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This study analysed the phenolic compound profile in the leaves of nine Cornus species ( C. alba , C. amomum , C. sericea var. baileyi , C. florida , C. kousa , C. mas , C. officinalis , C. coreana , and C. racemosa ) to evaluate their potential as stable sources of bioactive compounds. The main phenolic acids (gallic, ellagic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). Among the phenolic acids, C. mas and C. officinalis contained the highest levels of chlorogenic acid, while C. coreana totally lacked this compound. Notably, the chlorogenic acid concentration in C. mas also exceeded previously reported values for other plant parts. The highest ellagic acid content was found in C. sericea var. baileyi , while the lowest was observed in C. racemosa . C. coreana showed the highest concentration of gallic acid. Flavonoid analysis revealed that quercetin-3- O -galactoside was present in all species studied, with the highest levels in C. racemosa and the lowest in C. florida . Quercetin-3- O -glucoside was abundant in C. kousa but absent in C. mas . Quercetin-3- O -rhamnoside was detected in significant amounts only in C. racemosa and C. amomum . Among the kaempferol derivatives, kaempferol-3- O -glucoside was the most abundant, with the highest concentration in C. coreana . Furthermore, C. racemosa and C. amomum were the richest sources of quercetin, while C. coreana was particularly rich in kaempferol. These results highlight the diverse phenolic profiles of Cornus species and their potential as valuable sources of bioactive compounds.

Big-bracted dogwoods are popular ornamental trees known for their beautiful spring blooms with showy bracts and four-season appeal. The two most widely grown species are Cornus florida and Cornus kousa , native to Eastern North America and East Asia. Despite their horticultural prominence, there is little information available regarding genetic diversity, population structure, relatedness, and subspecies origins of dogwood cultivars. In this study, 313 cultivars, wild-collected plants, and Rutgers University breeding selections, focusing on C . florida , C . kousa , and interspecific hybrids, were genotyped using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) generating thousands of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and insertion deletion (Indel) markers. The research results showed high genetic diversity among C . florida and C . kousa wild-collected plants and cultivars. For C . florida , pink-bracted plants formed a distinct clade from those with white-bracts with the Mexican C . florida ssp. urbiniana forming an outgroup. For C . kousa , Chinese-collected plants (ssp. chinensis ) were a distinct subspecies with clear separation from Japanese and Korean accessions (ssp. kousa ) and cultivars were designated as ssp. chinensis , ssp. kousa , or ssp. hybrid. Using this information, a Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) assay genotyping panel was designed to determine C . kousa trees’ subspecies makeup. Results revealed many cases of genetically identical cultivars being sold under different names, especially for pink-bracted cultivars of both species. Additionally, reported parent-progeny relationships were evaluated and either validated or discredited. Finally, the hybrid germplasm analysis validated pedigrees of interspecific F1 hybrids and found many of the recent Rutgers breeding selections contain small regions of pacific dogwood ( C . nuttallii ) DNA introgressed into C . kousa backgrounds. This diversity study elucidates origins, diversity, and relationships of a large population of big-bracted dogwoods. The results can inform plant breeders, arboreta, and the ornamental plant industry, as most modern cultivars and popular historic cultivars are represented.

Exotic Xylosandrus spp. ambrosia beetles established in non-native habitats have been associated with sudden and extensive attacks on a diverse range of living trees, but factors driving their shift from dying/dead hosts to living and healthy ones are not well understood. We sought to characterize the role of host physiological condition on preference and colonization by two invaders, Xylosandrus germanus and Xylosandrus crassiusculus. When given free-choice under field conditions among flooded and non-flooded deciduous tree species of varying intolerance to flooding, beetles attacked flood-intolerant tree species over more tolerant species within 3 days of initiating flood stress. In particular, flood-intolerant flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) sustained more attacks than flood-tolerant species, including silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor). Ethanol, a key host-derived attractant, was detected at higher concentrations 3 days after initiating flooding within stems of flood intolerant species compared to tolerant and non-flooded species. A positive correlation was also detected between ethanol concentrations in stem tissue and cumulative ambrosia beetle attacks. When adult X. germanus and X. crassiusculus were confined with no-choice to stems of flood-stressed and non-flooded C. florida, more ejected sawdust resulting from tunneling activity was associated with the flood-stressed trees. Furthermore, living foundresses, eggs, larvae, and pupae were only detected within galleries created in stems of flood-stressed trees. Despite a capability to attack diverse tree genera, X. germanus and X. crassiusculus efficiently distinguished among varying host qualities and preferentially targeted trees based on their intolerance of flood stress. Non-flooded trees were not preferred or successfully colonized. This study demonstrates the host-selection strategy exhibited by X. germanus and X. crassiusculus in non-native habitats involves detection of stress-induced ethanol emission and early colonization of living but weakened trees.

