Allochrusa gypsophiloides is a rare Central Asian species, a super-producer of triterpene saponins with pharmacological and technical value. In this work, a comparative evaluation of the in vitro culture of adventitious roots (ARs), in vitro adventitious microshoots (ASs), natural roots and aboveground parts of wild plants from Kazakhstan to define the total saponin (TS), phenol (TP) and flavonoid (TF) content, as well as antioxidant (AOA) and antimicrobial activity, is presented for the first time. In the AR culture, growth index (GI), TS, TP and TF were evaluated on days 25, 45 and 60 of cultivation on ½ MS medium without (control) and with auxin application. It was found out that TS and TF were higher in the in vitro AR culture. The amount of TP and TF are higher in the aerial part of vegetative plants with maximum AOA. The concentration of the extract required to inhibit 50% of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical formation (ICO₅₀) in extracts from natural material negatively correlated with TS, TP, TF and in the in vitro AR culture with TF. Control extracts from the in vitro AR culture with high TS levels showed growth-inhibitory activity against S. thermophillus, S. cerevisiae and C. albicans. The influence shares of medium composition factor, cultivation duration factor and their interaction with GI, TS, TP and TF were determined. The in vitro AR culture is promising for obtaining triterpene saponins TSR with high antibacterial and antifungal activity, and the in vitro ASs culture—for shoot multiplication with antioxidant properties.

Allochrusa gypsophiloides (Regel) Schischk. (Caryophyllaceae Juss.), туркестанский мыльный корень (ТМК), среднеазиатский эндемик, имеет коммерческую ценность как источник тритерпеновых сапонинов. Спектрофотометрическое определение сапонинов в пересчете на олеаноловую кислоту проводили в корнях и в надземной части дикорастущих растений, собранных в ходе вегетации на юге Казахстана. Проведена оценка уровня сапонинов, фенолов и флавоноидов в семенах, надземной части и в корнях ТМК. Выявлено преобладание количества сапонинов в следующем порядке возрастания: семена – надземная часть – корень. Установлено повышение уровня сапонинов в корнях в ходе вегетации с максимальным показателем (9.6%) в период плодоношения. Выявлено высокое содержание сапонинов (6%) в надземной части в период цветения с последующим двукратным понижением к концу вегетации. Определена антиоксидантная активность и показатель пенообразования у суммарных этанольных экстрактов из исходного и депонированного растительного сырья. Максимальной антиоксидантной активностью (35.5%) и антирадикальными свойствами (IC₅₀ 1480) в тест-системах in vitro обладали экстракты из надземной части ТМК с наибольшим содержанием флавоноидов и фенолов. Выявлено, что длительное хранение корней способствует повышению в них уровня сапонинов и значительному усилению их поверхностно-активных свойств. Полученные данные свидетельствуют о возможности альтернативного использования надземной части исходных растений Allochrysa gypsophiloides в период цветения в качестве источника для получения тритерпеновых сапонинов и фенольных веществ с антиоксидантной активностью.

Allochrusa gypsophiloides (Regel) Schischk. (Caryophyllaceae Juss.), Turkestan soaproot (TSR) is a super producer of triterpene saponins with a wide spectrum of pharmacological activity and high surface-active properties. The realization of his full commercial potential requires biochemical studies with a focus on the metabolites dynamics at various phases of plant development and in connection with the storage duration of raw plant material. Spectrophotometric determination of saponins in terms of oleanolic acid was carried out in roots with different morphometric parameters and the aerial part from wild plants collected in the south of Kazakhstan. The content of saponins, carbohydrates, phenols, and flavonoids as well as the foaming properties of ethanol extracts obtained from air-dried TSR roots before and after their long-term storage were evaluated. The maximum quantity of saponins was revealed in average roots from middle-aged and mature generative plants in fruiting. A high level of saponins was detected in the aerial part of plants during the flowering, which decreased twice at the fruiting stage. After long-term storage of the roots, an increase in the initial content of saponins and flavonoids combined with a decrease in carbohydrates was noted. Saponins accumulation was confirmed by a 12-fold increase in the foaming index in the aqueous extract from the deposited roots relative to its initial value in the extract from the original roots. The data obtained indicate the possibility of alternative use of the aerial part of the original plants of A. gypsophiloides at the flowering stage to obtain triterpene saponins.

