Cecropia is a genus of plant that has been traditionally used to treat various ailments. Regarding the use of this plant for the treatment of diabetes, it has been stated that Chlorogenic Acid (CA) and Isoorientin (ISO) are chemical markers associated with this biological activity. An investigation was carried out to show the presence of these compounds in two species of Cecropia (C. peltata and C. obtusifolia) collected in the five regions of the state of Tabasco, Mexico. The samples were run on a HPLC/PDA (Waters 2695 separation module with a PDA Waters 2996 detector): a reverse-phase column (Supelcosil LC-F) was employed with a gradient elution system (solvent A: TFA 0.5% in water; solvent B: acetonitrile). The respective peaks for CA and ISO were identified in the chromatograms obtained. The areas under the curve of the peaks of interest were extrapolated in the corresponding calibration curves constructed from standards of both metabolites. This procedure made possible the identification of CA and ISO both qualitatively and quantitatively in the five hydroalcoholic extracts analyzed. These compounds presented variations related to their concentration, species and place of collection. In the case of CA, the C. peltata samples from Chontalpa and Pantanos regions showed concentrations above 20%, while in Centro and Ríos regions, the concentrations of this compound were below 10%. In the particular case of C. obtusifolia from the Sierra region, the CA concentration was below 5%. For ISO, the highest concentrations (above 10%) were found in the C. peltata samples from Ríos and Pantanos regions, whereas Chontalpa and Centro regions presented concentrations below 10% for this metabolite. In the case of C. obtusifolia from the Sierra region, the ISO concentration was just above 5%. In addition, the proportion between the concentrations of both compounds (CA/ISO) was also different in the five samples analyzed. In the case of C. peltata, the proportion of AC was higher than ISO in Chontalpa, Pantanos and Centro regions. For C. obtusifolia, from the Sierra region, AC was found in a lower proportion compared to ISO. These phytochemical variabilities may be associated with the plasticity of the plant, which derives from the conditions to which it may be exposed in its environment.

Miguel Vilchis Reyes

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