Transcriptome and HPLC Analysis Reveal the Regulatory Mechanisms of Aurantio-Obtusin in Space Environment-Induced Senna obtusifolia Lines

Senna obtusifolia is a famous medicinal plant that is widely used in Asian countries. Its seed plays an important role in the treatment of many diseases because it contains various anthraquinones and flavonoids. Our previous studies have indicated that three space environment-induced S. obtusifolia lines (SP-lines) i.e., QC10, QC29, and QC46, have higher seed yield and aurantio-obtusin (AO) content. However, the underlying mechanism of higher AO content in SP-lines is still unknown. Herein, transcriptome sequencing and HPLC were employed to analyze the differences between SP-lines and ground control (GC3) and elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of AO accumulation in SP-lines. The results show that 4002 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in SP-lines versus (vs.) GC3. DEGs in the QC10 vs. GC3, QC29 vs. GC3, and QC46 vs. GC3 comparisons were classified into 28, 36, and 81 GO terms and involved in 63, 74, and 107 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. KEGG pathway and gene expression analysis revealed that DEGs involved in anthraquinone pathways were significantly elevated in QC10 and QC46. Integrating the results of GO annotation, KEGG enrichment, and gene expression analysis, we propose that the elevated genes such as DAHPS, DHQS, and MenB enhance the metabolic flux in the anthraquinone pathway and promote AO content in QC10 and QC46. Taken together, this study elucidated the mechanism of AO content in SP-lines and provides valuable genetic information for S. obtusifolia. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first transcriptome analysis of environment-induced medicinal plants and paves the way to select elite S. obtusifolia varieties in the future.

Agromorphological Characterization of a Collection of Senna obtusifolia (L.) in Burkina Faso

Aims: Senna obtusifolia (L.) is an important wild herbaceous species for subsaharan Africa population. It is used in human food and traditional medicine to treat several deseases. In Burkina Faso, despite its potentialities, this species is of a little interest in scientific research. The aim of this study is to provide a good knowledge of the genetic diversity of this species. Study Design: The experimental design used was a randomized Fischer block type with three replications. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out at Gampéla during 2018 rainy season. Methodology: Seventy (70) accessions of Senna obtusifolia were used for the evaluation of agromorphological variability. A total of twenty-seven (27) quantitative traits were studied. Results: The study revealed the existence of a great variability within the studied collection. Among the twenty-one (21) traits used for the analysis of variance (ANOVA), seventeen (17) variables significantly discriminate the accessions. A high heterogeneity was observed for the number of leaflets of the three first leaves and the number of floral pieces. In addition, significant correlations were observed between several variables. Indeed, the number of primary branches was positively correlated with the number of fruits per plant (r = 0.483), the number of grains per plant (r = 0.352) and the leaves biomass (r = 0.279). However, the number of days at flowering (NJF) is negatively correlated with the number of primary branches (r = -0.281). The variability obtained was structured in three groups. The third group is composed of accessions with the best agronomic performance that could be used in future breeding program. Conclusion: A high agromorphological diversity of Senna obtusifolia was observed and could be used in a breeding program.

Methyl Jasmonate Effect on Betulinic Acid Content and Biological Properties of Extract from Senna obtusifolia Transgenic Hairy Roots

It is known that Senna obtusifolia has been used in medicine since ancient times due to the content of many valuable compounds with a pro-health effect. One of them is betulinic acid, which is a pentacyclic triterpene with antimalarial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this work, a continuation of our previous research, an attempt was made to increase the level of betulinic acid accumulation by the cultivation of transgenic hairy roots that overexpress the squalene synthase gene in a 10 L sprinkle bioreactor with methyl jasmonate elicitation. We present that the applied strategy allowed us to increase the content of betulinic acid in hairy root cultures to the level of 48 mg/g dry weight. The obtained plant extracts showed a stronger cytotoxic effect on the U87MG glioblastoma cell line than the roots grown without elicitors. Additionally, the induction of apoptosis, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, chromosomal DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase cascades are demonstrated. Moreover, the tested extract showed inhibition of topoisomerase I activity.

