Chemotaxonomy and biological studies of two mentha species

Abstract EN

Objective: Studies were carried out to evaluate the chemosystematic relationships of two Mentha species (M.

microphylla C.

Koch and M.

viridis L.).

The biological activity of the extracts of both species was recorded.

Methods: The isolation and identification of flavonoids were carried out using paper and column chromatography, UV, MS and NMR spectral analysis.

Antimicrobial and cytotxic activities were studied using agar diffusion and mortality test, respectively.

Results: Six flavonoidal compounds were isolated and identified from the aqueous methanolic extract of the aerial parts of the two Mentha species.

Both ethanol fractions of the species showed a moderate activity against Escherichia coli, Gram negative bacteria while the other fractions and pure compounds were inactive.

Conclusion: The phytochemical investigation of the two Mentha species showed a clear difference in their flavonoid profile.

The distribution of the identified flavonoid glycosides in the two taxa investigated is reported.

The isolated compounds were found to be known, all of them were isolated here for the first time from both plants and all revealed low antimicrobial and cytotxic activities.