Investigation of quality and antimicrobal activity of cultivated marigold flowers Calendula officinalis L.

Abstract

Introduction: Marigold flower, Calendula officinalis L, Asteraceae, is traditionally used to treat skin diseases. Marigold flowers contain triterpenoid saponins, carotenoids, flavonoids and essential oil. Extracts and essential oil exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate quality of cultivated Calendulae flos, to compare flavonoids content in inflorescence and ligulate florets and to determine antimicrobial activity of extract and traditional ointment based on marigold. Material and Methods: Plant material was collected from private gardens in Kikinda, Mokrin and Vrnjacka Banja during September and November 2015. Quality investigation included: macroscopic and microscopic analysis and determination of the specific quality according to the monograph of European Pharmacopoeia 7.0. The identification of flavonoids was carried out by HPLC. Antimicrobial activity of ethanol extracts (1:20) and traditional ointment based on ligulate florets or whole inflorescences was tested against six standard laboratory strains by agar-diffusion method. Results: Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and content of flavonoids (2.0-2.76%) in the ligulate florets of cultivated marigold corresponded to the requirements of Ph. Eur. 7.0. Separated ligulate florets (2.76 ± 0.01%) contained a higher concentration of flavonoids than whole inflorescence (1.68 ± 0.0%). Also, in ligulate florets differences were found in the flavonoids content during September (2.76 ± 0.01%) and November (1.45 ± 0.01%), while in whole inflorescences concentration didn't significantly change. In all tested samples 3-O-heterosides of quercetin and isorhamnetin were identified. The ethanol extracts of ligulate florets, whole inflorescence as well as traditional ointments showed the antimicrobial activity. The traditional ointment based on ligulate florets showed stronger antimicrobial effect than the ointment based on full inflorescences. Conclusion: Quality investigation showed that cultivated marigold flowers meet the requirements of Ph. Eur. 7.0. Ligulate florets contained more flavonoids than whole inflorescences. Extracts and traditional ointment based on ligulate florets showed antimicrobial activity, which confirmed long-term use of marigold.

Uvod: Cvast nevena, Calendula officinalis L., Asteraceae, tradicionalno se koristi za lečenje kožnih bolesti. Cvast nevena sadrži triterpenske saponine, karotenoide, flavonoide i etarsko ulje. Ekstrakti i etarsko ulje cvasti nevena pokazuju antiinflamatornu, antioksidantnu i antimikrobnu aktivnost. Cilj rada: Cilj rada je bio ispitivanje kvaliteta cvasti gajenog nevena, Calendulae flos, upoređivanje sadržaja flavonoida u cvasti i jezičastim cvetovima, kao i utvrđivanje antimikrobne aktivnosti ekstrakata i tradicionalne masti na bazi nevena. Materijal i metode: Biljni materijal je prikupljen iz privatnih bašti u Kikindi, Mokrinu i Vrnjačkoj Banji tokom septembra i novembra 2015. godine. Ispitivanje kvaliteta je obuhvatalo makroskopsku i mikroskopsku analizu i određivanje specifičnog kvaliteta prema monografiji Evropske farmakopeje 7.0. Identifikacija flavonoida je izvršena metodom tečne hromatografije pod visokim pritiskom (HPLC). Antimikrobna aktivnost etanolnih ekstrakata (1:20) i tradicionalnih masti na bazi jezičastih cvetova ili celih cvasti ispitivana je na šest standardnih laboratorijskih sojeva agar-difuzionim matodom. Rezultati: Makroskopske i mikroskopske karakteristike i sadržaj flavonoida (2,0-2,76%) u jezičastim cvetovima gajenog nevena odgovarali su zahtevima propisanom u Ph.Eur. 7.0. Izdvojeni jezičasti cvetovi (2,76 ± 0,01%) sadržali su veću koncentraciju flavonoida od celih cvasti (1,68 ± 0,0%). U jezičastim cvetovima su uočene i razlike u sadržaju flavonoida tokom septembra (2,76 ± 0,01%) i novembra (1,45 ± 0,01%), dok se u celim cvetovima koncentracija nije značajno menjala. U svim ispitivanim uzorcima identifikovani su 3-O-heterozidi kvarcetina i izoramnetina. Antimikrobno delovanje su pokazali etanolni ekstrakti jezičastih i celih cvetova, kao i tradicionalne masti. Tradicionalna mast na bazi jezičastih cvetova pokazala je izraženiji antimikrobni efekat od masti na bazi celih cvasti. Zaključak: Ispitivanje kvaliteta je pokazalo da cvast gajenog nevena odgovara zahtevima Ph.Eur.7.0. Jezičasti cvetovi su sadržali više flavonoida od celih cvasti nevena. Ekstrakti i tradicionalna mast na bazi jezičastih cvetova pokazali su antimikrobnu aktivnost, što potvrđuje dugogodišnju upotrebu nevena.