Luis A. Del Vitto

Evaluation of macro and microminerals in crude drugs and infusions of five herbs widely used as sedatives

It has been determined the concentration of fourteen micro and macrominerals (Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Se, and Zn) in both crude drugs and infusions of Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae, Nepeta cataria L., Lamiaceae, Passiflora caerulea L., Passifloraceae, Tilia x moltkei Spath ex C.K. Schneid., Tiliaceae, and Valeriana officinalis L., Caprifoliaceae. These herbs are widely consumed by its sedative properties, either alone or in herb mixtures. All measurements were performed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The products were obtained from regional markets, mainly in San Luis province (Argentina). The estimated daily intake was compared with current recommendations. All products and its infusions were included within the upper tolerable limits for minerals, in trace elements such as toxic elements present at low levels.

Chemotaxonomy of the Argentinian species of Gaillardia

The biosystematic study of the Argentinian entities of the genus Gaillardia Foug. have confirmed the differentiation of three species, Gaillardia cabrerae, G. tontalensis and G. megapotamica, and the three varieties of the latter (var. megapotamica, var. scabiosoides and var. radiata). The chemotaxonomic study carried out on the above species and varieties has confirmed the morphological findings and resulted in the isolation of the biogenetic precursor, the pseudoguaianolide 2β-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrohelenalin from G. megapotamica var. radiata.