Phenolics in Primula veris L. and P. elatior (L.) Hill Raw Materials

Abstract

Primula veris L. and Primula elatior (L.) Hill represent medicinal plants used for the production of herbal teas and preparations with antioxidant and expectorant activity. Flowers and roots of both species possess the same biological activity. In the presented study, raw materials of wild growing P. veris and P. elatior were compared in terms of the content and composition of phenolic compounds using a fast and simple HPLC-DAD method. The study showed that flowers of both species were rich in flavonoids. However, P. veris flowers were characterized with a distinctly higher content of isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, astragalin, and (+)-catechin, whereas P. elatior occurred to be a richer source of rutoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside. Hyperoside was found exclusively in P. elatior flowers. Phenolic glycosides (primverin and primulaverin) were identified only in the roots. Their content was about ten times higher in P. veris in comparison with P. elatior underground organs. The obtained results clearly show that both Primula species differ distinctly in terms of the content and composition of phenolic compounds. The compounds differentiating both species to the highest degree (hyperoside, in flowers, as well as primverin and primulaverin, in the roots) may be useful chemical markers in the identification and evaluation of both species.

Bioactive Phenolic Compounds from Primula veris L.: Influence of the Extraction Conditions and Purification

“…In turn, Müller et al [43], in their studies covering methanolic extracts derived from the dried roots and flowers of two Primula species, showed the presence of five bioactive compounds, including three saponins and two phenolic glycosides, of which the predominant component was primeverine, found in the aerial parts of the test plant, while in the root extracts saponins were predominant, mainly priverosaponin B-22-acetate, which, according to the authors of these studies, confirms previous reports on the profile of saponins from the various morphological parts of Primula veris L. Similar studies were performed by Bączek et al [4] by comparing the raw materials of wild Primula veris L. and Primula elatior (L.) Hill in terms of the profile of phenolic compounds and their concentrations using the HPLC-DAD method. The results of their analyses confirmed that the flowers of both species are rich in flavonoids, but Primula veris L. was characterized by a significantly higher content of isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, astragalin, and (+)-catechin, whereas Primula elatior proved to be a richer source of rutoside and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside.…”

“…The authors of the studies also pointed out that both species were characterized by a high rutinoside content in the range of 630.83 to 1025.96 mg/100 g dry weight, which is known to exhibit numerous anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-bacterial properties. In turn, our own studies showed twice the rutinoside content in the extracts analyzed compared to Bączek et al [4], who additionally confirmed the presence of phenolic glycosides (primeverine and primulaverine) only in the plant's roots and not in aerial parts as other authors of research had determined [43], and their content was approximately ten times higher in Primula veris L. compared to the underground parts of Primula elatior. In the summary of the observations carried out, the same authors concluded that both Primula species were different in content and composition of phenolic compounds and that the substances most differentiating both species could be useful chemical markers for the identification and evaluation of these species.…”

“…In the past, a substitute for tea was made from its flowers [2]. It is now mainly used as infusions or liqueurs for any respiratory, cardiac, and nervous system condition due to its expectorant, sedative, constrictive, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects [3,4]. Due to its valuable chemical composition, this plant is also used in cosmetology and dermatology.…”

COVID-19: Is There Evidence for the Use of Herbal Medicines as Adjuvant Symptomatic Therapy?

“…Chemical composition. Saponins (e.g., primulasaponin I, primulasaponin II) (Müller et al, 2006); flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin derivatives); phenolic acids (e.g., chlorogenic acid) (Bączek et al, 2017).…”

Development and Validation of an HPLC Method for the Analysis of Flowers of Wild-Growing Primula veris from Epirus, Greece

“…However, their work did not examine the flavonoid content of Primula flowers. Bączek et al [12] proposed a method based on Soxhlet extraction comprising 25 extraction cycles for the determination of flavonoid mono-and diglycosides in P. elatior and P. veris roots and flowers. Soxhlet extraction, however, is considered to cause degradation of labile constituents [13].…”