Estudio comparativo del dolor abdominal en las culturas maya Tzeltal, maya Tzotzil y maya Q ́eqchi ́y el uso de Ageratina ligustrina para su tratamiento / Comparative study of abdominal pain in the Mayan cultures Tzeltal, Maya Tzotzil and Maya Q ́eqchi´ and use of Ageratina ligustrina for the treatment

El presente estudio es una comparación del dolor abdominal producido por trastornos gastrointestinales, aliviado por Ageratina ligustrina , entre los grupos maya Tzeltal, Tzotzil y Q ́eqchi ́, el cual integró un enfoque etnomédico, etnobotánico y transcultural, comparando estudios previos con el presente trabajo de campo. Para evaluar la eficacia de Ageratina para aliviar el dolor abdominal, se realizó un inventario de las moléculas reportadas en esta especie, así como de su actividad farmacológica, a través de una revisión bibliográfica. Los resultados mostraron que la epidemiología del dolor producido por TGI, su etnobotánica y el modelo explicativo del dolor abdominal fueron similares entre grupos étnicos. Asimismo, se identificaron 27 moléculas con efectos antiinflamatorios y antinociceptivos, lo que podría explicar por qué esta especie es culturalmente importante para los pobladores maya Tzeltal, Tzotzil y Q ́eqch i ́ para el alivio del dolor abdominal, mientras que, desde el punto de vista biomédico, es una especie con potencial para inhibir el dolor visceral.

The current study is a comparison of the abdominal pain conception produced by gastrointestinal disorders, relieved by Ageratina ligustrina , among inhabitants of the Mayan Tzeltal, Tzotzil, and Q'eqchi' groups ethnomedical, ethnobotanical, and cross -cultural approaches were used to compare previous studies with the present field work. To evaluate the efficacy of A. ligustrina to relieve pain, also through a bibliographic review an inventory of the molecules present in this species was performed, as well as their pharmacological activity. The results showed that the epidemiology of pain produced by GID, its ethnobotany, and the explanatory model of abdominal pain are similar among ethnic groups. Likewise, 27 molecules with anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects were identified, which could explain why this species is culturally important for the Mayan Tzeltal, Tzotzil, and Q'eqchi' groups for the relief of abdominal pain, while, from a biomedical point of view, it is a species with potential to inhibit visceral pain.

Beneficial rhizosphere bacteria provides active assistance in resisting Aphis gossypiis in Ageratina adenophora.

Ageratina adenophora can enhance its invasive ability by using beneficial rhizosphere bacteria. Bacillus cereus is able to promote plant growth and provide a positive feedback effect to A. adenophora. However, the interaction between A. adenophora and B. cereus under the influence of native polyphagous insect feeding is still unclear. In this study, Eupatorium lindleyanum, a local species closely related to A. adenophora, was used as a control, aimed to compare the content of B. cereus in the roots of A. adenophora and rhizosphere soil after different densities of Aphis gossypii feeding, and then investigated the variations in the population of A. gossypii and soil characteristics after the addition of B. cereus. The result showed that B. cereus content in the rhizosphere soil and root of A. adenophora increased significantly under A. gossypii feeding compared with local plants, which also led to the change of α-diversity and ß-diversity of the bacterial community, as well as the increase in nitrate nitrogen (NO3 -N) content. The addition of B.cereus in the soil could also inhibit the population growth of A. gossypii on A. adenophora and increase the content of ammonium nitrogen (NH4 +-N) in the soil. Our research demonstrated that B. cereus enhances the ability of A. adenophora to resist natural enemy by increasing soil ammonium nitrogen (NH4 +-N) and accumulating other beneficial bacteria, which means that rhizosphere microorganisms help invasive plants defend themselves against local natural enemies by regulating the soil environment.

Effects of soil pH on the growth, soil nutrient composition, and rhizosphere microbiome of Ageratina adenophora.

