The predominant (>90%) low-molecular-mass polyphenol was isolated from the leaves of the resurrection plant Myrothamnus flabellifolius and identified to be 3,4,5 tri-O-galloylquinic acid using 1H and 13C one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The structure was confirmed by mass spectrometric analysis. This compound was present at high concentrations, 44% (by weight) in hydrated leaves and 74% (by weight) in dehydrated leaves. Electron microscopy of leaf material fixed with glutaraldehyde and caffeine demonstrated that the polyphenols were localized in large vacuoles in both hydrated and dehydrated leaves. 3,4,5 Tri-O-galloylquinic acid was shown to stabilize an artificial membrane system, liposomes, against desiccation if the polyphenol concentration was between 1 and 2 μg/μg phospholipid. The phase transition of these liposomes observed at 46 °C was markedly diminished by the presence of 3,4,5 tri-O-galloylquinic acid, suggesting that the presence of the polyphenol maintained the membranes in the liquid crystalline phase at physiological temperatures. 3,4,5 Tri-O-galloylquinic acid was also shown to protect linoleic acid against free radical-induced oxidation.
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Research Article|
December 14 2004
The predominant polyphenol in the leaves of the resurrection plant Myrothamnus flabellifolius, 3,4,5 tri-O-galloylquinic acid, protects membranes against desiccation and free radical-induced oxidation
John P. MOORE;
John P. MOORE
*Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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Kim L. WESTALL;
Kim L. WESTALL
*Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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Neil RAVENSCROFT;
Neil RAVENSCROFT
†Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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Jill M. FARRANT;
Jill M. FARRANT
*Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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George G. LINDSEY;
George G. LINDSEY
1
*Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email Lindsey@Science.uct.ac.za).
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Wolf F. BRANDT
Wolf F. BRANDT
*Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
March 26 2004
Revision Received:
September 01 2004
Accepted:
September 09 2004
Accepted Manuscript online:
September 09 2004
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
The Biochemical Society, London
2005
Biochem J (2005) 385 (1): 301–308.
Article history
Received:
March 26 2004
Revision Received:
September 01 2004
Accepted:
September 09 2004
Accepted Manuscript online:
September 09 2004
Citation
John P. MOORE, Kim L. WESTALL, Neil RAVENSCROFT, Jill M. FARRANT, George G. LINDSEY, Wolf F. BRANDT; The predominant polyphenol in the leaves of the resurrection plant Myrothamnus flabellifolius, 3,4,5 tri-O-galloylquinic acid, protects membranes against desiccation and free radical-induced oxidation. Biochem J 1 January 2005; 385 (1): 301–308. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BJ20040499
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