South African Journal of Botany最新文献

{"title":"Typification of the name Juncus oxycarpus (Verojuncus oxycarpus) (Juncaceae) and its synonym, with nomenclatural notes","authors":"Anna Faltyn-Parzymska ,&nbsp;Paweł Jarzembowski ,&nbsp;Elżbieta Żołubak-Szczypiorska ,&nbsp;Jarosław Proćków","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.052","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.052","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The typification of the name <em>Juncus oxycarpus</em> (<img><em>Verojuncus oxycarpus</em>) and its synonym <em>Juncus suboxycarpus</em> (Juncaceae) is presented alongside nomenclatural notes addressing historical confusion in their classification. <em>Juncus oxycarpus</em> was described from South Africa using specimens collected by J.F. Drège and C.H. Bergius. Unfortunately, the original materials collected by Drège represent various similar <em>Juncus</em> species, which historically caused challenges in accurately identifying this taxon. Additionally, the syntype specimens of Drège and Bergius in B were destroyed during World War II. To resolve these issues and prevent possible further confusion, specimens from various herbaria worldwide were examined and lectotypes were designated for the name of this widely distributed African taxon and its synonym.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 768-773"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143768559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Construction of the relationship between phytochemicals and gene expression in different Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai cultivars","authors":"Ya-Fang Shang ,&nbsp;Jun-Hao Miao ,&nbsp;Jia Zeng ,&nbsp;Si-Qi Sun ,&nbsp;Xiao-Long Ni ,&nbsp;Zhao-Jun Wei ,&nbsp;Yi-Long Ma ,&nbsp;Hong-Xing Su ,&nbsp;Wen-Bo Bai ,&nbsp;Xiang-Li Niu ,&nbsp;Wan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.059","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.059","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the phytochemical profiles of four <em>Chaenomeles speciosa</em> cultivars (<em>Xuan Mugua</em>) (Zhimahong, Pingguohong, Luohanqi, Lengmugua) and conducted transcriptome analysis of two selected cultivars (Zhimahong, Lengmugua) across three developmental stages (fruit set, expansion, and maturation). Using HPLC-MS/MS and RNA-seq, we quantified phenolic acids, flavonoids, organic acids, and triterpenoids while identifying associated biosynthetic genes. Key findings revealed significant interspecific variations at full maturity: Zhimahong showed the highest ursolic acid content (1.82 mg/g DW), Pingguohong accumulated peak oleanolic acid (2.15 mg/g DW) and malic acid (34.7 mg/g DW), while Luohanqi exhibited maximal proanthocyanidin B2 (0.68 mg/g DW), chlorogenic acid (1.24 mg/g DW), epicatechin (0.92 mg/g DW), phloridzin (0.56 mg/g DW), and rutin (0.43 mg/g DW). Transcriptomic analysis identified 29,424 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, |log₂FC|≥1, P-Adjust&lt;0.05) between Zhimahong and Lengmugua at maturation, including flavonoid biosynthesis genes CHS (LOC114843160) and CHI (LOC114826590), and triterpenoid-related FDFT1 (LOC114822340) and LUP4 (LOC114847190). Antioxidant assessment (ABTS method) across all cultivars demonstrated stage-dependent variation, with Luohanqi showing maximum activity (17.94 mg VE/g DW) during fruit expansion. These results provided molecular evidence for cultivar-specific phytochemical accumulation, identified key genetic targets for metabolic engineering, and established Luohanqi as the optimal cultivar for antioxidant-focused cultivation. The findings directly inform breeding programs and quality control strategies for <em>Xuan Mugua</em> industrial applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 740-750"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143760599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Fe3O4, ZnO, and TiO2 Nanoparticles on Germination and Morphological Parameters in Microwave-Sterilised Pea, Mung Bean, Wheat, and Barley Seeds","authors":"Wael Mohammed Mahdi ,&nbsp;Khalid Saeed Lateef Al-Badri ,&nbsp;Thara Sifyan Nada","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.066","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.066","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the effects of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and ferric oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles on the germination and early growth of microwave-sterilised seeds from four crop species: pea, mung bean, wheat, and barley. Conducted as a laboratory experiment, the study employed a completely randomised design with two factors: three nanoparticle types at two concentrations (50% and 100%) plus a control (distilled water) and four different seed species. Ten microwave-sterilised seeds were sown in each petri dish, yielding 84 experimental units (7 treatments × 4 seed types × 3 replicates). Parameters such as germination rate, fungal infection, and radicle and plumule lengths were assessed after seven days of incubation at 22°C. Notably, the results showed species-specific responses: the pea, mung bean, and wheat seeds achieved nearly 100% germination, surpassing barley, which reached 91.4%. However, the barley seeds demonstrated the lowest fungal infection rate of 12.8% and the greatest radicle and plumule growth. Among the nanoparticle treatments, the 100% Fe₃O₄ treatment significantly reduced fungal infection, while the 50% Fe₃O₄ concentration enhanced radicle length without adverse effects on other traits. The interactions between seed type and nanoparticle concentration significantly influenced all measured parameters. These findings suggest that nanoparticle