An introduction to the conservation physiology of bryophytes is given. The insights into the problems, solutions and examples of the physiological approach to conservation within bryophyte representatives are discussed. The significance of experimental treatments of bryophytes is highlighted. The documentation of bryophyte functional traits and eco-physiological mechanisms in the conservation background for protection purposes is highlighted by the selected examples. The introduction of bryophytes into a new scientific field is resumed and some insights from specific case studies are presented.

The rare moss species Hennediella heimii (Pottiaceae) was established in in vitro culture. Various treatments were tested to achieve axenical cultures. The most effective sterilising procedure was NaDCC treatment of sporophytes, keeping the spore viability and giving high disposal of xenic cohabiting organisms. The effects of plant growth regulators were studied regarding new shoot formation, i.e. bud formation on the protonemal filaments and protonemal patch size. Low concentrations of cytokinin and medium concentrations of auxin are shown to increase protonemal patch size and shoot production. Multiplication of H. heimii was observed to occur spontaneously on BCD medium type, but to achieve better and rapid biomass production and development it is suggested to grow it on a BCD medium enriched with auxin and cytokinin combined.

The biological features of the recently described peculiar and rare pottioid moss species Pterygoneurum sibiricum have been studied. A conservation physiology approach through in vitro axenic establishment and laboratory-controlled tests was applied to learn more about its development, physiology, and ecology. Additionally, ex situ collection for this species was established, and a micropropagation methodology was developed. The results obtained clearly document its reaction to salt stress in contrast to its sibling bryo-halophyte species P. kozlovii. The reaction to exogenously applied plant growth regulators, auxin and cytokinin, can be used in the different moss propagation phases of this species or for target structure production and development. Inference to the poorly known ecology of this species should also help in recent species records, and thus improve knowledge about its distribution and conservation.

Bryophytes represent the second largest group of land plants and play key ecological roles in colonisation, water regulation, and habitat formation. In addition to their ecological significance, they are also a rich source of biologically active compounds with potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. However, bryophytes remain challenging to cultivate under controlled, particularly axenic conditions, due to their slow growth, strict ecological requirements, and the limited knowledge of their nutritional and reproductive biology, particularly in less common species. As a result, only a small fraction of species have been successfully maintained in axenic culture, and information on cultivation methods is scattered and often overlooked. To bridge this gap, we conducted an in-depth survey of the published literature on axenically cultivated bryophytes, compiled a comprehensive check?list with references to the original sources, and highlighted emerging model species. This checklist and literature database provide a valuable resource by consolidating dispersed knowledge, serving both as a foundation for future studies in bryophyte biology and conservation and as a platform to expand their biotechnological potential.

Neuroinflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, and there is increasing interest in identifying natural compounds with anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological activities of ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts from five moss species (Dicranum scoparium, Fontinalis antipyretica, Hypnum cupressiforme, Polytrichum formosum, and Tortella tortuosa) with a focus on their neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory potential. Phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of phenols (up to 24.77 mg GAE/g), phenolic acids (up to 235.48 mg CAE/g), and triterpenoids (up to 367.98 mg UAE/g). A series of in vitro assays, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tyrosinase inhibition, MTT, NBT, Griess, and ELISA, were used to assess their bioactivity. Several extracts, particularly ethanolic, significantly inhibited AChE activity, while tyrosinase inhibition was moderate and concentration-dependent. Most extracts maintained >85% cell metabolic activity in BV2 mouse microglia and L929 mouse fibroblasts. Moss extracts significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in BV2 cells and reduced microglia-mediated neurotoxicity in undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells. These findings indicate that moss-derived extracts possess promising anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective properties that warrant further investigation.