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Background : Pueraria is an edible and medicinal raw material, which is of great value to the pharmaceutical and food industries. Nonetheless, due to morphological diversity and complex domestication history, the classification of Pueraria plants is ambiguous. As the varieties on the market are mixed, the species are difficult to distinguish, and their morphological characteristics are similar to the physical and chemical properties. It is difficult to accurately identify them by traditional identification methods. Chloroplast (cp) genomes are widely used in species identification and phylogenetic studies to achieve accurate identification of medicinal plants, and can also provide more reference information for phylogenetic studies. Based on interspecific and intraspecific sampling, the cp genomes of eight species or varieties of Pueraria plants were examined in this study. Results: The study unveiled that the cp genome size varied from 151,555 to 153,668 base pairs (bp), with the total GC content ranging from 35.4 to 37.0%. Moreover, it was discerned that the cp genome contained between 128 and 135 genes. Comparative analysis indicated that the highest number of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) was identified in P. montana and P. alopecuroides, with a preponderance of these SSRs being rich in Adenine (A) and Thymine (T) nucleotides. Complete comparison and sliding window analysis of the cp genome established that the non-coding region exhibited greater sequence differences than the coding region, and that the large single copy (LSC) region demonstrated higher nucleotide polymorphism levels. Fourteen highly variable loci such as rpoB,ycf1,rbcL,trnF-GAA-trnL,psbC-psbD, and ycf4-cemA were detected as potential molecular markers for Pueraria species identification. Moreover, the phylogenetic tree demonstrated that other Pueraria species had the most distant relationship with Haymondia wallichii and Toxicopueraria peduncularis, thereby offering fresh perspectives into the species classification of Pueraria. The molecular clock analysis results indicate that the divergence time of Pueraria may occur at ∼6.46 Ma. It is speculated that the cold climate may be the cause of Pueraria species diversity and promote the radiation of the genus. Conclusion: This research provides theoretical backing and serves as a reference point for the identification and taxonomical classification of Pueraria species. The findings will prove beneficial in future studies on the preservation of medicinal resources, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic engineering of Pueraria plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kudzu, scientifically known as Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep (P. lobata), is a perennial vine belonging to the family Leguminosae. Puerarin, a unique constituent and primary active ingredient of this genus, exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. This study started with several practical questions: Why is the root the main medicinal part? Why is it not peeled for medicinal purposes? Why is the harvest period usually from December to February? Although the puerarin biosynthesis pathway has been investigated, the stage at which the 8-C glycosylation reaction occurs remains controversial. In this study, metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses were performed on P. lobata organs and tissues, including leaves, young stems, mature stems, tuberous cortices, and cortex-excised tubers of roots. Two modules containing genes associated with puerarin biosynthesis were identified by WGCNA. The final selection of important candidate UDP-glucosyltransferases (UGTs) that may be involved in the puerarin biosynthesis pathway included two 8-C-GTs, three 7-O-GTs, and key transcription factors. On this basis, the regulatory network of puerarin biosynthesis was constructed and laid the foundation for the cultivation of high-quality medicinal kudzu with high puerarin content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pueraria is a widely cultivated medicinal and edible homologous plant in Asia, and its tuberous roots are commonly used in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. "Gange No. 5" is a local variety of Pueraria montana var. thomsonii (Bentham) M.R. Almeida (PMT) in Jiangxi Province, China. After optimizing its cultivation technique, we shortened the cultivation cycle of this variety from two years to one year, suggesting that the regulatory mechanism of the endogenous hormone system during tuberous root expansion may have changed significantly. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanisms of endogenous hormones in promoting tuberous root expansion during one-year cultivation of "Gange No. 5". Results: The mid-late expansion period (S4) is critical for the rapid swelling of "Gange No. 5" tuberous roots during annual cultivation. At S4, the number of cells increased dramatically and their volume enlarged rapidly in the tuberous roots, the fresh weight of a single root quickly increased, and the contents of multiple nutrients (total protein, total phenol, isoflavones) and medicinal components (puerarin, puerarin apigenin, and soy sapogenin) were at their peak values. We compared the transcriptomes and metabolomes of S1 (the pre-expansion period), S4, and S6 (the final expansion period), and screened 42 differentially accumulated hormone metabolites and 1,402 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with hormone biosynthesis, metabolism, and signaling. Most Auxin, cytokinins (CKs), jasmonic acids (JAs), salicylic acid (SA), melatonin (MLT), and ethylene (ETH), reached their maximum levels at S1 and then gradually decreased; however, abscisic acid (ABA) appeared in S6, indicating that most of the endogenous hormones may play a key role in regulating the initiation of tuberous root expansion, while ABA mainly promotes tuberous root maturation. Notably, multiple key genes of the 'Tryptophan metabolism' pathway (ko00380) were significantly differentially expressed, and COBRA1, COBRA2, YUCCA10, IAA13, IAA16, IAA20, IAA27, VAN3, ACAA2, and ARF were also identified to be significantly correlated with the expansion of "Gange No. 5" tuberous roots. Conclusions: Our study has revealed how endogenous hormone regulation affects the expansion of "Gange No. 5" tuberous roots. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for improving the yield of PMT tuberous roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pueraria is an edible and medicinal raw material, which is of great value to the pharmaceutical and food industries. Nonetheless, due to morphological diversity and complex domestication history, the classification of Pueraria plants is ambiguous. As the varieties on the market are mixed, the species are difficult to distinguish, and their morphological characteristics are similar to the physical and chemical properties. It is difficult to accurately identify them by traditional identification methods. Chloroplast (cp) genomes are widely used in species identification and phylogenetic studies to achieve accurate identification of medicinal plants, and can also provide more reference information for phylogenetic studies. Based on interspecific and intraspecific sampling, the cp genomes of eight species or varieties of Pueraria plants were examined in this study. Results The study unveiled that the cp genome size varied from 151,555 to 153,668 base pairs (bp), with the total GC content ranging from 35.4 to 37.0%. Moreover, it was discerned that the cp genome contained between 128 and 135 genes. Comparative analysis indicated that the highest number of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) was identified in P. montana and P. alopecuroides, with a preponderance of these SSRs being rich in Adenine (A) and Thymine (T) nucleotides. Complete comparison and sliding window analysis of the cp genome established that the non-coding region exhibited greater sequence differences than the coding region, and that the large single copy (LSC) region demonstrated higher nucleotide polymorphism levels. Fourteen highly variable loci such as rpoB,ycf1,rbcL,trnF-GAA-trnL,psbC-psbD, and ycf4-cemA were detected as potential molecular markers for Pueraria species identification. Moreover, the phylogenetic tree demonstrated that other Pueraria species had the most distant relationship with Haymondia wallichii and Toxicopueraria peduncularis, thereby offering fresh perspectives into the species classification of Pueraria. The molecular clock analysis results indicate that the divergence time of Pueraria may occur at ∼6.46 Ma. It is speculated that the cold climate may be the cause of Pueraria species diversity and promote the radiation of the genus. Conclusion This research provides theoretical backing and serves as a reference point for the identification and taxonomical classification of Pueraria species. The findings will prove beneficial in future studies on the preservation of medicinal resources, phylogenetic relationships, and genetic engineering of Pueraria plants.

