Genome-Wide Identification of the MYB Gene Family in Cymbidiumensifolium and Its Expression Analysis in Different Flower Colors

MYB transcription factors of plants play important roles in flavonoid synthesis, aroma regulation, floral organ morphogenesis, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Cymbidium ensifolium is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to Orchidaceae, with special flower colors and high ornamental value. In this study, a total of 136 CeMYB transcription factors were identified from the genome of C. ensifolium, including 27 1R-MYBs, 102 R2R3-MYBs, 2 3R-MYBs, 2 4R-MYBs, and 3 atypical MYBs. Through phylogenetic analysis in combination with MYB in Arabidopsis thaliana, 20 clusters were obtained, indicating that these CeMYBs may have a variety of biological functions. The 136 CeMYBs were distributed on 18 chromosomes, and the conserved domain analysis showed that they harbored typical amino acid sequence repeats. The motif prediction revealed that multiple conserved elements were mostly located in the N-terminal of CeMYBs, suggesting their functions to be relatively conserved. CeMYBs harbored introns ranging from 0 to 13 and contained a large number of stress- and hormone-responsive cis-acting elements in the promoter regions. The subcellular localization prediction demonstrated that most of CeMYBs were positioned in the nucleus. The analysis of the CeMYBs expression based on transcriptome data showed that CeMYB52, and CeMYB104 of the S6 subfamily may be the key genes leading to flower color variation. The results lay a foundation for the study of MYB transcription factors of C. ensifolium and provide valuable information for further investigations of the potential function of MYB genes in the process of anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Ethnopharmacological application of common agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) in the Pirot County (Serbia)

Agrimonia eupatoria is perennial herbaceous plant from family Rosaceae, characterized by pinnate leaves, and yellow spike-like racemose inflorescences. It flowers from June to September, and above ground part of plants are collected for medicinal purposes. Survey on participants' knowledge and use of medicinal plants in the Pirot County was carried in the form of interviews in four municipalities: Pirot, Babušnica, Bela Palanka and Dimitrovgrad. Out of the total number of respondents, which amounted to 631, it was noted that 34 people knew the use of common agrimony. The largest number of respondents mentioned common agrimony against the group of urinary diseases (19 reports). A small number of respondents have mentioned the use against prostate disease (6 reports) and treatment of wounds (5 reports). Five reports against the group of digestive tract diseases were recorded. The results were compared with other ethnopharmacological studies from Serbia and the Balkan Peninsula. The following applications of common agrimony were not mentioned in previous ethnopharmacological investigations in Serbia and Balkan Peninsula: for circulation, for the heart, against varicose veins, catarrh of the stomach, for colon, for the stomach, bile, liver, prostate disease, against kidney and urinary tract sand, and diseases of internal organs.

New variety of the Lychnis coronaria (L.) Murray Ex Desr. Malinovy Rassvet selected by FSBSI FSVC

Relevance and methodology. Lychnis coronaria is a perennial herbaceous plant with high decorative properties, with prolonged flowering in the second or third year of vegetation. The pubescent leaves form beautiful rosettes. The plant is undemanding to the growing conditions. The research material was the varietal population of Lychnis coronaria. The study was carried out in the open ground of the Moscow region (2014- 2021) on experimental plots of the flower crops sector of the FSBSI FSVC.Results. The most aligned form according to decorative features was identified – LC 1-21 with high seed productivity of inflorescences, decorative and winter hardiness. A variety testing and preliminary reproduction of a promising cultivar of Lychnis coronaria was carried out. This variety was transferred to the FSBI "State Export Commission" in 2021 under the name “Malinovy Rassvet”. Such signs as "plant height", "bush diameter", "number of ornamental shoots", "flower diameter" had a low or average variation value, which characterizes this sample as the most aligned. Thus, the cv. “Malinovy Rassvet” of Lychnis coronaria is recommended for cultivation and use for decorative purposes. The leaves and the bright color of the flowers provide a contrast to the perennial borders and flower beds. It looks good both in single and group plantings, as well as in cutting. It is grown as a short-lived perennial. The main advantages of the variety are the color fastness of flowers when burned out in the sun, resistance to diseases and pests, high seed productivity.

Molecular Characterization, Expression Analysis of Carotenoid, Xanthophyll, Apocarotenoid Pathway Genes, and Carotenoid and Xanthophyll Accumulation in Chelidonium majus L.

