Jianghan Ouyang^1,#, Yuxin Zhang^1,#, Xiaotong Ma^1,2, Xiangjian Tu^1,2, Pengxin Hou^1,2, Wei Cao³, Shangzhi Zhong^1,2,*, Lulu Sun^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079919 - 31 March 2026

Abstract Salt stress has been demonstrated to trigger the overaccumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within plant tissues. This process, in turn, has been shown to induce oxidative damage and further impair the physiological and metabolic processes. As a promising organic soil conditioner, biochar has proven effective in mitigating the adverse effects of salt stress in crops. Nevertheless, the synergistic and interactive effects of salt stress and biochar application on the osmotic adjustment system and antioxidant defense system of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) have not been fully elucidated. This study employed a completely randomized design, comprising four… More >

Fen Liu^1,2, Cheng Qu^1,3,*, Hongliang Yuan³, Xinpeng Xiang³, Yingbo Chen³, Yuxuan Cai³, Yue Wang^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077734 - 31 March 2026

Abstract To explore the physiological mechanism of rice seeds’ tolerance to cold damage stress, the hybrid rice variety H-You 518 and the conventional rice variety Zhongjiazao 17 were used as experimental materials. A low-temperature cold damage treatment (4°C) and a normal germination treatment (25°C) were used to measure seed vitality, antioxidant enzyme activity, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, α-amylase activity, endopeptidase, and related gene expression levels. The results showed that low temperature inhibited seed vitality and germination ability, and after restoring normal growth conditions, the activities of POD and CAT, as well as the content… More >

Flavia Angélica Pérez-Flores¹, José Orlando Jiménez-Zurita^2,*, Pedro Ulises Bautista-Rosales^3,*, Rosendo Balois-Morales², Graciela Guadalupe López-Guzmán², Andrés Eloy León-Fernández⁴, Juan Esteban Bello-Lara⁴, Carlos Azhael Rodríguez-Guzmán⁴, Guillermo Berumen-Varela³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.077078 - 31 March 2026

Abstract The custard apple fruit (Annona reticulata L.) is distinguished not only by its pleasant flavor and high nutritional value, but also by the presence of bioactive compounds in its pulp, particularly antioxidants, which may provide health benefits when consumed. However, in Nayarit this plant material is found in the wild, without agronomic management or conservation programs. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to evaluate several antioxidants in the pulp of custard apple fruits. Fruits were collected from four localities in Tepic, Nayarit (Jicote, Trapichillo, 14 de Marzo, and Tepic). Total phenolics, flavonoids, vitamin C, carotenoids,… More >

Juan José Reyes-Pérez¹, Luis Tarquino Llerena-Ramos¹, Mercedes Susana Carranza-Patiño¹, Juan Antonio Torres-Rodríguez¹, Roger Alexander Pincay-Ganchozo², Pablo Preciado-Rangel³, Bernardo Espinosa-Palomeque^4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.076459 - 31 March 2026

Abstract The agricultural use of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) has the potential to improve the yield, sensory quality, and nutraceutical properties of various plant species. The objective of this study was to evaluate different concentrations of SiO₂ NPs (0, 5, 7, and 9 mg L⁻¹) on the growth, yield, and nutraceutical quality of peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Quetzal grown under greenhouse conditions. A completely randomized experimental design was established with four treatments and three replicates. SiO₂ NP solutions were applied via drenching at specific phenological stages. Agronomic variables (plant height, stem diameter, and dry biomass), productive variables… More >

Shaimaa R. Ahmed^1,*, Omnia M. Hendawy², Sumera Qasim², Hanan Khojah³, Ambreen Malik Uttra⁴

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.075718 - 28 February 2026

Abstract The study evaluated the skin anti-aging activity of Astragalus sarcocolla leaves extract (ASE) by assessing its antioxidant and inhibitory effect activity on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase in relation to its chemical composition. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS) identified 27 metabolites (15 flavonoids, 8 phenolic acids and their derivatives, and 4 coumarins). ASE showed strong antioxidant capacity in DPPH (IC₅₀ value of 26.05 µg/mL) and FRAP (2433 µM FeSO₄/g extract) assays. The extract inhibited MMP-1 and MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner and suppressed collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase activities (IC₅₀ = 35.038, 40.748, 61.389,… More > Graphic Abstract

