Jadranka Vuković Rodríguez

Morphological, genetic and phytochemical variation of the endemic Teucrium arduini L. (Lamiaceae)

Analysis of the morphological traits of leaves, genetic variability (analyzed by AFLP) and chemical composition of essential oils (analyzed by GC-MS) was conducted on eleven populations of the endemic Illyric-Balcanic species Teucrium arduini L. in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Average blade length and width ranged from 20.00 to 31.47mm and from 11.58 to 15.66mm, respectively. Multivariate analysis (PCA, UPGMA) of morphological traits distinguished two continental Bosnian populations from the remaining populations. AFLP analysis separated the investigated populations into two groups based primarily on geographical distance. Essential oil analysis showed a total of 52 compounds, with two chemotypes distinguished based on the essential oil profile. The first was a sesquiterpene chemotype, with β-caryophyllene, germacrene D or caryophyllene oxide as the major compounds, while the second was an oxygenated monoterpene chemotype, with pulegone and piperitone oxide as the main components. The Mantel test showed a stronger correlation between the morphological traits and AFLP than between the essential oil profile and AFLP. The test also showed a stronger association between the essential oil profile and geographical position than between the morphological traits and geographical position.

Simultaneous RP‐HPLC‐DAD Separation, and Determination of Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids in Plantago L. Species

A rapid reversed‐phase (RP) high‐performance liquid chromatography method was developed and applied for simultaneous separation, and determination of flavonoids and phenolic acids in eight Plantago L. taxa (P. altissima L., P. argentea Chaix, P. coronopus L., P. holosteum Scop. ssp. depauperata Pilger, P. holosteum ssp. holosteum, P. holosteum ssp. scopulorum (Degen) Horvatić, P. lagopus L., and P. maritima L.) growing in Croatia. Chromatographic separation was carried out on Zorbax Eclipse XDB‐C18 using gradient elution with a H2O (pH 2.5, adjusted with CF3COOH) and MeCN mixture at 30°. The contents of analyzed phenolic compounds (% of the dry weight of the leaves, dw) varied among examined species: rutin (max. 0.024%, P. argentea), hyperoside (max. 0.020%, P. lagopus), quercitrin (max. 0.013%, P. holosteum ssp. holosteum), quercetin (max. 0.028%, P. holosteum ssp. scopulorum), chlorogenic acid (max. 0.115%, P. lagopus), and caffeic acid (max. 0.046%, P. coronopus). Isoquercitrin was detected only in P. argentea (0.020%), while isochlorogenic acid content was below limit of quantification in all investigated species. Multivariate analyses (UPGMA and PCA) showed significant differences in contents of investigated polyphenolic compounds between different Plantago taxa. Accordingly, investigated substances might be employed as chemotaxonomic markers in the study of the complex genus Plantago.

Analysis of polyphenols, phytosterols, and bitter principles in Teucrium L. species

Total polyphenols, tannins, β-sitosterol, and bitterness values were determined in native and cultivated populations of Teucrium L. species from Croatia (T. arduini L., T. botrys L., T. chamaedrys L., T. flavum L., T. montanum L., T. polium L., and T. scordium L. subsp. scordioides Schreb.). Teucrium species have long been present in folk medicine for diverse medicinal uses, but little is known about polyphenols, phytosterols, and bitter principles. Spectrophotometrically determined contents of total polyphenols (TP) and tannins (T) significantly varied among investigated Teucrium species and were somewhat higher in native populations. The highest TP and T contents were measured in native specimens of T. montanum (TP: 13.68%; T: 3.48%). Scanning densitometry was used for measurements of β-sitosterol levels in plant samples ranged from 0.056% (T. montanum) to 0.129% (T. botrys), and it was not significantly different between native and cultivated specimens of the same plant species. Bitterness values were similar for native and cultivated samples of the same plant species; the highest was measured for T. montanum (15659). The present study suggests that Teucrium species growing in Croatia have potential for cultivation and might be a valuable source of natural bioactive compounds.

