Genetic, chemical, and biological diversity in Mangifera indica L. cultivars

Context: Mango is a valuable plant with vital economic importance; the leaves of its cultivars show several morphological similarities. Aims: Full differentiation of the leaves of eight Mangifera indica L. cultivars depending on genetic, chemical, and biological bases. Settings and Design: Chemometric analysis was applied to fully distinguish the diversity among cultivars; also, their gastroprotective activity was studied. Subjects and Methods: DNA fingerprinting of eight mango cultivars using random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction technique and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of phenolic compounds and flavonoids were compared using chemometric analysis. Furthermore, estimation of total polyphenolics and flavonoids and gastroprotective activity was studied.Statistical Analysis Used: One-way analysis of variance was used, followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Results: Primers OPA-O7 and OPA-O8 showed 100% polymorphism. Total polyphenolics and flavonoids concentrations varied greatly (14.58 in Tommy atkins to 29.54 in Fagrklan g gallic acid equivalent/100 g extract and 22.49 in Tommy atkins to 93.40 in Fagrklan g rutin equivalent/100 g extract, respectively). HPLC quantification revealed that Kent had relatively high mangiferin content (732.446 mg/kg), and caffeic acid was recorded in the tested cultivars (2266.66 in Keitt to 1106.94 mg/kg in Naaomy). Pylorus ligation model in rats was used to assess gastroprotective potential at a dose of 200 mg/kg using standard ranitidine. High percentage protection was observed in Kent (65.62%), whereas Keitt showed the lowest percentage protection (45.31%). No direct correlation could be deduced between concentration of detected metabolites and the gastroprotective effect, so this activity might be attributed to synergistic effect between all secondary metabolites. Conclusions: This study spots the light on the great variation among the tested extracts; in addition, it provides effective techniques that pave the way for complete discrimination of these mango cultivars.