Planta Med 2011; 77 - PA32
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282228

HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS identification and quantification of polar constituents in six Stachys taxa from Balkan peninsula

A Karioti 1, J Kukic Markovic 2, S Petrovic 2, M Niketic 3, A Bilia 1
  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Firenze, Italy
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
  • 3Natural History Museum, Njegoševa 51, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

The genus Stachys L. comprises over 450 species [1] and is one of the largest genera of the Lamiaceae. Aerial parts of Stachys spp. are used traditionally to treat genital tumors, sclerosis of the spleen, inflammatory diseases, cough and ulcers [2]. In previous study an HPLC-DAD-MS method was developed for the quality control of S. recta [3]. Aim of the present work was to develop an HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS method which may serve as a tool for future chemotaxonomic and quality control studies of Stachys spp. Six mostly endemic Stachys taxa from Balkan peninsula were studied: S. anisochila Vis. & Pančic, S. alpina L. subsp. dinarica Murb., S. atherocalyx K. Koch, S. beckeana Dörfl. & Hayek, S. nitens Janka and S. plumosa Griseb. A RP-C18 solvent saving column was chosen and the developed assay permitted a good separation among different constituents of the extracts. Overall, 42 constituents were detected and identified, belonging to three classes of secondary metabolites: flavone glycosides (isoscutellarein and hypolaetin derivatives), phenylethanol glycosides and caffeic acid derivatives. S. plumosa instead, contained chrysoeriol/apigenin derivatives. Peak purity analysis and peak assignment were accomplished by means of MS and reference compounds. The analytical method provided a good separation of the constituents, concerning both marker constituents (flavonoids) and the phenylethanol glycosides. Quantification results showed that these plants are a good source of flavonoids. All validation criteria (linearity, LOD, LOQ, intra- and inter-day precision, time precision, accuracy) were fulfilled. This method is a reliable and accurate tool for the detailed analysis of Stachys taxa.

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2. Hartwell JL Plants used against cancer. A survey. Massachusetts: Quarterman Publications Inc. 1982.

3. Karioti A et al. (2010)J Pharm Biomed Anal 53: 15–23.