A Comprehensive Literature Review on Cardioprotective Effects of Bioactive Compounds Present in Fruits of Aristotelia chilensis Stuntz (Maqui).

Some fruits and vegetables, rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, may inhibit platelet activation pathways and therefore reduce the risk of suffering from CVD when consumed regularly. Aristotelia chilensis Stuntz (Maqui) is a shrub or tree native to Chile with outstanding antioxidant activity, associated with its high content in anthocyanins, polyphenols, and flavonoids. Previous studies reveal different pharmacological properties for this berry, but its cardioprotective potential has been little studied. Despite having an abundant composition, and being rich in bioactive products with an antiplatelet role, there are few studies linking this berry with antiplatelet activity. This review summarizes and discusses relevant information on the cardioprotective potential of Maqui, based on its composition of bioactive compounds, mainly as a nutraceutical antiplatelet agent. Articles published between 2000 and 2022 in the following bibliographic databases were selected: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Our search revealed that Maqui is a promising cardiovascular target since extracts from this berry have direct effects on the reduction in cardiovascular risk factors (glucose index, obesity, diabetes, among others). Although studies on antiplatelet activity in this fruit are recent, its rich chemical composition clearly shows that the presence of chemical compounds (anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, among others) with high antiplatelet potential can provide this berry with antiplatelet properties. These bioactive compounds have antiplatelet effects with multiple targets in the platelet, particularly, they have been related to the inhibition of thromboxane, thrombin, ADP, and GPVI receptors, or through the pathways by which these receptors stimulate platelet aggregation. Detailed studies are needed to clarify this gap in the literature, as well as to specifically evaluate the mechanism of action of Maqui extracts, due to the presence of phenolic compounds.

Phenotypic variation of fruit and ecophysiological traits among maqui (Aristotelia chilensis [Molina] Stuntz) provenances established in a common garden.

The domestication of forest species has traditionally relied on productivity issues. However, today there are concerns about the potential responses of natural populations and new cultivars to extreme climatic conditions derived from climate change and how to incorporate this knowledge into the domestication programs. Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz ('Maqui') is a widely distributed native species in Chile. Its berry is considered a "super fruit" with an increasing interest in the food industry. This study investigated the phenotypic variation of growth, fruit, and ecophysiological traits of 20 A. chilensis clones originated from six provenances along the latitudinal gradient and established in a common-garden experiment in the Mediterranean zone of central Chile (center part of the species distribution). Differences among provenances were observed for most of the traits under study, especially between the northern and southernmost provenances (i.e., San Fernando versus Entre Lagos). Northern provenances showed higher development of vegetative tissue and fruit yield but lower intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEint) compared with southern ones. Clonal variation within provenances was found significant for the ripening index, WUEint, and fruit number and weight but not significant for traits related to the crown and leaf morphology. A genetic differentiation due to latitudinal cline was not evident in this study, but differences among provenances suggest local adaptation for some traits. The genotypic variation in productive traits must be considered in the outgoing domestication of the species and future selection programs.

Antiplatelet activity and chemical analysis of leaf and fruit extracts from Aristotelia chilensis.

Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz, also known as maqui, is a plant native to Chile without chemical characterization and quantification of the bioactive compounds present in it. HPLC-UV and HPLC-MS/MS studies have shown the presence, at different concentrations, of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds in fruit and leave extracts of the domesticated maqui clones Luna Nueva, Morena, and Perla Negra. The extracts from leaves and unripe fruits of Luna Nueva and Morena clones significantly inhibit platelet aggregation induced by several agonists; the extracts inhibit platelet granule secretion by decreasing the exposure of P-selectin and CD63 at the platelet membrane. Reactive oxygen species formation in platelets is lower in the presence of maqui extracts. Statistical Pearson analysis supports the levels of phenolic and anthocyanin compounds being responsible for the antiaggregant maqui effects. This work is the first evidence of antiplatelet activity from Aristotelia chilensis giving added value to the use of leaves and unripe fruits from this species.

Antiplatelet Activity of Isorhamnetin via Mitochondrial Regulation.

