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.