Network Pharmacology and Experimental Study of MomordicineⅠand MomordicineⅡfrom Bitter Melon Saponins in Inhibiting Fat Accumulation

Bitter melon(Momordica Charania L.),a member of the Cucurbitaceae family,is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions.Saponin,an important functional component of bitter melon,has been proven to exert hypoglycemic effects similarly to insulin,and also possesses lipid-lowering properties inhibiting preadipocyte differentiation and fat synthesis^([1]).

An allelic variation in the promoter of the LRR-RLK gene,qSS6.1,is associated with melon seed size

Seed size is an important agronomic trait in melons that directly affects seed germination and subsequent seedling growth.However,the genetic mechanism underlying seed size in melon remains unclear.In the present study,we employed Bulked-Segregant Analysis sequencing(BSA-seq)to identify a candidate region(~1.35 Mb)on chromosome 6 that corresponds to seed size.This interval was confirmed by QTL mapping of three seed size-related traits from an F2 population across three environments.This mapping region represented nine QTLs that shared an overlapping region on chromosome 6,collectively referred to as qSS6.1.New InDel markers were developed in the qSS6.1 region,narrowing it down to a 68.35 kb interval that contains eight annotated genes.Sequence variation analysis of the eight genes identified a SNP with a C to T transition mutation in the promoter region of MELO3C014002,a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinase(LRR-RLK)gene.This mutation affected the promoter activity of the MELO3C014002 gene and was successfully used to differentiate the large-seeded accessions(C-allele)from the small-seeded accessions(T-allele).qRT-PCR revealed differential expression of MELO3C014002 between the two parental lines.Its predicted protein has typical LRR-RLK family domains,and phylogenetic analyses reveled its similarity with the homologs in several plant species.Altogether,these findings suggest MELO3C014002 as the most likely candidate gene involved in melon seed size regulation.Our results will be helpful for better understanding the genetic mechanism regulating seed size in melons and for genetically improving this important trait through molecular breeding pathways.

Spatial Characteristic Analysis of the Comparative Advantage of Watermelon and Melon Production in Hainan Province

[Objective] This study investigated the spatial characteristics of counties （cities） with comparative advantages in watermelon and melon production to provide reference bases in formulating strategies for the development of watermelon and melon industries in Hainan Province. [Method] By using the sowing area, total yield, and yield per unit area of watermelon and melon in Hainan Province as research u- nits, the yield comparative advantage （YCA）, efficiency comparative advantage （E- CA）, scale comparative advantage （SCA）, concentration ratio comparative advantage （CRCA）, comprehensive comparative advantage （CCA）, ratio of yield per unit area （RYPA）, sowing area ratio （SAR）, and distribution characteristics of watermelon and melon were systematically analyzed. By referring to the agricultural statistic data of 18 counties （cities） in Hainan Province, indexes for each research unit （i.e., the YCA index, ECA index, SCA index, CRCA index, CCA index, RYPA index, and SAR index） were established and calculated to determine the comparative advantage of watermelon and melon production in Hainan Province. A spatial expression of the research result on a map was conducted by using GIS software. [Result] Seven counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages in watermelon production, namely, Lingshui, Wanning, Wenchang, Dongfang, Sanya, Ledong, and Changjiang. The Eastern and Southern Hainan Provinces had CCAs, and the Western and Northern Hainan Provinces could be reserved for future development. For melon production, four counties （cities） exhibited comparative advantages, namely, Ledong, Lingshui, Sanya, and Dongfang. The Southern Hainan Province had CCA, whereas the West- ern Hainan Province could be reserved for later development. [Conclusion] The result has showed that establishing watermelon and melon as dominant agricultural prod- ucts is necessary for the future development of the industry and for the formulation of a layout of regions with advantages, where key support and construction should be provided preferentially with the aim to raise the yield, quality, and market com- petitiveness of products.

