Establishment of callus-cultures of the Argentinean mistletoe, Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh (Loranthaceae) and screening of their polyphenolic content

Abstract

Ligaria cuneifolia (R. et P.) Tiegh (Loranthaceae), known as liga, muérdago criollo, or Argentinean mistletoe, is a hemiparasitic plant with a broad distribution in central and northern Argentina. Pharmacological studies showed that L. cuneifolia extracts have hypolipemic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects. We have established callus cultures from embryo and haustoria fragments. The highest frequency of callus formation from embryos (85%) was obtained on White medium with 4% (w/v) sucrose and 2.5 µM 1-naphtalene acetic acid and 9.2 µM kinetin as plant growth regulators (PGRs). From haustoria, the best result (35%) was obtained on Gamborg medium with 3% (w/v) sucrose and 0.45 µM 2,4-dichlorephenoxyacetic acid and 0.47 µM zeatin as PGRs. Thin layer chromatography showed that callus methanolic extract (2.5% w/v) had a lower content of flavonoids and proanthocyanins as compared to the wild plant (5% w/v for leaves, stems, and flowers), but a higher content of hydroxycinnamic acids. High performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) showed the presence of quercetin glycosides and phenolic acids in the methanolic extracts both from the parent plant and the callus obtained from embryo. Key messageCallus cultures were established from embryo and haustorium explants of Ligaria cuneifolia. Leaves, stems, and meristems were recalcitrant to in vitro culture. Callus tissues contained quercetin glycosides and phenolic acids. KeywordsMedicinal plants • Liga • Hemiparasitic plant • Callus culture • Flavonoids Communicated by Sergio J. Ochatt.

Phytochemical Characterization of Phoradendron bollanum and Viscum album subs. austriacum as Mexican Mistletoe Plants with Antimicrobial Activity

“…These compounds were reported as part of some mistletoes in previous investigations [ 22 , 23 ]. Lipid-lowering, antioxidant, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects are attributed to HCA, as in the case of L. cuneifolia known as “Creole mistletoe” or “Argentine mistletoe” [ 24 ]. Coffee is one of the primary sources of HCA.…”

Novel Flavonoid Glycosides of Quercetin from Leaves and Flowers of Gaiadendron punctatum G.Don. (Violeta de Campo), used by the Saraguro Community in Southern Ecuador, Inhibit α-Glucosidase Enzyme

“…The Loranthaceae family has been reported to have anti-inflammatory [11], antioxidant [12,13], antimalarial [14], antimicrobial, antiviral [15], and gastrointestinal properties [16]. Some studies performed in this family have reported the presence of glycosylated flavonoids [17] and cardiac glucosides [18]. In general, flavonoids and their glycosides have been shown to have a wide range of biological activity, including antioxidant [19,20], antimicrobial [21], vasodilatory [22], inhibitory enzymatic [23], anti-inflammatory [24], anti-tumor [25], and cytotoxic effects [26].…”

Dynamics of Polyphenol Biosynthesis by Calli Cultures, Suspension Cultures and Wild Specimens of the Medicinal Plant Ligaria cuneifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Tiegh. (Loranthaceae). Analysis of Their Biological Activity

“…Plant material for in vitro cultures was collected, preserved, and shipped to the lab as described in Section 4.1.1 (histochemical analysis). Fresh and mature fruits were disinfected as previously described [19]. Then, approximately 70 embryos were transferred to glass tubes (one per tube) containing control White modified medium (CWM = White medium with 500 mg L −1 casein hydrolysate, 100 mg L −1 myo-inositol, B5 vitamins, and 4% (w/v) sucrose) supplemented with 2.50 µM NAA, 9.20 µM KIN, and 6.5 g L −1 of agar (micropropagation grade); pH was adjusted to 5.6-5.8.…”

“…There are only a few reports about the establishment of in vitro cultures from Loranthaceae species [17,18]. We have previously determined the conditions to initiate in vitro calli cultures from L. cuneifolia on White medium with 500 mg L −1 casein hydrolysate, 100 mg L −1 myo-inositol, B5 vitamins, 4% (w/v) sucrose, 2.50 µM NAA, and 9.20 µM KIN as plant growth regulators (PGRs) and a 16 h photoperiod [19]. The behavior of most plant cultures depends on the quality, intensity, and duration of the light period, since the activity of many of the enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathways of metabolites is influenced by light [20].…”