Phytogeographic and genetic variation inSorbus, a traditional antidiabetic medicine-adaptation in action in both a plant and a discipline.
Mountain ash (Sorbus decoraandS. americana) is used by the Cree Nation of the James Bay region of Quebec (Eeyou Istchee) as traditional medicine. Its potential as an antidiabetic medicine is thought to vary across its geographical range, yet little is known about the factors that affect its antioxidant capacity. Here, we examined metabolite gene expression in relation to antioxidant activity, linking phytochemistry and medicinal potential. Samples of leaf and bark fromS. decoraandS. americanawere collected from 20 populations at four different latitudes. Two genes known to produce antidiabetic substances, flavonol synthase and squalene synthase, were analyzed using quantitative real time PCR. Gene expression was significantly higher for flavonol synthase compared to squalene synthase and increased in the most Northern latitude. Corresponding differences observed in the antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extracts from the bark ofSorbusspp. confirm that plants at higher latitudes increase production of stress-induced secondary metabolites and support Aboriginal perceptions of their higher medicinal potential. Modern genetic techniques such as quantitative real time PCR offer unprecedented resolution to substantiate and scrutinise Aboriginal medicinal plant perception. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights into how environmental stress can trigger an adaptive response resulting in the accumulation of secondary metabolites with human medicinal properties.
Department of Plant Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada; Jardin Botanique de Montréal, Institut de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Anna
A
Bailie
Département de Sciences Biologiques, Institut de Recherche en Biologie Végétale, Université de Montréal , Montreal , QC , Canada.
Sebastien
S
Renaut
Institute for the Study of International Development, McGill University , Montreal , QC , Canada.
Eliane
E
Ubalijoro
Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Red de Estudios Moleculares Avanzados, Instituto de Ecología A.C, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico.
José A
JA
Guerrero-Analco
Department of Biology, University of Ottawa , Ottawa , ON , Canada.
Ammar
A
Saleem
Département de Pharmacologie, University of Montreal , Montreal , QC , Canada.
Pierre
P
Haddad
Department of Biology, University of Ottawa , Ottawa , ON , Canada.
John T
JT
Arnason
Department of Plant Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada; School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada.
Timothy
T
Johns
Jardin Botanique de Montréal, Institut de Recherche en Biologie Végétale , Montreal , QC , Canada.
Alain
A
Cuerrier
Adaptation; Antioxidant; Ethnobotany; Phytochemistry; Quantitative rtPCR; Sorbus