A taxonomic study into the anatomical, morphological and phytochemical differentiation of the genus Mentha L (Lamiaceae) in Bosnia & Hercegovina and Slovakia is presented. Following a population-based approach and using hierarchical cluster analyses the following basic species and hybrids corresponding to exclusive branches, i.e. groups, in the constructed hierarchies were recognized: Mentha aquatica, M. spicata, M. arvensis, M. longifolia, M. rotundifolia, M. × piperita, M. × villosa, M. × verticillata, M. × gentillis, M. × gracilis and M. pulegium. These groups were independently found by separate analyses of the sampled anatomical and morphological variation. In contrast, these anatomically and morphologically defined species exhibited a high level of phytochemical polymorphism which was largely inconsistent with the hierarchical classification. Among the analysed characters, the inflorescence type, dentation of the leaf margin, hair density, the type of capitate glandular hairs, and the main containing compound in essential oil proved most useful for the discrimination of taxa. However, most of the observed traits were not exclusive to a particular species and only the combined consideration of traits revealed coherent taxonomic groups. Basic species and hybrids are described in detail based on the anatomical, morphological and phytochemical characters used for their definition. The performed cluster analysis finally supported hypotheses on the parentage of some of the studied hybrids.

Samples of Hyperici herba were obtained by harvesting Hypericum perforatum L. in different plant development stages. The relation of flower development phases in the drug's flower fraction was examined. The HPLC method was then employed for the analysis of the content of secondary metabolites in different flower ontogenesis phases. The content of dianthrones, derivatives of quercetin and hyperforin increased from the first bud phases (0.29%, 0.80%, and 2.47%, respectively) to flowers just opened (1.04%, 4.23% and 6.60%, respectively). The content of dianthrones and quercetin glycosides then decreased (in unripe fruits 0.11% and 0.08%, respectively), whereas the amounts of hyperforin increased to 8.07% in fruits. The content of I3,II8-biapigenin increased from 0.21% in small buds to 1.04% in buds just before opening and has then decreased gradually to a value of 0.02% in fruits. Rutin was not detected in the samples.

The aim of this study was to prove whether food supplements on the European market comply with pharmaceutical quality, and whether their composition satisfies the European Pharmacopoeia criteria. Medicinal products containing a standardised Ginkgo leaf extract are used for the improvement of cognitive impairment and quality of life in mild dementia. Further, Ginkgonis folium is used for the treatment of peripheral circulation disorders. Pharmacopoeial Ginkgo dry extract contains 22.0 - 27.0% flavonoids and 5.4 - 6.6% terpene lactones (ginkgolides, bilobalide). In addition to its widespread use as an herbal medicine (herbal medicinal product), the same extract can be an ingredient in food supplements. The content of active secondary metabolites was quantified in a number of European food supplements containing Ginkgo dry extract or Ginkgo leaf. Flavonoids were quantified using a modified pharmacopoeial HPLC-UV method, and terpene lactones (ginkgolides A, B, C, and bilobalide) using LC-MS/MS. Some Ginkgo leaf supplement samples were also analysed by microscopy. The quality of food supplements on the European market is dubious. In this paper, we present selected examples of several methods of adulteration and falsification, including higher/lower doses of Ginkgo dry extract or Ginkgo leaf than declared and the addition of undeclared extraneous materials. These examples reveal several patterns in the manufacturing of adulterated products.

Variability in both the content and quality of essential oil was observed in herb and leaf drugs in dependence on the harvest cut height of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L. cv. Citra). Three different cuts were carried out on the respective plants. The oil content in the herb was highest in the top third (0.13 % V/m), satisfactory in the herb including both the top and middle thirds (0.08 % V/m) and lowest in the whole herb (0.06 % V/m). The oil content in the leaves of the respective herbs was in the range 0.39 % - 0.14 % V/m (top third part - whole aerial part). The percentage of citrals, linalool and beta-caryophyllene in essential oil decreased in the basipetal direction, whilst the amounts of beta-caryophyllene oxide and citronellal increased in the same direction. Citrals (A and B): 55.79 % in the top third part of the herb, 48.46 % in the whole herb, 59.74 % and 56.87 % in the leaves from that parts, respectively. Similarly, beta-caryophyllene: 5.01 %, 3.87 %, 6.97 %, 5.13 %; beta-caryophyllene oxide: 17.19 %, 24.07 %, 15.64 %, 17.82 %; citronellal: 2.73 %, 5.51 %, 2.82 %, 6.44 %.

Qualitative analysis of the water extract of Mentha x villosa Huds. leaves was performed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and quantitative analysis was made by reverse-phase liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection (LC-DAD). Sixteen phenolic compounds were identified and quantified consisting of 8 phenolic acids/derivatives and 8 flavonoid glycosides (quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, coumaroyl-hexoside, caffeic acid, coumaroylquinic acid, lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid A, luteolin-7- O-glucuronide, luteolin-7- O-glucoside, luteolin-7- O-rutinoside, eriodictyol-7- O-rutinoside, apigenin-7- O-glucuronide, kaempferol-3- O-glucuronide, chrysoeriol-7- O-rutinoside, and hesperetin-7- O-rutinoside). Luteolin-7- O-rutinoside (25.6 ± 0.7 mg/g dry extract) and rosmarinic acid (17.9 ± 0.4 mg/g dry extract) were the most abundant. High antioxidant activity of this phenolic-rich water extract was confirmed in vitro by DPPH and ABTS tests and ex vivo in the ischemia-reperfusion injured rat superior mesenteric artery. Thus, the water extract of M. x villosa leaves seems to be a promising agent in prevention of tissue injury caused by oxidative stress.