Differentiating Two Species of ‘Mother-of-Thousands’: Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe x houghtonii

Abstract

Abstract The widespread medicinal use of Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe × houghtonii, both popularly known as “mother-of-thousands”, often leads to their interchangeable use in folk medicine despite their distinct species status. This research aims to delineate the histochemical, chemical, and biological characteristics of these two Kalanchoe species to aid in their accurate identification. Through a comprehensive evaluation of histochemical markers (reaction patterns in hypodermis), alongside in vitro assessments (correlation of antioxidant activities and phenolic content), and metabolomic profiles (using HPTLC and UPLC-MS/MSE), this study has identified significant differences between K. daigremontiana and K. × houghtonii. The findings reveal distinct variations in all evaluated parameters, underscoring the importance of proper species identification to ensure the safety and efficacy of their medicinal use. These results contribute valuable insights into the phytochemical and pharmacological bases for the traditional uses of these plants and highlight the need for distinguishing between species to avoid potential therapeutic inefficacies or adverse effects in folk medicine practices.

Keywords

• Crassulaceae
• traditional medicine
• ethnopharmacology
• histochemistry
• antioxidant potential
• flavonoids
• metabolomics
• UPLC-MS/MS
• HPTLC