Infraspecific Chemical Variability and Biological Activity of Casearia sylvestris from Different Brazilian Biomes

Abstract

Casearia sylvestris is an outstanding representative of the Casearia genus. This representability comes from its distinctive chemical profile and pharmacological properties. This species is widespread from North to South America, occurring in all Brazilian biomes. Based on their morphology, 2 varieties are recognized: C. sylvestris var. sylvestris and C. sylvestris var. lingua. Despite the existence of data about their chemical composition, a deeper understanding of the specialized metabolism correlation and variation in respect to environmental factors and its repercussion over their biological activities was still pending. In this study, an UHPLC-DAD-based metabolomics approach was employed for the investigation of the chemical variation of 12 C. sylvestris populations sampled across 4 Brazilian biomes and ecotones. The correlation between infraspecific chemical variability and the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities was achieved by multivariate data analysis. The analyses showed that C. sylvestris var. lingua prevailed at Cerrado areas, and it was correlated with lower cytotoxic activity and high level of glycosylated flavonoids. Among them, narcissin and isorhamnetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside showed good correlation with the antioxidant activity. Conversely, C. sylvestris var. sylvestris prevailed at the Atlantic Forest areas, and it was associated with high cytotoxic activity and high content of clerodane diterpenoids. Different casearins showed good correlation (R2 = 0.3 – 0.70) with the cytotoxic activity. These findings highlighted the great complexity among different C. sylvestris populations, their chemical profile, and the related biological activities. Consequently, it can certainly influence the medicinal properties, as well as the quality and efficacy, of C. sylvestris phytomedicines.

Untargeted Metabolomics Sheds Light on the Diversity of Major Classes of Secondary Metabolites in the Malpighiaceae Botanical Family

“…However, it is important to emphasize that the chemical diversity of a sample is highly influenced by many factors, such as genetic variation and environmental influences (soil nutrients, humidity, herbivory, and ecological interactions, among others; Isah, 2019 ). Studies have shown that even the same species collected in different biomes ( Bueno et al, 2021 ) or different seasons ( Zanatta et al, 2021 ) can produce different relative amounts of specific metabolites. Therefore, even for a single species, a range of factors can be explored to understand how the metabolites are affected to infer their possible ecological roles.…”

Bioprospecting as a strategy for conservation and sustainable use of the Brazilian Flora

“…Although many species may occur both in Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, the chemical profile of a particular species may vary depending on the collection site among other factors, such as seasonality and even day period due to the plant's circadian rhythm. Such observations have triggered interesting ecophysiological studies which evidenced infraspecific chemical variability as observed in Casearia sylvestris (Bueno et al 2021) and in the essential oil of leaves of Cryptocarya mandioccana (Telascrea et al 2007). Further interesting examples regarding ecophysiological interactions include those associated with chemical biology of plant-insect-parasites trophic systems, as in the study of the neotropical shrub Piper amalago, which showed how herbivory, caterpillar biodiversity and plant-herbivore network structure might be affected by the chemical profile and structural dimensions of phytochemical diversity (Cosmo et al 2021).…”

Neuroprotective Capability of Narcissoside in 6-OHDA-Exposed Parkinson’s Disease Models through Enhancing the MiR200a/Nrf-2/GSH Axis and Mediating MAPK/Akt Associated Signaling Pathway

“…The use of special phytochemicals to develop novel anti-oxidative, mitochondrial protection, and anti-apoptotic drugs on DA neurons may achieve the purpose of treating or curing PD. Narcissoside (NCS) ( Figure 1 ) is isolated from Sambucus nigra flowers (elderflowers), and has been reported to have several pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant [ 23 , 24 ], anti-inflammatory activities [ 25 ], anti-SARS-CoV-2 [ 26 ], antihypertensive properties [ 27 ], and antitumor potential [ 28 , 29 ]. It also activates TRPV1 channels in dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons linked with pain-accompanied itch [ 30 ].…”