Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn endophytic fungi mediated silver nanoparticles induce growth, bioactive compounds and metabolic changes in P. praeruptorum

Currently, functional phytochemicals of natural origin from medicinal plants are relatively limited. Many studies indicated that nanoparticles can boost the production of secondary metabolites. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of eco-friendly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the growth and productivity of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn. Initially, the AgNPs were synthesized by an endophytic fungus Diaporthe zaofenghuang from P. praeruptorum and their physicochemical attributes were identified, including their spherical shape, size ranging from 40 to 80 nm in diameter, and the presence of reducing-capping groups such as hydroxyl, carbonyl and phenolic. Following this, six-week-old P. praeruptorum seedlings were sprayed with AgNPs at 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg L−1 for 50 days. Compared with untreated and higher dose AgNPs-treated seedlings, the application of 12.5 mg L−1 AgNPs significantly improved plant performance (chlorophyll contents, root/shoot length, and the fresh/dry weights), and increased antioxidant enzyme activities and accumulation of non-enzymatic antioxidants (total phenols, flavonoids, and praeruptorin A and B). Further, metabolomic analysis unveiled that the AgNPs induced metabolic reprogramming in P. praeruptorum. Among these changes, tyrosine exhibited a significant down-regulation, likely influencing the synthesis of imperatorin which has been shown to be an important coumarin marker in P. praeruptorum. The findings suggest the usefulness of AgNPs in the breeding of P. praeruptorum can regulate the production of bioactive compounds, which can enhance the medicinal quality of crude drugs derived from P. praeruptorum. [Display omitted] •The green synthesis of AgNPs using endophytic fungi extract of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn which are cost effective and ecofriendly.•A characterization study was done on environmentally friendly silver nanoparticles.•Effect of silver nanoparticles on Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn growth is dose-dependent.•Silver nanoparticles regulate the plant growth and coumarin compounds via trace amounts of oxidative stress induction.•Silver nanoparticles application induced metabolic reprogramming in Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn.