Know your enemy: Application of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to invasive species control

Extreme weather and globalisation leave our climate vulnerable to invasion by alien species, which have negative impacts on the economy, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Rapid and accurate identification is key to the control of invasive alien species. However, visually similar species hinder conservation efforts, for example hybrids within the Japanese Knotweed complex. We applied the novel method of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics (mathematics applied to chemical data) to historic herbarium samples, taking 1580 spectra in total. Samples included five species from within the interbreeding Japanese Knotweed complex (including three varieties of Japanese Knotweed), six hybrids and five species from the wider Polygonaceae family. Spectral data from herbarium specimens were analysed with several chemometric techniques: support vector machines (SVM) for differentiation between plant types, supported by ploidy levels; principal component analysis loadings and spectral biomarkers to explore differences between the highly invasive Reynoutria japonica var. japonica and its non-invasive counterpart Reynoutria japonica var. compacta; hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to investigate the relationship between plants within the Polygonaceae family, of the Fallopia, Reynoutria, Rumex and Fagopyrum genera. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy coupled with SVM successfully differentiated between plant type, leaf surface and geographical location, even in herbarium samples of varying age. Differences between Reynoutria japonica var. japonica and Reynoutria japonica var. compacta included the presence of two polysaccharides, glucomannan and xyloglucan, at higher concentrations in Reynoutria japonica var. japonica than Reynoutria japonica var. compacta. HCA analysis indicated that potential genetic linkages are sometimes masked by environmental factors; an effect that can either be reduced or encouraged by altering the input parameters. Entering the absorbance values for key wavenumbers, previously highlighted by principal component analysis loadings, favours linkages in the resultant HCA dendrogram corresponding to expected genetic relationships, whilst environmental associations are encouraged using the spectral fingerprint region. The ability to distinguish between closely related interbreeding species and hybrids, based on their spectral signature, raises the possibility of using this approach for determining the origin of Japanese knotweed infestations in legal cases where the clonal nature of plants currently makes this difficult and for the targeted control of species and hybrids. These techniques also provide a new method for supporting biogeographical studies.

Organosolv Lignin Barrier Paper Coatings from Waste Biomass Resources

The aim of the study was to isolate lignin from organosolv, beech tree (Fagus sylvatica), and Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), to use it for paper surface and to replace part of the non-renewable product resources with bio-based ones. A total of nine coated samples with different lignin formulations and starch were compounded, prepared, and evaluated. The basic (grammage, thickness, specific density), mechanical (elongation at break, tensile, burst and tear indices), and barrier properties (contact angle, water penetration, water vapour permeability, kit test) of the coated papers were investigated. The analysis showed no significant difference in tensile properties between uncoated and coated samples. Furthermore, the decrease in water vapour transmission rate and the lower contact angle for coated samples were nevertheless confirmed. The novel coating materials show promising products with very good barrier properties. Finally, the correlation between structural, morphological, and (other) natural lignin-based factors was revealed, highlighting the importance of parameters such as the equivalence ratio of aliphatic and phenolic hydroxyl groups or the average molecular weight. Tuning functionality by design could optimise performance in the future.

Effect of Reynoutria Japonic and Resveratrol on Sirt1/SOD/MDA of Adriamycin-Induced Renal Injury: A Randomised Trial

Background: Mechanisms of drug-induced kidney injury include mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Resveratrol is a natural activator of sirt1 that is related to oxidative stress.Objectives: To explore the mechanism of treating drug-induced kidney injury with Reynoutria japonica and its extract (Resveratrol).Methods: Fifty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: blank group, model group, Reynoutria japonica group, resveratrol group and Benazepril group. Except the blank group, each group used a one-time tail vein injection of 7.5mg/kg adriamycin to make the rat model of drug-induced renal injury. After three days, the proteinuria test strip showed green, which was positive for proteinuria. Each group was given the corresponding drug. ACR was measured on the seventh day every week. All rats were anaesthetized death on the fourth weekend to obtain blood and kidneys. Results: At the fourth week, the MDA levels of blank group and Reynoutria japonica group were significantly lower than those of benazepril hydrochloride group (P<0.05), and the MDA levels of resveratrol group and model group were significantly higher than those of benazepril hydrochloride group (P<0.05).The Sirt1 mRNA levels of the blank group and the Reynoutria japonica group were significantly higher than those in the benazepril hydrochloride group (P<0.05), and the Sirt1 mRNA levels of resveratrol group and model group were significantly lower than those of the benazepril hydrochloride group (P<0.05). The comparison results between groups of the Sirt1 protein expression were the same as those of the Sirt1 mRNA expression (P<0.05).Conclusions: The therapeutic effect of the Reynoutria japonica group was better than that of the Benazepril group and resveratrol group.