Ageratina adenophora is an invasive weed species found in many countries. Methods to control the spread of this weed have been largely unsuccessful. Soil pH is the most important soil factor affecting the availability of nutrients for plant and impacting its growth. Understanding the mechanisms of the influence of soil pH on the growth of A. adenophora may help to develop effective control measures. In this study, we artificially changed the soil pH in pot experiments for A. adenophora. We studied the effects of acidic (pH 5.5), weakly acidic (pH 6.5), neutral (pH 7.2), and alkaline (pH 9.0) soils on the growth, availability of soil nutrients, activity of antioxidant enzymes, levels of redox markers in the leaves, and the structure and diversity of the rhizosphere microbiome. Soil with a pH 7.2 had a higher (47.8%) below-ground height versus soils of pH 5.5 at day 10; plant had a higher (11.3%) above-ground height in pH 7.2 soils than pH 9.0 soils at day 90; no differences in the fresh and dry weights of its above- and belowground parts, plant heights, and root lengths were observed in plants growing in acid, alkaline, or neutral pH soil were observed at day 180. Correspondingly, the antioxidant enzymes SOD (superoxide dismutase), POD (peroxidase), CAT (catalase) and redox markers GSH (glutathione) and MDA (malondialdehyde) were measured in the leaves. Significant differences existed in the activities of CAT and the levels of GSH between those growing in acidic and alkaline soils and those in neutral pH soil at day 90; however, only lower (36.8%) CAT activities in those grown at pH 5.5 than those grown at pH 7.2 were found at day 180. Similarly, significant differences in available P (16.89 vs 3.04 mg Kg-1) and total K (3.67 vs 0.96 mg Kg-1), total P (0.37 vs 0.25 g Kg-1) and total N (0.45 vs 1.09 g Kg-1) concentrations were found between the rhizosphere soils of A. adenophora grown at pH 9.0 and 7.2 at day 90; no such differences were seen at day 180. High throughput analyses of the 16S rRNA and ITS fragments showed that the rhizosphere microbiome diversity and composition under different soil pH conditions changed over 180 days. The rhizosphere microbiomes differed in diversity, phylum, and generic composition and population interactions under acid and alkaline conditions versus those grown in neutral soils. Soil pH had a greater impact on the diversity and composition of the prokaryotic rhizosphere communities than those of the fungal communities. A. adenophora responded successfully to pH stress by changing the diversity and composition of the rhizosphere microbiome to maintain a balanced nutrient supply to support its normal growth. The unusual pH tolerance of A. adenophora may be one crucial reason for its successful invasion. Our results suggest that attempts use soil pH to control its invasion by changing the soil pH (for example, using lime) will fail.

Effect of phenolics on soil microbe distribution, plant growth, and gall formation.

Phenolic compounds, abundant secondary metabolites in plants, profoundly influence soil ecosystems, plant growth, and interactions with herbivores. In this study, we explore the intricate relationships between phenolics, soil microbes, and gall formation in Ageratina adenophora (A. adenophora), an invasive plant species in China known for its allelopathic traits. Using metabolomic and microbial profiling, significant differences in soil microbial composition and metabolite profiles were observed between bulk and rhizosphere soil samples. Phenolics influenced bacterial communities, with distinct microbial populations enriched in each soil type. Additionally, phenolics impacted soil metabolic processes, with variations observed in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis between different soil treatments. Analysis of phenolic content in plant and soil samples revealed considerable variations, with higher concentrations observed in certain plant tissues and soil types. Bioactive phenols extracted from plant and soil samples were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS), providing insights into the diverse chemical composition of these compounds. Furthermore, the effects of phenolics on plant growth and gall formation were investigated. Phenols exhibited both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on plant growth, with optimal concentrations promoting emergence but higher concentrations hindering growth. Gall formation was influenced by phenolic concentrations, leading to structural alterations in stem tissue and gall morphology. Histochemical analysis revealed starch and lipid accumulation in gall tissues, indicating metabolic changes induced by phenolics. The presence of phenolics disrupted tissue structures and influenced vascular bundle orientation in gall tissues. Overall, our study highlights the multifaceted roles of phenolic compounds in soil ecosystems, plant development, and gall formation, facilitating the utilization of secondary metabolites in agriculture.

Ageratina adenophora causes intestinal integrity damage in goats via the activation of the MLCK/ROCK signaling pathway.

