What Effects Do Magnetic Fields Exert on the Bioaccumulation of Galanthamine and Lycorine, Growth Efficiency, Capacity to Scavenge Free Radicals, and Defense Enzyme Activities of Summer Snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum L.)?

Leucojum aestivum L. is a bulbous Amaryllidaceae family plant. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of three different magnetic field (MF) intensities [50, 100 and 150 militesla (mT)] with three different exposure durations (1, 3 and 7 days) on growth parameters, alkaloid levels (galanthamine and lycorine), non-enzymatic antioxidant activities (total phenol-flavonoid content and free radical scavenging activity), and enzymatic antioxidant activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] compared with control (no MF) in the bulbs and leaves. Maximum bulb length was achieved with 150 mT MF application for 3 days. Galanthamine levels increased by 63% in the bulbs with 150 mT-7 days exposure and by 79.8% in the leaves with 50 MT-1 day exposure compared to the control. The leaves and bulbs with 100 mT exposure showed the greatest increases in lycorine concentrations (23.8% and 62.3% rises, respectively). MF exposures of 150 mT for 3 days gave the best radical scavenging activity and total phenol-flavonoid content. The highest alkaloid levels in the bulbs were associated with higher SOD and CAT activity generated by MF treatments.  This study revealed that the medicinal value and quantity of L. aestivum bulbs could be significantly increased with 150 mT MF intensity.

Evaluation of the Phenolic Content and the Nutraceutical Potential of Ancestor and Cultivated Artichokes.

Wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. sylvestris) is the ancestor of many cultivated forms, including globe artichoke (C. cardunculus var. scolymus). Four organs (receptacles, bracts, leaves and stems) of wild and cultivated artichokes (organic and conventional) were assessed considering their individual phenolic constituents (HPLC-DAD), total phenol-flavonoid content, and pharmaceutical potentials (antibacterial and antioxidant). All three sources of artichokes had the highest concentration of 1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid (cynarin) in their receptacles and cultivated artichoke receptacles had more cynarin than wild one. On the other hand, receptacles of wild cardoon had the highest 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid than the cultivated ones. Generally, receptacles, stems and leaves of wild cardoon were superior to both cultivated artichokes on antioxidant potential, and total phenol-flavonoid content. The rise in total phenolic content can be attributed to an increase in antioxidant capacity in all artichoke organs. Only the leaves of all different artichokes showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The investigated wild cardoon was believed to be a true ancestor since a comparison of wild and cultivated varieties revealed similar trends in terms of phenolic profile and biological properties. The nutraceutical industry can profit from this invasive wild cardoon due to their strong antioxidant potential and phenolic content.

How does water stress affect the bioaccumulation of galanthamine and lycorine, growth performance, phenolic content and defense enzyme activities in summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum L.)?

Leucojum aestivum L. is an Amaryllidaceae bulbous plant with two alkaloids that have remarkable medicinal potential: galanthamine and lycorine. Although the presence of galanthamine in L. aestivum has commercial value for the pharmaceutical industry and the effect of water stress (WS) applications on secondary metabolite enhancement is well established in a variety of plants, no studies have been carried out to reveal the effectiveness of WS on this beneficial medicinal plant. Objective of the study was to investigate the effects of eight different WS treatments [Control, waterlogging (WL) condition, and drought stress conditions (water deficiency generated by water deficit irrigation-WDI 25%, 50%, and 75%- and polyethylene glycol-PEG 6000 15%, 30%, and 45%-)] on growth parameters, alkaloid levels (galanthamine and lycorine), non-enzymatic antioxidant activities (total phenol-flavonoid content and free radical scavenging activity), and enzymatic antioxidant activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] of L. aestivum in a pot experiment. Based on the findings, maximum increases in growth parameters were obtained with PEG-induced WS treatments. Moderate water deficiency (50% WDI) produced the highest levels of galanthamine and lycorine, total phenol-flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity, along with moderately elevated CAT activity in the bulbs. All WS treatments resulted in increased CAT activity in the bulbs. It was observed that bulbs had higher SOD and CAT activities under WL conditions had lower fresh weights and were close to control in terms of alkaloid levels, total phenol-flavonoid content, and free radical scavenging activity. When all of the outcomes were taken into account, it can be concluded that moderate water-deficit stress (50% WDI) was regarded as the most effective treatment for increasing the pharmaceutical value of L. aestivum.

Do Vermicompost Applications Improve Growth Performance, Pharmaceutically Important Alkaloids, Phenolic Content, Free Radical Scavenging Potency and Defense Enzyme Activities in Summer Snowflake (Leucojum aestivum L.)?

Leucojum aestivum L. contains galanthamine and lycorine, which are two pharmaceutically valuable alkaloids. Vermicompost (VC), an organic waste product created by earthworms enhances soil quality and can improve the medicinal quality of the plant that is crucial to the pharmaceutical industry. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of four different VC concentrations (5 %, 10 %, 25 %, and 50 %) on L. aestivum growth parameters, alkaloid levels (galanthamine and lycorine), total phenol-flavonoid content, free radical scavenging potential, and defense enzyme activities (SOD and CAT) compared to control (no VC). The width, length, and fresh weight of the leaves were improved by 10 % VC treatment. The highest total phenolic content was found in the bulbs and leaves treated with 50 % VC. HPLC-DAD analysis of alkaloids showed that 10 % and 50 % VC treatments contained the most galanthamine in the bulb and leaf extracts, respectively. The application of 25 % VC was the most efficient in terms of lycorine content in both extracts. CAT activity was elevated at 10 %, 25 %, and 50 % VC. Based on the growth performance and galanthamine content of the bulbs and leaves, it can be concluded that a 10 % VC application was the most effective in the cultivation of L. aestivum.