Genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses provide insights into the evolution and development of a medicinal plant Saposhnikovia divaricata (Apiaceae).

Saposhnikovia divaricata, 2n = 2x = 16, as a perennial species, is widely distributed in China, Mongolia, Russia, etc. It is a traditional Chinese herb used to treat tetanus, rubella pruritus, rheumatic arthralgia, and other diseases. Here, we assembled a 2.07 Gb and N50 scaffold length of 227.67 Mb high-quality chromosome-level genome of S. divaricata based on the PacBio Sequel II sequencing platform. The total number of genes identified was 42 948, and 42 456 of them were functionally annotated. A total of 85.07% of the genome was composed of repeat sequences, comprised mainly of long terminal repeats (LTRs) which represented 73.7% of the genome sequence. The genome size may have been affected by a recent whole-genome duplication event. Transcriptional and metabolic analyses revealed bolting and non-bolting S. divaricata differed in flavonoids, plant hormones, and some pharmacologically active components. The analysis of its genome, transcriptome, and metabolome helped to provide insights into the evolution of bolting and non-bolting phenotypes in wild and cultivated S. divaricata and lays the basis for genetic improvement of the species.

Advances in Phytochemistry and Modern Pharmacology of Saposhnikovia Divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk.

Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk (S. divaricata, Fangfeng) is a herb in the Apiaceae family, and its root has been used since the Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.). Chromones and coumarins are the pharmacologically active substances in S. divaricata. Modern phytochemical and pharmacological studies have demonstrated their antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anticoagulant activities. Technological and analytical strategy theory advancements have yielded novel results; however, most investigations have been limited to the main active substances-chromones and coumarins. Hence, we reviewed studies related to the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of S. divaricata, analyzed the developing trends and challenges, and proposed that research should focus on components' synergistic effects. We also suggested that, the structure-effect relationship should be prioritized in advanced research.

[Effects of water stress on photosynthesis, biomass, and medicinal material quality of Tribulus terrestri].

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of water stress on the photosynthetic characteristics, biomass accumulation, and principal medicinal compositions of Tribulus terrestri. Water stress changed the diurnal variation of T. terrestri photosynthesis, decreased the net photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate significantly, weakened the plant photosynthetic and assimilative capability, and accordingly, hindered the dry matter accumulation and decreased the biomass. However, water stress promoted the accumulation of gross saponins in T. terrestri. In the treatments with irrigation amounts 150 and 450 mm, the gross saponins content was 13.26 and 12.47 mg x g(-1), respectively, being significantly different from that in the treatments with irrigation amounts 250 and 350 mm. The dynamic accumulation of gross flavonoids and gross saponins had an opposite tendency with that of biomass, namely, the contents of these principal medicinal compositions were the lowest when the biomass was the maximal. Correlation analysis showed that the biomass accumulation of T. terrestri was significantly correlated with outside environmental factors, while the contents of secondary metabolism products were affected not only by the outside environmental factors, but also by the inside factors such as biomass accumulation.