Abstract Background Pueraria is a widely cultivated medicinal and edible homologous plant in Asia, and its tuberous roots are commonly used in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. “Gange No. 5” is a local variety of Pueraria montana var. thomsonii (Bentham) M.R. Almeida (PMT) in Jiangxi Province, China. After optimizing its cultivation technique, we shortened the cultivation cycle of this variety from two years to one year, suggesting that the regulatory mechanism of the endogenous hormone system during tuberous root expansion may have changed significantly. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanisms of endogenous hormones in promoting tuberous root expansion during one-year cultivation of “Gange No. 5”. Results The mid-late expansion period (S4) is critical for the rapid swelling of “Gange No. 5” tuberous roots during annual cultivation. At S4, the number of cells increased dramatically and their volume enlarged rapidly in the tuberous roots, the fresh weight of a single root quickly increased, and the contents of multiple nutrients (total protein, total phenol, isoflavones) and medicinal components (puerarin, puerarin apigenin, and soy sapogenin) were at their peak values. We compared the transcriptomes and metabolomes of S1 (the pre-expansion period), S4, and S6 (the final expansion period), and screened 42 differentially accumulated hormone metabolites and 1,402 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with hormone biosynthesis, metabolism, and signaling. Most Auxin, cytokinins (CKs), jasmonic acids (JAs), salicylic acid (SA), melatonin (MLT), and ethylene (ETH), reached their maximum levels at S1 and then gradually decreased; however, abscisic acid (ABA) appeared in S6, indicating that most of the endogenous hormones may play a key role in regulating the initiation of tuberous root expansion, while ABA mainly promotes tuberous root maturation. Notably, multiple key genes of the ‘Tryptophan metabolism’ pathway (ko00380) were significantly differentially expressed, and COBRA1, COBRA2, YUCCA10, IAA13, IAA16, IAA20, IAA27, VAN3, ACAA2, and ARF were also identified to be significantly correlated with the expansion of “Gange No. 5” tuberous roots. Conclusions Our study has revealed how endogenous hormone regulation affects the expansion of “Gange No. 5” tuberous roots. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for improving the yield of PMT tuberous roots.

Objective(s): Chronic alcohol abuse causes cognitive deficits. Huangqi Gegen Decoction (HGD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula comprising Huangqi and Gegen, has been documented for its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of alcoholic liver injury. However, its potential neuroprotective effects against alcohol-induced brain injury remain unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the neuroprotection of HGD on alcohol-induced cognitive dysfunction and the associated mechanism.Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were orally administered 50% ethanol for 10 weeks, followed by treatment with HGD at doses of 16, 32, or 64 mg/kg/day for an additional 6 weeks. The spatial learning and memory abilities of rats were assessed through the Morris Water Maze experiment. The pathological condition in the hippocampus was assessed using H&E and Nissl staining. Tight junction proteins, oxidative stress, and inflammation cytokines were measured by IF, ELISA, PCR, and western blot. The mRNA and protein expression of Keap1, Nrf-2, HO-1, and NQO-1 were tested by PCR and western blot.Results: Results showed that HGD effectively mitigated cognitive dysfunction and pathological changes in alcohol-induced rats while enhancing the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. Furthermore, HGD effectively mitigated oxidative stress by reducing levels of ROS and MDA, while elevating levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX in brain tissue. Moreover, HGD significantly suppressed microglial activation and down-regulated expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Mechanistically, HGD remarkably up-regulated the expression of Nrf-2, HO-1, and NQO-1 while down-regulating Keap1 expression.Conclusion: These findings suggest that HGD may be a promising therapeutic agent for alleviating alcohol-induced cognitive dysfunction.

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective was to evaluate the effect of the legume kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides) on the dry matter yield and nutritional value of the pasture and the weight gain of grazing heifers. The study was conducted from Dec-19-2019 to Jul-21-2020 on 4 ha at INIFAP Pichucalco, Chis., with 2 ha of Mombasa Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus var. Mombasa) and 2 ha of the Mombasa-kudzu association. Each pasture had six heifers in rotational grazing. The dry matter yield, protein, neutral detergent fiber, lignin, and daily weight gain were evaluated. A completely randomized split-plot design was used for dry matter yield and nutritional value, and a completely randomized design was used for animal weight gain. The lowest dry matter yield was in the dry season with 2,963 kg ha-1 for mombasa, and 3,771.5 kg ha-1 for mombasa-kudzu. The highest yield was in rainfall with 10,092 kg ha-1 for mombasa and 8,977 kg ha-1 for the association. Kudzu registered the highest yield in the north winds season with 763.4 kg ha-1 and 19.4 % cover. Kudzu registered 1.7 times more protein than mombasa, maintaining its concentration at 146.26 g kg-1 DM during the study period mombasa-kudzu registered 31.9 g kg-1 DM more protein than mombasa, and higher neutral detergent fiber (44.3 g kg-1 DM more) and lignin (8 g kg-1 DM more). The highest animal weight gain was registered in the north winds season, in association with 504 g animal-1 d -1 vs 333 g animal-1 in monoculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Chronic alcohol abuse causes cognitive deficits. Huangqi Gegen Decoction (HGD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula comprising Huangqi and Gegen, has been documented for its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of alcoholic liver injury. However, its potential neuroprotective effects against alcohol-induced brain injury remain unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the neuroprotection of HGD on alcohol-induced cognitive dysfunction and the associated mechanism. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were orally administered 50% ethanol for 10 weeks, followed by treatment with HGD at doses of 16, 32, or 64 mg/kg/day for an additional 6 weeks. The spatial learning and memory abilities of rats were assessed through the Morris Water Maze experiment. The pathological condition in the hippocampus was assessed using H&E and Nissl staining. Tight junction proteins, oxidative stress, and inflammation cytokines were measured by IF, ELISA, PCR, and western blot. The mRNA and protein expression of Keap1, Nrf-2, HO-1, and NQO-1 were tested by PCR and western blot. Results: Results showed that HGD effectively mitigated cognitive dysfunction and pathological changes in alcohol-induced rats while enhancing the expression of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5. Furthermore, HGD effectively mitigated oxidative stress by reducing levels of ROS and MDA, while elevating levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX in brain tissue. Moreover, HGD significantly suppressed microglial activation and down-regulated expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Mechanistically, HGD remarkably up-regulated the expression of Nrf-2, HO-1, and NQO-1 while down-regulating Keap1 expression. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HGD may be a promising therapeutic agent for alleviating alcohol-induced cognitive dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pueraria candollei var. mirifica produces and accumulates various phytoestrogen compounds in its tuberous roots, including daidzein and genistein. Plant cell culture methods have been established to alleviate the problems associated with producing valuable phytochemicals from natural or field-cultivated plants, and hairy root culture is one of the most promising methods for the in vitro production of plant secondary metabolites. Thus, this study aimed to produce daidzein and genistein from hairy root cultures of P. candollei var. mirifica. The influences of cultivation parameters, including the culture medium, light conditions, sugar content in the culture medium, incubation temperature, and agitation speed, on biomass and daidzein and genistein production in hairy root cultures of this medicinal plant were investigated. The results revealed that the optimal cultivation conditions for biomass and bioactive compound production were Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium, a sucrose concentration of 30 g/L, a 16/8 h light/dark photoperiod, an incubation temperature of 26 °C, and an agitation speed of 90 rpm. The highest biomass and daidzein and genistein contents achieved in this study were 17.76 g/L, 6.85 mg/g DW, and 0.96 mg/g DW, respectively. Interestingly, the daidzein and genistein contents obtained from hairy roots were approximately 45.7- and 12.0-fold greater than those obtained from normal roots, respectively, suggesting that hairy root culture is a suitable method for the sustainable production of phytoestrogen, daidzein, and genistein from this medicinal plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In eastern India, the tubers of Pueraria tuberosa (Willd.) DC. are used by the ethnic communities for its wide range of medicinal and nutritional value, especially to rejuvenate livestock health and to treat helminthiasis. The study is aimed to evaluate the ethnoveterinary medicinal importance of P. tuberosa as anthelmintic, to verify its nontoxic nature and identify the most potent phytoconstituents aided by in silico molecular docking technique. Ethnomedicinal data collected from 185 informants were quantitatively analyzed employing eight quantitative indices to highlight the use diversity and most frequently used part of the plant. High scores of certain indices employed, such as Use Value (UV = 0.52), Fidelity Level (FL = 68.42%) and Tissue Importance Value (TIV = 1) clearly illustrate an ethnomedicinal lead regarding medico-nutritional benefits of the tuber part used against intestinal helminthic diseases of veterinary animals. Based on this ethno-guided lead, root tuber has been investigated for its chemical profiling by the estimation of total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids, along with HPLC and GC-MS analyses. Anthelmintic property was evaluated with the tuber extracts by in vitro studies on some helminths of livestock and poultry birds, and it showed promising results against the tested parasites namely Cotylophoron cotylophorum, Raillietina tetragona and Setaria cervi. Toxicity assessments of tuber extract through in vitro and in vivo methods were performed using Vero cells and BALB/c mice. Nontoxic nature of the studied tuber extract was observed even in higher experimental doses. Out of 12 phytocompounds identified by GC-MS analysis, one compound [Morphinan-4,5-epoxy-3,6-di-ol,6- (7-nitrobenzofurazan-4-yl) amino-] exhibited the best binding conformations in cost of the lowest binding energy values with six target proteins that include one anti-inflammatory, one antioxidant, and four anthelmintic proteins. The findings of our study are found very encouraging to evaluate this tuber drug furthermore intensively towards the development of anthelmintic veterinary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Puerariamontana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep (syn. Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi) and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehder & E.H. Wilson are traditional edible and medicinal hepatoprotective botanical drugs. Studies have shown that the combination of two botanical drugs enhanced the effects of treating acute liver injury (ALI), but the synergistic effect and its action mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect and its mechanism of the combination of Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maesen & S.M.Almeida ex Sanjappa & Predeep (syn. Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi) (PM) and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehder & E.H. Wilson (SS) in the treatment of ALI. Methods: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were utilized to conduct the chemical interaction analysis. Then the synergistic effects of botanical hybrid preparation of PM-SS (BHP PM-SS) against ALIwere comprehensively evaluated by the CCl4 induced ALI micemodel. Afterwards, symptom-oriented network pharmacology, transcriptomics and metabolomics were applied to reveal the underlying mechanism of action. Finally, the key target genes were experimentally by RT-qPCR. Results: Chemical analysis and pharmacodynamic experiments revealed that BHP PM-SS was superior to the single botanical drug, especially at 2:3 ratio, with a better dissolution rate of active ingredients and synergistic anti-ALI effect. Integrated symptom-oriented network pharmacology combined with transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses showed that the active ingredients of BHP PM-SS could regulate Glutathione metabolism, Pyrimidine metabolism, Arginine biosynthesis and Amino acid sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, by acting on the targets of AKT1, TNF, EGFR, JUN, HSP90AA1 and STAT3, which could be responsible for the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and Pathway in cancer to against ALI. Conclusion: Our study has provided compelling evidence for the synergistic effect and its mechanism of the combination of BHP PM-SS, and has contributed to the development and utilization of BHP PM-SS dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about wildlife diets is crucial for comprehending how species adapt to varying environments in fragmented habitats and for developing effective conservation strategies. White‐headed langurs (Trachypithecus leucocephalus) are exclusively found in fragmented limestone forests in southwestern China. To investigate the effects of habitat fragmentation on langurs' diets, we collected published dietary data and relevant environmental factors spanning from 1996 to 2021 at two regions with different degrees of fragmentation (Banli > Bapen), from 10 studies (three of Banli and seven of Bapen). The results demonstrated that the diets of white‐headed langurs were significantly influenced by environmental factors, including habitat fragmentation, annual rainfall, and mean annual temperature. Food item diversity index was significantly and positively affected by the fragmentation index, the higher fragmentation the langurs suffered, the more diverse food items they consumed. Besides, fruit consumption was negatively influenced by annual rainfall and the consumption of other items was influenced by mean annual temperature. Notably, although there are no significant differences in the feeding proportions of food items or food item diversity indices were observed between the Banli and Bapen groups, the Banli groups extensively consumed ground‐supported kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), a plant rarely recorded in the dietary preferences of the Bapen groups, implying that the large plants likely lacking in the fragmented limestone forests. Our findings provide evidence of the major impact of habitat fragmentation on the dietary composition of white‐headed langurs, highlighting the need of considering the possibility that the habitats of the white‐headed langurs have all undergone extreme fragmentation, inferring the conservation efforts should prioritize protecting native vegetation and reducing human disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystal type is an important physicochemical property of starch. However, it is currently unclear whether changes in crystal type affect other properties of starch. This study discovered that water deficit resulted in an increase in small starch granules and transparency in Pueraria lobata var. thomsonii, while causing a decrease in amylose content and swelling power. Additionally, the crystal type of P. Thomsonii starch changed from CB-type to CA-type under water deficit, without significantly altering the short-range ordered structure and chain length distribution of starch. This transformation in crystal type led to peak splitting in the DSC heat flow curve of starch, alterations in gelatinization behavior, and an increase in resistant starch content. These changes in crystalline structure and physicochemical properties of starch granules are considered as adaptive strategies employed by P. Thomsonii to cope with water deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex network approach is an effective method to analyze the global properties of complex biological systems, which can be used to explore the interactions between multiple compounds and protein targets of drug. Radix Pueraria has a long history of efficacy in different diseases, containing a variety of compounds that can produce multiple therapeutic effects via multiple targets. To explore the interrelationship between compounds of Radix Pueraria, protein targets, and pathways, the present investigation used the complex network approach to construct the compound-protein target-pathway network of Radix Pueraria. The analysis of the statistical and topological characteristics shows that the network has small-world and scale-free characteristics. The diameter of the network is 7, indicating that the information exchange between two nodes could quickly spread to the whole network. With the rank of degree value and integrated centrality as identification indicators, by taking the threshold of integrated centrality as 0.70, a total of nine key hub nodes containing three active compounds, two protein targets, and four biological pathways were identified: genistein, daidzein, puerarin, MAPK3, MAPK1, hsa01100, hsa05200, hsa05417, and hsa05207. The network analysis suggests these key hub nodes should play an important role in the pharmacological action of Radix Pueraria. The results of this study provide useful information and knowledge for further exploring the pharmacological mechanism of Radix Pueraria in the course of disease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pueraria lobata (P. lobata), a traditional anti-diabetic medicine mainly composed of flavonoids and isoflavones, has a long history in diabetes treatment in China. However, the anti-diabetic active component is still unclear. Recently, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has been a hot therapeutic target by negatively regulating insulin signaling pathways. In this study, the spectrum–effect relationship analysis method was first used to identify the active components of P. lobata that inhibit PTP1B. The fingerprints of 12 batches of samples were established using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and sixty common peaks were identified. Meanwhile, twelve components were identified by a comparison with the standards. The inhibition of PTP1B activity was studied in vitro by using the p-nitrophenol method, and the partial least squares discriminant analysis, grey relational analysis, bivariate correlation analysis, and cluster analysis were used to analyze the bioactive compounds in P. lobata. Peaks 6, 9 (glycitin), 11 (genistin), 12 (4′-methoxypuerarin), 25, 34, 35, 36, 53, and 59 were considered as potentially active substances that inhibit PTP1B. The in vitro PTP1B inhibitory activity was confirmed by glycitin, genistin, and 4′-methoxypuerarin. The IC50s of the three compounds were 10.56 ± 0.42 μg/mL, 16.46 ± 0.29 μg/mL, and 9.336 ± 0.56 μg/mL, respectively, indicating the obvious PTP1B inhibitory activity. In brief, we established an effective method to identify PTP1B enzyme inhibitors in P. lobata, which is helpful in clarifying the material basis of P. lobata on diabetes. Additionally, it is evident that the spectrum–effect relationship method serves as an efficient approach for identifying active compounds, and this study can also serve as a reference for screening bioactive constituents in traditional Chinese medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pueraria montana is a species with important medicinal value and a complex genetic background. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the mitochondrial (mt) genomes of two varieties of P. montana. The mt genome lengths of P. montana var. thomsonii and P. montana var. montana were 457,390 bp and 456,731 bp, respectively. Both P. montana mitogenomes showed a multi-branched structure consisting of two circular molecules, with 56 genes annotated, comprising 33 protein-coding genes, 18 tRNA genes (trnC-GCA and trnM-CAU are multi-copy genes), and 3 rRNA genes. Then, 207 pairs of long repeats and 96 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were detected in the mt genomes of P. montana, and 484 potential RNA-editing sites were found across the 33 mitochondrial protein-coding genes of each variety. Additionally, a syntenic sequence analysis showed a high collinearity between the two mt genomes. This work is the first to analyze the mt genomes of P. montana. It can provide information that can be used to analyze the structure of mt genomes of higher plants and provide a foundation for future comparative genomic studies and evolutionary biology research in related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pueraria montana var. lobata (P. lobata) is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the Pueraria genus of Fabaceae family. Pueraria montana var. thomsonii (P. thomsonii) and Pueraria montana var. montana (P. montana) are its related species. However, evolutionary history of the Pueraria genus is still largely unknown. Here, a high-integrity, chromosome-level genome of P. lobata and an improved genome of P. thomsonii were reported. It found evidence for an ancient whole-genome triplication and a recent whole-genome duplication shared with Fabaceae in three Pueraria species. Population genomics of 121 Pueraria accessions demonstrated that P. lobata populations had substantially higher genetic diversity, and P. thomsonii was probably derived from P. lobata by domestication as a subspecies. Selection sweep analysis identified candidate genes in P. thomsonii populations associated with the synthesis of auxin and gibberellin, which potentially play a role in the expansion and starch accumulation of tubers in P. thomsonii. Overall, the findings provide new insights into the evolutionary and domestication history of the Pueraria genome and offer a valuable genomic resource for the genetic improvement of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous experimental studies have suggested that the consumption of soy isoflavones may have a potential impact on lowering blood pressure. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies have presented conflicting outcomes concerning the correlation between soy isoflavone consumption and blood pressure levels. Consequently, a comprehensive meta-analysis of all eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to explore the influence of soy isoflavones on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adults. Methods: A thorough search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant literature up to April 30, 2023 was conducted. RCTs involving adults that compared soy isoflavone supplementation with a placebo (the same matrix devoid of soy isoflavone) were included. The combined effect size was presented as the weighted mean difference (WMD) along with 95% confidence interval (CI), employing a fixed-effects model. Results: Our meta-analysis included a total of 24 studies involving 1945 participants. The results revealed a significant reduction in both SBP and DBP with soy isoflavone supplementation. Subgroup analyses suggested more pronounced reductions in SBP and DBP for interventions lasting ≥6 months, in individuals receiving mixed-type soy isoflavone, and among patients with metabolic syndrome or prehypertension. However, we did not detect significant nonlinear associations between supplementation dosage and intervention duration concerning both SBP and DBP. The overall quality of evidence was deemed moderate. Conclusions: The current meta-analysis revealed that supplementation with soy isoflavones alone effectively reduces blood pressure. Additional high-quality studies are required to investigate the efficacy of blood pressure reduction through supplementation with an optimal quantity and proportion of soy isoflavone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-arm randomized open labeled controlled clinical trial was conducted on 50 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Subjects were randomized to either receive two tablets of soy isoflavone (100 mg/day) or placebo. At week 12, the serum levels of alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score were significantly decreased only in the soy isoflavone group (P < 0.05). A significant decline in the gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) level was observed only in the placebo group (P = 0.017). A significant increase in the serum level of fetuin A was shown in both groups at the end of the trial with a significantly greater increment in the soy isoflavone group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). The changes in the serum level of FGF-21 were not significant in any of the two groups. Steatosis grade significantly improved only in the soy isoflavone group (P = 0.045). There was no significant change in the fibrosis grade in the groups. Soy isoflavone intake led to a decrease in ALT, AST, CAP score, steatosis grade and an increase in the level of fetuin A. However, no significant changes were observed in the fibrosis grade and serum levels of GGT and FGF-21. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing Pueraria phaseoloides on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood profiles in male Kacang goats fed Kume grass hay as a basal diet. Twelve male Kacang goats aged between 6 and 8 months with a mean body weight of 13.63 ± 1.40 kg were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (three goats per treatment) in a 3x4 incomplete Latin square design. The treatments consist of a control group (P0) receiving grass hay and concentrate and three groups supplemented with 10% (P10), 20% (P20), and 30% (P30) P. phaseoloides of protein requirement on a dry matter basis. The data obtained in this study were statistically analyzed using the GLM procedure following ANOVA in SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22. The results indicated that P. phaseoloides significantly (p<0.05) increased feed intake, with goats receiving P. phaseoloides consuming more dry matter compared to the control group (P0). Furthermore, nutrient digestibility improved (p<0.05) with P. phaseoloides supplementation. However, rumen fermentation characteristics, including NH3-N concentration, VFA concentration, and ruminal pH, did not differ significantly among the dietary treatments. Additionally, there were no significant differences in blood profiles among the Kacang goats under different dietary treatments. In conclusion, supplementation of P. phaseoloides in male Kacang goats fed Kume grass hay as a basal diet improved feed intake and nutrient digestibility but had no significant effect on rumen fermentation or blood profiles. Therefore, P. phaseoloides can be used as a feed supplement for ruminants consuming low-quality grass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A putative β-glucosidase gene, BglAc, was amplified from Acidilobus sp. through metagenome database sampling from a hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. BglAc is composed of 485 amino acid residues and bioinformatics analysis showed that it belongs to the GH1 family of β-glucosidases. The gene was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli with a molecular weight of approximately 55.3 kDa. The purified recombinant enzyme showed the maximum activity using p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) as the substrate at optimal pH 5.0 and 100 °C. BglAc exhibited extraordinary thermostability, and its half-life at 90 °C was 6 h. The specific activity, Km, Vmax, and Kcat/Km of BglAc toward pNPG were 357.62 U mg−1, 3.41 mM, 474.0 μmol min−1·mg−1, and 122.7 s−1mM−1. BglAc exhibited the characteristic of glucose tolerance, and the inhibition constant Ki was 180.0 mM. Furthermore, a significant ethanol tolerance was observed, retaining 96% relative activity at 10% ethanol, and even 78% at 20% ethanol, suggesting BglAc as a promising enzyme for cellulose saccharification. BglAc also had a strong ability to convert the major soybean isoflavone glycosides (daidzin, genistin, and glycitin) into their corresponding aglycones. Overall, BglAc was actually a new β-glucosidase with excellent thermostability, ethanol tolerance, and glycoside hydrolysis ability, indicating its wide prospects for applications in the food industry, animal feed, and lignocellulosic biomass degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] isoflavones, which are secondary metabolites with various functions, are included in food, cosmetics, and medicine. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating the glycosylation and malonylation of isoflavone glycoconjugates remain unclear. In this study, we conducted an RNA-seq analysis to compare soybean genotypes with different isoflavone contents, including Danbaek and Hwanggeum (low-isoflavone cultivars) as well as DB-088 (high-isoflavone mutant). The transcriptome analysis yielded over 278 million clean reads, representing 39,156 transcripts. The analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) detected 2654 up-regulated and 1805 down-regulated genes between the low- and high-isoflavone genotypes. The putative functions of these 4459 DEGs were annotated on the basis of GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. These DEGs were further analyzed to compare the expression patterns of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and the genes encoding transcription factors. The examination of the relative expression levels of 70 isoflavone biosynthetic genes revealed the HID, IFS, UGT, and MAT expression levels were significantly up/down-regulated depending on the genotype and seed developmental stage. These expression patterns were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Moreover, a gene co-expression analysis detected potential protein–protein interactions, suggestive of common functions. The study findings provide valuable insights into the structural genes responsible for isoflavone biosynthesis and accumulation in soybean seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starchy foods are an essential part of people's daily diet. Starch is the primary substance used by plants to store carbohydrates, and it is the primary source of energy for humans and animals. In China, a variety of plants, including edible medicinal plants, such as Pueraria root, yam tuber and coix seed, are rich in starch. However, limited by their inherent properties, kudzu starch and other starches are not suitable for the modern food industry. Natural starch is frequently altered by physical, chemical, or biological means to give it superior qualities to natural starch as it frequently cannot satisfy the demands of industrial manufacturing. Therefore, the deep processing market of modified starch and its products has a great potential. This paper reviews the modification methods which can provide excellent functional, rheological, and processing characteristics for these starches that can be used to improve the physical and chemical properties, texture properties, and edible qualities. This will provide a comprehensive reference for the modification and application of starch from medicinal and edible plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White Kwao Krua, a crucial Thai medicinal plant, contains various phytoestrogen substances used to alleviate menopausal symptoms