Quantitative analysis of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in four Daphne L. species

The content of biologically active phenolic compounds (total polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids) were determined using spectrophotometry in four wild Croatian species of Daphne L. in the family Thymelaeaceae (Daphne alpina, D. cneorum, D. laureola, and D. mezereum). The concentration of total flavonoids (TF) was highest in the leaves of these Daphne species (0.12–0.51% dry herb weight, DW) whereas the content of other phenolic compounds analyzed were highest in the roots, including total polyphenols (TP; 2.71–19.03% DW), tannins (T; 1.14–7.39% DW), and total phenolic acids (TPA; 0.12–0.87% DW). D. alpina contained the highest amount of polyphenols, with the exception of flavonoids, where maximum concentrations were found in D. laureola. We also examined the antioxidant activity of leaf, stem, and root extracts. All extracts analyzed demonstrated high free radical scavenging activity with the highest concentration in the leaf extracts of D. alpina. Leaf extracts of D. cneorum showed the highest antioxidant activity in a β-carotene bleaching assay.

Influence of Soil Traits on Polyphenols Level in Moltkia petraea (Tratt.) Griseb. (Boraginaceae)

Abstract The Illyric–Balkan endemic species Moltkia petraea (Tratt.) Griseb. is very interesting as a potential horticultural and medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to investigate soil conditions of M. petraea habitats, the phenolic content in plant parts, and the influence of soil properties on the phenolic contents. The results were evaluated using Spearman rank order correlations. Analyzed soil samples contained very low to intermediate levels of physiologically active phosphorus, but were very rich in potash. Organic matter content of soil was high. Phenolic compound content was higher in leaves than in flowers or stems. The analyses showed that M. petraea possesses considerable quantities of phenolic compounds and has no specific demands for particular soil conditions. A negative correlation was found between soil phosphorus content and total phenols content in leaves and stems, and with the total phenolic acids content in flowers. Organic matter in soil also found to have a negative influence on total tannins content in stems. Among the tested geographical locations, the Mljet population showed a higher degree of separation from the remaining locations.

Perceptions and attitudes of community pharmacists toward professional ethics and ethical dilemmas in the workplace

Background: Formal training in pharmacy ethics is relatively new in Croatia, and the professional code of ethics is more than 20 years old. Very little is known about how practicing pharmacists implement ethical considerations and relevant professional guidelines in their work. Objectives: This study aimed to provide the first description of the perceptions and attitudes of Croatian community pharmacists toward ethics in pharmacy practice, how often they face certain ethical dilemmas and how they resolve them. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey of 252 community pharmacists, including community pharmacists and pre‐licensing trainees, was conducted in Zagreb, Croatia. This group accounts for 18% of licensed pharmacists in Croatia. The survey questions included four sections: general sociodemographic information, multiple‐choice questions, pre‐defined ethical scenarios, and ethical scenarios filled in by respondents. Results: More than half of pharmacists (62.7%) face ethical dilemmas in everyday work. Nearly all (94.4%) are familiar with the current professional code of ethics in Croatia, but only 47.6% think that the code reflects the changes that the pharmacy profession faces today. Most pharmacists (83.3%) solve ethical dilemmas on their own, while nearly the same proportion (75.4%) think that they are not adequately trained to deal with ethical dilemmas. The pre‐defined ethical scenarios experienced by the largest proportion of pharmacists are being asked to dispense a drug to someone other than the patient (93.3%), an unnecessary over‐the‐counter medicine (84.3%), a generic medicine clinically equivalent to the prescribed one (79.4%), or hormonal contraception over the counter (70.4%). Conclusions: The results demonstrate a need to improve formal pharmacy ethics education and training in how to assess ethical issues and make appropriate decisions, which implies the need for stronger collaboration between pharmacists and their professional association. Our results also highlight an urgent need to revise and update the Croatian code of ethics for pharmacists.