As a global toxin invasive species, the whole herb of Ageratina adenophora (A. adenophora) contains various sesquiterpenes, which can cause various degrees of toxic reactions characterized by inflammatory damage when ingested by animals. Current studies on the toxicity of A. adenophora have focused on parenchymatous organs such as the liver and spleen, but few studies have been conducted on the intestine as the organ that is first exposed to A. adenophora and digests and absorbs its toxic components. In this study, after feeding goats with 40 % A. adenophora herb powder for 90 d, we found that the intestinal structure of goats showed pathological changes characterized, and the damage to the small intestinal segments was more severe than that of the large intestine. The MLCK/ROCK signaling pathway was activated, the cytoskeleton underwent centripetal contraction, the composition of tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells was altered table, Occludin, Claudin-1 and Zonula occluden (ZO-1) amount was decreased, and the intestinal mechanical barrier was disrupted. The intestinal damage markers diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactate (D-LA) levels were elevated. In addition, we also found that intestinal bacteria translocate and enter the portal vein to colonize the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes. The expression of intestinal pro-inflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory factors was changed, the intestinal immune function was disrupted. The present study is the first to analyze the mechanism of poisoning of A. adenophora from the intestinal tract in compound-gastric animals.

Phytochemically analysed extract of Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) R.M.King & H. Rob. initiates caspase 3-dependant apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell: A synergistic approach with chemotherapeutic drugs.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) R.M.King & H.Rob. has been used as traditional indigenous medicine all across the globe for its diverse therapeutic applications such as anticancer, analgesic, antipyretic, thermogenic, antiseptic, antimicrobial as well as astringent. The various ethnic groups of India use plant parts to treat cuts and wounds, venomous insect bites, skin lesions, blisters, scabies and other skin irritations, gastritis and indigestion problems, cough, stomach ache and dysentery. The Portuguese traditionally extract the juice from the plant and use it for cancer, diabetes, liver disorder, gallbladder and stomach ailments. Nigerian healers use different parts of the plant to treat diabetes, fever and inflammation. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to investigate the cytotoxic potential of A. adenophora hydroalcoholic leaves extract (AHL) on Colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines (HCT-116, HCT-15 and HT-29), synergistic potential with chemotherapeutic drugs 5FU and Cisplatin as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, based on the sample collected from Mao district of Manipur, India. Identification of bioactive phytocompounds in AHL was also performed by HRLCMS. METHODS: The AHL was evaluated for its cytotoxic as well as antiproliferative activities by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, clonogenic and cell migration assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were quantified by Folin-ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride assays respectively. Caspase 3 activation was evaluated using Caspase-3 Assay Kit. Apoptosis detection by flow cytometry was carried out using annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit. The apoptotic cells were also visualized by Giemsa and 4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. The intracellular Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was also evaluated using fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein di-acetate (H2DCFDA) in flow cytometry. The combination effects of AHL with chemotherapeutic drugs 5FU and Cisplatin were also evaluated. The identification of phytochemical constituents of AHL were analysed by HR-LCMS. RESULTS: The AHL induced cytotoxic activity significantly in HCT-116 with IC50 of 65.65 ± 2.10 µg/mL, but non-cancerous cell HeK-293 was least cytotoxic. Colony formation and cell migration were inhibited in a dose and time dependent manner. The cell morphology upon AHL treatment was significantly altered with apoptotic features. The extract was rich in total phenolic (82.09 ± 0.35mgGAE/g) and total flavonoid (58.31 ± 0.55 mgQAE/g) contents. AHL induced apoptosis as detected by AnnexinV/PI, via activation of caspase 3 and elevated production of Reactive oxygen species (ROS). AHL in combination with 5FU and Cisplatin acts synergistically and potentiates the therapeutic properties of the extract. Sesquiterpenes, phenolic as well as flavonoid derivatives with anticancer properties were detected in AHL by HRLCMS, and these phytoconstituents may be attributed for anticancer property of AHL. CONCLUSION: The present study evaluates the effectiveness of AHL against Colorectal cancer cell lines. AHL is cytotoxic and induces apoptosis in HCT-116 cells by caspase 3 activation and increased ROS production that can be attributed to sesquiterpenoids. Thus, the plant A. adenophora has therapeutic potential for Colorectal cancer and can be further exploited for developing anticancer drug.

