ABSTRACT
In this study, we report the isolation and identification of several compounds present in the polar fraction of Stachys germanica L. subsp. salviifolia (Ten.) Gams, collected in the protected area of Majella National Park. In particular, we have isolated and identified harpagide, 7-ß-hydroxy-harpagide, ajugol, 5-allosyloxy-aucubin, verbascoside and, for the first time in this genus, arbutin.
Subject(s)
Plant Components, Aerial/chemistry , Plant Extracts/analysis , Stachys/chemistry , Arbutin/analysis , Arbutin/isolation & purification , Glucosides/analysis , Glucosides/isolation & purification , Glycosides/analysis , Glycosides/isolation & purification , Iridoid Glucosides/analysis , Iridoid Glucosides/isolation & purification , Iridoid Glycosides , Italy , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Mass Spectrometry , Molecular Structure , Phenols/analysis , Phenols/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Pyrans/analysis , Pyrans/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
In this study, we report the isolation and identification of several compounds from Plantago sempervirens Crantz, collected in the protected area of Majella National Park. We examined the polar fraction, in particular the iridoidic one. Aucubin, caryoptoside, plantarenaloside and gardoside were isolated and identified. For the first time, in this species, 8-epiloganic acid was recognised. Also, verbascoside, a phenylethanoid glycoside, was recognised in this plant.
Subject(s)
Iridoids/isolation & purification , Plantago/chemistry , Glucosides/chemistry , Glucosides/isolation & purification , Iridoid Glucosides/chemistry , Iridoid Glucosides/isolation & purification , Iridoids/chemistry , Italy , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Phenols/chemistry , Phenols/isolation & purification , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray IonizationABSTRACT
Secondary metabolite isolation and analysis of Plumbago europaea L. (Plumbaginaceae) is the aim of this work, which is included in a project of our groups on spontaneous and endemic Sardinian species. Plumbago europaea is the only specie of the genera that grows wild in Italy. Metabolites from leaves and roots of this specie were compared. Moreover, at present, literature on the phytochemical characterisation of P. europaea is poor. Plumbagin was isolated in both of the samples analysed, confirming its nature in the Plumbaginaceae family as chemotaxonomic marker of the Plumbaginae tribe. In this work, hydroplumbagin-4-O-glucoside and myricetin-3-O-rhamnoside are isolated for the first time in the genus.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/chemistry , Plumbaginaceae/chemistry , Italy , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Molecular Structure , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Plant Roots/chemistryABSTRACT
Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) (lemon balm) is used in folk medicine for nervous complaints, lower abdominal disorders and, more recently, for treating Herpes simplex lesions. In this work the antiviral activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of lemon balm leaves against the Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) was assessed by the cytopathic effect inhibition assay on Vero cells (ATCC CCL-81), in comparison with acyclovir. The cytotoxicity of the extract on Vero cells was previously tested by evaluating the cellular death and was confirmed by the Trypan blue test. Lemon balm showed to reduce the cytopathic effect of HSV-2 on Vero cells, in the range of non-toxic concentrations of 0.025-1 mg mL(-1) (with reference to the starting crude herbal material). The maximum inhibiting effect (60%) was obtained with 0.5 mg mL(-1). The viral binding assay showed that the extract does not prevent the entry of HSV-2 in the cells, thus suggesting a mechanism of action subsequent to the penetration of the virus in the cell. The extract was also chemically characterised by NMR and HPLC analysis; it showed to contain cinnamic acid-like compounds, mainly rosmarinic acid (4.1% w/w). Our experiments support the use of lemon balm for treating Herpes simplex lesions and encourage clinical trials on this medicinal plant.
