TY  - EJOU
AU  - Li, Xiaoqin 
AU  - Zhang, Yongfu 
AU  - Ren, Zhen 
AU  - Chen, Jiao 
AU  - Qiao, Zuqin 
AU  - Tao, Xingmei 
AU  - Yi, Xuan 
AU  - Wang, Kai 
AU  - Liu, Zhao 

TI  - Physiological and Biochemical Responses and Non-Parametric Transcriptome Analysis for the Curcumin-Induced Improvement of Saline-Alkali Resistance in <i>Akebia trifoliate</i> (Thunb.) Koidz
T2  - Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany

PY  - 2025
VL  - 94
IS  - 8
SN  - 1851-5657

AB  - Soil salinization is a major abiotic stress that hampers plant development and significantly reduces agricultural productivity, posing a serious challenge to global food security. <i>Akebia trifoliata</i> (Thunb.) Koidz, a species within the genus Akebia Decne., is valued for its use in food, traditional medicine, oil production, and as an ornamental plant. Curcumin, widely recognized for its pharmacological properties including anti-cancer, anti-neuroinflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects, has recently drawn interest for its potential roles in plant stress responses. However, its impact on plant tolerance to saline-alkali stress remains poorly understood. In this study, the effects of curcumin on saline-alkali resistance in <i>A. trifoliata</i> were examined by subjecting plants to a saline-alkali solution containing 150 mmol/L sodium ions (a mixture of Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>, and NaHCO<sub>3</sub>). Curcumin treatment under these stress conditions leads to anatomical improvements in leaf structure. Furthermore, <i>A. trifoliata</i> maintained a favorable Na<sup>+</sup>/K<sup>+</sup> ratio through increased potassium uptake and reduced sodium accumulation. Biochemical analysis revealed elevated levels of proline, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins, along with improved activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD). Similarly, the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly reduced. Transcriptome analysis under saline-alkali stress conditions showed that curcumin influenced seven key metabolic pathways annotated in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, with differentially expressed unigenes primarily enriched in transcription factor families such as MYB, AP2/ERF, NAC, bHLH, and C2C2. Moreover, eight differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with plant hormone signal transduction were linked to the auxin and brassinosteroid pathways, critical for cell elongation and plant growth. These findings indicate that curcumin increases saline-alkali stress tolerance in <i>A. trifoliata</i> by modulating physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional responses, ultimately supporting improved growth under adverse conditions.
KW  - <i>Akebia trifoliate</i> (Thunb.) Koidz; anatomic structure; curcumin; non-parametric transcriptome; saline-alkali stress

DO  - 10.32604/phyton.2025.066894