Inhibitory Effects of Original Nano-Cu_2O Drug and Nano-Cu_2O Suspension on Snake Melon Botrytis cinerea

The drug-containing culture medium method for the test of toxicity was adopted to compare inhibitive effects of original nano-Cu2O drug and nano-Cu2O suspension, and nano-Cu2O drug has better inhibitive effects on snake melon Botry- tis cinerea than original nano-Cu2O drug with the same mass concentration, and inhibitory effects are positively correlated with concentration. Correlation coefficients of the toxicity regression equation are 0.892 2 and 0.996 1, effective concentration EC50 of original nano-Cu2O drug and that of nano-Cu2O suspension are 3 948.9 and 167.9 mg/kg. Original nano-Cu2O drug has an inhibitive effect on snake melon Botrytis cinerea, but the inhibition of nano-Cu2O suspension is more obvious.

骨瓜提取物注射液联合唑来膦酸治疗原发性骨质疏松症的临床研究

目的探讨原发性骨质疏松症(OP)患者应用骨瓜提取物注射液联合唑来膦酸治疗的效果。方法回顾性选取2021年1月至2023年12月商丘市中医院收治的原发性OP患者90例为研究对象,根据治疗方案分为参考组(n=45,给予唑来膦酸治疗)、联合组(n=45,给予骨瓜提取物注射液联合唑来膦酸治疗)。比较两组临床疗效、骨密度、骨钙素N端中分子片段(N-MID)、25-羟维生素D[25(OH)D]、骨碱性磷酸酶(BAP)、抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶异体(TRACP-5b)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平,以及不良反应发生率。结果联合组总有效率95.56%较参考组77.78%高(P<0.05);联合组治疗后腰椎L1~L4、股骨颈、髋部骨密度均明显高于参考组(P<0.05);与参考组相比,联合组治疗后血清N-MID、25(OH)D、BAP水平较高,TRACP-5b水平较低(P<0.05);联合组治疗后血清IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α水平降低幅度大于参考组(P<0.05);联合组不良反应发生情况与参考组相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论骨瓜提取物注射液联合唑来膦酸对原发性OP患者治疗效果显著,可明显增加OP患者骨密度、改善骨代谢指标、降低血清炎症因子水平。

Co-Treatment of EFF and 1-MCP for Enhancing the Shelf-Life and Aroma Volatile Compounds of Oriental Sweet Melons(Cucumis melo var.makuwa Makino)

Compared to other melon types, oriental sweet melon （Cucumis melo var. makuwa Makino） is quite a different species with a shorter shelf-life due to its typical climacteric behavior and thin pericarp. The purpose of this experiment is to explore the effects of co- treatment of enhanced freshness formulation （EFF） and 1-methylcyclopropene （1-MCP） on physiological changes and the content of aroma volatile compounds introduced by them of two oriental sweet melon cultivars （Yumeiren and Tianbao） during storage. The melons were stored in incubators with temperature of 15~C and a relative humidity of 85% for 24 d during which fruit quality and related physiological index were measured. Compared to the control, both treatments delayed fruit weight loss rate and kept the fruit firmness, water content and soluble solids content. Ascorbate peroxidase （APX） and phenylalanine ammonia lyase （PAL） activities showed fluctuations in treated melons, while lipoxygenase （LOX） activity （P〈0.01） and malondialdehyde （MDA） content （P〈0.05） decreased compared to control. During the early stage of storage, alcohols and aldehydes were the main volatile compounds, and esters gradually increased during storage. Of all the esters, acetic esters were the main components, followed by oxalic acid esters and other esters. The total content of aroma volatile compounds, esters, alcohols and aldehydes of co-treated melons were all higher than those of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In addition, the aroma volatile peak of co-treated melons occurred later than that of 1-MCP treated and control melons. In summary, co-treatment of EFF and 1-MCP was more beneficial than 1-MCP treatment to delay ripening and senescence, maintain fruit quality, enhance shelf-life and improve levels of aroma volatile compounds.

