Change in content of trace elements in the aerial parts of Pulmonaria mollis in the flowering stage

A found antianemic activity of the extract of aerial parts of Pulmonaria mollis Wulf ex Hornem of the family Boraginaceae is mainly connected with the significant amount of microelements of a hematopoietic complex Fe, Mn, Cu and Co. The amount of microelement was determined by means of mass-spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma. It has also been found out that the amount of Fe and Mn is changing significantly in the process of development.

The determined dependence of iron amount on length of vegetation during flowering stage is most probably connected with the peculiarities of a development cycle of P. mollis. P. mollis is a typical ephemeroid that is why in winter after snow melting floral shoot begins to develop sharply. In connection with this the usage of such a biogenic element as Fe intensifies greatly. But at the same time its absorbtion from the ground is limited by the root system without compensating increased consumption. Sharp increase of the biomass of a plant in the flowering stage on condition of insufficient getting of iron from the root system leads to considerable decrease of Fe concentration. The amount of Mn in flowering stage increases and at some moment it becomes equal to the amount of Fe. In this case the ratio of standard oxidation potentials Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and Mn³⁺/Mn²⁺ is that „in vitro“ the oxidation reaction from Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺ will proceed spontaneously. The presence of Fe³⁺-ions in the structure of plant extract is very useful for phytotherapy of iron-deficiency anemia.