Chemical Characterization and DNA Fingerprinting of Griffonia simplicifolia Baill.

Abstract

Background: Griffonia simplicifolia Baill. (Caesalpiniaceae) is a medicinal plant whose seeds are widely used in traditional medicine for their high content of 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan (5-HTP), a direct precursor and enhancer of the activity of the brain hormone serotonin (5-HT). The plant extracts are used in dietary supplements aimed to alleviate serotonin-related disorders. Methods: In order to characterize the chemical components of G. simplicifolia seeds and their identity, we used a combined methodology by using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the N-containing compounds, GC-FID and GC-MS for the characterization of the major fatty acids, and DNA fingerprinting based on PCR–RFLP for the unequivocal identification of the plant. Results: 5-HTP was the most representative compound, followed by lower percentages of the β-carboline alkaloid derivative griffonine and other alkaloids. Fatty acids were dominated by the unsaturated fatty acids linoleic acid and oleic acid, followed by the saturated fatty acids stearic and palmitic acids. PCR analysis of the internal transcribed spacer amplified sequence showed a major band at about 758 bp, whereas the PCR–RFLP analysis of this sequence using three different restriction enzymes (MspI, HhaI, and HaeIII) generated a specific fingerprinting useful for the plant identification. Conclusions: The combined chemical and molecular analysis of G. simplicifolia provided an interesting integrated approach for the unequivocal identification of commercial G. simplicifolia seeds.

Ethnobotanical Study of Plants Used in Traditional Treatment of Diarrhoea in Humans and Cattle in Two Regions of Ivory Coast

“…Phytochemical studies indicated the presence of glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and coumarins in the leaf extract of the plant [33]. In the seed, many authors have also found lectins 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) a direct precursor in the synthesis of serotonin (5-HT) and fatty acids [34,35].…”

Vaccinium macrocarpon (Cranberry)-Based Dietary Supplements: Variation in Mass Uniformity, Proanthocyanidin Dosage and Anthocyanin Profile Demonstrates Quality Control Standard Needed

“…Fingerprint techniques, including DNA molecular fingerprint [44] and chemical fingerprinting [45], are crucial for assessing quality of commercial products, and give information about the purity of the original raw material. DNA molecular fingerprinting cannot be applied to the major part of extracts made with organic solvent, due either to the insolubility of nucleic acids in extraction solvents or to DNA instability during manufacture procedures.…”

EDR Peptide: Possible Mechanism of Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis Regulation Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) is one of the main neurotransmitters that regulate brain function. Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of serotonin biosynthesis from 5-hydroxy- l -tryptophan (5-HTP) [ 90 , 91 ]. The extract of the Griffonia simplicifolia Baill has been found to contain large amounts of 5-HTP.…”

“…The extract of the Griffonia simplicifolia Baill has been found to contain large amounts of 5-HTP. This, according to the authors of this study, makes it possible to recommend the specified plant extract for the complex treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with impaired serotonin synthesis [ 90 ]. In addition, there is evidence that tryptophan metabolites may have neuroprotective effects in AD.…”