A systematic study of the polyphenolic composition of aqueous extracts deriving from several Cistus genus species: evolutionary relationship.
BACKGROUND
Cistaceae is a large family of shrubs widely spread over the Mediterranean area. It includes Helianthemum, Halimium and Cistus genus. Cistus genus contains approximately 20 species distributed in three subgenus. The essential oil of Cistus species has been thoroughly studied, but the polyphenolic composition of the aerial parts of the different Cistus species needs further characterisation.


OBJECTIVE
To perform a comparative analysis of the qualitative and quantitative polyphenolic composition of the aerial parts of the most commonly distributed Spanish Cistus species in order to find a relationship between chemotype and subgenus.


METHODS
Thirteen aqueous extracts derived from 10 different Cistus species were analysed by using HPLC with diode array-detection coupled to electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry technique (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS). Their major compounds were identified and ellagitannins were quantified. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the most relevant compounds to find out the statistical association between chemotype and variety.


RESULTS
Three main groups of compounds were found, i.e. ellagitannins, flavonoids and phenolic acids derivatives. The polyphenolic profile was specific for each species, although the abundance of some compounds also varied depending on the soil type. Whereas C. ladanifer, C. salviifolius, C. populifolius and C. libanotis were specially rich in ellagitannins, C. clusii, C. laurifolius and C. monspeliensis contained significant amounts of flavonoids and much less ellagitannins. In contrast, C. crispus, C. incanus and C. albidus showed a polyphenolic profile mostly based on flavonoids. PCA analysis showed a strong relationship between Cistus subgenus and its chemotype based on the most relevant water-soluble polyphenolic compounds.


CONCLUSIONS
Chemical composition of the leaves' aqueous extracts from plants belonging to the Cistus genus is strongly related to their subgenus, in agreement to previous taxonomical and phylogenetic divisions. In contrast, soil and climate are less influencing factors. Leucocistus and Halimioides subgenus showed a higher content in ellagitannins. However, Cistus subgenus had higher flavonoid content.
Molecular and Cellular Biology Institute (IBMC), Miguel Hernández University, Avenida de la Universidad s/n, E-03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain.
Enrique
E
Barrajón-Catalán
Salvador
S
Fernández-Arroyo
Cristina
C
Roldán
Emilio
E
Guillén
Domingo
D
Saura
Antonio
A
Segura-Carretero
Vicente
V
Micol
D005075:Biological Evolution; D029758:Cistus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D002980:Climate; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D059808:Polyphenols; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility
D005419:Flavonoids; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D012987:Soil; D004610:Ellagic Acid