Chelidonium majus L. is a perennial herbaceous plant that has various medicinal properties. However, the genomic information about its carotenoid biosynthesis pathway (CBP), xanthophyll biosynthesis pathway (XBP), and apocarotenoid biosynthesis pathway (ABP) genes were limited. Thus, the CBP, XBP, and ABP genes of C. majus were identified and analyzed. Among the 15 carotenoid pathway genes identified, 11 full and 4 partial open reading frames were determined. Phylogenetic analysis of these gene sequences showed higher similarity with higher plants. Through 3D structural analysis and multiple alignments, several distinct conserved motifs were identified, including dinucleotide binding motif, carotene binding motif, and aspartate or glutamate residues. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that CBP, XBP, and ABP genes were expressed in a tissue-specific manner; the highest expression levels were achieved in flowers, followed by those in leaves, roots, and stems. The HPLC analysis of the different organs showed the presence of eight different carotenoids. The highest total carotenoid content was found in leaves, followed by that in flowers, stems, and roots. This study provides information on the molecular mechanisms involved in CBP, XBP, and ABP genes, which might help optimize the carotenoid production in C. majus. The results could also be a basis of further studies on the molecular genetics and functional analysis of CBP, XBP, and ABP genes.

MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT LEONTICE EVERSMANNII BGE

Изучено морфологическое строение лекарственного растения Leontice еversmannii Bge., с целью выявления его биологических особенностей. Leontice eversmannii Bge. - многолетнее травянистое растение, широко распространенное в Туркестанской области. Корень растения - клубень яйцевидной формы. Стебель прямой, без ворса, высота - 15-20 см. Из стебля развиваются прикорневые и стеблевые листья. Листья сложные, тройчаторассеченные. Плод - пузыревидно - вздутая, крупная коробочка. В коробочном плоде - 1-2 семени. The morphological structure of the medicinal plant Leontice eversmannii Bge. was studied in order to identify its biological features. Leontice eversmannii Bge. - a perennial herbaceous plant, widely distributed in the Turkestan region. The root of the plant is an egg-shaped tuber. The stem is straight, without lint, height - 15- 20 cm. Basal and stem leaves develop from the stem. The leaves are complex, trifoliate. The fruit is a bubble-like, swollen, large box. In the box fruit-1-2 seeds

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea L.: Fabaceae) and Its Morphological Variations in Bali

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) is an important perennial herbaceous plant with a range of uses as ornamental plants, fodder crops, medicine, and sources of natural food colorant and antioxidants. The leaves and pods are commonly used as a source of protein in fodder, while the flowers are usually dried and processed as a high antioxidant-containing tea. The blue variant of butterfly pea was the most commonly used variety, although there are quite diverse butterfly pea varieties. The present study aimed to observe the morphological variations among the 26 butterfly pea accessions that originated from a wide range of areas in Bali. The explorative method was used to obtain diverse specimens (accessions) of butterfly pea in Bali, and subsequently, morphological characterization of the accessions was performed. The primary data of morphological traits that were recorded included stems, leaves, flower structures, flower colors, pods, and seeds. The data were analyzed descriptively to determine the morphological variations between accessions. The results showed three major morphological variations: (i) the colour of the flower (corolla), (ii) the corolla structure, and (iii) the stamen structure. The colour of corolla has four variations: white, mauve, light blue, and dark blue; while the corolla structure has two variations: normal and multiple layered corollas. The stamen character showed a correlation with the structure of the corolla. The normal corolla has diadelphous stamens, while the multiple layered corollas have solitary stamens. These morphological variations are the genetic richness of Indonesia’s biodiversity and should be protected and conserved.

Essential Oil Analysis of Coriander Plant of Konya Region

Coriander is a small aromatic perennial herbaceous plant that grows widely in western Asia, India, Pakistan, the Mediterranean basin, and the United States. Although all parts of the plant can be eaten, its fresh leaves and dry seeds are used more. fructose, sucrose), alkaloids, flavones, resins, tannins, anthroquinones, sterols (β-stesterol and β-cytosterelin), and fixed oils. Has a small amount of carminative agent. Coriander plant samples were collected by a specialist pharmacist and phytotherapist (Muammaer Şen). Cultured medicinal marshmallow herb flower was harvested and dried. The dried plant was sorted and packed in packages of 50 grams using precision scales. 100gr of randomly selected samples. It was sent to BATAM laboratory for analysis. The essential oil analysis of the coriander plant of the Konya region has been found in accordance with the pharmacopoeia standards. Coriander plant is used to take advantage of its heavy metal removal feature. Many factors can affect the essential oil ratio of the plant. It is possible to make maximum use of the essential oils of the coriander plant by making the environmental factors suitable.

