Biogeographical Patterns and Phenological Changes in Lapiedra martineziiLag. Related to Its Alkaloid Diversity

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the alkaloid patterns of Lapiedra martinezii and their relation to biogeography and phenology focused in a phylogenetic comparison. Plants from 14 populations of L. martinezii, covering almost its entire distribution area, were subjected to morphological, ecological, and phytochemical analysis. Experiments for different alkaloid-type content are proposed as a new tool for analysis of plant distribution. Several plants were transplanted for weekly observation of their phenological changes, and alkaloids from different plant organs were extracted, listed, and compared. The alkaloid pattern of L. martinezii comprises 49 compounds of homolycorine, lycorine, tazettine, haemantamine, and narciclasine types. The populations located in the north and south margins of the distribution area displayed alkaloid patterns different from those of the central area. Changes in these patterns during their phenological cycle may be related to a better defence for plant reproduction. L. martinezii is an old relict plant, and it has maintained some of the more primitive morphological features and alkaloid profiles of the Mediterranean Amaryllidaceae. The variations in alkaloid content observed could be interpreted in a phylogenetic sense, and those found in their phenological changes, in an adaptive one.

Alkaloids of Phaedranassa dubia (Kunth) J.F. Macbr. and Phaedranassa brevifolia Meerow (Amaryllidaceae) from Ecuador and its cholinesterase-inhibitory activity

“…In another work, a different alkaloidal composition was reported for P. dubia collected in Colombia, which presented seven alkaloids: phaedranamine, haemanthamine, pseudolycorine, ungeremine, zefbetaine, sanguinine, galanthamine and epinorgalanthamine ( Osorio et al., 2010 ). Differences in the occurrence and quantification of alkaloids also have been reported among Lapiedra martinezii species collected in different Spain localities, as well as among Rhodophiala andicola species collected in different Chilean localities ( Ríos et al., 2013 ; Tallini et al., 2018 ).…”

Estudio Farmacognóstico Preliminar De Ocimum Micranthum Y Eupatorium Odaratum, Especies Vegetales Nativas De Esmeraldas (Ecuador).

“…(3,29,30), a excepción de la presencia de mucílagos, aminoácidos libres y saponinas que en el presente análisis dio positivo. Es importante mencionar, que la composición química de los metabolitos secundarios de una especie vegetal varía dependiendo a ciertos factores como: el lugar donde fue realizada la recolección, las condiciones climáticas, el suelo, la época del año e incluso las técnicas de cultivo aplicadas (3,31,32). El análisis cualitativo de los metabolitos de Eupatorium odoratum se pudo relacionar con su uso etnobotánico como antiinflamatorio, pudiendo asociar, posiblemente, la presencia de flavonoides con esta actividad (3,27) eferencias R…”

Ornamental potential of the coastal plant Lapiedra martinezii Lag. (Amaryllidaceae): the role of its revalorization in xero-gardening and ex-situ conservation

“…It is a small geophyte whose height ranges from 15 up to 75 cm [22], and may be even smaller 14-34 cm [17]. The flowers are white, actinomorphic, with 6 persistent petals and grouped in apical pseudo-umbrella inflorescences (figure 1) bearing (4)6 -13 (14) flowers that are slightly fragrant, 2 -3 cm long with scariose margin into two bracts, exceptionally three [22]. L. martinezii is a late-summer/early-autumn flowering species.…”

“…L. martinezii is endemic in the South-west Mediterranean, mainly distributed in some coastal regions of Spain and North Morocco [16][17][18][19][20]. Also, this species has great economical potential due to its content in biologically active alkaloids [21][22][23][24]. Therefore, the aim of this work was to review and assess the potential use of L. martinezii as a gardening plant both for conventional horticulture and/or xero-gardening, as well as to discuss the implications of such use in the conservation of this species.…”