From yellow petals of Blue Mahoe, besides the known flavonoids gossypetin and gossypitrin, a new one gossypetin derivative was isolated from ethanolic extracts after Soxhlet extraction. Hence, in this study, we present a validated, sensitive and reliable NMR method for the simultaneous identification of flavonoids in this flower drug. Structure analyses of this flavonoid, revealed the identical glycoside moiety attached to a flavonol skeleton like gossypitrin, for which the structure of gossypetin-3'-O-β-glucoside was deduced from extensive NMR experiments.

A preliminary pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Smilax domingensis Willd., (Smilacaceae) was realized to determine the macromorphology and micromorphology characteristics, the physicochemical and phytochemical parameters from the rhizome of this spice that grows in Cuba. This crude drug showed the characteristic physicochemical values such as moisture content (13.11%), extractable matter in ethanol at 70% (13.53%), total ashes (3.45%), water soluble ashes (2.43%) and acid insoluble ashes (0.64%). Phytochemical screening revealed the possible presence of alkaloids, oils and/or fats, coumarins, saponins, flavonoids, pyrogallol-type tannins, quinones, catechins, reductants sugars, triterpens and steroids and absence of resins, aminoacids, cardiotonic glycosides, anthocyanidins and astringent and/or bitter principles, realized under WHO parameters.

Guettarda calyptrata A. Rich., originally from Cuba and known as "Contraguao", has traditionally been used to counteract quickly and effectively burns produced by Comocladia dentate Jacq (Guao), vegetable species that secretes a highly caustic latex for skin and mucous membranes. A burn is a traumatic injury resulting in local and systemic injury with oxidative changes; in this sense the antioxidants play an important role. In order to offer aspects related to the quality and effectiveness of the plant, its pharmacognostic, phytochemical and antioxidant activity is presented. The morphoanatomical evaluation was carried out, physical-chemical parameters were determined for the crude drug and for the aqueous extract. The chemical profile of the extract was estimated by thin layer chromatography, ultraviolet-visible and quantification of total phenols by Folin-Ciocalteu and total flavonoids by the colorimetric method of aluminum trichloride (AlCl 3). Finally, the antioxidant activity was tested by the FRAP and DPPH techniques. Through the pharmacognostic study, the quality specifications of the drug and the extract were established. The methods of analysis used for the chemical profile suggested the presence of flavonoids and phenols in general. The aqueous extract showed antioxidant properties by the two methods evaluated. The study of G. calyptrata provided pharmacognostic, phytochemical and effectiveness as an antioxidant evidence, aspects to consider in the possible use of the plant by our Natural and Traditional Medicine.

The red petals of the flowers of Talipariti elatum, commonly named majagua is used as antitussive, expectorant and antasthmatic in phytotherapy, although the plants' composition has not been determined in detail so far. Hence, in this study, we present a validated, sensitive, reliable, and cheap narrow-bore LC-UV-ESI-MS/MS coupled to PDA (photodiode array detectors) method for the simultaneous isolation and identification of flavonoids and their glycosidic derivatives in this flower drug. In addition, the structures of two compounds have been elucidated by LC-MS experiments after isolation. Structure analyses allow proposing the presence of gossypitrin (gossypetin-7-Oglucoside) or gossypetin-3'-O-glucoside, a quercetin derivative, possibly quercetin-3-O-glucoside and an unidentified compound with an impair number of m/z, probably an alkaloid.

Liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with UV detection and electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used for the generation of chemical fingerprints and the identification of phenolic compounds in four solid samples extracted and isolated from the red petals of Talipariti elatum utilizing Soxhlet extraction with ethanol at 95 % during 20 hours. Three compounds were detected and two of them were identified as flavonoid glycosides while another one, is supposed to be and alkaloid with impair molecular weight. The compound with m/z of 464 after MS/MS analyses in both positive and negative ion mode is suggested to be Isoquercitrin. The mentioned compound has been identified in T. elatum for the first time in Cuban and Martinican flowers.