LYTHRUM SALICARIA (PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE). MEDICINAL USE, EXTRACTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ITS TOTAL PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS

Abstract

Lythrum salicaria L., known as purple loosestrife (Lythraceae) has a wide range of beneficial health effects. It is well known as a medicinal plant from ancient Greek and Roman times and it has been an important drug for centuries. Its pharmacological activity is mostly due to its phenolic compounds, mainly tannins. Therefore obtaining an extract with a high percent of total phenolic compounds would be interesting for studying the biological potential of the plant. The dried herbal parts of Lythrum salicaria L. were sequentially extracted with different solvents: 96% ethanol, 70% ethanol, and distilled water, in order to select the best solvent exhibiting the maximum percent of total phenolic compounds; the measurements were performed using modified Folin-Ciocâlteu method according to Makkar et al. In addition, the total flavonoid content was also analyzed in the different extracts using Chang et al method. The quantitative analysis of the examined chemical compounds showed that 70% ethanol solution was the best solvent used in order to obtain the highest phenolic content. Rezumat Lythrum salicaria L., rachitan (Lythraceae) are multiple efecte benefice asupra sanataţii. Specia este bine cunoscuta ca planta medicinala inca din antichitate, de greci si romani. A fost considerata de secole ca produs valoros datorita proprietaţilor sale farmacologice imprimate in special de compusii fenolici (majoritar taninuri). Prin urmare, obţinerea unui extract cu un inalt conţinut de compusi fenolici va fi valoros, intrucât ar putea prezenta o activitate farmacologica interesanta (hipoglicemianta, hipolipemianta, antiseptica, antioxidanta). In acest scop vârfurile florale uscate ale speciei Lythrum salicaria L. au fost extrase selectiv cu diferiţi solvenţi : etanol (96% si 70%) si apa distilata, pentru a alege solventul potrivit, care extrage o cantitate maxima de compusi fenolici (acizi fenolici, taninuri, flavone). Acestia au fost determinaţi prin metoda Folin-Ciocâlteu modificata de Makkar si colaboratori. Conţinutul in flavone a fost analizat prin metoda Chang si colaboratori. Rezultatele obţinute au demonstrat ca etanolul 70% a fost solventul adecvat pentru a obţine un extract de cea mai buna calitate.