Calystegine distribution in some solanaceous species

Area of Science:

• Pharmacognosy
• Phytochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Calystegines are tropane alkaloids found in plants of the Solanaceae family.
• Their distribution and content can vary significantly between species and genera.
• Understanding calystegine profiles is crucial for chemotaxonomy and potential pharmaceutical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the distribution and content of eight specific calystegines in seven plant species.
• To provide the first report on calystegine profiles in Withania and Brunfelsia genera, as well as in Mandragora autumnalis and Solanum sodomaeum.

Main Methods:

• Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for the analysis.
• Eight target calystegines (A(3), A(5), B(1), B(2), B(3), B(4), C(1), N(1)) were quantified.

Main Results:

• Calystegines A(3), B(1), B(2), and B(3) were frequently detected across the studied species.
• Calystegines N(1) and C(1) showed more limited distribution.
• Calystegines A(5) and B(4) were consistently absent in all analyzed samples.

Conclusions:

• The study establishes the presence and variability of key calystegines in Datura metel, Atropa belladonna, Hyoscyamus albus, Mandragora autumnalis, Solanum sodomaeum, Withania somnifera, Withania frutescens, and Brunfelsia nitida.
• New phytochemical data were generated for previously unstudied species and genera, contributing to the chemotaxonomic understanding of Solanaceae.
• The findings highlight the potential for using calystegine profiles as markers for plant identification and classification.