Project description:16HBE cells were incubated for 3 or 6h with a homeopathic preparation of Drosera r. or the solvent control and the transcriptome was analyzed by RNA sequencing. The expression changes of the main statistically significant genes were validated through follow-up experiments using RT-qPCR. Compared with the control solution, Drosera r. changed the expression of dozens of genes already after 3h and this effect was amplified after 6 hours of treatment. The main target genes were some ligands of epithelial growth factor receptor (EREG, AREG, EPGN), genes involved in xenobiotic detoxification (CYP1B1, TIPARP) and chemokines. The network of the main biological functions included epithelial cell proliferation, regulation of angiogenesis, cell chemotaxis, and wound healing. Drosera r. acts on a complex and faceted set of genes, potentially involved in different layers of the bronchial mucosa. The global effect of the plant in 16HBE epithelial cells is a mild stress response that primes the epithelial reparative process and recruits the innate cell defense.
Project description:Peatlands play a crucial role in global climate protection as carbon sinks and their rewetting is increasingly significant but poses economic challenges for agriculture. A promising application for rewetted peatlands is the cultivation of Drosera rotundifolia L., a medicinal plant with potential for sustainable phytopharmaceutical development. The plant's bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids and naphthoquinones, exhibit biofilm-inhibiting properties against multidrug-resistant, ESBL-producing E. coli strains, offering new therapeutic options. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms of these compounds in biofilm inhibition through proteomic analyses. Specific fractions of flavonoids and naphthoquinones, as well as individual substances like 7-methyl juglone and 2’’-O-galloyl hyperoside, are analyzed. Results show that flavonoids from Drosera rotundifolia L. likely affect biofilm formation by creating an iron-poor environment through iron complexation and additionally influence polyamine balance, reducing intracellular spermidine levels. Further investigations include assays for iron complexation and analysis of polyamines confirmed the proteomic data. In-silico docking studies identify potential molecular targets of the bioactive compounds. Safety evaluations through cytotoxicity tests in 3D cell cultures and the Galleria mellonella in-vivo model confirmed the safety of the extracts used. These findings highlight Drosera rotundifolia L. as a promising candidate for new phytopharmaceuticals and support the sustainable use of rewetted peatlands.
