Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of the Extracts Obtained from the Flowers of Alcea Rosea L.

Abstract

Alcea rosea L. (Malvaceae), populary known as Holyhock, is especially grown in gardens and parks in the Southern Europe and Turkey 1. The flowers of A. rosea, sold in the Indian market under the trade name Gulkhairo, are well known for their expectorant, cooling and diuretic properties, and are used in many indigenous cough mixtures in India 2. Its flowers have also widely varied applications in Turkish folk medicine1. The flowers of A. rosea are reported to contain mucilaginous polysaccharides, antocyanins and flavonoids 3-5.