Nat Prod Res. 2003 Apr; 17(2): 135-40.

Variability in phenolic composition of Hypericum androsaemum.

ValentÃ£o P, Dias A, Ferreira M, Silva B, Andrade PB, Bastos ML, Seabra RM.

CEQUP/ServiÃ§o de Farmacognosia, Faculdade de FarmÃ¡cia, Universidade do Porto, R. Anibal Cunha 164, 4050-047 Porto, Portugal.

The methanolic extracts of fifteen Hypericum androsaemum samples, growing spontaneously or cultivated in Portugal, were analysed by HPLC/DAD, allowing the identification of 9 phenolic compounds and the detection of 6 phloroglucinols. Total amounts of phenolics found ranged from 11 to 39 g/kg, and the influence of some factors which may be responsible for this variation is discussed. The individual compounds were also quantified. Four different phenolic profiles were found concerning both qualitative and quantitative composition, indicating the possible existence of chemical polymorphism.