Cultivars of Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Blume (Euphorbiaceae) show variability in phytochemical and cytological characteristics

Abstract

In the course of their evolution, plant developed chemical defences when attacked. These phytochemicals inadvertently protect humans against pathogens as antimicrobial medicines. Thus, six clone cultivars of Codiaeum variegatum (Spirale, Royal, Broad Spotted Guinea, Punctatum, Sunray and Royal-like) were chemically and cytologically investigated to evaluate their therapeutic potentials, values and variability. The shoots were relatively rich in alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, cardenolides, steroids, and phyllates. Flavonoids, phlobatannins, phenols and anthraquinones were sparingly present. Anthraquinones and cardenolides were absent in 'Spirale' while 'Sunray' lacked tannins, phlobatannins and phenols. Terpenes were found only in 'Sunray'. Overall, alkaloids were the most abundant with the highest mean value of 1.46% in 'Royal' while flavonoids and anthraquinones were trace, 0.002 and 0.003%, in 'Sunray' and 'Royal-like'. Five pigments, carotene (yellow-orange), phaeophytin (grey), chlorophyll a (blue-green) and b (green), and xanthophyll (yellow) were determined. 'Spirale', 'Royal', 'Broad Spotted Guinea' and 'Punctatum' had diploid chromosme number of 2n = 60 while 'Sunray' and 'Royal-like' possessed 2n = 30 and 24 respectively. 'Spirale' and 'Sunray' appeared to have reasonably diverged from the rest. Genetic mutation and chromosomes variability could account for the wide morphological variation and morphotypes in this plant species.

A Review on Phyto-pharmacological Significance of Ajwa pits (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

“…They work as antioxidants by reducing the oxidative stress and also prevent degenerative diseases. Through apoptosis they are involved in tumor growth inhibition [75]. Tannins demonstrate antimicrobial activity by deactivating microbial adhesion.…”

Nuaulu Use and Management of Culturally Salient Polymorphisms inCodiaeum variegatum: Explaining the Biocultural Dimensions of Leaf Variegation in a Southeast Asian Ornamental

“…Mendiola (1926) long ago noted the great readiness of the species to vary and that Pacific Islanders had selected brightly colored varieties long before the arrival of Europeans. We now understand more about the phytochemistry underlying variegation (Bijekar and Gayatri 2014; Ogenwenmo et al 2007), the pigments Xanthophyll (producing yellow), carotene (yellow orange), chlorophyll (green and blue-green), and cyanidin glucosides, an accumulation of which produces red (Mollick et al 2011). Its greater visibility in a global and scientific context has also led to further investigation of the medicinal properties of the leaves as anti-bacterial and anti-amoebic, while extracts of C. variegatum have been shown to be useful in the treatment of human cancer cell lines (Anim et al 2016)…”