The Helichrysum genus is characterised by a high value of phenotypic variability as well as a biochemical and phytochemical one. The therapeutic activity and the ornamental properties of Helichrysum plant and flowers are little considered. In Italy the genus is mainly used within the cosmetic field for its skin protection properties and in the formulation of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic remedies; the genus could become a niche plant. Phytochemical studies on Italian populations of Helichrysum italicum and Helichrysum litoreum have been done. Within the Asteraceae, the flavonoids have a wide spectrum of structural diversity, so that they are used as taxonomical markers. In Sicily the Helichrysum genus shows a noteworthy variability; some taxa have very faint distinctive characters. The aim of this study is to perform a qualitative screening of flavonoidic substances in order to characterise the Sicilian populations. The following taxa: H. siculum (Spreng.) Boiss, H. nebrodense Heldr., H. litoreum Guss., H. scandens Guss., H. italicum (Roth) Don, H. rupestre (Raf.) DC., with var. rupestre, messerii Pign., errerae (Tineo) Pign., pendulum (Presl) Fiori, and H. hyblaeum Brullo have been considered. The ethanolic extract of the capitula was TLC chromatographed. H. italicum, H. litoreum and H . scandens showed the highest content in flavonoidic substances; kaempferol 3-glucoside was present in eight taxa, apigenin 7-glucoside and quercetin 3-glucoside in seven taxa. Apigenine, galangin, kaempferol were not detected in the examined extracts, while they are reported in the literature as present in Helichrysum. A non-flavonoidic poliphenol (clorogenic acid), a triterpenoid (ursolic acid) and a steroidic substance (beta-sitosterol) were also present. The flavonoidic substances were mainly present within the considered populations; their distribution is a peculiar feature of the different taxa and can contribute to the taxonomical studies on Helichrysum genus. The results evidenced that the flavonoids can be a useful diagnostic tool for the characterisation of Sicilian germplasm.

The distribution of flavonoids in Helichrysum populations.

BISIO, ANGELA;ROMUSSI, GIOVANNI;
2004-01-01

Abstract

The Helichrysum genus is characterised by a high value of phenotypic variability as well as a biochemical and phytochemical one. The therapeutic activity and the ornamental properties of Helichrysum plant and flowers are little considered. In Italy the genus is mainly used within the cosmetic field for its skin protection properties and in the formulation of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic remedies; the genus could become a niche plant. Phytochemical studies on Italian populations of Helichrysum italicum and Helichrysum litoreum have been done. Within the Asteraceae, the flavonoids have a wide spectrum of structural diversity, so that they are used as taxonomical markers. In Sicily the Helichrysum genus shows a noteworthy variability; some taxa have very faint distinctive characters. The aim of this study is to perform a qualitative screening of flavonoidic substances in order to characterise the Sicilian populations. The following taxa: H. siculum (Spreng.) Boiss, H. nebrodense Heldr., H. litoreum Guss., H. scandens Guss., H. italicum (Roth) Don, H. rupestre (Raf.) DC., with var. rupestre, messerii Pign., errerae (Tineo) Pign., pendulum (Presl) Fiori, and H. hyblaeum Brullo have been considered. The ethanolic extract of the capitula was TLC chromatographed. H. italicum, H. litoreum and H . scandens showed the highest content in flavonoidic substances; kaempferol 3-glucoside was present in eight taxa, apigenin 7-glucoside and quercetin 3-glucoside in seven taxa. Apigenine, galangin, kaempferol were not detected in the examined extracts, while they are reported in the literature as present in Helichrysum. A non-flavonoidic poliphenol (clorogenic acid), a triterpenoid (ursolic acid) and a steroidic substance (beta-sitosterol) were also present. The flavonoidic substances were mainly present within the considered populations; their distribution is a peculiar feature of the different taxa and can contribute to the taxonomical studies on Helichrysum genus. The results evidenced that the flavonoids can be a useful diagnostic tool for the characterisation of Sicilian germplasm.
2004
8890062258
9788890062254
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/239971
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