Search Results (29)

Uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase (UGT) is a core protein for glycosylation of plant natural products and other small molecules. Although many studies on functional identification of UGTs are now available, analysis of UGTs in Platycodon grandiflorus is still relatively scarce. We identified 107 PgUGTs genome-wide from P. grandiflorus and investigated their phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal localisation, collinearity, cis-regulatory elements, motifs, domains, and gene structures. PgUGT29 and PgUGT72 were two putative glycosyltransferases for platycodins biosynthesis in P. grandiflorus according to our previous study and bioinfornatical analyses. In vitro enzyme activity showed that PgUGT29 can catalyse the glycosylation of the C3 position of Platycodin D (PD) to generate Platycodin D3 (PD3), while candidate enzyme PgUGT72 does not function as a glycosyltransferase. Molecular docking indicated that T145, D392, Q393, and N396 may be the crucial residues for PgUGT29 to catalyse the generation of PD3 from UDP-Glc and PD. In this study, we identified and cloned PgUGT29, elucidated its catalytic function in converting PD to PD3, and predicted key residues critical for its enzymatic activity. These findings provide a theoretical foundation and technical framework for future targeted metabolic engineering and directional regulation of medicinal components in Platycodon grandiflorus. Full article

In recent years, copper pollution has gradually become one of the major problems of soil environmental pollution. Lignin plays an important role in plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. CCoAOMT is a key enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis process. In this study, the CCoAOMT gene family members of Platycodon grandiflorus were identified by bioinformatics methods, and their basic characteristics and potential functions were analyzed. The results showed that five members of the PgCCoAOMT gene family were identified in P. grandiflorus, with protein lengths ranging from 246 to 635 amino acids, and were evenly distributed on four chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the PgCCoAOMT gene family was divided into two subclades, namely Clade1a, Clade1b, Clade1c, Clade1d, and Clade2. The cis-regulatory element analysis of the promoter revealed that the PgCCoAOMT members contained a large number of cis-regulatory elements responsive to stress, and conjecture PgCCoAOMT2, PgCCoAOMT4, and PgCCoAOMT5 were involved in the lignin synthesis. The qRT-PCR results showed that, within 5 days of copper stress treatment, except for the PgCCoAOMT4 gene, the other genes exhibited different expression levels. Furthermore, the expression levels of all five PgCCoAOMT genes increased significantly at 7 days of treatment. With the increase in the number of days of treatment, the content of lignin in the seedings of P. grandiflorus showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing under copper stress. In general, in the copper stress treatment of 1–3 days, the transcriptional inhibition of PgCCoAOMT1 and PgCCoAOMT3 and the increase in lignin content contradicted each other, suggesting that there was post-translational activation or alternative metabolic pathways compensation. Meanwhile, in the 7-day treatment, the coordinated up-regulation of the genes was accompanied by the failure of lignin synthesis, which pointed to the core bottleneck of metabolic precursors depletion and enzyme activity inactivation caused by root damage. Research objective: This study reveals the expression level of the PgCCoAOMT gene in the seedings of P. grandiflorus under copper stress, providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the mechanism of P. grandiflorus response to copper stress and for subsequent improvement of root resistance in P. grandiflorus. Full article

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are essential antioxidant enzymes that protect plant cells from oxidative stress, thereby preserving cellular integrity. This study presents a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the SOD gene family in Platycodon grandiflorus, identifying seven genes classified into three distinct groups based on phylogenetic relationships. Detailed bioinformatics analyses revealed variations in structural characteristics and physicochemical properties. PlgSODs were predicted to localize primarily to the chloroplast and mitochondria. Tissue-specific expression patterns indicate that PlgSOD genes play important roles in plant growth and development. Furthermore, promoter analysis identified several potential transcription factors (TFs), including members of the B3, Dof, and MYB-related families, which are known for their involvement in stress responses. These TFs are likely to regulate multiple PlgSOD genes, suggesting a coordinated transcriptional regulation mechanism under specific physiological or stress conditions. Taken together, these findings provide valuable insights into the functional roles of SODs in P. grandiflorus and lay the groundwork for future genetic and biotechnological strategies aimed at enhancing stress tolerance in this species. Full article

