Pharmacognostic properties of Satureja hortensis L. introduced in Lithuania

Abstract

Problems related to, medicinal, spice (aromatic) plants species diversity, enhancing and improving human health are solved according to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted regulations (1, 3). The aim – to investigate pharmacognostic properties and raw material consumption opportunities of medicinal (aromatic) plant Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.). The object – Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) – annual herbaceous plant from Lamiaceae Lindl. family widely distributed in the Mediterranean Area, Asia and North America. This medicinal (aromatic) plant has been introduced in Lithuania in Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University since 1962 (2, 6). The raw material of the medicinal plant is Savory herb (Herba Saturejae) - aerial parts of plant. The main biological active substances in raw material are: polyphenols, essential oils, whose main components is carvacrol, thymol, ocymene and γ-terpinen. These biological active substances have antimicrobial,antiviral, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antidiarrheal properties. Additionally, high content of phenolic compounds determine antioxidant activity of the plant (6, 7). Phytochemical analysis of medicinal plants extracts is performed using following methods: gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, capillary zone electrophoresis and spectrophotometry (4, 5). Results – using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis the Satureja hortensis L. essential oil components were identified. The highest concentrations of carvacrol, thimol, o-cymene, γ-terpinen, caryophyllen and tujene were determined. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed, that of total amount of phenolic compounds and flavanoids in Satureja hortensis L. significantly decresed during the plant vegetacion. Using high-perfomance liquid chromatography analysis several phenolic compounds were identified: rutin, ferulic acid, naringenin and kaempherol. Conclusion – determined essential oil composition, phenolic compounds and flavonoids allows the claim that Satureja hortensis L. raw material are highquality. Fenological observations of introduction of this plant, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the raw material composition demonstrate that this medicinal (aromatic) plant can be successfully cultivated in Lithuania and used in the pharmaceutical and food industries.