Metabolomics by UHPLC-Q-TOF Reveals Host Tree-Dependent Phytochemical Variation in Viscum album L.

Abstract

Viscum album L., commonly known as European mistletoe, is a hemi-parasitic plant of the Santalaceae family. The in vitro and in vivo effects of V. album differ, according to its host tree. However, little is known about the host-dependent phytochemical diversity in V. album. In this study, the metabolic profiles of V. album ssp. album from Malus domestica Bork., Quercus robur L., and Ulmus carpinifolia Gled were compared. Leaves, stems, and berries were collected in Switzerland, by the same procedure, in September 2016 and 2017. The methanolic extracts were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography, coupled to electrospray quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in positive ionization mode. The data were submitted to partial-least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and the results showed that the V. album ssp. album samples were clustered into three groups, according to the three distinct host trees. Seven compounds, with high VIP scores (variable importance in projection), were responsible for this differentiation. The following four compounds were detected in both the harvest years: arginine, pipecolic acid or lysine, dimethoxycoumarin, and sinapyl alcohol, suggesting their use as host specific V. album biomarkers. The present work highlights the importance of standardized harvest and analytical procedures for the reproducibility of the chemical results of herbal materials.

Thermoresponsive Hydrogel Containing Viscum album Extract for Topic and Transdermal Use: Development, Stability and Cytotoxicity Activity

“…The chemical composition of the berries influence the different colors and maturation stages [42]. Additionally, although both VA growing on Abies alba have been harvested in Switzerland, the mistletoe samples were collected in different GPS locations, reinforcing the environment influences in VA phytochemical profile, as previously detected by our group [14].…”

“…These extracts also present a host tree dependence, which was confirmed when methanolic extracts were analyzed. Furthermore, the untargeted metabolomic approach led us to identify host tree specific VA biomarkers, which might be important for the herbal quality control parameters [14].…”

On Overview Of Bioactive Compounds, Biological And Pharmacological Effects Of Mistletoe (Viscum Album L)

“…It looks like a vertical, well-developed ax that enters the bark of the host tree, pervading its woody tissue. This network continues to grow, creating a root system (haustorium) that absorbs water, sugars, amino acids, and minerals from host trees, being able to biosynthesize their own primary and secondary metabolites [33]. Its stem is cylindrical, thick, dichotomic ramification, wide off 30 -60 cm, thicker towards the nods, where it can be torn easily, having a yellow-greenish color.…”

“…Jäger et al, 2021 identified the specific biomarkers (arginine, pipecolic acid or lysine, dimethoxycoumarin, and sinapyl alcohol) of V. album ssp. album grew on three different host trees (M. Domestica, Q. Robur, and U. carpinifolia) [33].…”

The gene space of European mistletoe (Viscum album)

“…Viscum album also has a particular biochemical composition. It is known for its rich content in phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, triterpenes and phytosterols (J€ ager et al, 2021;Urech and Baumgartner, 2015). It contains low-molecular-mass proteins designated viscotoxins as well as characteristic lectins (viscolectins), both of which contribute to its biotic defense system.…”