Biostimulatory Effect of 3-Acetonyl-3-Hydroxyoxindole on the Growth and Secondary Metabolites of Khaya senegalensis: UPLC–MS/MS Profiling and Molecular Docking Insights
Aug 2026· International Journal of Molecular Sciences· Vol 27· 0 citations· 78 references
Medicine
TL;DR
Insights gained from integrated morphological, physiological, metabolomic, and computational analyses indicate that AHO applications can effectively improve plant growth and biomass, increase the concentration of bioactive compounds, and enhance the accumulation of bioactive secondary metabolites within the plant.
Abstract
Developing sustainable agricultural biostimulants that simultaneously optimize vegetative growth and specialized metabolic pathways is critical for maximizing plant growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and metabolome reprogramming. In this study, for the first time, the effects of the biostimulant 3-acetonyl-3-hydroxyoxindole (AHO) on plant growth, photosynthetic efficiency and metabolomics reprogramming were evaluated. The multifaceted effects of AHO (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 µg/mL) applied via foliar application were evaluated via comprehensive morpho- physiological, UPLC–MS/MS metabolomic and computational docking approaches. AHO positively affects plant growth performance in a concentration-dependent manner. Foliar application at 20 µg/mL produced the maximum vegetative vigor and biomass accumulation, as well as the highest levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, total flavonoids, and indole contents, while the maximum value of total phenolics was 1 µg/mL. Substantial metabolic flux modulation was confirmed by UPLC–MS/MS profiling, which revealed that 10 µg/mL selectively accumulated chlorogenic acid and rutin, whereas 5 µg/mL preferentially enriched quercetin, quercitrin, limonin and catechin. These empirical metabolic responses are supported by computational docking models, which predict favorable structural interactions between AHO and key biosynthetic enzymes. Insights gained from these integrated morphological, physiological, metabolomic, and computational analyses indicate that AHO applications can effectively improve plant growth and biomass, increase the concentration of bioactive compounds, and enhance the accumulation of bioactive secondary metabolites within the plant.
Strigolactones (SLs) regulate plant growth and metabolism, but their concentration-dependent effects on leafy vegetable quality remain unclear. We investigated how the synthetic SL analog GR24 affects physiological and metabolic processes in pak choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis). Mantel correlation analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed distinct response patterns. The 1 μmol·L−1 treatment (T2) enhanced photosynthesis, carbon‑nitrogen assimilation, mineral accumulation, and GA3, ZT, ABA, and JA levels, whereas the 10 μmol·L−1 treatment (T3) promoted carotenoid and phenolic accumulation, including rutin, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid. Multivariate analysis linked phenolic acid accumulation mainly to nitrogen and amino acid metabolism, with additional associations with P status. Overall, T2 broadly enhanced primary metabolism and nutrition, whereas T3 favored secondary and antioxidant-related metabolism, providing a framework for optimizing GR24 application in high-quality leafy vegetable production.
Yufeng Ma, Qitong Cai, Cheng Wang et al.· Food Chemistry: X· 0 citations
Weed control is crucial for global food production, as weeds cause economic losses. Chalcones are multifunctional compounds with diverse molecular targets, strong phytotoxic potential, and easy synthesis. This work investigated the herbicidal potential and mode of action of methoxychalcones, as well as their precursor, cinnamaldehyde. Herbicidal activity was assessed via dose-response curves at 0-100 µmol L− 1. Mode of action experiments included phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll a fluorescence, photosynthetic oxygen evolution, and mitotic index. Results were evaluated using ANOVA with Tukey’s test and Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn’s test (p < 0.05). Non-linear regression assessed dose-response curves. 4’-hydroxy-3’-methoxychalcone (CH1) was the most potent compound, with an IC50 of 17.3 µmol L− 1 in Arabidopsis thaliana. Cinnamaldehyde (P1) and 3,4-dimethoxychalcone (CH2) had IC80 values close to 100 µmol L− 1, whereas the chalcone 4’-hydroxy-3’-methoxychalcone (CH1) had IC80 of 56.1 µmol L− 1. Both chalcones and their precursor induced elongated cell morphology and resulted in a reduced proportion of cells progressing through mitotic phases, particularly those observed at the metaphase stage during cell division. Methoxychalcones disrupt cell division, resulting in abnormal plant growth and development. Through disruption of the cell cycle, these compounds impair new tissue formation and consequently reduce overall plant growth.
R. M. Garrido, P. R. Ozanique, L. Regasini et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
These findings provide novel insights into the mode(s) of action) of action of olive biostimulants and highlight the importance of metabolomics for identifying biochemical markers associated with enhanced plant resilience and sustainable olive production.
