Morphological and Chemical Characteristics of Some Australian Psoralea Species

Abstract

The fruits of some Australian Psoralea species (P. leucantha, P. lachnostachys, P. pustulata, P. martini, P. plumosa and P. cinerea) have been examined from both morphological and chemical points of view.Morphologically, their epicarp features found (by SEM) on the secretory cavities show the same two fruit types previously recognized for P. corylifolia and P. drupaceaChemically, only two furocoumarins - psoralen and angelicin - were found in all the Australian species, as well as in P. corylifolia, which was examined for comparative purposes. The furo-coumarins may be present both as glycosides and in the free state, except in P. corylifolia and P. lachnostachys, which contain only the free furocoumarins. The total furocoumarin content (by HPLC) as well as the psoralen/angelicin ratio depend upon the Psoralea species considered.The fruit of P. plumosa might be an useful natural source of furocoumarins.