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine offers potential therapeutic options for viral infections. Platycodon grandiflorus (PG) is a perennial herb known for its efficacy in treating respiratory infections, including asthma, cough, and bronchitis, making it a key focus in antiviral drug research. The purpose of the study is to provide a basis for functional studies on PG and generate new insights for treating viral diseases. Methods: Research articles from 1990 to 2024 related to PG and viruses were obtained from databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct, and systematically analysed. Results: PG demonstrates inhibitory effects on viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by blocking various stages of viral proliferation or activating the host immune system. It also reduces inflammation through NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and other signalling pathways, enhancing T cell and macrophage function and increasing host immunity. PG exhibits diverse pharmacological effects with promising clinical applications for antiviral and immune modulation. Given its medicinal significance, PG holds substantial potential for further exploration and development. Conclusion: PG, due to its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties, can be used as an antiviral drug. Full article

Salicylic acid, as a plant hormone, significantly affects the physiological and biochemical indexes of soluble sugar, malondialdehyde content, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in Platycodon grandiflorus. Lysine malonylation is a post-translational modification that involves various cellular functions in plants, though it is rarely studied, especially in medicinal plants. In this study, the aim was to perform a comparative quantitative proteomic study of malonylation modification on P. grandiflorus root proteins after salicylic acid treatment using Western blot with specific antibodies, affinity enrichment and LC-MS/MS analysis methods. The analysis identified 1907 malonyl sites for 809 proteins, with 414 proteins and 798 modification sites quantified with high confidence. Post-treatment, 361 proteins were upregulated, and 310 were downregulated. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that malonylation in P. grandiflorus is primarily involved in photosynthesis and carbon metabolism. Physiological and biochemical analysis showed that salicylic acid treatment increased the malondialdehyde levels, soluble protein, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase activity but did not significantly affect the total saponins content in P. grandiflorus. These findings provide an important basis for exploring the molecular mechanisms of P. grandiflorus following salicylic acid treatment and enhance understanding of the biological function of protein lysine malonylation in plants. Full article

Background/Objectives: Platycodon grandiflorus (PG) has been widely researched as a conductant drug for the treatment of lung diseases by ancient and modern traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners. Inspired by the mechanism and our previous finding about fructans and fructooligosaccharides from Platycodon grandiflorus (FFPG), we developed a nano drug delivery system (NDDS) targeting lung cancer. The aim was to improve the efficiency of the liposomal delivery of Paclitaxel (PTX) and enhance the anti-tumor efficacy. Methods: The FFPG-Lip-PTX NDDS was prepared by electrostatic adsorption. Dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy were used for physical characterization. The release behavior of the NDDS was simulated by dialysis. The uptake of the NDDS was observed by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, migration, and invasion experiments were used to evaluate the anti-tumor ability of the NDDS in vitro. The penetration and inhibition of tumor proliferation were further analyzed via a 3D tumor sphere model. Finally, in vivo biological distribution and pharmacodynamic experiments verified the targeting and anti-tumor ability of the FFPG-Lip-PTX NDDS. Results: FFPG-Lip-PTX possessed a homogeneous particle size distribution, high encapsulation efficiency, and stability. In vitro experiments confirmed that FFPG promoted the uptake of the NNDS by tumor cells and enhanced cytotoxicity. It also increased the anti-tumor effect by promoting cell apoptosis and inhibiting invasion and metastasis. The same conclusion was obtained in 3D tumor spheres. In vivo experiments exhibited that FFPG-lips-PTX showed more significant lung cancer-targeting activity and anti-tumor effects. Conclusions: In this study, a novel lung-targeted NDDS is proposed to enhance the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy drugs on lung cancer. Full article