in estrogen-deficient women. It originates from two species, namely Pueraria candollei Wall. ex Benth. and P. mirifica Airy Shaw & Suvat. However, there exists morphological variation, and the taxonomic status between both species is ambiguous, making discrimination challenging. In this study, we aim to clarify and differentiate the morphological characteristics, palynology, and DNA barcoding of both species. The morphological results showed the stipule size is a phenotypic marker for the differentiation of both species during the vegetative stage. The palynological results, however, exhibited similarity. Through an examination of nucleotide sequences and neighbor-joining tree analysis, it was determined that the DNA barcoding of the matK region has the capability to distinguish between P. candollei and P. mirifica at nucleotide position 702. Specifically, P. candollei manifested a G base, contrasting with the C base observed in P. mirifica. This study concludes that stipule size and the matK gene in DNA barcoding serve as a distinctive characteristic for distinguishing between P. candollei and P. mirifica. These methodologies prove valuable for ensuring the accurate identification of white Kwao Krua for horticulturists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L’élevage des caprins nains en Afrique subsaharienne est très peu modernisé. Plusieurs facteurs zootechniques de production ne sont pas maîtrisés par les éleveurs. Ainsi, l’objectif de notre étude était de déterminer quelques paramètres zootechniques des caprins nains nourris à base de fourrage. Ainsi, 30 caprins nains ont été nourris avec deux espèces de fourrages: Panicum maximum et Pueraria phaseoloides. Chaque espèce fourragère a été présentée aux animaux sous trois formes: (1) fourrage non découpé; (2) fourrage découpé en brins de 10 cm; et (3) fourrage découpé en brins de 3 cm. Les résultats ont montré que les quantités moyennes journalières de fourrage frais ingérées (g) ont varié de 1649 g à 1839 g par jour et par caprin. De plus, le fourrage présenté en brins de 3 cm a été significativement plus consommé. Par ailleurs, les caprins nains ont consommé une plus grande quantité de P. phaseoloides. Ces résultats permettrons aux éleveurs d’affiner leur prévisions fourragères et d’éviter le gaspillage du fourrage par les caprins. Mots clés: fourrage, Panicum, Pueraria, caprin nain, paramètres zootechniques

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) isoflavones are among the most important secondary metabolites, with functional benefits for human health. Soybeans accumulate three aglycone forms of isoflavones: genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. Soybean landrace Kumachi-1 does not accumulate malonylglycitin at all. Gene structure analysis indicated that Glyma.11G108300 (F6H4) of Kumachi-1 has a 3.8-kbp insertion, resulting in a truncated flavonoid 6-hydroxylase (F6H) sequence compared to the wild-type sequence in Fukuyutaka. Mapping experiments using a mutant line (MUT1246) with a phenotype similar to that of Kumachi-1, with a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in F6H4, revealed co-segregation of this mutation and the absence of glycitein isoflavones. We also identified a mutant line (K01) that exhibited a change in the HPLC retention time of glycitein isoflavones, accumulating glycoside and malonylglycoside forms of 6-hydroxydaidzein. K01 contains an SNP that produces a premature stop codon in Glyma.01G004200 (IOMT3), a novel soybean isoflavone O-methyltransferase (IOMT) gene. We further analyzed transgenic hairy roots of soybeans expressing Glyma.11G108300 (F6H4) and Glyma.01G004200 (IOMT3). Those overexpressing F6H4 accumulated malonylglycoside forms of 6-hydroxydaidzein (M_6HD), and co-expression of F6H4 and IOMT3 increased the level of malonylglycitin but not of M_6HD. These results indicate that F6H4 and IOMT3 are responsible for glycitein biosynthesis in soybean seed hypocotyl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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During the production of soy milk, a by-product is produced, which is typically treated as a waste material. This by-product has significant levels of dietary fibre, proteins, isoflavones and antioxidant capacity. As such, it has been recommended as an effective functional ingredient when milled to a flour after drying at 100 °C. The shelf-life stability of this dried by-product is relatively unknown when stored under different storage conditions (2 °C, 20 °C and 40 °C) and initial moisture content (9%, 12% and 14%), both packaged and exposed to immediate environments. This study investigated the impact of storage over ten weeks on the physical properties, lipid oxidation, antioxidant capacity and stability of isoflavones of this functional ingredient. The results showed that exposure significantly affected the stability of flour, especially on moisture content, water activity, isoflavone concentration and lipid oxidation. Different initial moisture contents significantly affected the initial and final colour, alongside final moisture and water activity when stored covered at 2 °C and 20 °C. Different storage temperatures were found to affect the moisture content, water activity, lipid oxidation, conversion of isoflavones and antioxidant capacity, with all tested initial moisture contents. Of note, higher conversion rates of malonyl isoflavones to β-glucosides were observed at high temperatures and longer times, while a minimum change in aglycone content occurred. In conclusion, the stability of this flour is least influenced by the initial moisture content but is more affected by high storage temperature and unpackaged conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathway for forming isoflavonoid skeletal structure is primarily restricted to the Leguminosae family. Subsequent decorations on the compound backbone by tailoring enzymes would change their biological and medicinal properties. Pueraria lobata is a leguminous plant, and as a traditional Chinese medicine its roots have been ascribed a number of pharmacological activities. Glycosylation and methylation are the main modifying processes in isoflavonoid metabolism in P. lobata roots, resulting in the accumulation of unique glycosylated and methylated end isoflavonoid compounds. For instance, daidzein 8-C-glucoside (i.e., puerarin) and puerarin derivatives are produced only by the Pueraria genus. Puerarin has been established as a clinical drug for curing cardiovascular diseases. To better understand the characteristic isoflavonoid metabolism in P. lobata, this review attempts to summarize the research progress made with understanding the main glycosylation and methylation of isoflavonoids in P. lobata and their biosynthetic enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a prevalent cardiovascular disease globally, posing a significant burden on healthcare and society. Left ventricular remodelling is the primary pathology responsible for HFrEF development and progression, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Pueraria, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine and food, is commonly used in China to treat HFrEF. Accumulating evidence suggests that pueraria can effectively reverse left ventricular remodelling in HFrEF patients. This meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of pueraria on left ventricular remodelling in HFrEF patients. Methods: Eight electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, CNKI, CQVIP, and CBM were searched for literature from inception to June 2023. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using pueraria in the treatment of HFrEF were included. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was utilized for RCTs' methodological evaluation, while Review Manager 5.4.1 was used to analyze the data. Results: Nineteen RCTs with a total of 1,911 patients (1,077 males and 834 females) were identified. Meta-analysis indicated that combination medication of pueraria and conventional medicine (CM) was superior to the CM alone in raising left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; MD = 6.46, 95% CI, 4.88 to 8.04, P < 0.00001), and decreasing left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD; MD = -4.78, 95% CI, -6.55 to -3.01, P < 0.00001), left ventricular end-Systolic diameter (LVESD; MD = -3.98, 95% CI, -5.98 to -1.99, P < 0.00001) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP; MD = -126.16, 95% CI, -185.30 to -67.03, P < 0.0001). Besides, combination medication improved clinical efficacy rate (RR = 3.42, 95% CI, 2.54 to 4.59, P < 0.00001), 6-min walk test (6-MWT; MD = 65.54, 95% CI, 41.77 to 89.31, P < 0.00001), and TCM syndrome score efficacy (RR = 3.03, 95% CI, 1.57 to 5.83, P = 0.0009). Regarding safety, no difference was observed for adverse events (RR = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.22 to 1.54, P = 0.28). Conclusion: The use of pueraria combined with conventional medicine in HFrEF patients has superiority over conventional medicine alone in ameliorating cardiac function and reversing left ventricular remodeling. Moreover, combination medication has no increase in adverse drug events. Given some limitations, more prudence and high-quality clinical trials are needed in the future to verify the conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the optimal harvesting period and the application value of each part of Pueraria lobata var. thomsonii and to explore the correlation between the main nutrients and the isoflavones, P. lobata var. thomsonii of Tengxian, Guangxi was used as the material, the contents of isoflavones in different parts, the contents of main nutrients and isoflavones in different growth periods were determined by test box method, enzyme gravimetric method, Soxhlet extraction method, high performance liquid chromatography and other physiological and biochemical techniques, and the relationship between the accumulation of various nutrients and isoflavones was analyzed to clarify the accumulation rule of main nutrients and isoflavonoids and their relationships in P. lobata var. thomsonii. The results were as follows:(1)At the mature stage, the content of genistein in different parts of P. lobata var. thomsonii was not significantly different, but the content of isoflavoues aglycone in leaf was significantly lower than that in middle vine, and the contents of total isoflavones, puerarin and daidzein in root apex and vine were significantly higher than those in leaf and tuberon, and the contents of puerarin in root apex and vine were more than 1.00%.