The tribe Lychnideae A. Br., 1843 (Caryophyllaceae Juss., 1789) in the flora of Southern Siberia: opportunities and prospects for utilization*
Aleksandr S. Revushkin1, Daria I. Kazantseva1
1 National Research Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., Tomsk, 634050, Russia Corresponding author: Daria I. Kazantseva (da46611@gmail.com)
Academic editor: R. Yakovlev | Received 7 August 2025 | Accepted 16 September 2025 | Published 4 December 2025 |
http://zoobank.org/9B1E728D-D7A7-4BA1-B6C4-68412F62B11E
Citation: Revushkin AS, Kazantseva DI (2025) The tribe Lychnideae A. Br., 1843 (Caryophyllaceae Juss., 1789) in the flora of Southern Siberia: opportunities and prospects for utilization. Acta Biologica Sibirica 11: 1331–1337. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17787137
Abstract
This study investigates the biodiversity and biochemical potential of the tribe Lychnideae (Caryophyllaceae) within the unique and extreme environments of Southern Siberia. The research is motivated by the premise that the region's specific climatic stressors drive the synthesis of unique secondary metabolites, such as ecdysteroids and phenolic compounds, with prospective pharmacological applications. Through integrated field studies (2017–2023), herbarium specimen analysis, and a systematic literature review, we evaluated the species composition, distribution, and phytochemical profiles of the local Lychnideae flora. Applying a standardized resource assessment algorithm, we categorized the 44 documented species. Results indicate that 19 species (43.2%) possess significant bioprospecting potential, meriting further investigation for sustainable use via wild harvest or controlled cultivation. Concurrently, five species (11.4%) were identified as threatened, underscoring an urgent need for dedicated conservation measures. This work highlights the critical dual mandate in phytochemical research: the sustainable utilization of promising plant resources for drug discovery and the imperative conservation of biodiversity to ensure the resilience and continuity of these natural pharmacopeias.
Keywords
Lychnideae, Southern Siberia, biodiversity conservation, medicinal plants, secondary metabolites, ecdysteroids, flavonoids, sustainable use, phytochemistry
The rapid advancement of pharmacology has intensified the search for new sources of biologically active compounds, with medicinal plants representing a critical frontier. Southern Siberia, characterized by its unique biodiversity and extreme climatic conditions, is a particularly promising region for phytochemical discovery. Local flora offers a diverse reservoir of compounds with potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties, among others.
Plants that evolve under environmental stressors, such as sharp temperature fluctuations, water scarcity, and high solar radiation, often synthesize unique secondary metabolites as adaptive mechanisms (Yeshi et al. 2022). These specialized compounds frequently exhibit significant biological activity, making them valuable candidates for the development of natural therapeutics and preventive agents. Beyond its pharmacological potential, the study of such flora contributes essential data for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem management. Findings on plant distribution and bioactivity can inform evidence-based strategies for the sustainable use and conservation of plant populations, thus helping to preserve species diversity.
Within this context, species of the tribe Lychnideae A. Br., 1843 (Caryophyllaceae Juss., 1789) have emerged as a notable focus. Their potential was initially identified during phytochemical screening of the Altai Mountain flora and has been substantiated in subsequent studies (Revina et al. 1988; Volodin et al. 2013). These results underscore the importance of further investigation into the Lychnideae tribe to systematically identify and characterize its biologically active compounds.
Southern Siberia was selected as the study region due to its rich floristic diversity and pronounced ecological gradients. The defined area encompasses latitudes 49–57°N and longitudes 65–120°E, spanning approximately 850 km north-south and 4,000 km west-east. This vast territory includes a mosaic of ecosystems, from the southeast Siberian Plain to the mountainous regions of Altai, Khakassia, Tuva, and the western Sayan, providing a representative range of habitats for phytochemical investigation.
The research focuses on the Lychnideae tribe A. Br., 1843 (Caryophyllaceae Juss., 1789), a group noted for its significant biochemical potential in preliminary screenings (Revina et al. 1988; Volodin et al. 2013).
Field studies were conducted between 2017 and 2023 in key regions of Southern Siberia, including the southeastern West Siberian Plain, the Altai Mountains, Khakassia, Tuva, and the Western Sayan Mountains. These investigations aimed to determine species composition, distribution patterns, and ecological characteristics. Data were supplemented by examining herbarium specimens from the P.N. Krylov Herbarium of Tomsk State University (TK) and the Herbarium of Moscow State University (MW). Additionally, critical floristic literature was consulted to verify and complement field findings (Shishkin 1936; Kovtonyuk & Zuev 1993; Vlasova 2012; Ebel 2012).
A systematic review of the scientific literature was performed to collate and analyze data on key secondary metabolites within the Lychnideae tribe, including ecdysteroids, phenols, flavonoids, and their glycosides. Priority was given to recent screening studies and systematic reviews; where these were unavailable, data from focused phytochemical investigations were considered. The literature search utilized PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases and was restricted to publications from 2000 to 2024 to ensure contemporary relevance. Key references informing the analysis include Zibareva (2000, 2009). Ramazonov et al. (2007), Bajpai et al. (2008), Munkhzhargal et al. (2010), Smolyakova et al. (2010), Darmogray et al. (2015, 2017), Novozhilova et al. (2015), Plotnikov et al. (2017), Olennikov (2019), Kozhanova et al. (2020), Zibareva et al. (2022) and Smakosz et al. (2024).
The potential of each species as a source of biologically active compounds was evaluated based on a set of practical and ecological criteria: habitat range, frequency of occurrence, population abundance, and the feasibility of introduction into cultivation. This assessment was structured using a standardized algorithm developed to evaluate the potential of plant resources (Revushkin et al. 2023).
Investigation of the Lychnideae tribe (Caryophyllaceae) in Southern Siberia substantiates its considerable value as a reservoir of diverse biologically active compounds, particularly ecdysteroids, flavonoids, and phenolic derivatives. Through a comprehensive analysis of the composition, distribution, and ecological characteristics of the species, this study has systematically identified taxa with a high bioprospecting potential, categorizing them according to sustainable use pathways: direct utilization of stable wild populations, introduction into cultivation and, where applicable, biotechnological propagation.
A critical finding is the identification of several threatened species requiring urgent conservation measures, highlighting the intrinsic link between biodiversity preservation and sustainable development of phytochemical resources. The protection of these rare species is essential to maintain both regional biodiversity and potential genetic resources.
These results underscore the need for continued interdisciplinary research, focusing on detailed phytochemical profiling, pharmacological validation, and ecological study of prioritized species. Such efforts are fundamental in translating the inherent chemical diversity of the Lychnideae into novel, evidence-based natural products with targeted pharmacological activities, while concurrently informing strategies for the conservation and sustainable management of this important botanical resource.
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