Phytochemistry and biological activity of Primula spectabilis Tratt., an endemism of Valvestino (Italian Alps)

Valvestino (Brescia) is a valley of Italian Central Southern Alps, recognized by European Union as \u201cSite of Community Interest\u201d; this site is characterized by the presence of numerous endemisms, some of them included in the IUCN Red List. An ethnobotanical investigation in this valley has pointed out that some species belonging to Primula genus are commonly used for their medicinal properties. In this work we report the flavonoid composition of the endemism Primula spectabilis Tratt. and its antioxidant potential. Samples of this species were collected during the Summer of 2007 and determined according to \u201cFlora d\u2019Italia\u201d by Pignatti. The dried powdered leaves were exhaustively extracted with increasing polarity solvents: n-hexane, dichloromethane, dichlorometane:methanol (9:1) and methanol. The methanol extract was chromatographed on Sephadex LH-20, using MeOH as eluent, to obtain fractions that showed NTS-PEG positive spots on TLC. Finally some of these fractions have been submitted to RP-HPLC to obtain phenols, and the structural identification was determined on the basis of extensive NMR spectral studies, as well as by HPLC-MS analysis. Three compounds (C-glucosides of kaempferol, quercetin and apigenin), never isolated before in the Primula genus, were identified. The methanol extract, the richest in polyphenols, was also submitted, after the determination of polyphenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteau method, to DPPH and total antioxidant capacity based upon the reduction of Cu++ to Cu+ assays. The obtained results showed a considerable antioxidant activity from P. spectabilis

Primula spectabilis Tratt. aerial parts: morphology, volatile compounds and flavonoids

The vacuolar and epicuticular flavonoids and the volatiles of the leaves and parts of flower of P. spectabilis Tratt., an endemic species in the Italian Oriental Alps, were investigated. From a MeOH extract of the leaves two flavone glycosides, 8-C-β-glucopyranosylluteolin 7-O-α-arabinofuranoside (1) and 6-C-α-arabinofuranosylapigenin (2) were isolated, in addition to a flavone and three flavonols already known from species of Primula. From an EtOH extract of leaf exudates, 7,30,40-tri-O-methylquercetin was obtained. The structures were elucidated on the basis of their 1D 1H- and 13C NMR data and 2D NMR techniques, as well as of HPLC–MS. The volatiles emitted by the leaves were mainly constituted by non-terpene derivatives, followed by comparable proportions of hemiterpens, oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. In flowers, monoterpene hydrocarbons were the most represented chemical class followed by non-terpene derivatives. Different proportions of compounds were found when individual parts of flowers were examined separately; calyx produced a greater proportion (approx. 49.5%) of non-terpenes as its volatile metabolites. P. spectabilis has glandular trichomes in the hyaline margins of the epidermal depressions, distributed on the adaxial leaf blade. Glandular hairs were also present on the corolla. Correlations of phytochemical data with the morphological features of leaf, flower and glandular hair are discussed, and a hypothesis is proposed on the ecological roles of the flavonoids and volatile compounds on the general fitness of the species and cross-pollination strategie

Phytochemistry and biological activity of Primula spectabilis Tratt., an endemism of Valvestino (Italian Alps)

none5Valvestino (Brescia) is a valley of Italian Central Southern Alps, recognized by European Union as “Site of Community Interest”; this site is characterized by the presence of numerous endemisms, some of them included in the IUCN Red List. An ethnobotanical investigation in this valley has pointed out that some species belonging to Primula genus are commonly used for their medicinal properties. In this work we report the flavonoid composition of the endemism Primula spectabilis Tratt. and its antioxidant potential. Samples of this species were collected during the Summer of 2007 and determined according to “Flora d’Italia” by Pignatti. The dried powdered leaves were exhaustively extracted with increasing polarity solvents: n-hexane, dichloromethane, dichlorometane:methanol (9:1) and methanol. The methanol extract was chromatographed on Sephadex LH-20, using MeOH as eluent, to obtain fractions that showed NTS-PEG positive spots on TLC. Finally some of these fractions have been submitted to RP-HPLC to obtain phenols, and the structural identification was determined on the basis of extensive NMR spectral studies, as well as by HPLC-MS analysis. Three compounds (C-glucosides of kaempferol, quercetin and apigenin), never isolated before in the Primula genus, were identified. The methanol extract, the richest in polyphenols, was also submitted, after the determination of polyphenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteau method, to DPPH and total antioxidant capacity based upon the reduction of Cu++ to Cu+ assays. The obtained results showed a considerable antioxidant activity from P. spectabilis.noneS. Vitalini; G. Fico; A. Valaguzza; F. Visioli; F. TomèS., Vitalini; G., Fico; A., Valaguzza; Visioli, Francesco; F., Tom

Italy

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a notion known to the Italian legal system. More precisely, in light of Italian law, we can distinguish between CSR strictu sensu (as generally conceived of as based on voluntary commitments) and the corporate accountability to respect binding obligations recognized at law (especially on the basis of the legal provisions of Italian company, contract and tort law) concerning, for instance, the protection of human and labor rights and the environment (CSR latu sensu). Bearing this distinction in mind, the present report will focus on CSR from the perspective of Italian private international law, addressing CSR strictu and latu sensu