Medicinal plants: Concentrators and superconcentrators of copper and its role in metabolism of these species

Abstract

With the combination of the atomic absorption method and spectrophotometry, we conducted the testing of medicinal plants of Russian flora (approximately 200 species) on the content of copper (Cu). We revealed 36 species-concentrators and superconcentrators of this element. The capability of these species to accumulate Cu is compared with the synthesis of physiologically active compounds (PAC), among which alkaloids and phenolic compounds prevail. The stimulating influence of Cu on the formation and accumulation of alkaloids of main structural types--derivatives of chinolysidine, isochinoline, tropane, and indole--is established. The data about the role of Cu-containing enzymes in the metabolism of alkaloids, as well as of phenolic compounds, are reviewed on the example of flavonoids. The role of concentrated copper in the medicinal effect of medicinal plants and, thus, the appearing perspective to widen their application spectrum, especially in the cases when the orientation of the action of PAC and Cu are different, is discussed.