The Influence of Exogenous Jasmonic Acid on the Biosynthesis of Steroids and Triterpenoids in Calendula officinalis Plants and Hairy Root Culture

Abstract

The interplay between steroids and triterpenoids, compounds sharing the same biosynthetic pathway but exerting distinctive functions, is an important part of the defense strategy of plants, and includes metabolic modifications triggered by stress hormones such as jasmonic acid. Two experimental models, Calendula officinalis hairy root cultures and greenhouse cultivated plants (pot plants), were applied for the investigation of the effects of exogenously applied jasmonic acid on the biosynthesis and accumulation of steroids and triterpenoids, characterized by targeted GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy) metabolomic profiling. Jasmonic acid elicitation strongly increased triterpenoid saponin production in hairy root cultures (up to 86-fold) and their release to the medium (up to 533-fold), whereas the effect observed in pot plants was less remarkable (two-fold enhancement of saponin biosynthesis after a single foliar application). In both models, the increase of triterpenoid biosynthesis was coupled with hampering the biomass formation and modifying the sterol content, involving stigmasterol-to-sitosterol ratio, and the proportions between ester and glycoside conjugates. The study revealed that various organs in the same plant can react differently to jasmonic acid elicitation; hairy root cultures are a useful in vitro model to track metabolic changes, and enhanced glycosylation (of both triterpenoids and sterols) seems to be important strategy in plant defense response.

Pharmacokinetic assessment and phytochemical triterpene control from Cecropia angustifolia using plant biotechnology

“…The triterpene content was found to be increased more than 30‐fold compared to T1 F1 without MeJA stimuli. These results are consistent with other studies that have shown that the use of MeJA can increase the production of triterpenoids 38,39 …”

“…These results are consistent with other studies that have shown that the use of MeJA can increase the production of triterpenoids. 38,39 The elicitation experiment aimed to modify the proportion of triterpenes and make it similar to the relative proportion in wild material, but unfortunately, the relative concentration of the selected massto-charge ratios remained almost the same as in all in vitro experiments. Although the total amount of PT increased, the inclusion of MeJA resulted in a reduction in biomass production (data not shown).…”

Triterpenoid and Steroid Content of Lipophilic Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants of the Mediterranean Region

“…The main profile of sterols and the types of triterpenoid skeletons were the same, the main difference refers to the amount of triterpenoids, particularly triterpenoid acids. However, this feature (i.e., the prevalence of triterpenoid acids in C. monspeliensis ) cannot be considered universal, since the content of triterpenoids, classified as secondary (more aptly: specialized) metabolites, may differ significantly even between the plants of the same species growing in various habitats [ 31 , 32 ], and it can be modified under specific environmental conditions, e.g., biotic or abiotic stresses [ 34 , 35 ]. The study on C. ladanifer demonstrated a high intra-population variation of specialized metabolites, explained as a consequence of the interaction of the environmental variability of plant resources, genotypic differences among individuals, and herbivore or pathogen effects [ 36 ].…”

Exploring the Biologically Active Metabolites Produced by Bacillus cereus for Plant Growth Promotion, Heat Stress Tolerance, and Resistance to Bacterial Soft Rot in Arabidopsis

“…Plant secondary metabolites, such as glucosinolates, alkaloids, and terpenoids, play a role in plant defense response against pathogen and pest attack [ 25 , 26 ]. However, the JA signal is a positive regulator for glucosinolates and terpenoids accumulation in plants [ 27 , 28 ]. Various rhizobacteria show their potential in controlling plant disease by producing effective metabolites, which can manipulate plant signaling pathways linked to disease resistance in plants.…”