treatments, especially in the context of microwave-sterilised seeds, can effectively boost seed germination and early growth while limiting fungal infection, offering new insights into seed priming techniques in controlled conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 762-767"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143760601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Land use change, invasive species, and climate change: Drivers of biodiversity decline across IUCN conservation categories","authors":"Edith J. Singini ,&nbsp;Nompumelelo C. Baso","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate due to the combined impacts of invasive species, land use change, and climate change. Understanding the interactions between these threats across conservation statuses is crucial for developing effective and targeted conservation strategies, particularly in biodiversity hotspots such as South Africa's Eastern Cape. In this study, we integrate spatial and temporal analyses to assess how these anthropogenic pressures influence the distribution and vulnerability of 501 plant species classified under various IUCN conservation categories. Using Random Forest models and a comprehensive suite of environmental predictors, we examined both current and future scenarios (2041–2060 and 2061–2080) to identify the key drivers of species vulnerability and habitat shifts. Our results revealed that habitat loss was the most significant threat, disproportionately affecting Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) species, while invasive species exacerbated pressures on Critically Endangered (CR) groups. Future projections showed a marked increase in the percentage of species classified as VU, rising from 46.8 % in 2041–2060 to 52.4 % in 2061–2080. Rare species were projected to decline significantly, from 25.3 % to 17.9 %, while Near Threatened (NT) species increased from 5.2 % to 9.5 % over the same period. Notably, NT and VU species exhibited upward shifts to higher elevations, while CR and EN species experienced severe habitat contractions, particularly in arid and low-lying regions, highlighting their heightened vulnerability to climate and land use pressures. By identifying key thresholds at which these drivers disproportionately impact species, this study provides actionable insights for prioritising adaptive management strategies. Our findings highlight the urgency of integrating climate adaptation, habitat restoration, and invasive species management to safeguard South Africa's rich biodiversity and ensure the persistence of ecosystem functionality in one of the world's most threatened biomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 730-739"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143760721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parent versus seedling survival in Watsonia fourcadei (Iridaceae); testing a hypothesis on the survival strategy of a Cape geophyte","authors":"J.H.J. Vlok","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.056","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.056","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this study is to investigate the evolutionary pressure that selected for the ‘K’ survival strategy of <em>Watsonia fourcadei,</em> a large Cape geophyte that flowers prolifically only in the first year after a fire.</div><div>Permanently marked plots were re-surveyed after two fire cycles to test the hypothesis that the survival strategy of the species resulted from a higher survival rate of mature plants during the inter-fire periods than those of seedlings.</div><div>The results of this study provide evidence to support the hypotheses that mature <em>W. fourcadei</em> plants have a much higher survival rate than seedlings during the inter-fire period.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 727-729"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143760602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of the essential oils of Lavandula angustifolia Mill, Salvia sclarea L, and Mentha pulegium L against uropathogenic Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in silico","authors":"Rafik Aniba ,&nbsp;Amal Ramzi ,&nbsp;Asmaa Dihmane ,&nbsp;Habiba Raqraq ,&nbsp;Amina Ressmi ,&nbsp;Kaotar Nayme ,&nbsp;Mohammed Timinouni ,&nbsp;El idrissi Mohammed ,&nbsp;Farah Abdellah ,&nbsp;Abouddihaj Barguigua","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The aim of this study was to explore the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of essential oils (EOs) obtained from <em>Salvia sclarea</em> L, <em>Lavandula angustifolia</em> Mill, and <em>Mentha pulegium</em> L, using <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in silico</em> experiments. Additionally, the study to evaluate the synergistic effects of these EOs in combination with certain conventional antibiotics against <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> isolated from urinary tract infections.</div><div>The EOs used in this study were obtained by hydrodistillation, and their chemical compositions were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the disk diffusion method and modified broth microdilution method, whereas antibiofilm effects were evaluated using the microtiter plate biofilm formation method. The synergies effects between antibiotics with three EOs against <em>S. aureus</em> isolates were assessed using a checkerboard titration assay. The AutoDock Vina program was used to perform molecular docking and to calculate the predictive binding affinities of four major volatile compounds to five proteins essential for antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. In addition, drug similarity properties were predicted using SwissADME, while toxicity was predicted using ProToxII.