Chemical composition and antioxidant potential of Teucrium scorodonia L. (Lamiaceae) from Serbia

Abstract

The wood-sage (woodland germander) Teucrium scorodonia L. is widespread in European Atlantic coast and in the western part of Central Europe, with some isolated populations in Mediterranean. Recently discovered population on the territory of Serbia, in the valley of Štavica river (vicinity of Loznica), represents the most eastern enclave in the species range. Preliminary chemical analysis of aerial flowering parts and its dried ethanol and hydroethanol (70% v/v) extracts, and assessment of antioxidant potential of selected (hydroethanol) extract were performed. Using appropriate spectrophotometrical methods, total polyphenols in herb (3.48%, expressed as pyrogallol), ethanol and hydroethanol extracts (100.05 and 96.65 mg gallic acid equivalents - GAE/g), tannins in herb (0.96%, expressed as pyrogallol), ethanol and hydroethanol extracts (11.86 and 12.31 mg GAE/g), flavonoids in herb, ethanol and hydroethanol extracts (0.19%, 0.83% and 0.74%, expressed as hyperoside) were quantified. Also, in ethanol and hydroethanol extracts dihydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were determined (8.96% and 8.37%, expressed as acteoside). By LC-MS, in selected (hydroethanol) extract, four flavonoid and five phenylethanoid glycosides were detected; verbascoside (acteoside) was identified and quantified (4.42%) using external standard. This extract exhibited significant total antioxidant activity (1.37 mmol Fe2+/g) and moderate anti-DPPH potential (SC50=51.28 μg/mL).