Ageratina adenophora damages the rumen epithelium via inducing the expression of inflammatory factors in goats.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of Ageratina adenophora on the expression of epithelium tight junction proteins and inflammatory factors in the rumen of goats. Twelve goats were randomly divided into three groups. The first group was the blank control group (n = 3, C) which was fed normal diet. The second group was fistulas control group (n = 3, RFC), which was fitted with rumen fistulas, and fed normal diet. The third group was the A. adenophora test group (n = 6, AA), which was fitted with rumen fistulas and fed a mixture of 60% of normal diet and 40% of A. adenophora grass powder. The feeding experiment lasted for 90 d, after which all goats were sacrificed and samples were collected from the rumen dorsal sac and ventral sac. The relative expression of mRNA of inflammatory factors in the rumen epithelium (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interferon gamma [IFN-γ], interleukin 1 beta [IL-1ß], IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) and tight junction protein genes (occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1) was measured by quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR. Expression of tight junction proteins in the rumen epithelium was measured by Western blot. A correlation was established between the expression of inflammatory factors and tight junction protein genes using Graph Pad Prism. The results showed that A. adenophora caused a significant increase in the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 in the rumen epithelial (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The expression of tight junction proteins at both gene and protein levels was significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Furthermore, the correlation analysis revealed that the changes in tight junction protein expression in the test group were closely related to the upregulation of the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IFN-γ in rumen epithelial cells. In conclusion, the expression of inflammatory factors was increased and the expression of tight junction proteins was decreased in goats after feeding on A. adenophora, which caused some damage to the rumen epithelium.

The article aims to investigate the toxic effects of Ageratina adenophora, an invasive plant on the integrity of the rumen epithelium by measuring the changes in the expression of inflammatory factors and tight junction proteins after the consumption of A. adenophora in goats. The results showed that A. adenophora causes damage to the rumen epithelium by increasing the expression of pro-inflammatory markers like TNF-α and IFN-γ and reducing the expression of tight junction proteins such as occludin and claudin-1 in goats.

Three new cadinene-type sesquiterpenoids from the aerial parts of Ageratina adenophora.

Three new cadinene sesquiterpenoids 1-3, were isolated from the aerial sections of Ageratina adenophora using various chromatographic techniques. Their structures were characterised by comprehensive spectroscopic investigations (including 1D, 2D-NMR and HRMS), and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxic activity of new compounds 1-3 were evaluated by testing in vitro tumour growth inhibitory rate against five human tumour cell lines, HL-60, A-549, SMMC-7721, MDA-MB-231, and SW480.

Hepatotoxicity effects of Ageratina adenophora, as indicated by network toxicology combined with metabolomics and transcriptomics.

Ageratina adenophora (A. adenophora), one of the prominent invasive plants in the Asian continent has shown toxicity in animals. However, studies examining the gene expression and metabolic profiles of animals that ingest A. adenophora have not yet been reported in the literature. Therefore, considering the wide distribution of A. adenophora, it is necessary to elucidate the toxic mechanisms of A. adenophora via multiomics approach. In this study, we identified and evaluated the toxic mechanisms of action associated with bioactive compounds in A. adenophora by using network toxicology studies combined with metabolomics and transcriptomics and found that 2-deoxo-2-(acetyloxy)- 9-oxoageraphorone, 10Hß-9-oxo-agerophorone, 10Hα-9-oxo-agerophorone, nerolidol, 9-oxo-10,11-dehydro-agerophorone were the main active toxic compounds in A. adenophora. In addition, using metabolomics approach we identified differential metabolites such as L-pyroglutamic acid, 1-methylhistidine, prostaglandin F2alpha and hydrocortisone from A. adenophora and these metabolites were involved in amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and signal conducting media regulation. Based on network toxicological analysis, we observed that, A. adenophora can affect the Ras signaling, Phospholipase D signaling and MAPK signaling pathways by regulating EGFR, PDGFRB, KIT and other targets. From the results of this study we concluded that A. adenophora induces liver inflammatory damage by activating the EGFR expression and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathways as well as affect nutrients metabolism and neuron conduction.

