Organ-specific intestinal anti-inflammatory activity in Justicia procumbens and EC-dependent lignan productivity in aerial parts

Abstract This study evaluated intestinal cell-based anti-inflammatory activity in Justicia procumbens and used organ-specific screening to identify plant organs relevant to functional-material production. The aerial-part extract and the representative lignans justicidin A and B reduced IL-1β-induced IL-8 production in HT-29 cells at selected non-cytotoxic concentrations. Because the aerial part comprises multiple organs that may differ in functional quality, leaves, stems, flowers, and roots were subsequently compared to determine which organs were most closely associated with the observed activity. Leaf and flower extracts showed pronounced IL-8 inhibition, whereas stem and root extracts exhibited weaker inhibitory activity. Justicidin A and B were also concentrated mainly in aerial organs, particularly flowers and leaves, indicating that the organ-specific activity pattern paralleled the distribution of the representative lignan markers. Because leaves and flowers are components of the harvestable aerial biomass, aerial parts were selected as practical target materials for cultivation-based production. To determine whether production of this functional biomass and its lignan constituents could be improved through nutrient management, plants were cultivated at electrical conductivity (EC) levels of 1.2 and 2.0 dS·m −1 . EC 2.0 increased aerial-part fresh weight at later harvest times and promoted root development. It also resulted in higher chlorophyll content than EC 1.2 during the later cultivation period. Electrolyte leakage did not differ significantly between EC treatments at the final harvest. Justicidin A and B yields generally increased with harvest time, and EC 2.0 significantly enhanced justicidin A yield at selected harvest times and justicidin B yield during the later cultivation period. These findings connect organ-specific functional quality with EC-controlled cultivation of J. procumbens .