Season affects active metabolite composition and cytotoxic effect in Phoradendron wattii methanol extracts

Abstract

Plant-derived secondary metabolites are a source of promising bioactive molecules in the search for safer more selective cancer drugs. Mexico's flora is extremely diverse and many species, such as Phoradendron wattii, form part of traditional medicine. Compounds with notable cytotoxic activity have been isolated from P. wattii, but their concentrations may vary seasonally. The aim was to identify any variation in active metabolite concentrations in Phoradendron wattii methanol extracts in response to season. Betulin exhibited the most evident seasonal variations, being most abundant during the midsummer drought. Cytotoxic activity was highest (29±1 µg/mL) in the rainy season methanol extract. Though not the most abundant metabolite in the extracts, 3α,24-dihydroxylup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid is apparently one of the most active among them and is a promising chemotaxonomic biomarker for this species. In summary, secondary metabolite concentrations in P. wattii methanol extracts varied in response to season, and these variations influenced cytotoxic activity.

Dynamic DNA Methylation Regulates Season-Dependent Secondary Metabolism in the New Shoots of Tea Plants

“…The contents of 57 secondary metabolites were variable among seasons in four moss species . The secondary metabolite contents vary in Phoradendron wattii in response to seasons, and the variations influence the cytotoxic activity . However, how the secondary metabolism is regulated by seasonal factors is still largely elusive in plants.…”