Characterization and Propagation of Some Medicinal Plants in the Central-South Region of Chile
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G Model INDCRO-5529; No. of Pages 9 ARTICLE IN PRESS Industrial Crops and Products xxx (2010) xxx–xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Industrial Crops and Products journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/indcrop Characterization and propagation of some medicinal plants in the central-south region of Chile Susana Fischer a,∗, Marisol Berti a,f, Rosemarie Wilckens a, Marcelo Baeza b, Edgar Pastene c, Luis Inostroza d, Claudia Tramón e, W. Gonzalez a a Dep. Producción Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 537, Chillán, Chile b Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Oceanográfica, Universidad de Concepción, Chile c Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepción, Chile d Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias Quilamapu, Chillán, Chile e Facultad de Ingeniería Agrícola, Universidad de Concepción, Chile f Dep. of Plant Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States article info abstract Article history: The increase of land use for crop cultivation and forest in South Central Chile, and the increasing wild- Received 10 October 2010 crafting of medicinal plants has resulted in a significant reduction of the plant population density of many Accepted 12 October 2010 native and endemic medicinal plants. Their cultivation and domestication is very limited, and there are Available online xxx no regulations or legislation for wildcrafting in Chile. The objectives of this study were to collect genetic material from five native medicinal plants (Adesmia emarginata, Buddleja globosa, Fabiana imbricata, Linum Keywords: chamissonis, and Sophora macrocarpa), characterize the environmental conditions in which these grow Habitat in the Bio-Bio Region, Chile, and to determine the content of specific bioactive molecules. A maximum Germination of 10 accessions of each species were collected in 2003, 2004, and 2005 in a longitudinal and transversal Seed ◦ ◦ ◦ Flavonoids transect of the Bio-Bio Region (36 00 –38 30 S; 71 W). Data of altitude, light conditions, soil chemical Rutin and physical characteristics and associated flora of the site collection were recorded. Seed germination requirements and the content of specific bioactive molecules (flavonoids or rutin) were also determined. In general, all these species are adapted to grow in poor soils with different pH values, P and K levels, low organic matter and N content. Flavonoids were determined in both A. emarginata (0.6–1%) and B. globosa (9.7–13.9%) leaves, while rutin concentration was determined in F. imbricata leaves and stems (1.3–5.3%). Results showed great variations for the content of active principles with medicinal activity, which indi- cates a corresponding variation in the quality of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Due to the fact that information on the domestication, propagation, cultivation and agronomic practices can ensure good pharmaceutical quality, this study provides a basis for further research on Chilean medicinal plants. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Vogel, 2000; Conama, 2003). In addition, approximately 13% of the vascular flora has a potential use. The use of medicinal plants has increased in the last few years. Adesmia emarginata is used in traditional medicine mainly The current concern on better health has resulted in a higher because of its analgesic and diuretic properties. It is a perennial demand of medicinal plants worldwide and has also encouraged plant that usually stays under snow at least 5 months a year, the interest in the search for new active compounds in the flora depending on weather conditions. of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate flora, such as in Chile. As a Buddleja globosa is a perennial shrub or small tree, reaching 4 m long and narrow country, with different types of soil and climate, high, with a soft thin trunk and a ramified branch structure. The Chile has a highly endemic flora. In fact, 85% of Chilean vascular infusion of these leaves is mainly used because of it diuretic, anti- flora is native and approximately 44% is endemic (Cubillos, 1994; inflammatory and wound-healing properties. It is used as a remedy for hepatic affections and dysentery, and as a local antiseptic for intestinal ulceration (Montes, s/f; Munoz˜ et al., 2001). An ointment for healing cracks in the nipples of breastfeeding mothers is sold ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +56 42 208871; fax: +56 42 275009. in local shops in Chile. It can also be used for dyeing natural fibers E-mail address: sfi[email protected] (F. Susana). (Navas, 1979) and as an ornamental plant (Montenegro, 2000). 