Silicon dioxide nanoparticles, elicitation of silybin concentration in silybum marianum l. through chalcone synthase gene expression modification

Using nanoparticles in plants has been demonstrated to increase growth and output while also altering the ratio of bioactive compounds in numerous plant species. An herb known as Silybum marianum synthesizes silymarin, a flavonolignan with liver-protective properties. Silymarin or its primary elements, silybin A and B, which are present mainly in S. marianum fruits, have been the subject of many attempts to increase its manufacture. Various quantities of SiO2 NPs were used as a spray on the foliage of S. marianum crops grown in a greenhouse in order to study the impact of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) on growth, yield, photosynthetic pigment content, silybin A + B content, and chalcone synthase (CHS) genes expression. The amounts of bioactive components (silybin A + B) in S. marianum rose after foliar application of all tested SiO2 NPS doses, improving plant growth and yield as well. Additionally, it was shown by the gene expression study that SiO2 NPs increased silybin (A + B) production by stimulating CHS genes. The most effective SiO2 dosage that improved yield and silybin content was 100 mgl(-1).