Discovery and identification of potential anti-melanogenic active constituents of Bletilla striata by zebrafish model and molecular docking

Background Bletilla striata is the main medicine of many skin whitening classic formulas in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is widely used in cosmetic industry recently. However, its active ingredients are still unclear and its fibrous roots are not used effectively. The aim of the present study is to discover and identify its potential anti-melanogenic active constituents by zebrafish model and molecular docking. Methods The antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anti-melanogenic activity was assessed by tyrosinase inhibitory activity in vitro and melanin inhibitory in zebrafish. The chemical profiles were performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Meanwhile, the potential anti-melanogenic active constituents were temporary identified by molecular docking. Results The 95% ethanol extract of B. striata fibrous roots (EFB) possessed the strongest DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and tyrosinase inhibitory activities, with IC50 5.94 mg/L, 11.69 mg/L, 6.92 mmol FeSO4/g, and 58.92 mg/L, respectively. In addition, EFB and 95% ethanol extract of B. striata tuber (ETB) significantly reduced the melanin synthesis of zebrafish embryos in a dose-dependent manner. 39 chemical compositions, including 24 stilbenoids were tentatively identified from EFB and ETB. Molecular docking indicated that there were 83 (including 60 stilbenoids) and 85 (including 70 stilbenoids) compounds exhibited stronger binding affinities toward tyrosinase and adenylate cyclase. Conclusion The present findings supported the rationale for the use of EFB and ETB as natural skin-whitening agents in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Molecular Characterization and Target Prediction of Candidate miRNAs Related to Abiotic Stress Responses and/or Storage Root Development in Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is a tuberous root crop with strong environmental stress resistance. It is beneficial to study its storage root formation and stress responses to identify sweet potato stress- and storage-root-thickening-related regulators. Here, six conserved miRNAs (miR156g, miR157d, miR158a-3p, miR161.1, miR167d and miR397a) and six novel miRNAs (novel 104, novel 120, novel 140, novel 214, novel 359 and novel 522) were isolated and characterized in sweet potato. Tissue-specific expression patterns suggested that miR156g, miR157d, miR158a-3p, miR167d, novel 359 and novel 522 exhibited high expression in fibrous roots or storage roots and were all upregulated in response to storage-root-related hormones (indole acetic acid, IAA; zeaxanthin, ZT; abscisic acid, ABA; and gibberellin, GAs). The expression of miR156g, miR158a-3p, miR167d, novel 120 and novel 214 was induced or reduced dramatically by salt, dehydration and cold or heat stresses. Moreover, these miRNAs were all upregulated by ABA, a crucial hormone modulator in regulating abiotic stresses. Additionally, the potential targets of the twelve miRNAs were predicted and analyzed. Above all, these results indicated that these miRNAs might play roles in storage root development and/or stress responses in sweet potato as well as provided valuable information for the further investigation of the roles of miRNA in storage root development and stress responses.

Cytochalasan Alkaloids as TRAIL Sensitizers from an Endophytic Fungus Chaetomium sp.

Two new cytochalasans with a rare 6/6/5/5/7 pentacyclic ring system, named chaetoconvosins C−D (1−2), together with two known congeners (3−4), were isolated from the fermentation of an endophytic fungus, Chaetomium sp. SG-01, harbored in the fibrous roots of Schisandra glaucescens Diels. Their structures including the absolute configuration were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic (HRESIMS, NMR, and ECD) and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The TRAIL sensitivity of 1–4 in a TRAIL-resistant HT29 colorectal cancer cell line was evaluated, which revealed that co-treatment of 1–4 at 50 µM with TRAIL (150 ng/mL) reduced the HT29 cell viability by 19.0%, 24.1%, 17.9%, and 15.5%, respectively, compared to treatment with 1–4 alone.

Morphological and agroecological study of Purwoceng Gunung (Artemisia lactiflora wall.) in areas slopes of mount Lawu

This study aims to determine the distribution pattern, morphological and agroecological characteristics of Purwoceng Gunung. The research location on the slopes of Mount Lawu, around the Grojogan Sewu, Tawangmangu sub-district. The sampling point was determined based on purposive random sampling through a pre-survey. Determination of sample plots and analysis of vegetation using the transect (line) method. The results showed that the stem shape was round and segmented, smooth surface and green, oval leaf shape with serrated edges, compound leaves, pointed leaf tip, blunt leaf base, green leaf color with a length of 4 cm and a width of ± 2 cm. The location of the flowers at the end of the stem and classified as compound interest, fibrous roots with yellowish white color. The distribution pattern of Purwoceng Gunung was uniform with low population density of 6 individuals per plot and an INP of 4.4. Habitat agroecological conditions with climate type C with the following soil chemistry: C organic 5.8%, organic matter 9.9%, N 0.27 %, P 16.04 %, K 0.27 %, pH NaF 9.02, pH H2O 6.1, CEC 26, 9 me 100 g-1, field capacity 43.9. The proportions of dust, clay and sand were 27.4%, 9.4% and 63.2% respectively.

Drying of fibrous roots strengthens the negative power relation between biomechanical properties and diameter

Aims Test the effects of root drying on biomechanical properties of fibrous roots. Methods Tensile strength and Young’s modulus of Festuca arundinacea roots were tested after full hydration and during progressive drying. Root diameter, water loss, and water content were measured for all treatments. Results Hydrated roots showed weak relations between biomechanical properties and diameter. After only 30 min air-drying, both tensile strength and Young’s modulus increased significantly in thin roots (< 1 mm) and after 60 min drying, both strength and Young’s modulus showed a negative power relation with root diameter. The maximum strength and Young’s modulus values recorded after 60 min drying were respectively three- and four-times greater than in hydrated roots. Strength and Young’s modulus increased rapidly when water content dropped below 0.70 g g−1. These biomechanical changes were the result of root diameter shrinkage of up to 50% after 60 min drying, driven by water loss of up to 0.7 g g−1. Conclusions Strength and Young’s modulus largely increased with root drying. We suggest controlling root moisture and testing fully hydrated roots as standard protocol, given that slope instability is generally caused by heavy rainfall events and loss of matric suction.

