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Salicylic acid (SA) plays a crucial role as a hormone in plants and belongs to the group of phenolic compounds. Our objective was to determine the optimal concentration of SA for enhancing the production of bioactive compounds in Agastache rugosa plants while maintaining optimal plant growth. The plants underwent SA soaking treatments at different concentrations (i.e., 0, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 μmol mol-1) for 10 min at 7 days after they were transplanted. We observed that elevated levels of SA at 800 and 1600 μmol mol-1 induced oxidative stress, leading to a significant reduction across many plant growth variables, including leaf length, width, number, area, shoot fresh weight (FW), stem FW and length, and whole plant dry weights (DW) compared with that in the control plants. Additionally, the treatment with 1600 μmol mol-1 SA resulted in the lowest values of flower branch number, FW and DW of flowers, and DW of leaf, stem, and root. Conversely, applying 400 μmol mol-1 SA resulted in the greatest increase of chlorophyll (Chl) a and b, total Chl, total flavonoid, total carotenoid, and SPAD values. The photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance decreased with increased SA concentrations (i.e., 800 and 1600 μmol mol-1). Furthermore, the higher SA treatments (i.e., 400, 800, and 1600 μmol mol-1) enhanced the phenolic contents, and almost all SA treatments increased the antioxidant capacity. The rosmarinic acid content peaked under 200 μmol mol-1 SA treatment. However, under 400 μmol mol-1 SA, tilianin and acacetin contents reached their highest levels. These findings demonstrate that immersing the roots in 200 and 400 μmol mol-1 SA enhances the production of bioactive compounds in hydroponically cultivated A. rugosa without compromising plant growth. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the impact of SA on A. rugosa and its potential implications for medicinal plant cultivation and phytochemical production.

Aim: To study the effect of rebamipide added to semen samples and cryoprotectant on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production., Methods: Semen samples from 30 fertile and healthy volunteers were collected by masturbation after 2 days approximately 3 days of abstinence. After liquefaction, the specimens were diluted with sperm wash media to a uniform density of 20 x 10(6)/mL. Rebamipide was added to semen samples and cryoprotectant to a final concentration of 10 micromol/L, 30 micromol/L, 100 micromol/L or 300 micromol/L. Specimens were incubated at 37 degree C in a 0.5 % CO(2) incubator for 1 h or cryopreserved at -196 degree C LN(2) for 3 days. The sperm motility and viability and the levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation of sperm membrance were assessed before and after incubation and cryopreservation by means of computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid assay, respectively., Results: The sperm motility was significantly increased after incubation with 100 micromol/L and 300 micromol/L rebamipide (P<0.05). After cryopreservation, the sperm motility was significantly decreased in all concentrations (P<0.05), but the decrease was less with 100 micromol/L and 300 micromol/L rebamipide than that with other concentrations. The sperm viability showed no significant difference before and after incubation (P>0.05). The levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation in semen were significantly decreased in proportion to the concentrations of rebamipide both after incubation and cryopreservation (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Rebamipide is an effective free radical scavenger in semen in vitro.