Plants exhibit remarkable adaptability to environmental stresses, with epigenetic modifications playing a key role in stress memory and adaptation. This review explores how epigenetic mechanisms influence hormonal regulation in plants, shaping growth, development, and stress responses. Specifically, we focus on the roles of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small RNAs in modulating auxin, abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA), and jasmonic acid (JA) pathways. These pathways influence the plant’s ability to cope with abiotic and biotic stresses and can be inherited by progeny, enhancing stress resilience across generations. By understanding the epigenetic regulation of these hormones, we aim to provide insights into how epigenetic priming can be harnessed in crop improvement to address the challenges posed by climate change.

Background: Plants face a wide range of environmental stresses that disrupt growth and productivity. To survive and adapt, they undergo complex metabolic reprogramming by redirecting carbon and nitrogen fluxes toward the biosynthesis of protective secondary metabolites such as phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, and lignin. Recent research has revealed that these stress-induced metabolic processes are tightly regulated by epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs. Methods: This review synthesizes current findings from studies on both model and crop plants, examining the roles of key epigenetic regulators in controlling secondary metabolism under stress. Special focus is placed on dynamic changes in DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and the action of small RNAs such as siRNAs and miRNAs in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Results: Evidence indicates that stress triggers rapid and reversible epigenetic modifications that modulate gene expression linked to secondary metabolic pathways. These modifications not only facilitate immediate metabolic responses but can also contribute to stress memory. In some cases, this memory is retained and transmitted to the next generation, influencing progeny stress responses. However, critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly concerning the temporal dynamics, tissue specificity, and long-term stability of these epigenetic marks in crops. Conclusions: Understanding how epigenetic regulation governs secondary metabolite production offers promising avenues to enhance crop resilience and productivity in the context of climate change. Future research should prioritize dissecting the stability and heritability of these modifications to support the development of epigenetically informed breeding strategies.

In traditional medicine, plants are widely utilized as sources of bioactive compounds for treating various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the secondary metabolite composition, antioxidant properties, and antimicrobial effects of 38 medicinal plants commonly used in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Plants were collected from natural habitats, and dried plant material from different organs, selected based on their traditional medicinal use, was used for the extraction of bioactive compounds with 80% ethanol. The extracts were analysed for phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content, as well as antioxidant capacity (using DPPH and FRAP assays) and antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of all 38 plants was initially screened using the disc diffusion method. For plants showing significant antimicrobial activity (inhibition zones > 20 mm), the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. All analysed plants exhibited high phenolic content, with Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Filipendula vulgaris flower extract, and Rubus plicatus leaf extract containing over 300 mg GAE/g DW. According to the DPPH assay, high antioxidant capacity was observed in extracts from the leaves of Fragaria vesca, Prunus armeniaca, Rubus plicatus, and R. ideus, as well as in Rosa canina fruit and Filipendula vulgaris flower extracts, with values reaching 702.39 mg TE/g DW. Among the 38 tested plants, 16 exhibited high antimicrobial activity with inhibition zones greater than 20 mm. To ensure both the efficacy and safety of these plants, further studies on their toxicity, particularly dose-dependent toxicity, are necessary.

The objective of this study was the analysis of materials used in five Oriental manuscripts from Bosnia and Herzegovina dating from the 15th - 19th century. The manuscripts were examined using various analytical techniques ranging from a series of preliminary tests (visual inspection, microchemical tests, thin layer chromatography (TLC), acidity status, UV fluorescence) to Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS). The obtained results showed that the manuscripts were made using paper, ink and pigments derived mainly from natural sources. The paper was made from either flax fibers or the combination of flax and hemp fibres and was often sized with egg white and alum to improve its quality. Both carbon black and iron-gall inks were used for the main text, whereas vermillion was chosen only for red ink. This research provides a valuable insight into the production techniques used in Oriental manuscripts from Bosnia and Herzegovina during that period. It also represents a template approach for manuscript characterisation and science-based paper conservation.