Melon/偶氮二苯胺聚合物光催化制氢性能研究

氢气具有无污染、能量密度高等优点,是理想的能源载体。光催化分解水制氢是最理想的氢能获取方式之一。针对传统g-C3N4光催化制氢催化剂可见光吸收较窄的问题,通过逐步合成法将类似g-C3N4结构中构筑了偶氮基团,提高了材料的可见光利用效率,其光催化制氢性能得到明显提高。以三聚氰胺为原料制备Melon,进一步用KOH制备成盐,用PCl5氯代,最后与偶氮二苯胺反应得到Melon/偶氮二苯胺聚合物。研究了实验中温度、KOH溶液浓度和PCl5用量等因素对制备的影响,确定出最佳的实验条件。利用IR、XRD、SEM、TGA、EIS对最终产物进行了表征,对其光催化性能进行了测试。

Molecular and biological characterization of melon-infecting squash leaf curl China virus in China

It has been reported that squash leaf curl China virus(SLCCNV)infects some Cucurbitaceae crops except for melon(Cucumis melo L.).A new disease of melon exhibiting severe leaf curl and dwarfing was observed in Hainan Province of China.In this study,the pathogen was identified as SLCCNV through biological and molecular characterization.The isolate(SLCCNV-HN)possess a bipartite genome,DNA-A(HM566112.1)with the highest nucleotide identity(99%)to SLCCNV-Hn(MF062251.1)pumpkin and SLCCNV-Hn61(AM260205.1)squash isolates from China,whereas DNA-B(HM566113.1)with the highest nucleotide identity(99%)to SLCCNV-Hn(MF062252.1).Phylogenetic analyses based on the full-length SLCCNV-HN DNA-A and-B sequences indicated that SLCCNV-HN melon isolate is clustered with SLCCNV-Hn pumpkin,SLCCNV-Hn61 and SLCCNV-SY squash isolates from southern China,forming an independent cluster.Infectious clone of SLCCNV-HN was constructed and the melon plants were inoculated and the infection rate is 100%,the systemic symptoms in melon showed identical to those of melon plants infected in fields.Additionally,melon plants transmission of this virus by Bemisia tabaci with a transmission rate of 95%(19/20)showed leaf curl and dwarf symptoms 15 days post transmission,thereby fulfilling Koch’s postulates.Analysis of genomic organization and phylogenetic trees indicated that SLCCNV-HN melon isolate belongs to the Begomovirus genus.To the best of our knowledge,this is the first characterization of meloninfecting SLCCNV through its genome,infectious clone and transmission.

Firmness evaluation of melon using its vibration characteristic and finite element analysis

The “Huang gua” melons were measured for their physical properties including firmness and static elastic modulus. The vibrational characteristics of fruits and vegetables are governed by their elastic modulus (firmness), mass, and geometry. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate firmness of fruits and vegetables based on their vibrational characteristics. Analysis of the vibration responses of a fruit is suggested for measuring elastic properties (Firmness) non-destructively. The impulse response method is often used to measure firmness of fruits. The fruit was excited using three types of balls (wooden, steel and rubber) and the vibration is detected by an accelerometer. The Instron device was used to measure the static elastic modulus of the inner, middle and outer portions of melon flesh. Finite element (FE) technique was used to determine the optimum excitation location of the chosen measurement sensor and to analyze the mode shape fruits. Four types of mode shapes (torsional or flexural mode shape, first-type, second-type spherical mode and breathing mode shape) were found. Finite element simulation results agreed well with experimental results. Correlation between the firmness and resonant frequency (r2=0.91) and between the resonant frequency and stiffness factor (r2=0.74) existed. The optimum location and suitable direction for excitation and response measurement on the fruit were suggested.

