Genetic diversity and chemical variability of Lippia spp. (Verbenaceae)

Abstract

BackgroundThe genus Lippia comprises 150 species, most of which have interesting medicinal properties. Lippia sidoides (syn. L. origanoides) exhibits strong antimicrobial activity and is included in the phytotherapy program implemented by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Since species of Lippia are morphologically very similar, conventional taxonomic methods are sometimes insufficient for the unambiguous identification of plant material that is required for the production of certified phytomedicines. Therefore, genetic and chemical analysis with chemotype identification will contribute to a better characterization of Lippia species.MethodsAmplified Length Polymorphism and Internal Transcribed Spacer molecular markers were applied to determine the plants’ genetic variability, and the chemical variability of Lippia spp. was determined by essential oil composition.ResultsAmplified Length Polymorphism markers were efficient in demonstrating the intra and inter-specific genetic variability of the genus and in separating the species L. alba, L. lupulina and L. origanoides into distinct groups. Phylogenetic analysis using Amplified Length Polymorphism and markers produced similar results and confirmed that L. alba and L. lupulina shared a common ancestor that differ from L. origanoides. Carvacrol, endo-fenchol and thymol were the most relevant chemical descriptors.ConclusionBased on the phylogenetic analysis it is proposed that L. grata should be grouped within L. origanoides due to its significant genetic similarity. Although Amplified Length Polymorphism and Internal Transcribed Spacer markers enabled the differentiation of individuals, the genotype selection for the production of certified phytomedicines must also consider the chemotype classification that reflects their real medicinal properties.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3839-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Factors Affecting the Retention Efficiency and Physicochemical Properties of Spray Dried Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with Lippia sidoides Essential Oil

“…Lippia sidoides, belonging to the genus Lippia [37,38], is a typical herb species of Northeast Brazil widespread used in traditional medicine; it is known in Brazil as "alecrim-pimenta" (pepper-rosemary). The main bioactive compounds in the EO of Lippia sidoides are monoterpenes, like thymol, p-cymene, myrcene, and the sesquiterpene, as caryophyllene [39][40][41].…”

Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Lippia multiflora Moldenke Essential Oil from Different Regions of Angola

“…The HCA results generated using the abundance of the volatile compounds ( Figure 7 b) also showed variability between the populations from the two provinces, but also intraspecific variability between sub-groups within a population. This phenomenon has also been observed in several species of Lippia , such as L. origanoides , L. alba , L. lupulina , L. velutina , L. sidoides , L. salviifolia , and L. grata [ 56 , 86 ]. Furthermore, it should also be noted that for the L8/L9 plants, the EO chemical composition of their leaves (L8a/L9a) is different from that of their flowers (L8b/L9b).…”

“…It is important to note that the yield values increase at the flowering stage more than before and after flowering. As reported by several authors, the EOs concentration in inflorescences is dependent on the variety and environmental conditions [ 55 , 56 , 57 ].…”

“…Three outgoing lots can be distinguished: L2 (Citral/Neral/Elemol), L3 (Verbenone/Ocimenone/Limonene), and L9a (Artemisia ketone/Limonene/Piperitenone). This phenotypic variability within the same species from the same region can be explained by the spatial influence of the environment on the plant [ 56 , 75 ]. The importance of spatial distributions in pollination, competition, herbivory, nutrient cycling and other ecological processes in the variability of the content and quality of secondary metabolites is well documented [ 56 , 57 , 76 , 77 , 78 ].…”

“…This phenotypic variability within the same species from the same region can be explained by the spatial influence of the environment on the plant [ 56 , 75 ]. The importance of spatial distributions in pollination, competition, herbivory, nutrient cycling and other ecological processes in the variability of the content and quality of secondary metabolites is well documented [ 56 , 57 , 76 , 77 , 78 ]. Therefore, detection and measurement of the spatial pattern are relevant for understanding phenotypic variability along a geographical gradient within the same community or the same population [ 79 ].…”