MOLECULAR AND ECOLOGICAL BASIS OF SECONDARY METABOLITE BIOSYNTHESIS IN Cichorium intybus L. AND Silybum marianum L.

Abstract

This study investigates the molecular mechanisms and ecological regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Cichorium intybus L. and Silybum marianum L., two widely used medicinal plants with high pharmacological value. Particular attention is given to intracellular biosynthetic pathways, including phenylpropanoid, flavonoid, and polysaccharide metabolism, as well as their dynamic responses under abiotic stress conditions such as salinity, oxidative stress, and drought. The integration of metabolic networks with antioxidant defense systems and signal transduction pathways is analyzed. Results indicate that secondary metabolites are not merely by-products but essential components of plant adaptive responses. Enhanced accumulation of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and specialized metabolites under stress conditions significantly contributes to cellular protection and metabolic stability. These findings provide deeper insights into the biochemical plasticity and pharmacological potential of the studied species.