(2)The accumulation of starch, polysaccharide, crude protein, and soluble protein reached the maximum in November and December, the accumulation of insoluble dietary fiber reached the minimum in December, the accumulation of soluble dietary fiber was the maximum in August and December, and the accumulation of total isoflavones and puerarin reached the maximum in August and September.(3)The correlation analysis results showed that the accumulation of total isoflavones and puerarin was negatively correlated with the accumulation of starch and polysaccharide; the accumulation of total isoflavones and puerarin was positively correlated with the accumulation of insoluble dietary fiber. Therefore, it can be concluded that the root apex and vine of pueraria powder contain rich total isoflavones, puerarin, daidzein, which has good value for medicinal development; the best harvest time for medicinal using are August and September, and the best harvest time for edible using are November and December; the accumulation of total isoflavones and puerarin is related to starch, polysaccharide and insoluble dietary fiber. This study clarify the accumulation rule and correlation of the main nutrients and total isoflavones in P. lobata var. thomsonii, and provides a reference for the comprehensive development and utilization of P. lobata var. thomsonii and the determination of the harvest time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puerarin, a class of isoflavonoid compounds concentrated in the roots of Puerarias, has antipyretic, sedative, and coronary blood-flow-increasing properties. Although the biosynthetic pathways of puerarin have been investigated by previous researchers, studies focusing on the influence of different growth stages on the accumulation of metabolites in the puerarin pathway are not detailed, and it is still controversial at the last step of the 8-C-glycosylation reaction. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the metabolomic and transcriptomic changes in Pueraria montana var. thomsonii during two growing years, focusing on the vigorous growth and dormant stages, to elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing the changes in metabolite and gene expression within the puerarin biosynthesis pathway. In a comparison of the two growth stages in the two groups, puerarin and daidzin, the main downstream metabolites in the puerarin biosynthesis pathway, were found to accumulate mainly during the vigorous growth stage. We also identified 67 common differentially expressed genes in this pathway based on gene expression differences at different growth stages. Furthermore, we identified four candidate 8-C-GT genes that potentially contribute to the conversion of daidzein into puerarin and eight candidate 7-O-GT genes that may be involved in the conversion of daidzein into daidzin. A co-expression network analysis of important UGTs and HIDs along with daidzein and puerarin was conducted. Overall, our study contributes to the knowledge of puerarin biosynthesis and offers information about the stage at which the 8-C-glycosylation reaction occurs in biosynthesis. These findings provide valuable insights into the cultivation and quality enhancement of Pueraria montana var. thomsonii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (Fabaceae) has a positive effect on improving these diseases. The P. lobata effect on the proliferation and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle in AS and the potential mechanism were investigated. By feeding a high-fat diet to 8-week-old apolipoprotein E knockout mice, an atherosclerosis model was created. H&E and IHC staining were used to analyse the histopathology of mice. CCK-8, TUNEL, and scratch tests were used to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration after 24 h treatment, respectively. ELISA was performed to evaluate the level of IL-6 and IL-8. The target miRNA and its downstream target gene were screened by the bioinformatics method; RT-qPCR has conducted to analyse the expression of these genes. In the aortic tissue and serum of AS mice, puerarin can lower the expression of α-SMA and the inflammatory proteins IL-6 and IL-8. Puerarin (200 M) decreased hVSMC proliferation, migration, and IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by more than half. The inhibitory impact of puerarin on hVSMC was decreased by overexpression of miR-29b-3p. IGF1 was miR-29b-3p's downstream target gene. IGF1 expression increased almost 3-fold in AS mice and hVSMC, but miR-29b-3p mimic inhibited it. The effect of miR-29b-3p on hVSMC was reversed when IGF1 was overexpressed. Puerarin inhibits the proliferation and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle in AS through the miR-29b-3p/IGF1 pathway. Puerarin may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of atherosclerosis and offer a novel therapy option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sensing method was developed to qualitatively evaluate the distribution of soybean isoflavones secreted by roots of soybeans transplanted into a simplified rhizobox by transferring them onto pieces of glass microfiber filter (sheets) with immobilized bovine serum albumin (BSA). To take advantage of fluorescence quenching by the interaction between BSA and soybean isoflavones, BSA was chemically bonded onto the sheets. The sheets with immobilized BSA were brought into contact with a nylon mesh (1 µm mesh aperture) of a simplified rhizobox, and secretions from soybean roots were transferred to the sheets. Fluorescence images before and after contact were captured with an electron-multiplying CCD camera to visualize and analyze fluorescence quenching. The results indicated that soybean isoflavone was spread within 2 to 3 mm from the roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasingly prevalent and serious health problem. Its onset is typically associated with metabolic disorders and disturbances in the gut microbiota. Previous studies have reported the anti-T2DM effects of Pueraria thomsonii Radix as a functional food. However, the mechanism of action is still unknown. In this study, rich polyphenols and polysaccharides from Pueraria Thomsonii Radix water extract (PTR) were quantitatively determined, and then the effects of PTR on db/db mice were evaluated by pharmacology, metabolomics, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that PTR could alleviate pancreatic tissue damage, significantly decrease fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), urinary glucose (UGLU), and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR). Metabolomics showed that the Diabetes Control (DM) group produced 109 differential metabolites, of which 74 could be regulated by PTR. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed in fecal samples and results showed that PTR could reduce the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B) ratio and regulate three beneficial bacteria and one harmful bacterium. In conclusion, the results showed that PTR could ameliorate the T2DM symptoms, metabolic disorder, and gut microbiota imbalance of db/db mice, and it was superior to metformin in some aspects. We suggested for the first time that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may be involved in the regulation of the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGB) and thus affects the metabolic disorders associated with T2DM. This study will provide a scientific basis for the development of functional food with PTR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata), a plant native to Southeastern Asia, has become a major noxious weed covering millions of hectares in the Southern United States. A kudzu patch displaying virus-like symptoms located in Ackerman, northeastern Mississippi (MS), was used as a source for virus isolation and characterization involving mechanical and vector transmission, ultrastructural observation, surveys, Sanger and high-throughput genome sequencing, and sequence analyses. The results revealed the presence of a new potyvirus in infected kudzu, closely related to wisteria vein mosaic virus (WVMV) and provisionally named kudzu chlorotic ring blotch virus (KudCRBV). Genome features and pairwise comparison with six WVMV genomes currently available in GenBank and three additional isolates from MS sequenced in this work suggest that KudCRBV is likely a member of a new species in the genus Potyvirus. Furthermore, under experimental conditions, KudCRBV was successfully transmitted by cotton and potato aphids and mechanically to soybean and beans. A state-wide survey revealed several kudzu patches infected by the virus in northern MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Pueraria montana var. lobata (kudzu) is an important food and medicinal crop in Asia. However, the phylogenetic relationships between Pueraria montana var. lobata and the other two varieties (P. montana var. thomsonii and P. montana var. montana) remain debated. Although there is increasing evidence showing that P. montana var. lobata adapts to various environments and is an invasive species in America, few studies have systematically investigated the role of the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary patterns of plastomes between P. montana var. lobata and its closely related taxa. Results 26 newly sequenced chloroplast genomes of Pueraria accessions resulted in assembled plastomes with sizes ranging from 153,360 bp to 153,551 bp. Each chloroplast genome contained 130 genes, including eight rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 85 protein-coding genes. For 24 newly sequenced accessions of these three varieties of P. montana, we detected three genes and ten noncoding regions with higher nucleotide diversity (π). After incorporated publically available chloroplast genomes of Pueraria and other legumes, 47 chloroplast genomes were used to construct phylogenetic trees, including seven P. montana var. lobata, 14 P. montana var. thomsonii and six P. montana var. montana. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that P. montana var. lobata and P. montana var. thomsonii formed a clade, while all sampled P. montana var. montana formed another cluster based on cp genomes, LSC, SSC and protein-coding genes. Twenty-six amino acid residues were identified under positive selection with the site model. We also detected six genes (accD, ndhB, ndhC, rpl2, rpoC2, and rps2) that account for among-site variation in selective constraint under the clade model between accessions of the Pueraria montana var. lobata clade and the Pueraria montana var. montana clade. Conclusion Our data provide novel comparative plastid genomic insights into conservative gene content and structure of cp genomes pertaining to P. montana var. lobata and the other two varieties, and reveal an important phylogenetic clue and plastid divergence among related taxa of P. montana come from loci that own moderate variation and underwent modest selection.

