Effects of water stress on secondary metabolism of Panax ginseng fresh roots

作者：Wei Zhang, Wenfei Liu, Liyang Wang, Pengcheng Yu, Xiaowen Song, Yao Yao, Xiubo Liu, Meng Xiangcai · 发表于：PLoS ONE · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1371/journal.pone.0312023 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Ginseng Biological Effects and Applications、Plant responses to water stress、Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance

The roots and rhizomes of Panax ginseng C.A. Mey are commonly used herbal medicine in Asian countries. These components contain a large number of secondary metabolites known as ginsenosides, which serve as primary active ingredient. Environmental factors significantly influence the production of secondary metabolites, which are crucial for enhancing plant adaptability to ecological stress. P. ginseng is a shady plant that thrives in a constantly humid and temperate environment. However, it cannot withstand excessive moisture, making soil moisture a significant ecological stress affecting P. ginseng survival. In this study, we applied a water spray to maintain a water-saturated surface on 5-year-old fresh P. ginseng roots for a duration of 5 days, to establish a short-term water stress condition. The results revealed a notable increase in superoxide anion (O2·-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity (p < 0.01), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) contents (p < 0.01) in both the main root and fibrous root of P. ginseng. Additionally, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxides (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities also elevated significantly under water stress (p < 0.01). Ascorbic acid (AsA), glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) contents also showed a marked increase (p < 0.01). The main root treated with water showed the most positive impact on the 5th day. Water stress boosted the activities of ke...