Phytochemical analysis of Ballota aucheri Boiss. of Iran

The genus Ballota consists of about 33 species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae, native to temperate regions of Europe, north Africa and western Asia, with the highest diversity in the Mediterranean region. In Iran only three species are available, B. aucheri Boiss., B. nigra L. and B. platyloma Rech. f., of which B. aucheri and B. platyloma are endemic plants. Ballota species are used in folk medicine as antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, choleretic, antihemorrhiodal and sedative agents as well as for treatment of wounds, burns, cough suppression and upper respiratory inflammation [1,2,3].

The aerial parts of B. aucheri grown at Shiraz in the south of Iran were hydrodistilled for 4 hours, using a Clevenger-type apparatus to yield 2.6% (w/w) of yellowish color oil. The essential oil was dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and stored in a sealed vial at +4°C until analysis. The oil was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The constituents of the essential oil were identified by comparison of their mass spectra and retention indices (RI) with those given in the literature and authentic samples [4].

Twelve compounds were characterized in the essential oil of B. aucheri, representing 96.74% of the oil, of which phytol (55.96%), cetal (16.52%) were found to be the major components.

Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge the financial contribution from the Research and Technology Deputy of ACECR (Academic Centre for Education Culture & Research) for supporting this research.

References: [1] Rechinger, K.H. et al. (1982) Flora Iranian Labiatae. Akademische Druck and Verlagsanstalt, Graz, Austria.

[2] Mozaffarian, V. (1996) A Dictionary of Iranian Plant Names. Farhang Moaser, Tehran, Iran.

[3] Citoglu, G. et al. (1998) Planta Med.64:484.

[4] Adams, R.P. (2001) Identification of Essential oil Components by Gas Chromatography/Quadrupole Mass spectroscopy. Allured Publishing Crop. Carol stream, IL.