Effects of seasonal variation on phytochemicals contributing to the antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities of Breonadia salicina using a metabolomic approach

Dorcas Tlhapi; Isaiah Ramaite; Chinedu Anokwuru; Teunis van Ree; Ntakadzeni Madala; Heinrich Hoppe

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24068

Effects of seasonal variation on phytochemicals contributing to the antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities of Breonadia salicina using a metabolomic approach

Heliyon. 2024 Jan 13;10(2):e24068. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24068. eCollection 2024 Jan 30.

Authors

Dorcas Tlhapi¹, Isaiah Ramaite¹, Chinedu Anokwuru², Teunis van Ree¹, Ntakadzeni Madala³, Heinrich Hoppe⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa.
² Department of Basic Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Nigeria.
³ Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa.

Abstract

This study involves the investigation of various plant parts of Breonadia salicina (Vahl) Hepper and J.R.I. Wood across multiple consecutive seasons. It aims to delve into the phytochemistry of these different plant parts and establish connections between the findings and their biological activities. This comprehensive approach employs metabolomics techniques, with the ultimate goal of exploring the potential for drug development. Samples were collected in Fondwe, a village in Limpopo (South Africa), based on local reports of the efficacy of this plant used by traditional healers in the area. The antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities of samples collected over the seasons were determined with the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) and specific Trypanosoma brucei assays, respectively. Consequently, a total of 24 compounds were tentatively identified through ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS). Chemical profiles of the different plant parts of Breonadia salicina collected in different seasons produced contrasting metabolic profiles. Chemometric analysis of the UPLC-QTOF-MS data enabled us to determine the chemical variability of the crude stem bark, root and leaf extracts (n = 48) collected over four consecutive seasons by evaluating the metabolomics fingerprinting of the samples using an untargeted approach. Principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) indicated the existence of two key clusters that are linked to the root, stem bark, and leaves. The stem and root chemistry differed from that of the leaves. Seasonal variations were noted in each plant part, with autumn and winter samples closely grouped compared to spring and summer samples in the methanol leaf extracts. Biochemometric analysis could not relate specific compounds to the antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities of the active extracts, underscoring the intricate interactions among the secondary metabolites. This study further confirms the optimal plant parts to collect in each season for the most effective antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities.

Keywords: Antimalarial activity; Antitrypanosomal activity; Breonadia salicina; Chemical profile; Chemometrics; Metabolomics; Phytochemicals.