Seasonal change in main alkaloids of jaborandi (Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardleworth), an economically important species from the Brazilian flora

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Lima, DF (Author) Other; de Lima, LI (Author) Other; Rocha, JA (Author) Other; de Andrade, IM (Author) Other; Grazina, LG (Author) Other; Villa, C (Author) Other; Meira, L (Author) Other; Costa Veras, LMC (Author) Other; Sousa Azevedo, IFS (Author) Other; Biase, AG (Author) Other; Joana Costa (Author) FFUP; Beatriz B P P Oliveira (Author) FFUP; Mafra, I (Author) Other; de Souza de Almeida Leite, JRDD (Author) Other

Journal

Title: PLoS ONE

Vol. 12 No. 1

Final page: e0170281

ISSN: 1932-6203

Publisher: Public Library of Science

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-ETY

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170281

Abstract (EN): Pilocarpus microphyllus Stapf ex Wardleworth (jaborandi, Rutaceae) is one of the most important Brazilian medicinal species owing to its content of pilocarpine (PIL), an alkaloid used for treating glaucoma and xerostomia. This species contains another alkaloid, epiisopiloturine (EPI), which has demonstrated effectiveness against schistosomiasis. The aim of this work was to assess seasonal changes of PIL and EPI in three populations of cultivated P. microphyllus from northeastern Brazil over one year, including the dry and rainy seasons. Alkaloid profiles were correlated to phenotypic and genetic patterns in the morphological and molecular characterizations. PIL was the primary alkaloid and its levels differed among populations in all months except September. The S01 population (green line) showed an especially high PIL content compared to populations S02 and S03 (traditional line), which had similar alkaloid contents. PIL content gradually decreased in the three populations in the rainy season. EPI content was significantly different between the green line (S01) and the traditional line (S02 and S03). S01 had a significantly lower EPI content in all months, demonstrating that it was not the best source for EPI extraction. Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and morphological analyses clearly separated S01 from S02 and S03, in agreement with the alkaloid results. This study shows the first correlation between the chemical, morphological, and molecular markers of P. microphyllus and highlights the potential benefits of a multidisciplinary research approach aimed at supporting both industry and conservation of natural resources.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19