The saponin bomb: a nucleolar-localized β-glucosidase hydrolyzes triterpene saponins in Medicago truncatula.

Plants often protect themselves from their own bioactive defense metabolites by storing them in less active forms. Consequently, plants also need systems allowing correct spatiotemporal reactivation of such metabolites, for instance under pathogen or herbivore attack. Via co-expression analysis with public transcriptomes, we determined that the model legume Medicago truncatula has evolved a two-component system composed of a β-glucosidase, denominated G1, and triterpene saponins, which are physically separated from each other in intact cells.

Nematicidal Potential of Sulla ( L.) against the Root-Knot Nematode .

The content of nematicidal metabolites such as saponins, flavonoids and tannins in sulla ( L.) suggests its potential nematicidal activity. In this study, the biocidal activity of 62.

Variability in the Essential Oil Composition of Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata (Wulfen) I. Richardson Growing in the Eastern Italian Alps.

Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata (Wulfen) I. Richardson is endemic of the Central Alps and distributed in several Italian Regions, where is used for its medicinal and aromatic properties.

The Antioxidant Activity of a Commercial and a Fractionated Phycocyanin on Human Skin Cells In Vitro.

The protective effects for cells against chemical and UVA stress of a commercial phycocyanin (PC) for food use and a PC extracted from Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) in phosphate buffer were assessed. The purity of the commercial PC, spectrophotometrically estimated as A620/A280 and confirmed by HPLC, was higher than that of the fractionated PC (2.0 vs.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Targeted Mutagenesis of Modulates the Triterpene Saponin Biosynthesis in .

In the genus, triterpene saponins are a group of bioactive compounds extensively studied for their different biological and pharmaceutical properties. In this work, the CRISPR/Cas9-based approach with two single-site guide RNAs was used in (barrel medic) to knock-out the and genes, which are responsible for the biosynthesis of soyasapogenol B, the most abundant soyasapogenol in spp. No transgenic plants carrying mutations in the target gene were recovered while fifty-two putative mutant plant lines were obtained following -mediated transformation.

Chemical Identification of Specialized Metabolites from Sulla ( L.) Collected in Southern Italy.

Sulla ( L.) is a biennal forage legume originated from the Mediterranean basin and used for animal feeding due to its high forage quality and palatability. Several species of have been considered for their nutritional, pharmaceutical, and biological properties, and different applications have been reported, both for human consumption and animal nutrition.

Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Four Wild Species from Italy.

In the present study, we evaluated for the first time the variability of antioxidant traits of four wild species: , , , and . The content of the main water-soluble antioxidants (phenolics, ascorbic acid, and total biothiols) and the in vitro antioxidant potential (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and superoxide anion scavenging capacity) were investigated. A total of 28 polyphenolic compounds were identified by LC/MS and quantitated by HPLC/DAD analysis.

Identification of the Volatile Components of L. and Opiz from the Western Italian Alps.

The chemical composition of the volatile fraction from L. (leaves and flowers) and Opiz (whole plant), , was investigated. Samples from these two plant species were collected at full bloom in Val di Susa (Western Alps, Turin, Italy), distilled in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS.

Activity of Saponins from Species against Phytoparasitic Nematodes.

Content of bioactive saponins of species suggests that they may also exert, as previously demonstrated on , nematicidal properties exploitable for the formulation of new products for sustainable phytoparasitic nematode management. This study was addressed to highlight the bioactivity of saponins from five different species still poorly known for their biological efficacy, i.e.

Triterpenic saponins from Medicago marina L.

The saponin composition of leaves and roots from Medicago marina L., sea medic, was investigated by a combination of chromatographic, spectroscopic and spectrometric (GC, LC, ESI-MS/MS, NMR) methods. Several compounds were detected and quantified by HPLC using the external standard method.

Anthelmintic Activity of Saponins from spp. Against Sheep Gastrointestinal Nematodes.

Gastrointestinal strongyle nematodes (GIS) are included among the most important parasites of small ruminants. The widespread drug resistance and drug residues in products of animal origin have increased the interest in the search for natural compounds with anthelmintic activity as a valid alternative to current synthetic drugs. The aim of the present investigation was to test the 'in vitro' anthelmintic activity of saponins and prosapogenins from different species, selected for their importance as a forage crop worldwide for animal feeding.

Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil of Four Sympatric Orchid Species.

The volatile fractions from fresh inflorescences of naturally growing orchids (L.) R. M.

Assessment of the Antioxidant Properties of Aqueous Byproduct Extracts of .

Aqueous extracts were obtained at low temperature with the Naviglio technology from grapevine stalks (Merlot), marc (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) and leaves (Merlot) as typical byproducts of winemaking industry, and their properties were evaluated cytofluorometrically on human dermal fibroblasts. Leaf extracts had the greatest total phenolic ((47.6±3.