With the diet, we ingest nutrients capable of modulating platelet function, which plays a crucial role in developing cardiovascular events, one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Studies that demonstrate the antiplatelet and antithrombotic potential of bioactive compounds are vital to maintaining good cardiovascular health. In this work, we evaluate the flavonol isorhamnetin's antiplatelet effect on human platelets, using collagen, thrombin receptor activator peptide 6 (TRAP-6), and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) as agonists. Isorhamnetin induced a significant inhibition on collagen- and TRAP-6-induced platelet aggregation, with half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 8.1 ± 2.6 and 16.1 ± 11.1 µM, respectively; while it did not show cytotoxic effect. Isorhamnetin reduced adenosine triphosphate levels (ATP) in platelets stimulated by collagen and TRAP-6. We also evidenced that isorhamnetin's antiplatelet activity was related to the inhibition of mitochondrial function without effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Additionally, we investigated isorhamnetin's effect on thrombus formation in vitro under flow conditions on the damaged vessel wall. In this context, we demonstrate that isorhamnetin at 20 µM induced a significant inhibition on platelet deposition, confirming its antithrombotic effect. Our findings corroborate the antiplatelet and antithrombotic potential of isorhamnetin present in many foods of daily consumption.

In vitro asymbiotic germination for micropropagation of the recalcitrant terrestrial orchid Chloraea crispa (Orchidaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Chloraea crispa is a terrestrial Orchidaceae species native to Chile, characterized by a beautiful and showy inflorescence. The species has a great potential for commercial exploitation in the cut flower industry, but it is essential to improve propagation methods to avoid endangering its natural populations. Because this species is hard to propagate using traditional greenhouse techniques, in vitro techniques offer an effective tool for its large-scale production in terms of germination, growth, and propagation. METHODS: The current study evaluated the effect of the culture medium on the asymbiotic germination of C. crispa seeds, as well as the effects of the plant growth regulators 6-benzylaminopurine and indole-3-butyric acid. Different light regimes were also studied. RESULTS: A significant effect was observed for the interaction between culture media and light regime on the morphogenic response of the seeds. The highest rate of embryonic germination was obtained in Van Waes medium supplemented with 0.1 mg·L-1 of 6-benzylaminopurine. DISCUSSION: For the first time, asymbiotic culture of this species using biotechnology tools has been developed. Plantlets developed very well under in vitro conditions, allowing the possibility to propagate and store genetic material for conservation and domestication purposes.

Biomass, resin and essential oil content and their variability in natural populations of the Chilean crude drug “bailahuén” (Haplopappus spp) / Biomasa, contenido de resina y aceite esencial y su variabilidad en poblaciones naturales de las especies de droga cruda chilena “bailahuén” (Haplopappus spp)

Bailahuén (Haplopappus rigidus, Haplopappus baylahuen, Haplopappus multifolius and Haplopappus taeda; Asteraceae) are medicinal shrubs native to the Andes Mountains of Chile widely used to treat hepatic ailments. At present, exploitation of bailahuén is based on wild collections, affecting the abundance of natural populations. Variability of biomass production and concentration of active compounds in different wild populations of the four Haplopappus species was studied in order to select the best plant material for cultivation. Resins were extracted with dichloromethane and essential oils by distillation. Biomass production of the populations was highest for H. baylahuen and H. rigidus compared with the other species, reaching between 0.56 and 1.61 kg and 1.11-1.48 kg per plant, respectively. No differences were found among populations of the same species. In some H. rigidus populations, the resin content was about a third of the dry weight, whereas plants of H. multifolius had mean values of about 8 percent. In H. baylahuen (11.3-27.7 percent) the resin content of leaves differed significantly among populations, whereas the essential oil ranged from 0.02-0.38 mL*100g DM-1 in H. baylahuen, 0.03-0.5 mL*100 g DM-1 for H. rigidus, and 0.08-0.35 mL*100 g DM-1 for H. taeda. Resin content in stems differed only among H. baylahuen (6.3-15.5 percent) and H. rigidus (10.7-21.2 percent) populations. No significant differences in essential oil content among species could be detected because of the large amount of variation observed among populations. The variation between plants of the same population may indicate favorable selection potential for future breeding programs.