Abstract Background Pueraria is a dry root commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine or as food and fodder, and tuberous root expansion is an important agronomic characteristic that influences its yield. However, no specific genes regulating tuberous root expansion in Pueraria have been identified. Therefore, we aimed to explore the expansion mechanism of Pueraria at six developmental stages (P1–P6), by profiling the tuberous roots of an annual local variety “Gange No.1” harvested at 105, 135, 165, 195, 225, and 255 days after transplanting. Results Observations of the tuberous root phenotype and cell microstructural morphology revealed that the P3 stage was a critical boundary point in the expansion process, which was preceded by a thickening diameter and yield gain rapidly of the tuberous roots, and followed by longitudinal elongation at both ends. A total of 17,441 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing the P1 stage (unexpanded) against the P2–P6 stages (expanded) using transcriptome sequencing; 386 differential genes were shared across the six developmental stages. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs shared by P1 and P2–P6 stages were mainly involved in pathways related to the “cell wall and cell cycle”, “plant hormone signal transduction”, “sucrose and starch metabolism”, and “transcription factor (TF)”. The finding is consistent with the physiological data collected on changes in sugar, starch, and hormone contents. In addition, TFs including bHLHs, AP2s, ERFs, MYBs, WRKYs, and bZIPs were involved in cell differentiation, division, and expansion, which may relate to tuberous root expansion. The combination of KEGG and trend analyses revealed six essential candidate genes involved in tuberous root expansion; of them, CDC48, ARF, and EXP genes were significantly upregulated during tuberous root expansion while INV, EXT, and XTH genes were significantly downregulated. Conclusion Our findings provide new insights into the complex mechanisms of tuberous root expansion in Pueraria and candidate target genes, which can aid in increasing Pueraria yield.

Pueraria lobata is a typical medicinal and edible plant with great market value and demand, thus exploring the relationship between soil environmental factors and the yield and quality of Pueraria lobata is of great significance for its high-value cultivation. In this study, using the Guige 1 variety (Pueraria montana var. Thomsonii) selected by our research group as the material to compare the effects of five soil types, endophytes in three parts of Pueraria lobata and two fertilizers on its yield and quality. The results showed that the comprehensive evaluation effect of five soil types on the yield and quality of Guige 1 was as follow: red-yellow mixed soil (RYMS) > black loam soil (BLS) > sandy loam soil (SLS) > sandy loam soil waterlogging (SLSW) > yellow soil compaction soil (YSCS); the descending order of endophyte types and quantities is in BLS > RYMS > SLS > YSC > SLSW; applying General Compound Fertilizers (GCF) in RYMS is more suitable for the rapid expansion of Guige 1 than Organic-Slow-Release-Fertilizers (OSRF). The high potassium content in RYMS and high effective phosphorus content in BLS are positively correlated with the content of starch and isoflavone in Pueraria lobata. The conclusion is that the high potassium and available phosphorus content in RYMS and BLS, as well as the rich types and quantities of endophytic bacteria, are positively correlated with the yield and quality of Pueraria lobata. The research results have important guiding significance for the high-value cultivation of Pueraria lobata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soybean is a valuable source of edible protein and oil, as well as secondary metabolites that can be used in food products, cosmetics, and medicines. However, because soybean isoflavone content is a quantitative trait influenced by polygenes and environmental interactions, its genetic basis remains unclear. Results: This study was conducted to identify causal quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with soybean isoflavone contents. A mutant-based F2 population (190 individuals) was created by crossing the Korean cultivar Hwanggeum with low isoflavone contents (1,558 µg g−1) and the soybean mutant DB-088 with high isoflavone contents (6,393 µg g−1). A linkage map (3,049 cM) with an average chromosome length of 152 cM was constructed using the 180K AXIOM® SoyaSNP array. Thirteen QTLs related to agronomic traits were mapped to chromosomes 2, 3, 11, 13, 19, and 20, whereas 29 QTLs associated with isoflavone contents were mapped to chromosomes 1, 3, 8, 11, 14, 15, and 17. Notably, the qMGLI11, qMGNI11, qADZI11, and qTI11, which located Gm11_9877690 to Gm11_9955924 interval on chromosome 11, contributed to the high isoflavone contents and explained 11.9% to 20.1% of the phenotypic variation. This QTL region included four candidate genes, encoding β-glucosidases 13, 14, 17–1, and 17–2. We observed significant differences in the expression levels of these genes at various seed developmental stages. Candidate genes within the causal QTLs were functionally characterized based on enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways, as well as the results of a co-expression network analysis. A correlation analysis indicated that certain agronomic traits (e.g., days to flowering, days to maturity, and plant height) are positively correlated with isoflavone content. Conclusions: Herein, we reported that the major QTL associated with isoflavone contents was located in the interval from Gm11_9877690 to Gm11_9955924 (78 kb) on chromosome 11. Four β-glucosidase genes were identified that may be involved in high isoflavone contents of soybean DB-088. Thus, the mutant alleles from soybean DB-088 may be useful for marker-assisted selection in developing soybean lines with high isoflavone contents and superior agronomic traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research background. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) is a nutrient-rich crop with a high protein content and various bioactive compounds with health-promoting properties. Nevertheless, it is poorly accepted as a food by consumers due to its off-flavour. Due to the ubiquitous presence of isoflavones in soybeans, their inherent antioxidant potential and inhibitory effect on lipoxygenase activity, their sensory properties are currently being considered to mitigate the off-flavour. Experimental approach. In the present study, the content and composition of isoflavones in 17 soybean cultivars are determined. The correlation between the isoflavone mass fraction and lipid peroxidation was also established, using thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value and carbonyl compound concentration as indices for the development of off-flavour. Cloning, gene expression analysis and in silico analysis of isoflavone synthase isoforms (IFS1 and IFS2) were also performed. Results and conclusions. The total isoflavone mass fraction in soybean genotypes ranged from (153.5±7.2) μg/g for PUSA 40 to (1146±43) μg/g for Bragg. There was a moderately negative correlation between the indices of off-flavour formation and the genistein/daidzein ratio (p<0.1). However, the correlation with total isoflavone mass fraction was found to be insignificant, indicating complex interactions. Higher protein-protein interactions for the predicted structure of IFS2 with other biosynthesis enzymes and its comparatively higher expression in the Bragg than that of IFS1 indicated its more important role in isoflavone synthesis. Novelty and scientific contribution. The genistein/daidzein mass ratio was found to be an important factor in controlling off-flavour. IFS2 was identified as key to produce soybeans with high isoflavone mass fraction and potentially lower off-flavour formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kudzu root (Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi, KR) is an edible plant with rich nutritional and medicinal values. Over the past few decades, an ample variety of biological effects of Pueraria isoflavone have been evaluated. Evidence has shown that Pueraria isoflavone can play an active role in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotection, and cardiovascular protection. Over 50 isoflavones in kudzu root have been identified, including puerarin, daidzein, daidzin, 3′-hydroxy puerarin, and genistein, each with unambiguous structures. However, the application of these isoflavones in the development of functional food and health