Dongchi Cai^1,2,#, Jialin Ji^3,#, Chunhui Yang^1,*, Hong Cai^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071152 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Metabolic reprogramming involving branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—is increasingly recognized as pivotal in cancer progression, metastasis, and immune modulation. This review comprehensively explores how cancer cells rewire BCAA metabolism to enhance proliferation, survival, and therapy resistance. Tumors manipulate BCAA uptake and catabolism via high expression of transporters like L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and enzymes including branched chain amino acid transaminase 1(BCAT1), branched chain amino acid transaminase 2 (BCAT2), branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), and branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK). These alterations sustain energy production, biosynthesis, redox homeostasis, and oncogenic… More >

Oleh Koshovyi¹, Amal D. Premarathna², Rando Tuvikene², Valdas Jakštas^3,4, Vaidotas Žvikas³, Yurii Hrytsyk⁵, Lyubov Grytsyk⁵, Andriy Grytsyk⁵, Jaan Liira⁶, Ain Raal^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.12, pp. 3991-4019, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.074153 - 29 December 2025

Abstract Gilia capitata Sims (Polemoniaceae) is an annual herbaceous plant widely distributed in western North America and cultivated as an ornamental flower. The detailed chemical composition and pharmacological properties of this plant have not been previously reported. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of aqueous-ethanolic extracts derived from different plant parts (herb, flowers, stems, roots, and fruits). HPLC analysis identified 12 phenolic compounds and 16 amino acids in the aqueous-ethanolic extracts obtained from these plant parts. The biological effects of the extracts were evaluated in vitro, including cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory response, and wound-healing potential.… More >

Lesya Voytenko^1,*, Mykola Shcherbatiuk¹, Valentyna Vasyuk¹, Kateryna Romanenko¹, Lidiya Babenko¹, Oleksandr Smirnov^2,3, Iryna Kosakivska¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.7, pp. 2195-2214, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067772 - 31 July 2025

Abstract Prolonged lack of rain and high-temperature lead to soil water deficits, inhibiting cereal crop growth in early ontogenesis and reducing grain quality and yield. Rye (Secale cereale L.) is a key grain crop, particularly in regions where wheat cultivation is challenging or unfeasible. To clarify its drought adaptation mechanisms, we analyzed the effects of moderate soil drought on growth, hormonal homeostasis, and the dynamics and distribution of free amino acids and phenolic compounds in rye at early vegetative stages and post-recovery. Drought triggered both general and organ-specific changes in endogenous phytohormones. A nonspecific response involved the… More >

Juan Francisco Zamora Natera^1,*, Mario Felipe González González¹, Javier Vioque², Julio Girón-Calle², Manuel Alaiz²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.5, pp. 1533-1544, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064966 - 29 May 2025

Abstract Jarilla caudata Standl. (Caricaceae) is a wild herbaceous plant native to Mexico recognized for its edible fruits. It is considered to be the closest taxonomically species to Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae), whose seeds have good nutritional and functional properties. This study analyzes and compares the seed chemical compositions of J. caudata and C. papaya to study the nutritional and functional potential of J. caudata seeds. The analysis of the proximate composition was based on standard methods. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the free amino acid profile, gas chromatography to quantify the fatty acid content, and inductively coupled plasma–optical… More > Graphic Abstract

Oleh Koshovyi^1,2,*, Janne Sepp¹, Valdas Jakštas³, Vaidotas Žvikas³, Karina Tolmacheva⁴, Igor Kireyev⁴, Jyrki Heinämäki¹, Ain Raal^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2909-2925, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.056536 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Pineappleweed (Matricaria discoidea DC., Asteraceae) herb is an essential oil containing raw material with spasmolytic and anti-inflammatory activity. It is also rich in phenolics, which may be used in pharmaceutical practice. This study aimed to investigate the phenolic and amino acid composition and the hyporific and analgesic effects of the M. discoidea aqueous-ethanolic extract and its amino acid modifications. In addition, we developed a polyethylene oxide gel formulation with M. discoidea extracts for the 3D-printed oral solid dosage preparations. In M. discoidea extracts, 16 phenolic substances and 14 amino acids were established. The extract and its amino acid preparations More >

Esra Arslan Yuksel^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.9, pp. 2189-2207, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.055053 - 30 September 2024

Abstract Heavy metal contamination in the environment, resulting from human activities or natural processes, poses a significant and widespread challenge. L-glutamic (L-glu) and L-aspartic acid (L-asp) treatments have been reported to improve plant metabolism of heavy metal-exposed plants, but the role of these amino acids in the resistance to lead (Pb²⁺), cadmium (Cd²⁺), arsenic (As³⁺) and nickel (Ni²⁺) treated-bean are unclear when applied together. This study investigated the L-glu and L-asp supplementation-induced changes in some physio-biochemical parameters and some stress-related gene expression levels in Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, As³⁺, and Ni²⁺-stressed Phaseolus vulgaris (Elkoca and Gina) grown in nutrient solution. The combination of… More >

Chenggang Liang^1,#, Chunyu Wei^1,#, Yan Wang^1,*, Wujuan Yu¹, Kai Liao¹, Taoxiong Shi¹, Dabing Xiang^2,3, Qijiao Chen¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.90, No.3, pp. 871-893, 2021, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2021.014242 - 30 March 2021

Abstract Rice-Tartary buckwheat (RTB) is a special germplasm of Tartary buckwheat. In this study, the appraisal of taste quality between RTB and conventional Tartary buckwheat (CTB) was presented, and the metabolites in kernels at three typical grain filling stage (GFS) were investigated. Unlike CTB, RTB showed thin shell seeds without longitudinal furrows at maturity, which was easily artificially dehulled. Sense organ test indicated that RTB exhibited better taste quality because of the higher values of appearance, viscosity, taste and summary were appraised. In total, 92 metabolites were identified in kernels using GM-MS metabolomics platform. The levels… More >

Mirza Hasanuzzaman^1,*, Aditya Banerjee², M. H. M. Borhannuddin Bhuyan^3,4, Aryadeep Roychoudhury^2,*, Jubayer Al Mahmud⁵ and Masayuki Fujita³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.88, No.3, pp. 185-221, 2019, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2019.07559

Abstract In the era of climate change, abiotic stresses (e.g., salinity, drought, extreme temperature, flooding, metal/metalloid(s), UV radiation, ozone, etc.) are considered as one of the most complex environmental constraints that restricts crop production worldwide. Introduction of stress-tolerant crop cultivars is the most auspicious way of surviving this constraint, and to produce these types of tolerant crops. Several bioengineering mechanisms involved in stress signaling are being adopted in this regard. One example of this kind of manipulation is the osmotic adjustment. The quarternary ammonium compound glycinebetaine (GB), also originally referred to as betaine is a methylated… More >

Berengere PAPEGAY^{1, *}, Michaela STADLER¹, Vincent Nuyens¹, Isabelle SALMON², Veronique KRUYS³, Jean G. BOOGAERTS¹

BIOCELL, Vol.38, No.1, pp. 25-32, 2014, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2014.38.025

Abstract Ischemia-reperfusion injury is a determinant in liver injury occurring during surgery, ischemic states and multiple organ failure. The pre-existing nutritional status of the liver, i.e., fasting, might contribute to the extent of tissue injury. This study investigated whether alanine, an amino acid precursor of glucose, could protect ex vivo perfused livers of fasting rats from reperfusion injury. The portal vein was cannulated, the liver removed and perfused in a closed ex vivo system. Isolated livers were perfused either with glucose 1 g/L and 10 g/L, or with equal concentrations of alanine (n = 10 in… More >