Levels of phenylpropanoids and iridoids in extracts and infusions of Verbena minutiflora

Abstract

Herein we report for the first time the levels of phenylpropanoids and iridoids in extracts and infusions of V. minutiflora consumed in Brazil to treat urinary and infectious disorders. An in house validation study demonstrated good accuracy and precision to determine the bioactive compounds in V. minutiflora by HPLC-DAD. Phenylpropanoids varied in the extracts (leaves 139.70 to 221.20 mg g^-1, flowers 106.43 to 227.22 mg g^-1, stems 42.18 to 56.48 mg g^-1). Verbascoside occurred in higher concentration in extracts of leaves (87.66 – 136.16) mg g^-1 and flowers (58.12 – 148.96) mg g^-1 than in stems (19.24 – 24.62) mg g^-1. Iridoids in extracts were as follows: leaves (46.60 − 54.79) mg g^-1, flowers (55.88 − 93.87) mg g^-1 and stems (40.05 to 61.74) mg g^-1. High levels of iridoids (314.70 − 415.10) μg mL^-1, phenylpropanoids (1996.39 − 2674.13) μg mL^-1 and verbascoside (1029.38 − 1456.42 μg mL^-1) in infusions support the popular consume of V. minutiflora.

Key words
medicinal plants; Verbenaceae; Gervão; analytical validation; Verbascoside; Hastatoside