This paper aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile and bioactivities of 22 plant species used in the traditional medicine of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The utilization of plants in traditional medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina holds significant importance, not only as a reflection of cultural heritage but also as a sustainable and time-tested approach to healthcare, fostering a harmonious connection between nature and well-being. The comprehensive analyses encompassed the determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content, alongside assessing antioxidant activity using DPPH and FRAP assays. Additionally, antimicrobial activity was tested against S. aureus. ssp. aureus, MRSA, P. aeruginosa, S. abony and C. albicans. Many of the analyzed plant extracts showed a high phenolic content (C. avellana, V. myrtillus) and antioxidant activity (C. avellana, V. myrtillus, B. pendula, S. officinale, E. angustifolium, J. globifera ssp. hirta). The majority of extracts showed good antimicrobial activity for S. aureus ssp. aureus and MRSA. The E. angustifolium extract was effective against all tested bacterial strains, with MIC values ranging from 1.25-10 mg/mL. The research identified significant levels of secondary metabolites and identified plant species with potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The study also revealed significant correlations among various phytochemical parameters and bioactivities.

This paper describes the combined use of several analytical methods to characterise the painting technology used in two socialist realism portraits of national heroes from World War II that are now housed in the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Inspection under UV light has shown that there was no previous retouching or overpainting on either painting. Microchemical tests identified the type of canvas. The radiograms indicated whether pigments with lower or higher atomic masses were used and how well the ground was rubbed among the threads of the canvas. A better penetration of the ground into the canvas and layers of oil dye that were applied to both sides of Painting 1 contributed to its better protection against high humidity. TLC revealed the type of ground on both paintings as a classic chalk-glue ground. The high humidity was responsible for the occurrence of metal soaps on Painting 2, which were confirmed by FTIR. The XRF analysis was used to describe the pigment palette, trace the causes of existing damages, and facilitate retouching. The results of this integrated diagnostic approach were used to optimise the conservation and better understand the features and techniques used in the creation of Bosnian socialistic artwork.

This work aimed to describe the synthesis and characterisation of two anionic Ru(III) complexes of the general formula Na[Ru - Cl 2 ( N -4-Cl-Ph-salim) 2 ] and Na[RuCl 2 ( N -3-Br-Ph-salim) 2 , their associated ligands, and determine their antioxidant activity. The ligands N- 4-Cl-phenylsalicylidenimine ( N -4-Cl-Ph-salimH, HL a ) and N- 3-Br-phenylsalicylidenimine ( N -3-Br-Ph-salimH, HL b ), Schiff bases, were synthesised from salicylaldehyde and chloroaniline or bromoaniline. The compounds were characterised us - ing IR spectroscopy and ESI ToF mass spectrometry. The following was confirmed: coordination of ligands on the Ru(III) centre, the molecular formulas, and the corresponding M − ions: [C 26 H 18 N 2 O 2 Cl 4 Ru] − ion, (m/z: 631.9173) and [C 26 H 18 N 2 O 2 Cl 2 Br 2 Ru] − ion, (m/z: 719.8283). The antioxidant activity was determined by the ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assays. In contrast to the ligands, both complexes proved to be strong scaven - gers of the ABTS and DPPH radicals with IC 50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) values comparable to those of Trolox. As such, they present valuable candidates for further research related to their biological properties.

As sessile organisms, plants have evolved different strategies to defend themselves against various biotic stressors. An important aspect of the complex response of plants to biotic stress is the emission of volatile compounds (VOCs), which are involved in direct and indirect plant defence mechanisms. Indirect plant defences include a range of plant traits that mediate defence against herbivores and play an important ecological role by not only utilising plants-' own capabilities but also signalling and attracting natural enemies of herbivores. Often the combination of volatiles emitted is specific to herbivores; they are consequently recognised by parasites and other predators, providing a clear link between the volatile signature and the prey. In this review, we focus on indirect plant defence and summarise current knowledge and perspectives on relationships between plants, aphids, and parasitic wasps.

Abstract Using HPLC-DAD the presence of catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, kaempferol and protocatehuic acid was analysed in herb extracts of eight Ephedra species (Ephedra sinica, Ephedra major, Ephedra chilensis, Ephedra ciliata, Ephedra foeminea, Ephedra equisetina, Ephedra gerardiana and Ephedra distachya). For comparison purposes, the same phenolics were determined in Camellia sinensis herb, which is a common source of catechins and a medicinal plant with valuable antioxidant properties. The catechin content in Ephedra spp. ranged between 0.83 mg/g d.w.– 8.77 mg/g d.w., while the epicatechin content was between 0.11 mg/g d.w.– 3.38 mg/g d.w. In comparison to black tea, Ephedra major, Ephedra distachya and Ephedra equisetina had a higher catechin content. The selected Ephedra spp. are rich in catechins and the obtained results serve as the chemical rationale for the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of Ephedra that are currently being investigated. Graphical Abstract