THE PHARMACEUTICAL BOTANICAL STUDIES ON THE ENDEMIC Asperula pestalozzae Boiss. (RUBIACEAE)

Abstract

In this study, endemic Asperula pestalozzae Boiss. (Rubiaceae) was investigated in aspects of pharmaceutical botany. The morphological, anatomical, micromorphological, palynological, and chemical (antioxidant activity and total amount of phenolic substance) characteristics were reported in detail for the first time. Expanded descriptions and images of A. pestalozzae were given. The anatomical description was presented in detail and supported by photographs. The stem is usually angular or orbicular shaped and the leaf is monofacial. Its trichome and pollen micromorphology were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The pollen grains of A. pestalozzae are monad, radial symmetry, isopolar, and hexacolpate (sometimes heptacolpate). DPPH and ABTS radicals were used to determine antioxidant activity. The DPPH 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) value was found to be 0.0011±0.0002 mg/ml for standard gallic acid and 0.134±0.017 mg/ml for A. pestalozzae extract. 0.1 mg/ml extract calculated 0.022±0.36 Mm TEAC activity; 1.437±0.51 mM TEAC activity was determined in 10 mg/ml extract. The total amount of phenolic substances was calculated as 53 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE).