Bioactivity of extracts from Gentiana dinarica (Beck.) plants collected in natural habitat and cultured in vitro

Abstract Differences in the chemical composition of extracts obtained from plants grown in natural habitats and those of the same species grown in plant tissue culture may lead to variations in extract activities. Antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities were compared for extracts from the aerial parts and roots of G. dinarica (derived from natural habitats or cultured in vitro). An increase in secoiridoid and xanthone contents in extracts from shoots cultured in vitro, compared to aerial parts of plants from natural habitats, resulted in improved antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (but reduced activity against Staphylococcus aureus ), and better selectivity and activity against tumor cell lines. An anti-inflammatory response (decreased myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and interferon (IFN)-γ production) was observed in spleen cells following stimulation with extract from aerial parts, whereas stimulation with shoot culture extract induced a pro-inflammatory response (increased IL-6, IL-17, and IFN-γ production). Roots cultured in vitro lack secoiridoids, which are present in roots of plants from natural habitats, and accumulate higher amounts of xanthones, resulting in differences in certain activities. Production of immune mediators was altered only in response to extract from roots of plants from a natural habitat (increased IL-6 and nitric oxide (NO)), while extracts from roots cultured in vitro exhibited the strongest free radical scavenging capacity and showed better activity against P. aeruginosa . Depending on the activity tested, potentiation, suppression, or absence of effect may be observed, indicating the need for a detailed comparison of the biological activities of extracts obtained from plants grown in natural habitats and tissue cultures that differ in chemical composition.