Suitable concentrations of brassinolide application enhances growth performance and saikosaponin biosynthesis by transcriptional activation of triterpenoid pathway genes in Bupleurum chinense DC

The role of brassinolides (BRs) in regulating the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites has been recognized. However, the effect of brassinolides on the synthesis of saikosaponin in Bupleurum chinense DC. (B. chinense) is still unresolved, To address this knowledge gap, experiments were conducted...

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Main Authors: Shengwei Zhou, Linlin Yang, Jie Wan, Lu Chen, Xupeng Gu, Lu Qiao, Leixia Chu, Ning Dong, Chengming Dong, Weisheng Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1517434/full
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author Shengwei Zhou
Shengwei Zhou
Shengwei Zhou
Shengwei Zhou
Linlin Yang
Linlin Yang
Linlin Yang
Linlin Yang
Jie Wan
Lu Chen
Lu Chen
Lu Chen
Lu Chen
Xupeng Gu
Xupeng Gu
Xupeng Gu
Xupeng Gu
Lu Qiao
Lu Qiao
Lu Qiao
Lu Qiao
Leixia Chu
Leixia Chu
Leixia Chu
Leixia Chu
Ning Dong
Ning Dong
Ning Dong
Ning Dong
Chengming Dong
Chengming Dong
Chengming Dong
Chengming Dong
Weisheng Feng
Weisheng Feng
Weisheng Feng
Weisheng Feng
author_facet Shengwei Zhou
Shengwei Zhou
Shengwei Zhou
Shengwei Zhou
Linlin Yang
Linlin Yang
Linlin Yang
Linlin Yang
Jie Wan
Lu Chen
Lu Chen
Lu Chen
Lu Chen
Xupeng Gu
Xupeng Gu
Xupeng Gu
Xupeng Gu
Lu Qiao
Lu Qiao
Lu Qiao
Lu Qiao
Leixia Chu
Leixia Chu
Leixia Chu
Leixia Chu
Ning Dong
Ning Dong
Ning Dong
Ning Dong
Chengming Dong
Chengming Dong
Chengming Dong
Chengming Dong
Weisheng Feng
Weisheng Feng
Weisheng Feng
Weisheng Feng
author_sort Shengwei Zhou
collection DOAJ
description The role of brassinolides (BRs) in regulating the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites has been recognized. However, the effect of brassinolides on the synthesis of saikosaponin in Bupleurum chinense DC. (B. chinense) is still unresolved, To address this knowledge gap, experiments were conducted in which different concentrations (0 mg/L as CK, 0.1 mg/L, 0.2 mg/L, and 0.4 mg/L) of BRs solution were sprayed on B. chinense taproot in the present study. We measured the growth indicators of each group of B. chinense, used quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine the expression level of genes related to the biosynthesis of saikosaponin, used terpenoid-targeted metabolomics to determine the accumulation of saikosaponin, and verified the metabolomics results by HPLC. Following a 12-day treatment with the 0.2 mg/L BRs solution, the fresh and dry root weights, the taproot length, and the taproot diameter of B. chinense escalated by 60.35%, 60.11%, 25.17%, and 28.07% respectively, in comparison with the CK group. The expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of saikosaponin (HMGR, DXR, IPPI, FPS, SE, P450-2, and P450-3) significantly increased. Moreover, a terpenoid-targeted metabolomic investigation identified 27 distinct saikosaponins, inclusive of saikosaponin A and D, with a notable accumulation observed in 17 saikosaponins. The HPLC findings indicated that the contents of saikosaponin A and D elevated by 72.64% and 80.75% respectively when treated with 0.2 mg/L BRs solution. Conversely, the treatment of 0.4 mg/L BRs solution did not exhibit any significant alteration in the concentrations of saikosaponin A and D when compared to the CK group. In conclusion, the 0.2 mg/L BRs solution demonstrates a more pronounced regulatory impact on the synthesis of saikosaponin A and D. Our investigation revealed that the accumulation of these crucial medicinal bioactive compounds, saikosaponin A and D, can be enhanced through the application of a 0.2 mg/L BRs solution in the ecological cultivation of B. chinense.
