Introduction of Geranium macrorrhizum L. and evaluation of biologically active compounds in overground parts during different plant vegetation periods

Abstract

The issue of improving the quality of life and health of the World Health Organization (WHO) and biodiversity is being resolved. XIX century an important role in the solution of this problem is played by medicinal, herbal (aromatic) plants, their medicinal plant material and bio-active compounds accumulated therein [1]. The aim of these chemical analyses is to determinate total content of phenolic compounds, the total content of flavonoid compounds and radical scavenging activity of Geranium macrorrhizum L. methanolic extracts in the different vegetation periods: intensive growth, flower budding, beginning of blossoming, massive blossoming and the end of blossoming. The object of these analyses is G. macrorrhizum L. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of Geraniaceae family which is widely spread in Central Europe. In Lithuania G. macrorrhizum L. doesn‘t grow naturally, but it is grown in flower beds, botanical gardens [2]. The extracts studied come from Sector of Medicinal Plants, Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University were harvested during the year 2016. According to the literature, G. macrorrhizum L. extracts made from broad-leaved herbal remedies act anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anesthetic, reduce blood pressure, and have a sedative effect. It also inhibits bleeding, cures, acute chronic colitis, gastric ulcer and gastritis. It is used in the treatment of hypertension in patients with kidney stones, rheumatism, gout, diarrhea, oral inflammation of the oral cavity, bleeding in the gum and bronchitis. Externally, the roots of Geranium macrorrhizi radix are used to wash swelling wounds, to nourish swabs, to treat opal, skin diseases, itching, dermatitis of allergic origin and phlegmons [3]. In this study determination of phenolic compounds was performed using spectrophotometry methods. The total amount of phenolic compounds was evaluated using modified Folin–Ciocalteu reagent spectrophotometry method. [...]