Bellflower roots were categorized into three clusters (class 0, class 1, and class 2) using K-means clustering based on their morphological factors: length (282.8 ± 29.53, 138.75 ± 26.8, and 209.89 ± 20.49 mm), thickness (16.25 ± 2.82, 16.77 ± 3.35, and 16.52 ± 3.05 mm), and body shape coefficient (5.80 ± 1.15, 12.73 ± 4.82, and 7.95 ± 1.71). Internal void formation, a key quality factor for bellflower root, was analyzed under pre-steaming conditions, identifying temperatures between 20 and 25 °C as optimal for storage. Within the clustered class, steaming for a prolonged duration increased the formation of internal voids and caused a decrease in normal stress values, total dissolved solids (TDS), and pectin content. Class 0, with larger and thicker roots, exhibited higher internal voids (57% void rate) due to uneven heat distribution and incomplete starch gelatinization. Class 2 roots demonstrated better structural integrity, with a void rate of 26% and a stress value of 48 kN/m². These findings highlight the importance of morphological classification and optimal storage temperatures to improve the quality of steamed bellflower roots. Full article

This study investigated the utilization of by-products from Platycodon grandiflorus and the role of genetic diversity in their anti-melanogenic properties, focusing on the purple-flower (PF) and white-flower (WF) varieties. Our results show that the WF variety exhibited significantly higher anti-melanogenic activity, attributed to higher concentrations of key saponins such as platycodin D3 and platycodin D. These saponins demonstrated strong tyrosinase inhibitory effects as confirmed by molecular docking analysis. Further, the WF variety showed increased expression of genes involved in saponin biosynthesis, highlighting the role of genetic diversity in determining phytochemical composition and pharmacological efficacy. The superior anti-melanogenic activity of WF suggests its potential as a valuable ingredient in the cosmetic industry for skin-whitening products. Our findings emphasize the importance of utilizing by-products and selecting specific genotypes to enhance the quality and efficacy of plant-derived products. Future research should explore the full spectrum of bioactive compounds in P. grandiflorus, investigate sustainable extraction methods, and conduct clinical trials to validate the safety and effectiveness of these compounds in cosmetic and therapeutic applications. Full article

The main type of saponins occurring in the root of Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC. are oleanolic acid glycosides. The CYP716 gene family plays a major role in catalyzing the conversion of β-amyrin into oleanolic acid. However, studies on the CYP716 genes in P. grandiflorus are limited, and its evolutionary history remains poorly understood. In this study, 22 PgCYP716 genes were identified, distributed among seven subfamilies. Cis-acting elements of the PgCYP716 promoters were mainly involved in plant hormone regulation and responses to abiotic stresses. PgCYP716A264, PgCYP716A391, PgCYP716A291, and PgCYP716BWv3 genes were upregulated in the root and during saponin accumulation, as shown by RNA-seq analysis, suggesting that these four genes play an important role in saponin synthesis. The results of subcellular localization indicated that these four genes encoded membrane proteins. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of these four genes was proved in the yeast, which catalyzed the conversion of β-amyrin into oleanolic acid. We found that the content of β-amyrin, platycodin D, platycoside E, platycodin D3, and total saponins increased significantly when either of the four genes was over expressed in the transgenic hair root. In addition, the expression of PgSS, PgGPPS2, PgHMGS, and PgSE was also upregulated while these four genes were overexpressed. These data support that these four PgCYP716 enzymes oxidize β-amyrin to produce oleanolic acid, ultimately promoting saponin accumulation by activating the expression of upstream pathway genes. Our results enhanced the understanding of the functional variation among the PgCYP716 gene family involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis and provided a theoretical foundation for improving saponin content and enriching the saponin biosynthetic pathway in P. grandiflorus. Full article

