Secondary metabolites of Hypericum scabrum and Hypericum bupleuroides

Abstract

The genus Hypericum (Guttiferae) is a source of biologically active secondary metabolites, notably hyperforin, hypericins and various phenolics. In the present study the presence of the phloroglucinol derivative hyperforin, the naphthodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin, the phenylpropane chlorogenic acid and the flavonoids such as rutin, hyperoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, kaempferol, quercitrin, quercetin and amentoflavone were investigated in two Turkish species of Hypericum, namely, Hypericum scabrum L. and Hypericum bupleuroides Gris. The aerial parts representing a total of 30 individuals were collected at full flowering and dissected into floral, leaf and stem tissues. After being dried at room temperature, the plant materials were assayed for secondary metabolite concentrations by HPLC. All of the secondary metabolites examined were detected in both species at various levels depending on plant tissue except for hyperforin which was not accumulated in Hypericum scabrum. The presence of hyperforin and the phenolic compounds examined in both species were reported by us for the first time. © 2009 Informa UK Ltd.