Qunlu Liu^1,#, Fiza Liaquat^1,2,#, Qiqi Tang¹, Jun Yang^3,4, Shuai Qiu⁵, Amber Malik², Kang Ye^3,4, Kai Gao⁵, Jun Qin^3,4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.11, pp. 3539-3562, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071989 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Hydrangea macrophylla is a popular ornamental shrub with a lot of economic and aesthetic value. It is known for its different flower shapes (lacecap and mophead) and the way its flowers change color depending on the pH of the soil. Even though it is important for gardening, we still don’t know much about the molecular processes that lead to flower growth. The purpose of this study was to find and study SNP-related genes and transcription factors that are connected to the growth of H. macrophylla flowers. Genome-wide SNP analysis identified 11 SNPs associated with MYB transcription factors… More >

Yuqing Wan¹, Lihua Wang², Qian Zhang², Qian Gao¹, Xin Liu², Gaomin Fan², Yan Wan¹, Xiaoqin Zheng^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.9, pp. 2781-2796, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.071151 - 30 September 2025

Abstract Exploring the phenotypic trait variation and diversity of kiwifruit male plant resources can support selection, breeding, and genetic improvement, ultimately enhancing agricultural production. In this study, 50 kiwifruit male plants were collected from the resource nursery of Sichuan Provincial Natural Resources Bureau. The phenotypic variation of the germplasm was analyzed using 16 quantitative traits. The analysis involved coefficient of variation (CV), Shannon-Wiener index (H), principal component analysis, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and comprehensive evaluation. The results showed that the variation range of 16 phenotypic traits in kiwifruit male germplasm resources was 1.55% to 83.71%, with… More >

Anjali Kariyarath Valappil^1,#, Reshmi Akter^2,#, Muhammad Awais², Dong Uk Yang³, Daehyo Jung², Li Ling⁴, Eun Kim⁵, Kyu Hyeong Yoon⁵, Yoon Ok Lee⁵, Deok Chun Yang^1,2,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.9, pp. 1771-1795, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.069145 - 25 September 2025

Abstract Objectives: The phytochemical investigation of traditional herbal medicines holds significant promise for modern drug discovery, particularly in cancer therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, and immune-modulatory activities of extracts from three herbal medicines with historical use in traditional medicine—Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Phragmites communis, and Pinus densiflora, as well as their combined extract (GMAS 01/COM), on human lung cancer cells (A549) and normal cell lines, including murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Methods: Plant extracts were prepared using aqueous extraction, sonication, and rotary evaporation. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified using the… More >

Siyang Ou¹, Liuyan Yang¹, Tingting Yuan¹, Mutong Li¹, Guohui Liao², Wanping Zhang¹, Guangdong Geng^1,*, Suqin Zhang^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.8, pp. 2441-2460, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.068368 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Chive (Allium ascalonicum L.), a seeding-vernalization-type vegetable, is prone to bolting. To explore the physiological and molecular mechanisms of its bolting, bolting-prone (‘BA’) and bolting-resistant (‘WA’) chives were sampled at the vegetative growth, floral bud differentiation, and bud emergence stages. No bolting was observed in bolting-resistant ‘WA’ on the 130th day after planting, whereas the bolting reached 39.22% in bolting-prone ‘BA’, which was significantly higher than that of ‘WA’. The contents of gibberellins, abscisic acid, and zeatin riboside after floral bud differentiation in ‘WA’ were significantly less than in ‘BA’, whereas the indoleacetic acid content in… More >

Zhipeng Sheng, Zhaoyu Hou, Jun Tao, Daqiu Zhao^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.6, pp. 1751-1767, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.065874 - 27 June 2025

Abstract Summer high temperatures have severely impaired the growth of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) in East China. While compound fertilizer application enhances soil fertility and promotes plant growth, its efficacy in maintaining optimal plant performance under summer heat stress remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of compound fertilizer application on herbaceous peony growth during summer thermal stress. Results demonstrated that compound fertilizer supplementation significantly improved plant growth under elevated temperatures, manifesting enhanced phenotypic characteristics, elevated antioxidant enzyme activities, and increased nutrient accumulation. Compared to untreated controls, fertilized plants exhibited three key responses: (1) increased More >

