The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Rhizophagus irregularis MUCL 41833 Modulates Metabolites Production of Anchusa officinalis L. Under Semi-Hydroponic Cultivation

Anchusa officinalis is recognized for its therapeutic properties, which are attributed to the production of different metabolites. This plant interacts with various microorganisms, including the root symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Whether these fungi play a role in the metabolism of A. officinalis is unknown. In the present study, two independent experiments, associating A. officinalis with the AMF Rhizophagus irregularis MUCL 41833, were conducted in a semi-hydroponic (S-H) cultivation system. The experiments were intended to investigate the primary and secondary metabolites (PMs and SMs, respectively) content of shoots, roots, and exudates of mycorrhized (M) and non-mycorrhized (NM) plants grown 9 (Exp. 1) or 30 (Exp. 2) days in the S-H cultivation system. Differences in the PMs and SMs were evaluated by an untargeted ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry metabolomics approach combined with multivariate data analysis. Differences in metabolite production were shown in Exp. 1. Volcano-plots analysis revealed a strong upregulation of 10 PMs and 23 SMs. Conversely, in Exp. 2, no significant differences in PMs and SMs were found in shoots or roots between M and NM plants whereas the coumarin scoparone and the furanocoumarin byakangelicin, accumulated in the exudates of the M plants. In Exp. 1, we noticed an enhanced production of PMs, including organic acids and amino acids, with the potential to act as precursors of other amino acids and as building blocks for the production of macromolecules. Similarly, SMs production was significantly affected in Exp 1. In particular, the phenolic compounds derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. Fifteen di-, tri-, and tetra-meric C6-C3 derivatives of caffeic acid were induced mainly in the roots of M plants, while four oleanane-types saponins were accumulated in the shoots of M plants. Two new salvianolic acid B derivatives and one new rosmarinic acid derivative, all presenting a common substitution pattern (methylation at C-9”' and C-9' and hydroxylation at C-8), were detected in the roots of M plants. The accumulation of diverse compounds observed in colonized plants suggested that AMF have the potential to affect specific plant biosynthetic pathways.

The current state and prospects of the development of soft dosage forms with Boraginaceae species

Soft dosage forms make up a significant segment in the structure of medicines both pharmaceutical and industrial production. Herbal ointments are an integral part of this group. Species of the Boraginaceae family are the source of biologically active substances used to treat inflammatory processes of all layers of the skin, muscle tissue, tendons and joints.Aim. To determine data on the current state of the development of soft dosage forms based on species of the Boraginaceae family and identify further prospects for studies in this area.Materials and methods. The scientific databases, in particular Abdata Pharma-Daten-Service, BioMed Central, Scopus, scientific periodicals of Ukraine – Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine, etc., were analyzed.Results and discussion. As a result of the data analysis of the Information Fund “State Register of Medicines of Ukraine” it has been found that only medicines with comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) are registered in Ukraine. In the EU countries, only soft dosage forms with comfrey are registered, with the exception of Greece where there are ointments with Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Taush, and France where there are substances for the production of ointments withPulmonaria obscura Dumort. and Anchusa officinalis L. There are many soft homeopathic dosage forms with comfrey at the US pharmaceutical market; however, there are ointments and suppositories with Borago officinalis L. and a gel with Myosotis arvensis (L.) Hill. At the Brazilian pharmaceutical market there is the cream “Acheflan” based on Cordia verbenacea DC. The European and Asian scientists study ointments with Cordia myxa L., Cordia obliqua Willd., Heliotropium indicum L., Arnebia euchroma Rolye. (Johnst.), Onosma dichroanthum Boiss, Arnebia densiflora (Nordm.) Ledeb, Ehretia microphylla Lam., Anchusa officinalis L.Conclusions. Homeopathic products predominate among the soft dosage forms based on Boraginaceae species. At the pharmaceutical market, along with comfrey drugs, there are medicines and active substances with Borago officinalis, Myosotis arvensis (L.) Hill, Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Taush, Pulmonaria obscura Dumort., Anchusa officinalis L. and Cordia verbenacea DC. There is an active research of the existing products with comfrey, as well as the development and study of new soft dosage forms with species of Arnebia, Heliotropium, Cordia, Onosma, Ehretia and Anchusa genus. Taking the above into account the further research for creating effective and safe drugs based on the Boraginaceae species is promising.