The big-bracted (Benthamidia) dogwood clade consists of small- to medium-sized deciduous trees within the genus Cornus , known for their showy spring-time floral bract display. Cornus is within the family Cornaceae and order Cornales, and as Cornales is one of the earliest diverging asterids, these taxa have been important for phylogenetic research. Three species within the big-bracted clade, flowering ( Cornus florida ), kousa ( C. kousa ), and Pacific ( C. nuttallii ) dogwoods, are popular ornamental landscape plants in North America, with more than 130 cultivars released. Despite their commercial popularity, numerous research gaps have limited the expansion of fundamental research and dogwood breeding programs. In this present review, we aim to provide a thorough overview of our current understanding of 1) the phylogenetic and biogeographic context, 2) plant biology and major pests and pathogens impacting commercialization, 3) historical commercialization and propagation methods, and 4) genetic and genomic resources and how they have been implemented to understand these species. Research gaps and future directions to advance basic research and breeding of big-bracted ornamental dogwoods are discussed throughout.

Transcriptome sequencing analysis is a powerful tool in molecular genetics and evolutionary biology. Here we report the results of de novo 454 sequencing, characterization, and comparison of inflorescence transcriptomes of two closely related dogwood species, Cornus canadensis and C. florida (Cornaceae). Our goals were to build a preliminary source of genome sequence data, and to identify genes potentially expressed differentially between the inflorescence transcriptomes for these important horticultural species. The sequencing of cDNAs from inflorescence buds of C. canadensis (cc) and C. florida (cf), and normalized cDNAs from leaves of C. canadensis resulted in 251799 (ccBud), 96245 (ccLeaf) and 114648 (cfBud) raw reads, respectively. The de novo assembly of the high quality (HQ) reads resulted in 36088, 17802 and 21210 unigenes for ccBud, ccLeaf and cfBud. A reference transcriptome for C. canadensis was built by assembling HQ reads of ccBud and ccLeaf, containing 40884 unigenes. Reference mapping and comparative analyses found 10926 sequences were putatively specific to ccBud, and 6979 putatively specific to cfBud. Putative differentially expressed genes between ccBud and cfBud that are related to flower development and/or stress response were identified among 7718 shared sequences by ccBud and cfBud. Bi-directional BLAST found 87 (41.83% of 208) of Arabidopsis genes related to inflorescence development had putative orthologs in the dogwood transcriptomes. Comparisons of the shared sequences by ccBud and cfBud yielded 65931 high quality SNPs between two species. The twenty unigenes with the most SNPs are listed as potential genetic markers for evolutionary studies. The data provide an important, although preliminary, information platform for functional genomics and evolutionary developmental biology in Cornus. The study identified putative candidates potentially involved in the genetic regulation of inflorescence evolution and/or disease resistance in dogwoods for future analyses. Results of the study also provide markers useful for dogwood phylogenomic studies.

Sclerified endocarp formation represents a defining developmental feature in Cornus officinalis drupes. We systematically investigated cytological dynamics and lignin metabolism to define the mechanistic basis of endocarp sclerification during Cornus officinalis fruit development. Results demonstrated that endocarp sclerification coincided with a significant increase in lignin content. Stone cell density exhibited developmental variation (239–529 piece·mg-1; mean: 400 piece·mg-1), while the microscopic characteristic index of stone cells progressively increased and stabilized at fruit maturity. Critically, the activities of pivotal lignin biosynthesis enzymes (PAL, CCR, CAD, POD) peaked during early fruit development and subsequently declined with progressive lignin accumulation—a trend corroborated by transcriptomic profiling. RNA-Seq analyses revealed stage-specific expression of lignin biosynthesis genes: PAL, C4H, CSE, POD, CAD, and CCR were highly expressed in young fruit but downregulated during later development. Conversely, COMT and F5H expression peaked at ripening, aligning with maximal lignin deposition and indicating their direct regulation of terminal lignin synthesis steps. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that Cornus officinalis endocarp hardening arises from synergistic stone cell differentiation and lignification, with phenylpropanoid metabolism initiated at juvenility and ripening-stage lignin deposition governed primarily by COMT and F5H.

