PHENOLIC ACID AND FLAVONOL CONTENTS OF GEMMO-MODIFIED AND NATIVE EXTRACTS OF SOME INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS

Abstract

In the present study the amount of three important flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin) and five phenolic acids (gallic acid, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, vanillic acid and caffeic acid) were determined from four medicinally important indigenous plants like Euphorbia tirucalli, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Cyperus rotundus and Rheum emodi. Methanolic extracts of native parts and gemmo-modified extracts from fresh germinating parts of medicinal plants were prepared and investigated by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC). The total flavonols contents varied significantly among medicinal plants. Rheum emodi exhibited the highest amount of total flavonols (881.5±1.3 mg kg-1) but among gemmo-modified extracts, higher flavonols were detected in gemmo-modified extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum as compared to its seed extracts. However the other gemmo-modified extract of Cyperus rotundus showed relatively less total flavonol than rhizome extract. Gallic and ferulic acid were the most abundant phenolic acids identified in all plants. The chlorogenic acid, p- coumaric acid and ferulic acids are main phenolic acids present in these plants. Caffeic acid was only detected in gemmo-modified extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum. The significant amount of a variety of flavonol and phenolic acids that may impart their medicinal potential for alleviation of any disorder were available in the investigated plants.