Changes in Metabolite Contents in Melon Seedling Leaves under Low Temperature Stress

In this study, Zaotian No.l, a major melon cultivar in Anhui Province, was used as the test material. At the three-leaf stage, the seedlings of Zaotian No.1 were transferred into a light incubator at day/night temperature of 5 ℃（3/5 ℃. The photoperiod was 12 L：12 D, and the light intensity was 100 iJmoV（rn=.s）. The incu- bation lasted for 8 d. After the incubation, the changes in metabolite contents in melon seedling leaves were studied. The results showed that with the proceeding of low temperature stress, the H~ content was increased first and then decreased; the MDA content was increased in overall; the soluble sugar content and soluble protein content were also increased compared with those in the control group. It was speculated that low temperature stress affected activities of enzymes in melon seedling leaves, and long-term low temperature stress caused cold damage to melon seedlings, leading changes in metabolite contents in melon seedling leaves. Under low temperature stress, the physiological characteristics of plant can be studied by investigating changes in contents of main metabolites. This will provide a theo- retical basis for breeding of cold resistant cultivars, as well as facility cultivation.

Cloning and Expression Analysis of Downy Mildew Resistance-Related cDNA Sequences in Melon

Melon downy mildew caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis leads to significant losses in melon yields worldwide. Reverse-transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction （RT-PCR） was performed using cDNAs as templates from melon-Huangdanzi induced with fungus Pseudoperonospora cubensis, and degenerate primers designed based on the conserved amino acid sequences of known plant disease-resistance genes. A polymorphic cDNA fragment which we named rap-19 was cloned and sequenced. The Open Reading Frame （ORF） of this product comprised of 510 base pairs which encodes DNA or RNA-binding protein with 170 amino acids. The putative amino acid sequence of mp-19 appeared highly homologous with those of NBS-type resistant-genes isolated from other plants. Southern blot indicated that the melon genome contained more than 3 copies of rap-19. The obvious expression differences detected by semi-quantitative RT- PCR could be observed between resistant-line Huangdanzi and susceptible-line Jiashi after Pseudoperonospora cubensis infection, which implied that mp-19 gene may be related to the resistance of downy mildew in melon.

Transcriptome and metabolomics analysis revealed that CmWRKY49 regulating CmPSY1 promotes β-carotene accumulation in orange fleshed oriental melon

The flesh color of oriental melons is an important commercial trait that affects consumer preferences.To explore the mechanisms underlying the flesh color formation and regulation during fruit ripening,carotenoid-targeted metabolomic and RNA-seq analysis were conducted between white-fleshed(WF) and orange-fleshed(OF) oriental melon cultivars at different stages.The carotenoid-targeted metabolomic analysis indicated that β-carotene was the major metabolite that caused differences in flesh color between the two cultivars.Additionally,through KEGG pathway enrichment and weighted gene co-expression network(WGCNA) analysis,metabolic pathways and related transcription factors that are associated with carotenoid metabolism were selected and transcriptome data was verified using RT-qPCR.Finally,the yeast one hybrid and luciferase activity showed that the transcription factor CmWRKY49 could directly bind to the CmPSY1 promoter to activate its expression in the ’OF’ cultivar.Transient overexpression of CmWRKY49 in ’OF’ cultivar increased the β-carotene content,while the β-carotene content decreased when it was silenced in the same cultivar.This study provides insights into the underlying regulatory network of carotenoid metabolism in oriental melon fruit.

Evaluation of Maturity and Flavor of Melons Using an Electronic Nose

In this work,an electronic nose was used to evaluate the different cultivars and mature stages of melons,so as to establish a scientific method to accurately distinguish the maturity and varieties of melons. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA ) showed that immature melons could be well distinguished from mature melons using electronic nose. When PCA method was used to analyze,electronic nose could completely classify and identify the maturity of melons. Meanwhile,the electronic nose could distinguish different varieties of melons with high discrimination value. The flavor of samples under cut or no cut conditions would slightly change,leading to the variation of discrimination value among different varieties. The samples with similar flavor under no cut condition could be analyzed through cutting mode. The research built a rapid and accurate method to judge the maturity of melons instead of man sense.

