Use of multivariable data analysis in unravelling the metabolic differences between two varieties of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Terpenoids, phenolic compounds and alkaloids are examples of some secondary metabolites responsible in how plants interact with their environment. These compounds present a wide diversity of structures and functional groups, which imply several biological activities. The metabolic pathways which control its biogenesis could be easily modified by ambient conditions. The implementations of new reactions in the synthetic cascades result in novel molecules. New secondary metabolites allow a better response for the plant under different growing conditions. 1 Therefore, measuring metabolic differences between two endemic plant varieties is a useful strategy to understand better the environmental adaptation of some species. Additionally, beyond its interest for phytochemical studies, this approach can be used in new drugs discovery.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) has historically been one of the most widespread used medicinal plants due to the richness in therapeutically active compounds. The dried flowers of chamomile contain many terpenoids and flavonoids some of them with antioxidant, neuro-protective, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anticancer activities. 2
For this study, two endemic varieties of chamomile from Europe and Jordan were compared. For primary appraisal, extracts of different polarities were biologically tested in order to evaluate which extracts will afford the active metabolites. The results showed that the semipolar extracts of both varieties had antioxidant activities but only the European variety yielded anticancer compounds. The metabolic profiles of both were compared by multivariate statistical analyses of HPLC-MS and NMR spectral data.