Alum Esther Ugo, Obasi David Chukwu, Abba Jacinta Nnennaya, Aniokete Ugonna Cassandra, Okoroh Prince Nkemakolam, Paul-Chima Ugwu Okechukwu, Uti Daniel Ejim
Department of Research and Publications, Kampala International University, Main Campus, P. O. Box 20000, Kampala, Uganda.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Biochem Biophys Rep. 2025 Jun 27;43:102114. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2025.102114. eCollection 2025 Sep.
Endogenous plant signals, including phytohormones, secondary metabolites, and volatile organic compounds, play pivotal roles in plant growth, defense, and ecological interactions. Signals are crucial in plant responses to both biotic and abiotic stressors, as well as in the biosynthesis of therapeutic compounds. Jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and ethylene are crucial signaling molecules that regulate internal and external communication, including herbivore defense and microbial interactions. Volatile organic compounds further enable plant-plant communication and ecological resilience. Increasing evidence links these signaling pathways to the production of compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties in humans, bridging plant ecology with human health. This narrative review was conducted through integrative thematic synthesis of peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2025, using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Articles were selected based on their relevance to the molecular mechanisms, ecological roles, and therapeutic implications of endogenous plant signals. Emphasis was placed on interdisciplinary studies spanning molecular biology, pharmacology, and systems ecology. This review explores recent advancements in plant signals' molecular and ecological roles, emphasizing their importance in sustainable agriculture, drug discovery, and functional foods. Signaling networks' complexity necessitates interdisciplinary strategies involving molecular biology, systems ecology, and pharmacology, which can be harnessed through biotechnology and systems-based research for therapeutic and ecological innovations.
包括植物激素、次生代谢产物和挥发性有机化合物在内的内源性植物信号在植物生长、防御及生态相互作用中发挥着关键作用。信号在植物对生物和非生物胁迫的反应以及治疗性化合物的生物合成中至关重要。茉莉酸、水杨酸和乙烯是关键的信号分子，可调节内部和外部通讯，包括对食草动物的防御和微生物相互作用。挥发性有机化合物进一步促进了植物间的通讯和生态恢复力。越来越多的证据将这些信号通路与人类体内具有抗氧化、抗炎和抗癌特性化合物的产生联系起来，架起了植物生态学与人类健康之间的桥梁。本叙述性综述通过对2015年至2025年间发表的同行评审文献进行综合主题合成完成，使用了PubMed、Scopus和ScienceDirect等数据库。文章根据其与内源性植物信号的分子机制、生态作用和治疗意义的相关性进行选择。重点关注跨分子生物学、药理学和系统生态学的跨学科研究。本综述探讨了植物信号分子和生态作用的最新进展，强调了它们在可持续农业、药物发现和功能性食品中的重要性。信号网络的复杂性需要涉及分子生物学、系统生态学和药理学的跨学科策略，这些策略可通过生物技术和基于系统的研究用于治疗和生态创新。
