Introduction of Geranium macrorrhizum L. and evaluation of biologically active compounds in overground part

Abstract

The issue of improving the quality of life and health of the World Health Organization 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 (Haddad et al., 2005). 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 (Miliauskas et al., 2007). 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. 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 (Ragažinskienė et al., 2005). Flavonoids and tannins, which in vitro inhibit the growth of Gram (+) bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram (-) Staphylococcus aureus was found to be components of the (G. macrorrhizum L.) herbaceous and fungal growth - Candida albicans (Ivancheva, 1992).[...]