Dr.S.Alexandar,M.Pharm,Ph.D,
Associate Professor
Vinayaka Missions College of
Pharmacy,
Yercaud main road,
Kondappanaickanpatty,
Salem, Tamilnadu,
Pin:636008
Chemical analysis of
flavonoids. Medicinal plants
and medical plant material that
contain flavonoids with
cardiovascular, P-vitamin and
haemostatic action
FLAVONOIDS
are polyphenolic compounds comprising fifteen
carbons, with two aromatic rings connected by a threecarbon bridge (C6-C3-C6).
Flavan
Classification of flavonoids
Depending on the position of the linkage of the aromatic ring to the
benzopyrano (chromano) moiety, this group of natural products
may be divided into three classes:
the true flavonoids (2-phenylbenzopyrans); the isoflavonoids (3benzopyranes) and the neoflavonoids (2-benzopyranes)
True Flavonoids
1.Chromane derivatives 2. Chromone derivatives
- catechins (flavan-3-ols);
- flavanons;
- leucoanthocyanidins
- flavanonols;
(flavan-3,4,-diols);
- flavones;
- anthocyanidins
- flavonols;
- chalcones;
- dihydrochalcones;
- aurones
Anthocyanidins
Name
Pelargonidin
Cyanidin
Delfinidin
Flavanones
Name
Liquiritigenin
Nanringenin
Eriodictyol
Hesperetin
Flavones
Name
Apigenin
Luteolin
Aquacetin
Diosmetin
Flavonols
Name
Kaemferol
Quercetin
Myricetin
Rhamnetin
Isorhamnetin
Chalcones
Name
Butein
Isoliquiritigenin
Identification
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cyanidin test
Test with boric and citric acids
An azo coupling
The reaction of alkali
Concentrated sulphuric acid test
The reaction with vanillin in concentrated
hedrochloric acid
7. The reaction of iron III chloride
8. The reaction of lead acetate
Compounds
Cyanidin test
FeCl3
lead acetate
Flavanols
Red-violet
Yellow
Brown
Yellow residue
Flavonols
Red
Yellow
Green
Yellow residue
Flavones
Orange
Yellow
Red-brown
Yellow residue
Chalcones
Yellow
Yellow-orange
Brown
Yellow residue
Aurones
Yellow
Orange-red
Brown
Yellow residue
Catechins
Yellow
Colorless,
changing to
red
Quantitative analysis
There are plenty of methods for flavonoid assay: gravimetry,
titration, fluorimetry, polarography, photocolorimetry, but the
most widespread method is spectrometry. It is based on
reactions with metal ions, azo coupling, boric acid with further
determination of the optical density in UV and visible regions
of the spectrum at a proper wavelength.
Constituents. Up to 20% of
rutin.
Uses. As the main constituent
is rutin the plant is used in the
treatment of circulatory
diseases (Ascorutin, Vikalin,
Rutes). Tincture has antiseptic
properties.
Uses. Owing to its caffeine content, tea serves as a stimulant, and bacause of its
tannin content it can be used an anthidiarrhoeic. Polyphenols have P-vitamin
and the antioxidant activity. Strong tea is given in poisonings caused by central
nervous system inhibitors, alcohol, heavy metals.