Stefanos Kolainis, Christos N. Kerezoudis, Nikolaos Barkolias et al.· Agrochemicals· 0 citations
Juniperus species are a rich source of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites, including terpenoids, lignans, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. However, the commercial utilization of these metabolites is limited by the plant’s slow growth, poor natural regeneration, and environmental variability affecting metabolite accumulation. Integrating plant tissue culture with elicitation strategies is a promising approach for sustainably producing these valuable compounds. This review summarizes the diversity, biological activities, and biotechnological significance of secondary metabolites in Juniperus, focusing on tissue culture systems and enhancement of metabolite biosynthesis through elicitors. It critically evaluates the current knowledge of the effects of signaling compounds such as methyl jasmonate (MeJA), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA), as well as other abiotic and biotic elicitors including silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), chitosan, and chito-oligosaccharides. Particular attention is given to their effects on podophyllotoxin, phenolic, flavonoid, and other bioactive metabolite accumulation. Elicitation responses appear to depend strongly on species, culture system, elicitor type, and treatment conditions. This review also highlights major knowledge gaps, particularly the limited understanding of the regulatory mechanisms controlling secondary-metabolite biosynthesis in Juniperus species. Overall, the available evidence suggests that integrating optimized elicitation strategies with transcriptomics, metabolomics, and metabolic engineering could improve our understanding of secondary metabolite regulation and facilitate the development of sustainable Juniperus tissue culture platforms for producing high-value natural products.
A. Orken, D. Tussipkan, S. Manabayeva· Plants· 0 citations
Gentiana lawrencei var. farreri (G. farreri) is an important endangered Tibetan medicinal plant. This study aimed to uncover temperature-mediated physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying growth and flowering of this endangered Tibetan medicinal herb, providing theoretical guidance for its standardized artificial cultivation. This study established three diurnal temperature treatments: 15/5 °C (S15), 20/10 °C (S20), and 25/15 °C (S25), and conducted integrated analyses of phenotypic, physiological, non-targeted metabolomic, and transcriptomic data. The results showed that S15 significantly promoted plant biomass accumulation and flowering, with a flowering rate of 45.83%, significantly higher than that of other treatments. S15 significantly reduced the levels of soluble sugar, soluble protein, fructose, and starch, while increasing CAT activity to enhance antioxidant capacity; endogenous hormones showed elevated gibberellin (GA) and decreased indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), establishing a hormonal balance favorable for flowering. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed that the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway (ko00941) is the core pathway responsive to temperature; S15 induces an increase in the contents of flavonoid metabolites including naringenin, delphinidin, petunidin, and peonidin, and simultaneously upregulates the expression of key genes including the PAL-encoding gene Cluster-62424.2, the 4CL-encoding gene Cluster-45063.0, and the CHS-encoding gene Cluster-44799.3 involved in flavonoid biosynthesis under this condition. S15 reduces the content of osmotic adjustment substances, increases GA content in plant branches, and enhances antioxidant capacity, which synergistically promotes the growth and flowering of G. farreri. Additionally, S15 mediates the accumulation of flavonoid compounds by regulating key genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, thereby elevating the accumulation of bioactive constituents isoorientin and isoscoparin-2″-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. This study can provide crucial theoretical support for the optimal temperature regulation and control in the artificial cultivation of G. farreri.
Lame Zeren, Zhuoma Deqing, Yue Xu et al.· Frontiers in Plant Science· 0 citations
Flavonoids are key compounds that protect plants from environmental stress and benefit human health. Understanding their metabolism can lead to advances in agriculture and human health. By integrating transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, quantitative analysis and insect behavioral bioassays, this study characterized tea (Camellia sinensis L.) flavonoid profiles and decoded their dynamic reprogramming in response to herbivory and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), which induced 41 and 31 differential metabolites, respectively, dominated by methylated and oxidized flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. Critically, the two treatments activated 22 and 20 flavonoid synthase genes, respectively, sharing 15 common genes. Moreover, this study characterized theaflavins as potent, JA-inducible defenses with structure-dependent efficacy at a low dose (1.25 μg/g), and identified key peroxidases and laccases involved in their biosynthesis. These metabolic markers bridge the gap between insect resistance and quality traits in breeding programs, paving the way for developing plant-derived, eco-friendly biopesticides.
Jin Zhang, Wan-Wan Wang, Xin Zhang et al.· Journal of Agricultural and...· 0 citations
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