</div><div>The major components of <em>S. sclarea</em> L, <em>L. angustifolia</em> Mill, and <em>M. pulegium</em> L EOs were linalyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, and pulegone, respectively. These EOs showed excellent antibacterial activity against methicillin-susceptible and-resistant <em>S. aureus</em> strains. Surprisingly, the fractional inhibitory concentration index showed that mixing EOs with antibiotics had a significant synergistic antibacterial effect. All EOs showed potent antibiofilm activity against biofilm-forming <em>S. aureus</em> strains at subinhibitory concentrations.</div><div>Molecular docking results revealed that 1,8-cineole, camphor, linalyl acetate, and pulegone of the three EOs have significant potential to inhibit target proteins involved in adhesion, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance. In addition, SwissADME prediction results showed that all four components satisfied the rule of five and had acceptable drug-like characteristics.</div><div><em>In vitro</em> and <em>in silico</em> studies have highlighted the EOs of <em>S. sclarea</em> L, <em>L. angustifolia</em> Mill, and <em>M. pulegium</em> L as promising natural sources of antibacterial and antibiofilm agents that could be effective in combination with antibiotic therapies, thereby minimizing the impact of antibiotic resistance and combating infectious diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 710-726"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143760720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Divergence in cold stress response in yacon [Smallanthus sonchifolius (Poepp. and Endl.) H. Rob.] clones with different ploidy levels","authors":"Uche Cyprian Okafor ,&nbsp;Jiri Kudrna ,&nbsp;Iva Viehmannova ,&nbsp;Pavel Vitamvas ,&nbsp;Frantisek Hnilicka","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.053","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.053","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the effect of cold stress on the morphological, physiological and biochemical response of two yacon clones; an octoploid (2n = 58; designated as ECU 41) and a dodecaploid (2n = 87; designated as PER 14), with young plants being included in the study. Overall, the dodecaploid was more cold stress tolerant then octoploid. Cold stress caused a significant decrease in physiological variables such as Fv/Fm, gs, E, and <em>P</em>_N in both clones, where more susceptible clone was ECU 41. In this clone, <em>P</em>_N and E decreased with stress conditions by 20.63 and 66.67 % respectively. Further reductions of 32.81 % were observed in this clone for Fv/Fm and 66.67 % for gs. Pigments and RWC decreased at 336 h for both clones, and electrolyte leakage was higher in treated clones than untreated where the % difference after 336 h was 28.74 (PER 14) and 64.35 (ECU 41). Biochemical assay showed that cold stress increased MDA, proline, total phenolics, antioxidants, and flavonoids in plants compared to those under control conditions, with ECU 41 accumulating more than PER 14. Increased proline content by 182.88 % for ECU 41 is related to the resistance of this clone to low temperatures. Similarly, an increase of 80.31 % in MDA is a signal of membrane damage and thus lower stress resistance for ECU 41 as compared to 18.66 % for PER 14. This research provides an insight into young yacon plant responses at the beginning of the vegetative growth period which tends to be colder in many regions where yacon had been distributed to. Thus, it can be a limiting factor for cultivation and sufficient growing period length.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 751-761"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143760600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phenolic compounds profile and hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of aqueous leaf extract of Androstachys johnsonii Prain: In vitro study","authors":"Murendeni Nethengwe ,&nbsp;Nasifu Kerebba ,&nbsp;Kunle Okaiyeto ,&nbsp;Chinyerum S. Opuwari ,&nbsp;Oluwafemi O. Oguntibeju","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.047","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.047","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Androstachys johnsonii</em> Prain has been identified through ethnobotanical studies as a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat medical complications, including diabetes mellitus (DM). The development of DM complications involves hyperglycaemia and excessive production of free radicals and inflammatory cytokines. This study investigates the hypoglycaemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract of <em>A. johnsonii</em>, to reveal the possible pathways through which the extract can possibly treat DM complications. A total of 34 phenolic compounds (majorly flavonoids) was identified in the plant extract through the Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) analysis. Total polyphenols were 403.28 ± 12.75 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g with 88.35 ± 2.16 mg catechin equivalent (CE)/g of flavanols and 6.96 ± 3.10 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g flavonols. For antioxidant capacity determination, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (1342.68 ± 3.41 mg ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (571.57 ± 0.55 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) (478.88±0.09 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g) values were obtained. The extract demonstrated a concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory activity on RAW macrophage cells. The highest concentration