Cornus officinalis (CO) is a traditional herbal medicine renowned in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its properties of tonifying the liver and kidney and replenishing vital essence. Meanwhile, wine‐processed CO (pCO) exhibits superior pharmacological effects, including anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and anti‐fibrotic activities. However, the immunomodulatory mechanism of pCO in osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear. OA models were established in Sprague–Dawley rats via anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict potential targets of pCO against OA, which were validated through behavioural tests, histomorphological staining and immunohistochemistry. HPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap‐MS analysis identified key differential compounds between raw and wine‐processed CO. The immunomodulatory effects of pCO were further confirmed by ELISA, immunofluorescence staining and RT‐qPCR. pCO ameliorated joint pain and cartilage damage in OA rats by reducing pro‐inflammatory factors (IL‐1β, COX‐2, IL‐12) and promoting anti‐inflammatory factors (IL‐10, TGF‐β1) in serum and synovial fluid. Network pharmacology combined with in vivo experiments revealed that pCO attenuated chondrocyte degeneration and apoptosis. Mechanistically, pCO modulated macrophage polarization by suppressing the M1 phenotype (CD86, iNOS) while promoting the M2 phenotype (CD206, TGF‐β1, Arg‐1), which revealed the key mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects against OA. pCO improved joint function and attenuated cartilage degeneration and synovial lesions, which were associated with the promotion of articular cartilage protection via the modulation of M1/M2 macrophage polarization.

Among 65 species belonging to the genus only two, L. and Sieb. et Zucc. (Cornaceae), have been traditionally used since ancient times. (cornelian cherry) is native to southern Europe and southwest Asia, whereas (Asiatic dogwood, cornel dogwood) is a deciduous tree distributed in eastern Asia, mainly in China, as well as Korea and Japan. Based on the different geographic distribution of the closely related species but clearly distinct taxa, the ethnopharmacological use of and seems to be independently originated. Many reports on the quality of fruits were performed due to their value as edible fruits, and few reports compared their physicochemical properties with other edible fruits. However, the detailed phytochemical profiles of and , in particular fruits, have never been compared. The aim of this review was highlighting the similarities and differences of phytochemicals found in fruits of and in relation to their biological effects as well as compare the therapeutic use of fruits from both traditional species. The fruits of and are characterized by the presence of secondary metabolites, in particular iridoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids and flavonoids. However, much more not widely known iridoids, such as morroniside, as well as tannins were detected particularly in fruits of . The referred studies of biological activity of both species indicate their antidiabetic and hepatoprotective properties. Based on the available reports antihyperlipidemic and anticoagulant activity seems to be unique for extracts of fruits, whereas antiosteoporotic and immunomodulatory activities were assigned to preparations of fruits. In conclusion, the comparison of phytochemical composition of fruits from both species revealed a wide range of similarities as well as some constituents unique for cornelian cherry or Asiatic dogwood. Thus, these phytochemicals are considered the important factor determining the biological activity and justifying the use of and in the traditional European and Asiatic medicine.

The fruits of Cornus mas and Cornus officinalis have been known and appreciated in folk medicine for years and have a high biological value, which is mainly connected with their polyphenols and iridoids content. However, hybrids of C. mas × C. officinalis have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the iridoids, anthocyanins, and flavonols content, and antioxidant capacity of Cornus mas, Cornus officinalis, and C. mas × C. officinalis. Iridoids and flavonoids were quantified by the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. Antioxidant capacity (AC) was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethyl benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS•+), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests. Total phenolic content (TPC) was evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. Among the C. mas cultivars and C. officinalis genotypes, there was considerable variation in the content of iridoids, flavonoids, and AC. Interspecific hybrids C. mas × C. officinalis contained more iridoids than C. mas and more anthocyanins than C. officinalis and additionally had higher AC and TPC than C. officinalis and most C. mas. AC, TPC, and the presence of iridoids, anthocyanins, and flavonols in hybrids C. mas × C. officinalis are reported for the first time. The Cornus species deserve special attention due to their highly biologically active substances, as well as useful medicinal properties.

Red-stemmed plants are extremely common, yet the functions of cauline anthocyanins are largely unknown. The possibility that photoabatement by anthocyanins in the periderm reduces the propensity for photoinhibition in cortical chlorenchyma was tested for Cornus stolonifera. Anthocyanins were induced in green stems exposed to full sunlight. PSII quantum yields (ФPSII) and photochemical quenching coefficients were depressed less in red than in green stems, both under a light ramp and after prolonged exposures to saturating white light. These differences were primarily attributable to the attenuation of PAR, especially green/yellow light, by anthocyanins. However, the red internodes also had less chlorophyll and higher carotenoid:chlorophyll ratios than the green, and when the anthocyanic periderm was removed, small differences in the ФPSII of the underlying chlorenchyma were retained. Thus, light screening by cauline anthocyanins is important, but is only part of a set of protective acclimations to high irradiance. Hourly measurements of ФPSII on established trees under natural daylight indicated a possible advantage of red versus green stems under sub-saturating diffuse, but not direct sunlight. To judge the wider applicability of the hypothesis, responses to high light were compared for red and green stems across five further unrelated species. There was a strong, linear, interspecific correlation between photoprotective advantage and anthocyanin concentration differences among red and green internodes. The photoprotective effect appears to be a widespread phenomenon.