Phenolic compounds from two Melampyrum species

Abstract

Flavonoids and phenolic acids isolated from the herbs of Melampyrum pretense (MP) and M. nemorosum (MN) (Scrophulariaceae) growing in the Ural region have been studied by two-dimensional paper chromatography. The phenolic complex of MP contains 23 compounds including 17 flavonoids and 6 phenolcarboxylic acids. The MN herb contains 9 flavonoids and 5 phenolcarboxylic acids. A comparison with reference samples showed the presence of cinaroside, luteolin, quercetin, hyperoside, and chlorogenic, caffeic, and ferulic acids. Differential UV spectra of the extracts of MP and MN herbs in the presence of aluminum chloride showed peaks at 395.6 and 398.7 nm, respectively, which have been used for quantitative determination of the flavonoids (recalculated for cinaroside). The maximum flavonoid content was found in the generative organs; the minimum, in the roots. It is established that the flavonoid content in various organs varies within 0.08 -3.17% for MP and 0.04 -2.29% for MN.

Complex effects of aqueous extract of Melampyrum pratense and of its flavonoids on activity of primary cultured hippocampal neurons

“…Two of these flavonoids, hyperoside and cinaroside are water soluble substances and can be found in the dry extract at the amount of 12% and 10% correspondingly. Two other flavonoids, apigenin and luteolin are poorly soluble in water but have been found in the plant (Galishevskaya and Petrichenko, 2010;Vogl et al, 2013). They were also tested in our system.…”

“…The following approximate quantitative content of individual main flavonoids was calculated: 12% of hyperoside, 10% of cinaroside, less than 1% of apigenin and of luteolin. The last two components are poorly soluble in water and their concentration is reported to be higher in the ethanol extracts of Melampyrum pratense (Galishevskaya and Petrichenko, 2010;Suchinina et al, 2010;Vogl et al, 2013).…”

“…It was found that the density of the air-dried stock of Mp ranges from 76713 to 240723 kg/ha. Biological stock ranges from 3.2 to 4 t, and the operating stock is about Contents lists available at ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jep 2.9 t. According to some studies Mp may affect the nervous system (Galishevskaya and Petrichenko, 2010;Vogl et al, 2013). Due to their unique properties, these plants are widely used in folk medicine as sedatives and anticonvulsants (Sokolov, 1990;Galishevskaya and Petrichenko, 2010;Vogl et al, 2013).…”

“…Biological stock ranges from 3.2 to 4 t, and the operating stock is about Contents lists available at ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jep 2.9 t. According to some studies Mp may affect the nervous system (Galishevskaya and Petrichenko, 2010;Vogl et al, 2013). Due to their unique properties, these plants are widely used in folk medicine as sedatives and anticonvulsants (Sokolov, 1990;Galishevskaya and Petrichenko, 2010;Vogl et al, 2013). Above ground plant parts are used for the preparation of aqueous extracts (tinctures, decoctions), which are prescribed in small doses as an effective treatment in antiinflammatory, cardio-vascular and neurological diseases, particularly as sedatives and anxiolytics (Sokolov, 1990;Stajner et al, 2009;Vogl et al, 2013).…”

“…This plant contains a broad range of biologically active compounds, including flavonoids, iridoids and alkaloids (Damtoft et al, 1984;Roeder and Bourauel, 1992;Stajner et al, 2009;Galishevskaya and Petrichenko, 2010;Munteanu and Vlase, 2011;Vogl et al, 2013). Particularly, it has been found that Mp contains hyperoside, luteolin, cinaroside, apigenin and other flavonoids, known to have multiple pronounced effects on the central nervous system.…”