Research on Taproots Identification Technology in Panax notoginseng Quality Intelligent Management System

In the Panax notoginseng quality intelligent management system, the big roots and fibrous roots cannot be cut automatically because the machine cannot distinguish the taproot, big roots, and fibrous roots of Panax notoginseng, resulting in the automatic cutting mechanism unable to obtain the control trajectory coordinate reference of the tool feed. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a visual optimal network model detection method, which uses the image detection method of marking anchor frames to improve the detection accuracy. A variety of deep learning network models are modified by the TensorFlow framework, and the best training model is optimized by comparing the results of training, testing, and verification data. This model is used to automatically identify the taproots and provide the control trajectory coordinate reference for the actuator that cuts big roots and fibrous roots automatically. The experimental results show that the optimal network model studied in this paper is effective and accurate in identifying the taproots of Panax notoginseng.

Discovery and identification of potential anti-melanogenic active constituents of Bletilla striata by zebrafish model and molecular docking

Background Bletilla striata was the main medicine of many skin whitening classic formulas in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and was widely used in cosmetic industry recently. However, its active ingredient was still unclear and its fibrous roots were not used effectively. The aim of the present study was to discover and identify its potential anti-melanogenic active constituents by zebrafish model and molecular docking. Methods The antioxidant activities were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The anti-melanogenic activity was assessed by tyrosinase inhibitory activity in vitro and melanin inhibitory in zebrafish. The chemical profiles were performed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Meanwhile, the potential anti-melanogenic active constituents were temporary identified by molecular docking. Results The 95% ethanol extract of B. striata fibrous roots (EFB) possesses the strongest DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and tyrosinase inhibition activity, with IC50 5.94 mg/L, 11.69 mg/L, 6.92 mmol FeSO4/g, and 58.92 mg/L, respectively. In addition, EFB and 95% ethanol extract of B. striata tuber (ETB) can significantly reduce the melanin synthesis of zebrafish embryos in dose-dependent manner. 39 chemical compositions, including 24 stilbenoids were tentatively identified from EFB and ETB. Molecular docking indicated that there were 83 (including 60 stilbenoids) and 85 (including 70 stilbenoids) compounds exhibit stronger binding affinities toward tyrosinase and adenylate cyclase. Conclusion The present findings supported the rationale for the use of EFB and ETB as natural skin-whitening agents in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Predominantly symplastic phloem unloading of photosynthates maintains efficient starch accumulation in the cassava storage roots (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Background Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) efficiently accumulates starch in its storage roots. However, how photosynthates are transported from the leaves to the phloem (especially how they are unloaded into parenchymal cells of storage roots) remains unclear. Results Here, we investigated the sucrose unloading pattern and its impact on cassava storage root development using microstructural and physiological analyses, namely, carboxyfluorescein (CF) and C14 isotope tracing. The expression profiling of genes involved in symplastic and apoplastic transport was performed, which included enzyme activity, protein gel blot analysis, and transcriptome sequencing analyses. These finding showed that carbohydrates are transported mainly in the form of sucrose, and more than 54.6% was present in the stem phloem. Sucrose was predominantly unloaded symplastically from the phloem into storage roots; in addition, there was a shift from apoplastic to symplastic unloading accompanied by the onset of root swelling. Statistical data on the microstructures indicated an enrichment of plasmodesmata within sieve, companion, and parenchyma cells in the developing storage roots of a cultivar but not in a wild ancestor. Tracing tests with CF verified the existence of a symplastic channel, and [14C] Suc demonstrated that sucrose could rapidly diffuse into root parenchyma cells from phloem cells. The relatively high expression of genes encoding sucrose synthase and associated proteins appeared in the middle and late stages of storage roots but not in primary fibrous roots, or secondary fibrous roots. The inverse expression pattern of sucrose transporters, cell wall acid invertase, and soluble acid invertase in these corresponding organs supported the presence of a symplastic sucrose unloading pathway. The transcription profile of genes involved in symplastic unloading and their significantly positive correlation with the starch yield at the population level confirmed that symplastic sucrose transport is vitally important in the development of cassava storage roots. Conclusions In this study, we revealed that the cassava storage root phloem sucrose unloading pattern was predominantly a symplastic unloading pattern. This pattern is essential for efficient starch accumulation in high-yielding varieties compared with low-yielding wild ancestors.

Root age influences failure location in grass species during mechanical testing

Aims Root tensile tests are often rejected if failure location is outside the middle section of samples. This study aims to identify where and why failure occurs along a root axis, and hence to revisit current approaches to test-validity. Methods Roots from Festuca arundinacea; Lolium multiflorum; Lolium perenne were sampled from field-grown plants. Roots were tensile tested using a universal testing machine. Root samples were randomly allocated into two groups for testing. Group 1 roots were orientated with the older tissue closest to the top clamp, group 2 roots were orientated oppositely. Tensile strength, Young’s modulus and failure location were recorded for each sample. Results Lolium multiflorum roots were thinner and stronger than roots of Festuca arundinacea. Failure location in tensile tests depended significantly on tissue age with 75% of samples failing in the younger third of root tissue regardless of the root orientation in the testing frame. Only 7% of roots failed in the middle third of the sample. Conclusions Fibrous roots tested in tension were observed to consistently fail in the younger tissue along the root axis. Exclusion of samples which fail outside the middle region of the root axis needs re-evaluation for a range of species.