Anthelmintic Activity of Saponins Derived from spp. Plants against Donkey Gastrointestinal Nematodes.

With the aim to find new effective natural compounds for the control of nematodes, the anthelminthic properties of purified 1% saponins showing different chemical compositions and derived from (MS), (MA), cultivar 'Santiago' (MPS), cultivar 'Anglona' (MPA), and 1% prosapogenins from (MSp), were evaluated and compared. As a source of nematode eggs, pooled fresh fecal samples taken from dairy donkeys naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes were used. From fecal samples, eggs were recovered, suspended in deionized water, and used immediately in the bioassay (egg hatch test).

Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity in Germplasm from Different Environments.

Phenolics are important mediators in plant-environment interactions. The presence and concentration of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity were evaluated in leaves and flowers of a set of species originating from contrasting environments encompassing lowland and mountain sites. The current germplasm proved a great reservoir of phenolic compounds, with different chemical structure and, possibly, diversified biological activity.

The major Boswellia serrata active 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid strengthens interleukin-1α upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 via JNK MAP kinase activation.

Background: Boswellia serrata gum resin has attracted pharmacological interest as an alternative antinflammatory.

Purpose: We studied the application of an ethanolic extract of the resin and its main active 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) against inflammatory degeneration of skin extracellular matrix.

Study Design: We compared the effects of the extract and AKBA on the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (72-kDa and 92-kDa type IV collagenases) in HaCaT keratinocytes exposed to interleukin-1α (IL-1α) as a skin inflammation model.

Activity of Saponins from Medicago species Against HeLa and MCF-7 Cell Lines and their Capacity to Potentiate Cisplatin Effect.

Background: Saponins from Medicago species display several biological activities, among them apoptotic effects against plant cells have been evidenced. In contrast, their cytotoxic and antitumor activity against animal cells have not been studied in great details.

Objective: To explore the cytotoxic properties of saponin from Medicago species against animal cells and their effect in combination with the antitumoral drug cisplatin.

Artefact formation during acid hydrolysis of saponins from Medicago spp.

Artefact compounds obtained during acid hydrolysis of saponins from Medicago spp. (Fabaceae), have been monitored and evaluated by GC-FID. Their identification has been performed by GC-MS and H and C NMR.

Genome-Wide Association Mapping and Genomic Selection for Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Forage Quality Traits.

Genetic progress for forage quality has been poor in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), the most-grown forage legume worldwide. This study aimed at exploring opportunities for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection of forage quality traits based on breeding values of parent plants.

Chemical Characterization of the Volatiles of Leaves and Flowers from Cultivated Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana and their Antimicrobial Activity Against the Aetiological Agents of the European and American Foulbrood of Honeybees (Apis melfifera).

The composition of the volatile fraction of Malva sylvestris var. mauritiana (L.) Boiss.

Isoflavone Content in Subterranean Clover Germplasm from Sardinia.

Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) is an important pasture legume, and Sardinia is known as a major centre of diversification of this species. As other legumes, this clover produces biologically active flavonoids including the subclass of isoflavones that are natural phytoestrogens with positive health effects. Present sources of isoflavones for medical/nutraceutical treatments are red clover (Trifolium pratense) and soybean (Glycine max).

Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Achillea moschata Wulfen, an Endemic Species from the Alps.

Aerial parts of Achillea moschata Wulfen (Asteraceae) growing wild in the Italian Rhaetian Alps were investigated to describe, for the first time, their phenolic content, as well as to characterize the essential oil. Inspection of the metabolic profile combining HPLC-DAD and ESI-MS/MS data showed that the methanol extract contained glycosylated flavonoids with luteolin and apigenin as the main aglycones. Among them, the major compound was 7-O-glucosyl apigenin.

Screening of saponins and sapogenins from Medicago species as potential PPARγ agonists and X-ray structure of the complex PPARγ/caulophyllogenin.

A series of saponins and sapogenins from Medicago species were tested for their ability to bind and activate the nuclear receptor PPARγ by SPR experiments and transactivation assay, respectively. The SPR analysis proved to be a very powerful and fast technique for screening a large number of compounds for their affinity to PPARγ and selecting the better candidates for further studies. Based on the obtained results, the sapogenin caulophyllogenin was proved to be a partial agonist towards PPARγ and the X-ray structure of its complex with PPARγ was also solved, in order to investigate the binding mode in the ligand binding domain of the nuclear receptor.

Variation in Herbage Biochemical Composition among Pitch Trefoil (Bituminaria bituminosa) Populations from Elba Island, Italy.

This study assessed the variation in herbage protein and fiber content as well as concentration of furocoumarins, plicatin B, (E)-werneria chromene, and pterocarpans of pitch trefoil (Bituminaria bituminosa) germplasm sampled in situ in both summer and autumn in Elba Island, Italy. Populations were sampled from a range of climatic and edaphic conditions, on light soils with pH > 7.5.