Direct Shoot Organogenesis from Lycium chinense Miller Leaf Explants and Assessment of Genetic Stability Using ISSR Markers

An efficient in vitro direct shoot regeneration system has been described for Lycium chinense Miller using leaf explants. Influence of various parameters such as growth regulator concentration, explant type, effect of basal salt type, Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS), Schenk and Hildebrandt (1972) medium (SH), Gamborg et al. (1968) medium (B5), and carbon sources (sucrose, maltose, and fructose) on the regenerating shoots has been studied. Micromorphological studies and genetic fidelity of regenerated shoots were assessed and compared with those of the donor plants. Among the different concentrations of plant growth regulator (PGRs) tested, MS supplemented with lower concentration of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.5 mgL−1) and thidiazuron (TDZ) (0.5 mgL−1) increased the frequency of shoot. Comparatively, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was more effective in the regeneration and growth of the root system. A higher number of root formation (6.67 ± 1.25) was observed when the rooting medium comprised half-strength MS salts supplemented with 3% sucrose. The surviving plantlets were gradually transferred to the greenhouse and natural soil. More than 90% of the plantlets survived and matured within 85 days. Similarity in the band patterns produced by inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers confirmed the genetic stability and uniformity between the regenerated and donor plants. The present optimized direct shoot regeneration system may be useful for mass propagation and improving the genetic traits in L. chinense.

Assessment of Mineral and Phenolic Profiles and Their Association with the Antioxidant, Cytotoxic Effect, and Antimicrobial Potential of Lycium chinense Miller

This study aimed at investigating the Lycium chinense Miller leaf extract mineral and phenolic compound profiles as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. We determined the leaf extract mineral composition, identified its major mineral components, and quantified secondary metabolites. We also measured the leaf extract antioxidant potential and found that it varies in a concentration-dependent manner. We observed a significant and higher positive correlation between DPPH and ABTS assays compared with the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Furthermore, our assay results positively correlated with several observed acids, indicating their strong association with the L. chinense antioxidant potential. Our cytotoxic assay revealed weak toxicity at higher tested concentrations. Our MIC assay showed that the 80% methanol extract effectively inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli Castellani and Chalmers (ATCC35150). The 625-ppm leaf extract completely suppressed the growth of Staphylococcus aureus Rosenbach (ATCC13150), Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579), and Helicobacter pylori (ATCC43504). These results allow us to understand the indigenous medicinal value of L. chinense. Our study suggests that the L. chinense leaf extract phenolic compounds possess a good antioxidant activity against free radicals and are effective antimicrobial agents. Finally, the presence and high level of diverse minerals suggest the potential of L. chinense for nutraceutical and functional food applications.

First record of Aceria kuko in Slovakia

A sample of goji leaves with blisters was brought from a private garden in Vyšná Kamenica to the Botanical Garden of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice to identify the problem. The respective plant (Lycium chinense Miller cv. Big Berry) was bought through the internet and these distortions occurred after some time during cultivation. The mites found on the deformed leaves were examined using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well. The identity of Aceria kuko (Kishida, 1927), the goji berry gall mite, was confirmed. Other available possible host plants in Košice and the surroundings were checked with no positive findings. However, typical foliar galls on goji plants have been indirectly observed (through the television) in Malinovo near Bratislava. Due to the risk from this mite species not only to the goji (Lycium sp.) but also to the pepper (Capsicum annuum Linnaeus) and some other Solanaceae plants, the respective authorities of the Slovak phytosanitary service were informed.

Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Kukoamine A From the Root Bark of Lycium chinense Miller

Kukoamine A (Kuk A) is a naturally occurring bioactive spermine alkaloid found in the root bark of Lycium chinense, and it exerts various therapeutic effects including antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory properties of Kuk A against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Pretreatment of cells with Kuk A significantly inhibited the production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, cyclooxygenase-2 activity, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 in LPS-treated cells. In addition, pretreatment of rats with Kuk A significantly decreased inflammatory response to carrageenan-induced paw edema by alleviating proinflammatory cytokines in the serum, malondialdehyde levels in the liver and increasing the activities of liver antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) of carrageenan-treated rats. These results suggest the protective role of Kuk A in acute inflammatory reaction and could be useful in the treatment of inflammatory-related disorders.

Goji berry gall mite Aceria kuko occurrence in the Czech Republic – short communication

Damage caused by the Goji berry gall mite, Aceria kuko (Kishida, 1927) was observed on the leaves of Lycium chinense Miller (Solanaceae) in Brno in August 2016 and on L. barbarum L. in Popovice in September 2016. Aceria kuko is a pest of Asian origin which is common in China and occurs only sporadically on Goji berry plants in the European Union. This is the first observation of the Goji berry gall mite occurrence in the Czech Republic.