Herbal remedies used in the traditional folk medicine provide an interesting and still largely unexplored source for the creation and development of potentially new drugs. But it is necessary to reveal the active principles by isolation and characterization of their constituents and to validate their possible toxicity (17,18). The chemistry of the genus Satureja has not been thoroughly analyzed. Previous studies on the chemical composition of this genus indicate the occurrence of flavonoids in Satureja thymbra and Satureja spinosa (11). Iridoid glucosides have also been reported from Satureja vulgaris (19). Mono and sesquiterpenoids and also diterpenoids belonging to labdane, isopimarene and rearranged isopimarene groups were detected in Satureja gilliesii (20,21). Oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, ß-sitosterol-ß-D-glucoside and flavanone glycosides have been isolated from Satureja acinos, Satureja montana and Satureja obovata (22). Two 3,4-secotriterpenoids along with a mixture of three sterols have been reported from Satureja calamintha and Satureja graeca (23,24).
From four compounds isolated from S. khuzistanica, ß-sitosterol has been previously reported from S. calamintha and S. graeca (23). 4',5,6-Trihydroxy-3',7-dimethoxyflavone has been isolated from S. thymbra and S. spinosa (11). Also ursolic acid has been reported from S. acinos (22) and S. graeca (23). And ß-sitosterol-ß-D-glucoside has been isolated from S. acinos, S. montana and S. obovata (22).
The occurrence of these compounds in S. khuzistanica confirms the presence of flavones, triterpenoids and steroids in the genus Satureja (Lamiaceae). The natural occurrence of these compounds can be conclusive for the chemotaxonomic characterization of this genus.
With respect to numerous uses of this plant in folk medicine and great experiments that have been accomplished to investigate its biological properties, we decided to study the chemical composition of the crude extract. This process resulted in isolation of four known compounds. Nevertheless, we cannot attribute biological properties of S. khuzistanica to one of these compounds. Ursolic acid has been long recognized to have anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic properties in laboratory animals. Recently, it has also been noted for its antitumor promotion effects (25). With regard to excessive amount of ursolic acid in S. khuzistanica, therapeutic effects of the plant may be related to the presence of ursolic acid. This compound has also been found plentifully in other species of Lamiaceae family and exact assessment of its biological effects in these species has not been reported, therefore, we believe that the biological effects of S. khuzistanica are due to all existing compounds on this plant.
Answers to all your Biology Questions