Rayless goldenrod (Isocoma pluriflora) poisoning in chicks (Gallus gallusdomesticus).

Rayless goldenrod (Isocoma spp.) and white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) poison livestock, wildlife and humans. The suggested toxin for both plants is tremetone, a mixture of benzofuran ketones. However, plant tremetone concentrations often do not correlate with poisoning, and they have not been identified in contaminated milk that poisons nursing neonates. This suggests there may be unidentified metabolites or toxins. Previous studies using various cell culture and large animal models have been inconsistent with varying animal response that often require large doses. The objective of this work is to document the toxicity of rayless goldenrod in California white leghorn chicks, a susceptible small animal model, that would require relatively small amounts of plant material or purified toxins. Four groups of 15 chicks were gavaged with finely ground I. pluriflora at rates of 0, 1%, 2% or 3% of their bodyweight per day for 7 days. After 7 exposure days the chicks were euthanized, necropsied and tissues were collected, fixed and examined microscopically. Myocyte damage was evaluated using clinical signs, weight gain, serum biochemical changes, and histologic lesions and scores. The 3% group had focally extensive myocyte degeneration and necrosis most severely affecting leg muscles (semitendinosus, iliotibialis, peroneus longus and gastrocnemius). This was supported by serum biochemical changes and reduced weight gains. These findings indicate young chicks are a sensitive model of toxicity that may be useful to better identify the rayless goldenrod and white snakeroot toxins, including those unidentified toxins of transmammary poisoning.

Equine Crofton Weed (Ageratina spp.) Pneumotoxicity: What Do We Know and What Do We Need to Know?

Crofton weed (Ageratina adenophora) is a global and highly invasive weed, with ingestion causing severe respiratory disease in horses, leading to irreversible and untreatable pulmonary fibrosis and oedema. While reports of equine pneumotoxicity remain common in Australia and New Zealand, equine pneumotoxicity may be underdiagnosed in other countries where Crofton weed is endemic but poorly differentiated. The pathogenesis of Crofton weed toxicity following ingestion has been well described in a number of different animal models, including rodents, rabbits, and goats. However, induced toxicity is organ-selective across different animal species, and these vastly differ from the pathogenesis described in horses, both clinically and after experimental exposure. Sources of variation may include species-specific susceptibility to different toxins present in the plant, different mechanistic processes of toxicity, and species differences in toxin biotransformation and bioactivation across different organs. Considering disease severity and Crofton weed's invasiveness globally, assessing published toxicological and exposure data is necessary to advance research, identify specific toxins for horses, and possible prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. This review presents an overview of the available literature on equine toxicity, parallels between toxicity in horses and other animal species, and important aspects to be included in the future research agenda.

Effects of Septoglomus constrictum and Bacillus cereus on the competitive growth of Ageratina adenophora.

Beneficial microorganisms play a pivotal role in the invasion process of exotic plants, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Bacillus. However, limited research exists on the synergistic influence of AMF and Bacillus on the competition between both invasive and native plants. In this study, pot cultures of Ageratina adenophora monoculture, Rabdosia amethystoides monoculture, and A. adenophora and R. amethystoides mixture were used to investigate the effects of dominant AMF (Septoglomus constrictum, SC) and Bacillus cereus (BC), and the co-inoculation of BC and SC on the competitive growth of A. adenophora. The results showed that inoculation with BC, SC, and BC + SC significantly increased the biomass of A. adenophora by 14.77, 112.07, and 197.74%, respectively, in the competitive growth between A. adenophora and R. amethystoides. Additionally, inoculation with BC increased the biomass of R. amethystoides by 185.07%, while inoculation with SC or BC + SC decreased R. amethystoides biomass by 37.31 and 59.70% compared to the uninoculated treatment. Inoculation with BC significantly increased the nutrient contents in the rhizosphere soil of both plants and promoted their growth. Inoculation with SC or SC + BC notably increased the nitrogen and phosphorus contents of A. adenophora, therefore enhancing its competitiveness. Compared with single inoculation, dual inoculation with SC and BC increased AMF colonization rate and Bacillus density, indicating that SC and BC can form a synergistic effect to further enhance the growth and competitiveness of A. adenophora. This study reveals the distinct role of S. constrictum and B. cereus during the invasion of A. adenophora, and provide new clues to the underlying mechanisms of interaction between invasive plant, AMF and Bacillus.

Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) King & H. Rob. Standardized leaf extract as an antidiabetic agent for type 2 diabetes: An in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Type 2 diabetes has become one of the major health concerns of the 21st century, marked by hyperglycemia or glycosuria, and is associated with the development of several secondary health complications. Due to the fact that chemically synthesized drugs lead to several inevitable side effects, new antidiabetic medications from plants have gained substantial attention. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic capacity of the Ageratina adenophora hydroalcoholic (AAHY) extract in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetic Wistar albino rats. The rats were segregated randomly into five groups with six rats each. Group I was normal control, and the other four groups were STZ-NA-induced. Group II was designated diabetic control, and group III, IV, and V received metformin (150 mg/kg b.w.) and AAHY extract (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose, serum biochemicals, liver and kidney antioxidant parameters, and pancreatic histopathology were observed after the experimental design. The study concludes that the AAHY extract has a significant blood glucose lowering capacity on normoglycemic (87.01 ± 0.54 to 57.21 ± 0.31), diabetic (324 ± 2.94 to 93 ± 2.04), and oral glucose-loaded (117.75 ± 3.35 to 92.75 ± 2.09) Wistar albino rats. The in vitro studies show that the AAHY extract has α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities which can restore the altered blood glucose level, glycated hemoglobin, body weight, and serum enzymes such as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, total protein, urea, and creatinine levels close to the normal range in the treated STZ-NA-induced diabetic rats. The evaluation of these serum biochemicals is crucial for monitoring the diabetic condition. The AAHY extract has significantly enhanced tissue antioxidant parameters, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and lipid peroxidation, close to normal levels. The presence of high-quantity chlorogenic (6.47% w/w) and caffeic (3.28% w/w) acids as some of the major phytoconstituents may contribute to the improvement of insulin resistance and oxidative stress. The study provides scientific support for the utilization of A. adenophora to treat type 2 diabetes in the STZ-NA-induced diabetic rat model. Although the preventive role of the AAHY extract in treating Wistar albino rat models against type 2 diabetes mellitus is undeniable, further elaborative research is required for efficacy and safety assessment in human beings.

Biological properties of active compounds from Ageratina adenophora.

Ageratina adenophora is an invasive weed with widespread distribution. During the last several decades, many biologically active secondary metabolites have been isolated and characterized from A. adenophora, some of them having inspired the research and development of new therapeutic agents. This review mainly focuses on biological properties of A. adenophora, including the toxicity, antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, antiviral activities and others. In addition, the current limits and potentials of A. adenophora and its extracts are also discussed.

Genetic Evidence for Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Transmission Between the Invasive Plant Ageratina adenophora and Co-occurring Neighbor Plants.

To understand the disease-mediated invasion of exotic plants and the potential risk of disease transmission in local ecosystems, it is necessary to characterize population genetic structure and spatio-temporal dynamics of fungal community associated with both invasive and co-occurring plants. In this study, multiple genes were used to characterize the genetic diversity of 165 strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex (CGSC) isolated from healthy leaves and symptomatic leaves of invasive plant Ageratina adenophora, as well as symptomatic leaves of its neighbor plants from eleven geographic sites in China. The data showed that these CGSC strains had a high genetic diversity in each geographic site (all Hd > 0.67 and Pi > 0.01). Haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity varied greatly in individual gene locus: gs had the highest haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.8972), gapdh had the highest nucleotide diversity (Pi = 0.0705), and ITS had the lowest nucleotide diversity (Pi = 0.0074). Haplotypes were not clustered by geographic site, invasive age, or isolation source. AMOVA revealed that the genetic variation was mainly from within-populations, regardless of geographic or isolation origin. Both AMOVA and neutrality tests indicated these CGSC strains occurred gene exchange among geographic populations but did not experience population expansion along with A. adenophora invasion progress. Our data indicated that A. adenophora primarily accumulated these CGSC fungi in the introduced range, suggesting a high frequency of CGSC transmission between A. adenophora and co-occurring neighbor plants. This study is valuable for understanding the disease-mediated plant invasion and the potential risk of disease transmission driven by exotic plants in local ecosystems.

