Abstract
Buxus sempervirens L. is a common ornamental plant in southern and central Europe, and has been used ethopharmacologically against a wide variety of diseases due to it containing nor-triterpene alkaloids of the nor-cycloartane type. Recently, we demonstrated the interesting antiprotozoal potential of some of these compounds. To characterize the temporal variability in the alkaloid profile of two different varieties and their leaves and twigs, 30 different extracts of B. sempervirens were evaluated by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography/positive Mode-Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-of-Flight-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC/+ESI-QqTOF-MS/MS). The analytical profiles were thoroughly investigated by various methods of multivariate data analysis (MVDA). A principal component analysis (PCA) model elucidates the seasonal variation in the phytochemical composition of B. sempervirens var. arborescens and suffruticosa along with differences between the varieties. Analysis of a volcano plot illustrated the differences between the two organs, the leaf and twig. Eighteen compounds were highlighted by the models as constituents of the plant characteristic for a season, variety or organ. These compounds were dereplicated based on their chromatographic and +ESI-QqTOF-MS and –MS/MS data. In addition, mass spectral fragmentation pathways for already known alkaloids as well as new natural products could be postulated for the first time. In conclusion, the MVDA models give detailed information on the temporal variability in the alkaloid profile of two different varieties and their organs (leaf vs. twig) of B. sempervirens. Thus, the results of this study allow, e.g., the identification of characteristic compounds for the different varieties, plant organs, seasons, and the optimal harvesting time for the isolation of particular Buxus-alkaloids of interest for subsequent studies.
Highlights
The common or European box or boxwood, Buxus sempervirens L. (Buxaceae), has been used as a medical plant to cure, amongst other diseases, rheumatism and malaria [1,2]
The subsequent fragmentation pathway could not be elucidated within this work. According to these mass spectral data, we suggest that compound 32 could be assigned to the known spiro-cyclopentane structure Spirofornabuxin [20], the only constituent of B. sempervirens with this elemental composition described so far
The results will allow the selection of the right plant variety and optimal harvesting time to obtain certain alkaloids that are, e.g., of interest because of a particular biological activity
Summary
The common or European box or boxwood, Buxus sempervirens L. (Buxaceae), has been used as a medical plant to cure, amongst other diseases, rheumatism and malaria [1,2]. The selective in vitro activity of an organic B. sempervirens leaf extract, as well as of alkaloidal fractions and isolated alkaloids against Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of Malaria tropica, has been demonstrated by us in previous studies [3,4] this plant can be considered as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. The purpose of this study is the investigation of differences in the alkaloid profile of two varieties Arborescens and suffruticosa [5] of B. sempervirens, the seasonal variability in their phytochemical composition as well as differences in alkaloid profiles between their leaves and twigs. Arborescens, which has been cultivated for centuries [6]. The majority of marketed boxwood plants belong to var. This bushy evergreen shrub or small tree has pointed dark green leaves. Buxus sempervirens var. suffruticosa exhibits broader and rounded foliage and forms small dense bushes [6]
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