Inhibitive Mechanisms of Two Silicon Compounds on Powdery Mildew of Melon

Seedlings of Yujinxiang melon were used to investigate the effect and inhibitive mechanism of sodium silicate and nanosized silicon oxide on powdery mildew. The results showed that the severity of powdery mildew on melon seedlings was lowered significantly by treatment with either of the two silicon compounds, although the effect of sodium silicate was more powerful than silicon oxide. Application of sodium silicate to the seedlings caused significant increases in the activity of peroxidase (POD) and of β-1,3-glucosidase (GLU), both enzymes are known to be associated with the disease defence systems of plants. SEM-EDX analysis of sodium silicate-treated leaves of the melon seedlings showed an elevated level of silicon deposit at stomata and epidermis. Treatment with nanosized silicon oxide also resulted in a similar increase in silicon deposit, but the treatment did not cause a significant increase in POD activity.

Extraction of Flavonoids from Bitter Melon

Bitter melon, Momordica charantia L, is a popular traditional medicinal fruit in tropical and subtropical countries. It has been linked with therapeutic effects, some of which are likely due to its flavonoids. To determine its total flavonoid content (TFC) and to prepare extracts for use as nutritional supplements or ingredients for nutraceutical functional foods, various solvents have been used, including water, which is the preferred solvent because it is inexpensive, safe and environmentally friendly. The study aimed to extract bitter melon, using five solvents (ethanol, methanol, n-butanol, acetone and water) before and after the optimal conditions for water were determined in terms of extraction temperature, time, ratio of water to bitter melon (mL/g) and number of times the same material was extracted. The TFC of six varieties of bitter melon was also determined. Acetone was the best of the five solvents for extracting flavonoids from the Moonlight variety (23.2 mg Rutin Equivalents (RE)/g). Even after increasing the extraction by 88% (1.24 vs 0.66 mg RE/g) using optimised conditions for the aqueous extraction (two extractions at 40℃ for 15 min at a ratio of 100:1 mL/g of bitter melon powder), the flavonoids extracted from the Moonlight variety using water was very little (5.4%) compared to acetone. Furthermore, using acetone, it was shown that the Moonlight variety (23.2 mg RE/g) bought at a local market had higher levels of flavonoids than the greenhouse-grown Jade (15.3 mg RE/g), Niddhi (16.9 mg RE/g), Indra (15.0 mg RE/ g), Hanuman (3.9 mg RE/g) and White (6.9 mg RE/g) varieties. Therefore, acetone was the best solvent for extracting flavonoids from bitter melon and the aqueous extraction could only be improved to extract 5.4% of the flavonoids extracted with acetone from the Moonlight variety, which had the highest TFC of the six varieties of bitter melon.

Comparison of antioxidant capacity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity between bitter melon(Momardica charanti) fruit and leaf extract

Objective:To compare the physiologically active substances,antioxidant and anti diabetic activities in vitro of bitter melon fruit and leaf extract.Methods:Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured using spectrophotometrically by gallic acid and catechin standard curves,respectively.The radical-scavenging potential of bitter melon fruit and leaf extract were measured by DPPH,ABTS and hydroxyl radical scavenging ability and reducing power and anti-diabetic ability was evaluated byα-glucosidase activity.Results:It was confirmed that the bitter melon leaf contained more total polyphenols and flavonoidsthan bitter melon fruits.Bitter melon leaf extract contained 2.8-fold and 4.9-fold higher total polyphenols and flavonoids than bitter melon fruits,respectively.The DPPH radical scavenging activity of bitter melon leaf was 5.81-and 5.70-fold higherthan that of the bitter melon frui,based on200μg/mL and 400μg/mL of the extract,respectively.In ABTS,hydroxyl radical scavenging ability and reducing power,the bitter melon leaf extract all showed higher antioxidant capacity than the bitter melon fruit.Bitter melon fruit showed 2.52-and 2.63-fold higherα-glucosidase inhibitory activity than bitter melon leaf extract at 200μg/mL and 400μg/mL,respectively.Conclusions:Based on our results,bitter melon may improve antidiabetic effects by upreguatingα-glycosidase activity.Even,bitter melon leaf extract shows higher antioxidant potential than its fruit but bitter melon leaf extract does not show higherα-glucosidase inhibitory potential than bitter melon fruit.The overall results support that bitter melon fruit and leaf may have specific torget effects on antidiabetic and antioxidant,respectively.

