HPLC Analysis of Hypericum L. Species from Portugal

Abstract

Hypericum species are widely used plants in folk medicine and presently are the subject of many clin. trials concerning their antidepressant and anti-retroviral activities, including anti-HIV effects. An anal. study of methanolic exts. of thirteen portuguese Hypericum species was carried out. An HPLC method was used for the detection and quantification of important biol. active phenolic compds. present in Hypericum species, such as hypericin, quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, rutin, hyperoside, kaempferol, amentoflavone, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid. The study is believed to be useful in assessing potential therapeutical activities of all continental portuguese Hypericum species, since the results demonstrate significant differences of compn. among them. [on SciFinder(R)]