships of A. bidentata polysaccharides (ABPs) over the past three decades. By highlighting the multifaceted biological roles and structure–activity correlations of ABPs, this review aims to enhance the understanding of their potential applications and foster further innovation in bioactive research and development.

Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae), commonly known as the Prickly Chaff flower, is used as herbal medicine in the Ivorian’s culture, Africa. Nonetheless, there is currently a paucity of scientific information on A. aspera from the Ivory Coast. Herein, the antioxidant activity of A. aspera extracts (methanol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and infusion) as well as the enzymatic inhibitory potentials towards key enzymes in human diseases, namely Alzheimer’s disease, (cholinesterases: AchE and BChE), type 2 diabetes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) and hyperpigmentation (tyrosinase) were assessed. The total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content was determined using colorimetric methods and the individual compounds were characterized using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). Furthermore, a network pharmacology analysis was conducted to predict putative targets of identified phenolic compounds. The highest TPC was observed in the infused extract (28.86 ± 0.12 mg GAE/g), while the dichloromethane extract (38.48 ± 1.48 mg RE/g) showed the highest level of TFC. UHPLC-HRMS analysis has revealed an abundance of fatty acids, flavonoids, phenols and acylquinic acids. Among tested extracts, the infused extract displayed the highest free radical quenching, reducing and metal-chelating ability. The extracts (except infusion) were effective as enzyme inhibitors against AChE, while only methanolic and infused extracts showed noteworthy anti-BChE effects. The methanolic extract showed a remarkable antityrosinase effect (56.24 ± 5.05 mg KAE/g), as well. Modest to moderate inhibitory activity was observed against α-amylase (all extracts) and α-glucosidase (only dichloromethane extract). Finally, the network pharmacology analysis suggested the carbonic anhydrase II enzyme as a putative target for explaining, at least in part, the traditional use of A. aspera preparations as diuretic and blood clotting agent. Data amassed herein tend to validate the use of A. aspera in traditional medicine, as well as act as a stepping stone for further studies in the quest for novel phytopharmaceuticals. In this context, it is desirable that this study will contribute to the validation of the traditional uses of this plant in the African herbal medicine, and to the valorization of the whole chain production of A. aspera, as a local and sustainable botanical resource.

In the present study, the aerial parts of Achyranthes ferruginea underwent investigation of their in vitro antioxidant and free radical‐scavenging activities in cell‐free conditions, their phytoconstituents using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and their cytotoxic activity in HeLa cells. A. ferruginea was extracted with 80% methanol and successively fractionated with solvents to yield petroleum ether (PEF), chloroform (CHF), ethyl acetate (EAF), and aqueous (AQF) fractions. GC‐MS analysis revealed that CHF contained ten phytoconstituents, including different forms of octadecanoic acid methyl esters. The total antioxidant and ferric‐reducing antioxidant capacities of the extracts and the standard catechin (CA) were as follows: CA >CHF >PEF >CME (crude methanolic extract) >EAF >AQF, and CA >CHF >EAF >PEF >AQF >CME, respectively. CHF showed the highest DPPH‐free radical‐scavenging activity, with a median inhibitory concentration of 10.5 ± 0.28 µg/ml, which was slightly higher than that of the standard butylated hydroxytoluene (12.0 ± 0.09 µg/ml). In the hydroxyl radical‐scavenging assay, CHF showed identical scavenging activity (9.25 ± 0.73 µg/ml) when compared to CA (10.50 ± 1.06 µg/ml). Moreover, CHF showed strong cytotoxic activity (19.95 ± 1.18 µg/ml) in HeLa cells, which was alike to that of the standards vincristine sulfate and 5‐fluorouracil (15.84 ± 1.64 µg/ml and 12.59 ± 1.75 µg/ml, respectively). The in silico study revealed that identified compounds were significantly linked to the targets of various cancer cells and oxidative enzymes. However, online prediction by SwissADME, admetSAR, and PASS showed that it has drug‐like, nontoxic, and potential pharmacological actions. In this study, we found that the CHF of A. ferruginea has strong antioxidant and cytotoxic properties in different cell lines. GC‐MS quantitative phytochemical screening revealed that CHF contains 10 compounds which has known cytotoxic activity. Therefore, the obtained biological activity of A. ferruginea supports its use as a traditional medicine against different illnesses, and the plant can be considered a potential candidate for treating cancer.