Influence of Climatic Conditions on Planting of Hami Melon

Climate warming has made the planting area of Hami melon expand northward to Barry Bakai Town,Altay City,near 47° N. Climate events often induce the occurrence of pests and diseases in crops,affecting the steady production of Hami melon. In 2013,pests and diseases occurred seriously,resulting in low yield and poor quality of Hami melon. Based on the production survey data of Hami melon in recent20 years,the interaction of various meteorological factors in different time and different intervals of various factors was analyzed in this paper to explore the characteristics of the meteorological factors that cause diseases and influence the quality of Hami melon.

Effect of Different Pretreatments on Explosion Puffing Drying of Hami Melon at Modified Temperature and Pressure in Xinjiang

This paper studies the influence of three different pretreatments( blanching,citric acid soaking,and Na Cl soaking) on the moisture content,degree of puffing,color,hardness and crispness of Hami melon under explosion puffing drying at modified temperature and pressure in Xinjiang. The results show that using 60 s blanching pretreatment can help to reduce the moisture content of puffed product while maintaining product color; 2. 5% citric acid pretreatment can make products maintain high degree of puffing and crispness,but reduce product color; 2%Na Cl penetrating fluid plays a significant role in maintaining product color,while maintaining crispness.

Comparative Analysis of Gene Expression in Two Muskmelon Cultivars(Cucumis melo L.) Under Salt Stress

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses that adversely affects crop growth and productivity. A subtractive suppression hybridization （SSH） library were constructed from the roots of salt-sensitive Yulu cultivar melon seedlings under salt stress; 557 high-quality expressed sequence tags （ESTs） were randomly sequenced, with an average size of 428 bp, which assembled into 68 contigs and 315 singletons. Compared with our previous SSH library generated from the salt-tolerant Bingxuecui cultivar, the proportion of transcripts involved in metabolism, protein fate, cellular communication/signal transduction mechanisms, and cell rescue/defense were 4, 1.46, 0.94, and 0.4% higher, respectively, in the salt-tolerant cultivar than the in salt-sensitive cultivar. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis of eleven transcripts revealed temporal variations in their expression in the two cultivars under salt stress. One NAC gene （JZ477011） was heterologously expressed in yeast for functional characterization, and enhanced the sensitivity of yeast cells to high-salinity to salt stress and inhibited their growth. Information regards to their functions would aid in the understanding of response mechanisms to saline stress and in the development of molecular markers for selecting salt-tolerant melon cultivars.

Breeding melon(Cucumis melo)with resistance to powdery mildew and downy mildew

Melon(Cucumis melo L.)production is often restricted by a plethora of pests and diseases,including powdery mildew and downy mildew caused respectively by the fungal species Podosphaera xanthii/Golovinomyces orontii and oomycete species Pseudoperonospora cubensis.Many efforts have been directed on identification of resistant sources by screening(wild)melon germplasm.In the current review,we summarized such efforts from various publications of the last 50 plus years.Resistance to powdery mildew has been identified in 239 melon accessions and downy mildew resistance in 452 accessions of both C.melo and the wild relative species C.figarei.Among the resistance sources,C.melo var.cantalupensis accessions PMR 45,PMR 5,PMR 6,and WMR 29 as well as C.melo var.momordica accessions PI 124111,PI 124112,and PI 414723 have been considered as the most valuable germplasm because multiple resistance genes have been identified from these accessions and are widely used in melon resistance breeding.Further genetic mapping in a number of resistant sources has enabled identification of 25 dominant genes,two recessive genes and seven QTLs conferring powdery mildew resistance,as well as eight dominant genes and 11 QTLs for downy mildew resistances.Based on the reported sequences of associated markers,we anchored physically(many of)these genes and QTLs to chromosomes of the melon cv.DHL92 genome.In addition to presenting a comprehensive overview on powdery mildew and downy mildew resistance in(wild)melon germplasm,we suggest strategies aiming at breeding melon with durable and broad-spectrum resistance to pathogens and pests.