Inula Species Research Articles

Essential Oil of Inula sarana Boiss. (Compositae), an Endemic Species of Turkey

The genus Inula L. (Compositae) is represented in Turkey by 27 species and altogether 32 taxa of which eight are endemic [1–3]. Inula species are used as cholagogue, diuretic, antitussive, expectorant, anthelminthic and tonic in the Turkish folk medicine [4]. We have analyzed the hydrodistilled essential oil of Inula sarana Boiss., an endemic species of Turkey for the first time, by GC and GC/MS. 26 compounds were characterized representing 96.2% of the total composition. Main components were hexadecanoic acid (22.4%), 15-hexadecanolide (16.9%) and pentacosane (15.5%).

Chemical constituents from three Inula species. Biological activities

The genus Inula consists of variable perennial herbs distributed in Asia, Europe, Africa and predominantly in the Mediterranean region (Asteraceae family, tribe Inuleae). Plants of the genus are used as traditional herbal medicines throughout the world [1]. Inula viscosa (L.) Aiton. (syn. Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter) is a widespread Mediterranean plant proven to be a rich source of sesquiterpenes, lactones and flavonoids. Inula pseudolimonella (Rech. F.) and I. candida subsp. candida are both Greek endemic plants and have never been studied phytochemically before [2]. The non-polar (dichloromethane) and the polar (methanolic) extracts of all species were investigated thoroughly and afforded a new sesquiterpenoid lactone

Exudate Flavonoids in Some Gnaphalieae and Inuleae (Asteraceae)

Three members of the tribe Gnaphalieae and six members of the tribe Inuleae (Asteraceae) were analyzed for their exudate flavonoids. Whereas some species exhibit rather trivial flavonoids, others produce rare compounds. Spectral data of rare flavonoids are reported and their structural identification is discussed. 6-Oxygenation of flavonols is a common feature of two Inula species and Pulicaria sicula. By contrast, flavonoids with 8-oxygenation, but lacking 6-oxygenation, are common in two out of three Gnaphalieae species examined. In addition, B-ring deoxyflavonoids are abundantly present in the leaf exudates of Helichrysum italicum (Gnaphalieae). These distinctive features of the two Asteraceae tribes are in agreement with previous flavonoid surveys of these and related taxa.

Chromosome numbers in the tribes Anthemideae and Inuleae (Asteraceae)

Twenty-two chromosome counts of 19 taxa (21 populations) in the tribe Anthemideae and one member (one population) of the tribe Inuleae of the family Asteraceae are reported. The Anthemideae studied belong to the subtribes Artemisiinae (14 Artemisia taxa, and one species each of the genera Dendranthema, Filifolium and Neopallasia) and Tanacetinae (one species each of the genera Lepidolopha and Tanacetopsis). From the Inuleae, we studied one Inula species. Five counts are new reports (including two at generic level), six are not consistent with previous counts and the remainder are confirmations of very limited (one to four records) previous data. Most of populations of Anthemideae studied have the basic chromosome number x = 9, with ploidy levels ranging from 2x to 10x. Dysploidy is also present, with two x = 8 diploid taxa. The species of Inuleae studied is a diploid with x = 10, also indicating dysploidy, other members of the same genus Inula having basic numbers of x = 9 or 8. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 148, 77–85.

Morphology of nectaries in relation to nectar secretion of Inula and Centaurea species in the Hungarian habitats

Floral nectary characteristics of five species of Centaurea and Inula (Inula ensifolia, I. salicina, I. spiraeifolia, Centaurea micranthos, C. scabiosa) were examined for using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the sugar contents were studied in relation to nectary morphology and plant size. The differences in the nectaries, plant size and nectar sugar content of the studied species indicate that the larger plants may reflect a greater allocation to sugar content.

The floral nectarproduction of three inula species

We have examined nectar secretion of three Inula species (Inula spiraefolis L., I. ensifolia L., I. salicina L.) and we have established that the nectar secretion is periodical. The production maximums appear every two hours to I. spiraeifolia and there is a three hours rhytm at I. salicina. We have found a forenoon and an afternoon production section at I. ensifolia. The three Inula species nectar contains three main sugar componetnts: glucose, fructose and sucros, but their quantity values were different to each other. The nectar of I. spiraeifolia is hexose-rich (glucose-dominant), the nectar of I. ensifolia is sucrose-rich and nectar of I. salicina is sucrose-dominant.The sexual reproductionwas accented at species witch are sucrose-rich or sucrose-dominant. The vegetative reproduction seems to be dominant at hexose-rich species.

New records of the carpopodium in Compositae and its taxonomic use

The carpopodium has been recorded for the first time in 40 Compositae, species of Tolpis, Hieracium, Catananche, Microseris, Stephanomeria, Hypochoeris, Lactuca, Crepis, Vernonia, Cirsium, Centaurea, Aster, Calendula, Inula, Cosmos, Helianthus, Zinnia, and Tagetes. The evolution of the carpopodium, its functions, and possible use in taxonomy, are discussed.

Mano (Inula racemosa): Little Known Aromatic Plant of Lahaul Valley, India

Among the 20 species of Inula (Compositae) occurring wild in India, five are considered to be of economic value. Of these, I. racemosa has gained some prominence as a medicinal and aromatic plant, and is now grown on a small scale in Lahaul valley in northwestern Himalaya. The domesticated forms of this incipient cultigen have been selected by the natives from the wild types which occur amongst stony, alpine scrub vegetation in this cold arid habitat between 2,700-3,500 m. The fragrant aromatic roots of this plant are likely to find a place in natural perfumery materials. Accordingly, information on this alpine perennial herb, based on personal observations and published accounts (Wealth of India, 1959) is presented here to highlight its importance as a new, industrial raw material of the future. It fetches higher prices than the traditionally-grown kuth (Saussurea lappa) roots in this tract because of superior odour.

Neue sesquiterpenlactone und thymol-derivate aus Inula-arten

The investigation of three Inula species affords, besides known compounds, two new sesquiterpene lactones and two new thymol derivatives. The chemotaxonomic situation in this genus is still very complicated.