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Chemotaxonomic Studies in Ferula of China on the Basis of Flavonoids

Chen Xiao-Ya, Liu Qi-Xin   

  • Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1989-05-10 Published:1989-05-10
  • Contact: Chen Xiao-Ya

Abstract:

 Sixteen species of Ferula L. (Umbelliferae)   were examined for their leaf
flavonoids, and at least 9 glycosides of quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin are detected in 13
species.  While most of  the constituents reported are common in the Umbelliferae, the unu-
sual one, apigenin-6,  8-C-diglucoside,  which was found in Ostericum Hoffm. in an earlier
survey has been detected in F. moschata (F. sumbul) The three species (F. sinkiangensis, F. fu-
kangensis and F. krylovii) from which flavonoids have not been found, are all medicinal
plants with strong garliky odor due to a high concentration of essential oils containing disulfi-
des.
       The  subgenus Peucedanoides  is found to be rich in quercetin glycosides, and the aglycon
pattern seems to have some relationship with habitat conditions in the genus: the species occur-
ring in comparatively humid habitats are often large herbs and often characterized by the pre-
sence of quercetin, while those growing in dry habitats contain apigening kaepferol, as well
as quercetin.   Nevertheless, any conclusion with certainty needs examining more  species  of
the genus.
       It is interesting to note that F. moschata, from which the glycosylapigenin was found, and
F. pseudooreoselinum, which probably has a trace amount of kaempferol glycoside, are pecu-
liar in Ferula in their inflorescence morphology.  The phytochemic results also raise a suspi-
cion against their systematic position within the genus.
      F. bungeana, previously placed in the subgenus Peucedanoides, has relatively great simila-
rities with F. syreitschkowii of the subgenus Narthex in their general morphology and fruit
anatomy.   In the present survey apigenin-7-glycoside is detected from both, and thus it seems
more suitable to transfer the former species into the subgenus Narthex.
     The same compounds have been found in F. licentiana and F. tunshanica, which also sha-
re the characters of morphology and anatomy.  The fact does support the view that the latter
should be included in F. licentiana as a variety.

Key words: Ferula, Umbelliferae, flavonols, flavones, chemotaxonomy

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