Resilience strategies of West African pastoralists in response to scarce forage resources

Finding sufficient natural fodder resources to feed livestock has become a challenge for herders in the Sahel zone of Burkina Faso. Despite the existence of pastoral reserves, the issue of fodder shortage remains unsolved. This article highlights the changes in behaviour and the evolution of pastoral practices caused by the scarcity of forage resources. These changes are defined and classified as resilience strategies. Thus, this paper aims to analyse these strategies using new semantics that calls for other forms of perceptions or approach to the questions of pastoralists’ resilience strategies. Interviews (semi-structured and casual conversations), ethnographic observations and ethnobotanical surveys were used to collect data. In rangelands, such high value fodder species as Andropogon gayanus, Pennisetum pedicellatum and Dactyloctenium aegyptium that were abundant herbaceous plants during the last decades are disappearing. Concomitantly, species with lower forage value, such as Senna obtusifolia, which are more resilient to ecological disturbance factors, are colonizing rangelands. Faced with these ecological changes, pastoralists are trying to redefine and reconfigure their practices, and this implies a redefinition of their identity. They use resilience strategies such as mowing grasses, building up fodder bundles, conserving crop residues, exploiting Senna obtusifolia (a previously neglected species), using woody fodder and adapting the type of livestock and the size of the herds to the ability of pastoralists to feed them. Strategies that are older than these are the integration of agriculture with livestock and decollectivized transhumance. It is these resilience strategies that this article exposes and analyses as defence mechanisms of Sahelian pastoralists in the face of the depletion of forage resources in their environments.

Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia (L.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby) “Getting sleepy?”

There is a Reaper, whose name is Death, And, with his sickle keen, He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, And the flowers that grow between. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Reaper and the Flowers

Assessment of Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation Capacity of Calopogonium muconoides and Senna obtusifolia as Potential Bioremediation Agents

A wide range of inorganic and organic compounds such as combustibles, and putrescible substances, hazardous waste, explosives, petroleum products and heavy metals (HM) can cause contamination. In addition, the non-biodegradability of heavy metals further exacerbates environmental pollution with its attendant health consequences on the biotic components of the ecosystem including humans. The use of living organisms such as plants and microbes is increasingly becoming acceptable practice of sustainable environmental sanitation. However, identification of potential bioremediation agents is still challenging. This study was carried out to bridge this gap by assessing heavy metal bioaccumulation properties of Calopogoniun Muconoides and Senna obtusifolia plants at contaminated site of mechanic workshop (site 1) in comparative to a physically non-contaminated site (site 2) within Makurdi metropolis of Benue State Nigeria. The selected plants were obtained from both sites and evaluated for their bioaccumulation capacities using standard procedures. The results revealed the sample plants accumulated high levels of heavy metals particularly in the leaves and roots, suggesting the utilization of phytoextraction, phytostabilization and phytovolatilization mechanisms of remediation. The plants and HM generally presented an order of concentration and bioaccumulation as: Senna obtusifolia > Calopogonium Muconoides; Zn > Fe > Pb > Cu > Cd > Cr > Ni. These findings suggest that these novel plants, especially Senna obtusifolia are good agents of bioremediation of heavy metals. Studies involving isotopic labeling to determine the exact mechanism of remediation as well molecular techniques such as transcriptomics and proteomics to identify genes/molecules that confer phytoremediation potential on the plants would be the next focus of our research in this emerging field of environmental biochemistry.

Antifungal docking studies of Anacyclus pyrethrum(L.) and Senna Obtusifolia(L.) against candida albicans .

Today there are many antifungal drugs and their formulations like a tablet, capsule, cream, ointment, gel, soap etc are present in the market many of them are effective in treatment in minor or severe cases of fungal infection caused due to different fungal or yeast species. But there are many side effects or adverse effects that occur which makes them unpleasant. This challenges to drug developers to make drug or formulations which are effective in the treatment and have no or minimum side effects. This challenge makes our eyes focus on natural chemical constituents, which are known to be having fewer side effects with effective treatment of disease. Here we have taken two receptors from the RCSB PDB database which is a structural component of candida Albicans (1CZ1 and IAI9) proven to be the target of many antifungal drugs, both are responsible for different mode of action. The Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) and Senna Obtusifolia (L.) have many chemical constituents having different pharmacological activity like anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, etc. from these two plant species some chemical constituents are selected depending on their structural characteristics. After selection ligand-receptor molecular docking (by using Autodock Vina) was carried out between them. For its verification of antifungal activity, it is then compared with selected Standard drugs which have already clinically proved as an antifungal drug. Sesamine from Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) and Obtusifoline and Physcion from Senna Obtusifolia (L.) are potent lead compounds which on future structural modification gives us desired antifungal activity.