In vitro iron nanoparticles modulate ginsenoside biosynthesis and trigger ROS-mediated stress response in ginseng adventitious roots
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background Enhancing ginsenoside accumulation is essential for improving the medicinal quality of Panax ginseng . Although iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) have emerged as promising elicitors of secondary metabolism, their specific effects on ginsenoside biosynthesis remains elusive. Methods Ginseng adventitious roots were treated with Fe-NP treatment in comparison with a conventional iron source (Fe 3 O 4 ). Physiological responses, ginsenoside profiles, and the expression of key biosynthetic and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related genes were analyzed to compare elicitation efficiency and potential toxicity. Results At a lower concentration (10 ϻM), Fe-NP concentrations markedly induced key ginsenoside-biosynthetic genes and increased total ginsenoside content by 14-16%, whereas equivalent concentrations of Fe 3 O 4 caused no significant metabolic changes, demonstrating the superior elicitation efficiency of the nanoparticle formulation. In contrast, higher Fe-NP doses (50-100 μM) caused iron toxicity and suppressed ginsenoside accumulation, likely through excessive ROS generation as supported by strong induction of ROS-detoxification genes. Notably, ginsenoside Re levels increased under iron stress, suggesting a potential antioxidative role. Conclusion Overall, our findings reveal a dose-dependent dual effect of Fe-NPs, promoting ginsenoside biosynthesis at optimal doses while triggering ROS-mediated suppression at higher levels, and highlight the importance of precise Fe-NP dosage optimization for biotechnological applications.
Source: Journal of Ginseng Research
Institutions: Chonnam National University, Mongolian Academy of Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funders: National Research Foundation, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Rural Development Administration, Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, National Research Foundation of Korea, National Key Research and Development Program of China
OpenAlex ID: W7196924936