Istudor V., Lythrum salicaria (Purple loosestrife). Medicinal Use, Extraction and

Lythrum salicaria L., known as purple loosestrife (Lythraceae) has a wide range of beneficial health effects. It is well known as a medicinal plant from ancient Greek and Roman times and it has been an important drug for centuries. Its pharmacological activity is mostly due to its phenolic compounds, mainly tannins. Therefore obtaining an extract with a high percent of total phenolic compounds would be interesting for studying the biological potential of the plant. The dried herbal parts of Lythrum salicaria L. were sequentially extracted with different solvents: 96 % ethanol, 70 % ethanol, and distilled water, in order to select the best solvent exhibiting the maximum percent of total phenolic compounds; the measurements were performed using modified Folin-Ciocâlteu method according to Makkar et al. In addition, the total flavonoid content was also analyzed in the different extracts using Chang et al method. The quantitative analysis of the examined chemical compounds showed that 70 % ethanol solution was the best solvent used in order to obtain the highest phenolic content. Rezumat Lythrum salicaria L., răchitan (Lythraceae) are multiple efecte benefice asupra sănătăţii. Specia este bine cunoscută ca plantă medicinală încă din antichitate, de greci şi romani. A fost considerată de secole ca produs valoros datorită proprietăţilor sale farmacologice imprimate în special de compuşii fenolici (majoritar taninuri). Prin urmare, obţinerea unui extract cu un înalt conţinut de compuşi fenolici va fi valoros, întrucât ar putea prezenta o activitate farmacologică interesantă (hipoglicemiantă, hipolipemiantă, antiseptică, antioxidantă). În acest scop vârfurile florale uscate ale speciei Lythrum salicaria L. au fost extrase selectiv cu diferiţi solvenţi: etanol (96 % şi 70%) şi apă distilată, pentru a alege solventul potrivit, care extrage o cantitate maximă de compuşi fenolici (aciz