Meida Chen¹, Tongfei Niu¹, Kai Gao², Zhanxiang Tan¹, Yuxin Zhao¹, Xiaogai Hou^1,*, Lili Guo^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.6, pp. 1921-1940, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.065738 - 27 June 2025

Abstract Floral scent serves as a key criterion for evaluating the ornamental value of flowering plants. Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), a traditional Chinese ornamental species, is valued for its vibrant coloration, intricate floral morphology, and positive cultural symbolism. In this study, dynamic headspace adsorption coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in flowers of 120 herbaceous peony cultivars at the half-opening stage. We detected 86 VOCs, comprising 25 aromatic compounds (79.70%), 21 hydrocarbons (10.51%), 29 terpenoids (8.37%), 7 fatty acid derivatives (1.03%), and 4 heterocyclic compounds (0.38%). The cultivar ‘Dr.… More >

Xiuyun Liu¹, Jixia Sun², Feng Ming³, Minxiao Liu^2,*, Xinyu Wang², Yingjie Zhang^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.2, pp. 379-391, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.060726 - 06 March 2025

Abstract To study the main aroma components of Phalaenopsis orchid and their relationship with colors, 10 fragrant cultivars with different colors, like pink, rose, yellow, and purple, were used as samples in this experiment. Headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the main components of floral fragrance and analyze the correlation between floral color and fragrance. The results showed that the main aroma components of the 10 fragrant cultivars of Phalaenopsis were alcohols, alkenes, esters, and benzene ring compounds, and the main aroma components of different cultivars were diverse. The main aroma components of yellow fragrant flowers… More >

Chaoying Wang¹, Lihui Ma², Yingzan Xie², Bo Ding³, Jingsi Huang⁴, Qian Wang^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.8, pp. 1981-1993, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.050099 - 30 August 2024

Abstract Myricaria laxiflora, which grows along the Yangtze River in China, holds ornamental, ecological, and medicinal value. However, its wild population is threatened and currently designated protected as a national priority. The present research was the first to sequence and assemble M. laxiflora’s mitochondrial genome and examine its structural characteristics and phylogenetic relationships with other sequenced Caryophyllales species. The mitochondrial double-stranded closed-ring genome of M. laxiflora was found to be 389,949 bp in length, containing numerous repetitive sequences and RNA editing sites, with 34 protein encoding, 21 tRNA, and 3 rRNA genes. Although there are 22 fragments in the More >

Binyang Zhao¹, Fengchan Wu², Guojun Cai³, Peiyu Xi², Yulin Guo², Anding Li^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.6, pp. 1345-1363, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.050950 - 27 June 2024

Abstract In order to explore the response mechanism of Passiflora edulis Sims to drought stress, the changes in morphological and physiological traits of Passiflora edulis Sims under different drought conditions were studied. A total of 7 germplasm resources of Passiflora edulis Sims were selected and tested under drought stress by the pot culture method under 4 treatment levels: 75%–80% (Control, CK) of maximum field water capacity, 55%–60% (Light Drought, LD) of maximum field water capacity, i.e., mild drought, 40%–45% (Moderate Drought, MD) of maximum field water capacity, i.e., moderate drought and 30%–35% (Severe Drought, SD) of maximum field water… More >

YI HU^1,#, ZHONGYANG REN^2,#, ZHENGZHONG ZHAO¹, YONGJIA HUANG³, WANTING HUANG³, JIE LIU^3,*, LING DING^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.5, pp. 745-758, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.049140 - 06 May 2024

Abstract Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP), known for its rapid onset and significant incidence and mortality rates, presents a clinical challenge due to the limited availability of effective treatments and preventive measures. Anemarsaponin B (ASB) has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent, demonstrating capabilities in reducing immune inflammation, positioning it as a promising candidate for AP treatment. Methods: We investigated the effects of ASB on AP in mice, induced by caerulein and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Peripheral blood samples were collected 24 h post-induction with caerulein to assess of key biomarkers including lipase, amylase, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, SOD, and… More >