Ecdysteroid Content and Therapeutic Activity in Elicited Spinach Accessions

Abstract

While spinach is an established nutritionally important crop, its medicinal value is not as well known. Spinach is rich in ecdysteroids, insect hormone analogs with a number of medicinal properties including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and even anabolic activity. However, the potential of spinach as a medicinal plant has not yet been developed. In this study, the ecdysteroid content of spinach was optimized to increase its therapeutic value. Spinach seeds from various sources were grown under controlled hydroponic conditions and analyzed for ecdysteroid content and related anabolic activity. Variations in ecdysteroid content and the related anabolic activity were observed among spinach accessions. A selected variety, Spinacia oleracea cv. Turkey, was exposed to various physical and chemical elicitors to increase and stabilize ecdysteroid content. A number of elicitors, including methyl salicylate and mechanical damage, significantly increased ecdysteroid content and anabolic activity 24 h after exposure. The effect was transient and disappeared 48 h thereafter. Further work is needed to identify the most suitable germplasm and elicitation conditions for optimal ecdysteroid content.

Urinary Excretion of Ecdysterone and Its Metabolites Following Spinach Consumption

“…), and similarly from 17 to 885 µg g −1 dry weight displaying significant variations due to season of harvest, development phase, geographical location, natural environment as well as plant variety. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Abnormally, Grucza et al have reported ecdysterone amount in fresh spinach as 0.1 µg g −1 f.w. [11] The levels of ecdysterone reported in spinach suggest that the normal amount of ecdysterone from spinach in a daily diet is rather low.…”

“…Its ecdysteroid content has already been reported in the 1980s and was widely studied since then. [1][2][3][4] Ecdysterone is the most abundant ecdysteroid found in spinach, together with several minor ecdysteroids such as polypodin B, ecdysone, 2-deoxyecdysterone, and makisterone A. [4][5][6][7] In spinach leaves, the levels of ecdysterone are reported from 4 to 800 µg g −1 fresh weight (f.w.…”

“…), and similarly from 17 to 885 µg g −1 dry weight displaying significant variations due to season of harvest, development phase, geographical location, natural environment as well as plant variety. [ 2–10 ] Abnormally, Grucza et al. have reported ecdysterone amount in fresh spinach as 0.1 µg g −1 f.w.…”

Phytohormones and Elicitors Enhanced the Ecdysteroid and Glycosylflavone Content and Antioxidant Activity of Silene repens

“…Total phenolic and total anthocyanin contents in red lettuce treated with exogenous abscisic acid were significantly higher than in controls [26]. The content of 20-hydroxyecdysone in spinach seedlings increased from 8.3 to 24.7 µg/g after the treatment by methyl salicylate and reached 17.2 µg/g after treatment by methyl jasmonate [27]. Taking into account information on the effect of exogenous regulators on vegetation and biosynthesis of metabolites of a plant object, it is possible to purposefully change the rates of plants' growth and development, as well as the accumulation of biologically active compounds [28].…”

Phytoecdysteroids: Distribution, Structural Diversity, Biosynthesis, Activity, and Crosstalk with Phytohormones

“…In Gossypium hirsutum (cotton), application of 20-HE elevates salinity stress and induces germination rate and seedling growth [ 172 ]. In spinach, various elicitors, such as methyl salicylate and mechanical damage, facilitate the production of PEs, which remarkably induce metabolic and anabolic activity in plants [ 199 ]. PEs alleviate salt stress in wheat seedlings by increasing the activity of antioxidants such as catalase, peroxidase, and SOD and the contents of ascorbic acid and glutathione, which reduce ROS and MDA content and promote wheat tolerance to salinity [ 200 ].…”