Platycodon is a medicinal plant of considerable pharmacological and dietary value. With the growing demand, agricultural production is increasing. However, the continuous cropping significantly causes negative impacts on its yield and quality. In this study, in order to solve the problem of continuous cropping, we evaluated the allelopathic activity of Platycodon and investigated the potential use of activated carbon for mitigating the negative impacts of allelopathic chemicals produced by Platycodon. The sandwich method (method for assaying the allelopathic activity of each part of a plant) was employed to evaluate the allelopathic activity of different parts (leaves, stems, and roots) of Platycodon. The inhibitory effects of various Platycodon plant parts were assessed based on their effects on lettuce seedling growth. At a concentration of 10 mg parts/10 mL agar, the average inhibition rates of Platycodon leaves on the radicle and hypocotyl growth of lettuce were 79.4% and 61.8%, stems 58.0% and 45.7%, and roots 53.4% and 49.3%, respectively. At a concentration of 50 mg parts/10 mL agar, the inhibitory effects were as follows: leaves (91.9%, 72.2%), stems (79.5%, 60.3%), and roots (71.4%, 65.2%). The effect of activated carbon on the adsorption of allelopathic substances was investigated, and the results of the sandwich method with a concentration of 10 mg parts/10 mL agar showed the following growth-inhibitory effects on lettuce seedlings and hypocotyls—roots (27.8%, 25.7%), leaves (13.3%, 25.7%), and stems (9.1%, 13.6%)—in each case showing a significant decrease in the inhibitory activity. The plant box method (method for assaying the allelopathic activity of plant root exudates) was employed to evaluate the activity of Platycodon root exudate. The growth inhibition rates of lettuce radicle and hypocotyls were 45.5% and 18.9%, respectively. The plant box method with addition of activated carbon revealed average rates of promotion of 16.7% and 4.7% on the growth of lettuce seedlings and hypocotyls, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that activated carbon has a mitigating effect on allelopathic inhibition associated with the different plant parts and root exudation of Platycodon and provide a potential solution for overcoming problems associated with the continuous cropping of Platycodon. Full article

Flavonoid-3′,5′-hydroxylase (F3′5′H) is the key enzyme for the biosynthesis of delphinidin-based anthocyanins, which are generally required for purple or blue flowers. Previously, we isolated a full-length cDNA of PgF3′5′H from Platycodon grandiflorus, which shared the highest homology with Campanula medium F3′5′H. In this study, PgF3′5′H was subcloned into a plant over-expression vector and transformed into tobacco via Agrobacterium tumefaciens to investigate its catalytic function. Positive transgenic tobacco T₀ plants were obtained by hygromycin resistance screening and PCR detection. PgF3′5′H showed a higher expression level in all PgF3′5′H transgenic tobacco plants than in control plants. Under the drive of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter, the over-expressed PgF3′5′H produced dihydromyricetin (DHM) and some new anthocyanin pigments (including delphinidin, petunidin, peonidin, and malvidin derivatives), and increased dihydrokaempferol (DHK), taxifolin, tridactyl, cyanidin derivatives, and pelargonidin derivatives in PgF3′5′H transgenic tobacco plants by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis, resulting in a dramatic color alteration from light pink to magenta. These results indicate that PgF3′5′H products have F3′5′H enzyme activity. In addition, PgF3′5′H transfer alters flavonoid pigment synthesis and accumulation in tobacco. Thus, PgF3′5′H may be considered a candidate gene for gene engineering to enhance anthocyanin accumulation and the molecular breeding project for blue flowers. Full article

While the status of histone acetylation is a critical regulator of chromatin’s structure with a significant impact on plant physiology, our understanding of epigenetic regulation in the biosynthesis of active compounds in plants is limited. In this study, Platycodon grandiflorus was treated with sodium butyrate (NaB), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, to investigate the influence of histone acetylation on secondary metabolism. Its treatment with NaB increased the acetylation of histone H3 at lysine 9, 14, and 27 and enhanced the anti-melanogenic properties of P. grandiflorus roots. Through transcriptome and differentially expressed gene analyses, we found that NaB influenced the expression of genes that were involved in both primary and secondary metabolic pathways. In addition, NaB treatment caused the accumulation of polyphenolic compounds, including dihydroquercetin, gallic acid, and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. The NaB-induced transcriptional activation of genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway influenced the anti-melanogenic properties of P. grandiflorus roots. Overall, these findings suggest the potential of an epigenomic approach to enhance the medicinal qualities of medicinal plants. Full article