Bailahuén (Haplopappus rigidus, Haplopappus baylahuen, Haplopappus multifolius y Haplopappus taeda; Asteraceae) son arbustos medicinales de la Cordillera de los Andes Chilena ampliamente usados para tratar malestares hepáticos. Actualmente, la explotación del bailahuén se basa en la recolección silvestre, afectando su abundancia. La variabilidad en diferentes poblaciones silvestres de las cuatro especies de Haplopappus fue usada en orden a determinar la potencialidad para seleccionar el mejor material vegetal para cultivo en producción de biomasa y contenido de principios activos. La resina se extrajo por inmersión en diclorometano y el aceite esencial por destilación. Los mayores rendimientos de biomasa se observaron en H. rigidus y H. baylahuen, con valores poblacionales que fluctuaron entre 1,11-1,48 y 0,56-1,61 kg planta-1, respectivamente, sin presentar diferencias entre poblaciones de la misma especie. El contenido de resinas alcanzó en algunas poblaciones de H. rigidus hasta un tercio del peso seco, mientras que en H. multifolius fue de aproximadamente 8 por ciento. En hojas, sólo se observaron diferencias significativas en el contenido de resinas entre poblaciones de H. baylahuen (11,3-27,7 por ciento). El contenido de aceites esenciales en hojas permitió diferenciar poblaciones de H. baylahuen (0,02-0,38 mL*100g MS-1), H. rigidus (0,03-0,50 mL*100g MS-1) y H. taeda (0,08-0,35 mL*100g MS-1). En tallos, el contenido de resina difirió significativamente entre poblaciones de H. baylahuen (6,3-15,6 por ciento) y H. rigidus (10,7-21,2 por ciento). La alta variación del contenido de aceite esencial entre poblaciones no permitió establecer diferencias entre especies. La variación entre poblaciones de la misma especie sugiere un buen pronóstico para futuras selecciones y mejoramiento genético.

Effect of different provenances and production conditions on antioxidant properties in Buddleja globosa leaves / Efecto de diferentes procedencias y condiciones de cultivo sobre propiedades antioxidantes en hojas de Buddleja globosa

Buddleja globosa Hope (matico) is a medicinal shrub native to Chile whose leaves have been traditionally used for wound and ulcer healing, pathologies associated to oxidative stress. Matico leaves display a high content of polyphenols, compounds with recognized antioxidant capacity, which may contribute to its therapeutic properties. Several factors, however, can modify the polyphenol content of matico leaf extracts, including plant material, production techniques, provenances, leaf age, harvest time, irrigation, and desiccation procedures. Thus, standardized leaf extracts prepared with plants from different provenances and harvest conditions were compared in terms of polyphenol content and their protecting antioxidant effects on rat liver microsomal lipids and thiol groups. All factors tested, but irrigation, changed both polyphenol content and antioxidant properties of matico extracts; water stress only affected their antioxidant properties without changing their polyphenol content. Correlation between polyphenol content and lipid peroxidation inhibition was only significant in the provenance study.

Buddleja globosa Hope (matico) es un arbusto medicinal nativo de Chile cuyas hojas han sido utilizadas en la medicina tradicional como cicatrizante en caso de patologías relacionadas con el estrés oxidativo. Las hojas tienen un alto contenido de polifenoles, compuestos con reconocidos efectos antioxidantes relacionados con la inhibición de la lipoperoxidación. Varios factores pueden afectar a su contenido, entre ellos el origen de la planta, edad de la hoja, momento de cosecha, riego y métodos de secado. En extractos estandarizados preparados de hojas de diferentes tratamientos se compararon el contenido de polifenoles y los efectos antioxidantes protectores de lipidos y grupos tioles microsomales. Todos los ensayos de cultivo y postcosecha mostraron diferencias significativas entre los tratamientos, excepto para la inhibición de lipoperoxidación en el tratamiento de riego. Plantas de diferente origen muestran que el contenido de polifenoles en las hojas es determinado genéticamente y sufre variaciones por efectos ambientales.

Antioxidant properties and TLC characterization of four Chilean Haplopappus-species known as bailahuén.

"Bailahuén" is the common name of a medicinal shrub native to Chile where this resinous herb is widely used for its liver stimulating properties. Although the official species is Haplopappus baylahuen Remy (Asteraceae), other species of the same genus are also used in different regions as "bailahuén". A thin layer chromatography (TLC) method for rapid identification of different species and detection of adulterations is described for four of the species: Haplopappus baylahuen, Haplopappus taeda Reiche, Haplopappus multifolius Phil., and Haplopappus remyanus Wedd. To confirm efficiency in all species antioxidant properties were screened in resins, infusions, and methanolic extracts by tests of lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes and free radical scavenging activity by DPPH. In both studies Haplopappus baylahuen showed the lowest antioxidant capacity. In DPPH analyses, infusion and resins of Haplopappus baylahuen also showed the lowest and Haplopappus remyanus the major inhibiting activity of free radicals, while Haplopappus multifolius proved to have the highest result when the methanolic extracts were used. The chemical characterization of the studied species showed important levels of flavonoids and coumarins, with flavonoids predominating in Haplopappus taeda, coumarins in Haplopappus multifolius and both of them in Haplopappus baylahuen and Haplopappus remyanus.