Anti-oxidative metabolite comparison between two phenotypes of Celastrus hindsii Benth

Celastrus hindsii Benth. is an evergreen twining shrub that has been used for generations in Northern Vietnam for diseased treatment relating to ulcers, tumors, and inflammation due to its bioactive compounds. The narrow leaf and broad leaf phenotypes have raised concerns about their comparatively biochemical quality, which is the determinant of their uses for medicinal purposes. The study aimed to investigate the concentration of important anti-oxidative metabolites between narrow leaf and broad leaf phenotypes using spectrophotometric method. The results showed that BL had a significantly higher level of a-tocopherol, flavonoid, phospholipid, and possibly glutathione (based on an air-dry weight and protein basis). Stress biomarkers such as proline and malondialdehyde were elevated in NL, indicating their roles in response to stress. In contrast, the enzyme and metabolite increase in NL may be associated with tissue degradation. BL of C. hindsii, which contains more diverse and superior concentrations of essential phytochemicals and pharmaceutically related proteins, should be positioned as an important commercial source for natural drug development.