Spatial weed distribution models under climate change: a short review.

Climate change is a concern worldwide that could trigger many changes with severe consequences. Since human demography is steadily increasing, agriculture has to be constantly investigated to aim at improving its efficiency. Weeds play a key role in this task, especially in the recent past and at present, when new introductions have been favoured by a rise in tourism and international trade. To obtain knowledge relating weeds and their behaviour to climate change, species distribution models (SDMs) have also increased recently. In this work, we have reviewed some articles published since 2017 on modelled weeds, aiming to give a response to, among other things, the species most studied, the scale and location of the studies, the algorithms used and validation parameters, global change scenarios, types of variables, and the sources from which the data were collected. Fifty-nine articles were selected to be reviewed, with maximum entropy (MaxEnt) and area under the curve (AUC) being the most popular software and validation processes. Environmental and topographic variables were considered above pedological and anthropogenic ones. Europe was the continent and China, the USA, and India the countries most studied. In this review, it was found that the number of published articles between developed and developing countries is unbalanced and comes out in favour of the former. The current knowledge on this topic can be considered to be good not enough, especially in developing countries with high population densities. The more knowledge we can obtain, the better our understanding is of how to deal with this issue, which is a worldwide preoccupation.

Phenolic Compounds from Wild Plant and In Vitro Cultures of Ageratina pichichensis and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activity.

Ageratina pichichensis, is commonly used in traditional Mexican medicine. In vitro cultures were established from wild plant (WP) seeds, obtaining in vitro plant (IP), callus culture (CC), and cell suspension culture (CSC) with the objective to determine total phenol content (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC), as well as their antioxidant activity by DPPH, ABTS and TBARS assays, added to the compound's identification and quantification by HPLC, from methanol extracts obtained by sonication. CC showed significantly higher TPC and TFC than WP and IP, while CSC produced 2.0-2.7 times more TFC than WP, and IP produced only 14.16% TPC and 38.8% TFC compared with WP. There were identified compounds such as epicatechin (EPI), caffeic acid (CfA), and p-coumaric acid (pCA) in in vitro cultures that were not found in WP. The quantitative analysis shows gallic acid (GA) as the least abundant compound in samples, whereas CSC produced significantly more EPI and CfA than CC. Despite these results, in vitro cultures show lower antioxidant activity than WP, for DPPH and TBARS WP > CSC > CC > IP and ABTS WP > CSC = CC > IP. Overall, A. pichichensis WP and in vitro cultures produce phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, especially CC and CSC, which are shown to be a biotechnological alternative for obtaining bioactive compounds.

Screening plant growth-promoting bacteria from the rhizosphere of invasive weed Ageratina adenophora for crop growth.

Plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play a vital role in soil fertility and crop production. The rhizosphere of many crop plants has been well documented by screening PGPR for their plant-growth promoting (PGP) mechanisms. However, the rhizosphere of grass species that may act as potential habitats for novel PGPR remains relatively unexplored. Ageratina adenophora is a noxious weed that has invaded more than 40 tropical and subtropical countries in Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Europe. Its presence has led to changes in plant species composition, reducing their biodiversity and destroying ecosystem function. In this study, we screened 1,200 bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere soil of A. adenophora in three floristic regions in Yunnan Province, China. Samples were screened for their in vitro ability for N-fixation, production of the plant growth regulator indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and the synthesis of 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, which controls the levels of ethylene in developing plant roots. We found that 144 strains showed at least one of these PGP attributes. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that most (62.5%) of the samples were bacteria closely related to members of the genera Pseudomonas (27 strains), Providencia (20 strains), Chryseobacterium (14 strains), Ensifer (12 strains), Enterobacter (nine strains), and Hafnia (eight strains). Their abundance and biodiversity in the soil of individual floristic regions correlate positively with the invasion history of A. adenophora. From these PGP bacterial strains, KM_A34 (Pantoea agglomerans), KM_C04 (Enterobacter asburiae), and KM_A57 (Pseudomonas putida), which had the greatest in vitro ability of N-fixation, and IAA and ACC deaminase production, respectively, were selected. The strains were evaluated for their effect on the seed germination and growth of soybean, faba bean, pea, wheat, and Chinese cabbage other than A. adenophora. Chamber experiments showed these strains significantly (P < 0.05) increased (14.2-43.4% over the controls) germination rates of the soybean, faba bean, pea, and/or Chinese cabbage seeds. They also reduced relative seed germination times (20.8-48.8% over the controls) of soy bean, faba bean and/or wheat seeds. Greenhouse pot experiments showed that they significantly (P < 0.05) promoted the aboveground and belowground height of plant foliage (12.1-23.1% and 11.5-31.4% over the controls, respectively) and/or the dry weights (16.1-33.5% and 10.6-23.4% over the controls, respectively) of the soy bean, faba bean, pea, wheat and/or Chinese cabbage. These data indicate that the rhizosphere microbiota of A. adenophora contain a PGPR pool that may be used as bioinoculants to improve the growth and productivity of these crops.

Influences of environment, human activity, and climate on the invasion of Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) in Southwest China.

With economic and social globalization, invasive alien species have significantly threatened local ecological security. Identifying the invasive mechanisms of invasive alien species can aid in preventing species invasions and protecting local ecological and economic security. As a globally invasive plant, Ageratina adenophora (Asteraceae) has spread to many parts of the world and had a seriously impacted the ecology and economy of its invaded areas. Using observational data and Landsat OLI images in an arid valley region in southwest China, this study examined how climate, human activity and environmental factors influence the invasion of A. adenophora and its underlying mechanism. Our results showed that the invasion abundance of A. adenophora was significantly affected by environmental factors (the relative importance was 87.2%), but was less influenced by human activity and climate factors (the relative importance was 2% and 10.8%, respectively). The A. adenophora abundance significantly decreased with aspect, community canopy density, shrub layer coverage, herb layer coverage, Simpson diversity index of shrub and herb layers, the shortest distance to residential areas and temperature seasonality, whereas it increased with soil moisture, temperature annual range, precipitation of wettest month and precipitation of driest month. We conclude that biotic competition is the most influential factor in the invasion of this plant in the arid valley regions. Our results are of great significance for invasion prevention and forest conservation and management in southwest China. Our work emphasized that optimizing the community structure, such as by increasing canopy and shrub coverage and species biodiversity, may help control and mitigate the A. adenophora invasion in southwest China.

Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Ageratina adenophora Exhibits Potential Antimicrobial Activity against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause infections that are difficult to treat globally, even with current available antibiotics. Therefore, there is an urgent need to search for novel antibiotics to tackle this problem. Endophytes are a potential source of novel bioactive compounds; however, the harnessing of novel pharmacological compounds from endophytes is infinite. Therefore, this study was designed to identify endophytic fungi (from Ageratina adenophora) with antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Using fungal morphology and ITS-rDNA, endophytic fungi with antibacterial activities were isolated from A. adenophora. The results of the ITS rDNA sequence analysis showed that a total of 124 morphotype strains were identified. In addition, Species richness (S, 52), Margalef index (D/, 7.3337), Shannon-Wiener index (H/,3.6745), and Simpson's diversity index (D, 0.9304) showed that A. adenophora have abundant endophytic fungi resources. Furthermore, the results of the agar well diffusion showed that the Penicillium sclerotigenum, Diaporthe kochmanii, and Pestalotiopsis trachycarpicola endophytic fungi's ethyl acetate extracts showed moderate antibacterial and bactericidal activities, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) SMU3194, with a MIC of 0.5-1 mg/mL and a MBC of 1-2 mg/mL. In summary, A. adenophora contains endophytic fungi resources that can be pharmacologically utilized, especially as antibacterial drugs.