Level and distribution of 20-hydroxyecdysone during Pfaffia glomerata development

Abstract

The ecdysteroid 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is a steroid hormone found in insects and few plants. To analyze its temporal and spatial distribution in Pfaffia glomerata (Amaranthaceae), we selected among 71 accessions, the accession 13 which showed the highest root 20E total quantity (1.48 g/plant root). The 20E was constantly detected in flowers, leaves, stems, and roots, but its percentage was variable throughout its development. The highest 20E percentage was found in flowers (0.82%), roots (0.66%), leaves (0.60%), and stems (0.24%). While stems showed the least variable 20E percentage (0.13% -0.24%), followed by roots (0.42% -0.66%), and flowers (0.47% -0.82%). Leaves showed the greatest 20E percentage variation (0.21% -0.60%). The stem and leaves 20E total amount remained constant, showing a little variation while root 20E total amount increased over time, suggesting that 20E may be accumulated in roots. These findings suggest that 20E has tissue specific functions in plant and may have ecological significance since uncoordinated pulses of 20E are often lethal to insects.

Photoautotrophic propagation of Brazilian ginseng [Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen]

“…Methanolic extracts from 3 independent samples were prepared with 100 mg of powdered plant material in 10 mL of methanol, and incubated at 25°C under agitation for 7 days. Quantification of 20E in the methanolic extract was performed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) according to Festucci-Buselli et al (2008b). The calibration curve was obtained by adding the standard 20-hydroxyecdysone (Sigma-Aldrich) to methanol at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 125, 150, and 200 mg L -1 .…”

Micropropagation and β-ecdysone content of the Brazilian ginsengs Pfaffia glomerata and Pfaffia tuberosa

“…Phytoecdysteroids have been found in different concentrations in many plants belonging to the Amaranthaceae family (Savchenko et al 1998), including the Pfaffia species Pfaffia iresinoides (Nishimoto et al 1987) and P. glomerata (Shiobara et al 1993). Despite the differing capacities of plant organs for phytoecdysteroid accumulation (Savchenko et al 1998), β-ecdysone content in P. glomerata has been almost exclusively been analyzed in roots (Festucci-Buselli et al 2008), which have been utilized as raw material by the phytotherapeutic industry. In the present study, HPLC analysis of methanolic extracts from P. glomerata and P. tuberosa showed that both roots and aerial parts contained a significant amount of β-ecdysone (Fig.…”

“…In general, important tissues/organs for plant survival contain a higher concentration of phytoecdysteroids, which is probably due to the protective effect of these compounds against insects (Dinan 2001;Klein 2004). Interestingly, Festucci-Buselli et al (2008) recently reported that the stem and leaf total of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) content in P. glomerata remained constant, showing little variation, while root total 20E content increased over time, suggesting that 20E may accumulate in roots. HPLC chromatograms of β-ecdysone detected in the roots of P. glomerata BRA genotype are shown in Fig.…”

“…However, to our knowledge, there are no reports in the literature about β-ecdysone production from micropropagated plants of these species. In addition, phytoecdysteroid accumulation by different organs has been scarcely studied (Festucci-Buselli et al 2008). The investigation on β-ecdysone accumulation in plant organs seems to be important in order to obtain new information for pharmacological and phytochemical studies, as well as to better understand the chemical's possible role in plants (Festucci-Buselli et al 2008).…”

“…In addition, phytoecdysteroid accumulation by different organs has been scarcely studied (Festucci-Buselli et al 2008). The investigation on β-ecdysone accumulation in plant organs seems to be important in order to obtain new information for pharmacological and phytochemical studies, as well as to better understand the chemical's possible role in plants (Festucci-Buselli et al 2008). Herein, we report the in vitro propagation of two genotypes of P. glomerata and one genotype of P. tuberosa from nodal segments and evaluate the β-ecdysone content in roots and aerial parts from plants obtained through in vitro multiplication and subsequently raised under field conditions, as well as from wild plants.…”