Characterisation of Flavonoids from Baccharis trimera and their Antihepatotoxic Properties*

Abstract

From the crude ethyl acetate extract of the epigeous parts of Baccharis trimera Less. (Compositae, tribe Astereae) 5 flavonoids were isolated and identified: Quercetin (1), luteolin (2), nepetin or eupafolin (3), apigenin (4), and hispidulin (5). Antihepatotoxic activity was investigated in mice intoxicated with phalloidin. The crude flavonoid extract administered intravenously in a dose of approximately 20 mg/kg 1 h before intoxication increased the survival rate from 25% to 100%. The most active of the pure components was hispidulin (32 mg/kg) ameliorating survival rate to 80%. A mixture of all 5 flavonoids in equal weight relations (final dose: 35 mg/kg) increased the survival rate to 70%. The efficacy of the crude extract seems to be explained to a large extent by the identified compounds.