of the extract increased glucose uptake and utilisation in C3A hepatocarcinoma cells. The extract showed a significant concentration-dependent (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) increase in α-glucosidase inhibition and a significantly (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) lower pancreatic lipase inhibition. These results suggest the potential therapeutic effect of <em>A. johnsonii</em> in the treatment of DM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 668-679"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738997","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the nutraceutical and antioxidative potential of alginate beads entrapped marine diatoms","authors":"Rashi Tyagi ,&nbsp;Pankaj Kumar Singh ,&nbsp;Abhishek Saxena ,&nbsp;Hirak Parikh ,&nbsp;Raya Bhattacharjya ,&nbsp;Nutan Kaushik ,&nbsp;Rajesh Prasad Rastogi ,&nbsp;Archana Tiwari","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diatoms are a rich source of diverse bioactive compounds, suggesting substantial nutraceutical and biotechnological potential. The present study evaluates and compares a detailed biochemical and metabolic assessment, including protein, carbohydrate, phenolic content, chrysolaminarin, flavonoids, pigments, total lipid, biodiesel, polysaccharide estimation, and various antioxidative enzyme assays, within the entrapped alginate beads (referred to as 1) three different marine diatom species: <em>Chaetoceros gracilis, Thalassiosira weissflogii</em>, and <em>Cylindrotheca</em> sp. versus their free-cell counterparts (referred as 2). Fatty acid profiling revealed that CY2 has a high content of PUFAs at 42.91 %, with EPA constituting 31.03 %. Additionally, T2 exhibited the highest DHA content at 0.733 %. Biochemical assessment demonstrated that T2 has the highest protein content (127.34 ± 0.15 mg g^-1) and CY1 has the highest chrysolaminarin content (163.97± 1.71mg g^-1), while CY2 exhibits the highest carbohydrate content at 6.90± 0.21 mg g^-1. In this study, fucoxanthin was highest in T2 (4.34 ± 0.12 mg g^-1) and carotenoids were highest in CY1 (27.01 ± 1.50 mg g^-1 respectively). DPPH was highest in C1 (51.85 TE g DW ^-1), while ABTS activity was maximum in T1 (158.83 TE g DW⁻¹). Sustaining a balanced intake of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs is crucial for maintaining nutritional value. In the present study lipid nutritional quality shows CY2 has the lowest AI and TI values followed by T2 which contribute to various health benefits. Overall, the findings demonstrate that immobilized diatoms, which are eco-friendly and reusable, can serve as sustainable sources of essential nutrients and antioxidants. This research paves the way for their application in human health and fosters a more sustainable and circular economy within the nutraceutical sector, highlighting their potential to enhance food security, improve health outcomes, and promote environmentally friendly practices in the industry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 644-652"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular mechanisms of saffron petals in the treatment of hyperuricemia: a network pharmacology and experimental verifcation study","authors":"Na Chen ,&nbsp;Jiaqi Li ,&nbsp;Xue Zhang ,&nbsp;Yali Li ,&nbsp;Li Zhang ,&nbsp;Lan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.060","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2025.03.060","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Saffron is not only a precious spice used in the international market, but also a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The petals of saffron (SP) have been reported to possess multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperuricemia (HUA) activities. Our previous studies showed that the flavonoid extract of SP had ameliorative effects on HUA animals. However, its underlying pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study is to elucidate the molecular targets and potential mechanism of SP in treating HUA by combining network pharmacology and experimental validation. A network pharmacology approach was used to conduct target prediction, PPI network analysis, GO enrichment, and KEGG analysis to predict the potential targets and signaling pathways of SP against HUA. Furthermore, the potential mechanism of SP against HUA was verified using a molecular docking method and in vivo experiments. Based on the network pharmacological analysis, a total of 32 common targets between SP and HUA were screened, among them, ABCG2, URAT1, GLUT9, PYGL, and PTGS2 were identified as the key targets. KEGG enrichment analysis further showed that the PI3K-Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways might be involved in the mechanisms of SP against HUA. Molecular docking results showed that ABCG2, URAT1, and GLUT9 were well connected to five potential pharmacodynamic components of SP. In vivo experiment results revealed that the SP flavonoid extract reduced UA level, improved renal function and enhanced antioxidant activities of HUA rats. Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) methods confirmed that the SP flavonoid extract regulated the expressions of ABCG2, URAT1 and GLUT9. By combining network pharmacology with experimental verification, SP may effectively treat HUA by regulating urate transporters ABCG2, URAT1, and GLUT9 related to the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings provide an experimental foundation for the development and clinical utilization of SP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"180 ","pages":"Pages 653-667"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143738996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}