New vegetable drugs gemmae- sources of active principles

Abstract

Introduction: Gemmotherapy is based on using the so-called "stem cells ", which are embryonic tissues, namely young parts that hold the regenerating power of the plant. Buds, branches, internal bark of roots or bark of young branches, sap, germinated seeds and young seedlings represent a valuable source of active principles with important therapeutic qualities. Bioactive complex of these vegetable drugs quickly intervenes in human metabolism, producing series of reactions at the molecular and cellular levels, participating in evacuation of toxic substances. These processes help to detoxify the locked cells (based on the specific action of certain organs), that permit to resume their functionality. Using of gemmoderivates shows a gentle therapy of a deep action and without negative consequences. Gemmotherapy was initiated a long time ago (XIV-XV century), but classical one founded by Belgian doctor Pol Henry in 1950 during the last decades shows a rising interest. Purpose: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of flavonoids and tannins in buds of some woody plants. Materials and Methods: As a biological material for chemical study served buds of horse chestnut tree, walnut, white birch, white poplar and cherry tree. Qualitative study of flavonoids was conducted by applying color or precipitation reactions and quantitative - spectrophotometry method. Qualitative analysis of tannins was performed by chemical specific reaction and thin layer chromatography and quantitative one by titrimetric method. Results: The analyses of the qualitative study of flavonoids in the vegetable drugs gemmae of Aesculus hippocastanum, Juglans regia, Betula pendula, Populus alba, Primus avium established the presence of the following flavonoids constituents: flavones, flavonols, flavanonols, anthocyanins, aurons and chalcones. The spectrophotometric study of flavonoids shows that the maximum content belong to white poplar buds — 7.208%, then decreasing in the buds of walnut - 6.808% , cherry tree - 3.508%, horse chestnut - 2.912% , white birch — 2.746%, and in the catkins of white birch - 2.220%. The specific reactions for tannins identification demonstrate the presence of condensed and hydrolyzed tannins in analyzed buds. The titrimetric dosage of tannins denotes the presence of a high content in analyzed buds, the most being in the horse chestnut buds (20.541%), followed by the walnut (15.406%). The cherry buds contain - 9.928%, followed by the white poplar (6.847%) and white birch buds (6.505%). The lowest content of tannins has the catkins of white birch - 2.326%. Conclusions: The analyzed buds also contain large quantities of tannins and flavonoids with valuable therapeutic qualities besides the specific biocomplex conditioned by the presence of specific meristematic tissue. The buds represents a biological complex entity, in which is realized a synergy of their components in the human body.