0926-6690/$ – see front matter © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2010.10.012 Please cite this article in press as: Susana, F., et al., Characterization and propagation of some medicinal plants in the central-south region of Chile. Ind. Crops Prod. (2010), doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2010.10.012 G Model INDCRO-5529; No. of Pages 9 ARTICLE IN PRESS 2 F. Susana et al. / Industrial Crops and Products xxx (2010) xxx–xxx Fabiana imbrincata is a shrub with numerous upright branches, S. macrocarpa seeds were scarified by soaking them into sulfu- attaining a height of 3 m. Leaves are small and sessile, emitting ric acid (98–99%, v/v) for 15 or 30 min. After scarification, seeds when crushed an aromatic and resinous odor. The infusion obtained were washed with running water for 16 h to remove the acid. For from the bark and stems of this shrub has gastroprotector, chola- mechanical scarification, seeds were placed in a cylinder, covered gogue, liver stimulant, sedative, antiseptic, soothing, and diuretic with sand paper and agitated for 10 min. Then, seeds were placed effects (Montes, s/f; Munoz˜ et al., 2001; Navas Bustamante, 2001). in plastic trays of 14 cm × 19 cm on folded filter paper humidified This infusion is also used to treat Fasciola hepatica infections in goats with distilled water. and sheep in Chilean folk medicine (Navas Bustamante, 2001). In L. chamissonis: seeds were washed with Benomil 10% (w/v) to Chile, wild plants are harvested for flower shops. In other coun- avoid pathogens. Seeds were then placed in Petri dishes with humid tries, this shrub is used as an ornamental plant in gardens (Sánchez filter paper. de Lorenzo-Cáceres, s/f) or in flowerpot (Grüneberg, 1993, 1994, Three germination chambers were used. For the experiment 1995). under dark conditions, Petri dishes were covered with aluminum Linum chamissonis whole plant or dry seeds, which contain both paper. Metal Petri dishes were used and the evaluation was car- oil and glucosides, are used in Chilean folk medicine as laxative and ried out in a dark chamber with red light in order to avoid the emollient, for indigestion, painful dyspepsia, cold, intestinal disor- stimulation of light in the germination process. Observations on ders, antispasmodic, and irritable bowel syndrome (Munoz˜ et al., the number of germinated seeds were made on a daily basis and 2001). Whole plant is used to diminish local inflammations (Munoz˜ records were kept. et al., 2001). Sophora macrocarpa is a perennial small tree or shrub that can 2.3. Evaluated parameters reach 3 m in height (Rodríguez et al., 1983). It contains flavonoids that promote pharmacological activities on capillary fragility and Germination percentage was calculated, as follows: anti-inflammatory activity on blood vessels. It also presents anti- = . / . × spasmodic and antipyretic effects (Backhouse and Delporte, 1977). GP (No ofgerminatedseeds) (No ofsownseeds) 100 (1) Because of their hard seed coat, S. macrocarpa seeds are not able to where GP is the germination percentage. germinate (Rodríguez et al., 1995). Vigor index was calculated using the formula described by The increase of land used for crop and forest cultivation in South Anfirud and Schneiter (1984): Central Chile, and the increasing wild crafting of medicinal plants has resulted in the decrease of plant population density of many A1 A2 An IV = + +···+ native and endemic medicinal plants. There are no regulations or X1 X2 Xn legislation for wildcrafting in Chile (Vogel et al., 2005). In order where A = number of seeds that germinated daily in each experi- to prevent the extinction of some endemic plants, actions need to 1 mental unit from the first day, when the first seed germinated, to be taken. On this respect, only a few attempts have been made to the day when the last seed germinated for each experimental unit; domesticate and cultivate them. X = correlative day since the first germinated seed was observed in This preliminary study aimed to characterize the environment, any experimental unit (day 1), until the day in which the last seed rescue, propagate, and characterize plants both in situ and ex situ germinated; N = day of the last germination. and to determine the content of specific bioactive molecules of Germination rate was determined according to the formula used some native medicinal species grown in the Bio-Bio Region, in by Quintero et al. (1999):TG=(N × T + N × T + Nn × Tn)/(No. total South Central Chile, in order to contribute to the maintenance of 1 1 2 2 of germinated seeds) where: N = germinated seed number on day regional genetic heritage. i i = 1,2, ..., nTi = time in days TG50: time (days) required to achieve 2. Materials and methods 50% of germination (Olivares et al., 1999). 2.1. Characterization of soil and environment 2.3.1. Determination of total flavonoids A sample of 400 mg of pulverized dry plant material (180 mesh) Accessions of each of the following species were collected was extracted in a water bath with 15 mL of methanol for 15 min between 2003 and 2005: A. emarginata (six accessions), B. globosa, (Nieva-Moreno et al., 2000). The extracts were further sonicated F. imbricata, L. chamissonis (10 accessions of each one) and S. macro- during 15 min, concentrated by rotary evaporation and brought to carpa (nine accessions).