Priscilla Yamilhet Montes-Orona¹, Mercedes Georgina Ramírez-Aragón², Isaela Villalpando-De La Torre³, Urbano Nava-Camberos¹, Jared Ceniceros-García¹, José Luis García-Hernández^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.074379 - 28 February 2026

Abstract Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens Kunth) is an aromatic species of high culinary and medicinal relevance. In Mexico, more than 40 taxa with characteristic aroma and flavor are commercially recognized as oregano, with L. graveolens being the most widely distributed and economically important. Despite its relevance, few domesticated or semi-domesticated cultivars exist, and wild populations remain the main source of raw material, raising concerns regarding sustainability and quality standardization. The essential oil and oleoresins of L. graveolens possess recognized bioactivity, including antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, largely attributed to phenolic compounds such as thymol and carvacrol. Given the… More >

Erna Karalija¹, Sabina Dahija¹, Sajra Prijić¹, Dunja Šamec^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.072517 - 28 February 2026

Abstract Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses limiting chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where soil salinization is intensifying. Developing cost-effective and practical strategies to enhance seedling establishment and early vigor under saline conditions is therefore essential. In this study, we compared two seed-priming agents—1 mM proline and 25 mM NaCl—under identical hydroponic conditions to elucidate tissue-specific responses to 25 mM NaCl stress. Proline priming significantly improved shoot length (by ~23%), total chlorophyll content (by ~19%), and ascorbate peroxidase (ASPOX) activity. In contrast, NaCl priming enhanced root biomass retention (by More >

Olga S. Tsiftsoglou^1,*, Vladimir Mihailovic², Nikola Sreckovic², Jelena S. Katanic Stankovic³, Kyriakos Michail Dimitriadis¹, Michalis K. Stefanakis⁴, Diamanto Lazari¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.075566 - 30 January 2026

Abstract Achillea species are known for their healing properties since ancient times. There is extensive literature on their pharmacological action due to their bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of hydroalcoholic extracts from the inflorescences and leaves of the species Achillea crithmifolia Waldst. and Kit., A. grandifolia Friv. and A. millefolium L. The phytochemical profiles of all extracts were evaluated both by NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS analysis, and the results were consistent with the spectrophotometrically determined total phenolic (TP: 125.42–191.98 mg/g) and total flavonoid (TF: 47.34–180.02 mg/g) contents. All the extracts were tested More >

Amine Batbat^1,2, Khaoula Habbadi², Mohamed Jeddi³, Samiah Hamad Al-Mijalli⁴, Hanae Naceiri Mrabti⁵, Fahad M. Alshabrmi⁶, Naif Hesham Moursi⁷, Hassane Greche¹, Naoufal El Hachlafi^8,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.072398 - 30 January 2026

Abstract Origanum elongatum (OE) is an aromatic, medicinal plant endemic to Morocco that is widely used in traditional medicine due to its biological properties. This study aimed to elucidate the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) obtained from O. elongatum (OEEO) at three stages of its life cycle, including vegetative stage (OEEO-VS), flowering stage (OEEO-FS), and post-flowering (OEEO-PFS), as well as to evaluate its biological and antiradical characteristics. The chemical analysis of the essential oil was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antibacterial activity was evaluated in vitro through distinct methodologies, namely, disc diffusion and microatmosphere assay;… More >

Luis Felipe HernáNdez-Ayala¹, Russel J. Reiter², Annia Galano^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.071635 - 23 January 2026

Abstract Objectives: Oxidative stress (OS) plays a pivotal role in chronic and neurodegenerative diseases, which has sparked interest in molecules that modulate redox-regulating enzymes. Melatonin and its metabolites exhibit antioxidant properties; however, their molecular mechanisms of enzymatic and transcriptional modulation remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate, through an exploratory in silico approach, the interactions of melatonin and related compounds with OS-related enzymes to generate hypotheses about their role in cellular redox control. Methods: A rational selection of antioxidant, pro-oxidant, and transcriptional targets was performed. Ligands were optimized at the DFT level (M05-2X/6-311+G(d,p)) and docked to OS… More >