Contributions to the Phytochemical Study of some Samples of Ajuga Reptans L. and Ajuga Genevensis L.

Abstract

Continuing a series of investigations regarding the chemical variability of some vegetal species, we initiated a comparative chemical study of the Ajuga reptans L. and Ajuga genevensis L. species used in Romanian folk medicine. We investigated the iridoidic, and flavonoidic fractions as well as those of the polyphenolcarboxylic acids with the help of such investigation techniques as thin-layer chromatography, spectrophotometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography. The analyzed vegetal material was made up of the aerial parts of the two Lamiaceae species, elevated from individuals belonging to some natural populations from the North of Moldavia. We could notice that Ajuga reptans is richer in anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and hepatoprotective iridoids than Ajuga genevensis, while the second has a slightly higher content of antioxidant and diuretic polyphenols. At the same time, we could notice the existence of an interspecific variability due to some genetic causes, but also intraspecific, of a pedo-climatic nature. By means of HPLC, we proved the presence in the studied vegetal material of chlorogenic and caffeic acid, of apigenin and luteolin-7-O-glucosyde.