Metabolomics and bioinformatics strategies for the valorization of Prunus domestica L. Italian varieties with antiangiogenic activity

Plant biodiversity means richness of earth life and its protection is a current hot topic worldwide [1,2]. In Italy, numerous Prunus domestica L. (Rosaceae) varieties are produced, some of them having a local spread and being poorly studied [3]. The aim of this work was the valorization of Italian plum varieties at risk of extinction provided by the natural reserve “National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago”. Chemical quali-quantitative analyses by UHPLC-Orbitrap/ESI-HRMS and antiangiogenic tests joint with a bioinformatics approach for data processing were performed. The multidimensional chemical/biological datasets were compared with those of commercial and Mediterranean varieties. Thirty-two compounds (hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids, and anthocyanins) were identified. The Rossa Casa Velasco (RCV) was the richest in flavonoid and anthocyanin content (76.9±1.0 fresh fruit (FF) and 610.9±13.2 mg/100g FF, respectively). Its rich phytocomplex determined a marked microvasculature reduction in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, in addition to a decrease of endogenous alkaline phosphatase (EAP) activity released by zebrafish embryos. Multivariate analyses (PCA) according to genotypes and metabolites allow for identifying RCV and anthocyanins, respectively, as the main components driving the overall variance, whereas hierarchical clustering demonstrated the presence of three groups (RCV and Marisa being the most distal) in terms of chemical profile similarity. Pearson correlation-based approach was exploited to the metabolites potentially most associated with the antiangiogenic bioactivity: three flavonoids (rutin, quercetin arabinoside, and isorhamnetin) were found in common with CAM and zebrafish. In conclusion, Italian plum varieties showed a better antiangiogenic activity compared to the extensively consumed ones. [1] Giupponi L, Pilu R, Scarafoni A, Giorgi A. Plant agro‑biodiversity needs protection, study and promotion: results of research conducted in Lombardy region (Northern Italy). Biodivers Conserv 2020; 29: 409–430 [2] Thuiller W, Lavorel S, Araujo MB, Sykes MT, Prentice IC. Climate change threats to plant diversity in Europe. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2005; 102: 8245–8250 [3] Konarska A. Characteristics of fruit (Prunus domestica L.) skin: structure and antioxidant content. Int J Food Prop 2015; 18: 2487–2499