Geographical variations in the phytochemical profiles of Cree antidiabetic medicines

 Rhododendron groenlandicum and Sarracenia pupurea are used as traditional medicines by the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchii to treat diabetes related symptoms and have exhibited antidiabetic activity in 3T3 cell adipogenesis and C2C12 cell glucose transport respectively. Through ethnobotanical surveys, Cree Elders and Healers have mentioned that the plant's medicinal potential augments in northern communities. While there are few studies focused on the phenomenon, there is evidence that phenolic compounds are produced in greater quantities as latitude increases to protect the plants from photoinhibition. Thus, with longer daytime periods occurring at northern latitudes we hypothesized that northern populations of S. purpurea and R. groenlandicum will have higher concentrations of phytochemicals and a stronger biological activity. Accessions from Cree communities in northern Quebec were collected on a north-south gradient and extracted in 80% EtOH. Polyphenols were identified and quantified from ethanolic extract using RP-HPLC-DAD-ELSD. Though not linearly related to latitude and day length, phytochemical results indicate a geographical variation in polyphenol concentrations and distinct chemotypes between communities.