Antiglycoxidative Properties of Extracts and Fractions from Reynoutria Rhizomes

Hyperglycemia, when sustained over a long time in diabetes mellitus (DM), leads to biochemical and cellular abnormalities, primarily through the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). In the treatment of diabetes, beside blood-sugar-lowering medications, a consumption of herbal products that can inhibit the AGEs’ formation is recommended. This study investigated the in vitro antiglycoxidative potential of extracts and fractions from the rhizomes of Japanese, Giant, and Bohemian knotweeds (Reynoutria japonica (Houtt.), R. sachalinensis (F. Schmidt) Nakai, and R.× bohemica Chrtek et Chrtkova). Their effects on glycooxidation of bovine and human serum albumin were evaluated by incubation of the proteins with a mixture of glucose and fructose (0.5 M) and 150 µg/mL of extract for 28 days at 37 °C, followed by measuring early and late glycation products, albumin oxidation (carbonyl and free thiol groups), and amyloid-β aggregation (thioflavin T and Congo red assays). The highest antiglycoxidative activity, comparable or stronger than the reference drug (aminoguanidine), was observed for ethyl acetate and diethyl ether fractions, enriched in polyphenols (stilbenes, phenylpropanoid disaccharide esters, and free and oligomeric flavan-3-ols). In conclusion, the antiglycoxidative compounds from these three species should be further studied for potential use in the prevention and complementary treatment of DM.

Geohistorical dataset of ten plant species introduced into Occitania (France)

The original dataset presented here is the result of the first near-exhaustive analysis performed on historical data concerning ten plant species introduced in and around Occitania (south-western France) since 1651. Research was carried out on the following species: Alnus incana, Buddleja davidii, Castanea sativa, Helianthus tuberosus, Impatiens glandulifera, Prunus cerasifera, Prunus laurocerasus, Reynoutria japonica, Robinia pseudoacacia and Spiraea japonica. The data file contains 199 occurrence data exclusively based on historical observations and records made between 1651 and 2004 and retrieved from 111 of the 640 literary sources consulted. All the records are associated with a year and 61% of them have associated spatial coordinates. Initially the EI2P-VALEEBEE research project focused on the introduction of these species into Occitania (95 occurrences, 47.7%), but mentions found beyond this territory - mainly in metropolitan France - are also reported. The creation of this dataset involved five stages: (1) selection of species, (2) consultation of historical sources, (3) recording of occurrences in the dataset, (4) dataset standardization/enrichment and Darwin core mapping, (5) data publication. Quality controls were conducted at each step. The dataset is available on the platform of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) at https://doi.org/10.15468/3kvaeh. It respects the internationally recognized FAIR Data Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable). The dataset will be progressively enriched by new data during the EI2P-VALEEBEE research project and future projects on invasive plant species conducted by the team.

In Vitro Gingival Wound Healing Activity of Extracts from Reynoutria japonica Houtt Rhizomes

Rhizomes of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. are a traditional Chinese medicinal herb (Polygoni cuspidati rhizoma, hu zhang) used for treatment of numerous diseases including wound healing support. The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the value of this herbal drug’s traditional use as a gingival healing treatment as well as to obtain the most active extract. In vitro studies were performed using primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) with determination of viability (MTT assay), cell proliferation (the confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) was used to visualize histone 3 expression), cell migration (wound healing assay), and evaluation of the expression of collagen type III (immunocytochemical staining) after incubation with extracts from R. japonica rhizomes (25% or 40% ethanol or 60% acetone). In addition to these extracts, commercial dental rinse (containing chlorhexidine digluconate 0.2%) was tested as the gold standard of choice for gum healing in dental practice. The studied extracts were qualitatively and quantitatively characterized using the validated HPLC/DAD/ESI-HR-QTOF-MS method. Total phenols and tannins content were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay. Low concentration of all extracts after 24 h incubation caused significant increase in HGF viability. This effect was most pronounced at a concentration of 50 µg/mL, which was selected for further experiments. All extracts (at 50 µg/mL) stimulated HGF to proliferate, migrate, and increase collagen III synthesis, but with different strength. The highest stimulated proliferation and migration activity was observed after incubation with 25% EtOH, which according to phytochemical analysis may be related to the highest content of resveratrol and an appropriate composition of procyanidins. The 25% EtOH extract from R. japonica rhizomes appears to be a promising gingival wound healing agent worthy of animal and clinical trials.

