QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF FLAVONOIDS IN JUNIPERI GALBULUS (JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS L.)

Abstract

Recently, in Ukraine and the world, there has been a growing interest in the study, implementation and practical use of medicinal plant raw materials and herbal medicines in the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases. Medicinal plants from the family Cupressaceae, in particular Juniperus communis L. (common juniper), deserve special attention due to the content of valuable biologically active substances and practical use in folk medicine. In Ukraine, the plant grows mainly in Polesie, in the Carpathians and in the Crimea, but demonstrates high adaptive potential, which, in turn, can lead to significant phytochemical variability. Environmental conditions are known for their influence on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in plants, so the chemical composition, including the flavonoid profile, can differ significantly between populations from different geographical regions and ecological niches. This emphasizes the importance of studying domestic local populations. The study of biologically active substances of plant origin remains a key direction of modern pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and pharmaceutical science. Among secondary metabolites, flavonoids attract special attention of scientists, since the antioxidant properties of medicinal plant raw materials are largely due to the content of polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids. The feasibility of determining the content of flavonoids in domestic raw materials juniperi galbulus is important, relevant and will allow a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of pharmacological action of the plant. The aim of the work was to conduct a quantitative determination of flavonoids in juniperi galbulus of local populations of Juniperus communis L. of the western region of Ukraine harvested in 2024. Materials and methods. Juniperi galbulus was harvested in 2024 in an ecologically clean region of Lviv region. Dried and standardized according to the requirements of the State Federal University of Ukraine. The total ash content in the raw material was determined according to the State Federal University of Ukraine (2.4.16). The extract was obtained by maceration with a ratio of raw material to extractant - 1:20. The optimal particle size (from 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0 mm) of the crushed raw material and the extractant (70% or 90% ethanol) for maximum extraction of flavonoids were experimentally established. The content of flavonoids in the extracts was determined using a modified spectrophotometric method using the complexation reaction of flavonoids with aluminum chloride in terms of quercetin. Results and discussion. Juniperus communis L. is an evergreen coniferous plant known for its antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and other properties, which is widely used for medical purposes. The official raw material is the cones of juniperi galbulus, which have a centuries-old history of use in traditional medicine of many cultures of the world as an effective diuretic for edema of various origins, as well as for kidney and bladder diseases. The literature data indicate continuous research on the content of biologically active compounds of juniperi galbulus and the functional role of individual components in order to scientifically substantiate the correlation «composition-activity». Flavonoids that are part of juniperi galbulus cause capillary strengthening, cardiotropic, antispasmodic, hypotensive, choleretic, hepatoprotective, hemostatic and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies of the qualitative and quantitative composition of flavonoids in juniperi galbulus harvested in Ukraine are practically absent. Identification of populations with a significant content of flavonoids, a sufficient raw material base of Juniperus communis L. will become the basis for the creation of new standardized phytotherapeutic agents with proven effectiveness. Dried ripe juniperi galbulus Juniperus communis L. spherical in shape, about 9-10 mm in diameter, purple-brown in color with a bluish bloom were crushed and used to obtain extracts. The total ash content in the raw material was 3.6%. The results of experimental studies indicate that the highest content of flavonoids in terms of quercetin (0.42 ± 0.03 mg/g) was observed in the extract obtained with 90% ethanol from raw materials ground to a particle size of 1.0 mm. (in plant raw materials, respectively, 8.38 ± 0.01 mg/g). In juniperi galbulus, the content of these compounds was 8.38 ± 0.01 mg/g. Conclusions. The results of the study are of great importance for phytochemistry, pharmacognosy and can be used to search for raw materials with a high content of valuable components and create new effective phytotherapeutic agents, as well as to substantiate approaches to sustainable use and conservation of natural resources of juniper in Ukraine. Further research will allow expanding the aspects of the use of juniper fruits in the pharmaceutical industry.