Abstract
The volatile compositions of three closely related Hypericum species growing wild on the island of Crete were studied, all belonging to the section Coridium. Hydro-distillation in a modified Clevenger-type apparatus was performed according to the Hellenic Pharmacopoeia in order to obtain the essential oils, which were analyzed by GC-MS. Identification of the compounds was carried out by comparison of MS spectra and retention indices with literature data, as well as by co-chromatography with authentic samples. In total, 123 different compounds were identified and the main compounds were by order of their abundance as follows: H. empetrifolium: α-pinene, germacrene D, β-pinene, E-caryophyllene; H. amblycalyx: β-elemene, β-selinene, α-pinene, E-caryophyllene, α-selinene; H. jovis: trans-calamenene, α-selinene, β-elemene. The chemical results revealed the differences and similarities (qualitative and quantitative) between the studied oils, supporting the hypothesis that essential oils from Hypericum spp. do not serve as chemotaxonomic markers. Moreover, the essential oils were subjected to antimicrobial screening. According to the given results, the essential oils possessed better antifungal and anticandidal activities than antibacterial activities.
Highlights
The genus Hypericum L. of the family Hypericaceae consists of more than 460 species divided in 36 sections [1] and has a long-term use in traditional medicine
In continuation to our work on Hypericum spp., we investigated the volatile constituents of three closely related taxa [15], H. empetrifolium Willd., H. amblycalyx Coustur. and Gand, and H. jovis Greuter, which were collected across a relatively restricted geographic range, in the island of Crete (Greece)
We have undertaken the present study, in order to compare the EOs of the Greek taxa belonging to the section Coridium, and based on the results revealed from those closely related Hypericum taxa, examine the hypothesis that essential oils from Hypericum taxa serve as chemotaxonomic markers
Summary
The genus Hypericum L. of the family Hypericaceae consists of more than 460 species divided in 36 sections [1] and has a long-term use in traditional medicine. It has been described by Hippocrates [2], Dioscorides [3], and later on in the Medieval era by Nikolaos Myrepsos [4,5]. Hypericum plants are used in foodstuff, after the evaluation of the concentration of hypericin and xanthone derivatives (Council of Europe, 2000) [7]. Hypericum is a valuable healing and anti-inflammatory remedy for burns, wounds, sores, bruises, and other skin disorders [6]
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