Effect of Reynoutria Japonica and its Extract on Sirt1 in Cisplatin-Induced Renal Injury

Background: Mechanisms of drug-induced kidney injury include mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Resveratrol is a natural activator of sirt1 that is related to oxidative stress.Aim: To explore the mechanism of treating drug-induced kidney injury with Reynoutria japonica and its extract (Resveratrol).Design: Fifty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: blank group, model group, Reynoutria japonica group, resveratrol group and lotensin group. Each group was given the corresponding drug. ACR was measured on the seventh day every week. Creatinine and urea nitrogen were measured on the fourth weekend. All rats were sacrificed on the fourth weekend to detect the relevant indicators in the kidney.Results: At the fourth week, the ACR, Scr and BUN of the Resveratrol group were higher than those of the lotensin group and Reynoutria japonica group (P<0.05). The values of Scr and BUN were lower in the Reynoutria japonica group than in the lotensin group (P<0.05). The levels of SOD, NO, and sirt1 gene and protein expression in the model group and treatment group were lower than those in the blank group, and those in the model group were lower than those in the treatment group (P<0.05). The levels of SOD, NO, and sirt1 gene and protein expression in the Reynoutria japonica group were higher than the lotensin group (P<0.05).Conclusions: The therapeutic effect of the Reynoutria japonica group was better than that of the lotensin group and resveratrol group.

Biosorption of zinc from aqueous solution using algae and plant biomass

In the present study, the sorption capacity of plant biomass has been studied; particularly the ability of biomass algae Chlorella vulgaris, filamentous green algae Spirogyra sp. and roots, stems and leaves of an invasive plant Reynoutria japonica to bind up Zn2+ ions. The results of this biosorption study revealed that the rate and extent of uptake were affected by pH level, contact time and initial metal concentration. The maximum uptake of metal ions was obtained at pH 6.0. The equilibrium sorption data for metal system at pH 6 were described by the Langmuir isotherms model. For Zn2+, sorption capacity qmax of 17 mg/g was achieved using biomass from leaves. Removal of Zn2+ with 1g of biosorbent from leaves was almost 77% when present in low concentrations, whereas it is lower at higher concentrations.

UHPLC Analysis of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. Rhizome Preparations Regarding Stilbene and Anthranoid Composition and Their Antimycobacterial Activity Evaluation

Reynoutria japonica Houtt. is a critical invasive alien plant in Europe and North America with a drastic impact on native flora. However, R. japonica has medicinal potential, especially as a source of stilbenes. In order to explore the potential of simple extractions of R. japonica, we conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses of fresh R. japonica rhizome infusion, decoction, and macerates with ethanol by UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn and UHPLC-DAD, with a focus on major constituent groups of stilbenes and anthranoids. Since R. japonica rhizome extracts showed antimicrobial potential in the past, we also evaluated the antimycobacterial effect of raw R. japonica extracts for the first time against Mycobacterium smegmatis. Of thirty-four characterized substances, six were stilbenes and twelve anthranoids. The main constituents, four trans-stilbenes and eight anthranoids, were quantified in a validated UHPLC-DAD method. The 38% ethanol macerate showed high stilbene (155.078 mg/100 g fluid extract) and low anthranoid content (5.420 mg/100 g fluid extract), while decoction showed the highest anthranoids. Antimycobacterial testing gave good results for all macerates (MIC 256 µg/mL) and trans-resveratrol (64 µg/mL). Extraction and enrichment of stilbenes from fresh plant material by simple extraction methods with food-grade solvents might encourage consideration of wild harvest of rhizomes over classic means of eradication of R. japonica.