Determination of total flavonoid content in plant raw materials of Scutellaria galericulata L.

The plants of the genus Scutellaria of the Lamiaceae family, which includes more than 420 species, are a promising object for study due to their unique chemical composition. The wide range of pharmacological effects, the structural similarity of the substances included in their composition with compounds – metabolites present in the human body, prove their enormous potential, making them an object of scientific research, and determines the use of some representatives in traditional and folk medicine. In the context of the growing interest of the population in phytomedicine and the principles of a healthy lifestyle, the prospects of studying the biological activity of Scutellaria galericulata L. as a plant object that can be used as a raw material for the production of medicines are obvious. The aim of the study was to determine the total content of flavonoids in terms of luteolin-7-glycoside in various morphological parts of Scutellaria galericulata L. cultivated in the Astrakhan region, taking into account the vegetative phase. Research materials and methods. The objects of the study were stems, leaves, flowers and roots of Scutellaria galericulata L. The moisture content was determined according to the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia XV edition. Study results. The data obtained during the humidity study confirmed the compliance of the indicators with the requirements of the State Pharmacopoeia, which allowed us to proceed to the next stage of the study aimed at identifying the localization of flavonoid content in the studied object. The maximum content of substances of this group, in terms of luteolin-7-glycoside, was recorded in the roots, leaves and flowers of Scutellaria galericulata L. It was shown that the stems contain  a minimum amount of flavan derivatives. It was shown that the highest concentrations of flavonoids in the roots were achieved at the end of the growing season. The content of flavonoids in the leaves depended on its stage: the beginning of vegetation, budding and flowering. Significant fluctuations in the level of phenolic compounds in the flowers were not established, probably due to the limited periods of sample collection, as a result of which the roots contained more flavonoids compared to the leaves, significantly exceeding the stems and flowers in their content. Conclusion. The data of the experimental study indicate the need to correlate the vegetation period and the location of biologically active substances with their quantitative content in the plant. The established relationship will subsequently allow us to determine the optimal storage conditions for medicinal plant raw materials, as well as the features of obtaining medicines based on it, guaranteeing their quality and safety.

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