Melatonin and serotonin in flowers and fruits of Datura metel L.

Abstract

Datura metel is a plant that contains several different neurologically active phytochemicals which affect human health. On-going research has examined the potential role of the human neuroindoles, melatonin and serotonin, in medicinal plants with neurological efficacy. In this report, we describe the quantification of melatonin and serotonin in flowers and developing fruits of Datura metel and the effects of cold stress on the levels of these neuroindoles in the reproductive tissues of this plant. Melatonin and serotonin were found at the highest levels in the least developed flower buds with decreasing concentrations as the flower buds matured. Cold stress significantly increased the concentration of melatonin in young flower buds. In the developing fruit, melatonin was present at relatively stable, high concentrations for the first 10 days after anthesis. After 10-15 days, the ovule had grown to a sufficient size for excision and analysis and melatonin was found to be at the highest concentrations in the developing ovule with minimal concentrations of the neuroindoles in the fleshy fruit. Together, these data indicate that melatonin may play a role in protecting the reproductive tissues during flower and seed formation in a Datura species.

Determining diurnal and seasonal changes in melatonin andtryptophan contents of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

“…Furthermore, significant increases in melatonin content in seeds were observed as the seeds matured, whereas tryptophan content remained unchanged (Figure 6). Similar findings were also reported in Datura metel, where serotonin and melatonin contents were quite high in the least developed flower buds with their levels progressively decreasing as the flower buds and fruits matured (Murch et al, 2009). Similarly, the highest melatonin content in tomato ) and pepper (Korkmaz et al, 2014) was detected in seedlings and seeds, supporting the notion that higher melatonin content is essential for guarding these tissues from various stresses.…”

Concentrations and profiles of melatonin and serotonin in fruits and vegetables during ripening: A mini-review

“…Additional work [29] has shown that, in contrast to the temporal profiles of melatonin and serotonin in tomatoes, the highest levels of these analytes in the herb Datura metel were found in the earliest stages of ovule and fruit development, with sharp declines in concentrations during development resulting in low levels in mature buds and fruit.…”

Beyond a neurotransmitter: The role of serotonin in plants

“…It is interesting to note that an opposite pattern was observed in fruits of D. metel, as serotonin levels were found to decrease as flowers developed into fruits. Furthermore, cold treatment of buds was found to increase levels of melatonin and serotonin and suggests further that serotonin is especially critical during the early stages of reproductive development in Datura [47] .…”