Spectrophotometric Studies of Indolic Compounds from Vinca Minor L.

The most medically representative plant in the Apocynaceae family is Vinca minor. Vinca minor is a perennial, herbaceous plant, commonly known as Saschiu. In the present research we aimed to isolate the indole compounds from Vinca minor L. and to carry out some physico-chemical studies on these compounds: UV-VIS spectroscopy and the determination of the polyphenols content using Folin-Ciocâlteu method. The spectrophotometric study of the alcoholic plant extracts obtained from the leaf and stem of Vinca minor was performed using the UV-VIS spectrophotometric method and a VWR UV-630PC double beam spectrophotometer. Both samples of plant alcoholic extracts obtained from the leaf and from the stem of Vinca minor L. had the specific absorption maxima detected in the range 225-350 nm and the absorbance maximum in both cases was 3.5 (u.a- absorbency units). The total content of polyphenols was determined by the Folin-Ciocâlteu method from alcoholic extracts of different concentrations: 40 percent, 70 percent, 96 percent (T40, T70, T96, F40, F70, F96) obtained from the leaf and stem of Vinca minor plant using the spectrophotometer model JASCO- 550 UV VIS. Regarding the alcoholic extracts obtained from the leaf of Vinca minor L., the concentrations of polyphenols were between 812.50 mg / 100g pv and 1737.50 mg / 100g pv and and in the case of alcoholic extracts obtained from the strain, the results were between 1525.00-3962.50 mg GAE / 100 g pv, results that were in accordance with the literature.

Phytochemical and Antimalarial Effects of Ecballium elaterium (L.) Rich. Growing in Iran

Background: Malaria is a well-recognized parasitic disease and a serious public health problem worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the antimalarial properties of extracts with different polarities from the various parts of Ecballium elaterium (L.) Rich. (or wild cucumber) as a perennial herbaceous plant growing in Gilan and Azerbaijan provinces of Iran. Methods: The air-dried and powdered fruits, seeds, and roots of E. elaterium were extracted using three solvents with different polarities, n-Hexane (n-Hex), dichloromethane (DCM), and methanol (MeOH). The MeOH extract of roots was subjected to fractionalizing by a C18 Sep-Pak cartridge. All extracts and fractions with different polarities were assessed for their antimalarial activity using the cell-free beta-hematin formation test, and the structural groups of the fractions were identified by Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC). Results: According to our results, the MeOH extracts of the plant’s roots presented considerable antimalarial effects with an IC50 value of 0.124 ± 0.0002 mg/mL. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of root MeOH extract by solid phase extraction (SPE) afforded six fractions. The 20% fraction showed the most potent antimalarial effect with an IC50 value of 0.167 ± 0.002 mg/mL. Moreover, the three fractions of 80%, 60%, and 100% methanol/water demonstrated considerable antimalarial activities. Phytochemical analysis of potent fractions of E. elaterium suggested the presence of flavonoids in 20% and 60% fractions and flavonoids and triterpenoids in 80% and 100% fractions. Conclusions: According to our primary phytochemical investigation on the six SPE fractions, it is recommended to purify the active constituents of the most effective fractions and investigate their biological effects in animal models.

Selection and validation of appropriate reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis of flowering stages and different genotypes of Iris germanica L

Iris germanica L. is a perennial herbaceous plant that has been widely cultivated worldwide and is popular for its elegant and vibrantly colorful flowers. Selection of appropriate reference genes is the prerequisite for accurate normalization of target gene expression by quantitative real-time PCR. However, to date, the most suitable reference genes for flowering stages have not been elucidated in I. germanica. In this study, eight candidate reference genes were examined for the normalization of RT-qPCR in three I. germanica cultivars, and their stability were evaluated by four different algorithms (GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and Ref-finder). The results revealed that IgUBC and IgGAPDH were the most stable reference genes in ‘00246’ and ‘Elizabeth’, and IgTUB and IgUBC showed stable expression in ‘2010200’. IgUBC and IgGAPDH were the most stable in all samples, while IgUBQ showed the least stability. Finally, to validate the reliability of the selected reference genes, the expression patterns of IgFT (Flowering Locus T gene) was analyzed and emphasized the importance of appropriate reference gene selection. This work presented the first systematic study of reference genes selection during flower bud development and provided guidance to research of the molecular mechanisms of flowering stages in I. germanica.