Secondary metabolites of Globularia species from the Flora of Turkey

• Published in: Planta Medica
• Main Authors: Kirmizibekmez, H, Calis, I
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 24.08.2006
• ISSN: 0032-0943; 1439-0221
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-949745

The genus Globularia (formerly Globulariaceae, now “new“ Plantaginaceae) is represented in the flora of Turkey by nine species, three of which are endemic [1, 2]. Some of these species are used as diuretic, laxative, stomachic, tonic and for the treatment of haemorrhoids in Anatolian folk medicine [3, 4]. Among these species, G. alypum is widely used in indigenous systems of medicine in some Mediterrean countries, especially in Morocco as a hypoglycaemic agent, laxative, cholagogue, stomachic and purgative [5]. As a part of our interest on Turkish medicinal plants we have investigated the secondary metabolites of seven Globularia species, G. trichosantha Fosch. Et Mey., G. orientalis L., G. cordifolia L., G. dumulosa O. Schwarz, G. davisiana O. Schwarz, G. sintenisii Hausskn. et Wettst. and G. alypum L.. Various chromatographic studies (VLC, MPLC, OCC) on the MeOH (or EtOH) extracts of the aerial or underground parts of the species resulted in the isolation of 58 different compounds, which can be categorized under eight chief groups; 27 iridoids, 14 phenylethanoid glycosides, 6 flavone glycosides, 4 lignan glycosides, 3 sugar esters, 2 sterols, an acetophenone glycoside, and a phenylpropanoid glycoside. The structures of the isolates were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and MS experiments as well as chemical methods. 15 of the isolated compounds were new for nature, while many of them were new to the genus Globularia . The occurrence of such diverse compounds in Globularia might be of great chemotaxonomical importance at both the genus and family level. Recent study (6) based on the DNA sequence of the genus Globularia placed this genus under the “new“ Plantaginaceae family, which was in good accordance with our results. Acknowledgement: Hacettepe University, Scientific Research Unit (Project number: 02 G 076) References : 1. Edmondson, J.R. (1982), Globularia L., in Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. Vol. 7 (Ed. Davis P.H.), University Press, Edinburgh. 2. Duman, H. (2001), Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 137: 425–428. 3. Baytop, T. (1999), Therapy with Medicinal Plants in Turkey (Past and Present), Nobel Tip Kitapevleri, Istanbul, p. 371. 4. Sezik, E. et al. (1991), J. Ethnopharmacol. 35: 191–196. 5. Bellakhdar, J. et al. (1991), J. Ethnopharmacol, 35: 123–143. 6. Albach, D.C. et al. (2005), Am. J. Bot. 92: 297–315.