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spelling doaj-art-b0d4ade06f6c42a09cefd0f50532b8b32025-08-20T02:10:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2025-03-011610.3389/fpls.2025.15174341517434Suitable concentrations of brassinolide application enhances growth performance and saikosaponin biosynthesis by transcriptional activation of triterpenoid pathway genes in Bupleurum chinense DCShengwei Zhou0Shengwei Zhou1Shengwei Zhou2Shengwei Zhou3Linlin Yang4Linlin Yang5Linlin Yang6Linlin Yang7Jie Wan8Lu Chen9Lu Chen10Lu Chen11Lu Chen12Xupeng Gu13Xupeng Gu14Xupeng Gu15Xupeng Gu16Lu Qiao17Lu Qiao18Lu Qiao19Lu Qiao20Leixia Chu21Leixia Chu22Leixia Chu23Leixia Chu24Ning Dong25Ning Dong26Ning Dong27Ning Dong28Chengming Dong29Chengming Dong30Chengming Dong31Chengming Dong32Weisheng Feng33Weisheng Feng34Weisheng Feng35Weisheng Feng36School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Provincial Ecological Planting Engineering Technology Research Center of Daodi Herbs, Zhengzhou, ChinaCo-construction Collaborative Innovation Centre for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Provincial Ecological Planting Engineering Technology Research Center of Daodi Herbs, Zhengzhou, ChinaCo-construction Collaborative Innovation Centre for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Provincial Ecological Planting Engineering Technology Research Center of Daodi Herbs, Zhengzhou, ChinaCo-construction Collaborative Innovation Centre for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Provincial Ecological Planting Engineering Technology Research Center of Daodi Herbs, Zhengzhou, ChinaCo-construction Collaborative Innovation Centre for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Provincial Ecological Planting Engineering Technology Research Center of Daodi Herbs, Zhengzhou, ChinaCo-construction Collaborative Innovation Centre for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Provincial Ecological Planting Engineering Technology Research Center of Daodi Herbs, Zhengzhou, ChinaCo-construction Collaborative Innovation Centre for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Provincial Ecological Planting Engineering Technology Research Center of Daodi Herbs, Zhengzhou, ChinaCo-construction Collaborative Innovation Centre for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Provincial Ecological Planting Engineering Technology Research Center of Daodi Herbs, Zhengzhou, ChinaCo-construction Collaborative Innovation Centre for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaSchool of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaHenan Provincial Ecological Planting Engineering Technology Research Center of Daodi Herbs, Zhengzhou, ChinaCo-construction Collaborative Innovation Centre for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, ChinaThe role of brassinolides (BRs) in regulating the synthesis of plant secondary metabolites has been recognized. However, the effect of brassinolides on the synthesis of saikosaponin in Bupleurum chinense DC. (B. chinense) is still unresolved, To address this knowledge gap, experiments were conducted in which different concentrations (0 mg/L as CK, 0.1 mg/L, 0.2 mg/L, and 0.4 mg/L) of BRs solution were sprayed on B. chinense taproot in the present study. We measured the growth indicators of each group of B. chinense, used quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine the expression level of genes related to the biosynthesis of saikosaponin, used terpenoid-targeted metabolomics to determine the accumulation of saikosaponin, and verified the metabolomics results by HPLC. Following a 12-day treatment with the 0.2 mg/L BRs solution, the fresh and dry root weights, the taproot length, and the taproot diameter of B. chinense escalated by 60.35%, 60.11%, 25.17%, and 28.07% respectively, in comparison with the CK group. The expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of saikosaponin (HMGR, DXR, IPPI, FPS, SE, P450-2, and P450-3) significantly increased. Moreover, a terpenoid-targeted metabolomic investigation identified 27 distinct saikosaponins, inclusive of saikosaponin A and D, with a notable accumulation observed in 17 saikosaponins. The HPLC findings indicated that the contents of saikosaponin A and D elevated by 72.64% and 80.75% respectively when treated with 0.2 mg/L BRs solution. Conversely, the treatment of 0.4 mg/L BRs solution did not exhibit any significant alteration in the concentrations of saikosaponin A and D when compared to the CK group. In conclusion, the 0.2 mg/L BRs solution demonstrates a more pronounced regulatory impact on the synthesis of saikosaponin A and D. Our investigation revealed that the accumulation of these crucial medicinal bioactive compounds, saikosaponin A and D, can be enhanced through the application of a 0.2 mg/L BRs solution in the ecological cultivation of B. chinense.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1517434/fullBupleurum chinense DC.brassinolidessaikosaponinquantitative real-time PCRterpenoid-targeted metabolomicssecondary metabolism synthesis
spellingShingle Shengwei Zhou
Shengwei Zhou
Shengwei Zhou
Shengwei Zhou
Linlin Yang
Linlin Yang
Linlin Yang
Linlin Yang
Jie Wan
Lu Chen
Lu Chen
Lu Chen
Lu Chen
Xupeng Gu
Xupeng Gu
Xupeng Gu
Xupeng Gu
Lu Qiao
Lu Qiao
Lu Qiao
Lu Qiao
Leixia Chu
Leixia Chu
Leixia Chu
Leixia Chu
Ning Dong
Ning Dong
Ning Dong
Ning Dong
Chengming Dong
Chengming Dong
Chengming Dong
Chengming Dong
Weisheng Feng
Weisheng Feng
Weisheng Feng
Weisheng Feng
Suitable concentrations of brassinolide application enhances growth performance and saikosaponin biosynthesis by transcriptional activation of triterpenoid pathway genes in Bupleurum chinense DC
Frontiers in Plant Science
Bupleurum chinense DC.
brassinolides
saikosaponin
quantitative real-time PCR
terpenoid-targeted metabolomics
secondary metabolism synthesis
title Suitable concentrations of brassinolide application enhances growth performance and saikosaponin biosynthesis by transcriptional activation of triterpenoid pathway genes in Bupleurum chinense DC
title_full Suitable concentrations of brassinolide application enhances growth performance and saikosaponin biosynthesis by transcriptional activation of triterpenoid pathway genes in Bupleurum chinense DC
title_fullStr Suitable concentrations of brassinolide application enhances growth performance and saikosaponin biosynthesis by transcriptional activation of triterpenoid pathway genes in Bupleurum chinense DC
title_full_unstemmed Suitable concentrations of brassinolide application enhances growth performance and saikosaponin biosynthesis by transcriptional activation of triterpenoid pathway genes in Bupleurum chinense DC
title_short Suitable concentrations of brassinolide application enhances growth performance and saikosaponin biosynthesis by transcriptional activation of triterpenoid pathway genes in Bupleurum chinense DC
title_sort suitable concentrations of brassinolide application enhances growth performance and saikosaponin biosynthesis by transcriptional activation of triterpenoid pathway genes in bupleurum chinense dc
topic Bupleurum chinense DC.
brassinolides
saikosaponin
quantitative real-time PCR
terpenoid-targeted metabolomics
secondary metabolism synthesis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1517434/full
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