Lavender Herb: Comparing Chemical Makeup and Antioxidant Power

Greg Howard
12th August, 2024

Lavender Herb: Comparing Chemical Makeup and Antioxidant Power

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study analyzed Lavandula angustifolia from five Ukrainian regions, revealing high levels of beneficial compounds
  • Samples from Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv regions showed the highest antioxidant activity due to rich phenolic content
  • Ukrainian lavender's high phenolic and terpenoid content suggests potential for therapeutic and neuroprotective applications
Lavender, particularly the species Lavandula angustifolia, has long been valued for its various uses in food, medicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and aromatherapy. Recent research conducted by the National University of Pharmacy in Ukraine has explored the composition and content of polyphenols and terpenoids in Lavandula angustifolia grown in different regions of Ukraine, revealing significant findings about its antioxidant properties and potential neuroprotective benefits[1]. The study analyzed ten samples of Lavandula angustifolia from five different Ukrainian regions using advanced techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC). These methods allowed for precise identification and quantification of phenolic compounds and terpenoids, which are known for their antioxidant properties. The results indicated a high content of phenolic compounds, including hyperoside, vanillic acid, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and genistein-7-O-glucoside. Additionally, the presence of linalool and linalyl acetate was confirmed, both of which contribute to lavender's therapeutic properties. The findings showed that the samples from the Lviv Botanical Garden, Kyiv OLawander, and Kharkiv Bohodukhiv regions exhibited the highest total antioxidant activity, measured in Trolox equivalents. This high antioxidant activity is attributed to the rich composition of phenolic compounds in these samples. Furthermore, the study identified that the most intense zones of terpenoids were found in lavender samples from the Kharkiv region's Lebiazhe and Kitchenkivka villages. This research aligns with previous studies highlighting lavender's medicinal properties. For instance, lavender essential oil has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety, with its anxiolytic and antidepressant effects possibly due to its interaction with the NMDA receptor and serotonin transporter (SERT)[2]. Additionally, lavender's potential to improve neurotoxicity models further supports its neuroprotective properties[2]. The antioxidant activity of Lavandula angustifolia, primarily due to rosmarinic acid, has been corroborated by studies on other lavender species, such as Lavandula x intermedia 'Budrovka'[3]. Moreover, the study's findings on the high phenolic content in lavender herb from Ukraine are consistent with earlier research that identified significant amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids in different lavender cultivars[4]. This underscores the potential of lavender as a valuable source of antioxidant compounds, which can be used in various applications, including pharmaceuticals and food products. The Ukrainian study's cluster analysis highlighted the importance of marker compounds such as vanillic acid, hyperoside, chlorogenic acid, and rosmarinic acid. These compounds' quantitative content in the samples suggests that Ukrainian-grown lavender could be a promising raw material for developing products with neuroprotective properties. In conclusion, the research conducted by the National University of Pharmacy provides valuable insights into the antioxidant properties of Lavandula angustifolia grown in Ukraine. The high content of phenolic compounds and terpenoids in these samples suggests that Ukrainian lavender could be used in various therapeutic applications, particularly for its neuroprotective benefits. This study not only expands the understanding of lavender's medicinal properties but also highlights the potential for Ukraine to become a significant player in the global lavender market.

HerbsHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Lavandula angustifolia Herb from Ukraine: Comparative Chemical Profile and in vitro Antioxidant Activity.

Published 11th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202400640

Related Studies

2) Exploring Pharmacological Mechanisms of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil on Central Nervous System Targets.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00280

3) Evaluation of antioxidant potential of Lavandula x intermedia Emeric ex Loisel. 'Budrovka': a comparative study with L. angustifolia Mill.

https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules15095971

4) Comparison of phenolic acids and flavonoids contents in various cultivars and parts of common lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) derived from Poland.

https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1320792


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