Platycodon grandiflorus (balloon flower), used as a food reserve as well as in traditional herbal medicine, is known for its multiple beneficial effects. In particular, this plant is widely used as a vegetable in Republic of Korea. We examined the ameliorative effects of P. grandiflorus on alloxan-induced pancreatic islet damage in zebrafish. The aerial part treatment led to a significant recovery in pancreatic islet size and glucose uptake. The efficacy of the aerial part was more potent than that of the root. Eight flavonoids (1–8) were isolated from the aerial part. Structures of two new flavone glycosides, designated dorajiside I (1) and II (2), were elucidated to be luteolin 7-O-α-L-rhamno-pyranosyl (1 → 2)-(6-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside and apigenin 7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 → 2)-(6-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside, respectively, by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1, 3, 4 and 6–8 yielded the recovery of injured pancreatic islets in zebrafish. Among them, compound 7 blocked K_ATP channels in pancreatic β-cells. Furthermore, compounds 3, 4, 6 and 7 showed significant changes with respect to the mRNA expression of GCK, GCKR, GLIS3 and CDKN2B compared to alloxan-induced zebrafish. In conclusion, the aerial part of P. grandiflorus and its constituents conferred a regenerative effect on injured pancreatic islets. Full article

Gypsophila paniculata is one of the most popular cut flowers in the world whose major cultivars are blooming white. As is well known, blue flowers could be generated via the overexpression of the gene encoding flavonoid 3′5′-hydroxylase (F3′5′H) in species that naturally lack it. In this study, we established the regeneration and a genetic transformation system for the commercial cultivar ‘YX4’ of G. paniculata and introduced the F3′5′H of Platycodon grandiflorus (PgF3′5′H) successfully into ‘YX4’ using the established protocol. A total of 281 hygromycin (Hyg)-resistant plantlets were obtained, and 38 of them were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive, indicating a 13.5% transformation efficiency. Shoot apex without meristem was more suitable for explant due to its high regeneration capacity, and the supplement of thidiazuron (TDZ) provided the most efficient promotion of adventitious bud induction, whereas the supplement of 6-Benzyladenine (6-BA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) did not affect much. Additionally, the combination of 1 day (d) pre-culture, 5 d co-culture, 10 min infection, 30 mg·L⁻¹ additional acetosyringone (AS) supplement, and 10 mg·L⁻¹ Hyg selection formed the optimized system for ‘YX4’ transformation. This reliable and efficient agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the valuable commercial cultivar ‘YX4’ will contribute not only to the creation and improvement of G. paniculata cultivars, but also to the function research of genes associated with important ornamental traits. Full article

Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC. root (PGR) flour is well known for its medical and edible values. In order to develop nutritionally fortified products, breads were prepared using wheat flour, partially replaced with PGR flour. The rheological properties and microstructure of dough and the physicochemical characterization of bread were investigated. Results showed that lower level of PGR addition (3 and 6 g/100 g) would improve the baking performance of breads, while the higher level of PGR addition (9 g/100 g) led to smaller specific volume (3.78 mL/g), increased hardness (7.5 ± 1.35 N), and unpalatable mouthfeel (21.8% of resilience and 92.6% of springiness) since its negative effect on the viscoelasticity and microstructure of dough. Moreover, sensory evaluation analysis also showed that the PGR3 and PGR6 breads exhibited a similar flavor to the control bread, but the 9 g/100 g addition of PGR provided bread with an unpleasant odor through its richer volatile components. As expected, the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of bread increased significantly (p < 0.05) as PGR flour was added to the bread formulation. The total phenolic content (TPC) ranged from 14.23 to 22.36 g GAE/g; thus, DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging capacity increased from 10.44 and 10.06 μg Trolox/g to 14.69 and 15.12 μg Trolox/g, respectively. Therefore, our findings emphasized the feasibility of PGR flour partially replacing wheat flour in bread-making systems. Full article