The relationship between root morphometry, growth stages, and total saponin content (TS) by a vanillin-sulfuric acid method in the wild-growing Gypsophila paniculata (n 43), G. perfoliata (n 35), and Acanthophyllum pungens (n 47) from southeastern Kazakhstan was studied and a preliminary assessment of their inhibitory activity against Bacillus sp., Erwinia amylovora, Agrobacterium sp., Fusarium sp., and Aspergillus niger was conducted by the disk-diffusion method. ANOVA and correlation analysis of root parameters and TS content during the vegetation revealed: G. perfoliata exhibited consistent TS level and similar root indices during all phases; G. paniculata showed maximum TS at the flowering coinciding with minimal root diameter values; A. pungens—high TS accumulation and high root growth indices at the end of the vegetation. The differences among species indicate varying root growth dynamics during the growing season, which influence the TS accumulation. The variability in morphometry and TS at separately phase of growth may be associated with intrapopulation heterogeneity. The antibacterial activity of the extracts (10:1) varied depending on the target bacterial species and the extract dose. Gypsophila extracts did not differ in their activity against G+ Bacillus sp., G– Er. amylovora, and Fusarium sp. The A. pungens activity range additionally included G-Agrobacterium sp. and Aspergillus niger. These results may serve as a basis for further study of these species as promising sources of saponins with antimicrobial activity.

The flora of Kazakhstan is characterized by a rich diversity of useful plants containing various biologically active compounds, including saponins. The high biological activity of saponins and their protective role against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms make saponin-bearing plants promising sources for the development of domestic phyto products. The aim of this study was to identify promisingly saponin-containing plants of the family Caryophyllaceae in the desert regions of southeastern Kazakhstan as potential sources of plant raw materials to produce effective and safe domestic biological products. The objects of the study included promisingly saponin-containing species of the genera Acanthophyllum C. A. Mey. and Gypsophila L. (family Caryophyllaceae) and their natural populations. The family Caryophyllaceae in the flora of Kazakhstan comprises 224 species from 33 genera, among which 97 species from 22 genera have been found to contain saponins. The largest number of saponin-bearing species (about 79.4 %) is concentrated in seven leading genera of this family: Acanthophyllum C. A. Mey., Minuartia Loefl., Stellaria L., Cerastium Tourn. ex L., Dianthus L., Gypsophila L., and Silene L. Analysis of the distribution and habitats of species of the leading genera showed that representatives of the genera Acanthophyllum C. A. Mey. and Gypsophila L. grow in desert and steppe regions of Kazakhstan, including sandy areas, solonetz soils, steppes, sandy meadows, salt marshes, and fields. As a result of the study, five new localities of populations of promising saponin-containing plants of the family Caryophyllaceae were identified in the arid territories of southeastern Kazakhstan for the first time. A phytocoenotic characterization was provided, and a distribution map of these populations was compiled. It was established that native plant communities are subjected to anthropogenic pressure and excessive grazing load. For further monitoring and collection of plant material for phytochemical studies, two populations are considered the most promising: the Taukum population of G. paniculata and the population of A. pungens in the foothills of the Bala Bogety Mountains. Plant raw materials of Acanthophyllum C. A. Mey. and Gypsophila L. collected at different vegetation stages will allow the selection of promising sources with a high saponin amount.

Malacocarpus crithmifolius is an endangered rare relict with small size populations grown in a limited area. The purpose of this study was to initiate in vitro and micro replication of Malacocarpus crithmifolius. The vegetative and reproductive explants and Murashige & Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of cytokinin and auxins were used. The response reaction of different explants and the plant growth regulators' effects on shooting frequency, the number of shoots, callusogenesis, and rooting percent were investigated. Culturing generative explants on the MS medium containing 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) combined with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or indole-butyric acid (IBA) led to direct shoot regeneration. The bud mass appeared in the leaf axil under inflorescences after one week of cultivation on the initiated medium. The replication was reached by micro-cutting of induced additional shoots and 3-fold passaging them on the fresh mediums. The average multiplication result at MS with BAP in combination with 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or IAA composed 5.85 after three months of cultivation. In conclusion, the applicable explant and phytohormonal composition of nutrient medium for initiation and micropropagation of M. crithmifolius were developed.