International Journal of Biotech Trends and Technology (IJBTT) – Volume 6 Issue 3– July to September 2016 Morphological and Chemical (Phenolic Compound) Study of Althaea cannabina L. (Malvaceae) in Syria S. Layka ¹, A. Kara Ali ², S. Skaif ³* 1 - Professor of plant taxonomy, Department of botany, Faculty of Science, Tishreen University, Lattakia , Syria . 2 - Assistant professor, High Institute Marine Research, Tishreen University, Lattakia , Syria . 3 – Postgraduate Student (Doctorate). Department of botany, Faculty of Science, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria Abstract - Our current research is Cumaric acid , Ferulic acid , Vanillin , 2-6 investigating a detailed study of the Dimethyl Phenol , Salicylic acid , P-cresol , t- morphological characteristics of the roots, zimt-savve , Eugenol . This research have been steams, leaves and flowers of Althaea shown the contents of phenolic acids was cannabina L. , and also Phenolic acids in the higher in the flowers than in the leaves and roots , leaves and flowers of this species were roots in this species. investigated by means high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) .The Phenolic acids Keywords: Althaea cannabinaL. ,Malvaceae , occurring in these fractions have been morphology , phenolic compounds , HPLC identified as Chlorogenic acid , Caffeine, I INTRODUCTION Althaea cannabina belong to the family poultice prepared by A.cannabina root is Malvaceae . It is a family of flowering plants applied externally to soothe the calcifications containing over 200 genera with close to 2300 [9]. With respect to the phenolic acids are species. The largest genera in terms of species secondary plant metabolites plant metabolites include Hibiscus (300 species), Povania (200 widely spread throughout the plant kingdom species) andsida (200 species) ([1], [2]), [10]. They are hydroxylated derivatives of whereas the genus Althaea contains 50 species benzoic ( e.g ., gallic , syringic , vanillic , and [3]. This family widely distributed in the protocatechuic acids) , and cinnamic acids Mediterranean and irano-turanian (e.g.,cafficand p-coumaric acids) ,and both phytogeographical regions, Mediterranean kinds of derivatives have their biosynthetic Europe , north America , northern Africa , the origin in the aromatic amino acid L- Caucasus, southwest and central Asia, phenylalanine [11]. In plants, benzoic and southern Russia and Afghanistan ([5], [6]). cinnamic acids derivatives are physically Althaea species have been the basis for dispersed throughout seeds, leaves, roots, and countless medicines since Egyptian antiquity. stems [12]. dx their roles in plants are many, The generic name, Althaea , is derived from including nutrient uptake, protein synthesis, the Greek , although ( to cure ) , due to its enzyme activity, photosynthesis, structural healing properties , owing to the high mucilage components , and allelopathy ( [13], [14], content, the plants were used commonly for [15]). It has been established that derivatives soothing internal and external inflammations , of cinnamic acids , mainly p-coumaric and sore throats , minor wounds and chapped skins ferulic acids , also show estrogenic activity and [6]. And also as an antitussive , demulcent , could influence the reproductive activity [16]. diuretic , emollient , laxative , and odontalgic Reference [17] reported that there is a [7]. Althaea is also used to preaper herby relationship between plant taxonomy and cheese as preservative and aroma source [8]. A chemical content of the plant where the ISSN: 2249-0183 http://www.ijbttjournal.org Page 23 International Journal of Biotech Trends and Technology (IJBTT) – Volume 6 Issue 3– July to September 2016 chemical compounds used to insulate the - Lower layer in separating funnel containing plants depending on the medical and economic phenolic compounds taken and then focused uses, Reference [18] pointed out that the even (1ml) by stream of dry air . addition of chemical classification information 2). Chromatography : to other information, such as information The extracts were analyzed by Jasco phenotypic can create a basis for our decisions HPLC equipped with UV detector and knowledge of plant taxonomy, reference [19] stabelbond C18 analytical column was used for stressed that Filavonat with taxonomic analytic separation the wavelength of 275nm . importance because they are not primary and mobile phase (Acetonitrile + 1% Acetic acid phenolic compounds of important chemical and V / V 60:40 ) was at flow rate of ( 1 ) compounds in the plant classification and are ml/min . usually found in the leaves, flowers and seeds. The lack of data on the phenolic acids in III RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Althaea cannabina L. which could be responsible for the medicine importance , A. Morphological Descriptions: prompted us to examine this plant for their Herbs perennial, with glandular and eglandular hairs, plant 120-160 cm content . height .plant has roots with length 25 – 35 cm , and has stem erect ,branched above, II MATERIALS AND METHODS Cylindrical, stellate hairy (Figure1A) .Leaves A. Morphological Study: orbicular-triangular, petiole and stipule stellate The material of the current study hairy . Basal leavespalmatifid-palmatisect , are based on10 samples collected from Selnfi consist of 5-lobed , 5- 12 x 4-15 cm , margin (in Syria) , they are collected at summer of serrate , apex acuminate , petiole 2.5-7.5 cm 2015. We took the necessary measurements of (Figure1B).cauline leaves palmatisect , the parts of the plant by a meter and ruler, it consists of 5-lobed , 2-8 X 4- 10 cm ,margin has been working under a magnifying serrate , apex acuminate , petiole 2- 7 cm regarding the measurement of small parts. The (Figure 1C ) . floral leavespalmatisect, consists pollen grains were studied using a microscope. of 3 lobed the middle lobe larger than others , Some samples are dried in the shade and stored 1.5-5 x 1-6 cm , margin serrate , apex obtuse , in the laboratory degree heat while in use for petiole 0.5- 3 cm (Figure 1D ) .Regarding chemical study. venation patterns we have found that leaf venation patterns is Reticulate . flowers B. Chemical Study : solitary or peduncles 2-3 flowered (Figure 1E ) 1). Extraction : . pedicels 1-14 cm with stellate hairy . Phenolic compounds were extracted Epicalyx less than ½ as long as calyx ( Figure from plant parts (root, leaf, flower) according 1F) .Epicalyx 7-9 , connate at the base , lobes 2.5- 4 x 0.2- 0.9 mm , densely stellate hairy. to the method of [20] with some modification sepals 5 , connate at the base , 5.5 – 7 x 3.5 - in accordance with the following: 4.5 mm , with densely stellate hairy . petals 5 - The dried roots , leaves and flowers of the , pink – purple , 17-24 x 15 – 18 mm . margin species studied were crushed in the Electrical entire, apex retuse , white pilose hairy at the mill. connate part . filaments unite in its lower part - Weight (4) g of each sample was added to it composed staminal tube( Figure 1G ) , (40-50) mL of 70% alcohol ethyl and left at staminal tube cylindrical , glabrous , 2- 5 mm , there papillose hairy on the free part of the room temperature for 48 hours . filaments . anthers reniform( Figure 1H ) , - Conclusion nominated using the filter paper purplish – brown , content pollen grains ( 164 of the kind Ederolmedium pores filtering . – 212 grainper anther ) , pollen grains have - Extract focused to get rid of the alcohol using spherical shape with spines on the outer a pneumatic dryer at a cool temperature surface ( Figure 1I) . stylus divided toward the (laboratory temperature) . apex . Number of stigma equals the number of - added to the filtrate as fits the size of diethyl carpel . ovary consists of approximately ( 11 – 14 ) carpels In each of which one ovule ( ether with a boiling point (40-60) M˚, Shake Figure 1 J) .Mericarps 2.6 – 3.8 x 2.3 – 3.4 mm blend well then put in Separation funnel . , reniform , brown , glabrous ( Figure 1K) . seeds 1 – 2.5 x 0.9 – 2.8 mm reniform , ISSN: 2249-0183 http://www.ijbttjournal.org Page 24 International Journal of Biotech Trends and Technology (IJBTT) – Volume 6 Issue 3– July to September 2016 glabrous . This result is compatible with results of [21]. B C A D E F G H I J K Fig. 1 : Althaea cannabina L. A- General view of the plant; B- Basal leaves; C- cauline leaves; D- floral leaves; E- flowers; F- Epicalyx; G- staminal tube; H- anthers; I- pollen grain; J- cross section of Ovary; K- Mericarp above and seed below . B. Chemical Study : Phenolic acids in roots , leaves and flowers of the species studied, where the highest Althaea cannabina L. have been investigated percentage of these compounds in flowers, by means of HPLC . The present study showed followed by the leaves, roots respectively. As a disparity in terms of the total content of shown in Table (1). phenolic compounds within the plant parts of ISSN: 2249-0183 http://www.ijbttjournal.org Page 25 International Journal of Biotech Trends and Technology (IJBTT) – Volume 6 Issue 3– July to September 2016 Table(1) The amount of phenolic compounds in flowers, leaves and roots of A. cannabina Chlorogenic acid Caffeine Cumaric acid Ferulic acid Vanillin 2 Salicylic acid P Eugenol phenolic acid The total content of t Phenolic - - - 6 Dimethyl Phenol cresol acids zimt - savve Part of plant studied Flowers 0.09 26.053 63.69 0.22 90.323 leaves 0.04 1.582 14.52 52.943 0.041 69.126 roots 1.693 45.54 8.37 5.273 4.944 0.364 66.184 for the flowers it was phenols ratio is too high, followed by the compoundVanillin by 26%.As where the increase of almost 90% and the shown in Figure (2 ) . compound Salicylic acid is the main compound in flowers as rate stood at 63%, Fig. (2):High performance liquid chromatographic analysis (HPLC) for flowers A. cannabina While in the leaves the amount of phenolic 6 Dimethyl phenol the rest of the compounds compounds have reached 69% , it has as it exceeded 52% and can be seen through exceeded the amount of phenolic compound 2- (Figure 3 ) .