Effects of Rare Earth Elements on Growth and Determination of Secondary Metabolites under In Vitro Conditions in Salvia miltiorrhiza

Abstract

<jats:p><jats:italic>Salvia miltiorrhiza</jats:italic>, known as danshen, is one of most valued medicinal plants in China. Although it has been cultivated since ancient times, an optimal culture system needs to be standardized for this important species. Here, we explored the phytochemical properties of <jats:italic>S. miltiorrhiza</jats:italic> with the treatments of rare earth elements (REEs) to develop an optimal tissue culture system. Four-week-old in vitro-grown <jats:italic>S. miltiorrhiza</jats:italic> plantlets were used as explants. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.2 mg·L<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to induce rooting at four different concentrations (50, 100, 200, and 300 μM) of REEs such as cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), or praseodymium (Pr), respectively. Compared with all REEs at different concentrations, 100 μM Pr induced greater root length than Ce or La at any concentrations. Concomitantly, 0.38 μg tanshinone IIA/mg dry weight (DW) was observed, which was 54.84% higher than in the control. Similarly, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and secondary metabolite were enhanced in rooting medium supplemented with 100 μM Pr. Therefore, this study showed that 100 μM Pr is an adequate concentration in the optimal culture system for promoting plant growth as well as enhancing secondary metabolite content in <jats:italic>S. miltiorrhiza</jats:italic>.</jats:p>

Biostimulant Effects of Cerium on Seed Germination and Initial Growth of Tomato Seedlings

“…REEs have a synergistic effect with a burdock fructo-oligosaccharide, which constitutes an important energy source during germination [46]. Similarly, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and secondary metabolites can be enhanced in response to REEs, including Ce [4]. These responses may explain, at least in part, the results observed in our study.…”

“…Currently, REEs are pivotal components of modern industries and play key roles in medicine, chemistry, agriculture and livestock farming [2]. In plant biology, REEs may improve photosynthesis, biomass accumulation, and primary and secondary metabolism, as well as the activity of numerous enzymes involved in vital physiological processes such as growth, development and responses to stress [3,4].…”

Effects of humate and neodymium on phytochemical levels in kale at different ontogenetic stages

“…On the other hand, excessive concentrations adversely alter photosynthesis and antioxidant activity. The highly augmented carotenoid levels are consistent with research findings that suggest that rare-earth elements at low concentrations promote chlorophyll content and the rate of phosphorylation (Fan et al, 2020). Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a lipid peroxidation marker (Tounekti et al, 2011).…”

Environmental Technologies to Treat Rare Earth Element Pollution: Principles and Engineering

“…A recent study has also reported T. officinale as a good bioindicator of REE (Borowiak et al, 2018). Some of the elements are even found to enhance plant growth, for example the medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza showed enhanced plant growth and a higher secondary metabolite content in plant parts when grown in the presence of 100 mM praseodymium (Pr) (Fan et al, 2020). Elongation in root structure and enhanced photosynthetic activity were also observed.…”