engleski

Phytochemical investigations of Plantago species growing in Croatia

Plantago L. is polymorfic genus of Plantaginaceae family. Plantago altissima L., P. argentea Chaix, P. coronopus L., P. holosteum Scop. (subsp. depauperata, subsp. holosteum and subsp. scopulorum), P. lagopus L. and P. maritima L. were botanically and phytochemically investigated. Complete morphological and anatomical characterization of leaves and stems was carried out. Histochemical reactions revealed the presence of following biologically active and secondary substances: tannins, mucilage, glycosides, alkaloids, inulin and proteins. The existence of iridoids, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenes and sterols in leaves of examined species was confirmed by using thin layer chromatography. Two iridoid substances were identified as aucubin and catalpol. Detected flavonoids were quercitrin, isoquercitrin, rutin and hyperoside. Six saponin and triterpene substances were separated. The presence of oleanolic and ursolic acid was confirmed as well as beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine total amount of polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids in dried leaves of investigated plant samples. The content of polyphenols varied from 4.55% to 10.15%, tannins from 0.56% to 2.26% and flavonoids from 0.17% to 0.41%. The obtained results have contributed valuable information to the chemotaxonomy of genus Plantago L.

Plantago; phytochemistry

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