MINERAL COMPOSITION OF PLANT EXTRACTS FROM THE FAMILY BORAGINACEAE

The mineral composition of plant extracts from the Boraginaceae family was examined in this paper.The research includes the plants: Anchusa officinalis L., Echium vulgare L. and Echium italicum L.Content analysis of the elements was done using inductively coupled plasma with a massspectrophotometer. The results of the study showed that the extracts tested are rich in mineralcomposition, while the concentration of toxic elements is below the corresponding limit maximumpermitted concentration according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization.

Segetal flora of cereal crop agrocenoses in the Suwałki Landscape Park

Segetal flora of cereal crop agrocenoses in the Suwałki Landscape Park was studied in between the years 2012 and 2013. One hundred phytosociological Braun-Blanquet releves were taken, documenting the occurrence of 152 species of vascular plants that represented 29 botanic families. Analysis of the contributions of geographic-historical groups revealed the dominance of the native species, apophytes (87 species, making 57.2%), over anthropophytes (65 species, 42.8%). The number of short-lived species was twice greater (103 species, 67.8%) than the perennial ones (49 species, 32.2%). As regards the lifeforms, the therophytes were dominant (96 species, 63.2%) over hemicryptophytes (44 species, 28.9%) and geophytes (12 species, 7.9%). Among the species of segetal flora in the area studied, 23 valuable species classified to different categories of protection, were identified. The presence of Consolida regalis, Centaurea cyanus and Bromus secalinus, belonging to threatened species in other regions of Poland, was abundant. Also the species: Anthemis tinctoria, Echium vulgare and Anchusa officinalis were met with high frequency. The species: Agrostemma githago, Papaver argemone and Papaver dubium were represented by single plants, which can suggest their dying out. In the Park area, expansive species, threatening the biodiversity, such as Myosotis arvensis, Viola arvensis, Galeopsis tetraehit, Stellaria media, Artemisia vulgaris, Galinsoga parviflora, Elymus repens, Capsella bursa pastoris, Erodium cicutarium, Chamomilla recutita, Matricaria maritima subsp. inodora, Convolvulus arvensis, Polygonum persicaria, Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. pallidum and Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. lapathifolium, were commonly seen in the crop land.

The structure of floral elements of Anchusa officinalis L. creating attractants for insects

The present study involved the measurement of size and the micromorphology of the floral elements of <i>Anchusa officinalis</i> L. which are attractants for insects. The structure of the epidermis on the surface of the calyx, petals, throat scales, pistil and nectary were analysed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For light microscopy observations, semi-permanent slides were prepared, which were treated with Lugol's iodine solution, Sudan III and fluoroglucine. The dark violet lobes of the corolla of <i>Anchusa officinalis</i>, with a velvety surface, and the throat scales, contrasting with them, belong to the most important optical attractants which lure insects from large distances. The dark pink colouring of the sepals additionally increases the attractiveness of the flowers. The epidermis covering the calyx formed different-sized non-glandular trichomes as well as glandular trichomes. The glandular trichomes were composed of a uni - or bicellular leg and a unicellular head. The colour of the corolla petals was determined by anthocyanins accumulated in the epidermal cells and in the more deeply situated parenchyma. The velvety surface was formed by the conical papillae, densely growing from the adaxial epidermis. The pink-violet throat scales with white hairs, covering the inlet to the tube of the corolla, were found at the inlet to the corolla throat. The longest trichomes on the surface of the scales were located in their lower and middle parts, whereas the shortest ones at their tips. The epidermis of the central part of the throat scales formed small papillae. The trichomes had thin cell walls, large vacuoles, numerous plastids and lipid droplets. The two-parted stigma of the pistil was covered by characteristic expanded outgrowths with wavy edges which performed the functions of structures facilitating the capture of pollen grains. As a result of the present study it was found that the structures affecting the attractiveness of the flowers, through various light effects within the corolla of <i>Anchusa officinalis</i>, include the papillae on the corolla surface, trichomes of the throat scales and the epidermal cells of the style. The trichomes of the scales can also be responsible for protecting pollen and nectar against rainfall.