In vitro cultures of Cyclopia plants (honeybush) as a source of bioactive xanthones and flavanones

Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2009 Jul-Aug;64(7-8):533-40. doi: 10.1515/znc-2009-7-812.

Abstract

In vitro shoot and callus cultures of the endemic South-African shrubs: Cyclopia intermedia E. Mey., Cyclopia subternata Vogel, and Cyclopia genistoides (L.) Vent. (Fabaceae) were established and examined for the presence of polyphenolic compounds. The xanthones mangiferin and isomangiferin, as well as the flavanones hesperidin and eriocitrin were identified by LC-ESI-MS and LC-DAD, and analyzed quantitatively by HPLC. The respective intact plants were analyzed for comparison. From all in vitro cultures, the highest levels of mangiferin (1.55%) and isomangiferin (0.56%) were recorded in C. subternata microshoots, compared to 1.31% and 0.49% found in the intact plant. Callus cultures of all species synthesized only trace amounts of mangiferin and isomangiferin. Hesperidin and eriocitrin contents were significanly lower in all in vitro cultures, in comparison to the respective intact plants. Among the obtained in vitro biomasses, the highest hesperidin content was recorded in C. intermedia (0.9%) and C. subternata (0.87%) microshoots, whereas C. subternata callus was characterized by the best growth parameters and highest hesperidin content (0.69%) from all examined Cyclopia calli.

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Cotyledon / chemistry
  • Cotyledon / growth & development
  • Cyclopia Plant / chemistry*
  • Cyclopia Plant / drug effects
  • Cyclopia Plant / growth & development
  • Flavanones / chemistry
  • Flavanones / isolation & purification*
  • Flavanones / pharmacology
  • Germination
  • Plant Growth Regulators / pharmacology
  • Plant Shoots / chemistry
  • Plant Shoots / cytology
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Xanthones / chemistry
  • Xanthones / isolation & purification*
  • Xanthones / pharmacology

Substances

  • Flavanones
  • Plant Growth Regulators
  • Xanthones
  • mangiferin
  • isomangiferin