Effects of rocky desertification habitat on main secondary metabolites
of Akebia trifoliata
Abstract
In recent years, Akebia trifoliata used to restore rocky desertification
environment. We first discovered that the medicinal content of A.
trifoliata will increase in rocky desertification habitats, but its
mechanism of action is not clear. In this study, A. trifoliata was
planted in normal habitats and rocky desertification habitats, and
changes in the content of secondary metabolites and related enzyme
activities were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) the biomass of
the roots, stems and leaf of A. trifoliata reduced significantly, but
the content of secondary metabolites increased significantly in rocky
desertification habitats. It is mainly reflected in the content of
tannins in leaves, flavonoids in roots, and total phenols in roots,
stems and leaves. (2) A. trifoliata changed the enzyme activities of PAL
(Phenylalanine ammonialyase), C4H (Cinnamate-4-Hydroxylase) and 4CL
(4-Coumarate: Coenzyme A Ligase), thereby regulated the increase in the
content of secondary metabolites in rocky desertification habitat. (3)
the content of medicinal components of A. trifoliata increased
significantly in rocky desertification habitat. The highest content of
oleanolic acid in the roots from July to August, and the highest content
of α-hederagenins in the stems in July; (4) principal component analysis
showed that the main response index of A. trifoliata secondary
metabolites and related enzymes in rocky desertification habitats was
total phenols. This study revealed the response mechanism of A.
trifoliata secondary metabolites and related enzymes in rocky
desertification habitats. It not only provided a new choice for the
exploiting of medicinal resources of A. trifoliata, but also provided a
new theoretical basis for A. trifoliata to restore rocky desertification
environment.