food still depends on the extraction, purification and identification technology of Pueraria isoflavone. In recent years, many green and novel extraction, purification, and identification techniques have been developed for the preparation of Pueraria isoflavone. This review provides an updated overview of these techniques, specifically for isoflavones in KR since 2018, and also discusses and compares the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques in depth. The intention is to provide a research basis for the green and efficient extraction, purification, and identification of Pueraria isoflavone and offers investigators a valuable reference for future studies on the KR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Flexible packaging has become indispensable in the food industry due to its numerous advantages. However, it has certain drawbacks, such as limited recyclability and environmental contamination. While efforts are underway to develop more sustainable and eco‐friendly packaging options, the food industry's reliance on flexible packaging made from unsustainable petro‐based plastics is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Therefore, more sustainable alternatives that do not sacrifice performance are required. One such option is to use nanocellulose, especially cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), which can be reinforced into biopolymer to enhance mechanical and barrier properties. The present study aims to isolate kudzu CNCs by depolymerisation, bleaching, acid hydrolysis with 51% sulfuric acid, and mechanical dispersion. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted to assess the thermal stability of kudzu fibres. Further, the FTIR spectra were measured at wave number ranged 4000–500 cm−1, which showed changes in the structure after treatments and confirmed the removal of lignin and hemicellulose from the cellulose. The isolated CNCs were found to have lengths and diameters of 285.01 ± 150.33 nm and 42.78 ± 13.26 nm, respectively, with an aspect ratio of 6.43 ± 1.78. This study showed that kudzu CNCs are a suitable reinforcing material for nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pueraria thomsonii Benth. is a perennial leguminous vine with medicinal and nutritional value. However, rapid postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) reduces its quality and market value. To detect gene expression levels, the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technique requires stable internal reference genes (IRGs). Our findings indicated that an ethephon (C2H6ClO3P) treatment delayed PPD in P. thomsonii tuberous roots and an RNA-seq analysis revealed a significant number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To find stable IRGs for the further identification of the genes associated with delayed PPD in P. thomsonii, eight candidate IRGs of the tuberous roots were screened and assessed using qRT-PCR. The expression stability of these genes was determined and ranked using five different algorithms, including NormFinder, BestKeeper, ΔCt, GeNorm, and ReFinder. Consequently, we identified two genes, PtUBC10 and PtACT7, as the best candidate IRGs for qRT-PCR normalization in P. thomsonii, both exposed to ethephon treatment and in different tissues. Moreover, PtUBC10 was found to be the most stably expressed IRG of P. thomsonii during the ethephon treatment. The findings of this investigation furnish significant insights for future gene expression analyses concerning the delay of PPD via ethephon administration, which could also be used in other tuberous plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pueraria montana var. lobata is native to East Asia, and was introduced to many countries due to its potential for multiple uses. This species escaped under the management conditions soon after its introduction, and became a harmful weed species. This species has been listed in the top 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species. P. montana stands expand quickly and threaten the native flora and fauna including microbiota. This species affects the concentration of carbon and nitrogen in soil and aquatic environments, and increases the amount of pollutants in the local atmosphere. Its infestation also causes serious economic losses on forestry and agriculture. Its characteristics of fast growth, thick canopy structure, enormous vegetative reproduction, and adaptative ability to the various environmental conditions may contribute to the invasiveness and naturalization of this species. The characteristics of P. montana regarding their defense functions against their natural enemies and pathogens, and allelopathy may also contribute to the invasiveness of this species. Potential allelochemicals such as xanthoxins, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, methyl caffeate and daidzein, and two isoflavones with anti-virus activity were identified in this species. In addition, fewer herbivore insects were found in the introduced ranges. These characteristics of P. montana may be involved in the invasive mechanisms of the species. This is the first review article focusing on the invasive mechanisms of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pueraria is a dry root commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine or as food and fodder, and tuberous root expansion is an important agronomic characteristic that influences its yield. However, no specific genes regulating tuberous root expansion in Pueraria have been identified. Therefore, we aimed to explore the expansion mechanism of Pueraria at six developmental stages (P1–P6), by profiling the tuberous roots of an annual local variety "Gange No.1" harvested at 105, 135, 165, 195, 225, and 255 days after transplanting. Results: Observations of the tuberous root phenotype and cell microstructural morphology revealed that the P3 stage was a critical boundary point in the expansion process, which was preceded by a thickening diameter and yield gain rapidly of the tuberous roots, and followed by longitudinal elongation at both ends. A total of 17,441 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing the P1 stage (unexpanded) against the P2–P6 stages (expanded) using transcriptome sequencing; 386 differential genes were shared across the six developmental stages. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs shared by P1 and P2–P6 stages were mainly involved in pathways related to the "cell wall and cell cycle", "plant hormone signal transduction", "sucrose and starch metabolism", and "transcription factor (TF)". The finding is consistent with the physiological data collected on changes in sugar, starch, and hormone contents. In addition, TFs including bHLHs, AP2s, ERFs, MYBs, WRKYs, and bZIPs were involved in cell differentiation, division, and expansion, which may relate to tuberous root expansion. The combination of KEGG and trend analyses revealed six essential candidate genes involved in tuberous root expansion; of them, CDC48, ARF, and EXP genes were significantly upregulated during tuberous root expansion while INV, EXT, and XTH genes were significantly downregulated. Conclusion: Our findings provide new insights into the complex mechanisms of tuberous root expansion in Pueraria and candidate target genes, which can aid in increasing Pueraria yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite having a generally conserved structure, chloroplast genome data have been helpful for plant population genetics and evolution research. To mine Pueraria montana chloroplast genome variation architecture and phylogeny, we investigated the chloroplast variation architecture of 104 P. montana accessions from across China. P. montana's chloroplast genome showed high diversity levels, with 1674 variations, including 1118 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 556 indels. The intergenic spacers, psbZ-trnS and ccsA-ndhD, are the two mutation hotspot regions in the P. montana chloroplast genome. Phylogenetic analysis based on the chloroplast genome dataset supported four P. montana clades. P. montana variations were conserved among and within clades, which showed high gene flow levels. Most P. montana clades were estimated to have diverged at 3.82–5.17 million years ago. Moreover, the East Asian summer monsoon and South Asian summer monsoon may have accelerated population divergence. Our results show that chloroplast genome sequences were highly variable and can be used as molecular markers to assess genetic variation and relationships in P. montana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]