Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Larrea cuneifolia, a Medicinal Plant of Argentina, Obtained by Micropropagation, Acclimatized, and Established in the Field, Compared with Wild Plants

Larrea cuneifolia Cav. (“jarilla macho”) is a medicinal shrub native to arid regions of Argentina with recognized antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. However, its slow growth and dependence on wild harvesting limit its sustainable utilization. This study developed an efficient protocol for in vitro propagation, greenhouse acclimatization, and field establishment of L. cuneifolia and evaluated the phytochemical profile and biological activities of micropropagated plants in comparison with those of wild individuals. Seeds were germinated under aseptic conditions, and nodal explants were cultured on media supplemented with different plant growth regulators. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 1 mg/L) provided the best overall response, promoting leaf production, nodal development, and rooting. Plantlets showed 95% survival during greenhouse acclimatization and 80% survival after field establishment in the Valles Calchaquíes, Argentina. Acclimatization was accompanied by increased accumulation of phenolic compounds and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), the principal lignan of the genus Larrea. High-performance liquid chromatography–heated electrospray ionization–Orbitrap high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–HESI–Orbitrap–HR MS/MS) analysis showed that propagated plants retained the characteristic phytochemical profile of wild L. cuneifolia, including its lignan-rich epicuticular resin. Despite differences in metabolite abundance and diversity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities remained comparable to those of wild plants. These results demonstrate that micropropagated L. cuneifolia plants retain their phytochemical identity, NDGA accumulation capacity, biological activity, and metabolic plasticity after acclimatization and field establishment. The protocol therefore provides a promising strategy for ex situ conservation and sustainable production of L. cuneifolia biomass for potential pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications while reducing harvesting pressure on natural populations.